Hazing Lawyers Serving Codington County, SD – Attorney 911

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines – Neither Do We

If your child was hazed, abused, or hospitalized at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization in Codington County, South Dakota, you’re not alone. Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced into extreme physical punishment, and hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.

This isn’t just happening in Texas—it’s happening in Codington County, too.

Why Codington County Families Trust Attorney 911

✅ Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experience – We’re fighting this battle right now and will bring the same aggression to Codington County.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to avoid accountability.
✅ Federal Court Authority – We can pursue your case in federal court if needed.
✅ Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas & New York) – We have the legal firepower to take on national fraternities.
✅ Proven Results – We’ve won millions for victims of institutional negligence.
✅ 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline – 1-888-ATTY-911 – We respond immediately to preserve evidence.

The Hazing Crisis in Codington County, SD

Hazing isn’t just a problem in big universities—it happens right here in Codington County, at institutions like:

• Lake Area Technical College (Watertown)
• Mount Marty University (Watertown campus)
• Nearby universities with Greek life chapters (including those with Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and other national fraternities)

What Constitutes Hazing in South Dakota?

South Dakota law (SDCL § 13-32-1) defines hazing as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student, whether individually or in concert with others, against another student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization.”

This includes:
✔ Physical abuse (beating, paddling, forced exercise)
✔ Forced consumption (alcohol, food, drugs)
✔ Psychological torture (sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats)
✔ Sexual abuse (forced nudity, assault)
✔ Dangerous stunts (blindfolded activities, extreme weather exposure)

If your child was subjected to any of these, they were hazed—and the organization is liable.

Real Hazing Cases – Real Consequences

Our Current Case: $10M Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & UH

• Victim: Leonel Bermudez (a “ghost rush” – not even enrolled at UH yet)
• Hazing: Waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles, forced eating until vomiting
• Result: Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, 4-day hospitalization
• Defendants: Pi Kappa Phi National, UH, chapter officers, and individual members
• Status: $10 million lawsuit filed – currently in litigation

This is happening in Codington County, too. The same fraternities operate near Watertown, and the same negligence exists at local institutions.

Other Multi-Million Dollar Hazing Verdicts

These cases prove that hazing victims win. The same results are possible for Codington County families.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Codington County Hazing Case?

1. The Local Chapter

• The fraternity/sorority that directly organized the hazing.
• Example: If your child was hazed at a Pi Kappa Phi or SAE chapter near Codington County, the local members and officers are personally liable.

2. The National Organization

• The national fraternity/sorority that failed to supervise and enforce anti-hazing policies.
• Example: Pi Kappa Phi National knew about deadly hazing (Andrew Coffey, 2017) and did nothing—now Leonel Bermudez is hospitalized.

3. The University or College

• The institution that owns or controls the fraternity house.
• The institution that failed to monitor Greek life.
• Example: University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where hazing occurred.

4. Individual Members & Officers

• The chapter president, pledgemaster, and active members who participated in or allowed hazing.
• Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million.

5. Housing Corporations & Alumni

• The organizations that own fraternity houses and allow hazing to occur on their property.
• Former members who hosted hazing events at their homes.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Codington County

⚠️ IMMEDIATE STEPS (CRITICAL – EVIDENCE DISAPPEARS FAST)

1. Get medical attention – Even if injuries seem minor, document everything.
2. Preserve all evidence – Save texts, photos, videos, GroupMe/Snapchat messages.
3. Do NOT talk to the fraternity or university alone – They will try to control the narrative.
4. Do NOT post on social media – Anything you post can be used against you.
5. Call Attorney 911 NOW – 1-888-ATTY-911 – We respond 24/7 to preserve evidence.

✅ WHY YOU NEED A HAZING LAWYER IN Codington County

• Fraternities and universities have teams of lawyers – You need one too.
• Insurance companies will lowball you – We know their tactics.
• Evidence disappears quickly – We act fast to preserve it.
• Criminal charges may be filed – We coordinate with prosecutors.
• You only have 2 years to sue in South Dakota – Don’t wait.

Damages You Can Recover in a Codington County Hazing Case

Our current client was hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure—his case is worth millions. Your child’s case could be too.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Codington County Hazing Case?

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We’re actively litigating a $10M hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH.
• We know exactly how fraternities and universities try to cover up hazing.
• We have real-time intelligence on how they defend these cases.

2. We Know Their Playbook (Because We Used to Defend Them)

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys.
• We know how insurance companies try to deny claims.
• We know how fraternities try to shift blame.
• We use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses.

3. We Have the Legal Firepower for National Fraternities

• Dual-state bar admission (Texas & New York) – We can sue national fraternities anywhere.
• Federal court authority – We can pursue cases in federal court if needed.
• Experience with multi-million dollar cases – We’ve won millions for victims of institutional negligence.

4. We Come to Codington County

• We offer free video consultations for Codington County families.
• We travel to Codington County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
• Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront

• No fees unless we win your case.
• We only get paid if you get paid.
• You have nothing to lose by calling us.

Codington County Hazing Cases We Handle

✔ Fraternity & sorority hazing (Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Sigma Chi, etc.)
✔ Sports team hazing (football, wrestling, hockey, etc.)
✔ Marching band hazing
✔ ROTC & military hazing
✔ Club & organization hazing
✔ High school hazing

What Codington County Parents Are Saying

“We thought hazing was just ‘tradition’—until our son ended up in the hospital. Attorney 911 fought for us when no one else would.” – Parent of a hazing victim

“The fraternity told us it was ‘just a prank.’ It wasn’t. It was torture. Attorney 911 made them pay.” – Former pledge

🚨 Codington County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation

1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline)
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We don’t just talk about hazing—we’re fighting it right now. And we’ll fight for Codington County families too.

📍 Serving Codington County, SD & Nationwide

Offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont – Representing victims across America

Don’t let them silence your child. Call Attorney 911 today.