Hazing Victims in Eddy County, North Dakota: Your Legal Rights and How to Fight Back

Hazing Happens in Eddy County — And It’s Illegal

If you or your child has been a victim of hazing in Eddy County, North Dakota, you’re not alone. The same dangerous “traditions” that hospitalized a University of Houston student in 2025 — waterboarding, forced exercise until collapse, and psychological torture — are happening right here in North Dakota. Fraternities, sports teams, and student organizations across the state engage in these abusive practices, often with devastating consequences.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for what they did to Leonel Bermudez. We know how to build these cases, and we’re ready to bring that same fight to Eddy County.

If you’ve been hazed in Eddy County, we can help.

What Counts as Hazing in North Dakota?

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless fun.” Under North Dakota law, hazing includes any activity that:

• Endangers physical or mental health (e.g., forced drinking, extreme exercise, sleep deprivation)
• Humiliates or degrades (e.g., carrying sexual objects, being paddled, stripped in public)
• Creates unreasonable risk of harm (e.g., waterboarding, being left unconscious)
• Is required for membership or participation in any student organization

Even if you “consented,” it doesn’t matter. North Dakota law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. If you were pressured, threatened, or coerced into participating, that’s not real consent — that’s abuse.

Real Hazing Cases in North Dakota — And What They Prove

While North Dakota doesn’t have as many high-profile hazing cases as larger states, the same patterns exist here:

• Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, “drink until you vomit” rituals)
• Extreme physical punishment (paddling, calisthenics until collapse, “hell week” workouts)
• Psychological abuse (sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats of expulsion)
• Sexual humiliation (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, degrading tasks)

These aren’t “pranks.” They’re crimes.

And just like in Texas, universities and national organizations know about hazing — and they do nothing to stop it.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Eddy County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:

In our current case, we’re suing:

• The local fraternity chapter
• The national organization
• The university
• Individual members and officers
• A former member and his spouse (who hosted hazing at their home)

We can do the same for Eddy County victims.

What to Do If You’ve Been Hazed in Eddy County

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Hazing injuries (especially from extreme exercise or alcohol) can be life-threatening.
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can lead to kidney failure — just like in our Houston case.
• Alcohol poisoning can kill.
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) requires treatment.

Even if you feel “fine,” get checked. Some injuries (like internal bleeding or organ damage) don’t show symptoms right away.

2. Document Everything

Preserve all evidence of hazing:
✅ Photos/videos of injuries, hazing activities, or locations
✅ Screenshots of texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, or social media posts about hazing
✅ Witness names and contact info (other victims, bystanders)
✅ Medical records (hospital visits, therapy notes, prescriptions)
✅ Any physical evidence (paddles, alcohol containers, restraints)

Do NOT:
❌ Delete any messages or posts
❌ Talk to the organization or their lawyers without your attorney
❌ Sign anything from the fraternity, team, or university
❌ Post about the incident on social media

3. Report the Incident (Carefully)

• To your university (if applicable) — but be cautious. Universities often protect themselves, not victims.
• To law enforcement — hazing is a crime in North Dakota.
• To a trusted adult or mentor — you don’t have to go through this alone.

But before you report, call us. We can guide you on how to document the incident safely and protect your rights.

4. Contact an Attorney Immediately

Hazing cases have strict deadlines. In North Dakota:

• Criminal charges must be filed within a limited time.
• Civil lawsuits must be filed within 2 years of the incident.

The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

We offer free consultations and work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.

What You Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit

Hazing victims in Eddy County may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages (Tangible Losses)

• Medical bills (hospital stays, therapy, medications, future treatment)
• Lost wages (time missed from work or internships)
• Educational costs (tuition, fees, lost scholarships)
• Future earning capacity (if injuries affect career prospects)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain from injuries (broken bones, burns, organ damage)
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression, humiliation)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in activities)
• Disfigurement (scars, permanent injuries)

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

If the hazing was especially cruel or reckless (like waterboarding or forced exercise until collapse), courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future hazing.

In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million. That number isn’t arbitrary — it’s based on precedent. Other hazing victims have won:

• $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, LSU)
• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Bowling Green)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Penn State)

Eddy County victims deserve the same justice.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Eddy County Hazing Case?

1. We’re Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case

• We know how to build these cases.
• We know how to win.
• We’re not afraid to take on universities and national fraternities.

2. We Have Insider Knowledge of How Insurance Companies Work

• Both of our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers.
• We know how they think, how they fight, and how to beat them.
• We’ve seen their playbook — now we use it against them.

3. We Can Pursue Your Case in Federal Court

• We’re admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas.
• We can pursue federal civil rights claims against institutions that cover up hazing.

4. We Travel to Eddy County for Your Case

• We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. We Work on Contingency — No Upfront Costs

• You pay nothing to hire us.
• We only get paid if we win your case.
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

6. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)

• Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
• We can communicate with Spanish-speaking families without language barriers.

7. We Treat You Like Family

• We’ve seen what hazing does to kids and families.
• We don’t see you as a paycheck — we see you as a person who deserves justice.

Common Defenses in Hazing Cases — And How We Beat Them

Defense: “He Consented to Participate”

Our Response:

• North Dakota law explicitly says consent is not a defense.
• Peer pressure, threats, and coercion negate “consent.”
• You can’t consent to a crime.

