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Howell County (Earth/North America/United States/Missouri/Howell County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Pi Kappa Phi Shut Down By Our $10M Lawsuit | Attorney911 — Federal Court Admitted | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 23, 2026 13 min read
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Hazing Victim Legal Support in Howell County, Missouri

You Are Not Alone – We Fight for Hazing Victims in Howell County

Howell County families: If your child has been the victim of hazing at a college, university, or Greek organization near Howell County, Missouri, you have legal rights. Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, and we are ready to bring that same aggressive representation to Howell County.

Hazing is not tradition. It is not harmless. It is abuse. And it is illegal.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Howell County & Beyond

Hazing incidents like the one currently being litigated at the University of Houston do not just happen in Texas—they happen nationwide, including at institutions near Howell County. The same fraternities and sororities involved in high-profile hazing cases operate chapters at universities in Missouri and across the country.

How Hazing Affects Howell County Families

  • Physical injuries – Forced exercise, beatings, and dangerous activities can lead to hospitalization, permanent damage, or even death.
  • Psychological trauma – Victims often suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression, and long-term emotional distress.
  • Academic disruption – Hazing can derail a student’s education, leading to missed classes, failing grades, or withdrawal from school.
  • Financial burdens – Medical bills, therapy costs, and lost wages can create significant financial strain on families.

If your child has been hazed in Howell County or at a nearby university, you have the right to seek justice and compensation.

💡 Why Howell County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Our client was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to extreme hazing, including:

  • Waterboarding with a garden hose
  • Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups
  • Struck with wooden paddles
  • Forced to consume food and liquids until vomiting

This case is not hypothetical—it is happening now, and we are fighting it aggressively. Howell County families deserve the same level of representation.

2. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Howell County

While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Howell County, Missouri. Our attorneys are licensed in Texas and New York, and we have federal court authority, allowing us to pursue cases across state lines.

We offer:
Free consultations for Howell County families
Video consultations for those who cannot travel
Willingness to travel to Howell County for depositions, trials, and client meetings

3. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña—previously worked for insurance defense firms, meaning they know exactly how insurance companies and institutions try to minimize or deny claims. This insider knowledge gives us a strategic advantage when negotiating with defendants.

4. No Upfront Costs – We Work on Contingency

We understand that legal fees can be a concern for Howell County families. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency—meaning:

  • You pay nothing upfront.
  • We only get paid if we win your case.
  • Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict, not your pocket.

5. Bilingual Support – Se Habla Español

We serve Spanish-speaking families in Howell County and beyond. Our staff is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that language barriers do not prevent you from seeking justice.

⚖️ Legal Rights for Howell County Hazing Victims

Missouri Hazing Laws

Missouri has strict anti-hazing laws under RSMo § 578.360, which defines hazing as:

“Any activity which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization.”

Penalties for hazing in Missouri include:

  • Class A Misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and $2,000 fine)
  • Class D Felony (if hazing results in serious physical injury or death)

Consent is NOT a defense—even if a student “agreed” to participate, hazing is still illegal.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

In hazing cases, multiple parties can be held accountable, including:

  • The local fraternity/sorority chapter (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma)
  • The national fraternity/sorority organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi National)
  • The university or college (if they knew or should have known about the hazing)
  • Individual members (those who directly participated in or facilitated the hazing)
  • Alumni or advisors (if they were involved or failed to intervene)

Types of Compensation Available

If your child was hazed in Howell County, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical expenses (hospital bills, therapy, future treatment)
  • Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
  • Lost wages (if the victim missed work due to injuries)
  • Educational disruption (tuition reimbursement, academic setbacks)
  • Punitive damages (to punish the defendants for reckless or intentional misconduct)

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Howell County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention

If your child has been hazed, seek medical care immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Some conditions, like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) or alcohol poisoning, can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

Do not delete anything. Save:

  • Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages
  • Photos or videos of injuries or hazing activities
  • Medical records and hospital bills
  • Witness contact information
  • Any documents from the fraternity or university

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

  • Do not give statements to fraternity members, university officials, or insurance companies without legal counsel.
  • Do not sign anything from the organization.
  • Do not post about the incident on social media—anything you say can be used against you.

