🛡️ Hazing Victims in Polk County, Minnesota — You Are Not Alone
What happened to your child was not “tradition.” It was not “building character.” It was not “brotherhood.”
It was abuse. It was assault. It was torture. And it was preventable.
At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a student with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The same hazing happens at colleges and universities near Polk County, Minnesota — including forced drinking, physical abuse, waterboarding, and psychological torture.
The same fraternities operate near Polk County. The same negligence exists at Minnesota institutions. And we will fight for Polk County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to the courtroom right now.
🚨 What Polk County Parents Need to Know About Hazing
1. Hazing is Widespread in Minnesota — Even in Polk County
Hazing isn’t just a problem in Texas or the South. It happens at Minnesota colleges and universities near Polk County, including:
- University of Minnesota Crookston (just 30 minutes from Polk County)
- North Dakota State University (Fargo, ~1 hour away)
- Minnesota State University Moorhead (~1.5 hours away)
- Concordia College (Moorhead, ~1.5 hours away)
These institutions have active Greek life programs — and the same national fraternities that have paid millions in hazing settlements operate right here in the Upper Midwest.
Minnesota has seen its own hazing tragedies. While not as widely publicized as cases in other states, hazing incidents have occurred at Minnesota universities, often going unreported due to fear of retaliation. Your child could be next.
2. Hazing Causes Permanent Damage — Physically and Psychologically
Hazing doesn’t just leave bruises. It causes:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure) — like our current client
- Alcohol poisoning (leading to death in many cases)
- Traumatic brain injuries from beatings or falls
- Hypothermia or heatstroke from forced exposure
- PTSD, anxiety, and depression from psychological abuse
- Sexual assault in some cases
- Death
In Minnesota, hazing can be especially dangerous due to our climate. Forced outdoor activities in subzero temperatures can lead to frostbite, hypothermia, and even death.
3. Consent is NOT a Defense in Minnesota
Fraternities will argue: “He agreed to participate. He knew the risks. He could have left.”
Minnesota law says: CONSENT DOES NOT MATTER.
While Minnesota does not have a specific anti-hazing statute like Texas, hazing is prosecuted under assault, battery, and reckless endangerment laws. Consent is not a valid legal defense when the conduct involves physical harm, coercion, or life-threatening activities.
If your child was injured or traumatized, they have legal rights — regardless of whether they “agreed” to participate.
4. Universities Near Polk County Are Liable When They Fail to Protect Students
Colleges and universities in Minnesota have a legal duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. When they:
- Own or control fraternity houses (like UH did in our case)
- Have prior knowledge of hazing (like UH did in 2017)
- Fail to implement real oversight (like UH did for 8 years)
- Ignore complaints or red flags
They can be held legally and financially responsible.
Minnesota universities near Polk County have the same liability. If your child was hazed at a fraternity house owned or controlled by their school, the institution shares responsibility.
5. National Fraternities Have Deep Pockets — And They Will Pay
The fraternities that operate near Polk County — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and others — have national organizations with millions in assets and insurance.
They have paid multi-million dollar settlements before. They will pay again.
| Case | Fraternity | Settlement/Verdict | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million | Ohio |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million | Louisiana |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million | Pennsylvania |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential (major) | Florida |
| Our Current Case | Pi Kappa Phi | $10 million demanded | Texas |
These same fraternities have chapters near Polk County, Minnesota. If they hazed your child, we will pursue every liable entity — including the national organization.
⚖️ Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Polk County, Minnesota?
When hazing happens, multiple parties are responsible. We pursue all of them to maximize your recovery and hold everyone accountable.
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Polk County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Any fraternity chapter near Polk County |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities | President, Pledgemaster, Risk Manager |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it | Every member who was present or facilitated |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike, etc. |
| University/College | Owned property; failed to protect students | UMC, NDSU, MSUM, Concordia, etc. |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred | Any entity that owns fraternity housing |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing events at their homes | Any former member who facilitated |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability | Multiple layers of coverage available |
Polk County families: We will identify every liable party and pursue every available insurance policy to ensure full compensation.
💔 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Polk County, Minnesota
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked by a doctor. Many hazing injuries — like rhabdomyolysis, concussions, or internal bleeding — don’t show symptoms right away.
Document everything:
- Take photos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)
- Request copies of all medical records
- Save any clothing or physical evidence
If your child was forced to drink, seek emergency care. Alcohol poisoning can be fatal.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
DO NOT:
- Delete any text messages, GroupMe chats, or social media posts
- Throw away any clothing or physical items from the hazing
- Talk to fraternity members or university officials without legal counsel
- Post about the incident on social media
DO:
- Take screenshots of all communications (texts, social media, emails)
- Write down everything your child remembers (dates, times, what happened, who was there)
- Get contact information for any witnesses
- Save any photos or videos from hazing events
Evidence disappears fast. The fraternity and university will try to control the narrative. Protect your child’s rights by preserving evidence now.
Step 3: Contact an Attorney Immediately
Do not speak to the fraternity, the university, or their insurance companies without legal representation.
Why?
- They will try to minimize what happened
- They will try to blame your child
- They will try to get you to sign away your rights
- They will try to settle for less than you deserve
We offer FREE consultations to Polk County families. Call us 24/7 at:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
We will:
- Evaluate your case at no cost
- Advise you on your legal rights
- Handle all communications with the fraternity and university
- Preserve evidence before it disappears
- Fight for maximum compensation
Step 4: Report to Authorities (If Appropriate)
Hazing can be a crime in Minnesota. Depending on the severity, it may be prosecuted as:
- Assault
- Battery
- Reckless endangerment
- False imprisonment
We can help you decide whether to file a police report. In some cases, criminal charges can strengthen a civil lawsuit.
