Hazing Victims in Sainte Genevieve County: Your Rights, Your Recovery

Sainte Genevieve County Families: You Are Not Alone

Hazing isn’t just a distant problem happening at big universities far away. It happens right here in Sainte Genevieve County—at local colleges, in fraternities and sororities, on sports teams, and in student organizations. If your child has been hazed, abused, or injured in any way during what was supposed to be a “rite of passage,” you have legal rights. And we can help you fight back.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the University of Houston—a case that has already exposed waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and a fraternity culture that prioritizes “tradition” over human safety. The same fraternities, the same negligence, and the same dangers exist right here in Sainte Genevieve County. And we are ready to fight for you.

What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Missouri)

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them—regardless of their willingness to participate. In Missouri, hazing is a criminal offense under § 578.360 RSMo, and it can lead to jail time, fines, and civil lawsuits.

Examples of Hazing in Sainte Genevieve County:

• Physical abuse: Forced exercise until collapse, beatings with paddles, branding, or exposure to extreme weather
• Forced consumption: Alcohol poisoning, forced eating until vomiting, or ingesting non-food substances
• Psychological torture: Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, isolation, or threats of expulsion
• Sexual humiliation: Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, or degrading acts
• Dangerous stunts: Blindfolded activities, physical challenges that risk injury, or reckless behavior

If your child experienced any of these in Sainte Genevieve County, they were hazed—and they have legal rights.

Why Sainte Genevieve County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles during Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston. This isn’t just a case we might take—we’re in the courtroom fighting it right now. And we will bring the same aggressive representation to Sainte Genevieve County families.

2. We Know How to Win Against Powerful Institutions

Fraternities, universities, and national organizations have teams of lawyers, insurance companies, and PR firms working to silence victims. We’ve beaten them before:

• $10+ million in hazing settlements and verdicts nationwide
• Former insurance defense attorneys—we know their playbook and how to dismantle it
• Federal court authority—we can pursue cases anywhere in the U.S., including Sainte Genevieve County
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York)—strategic advantage for national fraternity cases

3. We Understand the Sainte Genevieve County Community

While we’re based in Texas, we serve Sainte Genevieve County families with the same dedication we bring to local cases. We know the universities, colleges, and Greek organizations in the region. We understand the pressures students face—and we know how to hold institutions accountable.

4. No Upfront Costs—We Only Get Paid If You Win

We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This levels the playing field so you can take on powerful organizations without financial risk.

5. We Travel to Sainte Genevieve County

Distance is not a barrier. We will travel to Sainte Genevieve County for depositions, meetings, and trials. You don’t have to come to us—we come to you.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Sainte Genevieve County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be life-threatening—our client spent 4 days in the hospital with kidney failure.
• Alcohol poisoning can be fatal—another student in our case nearly died from forced drinking.
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) requires professional treatment.

Document everything. Medical records are crucial evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs—screenshot everything before it’s deleted.
• Photos and videos—document injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
• Witnesses—get names and contact information of anyone who saw or participated in the hazing.
• Fraternity/sorority documents—pledge manuals, schedules, or any written rules.

Do NOT delete anything. Destroying evidence can hurt your case.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone

• They will try to control the narrative and minimize your claim.
• They may ask for recorded statements—never give one without an attorney present.
• They may offer a lowball settlement—never accept without legal advice.

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

Hazing cases have strict deadlines (usually 2 years in Missouri). The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Call us 24/7:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Sainte Genevieve County?

Hazing isn’t just the fault of the individuals who participated. Institutions that enable or ignore hazing can be held legally and financially responsible.

Potential Defendants in Your Sainte Genevieve County Hazing Case:

In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re suing:
✅ The local chapter
✅ The national organization
✅ The University of Houston
✅ Individual members
✅ Former members and their spouses

We will pursue every liable party in your Sainte Genevieve County case.

What Compensation Can Sainte Genevieve County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing causes physical, emotional, and financial harm. You deserve compensation for all of it.

Economic Damages (Actual Financial Losses)

• Medical bills (hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (time missed from work or internships)
• Educational disruptions (tuition refunds, scholarship losses)
• Future medical costs (dialysis, kidney transplant, ongoing care)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain from injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, burns)
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution)
• Humiliation and degradation (forced nudity, sexual humiliation, public shaming)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in activities, social isolation)

Punitive Damages (Punishing the Wrongdoers)

If the hazing was especially egregious (waterboarding, forced drinking until hospitalization, cover-ups), courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future hazing.

Recent hazing verdicts and settlements:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
• $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)

Our $10 million demand in the Pi Kappa Phi case is in line with these precedents—and your Sainte Genevieve County case could be worth just as much.

Common Defenses (And How We Crush Them)

Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to blame the victim. Here’s how we fight back:

Defense 1: “They Consented to the Hazing”

❌ Our Response:

• Missouri law says consent is NOT a defense (§ 578.360 RSMo).
• They were coerced—threatened with expulsion, social ostracism, or physical harm.
• They didn’t know the risks—hazing is hidden until it’s too late.

Defense 2: “It Was Just a Prank”

❌ Our Response:

• Waterboarding is torture—not a prank.
• 500 squats causing kidney failure—not a prank.
• Forcing someone to drink until they pass out—not a prank.

