Montgomery County Hazing Lawyers – Protecting Students from Fraternity and Sorority Abuse
Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™ Serving Montgomery County and Beyond
If your child has been the victim of hazing at a college fraternity or sorority in Montgomery County, Mississippi, you are not alone. The same abusive “traditions” that hospitalized our client at the University of Houston are happening right here in our community. We are fighting this battle right now—and we will fight for Montgomery County families with the same fury.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Montgomery County: What Families Need to Know
Hazing is not harmless fun. It’s not “building character.” It’s not “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. And in too many cases, it’s deadly.
In November 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities and sororities operate at colleges near Montgomery County. The same negligence exists at Montgomery County institutions. And the same suffering is happening to Montgomery County students.
📍 Hazing Happens Here: Greek Life in Montgomery County
While Montgomery County is a smaller community, several colleges and universities in the surrounding region have active Greek life organizations where hazing occurs:
- Mississippi State University (Starkville) – Home to multiple fraternities and sororities, including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others with documented hazing histories
- University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (Oxford) – Large Greek system with past hazing incidents
- Mississippi College (Clinton) – Private institution with Greek organizations
- Delta State University (Cleveland) – Smaller but active Greek presence
- Holmes Community College (Goodman, Grenada, Ridgeland) – Some Greek organizations present
These same national organizations that failed to stop hazing in Houston have chapters near Montgomery County. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in this region, they face the same risks.
⚠️ What Is Hazing? Montgomery County Parents Must Recognize the Warning Signs
Hazing includes any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership. In Mississippi, hazing is a crime—and consent is not a defense.
Common Hazing Activities Reported in Montgomery County and Surrounding Areas:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion |
| Forced Consumption | Binge drinking, forced eating until vomiting, consumption of non-food substances |
| Sleep Deprivation | Late-night activities, early-morning obligations, disrupted sleep schedules |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation, threats |
| Sexual Abuse | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault |
| Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning | As seen in our Houston case—this is torture |
| Exposure | Forced to endure extreme cold, heat, or confined spaces |
| Servitude | Forced to clean, drive members, run errands, or act as personal servants |
🚩 Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed in Montgomery County:
- Sudden reluctance to talk about Greek life activities
- Unexplained injuries, bruises, or soreness
- Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or changes in sleep patterns
- Withdrawal from family, friends, or usual activities
- Sudden changes in mood or personality (anxiety, depression, fear)
- Wearing unusual clothing or carrying strange objects
- Avoiding questions about pledge activities
- Sudden drop in academic performance
- Mentioning “traditions” or “tests” they can’t describe
- Fear of retribution if they speak up
If you notice these signs, your child may be in danger. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.
💔 The Medical Consequences of Hazing: What Montgomery County Families Face
Hazing doesn’t just cause temporary discomfort—it can cause permanent, life-threatening injuries. Our client suffered:
- Rhabdomyolysis – Muscle breakdown that releases toxic proteins into the bloodstream
- Acute kidney failure – Life-threatening condition requiring hospitalization
- Severe muscle pain – Inability to walk or move normally
- Brown urine – Classic sign of muscle breakdown (myoglobinuria)
- Four days in the hospital – Fighting for his life
Other Medical Consequences of Hazing Reported in Mississippi and Nationwide:
| Condition | Description | Long-Term Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking leading to coma or death | Organ damage, death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | From beatings, falls, or accidents | Permanent cognitive impairment, personality changes |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | Exposure to extreme temperatures | Organ failure, death |
| Cardiac Arrest | From extreme physical exertion | Death, permanent heart damage |
| PTSD, Anxiety, Depression | Psychological trauma from abuse | Long-term mental health treatment, suicide risk |
| Sexual Assault Injuries | Physical and psychological trauma | Long-term therapy, trust issues |
| Death | All too common outcome | Irreversible loss |
These are not “pranks.” These are medical emergencies. If your child shows symptoms of hazing injuries, seek medical attention immediately—and then call us.
