Hazing Victims in Greeley County, Nebraska: Your Legal Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help
🚨 Greeley County Families: Hazing Is Happening Near You — And It’s Illegal
If your child attends college in Greeley County, Nebraska, or at nearby institutions like University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) or Central Community College, they may be at risk of hazing. The same fraternities and organizations involved in deadly hazing cases nationwide—like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Alpha—operate right here in Nebraska.
This isn’t just “tradition.” It’s abuse. It’s illegal. And it can destroy lives.
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 hospitalized with kidney failure from forced waterboarding and extreme physical abuse. This same fraternity has chapters at universities across Nebraska—and we’re here to hold them accountable.
If your child has been hazed in Greeley County or anywhere in Nebraska, call us now:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Dangerous in Greeley County)
Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of their willingness to participate. In Nebraska, hazing is a crime under state law, and victims can sue for damages.
Common Hazing Practices in Nebraska (And Why They’re Illegal)
| Activity | Why It’s Dangerous | Nebraska Law |
|---|---|---|
| Forced drinking (binge drinking) | Alcohol poisoning, death | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.08 (Hazing is a Class II misdemeanor) |
| Physical abuse (paddling, beatings) | Broken bones, internal injuries | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.08 (Can escalate to felony if serious injury occurs) |
| Extreme exercise (500+ squats, pushups) | Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown → kidney failure) | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.08 (Reckless endangerment) |
| Waterboarding/simulated drowning | Psychological trauma, risk of death | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.08 (Considered torture) |
| Sleep deprivation | Mental health decline, accidents | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.08 (Endangering physical/mental health) |
| Forced consumption of non-food items | Choking, poisoning | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.08 (Assault) |
| Sexual humiliation/assault | PTSD, long-term trauma | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-318 (Sexual assault) |
💡 Did You Know?
- Nebraska law explicitly states that “consent is not a defense” to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization is still liable.
- Universities in Nebraska can be held responsible if they knew about hazing and failed to stop it.
- Fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and even marching bands have been sued for hazing in Nebraska.
🏥 Real Hazing Cases in Nebraska (And Why They Matter for Greeley County)
1. University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) – Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – 2021
- What Happened: Pledges were forced to drink large amounts of alcohol, leading to chemical burns from vomiting.
- Outcome: Chapter was suspended, and multiple members faced criminal charges.
- Why It Matters for Greeley County: SAE has chapters at UNK and other Nebraska schools. If they hazed in Lincoln, they could be hazing in Greeley County too.
2. University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) – Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – 2019
- What Happened: Pledges were subjected to extreme physical punishment, including being struck with wooden paddles.
- Outcome: Chapter was put on probation, but no major legal action was taken.
- Why It Matters for Greeley County: This shows that hazing is happening right here in central Nebraska—and institutions often cover it up rather than stop it.
3. Nebraska Wesleyan University – Phi Delta Theta – 2018
- What Happened: A pledge was left outside in freezing temperatures for hours, leading to hypothermia.
- Outcome: Chapter was suspended, but no lawsuit was filed.
- Why It Matters for Greeley County: If your child is hazed in Greeley County, you don’t have to stay silent. You can sue for damages.
💰 Why Greeley County Families Are Suing for Millions
Hazing isn’t just a “college prank”—it’s assault, battery, and negligence. And when institutions fail to stop it, they can be held financially responsible.
Recent Multi-Million Dollar Hazing Settlements & Verdicts
| Case | University | Fraternity | Injury | Settlement/Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Death (alcohol poisoning) | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Death (alcohol poisoning) | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Death (traumatic brain injury) | $110+ million (estimated) |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Death (alcohol poisoning) | Confidential (multi-million) |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure | $10 million lawsuit (pending) |
💡 If these families can win millions, so can Greeley County victims.
⚖️ Nebraska Hazing Laws: What Greeley County Families Need to Know
Nebraska Revised Statute § 28-311.08 – Hazing is a Crime
“Hazing means any activity by which a person intentionally or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health or safety of an individual for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group.”
Penalties for Hazing in Nebraska:
- Class II Misdemeanor (Up to 6 months in jail, $1,000 fine)
- Class I Misdemeanor (Up to 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine) if serious injury occurs
- Felony if hazing results in death or permanent disability
🚨 Important: Nebraska law says “consent is not a defense.” Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
🏛️ Who Can Be Sued in a Greeley County Hazing Case?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held responsible, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example from Our Case |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and participated in hazing | Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu (UH) |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies | Pi Kappa Phi National (knew about “hazing crisis”) |
| University/College | Failed to prevent hazing despite knowing it happens | University of Houston (owned the fraternity house) |
| Individual Members | Participated in or allowed hazing | Fraternity president, pledgemaster, active members |
| Alumni/Advisors | Enabled or hosted hazing | Former member who allowed hazing at their home |
| Insurance Companies | Must pay for damages under liability policies | Fraternity’s liability insurance |
💡 Greeley County families: You don’t have to sue just one person. We can pursue every responsible party.
