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Hazing Lawyers in Teton County, Montana | Attorney 911
Fraternity & Sorority Hazing Victims Deserve Justice – We Fight for Teton County Families
📞 Call Now for a Free Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Serving Teton County and Nationwide
Why Teton County Families Need a Hazing Lawyer Now
Hazing isn’t just a college problem—it’s a Teton County problem. Whether your child attends the University of Montana Western in Dillon, Montana State University in Bozeman, or another institution near Teton County, the same national fraternities and sororities operate here. The same dangerous “traditions” that hospitalized a student in Houston are happening right now in Montana.
You are not alone. We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving that hazing is not harmless “initiation,” but abuse, torture, and sometimes manslaughter. If your child has been hazed in Teton County or anywhere in Montana, we will fight for you with the same relentless dedication.
The Hazing Crisis in Montana: What Teton County Families Need to Know
Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines
The same fraternities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide—including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Alpha—have active chapters at universities near Teton County.
Universities Near Teton County with Greek Life:
- University of Montana Western (Dillon, MT) – Just 50 miles from Teton County
- Montana State University (Bozeman, MT) – Major Greek system, 100+ miles away
- University of Montana (Missoula, MT) – Large fraternity and sorority presence
The Danger Is Real:
- 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing (National Study on Student Hazing)
- Since 2000, at least one hazing death has occurred every year in the U.S.
- 95% of hazing victims do not report it—meaning the problem is far worse than statistics show
Teton County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Teton County, they face the same risks that put our client in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
Our Landmark Hazing Case: $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston
This Happened in Houston. It Could Happen in Teton County.
On November 21, 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston pledge who was hospitalized for four days after being subjected to extreme hazing, including:
✅ Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✅ Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
✅ Struck with wooden paddles
✅ Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising
✅ Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing—yet they kept going
Result: Bermudez was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure.
Why This Case Matters for Teton County Families
- Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near Teton County—the same organization that failed to prevent this abuse.
- Universities near Teton County have the same oversight failures—they know hazing happens but often do nothing until it’s too late.
- The same “traditions” exist in Montana—forced drinking, physical abuse, psychological torture.
- We are fighting this battle RIGHT NOW—and we will bring the same fight to Teton County.
From our lead attorney, Ralph Manginello:
“When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.”
From Lupe Pena:
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Montana)
Hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group.
Examples of Hazing in Teton County & Montana
| Physical Abuse | Forced Consumption | Psychological Torture | Sleep Deprivation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatings with paddles | Forced alcohol consumption | Verbal humiliation | All-night workouts |
| Extreme exercise (500+ squats) | Eating until vomiting | Carrying sexual objects | Forced errands at 3 AM |
| Waterboarding | Drinking games | Social isolation | Sleep deprivation tests |
| Branding or burning | Chugging liquor | Threats of expulsion | “Hell Week” exhaustion |
Montana Law: Hazing is a misdemeanor under Montana Code Annotated § 45-5-627. If hazing causes serious injury or death, it can be prosecuted as a felony.
Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Montana law says consent does not excuse hazing.
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Teton County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible:
| 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 (e.g., UM Western, MSU, UM) | Failed to prevent hazing on campus; may own fraternity houses |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Insurance Companies | Fraternities and universities have liability insurance |
Our $10 million lawsuit names:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- The local UH chapter
- University of Houston (owner of the fraternity house)
- Individual members and officers
Teton County families: We will pursue every liable party to maximize your compensation.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Teton County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be life-threatening.
- Alcohol poisoning can cause death.
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) requires professional help.
Teton County Medical Resources:
- Teton Medical Center (Choteau, MT) – Local emergency care
- Benefis Health System (Great Falls, MT) – Larger hospital, 100+ miles away
- St. Peter’s Health (Helena, MT) – Another major medical center
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Photos/Videos – Injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house
✅ Texts/Group Chats – Screenshots of hazing instructions, threats, admissions
✅ Medical Records – Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, test results
✅ Witness Statements – Names and contact info of other pledges
✅ Fraternity Documents – Pledge manuals, schedules, rules
⚠️ DO NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Talk to fraternity/sorority leaders without a lawyer
- Sign anything from the organization
- Post about the incident on social media
Step 3: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately
- Montana has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
- Evidence disappears quickly—fraternities destroy records, witnesses forget.
- Insurance companies will lowball you—they want to pay as little as possible.
