Hazing Victims in Calcasieu Parish: Your Legal Rights and How We Can Help

The Hazing Crisis Hits Close to Home in Southwest Louisiana

If you or your child has been the victim of hazing at a college, university, or Greek organization in Calcasieu Parish, you’re not alone. The same dangerous “traditions” that hospitalized a University of Houston student with kidney failure after being waterboarded and forced to do 500 squats are happening right here in our community.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for exactly this type of abuse. We know how to fight these cases – and we’re ready to bring that same aggressive representation to Calcasieu Parish families.

What Calcasieu Parish Parents Need to Know About Hazing

The Reality of Hazing in Southwest Louisiana

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or harmless initiation rituals. In Calcasieu Parish and across Louisiana, hazing has led to:

Physical injuries requiring hospitalization
Psychological trauma including PTSD and depression
Academic disruption causing students to drop out
Death in the most tragic cases

The same national fraternities involved in high-profile hazing deaths operate chapters at universities near Calcasieu Parish, including:

McNeese State University in Lake Charles
University of Louisiana at Lafayette (just over an hour away)
Lamar University in Beaumont, TX (less than 90 minutes away)

Common Hazing Practices in Calcasieu Parish

Based on our current case and national patterns, we know these dangerous activities are happening at Calcasieu Parish-area institutions:

Physical abuse: Forced exercise to exhaustion (like our client who did 500 squats until his muscles broke down)
Waterboarding and simulated drowning (yes, this is happening – we’re suing over it right now)
Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, or other substances until vomiting
Sleep deprivation: Late-night activities that prevent proper rest
Psychological torture: Humiliation, degradation, and threats
Sexual humiliation: Forced to carry sexual objects or engage in degrading acts
Physical punishment: Being struck with wooden paddles or other objects

Legal Rights for Calcasieu Parish Hazing Victims

Louisiana’s Anti-Hazing Law

Louisiana has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to all educational institutions in Calcasieu Parish. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes §14:40.8, hazing is defined as:

“Any knowing behavior, whether by commission or omission, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any organization.”

Important provisions for Calcasieu Parish families:

Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, this doesn’t protect the organization
Criminal penalties – Hazing can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on severity
Organizational liability – Both the local chapter and national organization can be held responsible
Institutional liability – Universities can be held accountable for failing to prevent hazing

Civil Lawsuits: Holding Institutions Accountable

Beyond criminal charges, Calcasieu Parish hazing victims can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:

Medical expenses (both current and future)
Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
Lost wages (current and future earning potential)
Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships, academic progress)
Punitive damages (to punish especially egregious conduct)

Our current $10 million hazing lawsuit demonstrates that these cases can result in substantial compensation for victims.

Why Calcasieu Parish Families Choose Attorney 911

Nationwide Experience with Local Commitment

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Calcasieu Parish. Our experience includes:

Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how the other side thinks
Federal court admission – We can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) – Strategic advantage against national organizations
Willingness to travel – We’ll come to Calcasieu Parish for depositions and trials

Proven Track Record in Complex Litigation

Our attorneys have successfully handled:

BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
Multi-million dollar personal injury cases
High-profile criminal defense cases (including media-covered matters)
Federal civil rights litigation (including appellate experience)

Compassionate Representation for Calcasieu Parish Families

We understand the trauma hazing victims and families experience. Our approach includes:

Free, confidential consultations – No obligation to proceed
Contingency fee basis – You pay nothing unless we win your case
Bilingual services – Se habla español para servir mejor a las familias de Calcasieu Parish
24/7 availability – Hazing emergencies don’t wait for business hours
Video consultations – For Calcasieu Parish families who can’t travel
Travel to you – We’ll come to Lake Charles, Sulphur, or anywhere in Calcasieu Parish

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Calcasieu Parish

Immediate Steps for Calcasieu Parish Families

Seek medical attention immediately – Even if injuries seem minor, get them documented
Preserve all evidence – Save texts, photos, videos, social media posts
Document everything – Write down what happened, when, where, and who was involved
Don’t sign anything – Universities and fraternities may try to get you to sign away your rights
Don’t talk to the organization – Anything you say can be used against you
Contact an attorney – Call us before speaking to anyone else

Evidence Preservation for Calcasieu Parish Cases

Critical evidence to save:

Medical records from any treatment
Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails
Social media posts about hazing
Names and contact info of witnesses
Any documents given to pledges
Financial records (medical bills, lost wages)

