🚨 Hazing Victim Legal Rights in Marion County, Arkansas

You Are Not Alone — We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

Marion County families: If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization near Marion County, you have legal rights. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we will bring the same aggressive representation to Marion County victims.

Call us now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

The Hazing Crisis in Marion County — What Parents Need to Know

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines

Marion County is home to dedicated families who send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But hazing happens at universities across America — including near Marion County — and it’s not “tradition.” It’s abuse.

The same national fraternities operating in Houston have chapters near Marion County. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client — waterboarding, forced exercise until collapse, wooden paddles — happen at institutions where Marion County students attend.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma — these are the same organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries. They operate near Marion County. They haze near Marion County. And we will hold them accountable in Marion County courts.

What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Marion County

The Case That Shows What Hazing Really Looks Like

On November 21, 2025, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for the hazing of Leonel Bermudez. What happened to him is exactly what happens to students near Marion County every year — but most victims never speak up.

Here’s what Leonel endured over 7 weeks of hazing:

✅ Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
✅ Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups — until his muscles broke down
✅ Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault with weapons
✅ Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting — then forced to keep running
✅ Carried sexual objects at all times — constant humiliation
✅ Another pledge hog-tied with an object in his mouth for over an hour — false imprisonment
✅ A pledge lost consciousness and collapsed — they kept going
✅ Forced to drive fraternity members at all hours — sleep deprivation
✅ Threatened with expulsion if he stopped — coercion and duress

The result? Leonel ended up in the hospital for 3 nights and 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His muscles broke down. His kidneys failed. He could not walk.

This is not “brotherhood.” This is not “tradition.” This is torture. And it happens near Marion County.

Why This Matters to Marion County Families

The Same Fraternities Operate Near Marion County

Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America. If their Houston chapter was waterboarding students, how many other chapters — including those near Marion County — are doing the same?

Universities near Marion County face the same failures as UH:

• They know hazing happens
• They have the power to stop it
• They choose not to — until someone gets hurt or killed

Marion County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Marion County, they face the same risks. The same organizations. The same “traditions.” The same negligence.

Marion County Hazing Laws — Your Legal Rights

Arkansas Has Strong Anti-Hazing Laws

Arkansas law (A.C.A. § 6-5-204) defines hazing as:

Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into any organization.

This includes:

• Physical brutality (beatings, paddling, branding)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse
• Any activity that creates unreasonable risk of harm

Arkansas law explicitly states:

Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.

Criminal Penalties in Arkansas

• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes risk of physical injury
• Class D Felony: Hazing that causes serious physical injury or death
• Organizations can be fined up to $10,000

Civil Liability — You Can Sue

Even if no criminal charges are filed, Marion County families can sue for:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)

Who can be sued?

• The local fraternity/sorority chapter
• National organizations
• Universities
• Individual members
• Housing corporations
• Alumni who host hazing

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Marion County?

Everyone Who Allowed It to Happen

1. The Local Chapter

• Directly organized and conducted hazing
• Individual members who participated
• Officers who directed activities

2. National Organizations

• Knew or should have known about hazing culture
• Failed to supervise local chapters
• Have deep pockets and insurance

3. Universities Near Marion County

• Have duty to protect students
• Often own fraternity/sorority houses
• Can regulate Greek life
• Failed to act despite prior incidents

4. Individual Members

• Participated in hazing
• Failed to stop it
• Can be sued personally

5. Housing Corporations

• Own fraternity/sorority properties
• Failed to prevent hazing on premises

6. Alumni & Hosts

• Allowed hazing at their homes
• Premises liability

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Marion County

Step-by-Step Action Guide

1. Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked
• Rhabdomyolysis, concussions, and internal injuries may not show symptoms right away
• Medical records are critical evidence

2. Preserve All Evidence

• Photos/videos: Injuries, hazing activities, locations
• Screenshots: Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, emails
• Physical evidence: Clothing, paddles, alcohol containers
• Witness information: Names and contact info of other victims and bystanders

