Hazing Lawyers in Washington County, Iowa – Holding Fraternities & Universities Accountable
Attorney 911 – Fighting for Hazing Victims Across Iowa
🚨 Washington County Families: Your Child Could Be Next. We Can Help.
Hazing isn’t just a problem at big universities in other states. It happens right here in Washington County, Iowa. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at University of Houston have chapters near Washington County. The same universities that failed to protect students in Texas are failing students in Iowa. And the same culture of abuse that hospitalized our client exists at institutions near Washington County.
We are Attorney 911 – the law firm currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we’re ready to bring that fight to Washington County.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Free Consultation – No Upfront Cost – We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Do
🔥 The Hazing Crisis Hits Home in Washington County
Washington County Parents: This Could Happen to Your Child
In November 2025, our client Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized with kidney failure after being hazed at the University of Houston. The fraternity:
- Waterboarded him with a garden hose
- Forced him to do 500 squats until he collapsed
- Struck him with wooden paddles
- Made him eat until he vomited
- Left him in vomit-soaked grass
This isn’t happening in some far-off state. This is happening at the same fraternities with chapters near Washington County.
The Same Fraternities Operate Near Washington County
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi – these are the same Greek organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide. And they all have chapters at universities near Washington County.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Iowa, they face the same risks.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Washington County Hazing Victim
Iowa Hazing Laws Protect Your Child
Iowa Code § 708.10 defines hazing as:
“Any act which endangers the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating in connection with a school, college, or university.”
This includes:
- Physical abuse (beatings, paddling)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food)
- Extreme exercise (like 500 squats)
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological torture (waterboarding, humiliation)
- Any activity that creates risk of injury
Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Iowa law says that doesn’t matter.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Washington County?
| Defendant | Why They’re Responsible |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise chapter; knew about hazing culture |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; may own fraternity property |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| House Corporations | Owned property where hazing occurred |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes |
Washington County families: These same defendants can be held accountable for hazing at Iowa institutions.
💰 What Washington County Hazing Victims Can Recover
Multi-Million Dollar Settlements Are Possible
We are currently pursuing $10 million in our University of Houston case. Other hazing cases have resulted in:
| Case | University | Amount | What Happened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | $10.1M | Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol; died |
| Max Gruver | Louisiana State | $6.1M | Forced drinking game; BAC 0.495; died |
| Tim Piazza | Penn State | $110M+ | 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs; died |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Confidential | Forced to drink entire bottle of bourbon; died |
Washington County families: Your child doesn’t have to die for you to recover significant compensation. Our client survived but has serious injuries – and we’re fighting for $10 million.
Types of Compensation Available
| Category | What It Covers | Example for Washington County Victims |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, treatment, rehabilitation | ER visit, kidney failure treatment, therapy for PTSD |
| Lost Wages | Income lost due to injury | Time missed from part-time job or internship |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical and emotional distress | Trauma from waterboarding, beatings, humiliation |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | When hazing involved torture or reckless disregard |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death | Funeral expenses, loss of companionship |
🏛️ Who We Sue for Washington County Hazing Victims
We Pursue Every Responsible Party
In our University of Houston case, we’re suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National Organization
- Local Chapter
- University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
- Individual fraternity members
- Former members and their spouses (hazing occurred at their home)
For Washington County families: We will pursue the same comprehensive liability strategy.
National Fraternities Have Deep Pockets
The same national organizations that operate near Washington County have:
- Millions in assets
- Liability insurance policies
- Ability to pay large settlements
They will pay to make this go away – but only if you have an aggressive attorney fighting for you.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Washington County
Immediate Steps for Washington County Families
- Get Medical Attention – Even if injuries seem minor, get checked. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening.
- Preserve Evidence – Save all text messages, social media posts, photos, videos. Take pictures of injuries.
- Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone – They will try to control the narrative. Anything you say can be used against you.
- Do NOT Post on Social Media – Anything you post can be used to minimize your claim.
- Contact an Attorney Immediately – The statute of limitations is typically 2 years. Evidence disappears quickly.
⚠️ Common Mistakes That Destroy Cases
| Mistake | Why It Hurts Your Case |
|---|---|
| Deleting text messages | Destroys evidence of hazing coordination |
| Talking to fraternity leaders | They’ll coordinate their story against you |
| Signing documents | May waive your rights without realizing |
| Waiting too long | Evidence disappears, witnesses forget |
| Not seeking medical care | Defense will claim you weren’t really hurt |
🎯 Why Washington County Families Choose Attorney 911
We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now – And We’ll Fight for Washington County
Our Current $10 Million Hazing Case:
- Victim: Leonel Bermudez (hospitalized with kidney failure)
- Defendants: Pi Kappa Phi, University of Houston, individual members
- Hazing: Waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles, forced eating
- Status: Lawsuit filed November 2025; media coverage nationwide
This isn’t theoretical for us. We’re in the fight RIGHT NOW. And we’re ready to bring that fight to Washington County.
