# Hazing Victims in Ellis County, Kansas: Your Legal Rights and Path to Justice
## **Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines – And Neither Do We**
If your child has been the victim of hazing in Ellis County, Kansas, or at any university near our community, you’re not alone. The same fraternities that hospitalized a student in Houston are operating in Kansas. The same negligence that led to a $10 million lawsuit in Texas exists right here in Ellis County. And the same legal team that’s fighting for justice in Houston is ready to fight for you.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a **$10 million hazing lawsuit** against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston – a case that made national headlines when a young man was waterboarded, forced to perform 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t just happening in Texas. **It’s happening in Kansas too.** And we’re here to stop it.
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## **The Hazing Crisis in Ellis County, Kansas: What Parents Need to Know**
### **Hazing Isn’t “Tradition” – It’s Abuse**
Hazing isn’t harmless fun. It isn’t “building character.” It’s **assault, battery, and often criminal behavior** that leaves lasting physical and psychological scars. In our current case, a student was:
– **Waterboarded with a garden hose** (simulated drowning)
– **Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups** until he collapsed
– **Struck with wooden paddles**
– **Forced to eat until vomiting** and then continue running
– **Hospitalized for four days with kidney failure**
**This is happening in Kansas too.** The same national fraternities with chapters near Ellis County have paid **millions in settlements** for hazing deaths and injuries. Pi Kappa Phi alone has had **two major incidents in eight years** – one resulting in death, another in hospitalization. **They haven’t changed. And they won’t until we make them.**
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### **Universities Near Ellis County Are Failing Our Students**
Fort Hays State University, just 20 miles from Ellis County, has an active Greek life community with multiple fraternities and sororities. The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas State University in Manhattan, and Wichita State University all have chapters of national organizations that have been involved in hazing incidents nationwide.
**Universities have a legal duty to protect students.** But time and again, they fail. In our Houston case:
– The University of Houston **owned the fraternity house** where the hazing occurred
– They had a **prior hazing incident in 2017** that hospitalized another student
– They **did nothing** to prevent it from happening again
**The same institutional negligence exists at Kansas universities.** If your child was hazed at Fort Hays State, KU, K-State, or any other school near Ellis County, the university may share liability for failing to protect them.
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### **The Psychological Toll of Hazing: More Than Just Physical Injuries**
Hazing doesn’t just leave physical scars. Many victims suffer from:
– **Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)** – Flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety
– **Depression and anxiety** – Many victims drop out of school or struggle academically
– **Trust issues** – Difficulty forming relationships after being betrayed by peers
– **Fear of retaliation** – Many victims stay silent because they’re afraid of what will happen if they speak out
– **Substance abuse** – Some victims turn to drugs or alcohol to cope
Our client in the Houston case is **too afraid to speak publicly** because he fears retribution. **This is the reality of hazing culture.** But silence only protects the abusers. We’re here to break that silence and get justice for Ellis County families.
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## **Who Is Liable for Hazing in Ellis County, Kansas?**
When hazing occurs, **multiple parties can be held legally responsible** – and we pursue them all.
### **1. The Local Chapter**
The fraternity or sorority chapter that directly organized and conducted the hazing. In our Houston case, the Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi is named as a defendant for subjecting our client to waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical abuse.
### **2. The National Organization**
The national fraternity or sorority that failed to supervise its chapters. Pi Kappa Phi National is named in our lawsuit because:
– They knew about a **”hazing crisis”** in their organization
– They had **eight years** to fix their culture after a student died in 2017
– They **did nothing** to prevent another student from being hospitalized in 2025
**The same nationals operate near Ellis County.** If your child was hazed by a chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, or any other national organization, the national headquarters may share liability.