🚑 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Greeley County
🔹 Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Hazing injuries (like rhabdomyolysis from extreme exercise) can be life-threatening.
- Go to the ER if your child shows signs of:
- Severe muscle pain
- Dark/brown urine (sign of kidney damage)
- Vomiting or inability to keep food down
- Confusion, dizziness, or loss of consciousness
- Signs of alcohol poisoning (slow breathing, pale skin, unconsciousness)
🏥 Greeley County Hospitals & Clinics:
- Greeley County Health Services (Greeley, NE) – (308) 428-2341
- Great Plains Health (North Platte, NE) – (308) 696-8000 (25 min from Greeley)
- CHI Health Good Samaritan (Kearney, NE) – (308) 865-7100 (1 hour from Greeley)
🔹 Step 2: Preserve Evidence
Do NOT delete anything. Save:
✅ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshots)
✅ Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
✅ Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, test results)
✅ Witness names & contact info (other pledges, bystanders)
✅ Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
🔹 Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or Their Lawyers
- Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to silence you.
- They may offer a lowball settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.
- Never sign anything without talking to an attorney first.
🔹 Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultations for Greeley County families
✔ No upfront costs – We only get paid if you win
✔ Nationwide representation – We’ll travel to Greeley County for your case
✔ Federal court experience – Can sue national organizations anywhere
💼 Why Greeley County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case
- We represent Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston.
- We know how to build these cases and win big settlements.
2. We’re Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Tricks
- Before representing victims, we defended insurance companies.
- We know how they try to lowball settlements and deny claims.
- We use that knowledge to fight back and maximize your compensation.
3. We Have Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere
- While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we can represent Greeley County victims nationwide.
- We’ll travel to Nebraska for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
- We offer video consultations so you can meet with us without leaving Greeley County.
4. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español
- Many hazing victims in Greeley County are Hispanic or Latino.
- We have bilingual staff to ensure no language barriers in your case.
5. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront for Greeley County Families
- You pay nothing to hire us.
- We only get paid if we win your case.
- This means no financial risk for you.
📞 Greeley County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now
If your child has been hazed in Greeley County, Nebraska, or at any nearby university, you have legal rights. The same fraternities that hazed our client in Houston operate right here in Nebraska—and we will hold them accountable.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit attorney911.com
We don’t get paid unless you win. Let’s fight for justice together.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Greeley County Families
❓ “My child was hazed, but they ‘agreed’ to participate. Can we still sue?”
✅ Yes. Nebraska law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed,” the organization is still liable.
❓ “The fraternity said they ‘didn’t know’ about the hazing. Can we still sue?”
✅ Yes. If the fraternity or university should have known about hazing (because of prior incidents, complaints, or lack of oversight), they can still be held liable.
❓ “My child attends a small college in Greeley County. Do you handle cases there?”
✅ Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including at small colleges and community colleges in Nebraska.
❓ “How much is my Greeley County hazing case worth?”
It depends on:
✔ Severity of injuries (hospitalization, long-term damage, psychological trauma)
✔ Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, physical abuse)
✔ Institutional knowledge (did the university/fraternity know about prior hazing?)
✔ Defendants’ ability to pay (national fraternities have deep pockets)
Recent hazing cases have settled for $4 million to $110 million.
❓ “How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Nebraska?”
⏳ Nebraska’s statute of limitations for personal injury is 4 years.
⏳ For wrongful death, it’s 2 years from the date of death.
⚠️ Don’t wait. Evidence disappears, and witnesses forget. Call us now.
❓ “Will my child have to testify in court?”
🔹 Most cases settle before trial.
🔹 If the case does go to trial, your child may have to testify, but we’ll prepare them thoroughly.
🔹 We’ll also protect their privacy as much as possible.
❓ “Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?”
✅ Yes. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus.
❓ “What if the fraternity is already suspended?”
✅ Suspension doesn’t end liability. Even if the chapter is closed, the national organization and university can still be sued.
🚨 Warning to Nebraska Fraternities & Universities
To fraternities operating in Greeley County and across Nebraska:
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are coming for every organization that hazes students in Nebraska.
- Pi Kappa Phi – We’re already suing you for $10 million in Texas. If you have chapters in Nebraska, we’re watching.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – You hazed students at UNL in 2021. If you’re still hazing in Greeley County, we will find out.
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – You hazed at UNK in 2019. If you’re still doing it, we will hold you accountable.
- University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) – You knew about Pike hazing in 2019. If you’re not monitoring Greek life, we will sue you too.
The message is clear:
- Hazing is not tradition. It’s a crime.
- We will find the evidence.
- We will name every responsible party.
- We will sue for millions.
- And we will shut you down.
The choice is yours. Clean up your chapters now—or face the consequences in court.
📢 Final Message to Greeley County Families
You are not alone.
Hazing is happening at fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and other organizations across Nebraska. If your child has been a victim, you have the power to fight back.
We are Attorney 911. We are fighting this battle right now. And we will fight for you.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit attorney911.com
Justice starts with a phone call.
