🛡️ Attorney 911: Hazing Victim Legal Representation for Custer County, South Dakota

Justice for Students Abused in Greek Life, Athletics, and Campus Organizations

At Attorney 911, we are nationally recognized hazing litigation experts currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for the systematic abuse of a student who was waterboarded, forced to perform 500 squats until he collapsed, and hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.

Custer County families: This same hazing is happening at universities and colleges near you. The same fraternities operate in South Dakota. The same institutional failures exist at schools in your community. And we are here to fight for Custer County hazing victims with the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to our current case.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Custer County and Beyond

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” It’s assault. It’s battery. Sometimes it’s torture. And in too many cases, it’s fatal.

What Hazing Looks Like in Custer County:

While we can’t comment on specific incidents in Custer County without verified information, we know for a fact that the same national fraternities involved in our Houston case have active chapters at universities across South Dakota and the surrounding region. These organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide — including:

• Waterboarding (simulated drowning)
• Forced consumption of alcohol or food until vomiting
• Extreme physical punishment (500 squats, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls)
• Sleep deprivation and exhaustion
• Psychological torture (humiliation, threats, isolation)
• Sexual abuse and degradation
• Beating with wooden paddles or other objects

The consequences are severe:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
• Alcohol poisoning (leading to coma or death)
• Traumatic brain injuries from beatings or falls
• Hypothermia or heatstroke from exposure
• PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicide

⚠️ Our Landmark Case: The $10 Million Fight Against Pi Kappa Phi

What Happened at University of Houston:

In Fall 2025, Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student who hadn’t even enrolled at UH yet, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi. Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse that included:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to perform 100+ pushups and 500+ squats until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then made to continue exercising
• Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass
• Stripped to underwear in cold weather and sprayed with a hose
• Carried a fanny pack containing sexual objects at all times
• Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
• A pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a workout on October 15, 2025

On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event with extreme physical exertion — including two-mile warmups, bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He became so exhausted he could not stand without help. The next day, he was “really sore and couldn’t really move.” The day after that, his condition worsened. On November 6, 2025, his mother rushed him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He was hospitalized for three nights and four days.

The Defendants We’re Suing (And Why This Matters to Custer County):

The Same Hazing Happens Near Custer County

Pi Kappa Phi is just one of many national fraternities with chapters at universities in South Dakota and the surrounding states. Others include:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
• Sigma Chi
• Beta Theta Pi
• Kappa Sigma
• Phi Delta Theta
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
• Delta Chi
• Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)

These same organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide. If they’re hazing students in Houston, they’re hazing students near Custer County.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Custer County Hazing Victim

South Dakota Hazing Law

South Dakota Codified Laws § 13-32-1 defines hazing as:

Any activity which endangers the physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group or organization.

Key Points:

• Consent is not a defense — Even if you “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.
• Criminal penalties — Hazing is a Class 1 misdemeanor in South Dakota, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $2,000 in fines.
• Civil liability — You can sue for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages.

Who Can You Sue?

If you or your child was hazed in Custer County or at a nearby university, you may have claims against:

1. The local chapter (for directly organizing the hazing)
2. The national fraternity/sorority organization (for failing to supervise and prevent hazing)
3. The university or college (for failing to protect students despite knowing about hazing risks)
4. Individual members (for participating in or facilitating hazing)
5. Alumni or advisors (for allowing hazing to occur at their homes or under their supervision)
6. Insurance companies (for providing coverage to the above defendants)

Damages You Can Recover

💰 Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what other victims have recovered:

Custer County families: These same results are possible for your case. The same legal strategies that won millions for other victims apply to Custer County hazing cases.

📋 What Custer County Families Should Do If Hazing Occurs

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
• Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and traumatic brain injuries can have delayed symptoms.
• Medical records are critical evidence for your case.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, emails).
• Document witness names and contact information.
• Keep all medical records and bills.
• Do NOT delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing or incriminating.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or University Without Legal Counsel

• The fraternity, sorority, or university will try to control the narrative.
• They may ask you to sign documents or give statements.
• Anything you say can be used against you.
• Do NOT post on social media about the incident.

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 hazing hotline)
• Email ralph@atty911.com
• We offer free, confidential consultations for Custer County families.
• We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.

🏛️ Why Custer County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston.
• We know the playbook that fraternities and universities use to avoid accountability.
• We are not theoretical attorneys — we are in the courtroom fighting this fight today.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Tricks

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance defense firms before switching sides to represent victims.
• We know exactly how insurance companies and institutions try to minimize or deny claims.
• We use that insider knowledge to maximize recovery for our clients.

3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Custer County Families

• While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Custer County.
• We have federal court authority and can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction.
• We offer video consultations and will travel to Custer County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

4. Aggressive, Compassionate Representation

• We treat our clients like family.
• We understand the trauma of hazing and provide compassionate, confidential support.
• We fight aggressively to hold every liable party accountable — from individual members to national organizations to universities.