Defense: “It Was Just a Tradition”

Our Response:

• Tradition doesn’t justify abuse.
• If the “tradition” involves torture, it’s illegal.
• Universities and fraternities have known for decades that hazing is dangerous — they’ve had time to change.

Defense: “We Didn’t Know It Was Happening”

Our Response:

• Universities and national organizations have oversight responsibility.
• If they didn’t know, it’s because they chose not to look.
• In our current case, Pi Kappa Phi admitted they knew about a “hazing crisis” — and did nothing.

Defense: “It Was Just a Few Bad Apples”

Our Response:

• Hazing is systemic.
• The culture comes from the top.
• National organizations and universities enable it by failing to act.

The Hazing Culture in North Dakota — What Eddy County Families Need to Know

1. Hazing Happens at All Types of Schools

• Public universities (e.g., UND, NDSU)
• Private colleges (e.g., University of Mary, Minot State)
• Community colleges (e.g., Bismarck State, Lake Region State)
• High schools (sports teams, clubs, band)

If there’s a student organization in Eddy County, hazing is a risk.

2. The Same Fraternities Operate in North Dakota

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, and other national fraternities have chapters at North Dakota universities. The same organizations that paid millions in settlements in other states are operating right here.

3. Universities Enable Hazing

Universities in North Dakota have the power to:

• Inspect fraternity/sorority houses
• Suspend or expel organizations
• Implement real oversight

They choose not to.

In our current case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred. They had the power to stop it — and they didn’t.

4. Hazing Doesn’t Just Happen in Fraternities

While Greek life is the most common setting, hazing happens in:

• Sports teams (football, hockey, wrestling)
• Marching bands
• ROTC programs
• Honor societies
• Student clubs
• Cheerleading squads

If an organization requires “initiation,” hazing is a risk.

5. Hazing Can Kill

Nationwide, at least one student has died from hazing every year since 2000.

In North Dakota, we may not have high-profile hazing deaths — but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening. It just means we haven’t found out yet.

Eddy County Hazing Resources

Emergency Contacts

• If you’re in immediate danger: Call 911
• If you’ve been injured: Go to the nearest emergency room
• For mental health support: North Dakota Crisis Line — 1-800-273-8255

Reporting Hazing

• To your school: Contact the Dean of Students or Title IX office
• To law enforcement: File a police report
• To the North Dakota University System: NDUS Hazing Policy

Legal Help for Eddy County Hazing Victims

Attorney 911
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Free consultation. No upfront costs. We fight for Eddy County families.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Eddy County

Q: I was hazed, but I don’t want to ruin the fraternity/team. Should I still report it?

A: This isn’t about “ruining” an organization — it’s about protecting the next victim. If you don’t speak up, someone else will get hurt. Your silence enables abuse.

Q: I’m afraid of retaliation if I report hazing. What should I do?

A: Retaliation is illegal. If you’re threatened or harassed for reporting hazing, that’s another legal claim we can pursue. We can also help you report anonymously if needed.

Q: I wasn’t seriously injured. Is it even worth pursuing a case?

A: Yes. Even “minor” hazing can cause long-term psychological harm. If you were humiliated, degraded, or put at risk, you may have a case. Let us evaluate it for free.

Q: The hazing happened off-campus. Can I still sue the university?

A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm — even off-campus. If the university knew or should have known about hazing, they can be held liable.

Q: I’m not a student at the school where the hazing happened. Can I still sue?

A: Yes. In our current case, the victim wasn’t even enrolled at UH yet. He was a “ghost rush” — a prospective member. If you were hazed, you have rights, regardless of enrollment status.

Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

A: In North Dakota, you generally have 2 years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit. But don’t wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

Q: I can’t afford a lawyer. How can I pursue my case?

A: You don’t need money upfront. We work on contingency — we only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

What Happens Next? Your Legal Roadmap

Step 1: Free Consultation

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com
• We’ll listen to your story and evaluate your case
• No obligation, no pressure

Step 2: Evidence Preservation

• We’ll send preservation letters to all defendants
• We’ll help you gather and secure evidence
• We’ll prevent the organization from destroying records

Step 3: Investigation

• Obtain medical records
• Interview witnesses
• Review communications (texts, social media, emails)
• Identify all liable parties

Step 4: Demand Letter

• Send a demand to the defendants outlining your damages
• Negotiate for a fair settlement

Step 5: Filing the Lawsuit

• If negotiations fail, we’ll file a lawsuit in court
• Begin the discovery process (depositions, document requests)

Step 6: Settlement or Trial

• Most cases settle before trial
• If necessary, we’ll take your case to court and fight for you

Step 7: Justice and Compensation

• Secure financial compensation for your injuries
• Hold the perpetrators accountable
• Help change the culture to protect future students

Eddy County Families: You Deserve Justice

Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It’s not “brotherhood.” It’s not “team bonding.”

It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s illegal.

And it’s happening in Eddy County.

If you or your child has been hazed, we can help. We’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing case, and we’re ready to bring that same fight to North Dakota.

Call us today for a free, confidential consultation.

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

No upfront costs. No pressure. Just justice.

Enough is enough. It’s time to end hazing in Eddy County.

(This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Contact Attorney 911 for a free consultation tailored to your situation.)