Hazing Victims in Brule County, South Dakota: Your Legal Rights & How We Can Help

This Happened in Texas. It Could Happen in Brule County.

On November 21, 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a young man was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing. He was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, and made to eat until he vomited—all as part of a so-called “pledge process.”

The same fraternities operate in Brule County. The same hazing culture exists at South Dakota universities. And if your child has been injured or traumatized by hazing, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting for our client in Texas.

What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in South Dakota)

Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation.” It’s abuse disguised as tradition. Under South Dakota law (SDCL 13-32-1), hazing includes any activity that:

✅ Endangers physical or mental health (forced drinking, extreme exercise, sleep deprivation)
✅ Humiliates or degrades (stripping, carrying sexual objects, verbal abuse)
✅ Involves physical violence (paddling, beatings, waterboarding)
✅ Forces consumption of alcohol or drugs (binge drinking, forced vomiting)
✅ Creates excessive fatigue or sleep deprivation (late-night activities, early-morning tasks)

In South Dakota, hazing is a Class 1 misdemeanor—punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $2,000 in fines. But criminal charges aren’t the only way to hold abusers accountable. Victims can sue for financial compensation.

How Hazing Harms Brule County Students

Hazing isn’t harmless. It can lead to:

🚑 Physical injuries – Broken bones, concussions, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown that damages kidneys, like our client in Texas), alcohol poisoning
💔 Psychological trauma – PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts
🎓 Academic damage – Missed classes, failing grades, dropping out
💰 Financial losses – Medical bills, therapy costs, lost scholarships

If your child was hazed in Brule County, you have legal options—even if they “consented” to the activities. (More on that below.)

Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Brule County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be sued for damages, including:

1. The Fraternity or Sorority Chapter

The local chapter that organized the hazing
Officers (president, pledge master, risk manager)
Active members who participated

2. The National Organization

Fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, and others have deep pockets and insurance policies
They know about hazing risks (our case proves Pi Kappa Phi had prior incidents)
They failed to enforce anti-hazing policies

3. The University or College

Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell Technical College, and other schools near Brule County have a duty to protect students
If they knew or should have known about hazing and did nothing, they can be held liable
Some schools own fraternity houses—making them directly responsible for unsafe conditions

4. Individual Members & Alumni

Anyone who participated in or facilitated hazing can be sued personally
Alumni who hosted hazing events at their homes can be held liable
Even if they’re students, their parents’ homeowners insurance may cover damages

5. Insurance Companies

Fraternities, universities, and individuals often have liability insurance
These policies may cover medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages

Can You Sue If Your Child “Consented” to Hazing?

Yes. Even if your child signed a waiver or agreed to participate, consent is not a legal defense in hazing cases.

Why?

Peer pressure and fear of retaliation make “consent” meaningless
South Dakota law (SDCL 13-32-1) explicitly states that consent does not excuse hazing
Courts recognize that victims often feel trapped—they don’t want to lose friendships, be ostracized, or fail initiation

Our Texas case proves this: Our client was threatened with expulsion if he didn’t comply. He had no real choice.

What Compensation Can Brule County Hazing Victims Recover?

If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to financial compensation for:

💵 Medical expenses – Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment
💵 Lost wages – If they missed work or lost job opportunities
💵 Pain and suffering – Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD
💵 Educational losses – Tuition refunds, lost scholarships
💵 Punitive damages – Extra money to punish the abusers and deter future hazing

How much can you recover?

Minor injuries (bruises, mild trauma): $50,000–$200,000
Serious injuries (broken bones, hospitalization): $200,000–$1M+
Life-altering injuries (permanent disability, wrongful death): $1M–$10M+

Our current case seeks $10 million—and we have precedent cases where juries awarded similar amounts for hazing victims.

What Should You Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Brule County?

