Hazing Victim Legal Support in Sevier County, Arkansas

Attorney 911: Fighting for Justice Against Fraternity and Sorority Hazing in Arkansas

At Attorney 911, we understand the devastating impact hazing can have on students and their families in Sevier County and across Arkansas. As former insurance defense attorneys with over 37 years of combined legal experience, we’ve seen firsthand how Greek organizations and universities try to minimize or deny responsibility when students are injured or killed due to hazing. That’s why we’re committed to holding these institutions accountable and securing justice for hazing victims throughout Arkansas.

Why Sevier County Families Trust Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

When your child is harmed by hazing at a college near Sevier County, you need attorneys who understand both the legal complexities and the personal trauma involved. Our firm offers:

1. Nationwide Representation: While we’re based in Texas, our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses allow us to represent hazing victims anywhere in the country, including Sevier County, Arkansas.

2. Proven Hazing Litigation Experience: We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, giving us direct experience with the exact type of case Sevier County families may face.

3. Insurance Defense Insight: As former insurance defense attorneys, we know exactly how fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to defend themselves – and how to counter those strategies.

4. Compassionate Approach: We treat Sevier County families like our own, providing personalized attention and support throughout the legal process.

5. Contingency Fee Basis: Sevier County families pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

The Hazing Crisis in Arkansas: What Sevier County Families Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just a problem in big states like Texas or Florida – it happens right here in Arkansas, including at colleges and universities near Sevier County. Recent cases demonstrate that the same dangerous “traditions” that led to our client’s hospitalization in Houston are present in Arkansas Greek organizations.

Common Hazing Practices in Arkansas

Based on our experience and national research, we know that Arkansas hazing incidents often involve:

• Forced alcohol consumption leading to alcohol poisoning
• Extreme physical exertion causing rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure
• Physical abuse including paddling, beating, or other forms of assault
• Psychological torture such as sleep deprivation, humiliation, and threats
• Dangerous stunts that put pledges at risk of serious injury

Our client in Houston was subjected to waterboarding, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles – activities that could easily occur at Arkansas institutions near Sevier County.

Arkansas Colleges with Greek Life Presence

While Sevier County itself doesn’t have a major university, several Arkansas institutions with active Greek organizations are within reasonable distance:

1. University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) – Approximately 3 hours from Sevier County

   • Home to numerous fraternities and sororities
   • Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other national organizations with documented hazing histories

2. Arkansas Tech University (Russellville) – Approximately 2.5 hours from Sevier County

   • Active Greek system with multiple fraternities and sororities

3. Henderson State University (Arkadelphia) – Approximately 3 hours from Sevier County

   • Greek organizations with potential hazing risks

4. Southern Arkansas University (Magnolia) – Approximately 2 hours from Sevier County

   • Smaller but active Greek system

5. University of Arkansas at Little Rock – Approximately 3.5 hours from Sevier County

   • Urban campus with Greek life presence

The same national fraternities involved in our current lawsuit – Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha – have chapters at these Arkansas universities. This means Sevier County students attending these schools face the same risks our client experienced.

Arkansas Hazing Laws: Your Legal Rights

Arkansas has specific laws designed to protect students from hazing, and these laws apply to Sevier County residents attending college anywhere in the state:

Arkansas Code § 6-5-201: Hazing Defined

Hazing in Arkansas is defined as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one (1) student alone or acting with others, directed against any other student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are or include other students.”

Arkansas Code § 6-5-204: Criminal Penalties

Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor in Arkansas, punishable by:

• Up to 1 year in jail
• Fines up to $2,500

If hazing results in serious physical injury or death, it becomes a Class D felony, punishable by:

• Up to 6 years in prison
• Fines up to $10,000

Arkansas Code § 6-5-205: Consent Not a Defense

Importantly, Arkansas law states:

“Consent of the victim is not a defense to prosecution under this subchapter.”

This means that even if a Sevier County student “agreed” to participate in hazing activities, the organization and individuals involved can still be held legally responsible.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Arkansas?

When hazing occurs at Arkansas colleges near Sevier County, multiple parties may be legally responsible:

1. Local Chapter Members: Individual fraternity or sorority members who participated in or organized the hazing.

2. Chapter Officers: The president, pledge master, and other officers who had leadership responsibility.

3. National Organization: The national fraternity or sorority that failed to properly supervise its Arkansas chapters.

4. University/College: The Arkansas institution where the hazing occurred, especially if they knew or should have known about hazing risks.

5. House Corporations: Organizations that own or manage fraternity/sorority houses in Arkansas.

6. Alumni Advisors: Former members who may have encouraged or facilitated hazing activities.

In our current case, we’re pursuing claims against all these categories of defendants – and we’ll do the same for Sevier County families affected by hazing in Arkansas.

The University of Houston Case: What It Means for Sevier County

Our current $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston demonstrates the serious consequences of hazing and provides a roadmap for Sevier County families seeking justice:

What Happened in Houston

Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student not yet enrolled at UH, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi in September 2025. Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse including:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Being struck with wooden paddles
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Sleep deprivation from driving fraternity members at all hours
• Psychological torture including carrying sexual objects

On November 3, 2025, after being punished for missing an event, Bermudez was forced to perform extreme exercises until he couldn’t stand without help. He crawled up the stairs when he got home, and his condition worsened over the next three days. His mother rushed him to the hospital on November 6, where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days hospitalized.

Why This Matters for Sevier County

1. Same Fraternities Operate in Arkansas: Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and other organizations involved in hazing cases have chapters at Arkansas universities near Sevier County.

2. Same Hazing Culture Exists: The “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist in Arkansas Greek organizations.

