🛡️ Harding County Hazing Lawyers — Protecting Students from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse
Serving Harding County, New Mexico and surrounding communities with aggressive legal representation for hazing victims and their families
🚨 The Hazing Crisis Hits Close to Home in Harding County
Harding County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust that universities and Greek organizations will protect their students from harm. That trust is being betrayed.
Right now, our law firm is fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — a case that has made national headlines. A young man was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and struck with wooden paddles during fraternity hazing. He ended up in the hospital with kidney failure from rhabdomyolysis.
This isn’t just happening in Texas. The same fraternities operate at universities near Harding County. The same negligence exists at Harding County institutions. And the same abuse is happening to students from Harding County families.
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization near Harding County, you have legal rights. We can help.
🏛️ Who We Are — Harding County’s Hazing Litigation Experts
Attorney 911 Legal Emergency Lawyers™ is a Texas-based personal injury and hazing litigation firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We proudly serve hazing victims and their families in Harding County and across New Mexico through our federal court authority, willingness to travel, and commitment to justice.
Why Harding County Families Choose Attorney 911
| Advantage | How It Helps Harding County Families |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years Courtroom Experience | Proven trial attorneys with a track record of winning against institutions |
| Former Insurance Defense Insight | We know how insurance companies and fraternities fight claims — and how to beat them |
| Federal Court Authority | Can pursue Harding County cases in federal court when needed |
| Dual-State Bar Admission (TX & NY) | Strategic advantage for cases against national Greek organizations |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Harding County families |
| Nationwide Hazing Expertise | Currently litigating the $10M UH hazing case — same strategies available for Harding County victims |
| We Travel to Harding County | For depositions, trials, and client meetings — distance is not a barrier |
Our Approach for Harding County Hazing Victims
When a legal emergency hits — whether it’s in Harding County, Albuquerque, Las Vegas (NM), or anywhere in America — we move FIRST, FAST, and DECISIVELY.
For Harding County hazing victims, our team:
✅ Builds cases with expert witnesses — medical professionals, Greek life culture experts, institutional negligence specialists
✅ Preserves evidence immediately — texts, photos, medical records, witness statements
✅ Negotiates from strength — we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case; insurance companies take us seriously
✅ Travels to Harding County — for depositions, client meetings, and trials when needed
✅ Provides remote consultations — Harding County families can video chat with our attorneys from home
✅ Fights for maximum compensation — medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages
If a university, fraternity, or insurance company tries to silence Harding County hazing victims, we take it to court.
💔 What Is Hazing? — And Why It’s Illegal in New Mexico
Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “building character.” It’s not “boys being boys.”
Hazing is abuse. It’s assault. It’s torture. And it’s illegal.
New Mexico Hazing Law — What Harding County Families Need to Know
New Mexico has strong anti-hazing laws designed to protect students. Under New Mexico Statutes § 29-1-13, hazing is defined as:
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in any student organization.
This includes:
- Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological torture (humiliation, threats, isolation)
- Sexual abuse
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Any activity that risks serious injury or death
New Mexico law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. If they were hazed, they were victimized.
Criminal Penalties for Hazing in New Mexico
Hazing is a misdemeanor in New Mexico, punishable by:
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Fines up to $1,000
- Probation
If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a felony.
Organizations can also be penalized:
- Fines
- Loss of recognition
- Forfeiture of property
🏥 The Medical Dangers of Hazing — What Harding County Parents Must Know
Hazing isn’t just “roughhousing.” It causes real, life-threatening injuries.