We offer:
✔ Free consultations for Teton County families
✔ Contingency fee representation – You pay $0 upfront; we only get paid if we win
✔ Nationwide reach – We travel to Teton County for depositions and trials
✔ Bilingual support – Se habla español
Damages We Can Recover for Teton County Hazing Victims
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages | Punitive Damages |
|---|---|---|
| Medical bills (ER, hospital, therapy) | Physical pain and suffering | Awarded to punish egregious conduct |
| Future medical expenses (dialysis, surgery) | Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety) | Applies when hazing is intentional or reckless |
| Lost wages | Humiliation and shame | Our $10M case includes punitive damages |
| Lost earning capacity | Loss of enjoyment of life | |
| Property damage | Disfigurement |
Precedent Settlements & Verdicts:
- $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
- $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
Teton County families: These cases prove that hazing victims win big. We will fight for the maximum compensation for your child.
Fraternities Near Teton County with Hazing Histories
| Fraternity | Known Hazing Incidents | Universities Near Teton County |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Hospitalized student (2025, UH); Andrew Coffey death (2017, FSU) | UM Western, MSU |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Chemical burns case (2021, Texas A&M) | MSU |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz death (2021, BGSU); David Bogenberger death (2012, NIU) | UM, MSU |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza death (2017, Penn State) | UM |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver death (2017, LSU) | MSU |
Teton County parents: If your child is pledging one of these fraternities, they are at risk. We can help.
Why Teton County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
- Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH
- Proven track record in high-stakes personal injury cases
- Former insurance defense attorneys—we know how they try to deny claims
2. We Understand Montana’s Unique Challenges
- Rural access: We travel to Teton County for client meetings and depositions
- University dynamics: Greek life is strong at UM Western, MSU, and UM—we know how to hold them accountable
- Small-town values: Teton County families deserve the same aggressive representation as big cities
3. We Have the Resources to Win
- Federal court admission – Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
- Dual-state bar licenses – Texas and New York
- Expert network – Medical professionals, hazing culture experts, accident reconstructionists
- Media connections – We use public pressure to force fair settlements
4. We Care About Teton County Families
- We don’t see clients as paychecks—we see them as people who’ve been wronged
- We fight for justice, not just settlements
- We protect victims from retaliation—our client feared speaking out due to threats
From a client:
“They treated me like family. I never felt like just another case.”
Frequently Asked Questions for Teton County Families
1. Can I sue if my child was hazed in Teton County?
Yes. If your child was injured due to hazing, you can sue the fraternity, university, and individuals responsible. Montana law allows victims to seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
2. What if my child “consented” to hazing?
Consent is NOT a defense in Montana. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says hazing is illegal. Fraternities often use peer pressure, threats, and coercion—true consent is impossible.
3. How much is my hazing case worth?
Every case is different, but hazing cases often settle for hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on:
- Severity of injuries
- Whether the university or national organization knew about prior hazing
- Evidence of cover-ups or repeated violations
Our $10 million case includes:
- $500,000+ in medical bills
- Pain and suffering for rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
- Punitive damages for waterboarding and extreme abuse
4. How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Montana has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Do not wait—evidence disappears, and witnesses forget.
5. What if the hazing happened at a university outside Teton County?
We serve all of Montana. Whether the hazing occurred at UM Western, MSU, UM, or another school, we can represent your family.
6. Will my child get in trouble for reporting hazing?
No. Montana has anti-retaliation laws protecting hazing victims. Fraternities cannot expel or punish your child for speaking out.
7. How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?
$0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict, so there’s no financial risk to your family.
Teton County Hazing Resources
Emergency Contacts
- Teton County Sheriff’s Office: (406) 466-5781
- Montana Highway Patrol: (406) 444-3780
- National Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
Medical Care Near Teton County
- Teton Medical Center (Choteau, MT): (406) 466-5751
- Benefis Health System (Great Falls, MT): (406) 455-5000
- St. Peter’s Health (Helena, MT): (406) 442-2480
Mental Health Support
- Montana Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- University of Montana Western Counseling Services: (406) 683-7388
- Montana State University Counseling & Psychological Services: (406) 994-4531
Teton County Parents: You Have the Power to Stop Hazing
Hazing doesn’t have to be accepted as “tradition.” It is abuse. It is illegal. And it can be stopped.
Here’s how you can help:
- Talk to your child about the risks of hazing before they pledge.
- Report hazing immediately to university officials and law enforcement.
- Contact us if your child has been hazed—we offer free, confidential consultations.
- Share this page with other Teton County families.
Together, we can hold fraternities, sororities, and universities accountable—and protect the next generation of Montana students.
Contact Attorney 911 Today
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
Serving Teton County, Montana, and Nationwide
We travel to Teton County for client meetings, depositions, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Teton County Families: Enough Is Enough. Let’s Fight Back.
🔥 Share this page to protect other Montana students from hazing.
