Hazing Victims in Wheatland County: Your Legal Rights and How to Get Justice

If Your Child Was Hazed in Wheatland County, You Have Legal Options — And We Can Help

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. And in Wheatland County, Montana, it’s illegal — and it can cost fraternities, sororities, and universities millions.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now with a current $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to hold institutions accountable — and we can bring that same fight to Wheatland County families.

The Hazing Crisis in Wheatland County — What Parents Need to Know

Hazing happens in Wheatland County. The same national fraternities and sororities that operate at major universities across America have chapters near Wheatland County. The same dangerous “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston — waterboarding, forced exercise until collapse, psychological torture — happen right here in Montana.

Wheatland County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at a college near Wheatland County, they face the same risks.

The Reality of Hazing in Wheatland County:

✅ It’s happening right now — at universities near Wheatland County
✅ It’s not just “pranks” — it’s physical abuse, forced consumption, sleep deprivation, psychological torture
✅ It can cause serious injury — rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), kidney failure, brain injury, death
✅ Universities know about it — and often do nothing until it’s too late
✅ Fraternities know about it — national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements
✅ It’s illegal in Montana — and victims have legal rights

What Counts as Hazing in Wheatland County?

Montana law defines hazing broadly. Any activity that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation is hazing.

Common Hazing Activities in Wheatland County:

• Physical abuse: Beating, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
• Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, non-food substances (until vomiting or passing out)
• Psychological abuse: Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, threats
• Sleep deprivation: Forced late-night activities, early morning tasks
• Exposure to elements: Forced nudity in cold weather, confined spaces
• Servitude: Forced cleaning, errands, driving members at all hours
• Sexual humiliation: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects

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

The Medical Consequences of Hazing in Wheatland County

Hazing isn’t harmless. It causes real, lasting harm.

Physical Injuries from Hazing:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) — can lead to kidney failure (like our Houston client)
• Alcohol poisoning — can be fatal
• Traumatic brain injury — from beatings or falls
• Broken bones — from physical abuse
• Internal bleeding — from extreme physical exertion
• Hypothermia/hyperthermia — from exposure to elements
• Cardiac arrest — from extreme stress on the body

Psychological Trauma from Hazing:

• PTSD — from waterboarding, physical abuse, threats
• Anxiety and depression — from ongoing humiliation and fear
• Trust issues — damage to relationships and social life
• Academic decline — inability to focus due to trauma
• Suicidal ideation — some victims take their own lives

These aren’t “temporary” effects. They can last a lifetime.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Wheatland County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties are responsible — and we sue them all.

1. The Local Chapter

• The fraternity or sorority chapter that organized the hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, etc.) who directed activities
• Individual members who participated

2. The National Organization

• National fraternity/sorority headquarters
• They set the policies (or fail to enforce them)
• They have millions in assets and insurance
• They knew about prior hazing incidents and did nothing

3. The University

• They have a duty to protect students
• They often own or control fraternity/sorority houses
• They have power to regulate or remove Greek organizations
• They knew or should have known hazing was happening

4. Individual Perpetrators

• Every person who participated in or facilitated hazing
• They can be personally liable for damages
• They can face criminal charges in Montana

We don’t just sue one party. We sue EVERYONE responsible — and we maximize your recovery.

What Can Wheatland County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families are entitled to full compensation for all harm suffered.

Economic Damages (Financial Losses):

• Medical bills (hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (time missed from work during recovery)
• Lost academic opportunities (disrupted education, lost scholarships)
• Future earning capacity (if injuries affect career prospects)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering):

• Physical pain from injuries
• Mental anguish from abuse
• Emotional distress from humiliation and trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)
• Disfigurement (scars, permanent injuries)

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct):

• Awarded when conduct is intentional, reckless, or outrageous
• Meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct
• Can be millions of dollars in egregious cases

Our current hazing case seeks $10 million — and that’s in line with recent verdicts and settlements nationwide.

Recent Hazing Verdicts and Settlements — They Will Pay

Hazing cases routinely result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Here’s what fraternities and universities have paid recently:

These aren’t isolated cases. These are the new normal for hazing litigation.

The University of Houston Case — This Is Happening Right Now

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Here’s what happened:

What They Did:

• Waterboarded a student with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced 500 squats until he collapsed
• Struck him with wooden paddles
• Forced him to eat until he vomited, then made him lie in his own vomit
• Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing — they kept going
• Result: Severe rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, 4 days in the hospital

They Knew It Was Happening:

• Andrew Coffey died at Pi Kappa Phi in 2017 — same fraternity, same negligence
• University of Houston had a hazing hospitalization in 2017 — different fraternity, same failure
• They had 8 years to fix it. They did nothing.

