🚨 Hazing Victims in Benton County, Arkansas: Know Your Rights and How to Seek Justice
Benton County Families: Your Child Deserves Protection from Hazing
If your son or daughter has been the victim of hazing at a college, university, or Greek organization near Benton County, Arkansas, you are not alone. The same dangerous hazing culture that hospitalized a student at the University of Houston in November 2025 exists right here in Northwest Arkansas. Waterboarding, forced exercise, physical abuse, and psychological torture are not “tradition” – they are crimes. And Attorney 911 is here to fight for Benton County families.
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston – proving that fraternities, sororities, and universities can and should be held accountable. Benton County victims deserve the same aggressive representation.
What Constitutes Hazing in Arkansas?
Hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in any organization. This includes:
✅ Physical abuse – beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion (500 squats, 100 pushups, etc.)
✅ Forced consumption – alcohol, food, or non-food substances to the point of vomiting or injury
✅ Psychological torture – waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats of expulsion
✅ Dangerous activities – extreme weather exposure, confinement, or any action that risks serious harm
Arkansas law (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-5-201) makes hazing a criminal offense. Consent is not a defense – meaning even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held liable.
Universities and Greek Organizations Near Benton County with Hazing Risks
Benton County is home to several colleges and universities where Greek life thrives, including:
- University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) – One of the largest Greek systems in the nation
- John Brown University (Siloam Springs) – Private Christian university with active Greek life
- NorthWest Arkansas Community College (Bentonville) – Growing student organizations
- Ecclesia College (Springdale) – Smaller institution with Greek organizations
The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide operate right here in Benton County. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at any of these schools, they face the same risks as students across the country.
The University of Houston Hazing Case: A Warning for Benton County
In November 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme hazing. The fraternity forced pledges to:
- Undergo waterboarding (simulated drowning) with a garden hose
- Perform 500 squats and 100 pushups until physical collapse
- Consume food and milk until vomiting, then continue exercising
- Be struck with wooden paddles
- Endure sleep deprivation and psychological abuse
This didn’t happen in some distant state – it happened at a major university, just like those near Benton County. The fraternity and university knew the risks (another student had been hazed at UH in 2017), yet they failed to stop it.
Benton County families: If it can happen at UH, it can happen here.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Benton County?
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local fraternity/sorority chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National fraternity/sorority organization | Failed to supervise; knew of prior hazing incidents |
| University/college | Owns or controls property where hazing occurred; failed to protect students |
| Chapter officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities |
| Individual members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop abuse |
| Alumni or former members | Hosted hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Insurance companies | Provide coverage for institutional and individual liability |
Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH names all of these defendants – and Benton County cases can pursue the same accountability.
What Should Benton County Families Do If Their Child Is Hazed?
🚨 Immediate Steps to Protect Your Child and Your Legal Rights
- Seek medical attention immediately – Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can develop over days.
- Document everything – Take photos of injuries, save text messages, screenshots of social media posts, and witness contact information.
- Do NOT confront the organization alone – They will coordinate their story, destroy evidence, and intimidate witnesses.
- Do NOT sign anything – The organization may try to get you to sign a waiver or settlement offer that limits your rights.
- Contact Attorney 911 immediately – Call 1-888-ATTY-911 – We offer free consultations and work on contingency (no upfront costs).
Time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and Arkansas has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. The sooner you act, the stronger your case.
Damages Benton County Hazing Victims Can Recover
Hazing victims in Benton County may be entitled to compensation for:
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
| ✅ Medical bills (past and future) | ✅ Pain and suffering |
| ✅ Lost wages | ✅ Emotional distress |
| ✅ Future medical care (dialysis, therapy) | ✅ PTSD, anxiety, depression |
| ✅ Rehabilitation costs | ✅ Loss of enjoyment of life |
| ✅ Educational disruptions (tuition, scholarships) | ✅ Disfigurement or permanent impairment |
In egregious cases, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the organization and deter future hazing.
Why Benton County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win. Benton County families get the same aggressive representation.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both of our attorneys (Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena) worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know how they think, how they value claims, and how they try to deny liability. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.
3. Federal Court Authority
We are admitted to U.S. District Court, meaning we can pursue hazing cases in federal court – a major advantage when suing national fraternities with chapters across state lines.
4. Willing to Travel to Benton County
While we are based in Texas, we travel to Benton County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
5. Contingency Fee – No Upfront Costs
We understand that Benton County families may be concerned about legal fees. We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win your case.
6. Bilingual Representation
Se habla español. We serve Spanish-speaking families in Benton County without language barriers.
