🚨 Hazing Legal Emergency: Putnam County, Missouri Families Need Justice

If your child was hazed at a college or university near Putnam County, Missouri, Attorney 911 is your lifeline.

We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we will bring the same aggressive representation to Putnam County families.

📞 Call our 24/7 Hazing Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

The Hazing Crisis in Putnam County, Missouri — And Why You Need to Act Now

Hazing isn’t just a distant problem — it’s happening right here in Missouri. The same fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries operate chapters at universities near Putnam County.

Putnam County families: If your child was hazed, abused, or hospitalized, you have legal rights — and we know how to enforce them.

What Is Hazing? Missouri Families Need to Know

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them — regardless of whether they consented.

Common hazing activities reported in Missouri and nationwide:

• Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging)
• Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, branding)
• Extreme exercise (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning (yes, this happens)
• Forced eating until vomiting
• Sleep deprivation
• Sexual humiliation or assault
• Psychological torture (isolation, threats, humiliation)

Medical consequences can be severe:

• Alcohol poisoning
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
• Traumatic brain injury
• Heat stroke or hypothermia
• Cardiac arrest
• Death

The Putnam County Hazing Reality: Missouri Universities Are Not Immune

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Missouri. The same fraternities and sororities that have chapters at universities near Putnam County have been involved in multi-million dollar hazing settlements.

Universities near Putnam County with Greek life presence:

• Truman State University (Kirksville, MO)
• University of Missouri (Columbia, MO)
• Missouri State University (Springfield, MO)
• Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau, MO)
• Northwest Missouri State University (Maryville, MO)

Fraternities with chapters near Putnam County and documented hazing histories:

• Pi Kappa Phi (currently in our $10M lawsuit)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Pi Kappa Alpha
• Phi Delta Theta
• Beta Theta Pi
• Sigma Chi
• Kappa Sigma

Missouri families: If your child was hazed at any of these schools, we can help.

Why Putnam County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now — And Winning

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles.

This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the courtroom fighting this exact type of case.

2. We Know How to Sue the Right People

Hazing cases aren’t just about suing individual students. We pursue:

• The local chapter — for organizing the hazing
• The national organization — for failing to prevent it
• The university — for failing to protect students
• Individual officers and members — for participating or enabling
• Insurance companies — to ensure there’s money to pay

3. We Have the Experience to Win Big

• Ralph Manginello — 25+ years of litigation experience; former insurance defense attorney (we know their playbook)
• Lupe Pena — 12+ years of litigation experience; former national defense firm attorney (we know how they fight)
• Multi-million dollar case experience — including the BP Texas City explosion litigation
• Federal court authority — we can pursue cases nationwide
• Dual-state bar admission — Texas AND New York

4. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Putnam County Families

We understand the financial strain hazing puts on families. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency:

• $0 upfront costs
• $0 if we don’t win
• We only get paid if you get paid

5. We Come to You — Putnam County Families Are Our Priority

While we’re based in Texas, we serve clients nationwide. We offer:

• Video consultations — meet with us from home
• Travel for depositions and trials — we come to Putnam County when needed
• Remote case management — we handle everything electronically

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Putnam County, Missouri

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Document everything — medical records are critical evidence
• If your child was hospitalized, request complete medical records

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs)
• Document witness names (other pledges, friends, bystanders)
• Keep all hazing-related items (clothing, paddles, alcohol containers)

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or Their Lawyers

• The fraternity/sorority will try to control the narrative
• They may offer a quick settlement — it will be far less than you deserve
• Anything you say can be used against you

Step 4: Do NOT Post on Social Media

• Anything you post can be used as evidence
• Even innocent posts can be twisted to undermine your case
• Stay off social media until your case is resolved

Step 5: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

• 2-year statute of limitations in Missouri — don’t wait
• Evidence disappears quickly
• Witnesses forget details
• Organizations destroy records

📞 Call our 24/7 Hazing Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911

What We’ll Do for Your Putnam County Hazing Case

1. Immediate Case Evaluation

• Free consultation to review your case
• Determine all liable parties
• Estimate potential compensation

2. Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to all defendants
• Subpoena text messages, social media, and chapter records
• Interview witnesses

3. Medical and Financial Documentation

• Obtain complete medical records
• Work with medical experts to assess long-term impact
• Calculate economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future care)

4. Aggressive Negotiation

• Demand fair compensation from all defendants
• Push for policy changes at the university and national level
• If they won’t settle fairly, we’ll take them to court

5. Trial Representation

• We’re not afraid to go to trial
• We have the experience to win in front of a jury
• We’ll fight for maximum compensation and punitive damages

Hazing Settlements and Verdicts: What Putnam County Families Can Expect

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what other families have recovered:

Putnam County families: These results are possible for your case too.

Missouri Hazing Laws: Your Rights as a Putnam County Family

Missouri has strong anti-hazing laws. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 578.360, hazing is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Key provisions:

• Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be liable
• Organizations can be penalized — fines, loss of recognition, forfeiture of property
• Institutions must report hazing — universities are required to report hazing incidents

Civil liability: In addition to criminal charges, you can sue for:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Punitive damages

Why Time Is Critical for Putnam County Hazing Victims

1. Evidence Disappears Fast

• Text messages get deleted
• Social media posts get removed
• Witnesses forget details
• Organizations destroy records

2. Statute of Limitations Applies

• Missouri: 2 years from date of injury
• If you don’t file within 2 years, you lose your right to sue forever

3. Organizations Will Try to Silence You

• They’ll offer quick, low settlements
• They’ll pressure you to sign confidentiality agreements
• They’ll try to make you feel like you’re overreacting

Don’t let them silence you. Call Attorney 911 today.

Putnam County Families: We’re Here to Help

You are not alone. Hazing is abuse, and you have the right to hold the perpetrators accountable.

We will fight for you with the same intensity we’re bringing to our $10 million hazing lawsuit.

📞 Call our 24/7 Hazing Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

Putnam County families: The call is free. The consultation is free. And we don’t get paid unless you do.

Frequently Asked Questions for Putnam County Families

1. My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?

Hazing victims often fear retaliation or social consequences. We can help protect your child’s identity and pursue the case confidentially. The most important thing is to preserve evidence now — even if your child isn’t ready to move forward.

2. The fraternity/sorority says it was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?

No. Missouri law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. “Tradition” does not justify abuse.

3. What if the hazing happened off-campus?

Hazing is illegal on or off campus. If it’s connected to the organization, we can still pursue the case.

4. Can we sue the national fraternity, or just the local chapter?

Yes. National organizations have deep pockets and insurance policies. We pursue both the local chapter and the national organization.

5. What if my child was drinking during the hazing?

Forced alcohol consumption is still hazing. Even if your child drank voluntarily, the organization can still be liable for other forms of abuse.

6. How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

$0 upfront. We work on contingency — we only get paid if you win.

7. How long will the case take?

Every case is different. Some settle in months; others take years. We’ll keep you updated at every step.

8. Can the fraternity/sorority retaliate against my child?

Retaliation is illegal. We can take legal action if it occurs. Many hazing victims fear retaliation, but we protect our clients.

Putnam County Families: This Is Your Moment

Hazing has gone on for too long. Universities and fraternities have turned a blind eye for decades. But now, families are fighting back — and winning.

Your case could be the one that forces change at Missouri universities.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com

We are Attorney 911. We are your legal emergency responders. And we’re ready to fight for Putnam County families.