Physical Injuries from Hazing
| Injury | Cause | Risk | Harding County Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, bear crawls, etc.) | Kidney failure, death | Our client hospitalized with kidney failure after fraternity hazing |
| Acute Kidney Failure | Rhabdomyolysis, dehydration | Dialysis, transplant, death | Same client — 4 days in hospital |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking | Coma, death | Common in hazing deaths nationwide |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Beatings, falls | Permanent brain damage | From paddles, being struck, or falling while intoxicated |
| Internal Bleeding | Blunt force trauma | Organ damage, death | From paddles or other physical abuse |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | Exposure to elements | Organ failure, death | Forced to strip in cold weather or exercise in heat |
| Fractures/Sprains | Physical abuse | Permanent impairment | From forced activities or assault |
| Sexual Assault Injuries | Sexual hazing | Trauma, STIs, pregnancy | More common than many realize |
Psychological Trauma from Hazing
Hazing doesn’t just hurt the body — it destroys the mind.
Common psychological effects:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — Flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety
- Depression — Hopelessness, withdrawal, suicidal thoughts
- Anxiety — Fear of social situations, panic attacks
- Trust Issues — Difficulty forming relationships
- Academic Decline — Inability to focus, dropping out
- Substance Abuse — Self-medicating to cope with trauma
Our client in the UH case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution” — this fear is real, and it’s a direct result of the psychological trauma from hazing.
📚 Who Is Liable for Hazing in Harding County?
When hazing happens, everyone involved shares responsibility. We pursue all liable parties to maximize compensation for Harding County victims.
1. Local Greek Chapters (Fraternities & Sororities)
Example: The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at the University of Houston
- Directly organized and conducted hazing
- Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) face personal liability
- Individual members who participated can be sued
Harding County Application: The same fraternities and sororities with chapters near Harding County have the same liability when they haze students.
2. National Greek Organizations
Example: Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters
- Failed to supervise local chapters
- Knew about “a hazing crisis” (per lawsuit allegations) and did nothing
- Have deep pockets and insurance policies
Harding County Application: Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, and other national Greek organizations with chapters near Harding County face the same liability.
3. Universities and Colleges
Example: University of Houston
- Owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
- Failed to prevent hazing despite prior incidents
- Had power to regulate Greek life but didn’t
Harding County Application: Universities near Harding County (such as New Mexico Highlands University, Luna Community College, and others) have the same responsibilities — and the same liability when they fail.
4. Individual Perpetrators
Example: In our UH case — fraternity president, pledgemaster, members, former members, spouse of former member
- Directly participated in hazing
- Can be sued personally
- May have homeowner’s insurance that covers liability
Harding County Application: Every individual who hazes a Harding County student can be held personally accountable.
5. Housing Corporations
Example: Beta Nu Housing Corporation (owned Pi Kappa Phi house at UH)
- Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred
- Failed to prevent hazing on premises
Harding County Application: Many fraternity and sorority houses near Harding County are owned by housing corporations — they share liability when hazing occurs on their property.
💰 How Much Is a Harding County Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. The amount depends on:
- Severity of injuries
- Egregiousness of conduct
- Number of liable defendants
- Insurance coverage available
Recent Hazing Verdicts & Settlements
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1M+ |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1M |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110M+ (est.) |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Settlement | $4M+ |
Our current case against Pi Kappa Phi and UH is seeking $10 million — and we believe this demand is supported by the evidence and precedent.
What Harding County Hazing Victims Can Recover
| Category | Examples | Harding County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment | Medical bills from hazing injuries |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work | If victim misses work due to injuries |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical and emotional trauma | From waterboarding, paddling, forced exercise, etc. |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression | From psychological torture and humiliation |
| Punitive Damages | To punish egregious conduct | When hazing involves waterboarding, extreme physical abuse, or forced consumption |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death | Funeral expenses, loss of companionship, future earnings |
New Mexico has no cap on pain and suffering damages — meaning Harding County victims can recover full compensation for their trauma.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Harding County
Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
- Medical records create critical evidence
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Photos/Videos:
- Injuries at all stages of healing
- Hazing locations (fraternity house, field, etc.)
- Items used in hazing (paddles, alcohol containers, etc.)