They’re Already Planning to Come Back:

Pi Kappa Phi’s official statement:

“We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.”

No remorse. No accountability. Just waiting for the lawsuit to blow over so they can do it again.

This is why we fight. This is why Wheatland County families need us.

Montana Hazing Laws — Your Legal Rights

Montana has strong anti-hazing laws to protect students.

Montana Code Annotated § 20-25-1001 — Hazing Definition:

“Hazing” means any activity that a reasonable person would expect to endanger the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.

This includes:

• Physical brutality
• Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
• Sleep deprivation
• Exposure to the elements
• Sexual humiliation
• Any activity that creates a risk of harm

Montana Code Annotated § 20-25-1002 — Criminal Penalties:

• Misdemeanor — Up to 6 months in jail and $500 fine
• Felony — If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, up to 10 years in prison and $50,000 fine

Civil Liability in Montana:

• Victims can sue for negligence, assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress
• Universities can be sued for negligent supervision, premises liability
• National organizations can be sued for failure to supervise, pattern of negligence

Montana law is on your side. We know how to use it.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Wheatland County

If your child was hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and legal deadlines expire.

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked out
• Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) have delayed symptoms
• Medical records are critical evidence

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, any physical evidence
• Screenshots of text messages, social media posts, GroupMe chats
• Names and contact info of witnesses
• Any documents from the fraternity/sorority (pledge manuals, schedules, etc.)
• Do NOT delete anything — even if it’s embarrassing

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or University Without a Lawyer

• They will try to control the narrative
• They will try to minimize your claim
• They will try to get you to sign away your rights
• Anything you say can be used against you

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

• Free consultation — we’ll evaluate your case at no cost
• Contingency fee — you pay nothing unless we win
• We handle everything — evidence gathering, negotiations, litigation

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com

Why Wheatland County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit
• We know the defendants’ tactics because we’re facing them now
• We know how to maximize recovery for Wheatland County families

2. We Have the Experience

• 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
• Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how they think
• Federal court admission — we can pursue cases nationwide
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) — strategic advantage

3. We Know Hazing Cases

• Rhabdomyolysis expertise — our current client suffered kidney failure from hazing
• Kappa Sigma litigation experience — we’ve handled hazing cases before
• Texas A&M hazing knowledge — we understand Greek life culture

4. We Travel to Wheatland County

• We come to you for depositions, client meetings, and trials
• Video consultations available for Wheatland County families
• Distance is not a barrier to justice

5. We Work on Contingency — No Upfront Costs

• $0 upfront — you pay nothing to hire us
• We only get paid if you win
• No financial risk — if we don’t recover, you owe us nothing

Wheatland County Hazing Victims — You Are Not Alone

Hazing victims often feel:
❌ Shame — “I should have known better”
❌ Fear — “If I speak up, they’ll retaliate”
❌ Loyalty — “I don’t want to get my friends in trouble”
❌ Hopelessness — “Nothing will change anyway”

We understand. And we’re here to help.

What We Promise Wheatland County Families:

✅ We will listen — without judgment
✅ We will believe you — no matter what the organization says
✅ We will protect you — from retaliation and intimidation
✅ We will fight for you — aggressively, relentlessly
✅ We will get you justice — compensation, accountability, change

The Next Steps for Wheatland County Families

1. Call Us Immediately

• 24/7 Hazing Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
• Email: ralph@atty911.com

2. Free Case Evaluation

• We’ll review your situation at no cost
• We’ll explain your legal rights and options
• We’ll tell you if you have a case

3. We Handle Everything

• Evidence preservation
• Medical records collection
• Insurance negotiations
• Filing the lawsuit
• Taking it to trial if necessary

4. You Focus on Recovery

• Physical healing
• Emotional healing
• Getting back to your life

Wheatland County Parents: This Could Happen to Your Child

It happened in Houston. It’s happening in Wheatland County. It could happen to your child.

The same fraternities that waterboarded our client operate near Wheatland County. The same universities that fail to protect students exist in Montana. The same culture of abuse and silence persists.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

If we stand up. If we speak out. If we hold them accountable.

Your child’s case could be the one that stops hazing in Wheatland County.

Contact Attorney 911 Today — Before It’s Too Late

Hazing Victims in Wheatland County: Call Now for a Free Consultation

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

We serve Wheatland County and all of Montana. We come to you. We fight for you. We win for you.

Enough is enough. It’s time for justice.