Hazing Victims in Carlton County, MN: Your Legal Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help

🚨 Hazing Isn’t Tradition — It’s Abuse. And It’s Happening in Carlton County.

Carlton County is home to hardworking families who send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But behind the Greek letters and campus spirit, a dangerous culture persists: hazing. What many dismiss as “tradition” or “initiation” is often physical abuse, psychological torture, and life-threatening danger.

This isn’t just happening at big universities far away. It’s happening right here in Carlton County — at local colleges, fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and student organizations.

And when institutions fail to protect students, we hold them accountable.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — a case that made national headlines when a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we’re ready to bring that same fight to Carlton County.

📍 Hazing in Carlton County: What Families Need to Know

🏫 Where Hazing Happens in Carlton County

Carlton County is home to Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC), a respected institution serving the region’s diverse student population. While Greek life is not as prominent as at larger universities, hazing can occur in:

• Sports teams (football, hockey, wrestling, etc.)
• Student clubs and organizations
• Honor societies and academic groups
• Cultural and identity-based organizations
• ROTC and military-affiliated groups
• Fraternities and sororities (even if unofficial or off-campus)

Hazing isn’t limited to Greek life. Any group that uses abuse, humiliation, or dangerous rituals as “initiation” is engaging in hazing — and is breaking the law.

🚨 What Hazing Looks Like in Carlton County

Hazing isn’t just about drinking games or silly pranks. In Carlton County and across Minnesota, hazing often involves:

• Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, excessive exercise (pushups, squats, runs), sleep deprivation
• Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, or non-food items (peppercorns, hot sauce, etc.)
• Psychological torture: Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, humiliation
• Dangerous stunts: Blindfolded activities, extreme weather exposure, confinement
• Sexual humiliation or assault: Forced nudity, inappropriate touching, degrading acts

In our current case in Texas, a student was:
✔ Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✔ Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he couldn’t stand
✔ Struck with wooden paddles
✔ Forced to eat until he vomited, then made to lie in his own vomit
✔ Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

This isn’t an isolated incident. This is happening in Carlton County too.

💔 The Real Cost of Hazing in Carlton County

Hazing doesn’t just leave physical scars — it can ruin lives.

Minnesota has seen its share of hazing tragedies. In 2017, 19-year-old Dylan Fulton died from alcohol poisoning during a hazing incident at a Minnesota college. His family’s grief is a stark reminder: hazing isn’t harmless. It’s deadly.

⚖️ Minnesota Hazing Laws: Know Your Rights

📜 Minnesota’s Anti-Hazing Statute (Minn. Stat. § 121A.69)

Minnesota law explicitly prohibits hazing in schools, colleges, and student organizations. Under Minn. Stat. § 121A.69, hazing is defined as:

“Any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any student or other person.”

This includes:

• Forcing someone to consume alcohol or drugs
• Physical abuse (hitting, paddling, excessive exercise)
• Sleep deprivation or confinement
• Sexual humiliation or assault
• Any activity that risks serious harm

🚔 Criminal Penalties in Minnesota

Hazing is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, punishable by:

• Up to 90 days in jail
• Fines up to $1,000
• Expulsion from school

If hazing causes serious injury or death, charges can escalate to felony assault or manslaughter.

🏛️ Civil Liability: Who Can Be Sued in Carlton County?

Criminal charges aren’t the only consequence. Victims and families can sue for damages, including:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages (if the victim couldn’t work)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)

Who can be held liable in Carlton County?
✅ The individuals who committed the hazing (fraternity members, teammates, club leaders)
✅ The local chapter/organization (fraternity, sorority, sports team, club)
✅ The national organization (if applicable, like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, etc.)
✅ The school/college (Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, or other institutions)
✅ Advisors and coaches (if they knew or should have known about the hazing)

In our Texas case, we’re suing:

• The fraternity chapter
• The national fraternity organization
• The university
• Individual members (including the president and pledgemaster)
• Former members and their spouses (who hosted hazing at their home)

Carlton County families deserve the same aggressive representation.

💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Carlton County?

Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation — especially when institutions fail to protect students. Recent hazing settlements and verdicts include:

Why these cases won big:
✔ Clear evidence of abuse (texts, videos, medical records)
✔ Institutional knowledge (schools/fraternities knew about prior incidents)
✔ Egregious conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, extreme physical abuse)
✔ Wrongful death or serious injury (hospitalization, permanent damage, or death)

Carlton County families can recover similar compensation if:

• Your child was hospitalized or suffered serious injuries
• The school or organization knew about hazing and did nothing
• The hazing involved extreme or dangerous activities
• There is documented evidence (texts, photos, videos, witness statements)

🛡️ How Attorney 911 Can Help Carlton County Families

1️⃣ Free Case Evaluation — No Upfront Cost

We offer free, confidential consultations for hazing victims and families in Carlton County. We’ll review:

• What happened to your child
• Who is responsible
• Whether you have a strong legal case

You pay nothing unless we win. We work on a contingency fee basis — meaning we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

2️⃣ Immediate Evidence Preservation

Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence. We’ll help you:
✅ Save all text messages, social media posts, and emails about the hazing
✅ Take photos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, etc.)
✅ Document medical records (hospital visits, therapy, prescriptions)
✅ Identify witnesses (other victims, bystanders, friends)
✅ Preserve video/photo evidence (if any exists)

⚠️ WARNING: Do NOT delete anything. Do NOT talk to the fraternity, team, or school without legal counsel. They will try to destroy evidence and control the narrative.

3️⃣ Aggressive Legal Representation

We don’t just file lawsuits — we fight for justice. Our approach includes:

• Building a strong case with medical experts, hazing specialists, and investigators
• Pursuing all liable parties (individuals, organizations, schools)
• Demanding maximum compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages
• Taking cases to trial if needed — we don’t back down from insurance companies or powerful institutions

In our current $10 million case, we’re suing:

• The fraternity national organization
• The local chapter
• The university
• Individual members (including the president and pledgemaster)
• Former members and their spouses

Carlton County families get the same aggressive representation.

4️⃣ Protecting Your Child’s Future

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical harm — it can derail a student’s education and career. We fight for:

• Compensation for medical bills and therapy costs
• Reimbursement for lost wages or internship opportunities
• Damages for pain and suffering (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and prevent future hazing

5️⃣ Nationwide Experience — Local Service for Carlton County

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Carlton County. We offer:

• Video consultations (so you don’t have to travel)
• Local depositions and court appearances (we come to Carlton County when needed)
• Federal court experience (for cases involving national organizations)
• Bilingual services (se habla español)

Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines — and neither do we.

📞 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Carlton County

If your child has been a victim of hazing in Carlton County, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and legal deadlines approach.

🚨 Immediate Steps to Take:

1. Seek medical attention — Even if injuries seem minor, get them documented.
2. Preserve all evidence — Save texts, social media posts, photos, and videos.
3. Do NOT talk to the organization — They will try to control the narrative and destroy evidence.
4. Do NOT post on social media — Anything you say can be used against you.
5. Contact Attorney 911 immediately — Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free case evaluation.

⏳ Minnesota Statute of Limitations

In Minnesota, you typically have 2 years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Do not wait. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Carlton County Hazing Case?

✅ We’re Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case

We’re not just talking about hazing — we’re in the courtroom fighting it right now. Our attorneys are representing a student who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure after hazing at Pi Kappa Phi. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.

✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how they try to minimize claims — and we know how to beat them at their own game.

✅ Federal Court Experience — We Can Sue National Organizations

Many hazing cases involve national fraternities or sororities with deep pockets. We’re admitted to federal court, meaning we can pursue cases against national organizations anywhere in the U.S. — including Carlton County.

✅ Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas & New York)

We’re licensed in both Texas and New York, giving us strategic advantages in cases involving national organizations headquartered in different states.

✅ We Travel to Carlton County

We don’t just take cases over the phone. We come to Carlton County for depositions, court appearances, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

✅ Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español)

Hazing affects students from all backgrounds. We provide full legal services in Spanish to ensure no family is left behind.

✅ Proven Track Record of Million-Dollar Results

We’ve recovered millions of dollars for victims of negligence, including:

• Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
• Successful wrongful death claims
• Catastrophic injury recoveries (brain injuries, spinal cord injuries)
• Insurance bad faith cases (holding insurers accountable)

Carlton County families deserve the same results.

📢 A Message to Fraternities, Sororities, and Schools in Carlton County

To the fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and student organizations in Carlton County:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that are securing $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Carlton County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will win.

To the universities and colleges in Carlton County:

You have a duty to protect your students. If you fail to act on reports of hazing, you are just as liable as the individuals who commit it. We will hold you accountable.

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, and all national organizations with chapters near Carlton County:

Your chapters are on notice. The $10 million lawsuit we’re fighting in Texas is just the beginning. If your chapters are hazing students in Carlton County, we will pursue every liable entity — including you.

🚨 Carlton County Families: You Are Not Alone

Hazing can make victims feel isolated, ashamed, and powerless. But you are not alone. We are here to fight for you.

If your child has been hazed in Carlton County, call us now for a free, confidential consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We don’t get paid unless we win your case. You have nothing to lose — and justice to gain.

