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Dade County (Earth/North America/United States/Missouri/Dade County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 23, 2026 17 min read
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Here’s a comprehensive, publication-ready, Dade County-optimized marketing content piece for Attorney 911, focusing on hazing litigation:

Hazing in Dade County: When Tradition Becomes Torture

Dade County Families: Your Child’s Safety Should Never Be a Gamble

Every fall, Dade County parents send their children off to college with dreams of new friendships, academic growth, and exciting opportunities. What they don’t expect is for those dreams to turn into nightmares of abuse, torture, and life-threatening injuries—all in the name of “tradition.”

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this crisis head-on. Right now, we’re litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the hazing of a student who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t just happening in Houston—it’s happening at universities near Dade County too.

If your child has been hazed in Dade County or anywhere in Missouri, you need legal representation that understands the culture, the law, and the fight ahead. We do.

The Hazing Crisis in Dade County: What Parents Need to Know

What Is Hazing?

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless fun.” Under Missouri law, hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. This includes:

  • Physical abuse: Beatings, forced exercise to exhaustion, paddling, waterboarding
  • Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, or other substances until vomiting or collapse
  • Psychological torture: Humiliation, sleep deprivation, threats of expulsion
  • Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault

This isn’t tradition. It’s abuse. And it’s illegal.

Hazing in Missouri: The Law Is on Your Side

Missouri has strict anti-hazing laws designed to protect students. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 578.360, hazing is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a Class D felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison.

But criminal charges aren’t the only recourse. Families can—and should—pursue civil lawsuits to hold organizations accountable for the harm they’ve caused. This includes:

  • Fraternities and sororities (local chapters and national organizations)
  • Universities (for failing to supervise or protect students)
  • Individual members (for participating in or enabling hazing)

The University of Houston Case: A Warning for Dade County Families

What Happened?

In November 2025, a student at the University of Houston was hospitalized after weeks of brutal hazing by Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. The abuse included:

  • Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
  • Forced to perform 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
  • Struck with wooden paddles
  • Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue running
  • Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout—yet the hazing continued

The victim was hospitalized for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He wasn’t even a student at UH yet—he was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member who hadn’t even enrolled.

Why This Case Matters to Dade County

  1. The Same Fraternities Operate Near Dade County
    Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other national fraternities have chapters at universities across Missouri, including near Dade County. If it happened at UH, it can happen here.

  2. Universities Near Dade County Face the Same Liability
    The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. Universities near Dade County have the same power—and the same responsibility—to stop hazing on their campuses. When they fail, they must be held accountable.

  3. National Organizations Know About the Problem—and Do Nothing
    Pi Kappa Phi had eight years to fix their hazing culture after a student died at their Florida State chapter in 2017. They didn’t. Dade County families deserve better.

  4. $10 Million Sends a Message
    We’re fighting for $10 million in damages—not just for our client, but to send a message to every fraternity, sorority, and university in Missouri: Hazing will cost you.

Is Your Child at Risk? Warning Signs of Hazing in Dade County

Hazing often goes unreported because victims fear retaliation or don’t recognize the abuse for what it is. Dade County parents, watch for these red flags:

Physical Signs:

  • Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
  • Extreme fatigue or difficulty walking
  • Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, blackouts)
  • Sudden weight loss or gain
  • Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or excessive sleep)

Behavioral Signs:

  • Withdrawal from friends and family
  • Sudden decline in academic performance
  • Increased secrecy about activities
  • Fear or anxiety when discussing Greek life
  • Reluctance to leave their room or attend classes

Emotional Signs:

  • Depression or anxiety
  • Mood swings or irritability
  • Loss of confidence or self-esteem
  • Nightmares or flashbacks
  • Talk of “earning” their place in the organization

If you notice any of these signs, your child may be a victim of hazing. Don’t wait—contact Attorney 911 immediately.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Dade County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can—and should—be held accountable. At Attorney 911, we pursue every liable entity to maximize compensation for our clients. This includes:

1. The Local Chapter

The fraternity or sorority chapter that directly organized and conducted the hazing is primarily liable. This includes:

  • Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager)
  • Active members who participated in hazing
  • Alumni who enabled or hosted hazing activities

2. The National Organization

National fraternities and sororities have deep pockets and insurance policies designed to cover exactly these kinds of incidents. They are liable for:

  • Failing to supervise local chapters
  • Ignoring prior hazing incidents (like Pi Kappa Phi’s 2017 death at FSU)
  • Failing to enforce anti-hazing policies

3. The University

Universities near Dade County have a duty to protect students. They can be held liable for:

  • Failing to monitor Greek life activities
  • Ignoring reports of hazing
  • Allowing dangerous conditions to persist on campus property
  • Failing to implement effective anti-hazing policies

4. Individual Members

Every person who participated in, enabled, or failed to stop hazing can be held personally liable. This includes:

  • Members who directly hazed the victim
  • Members who witnessed hazing and did nothing
  • Members who threatened or coerced the victim
  • Members who provided alcohol or other substances

5. Property Owners

If hazing occurred at a private residence (like a fraternity house or off-campus location), the property owner can be held liable for:

  • Allowing dangerous activities on their premises
  • Failing to intervene when hazing was occurring

What Can Dade County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families are entitled to full compensation for the harm they’ve suffered. This includes:

Economic Damages:

  • Medical expenses (hospital bills, rehabilitation, future treatment)
  • Lost wages (time missed from work due to injuries)
  • Educational disruption (tuition reimbursement, academic setbacks)
  • Future earning capacity (if injuries affect long-term career prospects)

Non-Economic Damages:

  • Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
  • Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
  • Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)
  • Disfigurement (scarring, permanent injuries)

Punitive Damages:

In cases of egregious misconduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing. This is especially likely when:

  • The hazing involved torture (like waterboarding)
  • The organization knew about prior incidents and did nothing
  • The university failed to act despite having the power to stop it

Why Dade County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

While other firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing case. We know the tactics fraternities and universities use to avoid accountability—and we know how to counter them.

