Hazing Victims in South Dakota: Your Legal Rights & How to Get Justice

This Happens at South Dakota Universities Too — And We Can Help

South Dakota parents and students: You’re not alone. What happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston — waterboarding, forced exercise until kidney failure, wooden paddles — happens at universities in South Dakota too. The same fraternities operate here. The same negligence exists. The same pain is being inflicted.

We are Attorney 911, and we are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a student. We will fight just as hard for South Dakota victims.

If your child was hazed in South Dakota — whether at the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Augustana University, or any other institution — you have legal rights. Call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911

What Is Hazing? It’s Not Tradition — It’s Abuse

Hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.

Common Hazing Practices in South Dakota:

✔ Physical abuse — beatings, paddling, branding
✔ Forced consumption — alcohol, food, or non-food items until vomiting
✔ Waterboarding or simulated drowning — torture disguised as “tradition”
✔ Extreme physical punishment — hundreds of squats, pushups, or crawls
✔ Sleep deprivation — forced late nights, early mornings
✔ Psychological torture — humiliation, degradation, threats
✔ Sexual abuse — forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects

This is not “brotherhood.” This is not “sisterhood.” This is not “building character.”
This is assault. This is battery. This is reckless endangerment.

Medical Consequences of Hazing — It Can Be Deadly

Hazing doesn’t just cause emotional pain — it can cause permanent physical damage or even death.

Common Hazing Injuries in South Dakota:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) — can lead to kidney failure (like our client)
• Acute alcohol poisoning — can be fatal
• Traumatic brain injury — from beatings or falls
• Hypothermia or heat stroke — from exposure
• Cardiac arrest — from extreme physical exertion
• PTSD, anxiety, depression — long-term psychological damage
• Death — hazing has killed students across America

If your child was hospitalized after hazing, you have a strong case. Call us: 1-888-ATTY-911

Who Is Liable? Everyone Who Let This Happen

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible — not just the individuals who participated.

Potential Defendants in South Dakota Hazing Cases:

The deep pockets are the national organizations and universities — they have the money to pay for the harm they caused.

South Dakota Hazing Laws — You Have Strong Legal Rights

South Dakota has anti-hazing laws that protect students. Under SDCL § 22-19A-1, hazing is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $2,000 in fines.

Key Legal Points for South Dakota Victims:

✅ Consent is NOT a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent doesn’t matter.
✅ Universities can be sued — If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it.
✅ National organizations can be sued — If they failed to enforce anti-hazing policies.
✅ Individuals can be sued personally — Chapter officers and members can be held financially responsible.
✅ You have 3 years to file a lawsuit — Don’t wait; evidence disappears and witnesses forget.

We can help you navigate South Dakota’s legal system and hold all responsible parties accountable.

Precedent Cases — Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing cases do not go unpunished. Courts and juries have awarded millions of dollars to victims and their families.

Recent Multi-Million Dollar Hazing Verdicts & Settlements:

These cases prove that hazing victims CAN and DO win big. The same results are possible for South Dakota victims.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in South Dakota

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked — hazing can cause delayed symptoms.
• Document everything with medical records.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

✔ Photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, or activities
✔ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails about hazing
✔ Witness names and contact information
✔ Medical records (hospitalization, therapy, prescriptions)
✔ Academic records (if hazing affected grades or enrollment)

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

• They will try to control the narrative.
• They may pressure you to sign documents that waive your rights.
• Anything you say can be used against you.

Step 4: Do NOT Post on Social Media

• Insurance companies and lawyers will use your posts against you.
• Even innocent-looking photos can be twisted to claim you weren’t really hurt.

Step 5: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

• Free consultation — no upfront cost
• We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win
• We handle ALL communication with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
• We travel to South Dakota for depositions, meetings, and trials

Call now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your South Dakota Hazing Case?

1. We Are 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 how to build these cases and win.
• South Dakota victims get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Texas.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

• Both of our attorneys used to work for insurance companies.
• We know how they try to minimize claims.
• We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve South Dakota Victims

• While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including South Dakota.
• Federal court authority — we can pursue your case in federal jurisdiction.
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York.
• We travel to South Dakota for depositions, client meetings, and trials.

4. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

• We have recovered millions for personal injury victims.
• We know how to take on universities, national fraternities, and insurance companies.
• We don’t back down from powerful institutions.

5. Compassionate & Aggressive Representation

• We treat South Dakota families like family.
• We understand the trauma of hazing — not just the legal side.
• We fight hard for our clients because we care.

