🛡️ Hazing Victim Legal Rights in Pope County, Arkansas — A Comprehensive Guide
Attorney 911 — Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experts
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 🌐 attorney911.com | ✉️ ralph@atty911.com
🚨 To Pope County Families: You Are Not Alone
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in Pope County, Arkansas, you have legal rights. What happened is not “tradition.” It’s not “boys being boys.” It’s not “building brotherhood.”
It is abuse. It is assault. It is illegal. And it must be stopped.
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical torture. The same fraternities operate in Pope County. The same negligence exists at Arkansas institutions. We will fight for Pope County families with the same aggression.
This guide explains your rights, the legal process, and how we can help — no matter where you are in Pope County or Arkansas.
📍 Pope County Hazing Context
Pope County, Arkansas, is home to Arkansas Tech University (ATU) in Russellville — a vibrant campus with active Greek life. While we have no documented hazing incidents specific to Pope County in our records, the national fraternities and sororities operating at ATU and nearby institutions have documented histories of hazing nationwide, including:
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) — $10M settlement (Stone Foltz, 2021)
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) — $6.1M verdict (Max Gruver, 2017)
- Beta Theta Pi — $110M+ settlement (Timothy Piazza, 2017)
- Pi Kappa Phi — $10M lawsuit pending (Leonel Bermudez, 2025)
These same organizations have chapters at Arkansas Tech University and other Arkansas institutions. If your child was hazed in Pope County, we can help.
⚖️ Arkansas Hazing Laws — Your Legal Rights
Arkansas Code § 6-5-201 to 6-5-204 — Anti-Hazing Statutes
Definition of Hazing (Ark. Code § 6-5-201):
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization, that causes or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or mental harm to the student.
This includes:
- Physical brutality (paddling, beating, branding)
- Forced exercise to exhaustion (500 squats, bear crawls, “suicides”)
- Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological abuse and humiliation
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Sexual assault or harassment
Pope County Application: The same legal definition applies to hazing in Pope County, Arkansas. If your child experienced any of these, it likely violates Arkansas law.
Criminal Penalties in Arkansas
| Offense | Penalty | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Hazing | Class A Misdemeanor | Person who engages in hazing |
| Hazing causing serious physical injury or death | Class D Felony | Person who engages in hazing |
| Failure to report hazing | Class B Misdemeanor | Person with knowledge who fails to report |
What This Means:
- Individuals who hazed your child could face jail time
- If hazing caused serious injury (like kidney failure, rhabdomyolysis, or hospitalization), charges could be felony-level
- Consent is not a defense — Even if your child “agreed,” Arkansas law says consent doesn’t matter
Civil Liability — Who Can You Sue?
In Arkansas, you can sue for money damages from:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Pope County Example |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at ATU |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Alpha National Headquarters |
| University | Failed to protect students; knew or should have known | Arkansas Tech University |
| Individual Members | Participated in or directed hazing | Chapter president, pledgemaster, active members |
| Alumni/Advisors | Allowed hazing at their property | Former member hosting events in Pope County |
| Insurance Companies | Policies covering the organization | National fraternity’s liability insurance |
Pope County Families: You can pursue compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more — even if the hazing occurred off-campus.
💰 What Compensation Can Pope County Families Recover?
Economic Damages (Actual Financial Losses):
- Medical expenses — ER visits, hospitalization, therapy, future treatment
- Lost wages — Time missed from work or internships
- Educational costs — Tuition, fees, lost scholarships
- Future medical care — If injuries require long-term treatment (e.g., kidney monitoring)
Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering):
- Physical pain — From injuries sustained during hazing
- Mental anguish — PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution
- Emotional distress — Humiliation, shame, loss of trust
- Loss of enjoyment of life — Impact on college experience, social life, academic performance
Punitive Damages (To Punish and Deter):
- Awarded when conduct is grossly negligent, reckless, or intentional
- Meant to punish wrongdoers and deter future hazing
- No cap in Arkansas for most personal injury cases
Pope County Precedent: While Arkansas doesn’t have documented multi-million dollar hazing verdicts, national cases show juries award $6M–$110M for similar conduct. Your Pope County case could set a new standard.
📅 Statute of Limitations — Act Now
In Arkansas, you have:
- 3 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit
- 3 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit
Do not wait.
- Evidence disappears (texts, photos, witness memories fade)
- Organizations destroy records
- Your legal rights expire
We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10M lawsuit filed within weeks of hospitalization. This is how you protect your rights.
🏢 Who Is Liable at Arkansas Tech University?
Arkansas Tech University (ATU) in Russellville has a responsibility to protect its students from hazing. If ATU knew or should have known about hazing in its Greek organizations and failed to act, it may be liable for:
- Negligent supervision — Failing to monitor Greek life
- Premises liability — If hazing occurred on university property
- Institutional negligence — Failing to implement effective anti-hazing policies
- Failure to investigate — Ignoring reports of hazing
ATU’s Greek Life Policy (2025):
ATU requires all Greek organizations to comply with state and university anti-hazing policies. If they failed to enforce these policies, they share liability.
Discovery Will Reveal:
- What ATU knew about hazing in its Greek organizations
- What policies were in place
- Whether ATU conducted inspections or investigations
- Whether ATU took reports of hazing seriously
🔍 What Evidence Do You Need to Preserve?