⚖️ Legal Rights of Montgomery County Hazing Victims
Mississippi Hazing Laws: What Parents and Students Need to Know
Mississippi Code § 97-3-105 defines hazing as:
“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student, or a former student, whether individually or in concert with others, against another student, and in which both of the following apply:
(a) The act was committed in connection with an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in any organization; and
(b) The act contributes to a substantial risk of physical injury, mental harm, or degradation, or causes physical injury, mental harm, or personal degradation.”
Key Provisions of Mississippi Law:
-
Criminal Penalties:
- Hazing is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine
- If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison
-
Consent Is Not a Defense:
- Mississippi law explicitly states that consent of the victim is not a defense to hazing charges
-
Organizational Liability:
- Organizations can be held criminally liable for hazing committed by their members
-
Institutional Reporting:
- Colleges and universities are required to report hazing incidents to law enforcement
Montgomery County families: This law protects your child. If hazing has occurred, the law is on your side.
Civil Liability: Holding Montgomery County Institutions Accountable
Beyond criminal charges, hazing victims and their families can sue for civil damages to recover compensation for:
| Legal Theory | Who Can Be Sued | Montgomery County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Negligence | Universities, national organizations, individuals | Institutions failed to protect students despite knowing hazing risks |
| Premises Liability | Property owners (universities, fraternity houses) | Hazing occurred on property they owned or controlled |
| Negligent Supervision | National organizations, universities | Failed to properly supervise chapters despite knowledge of hazing culture |
| Assault and Battery | Individual perpetrators | Each person who participated in hazing can be sued individually |
| Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress | Individuals and organizations | Outrageous conduct causing severe emotional trauma |
| Wrongful Death | All defendants | If hazing results in death, families can sue for loss of life |
💰 Compensation Available for Montgomery County Hazing Victims
If your child has been hazed, you may be entitled to significant compensation for:
Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses – Hospital bills, rehabilitation, therapy, future treatment
- Lost wages – Time missed from work or internships
- Lost earning capacity – If injuries affect future career prospects
- Educational expenses – Tuition, fees, lost scholarships
- Property damage – Damage to personal items during hazing
Non-Economic Damages:
- Physical pain and suffering – The agony of rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, or other injuries
- Mental anguish – Trauma from waterboarding, humiliation, or abuse
- Emotional distress – PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution
- Loss of enjoyment of life – Inability to participate in normal activities
- Disfigurement – Permanent scars from branding, burns, or injuries
Punitive Damages:
- Punishment for egregious conduct – When defendants acted with gross negligence or intentional harm
- Deterrent for future hazing – To prevent the same abuse from happening to others
Our firm is currently seeking $10 million for our client who was hospitalized with kidney failure after hazing. Similar compensation is available for Montgomery County victims.
