24/7 LIVE STAFF β€” Compassionate help, any time day or night
CALL NOW 1-888-ATTY-911
Blog | Earth

Mellette County (Earth/North America/United States/South Dakota/Mellette County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 β€” The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | 125+ Greek Organizations Tracked | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 25, 2026 14 min read
mellette-county-featured-image.png

🚨 Hazing Lawyers for Mellette County Families β€” Attorney 911

Mellette County Parents: Your Child’s Hazing Injury Is Not “Tradition” β€” It’s Torture. And We Can Help.

If your child was hazed at a university near Mellette County, we can fight for you β€” no matter where you are.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. A fraternity pledge was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities operate at universities near Mellette County. The same negligence exists at Mellette County institutions.

We know how to hold them accountable. And we will fight for Mellette County families with the same aggression.

πŸ“ž Mellette County Families: Call Now for Free Consultation

1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7) | ralph@atty911.com

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
β€” Lupe PeΓ±a, Attorney 911

πŸ”₯ The Hazing Crisis in Mellette County β€” What’s Really Happening

Hazing isn’t “boys being boys.” It’s not “tradition.” It’s not “building character.”

It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s torture.

And it’s happening at universities near Mellette County.

What Hazing Looks Like Near Mellette County:

  • Waterboarding β€” simulated drowning with hoses or alcohol
  • Forced eating β€” until vomiting, then forced to continue
  • Extreme physical punishment β€” 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls
  • Sleep deprivation β€” forced to drive members at all hours
  • Psychological torture β€” humiliation, threats, isolation
  • Sexual abuse β€” forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, assault
  • Wooden paddles β€” striking pledges as “discipline”

The result?

  • Rhabdomyolysis β€” muscles break down, kidneys fail (like our client)
  • Alcohol poisoning β€” forced drinking until death
  • Traumatic brain injury β€” from beatings or falls
  • PTSD, anxiety, depression β€” long-term psychological damage
  • Death β€” at least one hazing death every year in America since 2000

The Same Fraternities Are Near Mellette County

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma β€” these are the same organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide.

They have chapters at universities near Mellette County. And they’re hazing your children.

⚠️ The Landmark Case: $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston

This case happened in Houston. But the same hazing happens near Mellette County.

What Happened:

  • Victim: Leonel Bermudez β€” a “ghost rush” (not even enrolled at UH yet)
  • Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi at University of Houston
  • Hazing: Waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles, forced eating until vomiting
  • Result: Severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure β€” 4 days hospitalized
  • Lawsuit: $10 million filed by Attorney 911 on November 21, 2025

Why This Matters for Mellette County:

βœ… Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America β€” including near Mellette County
βœ… The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen at Mellette County fraternities
βœ… Universities near Mellette County face the same liability failures as UH
βœ… If your child is being hazed near Mellette County, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting in Houston

Defendant Admissions:

  • Pi Kappa Phi National: “We closed the chapter following violations of our risk management policy” β€” THEY ADMITTED WRONGDOING
  • University of Houston: “The events are deeply disturbing” β€” THEY ADMITTED IT WAS WRONG
  • Both: “Any individual found responsible will face disciplinary action” β€” THEY EXPECT PUNISHMENT

They know. They admitted it. And now they will pay.

πŸ’° Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Mellette County families: These cases prove you can win. The same legal strategies apply to your case.

Case University Fraternity Outcome Amount
Stone Foltz Bowling Green State Pi Kappa Alpha Settlement $10.1 million
Maxwell Gruver Louisiana State Phi Delta Theta Jury Verdict $6.1 million
Timothy Piazza Penn State Beta Theta Pi Settlement $110+ million
Andrew Coffey Florida State Pi Kappa Phi Settlement Confidential
Adam Oakes Virginia Commonwealth Delta Chi Settlement $4+ million

Every major hazing case results in multi-million dollar settlements. Your Mellette County case can too.

βš–οΈ Mellette County Victims’ Legal Rights β€” What You Can Sue For

Texas Hazing Law Protects You

Under Texas Education Code Β§ 37.151-37.157, hazing is illegal. Consent is not a defense.

What qualifies as hazing?

  • Physical brutality (beating, paddling, waterboarding)
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Forced consumption (food, alcohol, drugs)
  • Extreme physical exercise (500 squats, 100 pushups)
  • Psychological abuse
  • Any activity creating unreasonable risk of harm

Who Is Liable for Mellette County Hazing?

Defendant Why They’re Liable
Local Chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing
National Organization Knew about hazing culture; failed to supervise
Individual Members Participated in or allowed hazing
University Failed to protect students; premises liability
Housing Corporation Owned property where hazing occurred
Alumni Hosted hazing at their homes

What Can Mellette County Families Sue For?

Damage Type Examples
Medical Expenses Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment
Lost Wages Time missed from work or school
Pain and Suffering Physical pain from injuries
Mental Anguish PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse
Punitive Damages To punish egregious conduct (waterboarding = torture)

Texas has NO CAP on pain and suffering damages in personal injury cases.

