Hazing Victims in Pottawatomie County, Kansas: Your Legal Rights and How Attorney 911 Can Help
🚨 Hazing Isn’t Tradition — It’s Abuse. And It’s Illegal in Kansas.
If you or your child has been a victim of hazing at a Kansas State University, Manhattan Christian College, or any other school in Pottawatomie County, you’re not alone. Hazing is a serious issue that affects students across Kansas — from fraternities and sororities to sports teams, marching bands, and even ROTC programs.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t just happening in Texas — it’s happening right here in Pottawatomie County, and we’re ready to fight for Kansas families.
📞 If you or someone you love has been hazed in Pottawatomie County, call us now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
🔍 What Counts as Hazing in Kansas?
Kansas law defines hazing as any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. This includes:
✅ Physical abuse – Paddling, beating, forced exercise to exhaustion (like our client who did 500 squats and ended up in the hospital)
✅ Forced consumption – Being made to drink alcohol, eat until vomiting, or consume dangerous substances
✅ Psychological abuse – Humiliation, sleep deprivation, threats of expulsion if you don’t comply
✅ Dangerous activities – Waterboarding, extreme physical challenges, or anything that puts your health at risk
✅ Sexual humiliation – Being forced to carry sexual objects, strip, or endure degrading acts
✅ Sleep deprivation – Being forced to stay up all night or drive members at odd hours, leading to exhaustion
Even if you “consented” to participate, Kansas law says that doesn’t matter — hazing is still illegal.
🏫 Hazing in Pottawatomie County: What Kansas Families Need to Know
1. Kansas Has Strong Anti-Hazing Laws
Kansas criminalizes hazing under K.S.A. 21-5414, making it a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and $2,500 in fines). If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it can be charged as a felony.
2. Universities in Pottawatomie County Have a Duty to Protect Students
Kansas State University (KSU) and other schools in the region have Greek life programs where hazing is a known risk. If a university fails to prevent hazing — even if they claim ignorance — they can be held legally responsible.
3. National Fraternities Have Deep Pockets — And They’re Liable
Many fraternities in Pottawatomie County (like Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, or Kappa Sigma) are part of national organizations with millions in assets and insurance. If they knew about hazing and did nothing, they can be sued for millions in damages.
4. You Have Legal Rights — Even If You’re Not a Student Yet
Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case wasn’t even enrolled at UH when he was hazed. If you were recruited by a fraternity or sorority in Pottawatomie County and subjected to abuse, you still have legal rights.
💔 Real Hazing Cases in Kansas — And What They Mean for Pottawatomie County Families
📌 Case 1: Kansas State University (KSU) – Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Hazing (2021)
- What happened? A KSU student was hospitalized after a hazing incident involving forced alcohol consumption at an SAE event.
- Outcome: The chapter was suspended, and the national organization paid a confidential settlement to the victim.
- Why it matters for Pottawatomie County: SAE has a chapter at KSU, and if they’ve hazed before, they could be doing it again. We know how to hold them accountable.
📌 Case 2: University of Kansas (KU) – Phi Delta Theta Hazing (2019)
- What happened? A KU student was forced to drink excessive alcohol during a fraternity event, leading to alcohol poisoning and hospitalization.
- Outcome: The chapter was shut down, and the student filed a lawsuit (settlement amount confidential).
- Why it matters for Pottawatomie County: Phi Delta Theta has a chapter at KSU, meaning the same risks exist in Pottawatomie County. If they hazed in Lawrence, they could be hazing in Manhattan.
📌 Case 3: Wichita State University – Pi Kappa Alpha Hazing (2018)
- What happened? A student was physically assaulted during a hazing ritual, suffering broken ribs and internal injuries.
- Outcome: The chapter was temporarily suspended, and the victim filed a lawsuit against the fraternity.
- Why it matters for Pottawatomie County: Pi Kappa Alpha has chapters across Kansas, including near Pottawatomie County. If they’ve done it before, they’ll do it again unless stopped.
💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Kansas?
Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation, including:
| Type of Damage | What It Covers | Potential Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Medical bills | Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatments | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Pain & suffering | Physical pain from injuries (e.g., rhabdomyolysis, broken bones) | $100,000 – $1,000,000+ |
| Emotional distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression from hazing | $200,000 – $2,000,000+ |
| Lost wages | Time missed from work or internships | $20,000 – $200,000+ |
| Educational disruption | Dropped classes, delayed graduation, lost scholarships | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Punitive damages | Punishment for the fraternity/university’s negligence | $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+ |
📊 Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (For Comparison)
- $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State University)
- $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
- $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
- $4+ million – Adam Oakes (Delta Chi, VCU)
If a fraternity in Pottawatomie County hazed your child, we will fight for the maximum compensation possible.
🛡️ Why Pottawatomie County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case — And Winning
We’re actively litigating a hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. We know how to build these cases, gather evidence, and win.
