Hazing Lawyers in Hand County, South Dakota – Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse
🚨 Hand County Parents: Your Child Could Be Next
If your son or daughter is involved in Greek life at a college or university near Hand County, South Dakota, they may be at risk of hazing abuse—just like what happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston.
In November 2025, Bermudez was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles during Pi Kappa Phi fraternity hazing. His case is not isolated. Hazing deaths and injuries happen every year—including in South Dakota and nearby states.
We are Attorney 911, the law firm currently fighting this battle in court. We’re suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for $10 million—and we’re ready to fight for Hand County families too.
📍 Does Hazing Happen in Hand County, South Dakota?
While Hand County itself may not have a major university, nearby institutions with Greek life include:
- South Dakota State University (SDSU) – Brookings, SD (~2.5 hours from Hand County)
- University of South Dakota (USD) – Vermillion, SD (~3.5 hours from Hand County)
- Dakota State University – Madison, SD (~2 hours from Hand County)
- Northern State University – Aberdeen, SD (~3 hours from Hand County)
These schools have active fraternities and sororities—many of which are chapters of the same national organizations involved in hazing deaths nationwide.
⚠️ The Same Fraternities Operate Near Hand County
The fraternities involved in high-profile hazing cases—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and others—have chapters at universities across the Midwest, including South Dakota.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Hand County, they face the same risks.
🔥 What Is Hazing? (It’s Not Just “Harmless Fun”)
Hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group.
Examples of Hazing in Hand County-Area Greek Life:
✅ Forced drinking – Alcohol poisoning, blackouts, death
✅ Extreme physical punishment – 100+ pushups, bear crawls, “suicides” (running drills)
✅ Waterboarding & simulated drowning – Psychological torture
✅ Forced eating until vomiting – Choking, food poisoning risks
✅ Sleep deprivation – Exhaustion leading to accidents or health issues
✅ Beatings with wooden paddles – Physical assault, bruising, broken bones
✅ Sexual humiliation – Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, harassment
✅ Confinement & isolation – Locking pledges in small spaces for hours
This is not “tradition.” It’s abuse. And it’s illegal.
💀 Hazing Deaths & Injuries – The National Crisis
Since 2000, at least one student has died from hazing every year in the U.S. Many more suffer serious injuries, hospitalizations, and lifelong trauma.
📌 Recent Hazing Cases That Could Happen in Hand County:
| Victim | University | Fraternity | What Happened | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol; died | $10.1M settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | “Bible Study” drinking game; BAC 0.495 (6x legal limit) | $6.1M jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Fell down stairs after forced drinking; 18 members waited 12 hours to call 911 | $110M+ settlement |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Forced to drink entire bottle of bourbon; died | Settlement; 9 members charged |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Waterboarded, 500 squats, kidney failure | $10M lawsuit pending (our case) |
These same fraternities have chapters near Hand County. Your child could be next.
⚖️ South Dakota Hazing Laws – What Hand County Families Need to Know
1. Hazing Is a Crime in South Dakota
Under South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-18-1.1, hazing is a Class 1 misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a Class 6 felony if it causes death or serious bodily injury.
Penalties:
- Up to 1 year in jail (misdemeanor)
- Up to 2 years in prison (felony)
- Fines up to $4,000
2. Consent Is NOT a Defense
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, South Dakota law says consent does not excuse hazing.
3. Organizations Can Be Held Liable
Fraternities, sororities, and universities can be sued for damages if they fail to prevent hazing.
🏛️ Who Can Be Sued in a Hand County Hazing Case?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity Chapter | Organized and conducted hazing | Pi Kappa Phi at SDSU |
| National Fraternity Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi National |
| University | Failed to prevent hazing; owned fraternity house | South Dakota State University |
| Chapter Officers | Directed hazing activities | Fraternity president, pledgemaster |
| Individual Members | Participated in or allowed hazing | Active members who hazed pledges |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes | Former members who allowed abuse |
| Insurance Companies | Must pay for damages | Fraternity’s liability insurance |
In our current case, we’re suing:
✔ Pi Kappa Phi National
✔ The local chapter
✔ The University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
✔ Individual members & alumni
💰 How Much Is a Hand County Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing cases can result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. The value depends on:
| Factor | How It Affects Your Case |
|---|---|
| Severity of injuries | Hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage = higher value |
| Psychological trauma | PTSD, anxiety, depression = additional compensation |
| Wrongful death | If hazing results in death, families can sue for millions |
| University involvement | If the school knew and did nothing, they pay more |
| National fraternity liability | Deep pockets = higher settlements |
| Pattern of abuse | If the chapter had prior hazing incidents, punitive damages apply |
| Egregious conduct | Waterboarding, beatings, sexual humiliation = higher punitive damages |
📊 Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts:
- $110M+ – Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
- $10.1M – Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1M – Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
- $4M+ – Adam Oakes (VCU, Delta Chi)
Our current case seeks $10 million. Hand County families deserve the same justice.
🚑 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Hand County
If your son or daughter has been hazed at a fraternity or sorority near Hand County, take these steps immediately:
🔹 Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
- Hazing injuries (like rhabdomyolysis from extreme exercise) may not show symptoms immediately.
- Medical records are critical evidence.
🔹 Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs – Don’t delete anything.
✅ Photos & videos – Document injuries, hazing locations, and activities.
✅ Witness statements – Get names and contact info of other pledges who saw what happened.
✅ Fraternity documents – Pledge manuals, schedules, rules.
✅ Medical records – Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records.
🔹 Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer
- 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.
🔹 Step 4: Call a Hazing Lawyer Immediately
- The statute of limitations in South Dakota is 3 years—but evidence disappears fast.
- We offer free consultations for Hand County families.
- We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
🏆 Why Hand County Families Choose Attorney 911
1️⃣ We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
- We’re currently suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for $10 million in a hazing case.
- Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure.
- We know how to win these cases.
2️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
- Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
- We know how they try to deny claims and lowball victims.
- We use their own tactics against them.
3️⃣ Nationwide Experience – We Serve Hand County Families
- Based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, but we represent hazing victims nationwide.
- Federal court authority – We can sue national fraternities anywhere.
- Dual-state bar licenses – Texas and New York.
- We travel to Hand County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
4️⃣ $0 Upfront – We Work on Contingency
- No hourly fees. No retainers.
- You pay nothing unless we win.
- We only get paid if you get paid.
5️⃣ Aggressive, Compassionate Representation
- We don’t just settle for pennies—we fight for maximum compensation.
- We understand the trauma of hazing and treat clients with respect.
- We speak Spanish – Se habla español.
📢 Warning to Fraternities Near Hand County
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and all other fraternities operating near Hand County:
“We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in South Dakota, we will find every liable entity. We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH. Your chapter could be next.”
🎓 Hand County Parents: Protect Your Child
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Hand County, talk to them about hazing risks. Many victims stay silent out of fear, loyalty, or embarrassment.
Signs your child may be a hazing victim:
❌ Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)
❌ Extreme exhaustion or sleep deprivation
❌ Sudden weight loss or gain
❌ Withdrawal from friends and family
❌ Drop in academic performance
❌ Fear of talking about Greek life
❌ Secretive behavior about fraternity/sorority activities
If you suspect hazing, call us immediately. Time is critical.
📞 Contact Hand County’s Hazing Lawyers Today
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity or sorority near Hand County, South Dakota, call us now for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We serve Hand County and all of South Dakota. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
🔴 ACT NOW – BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
Hazing victims often wait to come forward due to shame, fear, or loyalty to the organization. But evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire.
Don’t let the fraternity or university silence your child. Call us today.
1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com
