🚨 Hazing Lawyers for Bates County, Missouri Families — Justice for Hazing Victims

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — Neither Do We

If your child was hazed at a college or university near Bates County, Missouri, Attorney 911 will fight for you — no matter where you are.

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including families in Bates County, Missouri. We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we’ll bring the same aggressive representation to Bates County families.

Bates County parents: You’re not alone. We understand what you’re going through. We know the fear, the anger, and the helplessness. And we know how to hold these organizations accountable.

🔥 The Hazing Crisis in Missouri and Beyond

Hazing isn’t just a problem in Texas — it happens at colleges and universities across Missouri, including near Bates County. The same national fraternities and sororities that operate in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont have chapters at schools near Bates County.

These aren’t harmless traditions. They’re dangerous rituals that can cause:

• Physical injuries — broken bones, burns, organ damage
• Psychological trauma — PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Life-threatening conditions — alcohol poisoning, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), heat stroke
• Death

And the institutions that allow it? They need to be held accountable.

🏛️ We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now — And Winning

BREAKING: Our $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston

Case: Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al.
Filed: November 21, 2025
Plaintiff: Leonel Bermudez — a young man who accepted a bid to Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston
What Happened: Bermudez was subjected to weeks of systematic abuse, including:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then forced to continue exercising
• Hog-tied on a table with an object in his mouth
• Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure

The Defendants We’re Suing:

• Pi Kappa Phi National Organization — failed to enforce anti-hazing policies despite knowing about a “hazing crisis”
• Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter — directly organized and conducted the hazing
• University of Houston — owned the fraternity house where the torture occurred and failed to prevent hazing despite a 2017 prior incident
• Individual fraternity members — including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and others who participated

Why This Matters for Bates County Families:

• Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide — including near Bates County
• The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen at Bates County schools
• Universities near Bates County face the same liability failures as UH
• If your child was hazed at a college near Bates County, we can fight for you too

Media Coverage of Our Case:

• ABC13 Houston: “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges”
• KHOU 11: “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations”
• Houston Chronicle: “UH fraternity hazing lawsuit”
• Houston Public Media: “University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing”

📚 What Bates County Parents Need to Know About Hazing

1. Hazing Is Illegal in Missouri

Missouri has strict anti-hazing laws that make hazing a criminal offense, even if the victim “consented.” Under Missouri law:

• Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and $2,000 fine)
• If hazing causes serious physical injury or death, it becomes a Class D felony (up to 7 years in prison)
• Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate, the hazers can still be held liable

Source: Missouri Revised Statutes § 578.360

2. Hazing Can Happen Anywhere — Even Near Bates County

Hazing isn’t limited to big universities. It happens at:

• State universities near Bates County
• Private colleges near Bates County
• Community colleges near Bates County
• Military academies
• Sports teams
• Marching bands
• ROTC programs
• Honor societies and clubs

The same national fraternities and sororities that have chapters at major universities also have chapters at schools near Bates County.

3. Universities Near Bates County Can Be Held Liable

Colleges and universities have a legal duty to protect students. If they:

• Own or control the property where hazing occurs (like UH owned the Pi Kappa Phi house)
• Know or should know about hazing risks
• Fail to implement effective safeguards
• Ignore prior hazing incidents

They can be sued for negligence.

In our case:

• The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred
• UH had a prior hazing incident in 2017 at a different fraternity
• They did nothing to prevent it from happening again

If a university near Bates County knew about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be held accountable.

4. National Fraternities/Sororities Have Deep Pockets

National organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others have:

• Millions in assets
• Liability insurance policies
• The ability to pay large settlements

They will try to hide behind their chapters and claim they didn’t know. But we know how to hold them accountable.

In our case:

• Pi Kappa Phi National knew about a “hazing crisis” and failed to enforce their own policies
• They had 8 years to fix their culture after Andrew Coffey died in 2017 at a Pi Kappa Phi event — they did nothing
• Now, Leonel Bermudez is in the hospital because of their negligence

5. Hazing Causes Permanent Damage — Physically and Psychologically

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “going through initiation.” It can cause:

Physical Injuries:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) — can lead to kidney failure (like our client)
• Alcohol poisoning — can be fatal
• Broken bones, burns, internal injuries
• Heat stroke or hypothermia from forced exposure
• Traumatic brain injury from beatings or falls

Psychological Trauma:

• PTSD — flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety
• Depression — feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness
• Anxiety disorders — fear of social situations, panic attacks
• Suicidal ideation — hazing victims are at higher risk
• Trust issues — difficulty forming relationships

Academic and Career Impact:

• Lower grades due to stress and trauma
• Dropping out of school
• Lost scholarships
• Delayed graduation
• Damaged reputation — hazing incidents can follow students professionally

💔 Real Hazing Cases That Show What’s at Stake

1. Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University (Ohio) / Pi Kappa Alpha

• What Happened: Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event
• Result: Died from alcohol poisoning
• Legal Outcome: $10.1 million settlement — largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history
• Criminal Outcome: Multiple fraternity members convicted

Why It Matters for Bates County: Pi Kappa Alpha has chapters at schools near Bates County. The same negligence that killed Stone Foltz exists in Missouri chapters.

2. Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta

• What Happened: Forced to drink during a “Bible Study” pledge event — wrong answer = drink more. Died with a BAC of 0.495 (6x the legal limit).
• Legal Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict against the fraternity
• Criminal Outcome: Chapter president convicted of negligent homicide
• Legislation: Max Gruver Act — made hazing a felony in Louisiana

Why It Matters for Bates County: Shows that juries will award millions for hazing deaths and injuries. The same legal principles apply in Missouri.

3. Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi

• What Happened: Forced to run “the gauntlet” — 18 drinks in 82 minutes. Fell down stairs multiple times. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911.
• Legal Outcome: $110+ million settlement (estimated)
• Criminal Outcome: 18 fraternity members charged; multiple convictions
• Legislation: Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law — Pennsylvania

Why It Matters for Bates County: Shows that when evidence is strong (like security camera footage in this case), settlements reach $100+ million. Our case has detailed documentation of the hazing activities.

4. Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi

• What Happened: Forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon during “Big Brother Night.” Died from alcohol poisoning.
• Legal Outcome: Settlement (amount confidential)
• Criminal Outcome: 9 fraternity members charged
• Chapter Status: Permanently closed

Why It Matters for Bates County: Pi Kappa Phi is the SAME fraternity we’re suing in our current case. They had 8 years to fix their culture after Andrew Coffey died — they did nothing. Now, Leonel Bermudez is in the hospital with kidney failure.

📋 What Bates County Families Should Do If Their Child Was Hazed

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
• Medical records are critical evidence

2. Preserve All Evidence

Save everything related to the hazing:

• Text messages (GroupMe, iMessage, WhatsApp, Snapchat)
• Social media posts (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter/X)
• Photos and videos (of injuries, hazing activities, locations)
• Emails (from fraternity/sorority, university, witnesses)
• Physical items (pledge manuals, clothing worn during hazing, objects used in hazing)
• Witness information (names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders)

⚠️ DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
• Sign anything from the organization
• Post about the incident on social media
• Give statements to university administrators alone

3. Report the Hazing

• To law enforcement: File a police report. Hazing is a crime in Missouri.
• To the university: File a formal complaint with the school’s Title IX office or student conduct office.
• To the national organization: Report to the fraternity/sorority’s national headquarters.

4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer

Do NOT try to handle this alone. Universities and national fraternities have:

• Teams of lawyers
• Risk management professionals
• Insurance adjusters
• PR crisis teams

You need your own legal team to level the playing field.

At Attorney 911, we:

• Handle all communications with the university, fraternity, and insurance companies
• Preserve evidence before it disappears
• Build a strong case with medical experts, hazing experts, and investigators
• Fight for maximum compensation for your child’s injuries
• Pursue punitive damages to send a message and prevent future hazing

5. Understand Your Legal Rights

You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills (past, present, and future)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
• Lost wages (if your child missed work due to injuries)
• Educational disruption (tuition, lost scholarships, delayed graduation)
• Punitive damages (to punish the defendants for their negligence)

Missouri law allows victims to sue:

• The individual hazers
• The local chapter
• The national organization
• The university (if they knew or should have known about the hazing)

🏆 Why Bates County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case

• We’re not just talking about hazing — we’re fighting it in court right now
• We know the tactics fraternities and universities use to avoid liability
• We know how to counter their defenses

2. We’re Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides
• We know exactly how they think and strategize
• We know their playbook — and we use it against them

3. We Have Federal Court Authority

• Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• Can pursue hazing cases in federal court if needed
• Experience with civil rights claims and institutional negligence

4. We’re Licensed in Texas AND New York

• Dual-state bar admission gives us strategic advantage
• Many national fraternities/sororities are headquartered in New York
• We can pursue them in their home jurisdiction

5. We Offer Free Consultations — $0 Upfront Cost

• No fee unless we win your case
• We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation
• Bates County families can consult with us remotely via video

6. We Travel to Bates County for Your Case

• We’ll come to Bates County for:
  • Depositions
  • Client meetings
  • Court appearances
  • Trials
• Distance is not a barrier to justice

7. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

• Many hazing victims are from Spanish-speaking families
• We provide bilingual legal services
• No language barriers to justice

8. We Have a Proven Track Record

• 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
• $10+ million in settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases
• BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience
• High-profile criminal defense cases — media and trial experience

9. We Understand the Emotional Toll

• We know hazing isn’t just a legal issue — it’s a human issue
• We treat Bates County families with compassion and respect
• We fight for justice because we care

📞 Bates County Families: Call Us Now — Free Consultation

Hazing is a legal emergency. We respond immediately.