πŸ“‹ What Mellette County Families Should Do Immediately

If Your Child Was Hazed Near Mellette County:

  1. Get medical attention immediately β€” document everything
  2. Preserve all evidence β€” texts, photos, videos, witness names
  3. Do NOT talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university without a lawyer
  4. Do NOT post on social media about the incident
  5. Call Attorney 911 immediately β€” 1-888-ATTY-911

Evidence to Preserve:

βœ… Medical records from hospital/doctor visits
βœ… Photos/videos of injuries and hazing locations
βœ… Text messages, GroupMe chats, social media posts about hazing
βœ… Names and contact info of other victims/witnesses
βœ… Any documents given to you by the organization
βœ… Academic records showing impact on grades/enrollment

Why Time Is Critical:

  • Statute of limitations: 2 years from date of injury in Texas
  • Evidence disappears: Organizations destroy records, witnesses forget
  • Your rights expire: If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue

🏒 Who We Are β€” Mellette County’s Hazing Litigation Experts

Attorney 911 Legal Emergency Lawyersβ„’ is a Texas-based personal injury and criminal defense firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We proudly serve hazing victims and their families across America, including Mellette County.

Why Mellette County Families Choose Attorney 911

Advantage Why It Matters
25+ Years Courtroom Experience Proven expertise serving Mellette County families
Former Insurance Defense Attorneys We know their playbook β€” use it against them
Federal Court Authority Can pursue Mellette County cases in federal court
Dual-State Bar Admission Texas AND New York β€” strategic advantage against national fraternities
Se Habla EspaΓ±ol Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Mellette County families
Nationwide Hazing Expertise Currently litigating $10M UH hazing case β€” same strategies for Mellette County

Our Hazing-Specific Experience:

  • Rhabdomyolysis injury litigation β€” like our current UH case
  • Kappa Sigma fraternity cases β€” prior successful litigation
  • Texas A&M University hazing cases β€” institutional accountability
  • Wrongful death from hazing β€” when hazing kills, we fight for families

What Our Clients Say:

“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.”
β€” Dame Haskett

“They fought with the other party insurance and got me more of the settlement that I was expecting.”
β€” Vivian Ruiz

“The Manginello Law Firm treated me with honesty and respect from the very beginning.”
β€” Debra Cambric-Chisolm

🎯 The Attorney 911 Approach β€” How We Serve Mellette County Families

When a legal emergency hits β€” whether it’s on a Texas highway, a Mellette County campus, or a fraternity house anywhere in America β€” we move FIRST, FAST, and DECISIVELY.

For Mellette County Hazing Victims, We:

  • Build cases with expert witnesses β€” medical, Greek life culture, institutional negligence
  • Preserve evidence immediately β€” texts, photos, medical records, witness statements
  • Negotiate from strength β€” we’re currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing case
  • Travel to Mellette County β€” for depositions, trials, and client meetings when needed
  • Provide remote consultations β€” Mellette County families can video chat with our attorneys

We Protect You From:

  • Fraternity intimidation β€” they’ll try to silence you; we protect you
  • University cover-ups β€” they’ll try to minimize; we expose them
  • Insurance company tricks β€” they’ll try to lowball you; we fight back
  • Evidence destruction β€” we send preservation letters immediately

We Fight For:

  • Medical bills β€” past, present, and future
  • Lost wages β€” from missed work or academic disruption
  • Pain and suffering β€” for physical and emotional trauma
  • Punitive damages β€” to punish egregious conduct like waterboarding
  • Institutional change β€” so no other Mellette County family suffers

πŸ“ž Mellette County Families: Contact Us Now

Hazing victims near Mellette County deserve justice. We can help β€” no matter where you are.

Free Consultation for Mellette County Families:

πŸ“ž 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
πŸ“§ ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Why Call Us?

  • No upfront cost β€” we work on contingency; you pay nothing unless we win
  • No distance barrier β€” we serve Mellette County families nationwide
  • No fear of retaliation β€” we protect your privacy and your case
  • No settlement pressure β€” we fight for what you deserve

We Come to Mellette County:

For depositions, client meetings, and trials, our attorneys travel to Mellette County as needed. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

🚨 To Fraternities Operating Near Mellette 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, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma β€” if your chapter operates near Mellette County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America.

Every national fraternity with chapters near Mellette County should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won.

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

That’s what happens when you haze near Mellette County.

πŸ›οΈ To Universities Near Mellette County:

The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.

  • You own fraternity houses β€” premises liability applies
  • You have oversight responsibility β€” negligent supervision applies
  • You know hazing happens β€” deliberate indifference applies
  • You can be sued β€” and you will be

The University of Houston knew about hazing in 2017. They did nothing. Now they’re being sued for $10 million.

Don’t be next.

πŸŽ“ To Mellette County Students and Families:

You are not alone.

Hazing is designed to isolate you. To make you feel like you have no choice. To make you believe no one will believe you.

We believe you.

We’ve seen what fraternities do to kids. We’re fighting it in court right now. We see your child as a person β€” not a paycheck. And we will fight hard for Mellette County families, because we truly care.

Call us. We can help.

Mellette County Families: Enough Is Enough. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

Your child’s hazing injury is not “tradition.” It’s torture. And it’s time to stop it.

Share this article:

Need Legal Help?

Free consultation. No fee unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911

Ready to Fight for Your Rights?

Free consultation. No upfront costs. We don't get paid unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911