Hazing Lawyers in Miner County, South Dakota – Protecting Students and Families

Hazing Happens in Miner County – And It’s Time for Justice

Miner County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their students. They believe Greek organizations will uphold values of brotherhood and sisterhood.

But too often, that trust is betrayed.

Hazing is not harmless tradition. It’s not “boys being boys.” It’s not “building character.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s sometimes torture. And it happens right here in South Dakota – at universities near Miner County, in fraternities and sororities with local chapters, and in organizations that claim to care about students.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We’re currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston – a case that made national headlines for exposing waterboarding, forced eating, and extreme physical abuse that hospitalized our client with kidney failure. The same fraternities operate near Miner County. The same negligence exists at South Dakota institutions. And we will fight for Miner County families with the same aggression.

If your child has been hazed in Miner County or at a university near Miner County, you are not alone. You have legal rights. And you have allies who will stand with you.

What Is Hazing? The Reality in Miner County

Hazing isn’t just a prank or a joke. It’s a systematic pattern of abuse designed to humiliate, intimidate, and physically harm students. And it happens right here in South Dakota.

Common Hazing Activities in Miner County and Nearby Universities:

This Isn’t Just Happening Elsewhere – It’s Happening Near Miner County

Universities near Miner County with Greek life include:

• South Dakota State University (Brookings) – home to multiple fraternities and sororities
• University of South Dakota (Vermillion) – active Greek system
• Dakota State University (Madison) – smaller but present Greek organizations
• Augustana University (Sioux Falls) – private university with Greek life

National fraternities with chapters near Miner County:

• Pi Kappa Phi – the same fraternity we’re suing for waterboarding a student
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – multiple hazing deaths nationwide
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – paid $10 million in a hazing death case
• Beta Theta Pi – $110 million settlement for a hazing death
• Phi Delta Theta – $6.1 million verdict for a hazing death

These are the same organizations operating near Miner County. They have the same cultures. They engage in the same dangerous activities.

The Miner County Hazing Case That Changed Everything

Our Landmark $10 Million Lawsuit – What Happened in Houston Could Happen Here

In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after weeks of systematic hazing.

What they did to him:

• Waterboarded him with a garden hose – simulated drowning, a form of torture
• Forced him to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups – until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
• Struck him with wooden paddles – physical assault with weapons
• Forced him to eat until he vomited – then made him keep running through his own vomit
• Hog-tied another pledge – face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
• Forced him to drive fraternity members at all hours – leading to sleep deprivation and exhaustion
• Threatened him with expulsion if he didn’t comply – psychological coercion

The result:

• November 3, 2025 – Bermudez collapsed after extreme punishment
• November 4-5 – Couldn’t move; condition worsened
• November 6 – Mother rushed him to the hospital; brown urine (sign of muscle breakdown)
• November 6-10 – Hospitalized for 3 nights and 4 days with kidney failure
• November 14 – Pi Kappa Phi closed the chapter (7 days before our lawsuit)
• November 21 – $10 million lawsuit filed – ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle coverage

Why This Case Matters to Miner County Families

1. The same fraternities operate near Miner County – Pi Kappa Phi has chapters across the country, including in South Dakota.
2. Universities near Miner County have the same oversight failures – They know hazing happens but fail to stop it.
3. The same “traditions” exist here – Waterboarding, forced drinking, extreme physical abuse – it’s not limited to Texas.
4. Consent is not a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, South Dakota law says consent doesn’t matter.
5. They knew it was dangerous – Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017 and did nothing to fix their culture.

This isn’t just a Texas problem. It’s a Miner County problem. And we’re fighting it.

Miner County Families: You Have Legal Rights

If your child has been hazed in Miner County or at a university near Miner County, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for:

Physical Injuries

• Hospital bills (past and future)
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Medications and ongoing treatment
• Permanent disabilities (e.g., kidney damage, chronic pain)

Psychological Trauma

• Therapy and counseling for PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Medications for mental health
• Long-term psychological care

Economic Losses

• Lost wages from missed work
• Lost academic opportunities (scholarships, internships)
• Future earning capacity if injuries affect career

Pain and Suffering

• Physical pain from injuries
• Emotional distress from abuse
• Humiliation and degradation
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive Damages

• Additional compensation to punish the organization for egregious conduct
• Designed to deter future hazing

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Miner County?

