Hazing Injury Lawyers in Bennett County, South Dakota – Attorney 911

Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse

If your child was injured, hospitalized, or traumatized by hazing in Bennett County or at any college or university in South Dakota, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is a national hazing litigation firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, and we are committed to fighting for justice for victims and their families—no matter where the abuse occurred.

We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical abuse during a fraternity hazing ritual at the University of Houston. This same abuse happens at fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and student organizations across the country—including in Bennett County and throughout South Dakota.

Why Bennett County Families Choose Attorney 911

✅ Nationwide Representation – We serve hazing victims in Bennett County, South Dakota, and across the U.S.
✅ Proven Results – We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit and have secured multi-million-dollar settlements in similar cases.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to avoid liability—and we fight back hard.
✅ Federal Court Authority – We can pursue cases in federal court, giving us the power to take on national fraternities and universities.
✅ No Upfront Costs – We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
✅ 24/7 Emergency Legal Support – Hazing is a legal emergency. Call us anytime at 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate help.

The Hazing Crisis in Bennett County & South Dakota

Hazing is not just a problem in big universities—it happens right here in South Dakota, including in Bennett County and surrounding areas. Fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and other student organizations often use dangerous, humiliating, and sometimes life-threatening rituals under the guise of “tradition.”

Common Hazing Practices in Bennett County & South Dakota

Hazing Doesn’t Just Happen at Big Universities—It Happens in Bennett County Too

Bennett County is home to Oglala Lakota College, a tribal college with a strong sense of community. While Greek life may not be as prominent as at larger universities, hazing still occurs in student organizations, sports teams, and even informal groups. Many students from Bennett County attend larger universities in South Dakota, such as:

• South Dakota State University (SDSU) – Brookings, SD
• University of South Dakota (USD) – Vermillion, SD
• Black Hills State University (BHSU) – Spearfish, SD
• Augustana University – Sioux Falls, SD
• Dakota State University (DSU) – Madison, SD

These schools have active Greek life chapters, and hazing incidents have been reported at many of them. If your child was hazed at any South Dakota college or university, we can help.

Who Is Liable for Hazing Injuries in Bennett County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:

1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority)

• Organized and conducted the hazing
• Chapter officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) can be sued personally
• Members who participated in or witnessed the abuse

2. The National Organization (Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters)

• Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Knew about prior incidents (like our client’s case, where Pi Kappa Phi had a prior hazing death in 2017)
• Deep pockets – National organizations have millions in assets and insurance

3. The University or College

• Premises liability – If hazing occurred on university property (dorms, fraternity houses, athletic facilities)
• Negligent supervision – Failed to monitor Greek life or student organizations
• Knew about prior incidents – If the school had previous hazing reports and did nothing

4. Individual Perpetrators

• Members who directly participated in hazing
• Members who failed to stop the abuse
• Members who threatened or intimidated victims into silence

5. Housing Corporations & Property Owners

• If hazing occurred at a fraternity house, off-campus residence, or rented property, the owner may be liable

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Bennett County or South Dakota

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries can be life-threatening.
• Document all injuries with photos, medical records, and doctor’s notes.
• Get a full medical evaluation—some injuries (like kidney damage) may not show symptoms right away.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails)
• Take screenshots of any social media posts about hazing
• Photograph injuries at all stages of healing
• Write down names of witnesses, perpetrators, and bystanders
• Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing, it could be crucial evidence

Step 3: Do NOT Speak to the Fraternity, University, or Insurance Companies Alone

• They will try to blame your child (“They consented,” “They knew the risks”)
• They will offer lowball settlements before you know the full extent of injuries
• Anything you say can be used against you in court

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 hazing hotline)
• Email ralph@atty911.com for a free, confidential case evaluation
• We will travel to Bennett County for depositions, meetings, and court appearances

Why You Need a Hazing Lawyer in Bennett County

1. Hazing Cases Are Complex—Universities & Fraternities Fight Back Hard

• They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters working to minimize or deny your claim.
• They will blame the victim (“They agreed to participate,” “They could have left”)
• They will destroy evidence if they can

2. South Dakota Has Strict Deadlines (Statute of Limitations)

• Personal injury claims in South Dakota must be filed within 3 years of the injury.
• Wrongful death claims must be filed within 3 years of the death.
• If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.

3. We Know How to Maximize Your Compensation

We fight for full and fair compensation, including:
✔ Medical bills (past, present, and future)
✔ Lost wages & future earning capacity (if injuries affect your child’s career)
✔ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✔ Punitive damages (to punish the organization for egregious conduct)
✔ Wrongful death damages (if hazing resulted in death)

Case Study: Our $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit (Why This Matters for Bennett County Families)

What Happened to Leonel Bermudez?

Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student not yet enrolled at the University of Houston, was subjected to weeks of brutal hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, 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 consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass
• Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout (Oct. 15, 2025)

On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event and forced to do extreme exercise until he couldn’t stand. He crawled up the stairs when he got home, and by the next day, he was too sore to move. His mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring 4 days of inpatient care.

The Aftermath: Why This Case Matters for Bennett County

• Pi Kappa Phi closed the UH chapter—but plans to reopen once the lawsuit blows over.
• The university owned the fraternity house—yet failed to stop the abuse.
• This same fraternity had a hazing death in 2017 (Andrew Coffey)—they knew the risks and did nothing.
• We are suing for $10 million to send a message: Hazing will not be tolerated.

How This Affects Bennett County Families

• The same fraternities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, etc.) operate at South Dakota universities.
• The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist at Bennett County-area schools.
• Universities in South Dakota have the same duty to protect students—and the same liability when they fail.
• If your child was hazed in Bennett County or anywhere in South Dakota, we will fight for you with the same intensity.