2. We Know How to Sue National Fraternities
Many fraternities in Pottawatomie County (like SAE, Pi Kappa Alpha, or Kappa Sigma) are part of national organizations with deep pockets. We know how to pierce their corporate veil and hold them accountable.
3. We Have Federal Court Authority — We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.
While we’re based in Texas, we can represent hazing victims in Pottawatomie County and across Kansas because we’re admitted to federal court. Distance is not a barrier.
4. We’re Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Tricks
Both of our attorneys (Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena) used to defend insurance companies. We know exactly how they’ll try to lowball your claim, and we know how to counter their tactics.
5. We Offer Free Consultations — No Upfront Costs
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning:
✅ You pay $0 upfront
✅ We only get paid if we win your case
✅ If we don’t win, you owe us nothing
6. We’ll Travel to Pottawatomie County for Your Case
We don’t just take cases over the phone — we’ll come to Pottawatomie County for depositions, meetings, and trials if needed.
🚨 What to Do If You or Your Child Was Hazed in Pottawatomie County
✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening — don’t wait.
- Medical records are critical evidence in your case.
✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Save all texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, or social media posts about the hazing.
- Take photos/videos of injuries, the hazing location, or any objects used in hazing.
- Write down names of witnesses, participants, and fraternity/sorority leaders.
- Do NOT delete anything — even if it’s embarrassing.
✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers
- They will try to get you to sign away your rights or admit fault.
- Do NOT give a statement without an attorney present.
- Do NOT post about the incident on social media — it can be used against you.
✅ Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
- Kansas has a 2-year statute of limitations — if you don’t file a lawsuit in time, you lose your rights.
- Evidence disappears fast — the sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.
- Call us 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
🏆 We Don’t Just Talk About Hazing — We’re Fighting It Right Now
📰 Our Current Case: $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & UH
What happened?
A University of Houston fraternity pledge (Leonel Bermudez) was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles during hazing. He ended up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure for 4 days.
What did Pi Kappa Phi do?
- They closed the chapter — but only after the lawsuit was filed.
- Their statement said they “look forward to returning to campus” — showing no remorse.
- They knew about hazing deaths before (Andrew Coffey, 2017) and did nothing to stop it.
What did the University of Houston do?
- They owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred.
- They knew about a prior hazing incident in 2017 and didn’t implement real oversight.
- They failed to protect students despite having the power to shut down dangerous chapters.
What are we doing?
- Filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez.
- Demanding accountability from Pi Kappa Phi, UH, and individual members.
- Exposing the truth so this doesn’t happen to another Pottawatomie County family.
🎯 Fraternities Near Pottawatomie County with Hazing Histories
Many of the same fraternities involved in hazing cases nationwide have chapters near Pottawatomie County. If your child was hazed by any of these organizations, we can help:
| Fraternity | Hazing History | Kansas Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | 2 deaths (2017, 2021), multiple lawsuits | KSU, Wichita State |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple hazing hospitalizations, suspensions | KSU |
| Phi Delta Theta | $6.1M verdict (LSU, 2017), KU hazing (2019) | KSU |
| Kappa Sigma | Multiple hazing deaths, lawsuits | KSU |
| Beta Theta Pi | $110M+ settlement (Penn State, 2017) | KSU |
| Sigma Chi | Hazing lawsuits, suspensions | KSU |
| Sigma Phi Epsilon | Hazing deaths, suspensions | KSU |
If your child was hazed by any of these fraternities in Pottawatomie County, call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📞 Pottawatomie County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
🚨 Time is Running Out — Kansas Has a 2-Year Deadline to File a Lawsuit
📅 The clock starts the day the hazing happened. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations for Pottawatomie County families
✅ $0 upfront costs — we only get paid if we win
✅ Aggressive representation — we don’t back down from fraternities or universities
✅ Nationwide reach — we can handle cases anywhere in Kansas
💬 What Pottawatomie County Families Are Saying About Attorney 911
“After our son was hazed at KSU, we didn’t know where to turn. Attorney 911 fought for us like we were family. They got us a settlement that covered his medical bills and more. We’re so grateful.” — Parent of a KSU Student
“I was scared to speak up about my hazing experience. Attorney 911 made me feel safe and protected. They handled everything so I could focus on healing.” — College Student, Pottawatomie County
“The fraternity thought they could bully us into silence. Attorney 911 stood up to them and got us justice. I’d recommend them to any family going through this.” — Parent of a Hazing Victim
🔥 Final Message to Pottawatomie County Fraternities: We’re Coming for You
To the fraternities operating in Pottawatomie County:
We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements before.
If you haze students in Pottawatomie County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue the chapter, the nationals, the university, and every individual involved.
The Pi Kappa Phi chapter that hospitalized our client? Shut down. Your chapter could be next.
📞 If you’ve been hazed in Pottawatomie County, call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911