South Dakota Universities Where Hazing Occurs

Hazing happens at many South Dakota institutions, including:

• University of South Dakota (USD) — Vermillion
• South Dakota State University (SDSU) — Brookings
• Augustana University — Sioux Falls
• Dakota State University — Madison
• Black Hills State University — Spearfish
• Northern State University — Aberdeen
• Mount Marty University — Yankton

If your child was hazed at any South Dakota university, we can help.

Fraternities & Sororities in South Dakota with Hazing Histories

The same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in hazing settlements operate in South Dakota:

Fraternities:

• Pi Kappa Phi
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
• Beta Theta Pi
• Phi Delta Theta
• Sigma Chi
• Kappa Sigma

Sororities:

• Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta)
• Kappa Alpha Theta (Theta)
• Kappa Kappa Gamma (Kappa)
• Alpha Delta Pi (ADPi)
• Chi Omega

These organizations have a documented history of hazing. If your child was hazed in South Dakota, we will hold them accountable.

What You Can Recover in a South Dakota Hazing Lawsuit

If your child was hazed in South Dakota, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages:

✔ Medical bills (hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
✔ Lost wages (if your child missed work)
✔ Lost academic opportunities (tuition, scholarships)
✔ Future medical expenses (if injuries are permanent)

Non-Economic Damages:

✔ Physical pain and suffering
✔ Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
✔ Humiliation and shame
✔ Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive Damages:

✔ Additional compensation to punish the defendants for egregious conduct (like waterboarding, forced exercise to collapse, etc.)

In serious cases, damages can reach millions of dollars — just like the precedent cases we cited.

Frequently Asked Questions About South Dakota Hazing Cases

1. Can I sue if my child consented to hazing?

Yes. South Dakota law states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity, sorority, and university can still be held liable.

2. Can I sue the university if they didn’t know about the hazing?

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight of Greek life, they can be held liable for negligent supervision.

3. How long do I have to file a lawsuit in South Dakota?

South Dakota has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However, you should act immediately — evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights can be compromised.

4. Can I afford a lawyer?

Yes. We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. South Dakota families pay $0 unless we recover compensation for you.

5. Will my child’s name be made public?

We protect your privacy. Many cases are settled confidentially. We will discuss your options with you.

6. Can I sue if my child wasn’t physically injured?

Yes. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is also compensable. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may have a strong case.

7. What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Hazing doesn’t have to occur on university property to be actionable. If it was part of fraternity/sorority activities, the organization can be held liable.

8. Can I sue if my child is an international student?

Yes. Your child’s immigration status does not affect their right to compensation. We have experience representing international students.

South Dakota Parents: This Could Be Your Child Next

Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Houston operate at South Dakota universities. The same negligence that allowed hazing at UH exists at USD, SDSU, and Augustana.

Your child could be next.

But you can stop it. By holding these institutions accountable, you protect not just your child — but every student in South Dakota.

Call Attorney 911 Now — Free Consultation for South Dakota Families

If your child was hazed in South Dakota, call us immediately:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultation
✔ $0 upfront cost — we work on contingency
✔ Aggressive representation against universities and fraternities
✔ Willingness to travel to South Dakota for your case

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your rights expire.

Call now: 1-888-ATTY-911

To South Dakota Fraternities & Sororities: We Are Watching

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma —

If your chapter operates in South Dakota, know this:

• We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for $10 million over hazing that hospitalized a student.
• We track your national organizations’ hazing histories.
• We know your corporate structures.
• We know your insurance policies.
• If you haze students in South Dakota, we will find every liable entity.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down.
Your South Dakota chapter could be next.

Clean up your act before we clean you out in court.

To South Dakota Universities: You Are Responsible

University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Augustana University —

You own the property. You oversee Greek life. You have the power to stop hazing.
When you fail to act, you are complicit.

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was waterboarded.
They knew about hazing in 2017 and did nothing.
Now they’re being sued for $10 million.

If hazing happens at your institution, you will be held accountable.

To South Dakota Parents: We Are Here for You

We know how devastating it is to learn your child was hazed. We know the anger, the fear, the helplessness.

But you are not helpless. You have legal rights. You have us.

We are Attorney 911, and we are fighting for hazing victims right now. We will fight just as hard for South Dakota families.

Call us. Let us help you get justice.

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

Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to Stop Hazing in South Dakota.