### **3. The University**
Universities have a **legal duty to protect students** from foreseeable harm. If hazing occurred at Fort Hays State, KU, K-State, or any other Kansas university, the school may be liable for:
– **Failing to supervise Greek life**
– **Ignoring prior hazing incidents**
– **Allowing dangerous activities on campus property**
– **Failing to enforce anti-hazing policies**
In our Houston case, the University of Houston **owned the fraternity house** where the hazing occurred. They had a **prior hazing incident in 2017** and still failed to protect our client. **Kansas universities are making the same mistakes.**
### **4. Individual Perpetrators**
Every person who participated in or facilitated the hazing can be held **personally liable**. In our Houston case, we’re suing:
– The **fraternity president**
– The **pledgemaster**
– **Current and former members** who participated
– A **former member and his spouse** who allowed hazing at their home
**These individuals face both civil liability and potential criminal charges.** Under Kansas law, hazing is a **criminal offense** that can result in jail time.
### **5. Housing Corporations**
If hazing occurred at a fraternity or sorority house, the entity that owns or controls the property may share liability. In our Houston case, the **Beta Nu Housing Corporation** is named as a defendant.
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## **What Can Ellis County Families Recover?**
Hazing cases can result in **substantial compensation** for victims and their families. In our Houston case, we’re seeking **$10 million** for our client’s injuries. Here’s what Ellis County families may be able to recover:
### **1. Medical Expenses**
– **Emergency room visits**
– **Hospital stays** (our client was hospitalized for four days)
– **Surgery and rehabilitation**
– **Ongoing treatment** (kidney monitoring, therapy for PTSD, etc.)
– **Future medical costs** (dialysis, kidney transplant, etc.)
### **2. Pain and Suffering**
Compensation for the **physical and emotional distress** caused by hazing, including:
– The agony of rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
– The trauma of waterboarding and physical abuse
– The humiliation of forced activities
– The fear of permanent health consequences
### **3. Lost Wages and Earning Capacity**
If hazing caused your child to:
– Miss work or internships
– Drop out of school or delay graduation
– Lose scholarships or academic opportunities
– Suffer long-term career limitations
### **4. Punitive Damages**
In cases of **egregious misconduct**, courts can award **punitive damages** to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing. In our Houston case, punitive damages are justified because:
– The fraternity **waterboarded a student** (a form of torture)
– They **knew about prior hazing incidents** and did nothing
– They **continued hazing even after another pledge collapsed**
### **5. Wrongful Death Damages**
If hazing results in death, families can sue for:
– **Funeral and burial expenses**
– **Loss of companionship**
– **Loss of future earnings**
– **Pain and suffering before death**
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## **Hazing Laws in Kansas: What Ellis County Families Need to Know**
### **Kansas Hazing Law (K.S.A. 21-5414)**
Kansas law defines hazing as:
> *”Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student, whether individually or in concert with others, against another student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.”*
**Hazing is a criminal offense in Kansas:**
– **Class B misdemeanor** (up to 6 months in jail and $1,000 fine)
– **Class A misdemeanor** if it causes **bodily harm** (up to 1 year in jail and $2,500 fine)
– **Felony** if it causes **great bodily harm or death**
**Consent is NOT a defense.** Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
### **Kansas Universities Have Reporting Requirements**
Under Kansas law, universities **must report** hazing incidents to law enforcement. If a Kansas university knew about hazing and failed to act, they may share liability.
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## **What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Ellis County, Kansas**
If your child has been the victim of hazing, **time is critical**. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. Here’s what you should do **immediately**:
### **1. Seek Medical Attention**
– Even if your child seems “fine,” get them checked by a doctor
– Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
– Medical records are **critical evidence** in your case
### **2. Preserve All Evidence**
– **Take photos** of any injuries, bruises, or physical evidence
– **Save all communications** (texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails)
– **Document everything** (dates, times, locations, witnesses)
– **Do not delete anything** – even if it seems embarrassing or incriminating
### **3. Do NOT Speak to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without Legal Counsel**
– They will try to **control the narrative**
– They may **destroy evidence**
– They may **pressure your child to stay silent**
– **Anything your child says can be used against them**
### **4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately**
– **Kansas has a 2-year statute of limitations** for personal injury claims
– The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be
– We offer **free consultations** for hazing victims in Ellis County
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## **Why Ellis 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 how to build these cases, we know how to win, and we know how to hold institutions accountable.
