Hazing Victims in Golden Valley County: Legal Rights and Support

The Hazing Crisis in Golden Valley County

Golden Valley County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe, to learn, and to grow. But for too many students in North Dakota and across America, the dream of higher education becomes a nightmare of abuse, humiliation, and life-threatening hazing rituals. The same national fraternities and sororities operating in Golden Valley County have been responsible for hazing incidents that have hospitalized students, destroyed futures, and taken lives.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting one of the most egregious hazing cases in America – a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until he collapsed, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening right here in North Dakota. Golden Valley County students face the same risks, and Golden Valley County families deserve the same aggressive legal representation.

What Golden Valley County Families Need to Know About Hazing

The Reality of Hazing in North Dakota

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or harmless tradition. It’s systematic abuse that can include:

• Physical torture: Waterboarding, extreme exercise to the point of collapse, beatings with wooden paddles
• Forced consumption: Drinking until vomiting, eating until choking, consuming non-food substances
• Psychological abuse: Sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats of expulsion
• Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
• Dangerous activities: Activities that risk rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), kidney failure, brain injury, and death

These aren’t hypothetical risks. They’re real dangers that Golden Valley County students face at universities across North Dakota and the region.

The Medical Consequences of Hazing

The physical toll of hazing can be devastating:

• Rhabdomyolysis: Muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure (exactly what happened to our Houston client)
• Acute kidney failure: Life-threatening condition requiring hospitalization
• Traumatic brain injuries: From beatings or falls during hazing activities
• Alcohol poisoning: From forced binge drinking
• Cardiac arrest: From extreme physical exertion
• Long-term psychological damage: PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicide risk

The Legal Definition of Hazing in North Dakota

North Dakota law defines hazing as any activity that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health of a student
• Is required for initiation or affiliation with an organization
• Creates an unreasonable risk of harm

Importantly, consent is NOT a defense under North Dakota law. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held legally responsible.

Golden Valley County’s Hazing Litigation Experts

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Golden Valley County Hazing Case

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Golden Valley County, through our federal court authority and commitment to traveling wherever justice demands. Golden Valley County families get the same aggressive representation we provide locally.

Our Unique Advantages for Golden Valley County Families:

1. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: We know exactly how insurance companies and institutions try to minimize claims. We’ve seen their playbook – now we use that knowledge against them.
2. Federal Court Authority: Admitted to U.S. District Court, we can pursue cases nationwide, including in North Dakota.
3. Dual-State Bar Licenses: Texas AND New York – strategic advantage for cases against national fraternities.
4. Proven Track Record: We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case and have handled multi-million dollar personal injury cases.
5. BP Texas City Experience: Our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation proves we can take on massive institutional defendants.
6. 25+ Years of Litigation Experience: Battle-tested in courtrooms across Texas and federal courts.
7. Bilingual Services: Se habla español – we can serve Spanish-speaking families in Golden Valley County without language barriers.
8. Contingency Fee Representation: $0 upfront for Golden Valley County families. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.

Our Approach to Golden Valley County Hazing Cases

When a Golden Valley County family contacts us about hazing, this is what we do:

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation: We work to secure text messages, social media posts, photos, and witness statements before they disappear.
2. Medical Documentation: We ensure all injuries are properly documented by medical professionals.
3. Expert Network: We work with medical experts, hazing culture specialists, and accident reconstructionists to build your case.
4. Multi-Defendant Strategy: We pursue every liable party – the local chapter, national organization, university, housing corporation, and individual members.
5. Aggressive Negotiation: We don’t accept lowball settlement offers. We fight for full and fair compensation.
6. Trial Readiness: If defendants won’t settle fairly, we’re prepared to take your case to trial and win.

The Landmark Case That Shows What’s Possible for Golden Valley County Victims

Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi – The $10 Million Fight

This is what hazing looks like in 2025. This is what we’re fighting right now. And this is what Golden Valley County families can expect us to fight for in North Dakota.

Case Summary:
Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. What followed was weeks of systematic abuse that hospitalized him with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of inpatient care.

