Hazing Victims in Valley County, Idaho — Legal Rights and Resources

When Tradition Becomes Torture: Hazing at Valley County Colleges and Beyond

Valley County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe, to learn, and to grow. They trust that universities and student organizations will protect their well-being. But for too many students across Idaho and America, that trust is betrayed by a dangerous practice that hides behind the word “tradition” — hazing.

What happened to a University of Houston student in November 2025 — waterboarding, forced exercise until kidney failure, being struck with wooden paddles — could happen here in Valley County. The same national fraternities operate at universities near Valley County. The same culture of abuse exists. And the same institutions that should protect students often fail to act until it’s too late.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We’re representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. We bring the same aggressive representation to Valley County families. If your child has been hazed at a Valley County college, university, or any campus in Idaho, we can help.

What Is Hazing? The Valley County Reality

Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation” or “harmless pranks.” It’s systematic abuse disguised as tradition. In Valley County and across Idaho, hazing can take many forms:

• Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion, exposure to extreme weather
• Forced consumption: Alcohol poisoning, eating until vomiting, consuming non-food substances
• Psychological torture: Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats
• Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
• Dangerous servitude: Forced driving, cleaning, errands for members

Hazing happens in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and other student organizations near Valley County. It happens at Boise State University, University of Idaho, College of Idaho, Northwest Nazarene University, and other institutions where Valley County students attend.

And it’s not just happening at major universities. Smaller colleges and community colleges near Valley County also face hazing risks. Any organization that uses abuse as a form of initiation is engaging in hazing.

The Medical Reality: Hazing Can Kill

Hazing isn’t harmless. It causes real, life-threatening injuries:

• Rhabdomyolysis — Muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure (this happened to our client)
• Acute kidney failure — Requires hospitalization and can cause permanent damage
• Alcohol poisoning — Can be fatal; students have died from forced drinking
• Traumatic brain injury — From beatings or falls
• Hypothermia/hyperthermia — From exposure to extreme temperatures
• Cardiac arrest — From extreme physical exertion
• PTSD, anxiety, depression — Long-term psychological damage

In 2021, Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning at a Pi Kappa Alpha event. In 2017, Maxwell Gruver died after being forced to drink at Phi Delta Theta. Timothy Piazza died after falling down stairs repeatedly while intoxicated at Beta Theta Pi. These weren’t accidents. They were the predictable results of a culture that values tradition over safety.

This could happen to a Valley County student. And if it does, the institutions responsible must be held accountable.

Idaho Hazing Laws: What Valley County Families Need to Know

Idaho has specific laws against hazing, designed to protect students like those from Valley County:

Idaho Code § 18-917 — Hazing Prohibited

Definition:

“Hazing” means any activity which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental health or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of an institution of higher education.

Key Points for Valley County Families:

• Criminal offense: Hazing is a misdemeanor in Idaho
• Consent is not a defense: Even if a student “agrees” to participate, hazing is still illegal
• Applies to all organizations: Fraternities, sororities, sports teams, bands, clubs, etc.
• Applies to all institutions: Public and private colleges in Idaho, including those near Valley County

Idaho Code § 33-2904 — Institutional Responsibility

Idaho colleges and universities must adopt anti-hazing policies and provide hazing education to students. Failure to do so can create institutional liability when hazing occurs.

This means Valley County institutions have a legal duty to prevent hazing. When they fail, they can be held accountable.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Valley County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible:

Valley County families: You don’t have to sue just one person. You can sue everyone responsible. And with our experience in multi-million dollar hazing litigation, we know how to pursue all liable parties.

The University of Houston Case: Why It Matters for Valley County

In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being hazed.

What happened to him:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising
• Another pledge collapsed unconscious during hazing — they kept going
• Hospitalized for 4 days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure

Why this matters for Valley County:

• Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America — including near Valley County
• The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen at Valley County institutions
• Universities near Valley County face the same liability failures as UH
• If your child is being hazed in Valley County, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting in Houston

The fraternity’s response? They closed the chapter and said they “look forward to returning to campus.” No apology. No remorse. Just planning their comeback.

We won’t let them come back until they change. And we won’t let Valley County institutions make the same mistakes.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Valley County

If your child has been hazed at a Valley County college or any Idaho institution, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and legal deadlines approach.

Immediate Steps for Valley County Families:

1. Get medical attention — Even if injuries seem minor, document everything
2. Preserve all evidence — Text messages, photos, videos, social media posts
3. Do NOT talk to the organization — They will try to control the narrative
4. Do NOT post on social media — Anything you post can be used against you
5. Contact an attorney immediately — Free consultations available

Evidence to Preserve:

Valley County families: We offer free, confidential consultations. We can evaluate your case, explain your rights, and help you take action — no matter where in Idaho the hazing occurred.

Damages: What Valley County Families Can Recover

Hazing causes real harm — physical, emotional, and financial. Valley County families can pursue compensation for:

Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses — Hospital bills, rehabilitation, future treatment
• Lost wages — Time missed from work during recovery
• Educational costs — Tuition for disrupted semester, lost scholarships
• Future earning capacity — If injuries affect career options

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering — The agony of rhabdomyolysis, beatings, etc.
• Mental anguish — PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse
• Emotional distress — Humiliation, shame, loss of trust
• Loss of enjoyment of life — Inability to participate in normal activities

Punitive Damages:

• Punishment for egregious conduct — When hazing is particularly outrageous
• Deterrence for other organizations — To prevent future hazing

Valley County families: In similar cases, juries have awarded $6 million to $110 million. Our $10 million demand in the Houston case is supported by precedent.

