⚠️ Hazing Victims in Bon Homme County, South Dakota: You Are Not Alone

This happened in Houston. It happens at universities across America. It happens at colleges near Bon Homme County. And Attorney 911 is fighting back—right now.

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization in Bon Homme County or anywhere in South Dakota, you have legal rights. The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Texas operate chapters at South Dakota universities. The same negligence that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez exists at institutions near Bon Homme County.

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will bring the same fight to Bon Homme County.

🚨 What Is Hazing? What Happened in Houston Could Happen Here

Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It isn’t “building brotherhood.” It is abuse.

In our current case, a young man was:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until his muscles broke down and he couldn’t stand
• Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault with weapons
• Forced to eat until he vomited, then made to keep running
• Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
• Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

This isn’t an isolated incident. This is what happens when universities and fraternities prioritize reputation over student safety. It happens at colleges near Bon Homme County. It could happen to your child.

📚 Hazing Happens at South Dakota Universities Too

Bon Homme County families need to know: The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and hospitalizations operate at universities across South Dakota.

Fraternities and Sororities Near Bon Homme County with Documented Hazing Histories Nationwide:

These are the same Greek letters on Bon Homme County campuses. The same national organizations that have paid millions in settlements oversee chapters at South Dakota universities.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Bon Homme County or anywhere in South Dakota, they face the same risks.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Bon Homme County Hazing Victim

1. South Dakota Has Anti-Hazing Laws — And Consent Is Not a Defense

South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-19A-1 defines hazing as:

“Any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.”

This is critical: Even if your child “agreed” to participate, consent is not a defense under South Dakota law. The fraternity, sorority, or university cannot hide behind “he signed up for it.”

2. Who Can Be Held Liable?

In our Texas case, we are suing:

• The local chapter — for organizing and conducting hazing
• The national organization — for failing to supervise and allowing a “hazing crisis”
• The university — for owning the fraternity house and failing to protect students
• Individual members — for participating in or facilitating hazing

The same liability applies in South Dakota. If your child was hazed at a Bon Homme County-area university, we can pursue:

• The local fraternity/sorority chapter
• The national fraternity/sorority organization
• The university or college
• Individual members who participated
• Housing corporations that own fraternity/sorority houses

3. You Can Sue for Significant Damages

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Our current case seeks $10 million for:

• Medical bills — hospitalization, treatment, therapy
• Future medical expenses — ongoing kidney monitoring, potential dialysis
• Pain and suffering — physical and emotional trauma
• Punitive damages — to punish egregious conduct and prevent future hazing

Precedent cases show juries and courts award millions when hazing causes serious harm:

These same results are possible for Bon Homme County families.

💔 What Hazing Does to Victims — And Their Families

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries. It leaves deep, lasting scars.

Physical Consequences:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) — can lead to kidney failure and death
• Alcohol poisoning — from forced drinking
• Traumatic brain injuries — from beatings or falls
• Broken bones — from physical abuse
• Hypothermia or heat stroke — from exposure
• Sexual assault injuries — from hazing rituals

Psychological Consequences:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety
• Depression — hopelessness, withdrawal
• 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
• Suicidal ideation — in severe cases

Financial Consequences:

• Medical bills — emergency room, hospitalization, therapy
• Lost wages — time missed from work or school
• Educational disruption — delayed graduation, lost scholarships
• Future earning potential — permanent injuries affecting career options

Bon Homme County families: If your child was hazed, they may be suffering in silence. They may be too ashamed or afraid to speak up. They need your help.

🏢 Universities Near Bon Homme County Have a Duty to Protect Your Child

Colleges and universities in South Dakota have a legal duty to protect their students from hazing. When they fail, they can be held liable.

