Hazing Victims in Chicot County Deserve Justice — We Can Help
If your child has been hazed at a university, fraternity, or sorority near Chicot County, you are not alone. What happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston could happen to any student in Arkansas — and it likely already has.
At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the hazing that hospitalized a young man with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we can bring that same fight to Chicot County families.
The Hazing Crisis in Arkansas — It’s Happening Near Chicot County
Hazing isn’t just a problem in Texas. It’s happening at universities across America — including right here in Arkansas.
The same national fraternities and sororities that operate at the University of Houston have chapters at universities near Chicot County. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and many others maintain active chapters at Arkansas institutions. The same culture of abuse, the same “traditions,” the same negligence exists here.
If your child attends college near Chicot County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.
What Is Hazing? It’s Not What You Think.
Many parents believe hazing is just “boys being boys” or harmless pranks. It’s not.
Hazing is systematic abuse disguised as tradition. It includes:
- Physical abuse — beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion
- Forced consumption — alcohol, food, or non-food substances until vomiting
- Waterboarding and simulated drowning — as seen in our UH case
- Sleep deprivation — forced late-night activities causing exhaustion
- Psychological torture — humiliation, degradation, threats of expulsion
- Sexual abuse — forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
This is not tradition. This is not bonding. This is abuse — and it can cause permanent injury or death.
The Medical Consequences — What Hazing Does to the Body
Hazing doesn’t just leave emotional scars. It leaves physical damage that can last a lifetime.
Our client at UH suffered:
- Rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown from extreme exercise
- Acute kidney failure — life-threatening complication requiring hospitalization
- Three nights and four days in the hospital — fighting for his life
- Ongoing medical monitoring — potential for chronic kidney disease
Other documented medical consequences of hazing include:
- Alcohol poisoning — leading to death in multiple cases
- Traumatic brain injury — from beatings or falls
- Hypothermia or heatstroke — from exposure to elements
- Cardiac arrest — from extreme physical exertion
- Permanent disfigurement — from burns or branding
- PTSD, anxiety, and depression — long-term psychological trauma
Hazing kills. Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States.
Who Is Liable? Everyone Who Allowed It.
When hazing happens, multiple parties share responsibility:
| Party | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National organization | Failed to supervise; knew about prior incidents; failed to enforce anti-hazing policies |
| University or college | Owns or controls property where hazing occurred; failed to protect students; failed to monitor Greek life |
| Chapter officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities |
| Individual members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Alumni or hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Insurance companies | Coverage for institutional negligence |
In our UH case, we are pursuing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- The local UH chapter
- The chapter housing corporation
- The University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
- The UH Board of Regents
- Individual members and officers
Chicot County families can pursue the same defendants.
The Legal Rights of Chicot County Hazing Victims
You have legal rights — and you have time to act.
Arkansas Hazing Law
Arkansas has laws against hazing. Under Arkansas Code § 6-5-205, hazing is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to $2,500 in fines and one year in jail.
Importantly, consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent does not matter.
Civil Lawsuits
Beyond criminal charges, victims and families can file civil lawsuits to seek compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
Statute of Limitations:
- Personal injury: 3 years from the date of injury
- Wrongful death: 3 years from the date of death
Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.
The $10 Million Fight — What We’re Doing Right Now
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
What happened in our case:
- A young man accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at UH
- He was subjected to weeks of systematic abuse, including:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then forced to continue exercising
- Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing — they kept going
- He ended up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
- He spent three nights and four days hospitalized
Why this matters to Chicot County families:
- Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America — including near Chicot County
- The same national organization that allowed this in Houston operates in Arkansas
- The same culture of abuse exists at Arkansas universities
- If your child is being hazed near Chicot County, we can fight for you just like we’re fighting in Houston
Precedent Cases — Hazing Victims Win Millions
Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what juries and courts have awarded:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Settlement | $4+ million |
These results are possible for Chicot County victims too.
Why Chicot County Families Choose Attorney 911
We are not just hazing lawyers. We are former insurance defense attorneys who know how the other side operates — and how to beat them.
Our Advantages for Chicot County Families:
| Advantage | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years of Litigation Experience | Battle-tested in courtrooms across Texas and federal courts |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know their playbook — and how to dismantle their defenses |
| Federal Court Authority | Can pursue Chicot County cases in federal jurisdiction |
| Dual-State Bar Admission | Licensed in Texas AND New York — strategic advantage for national fraternity cases |
| Nationwide Hazing Expertise | Currently litigating $10M UH hazing case; experience with Kappa Sigma, Texas A&M, rhabdomyolysis cases |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families |
| Contingency Fee Representation | $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you win. |
| Willing to Travel | We come to Chicot County for depositions, trials, and client meetings |
What Sets Us Apart:
We see your child as a person — not a paycheck.
We understand the trauma hazing causes. We’ve seen what fraternities do to kids. We’re fighting it in court right now. And we will fight just as hard for Chicot County families.
What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Chicot County
If your child has been hazed, act immediately. Evidence disappears quickly, and your legal rights are time-sensitive.
Step-by-Step Action Plan:
-
Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Document all symptoms and treatment
- Keep all medical records
-
Preserve All Evidence
- Do not delete anything — texts, social media, emails, photos, videos
- Take screenshots of all communications about hazing
- Save physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)
- Get names and contact information of witnesses
-
Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do not confront fraternity/sorority leadership
- Do not give statements to university administrators without legal counsel
- Do not sign anything from the organization
-
Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation
- We offer video consultations for Chicot County families
- We will guide you through the legal process
-
Consider Reporting to Authorities
- File a police report
- Consider a Title IX report if the hazing involved gender-based discrimination
Common Questions from Chicot County Families
“Is this really hazing? It seems like tradition.”
If your child was forced to do something dangerous, humiliating, or illegal to join an organization, it’s hazing. Waterboarding, forced drinking, extreme exercise, beatings — these are not traditions. They’re crimes.
“My child consented to participate. Can we still sue?”
Yes. Arkansas law says consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization is still liable.
“The fraternity said it was just a prank. Should we believe them?”
No. Fraternities and sororities will downplay hazing to protect themselves. Their first priority is their reputation — not your child’s safety.
“We can’t afford a lawyer. How can we fight this?”
You can. We take hazing cases on contingency — you pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. Chicot County families don’t need money to get justice.
“The incident happened months ago. Is it too late?”
It may not be. Arkansas has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However, evidence disappears quickly. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
“Will this affect my child’s academic or athletic future?”
We protect our clients’ privacy. Legal action can be pursued confidentially. Many victims go on to successful academic and professional careers.
“The university said they’re investigating. Do we still need a lawyer?”
Yes. Universities protect their own interests — not your child’s. An attorney ensures your child’s rights are protected and that the investigation is thorough.
The Warning to Chicot County Fraternities and Universities
To the fraternities and sororities operating near Chicot County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Chicot County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
To the universities near Chicot County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.
To Greek life leadership at Chicot County institutions:
The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.
Contact Attorney 911 — Chicot County Families Can Reach Us Today
If your child has been hazed at a university, fraternity, or sorority near Chicot County, we can help.
How to Reach Us:
📞 Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for hazing emergencies)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
We Come to Chicot County
While we are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Chicot County. We offer:
- Video consultations — meet with us remotely
- Travel to Chicot County — for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- Federal court representation — we can pursue your case in federal jurisdiction
Free Consultation — No Obligation
We offer free, confidential consultations to Chicot County families. We will:
- Listen to your story
- Evaluate your case
- Explain your legal options
- Answer your questions
- Help you decide the best path forward
There’s no cost to call. There’s no obligation to proceed. But there is a time limit on your rights.
The Time to Act Is Now
Hazing destroys lives. It hospitalizes students. It kills. And it continues because institutions believe they can get away with it.
But they can’t.
Not anymore.
If your child has been hazed near Chicot County, call us today. We are fighting this battle right now — and we will fight for you.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 — Chicot County families deserve justice.
