Hazing Victims in Washita County, Oklahoma: Legal Rights & Justice You Deserve
🚨 This Happens in Oklahoma Too – And It Has to Stop
Washita County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But every year, students across Oklahoma – including those near Washita County – are subjected to brutal, life-threatening hazing rituals in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and other organizations.
What happened at the University of Houston – where a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure – is happening in Oklahoma too.
The same national fraternities operate at universities near Washita County. The same “traditions” exist. The same negligence allows it to continue. And the same legal rights protect Oklahoma victims.
If your child has been hazed in Washita County or anywhere in Oklahoma, you have powerful legal options. We can help.
🏢 Who We Are: Oklahoma’s Hazing Litigation Experts
Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Washita County and all of Oklahoma from our offices in Texas
We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña – trial attorneys with 25+ years of experience fighting for victims of institutional negligence. Right now, we are litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston – a case that has made national headlines for exposing the torture of a college student.
We bring that same aggressive representation to Oklahoma.
Why Oklahoma Families Choose Attorney 911
| Our Advantage | What It Means for Washita County Families |
|---|---|
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability – and we know how to beat them. |
| $10M Hazing Lawsuit Experience | We’re currently fighting a landmark hazing case. We know what works. |
| Federal Court Authority | We can pursue cases in federal court for Oklahoma victims. |
| Dual-State Bar Licenses (TX & NY) | Strategic advantage for cases against national fraternities. |
| Nationwide Reach | We serve hazing victims anywhere in the U.S. – including Washita County. |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual representation for Spanish-speaking families. |
| Contingency Fee | $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win your case. |
| We Travel to Oklahoma | For depositions, meetings, and trials – distance is not a barrier. |
💔 The Hazing Crisis in Oklahoma: What Washita County Families Need to Know
Hazing is Not “Tradition” – It’s Abuse
Hazing isn’t harmless fun. It’s assault, battery, and torture disguised as “initiation.” In Oklahoma and across the U.S., hazing has led to:
- Forced alcohol poisoning (binge drinking until vomiting or passing out)
- Extreme physical punishment (500+ squats, bear crawls, paddling)
- Waterboarding and simulated drowning (as seen in our UH case)
- Sleep deprivation and exhaustion (forced late-night activities)
- Psychological torture (humiliation, degradation, threats)
- Sexual assault and harassment (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects)
- Hospitalization and death
Hazing in Oklahoma: The Reality
While Oklahoma has strong anti-hazing laws, enforcement is weak, and universities often cover up incidents to protect their reputations. Some troubling facts:
✅ Oklahoma’s anti-hazing law (21 O.S. § 1190) makes hazing a felony if it results in serious injury or death.
✅ But prosecutions are rare – universities and fraternities pressure victims to stay silent.
✅ Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma, and other schools near Washita County have had hazing incidents – some resulting in hospitalizations.
✅ National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Kappa Sigma operate in Oklahoma – and they have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths nationwide.
✅ Most victims never report it – out of fear, loyalty, or shame.
If your child was hazed in Oklahoma, you are not alone. And you have legal rights.
⚖️ Oklahoma Hazing Law: Your Legal Rights
1. Oklahoma’s Anti-Hazing Law (21 O.S. § 1190)
Oklahoma law defines hazing as:
“Any activity which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary educational institution.”
Key Provisions for Washita County Families:
| Offense | Penalty | Civil Liability |
|---|---|---|
| Hazing (general) | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail, $500 fine |
| Hazing causing serious bodily injury | Felony | Up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fine |
| Hazing causing death | Felony | Up to 20 years in prison |
🔥 Important: Consent is NOT a defense in Oklahoma.
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of consent.
2. Who Can Be Sued in Oklahoma Hazing Cases?
In Oklahoma, multiple parties can be held liable for hazing:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Pi Kappa Phi chapter at a university near Washita County |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi National (currently being sued in our $10M case) |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; owned property where hazing occurred | University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, or other schools near Washita County |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing | Individuals who planned and carried out hazing rituals |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing | Members who forced alcohol, paddled, or waterboarded pledges |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their property | Former members who let hazing happen at their home |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability | Fraternity’s liability insurance; university’s insurance |
💰 The Deep Pockets:
National fraternities and universities have millions in assets and insurance. This is where the money comes from – not broke college students.
3. What Can Oklahoma Hazing Victims Recover?
If your child was hazed in Oklahoma, you may be entitled to substantial compensation, including:
| Type of Damages | What It Covers | Example for Hazing Victims |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Past and future medical bills | Hospitalization, therapy, kidney treatment, PTSD counseling |
| Lost Wages | Income lost due to injuries | Missed work during recovery; lost internship opportunities |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical and emotional distress | Trauma from waterboarding, paddling, forced exercise |
| Mental Anguish | Psychological harm | PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution |
| Disfigurement | Permanent scars or injuries | Burns, broken bones, lasting physical damage |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | When hazing was intentional or reckless (e.g., waterboarding) |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing resulted in death | Funeral expenses, loss of companionship, future earnings |
💰 Precedent Settlements & Verdicts (What Others Have Recovered):
- $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
- $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
- $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
- $4+ million – Adam Oakes (Delta Chi, VCU)
Oklahoma victims can recover similar amounts.
🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing: What Washita County Families Should Know
Hazing isn’t just “roughing someone up” – it can cause life-threatening injuries. Some of the most common medical consequences include:
1. Rhabdomyolysis (Muscle Breakdown) – Like Our UH Client
- Cause: Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats, bear crawls)
- Symptoms: Severe muscle pain, dark brown urine, inability to move
- Complications: Acute kidney failure (can be fatal)
- Treatment: Hospitalization, IV fluids, potential dialysis
Our client in Houston spent 4 days in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis after hazing.
2. Alcohol Poisoning
- Cause: Forced binge drinking (e.g., “drink the whole bottle”)
- Symptoms: Vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness, slowed breathing
- Complications: Death (BAC over 0.40 can be fatal)
- Treatment: Emergency room, IV fluids, possible intubation
Andrew Coffey (FSU) and Stone Foltz (BGSU) died from alcohol poisoning during hazing.
3. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Cause: Beatings, falls, paddling
- Symptoms: Headaches, memory loss, confusion, seizures
- Complications: Permanent brain damage, disability
- Treatment: Hospitalization, rehabilitation, long-term care
4. Hypothermia/Hyperthermia
- Cause: Exposure to cold or heat (e.g., forced to strip in cold weather)
- Symptoms: Shivering, dizziness, confusion, organ failure
- Complications: Death in severe cases
5. Psychological Trauma (PTSD, Anxiety, Depression)
- Cause: Humiliation, threats, abuse
- Symptoms: Nightmares, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts
- Complications: Long-term mental health struggles
- Treatment: Therapy, medication, hospitalization
Many hazing victims never fully recover psychologically.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Oklahoma
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, go to the ER or urgent care.
- Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away.
- Medical records are critical evidence.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Photos/Videos – Injuries, hazing locations, objects used
✅ Texts/Group Chats – Screenshots of messages about hazing
✅ Social Media – Posts, DMs, or stories about hazing (do NOT delete)
✅ Witness Information – Names and contact info of other pledges or bystanders
✅ Fraternity/Sorority Documents – Pledge manuals, schedules, rules
✅ Medical Records – Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records
⚠️ Do NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Talk to fraternity/sorority leaders without a lawyer
- Sign anything from the organization
- Give recorded statements to insurance companies
Step 3: Report the Hazing
- To the University: File a complaint with the school’s Greek life office or Title IX office.
- To Law Enforcement: File a police report. Hazing is a crime in Oklahoma.
- To the National Fraternity: Report to the national organization (but expect them to protect themselves).
Step 4: Contact an Oklahoma Hazing Lawyer Immediately
- Time is critical. Oklahoma has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
- Evidence disappears quickly (texts deleted, witnesses forget, fraternities destroy records).
- We offer free consultations for Washita County families. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911.
🎯 Why Washita County Families Need a Hazing Lawyer
1. Fraternities and Universities Will Fight You
- They have teams of lawyers working to minimize your claim.
- They will blame your child (“they consented,” “they could have left”).
- They will lowball settlement offers to make the case go away.
You need a lawyer who knows how to fight back.
2. Insurance Companies Are Not Your Friend
- Their goal is to pay you as little as possible.
- They will twist your words to deny your claim.
- They will delay until the statute of limitations runs out.
We handle all communications with insurance companies so you don’t have to.
3. Hazing Cases Are Complex
- Multiple defendants (fraternity, university, individuals)
- Multiple insurance policies
- Criminal and civil liability issues
- Title IX and university policies
We have the experience to navigate this complexity.
4. We Know How to Win
- We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case.
- We’ve won millions for victims of institutional negligence.
- We know how to expose the truth and hold powerful organizations accountable.
📞 Washita County Families: Call Us Now – Free Consultation
If your child was hazed in Oklahoma, you have legal rights. We can help.
📞 Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
We work on contingency – $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.
We travel to Washita County for meetings, depositions, and trials.
🔥 To Oklahoma Fraternities: A Warning
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and all other fraternities operating near Washita County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that are winning $10 million settlements nationwide apply to your chapters.
If you haze students in Oklahoma, we will:
- Sue your national organization
- Sue your local chapter
- Sue your officers personally
- Expose your “traditions” in court
- Make you pay for the harm you cause
The UH Pi Kappa Phi chapter is now shut down. Your chapter could be next.
🏛️ To Oklahoma Universities: Your Time Is Running Out
To the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and other schools near Washita County:
You own the fraternity houses. You have the power to inspect. You have the duty to protect your students.
When you fail, you are liable.
- Oklahoma State University has had hazing incidents in the past.
- University of Oklahoma has Greek organizations with documented problems.
- Other schools near Washita County are not immune.
We are coming for institutions that enable hazing. Act now – or face accountability in court.
📢 Final Message to Washita County Families
Hazing is not “boys being boys.” It’s not “tradition.” It’s not “building brotherhood.”
It is abuse. It is assault. It is torture. And it has to stop.
If your child was hazed in Oklahoma, you have the power to make it stop for others. By standing up, you can:
✅ Hold the abusers accountable
✅ Get justice for your child
✅ Prevent this from happening to someone else
We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña – the lawyers fighting this battle right now. We will fight for Oklahoma families with the same fury we’re bringing to our $10 million case.
Call us today. The consultation is free. The fight for justice starts now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com
Enough is enough.