5. No Upfront Costs — You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

• We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay $0 upfront.
• We only get paid if we win your case.
• This ensures every Custer County family can afford justice, regardless of financial situation.

🎓 Common Hazing Scenarios in Custer County (And How We Fight Them)

Scenario 1: Greek Life Hazing (Fraternities & Sororities)

What Happens:

• Pledges are forced to participate in dangerous “initiation rituals.”
• Activities include forced drinking, physical abuse, sleep deprivation, and humiliation.
• Victims are threatened with expulsion or social ostracism if they refuse.

How We Fight It:

• Sue the local chapter for direct liability.
• Sue the national organization for failing to supervise and prevent hazing.
• Sue the university for failing to protect students despite knowing about hazing risks.
• Pursue individual members for assault and battery.
• Demand punitive damages for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced consumption).

Scenario 2: Athletic Team Hazing

What Happens:

• New team members are subjected to abuse by upperclassmen.
• Activities include forced drinking, physical assaults, and degrading rituals.
• Coaches or athletic departments may turn a blind eye.

How We Fight It:

• Sue the school or university for negligent supervision.
• Sue the coaching staff for failing to prevent hazing.
• Sue individual teammates for assault and battery.
• Pursue Title IX claims if the hazing involves sexual harassment or assault.

Scenario 3: Marching Band or ROTC Hazing

What Happens:

• New members are forced to endure extreme physical or psychological abuse.
• Activities may include forced exercise, sleep deprivation, or humiliation.

How We Fight It:

• Sue the university or school district for failing to protect students.
• Sue band directors or ROTC leaders for negligent supervision.
• Sue individual perpetrators for assault and battery.

Scenario 4: “Ghost Rush” Hazing (Like Our UH Case)

What Happens:

• Prospective members who aren’t even enrolled at the university are hazed.
• The organization has no duty of care because the victim isn’t a student — yet they still abuse them.

How We Fight It:

• Sue the fraternity/sorority for reckless disregard.
• Sue the national organization for recruiting practices that lead to abuse.
• Sue individual members for assault and battery.

📢 Message to Custer County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Custer County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Custer County, we will pursue every liable entity — from your local chapter to your national organization to the university that enables you.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Delta Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Phi Gamma Delta — if your chapter operates near Custer County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

To universities near Custer County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. If you own fraternity houses, if you have Greek life oversight, if you’ve had prior hazing incidents — you are on notice. Act now or face the same accountability we’re bringing to UH.

📞 Custer County Families: Contact Us Today

If you or your child has been hazed in Custer County or at a nearby university, you are not alone. We are here to fight for you.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 Hazing Hotline)

Email ralph@atty911.com

Visit attorney911.com

Free, confidential consultation.
$0 upfront costs.
We don’t get paid unless we win your case.

🔒 Confidentiality and Protection

We understand that hazing victims often fear retribution for speaking out. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We take these fears seriously.

How we protect our clients:

• Confidential consultations — Your information is protected.
• Discreet representation — We minimize public exposure unless you choose otherwise.
• Legal protections — We take steps to prevent retaliation from fraternities, universities, or individuals.
• Support network — We connect you with counseling and advocacy resources.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Custer County Families

Q: Can I sue if I “consented” to the hazing?

A: YES. South Dakota law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if you agreed to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: You can still sue. Hazing laws apply on or off campus. If the activity was part of a university-affiliated organization (e.g., fraternity, sports team), the university and national organization may still be liable.

Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

A: In South Dakota, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 3 years from the date of the injury. However, evidence disappears quickly, so it’s critical to act as soon as possible.

Q: Can I afford a lawyer?

A: YES. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This ensures that every Custer County family can afford justice.

Q: Will I have to go to court?

A: Most hazing cases settle out of court. However, if the defendants refuse to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to trial to secure the compensation you deserve.

Q: Can you help if the hazing happened at a university outside Custer County?

A: YES. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including at universities in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and beyond. We offer video consultations and will travel to you if needed.

Q: What if I’m afraid of retaliation?

A: We take every precaution to protect our clients from retaliation. This includes:

• Confidential legal representation
• Protective orders if necessary
• Coordination with law enforcement for criminal hazing
• Discreet handling of your case

🏆 Our Commitment to Custer County Families

At Attorney 911, we don’t just represent clients — we fight for justice. We are committed to:

1. Holding every liable party accountable — from individual members to national organizations to universities.
2. Securing maximum compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
3. Preventing future hazing by sending a message that this conduct will not be tolerated.
4. Supporting Custer County families with compassion and confidentiality throughout the legal process.

If your child was hazed in Custer County or at a nearby university, we will fight for you like we’re fighting for Leonel Bermudez — with everything we have.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Free consultation. No upfront costs. We don’t get paid unless we win.

Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Custer County and Nationwide

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

🔒 Confidential. Aggressive. Compassionate.

We fight for Custer County hazing victims.