Hazing Lawyers Serving Barton County, Missouri – Attorney 911
When “Tradition” Becomes Torture: Your Child Deserves Justice
Barton County families: If your son or daughter has been hazed at a college fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization, you are not powerless. What happened to them was not “boys being boys,” “team bonding,” or “just part of the process.” It was abuse. It may be criminal. And you have legal rights.
At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case involving waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and a culture of institutional neglect. The same fraternities, the same hazing rituals, and the same failures exist at colleges and universities near Barton County. Your family deserves the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to this landmark case.
Call us now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
Why Barton County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases
1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles during fraternity hazing. This isn’t a hypothetical case—it’s happening now, and we know how to win.
The same hazing happens near Barton County. The same fraternities operate at colleges in Missouri. The same universities fail to protect students. We will fight for Barton County victims with the same fury we’re bringing to Houston.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena—worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides to represent victims. We know how they minimize claims, delay settlements, and try to blame the victim. We’ve seen their tactics from the inside—and now we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize your recovery.
Barton County families: When you hire us, you’re not just getting lawyers—you’re getting former insiders who know how to beat the system.
3. We Sue EVERYONE Responsible – Not Just the Students
Hazing isn’t just the fault of a few “bad apples.” Universities, national fraternities, housing corporations, and individual leaders all share liability when they allow abuse to continue. In our current case, we’re suing:
✅ Pi Kappa Phi National – Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies despite knowing about a “hazing crisis”
✅ University of Houston – Owned the fraternity house where torture occurred and had prior hazing incidents
✅ Chapter Officers & Members – Organized and participated in the abuse
✅ Former Members & Their Spouses – Allowed hazing at their homes
If your child was hazed near Barton County, we will identify and sue every liable party—no exceptions.
4. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation
We don’t just talk about fighting—we win. Our firm has:
✔ Litigated multi-billion-dollar cases (BP Texas City explosion)
✔ Won millions for catastrophic injury victims
✔ Secured multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts
✔ Forced fraternities and universities to change policies through aggressive litigation
Barton County families: We don’t settle for pennies. We fight for full justice.
5. We Come to You – Distance Is Not a Barrier
While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Barton County. We offer:
✅ Free video consultations – No need to travel
✅ Willingness to travel to Barton County for depositions, meetings, and trials
✅ Federal court authority – Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) – Strategic advantage against national fraternities
If your child was hazed near Barton County, we will be there for you.
6. No Upfront Costs – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning:
✔ $0 upfront – No retainer, no hourly fees
✔ We only get paid if you win – Our fee comes from your settlement or verdict
✔ No risk to you – If we don’t recover money, you owe us nothing
Barton County families: You can’t afford NOT to fight back.
What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal Near Barton County)
Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation.” It’s abuse disguised as tradition. Under Missouri law, hazing includes any activity that:
🚨 Endangers mental or physical health (e.g., forced exercise to exhaustion, sleep deprivation)
🚨 Involves physical brutality (e.g., paddling, waterboarding, beatings)
🚨 Forces consumption of alcohol, food, or drugs (e.g., binge drinking, forced eating until vomiting)
🚨 Humiliates or degrades (e.g., carrying sexual objects, stripping in public)
🚨 Creates unreasonable risk of harm (e.g., extreme weather exposure, dangerous stunts)
Missouri Revised Statutes § 578.360 makes hazing a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the severity. Consent is NOT a defense—even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
Common Hazing Injuries We Handle for Barton County Families
| Injury | How It Happens | Long-Term Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats, bear crawls) | Kidney failure, permanent organ damage, death |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced binge drinking | Brain damage, death, lifelong addiction |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Beating, falls, head trauma | Cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes |
| Broken Bones | Paddling, physical abuse | Chronic pain, disability, surgery |
| Internal Bleeding | Blunt force trauma | Emergency surgery, organ damage |
| PTSD & Anxiety | Psychological torture | Therapy, medication, inability to function |
| Sexual Assault | Forced nudity, sexual acts | Trauma, STIs, long-term psychological damage |
| Wrongful Death | Extreme hazing leading to fatality | Loss of child, funeral expenses, lifetime of grief |
If your child suffered any of these injuries near Barton County, call us immediately.
