🚨 Hazing Victims in Carroll County, Iowa: Your Legal Emergency Guide
Attorney 911 Legal Emergency Lawyers™ — Serving Carroll County Hazing Victims Nationwide
🏆 We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now — And We’ll Fight for Carroll County Families Too
Right now, our attorneys Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. A young man was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, and hospitalized with kidney failure — all as part of fraternity “initiation.”
This isn’t just happening in Houston. It’s happening at universities near Carroll County. The same fraternities operate in Iowa. The same negligence exists at Iowa institutions. And we will bring the same aggressive legal representation to Carroll County families.
📍 Hazing in Iowa — What Carroll County Families Need to Know
Carroll County is home to strong communities, family values, and young people with bright futures. But when those young people go to college, they face a dangerous reality: hazing is happening at Iowa universities, and it’s putting Carroll County students at risk.
🎓 Universities Near Carroll County with Greek Life:
While Carroll County itself is a smaller community, students from Carroll County attend colleges across Iowa where Greek life thrives. These include:
- Iowa State University (Ames, IA) — Large Greek system with active fraternities and sororities
- University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA) — Historic Greek life presence
- University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls, IA) — Fraternity and sorority chapters
- Drake University (Des Moines, IA) — Private university with Greek organizations
- Buena Vista University (Storm Lake, IA) — Smaller institution with Greek life
The same national fraternities and sororities involved in our $10 million lawsuit have chapters at these Iowa universities. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Iowa, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.
🔥 What Is Hazing? Iowa Law Explains
Iowa Code § 708.10 defines hazing as:
“Any act which is intended to or which actually causes mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule, or which endangers the health or safety of a student, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization.”
This includes:
- Forced physical activity (like 500 squats, bear crawls, or excessive exercise)
- Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or other substances
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological abuse or humiliation
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Being struck with objects (like wooden paddles)
- Any activity that risks injury or death
Iowa law is clear: Hazing is a criminal offense. It’s also grounds for a civil lawsuit.
⚖️ Who Is Liable When Hazing Happens to a Carroll County Student?
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise chapter; knew or should have known about hazing culture |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; may own or control property where hazing occurred |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed or allowed hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for institutional liability |
In our current case, we are suing:
- The local chapter
- The national fraternity
- The university
- Individual members
- Former members and their spouses
Carroll County families can pursue the same accountability.
💰 What Is a Hazing Case Worth for Carroll County Victims?
Hazing cases can result in substantial financial compensation for victims and their families. In recent years, hazing lawsuits have resulted in:
| Case | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Settlement | $110 million+ |
For Carroll County families, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses — Hospital bills, rehabilitation, therapy
- Future medical costs — Ongoing treatment, potential dialysis or transplant
- Lost wages — Time missed from work or internships
- Pain and suffering — Physical and emotional trauma
- Punitive damages — To punish egregious conduct and deter future hazing
Our $10 million demand in the current case is in line with these precedents — and Carroll County victims deserve the same justice.
🚨 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Iowa
IMMEDIATE ACTION STEPS FOR CARROLL COUNTY FAMILIES:
-
🏥 Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Document all symptoms and treatments
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening — don’t wait
-
📸 Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, any items used
- Save all communications — texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails
- Document everything — dates, times, locations, who was present
- Get witness names and contact information
-
🚫 Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone
- Do NOT talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
- Do NOT sign anything from the organization
- Do NOT post on social media about the incident
-
📞 Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Call Attorney 911: 1-888-ATTY-911
- Email: ralph@atty911.com
- Free consultation — we come to Carroll County if needed
-
📋 Consider Reporting to Authorities
- File a police report
- Report to university Title IX office
- Report to university Greek life office
⏳ Why Carroll County Families Must Act Now
Statute of Limitations — The Clock Is Ticking
In Iowa, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of injury.
This means Carroll County families have only 2 years to file a lawsuit after hazing occurs.
Do not wait. Evidence disappears:
- Text messages and social media posts get deleted
- Witnesses forget details
- Organizations destroy records
- Your legal rights expire
Our client in the current case acted immediately — hospitalized November 6, lawsuit filed November 21. This is how you protect your rights.
🛡️ How Attorney 911 Protects Carroll County Hazing Victims
1. Aggressive Legal Representation
We don’t back down from powerful institutions. We’ve taken on:
- National fraternities
- Major universities
- Insurance companies
- Individual perpetrators
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit — and we will bring the same fight to Carroll County cases.
2. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Carroll County Families
While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Iowa. We offer:
- Video consultations — Meet with us remotely
- Travel to Carroll County — For depositions, meetings, and trials
- Federal court authority — Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
- Dual-state bar licenses — Texas and New York
Distance is not a barrier to justice.
3. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching to represent victims. We know exactly how they try to minimize claims — and we know how to beat them.
4. No Upfront Cost — We Work on Contingency
Carroll County families pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. You don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you.
5. Compassionate, Confidential Support
We understand the trauma hazing causes. We treat Carroll County families with respect, compassion, and confidentiality. You are not alone.
🎯 Our Message to Iowa Fraternities and Universities
To fraternities operating near Carroll County: We are watching.
The same legal strategies that are securing multi-million dollar verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Iowa, we will find every liable entity — the local chapter, the national organization, the university, and the individuals involved.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates in Iowa, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
To Iowa universities: 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 Iowa institutions: The current case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.
