Hazing Victims in Allamakee County: Your Legal Rights & How to Seek Justice

🚨 Hazing Isn’t Tradition—It’s Abuse

If you or someone you love has been a victim of hazing in Allamakee County, Iowa, you’re not alone. Hazing incidents—whether in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, or other student organizations—can lead to serious physical and psychological harm, and in some cases, even death.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure due to extreme hazing. The same fraternities and universities that operate in Houston, Texas, also have chapters near Allamakee County. If hazing can happen at a major university, it can happen here too.

📌 What Counts as Hazing in Allamakee County?

Hazing includes any intentional, reckless, or dangerous activity that humiliates, degrades, or endangers a student—whether on or off campus. Common examples include:

✅ Physical abuse – Forced exercise, beatings, paddling, waterboarding
✅ Forced consumption – Excessive alcohol, food, or substances leading to vomiting or poisoning
✅ Psychological torture – Sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats of expulsion
✅ Sexual harassment or assault – Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, unwanted contact
✅ Dangerous stunts – Blindfolded activities, extreme weather exposure, reckless dares

If you’ve experienced any of these, you may have a legal case—even if you “consented” to the activity.

💔 Real Cases, Real Consequences: Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines

🔴 Pi Kappa Phi’s Pattern of Abuse

Our firm is currently representing Leonel Bermudez, who was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats, waterboarded with a garden hose, and struck with wooden paddles during Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston.

But this wasn’t the first time Pi Kappa Phi hurt a student.

• 2017: Andrew Coffey died at Florida State University after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi event.
• 2025: Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized after extreme hazing at the University of Houston.

Pi Kappa Phi has chapters near Allamakee County—and if they’ve done this twice, how many other victims are there?

🔴 Other Hazing Cases That Changed the Law

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys”—it’s illegal, dangerous, and often deadly. Some of the most high-profile cases include:

These families turned tragedy into change. Your case could do the same for Allamakee County.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights in Allamakee County

1️⃣ Criminal Charges Against Hazers

Iowa has strict anti-hazing laws (Iowa Code § 708.10). If you were hazed, the individuals responsible could face:

• Misdemeanor charges (up to 1 year in jail)
• Felony charges if hazing results in serious injury or death

2️⃣ Civil Lawsuits for Compensation

Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, you can sue for financial compensation, including:
✔ Medical bills (past and future)
✔ Lost wages (if you missed work or school)
✔ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✔ Punitive damages (to punish the organization for reckless behavior)

In Texas, juries have awarded millions for hazing victims. Iowa law allows similar compensation.

3️⃣ Who Can Be Held Liable?

You can sue multiple parties, including:
🔹 The local fraternity/sorority chapter (for organizing hazing)
🔹 The national organization (for failing to prevent hazing)
🔹 The university (for failing to protect students)
🔹 Individual members (for participating in or allowing hazing)
🔹 Alumni or property owners (if hazing occurred at their home)

🚨 What to Do If You’ve Been Hazed in Allamakee County

✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries can be life-threatening.
• Document all injuries (photos, hospital records, doctor’s notes).

✅ Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Save all texts, social media messages, and emails about hazing.
• Take screenshots of GroupMe, Snapchat, or other chats.
• Write down names of witnesses and participants.
• Keep any physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing).

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

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to silence you.
• Do not sign anything without legal advice.
• Do not give a recorded statement to their insurance company.

✅ Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer

At Attorney 911, we travel to Allamakee County to meet with victims and families. We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultations
✔ No upfront fees (we only get paid if you win)
✔ Aggressive representation against powerful institutions

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

💰 How Much Could Your Case Be Worth?

Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation, depending on:

• Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, wrongful death)
• Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced consumption, physical abuse)
• Institutional knowledge (did the university or fraternity know about prior hazing?)
• Pattern of abuse (was this a one-time incident or systemic?)

Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts

If you’ve been seriously injured, your case could be worth millions.

🏛️ Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Allamakee County Hazing Case?

✅ We’re Already Fighting a $10M Hazing Case

We’re currently representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving we know how to win against powerful fraternities and universities.

✅ Former Insurance Defense Lawyers

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña worked for insurance companies before switching sides to fight for victims. We know their playbook—and we use it against them.

✅ We Travel to Allamakee County

We come to you for depositions, meetings, and court appearances. You don’t have to travel to Texas to get justice.

✅ No Upfront Costs

We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

✅ Bilingual Representation (Se Habla Español)

We understand the unique challenges faced by Spanish-speaking families and ensure no language barriers stand in the way of justice.

✅ Proven Track Record

• $10M hazing lawsuit (currently pending)
• Multi-million-dollar personal injury settlements
• Former BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
• Federal court admission (can sue national organizations anywhere)

📢 Warning to Allamakee County Fraternities & Universities: We Are Watching

To the fraternities, sororities, and universities near Allamakee County:

We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your history of hazing.

If you haze students, we will sue you.
If you cover it up, we will expose you.
If you think you can get away with it, you’re wrong.

The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH is already shut down. Your chapter could be next.

🚨 Allamakee County Parents: Protect Your Child

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority, joining a sports team, or participating in any student organization, they could be at risk of hazing.

⚠️ Warning Signs of Hazing

• Sudden secrecy about activities
• Unexplained injuries (bruises, sprains, exhaustion)
• Changes in behavior (anxiety, depression, withdrawal)
• Sleep deprivation (dark circles, falling asleep in class)
• Being forced to carry unusual objects (fanny packs, paddles)
• Sudden weight loss or gain (from forced eating or starvation)
• Talk of “traditions” that sound dangerous

🔹 What You Can Do

✔ Talk to your child about hazing risks.
✔ Ask direct questions about their experiences.
✔ Document everything if you suspect hazing.
✔ Contact us immediately if your child is injured.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

You don’t have to fight this alone.
We’re here to protect Allamakee County students and hold abusers accountable.

📅 Free Consultation | 💬 Se Habla Español | 🚗 We Come to You

📍 Serving Allamakee County from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont

📢 Share This Page to Protect Others

If you know someone who’s been hazed, send them this page. The more Allamakee County families know their rights, the harder it is for hazing to continue.

#StopHazing #JusticeForAllamakeeCounty #Attorney911