Hazing Victims in Madison County, Montana: Your Rights and How to Seek Justice

Hazing Isn’t Tradition—It’s Abuse. And It Happens in Montana Too.

Madison County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities, fraternities, and sororities to provide a positive experience. But too often, that trust is betrayed.

If your child has been hazed at a college near Madison County—whether at Montana State University, the University of Montana, or any other institution—they may have suffered physical injuries, psychological trauma, or even life-threatening conditions like rhabdomyolysis. This isn’t just “boys being boys” or “girls bonding.” This is abuse. And it’s illegal.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing. We are bringing that same fight to Montana. If your child has been hazed in Madison County or anywhere in Montana, we will hold the responsible parties accountable—no matter how powerful they are.

What Is Hazing? Understanding the Legal Definition in Montana

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.

Examples of Hazing That Are Illegal in Montana:

• Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion (like 500 squats or 100 pushups), branding, or exposure to extreme weather
• Forced consumption: Being made to drink alcohol, eat food until vomiting, or consume other substances
• Psychological abuse: Sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats, or isolation
• Dangerous activities: Waterboarding, being hog-tied, or any activity that risks serious injury or death
• Sexual humiliation or assault: Being forced to carry sexual objects, stripped naked, or subjected to sexual acts

Montana law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of whether the victim consented.

The Hazing Crisis in Montana: It’s Closer Than You Think

You might think hazing is a problem in big states like Texas or California—but it happens right here in Montana too. Fraternities and sororities with chapters near Madison County have the same national organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries across the country.

Fraternities and Sororities Near Madison County with Documented Hazing Histories:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – Paid $10.1 million after a hazing death at Bowling Green State University
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Involved in multiple hazing lawsuits, including a $1 million+ settlement at Texas A&M
• Pi Kappa Phi – Currently being sued for $10 million in our case; another student died from hazing in 2017
• Phi Delta Theta – Paid $6.1 million after a student died from forced drinking at LSU
• Beta Theta Pi – Settled for $110+ million after a student died from hazing at Penn State

These same organizations have chapters at universities near Madison County. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Montana, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Montana

In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme hazing. Here’s what happened to him:

The Hazing That Hospitalized Leonel Bermudez:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose – Simulated drowning, a form of torture
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups – Until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
• Struck with wooden paddles – Physical assault with weapons
• Forced to eat until vomiting – Then made to lie in vomit-soaked grass
• Another pledge lost consciousness – Fraternity members did nothing to help
• Hog-tied with an object in his mouth – Another pledge was tortured this way

Result: Bermudez spent 4 days in the hospital with kidney failure. His muscles broke down from the extreme physical abuse.

Why This Matters to Madison County Families:

• The same fraternities operate near Madison County. Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, and others have chapters at Montana universities.
• Universities near Madison County have the same oversight failures. The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred—and did nothing to stop it.
• National organizations know about hazing and do nothing. Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture after a student died from hazing in 2017. They didn’t.
• Your child could be next. If it can happen at a major university like UH, it can happen at a school near Madison County.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Montana?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible. In our Houston case, we are suing:

In Montana, we will pursue every liable party to ensure your family gets justice.

What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Madison County

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations can expire. Here’s what you should do immediately:

1. Get Medical Attention

• Even if your child says they’re “fine,” they may have internal injuries or delayed symptoms.
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be life-threatening if untreated.
• Alcohol poisoning can cause permanent brain damage or death.
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) may not appear immediately.

2. Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos of injuries, the hazing location, and any physical evidence (paddles, alcohol bottles, etc.).
• Save all communications – text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs, emails.
• Document witness names – other pledges, bystanders, anyone who saw what happened.
• Keep all medical records – hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records.

3. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without a Lawyer

• They will try to control the narrative and minimize your child’s injuries.
• They may pressure your child to sign documents waiving their rights.
• Anything your child says can be used against them in court.

4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

• Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
• We will evaluate your case, preserve evidence, and protect your child’s rights.
• We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

What Compensation Can Your Family Recover?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

In our Houston case, we are seeking $10 million. While every case is different, hazing cases often result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, including:

• $10.1 million – Bowling Green State University (Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million – Louisiana State University (Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million – Penn State (Beta Theta Pi)

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Madison County Hazing Case?

1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

• We are actively litigating a hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We know how to build these cases, gather evidence, and hold institutions accountable.
• Madison County families get the same aggressive representation we provide in Texas.

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know how insurance companies try to deny or minimize claims.
• We’ve seen their playbook—now we use it against them.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority

• We can pursue cases in federal court, which is critical for lawsuits against national fraternities.
• We are licensed in both Texas and New York, giving us strategic advantages.

4. We Travel to Madison County for Your Case

• We will come to Madison County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. We Work on Contingency—No Upfront Costs

• You pay nothing unless we win your case.
• We advance all costs and only get paid from your settlement or verdict.

6. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)

• Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
• We provide bilingual representation for Spanish-speaking families.

Montana Hazing Laws: Know Your Rights

Montana has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students. Under Montana Code Annotated § 45-5-626, hazing is a misdemeanor, punishable by:

• Up to 6 months in jail
• Fines up to $500

If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it can be charged as a felony.

Montana Universities with Greek Life Near Madison County:

• Montana State University (Bozeman) – Home to multiple fraternities and sororities
• University of Montana (Missoula) – Active Greek life community
• Montana Tech (Butte) – Smaller but present Greek organizations

If your child was hazed at any of these schools—or any other institution near Madison County—we can help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Cases in Montana

1. My child was hazed but didn’t go to the hospital. Do we still have a case?

Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may have suffered psychological trauma, PTSD, or other lasting harm. We can pursue compensation for these injuries.

2. The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Does that matter?

No. Under Montana law, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity is still liable for any harm caused.

3. We’re worried about retaliation. Will the fraternity come after us?

We understand your concerns. Many hazing victims fear retaliation for speaking out. We will protect your child’s identity and ensure they are not targeted. In our Houston case, our client is fearful of retribution—we take these concerns seriously.

4. How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Montana?

Montana has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However, you should act immediately—evidence disappears, and witnesses forget. The sooner we start, the stronger your case will be.

5. Can we sue the university if they didn’t know about the hazing?

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight or ignored prior hazing incidents, they can be held liable—even if they didn’t know about your child’s specific case.

6. How much is our case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in multi-million-dollar settlements or verdicts, especially when:

• The hazing was extremely dangerous (like waterboarding or forced exercise to collapse)
• The victim suffered serious injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage)
• The university or national organization knew about prior hazing incidents

7. Will this go to trial?

Most cases settle out of court, but we are prepared to go to trial if necessary to get you the compensation you deserve.

Madison County Families: We Are Here to Fight for You

Hazing is a national crisis, and it happens right here in Montana. If your child has been hazed, you are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now in Texas, and we will bring that same fight to Madison County.

Call Attorney 911 Today for a Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Madison County, Montana. You pay nothing unless we win.

Together, We Can Stop Hazing in Montana

Every time a hazing victim comes forward, they protect the next student. Your child’s case could save lives.

Enough is enough. It’s time to hold them accountable.