🛡️ Hazing Victims in Caldwell County: Your Rights, Your Justice

Caldwell County families: If your child has been hazed, abused, or injured in a fraternity, sorority, or student organization — you are not alone.

At Attorney 911, we are fighting this battle right now in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a student who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, and hospitalized with kidney failure after hazing at a University of Houston fraternity. We sued for $10 million — and we will fight just as hard for Caldwell County victims.

The same fraternities. The same negligence. The same danger. It happens in Caldwell County too.

🚨 What Is Hazing? It’s Not “Tradition.” It’s Abuse.

Hazing in Caldwell County includes:

• Physical torture: Waterboarding, forced exercise until collapse, beatings with paddles
• Forced consumption: Drinking until alcohol poisoning, eating until vomiting
• Psychological abuse: Sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats of expulsion
• Sexual humiliation: Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault
• Dangerous activities: Extreme physical exertion causing rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) or death

This is not “building brotherhood.” This is assault. This is battery. This is a crime.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights in Caldwell County

1. Criminal Charges Are Possible

Missouri law (RSMo § 578.360) makes hazing a misdemeanor — and if it causes serious injury or death, it can be a felony. Caldwell County prosecutors can press charges.

2. Civil Lawsuits Can Hold Institutions Accountable

You can sue:

• Local fraternity/sorority chapters — for organizing the hazing
• National organizations — for failing to supervise and prevent abuse
• Universities near Caldwell County — for failing to protect students
• Individual members — for participating in or facilitating hazing

We know how to find the money. National fraternities and universities have millions in insurance and assets. We will pursue every defendant to ensure full compensation.

3. Consent Is Not a Defense

Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Missouri law says consent does not matter. Peer pressure, fear of social exclusion, and threats of expulsion negate any claim of consent.

4. You Have Time — But Not Much

Missouri has a 5-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, evidence disappears fast — text messages get deleted, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records. Contact us immediately to preserve your rights.

🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing in Caldwell County

Hazing doesn’t just leave emotional scars. It can cause:

• Rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown that leads to kidney failure (like our client)
• Acute alcohol poisoning — from forced drinking; can be fatal
• Traumatic brain injury — from beatings or falls
• Heat stroke or hypothermia — from extreme physical activity in harsh conditions
• PTSD, anxiety, depression — long-term psychological trauma
• Death — hazing kills students every year in America

If your child was hospitalized, required medical treatment, or is suffering emotionally — you may have a case.

💰 What Caldwell County Families Can Recover

We fight for full compensation, including:

Precedent shows hazing cases win millions:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Ohio)
• $6.1 million jury verdict (Max Gruver, Louisiana)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Penn State)

Caldwell County families deserve the same justice.

🔍 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Caldwell County

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Go to the ER or urgent care — even if injuries seem minor
• Document all symptoms, treatments, and diagnoses
• Request copies of all medical records

2. Preserve Evidence

• Save all communications: Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, emails
• Take photos/videos: Injuries, hazing locations, items used in hazing
• Write down everything: Dates, times, what happened, who was involved
• Get witness information: Names and contact info of other victims or bystanders

3. Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities will protect themselves, not your child
• They may destroy evidence, intimidate witnesses, or offer lowball settlements
• Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney

4. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

We offer free, confidential consultations for Caldwell County families. Call us 24/7:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Caldwell County?

1. Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapters

• Directly organized and conducted hazing
• Officers (president, pledgemaster) are personally liable
• Members who participated or failed to stop abuse

2. National Fraternity/Sorority Organizations

• Failed to supervise Caldwell County chapters
• Knew or should have known about hazing culture
• Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies

3. Universities Near Caldwell County

• Failed to protect students from foreseeable harm
• Own or control property where hazing occurred
• Had prior knowledge of hazing risks (many do)
• Failed to implement effective oversight

Universities with chapters near Caldwell County include:

• Missouri Western State University (St. Joseph, ~30 miles)
• Northwest Missouri State University (Maryville, ~60 miles)
• University of Missouri (Mizzou) (Columbia, ~120 miles)
• Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS, ~100 miles)
• University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS, ~130 miles)

4. Individual Perpetrators

• Every person who participated in or facilitated hazing
• Can be sued individually for assault, battery, and emotional distress

5. Insurance Companies

• National organizations and universities have liability insurance
• Homeowner’s policies may cover off-campus hazing
• We know how to pursue these policies for full compensation

📢 The Message to Caldwell County Fraternities and Universities

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and every fraternity operating near Caldwell County:

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Caldwell County, we will find every liable entity — the chapter, the nationals, the university, and the individuals. We already shut down the UH chapter. Your chapter could be next.

To universities near Caldwell County:

The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. You own the houses. You have the power to stop hazing. You have the duty to protect students. Act now — or face the same accountability.