Who Can Be Held Liable in Calcasieu Parish Hazing Cases

Multiple Defendants = Multiple Sources of Compensation

In our current case, we’re suing multiple parties – and we’ll do the same for Calcasieu Parish victims:

Local fraternity/sorority chapter – Directly responsible for hazing activities
National organization – Failed to supervise and prevent hazing
University – Failed to protect students (especially if they own the fraternity house)
Individual members – Those who participated in or facilitated hazing
Chapter officers – Leaders who allowed or encouraged hazing
Housing corporations – If hazing occurred at fraternity/sorority property
Alumni – If they hosted or participated in hazing activities
Insurance companies – Policies that may cover these incidents

The Attorney 911 Difference for Calcasieu Parish Families

We Know How to Fight Powerful Institutions

Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize their liability. We level the playing field by:

Using our insurance defense experience – We know their tactics because we used to work for them
Aggressive evidence gathering – We don’t wait for them to hand over documents
Building strong cases – We work with medical experts, hazing experts, and investigators
Pursuing all liable parties – We don’t let anyone escape accountability
Taking cases to trial when needed – We don’t back down from powerful defendants

Our Current $10 Million Hazing Case: What It Means for Calcasieu Parish

Our ongoing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston demonstrates our commitment to hazing victims. Key facts from this case that apply to Calcasieu Parish:

Victim hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after forced exercise
Waterboarding and simulated drowning used as “hazing”
Forced consumption until vomiting – then forced to continue activities
Physical beatings with wooden paddles
Pattern of abuse over multiple weeks
University owned the fraternity house where abuse occurred
National organization knew about “a hazing crisis” but did nothing

This same pattern of abuse is happening at universities near Calcasieu Parish.

Common Questions from Calcasieu Parish Families

“Is this really hazing or just initiation?”

Hazing is defined by Louisiana law as any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation. This includes:

Activities that cause physical harm (even if “voluntary”)
Activities that cause emotional distress
Activities that create excessive fatigue
Activities that involve forced consumption
Activities that involve sleep deprivation
Activities that involve humiliation or degradation

If it feels wrong, it probably is hazing.

“My child consented to participate. Can we still sue?”

Yes. Louisiana law specifically states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

“The fraternity said this was a one-time incident. Is that true?”

In our current case, we’ve documented:

A pattern of abuse over several weeks
Another pledge losing consciousness during hazing
A pledge being hog-tied for over an hour
The same fraternity having a hazing death in 2017

These are never one-time incidents. There are always multiple victims.

“Can we afford an attorney?”

Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs for Calcasieu Parish families.

“What if the hazing happened at a university in another state?”

We can still help. Our attorneys are licensed in multiple states and have federal court admission. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Calcasieu Parish residents hazed at out-of-state institutions.

“Will this affect my child’s academic standing?”

We’ll work to protect your child’s academic future. Many universities have policies that protect victims of hazing from retaliation. We’ll ensure your child’s rights are protected throughout the process.

Hazing Prevention Resources for Calcasieu Parish

Local Resources

McNeese State University Office of Student Services: (337) 475-5609
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Office of Student Life: (337) 482-6267
Lake Charles Police Department: (337) 491-1311
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office: (337) 491-3600
Lake Charles Memorial Hospital: (337) 494-3211

National Resources

Hazing Prevention Network: hazingprevention.org
StopHazing: stophazing.org
National Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)

Contact Attorney 911 for Calcasieu Parish Hazing Victims

If you or your child has been the victim of hazing in Calcasieu Parish or anywhere in Louisiana, we can help. Call us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Available 24/7 for Calcasieu Parish hazing emergencies

Why Call Us Now?

Evidence disappears quickly – Texts get deleted, witnesses forget
Statutes of limitations apply – In Louisiana, you typically have 1 year for personal injury claims
Universities and fraternities will try to silence you – We protect your rights
The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case – Early investigation is critical

Our Promise to Calcasieu Parish Families

We understand the pain and frustration you’re experiencing. Our promise to you:

We’ll listen – Without judgment, without pressure
We’ll investigate – Thoroughly and aggressively
We’ll fight – For the compensation you deserve
We’ll protect – Your child’s future and reputation
We’ll win – For you and for future students

You’re not alone. We’re Attorney 911 – your first responders to this legal emergency.