Hazing Lawyer for Treasure County, Montana | Attorney 911
Justice for Hazing Victims in Treasure County and Beyond
If your child has been a victim of fraternity hazing, sorority hazing, or any form of Greek life abuse in Treasure County, Montana, you need a legal team that understands both the trauma and the legal complexities of these cases. At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a landmark $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we’re ready to bring that same aggressive representation to Treasure County families.
Call now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
Why Treasure County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases
We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now — And Winning
Right now, our attorneys Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. In this case, a young man was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to perform 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising
- Stripped to underwear in cold weather
- Carrying objects of a sexual nature at all times
This happened at a university-owned fraternity house — just like the Greek organizations operating at colleges near Treasure County. The same fraternities with the same hazing cultures exist in Montana.
We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will fight for Treasure County families with the same determination we’re bringing to this landmark case.
Nationwide Experience — Local Treasure County Commitment
While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Treasure County, Montana. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) allow us to pursue cases against national fraternities and universities no matter where the hazing occurred.
For Treasure County families, this means:
- We can represent your child no matter which Treasure County-area college or university they attend
- We travel to Treasure County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- We offer remote consultations so you can meet with us from home
- We understand Treasure County values — family, community, and justice matter here
Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña previously worked as insurance defense attorneys for major law firms. We know exactly how insurance companies and institutional defendants try to minimize or deny hazing claims.
They will try to argue:
- “Your child consented to participate”
- “It’s just tradition — everyone goes through it”
- “The university didn’t know it was happening”
- “It wasn’t that serious”
We know how to defeat these arguments. We’ve seen their tactics from the inside — and now we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for Treasure County victims.
Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation
Our experience includes:
- BP Texas City explosion litigation — Mass tort experience against major corporations
- $10 million hazing lawsuit — Currently litigating against Pi Kappa Phi and UH
- Multi-million dollar personal injury verdicts — Proven track record of winning big cases
- Federal court authority — Can pursue Treasure County cases in federal jurisdiction
- Criminal defense background — Understand the intersection of criminal and civil hazing cases
We don’t just talk about fighting hazing — we’re doing it right now. Treasure County families get the same aggressive representation.
The Hazing Crisis in Treasure County, Montana
Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines
The same national fraternities and sororities that operate in Texas have chapters at colleges and universities near Treasure County. These organizations share the same national leadership, the same insurance policies, and too often — the same hazing cultures.
Fraternities with documented hazing histories near Treasure County include:
- Pi Kappa Phi — Currently being sued for $10 million in our landmark case
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) — Paid $10.1 million in the Stone Foltz case
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) — Multiple hazing deaths and lawsuits
- Phi Delta Theta — $6.1 million jury verdict in the Maxwell Gruver case
- Beta Theta Pi — $110 million settlement in the Timothy Piazza case
These same organizations have chapters at universities near Treasure County. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist in Montana fraternities.
What Treasure County Parents Need to Know About Hazing
Hazing is not “boys being boys.” It’s not “building character.” It’s not “tradition.”
Hazing is:
- Assault — Physical abuse that causes injury
- Battery — Unwanted physical contact
- Torture — Waterboarding, extreme physical punishment
- Reckless endangerment — Activities that risk serious injury or death
- Sometimes manslaughter — When hazing kills
Common hazing activities at Treasure County-area colleges:
- Forced alcohol consumption — Leading to alcohol poisoning
- Extreme physical exercise — Causing rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure
- Waterboarding and simulated drowning — Psychological torture
- Beatings with paddles or other objects — Physical assault
- Forced eating of food or non-food substances — Causing vomiting, choking, or poisoning
- Sleep deprivation — Leading to exhaustion and accidents
- Sexual humiliation or assault — Creating lasting psychological trauma
- Exposure to extreme temperatures — Causing hypothermia or heat stroke
Medical consequences of hazing:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) — Can lead to kidney failure and death
- Acute alcohol poisoning — Can be fatal
- Traumatic brain injuries — From falls or beatings
- Internal bleeding — From physical trauma
- Hypothermia or heat stroke — From exposure
- PTSD, anxiety, and depression — Long-term psychological damage
- Death — Hazing kills students every year in America
What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Treasure County
Immediate Action Steps for Treasure County Families
