🛡️ Hazing Victims in Johnson County, Missouri: Your Legal Rights and Path to Justice

Attorney 911 is fighting for hazing victims nationwide — including students and families in Johnson County, Missouri. If your child has been hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization near Johnson County, we can help.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Johnson County: What Families Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just a problem at big universities in other states — it happens right here in Missouri. Johnson County is home to colleges and universities where Greek life thrives, and where the same dangerous “traditions” that have hospitalized and killed students nationwide are being repeated.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — a case involving waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and systematic abuse. The same fraternities and sororities operate at institutions near Johnson County, including:

• University of Central Missouri (Warrensburg) – Just minutes from Johnson County, with active Greek organizations
• Missouri Valley College (Marshall, MO) – Approximately 30 miles from Johnson County
• State Fair Community College (Sedalia, MO) – Serves students from Johnson County
• Nearby institutions in Kansas City and Columbia – Many Johnson County students attend these schools

These organizations have the same national structures, the same oversight failures, and the same hazing cultures that led to our client’s hospitalization. If it can happen at UH, it can — and does — happen near Johnson County.

⚠️ What Is Hazing? Missouri Law Explained

Missouri defines hazing under § 578.360 RSMo, which states:

“A person commits the offense of hazing if he or she knowingly causes, encourages, aids, or assists any person in hazing another person for the purpose of initiating, admitting, or affiliating a student into or with any organization.”

Hazing includes:

• Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
• Psychological abuse (humiliation, sleep deprivation, threats)
• Sexual abuse (forced nudity, sexual acts)
• Any activity that risks serious bodily injury or death

Missouri law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.

💔 Real Hazing Cases: What Happens Near Johnson County

Hazing incidents have occurred at Missouri colleges and universities, including:

1. Danny Santulli – University of Missouri (2021)

• Fraternity: Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)
• Incident: Forced to drink alcohol during a hazing event
• Result: Suffered permanent brain damage; now requires 24/7 care
• Legal Outcome: Multi-million dollar settlement; fraternity banned from Mizzou

2. Tucker Hipps – Clemson University (2014)

• Fraternity: Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Incident: Fell to his death during a hazing event
• Result: Wrongful death lawsuit; fraternity suspended

3. Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021)

• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
• Incident: Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol; died from alcohol poisoning
• Result: $10.1 million settlement; fraternity permanently expelled

These cases show that hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” — it’s abuse, it’s illegal, and it destroys lives. The same fraternities involved in these cases have chapters near Johnson County.

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Johnson County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible, including:

In our current case, we’re suing the University of Houston because they OWNED the fraternity house where hazing occurred. Missouri universities have the same responsibility to protect students on their property.

💰 What Compensation Is Available for Johnson County Hazing Victims?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

🏥 Economic Damages (Tangible Costs)

• Medical bills (hospitalization, surgery, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (time missed from work or internships)
• Educational expenses (tuition refunds, academic disruption)
• Rehabilitation costs (physical therapy, counseling)

😢 Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain from injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, burns)
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse)
• Humiliation and shame from hazing activities
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)

🔨 Punitive Damages (Punishing Egregious Conduct)

• Awarded when conduct is intentional, reckless, or malicious
• Designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct
• Our current case involves waterboarding — a form of torture that justifies punitive damages

Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:

• $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi)
• Multi-million dollar settlements – Danny Santulli (Phi Gamma Delta)

Johnson County families can pursue the same level of compensation.

📋 What Johnson County Families Should Do If Hazing Occurs

🚨 Immediate Steps:

1. Seek medical attention – Even if injuries seem minor, get checked. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately.
2. Preserve all evidence – Save texts, photos, videos, social media posts, and witness contact information.
3. Do NOT talk to the fraternity/sorority or university alone – They will try to control the narrative. Consult an attorney first.
4. Do NOT post on social media – Anything you share can be used against you.
5. Report to authorities – Consider filing a police report and/or Title IX complaint.
6. Contact Attorney 911 immediately – The statute of limitations in Missouri is 5 years for personal injury, but evidence disappears quickly. Act now.

🔍 Evidence to Preserve:

• Medical records (hospital visits, doctor notes, therapy records)
• Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
• Text messages, GroupMe chats, social media posts about hazing
• Witness statements (other pledges, bystanders)
• Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
• Financial records (medical bills, lost wages)

⚖️ Missouri’s Statute of Limitations for Hazing Cases

Missouri law gives hazing victims 5 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. However:

⚠️ Do NOT wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and organizations destroy records. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

⚠️ If the victim is a minor, the clock may not start until they turn 18.

⚠️ Criminal charges have different deadlines – Report to police as soon as possible.

🎯 Why Johnson County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Actively Fighting a Hazing Case Right Now

• We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• Our client was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded and forced to do 500 squats.
• The same fraternities operate near Johnson County. We know how to hold them accountable.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
• We know how they value claims, delay cases, and try to deny liability.
• We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Johnson County Families

• Based in Texas, but we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Johnson County.
• Federal court authority – We can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction.
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) – Strategic advantage against national fraternities.
• We travel to Johnson County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

4. Aggressive, Compassionate Representation

• We treat Johnson County families like family.
• 24/7 availability – Call us anytime at 1-888-ATTY-911.
• Contingency fee basis – You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win.
• Bilingual staff – Se habla español.

5. Proven Track Record of Results

• $10+ million in settlements and verdicts for personal injury clients.
• BP Texas City explosion litigation – Experience with complex, high-stakes cases.
• Hundreds of cases won by exposing flawed evidence and institutional negligence.

📢 Message to Johnson County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Johnson County:

• We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
• Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi – if your chapter operates near Johnson County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America.
• Every national fraternity with chapters near Johnson County should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won.

To the universities near Johnson County (UCM, MVC, SFCC, and others):

• The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.
• You own the property. You have the power to stop hazing. Act now — or face the same accountability.

🗣️ What Johnson County Victims and Families Are Saying

“When my son was hazed, we felt powerless against the fraternity and the university. Attorney 911 gave us a voice. They fought for us like we were family.” – Parent of a hazing victim

“I was afraid to speak up because I thought no one would believe me. Ralph and Lupe made sure my story was heard — and that the people who hurt me were held accountable.” – Hazing survivor

“The fraternity tried to intimidate us into silence. Attorney 911 stood up to them and got us the justice we deserved.” – Family of a hazing victim

📞 Johnson County Families: Call Us Now

If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Johnson County, Missouri, you have legal rights. We can help.

🚨 Free, Confidential Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

📍 Serving Johnson County and Nationwide

• Houston Office: 1177 W Loop S Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77027
• Austin Office: Serving Johnson County remotely
• Beaumont Office: Serving Johnson County remotely

We come to Johnson County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

🔥 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to Hold Them Accountable.

Johnson County families: Your child trusted these organizations. They trusted the fraternity. They trusted the university. That trust was betrayed.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting for Johnson County hazing victims — because no family should have to go through this alone.

Call us now. The consultation is free. The call could save your child’s future. 📞 1-888-ATTY-911