Hazing Victims in Phillips County, Arkansas: Your Legal Rights and How We Can Help

The Hazing Crisis Hits Close to Home in Phillips County

Phillips County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities and Greek organizations to provide a positive, enriching experience. But for far too many students across Arkansas and the nation, that trust is betrayed through the dangerous and often illegal practice of hazing.

This isn’t just happening in big cities or distant states—it’s happening right here in Arkansas. Hazing incidents like what happened at the University of Houston—where a student was hospitalized after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles—can and do occur at institutions near Phillips County. The same national fraternities involved in these incidents have active chapters at universities throughout Arkansas. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in or near Phillips County, they face the same risks.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the horrific hazing that left our client with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. This isn’t just a legal case—it’s a mission to protect students like yours in Phillips County and across the country.

What Is Hazing? The Truth Behind the “Tradition”

Hazing is often dismissed as harmless fun or “tradition,” but the reality is far darker. Under Arkansas law (and similar laws in most states), hazing is defined as any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. This includes:

• Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion, waterboarding, or branding
• Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, or non-food substances (e.g., eating until vomiting)
• Psychological abuse: Humiliation, degradation, threats, or sleep deprivation
• Dangerous activities: Extreme physical challenges, exposure to harsh weather, or confinement

Hazing isn’t just wrong—it’s illegal. In Arkansas, hazing is a criminal offense under Arkansas Code § 6-5-201 to 6-5-207, with penalties ranging from fines to jail time. Yet despite these laws, hazing continues because institutions fail to enforce them.

The Devastating Consequences of Hazing

Hazing doesn’t just leave emotional scars—it can cause life-altering injuries and even death. Our client at the University of Houston suffered:

• Rhabdomyolysis: A breakdown of muscle tissue that releases a damaging protein into the bloodstream, leading to kidney failure
• Acute kidney failure: A life-threatening condition requiring hospitalization
• Psychological trauma: PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of retaliation

These aren’t isolated incidents. Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every year in the United States. In 2021 alone, Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning at Bowling Green State University, and Max Gruver died at Louisiana State University after being forced to drink excessive alcohol. Both cases resulted in multi-million-dollar lawsuits and new state laws to combat hazing.

If your child has been hazed in Phillips County or anywhere in Arkansas, they may be entitled to significant compensation for their injuries.

Who Is Liable? Holding Institutions Accountable

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can—and should—be held accountable. In our current case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, we’re pursuing:

1. The Local Chapter: The fraternity or sorority that directly organized and conducted the hazing
2. The National Organization: The national fraternity or sorority that failed to supervise its chapters or enforce anti-hazing policies
3. The University: The institution that allowed hazing to occur on its property or failed to protect students
4. Individual Members: The students and leaders who participated in or facilitated the hazing

Universities near Phillips County have a legal duty to protect students. When they fail—whether through negligence, lack of oversight, or outright cover-ups—they must be held accountable. The same goes for national Greek organizations, which often prioritize reputation over student safety.

$10 Million Lawsuit: The Case That Proves Phillips County Families Can Win

We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the hazing that hospitalized our client, Leonel Bermudez. Here’s what happened:

• The Hazing: Bermudez was subjected to waterboarding, forced eating until vomiting, 500 squats, 100 pushups, and beatings with wooden paddles over several weeks.
• The Injury: He developed rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospital stay.
• The Cover-Up: Pi Kappa Phi closed the chapter days before the lawsuit was filed, showing they knew they were liable.
• The Lawsuit: We’re demanding $10 million for Bermudez’s medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages to send a message that hazing will not be tolerated.

This case proves that hazing victims—even in Phillips County—can win big. The same legal strategies we’re using in Texas apply to Arkansas. If your child has been hazed, we can help you pursue justice.

What Should Phillips County Families Do If Their Child Is Hazed?

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly, and Arkansas has a statute of limitations (typically 2 years) for filing a lawsuit. Here’s what to do immediately:

1. Seek Medical Attention

• Even if your child seems fine, get them checked by a doctor. Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately.
• Document everything: Medical records are crucial evidence.

2. Preserve Evidence

• Take photos of any injuries, the hazing location, or items used in the hazing.
• Save all communications: Text messages, social media posts, emails, or GroupMe chats about the hazing.
• Write down everything: Dates, times, what happened, who was involved, and any witnesses.

3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization or University Alone

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative and minimize liability.
• Do not give statements without legal counsel present.
• Do not sign anything from the organization or university.

4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

• At Attorney 911, we offer free, confidential consultations for hazing victims.
• We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.
• Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Phillips County Hazing Case?

1. 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 trenches, and we know how to win.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena—worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how they think, strategize, and try to deny claims. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. Nationwide Reach, Local Service

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Phillips County, Arkansas. We offer:

• Video consultations for Phillips County families
• Travel to Phillips County for depositions, trials, and meetings
• Federal court authority to pursue cases anywhere in the U.S.

4. Proven Results in High-Stakes Cases

• $10 million lawsuit currently pending against Pi Kappa Phi and UH
• Multi-million-dollar settlements in personal injury and wrongful death cases
• Former BP Texas City explosion litigation—handling complex cases against massive corporations

5. We Speak Your Language

Our team is bilingual (English and Spanish), ensuring that language barriers never prevent Phillips County families from getting the justice they deserve.

6. We Care About Phillips County Families

We see your child as a person—not a paycheck. We’re parents too, and we understand what’s at stake. We’ll fight for your family like our own.

What Compensation Can Phillips County Families Recover?

Hazing victims may be entitled to compensation for:

In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million—and we have the experience to back it up.

The Clock Is Ticking: Arkansas’s Statute of Limitations

Arkansas law gives hazing victims only 2 years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to compensation forever.

Don’t let the organization or university silence your child. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

Phillips County Families: You Are Not Alone

Hazing is a national crisis, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Attorney 911, we’re fighting for students like yours every day. We’ve seen the devastation hazing causes, and we’re committed to holding those responsible accountable.

If your child has been hazed in Phillips County or anywhere in Arkansas, call us now:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

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

A Message to Fraternities and Sororities Near Phillips County

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Phillips County: We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. If you haze students, we will pursue every liable entity—the university, the national organization, the housing corporation, and the individuals involved.

Pi Kappa Phi’s UH chapter was shut down. Your chapter could be next.

A Message to Universities Near Phillips County

To the universities near Phillips County: The same institutional negligence that made the University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. You have a duty to protect students. If you fail, you will face the same accountability.

Act now—or face the consequences in court.

Phillips County Deserves Better. Let’s Fight for Change.

Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s abuse, and it has no place in Phillips County or anywhere else. Together, we can protect the next generation of students and ensure that no family has to endure what ours have.

Call Attorney 911 today. Your child’s future depends on it.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com