### **2. We Have Insider Knowledge of Insurance Companies**
Both of our attorneys are **former insurance defense lawyers**. We know how insurance companies think, we know their tactics, and we know how to **maximize your recovery**.
### **3. We Serve Ellis County Families – No Matter Where the Hazing Occurred**
We’re based in Texas, but we represent hazing victims **nationwide**, including Ellis County, Kansas. We offer:
– **Video consultations** so you don’t have to travel
– **Willingness to travel to Kansas** for depositions and trials
– **Federal court authority** to pursue cases across state lines
### **4. We Work on Contingency – You Pay Nothing Upfront**
We understand that Ellis County families may be concerned about legal fees. That’s why we take hazing cases on a **contingency fee basis** – **you pay nothing unless we win your case**.
### **5. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results**
We’ve recovered **millions of dollars** for personal injury victims, including:
– **$10+ million** in our current hazing case
– **Multi-million dollar settlements** for wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases
– **Millions recovered** from insurance companies that tried to deny claims
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## **The Fraternities Near Ellis County with Hazing Histories**
The same national fraternities involved in our Houston case have active chapters near Ellis County. **These organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries – and they’re still operating in Kansas.**
| **Fraternity** | **Notable Hazing Cases** | **Universities Near Ellis County with Chapters** |
|—————-|————————–|————————————————–|
| **Pi Kappa Phi** | – **Andrew Coffey (2017)** – Died from forced alcohol consumption at FSU
– **Leonel Bermudez (2025)** – Hospitalized with kidney failure at UH (our current case) | University of Kansas, Kansas State University |
| **Sigma Alpha Epsilon** | – **Multiple hazing deaths** across the country
– **Chemical burns case at Texas A&M (2021)** | Kansas State University |
| **Sigma Chi** | – **$10+ million settlement (2024)** for hazing at College of Charleston | University of Kansas |
| **Kappa Sigma** | – **Multiple hazing deaths**
– **$12.6 million verdict (2001)** for hazing death at Miami University | Kansas State University |
| **Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)** | – **Stone Foltz (2021)** – Died from forced alcohol consumption at Bowling Green State ($10M settlement)
– **David Bogenberger (2012)** – Died from forced alcohol consumption at Northern Illinois ($14M settlement) | University of Kansas, Kansas State University |
**These fraternities have a documented history of hazing – and they’re still operating near Ellis County.** If your child was hazed by any of these organizations, we can help.
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## **What Makes Our Approach Different for Ellis County Families**
### **1. We Don’t Just Sue – We Expose the Truth**
Hazing thrives in secrecy. We **break that secrecy** by:
– **Filing lawsuits** that force institutions to answer for their actions
– **Working with media** to expose hazing culture
– **Pushing for legislative change** to protect future students
### **2. We Pursue Every Liable Party**
Many law firms only go after the local chapter. We go after:
– The **local chapter**
– The **national organization**
– The **university**
– The **individual perpetrators**
– The **housing corporation**
**We leave no stone unturned.**
### **3. We Understand the Medical Consequences of Hazing**
Our client in Houston suffered **rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure** from forced exercise. We work with **medical experts** to document:
– The **immediate injuries** (hospitalization, surgery, etc.)
– The **long-term health consequences** (kidney damage, PTSD, etc.)
– The **future medical needs** (dialysis, therapy, etc.)
### **4. We Know How to Counter the “Consent” Defense**
Fraternities will argue: *”He agreed to participate. He knew the risks.”* **Kansas law says consent is not a defense.** We know how to **destroy this argument** and hold them accountable.
### **5. We Have the Resources to Take on Big Institutions**
Universities and national fraternities have **teams of lawyers** working to minimize your claim. We have:
– **Former insurance defense attorneys** who know their tactics
– **A network of experts** (medical, hazing culture, institutional negligence)
– **The financial resources** to take your case to trial if necessary
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## **Ellis County Families: You Have Rights – And We’re Here to Fight for Them**
Hazing is **not a rite of passage**. It’s **not tradition**. It’s **abuse** – and it has to stop.