South Dakota Hazing Laws – What You Need to Know

South Dakota has strong anti-hazing laws, including:

South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-19A-1 – Definition of Hazing

“Hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student, whether individually or in concert with others, against another student, and in which both of the following apply:
(1) The act was committed in connection with an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in any organization that is affiliated with an educational institution; and
(2) The act contributes to a substantial risk of potential physical injury, mental harm, or degradation or causes physical injury, mental harm, or personal degradation.

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

• Class 1 Misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and $2,000 fine) for hazing
• Class 6 Felony (up to 2 years in prison and $4,000 fine) if hazing results in serious bodily injury or death

South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-19A-3 – Consent Is NOT a Defense

“It is not a defense to a prosecution for hazing that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This means:

• Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
• “Tradition” or “brotherhood” is not an excuse for abuse.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Cases in Bennett County

1. Can I sue if my child was hazed in Bennett County or at a South Dakota university?

Yes. If your child was injured, hospitalized, or traumatized by hazing, you may have a personal injury or wrongful death claim against:

• The fraternity/sorority
• The national organization
• The university
• Individual members

2. What if my child “consented” to hazing?

Consent is NOT a defense in South Dakota. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable if the hazing was dangerous or illegal.

3. How much is my hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing settlements and verdicts can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on:

• The severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, death)
• The egregiousness of the conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, physical abuse)
• Whether the university or national organization knew about prior incidents
• The defendants’ ability to pay (insurance, assets)

Recent hazing case results:

• $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)

4. What if the hazing didn’t cause physical injuries?

Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is just as valid. Many hazing victims suffer long-term emotional damage from humiliation, sleep deprivation, and threats. We fight for compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

5. Can I sue if my child was hazed at a tribal college in Bennett County?

Yes. Oglala Lakota College and other tribal colleges have a duty to protect students from hazing. If they failed to prevent abuse, they can be held liable.

6. What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Many hazing incidents occur at off-campus houses, rented properties, or private residences. The property owner, fraternity, and individuals can all be held liable.

7. How long do I have to file a lawsuit in South Dakota?

• Personal injury claims: 3 years from the date of injury
• Wrongful death claims: 3 years from the date of death

Do NOT wait—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and deadlines expire.

8. Will my child be expelled if we sue?

No. Universities cannot retaliate against students for pursuing legal action. If they try, we can sue for retaliation and violation of civil rights.

9. How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning:

• You pay $0 to hire us.
• We only get paid if we win your case.
• Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict—you keep the rest.

10. What if the fraternity or university offers a settlement?

Do NOT accept any settlement without talking to us first. Insurance companies and universities lowball victims with early offers. We will negotiate aggressively to ensure you get full and fair compensation.

Hazing Happens in Bennett County & South Dakota – But It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way

Warning Signs of Hazing in Bennett County & South Dakota

Parents, if your child is joining a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization, watch for these red flags:

❌ Sudden secrecy (“We can’t tell you what we do—it’s tradition.”)
❌ Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, sprains)
❌ Sleep deprivation (coming home exhausted, dark circles under eyes)
❌ Sudden weight loss or gain (forced eating, extreme exercise)
❌ Withdrawal from family/friends (avoiding calls, acting depressed)
❌ Unexplained expenses (paying for “brotherhood/sisterhood” events)
❌ Forced alcohol consumption (smelling like alcohol, blacking out)
❌ Verbal abuse (being called names, humiliated in front of others)
❌ Threats of expulsion (“If you tell anyone, you’re out.”)

What South Dakota Universities Need to Do to Stop Hazing

Universities in South Dakota—including SDSU, USD, BHSU, Augustana, and Oglala Lakota College—must take real action to prevent hazing, such as:
✅ Mandatory anti-hazing training for all Greek life members and student athletes
✅ Anonymous reporting hotlines for hazing incidents
✅ Unannounced inspections of fraternity/sorority houses
✅ Zero-tolerance policies—immediate suspension for hazing violations
✅ Publicly disclose hazing incidents (transparency prevents cover-ups)
✅ Hold national organizations accountable—if they don’t enforce anti-hazing policies, cut ties

Bennett County Families: We Are Here to Fight for You

If your child was hazed in Bennett County or anywhere in South Dakota, call us NOW.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 hazing hotline)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We will:
✔ Investigate the hazing incident and gather evidence
✔ File a lawsuit against all responsible parties
✔ Negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation
✔ Take the case to trial if necessary
✔ Protect your child from retaliation
✔ Fight for justice—no matter how long it takes

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Deadlines expire.

Call Attorney 911 today—before it’s too late.

About Attorney 911 – Your Bennett County Hazing Lawyers

Who We Are

Attorney 911 is a personal injury and hazing litigation firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Bennett County and across South Dakota.

Our Experience

✅ 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how the other side thinks
✅ Federal court authority – We can sue national fraternities and universities in federal court
✅ Dual-state bar admission (Texas & New York) – Strategic advantage for nationwide cases
✅ Proven results – Multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts

Our Promise to Bennett County Families

• We will listen to your story with compassion.
• We will fight for justice with everything we have.
• We will hold the abusers accountable—no matter how powerful they are.
• We will not stop until your child gets the compensation they deserve.

Bennett County Hazing Victims: Enough Is Enough

Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “brotherhood.” It is abuse, assault, and sometimes murder.

If your child was hazed in Bennett County or anywhere in South Dakota, we will fight for you.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com.
🌐 Visit attorney911.com.

Justice starts with a phone call.