24/7 LIVE STAFF — Compassionate help, any time day or night
CALL NOW 1-888-ATTY-911
Blog | Arkansas

Garland County (Earth/North America/United States/Arkansas/Garland County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $50M+ in National Hazing Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense Attorney | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 20, 2026 15 min read
garland-county-featured-image.png

Hazing Lawyers in Garland County, AR | Attorney 911

Protecting Students & Families from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

Garland County parents and students: If your child has been the victim of hazing at a college or university near Hot Springs, Arkansas, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving that fraternities and universities can and should be held accountable for the physical and psychological abuse they allow.

We serve Garland County families nationwide. While based in Texas, our attorneys have federal court authority and are licensed in both Texas and New York, meaning we can pursue justice for your child no matter where the hazing occurred.

🚨 What Is Hazing?

Hazing is not harmless tradition. It is abuse—often rising to the level of torture, assault, and reckless endangerment. 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, then made to lie in his own vomit
  • Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

This is what hazing looks like at universities nationwide—including institutions near Garland County, AR.

🏛️ Hazing at Arkansas Colleges & Universities Near Garland County

While our current case is in Texas, hazing is a nationwide epidemic—and Arkansas is no exception. Major universities near Garland County with active Greek life include:

University Location Greek Organizations Present Hazing Risks
University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) ~200 miles from Hot Springs Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and many others High Greek life presence; documented hazing incidents nationwide
Arkansas State University ~150 miles from Hot Springs Multiple fraternities and sororities Greek organizations with national ties to hazing-prone chapters
University of Central Arkansas ~100 miles from Hot Springs Active Greek system Potential for hazing in initiation rituals
Henderson State University ~75 miles from Hot Springs Fraternities and sororities present Smaller school, but hazing can still occur
Ouachita Baptist University ~70 miles from Hot Springs Greek organizations on campus Private university with Greek life culture

Garland County families: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at any of these schools—or any college nationwide—they face the same risks that hospitalized our client. National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), and Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) have chapters across Arkansas and the U.S., and they have a documented history of hazing deaths and injuries.

💔 The Hazing Crisis in America: Why Garland County Families Need to Act Now

1. Hazing Is Deadly—And It’s Happening Near Garland County

Since 2000, at least one student has died from hazing every year in the U.S. Some of the most recent cases include:

Victim University Fraternity Cause of Death/Injury Outcome
Stone Foltz Bowling Green State (OH) Pi Kappa Alpha Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol; died $10.1M settlement
Maxwell Gruver LSU Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” drinking game; BAC 0.495 $6.1M jury verdict
Timothy Piazza Penn State Beta Theta Pi “Gauntlet” drinking ritual; fell down stairs; fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911 $110M+ settlement
Andrew Coffey Florida State Pi Kappa Phi Forced to drink entire bottle of bourbon Chapter closed; criminal charges
Leonel Bermudez University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi Waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles → rhabdomyolysis & kidney failure $10M lawsuit pending

Garland County parents: These are not isolated incidents. This is a pattern. The same fraternities operating near Garland County have paid millions in settlements—yet they continue to haze.

2. Universities Near Garland County Are Complicit

Universities know hazing happens. They own fraternity houses. They have the power to stop it—but they choose not to until someone gets hurt or killed.

In our current case:

  • University of Houston OWNED the Pi Kappa Phi house where hazing occurred.
  • UH had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 (Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity).
  • They did nothing to prevent it from happening again.

Garland County institutions face the same liability. If your child is hazed at a university near Hot Springs, the school can and should be held accountable.

3. National Fraternities Have Deep Pockets—and They Will Pay

Fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, and Pike are not just “college kids.” They are tax-exempt corporations with:
Millions in assets
Liability insurance policies
National headquarters with legal teams

They have the money to pay for what they’ve done. In our current case, we are pursuing:

  • Pi Kappa Phi National (failed to supervise despite knowing about “a hazing crisis”)
  • The local chapter (directly organized the abuse)
  • The University of Houston (owned the house where torture occurred)
  • Individual members (participated in or allowed the hazing)

Garland County families: If your child was hazed, we will sue every responsible party—including the national organization, the local chapter, the university, and the individuals who did this.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Garland County Hazing Victim

1. Criminal Charges May Apply

Hazing is a crime in Arkansas. Under Arkansas Code § 6-5-207, hazing is a:

  • Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail)
  • Class D felony if it results in serious physical injury or death

Garland County families: If your child was hazed, criminal charges may be filed against the perpetrators. We can help you navigate this process and ensure the case is taken seriously.

2. Civil Lawsuits Can Recover Millions

Even if criminal charges are filed, you can still sue for money damages. In hazing cases, victims can recover compensation for:
Medical bills (past and future)
Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
Lost wages (if the victim missed work or school)
Punitive damages (to punish the defendants for egregious conduct)
Wrongful death damages (if the hazing resulted in death)

Garland County families: Our current case seeks $10 million—and that number is supported by precedent. The Stone Foltz family received $10.1 million after their son died from hazing. Your child deserves the same justice.