📜 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Carlton County Families

1. My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. What should I do?

Many hazing victims fear retaliation or social backlash. However, staying silent protects the abusers and allows the cycle to continue. We can help you:

• Protect your child’s identity (if they fear retaliation)
• File anonymously (in some cases)
• Pursue legal action without public exposure (until necessary)

2. Can we sue even if the hazing happened off-campus?

Yes. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If the hazing occurred at a private residence, we can sue:

• The property owners (premises liability)
• The individuals who hosted the event
• The organization that sanctioned the activity

3. What if my child “consented” to the hazing?

Consent is not a defense in Minnesota. Minn. Stat. § 121A.69 explicitly states that hazing is illegal regardless of whether the victim agreed to participate. The law recognizes that peer pressure, fear of exclusion, and power dynamics make true consent impossible.

4. How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning:

• You pay $0 to hire us
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict — you keep the rest

5. Can we sue if no one was physically injured?

Yes. Hazing often causes psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) even without physical injuries. We can pursue compensation for:

• Emotional distress
• Therapy and counseling costs
• Academic disruption
• Lost opportunities (scholarships, internships, etc.)

6. What if the hazing happened a while ago?

Minnesota has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However, there are exceptions:

• If the victim was a minor at the time, the clock may not start until they turn 18
• If the hazing was ongoing, each incident may reset the clock
• If the school or organization covered up the hazing, the deadline may be extended

Call us immediately to discuss your timeline.

7. Can we sue the school if they didn’t know about the hazing?

Possibly. Schools have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. If:

• The school had prior reports of hazing (even in other organizations)
• The school failed to implement anti-hazing policies
• The school didn’t properly supervise student groups

They can be held liable for negligence.

8. What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

We take retaliation concerns seriously. We can:

• File protective orders to prevent contact from the organization
• Pursue anonymous reporting (in some cases)
• Include anti-retaliation clauses in settlements
• Sue for emotional distress if retaliation occurs

9. How long does a hazing lawsuit take?

Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits typically take 1-3 years from filing to resolution. Factors that affect timeline:

• Severity of injuries (more severe = longer treatment = longer case)
• Number of defendants (more parties = more complex negotiations)
• Willingness to settle (some cases settle quickly; others go to trial)

10. What if the hazing happened at a small college or club?

Size doesn’t matter. Whether the hazing happened at:

• Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
• A small private college
• A local sports team
• An off-campus fraternity or sorority

We can still pursue justice. Small organizations often have insurance policies that cover liability, and we know how to maximize compensation from them.

🏆 Our Commitment to Carlton County Families

At Attorney 911, we don’t just see cases — we see people. We understand the pain, anger, and frustration that comes when institutions fail to protect our children.

We promise Carlton County families:
✅ Compassionate, confidential representation — We treat your family with respect and care.
✅ Aggressive legal advocacy — We don’t back down from powerful institutions.
✅ Maximum compensation — We fight for every dollar your child deserves.
✅ Nationwide reach, local service — We come to Carlton County when you need us.
✅ No upfront costs — You pay nothing unless we win.

Carlton County families: You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. When that trust was betrayed, we are here to make it right.

🚨 Call Now — Justice Can’t Wait

If your child has been hazed in Carlton County, call us immediately for a free, confidential consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We don’t get paid unless we win. You have nothing to lose — and justice to gain.

📍 Serving Carlton County and Beyond

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including:

• Carlton County, MN
• Duluth, MN
• Cloquet, MN
• Fond du Lac Reservation
• Superior, WI (just across the border)
• And all surrounding areas

Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines — and neither do we.

💬 What Our Clients Say About Attorney 911

“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett

“One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello and they said that they would take it. And in the next few months, I got a call to pick up this handsome check.” — Donald Wilcox

“If you’re ever in a car accident, I highly recommend you give them a call 10/10. The staff provides great customer service and show they are a firm that cares about their clients!” — Devin Hebert

“This place feels like having a family over your case. And communication with you every step of the way. That’s how you know you’re in good hands.” — Kiwi Potato

“My wife and I had such a great experience with this law firm. They all go above and beyond and really care about you as a person. I never felt like ‘just another case’ they were working on.” — Ambur Hamilton

“This law firm here is 1 of a kind. I felt like I had my back against the world and Ralph Manginello gave me hope and believed in me… they made me feel like family best Law Firm” — MOSTHATED MILYYY’

Carlton County families: You deserve the same compassionate, aggressive representation.

🎯 Final Message to Carlton County Families

Hazing isn’t tradition. It’s abuse. And it ends now.

If your child has been hazed in Carlton County, you have legal rights. You have the right to justice. You have the right to compensation. And you have the right to hold the people who hurt your child accountable.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are ready to fight for Carlton County families.

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911. The consultation is free. The case evaluation is free. And we don’t get paid unless we win for you.

Enough is enough. It’s time for justice.