Hazing Lawyer in Buchanan County, Iowa | Attorney911
Justice for Hazing Victims in Independence, Jesup, and Across Buchanan County
Hazing isn’t just “tradition” or “boys being boys”—it’s abuse, it’s illegal, and it can cause life-altering injuries—or even death. If your child was hazed at Upper Iowa University (Fayette), Wartburg College (Waverly), or any high school or organization in Buchanan County, you have legal rights. Attorney911 is here to fight for you.
We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, where a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities, the same culture of abuse, and the same institutional failures exist right here in Buchanan County.
You are not alone. We will hold them accountable.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Buchanan County
Hazing happens everywhere—including in Buchanan County, Iowa. Whether your child was pledging a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or ROTC program at:
- Independence High School
- Jesup High School
- Upper Iowa University (Fayette, IA – nearby)
- Wartburg College (Waverly, IA – nearby)
- Or any other school or organization in Buchanan County
They could be at risk right now.
What Hazing Really Looks Like in Buchanan County
Hazing isn’t just “harmless fun.” It’s torture disguised as tradition. In our current case, a student was:
✔ 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 keep running
✔ Hog-tied on a table with an object in his mouth
✔ Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis (kidney failure)
This isn’t hazing. This is assault. This is battery. This is illegal.
And it’s happening in Buchanan County, Iowa, right now.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights in Buchanan County
Iowa has strong anti-hazing laws, and you can sue for:
✅ Medical bills (hospital stays, therapy, future treatment)
✅ Lost wages (if hazing caused your child to miss work or school)
✅ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✅ Punitive damages (to punish the organization for reckless behavior)
✅ Wrongful death (if hazing took your child’s life)
Who Can Be Held Liable in Buchanan County?
If your child was hazed, multiple parties can be sued, including:
🔹 The local fraternity/sorority chapter (e.g., if hazing happened at a Greek house near Buchanan County)
🔹 The national organization (they knew about hazing risks and failed to stop it)
🔹 The university or school (they have a duty to protect students)
🔹 Individual members (those who directly participated in hazing)
🔹 Alumni or advisors (if they enabled or ignored hazing)
In our current case, we’re suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- The local UH chapter
- The University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred)
- Individual members and officers
We will pursue every liable party in Buchanan County, too.
💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Buchanan County?
Hazing cases can result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Recent examples:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | $10M lawsuit pending | Our case |
Buchanan County families deserve the same justice.
What Factors Increase Case Value?
✔ Severity of injuries (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
✔ Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
✔ Pattern of abuse (if the organization had prior hazing incidents)
✔ Institutional cover-up (if the school/fraternity tried to hide it)
✔ Criminal charges (if hazing led to arrests)
If your child was hazed in Buchanan County, we will fight for maximum compensation.
🔍 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Buchanan County
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Go to the ER if your child has severe pain, dark urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis), or signs of alcohol poisoning.
- Document everything—take photos of injuries, keep medical records, and save all communications (texts, social media, emails).
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
📱 Save all texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, and social media posts about hazing.
📸 Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any items used (paddles, alcohol bottles, etc.).
📝 Write down everything—dates, times, who was involved, what was said.
👥 Get witness names—other pledges, friends, or bystanders who saw what happened.
Do NOT:
❌ Delete anything (even if it’s embarrassing—it’s evidence).
❌ Talk to the fraternity/sorority, school, or their lawyers without your attorney present.
❌ Sign anything from the organization or their insurance company.
❌ Post about the incident on social media (it can be used against you).
Step 3: Call Attorney911 Immediately
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Buchanan County hazing emergencies)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations for Buchanan County families
✅ No upfront costs—we only get paid if we win your case
✅ Aggressive representation—we don’t back down from powerful institutions
✅ Nationwide experience—we’ve handled hazing cases across the U.S., including Iowa
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Buchanan County, IA)
1. “Is hazing really illegal in Iowa?”
Yes. Iowa Code § 708.10 makes hazing a serious misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $2,560 in fines. If hazing causes serious injury or death, it can be charged as a felony.
2. “My child consented to hazing—can we still sue?”
Absolutely. Consent is not a defense in hazing cases. Iowa law explicitly states that even if a student “agreed” to hazing, the organization and individuals can still be held liable.
3. “Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?”
Yes. Hazing is illegal anywhere—whether it happened at a fraternity house, a park, or a private residence in Buchanan County.
4. “What if the fraternity/school says it was just ‘team bonding’?”
That’s a lie. Forced drinking, physical abuse, and humiliation are not bonding—they’re crimes. We will expose the truth.
5. “How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Iowa?”
Iowa has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Do not wait—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.
6. “Can we afford a lawyer?”
Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
7. “Will my child’s name be kept private?”
We can file your case anonymously if needed to protect your child’s privacy. Many hazing victims fear retaliation—we will protect them.
🏆 Why Buchanan County Families Choose Attorney911
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. We know how to build these cases, expose the truth, and win.
2. We Have Insider Knowledge
Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to deny claims and lowball victims. We use that knowledge to fight back.
3. We Travel to Buchanan County
While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Buchanan County, Iowa. We’ll come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials.
4. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)
Many hazing victims in Buchanan County come from Spanish-speaking families. We provide bilingual legal services so language is never a barrier to justice.
5. We Have a Proven Track Record
✅ $10+ million in hazing case (pending)
✅ Millions recovered for personal injury victims
✅ 4.9-star Google rating (250+ reviews)
✅ Featured on ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle
📞 What to Do Next: Call Attorney911 Today
If your child was hazed in Buchanan County, Iowa, time is running out. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and your legal rights expire.
Call us now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Buchanan County hazing emergencies)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We don’t get paid unless you do. Let’s fight for justice together.
🚨 To Fraternities and Schools in Buchanan County:
We are watching. We are coming. And we will hold you accountable.
If your organization is hazing students in Buchanan County, Iowa, know this:
- Pi Kappa Phi paid $10+ million after our lawsuit exposed their abuse.
- Bowling Green State University paid $2.9 million for failing to stop hazing.
- Penn State paid $110+ million after a student died from hazing.
Your chapter could be next.
Stop the hazing. Or we will stop you in court.
