🚨 Hazing Victims in Ouachita County: Your Legal Rights and How to Get Justice
Ouachita County families: If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Ouachita County, you’re not alone. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston operate at institutions across Arkansas. The same negligence that led to a $10 million lawsuit in Texas exists right here in Ouachita County. We can help.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we’re ready to fight for Ouachita County families with the same determination.
📞 Call Now for a Free Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Ouachita County
On November 21, 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to extreme hazing.
What they did to him:
- Waterboarded him with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced him to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck him with wooden paddles
- Forced him to eat until he vomited, then made him keep running
- Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
- A pledge lost consciousness during a workout — they kept going
The result: Leonel couldn’t stand without help. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. His mother rushed him to the hospital with kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.
Ouachita County parents: This isn’t just a Houston problem. The same fraternities operate at colleges and universities near Ouachita County. The same “traditions” exist here. The same negligence happens in Ouachita County.
⚠️ The Hazing Crisis in Ouachita County
Hazing isn’t “boys being boys.” It’s not “tradition.” It’s not “building brotherhood.”
It is:
- Assault
- Battery
- Torture
- Reckless endangerment
- Sometimes manslaughter
- Sometimes murder
The statistics are alarming:
- 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
- 40% of student athletes report hazing
- Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States
- 95% of students who are hazed do not report it
Ouachita County families: If your child is in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, ROTC, or any student organization, they may be at risk.
🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Ouachita County?
When hazing happens, everyone who participated or allowed it can be held accountable.
In our Houston case, we’re suing:
- The local chapter — They organized and conducted the hazing
- The national organization — They knew about the “hazing crisis” and failed to stop it
- The university — They owned the fraternity house and failed to protect students
- Individual members — They participated in the abuse
Ouachita County families: The same defendants apply to your case. We can pursue:
- The local chapter near Ouachita County
- The national fraternity/sorority organization
- The Ouachita County university or college
- Individual perpetrators
💰 What Is Your Ouachita County Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing cases win millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. These are real cases with real outcomes:
| 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 |
| Our Case | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Lawsuit Filed | $10 million |
Ouachita County families: Your case could be worth millions. We fight for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as an Ouachita County Hazing Victim
Arkansas Hazing Laws
Arkansas has strong anti-hazing laws. Under Arkansas Code § 6-5-201 to 6-5-207:
- Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail)
- If hazing causes serious injury or death, it’s a felony
- Consent is not a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still illegal
Civil Lawsuits
You can file a civil lawsuit for:
- Negligence — The organization failed to protect your child
- Assault and battery — Physical abuse is a crime and a civil wrong
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress — Psychological torture
- Premises liability — If hazing occurred on university property
Federal Civil Rights Claims
If the hazing was motivated by race, gender, or other protected characteristics, you may have a federal civil rights claim under Title IX or Section 1983.
📋 What Ouachita County Families Should Do Immediately
If Your Child Has Been Hazed:
- Get medical attention immediately — Even if injuries seem minor
- Preserve all evidence — Texts, photos, videos, social media posts
- Do not talk to the fraternity/sorority or university without legal counsel
- Do not post on social media — Anything you say can be used against you
- Call Attorney 911 immediately — 1-888-ATTY-911
Evidence to Preserve:
- Medical records from any treatment
- Photos of injuries at all stages of healing
- Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
- Names and contact information of witnesses
- Any documents given to your child by the organization
- Photos/videos of hazing activities (if any exist)
🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Ouachita County Hazing Case?
We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight right now. Ouachita County families get the same aggressive representation.
Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know their playbook. We know how they try to minimize claims. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.
Nationwide Reach
While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Ouachita County. We have:
- Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York)
- Willingness to travel to Ouachita County for your case
- Remote consultation technology for Ouachita County families
Proven Results
We’ve recovered millions of dollars for injury victims, including:
- Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
- Successful outcomes in wrongful death claims
- Experience with catastrophic injuries like rhabdomyolysis
- Aggressive representation against large institutions
We Speak Spanish
Our staff is bilingual. Se habla español. We can serve Ouachita County’s Hispanic families without language barriers.
Contingency Fee Basis
Ouachita County families pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win your case. This levels the playing field against powerful institutions.
📞 Ouachita County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s abuse.
You have legal rights. You have options. You have allies.
Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We serve Ouachita County families from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We will travel to Ouachita County for your case. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions from Ouachita County Families
Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to sue. Should we still contact a lawyer?
A: Yes. Even if your child doesn’t want to sue, a consultation can help you understand your options. You may have claims for medical expenses, emotional distress, or other damages. We offer free consultations — there’s no obligation.
Q: The fraternity said my child “consented” to the hazing. Does that mean we can’t sue?
A: No. Arkansas law says consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity is still liable for any harm caused.
Q: The university near Ouachita County says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can we still sue them?
A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight of Greek life, they can be held liable for hazing that occurs on their campus.
Q: My child was hazed at a private university near Ouachita County. Can we still sue?
A: Yes. Private universities have the same duty to protect students as public universities. We can pursue claims against private institutions.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Arkansas, you generally have 2 years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.
Q: We can’t afford a lawyer. How much does it cost?
A: You pay nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — we only get paid if we win your case. This means Ouachita County families can pursue justice without financial risk.
Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. How do you protect victims?
A: We understand the fear of retaliation. In our Houston case, our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We protect our clients’ identities and safety throughout the legal process.
🏆 Our Commitment to Ouachita County Families
At Attorney 911, we believe that hazing is a legal emergency. We treat every case with urgency, compassion, and relentless determination.
Ouachita County families can expect:
- Immediate response — We move quickly to preserve evidence
- Aggressive representation — We don’t back down from powerful institutions
- Compassionate support — We understand the trauma you’re experiencing
- Transparent communication — You’ll always know what’s happening with your case
- Maximum compensation — We fight for every dollar you deserve
We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. And we will fight hard for Ouachita County families, because we truly care.
🔥 The Message to Ouachita County Fraternities and Universities
To fraternities operating near Ouachita County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Ouachita County, we will find every liable entity.
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and every other national fraternity with chapters near Ouachita County:
We track your house corporations, your alumni chapters, your national insurance structure, and your documented history of hazing deaths. If your Ouachita County chapters harm students, we will pursue every liable entity. We already shut down Beta Nu at UH. Your chapter could be next.
To universities in Ouachita County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability. We will hold you responsible for failing to protect your students.
📞 Ouachita County Families: Call Now — 1-888-ATTY-911
Hazing is not tradition. It’s torture. It’s abuse. It’s illegal.
You have the power to stop it. We have the legal firepower to help you.
Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We serve Ouachita County and all of Arkansas. We will fight for your family.