If your child was hazed in Pope County, preserve everything:
| Evidence Type | What to Save |
|---|---|
| Medical Records | Hospital records, doctor notes, therapy records |
| Photos/Videos | Injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house |
| Texts/GroupMe/Snapchat | All communications about hazing or pledge activities |
| Social Media | Posts, messages, or stories referencing hazing |
| Witness Information | Names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child |
| Financial Records | Medical bills, lost wage documentation |
| Academic Records | Impact on grades, enrollment, scholarships |
⚠️ DO NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
- Sign anything from the organization
- Post about the incident on social media
🛠️ What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Pope County
Step 1: Ensure Safety
- Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately
- Seek medical attention — even if injuries seem minor
Step 2: Document Everything
- Take photos of injuries
- Screenshot all communications (texts, social media)
- Write down everything your child remembers (dates, times, people involved)
Step 3: Report to Authorities
- File a police report with the Russellville Police Department or Pope County Sheriff’s Office
- Report to ATU’s Office of Student Conduct (if at Arkansas Tech)
- Report to national organization (if Greek life)
Step 4: Contact an Attorney
- Do not speak to insurance companies or university officials alone
- Do not accept settlement offers without legal advice
- Call Attorney 911 immediately — 1-888-ATTY-911
Step 5: Seek Support
- Counseling — Trauma from hazing can have long-term effects
- Academic accommodations — ATU may provide support for affected students
- Family support — This is a difficult time; lean on each other
🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing — What Pope County Families Need to Know
Hazing can cause serious, life-threatening injuries, including:
| Injury | What It Is | Symptoms | Long-Term Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Muscle breakdown releasing toxic proteins into blood | Brown urine, muscle pain, weakness, kidney failure | Chronic kidney disease, dialysis, transplant |
| Acute Kidney Failure | Kidneys stop filtering waste | Swelling, fatigue, confusion, seizures | Permanent kidney damage, lifelong monitoring |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Dangerously high blood alcohol level | Confusion, vomiting, slow breathing, unconsciousness | Death, brain damage |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Head trauma from falls or blows | Headache, dizziness, memory loss, seizures | Permanent cognitive impairment |
| Heat Stroke | Overheating from extreme exercise | High body temperature, nausea, confusion, loss of consciousness | Organ damage, death |
| Hypothermia | Dangerously low body temperature | Shivering, slurred speech, weak pulse | Frostbite, organ failure |
| PTSD | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, avoidance | Long-term therapy, medication, disability |
| Depression/Anxiety | Mental health disorders | Sadness, hopelessness, panic attacks | Suicidal ideation, academic decline |
Pope County Families: If your child shows any of these symptoms after hazing, seek medical attention immediately. Early treatment can prevent long-term damage.
🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Pope County Hazing Case?
1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
- Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
- Our client was hospitalized with kidney failure from waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical abuse
- The same fraternities operate in Pope County — we know their tactics
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides
- We know how they think, how they value claims, and how they try to minimize payouts
- We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery
3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Pope County
- Based in Texas, but we represent hazing victims nationwide
- Federal court authority — can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
- We travel to Pope County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- Video consultations available for Pope County families
4. Proven Track Record
- $10M+ in settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases
- BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience
- Multi-million dollar trucking and car accident cases
- Wrongful death and catastrophic injury experience
5. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
- Bilingual staff available to serve Spanish-speaking families in Pope County
- All consultations available in Spanish
6. Contingency Fee — $0 Upfront
- No fee unless we win your case
- No hourly charges, no retainers
- We only get paid when you get paid
7. We Protect Our Clients
- Hazing victims often fear retribution — we ensure your safety and privacy
- We handle all communications with defendants, insurance companies, and universities
- We fight aggressively so you don’t have to
📞 Pope County Families — Contact Us Now
If your child was hazed in Pope County, Arkansas, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and your legal rights expire.
Call us 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
✉️ ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We will:
- Evaluate your case at no cost
- Explain your legal rights in plain language
- Preserve evidence before it’s lost
- Fight for maximum compensation
- Hold every responsible party accountable
You are not alone. We are here to help.
📚 Pope County Hazing Resources
Emergency Resources:
- Russellville Police Department: (479) 968-3232
- Pope County Sheriff’s Office: (479) 968-2558
- Arkansas Tech University Police: (479) 968-0222
- Arkansas Tech Counseling Services: (479) 968-0329
Reporting Hazing:
- Arkansas Tech University Office of Student Conduct: (479) 968-0337
- Arkansas Department of Higher Education: (501) 371-2000
- StopHazing.org: Anonymous reporting and resources
Support Organizations:
- HazingPrevention.org: Education and prevention resources
- Love Like Adam Foundation: Support for hazing victims and families
- Anti-Hazing Coalition: National advocacy group
📢 A Message to Pope County Fraternities and Sororities
To the chapters operating in Pope County:
We know who you are. We know your national organizations. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies.
The same legal strategies that secured $10M+ verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
If you haze students in Pope County, we will:
- Sue your chapter
- Sue your national organization
- Sue your housing corporation
- Sue your individual members
- Sue your alumni advisors
- Sue your insurance carriers
We are currently litigating against Pi Kappa Phi for waterboarding a student. Your chapter could be next.
To national organizations:
You have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries. You know the risks. You know the consequences. Clean up your chapters — or we will clean them out in court.
🔥 Pope County Families: Enough Is Enough
Hazing has no place in Pope County, Arkansas. It has no place at Arkansas Tech University. It has no place anywhere.
If your child was hazed, you have the power to stop it from happening to someone else.
Call us. We will fight for you.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ✉️ ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Protecting Pope County families from hazing abuse.