✅ Communications:
- Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat, Instagram DMs
- Emails from fraternity/sorority
- Social media posts about hazing
✅ Witness Information:
- Names and contact info of other pledges
- Names of members who participated
- Names of anyone who witnessed the hazing
✅ Documents:
- Pledge manuals or rules
- Schedules of pledge activities
- Any written threats or coercion
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without Legal Counsel
- Do NOT give statements to fraternity/sorority leaders
- Do NOT sign anything from the organization
- Do NOT post on social media about the incident
- Do NOT delete any messages or posts (this is destruction of evidence)
Step 4: Contact a Harding County Hazing Lawyer Immediately
- Statute of limitations in New Mexico: 3 years — but evidence disappears fast
- The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be
- We can send preservation letters to prevent evidence destruction
Step 5: Report the Hazing
- Consider filing a police report
- Report to the university’s Title IX office
- Report to the national Greek organization
🚫 What NOT to Do After Hazing
❌ Do NOT confront the fraternity/sorority alone — They will coordinate their story and destroy evidence
❌ Do NOT accept a settlement without consulting an attorney — First offers are always lowball
❌ Do NOT post on social media — Anything you post can be used against you
❌ Do NOT delete messages or photos — This is destruction of evidence and can hurt your case
❌ Do NOT wait to act — Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire
📞 Harding County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
You are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now — and we’ll fight for Harding County victims too.
📍 How Harding County Families Can Reach Us
Legal Emergency Hotline for Harding County Hazing Victims:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Video Consultations: Available for Harding County families who cannot travel
We Come to Harding County: For depositions, client meetings, and trials
Contingency Fee: You pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
🏢 Our Offices Serving Harding County
Houston Headquarters (Primary Office for Harding County Cases)
📍 1177 W Loop S Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77027
📞 (713) 528-9070
Austin Office
📍 Serving Harding County from Austin
📞 (713) 528-9070
Beaumont Office
📍 Serving Harding County from Beaumont
📞 (713) 528-9070
Service Area: Harding County, New Mexico + All of New Mexico + Nationwide Federal Court Representation
🔍 Common Questions from Harding County Families
1. My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?
Many hazing victims are afraid of retribution or social consequences. We can help protect their identity and build a case without them having to publicly come forward immediately. The most important thing is to preserve evidence now — before it disappears.
2. The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Is that a defense?
No. New Mexico law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of consent.
3. The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be liable?
Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they own or control Greek housing, they have a responsibility to inspect and regulate. If they had prior hazing incidents and didn’t implement effective safeguards, they can be held liable.
4. My child attends a small college near Harding County. Do these laws still apply?
Yes. Anti-hazing laws apply to all educational institutions in New Mexico — public and private, large and small. Whether your child attends New Mexico Highlands University, Luna Community College, or any other school near Harding County, they are protected.
5. The hazing happened off-campus. Can we still sue?
Yes. New Mexico hazing law applies on or off campus. If the hazing occurred at a private residence, a hotel, or any other location, you can still pursue legal action.
6. My child is an international student. Will this affect their visa status?
No. Pursuing a civil lawsuit for hazing does not affect visa status. We have experience working with international students and can ensure their rights are protected throughout the legal process.
7. How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
New Mexico has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including hazing. However, evidence disappears quickly, so it’s critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
8. What if the fraternity has already suspended the chapter?
Suspension is not enough. Many fraternities suspend chapters temporarily and then allow them to return. We pursue financial accountability to ensure this never happens again — not just to the same chapter, but to the national organization and the university.
9. My child is afraid of retaliation. How can you protect them?
We take victim protection seriously. We can:
- Keep their identity confidential during initial stages
- File motions to protect their privacy
- Work with law enforcement to address threats
- Build the case using evidence, not just their testimony
10. How much will this cost our family?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay $0 unless we win your case. We only get paid a percentage of the settlement or verdict.
🎓 Greek Organizations Near Harding County with Hazing Histories
Many national fraternities and sororities with chapters near Harding County have documented histories of hazing. If your child is pledging any of these organizations, they face the same risks we’re fighting in our current case.