🎓 This Could Happen to Any Caldwell County Family

Hazing doesn’t discriminate. It happens to:

• Top students — valedictorians, honor roll, scholarship recipients
• Athletes — football players, wrestlers, swimmers
• First-generation college students — excited to join, unaware of the risks
• International students — unfamiliar with U.S. Greek life culture
• Students from Caldwell County — who just want to make friends

No family should have to go through what Leonel Bermudez’s family did. No student should be hospitalized — or worse — because of hazing.

🛡️ Why Caldwell County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
• We know the defendants’ playbook — because we’re in the courtroom with them

2. We Have Insider Knowledge

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys
• We know how insurance companies value claims, delay cases, and try to deny liability
• We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery

3. We Have Proven Results

• Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases
• BP Texas City explosion litigation — experience with complex, high-stakes cases
• Federal court admission — can pursue Caldwell County cases in federal jurisdiction

4. We Serve Caldwell County Families

• Headquartered in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont — but we serve all of Missouri
• Video consultations available for Caldwell County families
• We travel to Caldwell County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• Se habla español — bilingual staff for Spanish-speaking families

5. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

• You pay nothing to hire us
• We only get paid if we win your case
• No risk to you — we take the financial risk

6. We Care About Caldwell County Families

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” — Lupe Pena

We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. We will fight hard for Caldwell County families because we truly care.

📞 Caldwell County Families: Contact Us Today

If your child was hazed, abused, or injured in Caldwell County — we can help.

📞 Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

Free, confidential consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Caldwell County Families

1. My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. Should we still call?

Yes. Many victims fear retaliation or social consequences. We can advise you on how to proceed confidentially and protect your child’s rights without immediate public exposure.

2. The fraternity says it was “just a prank.” Is it still hazing?

Yes. Hazing is defined by intent and harm — not by whether it was called a “prank.” If the activity was humiliating, dangerous, or coerced, it likely qualifies as hazing under Missouri law.

3. The university says they didn’t know. Can we still sue?

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. If they failed to implement proper oversight of Greek life, they can be held liable — even if they claim ignorance.

4. My child signed a waiver. Does that mean we can’t sue?

No. Missouri law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Waivers do not protect organizations from liability for illegal or negligent conduct.

5. We’re not from Caldwell County. Can you still help us?

Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including students from Caldwell County who were hazed at universities across America. Wherever the hazing occurred, we can help.

6. How long will the case take?

Every case is different. Some settle within 6-12 months; others take 2-3 years if they go to trial. We work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while ensuring full compensation.

7. What if my child was hazed at a high school in Caldwell County?

Hazing happens in high schools too — sports teams, bands, clubs. We can evaluate whether the school or organization failed to protect your child.

8. Can we sue if our child was hazed at a private university?

Yes. Private universities have the same duty to protect students as public institutions. We can pursue claims against private universities in Caldwell County and beyond.

📜 Missouri Hazing Law: What Caldwell County Families Need to Know

Missouri Revised Statutes § 578.360 — Hazing

Definition:

“Hazing” means any activity which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher education.

Key Elements:

• Intent to endanger — the activity must be designed to create risk
• Mental or physical health — includes emotional distress, not just physical injury
• For initiation or affiliation — includes pledging, new member activities

Penalties:

• Misdemeanor — up to 1 year in county jail and/or $1,000 fine
• Felony — if hazing causes serious physical injury or death

Institutional Penalties:

• Organizations can be fined up to $10,000
• Organizations can be suspended or expelled from campus

Consent Is Not a Defense:

Missouri law explicitly states that consent to hazing is not a defense.

🏆 How We Win for Caldwell County Families

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to all defendants demanding they retain evidence
• Subpoena text messages, social media, photos, videos
• Interview witnesses before memories fade

2. Comprehensive Investigation

• Obtain medical records to document injuries
• Review chapter communications (GroupMe, texts, emails)
• Research prior incidents at the same chapter or university
• Identify all liable parties — chapter, nationals, university, individuals

3. Aggressive Negotiation

• Demand full policy limits from insurance carriers
• Reject lowball settlement offers
• Prepare for trial if necessary — we don’t back down

4. Trial Preparation

• Work with medical experts to explain injuries
• Work with Greek life experts to explain hazing culture
• Work with economic experts to calculate damages
• Prepare compelling trial presentation to maximize jury awards

5. Media and Public Pressure

• Use media coverage to pressure defendants to settle
• Work with legislators to strengthen hazing laws
• Mobilize alumni and donors to demand accountability

🔥 The Time to Act Is Now

Caldwell County families: Hazing is happening right now — in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and student organizations near you.

Evidence disappears fast. Memories fade. Witnesses scatter. The longer you wait, the harder it is to build a case.

Contact Attorney 911 today. We are ready to fight for you.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Justice for Caldwell County. Justice for your child. Justice for the next victim.