Who Can Be Sued for Hazing Near Barton County?
In our current $10 million case, we’re suing 10 defendants. If your child was hazed near Barton County, we will pursue every liable party, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and participated in hazing |
| National Fraternity/Sorority | Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies despite prior incidents |
| University/College | Failed to supervise Greek life, ignored prior hazing reports |
| Housing Corporation | Owned property where hazing occurred (premises liability) |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Former Members | Allowed hazing at their homes (premises liability) |
| Spouses of Members | Allowed hazing at their residence |
| Coaches/Advisors | Failed to supervise teams/clubs where hazing occurred |
| Insurance Companies | Must pay claims for institutional negligence |
We don’t just sue the students who did it—we sue the institutions that allowed it.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed Near Barton County
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
✔ Go to the ER – Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening if untreated.
✔ Document everything – Save all medical records, bills, and receipts.
✔ Follow up with specialists – Kidney doctors, therapists, etc.
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
📱 Do NOT delete anything – Save all texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, Instagram DMs, emails, and social media posts about the hazing.
📸 Take photos/videos – Injuries, hazing locations, any physical evidence.
📝 Write down everything – Dates, times, names of perpetrators, witnesses, and what happened.
🚫 Do NOT confront the organization – They will destroy evidence and coordinate their story.
Step 3: Report the Hazing (But Be Careful)
🏫 University Title IX Office – File a formal complaint (but do not give a statement without a lawyer).
🚔 Local Police – Consider filing a criminal report (hazing is a crime in Missouri).
⚠️ Do NOT sign anything – Universities and fraternities may try to get you to sign away your rights.
Step 4: Call Attorney 911 – BEFORE Talking to Anyone Else
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
Why call us first?
✅ Insurance companies and universities will try to lowball you – We won’t let them.
✅ They will twist your words – We handle all communications.
✅ Evidence disappears fast – We send preservation letters immediately.
✅ Statute of limitations is ticking – In Missouri, you typically have 2 years to file a lawsuit.
What Compensation Can Barton County Families Recover?
If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:
| Category | Examples | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | ER visits, hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, future treatment | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work, lost internship opportunities | $10,000 – $100,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, depression | $100,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol) | $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+ |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing resulted in death, compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, future earnings | $1,000,000 – $20,000,000+ |
In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million for a living victim with kidney failure. Wrongful death cases often settle for much more.
Frequently Asked Questions for Barton County Families
1. “My child consented to hazing—can we still sue?”
✅ YES. Under Missouri law, consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
2. “The fraternity says it was just ‘horseplay’—is it still hazing?”
✅ YES. If the activity was dangerous, humiliating, or coerced, it qualifies as hazing—regardless of what the organization calls it.
3. “The university says they didn’t know—are they still liable?”
✅ YES. Universities have a duty to supervise Greek life and student organizations. If they had prior hazing incidents (like UH did in 2017) and failed to act, they are negligent.
4. “The fraternity already suspended the chapter—isn’t that enough?”
❌ NO. Suspending a chapter is damage control—not accountability. We don’t just want the chapter closed; we want justice for your child and prevention for future victims.
5. “My child is afraid of retaliation—will you protect them?”
✅ YES. We take every precaution to protect our clients, including:
🔹 Confidentiality agreements
🔹 Anonymity in legal filings (when possible)
🔹 Security measures for client safety
🔹 Legal protections against retaliation
6. “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
⏳ Typically 2 years from the date of the hazing incident (Missouri statute of limitations). Do NOT wait—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.
7. “We can’t afford a lawyer—how much does this cost?”
💰 $0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win. Our fee comes from your settlement or verdict.
8. “The fraternity says this was an isolated incident—how do we prove it wasn’t?”