Our Washington County Advantages
| Advantage | How It Helps Washington County Families |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years Experience | Battle-tested in courtrooms across Texas and federal courts |
| Former Insurance Defense | Know exactly how they’ll try to deny your claim |
| Federal Court Authority | Can pursue cases in federal court if needed |
| Dual-State Licensed | Texas AND New York – strategic for national fraternity cases |
| Hazing-Specific Expertise | Currently litigating $10M hazing case; rhabdomyolysis cases |
| Aggressive Negotiators | We don’t back down from insurance companies or universities |
| Contingency Fee | $0 upfront; we don’t get paid unless you win |
| Travel to Washington County | We come to you for depositions and meetings |
| Video Consultations | Washington County families can meet with us remotely |
We Understand the Washington County Community
Washington County has a strong tradition of higher education and community values. When hazing happens at Iowa institutions, it violates those values. We understand:
- The importance of education in Washington County
- The role of Greek life in college experiences
- The trust parents place in universities
- The devastating impact when that trust is betrayed
We won’t let Washington County institutions get away with this.
🏢 Universities Near Washington County With Greek Life
Institutions Where Hazing May Be Occurring
While we can’t name specific hazing incidents at Washington County institutions without evidence, we know that Greek organizations with documented hazing histories operate at universities near Washington County, including:
- University of Iowa (Iowa City) – Major Greek system
- Iowa State University (Ames) – Large fraternity/sorority presence
- University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls) – Active Greek life
- Cornell College (Mount Vernon) – Smaller but active Greek organizations
- Coe College (Cedar Rapids) – Greek life present
The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths nationwide have chapters at these schools. If your child attends college near Washington County, they face the same risks.
📞 Washington County Families: Contact Us Today
Free Consultation – No Obligation – Confidential
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Washington County, Iowa.
What Happens When You Call:
- Free Case Evaluation – We’ll listen to your story and explain your rights.
- No Pressure – We’ll give you honest advice about your options.
- No Upfront Cost – We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win.
- Immediate Action – We’ll start preserving evidence and building your case.
- Aggressive Representation – We’ll fight for the maximum compensation.
Washington County parents: You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. When that trust is broken, you deserve justice. Let us help.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Washington County Families
Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?
A: Many hazing victims are afraid of retaliation or don’t want to “ruin” the fraternity. However, hazing often gets worse over time. The longer you wait:
- Evidence disappears
- Other students may be hurt
- Your legal rights expire
We can help protect your child’s identity while still pursuing justice.
Q: Can we sue even if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: Yes. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. In our University of Houston case, some hazing occurred at a former member’s private residence – and we sued the homeowners.
Q: What if my child “consented” to the hazing?
A: Consent is NOT a defense under Iowa law. The Iowa legislature specifically decided that students cannot consent to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, that doesn’t make it legal.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Iowa, the statute of limitations is typically 2 years from the date of injury. However, it’s critical to act quickly because:
- Evidence disappears
- Witnesses forget details
- Organizations destroy records
- Your rights expire
Contact us immediately to preserve your rights.
Q: Will this affect my child’s academic standing?
A: We work to protect your child’s academic future. Many universities have policies that protect students who report hazing. We can help navigate these issues while still pursuing justice.
Q: Can we afford an attorney?
A: Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This allows Washington County families to fight powerful institutions without financial risk.
🔍 Warning Signs of Hazing in Washington County
What Washington County Parents Should Watch For
Hazing is often hidden, but there are warning signs:
| Category | Warning Signs |
|---|---|
| Physical | Unexplained bruises, injuries, limping |
| Behavioral | Sudden withdrawal, anxiety, depression |
| Academic | Declining grades, missed classes |
| Social | Avoiding certain people, reluctance to discuss activities |
| Financial | Unexplained expenses, requests for money |
| Schedule | Late nights, early mornings, unexplained absences |
| Communication | Secretive about phone use, deleted messages |
| Possessions | Unusual items (fanny packs, specific clothing) |
If you notice these signs, talk to your child immediately. Then contact us.
🎯 Our Promise to Washington County Families
- We will listen – Your story matters. We’ll take the time to understand what happened.
- We will fight – We don’t back down from universities or national fraternities.
- We will protect – We’ll shield your family from retaliation and intimidation.
- We will pursue every dollar – We’ll calculate the full value of your claim and fight for maximum compensation.
- We will travel to Washington County – You don’t have to come to Texas. We’ll come to you.
Washington County families: You’re not alone. We’re fighting this battle right now, and we’re ready to fight for you.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
The same fraternities that waterboarded our client have chapters near Washington County. The same universities that failed to protect students are failing students in Iowa. The same culture of abuse exists at institutions near you.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us today.
Attorney 911 – Fighting for Washington County Hazing Victims
