Hazing Lawyers in Carbon County, Montana – Protecting Students and Families

Hazing in Carbon County: A Crisis in Our Community

Carbon County families send their children to college with high hopes and trust that the institutions they attend will keep them safe. But for too many students, that trust is shattered by the brutal reality of hazing. At Attorney 911, we’ve seen firsthand how hazing destroys lives—right here in Montana and across the nation. Our attorneys are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against a major fraternity and university for hazing that hospitalized a student. If your child has been hazed in Carbon County, we can help you fight back.

What Is Hazing?

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or maintaining membership in an organization that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them—regardless of whether they consent. In Carbon County and across Montana, hazing occurs in:

• Fraternities and sororities (including those at nearby universities)
• Sports teams (high school and college)
• Marching bands
• ROTC programs
• Student clubs and organizations

Common hazing activities include:

• Forced alcohol consumption (leading to alcohol poisoning)
• Extreme physical exertion (causing rhabdomyolysis or heat stroke)
• Physical abuse (paddling, beatings, branding)
• Psychological torture (sleep deprivation, isolation, humiliation)
• Sexual assault or humiliation
• Dangerous stunts (blindfolded activities, forced consumption of non-food items)

This isn’t tradition—it’s abuse. And in Montana, it’s illegal.

Montana’s Hazing Laws: What Families Need to Know

Montana has strong laws against hazing, designed to protect students and hold perpetrators accountable. Under Montana Code Annotated § 45-5-626, hazing is a misdemeanor punishable by:

• Up to 6 months in jail
• Fines up to $500
• Expulsion from school

Key Legal Points for Carbon County Families:

1. Consent Is Not a Defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the organization and individuals liable.
2. Organizations Can Be Sued – Fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and universities can be held financially responsible for hazing injuries.
3. Universities Have a Duty to Protect Students – If a school in or near Carbon County knew (or should have known) about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be sued for negligence.
4. You Have 3 Years to File a Lawsuit – Montana’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 3 years from the date of the hazing incident.

Real Hazing Cases: What Happens When Institutions Fail Students

Our Current Case: A Warning for Carbon County Families

We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized after being hazed by the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston. The hazing included:

• 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 food and milk until vomiting
• Hog-tied on a table with an object in his mouth

Bermudez was hospitalized for 4 days with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The fraternity knew this was happening—another pledge collapsed from exhaustion just weeks before. Yet they did nothing to stop it.

Why This Matters for Carbon County:

• Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near Carbon County, including Montana State University.
• The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist in Montana.
• Universities near Carbon County face the same liability failures as UH.

If your child has been hazed at a school near Carbon County, we can fight for you just like we’re fighting for Bermudez.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Carbon County?

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

1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority/Sports Team)

• Directly organized and conducted the hazing
• Individual members who participated
• Chapter officers (president, pledge master, risk manager)

2. The National Organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, etc.)

• Failed to supervise local chapters
• Ignored prior hazing incidents (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi had a hazing death in 2017 but did nothing to prevent future incidents)
• Have deep pockets and insurance policies

3. The University or School

• Owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred (e.g., fraternity houses, locker rooms)
• Failed to monitor Greek life or student organizations
• Had prior knowledge of hazing but did nothing to stop it (e.g., UH had a hazing hospitalization in 2017 but failed to prevent the 2025 incident)

4. Individual Perpetrators

• Students who directly participated in hazing
• Coaches, advisors, or alumni who enabled or ignored hazing
• Can be sued personally for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress

5. Insurance Companies

• Homeowners’ insurance (for off-campus hazing)
• University liability insurance
• Fraternity/sorority national insurance policies

What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Carbon County

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Here’s what to do immediately:

1. Seek Medical Attention

• Hazing injuries can be life-threatening (e.g., alcohol poisoning, rhabdomyolysis, head trauma).
• Get a full medical evaluation—even if your child says they’re “fine.”
• Document all injuries with photos and medical records.

2. Preserve Evidence

• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails).
• Take screenshots of social media posts about hazing.
• Document witness names and contact information.
• Keep any physical evidence (e.g., paddles, clothing, objects used in hazing).

3. Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to silence victims.
• Do not sign anything from the organization or their lawyers.
• Do not give a statement to school administrators without legal counsel.

4. Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

• Montana’s statute of limitations is 3 years—but evidence disappears quickly.
• We can help preserve evidence, file police reports, and protect your child’s rights.
• We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Carbon County Hazing Case?

1. We’re 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 win against powerful institutions.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know how insurance companies and universities try to avoid liability.
• We’ve seen their playbook—and we know how to beat it.

3. Nationwide Experience, Local Service for Carbon County

• We’re based in Texas but serve hazing victims nationwide, including Carbon County.
• We’ll travel to Carbon County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• We offer remote consultations for Carbon County families.

4. Aggressive, Compassionate Representation

• We treat your child like family.
• We fight for maximum compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
• We hold every responsible party accountable—not just the individuals, but the institutions that enabled them.

5. No Upfront Costs

• We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.
• No hourly fees, no retainers.
• We only get paid if you get paid.

What Compensation Can Carbon County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:

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

Hazing at Schools Near Carbon County

While Carbon County is home to smaller communities, many students attend larger universities in nearby areas where hazing is a serious risk. Schools near Carbon County where hazing has been reported or is a known risk include:

Montana State University (Bozeman, MT)

• Large Greek life presence (fraternities and sororities)
• Athletic programs (football, basketball, etc.)
• Student organizations with hazing risks

University of Montana (Missoula, MT)

• Active Greek system
• Marching band and sports teams with hazing histories

Rocky Mountain College (Billings, MT)

• Smaller school but still has Greek life and athletic teams

Montana Tech (Butte, MT)

• Engineering and technical programs with student organizations

High Schools in Carbon County and Nearby

• Athletic teams, marching bands, and clubs can also engage in hazing.

If your child attends any of these schools—or any school near Carbon County—they could be at risk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Carbon County

1. My child was hazed but says it’s “not a big deal.” Should I still take action?

Yes. Many hazing victims downplay their injuries because they feel ashamed or loyal to the group. Hazing can cause long-term physical and psychological damage, and holding the perpetrators accountable may prevent future victims.

2. The fraternity/sorority said my child “consented.” Can they still be held liable?

Absolutely. Montana law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held legally and financially responsible.

3. The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be sued?

Yes. Universities have a duty to monitor student organizations and prevent dangerous activities. If they failed to implement proper oversight, they can be held liable for negligence.

4. What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Hazing that occurs off-campus (e.g., at a private home, hotel, or retreat) is still illegal and can result in liability for the organization, its leaders, and the property owner.

5. How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

Montana’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 3 years from the date of the hazing incident. However, evidence disappears quickly, so it’s critical to act as soon as possible.

6. Can I afford a lawyer?

Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

7. Will my child’s name be made public?

Not necessarily. We can file lawsuits under seal or use pseudonyms to protect your child’s privacy. However, some cases (especially those involving criminal charges) may become public.

Carbon County Hazing Victims: We’re Here to Help

If your child has been hazed in Carbon County or at a school nearby, you don’t have to face this alone. Attorney 911 is here to fight for you.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

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

We’ll travel to Carbon County for your case. You pay nothing unless we win.

Hazing in Carbon County: It’s Time for Justice

Hazing is not a rite of passage—it’s a crime that destroys lives. If your child has been hazed in Carbon County or at a nearby school, you have the power to hold the perpetrators accountable and prevent future victims.

We’re ready to fight for you. Call us today.