Hazing Lawyers in Maries County, Missouri – Legal Help for Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Victims
Maries County Families: Your Child Deserves Justice After Hazing
If your son or daughter was hazed at a college or university near Maries County, Missouri, you’re not alone. We are Attorney 911, a Texas-based law firm with nationwide reach, and we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. The same fraternities that operate in Houston have chapters at universities near Maries County, and the same negligence exists at local institutions.
We will bring the same aggressive representation to Maries County families that we’re bringing to our current case.
The Hazing Crisis in Missouri: What Maries County Families Need to Know
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It’s abuse, assault, and sometimes torture—and it happens at universities across Missouri, including those near Maries County.
Common Hazing Practices at Missouri Universities
- Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging, “beer miles”)
- Extreme physical punishment (paddling, beatings, calisthenics to exhaustion)
- Psychological torture (sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats)
- Waterboarding and simulated drowning (as seen in our current case)
- Forced eating until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns, non-food items)
- Sexual humiliation and assault (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual acts)
Medical Consequences of Hazing
Hazing can lead to:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown, kidney failure)
- Alcohol poisoning (coma, death)
- Traumatic brain injury (from beatings or falls)
- Hypothermia or heatstroke (from exposure)
- PTSD, anxiety, and depression (long-term psychological damage)
- Death (more than one hazing death per year in the U.S. since 2000)
Our Current Case: A Warning for Maries County Families
Leonel Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston – $10 Million Lawsuit (2025)
What Happened:
Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student who wasn’t even enrolled at UH yet, was subjected to weeks of systematic abuse by Pi Kappa Phi, including:
- Waterboarding 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 (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns)
- Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing (Oct. 15, 2025)
The Result:
- Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
- Hospitalized for 3 nights, 4 days
- Pi Kappa Phi closed the chapter—but only after the lawsuit was filed
Why This Matters to Maries County:
- Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including near Maries County.
- The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist at Missouri fraternities.
- Universities near Maries County face the same liability failures as UH.
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Maries County?
If your child was hazed, multiple parties can be held accountable, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Failed to supervise chapters despite knowing about hazing risks |
| University/College | Owns or controls fraternity houses; failed to prevent hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing (can be sued personally) |
| Alumni & Housing Corporations | Allowed hazing at off-campus locations |
In our current case, we’re suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- The UH chapter
- The housing corporation
- The University of Houston
- Individual fraternity members
What Maries County Families Can Sue For
If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages
- Medical bills (hospital stays, therapy, future treatment)
- Lost wages (time missed from work or school)
- Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships, delayed graduation)
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical pain and suffering (injuries, long-term health effects)
- Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Humiliation and shame (psychological trauma from hazing)
- Loss of enjoyment of life (impact on college experience)
Punitive Damages
- Punishment for egregious conduct (if hazing was intentional or reckless)
- Deterrent to prevent future hazing
Our current case seeks $10 million—this is the standard for serious hazing cases.
Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions
| Case | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1M |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1M |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110M+ |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes (2021) | Delta Chi | Settlement | $4M+ |
Maries County families: These same results are possible for your child.
Missouri Hazing Laws: Your Legal Rights
Missouri has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students:
Missouri Revised Statutes § 578.360 – Hazing is a Crime
- Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail)
- If hazing causes serious injury or death, it’s a Class D felony (up to 7 years in prison)
- Consent is NOT a defense—even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.
Civil Liability in Missouri
- Victims can sue for negligence, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
- Universities can be held liable for failing to protect students.
- National fraternities can be sued for failing to supervise chapters.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Maries County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation.
- Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away.
- Medical records are critical evidence.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs).
- Get witness contact information (other pledges, bystanders).
- Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer
- They will try to minimize the incident, destroy evidence, or pressure your child to stay silent.
- Anything your child says can be used against them.
Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Free consultation – We’ll evaluate your case at no cost.
- No upfront fees – We work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win).
- Nationwide representation – We travel to Maries County for depositions and trials.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
Why Maries County Families Choose Attorney 911
✅ We’re fighting a hazing case RIGHT NOW – $10M lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi & UH
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability
✅ Federal court authority – We can pursue cases nationwide, including in Missouri
✅ Dual-state bar admission (Texas & New York) – Strategic advantage against national fraternities
✅ Se habla español – Bilingual representation for Spanish-speaking families
✅ Proven results – Millions recovered for personal injury victims
✅ We come to Maries County – For depositions, trials, and client meetings
Maries County Universities & Greek Life: The Warning Signs
Fraternities and sororities with chapters near Maries County have documented hazing histories, including:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Missouri Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (2017, death), Leonel Bermudez (2025, kidney failure) | University of Missouri, Missouri S&T |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple deaths, alcohol poisoning cases | University of Missouri, Washington University |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz (2021, death), multiple hospitalizations | University of Missouri, Missouri State |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver (2017, death) | University of Missouri, Truman State |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (2017, death) | University of Missouri, Washington University |
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Maries County, they face the same risks.
Universities Near Maries County with Greek Life
If your child attends or plans to attend any of these schools, they are at risk of hazing:
| University | Location | Greek Organizations |
|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) | Columbia, MO | Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and many others |
| Missouri S&T | Rolla, MO | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma |
| Missouri State University | Springfield, MO | Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma |
| Truman State University | Kirksville, MO | Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi |
| Washington University in St. Louis | St. Louis, MO | SAE, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi |
Maries County families: These schools have the same hazing risks as UH. We will hold them accountable.
What Happens If You Wait?
⚠️ Statute of limitations in Missouri: 2 years (for personal injury claims).
⚠️ Evidence disappears (texts get deleted, witnesses forget, universities destroy records).
⚠️ Fraternities and universities will pressure your child to stay silent.
Don’t wait. Contact us now.
Maries County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone
Hazing is widespread, underreported, and deadly. But victims and families do have legal rights.
We are Attorney 911, and we are fighting this battle right now. We will bring the same aggressive, compassionate representation to Maries County families.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
We don’t get paid unless you get paid. Free consultation. Available 24/7.
