Hazing Lawyers for Lincoln County, Montana Families – Attorney 911
Protecting Lincoln County Students from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse
Lincoln County families: If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or other student organization, you have legal rights. The same national fraternities and sororities that operate in major universities across Montana—including near Lincoln County—have paid millions in settlements for hazing injuries and deaths. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, and we will bring the same aggressive representation to Lincoln County families.
🚨 Lincoln County Hazing is More Common Than You Think
Hazing doesn’t just happen in big cities or famous universities—it happens right here in Montana, including near Lincoln County. The same national fraternities and sororities that have been sued for hazing deaths and injuries in other states operate chapters at universities near Lincoln County, including:
- Montana State University (Bozeman) – Just a short drive from Lincoln County
- University of Montana (Missoula) – A major Greek life hub
- Montana Tech (Butte) – Smaller but active Greek organizations
- Carroll College (Helena) – Private institution with Greek life presence
These organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing-related injuries and deaths. If your child was hazed in Lincoln County or at a nearby university, we can help.
🔥 The Hazing Crisis in Lincoln County & Beyond
Hazing is not “tradition”—it’s abuse, assault, and sometimes manslaughter. Yet, universities and Greek organizations continue to turn a blind eye until someone gets seriously injured or killed.
What Lincoln County Families Need to Know:
✅ Hazing is illegal in Montana – Under Montana law, hazing is a misdemeanor, and if it causes serious injury or death, it can be a felony.
✅ Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Montana law explicitly prohibits hazing—no exceptions.
✅ Universities are liable – If a university near Lincoln County knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be held legally responsible.
✅ National fraternities have deep pockets – Organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries. They have insurance policies and assets to cover damages.
✅ You have a limited time to act – Montana has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. The clock is ticking.
🏥 The Medical Dangers of Hazing – Lincoln County Parents Must Be Aware
Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation”—it can cause life-threatening injuries, including:
| Hazing Activity | Medical Risk | Real-World Example |
|---|---|---|
| Forced alcohol consumption | Alcohol poisoning, death | Stone Foltz (2021) – Died from forced drinking at Pi Kappa Alpha (Bowling Green State) |
| Extreme physical exertion (500+ squats, pushups, etc.) | Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), kidney failure | Leonel Bermudez (2025) – Hospitalized with kidney failure after Pi Kappa Phi hazing (University of Houston) |
| Waterboarding, simulated drowning | Asphyxiation, brain damage | Our current case – Pi Kappa Phi waterboarded a pledge with a garden hose |
| Beating with wooden paddles | Broken bones, internal bleeding | Maxwell Gruver (2017) – Died after being struck during Phi Delta Theta hazing (LSU) |
| Sleep deprivation | Heart attack, stroke, mental breakdown | Timothy Piazza (2017) – Died after fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911 (Penn State) |
| Forced eating (hot dogs, peppercorns, etc.) | Choking, vomiting, aspiration | Andrew Coffey (2017) – Died after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon (Pi Kappa Phi, FSU) |
Lincoln County parents: If your child was subjected to any of these activities and suffered injuries, you may have a multi-million dollar case.
💰 Hazing Lawsuits: What Lincoln County Families Can Recover
Hazing victims and their families have won millions in settlements and jury verdicts. Here’s what Lincoln County families can pursue:
1. Medical Expenses (Past & Future)
- Emergency room visits
- Hospital stays
- Surgery & rehabilitation
- Therapy for PTSD, anxiety, depression
- Future medical monitoring (e.g., kidney function tests)
2. Lost Wages & Future Earning Capacity
- Time missed from work due to injuries
- Lost internship opportunities
- Impact on future career earnings
3. Pain & Suffering
- Physical pain from injuries
- Emotional trauma from abuse
- Humiliation and degradation
- Long-term psychological effects (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
4. Punitive Damages (To Punish the Defendants)
- If the hazing was especially cruel or reckless, courts can award punitive damages to send a message.
- Example: Pi Kappa Alpha was ordered to pay $6.5 million to the family of Stone Foltz after he died from forced drinking.