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Some conditions like rhabdomyolysis may not show symptoms immediately
- Medical records are crucial evidence
2. Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos of injuries, hazing locations, any objects used
- Save all communications — texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails
- Document everything — dates, times, what happened, who was involved
- Get witness information — names and contact info of other victims or witnesses
3. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority or University Without Legal Counsel
- They will try to control the narrative
- They may pressure your child to sign documents
- They may intimidate witnesses
- Anything your child says can be used against them
4. Do NOT Post on Social Media
- Insurance companies and defense attorneys will scour social media
- Posts showing your child at parties or looking “fine” can be used to minimize injuries
- Stay off social media until your case is resolved
5. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately
- Call Attorney 911: 1-888-ATTY-911
- We offer free, confidential consultations
- We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win
- We understand the unique challenges of hazing cases
- We know how to protect your child from retaliation
Why Treasure County Families Should Act Now
Hazing victims often delay reporting due to:
- Shame and embarrassment — They blame themselves for what happened
- Fear of retaliation — They worry about social consequences
- Loyalty to the organization — They don’t want to get their friends in trouble
- Not recognizing it as hazing — They think it’s just “part of the process”
But waiting can be devastating:
- Evidence disappears — Texts get deleted, witnesses forget
- Statutes of limitations expire — In Montana, you typically have 2 years to file a lawsuit
- Other students remain at risk — The longer you wait, the more students may be hazed
Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case acted immediately. He was hospitalized on November 6, 2025, and we filed a $10 million lawsuit within weeks. This is how you protect your rights and prevent future victims.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Treasure County?
Multiple Defendants — Maximum Accountability
In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re pursuing 10 different defendants, including:
- The local chapter — Directly organized and conducted the hazing
- The national organization — Failed to supervise despite knowing about “a hazing crisis”
- The university — Owned the fraternity house and failed to prevent hazing
- Individual members — Participated in or failed to stop the hazing
- Former members — Allowed hazing at their residence
- Spouses of members — Premises liability for hazing at their home
The same liability framework applies to Treasure County hazing cases.
Potential defendants in Treasure County cases include:
- The local fraternity/sorority chapter
- The national fraternity/sorority organization
- The college or university near Treasure County
- Individual fraternity/sorority members
- Alumni who facilitated hazing
- Property owners where hazing occurred
We pursue every liable party to maximize compensation for Treasure County victims.
What Compensation Is Available for Treasure County Hazing Victims?
Economic Damages — The Tangible Costs
| Damage Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses | Hospital bills, doctor visits, medications, physical therapy |
| Future medical costs | Ongoing treatment, potential dialysis, mental health care |
| Lost wages | Time missed from work during recovery |
| Lost earning capacity | If injuries affect future career opportunities |
| Educational costs | Tuition for lost semesters, transfer expenses |
| Property damage | Damage to personal items during hazing |
Non-Economic Damages — Pain and Suffering
| Damage Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Physical pain and suffering | Pain from injuries, medical treatments, recovery |
| Mental anguish | Trauma from hazing, fear of retaliation, anxiety |
| Emotional distress | Humiliation, shame, loss of trust |
| Loss of enjoyment of life | Inability to participate in normal activities |
| Permanent disability | Long-term health consequences |
| Disfigurement | Scars or permanent injuries |
Punitive Damages — Punishing Egregious Conduct
Punitive damages are awarded when conduct is:
- Grossly negligent — Extreme disregard for safety
- Reckless — Knowing the risks but proceeding anyway
- Intentional — Deliberately causing harm
In hazing cases, punitive damages are often appropriate because:
- The conduct is outrageous (waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles)
- The organizations knew the risks (prior hazing incidents, deaths)
- They proceeded anyway with conscious indifference to student safety
Recent hazing verdicts and settlements show juries will award millions in punitive damages:
- $6.1 million jury verdict in the Maxwell Gruver case
- $10.1 million settlement in the Stone Foltz case
- $110 million settlement in the Timothy Piazza case
The Legal Process for Treasure County Hazing Cases
What Treasure County Families Can Expect
- Free Consultation — We evaluate your case at no cost
- Case Investigation — We gather evidence, interview witnesses, obtain records
- Medical Treatment — Your child continues treatment; we document all injuries
- Demand Package — We compile damages and send demand to defendants
- Negotiation — We negotiate aggressively for maximum settlement
- Litigation (if needed) — If defendants won’t settle fairly, we file a lawsuit
- Discovery — Both sides exchange evidence; we take depositions
- Mediation — Neutral mediator tries to facilitate settlement
- Trial (if needed) — If no fair settlement, we present your case to a jury
- Resolution — Settlement or jury verdict; compensation is paid
Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. This approach maximizes settlement value for Treasure County families.