📞 Carroll County Families — Contact Us Now
If your child has been hazed at an Iowa university, you have legal rights. You have options. And you have Attorney 911 on your side.
Call us 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We come to Carroll County. We fight for Carroll County families. And we don’t stop until justice is served.
🚨 Emergency Checklist for Carroll County Hazing Victims
✅ Seek medical attention immediately
✅ Preserve all evidence (photos, texts, videos, witness info)
✅ Do NOT confront the organization alone
✅ Do NOT post on social media about the incident
✅ Call Attorney 911: 1-888-ATTY-911
✅ Report to authorities (police, university)
✅ Document everything in writing
🔍 Warning Signs of Hazing for Carroll County Parents
If your child is joining a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other organization, watch for these red flags:
| Sign | What It Might Mean |
|---|---|
| Unexplained bruises, injuries, or pain | Physical hazing |
| Sudden weight loss or gain | Forced eating, excessive exercise |
| Fatigue, exhaustion, or sleep deprivation | Late-night activities, forced servitude |
| Withdrawal from friends/family | Psychological manipulation |
| Anxiety, depression, or mood changes | Emotional abuse |
| Missing classes or declining grades | Impact of hazing on academics |
| Secretive behavior about activities | Hazing is often hidden |
| Carrying unusual items (fanny pack, objects) | Hazing rituals |
| Wearing unusual clothing or costumes | Humiliation activities |
| Talking about “traditions” or “pledging” | Potential hazing language |
If you notice these signs, ask questions. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Contact us immediately.
🏛️ Iowa Hazing Laws — Know Your Rights
Iowa Criminal Law (Iowa Code § 708.10)
Hazing is a criminal offense in Iowa. It can be charged as:
- Simple Misdemeanor — Up to 30 days in jail and/or $625 fine
- Serious Misdemeanor — If hazing causes injury, up to 1 year in jail and/or $1,875 fine
- Aggravated Misdemeanor — If hazing causes serious injury, up to 2 years in jail and/or $6,250 fine
Consent is not a defense — even if a student “agreed” to participate, hazing is still illegal.
Iowa Civil Law
Victims of hazing can sue for:
- Negligence — Failure to protect students
- Assault and Battery — Intentional harmful contact
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress — Extreme and outrageous conduct
- Premises Liability — If hazing occurred on dangerous property
- Wrongful Death — If hazing results in death
Universities can be held liable for failing to prevent hazing on their campuses.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Carroll County Families
1. My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. What should I do?
We understand the pressure and fear victims face. Many are afraid of retaliation or social consequences. You can still take legal action without your child’s active participation. Contact us for confidential guidance.
2. The fraternity says my child “consented” to the activities. Is that a defense?
No. Iowa 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.
3. We’re in Carroll County, and the hazing happened in Iowa City/Ames. Can you still help?
Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Iowa. We offer video consultations and travel to Iowa for depositions and meetings. Distance is not a barrier.
4. How much does it cost to hire an attorney for a hazing case?
$0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee comes as a percentage of the recovery, so there’s no financial risk to you.
5. What if the university says they didn’t know about the hazing?
Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight of Greek life, they can be held liable. In our current case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred — they knew or should have known.
6. My child was hazed but wasn’t seriously injured. Do we still have a case?
Yes. Even without hospitalization, hazing can cause:
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Academic decline
- Loss of scholarships
- Social isolation
We pursue compensation for all forms of harm.
7. The fraternity already suspended the chapter. Isn’t that enough?
No. Suspensions are often temporary and don’t address the harm done to victims. We seek financial compensation for your child’s injuries and hold all responsible parties accountable — not just the local chapter, but the national organization, the university, and the individuals involved.
8. Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?
Yes. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it occurred at a private residence, the homeowners (including alumni) can be held liable.
9. What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
We take retaliation concerns very seriously. We can:
- Demand protective measures from the university
- Pursue legal action if retaliation occurs
- Keep your child’s identity confidential when possible
10. How long does a hazing lawsuit take?
Every case is different. Some settle within 6-12 months; others may take 1-3 years if they go to trial. We work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while maximizing compensation.
📢 Carroll County Families: You Are Not Alone
Hazing is a betrayal of trust. It’s a violation of safety. It’s an abuse of power.
But you are not powerless.
You have the right to seek justice. You have the right to hold those responsible accountable. You have the right to compensation for the harm done to your child.
And you have Attorney 911 on your side.
We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit — and we will bring that same fight to Carroll County families. We don’t back down from powerful institutions. We don’t accept excuses. And we don’t stop until justice is served.
If your child has been hazed at an Iowa university, contact us immediately for a free consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We come to Carroll County. We fight for Carroll County families. And we don’t stop until the hazing stops.
🔥 Enough Is Enough, Carroll County
For too long, hazing has been dismissed as “tradition” or “boys being boys.” But when that “tradition” includes waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles, and hospitalizations, it’s not tradition — it’s torture.
Carroll County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect them. They trust fraternities to build character, not break bodies.
That trust has been betrayed.
It’s time to send a message. It’s time to hold these institutions accountable. It’s time to say enough is enough.
Carroll County families: We’re ready to fight for you. Call us today.