🔍 We uncover the pattern. In our current case, we’ve already found:
✔ Andrew Coffey died at Pi Kappa Phi (FSU) in 2017 – Same fraternity, forced alcohol
✔ Jared Munoz was hospitalized at UH in 2017 – Same university, different fraternity
✔ Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized at UH in 2025 – Same university, same fraternity
This is not an isolated incident—it’s a culture of abuse.
9. “What if the hazing happened off-campus?”
✅ It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal on or off campus. If it happened at a fraternity house, private residence, or anywhere else, the perpetrators are still liable.
10. “Can we sue if my child wasn’t a student yet?”
✅ YES. In our current case, the victim was a “ghost rush”—not even enrolled at UH. If your child was recruited and hazed, they have a case.
The Same Hazing Happens Near Barton County—We Will Stop It
Fraternities Operating Near Barton County with Documented Hazing Histories
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Chapters Near Barton County |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Leonel Bermudez (2025, UH) – Waterboarding, kidney failure; Andrew Coffey (2017, FSU) – Death from forced drinking | University of Missouri (Mizzou), Missouri State University, Drury University |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz (2021, BGSU) – $10M settlement; David Bogenberger (2012, NIU) – $14M settlement | Mizzou, University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple deaths and lawsuits – Forced alcohol, physical abuse | Mizzou, Missouri S&T |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver (2017, LSU) – $6.1M verdict | Mizzou |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (2017, Penn State) – $110M+ settlement | Mizzou |
These are not “safe” organizations. They have paid millions in settlements and seen students die—yet they continue the same dangerous traditions.
If your child was hazed by any of these fraternities near Barton County, call us now.
Real Cases, Real Results – What Hazing Victims Can Win
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonel Bermudez (2025) | Pi Kappa Phi | University of Houston | $10M lawsuit pending | $10,000,000 |
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10,100,000 |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6,100,000 |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Settlement | $110,000,000+ |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement | Confidential (multi-million) |
These results are possible for Barton County victims.
Barton County Families: You Are Not Alone
We understand the shame, fear, and guilt that hazing victims and their families experience. Many victims:
🔹 Blame themselves – “I should have left.”
🔹 Fear retaliation – “They’ll come after me if I speak up.”
🔹 Worry about reputation – “People will think I’m weak.”
🔹 Feel loyal to the group – “They’re my brothers/sisters.”
But here’s the truth:
✅ You did nothing wrong. The people who hurt you are the ones who should be ashamed.
✅ The law protects you. Retaliation is illegal, and we will hold anyone who threatens you accountable.
✅ You are not weak. It takes courage to stand up to powerful institutions.
✅ This isn’t about loyalty—it’s about justice. Real brotherhood/sisterhood doesn’t require torture.
We’ve seen what happens when victims stay silent. More students get hurt. More families suffer. We won’t let that happen to Barton County.
Call Attorney 911 Now – Before It’s Too Late
Free, Confidential Consultation – 24/7
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
What Happens When You Call?
- Speak directly with an attorney – Not a paralegal or intake specialist.
- Get a free case evaluation – We’ll tell you if you have a strong case.
- Learn your legal options – Lawsuit, settlement, criminal referral, etc.
- No pressure, no obligation – We only take cases we believe in.
- Immediate action – If you have a case, we start working right away to preserve evidence.
We Come to You
✅ Free video consultations – Available immediately.
✅ Willing to travel to Barton County – For depositions, meetings, and trials.
✅ Federal court authority – Can pursue your case in federal jurisdiction.
✅ Bilingual staff – Se habla español.
The Time to Act Is Now
Every day you wait:
⏳ Evidence disappears – Texts get deleted, witnesses forget, security footage gets erased.
⏳ Your legal rights expire – Missouri’s statute of limitations is 2 years (sometimes less).
⏳ Another student gets hurt – The same fraternity, the same team, the same club will haze again.
Barton County families: You have the power to stop this. Call us now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Protecting the Injured. Defending the Accused. Serving Barton County.
Serving Barton County from Our Offices in:
📍 Houston, Texas (Headquarters)
📍 Austin, Texas
📍 Beaumont, Texas
But we go where justice demands—including Barton County, Missouri.