Why Valley County Families Choose Attorney 911

When your child is hazed, you need more than a lawyer. You need a legal emergency response team. That’s what Attorney 911 provides for Valley County families.

Our Advantages for Valley County Hazing Victims:

✅ 25+ years of litigation experience — Battle-tested in courtrooms across America
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — We know how the other side thinks
✅ Federal court authority — Can pursue cases nationwide, including Valley County
✅ Dual-state bar admission — Texas AND New York — strategic for national fraternities
✅ Se habla español — Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Valley County families
✅ Nationwide hazing expertise — Currently litigating $10M UH hazing case
✅ Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront; we don’t get paid unless you win
✅ Willingness to travel — We come to Valley County for depositions, trials, and meetings
✅ Aggressive, compassionate representation — We see your child as a person, not a paycheck

Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are both former insurance defense attorneys. We spent years defending insurance companies and large institutions. Now we use that knowledge to fight for victims like Valley County families. We know their playbook — and we know how to beat it.

The Attorney 911 Approach for Valley County Families

When a legal emergency hits — whether it’s on a Valley County campus or anywhere in America — we move FIRST, FAST, and DECISIVELY.

For Valley County hazing victims, our team:

• Builds cases with expert witnesses — Medical, Greek life culture, institutional negligence
• Preserves evidence immediately — Texts, photos, medical records, witness statements
• Negotiates from strength — We’re currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing case
• Travels to Valley County — For depositions, meetings, and trials when needed
• Provides remote consultations — Valley County families can video chat with our attorneys
• Fights for maximum compensation — Medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages

If a university, fraternity, or insurance company tries to silence Valley County hazing victims, we take it to court.

Frequently Asked Questions for Valley County Families

Q: My child was hazed at Boise State/University of Idaho/College of Idaho. Can you help even though you’re based in Texas?

A: Absolutely. While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Valley County and all of Idaho. We have federal court authority and are admitted to practice in Texas and New York, which allows us to pursue national fraternity organizations headquartered anywhere. We offer video consultations and travel to Valley County for important meetings and depositions.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Can they still be held responsible?

A: Yes. Idaho law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable. This is a common defense tactic — don’t let them intimidate you.

Q: How much does it cost to hire you for a Valley County hazing case?

A: $0 upfront. We take hazing cases on contingency fee basis. This means:

• You pay nothing to hire us
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

This allows Valley County families to fight powerful institutions without financial risk.

Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit if my child was hazed in Idaho?

A: Typically 2 years from the date of injury under Idaho’s statute of limitations. However, do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and organizations destroy records. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your Valley County case will be.

Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. How do you protect them?

A: We take retaliation very seriously. Hazing victims often fear social or academic retaliation for speaking out. We:

• Handle all communications with the organization
• Protect your child’s identity when possible
• Advise on academic protections
• Pursue claims against anyone who retaliates

In our Houston case, our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We understand this fear and will protect your child.

Q: What if my child was hazed at a different university, not in Valley County?

A: We can still help. We represent hazing victims nationwide. Whether the hazing occurred at Boise State, University of Idaho, College of Idaho, Northwest Nazarene, or any other institution, we can evaluate your case and pursue justice.

Q: My child wasn’t physically injured, but they’re traumatized. Do they have a case?

A: Yes. Hazing causes serious psychological harm — PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation. These injuries are just as real as physical injuries, and they entitle your child to compensation. We work with mental health experts to document the full impact of hazing.

Q: The university says they’re investigating. Should I wait?

A: No. University investigations are not on your side. Their goal is to protect the institution, not your child. Do not give statements to university officials without legal counsel. Anything your child says can be used against them in a civil or criminal case.

Q: How much is my child’s hazing case worth?

A: Every case is unique. Factors that affect case value include:

• Severity of injuries
• Medical expenses
• Psychological impact
• Lost academic opportunities
• Whether the university knew about prior hazing
• Egregiousness of the conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, etc.)
• Ability of defendants to pay

In similar cases, families have recovered $6 million to $110 million. Our $10 million demand in the Houston case is supported by precedent.

Valley County Hazing by the Numbers

Hazing isn’t rare. It’s widespread — and Valley County students are at risk.

The Message to Valley County Fraternities and Universities

To fraternities operating near Valley County:

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Valley County, we will find every liable entity.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Valley County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America.

Every national fraternity with chapters near Valley County should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won.

To universities in Valley County and across Idaho:

Boise State, University of Idaho, College of Idaho, Northwest Nazarene — the same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.

To Greek life leadership at Valley County institutions:

The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

How Valley County Families Can Reach Us

If your child has been hazed at a Valley County college or any Idaho institution, contact us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.

Legal Emergency Hotline for Valley County Hazing Victims:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email:

📧 ralph@atty911.com

Video Consultations:

Available for Valley County families who cannot travel

In-Person Consultations:

We will travel to Valley County for client meetings

Office Locations Serving Valley County:

Houston Headquarters:
1177 W Loop S Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77027

Austin Office:
Serving Valley County remotely

Beaumont Office:
Serving Valley County remotely

Service Area: Valley County + All of Idaho + Nationwide

Valley County Families: You Are Not Alone

Hazing makes victims feel isolated. It makes them feel ashamed. It makes them feel like they have no options.

But you are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now. We know what Valley County families are going through. We know the fear, the anger, the helplessness.

And we know how to fight back.

If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. — Lupe Pena

Valley County families: Be brave. Step forward. Call us today.

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

Enough is enough.