5. Wrongful Death (If Your Child Died from Hazing)
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of companionship
- Future financial support the victim would have provided
📋 What Lincoln County Families Should Do If Their Child Was Hazed
If your child was hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the statute of limitations is ticking.
✅ Immediate Steps for Lincoln County Families:
- Get medical attention – Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can worsen over time.
- Preserve all evidence – Save texts, photos, videos, social media posts, and witness names.
- Do NOT speak to the fraternity, sorority, or university alone – They will try to minimize the incident.
- Do NOT post on social media – Anything you say can be used against you.
- Contact an attorney immediately – The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.
❌ What NOT to Do:
❌ Delete messages or photos – This is destruction of evidence and can hurt your case.
❌ Sign anything from the fraternity or university – You may unknowingly waive your rights.
❌ Talk to insurance companies – They will try to lowball you.
❌ Wait too long – Montana’s statute of limitations is 3 years, but evidence disappears fast.
🏛️ Who Can Be Sued for Lincoln County Hazing?
Hazing cases involve multiple defendants—not just the students who participated. We pursue everyone responsible, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local fraternity/sorority chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National fraternity/sorority organization | Failed to supervise, knew about hazing culture |
| University | Owned the property, failed to stop hazing despite knowing it was happening |
| Fraternity/sorority housing corporation | Owned the house where hazing occurred |
| Individual members (president, pledgemaster, etc.) | Participated in or allowed hazing |
| Alumni who hosted hazing | Allowed hazing at their homes |
Lincoln County families: We don’t just sue broke college students—we go after the institutions with deep pockets (universities, national organizations, insurance companies).
🎯 Our $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit – Why It Matters for Lincoln County
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the hospitalization of Leonel Bermudez. This case is directly relevant to Lincoln County families because:
✅ Same fraternities operate near Lincoln County – Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others have chapters at Montana universities.
✅ Same hazing tactics – Waterboarding, forced drinking, extreme physical punishment, and psychological abuse.
✅ Same institutional failures – Universities near Lincoln County own fraternity houses and have the power to stop hazing—but often don’t.
✅ Same legal strategies apply – We are using the same aggressive approach to hold fraternities, universities, and individuals accountable.
📰 Media Coverage of Our Case:
- ABC13 Houston – “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge”
- KHOU 11 – “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations”
- Houston Chronicle – “UH fraternity hazing lawsuit”
- Houston Public Media – “University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing”
📞 Lincoln County Families: Call Us Now for a Free Consultation
If your child was hazed in Lincoln County or at a nearby university, you have legal options. We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations – No obligation.
✅ Contingency fee representation – You pay nothing unless we win.
✅ Nationwide service – We represent hazing victims anywhere in the U.S., including Lincoln County.
✅ Aggressive litigation – We don’t back down from fraternities, universities, or insurance companies.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9111)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We will travel to Lincoln County for your case. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
⚖️ Hazing Laws in Montana – What Lincoln County Families Need to Know
Montana has strict anti-hazing laws, and violating them can result in criminal charges and civil lawsuits.
Montana Code Annotated § 45-5-219 – Hazing
“A person commits the offense of hazing if the person knowingly or negligently endangers the physical or mental health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization.”
Penalties for Hazing in Montana:
- Misdemeanor – Up to 6 months in jail and $500 fine
- Felony – If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, up to 10 years in prison and $50,000 fine
Organizations Can Also Be Penalized:
- Fines up to $10,000
- Loss of recognition by the university
- Forfeiture of property
Consent is NOT a Defense:
“It is not a defense to a prosecution under this section that the student consented to the hazing.”
Lincoln County families: If your child was hazed, the law is on your side.
🎓 Common Hazing Practices at Lincoln County-Area Universities
Hazing takes many forms, and Lincoln County students are at risk at local universities. Common hazing activities include:
1. Physical Abuse
- Beatings with paddles, belts, or other objects
- Forced calisthenics (500+ squats, pushups, etc.)
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Branding or burning
- Confinement in small spaces
2. Forced Consumption
- Binge drinking (forced to drink until vomiting or passing out)
- Eating disgusting or dangerous substances (hot sauce, raw eggs, etc.)
