Hazing Victims in McCurtain County: Your Legal Rights and How Attorney 911 Can Help
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in McCurtain County and Beyond
Hazing is not just a problem at big universities—it happens right here in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, and across the country. What many students and parents don’t realize is that hazing is not harmless tradition—it’s abuse, torture, and sometimes even criminal conduct that can lead to life-threatening injuries, psychological trauma, and even death.
At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting this crisis. Right now, we are representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston—a case that has exposed waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and systematic abuse of students. The same fraternities and sororities operate in and near McCurtain County, and the same risks exist for your child.
If your child has been hazed—whether in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, ROTC, or any other student organization—you have legal rights, and we can help you fight back.
🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in McCurtain County
The Case That Proves Hazing Is Torture—Not Tradition
In November 2025, Leonel Bermudez, a young man who accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston, was subjected to weeks of extreme hazing that left him hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
What They Did to Him:
✔ Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning—considered torture when used in war)
✔ Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
✔ Struck with wooden paddles (physical assault with a weapon)
✔ Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising in his own vomit
✔ Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout—they kept going
✔ Hog-tied a pledge face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
✔ Threatened with expulsion if he didn’t comply
The Result:
- Hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure
- Couldn’t walk or move for days
- Permanent health risks from muscle breakdown
- Psychological trauma from the abuse
Why This Matters to McCurtain County Families
- The same fraternities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others) have chapters near McCurtain County.
- The same universities near McCurtain County have the same oversight failures.
- The same “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez are happening in McCurtain County right now.
- If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority, they could be next.
💔 Hazing Doesn’t Just Hurt—It Kills
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “girls bonding.” It’s dangerous, illegal, and often deadly.
Recent Hazing Deaths & Serious Injuries:
| Victim | University | Fraternity | What Happened | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol; died from alcohol poisoning | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Forced to drink in “Bible Study” game; BAC 0.495 (6x legal limit) | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Fell down stairs after forced drinking; fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911 | $110+ million settlement |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Forced to drink entire bottle of bourbon; died | Chapter closed; criminal charges |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Waterboarded, 500 squats, kidney failure | $10 million lawsuit pending |
Hazing Happens in McCurtain County Too
You might think, “That doesn’t happen here.” But it does.
- Fraternities and sororities near McCurtain County have the same national organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries.
- Universities near McCurtain County have the same oversight failures—they know hazing happens, but they don’t stop it until someone gets hurt.
- Students in McCurtain County are being hazed right now—and they’re too afraid to speak up.
If your child has been hazed, they are not alone. And they don’t have to suffer in silence.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Hazing Victim in McCurtain County
1. Hazing Is Illegal in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has strict anti-hazing laws (21 O.S. § 1190). Hazing is a misdemeanor, and if it causes serious injury or death, it can be a felony.
What qualifies as hazing?
✔ Physical abuse (beating, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion)
✔ Forced consumption (alcohol, food, drugs—until vomiting or passing out)
✔ Psychological abuse (humiliation, sleep deprivation, threats)
✔ Sexual abuse (forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects)
✔ Dangerous activities (waterboarding, exposure to extreme weather, confinement)
Even if your child “consented,” it doesn’t matter. Oklahoma law says consent is not a defense to hazing.
2. You Can Sue for Money Damages
If your child was hazed, you can file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for:
✅ Medical bills (hospital stays, rehab, therapy)
✅ Future medical care (if injuries cause long-term health problems)
✅ Lost wages (if hazing caused them to miss work or drop out of school)
✅ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✅ Punitive damages (to punish the organization for reckless behavior)
In our current case, we are seeking $10 million—because that’s what it takes to make fraternities and universities finally take this seriously.
3. Who Can Be Held Liable?
You can sue multiple parties, including:
🔹 The local fraternity/sorority chapter (the students who did the hazing)
🔹 The national organization (they knew about the risks and failed to stop it)
🔹 The university (if they owned the property or failed to supervise)
🔹 Individual members (the president, pledgemaster, and others who participated)
🔹 Alumni or advisors (if they encouraged or allowed hazing)
In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters
- The UH Beta Nu Chapter
- The University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
- The UH Board of Regents
- The fraternity president, pledgemaster, and multiple members
4. You Have a Limited Time to Act
In Oklahoma, you generally have 2 years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.
Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Don’t wait.
🆘 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in McCurtain County
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
If your child is injured, go to the emergency room or urgent care right away. Even if they “feel fine,” hazing can cause:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown → kidney failure)
- Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal)
- Traumatic brain injury (from beatings or falls)
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
Document everything. Get copies of all medical records.
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
Do not delete anything. Save:
✔ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
✔ Photos or videos of injuries or hazing activities
✔ Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, event schedules)
✔ Witness names and contact information
✔ Medical records and bills
If you delete evidence, you could be accused of destroying it—and that hurts your case.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer
Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative. They may:
- Offer a quick settlement (that’s way too low)
- Pressure your child to sign a release (waiving their rights)
- Threaten or intimidate your child into silence
- Destroy evidence before you can get it
Do not give a statement. Do not sign anything. Call us first.
Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
We offer free, confidential consultations for hazing victims and their families.
📞 Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win your case.
🏆 Why McCurtain County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
While other law firms talk about hazing, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to win these cases.
