🛡️ Hazing Victims in Jones County, South Dakota: Your Legal Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help

Jones County Families: Hazing Happens Here Too — And We Will Fight For You

We are Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™. While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including right here in Jones County, South Dakota. If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization in or near Jones County, we can help.

Right now, we are fighting a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — a case that made national headlines. The same fraternities, the same negligence, and the same life-altering injuries are happening to students across America — including in Jones County.

You are not alone. We are here to fight for you.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis Has Come to Jones County

Hazing is not just a problem in big cities or major universities. It happens right here in South Dakota. In fact, Jones County is home to colleges and universities where Greek life thrives, and where the same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide operate local chapters.

Jones County Hazing Risk Zones:

• Dakota Wesleyan University (Mitchell, SD — near Jones County)
• University of South Dakota (Vermillion, SD — regional hub)
• South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD — major Greek life presence)
• Augustana University (Sioux Falls, SD — active Greek system)
• Northern State University (Aberdeen, SD — regional institution)

These universities are all within driving distance of Jones County, and many Jones County students attend them. The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Texas — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha — have active chapters at South Dakota universities.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in South Dakota, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

💔 What Hazing Looks Like in Jones County

Hazing isn’t harmless fun. It’s abuse disguised as tradition. In our current case, we’ve documented:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until muscles broke down, causing rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in their own vomit
• Sleep deprivation — forced to drive fraternity members at all hours
• Psychological torture — carrying sexual objects, being hog-tied, threats of expulsion

This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening in South Dakota too.

Jones County parents: If your child is coming home with unexplained bruises, extreme exhaustion, or fear of talking about their Greek life experiences, they may be a hazing victim.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Jones County Hazing Victim

1. South Dakota Hazing Law — Criminal & Civil Liability

South Dakota has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to all student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and clubs.

South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-19A-1 — Hazing Defined:

“Hazing” means any activity which endangers the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.

South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-19A-2 — Criminal Penalties for Hazing:

• Class 1 Misdemeanor — Up to 1 year in jail and/or $2,000 fine
• Class 6 Felony — If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death

South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-19A-3 — Civil Liability:

“Any person who commits hazing is liable for civil damages to the victim for all injuries, including mental and physical pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other damages.”

This means Jones County hazing victims can sue for:

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)

Key Point: Consent is NOT a defense in South Dakota. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.

2. Who Can Be Sued in Jones County Hazing Cases?

In our $10 million lawsuit, we’re suing everyone responsible — and we’ll do the same for Jones County families:

Jones County families: If your child was hazed, we will identify and sue every responsible party.

3. You Have 3 Years to File a Lawsuit in South Dakota

South Dakota Statute of Limitations (SDCL § 15-2-14):

• Personal Injury: 3 years from date of injury
• Wrongful Death: 3 years from date of death

Do NOT wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Contact us immediately if your child has been hazed.

💰 Multi-Million Dollar Precedents — Jones County Victims Can Win Big

Hazing cases routinely result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what other families have won — and what Jones County victims can expect:

Jones County families: These results are possible for you too. We know how to build these cases, and we’re already doing it.

🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing — What Jones County Parents Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just “roughhousing.” It causes real, life-altering injuries. In our current case, our client developed:

Rhabdomyolysis — When Muscles Break Down

What it is: A dangerous condition where muscle tissue breaks down, releasing myoglobin into the bloodstream. Myoglobin can damage the kidneys and cause acute kidney failure.

Symptoms (our client experienced all of these):

• Severe muscle pain
• Muscle weakness or inability to move
• Dark brown or tea-colored urine (sign of myoglobin)
• Fatigue
• Confusion

Causes in hazing:

• Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
• Physical trauma (being struck with paddles)
• Prolonged muscle compression

Treatment:

• Hospitalization
• IV fluids to flush kidneys
• Potential dialysis
• Can be fatal if untreated

Long-term risks:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Need for dialysis
• Kidney transplant
• Permanent muscle damage

Other Hazing Injuries Common in South Dakota:

• Alcohol poisoning (from forced drinking)
• Traumatic brain injury (from beatings or falls)
• Hypothermia/hyperthermia (from exposure)
• Broken bones (from physical abuse)
• PTSD, anxiety, depression (from psychological torture)
• Sexual assault injuries (from forced nudity or sexual acts)
• Death (from extreme physical or alcohol-related hazing)

Jones County parents: If your child is coming home with unexplained pain, exhaustion, or fear, get them medical attention immediately. Then call us.