If your child has been the victim of hazing in Ellis County, Kansas, or at any university near our community, **you have legal rights**. You have the right to hold the perpetrators accountable. You have the right to compensation for your child’s injuries. And you have the right to **prevent this from happening to another family**.
**We’re fighting this battle right now in Texas – and we’re ready to fight for Ellis County families too.**
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### **📞 Call Us Now for a Free Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911**
**Email:** ralph@atty911.com
**Website:** attorney911.com
**We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Ellis County, Kansas. Distance is not a barrier to justice.**
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## **Frequently Asked Questions for Ellis County Families**
### **1. My child was hazed, but they don’t want to speak out. What should I do?**
We understand that hazing victims often fear retaliation. **You don’t have to go public** to pursue legal action. We can:
– File a lawsuit **anonymously** in some cases
– Protect your child’s identity during litigation
– Work discreetly to hold the responsible parties accountable
### **2. The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Does that matter?**
**No.** Kansas law explicitly states that **consent is not a defense** to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
### **3. The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be liable?**
**Yes.** Universities have a **legal duty to protect students** from foreseeable harm. If they:
– Owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred
– Had prior hazing incidents at their school
– Failed to implement adequate oversight of Greek life
…they may share liability **even if they didn’t know about the specific incident**.
### **4. How long do we have to file a lawsuit?**
Kansas has a **2-year statute of limitations** for personal injury claims. **The clock starts running on the date of the injury.** If your child was hazed recently, **you need to act now**.
### **5. We can’t afford a lawyer. How much does this cost?**
We take hazing cases on a **contingency fee basis** – **you pay nothing upfront**. We only get paid if we win your case, and our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict.
### **6. The fraternity has already suspended the chapter. Isn’t that enough?**
**No.** Suspending a chapter is **damage control** – not accountability. In our Houston case, Pi Kappa Phi **closed the chapter before the lawsuit was even filed** because they knew they were liable. **They’re already planning to come back.** We need to send a message that this behavior will not be tolerated.
### **7. What if the hazing happened off-campus?**
Hazing laws apply **on or off campus**. If the hazing occurred at a private residence, we can still pursue:
– The **individuals** who organized it
– The **homeowners** who allowed it to happen
– The **fraternity or sorority** that sanctioned it
### **8. My child was hazed at a university outside of Ellis County. Can you still help?**
**Yes.** We represent hazing victims **nationwide**, including:
– Fort Hays State University
– University of Kansas
– Kansas State University
– Wichita State University
– Any other college or university
We offer **video consultations** and are willing to travel to Kansas for depositions and trials.
### **9. What if my child was hazed but didn’t suffer physical injuries?**
Hazing causes **psychological trauma** that can be just as damaging as physical injuries. If your child suffered:
– PTSD
– Anxiety or depression
– Academic decline
– Loss of scholarships
– Substance abuse
…they may still have a valid legal claim.
### **10. What’s the first step if my child was hazed?**
**Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.** We’ll:
– Listen to your story
– Explain your legal rights
– Help you preserve evidence
– Start building your case
**Time is critical. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.**
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## **Ellis County Parents: This Is Your Wake-Up Call**
You sent your child to college expecting them to be **safe**. You trusted the university to protect them. You trusted the fraternity to treat them with respect.
**That trust was betrayed.**
The same fraternities that waterboarded a student in Houston are operating in Kansas. The same universities that failed to protect students in Texas are failing students in Kansas. And the same culture of secrecy that allowed our client to be hospitalized **exists in Ellis County too**.
**But it doesn’t have to be this way.**
**We’re fighting back.** We’re holding institutions accountable. And we’re ready to fight for Ellis County families.
**If your child has been hazed, call us now. We’re here to help.**
### **📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com**
**Justice doesn’t wait. Neither should you.**