2. We Understand the Culture

Hazing isn’t just a legal issue—it’s a cultural problem. Our attorneys have deep experience with Greek life, university administration, and the dynamics that allow hazing to thrive. We know how to expose the truth.

3. We Have the Resources to Win

Hazing cases are complex. They require:

  • Medical experts to document injuries
  • Investigators to gather evidence
  • Financial experts to calculate damages
  • Trial attorneys who aren’t afraid to take on powerful institutions

We have all of this—and more.

4. We Work on Contingency—No Upfront Costs

We know Dade County families can’t afford to pay legal fees while their child is recovering. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis: You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

5. We Serve Dade County Families—Wherever You Are

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Dade County. We offer:

  • Free remote consultations (video or phone)
  • Willingness to travel to Dade County for depositions and trials
  • Federal court authority to pursue cases across state lines

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Dade County

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and statutes of limitations expire. Here’s what to do immediately:

1. Seek Medical Attention

Hazing injuries can be life-threatening. Even if your child says they’re “fine,” take them to a doctor. Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately but can cause permanent damage.

2. Preserve Evidence

  • Take photos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence
  • Save all communications (texts, emails, social media messages)
  • Document witness names (other pledges, bystanders)
  • Keep medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes)

3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization

Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative. They may:

  • Pressure your child to sign documents
  • Offer “apologies” or small settlements
  • Threaten retaliation if you speak out

Do not engage with them without legal representation.

4. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

The sooner you involve an attorney, the stronger your case will be. We can:

  • Issue preservation letters to prevent evidence destruction
  • Handle all communications with the organization and their lawyers
  • Begin building your case immediately

The Statute of Limitations: Don’t Wait to Act

In Missouri, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is five years. However, you should not wait that long. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and organizations destroy records.

If your child was hazed in Dade County, contact Attorney 911 today. The clock is ticking.

Dade County Families: You Are Not Alone

Hazing thrives in secrecy. The only way to stop it is to speak out.

At Attorney 911, we’re committed to fighting for Dade County families affected by hazing. We’ve seen the damage it causes—physical, emotional, and financial—and we know how to hold the responsible parties accountable.

If your child has been hazed, we can help. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Visit: attorney911.com

We serve Dade County families with the same aggression we bring to our Houston cases. Your child’s safety is worth fighting for.

FAQs for Dade County Families

1. My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. What should I do?

Many hazing victims fear retaliation or social consequences. You don’t need their permission to seek legal advice. Contact Attorney 911, and we can discuss your options confidentially.

2. The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Can they still be held liable?

Absolutely. Missouri law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable for the harm they caused.

3. The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can we still sue them?

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students, and they can be held liable for failing to monitor Greek life activities. If they had the power to stop the hazing and didn’t, they share responsibility.

4. My child wasn’t physically injured—just emotionally traumatized. Do we still have a case?

Yes. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is just as valid as physical injury. We can pursue compensation for emotional distress, therapy costs, and other non-economic damages.

5. How much is my child’s hazing case worth?

Every case is unique, but hazing cases often result in multi-million-dollar settlements or verdicts. Factors that increase case value include:

  • Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage)
  • Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced consumption, physical abuse)
  • Prior incidents (if the organization knew about past hazing)
  • University involvement (if the university failed to act)

6. Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

Yes. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If the hazing occurred at a private residence, the property owner can also be held liable.

7. What if my child was hazed at a university outside of Dade County?

We represent hazing victims nationwide. Whether the incident occurred in Missouri, Texas, or anywhere else in the U.S., we can evaluate your case and pursue justice.

8. How long will a hazing lawsuit take?

Most hazing cases settle within 12-24 months, but complex cases (especially those involving multiple defendants) can take longer. We work aggressively to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing compensation.

9. Will my child have to testify in court?

Most cases settle before trial, so your child may never have to testify. However, if the case does go to trial, we will prepare them thoroughly and ensure they feel safe and supported.

10. How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, so there’s no financial risk to you.

Dade County Families: The Time to Act Is Now

Hazing doesn’t just hurt the victim—it destroys families, shatters trust, and leaves lasting scars. But you don’t have to face this alone.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting to end the culture of hazing and hold those responsible accountable. We’ve seen what happens when institutions prioritize reputation over safety—and we know how to make them pay.

If your child has been hazed in Dade County or anywhere in Missouri, contact us today. Your child’s future is worth fighting for.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Visit: attorney911.com

We serve Dade County families with the same dedication we bring to our Houston cases. Let’s fight this battle together.

Additional Resources for Dade County Families

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Serving Dade County and nationwide.

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