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. We will:

  • Evaluate your case
  • Explain your legal rights
  • Advise you on next steps
  • Handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies

Time is critical—Missouri has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.

🏛️ Common Hazing Practices in Howell County & Nearby Universities

Hazing takes many forms, and it often escalates over time. Some of the most dangerous hazing activities reported in Missouri and nationwide include:

Physical Abuse

  • Forced exercise to exhaustion (e.g., 500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls)
  • Beatings with paddles, belts, or other objects
  • Branding or burning
  • Sleep deprivation (e.g., forced to stay up all night)

Forced Consumption

  • Binge drinking (forced to consume large amounts of alcohol)
  • Forced eating (e.g., hot sauce, raw eggs, peppercorns, milk until vomiting)
  • Consumption of non-food substances (e.g., dirt, vinegar, hot sauce)

Psychological & Emotional Abuse

  • Waterboarding or simulated drowning
  • Verbal abuse and humiliation
  • Social isolation
  • Threats of expulsion or physical harm

Sexual Abuse & Humiliation

  • Forced nudity
  • Sexual acts or simulations
  • Carrying or wearing sexual objects

Dangerous Activities

  • Kidnapping or blindfolded transport
  • Confinement in small spaces
  • Exposure to extreme heat or cold

These activities are not “tradition”—they are abuse, and they are illegal.

📚 Universities Near Howell County with Greek Life

Howell County is home to West Plains, Missouri, and is near several universities with active Greek life organizations. Some of the institutions where hazing may occur include:

University Location Greek Organizations Present
Missouri State University Springfield, MO (~1.5 hours from Howell County) Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Delta Chi, and others
University of Missouri (Mizzou) Columbia, MO (~3 hours from Howell County) Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, and others
Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO (~3 hours from Howell County) Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Delta Delta Delta, and others
Drury University Springfield, MO (~1.5 hours from Howell County) Lambda Chi Alpha, Sigma Nu, Kappa Delta, and others

If your child attends or plans to attend a university near Howell County, they may be at risk of hazing.

💰 Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing cases often result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Here are some recent examples:

Case University Fraternity Outcome Amount
Stone Foltz Bowling Green State University Pi Kappa Alpha Settlement $10.1 million
Maxwell Gruver Louisiana State University Phi Delta Theta Jury Verdict $6.1 million
Timothy Piazza Penn State University Beta Theta Pi Settlement $110+ million
Andrew Coffey Florida State University Pi Kappa Phi Settlement Confidential (multi-million)
Leonel Bermudez University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi Pending $10 million

These cases prove that hazing victims and their families can—and do—win justice.

🔍 How Attorney 911 Builds a Hazing Case

When we take on a hazing case, we conduct a thorough investigation to hold all responsible parties accountable. Our process includes:

1. Evidence Collection

  • Medical records (to document injuries)
  • Text messages, social media, and communications (to prove hazing activities)
  • Witness statements (from other pledges, bystanders, or members)
  • University policies (to show institutional negligence)
  • Prior incident reports (to establish pattern of abuse)

2. Expert Testimony

We work with medical experts, hazing culture specialists, and accident reconstructionists to build a strong case.

3. Legal Strategy

  • Negotiate with insurance companies (to secure fair settlements)
  • File lawsuits against all liable parties (fraternity, university, individuals)
  • Pursue punitive damages (to punish reckless or intentional misconduct)
  • Take cases to trial if necessary (to ensure full accountability)

4. Support for Victims & Families

We provide compassionate, personalized legal support to help you navigate this difficult time. We handle all legal aspects so you can focus on your child’s recovery.

📢 Message to Howell County Fraternities & Universities

To the fraternities and universities operating near Howell County:

We are watching. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your history of hazing incidents.

If you haze students in Howell County, we will find every liable entity—individual members, chapter officers, national organizations, and universities—and we will sue them for everything they’re worth.

The Pi Kappa Phi chapter that hospitalized our client? They’ve already been shut down. The University of Houston? They’re facing a $10 million lawsuit.

Your chapter could be next.

📞 Contact Attorney 911 – Free Consultation for Howell County Families

If your child has been hazed in Howell County or at a nearby university, do not wait to seek legal help. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Free Consultation – No Upfront Costs

We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Howell County, Missouri.

You are not alone. We will fight for you.

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