✅ Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

Even if injuries seem minor, get a doctor’s evaluation
Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away
Medical records prove the harm and strengthen your case

✅ Step 2: Preserve Evidence

Save all texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, and social media posts about hazing
Take photos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)
Write down everything your child remembers (who was involved, what happened, where)
Get witness names and contact info (other pledges, bystanders)
Don’t delete anything—even if it’s embarrassing

✅ Step 3: Report the Hazing

File a police report (hazing is a crime in South Dakota)
Report to the university (Dakota Wesleyan, Mitchell Tech, etc.)
Report to the national fraternity (if applicable)

✅ Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer

Do NOT talk to the fraternity, university, or their lawyers without legal representation
Do NOT sign anything from the organization
Call us immediately—we offer free, confidential consultations

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Brule County Hazing Case?

1. We’re Already Fighting This Battle

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case in Texas
We know how fraternities and universities try to cover up hazing
We’ve won millions for personal injury victims—including hazing cases

2. We Know How to Sue Fraternities & Universities

We’ve taken on national fraternities and major universities
We understand their insurance policies, legal strategies, and weaknesses
We won’t back down—even against powerful institutions

3. We Fight for Maximum Compensation

We don’t settle for lowball offers from insurance companies
We pursue every possible defendant (chapter, nationals, university, individuals)
We push for punitive damages to punish abusers and prevent future hazing

4. We Come to You in Brule County

We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we travel for our clients
We’ll meet you in Chamberlain, Kimball, or anywhere in Brule County
We offer video consultations if you can’t travel

5. No Upfront Costs—We Only Get Paid If You Win

Free consultation—no obligation
Contingency fee—you pay nothing upfront; we only get paid if we win your case
We take the risk, not you

What’s Next? Free Consultation for Brule County Families

If your child was hazed in Brule County, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and South Dakota has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases.

Call us now for a free, confidential case evaluation:

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

We will:
✔ Listen to your story without judgment
✔ Explain your legal options in plain language
✔ Fight for the justice and compensation you deserve

Hazing in Brule County: The Reality

You may think hazing is just a “big school” problem. It’s not.

Fraternities and sororities near Brule County include:

Dakota Wesleyan University (Mitchell, SD) – Active Greek life with Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, and others
Mitchell Technical College – Student organizations with initiation rituals
Other South Dakota universities – Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Nu, Kappa Sigma, and more have chapters across the state

These organizations have a history of hazing:

Pi Kappa Phi (our current case) – 2 deaths in 8 years (Andrew Coffey in 2017, nearly Leonel Bermudez in 2025)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Multiple hazing deaths nationwide, including a 2021 case at Texas A&M
Sigma Chi – Faced lawsuits for extreme physical hazing
Kappa Sigma – $12.6 million wrongful death verdict in 2001

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Brule County, they are at risk.

Warning Signs of Hazing in Brule County

Parents, watch for these red flags:

🚩 Your child is suddenly exhausted, sleep-deprived, or always busy
🚩 They avoid talking about their new “friends” or activities
🚩 They have unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries
🚩 They’re drinking heavily or acting differently
🚩 They seem anxious, depressed, or withdrawn
🚩 They mention “traditions,” “tests,” or “initiations” that sound extreme

If you suspect hazing, act immediately. Your child may be too afraid to speak up.

Brule County Parents: Protect Your Child from Hazing

1. Talk to Your Child About Hazing

Explain that hazing is illegal and dangerous
Tell them they can say no without fear of retaliation
Encourage them to report any suspicious activities

2. Research the Organization

Look up the fraternity/sorority’s national reputation (Google “[Name] hazing”)
Check if they’ve had prior incidents in South Dakota
Ask the university about their Greek life oversight policies

3. Know Your Rights

South Dakota law protects students from hazing
Universities can be held liable if they ignore hazing
You can sue for damages even if your child “consented”

4. If Hazing Happens, Call Us Immediately

Do not let the fraternity or university pressure you into silence
Do not sign anything without legal advice
Call 1-888-ATTY-911—we’ll guide you through the process

The Time to Act Is Now

Hazing destroys lives. It doesn’t have to destroy yours.

If your child was hazed in Brule County, you have legal rights—and we will fight for you.

Contact Attorney 911 today for a free, confidential consultation: