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Hazing in Crawford County: Your Rights, Your Recourse, Your Justice
Crawford County Families: Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines – Neither Do We
You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. You trusted the university. You trusted the Greek system. You trusted that Crawford County values like hard work, respect, and community would be upheld.
Instead, your child was hazed. Abused. Humiliated. Hospitalized. Or worse.
This isn’t “tradition.” This isn’t “brotherhood.” This is abuse. And in Crawford County, Kansas, we hold abusers accountable.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston – a case involving waterboarding, forced exercise until kidney failure, and systematic torture disguised as “pledging.” The same national fraternities operate in Kansas. The same negligence exists at Kansas universities. And we will fight for Crawford County families with the same fury we’re bringing to this case.
If your child was hazed at Pittsburg State University, Fort Scott Community College, or any other institution near Crawford County, you have rights. You have recourse. And you have a team that will travel to Crawford County, stand with you, and demand justice.
Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911. Your consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win.
The Hazing Crisis in Kansas: What Crawford County Families Need to Know
Hazing Isn’t Just a “Big School” Problem – It’s Happening in Kansas
Crawford County is home to hardworking families who value integrity, respect, and community. But when students leave for college – even nearby institutions like Pittsburg State University – they enter a world where hazing is often dismissed as “tradition.”
The truth? Hazing is assault. Hazing is battery. Hazing is torture. And in Kansas, it’s illegal.
Under Kansas law (K.S.A. 21-5418), hazing is a Class A misdemeanor if it causes physical harm, and a felony if it results in serious injury or death. But criminal charges aren’t enough. Families deserve compensation for medical bills, trauma, and the lifelong scars hazing leaves behind.
The Same Fraternities That Hazed Our Client Are Active in Kansas
Our current case involves Pi Kappa Phi, a national fraternity with a documented history of hazing deaths and hospitalizations. The same organization has chapters near Crawford County.
Other national fraternities with Kansas chapters include:
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Involved in multiple hazing deaths nationwide
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – $10.1 million settlement in Ohio hazing death case
- Beta Theta Pi – $110 million settlement in Penn State hazing death case
- Phi Delta Theta – $6.1 million jury verdict in Louisiana hazing death case
These aren’t isolated incidents. This is a pattern. And if your child was hazed in Kansas, we will expose that pattern in court.
Our Landmark Case: Proof That Hazing Victims Can Win
$10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston – The Same Fight We’ll Bring to Kansas
Case: Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al.
Filing Date: November 21, 2025
Damages Sought: $10,000,000
What Happened:
Leonel Bermudez, a “ghost rush” (not even enrolled at UH yet), was subjected to weeks of systematic abuse, including:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, and other extreme exercises until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
- Another pledge lost consciousness during a forced workout
Result: Bermudez was hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure.
Why This Matters to Crawford County:
- Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide – including near Kansas.
- The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist at Kansas fraternities.
- Universities near Crawford County face the same liability failures as UH.
- If your child was hazed in Kansas, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting in Texas.
Media Coverage:
- ABC13: “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge”
- KHOU 11: “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations”
- Houston Chronicle: “UH fraternity hazing lawsuit”
- Houston Public Media: “University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million”
Kansas Hazing Laws: What Crawford County Families Need to Know
Kansas Anti-Hazing Law (K.S.A. 21-5418)
Definition of Hazing:
Any intentional, reckless, or negligent act that endangers the physical or mental health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with any organization.
Criminal Penalties:
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Hazing causing physical harm | Class A misdemeanor – Up to 1 year in jail, $2,500 fine |
| Hazing causing serious bodily injury | Level 7 felony – Up to 34 months in prison |
| Hazing causing death | Level 5 felony – Up to 136 months in prison |
Civil Liability:
- Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Kansas law says consent doesn’t matter.
- Universities can be held liable if they knew or should have known about hazing.
- National fraternities can be sued for failing to supervise local chapters.
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Crawford County?
When hazing happens, everyone involved can – and should – be held accountable. In our current case, we’re suing:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Fraternity | Failed to supervise despite knowing about hazing culture |
| University | Failed to prevent hazing despite having oversight authority |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes |
In Kansas, we will pursue every liable party – no matter how powerful.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Crawford County
Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), alcohol poisoning, and other hazing injuries can be life-threatening.
- Even if your child “feels fine,” get them checked. Some injuries (like kidney failure) don’t show symptoms right away.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
| Evidence Type | What to Save |
|---|---|
| Medical Records | Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records |
| Photos/Videos | Injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house |
| Texts/Group Chats | Screenshots of all communications about hazing |
| Social Media | Posts, messages, or stories about hazing |
| Witness Information | Names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, or “rules” given to your child |
DO NOT:
❌ Delete any messages or posts
❌ Confront the fraternity or university alone
❌ Sign anything from the organization
❌ Post about the incident on social media
Step 3: Report the Incident
- File a police report. Hazing is a crime in Kansas.
- Report to the university’s Title IX office. Hazing often involves gender-based violence.
- Contact the national fraternity. They may try to cover it up, but this creates a paper trail.
Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
- Kansas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
- Evidence disappears fast. Fraternities destroy records. Witnesses forget.
- We offer FREE consultations. You pay nothing unless we win.
Call now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Why Crawford County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now – And Winning
- We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
- We’ve shut down dangerous chapters and forced national organizations to take action.
- Crawford County families get the same aggressive representation we provide in Texas.
2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense
Fraternities will claim your child “agreed” to hazing. Kansas law says consent doesn’t matter. We’ll destroy this argument in court.
3. We Have Insider Knowledge – Because We Used to Work for the Other Side
- Ralph Manginello is a former insurance defense attorney. He knows how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability.
- Lupe Pena worked at a national defense firm before joining us. He knows how insurance companies minimize claims.
- Together, they’ve recovered MILLIONS for victims of institutional negligence.
4. We Travel to Crawford County – Distance Is Not a Barrier
- We offer video consultations for Kansas families who can’t travel to Texas.
- We travel to Crawford County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
- We handle all communications with fraternities, universities, and insurance companies – so you don’t have to.
5. We Work on Contingency – You Pay Nothing Upfront
- No retainer. No hourly fees. No risk.
- We only get paid if we win your case.
- If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
Crawford County Hazing Case Examples: What Your Case Could Be Worth
| Case | University | Fraternity | Injury | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Death (alcohol poisoning) | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Death (alcohol poisoning) | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Death (traumatic brain injury) | $110 million settlement |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure | $10 million lawsuit pending |
Your child’s case could be worth millions. Don’t let the fraternity or university lowball you.
Frequently Asked Questions for Crawford County Families
Q: My child was hazed at Pittsburg State. Can you help?
A: Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Kansas. Distance is not a barrier.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Does that matter?
A: No. Kansas law (K.S.A. 21-5418) explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.
Q: How much does it cost to hire you?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
A: We protect our clients. Fraternities intimidate victims to silence them. We ensure your child’s safety and privacy.
Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
A: Kansas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Do not wait. Evidence disappears, and your rights expire.
Q: Can you sue the national fraternity, or just the local chapter?
A: Yes, we can sue both. National fraternities have deep pockets and insurance policies that cover hazing claims. We pursue every liable party.
Q: What if the university claims they didn’t know about the hazing?
A: Universities are required to supervise Greek life. If they failed to prevent hazing, they can be held liable for negligent supervision and premises liability (if the hazing occurred on university property).
Q: My child was hazed off-campus. Can you still help?
A: Yes. Hazing that occurs off-campus is still illegal. We can sue the fraternity, individual members, and even homeowners who allowed hazing on their property.
The Message to Kansas Fraternities: We Are Watching
To the fraternities operating near Crawford County:
We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your history of hazing deaths and hospitalizations.
If you haze students in Kansas, we will find every liable entity. We will shut down your chapter. And we will make you pay.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi – if your chapter operates near Crawford County, know this:
- We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for $10 million.
- We have shut down multiple chapters nationwide.
- We will not stop until every dangerous chapter is held accountable.
The choice is yours: Clean up your act, or we will clean you out in court.
Crawford County: Enough Is Enough
Hazing has no place in Kansas. It has no place at Pittsburg State. It has no place in Crawford County.
If your child was hazed, you are not alone. You are not powerless. And you are not without recourse.
Call Attorney 911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911. Your consultation is free. Your fight is our fight. And we will not stop until justice is served.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
We serve Crawford County, Kansas, and all of America. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