3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without a Lawyer

• They will try to control the narrative
• They will pressure your child to sign documents
• They will intimidate witnesses

4. Do NOT Post on Social Media

• Anything you post can be used against you
• Insurance companies and lawyers will monitor your accounts

5. Report to Authorities

• Consider filing a police report
• Report to university Title IX office

6. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation
• We offer contingency fee representation — you pay nothing upfront
• We travel to Marion County for depositions and meetings

7. Know Your Rights

• You have 2 years to file a lawsuit in Arkansas (statute of limitations)
• Evidence disappears quickly — act now

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Marion County Hazing Cases

We Are Fighting This Fight Right Now — And We Will Fight for Marion County Families

✅ We Are Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

• Against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
• Same strategies available for Marion County victims

✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know how insurance companies think
• We know their playbook — and we use it against them

✅ Federal Court Authority

• U.S. District Court admission
• Can pursue Marion County cases in federal court

✅ Dual-State Bar Licenses

• Texas AND New York
• Strategic advantage for national fraternity cases

✅ Proven Results in Multi-Million Dollar Cases

• BP Texas City explosion litigation
• Trucking accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries

✅ Hazing-Specific Expertise

• Rhabdomyolysis cases
• Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation
• Texas A&M hazing cases

✅ We Come to Marion County

• For depositions, client meetings, and trials
• Distance is not a barrier to justice

✅ Bilingual Staff — Se Habla Español

• Serving Spanish-speaking Marion County families

✅ Compassionate, Aggressive Representation

• We treat Marion County families like family
• We fight hard because we care

What Marion County Families Can Recover

Economic Damages

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Lost academic opportunities
• Rehabilitation costs

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement

Punitive Damages

• Awarded to punish egregious conduct
• Waterboarding, forced exercise until collapse, wooden paddles
• Pattern of hazing at the same organization

Precedent Cases Show Marion County Families Can Win Millions:

• $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)

Common Defenses — And Why They Fail

“He Consented to Participate”

Our Response: Arkansas law explicitly states consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed,” the law says that doesn’t matter.

“It’s Just Tradition”

Our Response: Tradition doesn’t justify assault, battery, or torture. Hazing is illegal regardless of “tradition.”

“He Could Have Left at Any Time”

Our Response: Fear of retaliation, social ostracism, and losing membership create duress. No one can truly “consent” under these conditions.

“The University Didn’t Know”

Our Response: Universities have a duty to protect students. If they own the fraternity house or regulate Greek life, they are liable for failing to act.

Marion County Universities — They Know Hazing Happens

These Institutions Have a Duty to Protect Your Child

Universities near Marion County with Greek life include:

• University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, Fort Smith)
• Arkansas State University (Jonesboro)
• Harding University (Searcy)
• University of Central Arkansas (Conway)
• Arkansas Tech University (Russellville)
• Henderson State University (Arkadelphia)
• Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia)
• Lyon College (Batesville)
• Williams Baptist University (Walnut Ridge)

These universities:

• Know hazing happens in Greek life
• Have the power to stop it
• Often own fraternity/sorority houses
• Choose not to act until someone is hurt

If your child was hazed at any of these schools, we can help.

The Message to Fraternities Near Marion County

We Are Watching. We Are Coming.

To the fraternities operating near Marion County:

We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements. We know your chapters engage in the same dangerous “traditions” we’re fighting in Houston.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma — if your chapter operates near Marion County, know this:

We track your house corporations. We track your alumni chapters. We track your insurance policies. We track your documented history of hazing.

If you haze students near Marion County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue everyone responsible. And we will win.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? SHUT DOWN. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.

Your chapter could be next.

Marion County Families — You Deserve Justice

Your child trusted these institutions. They trusted the fraternity. They trusted the university. They trusted that they would be safe.

That trust was betrayed.

But you don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to accept “tradition” as an excuse. You don’t have to let them get away with it.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we fight for victims like your child.

Call us now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.

Marion County families: It’s time to hold them accountable.