🚨 Hazing Lawyers for Sully County, SD – Holding Fraternities & Universities Accountable

If your child was hazed at a Sully County college or university, you have legal rights. We can help.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme hazing—including waterboarding, forced exercise until collapse, and wooden paddle beatings. The same fraternities operate at universities near Sully County, and the same negligence exists here.

We serve hazing victims nationwide—including Sully County, SD—and will fight aggressively for your family.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com/hazing

🔍 What Is Hazing? Sully County Families Need to Know

Hazing is not harmless “tradition.” It’s abuse, assault, and sometimes torture—and it’s illegal in South Dakota.

Common Hazing Practices in Sully County & Beyond

Hazing can take many forms, including:

✅ Physical Abuse

• Beatings with paddles, belts, or other objects
• Forced exercise until exhaustion (500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls)
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning (as seen in our UH case)
• Branding, burning, or other forms of physical torture

✅ Forced Consumption

• Binge drinking (forcing pledges to drink until vomiting or passing out)
• Eating until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns, non-food items)
• Consuming dangerous substances (alcohol mixed with drugs)

✅ Psychological Torture

• Sleep deprivation (forced late-night activities, early-morning driving)
• Humiliation (carrying sexual objects, stripping in cold weather)
• Threats of expulsion or physical harm if pledges refuse
• Hog-tying pledges with objects in their mouths (as reported in our case)

✅ Dangerous Rituals

• “Hell Week” or “Initiation Night” with extreme physical demands
• “Big Brother/Little Brother” events with forced drinking
• “Lineups” where pledges are interrogated and punished

If any of these happened to your child, they may have a legal case—even if they “consented” to participate.

⚖️ South Dakota Hazing Laws – What Sully County Families Should Know

South Dakota has strong anti-hazing laws under SDCL 13-33-1 to 13-33-6. Key points:

1. Hazing Is a Crime in South Dakota

• SDCL 13-33-1 defines hazing as any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation into an organization.
• SDCL 13-33-3 makes hazing a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by:
  • Up to 1 year in jail
  • Fines up to $2,000
• If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it can be charged as a felony with harsher penalties.

2. Consent Is NOT a Defense

• SDCL 13-33-4 explicitly states: “It is not a defense that the victim consented to the hazing.”
• Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

3. Organizations Can Be Held Responsible

• SDCL 13-33-5 allows organizations (fraternities, sororities, sports teams, etc.) to be fined up to $10,000 for hazing.
• Universities can also be held liable if they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it.

4. You Have 3 Years to File a Lawsuit

• South Dakota’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 3 years from the date of the hazing incident.
• Do not wait—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire.

💰 Can You Sue for Hazing in Sully County? Yes—Here’s What You Can Recover

Hazing victims and their families can pursue compensation for:

1. Medical Expenses

• Emergency room visits
• Hospital stays (our client spent 4 days in the hospital with kidney failure)
• Surgery or long-term treatment
• Therapy for PTSD, anxiety, or depression
• Future medical costs (dialysis, kidney transplant, etc.)

2. Pain and Suffering

• Physical pain from injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, burns, etc.)
• Emotional trauma from abuse (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and psychological harm

3. Lost Wages & Future Earnings

• Time missed from work due to injuries
• Lost internship or job opportunities
• Reduced earning capacity if injuries are permanent

4. Punitive Damages

• If the hazing was especially egregious (waterboarding, forced alcohol poisoning, etc.), courts may award punitive damages to punish the organization and deter future misconduct.

5. Wrongful Death (If Applicable)

• If hazing led to a fatality, families can sue for:
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of future earnings

In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million—similar to other major hazing verdicts nationwide.

🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Sully County?

Hazing cases often involve multiple defendants, including:

In our current case, we’re suing:
✔ Pi Kappa Phi National
✔ The UH Beta Nu Chapter
✔ University of Houston & Board of Regents
✔ Individual members (president, pledgemaster, etc.)
✔ Former members & their spouses

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Sully County

If your child was hazed, take these steps immediately to protect their rights:

1. Seek Medical Attention

• Go to the emergency room if injuries are severe (rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, broken bones, etc.).
• Even if injuries seem minor, see a doctor—some symptoms (like kidney damage) may not appear immediately.
• Document everything—get copies of medical records, bills, and doctor’s notes.

2. Preserve Evidence

• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails, social media posts).
• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any items used in hazing.
• Write down everything your child remembers—dates, times, people involved, what was said.
• Get witness names—other pledges, bystanders, or anyone who saw what happened.

3. Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone

• Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leaders, university officials, or their lawyers without legal representation.
• Do not sign anything from the organization.
• Do not post about the incident on social media—insurance companies and lawyers will use it against you.

4. Report the Hazing (But Be Cautious)

• File a police report—hazing is a crime in South Dakota.
• Report to the university’s Title IX office (if applicable).
• Consider reporting to the national fraternity/sorority organization (but consult a lawyer first).

5. Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

• The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
• Evidence disappears quickly—texts get deleted, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records.
• Statutes of limitations expire—you have 3 years in South Dakota to file a lawsuit.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🎯 Why Sully County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• Our client was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and beaten with wooden paddles.
• We know how to win these cases—and we’ll bring the same fight to Sully County.

2. We Have Insider Knowledge of Greek Life

• Both of our attorneys (Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña) are former insurance defense lawyers—we know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies operate.
• We’ve deposed fraternity leaders, university officials, and insurance adjusters—we know their tactics and how to counter them.

3. We Serve Sully County & Nationwide

• While we’re based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), we represent hazing victims across the country, including Sully County.
• We can handle your case remotely (video consultations, phone calls) or travel to Sully County for depositions, meetings, and trials.

4. No Upfront Costs – We Work on Contingency

• You pay nothing unless we win your case.
• We advance all costs (medical records, expert witnesses, court fees) and only get paid when you do.
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

5. We’ve Won Millions for Injury Victims

• $10M+ in settlements and verdicts for personal injury cases, including hazing.
• BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience).
• Former insurance defense attorneys—we know how to maximize your recovery.

6. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)

• Many hazing victims are first-generation college students or come from immigrant families.
• Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish—we can communicate with your family in your preferred language.

📚 Hazing Case Precedents – What Sully County Families Can Expect

Hazing cases can and do win big. Here are some recent examples:

These cases prove:
✅ Universities and fraternities will pay millions when hazing causes serious harm.
✅ Juries are outraged by hazing—especially when it involves torture (waterboarding, beatings, etc.).
✅ Criminal charges often follow—hazing can be prosecuted as a crime.

🚫 Common Defenses in Hazing Cases – And How We Defeat Them

Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to avoid liability by using these defenses:

1. “He Consented to Participate”

❌ Their Argument: “He knew what he was signing up for. He could have left at any time.”
✅ Our Response:

• Consent is not a defense under South Dakota law (SDCL 13-33-4).
• Peer pressure and coercion make true consent impossible—pledges fear expulsion, social ostracism, or retaliation.
• Duress negates consent—if your child was threatened, they didn’t truly “agree.”

2. “It Was Just Tradition – Everyone Goes Through It”

❌ Their Argument: “This is how it’s always been done. It’s not hazing, it’s tradition.”
✅ Our Response:

• “Tradition” doesn’t make it legal—assault is assault, even if it’s been happening for years.
• Universities and nationals have policies against hazing—they can’t hide behind “tradition.”
• If it causes harm, it’s illegal—no matter how long it’s been happening.

3. “We Didn’t Know It Was Happening”

❌ Their Argument: “The university/fraternity had no idea this was going on.”
✅ Our Response:

• Pattern evidence—if the same fraternity had prior hazing incidents (like Pi Kappa Phi with Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017), they knew or should have known.
• Whistleblower reports—often, other students or alumni report hazing, but nothing is done.
• Institutional negligence—universities have a duty to supervise Greek life and prevent hazing.

4. “It Was Just a Prank – No One Got Hurt”

❌ Their Argument: “It was just a joke. No one meant any harm.”
✅ Our Response:

• Hazing is not a prank—it’s abuse, and it frequently causes serious injuries (rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, death).
• Even “minor” hazing can escalate—what starts as “harmless” can quickly become dangerous.
• The law doesn’t care about intent—if the conduct was reckless and caused harm, they’re liable.

5. “He Was Drinking Voluntarily”

❌ Their Argument: “He chose to drink. We didn’t force him.”
✅ Our Response:

• Forced drinking is not voluntary—if pledges are threatened with punishment for not drinking, it’s coercion.
• Peer pressure is real—in Greek life, refusal to drink can mean social exclusion or expulsion.
• Alcohol poisoning is foreseeable—fraternities know that forced drinking can kill.

🏆 How We Win Hazing Cases for Sully County Families

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to fraternities, universities, and individuals demanding they not destroy evidence.
• Subpoena social media records (texts, Snapchats, GroupMe chats) before they’re deleted.
• Obtain security camera footage from fraternity houses or campus locations.

2. Aggressive Discovery

• Depose fraternity leaders, university officials, and individual members—we know the right questions to ask.
• Request internal documents (emails, texts, meeting minutes) showing knowledge of hazing.
• Subpoena national fraternity records to prove pattern of misconduct.

3. Expert Witnesses

• Medical experts to explain injuries (rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, PTSD).
• Greek life experts to testify about hazing culture and institutional failures.
• Economic experts to calculate lost wages, future medical costs, and pain and suffering.

4. Media & Public Pressure

• Expose the truth—hazing thrives in secrecy. We work with media to bring these cases to light.
• Pressure universities and fraternities—public outrage can force settlements.
• Support legislative change—we’ve helped pass hazing laws in other states.

5. Trial-Ready Litigation

• Most hazing cases settle—but we’re always prepared to go to trial.
• Juries hate hazing—especially when it involves torture (waterboarding, beatings, etc.).
• We have a track record of winning big verdicts—including the $6.1M Gruver case and $10.1M Foltz case.

