Hazing Victim Legal Support in Cavalier County, North Dakota
🚨 You Are Not Alone: Hazing Happens in Cavalier County Too
If your child has been a victim of hazing in Cavalier County, North Dakota, you may feel shocked, betrayed, and unsure of what to do next. The same fraternities and organizations that have caused life-threatening injuries and deaths at universities across the country—including the recent $10 million hazing lawsuit we filed against Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston—operate right here in North Dakota.
Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “harmless fun.” It is abuse—and it can have devastating consequences.
At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a student with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The same fraternities, the same “traditions,” and the same negligence exist at colleges and universities near Cavalier County. Your child could be next.
You have legal rights. You have options. And we are here to help.
🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in North Dakota)
Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or maintaining membership in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them—regardless of whether the person consents.
Common Hazing Practices in Cavalier County & Across North Dakota:
✅ Forced consumption (alcohol, food, or other substances to the point of vomiting or passing out)
✅ Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion, waterboarding)
✅ Psychological abuse (sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats of expulsion)
✅ Sexual harassment or assault (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, inappropriate touching)
✅ Dangerous stunts (blindfolded activities, extreme weather exposure, confinement)
These are not “pranks.” These are crimes.
North Dakota Law on Hazing
North Dakota has strict anti-hazing laws (NDCC § 15.1-19-17). Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by:
- Up to 30 days in jail
- Fines up to $1,500
- Expulsion from school
Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the organization accountable.
💔 Real Hazing Cases: What Happens in Cavalier County & Beyond
📍 The Pi Kappa Phi Case (University of Houston – 2025)
What happened?
A student (Leonel Bermudez) was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to:
- Do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Be waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Eat until he vomited, then continue running
- Be struck with wooden paddles
- Carry sexual objects in a fanny pack at all times
Result?
- 3 nights in the hospital
- $10 million lawsuit filed (currently ongoing)
- Fraternity chapter permanently closed
Why this matters for Cavalier County:
Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including in North Dakota. If they allowed this in Texas, they could be doing it near Cavalier County too.
📍 Other Recent Hazing Cases (Nationwide)
| Victim | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Died from forced drinking | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Died from alcohol poisoning | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Fell down stairs, died after 12-hour delay in calling 911 | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Died from forced drinking | Confidential settlement |
These cases prove:
✔ Hazing can be deadly.
✔ Universities and fraternities can be held accountable.
✔ Victims and families can win millions in compensation.
🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Cavalier County?
If your child was hazed, multiple parties may be responsible, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example from Our Case |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH |
| National Fraternity Organization | Failed to supervise, knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi National (knew about “hazing crisis”) |
| University/College | Failed to prevent hazing, owned fraternity house | University of Houston (owned the house where hazing occurred) |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing | Fraternity president, pledgemaster, active members |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes | Former members who hosted hazing events |
Even if your child attends a small college near Cavalier County, these same organizations operate there—and they can be sued.
💰 What Compensation Can Cavalier County Families Recover?
If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:
| Type of Damage | Examples | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Bills | Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment | $50,000–$500,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $100,000–$5,000,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Missed work, reduced earning capacity | $10,000–$1,000,000+ |
| Educational Impact | Dropped classes, lost scholarships, delayed graduation | $20,000–$500,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for extreme negligence (e.g., waterboarding) | $500,000–$10,000,000+ |
Total potential recovery: $100,000–$10,000,000+
We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win.
🚨 What Should Cavalier County Families Do NOW?
✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get a full medical evaluation.
- Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away.
- Medical records are critical evidence.
✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
- Write down everything (dates, times, what was said, who was involved).
- Get witness names and contact info.
✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer
- They will try to minimize the incident or shift blame.
- They may destroy evidence or pressure witnesses.
- Anything you say can be used against you.
✅ Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
- Email ralph@atty911.com
- Free consultation—we’ll evaluate your case and explain your rights.
Time is critical. North Dakota has a 2-year statute of limitations for hazing cases. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to sue.
🛡️ Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Cavalier County Hazing Case?
✅ We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit
- We know how to build strong hazing cases.
- We know how to hold fraternities and universities accountable.
- We know how to win maximum compensation for victims.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- We know how insurance companies try to deny claims.
- We know how to counter their tactics.
- We’ve won millions for injury victims—and we’ll do the same for you.
✅ Nationwide Representation (Including Cavalier County)
- We are based in Texas, but we travel for cases.
- We offer video consultations for families who can’t meet in person.
- We have federal court authority, so we can sue national organizations anywhere.
✅ We Work on Contingency—No Upfront Fees
- You pay nothing unless we win.
- No hourly fees, no retainers.
- We only get paid if you get paid.
✅ Bilingual Support (Se Habla Español)
- We serve Spanish-speaking families in Cavalier County.
- No language barriers—we’ll communicate in the way that’s easiest for you.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Free Consultation – No Obligation
We will fight for your child. We will hold the responsible parties accountable. And we will make sure this never happens to another Cavalier County family.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
🔹 “My child was hazed, but they ‘consented.’ Can we still sue?”
YES. North Dakota law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization is still liable.
🔹 “The fraternity says this was just ‘tradition.’ Is that a defense?”
NO. “Tradition” does not justify abuse. Courts have repeatedly ruled that hazing is illegal regardless of whether it’s been done before.
🔹 “We’re in Cavalier County—can a Texas law firm really help us?”
Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in North Dakota. We offer video consultations, and we travel for depositions and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
🔹 “What if the fraternity or university tries to cover it up?”
We anticipate cover-ups and aggressively pursue evidence through:
- Subpoenas for text messages, emails, and social media
- Depositions of fraternity members and university officials
- Public records requests for internal documents
- Expert witnesses to prove institutional negligence
🔹 “How much is my case worth?”
Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in six- or seven-figure settlements or verdicts, especially when:
✔ The hazing was extreme (waterboarding, forced drinking, physical abuse)
✔ The victim suffered serious injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage)
✔ The university or fraternity knew about prior hazing incidents
✔ The organization tried to cover it up
We will evaluate your case for free and give you an honest assessment.
📢 To Fraternities & Universities Near Cavalier County: We Are Watching
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and all other fraternities with chapters near Cavalier County:
We are actively investigating hazing incidents across the country, including in North Dakota. The $10 million lawsuit we filed against Pi Kappa Phi is just the beginning.
If your chapter is hazing students in Cavalier County, we will find out. And we will sue you.
To University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, and other colleges near Cavalier County:
You have a legal duty to protect your students. If you know about hazing and do nothing, you are just as liable as the fraternities themselves.
We will hold you accountable.
🚀 Take Action Now: Protect Your Child’s Future
Hazing can cause:
❌ Physical injuries (broken bones, burns, kidney failure, brain damage)
❌ Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide risk)
❌ Academic setbacks (dropped classes, lost scholarships, delayed graduation)
❌ Financial burdens (medical bills, lost wages, therapy costs)
But you don’t have to face this alone.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Free Consultation – No Risk – No Upfront Fees
We are ready to fight for your family. Let’s get justice together.