Hazing cases involve multiple defendants – everyone who participated, enabled, or failed to stop the abuse. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re suing:

Miner County families: If your child was hazed at a university near Miner County, we will identify every liable party – from the individual perpetrators to the national organizations to the university itself.

Miner County Hazing Laws – Know Your Rights

South Dakota Hazing Law (SDCL § 13-32-1 to 13-32-3)

South Dakota law explicitly prohibits hazing and defines it as:

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

Key Provisions:

• Criminal penalties – Hazing is a Class 1 misdemeanor in South Dakota, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $2,000 in fines.
• Consent is not a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent doesn’t matter.
• Organizational liability – Fraternities, sororities, and universities can be held criminally and civilly liable.
• Reporting requirements – Schools must report hazing incidents to authorities.

Civil Liability – You Can Sue for Damages

Beyond criminal charges, you can file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Punitive damages

South Dakota has no cap on damages for personal injury cases, meaning juries can award millions for serious hazing injuries.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Miner County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked – some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away.
• Document everything – medical records are critical evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Save all communications – texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails
• Take photos/videos – injuries, hazing locations, objects used
• Get witness information – names and contact info of other victims or bystanders
• Keep all documents – pledge manuals, fraternity/sorority rules

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without a Lawyer

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative.
• They may ask your child to sign documents waiving their rights.
• They may pressure them to stay quiet.

You have the right to legal representation. Exercise it.

Step 4: Contact a Miner County Hazing Lawyer Immediately

• The statute of limitations in South Dakota is 3 years for personal injury cases, but evidence disappears fast.
• Witnesses forget what happened.
• Organizations destroy records.
• Your legal rights expire.

Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation.

Why Miner County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We’re 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.

2. We Have Insider Knowledge

• Both our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers – we know how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability.
• We’ve seen their playbook – and we use it against them.

3. We Serve Miner County Families Nationwide

• While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims across the country, including in South Dakota.
• We offer video consultations for Miner County families.
• We travel to Miner County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

4. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront for Miner County Families

• You pay nothing unless we win your case.
• No hourly fees, no retainers.
• We only get paid if you get paid.

5. We’re Bilingual – Se Habla Español

• Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
• We serve Spanish-speaking families in Miner County without language barriers.

6. We Have a Proven Track Record

• 4.9-star Google rating with 250+ reviews
• Millions recovered for personal injury victims
• Former insurance defense attorneys – we know how to maximize your compensation

Miner County Hazing Cases We Handle

We represent victims of hazing in all types of organizations, including:

Miner County Hazing Frequently Asked Questions

1. My child was hazed but doesn’t want to sue. Should we still talk to a lawyer?

Yes. Even if your child isn’t ready to file a lawsuit, a lawyer can:

• Advise you on evidence preservation
• Help you report the incident to authorities
• Protect your child from retaliation
• Ensure they don’t waive their rights by signing documents

2. The fraternity says my child “consented.” Does that matter?

No. South Dakota law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization is still liable.

3. The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can we still sue?

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to supervise Greek life or ignored warning signs, they can be held liable.

4. My child was hazed at a university outside Miner County. Can you still help?

Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including students from Miner County who were hazed at universities in other states.

5. How much is my child’s hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements or verdicts. Factors include:

• Severity of injuries
• Psychological impact
• Whether the university or national organization knew about prior hazing
• Whether there was a cover-up
• The egregiousness of the conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced drinking)

6. How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

• South Dakota statute of limitations: 3 years from the date of injury
• But don’t wait – evidence disappears, and witnesses forget
• Contact us immediately for a free case evaluation

7. Will my child have to testify in court?

Most hazing cases settle out of court, meaning your child may never have to testify. If the case does go to trial, we will prepare them thoroughly and protect their privacy.

8. Can we afford a lawyer?

Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

Miner County Families: It’s Time to Take a Stand

Hazing has gone on for too long. Students have been hospitalized. Families have lost children. Institutions have covered up abuse.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

With our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, we’re sending a message:

• Hazing is not tradition – it’s abuse.
• Universities can’t look the other way.
• Fraternities and sororities will be held accountable.
• Miner County families deserve justice.

If your child has been hazed in Miner County or at a university near Miner County, you are not powerless. You have legal rights. You have allies. And you have a team that will fight for you.

Contact Miner County’s Hazing Lawyers Today

Free, Confidential Consultation – Available 24/7

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Serving Miner County and all of South Dakota – Nationwide representation available

We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it right now. And we’ll fight for your Miner County family too.