2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense
Fraternities will argue: “They agreed to participate.” Oklahoma law says consent doesn’t matter. We will destroy that argument in court.
3. We Go After Every Defendant—Including the Deep Pockets
We don’t just sue the students who did the hazing. We sue:
✔ The national organization (they have money and insurance)
✔ The university (they have endowments and liability coverage)
✔ The housing corporation (if they owned the property)
✔ Individual members (to hold them personally accountable)
4. We Have Former Insurance Defense Attorneys on Our Team
Both of our attorneys (Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña) used to work for insurance companies defending against injury claims. We know their playbook—and we use it against them.
5. We Offer Free Consultations & Work on Contingency
You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. No recovery, no fee.
6. We Travel to McCurtain County for Your Case
We are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we serve clients nationwide, including McCurtain County. We will:
- Come to McCurtain County for meetings, depositions, and trials
- Offer video consultations if you can’t travel
- Handle everything remotely if needed
7. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)
Many hazing victims and their families are Spanish-speaking. We provide bilingual legal services so language is never a barrier to justice.
8. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Verdicts
We’ve won millions for victims of negligence, including:
- Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
- Wrongful death claims for families who lost loved ones
- Catastrophic injury cases (brain injuries, spinal cord injuries)
- Cases against major corporations (BP Texas City explosion litigation)
We know how to take on powerful institutions—and win.
📞 What to Expect When You Call Attorney 911
- Free, Confidential Consultation – We listen to your story and explain your rights.
- Case Evaluation – We determine if you have a strong legal claim.
- Evidence Collection – We gather medical records, witness statements, and other proof.
- Demand Letter – We send a demand to the defendants for fair compensation.
- Negotiation – We fight for the maximum settlement possible.
- Lawsuit (if needed) – If they won’t settle fairly, we take them to court.
- Trial (if needed) – We present your case to a jury and fight for justice.
We handle everything. You focus on your child’s recovery.
🚫 Common Lies Fraternities Tell Hazing Victims
| Lie They Tell You | The Truth |
|---|---|
| “It’s just tradition—everyone goes through it.” | Hazing is abuse, not tradition. It’s illegal. |
| “You agreed to participate—it’s your fault.” | Oklahoma law says consent doesn’t matter. |
| “If you report it, you’ll be blacklisted.” | Retaliation is illegal. We protect our clients. |
| “The university will protect us, not you.” | Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed, they’re liable. |
| “We’ll give you a little money to go away.” | Their first offer is always a lowball. Don’t accept it. |
| “No one will believe you.” | We have evidence. We have witnesses. We will make them pay. |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits
1. Can I sue even if my child wasn’t seriously injured?
Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may have suffered:
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Humiliation and emotional distress
- Academic setbacks (missed classes, failing grades)
- Financial losses (tuition, lost scholarships)
You may still have a case.
2. What if my child was drinking or participating willingly?
It doesn’t matter. Oklahoma law says consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed,” the fraternity is still liable.
3. How much is my case worth?
Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits have resulted in:
- $6.1 million jury verdict (Gruver case)
- $10.1 million settlement (Foltz case)
- $110+ million settlement (Piazza case)
We will fight for the maximum compensation possible.
4. Will I have to go to court?
Most cases settle out of court. But if the fraternity or university refuses to pay fairly, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
5. How long will my case take?
- Minor injuries: 6-12 months
- Serious injuries: 1-3 years
- Wrongful death: 2-4 years
We work as fast as possible, but we won’t rush your case until we have the best possible outcome.
6. Can I afford a lawyer?
Yes. We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
7. What if the hazing happened off-campus?
It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal on or off campus. If it happened at a private home, we can still sue the fraternity, the homeowner, and the individuals involved.
8. Can I sue if my child is still in the fraternity?
Yes. Many victims are afraid to come forward because they’re still in the organization. We protect our clients’ identities and safety.
9. What if the fraternity already suspended the chapter?
That doesn’t absolve them. If they suspended the chapter after your child was hurt, that proves they knew it was wrong. We can still sue for damages.
10. Can I sue if the hazing happened years ago?
It depends. Oklahoma has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Call us immediately—we’ll review your case and let you know your options.
📢 A Message to Fraternities Near McCurtain County
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and every other Greek organization operating near McCurtain County:
We are watching.
We know your chapters exist in McCurtain County. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements. We know you have failed to stop this culture of abuse.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million in our Houston case apply to your McCurtain County chapter.
If you haze students in McCurtain County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will make you pay.
The Beta Nu chapter at UH learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.
💙 A Message to McCurtain County Parents
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority, talk to them about hazing.
Ask them:
- Have you been forced to do anything dangerous or humiliating?
- Have you been pressured to drink or take drugs?
- Have you been threatened or intimidated?
- Do you feel safe?
If the answer is “yes” to any of these, your child may be in danger.
You have the power to stop this. Call us before it’s too late.
📞 Contact Attorney 911 Today—Before It’s Too Late
Hazing victims in McCurtain County deserve justice. We can help you get it.
📞 Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
Free consultation. No upfront fees. We only get paid if we win.
Serving McCurtain County and all of Oklahoma from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.
🔥 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to Fight Back.
If your child was hazed in McCurtain County, you are not alone. We are here to help.