3. Universities Face Similar Liability: Arkansas universities, like UH, have the same duty to protect students from hazing.

4. Multi-Million Dollar Verdicts Are Possible: Our $10 million demand is supported by precedent, including:

   • $10.1 million settlement in the Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha) case
   • $6.1 million jury verdict in the Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta) case
   • $110+ million estimated settlement in the Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi) case

5. Criminal Charges May Follow: The UH spokesperson mentioned “potential criminal charges” – Arkansas law also provides for criminal prosecution of hazing.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Arkansas

If your child from Sevier County is hazed at a college in Arkansas, taking immediate action is crucial:

Step 1: Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Attention

• Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately
• Seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
• Document all medical treatment and symptoms

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Save all text messages, social media posts, and emails related to hazing
• Take photographs of any physical injuries
• Document the names and contact information of witnesses
• Keep any physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)

Step 3: Report the Incident

• File a police report with local law enforcement
• Report to the Arkansas university’s administration
• Consider filing a Title IX complaint if applicable

Step 4: Do NOT Speak to the Organization or Their Representatives

• Do not give statements to fraternity/sorority members
• Do not sign any documents from the organization
• Do not post about the incident on social media

Step 5: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll:

• Evaluate your case
• Explain your legal rights
• Begin preserving evidence
• Handle all communications with the organization and university

Compensation Available for Arkansas Hazing Victims

Sevier County families affected by hazing in Arkansas may be entitled to significant compensation, including:

1. Medical Expenses: Past, current, and future medical bills related to hazing injuries

2. Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress

3. Lost Wages: Income lost due to recovery time or academic disruption

4. Educational Damages: Tuition reimbursement if hazing forced withdrawal from school

5. Punitive Damages: Additional compensation to punish egregious conduct

6. Wrongful Death Damages: If hazing results in death, compensation for funeral expenses and loss of companionship

In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million for our client’s injuries. Arkansas families deserve the same level of compensation for the harm done to their children.

How Attorney 911 Will Fight for Sevier County Families

When we take on a hazing case for a Sevier County family, we employ a comprehensive legal strategy:

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation: We send preservation letters to all defendants demanding they retain all evidence.

2. Thorough Investigation: We gather all available evidence, interview witnesses, and document the full extent of the hazing.

3. Expert Consultation: We work with medical experts, hazing culture experts, and economic experts to build the strongest case.

4. Aggressive Negotiation: We negotiate from a position of strength, knowing the defendants’ playbook from our insurance defense background.

5. Litigation When Necessary: If defendants won’t offer fair compensation, we’re prepared to take your case to trial.

6. Multiple Defendant Pursuit: We sue everyone responsible – individuals, local chapters, national organizations, and universities.

7. Nationwide Service: We’ll travel to Arkansas for depositions, meetings, and trials as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Cases in Arkansas

Q: My child signed a waiver. Can we still sue?

A: Yes. Under Arkansas law, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child signed something, the organization can still be held legally responsible for hazing.

Q: The fraternity says it was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?

A: No. “Tradition” doesn’t make hazing legal. If the activities endangered your child’s health or safety, it’s hazing under Arkansas law, regardless of how long they’ve been doing it.

Q: We’re in Sevier County. Can you still help us?

A: Absolutely. While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Arkansas. We offer video consultations and will travel to Sevier County as needed.

Q: How much does it cost to hire you?

A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict, not from your pocket.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

A: In Arkansas, you generally have 2 years from the date of the hazing incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, it’s crucial to act quickly to preserve evidence.

Q: What if my child was partly at fault?

A: Arkansas follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as your child was 50% or less at fault, you can still recover compensation (reduced by their percentage of fault).

Q: Can we sue the university too?

A: Yes, if they knew or should have known about the hazing. Arkansas universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. If they failed in that duty, they can be held liable.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: Arkansas hazing laws apply on or off campus. Even if hazing occurred at a private residence or off-campus location, the organization and individuals involved can still be held responsible.

Arkansas Hazing Resources for Sevier County Families

1. Arkansas Department of Higher Education: Provides information on university policies and reporting procedures.

2. Arkansas State Police: Can assist with criminal investigations of hazing incidents.

3. University of Arkansas Dean of Students Office: (479) 575-5004 – Handles student conduct issues including hazing.

4. Arkansas Tech University Office of Student Conduct: (479) 968-0238 – Handles hazing reports.

5. Henderson State University Student Affairs: (870) 230-5201 – Greek life oversight.

6. Southern Arkansas University Student Life: (870) 235-4045 – Handles student conduct matters.

7. University of Arkansas at Little Rock Dean of Students: (501) 569-3328 – Student conduct and hazing reports.

Contact Attorney 911 for Arkansas Hazing Cases

If your child from Sevier County has been hazed at a college in Arkansas, don’t wait to seek legal help. Every day that passes is another day evidence could be lost and your rights could be compromised.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Website: attorney911.com

We’re ready to fight for Sevier County families and hold Arkansas Greek organizations and universities accountable for hazing. Remember – you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Sevier County Families: Don’t Let Them Silence Your Child

Hazing thrives in secrecy. The organizations responsible will try to intimidate victims into staying quiet. They’ll say it was just “tradition” or “boys being boys.” They’ll pressure your child to “move on.”

But what happened to your child wasn’t tradition – it was abuse. It wasn’t bonding – it was torture. And it wasn’t harmless – it could have killed them.

At Attorney 911, we give Sevier County families the voice they deserve. We stand up to powerful institutions and demand justice. We’ve seen what hazing does to families, and we’re committed to making sure it stops.

If your child was hazed in Arkansas, call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re here to help.