Why Treasure County Families Shouldn’t Wait
The Sooner You Act, the Stronger Your Case
Immediate action is critical because:
- Evidence disappears quickly — Texts get deleted, witnesses forget details
- Medical documentation is strongest when fresh — Delay can be used to argue injuries weren’t serious
- Statutes of limitations are unforgiving — In Montana, you typically have 2 years to file
- Other students remain at risk — The longer you wait, the more students may be hazed
Our Pi Kappa Phi client acted immediately. He was hospitalized on November 6, 2025, and we filed a $10 million lawsuit within weeks. This is how you build a strong case and protect other students.
Common Hazing Defenses — And How We Defeat Them
“Your Child Consented to Participate”
This is the #1 defense in hazing cases.
Their argument:
- “He knew what he was signing up for”
- “He could have left at any time”
- “Everyone goes through it”
- “It’s just tradition”
Our response:
- Montana law (like Texas law) says consent is NOT a defense to hazing
- Coercion and peer pressure negate true consent — Social exclusion, threats, power dynamics
- Victims rarely know what they’re consenting to — Hazing is hidden until it happens
- Fear of retaliation prevents leaving — Social ostracism, losing membership, physical threats
We have the legal arguments and evidence to defeat this defense.
“It Wasn’t That Serious”
Their argument:
- “It was just a prank”
- “No one was really hurt”
- “He’s exaggerating”
Our response:
- Medical records prove the severity — Hospitalization, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure
- Photos and videos document injuries — Bruises, cuts, physical condition
- Witness testimony corroborates — Other victims, bystanders
- Pattern evidence shows systemic abuse — Prior hazing incidents at the same organization
We present compelling evidence that proves the seriousness of the hazing.
“The University Didn’t Know”
Their argument:
- “It happened off-campus”
- “We had no way of knowing”
- “We have anti-hazing policies”
Our response:
- Universities have a duty to protect students — Even off-campus activities connected to the university
- Universities often own or control fraternity houses — Premises liability applies
- Prior incidents show knowledge — If hazing happened before, they should have known
- Greek life oversight is their responsibility — They have the power to regulate organizations
We prove institutional knowledge and failure to act.
How We Protect Treasure County Victims from Retaliation
Our Client Was Afraid to Speak Out — We Understand
In our Pi Kappa Phi case, our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution” (ABC13). This fear is real and understandable.
We protect our clients by:
- Handling all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
- Ensuring confidentiality — Your child’s identity is protected
- Documenting all threats or intimidation — This can support additional claims
- Pursuing legal action against retaliation — If anyone tries to intimidate your child, we take action
- Providing emotional support — We connect families with counseling resources
Your child should not have to face this alone. We stand between them and the institutions that harmed them.
Treasure County-Area Colleges and Universities
Where Hazing Occurs Near Treasure County
While Treasure County itself may not have large universities, several institutions in Montana and nearby states have active Greek life organizations where hazing occurs:
Montana Colleges with Greek Life:
- Montana State University (Bozeman) — Large Greek system with multiple fraternities and sororities
- University of Montana (Missoula) — Active Greek community
- Montana Tech (Butte) — Smaller Greek presence but still active
- Carroll College (Helena) — Private college with Greek organizations
Nearby States with Major Universities:
- University of Idaho (Moscow, ID) — Large Greek system
- Idaho State University (Pocatello, ID) — Active fraternities and sororities
- University of Wyoming (Laramie, WY) — Significant Greek presence
- University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND) — Active Greek life
National fraternities with chapters at these schools include:
- Pi Kappa Phi
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
- Phi Delta Theta
- Beta Theta Pi
- Sigma Chi
- Kappa Sigma
- Sigma Nu
- And many others
These same organizations have been involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide. The same risks exist at Treasure County-area colleges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Cases in Treasure County
Q: My child was hazed but wasn’t physically injured. Do we have a case?