- Forced drug use
3. Psychological Torture
- Sleep deprivation
- Verbal abuse and humiliation
- Forced to wear embarrassing clothing
- Carrying objects of a sexual nature
- Isolation from friends and family
4. Sexual Abuse
- Forced nudity
- Sexual assault
- Inappropriate touching
- Being forced to engage in sexual acts
5. Extreme Physical Exertion
- Running long distances in extreme weather
- “Suicide drills” (sprinting back and forth until exhaustion)
- “Gauntlets” (being forced to run through a line of members who hit you)
Lincoln County parents: If your child was subjected to any of these activities, they were hazed—and you may have a case.
🏆 Why Lincoln County Families Choose Attorney 911
We are not just personal injury lawyers—we are hazing litigation specialists. Here’s why Lincoln County families trust us:
1. We Are Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit
- We are actively fighting Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the hospitalization of Leonel Bermudez.
- This case is setting precedent for hazing victims nationwide, including Lincoln County.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
- We know exactly how they try to deny claims—and we know how to beat them.
3. Nationwide Representation – We Serve Lincoln County
- While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims anywhere in the U.S.
- We offer video consultations and will travel to Lincoln County for your case.
4. No Upfront Costs – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
- We work on a contingency fee basis—no hourly fees, no retainers.
- You only pay if we recover money for you.
5. Aggressive, Trial-Ready Attorneys
- We don’t settle for lowball offers.
- If the fraternity, university, or insurance company won’t pay what you deserve, we take them to trial.
6. Compassionate, Bilingual Representation
- We understand the emotional trauma hazing causes.
- Se habla español – We serve Spanish-speaking Lincoln County families.
📞 Lincoln County Hazing Victims: Call Now for Justice
If your child was hazed in Lincoln County or at a nearby university, you don’t have to suffer in silence. We are here to fight for you.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9111)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We will travel to Lincoln County for your case. You are not alone. Let’s hold them accountable.
🔍 Frequently Asked Questions About Lincoln County Hazing Cases
1. My child was hazed, but they “consented.” Can we still sue?
Yes. Montana law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity, sorority, and university can still be held liable.
2. What if the hazing happened off-campus?
It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If the fraternity or sorority organized the hazing, they can still be sued.
3. How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
Montana has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, evidence disappears quickly, so it’s best to act as soon as possible.
4. Will my child get in trouble for reporting hazing?
No. Montana has anti-retaliation laws to protect students who report hazing. If the fraternity or university retaliates against your child, they can be sued for additional damages.
5. How much is my Lincoln County hazing case worth?
Every case is different, but hazing victims have recovered millions in settlements and verdicts. Factors that increase case value include:
- Severity of injuries
- Whether the university knew about prior hazing
- Whether the national fraternity has a history of hazing
- Whether the hazing was especially cruel (e.g., waterboarding, forced drinking)
6. Can we sue the university if they didn’t know about the hazing?
Possibly. If the university should have known about hazing (e.g., prior incidents, complaints) and failed to act, they can be held liable under negligent supervision laws.
7. What if my child was hazed at a small college near Lincoln County?
It doesn’t matter. Hazing is hazing—whether it happens at a big university or a small college. We represent victims regardless of the school’s size.
8. Will this affect my child’s college future?
We work to protect your child’s privacy and academic standing. Many hazing cases are resolved confidentially. Additionally, universities that retaliate against hazing victims can be sued for additional damages.
9. How do I know if my child’s experience qualifies as hazing?
Hazing is any activity that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation. If your child was forced to do something dangerous, humiliating, or illegal to join or remain in an organization, it was hazing.
10. What should I do if my child is currently being hazed?
- Get them out of the situation immediately.
- Document everything (photos, videos, texts, witness names).
- Seek medical attention if needed.
- Contact an attorney before speaking to the fraternity, sorority, or university.
🚨 Lincoln County Parents: Don’t Wait – Act Now
Hazing is abuse, assault, and sometimes manslaughter. If your child was hazed in Lincoln County or at a nearby university, you have legal rights—and we can help you enforce them.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9111) Now
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We serve Lincoln County families. You are not alone. Let’s fight back.