🏛️ Who Is Liable? Montgomery County Defendants We Pursue
When we represent hazing victims in Montgomery County, we sue everyone responsible—not just the students involved. Our current case targets:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Montgomery County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | The specific fraternity/sorority chapter that hazed your child |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise despite knowing about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, etc. |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred | If hazing happened at a fraternity/sorority house |
| University/College | Failed to prevent hazing despite knowing the risks | Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Mississippi College, etc. |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing | Each person who took part in the abuse |
| Alumni | Allowed hazing at their homes or businesses | Former members who hosted hazing events |
| Advisors | Failed to properly supervise chapter activities | Faculty/staff advisors who ignored warning signs |
We don’t just sue broke college students. We go after the institutions with deep pockets—the national organizations and universities that failed to protect your child.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Montgomery County
Immediate Steps to Protect Your Child and Preserve Evidence:
-
Ensure Safety First
- Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately
- If medical attention is needed, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
-
Document Everything
- Take photographs of any injuries, bruises, or physical evidence
- Preserve all communications – Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails
- Save all social media posts – Screenshots of posts about hazing activities
- Write down everything – Dates, times, locations, what happened, who was involved
-
Report the Hazing
- To the university – File a formal complaint with the school’s Greek life office or Title IX coordinator
- To law enforcement – File a police report; hazing is a crime in Mississippi
- To the national organization – Report to the fraternity/sorority national headquarters
-
Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation
- Document all symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments
- Follow up with specialists if needed
-
Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone
- Do not meet with fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
- Do not sign any documents from the organization
- Do not give statements to university administrators without an attorney present
-
Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
- We will guide you through the next steps and protect your rights
Why You Need a Montgomery County Hazing Lawyer:
✅ We know how to preserve evidence – Texts, photos, and messages disappear quickly
✅ We understand Greek life culture – We know how these organizations operate
✅ We have experience with hazing cases – We’re litigating a $10 million hazing case right now
✅ We know who to sue – Not just students, but the institutions that enabled the abuse
✅ We fight insurance companies – We know how to maximize your compensation
✅ We travel to Montgomery County – We come to you for meetings, depositions, and trials
✅ We work on contingency – You pay nothing unless we win your case
🎯 Our Experience: Fighting Hazing in Court Right Now
Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi – The $10 Million Fight
What Happened:
In Fall 2025, Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston. What followed was weeks of systematic abuse that hospitalized him for four days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
The Hazing Activities:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose – Simulated drowning, a form of torture
- Forced to perform 500 squats and 100+ pushups – Until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
- Struck with wooden paddles – Physical beating
- Forced to eat until vomiting – Consumed milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, then forced to continue
- Slept in vomit-soaked grass – Humiliation and degradation
- Stripped to underwear in cold weather – Exposure to the elements
- Hog-tied with object in mouth – Another pledge was subjected to this for over an hour
- Sleep deprivation – Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours
The Medical Outcome:
- Severe rhabdomyolysis – Muscle breakdown
- Acute kidney failure – Life-threatening condition
- Four days in the hospital – Fighting for his life
- Permanent health consequences – Ongoing kidney monitoring required
The Institutional Response:
- Pi Kappa Phi closed the chapter – But only after the hospitalization; they knew the lawsuit was coming
- University of Houston admitted “deeply disturbing” violations – But only after being sued
- Both entities had prior incidents – They knew this could happen and did nothing
The Lawsuit:
- Filed November 21, 2025 – $10 million demand
- Defendants: Pi Kappa Phi National, UH chapter, UH Board of Regents, individual members, housing corporation
- Media coverage: ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media
Why This Case Matters for Montgomery County:
✅ The same fraternities operate near Montgomery County – Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others have chapters at Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and other nearby schools
✅ The same negligence exists at Montgomery County institutions – Universities know hazing happens but fail to stop it
✅ The same injuries are happening to Montgomery County students – Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, alcohol poisoning, psychological trauma
✅ The same legal strategies apply – We are using the same approach to hold Montgomery County institutions accountable
🏆 Proven Results: Multi-Million Dollar Hazing Cases
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Bermudez | Pi Kappa Phi | University of Houston | Pending | $10 million |
These results prove that hazing cases win big. The same compensation is available for Montgomery County victims.