📞 What Jones County Families Should Do RIGHT NOW

Step 1: Get Medical Help

• If your child is injured, go to the emergency room immediately.
• Tell the doctor everything — don’t downplay symptoms.
• Document everything — take photos of injuries, keep medical records.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Save all communications — texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails.
• Take screenshots of any social media posts about hazing.
• Write down everything your child remembers — dates, times, locations, who was there.
• Get names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses.
• Do NOT delete anything — even if it’s embarrassing.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

• They will try to control the narrative.
• They will try to get your child to sign something.
• They will try to minimize what happened.
• Do NOT give statements to the fraternity, sorority, or university without a lawyer.

Step 4: Call Attorney 911 — Jones County Hazing Hotline

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

We offer:

• Free consultation — no obligation
• No upfront costs — we work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win)
• Remote representation — we can handle your case from Texas, with travel to Jones County as needed
• Aggressive advocacy — we’ve won millions for victims like you

We will:

• Investigate the hazing
• Identify all responsible parties
• Preserve evidence
• File a lawsuit
• Fight for maximum compensation

🎯 Why Jones 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.
• We know exactly how to build these cases.
• We know who to sue and how to win.

2. We Have Former Insurance Defense Attorneys on Your Side

• Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena used to work for insurance companies.
• We know exactly how they think and how they try to deny claims.
• We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority — Can Sue Anywhere

• Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas.
• Can pursue Jones County cases in federal court if needed.
• Dual-state licensed — Texas AND New York.

4. We Travel to Jones County

• We will come to Jones County, Mitchell, Pierre, or anywhere in South Dakota for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
• Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. We Offer Free Consultations — No Risk

• $0 upfront — we work on contingency.
• You pay nothing unless we win.
• Free case evaluation — call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.

6. We Are Bilingual — Se Habla Español

• Many hazing victims are international students or from immigrant families.
• We provide full legal services in Spanish — no language barriers.

7. We Have a Proven Track Record

• $10 million hazing lawsuit pending (current case)
• Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
• Hundreds of cases won against insurance companies
• Former BP Texas City explosion litigation — experience with complex cases

📚 What Jones County Parents Need to Know About Hazing

1. Hazing Happens Everywhere — Including South Dakota

• 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing.
• 40% of student athletes report hazing.
• Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S.

Jones County parents: If your child is in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or marching band, they are at risk.

2. Hazing Isn’t Just “Boys Being Boys”

Hazing includes:

• Physical abuse — beatings, paddling, branding
• Forced consumption — alcohol, food, non-food substances
• Sleep deprivation — forced late nights, early mornings
• Psychological torture — humiliation, degradation, threats
• Sexual abuse — forced nudity, sexual acts

This is not tradition. This is abuse.

3. Universities Know — And Do Nothing

• Universities profit from Greek life through housing, donations, and student fees.
• They know hazing happens — but they look the other way.
• They fail to protect students — until someone gets hurt or dies.

In our current case:

• University of Houston OWNED the fraternity house where hazing occurred.
• They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 at a different fraternity.
• They did nothing to stop it from happening again.

4. National Fraternities Enable Hazing

• National organizations collect dues and fees from chapters.
• They know about hazing — but they don’t enforce their own rules.
• They close chapters after incidents — but they let them reopen later.

In our current case:

• Pi Kappa Phi had a hazing death in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at FSU).
• 8 years later, they allowed the same hazing to hospitalize our client.
• They knew about a “hazing crisis” and did nothing.

