Hazing Victim Legal Rights in Marshall County, SD
Attorney 911: Fighting for Marshall County Families Against Hazing Abuse
Marshall County parents and students: If your child has been a victim of fraternity or sorority hazing at a local college or university, you are not alone. The same dangerous hazing culture that hospitalized a student at the University of Houston in our current $10 million lawsuit exists right here in South Dakota. We’re fighting to protect Marshall County families from these abusive practices.
What Marshall County Families Need to Know About Hazing
Hazing isn’t just “college fun” – it’s a dangerous and often illegal practice that can cause severe physical and psychological harm. In our current case, a student was waterboarded, forced to perform extreme physical exercises until he collapsed, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This same type of abuse happens at universities near Marshall County.
Common Hazing Practices in South Dakota:
- Forced alcohol consumption leading to alcohol poisoning
- Extreme physical exercises causing rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
- Sleep deprivation and psychological abuse
- Physical assault including paddling and waterboarding
- Humiliation rituals that cause lasting emotional trauma
These aren’t harmless traditions – they’re dangerous activities that put Marshall County students at serious risk.
Why Marshall County Families Choose Attorney 911
We’re the only law firm in the region currently litigating a major hazing case, giving us unique expertise in this specialized area. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are former insurance defense lawyers who know exactly how these organizations try to avoid responsibility.
Our Marshall County Advantage:
- Current hazing litigation experience – We’re fighting this battle right now
- Former insurance defense insight – We know how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability
- Federal court authority – Can pursue cases nationwide, including in South Dakota
- Dual-state bar admission – Texas and New York licenses for strategic advantage
- Contingency fee representation – No upfront costs; we only get paid if we win
Marshall County’s Legal Rights Against Hazing
South Dakota law provides strong protections against hazing. Under SDCL 13-32-1 through 13-32-9, hazing is a criminal offense that can result in both misdemeanor and felony charges. More importantly for Marshall County families, these laws create civil liability for the organizations that allow hazing to occur.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Marshall County:
- Local fraternity/sorority chapters – Direct responsibility for hazing activities
- National Greek organizations – Failure to supervise and enforce anti-hazing policies
- Universities and colleges – Failure to protect students from known hazards
- Individual members – Personal liability for participating in or facilitating hazing
- Alumni and advisors – Responsibility for hazing that occurs at their properties
The Marshall County Hazing Crisis
While our current case is in Texas, the same national fraternities and sororities operate at South Dakota universities near Marshall County. These organizations have a documented history of hazing incidents nationwide, yet they continue to operate with minimal oversight.
Recent Hazing Incidents Nationwide:
- University of Houston (2025): Student hospitalized with kidney failure after waterboarding and extreme physical abuse
- Bowling Green State University (2021): $10.1 million settlement for hazing death
- Louisiana State University (2017): $6.1 million jury verdict for hazing death
- Penn State University (2017): $110+ million settlement for hazing death
These cases show that hazing is a nationwide epidemic affecting students from all backgrounds, including those from Marshall County.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Marshall County
If your child has been a victim of hazing, immediate action is critical:
- Seek medical attention – Document all injuries, even if they seem minor
- Preserve evidence – Save all texts, photos, videos, and social media posts
- Report the incident – File reports with campus police and university administration
- Do not sign anything – Avoid statements or agreements without legal counsel
- Contact Attorney 911 – Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation
Marshall County’s Hazing Legal Process
Our attorneys will guide Marshall County families through every step of the legal process:
- Case Evaluation – Free consultation to assess your case
- Evidence Collection – Gather medical records, witness statements, and documentation
- Demand Letter – Formal demand for compensation to responsible parties
- Negotiation – Aggressive negotiation with insurance companies and institutions
- Litigation – Filing a lawsuit if fair settlement cannot be reached
- Trial – Presenting your case to a jury if necessary
Compensation Available for Marshall County Hazing Victims
Marshall County families may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses – Hospital bills, rehabilitation, therapy
- Pain and suffering – Physical and emotional trauma
- Lost wages – Time missed from work or school
- Educational disruption – Impact on academic progress
- Punitive damages – Additional compensation to punish egregious conduct
Why Time is Critical for Marshall County Families
South Dakota has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses forget details, organizations destroy records, and insurance companies pressure victims to settle quickly. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.
Our Commitment to Marshall County
We understand the unique challenges facing Marshall County families. Our attorneys will:
- Travel to Marshall County for meetings and depositions
- Offer video consultations for convenience
- Handle all communications with insurance companies and institutions
- Fight aggressively for the maximum compensation available
- Protect your family’s privacy throughout the process
Marshall County’s Hazing Resources
While we fight for justice in the legal system, we also support Marshall County’s prevention efforts:
- Marshall County Schools – Hazing prevention education
- Local universities and colleges – Greek life oversight programs
- Community organizations – Anti-hazing awareness campaigns
- Student groups – Safe campus initiatives
Contact Attorney 911 Today
If your child has been a victim of hazing in Marshall County or at any South Dakota university, don’t wait. Call our 24/7 legal emergency hotline:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing unless we win your case. Let us fight for your Marshall County family’s rights.
About Attorney 911
Attorney 911 is a Texas-based personal injury and criminal defense law firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. While we’re based in Texas, our federal court authority and nationwide experience allow us to represent hazing victims across the country, including in Marshall County, South Dakota.
Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, bring over 37 years of combined legal experience to every case. As former insurance defense lawyers, we understand exactly how organizations try to avoid responsibility for hazing incidents. This insider knowledge gives Marshall County families a significant advantage in their legal battles.
We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, giving us unique expertise in this specialized area of law. This experience allows us to provide Marshall County families with the most aggressive and effective representation available.
