Hazing Lawyers in Madison County, Iowa – Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse

Hazing Happens in Madison County – And It’s Time to Fight Back

Madison County families trust our local colleges and universities to keep their children safe. But behind the scenes, dangerous hazing rituals in fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations are putting students at serious risk—sometimes with life-altering or even fatal consequences.

If your child was injured, hospitalized, or traumatized due to hazing at a Madison County college or university, you have legal rights. The same fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide operate right here in Iowa. And now, Attorney 911 is bringing the fight to Madison County.

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme physical abuse. The same national organizations operate in Madison County—and we will hold them accountable here, too.

🚨 If Your Child Was Hazed in Madison County, Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Free, confidential consultation – No upfront fees

What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Iowa)

Hazing isn’t just “harmless tradition.” It’s abuse, torture, and sometimes manslaughter disguised as initiation.

Common Hazing Practices in Madison County (And Across Iowa)

✅ Forced alcohol consumption – Binge drinking, chugging, alcohol poisoning
✅ Extreme physical punishment – Push-ups, squats, bear crawls, “suicides” (sprints) until exhaustion
✅ Waterboarding & simulated drowning – Torture tactics used on pledges
✅ Sleep deprivation – Late-night activities, forced driving, exhaustion
✅ Forced eating until vomiting – Consuming milk, hot dogs, peppercorns, or other substances
✅ Beatings with wooden paddles – Physical assault under the guise of “tradition”
✅ Psychological torture – Humiliation, threats, isolation, carrying sexual objects
✅ Sexual abuse & harassment – Forced nudity, sexual acts, degrading rituals

Hazing Is a Crime in Iowa

Under Iowa Code § 708.10, hazing is a serious misdemeanor, punishable by:

• Up to 1 year in jail
• Fines up to $2,560
• Expulsion from school

But criminal charges aren’t enough. Victims and families deserve financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and long-term trauma.

Why Madison County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case Right Now

We’re currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members:

• Waterboarded him with a garden hose
• Forced him to do 500+ squats and 100+ push-ups until he collapsed
• Struck him with wooden paddles
• Made him eat until he vomited, then forced him to keep running

This happened in Houston—but it could happen in Madison County. The same fraternities operate here, and we’re ready to fight for Iowa victims.

2. We Know How to Win Against Powerful Institutions

Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize your claim. We know their tactics because we used to defend insurance companies—now we use that knowledge to win for victims.

3. We Don’t Just Sue Students—We Go After the Real Culprits

Many lawsuits only target individual students, who often have no money. We sue:
✔ The national fraternity/sorority organization (deep pockets)
✔ The local chapter (direct responsibility)
✔ The university (failure to protect students)
✔ Individual leaders (personal liability)

4. We Work on Contingency—No Upfront Costs

You pay nothing unless we win. We only get paid if we secure compensation for you.

5. We’ll Travel to Madison County for Your Case

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Madison County. We’ll come to you for depositions, meetings, and court appearances.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Madison County

🚨 Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if your child “seems fine,” hazing can cause:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
• Alcohol poisoning (potentially fatal)
• Traumatic brain injuries (from beatings or falls)
• PTSD, anxiety, and depression (long-term psychological damage)

Go to the ER or urgent care right away. Medical records are critical evidence for your case.

📱 Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do NOT delete anything. Save:
✔ Text messages, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs (even if embarrassing)
✔ Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
✔ Names and contact info of witnesses
✔ Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
✔ Medical records (hospital bills, doctor notes, therapy records)
✔ Social media posts (screenshots of bragging about hazing)

🚫 Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Insurance Companies Without a Lawyer

They will try to minimize your claim, twist your words, or get you to sign away your rights. We handle all communication for you.

📞 Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

The statute of limitations in Iowa is 2 years from the date of injury. Evidence disappears quickly—act now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com

Who We Sue in Madison County Hazing Cases

1. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

• They set the policies (or fail to enforce them)
• They collect dues and insurance money
• They knew about hazing risks (many have prior incidents)
• They have deep pockets (millions in assets)

Example: Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including in Iowa. After Andrew Coffey died in 2017, they had 8 years to fix their culture—but didn’t. Now, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized under their watch.

2. The Local Chapter

• They organized and carried out the hazing
• Chapter leaders (president, pledgemaster) are personally liable
• Individual members who participated can be sued

3. The University

• They have a duty to protect students
• Many own or control fraternity houses (premises liability)
• They knew or should have known about hazing risks
• They failed to enforce anti-hazing policies

Example: The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where our client was tortured. They had a prior hazing incident in 2017—but did nothing to prevent it from happening again.