How Universities Fail Students:

• Ignoring reports of hazing — despite knowing it happens
• Failing to inspect fraternity/sorority houses — even when they own the property
• Allowing Greek organizations to self-police — which doesn’t work
• Failing to implement real oversight — despite prior incidents
• Prioritizing reputation over safety — hoping hazing stays quiet

In our Texas case:

• The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
• They had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 at a different fraternity
• They failed to implement effective safeguards
• Now they face liability for institutional failure

The same failures happen at universities near Bon Homme County.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Bon Homme County

STEP 1: Ensure Immediate Safety

• Remove your child from the dangerous environment
• Seek medical attention immediately — even if injuries seem minor
• Document all injuries with photos

STEP 2: Preserve Evidence

DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. Save:

• Text messages — GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp
• Photos/videos — of injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house
• Social media posts — from fraternity members, other pledges
• Medical records — hospital bills, doctor notes, therapy records
• Witness information — names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
• Fraternity documents — pledge manuals, schedules, rules

STEP 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or University Alone

• Do not give statements to fraternity/sorority leadership
• Do not sign anything from the organization or university
• Do not post on social media about the incident
• Do not talk to university administrators without legal counsel

Why? They will try to control the narrative, destroy evidence, and intimidate witnesses. We’ve seen it before.

STEP 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

Time is critical. South Dakota has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, but evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses forget. Organizations destroy records.

Call Attorney 911 today for a free, confidential consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.

🛡️ Why Bon Homme County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight today. Bon Homme County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching to represent victims. We know exactly how they try to deny and minimize claims. We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Bon Homme County

While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Bon Homme County and all of South Dakota. We have:

• Federal court authority — can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas and New York
• Video consultation technology — meet with us remotely
• Willingness to travel — we come to Bon Homme County for depositions and trials

4. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation

• BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience against large corporations
• $10 million hazing lawsuit — currently pending
• Multi-million dollar personal injury settlements — car accidents, trucking, workplace injuries
• Criminal defense experience — understanding parallel criminal investigations

5. We Treat You Like Family

Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is fearful of retribution for speaking out. We understand the trauma hazing victims experience. We will:

• Protect your privacy
• Fight for your rights
• Support you through the legal process
• Never treat you like “just another case”

6. $0 Upfront Cost — We Work on Contingency

We understand that cost can be a barrier to seeking justice. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless and until we win your case.

🎯 Our Message to Fraternities Operating Near Bon Homme County

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, and every other fraternity with chapters in South Dakota:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million settlements in other states apply to your chapters in South Dakota. The same pattern evidence we’re using in our current case exists in your organization.

If your chapter hazes students in Bon Homme County or anywhere in South Dakota, we will find every liable entity. We will sue your national organization. We will sue your local chapter. We will sue your housing corporation. We will sue your individual members.

We already shut down the Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston. Your chapter could be next.

🎓 Our Message to Universities in South Dakota

To the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Augustana University, Dakota Wesleyan University, and every other institution in the state:

You have a duty to protect your students. When you own fraternity houses, when you recognize Greek organizations, when you collect tuition from students — you have a legal and moral responsibility to keep them safe.

You know hazing happens. You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve read the reports. You’ve had incidents on your own campuses.

Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. It makes you liable.

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was waterboarded. They had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017. They did nothing. Now they’re facing a $10 million lawsuit.

Don’t make the same mistake. Implement real oversight. Inspect fraternity houses. Take reports seriously. Protect your students.

🏛️ Our Message to South Dakota Legislators

Hazing is not a college issue. It’s a public safety issue.

Every year, students across America — including in South Dakota — are hospitalized or killed by hazing. Families are devastated. Lives are destroyed.

Other states have taken action:

• Pennsylvania: Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law — felony charges for hazing
• Louisiana: Max Gruver Act — made hazing a felony
• Ohio: Collin’s Law — felony hazing charges
• Texas: Criminal penalties for hazing, consent not a defense

South Dakota needs stronger hazing laws. We urge legislators to:

1. Increase penalties for hazing — make it a felony when it causes serious injury or death
2. Eliminate the “consent” defense — no one can consent to being hazed
3. Require universities to publicly report hazing incidents — transparency saves lives
4. Create immunity for reporting hazing — protect students who speak up

Attorney 911 is ready to work with South Dakota legislators to pass meaningful hazing reform.

📞 Bon Homme County Families: Call Us Today

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization in Bon Homme County or anywhere in South Dakota, you have legal rights.

We are fighting this battle right now. We know how to win. And we will bring the same fight to Bon Homme County.

Call us for a free, confidential consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.

Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations expire. Call us today.

💙 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to End Hazing in Bon Homme County and Beyond.

Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded. He was forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down. He ended up in the hospital with kidney failure.

This didn’t have to happen.

It doesn’t have to happen to another Bon Homme County family.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting back.

Join us.