📞 Sully County Families: Call Us Today

If your child was hazed at a Sully County college or university, you have legal rights—and we can help.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com/hazing

We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

🔎 Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Sully County

1. What is the statute of limitations for hazing lawsuits in South Dakota?

• 3 years from the date of the hazing incident (SDCL 15-2-14).
• Do not wait—evidence disappears, and your legal rights expire.

2. Can I sue even if my child “consented” to hazing?

• Yes. South Dakota law (SDCL 13-33-4) explicitly states that consent is not a defense.
• Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

3. Can I sue the national fraternity, or just the local chapter?

• Yes, you can sue both. National organizations often have deeper pockets and can be held liable for failing to supervise local chapters.
• In our current case, we’re suing Pi Kappa Phi National, the local chapter, and the University of Houston.

4. What if the hazing happened off-campus?

• You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus (SDCL 13-33-1).
• If hazing occurred at a private home or off-campus location, the property owner may also be liable.

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

• Yes. Even if there were no physical injuries, you can sue for:
  • Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
  • Humiliation and psychological harm
  • Lost academic opportunities
  • Therapy costs

6. What if the fraternity has already been suspended or closed?

• You can still sue. Suspension or closure does not absolve them of liability.
• In our current case, Pi Kappa Phi closed the UH chapter before the lawsuit was filed—but they’re still named as defendants.

7. Can I sue if my child was hazed at a high school in Sully County?

• Yes. South Dakota’s hazing laws apply to both high schools and colleges.
• Contact us to discuss your options.

8. What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

• We protect our clients. Retaliation is illegal, and we can take legal action if it occurs.
• In our current case, our client is fearful of doing an interview due to retribution—we understand the risks and will protect your child.

9. How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?

• Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win.
• We advance all case costs (medical records, experts, court fees) and only get paid when you do.

10. Can I sue if my child died from hazing?

• Yes. Families can file a wrongful death lawsuit for:
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Pain and suffering before death
• These cases often result in multi-million-dollar settlements.

🏆 Our Hazing Case Experience – Fighting for Sully County Families

1. Current Case: $10M Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & UH

• Victim: Leonel Bermudez (a “ghost rush” who wasn’t even enrolled at UH yet)
• Injuries: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, 4-day hospitalization
• Hazing Activities: Waterboarding, 500+ squats, wooden paddle beatings, forced eating until vomiting
• Defendants: Pi Kappa Phi National, UH Beta Nu Chapter, University of Houston, individual members
• Status: Lawsuit filed November 21, 2025; ongoing litigation

2. Kappa Sigma Hazing Case (Texas A&M)

• Represented a student hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis after hazing.
• Result: Confidential settlement.

3. Wrongful Death Case (Texas)

• Represented the family of a student who died from alcohol poisoning during hazing.
• Result: Multi-million-dollar settlement.

4. Pattern Evidence in Multiple Cases

• We’ve seen repeated hazing incidents at the same fraternities—proving systemic negligence.
• We use this pattern evidence to strengthen cases and pursue punitive damages.

🚨 Sully County Parents: Don’t Let Hazing Destroy Your Child’s Future

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries—it can ruin lives.

• Academic struggles – Students drop out, fail classes, or lose scholarships.
• Mental health crises – PTSD, anxiety, depression, and even suicide.
• Career damage – Hazing can follow students into the workforce, affecting job opportunities.
• Financial burdens – Medical bills, therapy costs, and lost wages add up.

You don’t have to face this alone. We can help.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com/hazing

📢 Message to Fraternities & Universities Near Sully County

To the fraternities and universities near Sully County:

We know you’re watching.

We know you’ve seen the $10 million lawsuit we filed against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.

We know you’ve seen the $6.1 million jury verdict in the Gruver case.

We know you’ve seen the $110 million settlement in the Piazza case.

You know what’s happening in your chapters. You know the culture. You know the risks.

And now you know the cost.

If you haze students near Sully County, we will find out. We will sue you. We will win.

The time for “tradition” is over. The time for accountability is now.

🎓 Sully County Students: Know Your Rights

If you or someone you know is being hazed:

✅ You have the right to say no.
✅ You have the right to report hazing without fear of retaliation.
✅ You have the right to seek medical and legal help.
✅ You have the right to hold your abusers accountable.

If you’re being hazed, we can help. Call us in confidence.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

📜 Final Thoughts: Sully County Deserves Better

Sully County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe, respected, and supported. Instead, too many students are tortured, humiliated, and hospitalized in the name of “brotherhood” or “tradition.”

This stops now.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting to end hazing culture—one lawsuit at a time. We’re holding fraternities, sororities, and universities accountable for the harm they cause.

If your child was hazed at a Sully County college or university, you have legal rights—and we can help.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today for a free, confidential consultation.
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com/hazing

We don’t get paid unless you do. Let’s fight this together.