Fraternities with Hazing Histories Near Harding County
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Universities Near Harding County |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017 – death); Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025 – kidney failure) | New Mexico Highlands University, others |
| Pi Kappa Alpha | Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021 – death) | New Mexico Highlands University, others |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon | Multiple hazing deaths; chemical burns case at Texas A&M | New Mexico Highlands University, others |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017 – death) | New Mexico Highlands University, others |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017 – death) | New Mexico Highlands University, others |
| Sigma Chi | Recent wrongful death lawsuit at UT Austin (2025) | New Mexico Highlands University, others |
| Kappa Sigma | Multiple hazing deaths | New Mexico Highlands University, others |
| Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) | Danny Santulli (Missouri, 2021 – brain damage) | New Mexico Highlands University, others |
Sororities Near Harding County with Hazing Risks
While sorority hazing is less publicized, it does happen and can be just as dangerous. Common sorority hazing activities include:
- Forced alcohol consumption
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological abuse
- Extreme physical demands
- Sexual humiliation
Sororities near Harding County with potential hazing risks:
- Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta)
- Kappa Delta
- Alpha Delta Pi
- Chi Omega
- Alpha Phi
- Delta Gamma
- Kappa Kappa Gamma
If your daughter is pledging a sorority near Harding County, she faces the same risks — and has the same legal rights.
🏛️ Universities Near Harding County — Their Responsibility to Protect Students
Universities near Harding County have a legal duty to protect students from hazing. When they fail, they can be held liable.
Universities Near Harding County with Greek Life
| University | Location | Greek Life Presence | Hazing Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Highlands University | Las Vegas, NM (~100 miles from Harding County) | Active fraternities and sororities | High |
| Luna Community College | Las Vegas, NM (~100 miles from Harding County) | Smaller Greek presence | Moderate |
| Santa Fe University of Art and Design | Santa Fe, NM (~150 miles) | Limited Greek life | Low-Moderate |
| University of New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM (~200 miles) | Large Greek system | High |
All of these institutions have the same responsibilities:
- To regulate Greek organizations
- To investigate hazing reports
- To implement effective safeguards
- To protect students from harm
If they fail, they can be held legally accountable.
📢 A Message to Fraternities and Sororities Near Harding County
To the fraternities and sororities operating near Harding County:
We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.
If you haze students in Harding County, we will pursue:
- Your national organization
- Your local chapter
- Your housing corporation
- Your chapter officers
- Your individual members
We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH. Your chapter could be next.
To the national Greek organizations:
You have the power to stop this. You have the resources to implement real oversight. You have the responsibility to protect students.
If you don’t, we will hold you accountable — in court, in the media, and in the court of public opinion.
🏆 Why Harding County Families Trust Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
We’re not just talking about hazing — we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Harding County families get the same aggressive representation.
2. We Have Insider Knowledge
Both of our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how insurance companies and fraternities fight claims — and we know how to beat them.
3. We Protect Our Clients
Our client in the UH case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We take victim protection seriously. We’ll fight to keep your child safe while pursuing justice.
4. We Don’t Back Down
We’ve taken on:
- BP in the Texas City explosion litigation (15 deaths, 180+ injuries)
- National Greek organizations (Pi Kappa Phi, others)
- Major universities (University of Houston)
We don’t intimidate. We don’t settle for less than our clients deserve. We fight — and we win.
5. We Care About Harding County Families
We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. We understand the pain of seeing your child hurt. We will fight hard for Harding County families because we truly care.
📞 Harding County Families: Call Now — 1-888-ATTY-911
Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s not harmless fun.
It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s illegal. And it must stop.
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or any student organization near Harding County, you have legal rights. We can help.
Call now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
We serve Harding County, New Mexico — and we fight for hazing victims nationwide.
The consultation is free. The call is confidential. The fight for justice starts now.