Common Defenses Used Against Hazing Victims – And How We Defeat Them
🚫 “He/She Consented to the Activities”
Our Response:
Arkansas law (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-5-201) explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
🚫 “It Was Just a Prank/Tradition”
Our Response:
Waterboarding, forced exercise to collapse, and physical beatings are not pranks – they are assault, battery, and reckless endangerment. “Tradition” does not justify illegal conduct.
🚫 “The University Didn’t Know”
Our Response:
Universities own or control fraternity houses and have a legal duty to protect students. If they failed to inspect, regulate, or respond to prior incidents, they are liable.
🚫 “It Was an Isolated Incident”
Our Response:
Hazing is rarely isolated. We investigate prior incidents at the same chapter, university, and national organization to prove pattern evidence – which increases damages and supports punitive awards.
What to Expect When You Contact Attorney 911
- Free, confidential consultation – We listen to your story and evaluate your case.
- Immediate evidence preservation – We send letters demanding that all evidence (texts, photos, videos) be preserved.
- Medical documentation – We work with doctors to document your child’s injuries.
- Investigation – We gather witness statements, chapter records, and prior incident reports.
- Negotiation – We demand a fair settlement from the defendants.
- Litigation (if necessary) – If they refuse to settle, we file a lawsuit and take them to court.
We handle everything – you focus on your child’s recovery.
Benton County Hazing Cases We Can Handle
We represent victims of hazing in all types of organizations, including:
- Fraternities and sororities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, etc.)
- Sports teams (football, baseball, soccer, etc.)
- Marching bands and ROTC
- Honor societies and clubs
- Military academies
- Any student organization using abuse as “initiation”
If your child was hazed in Benton County or anywhere in Arkansas, we can help.
The Time to Act Is Now
Hazing victims often delay reporting due to:
❌ Shame and embarrassment
❌ Fear of retaliation or social exclusion
❌ Loyalty to the organization
❌ Not recognizing it as hazing
But every day you wait:
- Evidence disappears
- Witnesses forget
- The statute of limitations gets closer
- Your legal rights weaken
Benton County families: You don’t have to face this alone. We are here to fight for you.
📞 Call Attorney 911 Today – 1-888-ATTY-911
Free Consultation | No Upfront Costs | Aggressive Representation
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We serve Benton County, Arkansas, and all of Northwest Arkansas. If your child was hazed, we will fight for justice.
Frequently Asked Questions for Benton County Families
Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?
A: We understand the fear of retaliation. However, hazing often escalates – what happened to your child could happen to someone else, with even worse consequences. We can discuss confidential options to protect your child while holding the organization accountable.
Q: The fraternity/sorority says this was “just a tradition.” Is that a valid defense?
A: No. Arkansas law does not recognize “tradition” as a defense to hazing. Activities that endanger physical or mental health are illegal, regardless of how long they’ve been practiced.
Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: Yes. Hazing is illegal on or off campus. If it occurred at a private residence, the homeowners (including alumni or former members) can be held liable.
Q: What if the university says they didn’t know about the hazing?
A: Universities have a legal duty to supervise Greek life and student organizations. If they failed to investigate prior complaints or inspect fraternity houses, they can still be held liable for negligent supervision.
Q: How much is my child’s hazing case worth?
A: Every case is unique, but hazing lawsuits have resulted in multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, including:
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021)
- $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta, 2017)
- $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi, 2017)
Our current $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH shows that juries and courts take hazing seriously.
Q: Will my child have to testify in court?
A: Most cases settle before trial. However, if the case goes to court, your child may need to testify. We prepare our clients thoroughly and protect them from intimidation.
Q: How long will the case take?
A: Cases can take 6 months to several years, depending on the complexity. We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing compensation.
Q: Can we still sue if criminal charges were filed?
A: Yes. Criminal and civil cases are separate. Even if the district attorney files charges, you can still pursue a civil lawsuit for damages.
Benton County Parents: This Is What Hazing Looks Like
Our client at the University of Houston was subjected to:
🔥 Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
🔥 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
🔥 Forced consumption of food and milk until vomiting
🔥 Being struck with wooden paddles
🔥 Sleep deprivation and psychological abuse
🔥 Hospitalization for rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
This is not “brotherhood” – it is torture. And it happens at universities near Benton County.
The Message to Fraternities and Universities Near Benton County
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and all other national fraternities with chapters in Benton County:
We are watching. We are litigating. We are holding you accountable.
To the University of Arkansas, John Brown University, and all other institutions in Northwest Arkansas:
You own the fraternity houses. You collect the rent. You have the power to stop hazing. If you fail to protect students, you will pay.
To the students and alumni who participate in or enable hazing:
We will name you. We will sue you. We will pursue your personal assets.
Enough is enough. The hazing stops now.
📞 Benton County Families: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Today
Free Consultation | No Upfront Costs | Nationwide Representation
Attorney 911 – Fighting for Hazing Victims in Benton County, Arkansas