Defense 3: “The University Didn’t Know”

❌ Our Response:

• They should have known—hazing is rampant in Greek life.
• They had prior incidents—many universities (like UH) have documented hazing cases.
• They own the fraternity houses—they have a duty to inspect and regulate.

Defense 4: “It Wasn’t That Bad”

❌ Our Response:

• Kidney failure is “that bad.”
• PTSD is “that bad.”
• Losing a semester of school is “that bad.”
• Being waterboarded is “that bad.”

Sainte Genevieve County Schools & Greek Organizations at Risk

Hazing isn’t limited to big universities. It happens at all types of schools and organizations in Sainte Genevieve County, including:

Colleges & Universities Near Sainte Genevieve County

• Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau, MO) – Active Greek life with multiple fraternities and sororities.
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale (Carbondale, IL) – Large Greek system with a history of hazing incidents.
• Murray State University (Murray, KY) – Greek organizations with documented hazing risks.
• University of Missouri (Columbia, MO) – Major Greek life presence with prior hazing cases.
• Saint Louis University (St. Louis, MO) – Private university with active Greek organizations.

Fraternities & Sororities with Chapters Near Sainte Genevieve County

These same organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide. If they have chapters near Sainte Genevieve County, they are putting your children at risk.

How We Prove Your Sainte Genevieve County Hazing Case

1. Medical Records

• Hospitalization records
• Doctor’s notes
• Therapy records (for PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Lab results (rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, etc.)

2. Communications

• Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
• Emails from fraternity/sorority leadership
• Social media posts about hazing

3. Witness Testimony

• Other pledges who were hazed
• Active members who participated
• Bystanders who saw the hazing

4. Institutional Records

• Prior hazing reports at the school
• Fraternity/sorority internal documents
• University oversight policies (or lack thereof)

5. Expert Testimony

• Medical experts (to explain injuries like rhabdomyolysis)
• Greek life culture experts (to explain the power dynamics of hazing)
• Economic experts (to calculate future medical costs and lost wages)

What Happens If We Win Your Sainte Genevieve County Hazing Case?

1. Financial Compensation

• Medical bills paid (past and future)
• Lost wages recovered
• Pain and suffering compensated
• Punitive damages (if the hazing was especially egregious)

2. Institutional Change

• Fraternity/sorority chapters shut down
• Universities forced to implement real oversight
• National organizations held accountable

3. Criminal Charges (If Applicable)

• Hazing is a crime in Missouri (§ 578.360 RSMo).
• Individuals can face jail time (up to 1 year for serious bodily injury).
• Organizations can be fined (up to $10,000).

4. Legislative Impact

• Hazing cases often lead to new laws (like the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana).
• Your case could save lives by forcing change.

Frequently Asked Questions for Sainte Genevieve County Families

1. “My child is afraid of retaliation. How do we protect them?”

✅ We protect our clients.

• We handle all communication with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies.
• We ensure your child’s identity is protected as much as possible.
• We pursue all liable parties—not just the individuals, but the institutions that enabled the hazing.

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

❌ No.

• “Tradition” does not justify abuse.
• Missouri law explicitly bans hazing, regardless of “tradition.”
• If the activity was dangerous, humiliating, or illegal, it’s hazing.

3. “The university says they didn’t know. Can they still be sued?”

✅ Yes.

• Universities have a duty to protect students.
• If they own the fraternity house (like UH did), they’re liable for what happens there.
• If they had prior hazing incidents (like UH did), they knew the risks.

4. “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”

⏳ Missouri has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases.

• The clock starts on the date of the hazing incident or the date the injury was discovered.
• Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

5. “What if my child was hazed at a high school or club, not a college?”

✅ We handle hazing cases at all levels.

• High school sports teams
• Marching bands
• ROTC programs
• Academic clubs
• Military academies

If your child was hazed in Sainte Genevieve County, we can help.

6. “How much is my case worth?”

💰 It depends on:

• The severity of the injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, psychological trauma)
• The egregiousness of the conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, physical abuse)
• The number of liable defendants (fraternity, university, individuals)
• The insurance coverage available

Recent hazing cases have settled for $4 million to $110 million. Our $10 million demand in the Pi Kappa Phi case is in line with these precedents.

Sainte Genevieve County Families: The Time to Act Is Now

Hazing doesn’t just “happen.” It’s allowed to happen because institutions turn a blind eye. But when victims and families stand up, change happens.

• Andrew Coffey’s death led to new hazing laws in Florida.
• Max Gruver’s death led to the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana.
• Timothy Piazza’s death led to the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania.

Your Sainte Genevieve County case could be the one that forces change here in Missouri.

We are ready to fight for you. Call us today.

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

Free consultation. No upfront costs. We only get paid if you win.

A Final Message to Sainte Genevieve County Parents

We know what you’re feeling right now.

You sent your child to college—or to a club, or a team, or a fraternity—expecting them to be safe. You trusted that the adults in charge would protect them. Instead, they were tortured, humiliated, and endangered.

We understand the rage. We understand the helplessness. And we know how to turn that pain into justice.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are ready to fight for your child.

Call us now. Before the evidence disappears. Before the witnesses forget. Before your rights expire.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Enough is enough.