Hazing Lawyers in Saint Louis County – Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse
Attorney 911: Aggressive Legal Representation for Hazing Victims in Saint Louis County
If your child was injured, hospitalized, or traumatized by hazing at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization in Saint Louis County, Missouri, you are not alone. The same dangerous hazing culture that hospitalized our client in Houston exists at universities and colleges across America—including right here in Saint Louis County.
At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the brutal abuse our client endured. We know how to hold fraternities, sororities, and universities accountable—and we will fight just as hard for Saint Louis County families.
📞 Call now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
Why Saint Louis County Families Need a Hazing Lawyer
Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “harmless fun.” It is abuse, assault, and sometimes even torture—and it happens at universities near Saint Louis County every year.
Hazing is a Crisis in Saint Louis County
- National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Kappa Sigma operate chapters at universities in and around Saint Louis County.
- Universities in Saint Louis County have the same oversight failures that allowed hazing to continue unchecked in our Houston case.
- Students in Saint Louis County face the same risks—forced drinking, extreme physical abuse, sleep deprivation, and psychological torture.
The Same Hazing Happens in Saint Louis County
In our ongoing $10 million lawsuit, a University of Houston fraternity pledge was:
✔ Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✔ Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
✔ Struck with wooden paddles
✔ Made to eat until vomiting, then forced to keep running
✔ Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
This same abuse happens at Saint Louis County universities. If your child was hazed, we will fight for justice—no matter where it happened.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Saint Louis County?
Hazing cases involve multiple layers of liability. We pursue every responsible party to maximize compensation for Saint Louis County victims:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies despite knowing about dangerous culture |
| University/College | Failed to supervise Greek life, ignored prior hazing incidents, or owned the property where abuse occurred |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Led and directed hazing activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Alumni & Property Owners | Allowed hazing to occur at their homes or properties |
In our Houston case, we are suing:
✅ Pi Kappa Phi National (for failing to stop hazing despite knowing about a “hazing crisis”)
✅ The local UH chapter (for directly organizing the abuse)
✅ University of Houston (for owning the fraternity house where torture occurred)
✅ Individual members (for participating in and enabling hazing)
We will pursue the same accountability for Saint Louis County victims.
What Counts as Hazing in Missouri?
Missouri law defines hazing as any activity that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.
Common Hazing Practices in Saint Louis County
| Physical Abuse | Forced Consumption | Psychological Torture | Sleep Deprivation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatings & paddling | Forced drinking (alcohol poisoning) | Humiliation & degradation | Late-night activities |
| Extreme exercise (500+ squats, pushups) | Forced eating until vomiting | Verbal abuse & threats | Early-morning drills |
| Waterboarding & simulated drowning | Consuming non-food items | Isolation & intimidation | Forced errands for members |
| Branding & burning | Chugging alcohol | Sexual humiliation | Driving members at odd hours |
| Confinement in small spaces | Drinking games | Carrying sexual objects | Disrupted sleep schedules |
If your child experienced any of these, they may have a legal claim—even if they “consented.”
Missouri Hazing Laws: What Saint Louis County Families Need to Know
1. Consent Is NOT a Defense
❌ “He agreed to participate.”
❌ “She knew what she was getting into.”
❌ “It’s just tradition.”
Missouri law explicitly states that consent does NOT excuse hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity, sorority, or university can still be held liable.
2. Hazing Is a Crime in Missouri
Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 578.360, hazing is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail). If hazing causes serious injury or death, it can be elevated to a felony.
This means:
- Individuals who hazed your child could face criminal charges.
- The organization could be fined or shut down.
- A criminal conviction strengthens your civil lawsuit.
3. Universities Can Be Held Liable
Colleges and universities in Saint Louis County have a legal duty to protect students from hazing. If they:
✔ Knew or should have known about hazing risks
✔ Failed to investigate complaints
✔ Ignored prior incidents (like UH did in our case)
✔ Owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred
They can be sued for negligence.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Saint Louis County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), alcohol poisoning, and head injuries can be life-threatening.
- Document all injuries—take photos of bruises, cuts, or other signs of abuse.
- Get a full medical evaluation—even if your child says they’re “fine,” some injuries (like internal damage) may not be obvious right away.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshot everything)
✅ Photos & videos of injuries or hazing activities
✅ Witness names & contact info (other pledges, bystanders)
✅ Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
✅ Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records)
⚠️ Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing or incriminating. Destroying evidence can hurt your case.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without a Lawyer
- They will try to control the narrative and minimize your child’s experience.
- They may offer a lowball settlement before you know the full extent of injuries.
- Anything you say can be used against you in court.
Let us handle all communications. Once you hire Attorney 911, they can only talk to us—not you.
Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately
Hazing cases have strict deadlines (usually 2 years from the incident in Missouri). The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
📞 Call Attorney 911 now: 1-888-ATTY-911
We offer free, confidential consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.
What Compensation Can Saint Louis County Families Recover?
Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to millions in damages, including:
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages | Punitive Damages |
|---|---|---|
| Medical bills (past & future) | Pain & suffering | Punishment for egregious conduct |
| Lost wages | Emotional distress | Deterrence for other organizations |
| Therapy & counseling costs | PTSD & anxiety | |
| Academic disruption (tuition, scholarships) | Humiliation & shame | |
| Future medical expenses (dialysis, surgery) | Loss of enjoyment of life |
Precedent Cases Prove Hazing Victims Win Millions
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Phi Delta Theta | LSU | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | $110+ million (estimated) |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Confidential settlement |
Our $10 million demand for our client is in line with these precedents—and Saint Louis County families deserve the same justice.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Saint Louis County Hazing Case?
1. We Are Actively Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
- We know exactly how these organizations operate and how to defeat their defenses.
- We have proven results in hazing cases, including Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation and Texas A&M hazing cases.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Playbook
- Both of our attorneys (Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena) worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
- We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to minimize claims.
- We use that insider knowledge to maximize compensation for our clients.
3. Federal Court Authority—We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.
- We are admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas).
- We can pursue national fraternities and universities no matter where they’re headquartered.
- We travel to Saint Louis County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
4. Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas & New York)
- Many national fraternities are headquartered in New York—our dual bar admission gives us strategic leverage in negotiations.
5. We Work on Contingency—No Upfront Costs
- You pay nothing unless we win.
- No hourly fees, no retainers—just a percentage of your settlement.
- If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
6. Bilingual Representation (Se Habla Español)
- Hazing affects all students, including those from Spanish-speaking families.
- We provide full legal services in Spanish—no language barriers.
7. We Treat You Like Family
- We understand the emotional toll hazing takes on families.
- We listen, support, and fight aggressively for Saint Louis County victims.
- We keep you updated at every step—no surprises, no runaround.
Saint Louis County Universities & Greek Life: We Are Watching You
To fraternities and sororities operating in Saint Louis County:
We know who you are.
We know your corporate structures, insurance policies, and hazing histories.
We know which chapters have prior incidents—and we will find out if you’re hiding more.
If you haze students in Saint Louis County, we will sue:
✔ Your local chapter
✔ Your national organization
✔ Your housing corporation
✔ Your alumni advisors
✔ Your individual members
We are already fighting this battle in court—and we will bring the same fight to Saint Louis County.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits in Saint Louis County
1. My child “consented” to hazing. Can we still sue?
✅ Yes. Missouri law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity, sorority, or university can still be held liable.
2. The fraternity/sorority says this was just a “prank.” Is it still hazing?
✅ Yes. If the activity was dangerous, humiliating, or forced, it qualifies as hazing under Missouri law—regardless of what the organization calls it.
3. My child wasn’t hospitalized. Can we still take legal action?
✅ Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may have suffered:
- PTSD, anxiety, or depression
- Humiliation or emotional trauma
- Academic disruption
- Financial losses (missed work, therapy costs)
We pursue compensation for all of these damages.
4. The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Are they still liable?
✅ Yes. Universities have a legal duty to monitor Greek life and prevent hazing. If they:
- Ignored prior complaints
- Failed to inspect fraternity/sorority houses
- Owned the property where hazing occurred
They can be held liable for negligence.
5. How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Missouri?
⏳ Missouri’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of the hazing incident.
Do NOT wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire.
6. How much is my Saint Louis County hazing case worth?
💰 Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits often result in millions in compensation, depending on:
- Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, wrongful death)
- Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, physical abuse)
- Prior incidents at the same chapter (shows pattern of negligence)
- University’s knowledge & response (did they ignore warnings?)
Our current case seeks $10 million—and we believe Saint Louis County victims deserve the same.
7. Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?
✅ Yes. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If the fraternity, sorority, or university was involved, they can be held liable.
8. What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
🔒 We protect our clients. We:
- Handle all communications with the fraternity, sorority, and university.
- File protective orders if necessary.
- Pursue claims anonymously when possible.
Your child’s safety and privacy are our top priorities.
9. Do we need to hire a Saint Louis County lawyer, or can you help?
✅ We can represent you no matter where you are. While we are based in Texas, we:
- Travel to Saint Louis County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
- Offer video consultations for Saint Louis County families.
- Have federal court authority to sue national organizations.
Distance is not a barrier to justice.
10. How do we get started?
📞 Call us now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
We will:
- Listen to your story and evaluate your case.
- Explain your legal rights under Missouri law.
- Outline your options for pursuing compensation.
- Fight aggressively for the justice your family deserves.
There is no cost to call, and no obligation. The consultation is 100% confidential.
Saint Louis County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone
Hazing is abuse, assault, and sometimes torture—and it has no place in Saint Louis County or anywhere else.
If your child was hazed, you have the right to hold the responsible parties accountable. You have the right to compensation for medical bills, therapy, and pain and suffering. You have the right to ensure this never happens to another Saint Louis County family.
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting this battle right now.
📞 Call us today: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
We don’t get paid unless you win. We don’t back down from powerful institutions. And we will fight for Saint Louis County families like yours.
🚨 ACT NOW—BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
Hazing cases have strict deadlines. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Don’t let the fraternity, sorority, or university silence your child’s story.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today for a free, confidential consultation.