4. Individual Perpetrators

• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster)
• Members who participated in hazing
• Alumni who hosted hazing events

Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

How Much Is a Madison County Hazing Case Worth?

Hazing cases can result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, depending on:
✔ Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, death)
✔ Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, beatings, forced alcohol)
✔ University’s knowledge of prior incidents
✔ Whether the fraternity has a history of hazing

Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts

Your Madison County hazing case could be worth millions. We’ll fight for:
✅ Medical bills (past and future)
✅ Lost wages (if your child missed work or school)
✅ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✅ Punitive damages (to punish the organization and prevent future hazing)

Madison County Colleges & Universities with Greek Life

Hazing can happen at any school with fraternities or sororities, including:

🎓 Simpson College (Indianola, IA – Near Madison County)

• Fraternities: Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon
• Sororities: Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi

🎓 Drake University (Des Moines, IA – 30 min from Madison County)

• Fraternities: Delta Tau Delta, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu
• Sororities: Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi

🎓 Iowa State University (Ames, IA – 45 min from Madison County)

• Fraternities: 30+ chapters (Alpha Gamma Rho, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Tau Delta, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, etc.)
• Sororities: 14 chapters (Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, etc.)

🎓 University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA – 2.5 hours from Madison County)

• Fraternities: 20+ chapters (Beta Theta Pi, Delta Tau Delta, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, etc.)
• Sororities: 14 chapters (Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, etc.)

If your child attends any of these schools (or others in Iowa), they could be at risk.

Warning Signs of Hazing in Madison County

Parents should watch for these red flags:

❌ Sudden secrecy – Your child stops talking about their activities
❌ Unexplained injuries – Bruises, cuts, or exhaustion
❌ Sleep deprivation – Dark circles, falling asleep in class
❌ Weight loss or dehydration – From forced exercise or lack of food
❌ Mood changes – Anxiety, depression, withdrawal
❌ Missing classes or events – Due to fraternity/sorority obligations
❌ Strange objects – Carrying a fanny pack with “secret” items
❌ Late-night texts/calls – Being summoned at odd hours
❌ Changes in hygiene – Smelling of alcohol, looking unkempt

If you notice these signs, ask questions—and call us immediately.

Madison County Hazing Laws – Know Your Rights

Iowa Hazing Law (Iowa Code § 708.10)

Hazing is a serious misdemeanor in Iowa, punishable by:

• Up to 1 year in jail
• Fines up to $2,560
• Expulsion from school

Definition of Hazing in Iowa:

“Any intentional or reckless act by a person, acting alone or with others, that is directed against a student and that endangers the mental or 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 student organization.”

Civil Lawsuits for Hazing in Iowa

Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, you can sue for:
✔ Medical expenses (hospital bills, therapy, future treatment)
✔ Lost wages (if your child missed work or school)
✔ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✔ Punitive damages (to punish the organization and prevent future hazing)

Statute of Limitations in Iowa:

• 2 years from the date of injury (for personal injury)
• 2 years from the date of death (for wrongful death)

Don’t wait—evidence disappears quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Madison County Hazing Cases

❓ My child “consented” to hazing. Can we still sue?

YES. Iowa law (like Texas law) explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.

❓ The fraternity said this was “just tradition.” Is that an excuse?

NO. “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity. If the activities are dangerous, humiliating, or life-threatening, they are hazing—and they are illegal.

❓ Will suing hurt my child’s reputation or future?

NO. We handle cases confidentially and protect your child’s privacy. The goal is to hold the organization accountable, not shame the victim.

❓ What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. Many hazing incidents occur at private homes, hotels, or rented spaces.

❓ How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?

$0 upfront. We work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if we win your case. You pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you.

❓ Can we sue if no one was physically injured?

YES. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is a valid claim. Many hazing victims suffer long-term emotional damage even without physical injuries.

❓ What if the fraternity is already suspended?

That doesn’t stop your lawsuit. In fact, fraternities often suspend chapters to limit liability—but that doesn’t mean they’re not responsible. We’ll still pursue them for damages.

Madison County Hazing Lawyers – Free Consultation

If your child was hazed in Madison County or anywhere in Iowa, you don’t have to fight this alone.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Serving Madison County and all of Iowa

We offer:
✅ Free, confidential case evaluation
✅ No upfront fees – we only get paid if we win
✅ Aggressive representation against powerful institutions
✅ Travel to Madison County for your case

🚨 Time is running out. Call today before evidence disappears.

Hazing in Madison County Must End – And We’ll Make Sure It Does

Hazing isn’t “just part of college.” It’s abuse, torture, and sometimes murder disguised as tradition.

Madison County families deserve better. If your child was hazed, we will fight for justice.

Call Attorney 911 today: 1-888-ATTY-911

🔥 Enough is enough.