🔍 Warning Signs of Hazing in Jones County

Jones County parents: Watch for these signs that your child may be a hazing victim:

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
• Extreme exhaustion or sleep deprivation
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Difficulty walking or moving
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness)

Behavioral Signs:

• Sudden secrecy about activities
• Fear of talking about their organization
• Avoiding certain people or places
• Sudden drop in academic performance
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms

What Your Child Might Say:

• “It’s just tradition.”
• “Everyone goes through it.”
• “I can’t tell you what happens.”
• “If I don’t do it, I’ll get kicked out.”
• “It’s not that bad.”

If you hear these phrases, your child may be in danger.

📢 Message to Jones County Fraternities & Sororities: We Are Watching

To the fraternities and sororities operating in and near Jones County:

We know who you are. We know your chapters. We know your national organizations. And we know you have a hazing problem.

• Pi Kappa Phi — You’ve already paid millions for hazing deaths. You’re being sued again.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon — You have a documented history of hazing injuries.
• Kappa Sigma — Your chapters have been suspended for hazing nationwide.
• Pi Kappa Alpha — You’ve killed students before. You will pay again.

If you haze students in Jones County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will shut you down.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Closed after our lawsuit. Your chapter could be next.

🏛️ Message to South Dakota Universities: You Are Liable

To Dakota Wesleyan University, University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Augustana University, and Northern State University:

You have a legal and moral duty to protect your students. When you fail, you are liable.

• You know hazing happens on your campuses.
• You profit from Greek life through housing and fees.
• You fail to enforce your own anti-hazing policies.
• When students get hurt, you blame the fraternities and look the other way.

That ends now.

Jones County families: If your child was hazed at a South Dakota university, we will sue the university too.

📞 Jones County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now

If your child has been hazed in Jones County or anywhere in South Dakota, call Attorney 911 immediately.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

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

We offer:
✅ Free consultation — no obligation
✅ No upfront costs — you pay nothing unless we win
✅ Remote representation — we handle your case from Texas
✅ Aggressive advocacy — we fight for maximum compensation
✅ Travel to Jones County — for depositions, trials, and meetings

Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Call us today.

🎓 Jones County Students: You Have the Power to Stop Hazing

If you are being hazed, you are not alone. You have the power to stop this.

What You Can Do:

1. Tell someone you trust — a parent, friend, or teacher.
2. Document everything — take photos, save texts, write down what happened.
3. Report it — to your university, to the police, to us.
4. Get help — medical attention, counseling, legal support.

You Are Not Weak for Speaking Up

• You are brave.
• You are protecting others.
• You are standing up to abuse.

Call us. We will protect you. 1-888-ATTY-911

📜 South Dakota Hazing Laws — Know Your Rights

South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-19A-1 — Hazing Defined

“Hazing” means any activity which endangers the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.

South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-19A-2 — Criminal Penalties

• Class 1 Misdemeanor — Up to 1 year in jail and/or $2,000 fine
• Class 6 Felony — If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death

South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-19A-3 — Civil Liability

“Any person who commits hazing is liable for civil damages to the victim for all injuries, including mental and physical pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other damages.”

Key Legal Points for Jones County Families:

✅ Consent is NOT a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.
✅ Organizations can be sued — Fraternities, sororities, universities, and national organizations can all be held liable.
✅ You have 3 years to file a lawsuit — But do not wait. Evidence disappears quickly.

💔 To the Jones County Family Who Lost a Child to Hazing

We are so sorry for your loss. No parent should have to bury their child because of hazing.

We can help you seek justice. Wrongful death lawsuits can:

• Hold the responsible parties accountable
• Provide financial security for your family
• Prevent future hazing deaths

Call us. We will fight for you. 1-888-ATTY-911

🔥 Final Message to Jones County: Enough Is Enough

Hazing has no place in Jones County. It has no place in South Dakota. It has no place in America.

• It’s not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s abuse.
• It’s not harmless. It causes real injuries — and real deaths.
• It’s not inevitable. It can be stopped.

Jones County families: If your child has been hazed, you have the power to stop this cycle. Call us. We will fight for you.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Jones County, South Dakota and nationwide

We don’t just talk about justice. We fight for it.