A: Yes. Even without physical injuries, hazing can cause:
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Emotional distress (humiliation, shame, loss of trust)
- Educational disruption (missed classes, academic decline)
We pursue compensation for all forms of harm caused by hazing.
Q: My child signed a waiver or agreed to participate. Does that mean we can’t sue?
A: No. Consent is not a defense to hazing under Montana law. The law explicitly states that even if a student agrees to participate, the hazing is still illegal and the perpetrators can be held liable.
Q: The hazing happened off-campus. Can we still sue the university?
A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm, even off-campus. If the hazing was connected to a university-recognized organization, the university may share liability.
Q: We’re worried about the cost of hiring an attorney. How does this work?
A: We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. Our fee comes as a percentage of the settlement or verdict, so there’s no financial risk to you.
Q: How long will the case take?
A: Every case is different, but most hazing cases settle within 12-24 months. More complex cases with multiple defendants may take longer. We work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while maximizing compensation.
Q: Will this affect my child’s academic future?
A: We work to minimize any academic disruption. Many universities have policies to support students who are victims of hazing. We can help your child navigate these processes.
Q: Can we sue if criminal charges have been filed?
A: Yes. Criminal and civil cases are separate. Even if criminal charges are dismissed, you can still pursue a civil lawsuit for compensation.
Q: What if my child is an immigrant or international student?
A: Your child’s immigration status does not affect their right to pursue a civil lawsuit. We have bilingual staff (Se habla español) and experience representing international students.
The Attorney 911 Difference for Treasure County Hazing Victims
Why We’re the Right Choice for Treasure County Families
✅ We’re actively fighting a $10 million hazing case right now — We know how to win these cases
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — We know how defendants try to minimize claims
✅ Federal court authority — Can pursue Treasure County cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) — Strategic advantage against national organizations
✅ Nationwide service — We represent hazing victims across America, including Treasure County
✅ Contingency fee basis — You pay nothing unless we win
✅ Bilingual staff (Se habla español) — We serve Treasure County’s diverse community
✅ Compassionate representation — We treat your family with dignity and respect
✅ Aggressive advocacy — We don’t back down from powerful institutions
Our Attorneys — Fighting for Treasure County Hazing Victims
Ralph P. Manginello — Managing Partner
Experience:
- 25+ years of litigation experience
- Former insurance defense attorney — knows their playbook
- Currently litigating $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi
- Federal court admission — can pursue Treasure County cases in federal court
- Experience with high-stakes litigation including BP Texas City explosion
Why Treasure County families choose Ralph:
“Ralph doesn’t have me driving out to court just to reschedule it like my last lawyer did. He saved me a lot of time, money, and very prompt on answering any and all questions I had. Case dismissed.” — Kristyn Hinchliffe
Lupe Eleno Peña — Associate Attorney
Experience:
- 12+ years of litigation experience
- Former attorney at national insurance defense firm (Litchfield Cavo LLP)
- Experience with wrongful death, catastrophic injury, and complex litigation
- Bilingual (Spanish) — serves Treasure County’s Spanish-speaking community
- Third-generation Texan with deep commitment to justice
Why Treasure County families choose Lupe:
“Special thank you to my attorney, Mr. Pena, for your kindness and patience with my repeated questions and concerns throughout the entire process until the end.” — Chelsea Martinez
Contact Attorney 911 — Treasure County Hazing Lawyers
Free Consultation for Treasure County Families
If your child has been a victim of hazing at a Treasure County-area college or university, contact us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Treasure County hazing emergencies)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
We offer:
- Free, confidential case evaluations
- Remote consultations for Treasure County families
- Willingness to travel to Treasure County for meetings and depositions
- Contingency fee representation — you pay nothing unless we win
Don’t wait — evidence disappears, and statutes of limitations expire. Contact us today.
Our Commitment to Treasure County
At Attorney 911, we believe that Treasure County families deserve the same level of aggressive legal representation we provide to clients in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Hazing is a nationwide crisis, and we’re committed to fighting for justice for victims in Treasure County, Montana, and across America.
We will:
- Listen to your story with compassion and respect
- Fight aggressively for maximum compensation
- Protect your child from retaliation and intimidation
- Hold all responsible parties accountable — fraternities, universities, individuals
- Work to prevent future hazing by sending a strong message that this conduct will not be tolerated
Treasure County families: You are not alone. We are here to help.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.