Step 5: Seek Mental Health Support
Hazing causes long-term psychological trauma, including:
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trust issues
- Academic decline
Your child may need therapy or counseling. We can help connect you with mental health professionals who understand hazing trauma.
💰 What Compensation Can Polk County Families Recover?
Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:
| Category | Examples | Polk County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, doctor visits, therapy, future treatment | If your child was hospitalized or required ongoing care |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries, emotional distress from abuse | For the trauma of waterboarding, paddling, forced exercise, etc. |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression, therapy costs | Long-term psychological impact of hazing |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work during recovery | If your child had a job and couldn’t work |
| Educational Damages | Tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships | If hazing forced your child to drop out or transfer |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | If the hazing involved torture, forced drinking, or cover-up attempts |
In severe cases, settlements and verdicts can reach MILLIONS of dollars.
⏳ Minnesota Statute of Limitations — ACT NOW
Minnesota has strict deadlines for filing lawsuits. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases is typically 2 years from the date of injury.
If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.
Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Memories fade.
Contact us TODAY to protect your rights.
🎯 Why Polk County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to win these cases.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña used to defend insurance companies. We know how they:
- Try to minimize claims
- Blame victims
- Delay settlements
- Hide evidence
Now we use that knowledge to fight for victims.
3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Polk County, Minnesota
While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Minnesota and Polk County. We can:
- File lawsuits in federal court
- Travel to Polk County for depositions and trials
- Offer video consultations for Polk County families
4. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Polk County Families
We understand that cost can be a barrier. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis:
- $0 upfront
- $0 unless we win
- We only get paid if you get paid
5. We Fight for More Than Money — We Fight for Change
We don’t just want compensation for your child. We want to stop hazing for good.
Our current case has already:
- Shut down the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH
- Forced the national organization to admit “violations”
- Put fraternities across America on notice
Your case could save lives in Polk County and beyond.
📞 Polk County, Minnesota Families — Call Us Now
If your child was hazed at a college or university near Polk County, Minnesota, you have legal rights. We can help.
Free Consultation — 24/7
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
We serve Polk County, Minnesota and all of Minnesota from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We will travel to Polk County for your case.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Polk County Families
Q: My child was hazed, but they “agreed” to participate. Do we still have a case?
A: YES. Consent is not a legal defense in hazing cases. Fraternities use peer pressure, threats, and coercion to force participation. Your child did not truly consent.
Q: The fraternity says this was just “tradition.” Is that an excuse?
A: NO. “Tradition” does not justify abuse. If the activities were dangerous, illegal, or humiliating, they are not protected by tradition. Waterboarding, forced drinking, and physical abuse are not “tradition” — they are crimes.
Q: The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Are they still liable?
A: YES. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they:
- Own or control fraternity houses
- Have prior knowledge of hazing (even at other fraternities)
- Fail to implement real oversight
They can be held liable for negligence.
Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. What can we do?
A: We protect our clients. We can:
- File lawsuits under seal to protect identities
- Use pseudonyms in court documents
- Take legal action against anyone who retaliates
- Ensure your child’s safety throughout the process
Our current client is “fearful of retribution” — we understand this fear and will protect your child.
Q: How much is our case worth?
Every case is different, but hazing cases can result in substantial compensation, especially when:
- The injuries are severe (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
- The conduct was egregious (waterboarding, forced drinking, physical abuse)
- The university or national organization knew about prior hazing
- There is strong evidence (texts, photos, videos, witnesses)
We have seen settlements and verdicts ranging from hundreds of thousands to over $100 million.
Q: How long will this take?
Hazing cases can take 1-3 years depending on:
- The severity of injuries
- The number of defendants
- Whether the case settles or goes to trial
We work aggressively to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing compensation.
Q: Can we still sue if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: YES. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If the fraternity or its members organized the hazing, they can be held liable.
Q: My child was hazed at a North Dakota school (like NDSU). Can you help?
A: YES. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in North Dakota and Minnesota. We can file lawsuits in federal court and travel to North Dakota for your case.
🔥 A Message to Fraternities Operating Near Polk County, Minnesota
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and every other fraternity with chapters near Polk County:
We are watching. We are coming for you.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts in Texas and Ohio apply to your chapters in Minnesota and North Dakota.
If you haze students in Polk County, we will:
- Sue your local chapter
- Sue your national organization
- Sue your university
- Sue your individual members
- Pursue every available insurance policy
- Demand punitive damages for egregious conduct
We have already shut down one Pi Kappa Phi chapter. We will shut down more.
The era of hazing without consequences is over.
🏆 Our Commitment to Polk County Families
At Attorney 911, we believe that no child should suffer for wanting to belong. Hazing is not a rite of passage — it is a crime, a human rights violation, and a betrayal of trust.
We are committed to:
- Fighting for Polk County families with the same aggression we bring to our current case
- Holding every liable party accountable — from individual members to national organizations
- Maximizing compensation so your child can recover physically, emotionally, and financially
- Changing the culture so no other Polk County family has to go through this
You are not alone. We are here to fight for you.
📞 Polk County, Minnesota — Call Us Now
Free Consultation — Available 24/7
1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
We serve Polk County, Minnesota and all of Minnesota. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
© 2025 Attorney 911. All rights reserved.
Serving Polk County, Minnesota and nationwide.
Not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