3. Consent Is NOT a Defense

Fraternities will argue: “He agreed to participate. He knew the risks.”

Arkansas law says: CONSENT DOES NOT MATTER.

Under Arkansas Code § 6-5-207, even if a student “consents” to hazing, the fraternity and its members can still be held liable.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Garland County, AR

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

  • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be life-threatening—our client was hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure.
  • Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is just as serious as physical injuries.

Step 2: Preserve ALL Evidence

Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any items used in hazing.
Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
Get witness names and contact info—other pledges may have been hazed too.
Do NOT delete anything—even if it’s embarrassing, it’s evidence.
Do NOT post on social media—defense attorneys will use it against you.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

  • They will try to control the narrative.
  • They will pressure you to sign away your rights.
  • They will destroy evidence if they can.

Before speaking to anyone, call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

  • Time is critical—Arkansas has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases.
  • Evidence disappears fast—witnesses forget, messages get deleted, fraternities cover their tracks.
  • We offer FREE consultations—no cost to you unless we win.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7) | 📧 Email ralph@atty911.com

💰 How Much Is a Garland County Hazing Case Worth?

Hazing cases can result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, depending on:

Factor Impact on Case Value
Severity of injuries Hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage = higher value
Psychological trauma PTSD, anxiety, depression increase compensation
University involvement If the school owned the property or knew about hazing, higher liability
Pattern of abuse If the chapter has a history of hazing, punitive damages apply
Egregious conduct Waterboarding, paddling, forced consumption = higher punitive awards
Wrongful death If hazing resulted in death, damages can exceed $10M

Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts

Case Fraternity Outcome
Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) Pi Kappa Alpha $10.1M settlement
Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017) Phi Delta Theta $6.1M jury verdict
Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) Beta Theta Pi $110M+ settlement
Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017) Pi Kappa Phi Confidential settlement
Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025) Pi Kappa Phi $10M lawsuit pending

Garland County families: If your child was hazed, you could be entitled to significant compensation. We will fight for every dollar.

🏆 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Garland County Hazing Case?

1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10M Hazing Case

  • We don’t just talk about hazing—we’re in the courtroom right now.
  • Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure.
  • We know how to build these cases, negotiate with fraternities, and win at trial.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Playbook

  • Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
  • We know exactly how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability.
  • We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. Federal Court Authority—We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.

  • Licensed in Texas and New York.
  • Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas.
  • We will travel to Garland County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

4. We Work on Contingency—No Upfront Costs

  • You pay NOTHING unless we win.
  • No hourly fees, no retainers.
  • We take the risk—you get justice.

5. Bilingual Representation (Se Habla Español)

  • Fluent Spanish-speaking staff.
  • We serve Hispanic families in Garland County without language barriers.

6. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million-Dollar Wins

  • BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience).
  • $10M+ in hazing case currently pending.
  • Hundreds of personal injury cases won.

📞 Garland County Families: Call Us Now for a Free Consultation

If your child was hazed at a university near Hot Springs, Arkansas—or anywhere in the U.S.—we can help.

Free, confidential case evaluation
No upfront costs—we only get paid if we win
24/7 availability for hazing emergencies
We travel to Garland County for your case

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com

Don’t wait—evidence disappears, and the statute of limitations is ticking.

🔥 A Message to Fraternities Near Garland County, AR

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and all other fraternities operating near Hot Springs:

We are watching.

  • The same legal strategies that secured $10M+ verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
  • If you haze students in Garland County, we will sue you, your national organization, and the university.
  • If you think you can get away with it, ask the UH chapter of Pi Kappa Phi—they’re now shut down.

Your “traditions” end here.

📢 Garland County Parents: This Could Happen to Your Child

Garland County families: You send your children to college expecting them to be safe. You trust universities and fraternities to protect them.

But the reality is:
55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing.
95% of hazing victims do NOT report it.
Since 2000, at least one student has died from hazing every year.

Your child could be next.

If your son or daughter is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Garland County, talk to them about the risks. And if the unthinkable happens, call us immediately.

🏆 We Will Fight for Garland County Families—And We Will Win

Attorney 911 is not just a law firm—we are a movement against hazing.

We are:
Fighting a $10M hazing lawsuit right now.
Demanding accountability from universities and fraternities.
Protecting students and families in Garland County and nationwide.

If your child was hazed, we will:
Sue the fraternity, the national organization, the university, and the individuals responsible.
Fight for maximum compensation—including punitive damages.
Make sure this never happens to another Garland County family.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com

Enough is enough. The time for justice is now.

Share this article:

Need Legal Help?

Free consultation. No fee unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911

Ready to Fight for Your Rights?

Free consultation. No upfront costs. We don't get paid unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911