Protecting Monroe County Students: The Hazing Crisis and Your Legal Rights

A Message to Monroe County Families

Monroe County is a community built on trust, family values, and the belief that our children will be safe when they leave home to pursue their education. But what happens when that trust is broken? What happens when the institutions we believe will protect our children instead allow them to be harmed?

This is the reality facing families across America – and now Monroe County is not immune. Hazing is not just a problem happening far away at big universities. It’s happening right here in Missouri, at institutions near Monroe County, where the same national fraternities and sororities operate chapters that engage in dangerous, sometimes life-threatening initiation rituals.

At Attorney 911, we are fighting this crisis head-on. Right now, we are representing a young man who was hospitalized after being subjected to extreme hazing at the University of Houston – waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and physical abuse. This isn’t just happening in Texas. The same fraternities have chapters operating near Monroe County, and the same culture of abuse exists here too.

Monroe County families deserve to know the truth about hazing and their legal rights. If your child has been harmed by hazing, you are not alone, and you have powerful legal options.

What Is Hazing?

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or maintaining membership in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate. In Missouri, hazing is illegal and can result in both criminal charges and civil lawsuits.

Common hazing activities include:

• Forced consumption of alcohol or food
• Extreme physical exercise to the point of exhaustion or injury
• Physical abuse including paddling, beating, or branding
• Psychological abuse and humiliation
• Sleep deprivation
• Sexual assault or harassment
• Waterboarding or other forms of simulated drowning

This is not “tradition.” This is not “team building.” This is abuse.

The Hazing Crisis in Missouri and Near Monroe County

While Monroe County itself is a small community, it is surrounded by educational institutions where Greek life thrives. Universities near Monroe County with active Greek organizations include:

• University of Missouri (Mizzou) in Columbia
• Missouri State University in Springfield
• Truman State University in Kirksville
• Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau
• Lindenwood University in St. Charles

These institutions are home to chapters of the same national fraternities and sororities involved in high-profile hazing cases nationwide, including:

• Pi Kappa Phi (the fraternity involved in our current lawsuit)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
• Sigma Chi
• Kappa Sigma
• Phi Delta Theta
• And many others

The same organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries operate chapters near Monroe County. Your child could be at risk.

Real Cases, Real Consequences

Hazing isn’t just a theoretical risk – it’s a documented danger that has destroyed lives and families. Consider these real cases:

$10 Million Lawsuit: Waterboarding and Kidney Failure

We are currently representing a young man who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to extreme hazing at Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. The hazing included:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to perform 500 squats and 100 pushups
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to consume food until vomiting
• Required to lie in vomit-soaked grass
• Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour

The victim spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life. The fraternity chapter was immediately closed, but the damage was already done.

This same fraternity has chapters operating near Monroe County.

$10.1 Million Settlement: Death from Forced Drinking

At Bowling Green State University, Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity event. His family received a $10.1 million settlement from the university and fraternity.

$6.1 Million Jury Verdict: “Bible Study” Hazing

Maxwell Gruver died at Louisiana State University after a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” event where pledges were forced to drink for answering questions incorrectly. His blood alcohol content was 0.495 – more than six times the legal limit. A jury awarded his family $6.1 million.

$110+ Million Settlement: 12-Hour Delay in Calling 911

Timothy Piazza died at Penn State after falling down stairs multiple times while severely intoxicated during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911. The case settled for an estimated $110 million.

These are not isolated incidents. This is a pattern of abuse that happens at universities near Monroe County every year.

Missouri Hazing Laws: What Monroe County Families Need to Know

Missouri has strong laws against hazing, but many families don’t know their rights. Under Missouri law:

Criminal Penalties

Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor in Missouri, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $2,000 in fines. If the hazing results in serious physical injury or death, it becomes a Class D felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison.

Civil Liability

Victims of hazing can sue for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)

Importantly, consent is not a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

In hazing cases, multiple parties can be held responsible:

• Individual members who participated in or organized the hazing
• Chapter officers who allowed or encouraged the behavior
• National fraternity/sorority organizations who failed to supervise
• Universities who failed to prevent hazing despite knowing the risks
• Housing corporations that own fraternity/sorority houses

The University’s Responsibility

Universities near Monroe County have a legal duty to protect their students. When they fail, they can be held accountable. Consider:

• Universities own or control many fraternity and sorority houses
• They collect fees from Greek organizations
• They have the power to regulate, inspect, and shut down dangerous chapters
• They often know about hazing but fail to act until someone is seriously injured

When universities prioritize reputation over student safety, they must be held accountable.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Monroe County

If your child has been hazed at a university near Monroe County, time is critical. Here’s what you should do:

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if injuries seem minor, get your child checked by a doctor. Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately but can be life-threatening.

2. Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos of any injuries
• Save all communications (texts, emails, social media messages)
• Document everything your child tells you about what happened
• Get witness information from other students who saw or experienced the hazing

3. Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone

• Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leaders without legal counsel
• Do not sign anything from the organization or university
• Do not post about the incident on social media

4. Report the Incident

• File a police report
• Report to the university’s Title IX office
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization

5. Contact an Attorney Immediately

Hazing cases have strict deadlines. In Missouri, you typically have 5 years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but evidence disappears quickly, and witnesses forget. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Why Monroe County Families Choose Attorney 911

At Attorney 911, we are more than just lawyers – we are advocates for Monroe County families facing injustice. When you hire us, you get:

Nationwide Experience with Local Understanding

While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including families in Missouri and near Monroe County. We understand the unique challenges Monroe County families face when their children are harmed at universities far from home.

Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both of our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, previously worked for insurance companies. We know exactly how they try to minimize or deny claims. We use that insider knowledge to fight back and maximize your recovery.

Federal Court Authority

We are admitted to practice in federal court, which allows us to pursue cases against national fraternities and universities regardless of where the hazing occurred.

Aggressive Representation

We don’t just talk about fighting hazing – we’re doing it right now. We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the hazing that hospitalized our client. We will bring that same aggressive approach to Monroe County cases.

Proven Results

We have recovered millions of dollars for victims of institutional negligence, including:

• Multi-million dollar settlements in wrongful death cases
• Significant recoveries for victims of catastrophic injuries
• Successful outcomes in complex litigation against large institutions

Compassionate Service

We understand that hazing cases are about more than just money – they’re about justice, accountability, and preventing future harm. We treat Monroe County families with the respect and compassion they deserve during this difficult time.

We Come to Monroe County

We know that Monroe County families may be hesitant to work with an out-of-state law firm. That’s why we make it easy:

• Free video consultations – no need to travel
• We travel to Monroe County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• 24/7 availability – call us anytime at 1-888-ATTY-911
• No upfront costs – we work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win

Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will fight for Monroe County families as if we were right here in town.

The Time to Act Is Now

Hazing victims often wait to come forward because of:

• Fear of retaliation
• Loyalty to the organization
• Shame or embarrassment
• Not recognizing what happened as hazing
• Pressure to “move on”

But waiting can cost you your legal rights. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Deadlines pass.

If your child has been hazed at a university near Monroe County, call us today for a free, confidential consultation. We will:

• Listen to your story
• Explain your legal rights
• Evaluate the strength of your case
• Develop a strategy for justice and compensation

1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines – Neither Do We

Monroe County families: you sent your children to college expecting them to be safe. When that trust is broken, you deserve justice. We are ready to fight for you.

Call us today. The consultation is free. The advice is confidential. The fight for justice starts now.