📞 Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9111)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

Available 24/7 for Bates County hazing victims and families.

🚨 What Happens When You Call Attorney 911?

Step 1: Free Case Evaluation

• We’ll listen to your story
• We’ll evaluate the strength of your case
• We’ll explain your legal options

Step 2: Evidence Preservation

• We’ll send preservation letters to all defendants
• We’ll ensure no evidence is destroyed
• We’ll gather medical records, witness statements, and documentation

Step 3: Investigation

• We’ll interview witnesses
• We’ll work with medical experts, hazing experts, and investigators
• We’ll build a strong case against all liable parties

Step 4: Demand and Negotiation

• We’ll send a demand letter to the defendants
• We’ll negotiate for a fair settlement
• We’ll fight for maximum compensation

Step 5: Litigation (If Needed)

• If the defendants refuse to settle fairly, we’ll file a lawsuit
• We’ll handle all discovery, depositions, and court appearances
• We’ll take your case to trial if necessary

Step 6: Justice and Compensation

• We’ll recover compensation for your child’s injuries
• We’ll hold the defendants accountable
• We’ll help prevent this from happening to another Bates County family

🎓 Colleges and Universities Near Bates County, Missouri

Hazing can happen at any school near Bates County. We represent victims from:

Public Universities:

• University of Missouri (Mizzou) — Columbia, MO (~2 hours from Bates County)
• Missouri State University — Springfield, MO (~2.5 hours from Bates County)
• University of Central Missouri — Warrensburg, MO (~1.5 hours from Bates County)
• Missouri Western State University — St. Joseph, MO (~2 hours from Bates County)
• Truman State University — Kirksville, MO (~3 hours from Bates County)

Private Colleges:

• William Jewell College — Liberty, MO (~1.5 hours from Bates County)
• Rockhurst University — Kansas City, MO (~1.5 hours from Bates County)
• Avila University — Kansas City, MO (~1.5 hours from Bates County)
• Park University — Parkville, MO (~1.5 hours from Bates County)
• Baker University — Baldwin City, KS (~1.5 hours from Bates County)

Community Colleges:

• State Fair Community College — Sedalia, MO (~1 hour from Bates County)
• North Central Missouri College — Trenton, MO (~2 hours from Bates County)
• Metropolitan Community College — Kansas City, MO (~1.5 hours from Bates County)

If your child was hazed at any of these schools — or any school near Bates County — we can help.

🏛️ Fraternities and Sororities Near Bates County with Hazing Histories

These national organizations have chapters at schools near Bates County — and they have documented hazing problems:

Sororities also engage in hazing — including forced drinking, humiliation, and physical abuse.

📢 A Message to Fraternities and Sororities Near Bates County

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Bates County:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts and settlements nationwide apply to your chapters. The same national organizations that paid millions for hazing deaths and injuries oversee your chapters.

If you haze students near Bates County, we will find out.

• We track your house corporations
• We track your alumni chapters
• We track your insurance policies
• We track your prior hazing incidents

And when you haze, we will sue:

• Your local chapter
• Your national organization
• Your housing corporation
• Your alumni oversight board
• Every individual member who participated

We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston. Your chapter could be next.

📢 A Message to Universities Near Bates County

To the administrators at colleges and universities near Bates County:

You have a legal duty to protect your students.

When you:

• Own or control fraternity/sorority houses
• Know or should know about hazing risks
• Fail to implement effective oversight
• Ignore prior hazing incidents

You are liable.

The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where a student was waterboarded and hospitalized. They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 at a different fraternity. They did nothing to prevent it from happening again.

If your university knew about hazing and failed to stop it, we will hold you accountable.

📢 A Message to Bates County Parents

We know you’re scared. We know you’re angry. We know you feel helpless.

But you’re not powerless.

You have legal rights. Your child has legal rights. And we are here to fight for you.

We’ve seen what fraternities do to kids. We’re fighting it in court right now. And we will fight for Bates County families with the same determination.

Call us. We’re ready to help.

📞 Free Consultation for Bates County Hazing Victims

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9111)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We serve Bates County, Missouri — and hazing victims nationwide.

Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. Neither do we.