Hazing Victims in St. Francis County: Your Legal Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help
The Hazing Crisis in St. Francis County & Beyond
Hazing isn’t just a college problem—it’s a public health crisis that affects students across Arkansas, including right here in St. Francis County. Whether your child attends a university, college, or even a high school with Greek life, marching bands, or sports teams, they could be at risk.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case that proves hazing isn’t just “tradition.” It’s abuse, torture, and sometimes even manslaughter. And it’s happening right now in St. Francis County and across Arkansas.
What Happened in Houston Could Happen in St. Francis County
Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized for rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being:
- 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 he vomited, then forced to keep running
- Threatened with expulsion if he stopped
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017—and they did nothing to stop it. The University of Houston knew about hazing in 2017—and they failed to protect students.
The same fraternities operate in Arkansas. The same universities fail to act. And the same hazing culture exists in St. Francis County.
Is Your Child at Risk in St. Francis County?
Hazing isn’t limited to fraternities. It happens in:
✅ Fraternities & sororities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others)
✅ Sports teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheerleading)
✅ Marching bands & ROTC programs
✅ Honor societies & student clubs
Warning Signs of Hazing in St. Francis County
If your child is involved in any organization and exhibits these behaviors, they may be a victim of hazing:
🚩 Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, sprains)
🚩 Sudden withdrawal from friends, family, or activities
🚩 Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation
🚩 Changes in behavior (anxiety, depression, fear of retribution)
🚩 Secrecy about group activities (“It’s just tradition”)
🚩 Forced consumption of alcohol or food until vomiting
🚩 Physical exhaustion from extreme exercise or sleep deprivation
St. Francis County Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
Arkansas Hazing Laws (Ark. Code § 6-5-201 to 6-5-204)
Hazing is illegal in Arkansas, and consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
What counts as hazing in Arkansas?
- Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food, or non-food items)
- Sleep deprivation (late-night activities, early-morning tasks)
- Humiliation or degradation (forced nudity, carrying embarrassing objects)
- Psychological abuse (threats, isolation, verbal harassment)
Penalties in Arkansas:
- Misdemeanor or felony charges (depending on severity)
- Fines and jail time for individuals involved
- Organizational penalties (loss of recognition, fines, closure)
Civil Lawsuits: How St. Francis County Families Can Seek Justice
Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, you can still sue for damages, including:
- Medical bills (emergency care, therapy, long-term treatment)
- Lost wages (if hazing disrupted your child’s education or career)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
- Punitive damages (to punish the organization for reckless behavior)
Who can be sued in St. Francis County?
- The local chapter (individual members, officers)
- The national organization (if they knew about hazing and failed to stop it)
- The university or school (if they knew or should have known about hazing)
- Individual perpetrators (those who directly participated)
Why St. Francis County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Currently Fighting a $10M Hazing Case—And We Know How to Win
We’re representing Leonel Bermudez in his lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This case proves that hazing lawsuits can win big, and we’re bringing that same aggressive, data-driven approach to St. Francis County.
2. We Know How Fraternities & Universities Try to Hide Hazing
- They claim “it’s just tradition” → We prove it’s illegal abuse.
- They say “he consented” → Arkansas law says consent doesn’t matter.
- They blame the victim → We expose their pattern of negligence.
- They destroy evidence → We preserve text messages, photos, and witness statements.
3. We Don’t Just Sue—We Change the System
Our goal isn’t just compensation—it’s stopping hazing for good. We’ve seen how lawsuits lead to:
✔ Fraternity chapter closures (Pi Kappa Phi’s UH chapter is already shut down)
✔ New state laws (like the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana)
✔ University policy changes (to protect future students)
4. We Serve St. Francis County Families—No Matter Where the Hazing Happened
Even if your child was hazed at a school outside St. Francis County, we can help. We represent victims nationwide, including in:
- Arkansas (University of Arkansas, Arkansas State, UALR, etc.)
- Tennessee (University of Memphis, Vanderbilt, UT Knoxville)
- Mississippi (Ole Miss, Mississippi State)
- Texas (University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin)
5. No Upfront Costs—We Only Get Paid If You Win
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning:
✅ $0 upfront—you pay nothing to hire us.