🔍 How We Build Your Montgomery County Hazing Case
When we represent Montgomery County hazing victims, we:
-
Conduct Immediate Investigation
- Secure all evidence before it disappears
- Interview witnesses
- Obtain medical records
- Gather communications (texts, social media, emails)
-
Identify All Responsible Parties
- Local chapter
- National organization
- University/college
- Individual perpetrators
- Housing corporations
- Alumni
-
Calculate Full Damages
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages
-
Build a Compelling Case
- Document the pattern of abuse
- Prove institutional knowledge and failure to act
- Demonstrate the egregious nature of the conduct
- Show the impact on your child’s life
-
Negotiate from Strength
- We don’t accept lowball settlement offers
- We know the true value of your case
- We’re prepared to take your case to trial if needed
-
Fight for Maximum Compensation
- We don’t back down from insurance companies
- We don’t let institutions intimidate our clients
- We fight for every dollar you deserve
📞 Montgomery County Families: Call Us Now – 1-888-ATTY-911
If your child has been hazed in Montgomery County or anywhere in Mississippi, call us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Montgomery County Hazing Case:
✅ We’re fighting this battle right now – Our $10 million hazing lawsuit is active
✅ We know hazing law inside and out – Mississippi hazing statutes, civil liability, institutional negligence
✅ We have former insurance defense attorneys – We know how the other side thinks and fights
✅ We travel to Montgomery County – For meetings, depositions, and trials
✅ We offer remote consultations – Video calls available for Montgomery County families
✅ We work on contingency – You pay nothing unless we win
✅ We speak Spanish – Se habla español; bilingual staff available
✅ We have federal court authority – Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ We have a proven track record – Millions recovered for personal injury victims
What Montgomery County Families Are Saying About Us:
“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” – Dame Haskett
“They treated me like family. I never felt like ‘just another case’ they were working on.” – Ambur Hamilton
“This law firm here is 1 of a kind. I felt like I had my back against the world and Ralph Manginello gave me hope and believed in me.” – MOSTHATED MILYYY’
“The Manginello Law Firm treated me with honesty and respect from the very beginning. I was able to trust the firm to advocate for me.” – Debra Cambric-Chisolm
🚨 Time Is Critical: Mississippi Statute of Limitations
Mississippi law limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after hazing occurs:
- Personal Injury: 3 years from the date of injury
- Wrongful Death: 3 years from the date of death
But don’t wait until the last minute. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your rights can be lost forever.
Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. The consultation is free, and we’re ready to fight for your Montgomery County family.
🎓 A Message to Montgomery County Students: You Are Not Alone
If you’re being hazed:
- You did not deserve this.
- This is not your fault.
- You have the right to say no.
- You have the right to leave.
- You have the right to speak up.
We believe you. We will protect you. And we will fight for you.
Call us confidentially at 1-888-ATTY-911. We will not share your information without your permission.
🏛️ A Message to Montgomery County Fraternities and Sororities: We Are Watching
To the fraternities and sororities operating near Montgomery County:
We know who you are. We know your chapters. We know your national organizations. We know your insurance structures. And we know your hazing histories.
If you haze students in Montgomery County, we will:
- Sue your chapter
- Sue your national organization
- Sue your housing corporation
- Sue your individual members
- Sue your alumni
- Sue the university that allowed it
The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at University of Houston is now shut down. Your chapter could be next.
🏫 A Message to Mississippi Colleges and Universities: The Reckoning Is Coming
To the administrations at Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Mississippi College, Delta State, and other institutions near Montgomery County:
You know hazing happens on your campuses. You’ve known for years. And you’ve done nothing to stop it.
- Mississippi State University has had hazing incidents in the past
- University of Mississippi has a documented hazing history
- Mississippi College and Delta State have active Greek systems with risks
The same negligence that led to our $10 million lawsuit in Houston exists at your institutions. The same liability applies. And we will hold you accountable.
📢 Enough Is Enough: Join the Fight Against Hazing in Montgomery County
Hazing doesn’t have to be this way. Together, we can:
- Hold abusers accountable – Through civil lawsuits and criminal charges
- Change campus culture – By exposing the truth and demanding reform
- Protect future students – By making hazing too expensive to ignore
- Honor victims – By ensuring their suffering leads to meaningful change
If you or someone you know has been hazed in Montgomery County, speak up. Call 1-888-ATTY-911. Together, we can make a difference.
📞 Montgomery County Hazing Lawyers – Free Consultation
Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
📍 Serving Montgomery County from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We come to Montgomery County. We fight for Montgomery County families. And we don’t back down.
Call now for your free, confidential consultation.