✅ No hourly fees—we don’t bill by the hour.
✅ We take the risk—if we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
✅ You keep the majority—we only take a percentage of your settlement.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in St. Francis County
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Go to the ER or urgent care—even if injuries seem minor.
- Document everything (photos, medical records, hospital bills).
- Mental health matters—seek therapy for anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
- Save all texts, GroupMe chats, and social media messages.
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
- Get witness names and contact info.
- Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will try to control the narrative.
- They may pressure you to sign documents.
- They might destroy evidence.
- Let us handle all communications.
Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
The sooner you act, the stronger your case.
St. Francis County Hazing Cases We Can Handle
| Type of Hazing | Potential Defendants | Possible Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise) | Fraternity, university, individuals | $100,000–$5M+ |
| Forced alcohol consumption (alcohol poisoning) | Fraternity, bartenders, individuals | $250,000–$10M+ |
| Rhabdomyolysis (kidney failure from extreme exercise) | Fraternity, university, trainers | $500,000–$10M+ |
| Sexual assault/hazing | Fraternity, individuals, university | $1M–$20M+ |
| Wrongful death (hazing-related suicide or fatal injuries) | Fraternity, university, individuals | $5M–$50M+ |
| Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) | Fraternity, university, therapists | $100,000–$5M+ |
St. Francis County Schools & Universities Where Hazing Happens
While we can’t name specific incidents without evidence, we know that hazing occurs at schools near St. Francis County, including:
Colleges & Universities in Arkansas
- University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) – Major Greek life presence
- Arkansas State University (Jonesboro) – Active fraternities/sororities
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) – Greek organizations
- University of Central Arkansas (Conway) – Greek life
- Hendrix College (Conway) – Smaller but active Greek system
Fraternities & Sororities with Arkansas Chapters
| Fraternity | Sorority |
|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Alpha Delta Pi |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Delta Delta Delta (Tri-Delt) |
| Kappa Sigma | Kappa Delta |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Chi Omega |
| Sigma Chi | Alpha Omicron Pi |
If your child was hazed at any of these schools—or anywhere else—we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions for St. Francis County Families
1. “My child signed a waiver—can we still sue?”
✅ Yes. Arkansas law says consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
2. “The fraternity says it was just ‘tradition’—is that an excuse?”
❌ No. “Tradition” doesn’t justify abuse. If it involves physical harm, humiliation, or forced consumption, it’s illegal.
3. “The university says they didn’t know—can we still sue them?”
✅ Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing, they can be held liable.
4. “My child was hazed at a school outside St. Francis County—can you still help?”
✅ Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Texas.
5. “How much is my child’s case worth?”
It depends on:
- Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, death)
- Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced alcohol, extreme physical abuse)
- Institutional knowledge (did the university/fraternity know about prior hazing?)
- Pattern of abuse (was this a one-time incident or systemic?)
Recent hazing settlements/verdicts:
- $10.1M (Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State)
- $6.1M (Max Gruver, LSU)
- $110M+ (Timothy Piazza, Penn State)
6. “What if my child is afraid of retaliation?”
✅ We protect our clients. Many hazing victims fear speaking out, but we ensure:
- Confidentiality—your identity is protected.
- Legal protection—retaliation is illegal.
- Evidence preservation—we gather proof before the organization can destroy it.
7. “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
⏳ Arkansas has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However:
- The sooner you act, the stronger your case.
- Evidence disappears quickly (texts deleted, witnesses forget).
- Insurance companies move fast to limit payouts.
Call us today—before it’s too late.
St. Francis County Families: We’re Here to Fight for You
Hazing isn’t just a “college problem”—it’s a legal emergency. If your child was abused, hospitalized, or traumatized, you have rights. And we’re here to enforce them.
🚨 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We don’t get paid unless you win. No upfront costs. No hourly fees. Just justice.
📍 Serving St. Francis County & Beyond
While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in:
- Arkansas (Little Rock, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Conway)
- Tennessee (Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville)
- Mississippi (Oxford, Starkville, Jackson)
- Texas (Houston, Austin, Dallas, College Station)
Distance is not a barrier. We will travel to St. Francis County for your case.
Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to Hold Them Accountable.
If your child was hazed in St. Francis County—or anywhere else—call us now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