The Hazing Activities:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose – simulated drowning, considered torture when used on enemy combatants
• Forced to perform 500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and other extreme exercises until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles – physical assault with weapons
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Forced to continue running sprints while in physical distress after vomiting
• Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass after vomiting
• Stripped to underwear in cold weather – exposure to elements
• Carried a fanny pack with objects of sexual nature – sexual humiliation
• Another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
• Threats of physical punishment and expulsion for non-compliance

The Medical Consequences:

• Severe muscle pain and difficulty walking
• Brown urine (myoglobinuria – sign of muscle breakdown)
• Diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
• Diagnosed with acute kidney failure (life-threatening)
• Hospitalized for 3 nights and 4 days
• Very high creatine kinase levels confirmed muscle damage

The Institutional Failures:

• Pi Kappa Phi National knew about a “hazing crisis” and failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
• University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
• Both had 8 years of prior notice – another student died at Pi Kappa Phi in 2017, and UH had a hazing hospitalization in 2017 at a different fraternity
• They did nothing to prevent this from happening again

The Legal Action:

• $10 million lawsuit filed November 21, 2025
• Defendants: Pi Kappa Phi National, Beta Nu Chapter, University of Houston, UH Board of Regents, individual members
• Chapter closed by national organization 7 days before lawsuit filed – clear consciousness of guilt

Why This Case Matters for Golden Valley County

1. The same fraternities operate in North Dakota: Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others have chapters at universities near Golden Valley County.
2. The same hazing culture exists: The “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at North Dakota fraternities.
3. The same institutional failures occur: Universities near Golden Valley County face the same oversight challenges that allowed hazing at UH.
4. The same legal strategies apply: The precedent cases that won millions in Texas apply to Golden Valley County victims too.
5. The same compensation is possible: Golden Valley County families can expect the same aggressive representation and multi-million dollar results.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Golden Valley County

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:

1. The Local Chapter

• Directly organizes and conducts hazing activities
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) have leadership responsibility
• Individual members who participate

2. The National Organization

• Sets policies that are ignored
• Fails to supervise local chapters
• Has deep pockets and insurance coverage
• Knew or should have known about hazing culture

3. The University

• Has duty to protect students
• May own or control fraternity houses
• Has power to regulate Greek life
• Often has substantial insurance coverage

4. The Housing Corporation

• Owns or controls property where hazing occurs
• Has premises liability for conditions on property

5. Individual Members

• Can be held personally liable for participation
• May have personal assets or insurance coverage

6. Alumni and Hosts

• May allow hazing at their homes
• Have premises liability for property conditions

What Golden Valley County Families Can Recover

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses: Hospital bills, rehabilitation, future medical care
• Lost wages: Income lost due to injury and recovery
• Educational losses: Tuition, scholarships, academic opportunities lost
• Future earning capacity: If injuries affect long-term career prospects

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering: Physical pain from injuries and treatment
• Mental anguish: Emotional trauma from hazing experience
• Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to participate in normal activities
• Disfigurement: Permanent scars or physical changes

Punitive Damages

• Awarded when conduct is especially egregious
• Meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct
• Particularly appropriate when institutions knew about risks and failed to act

Precedent Cases That Prove Golden Valley County Victims Can Win

Stone Foltz – $10.1 Million Settlement

• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
• University: Bowling Green State University
• Incident: Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol; died from alcohol poisoning
• Outcome: $10.1 million total settlement from university and fraternity

Maxwell Gruver – $6.1 Million Jury Verdict

• Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
• University: Louisiana State University
• Incident: Forced drinking during “Bible Study” event; BAC 0.495 (6x legal limit)
• Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict; criminal convictions; Max Gruver Act passed

Timothy Piazza – $110+ Million Settlement

• Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
• University: Penn State University
• Incident: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs; fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911
• Outcome: $110+ million settlement; multiple criminal convictions; Piazza Law passed

These cases prove that juries and courts will award MILLIONS for hazing injuries and deaths. Golden Valley County families can expect the same results when they work with Attorney 911.

What Golden Valley County Families Should Do If Hazing Occurs

Immediate Steps to Protect Your Rights

1. Seek medical attention immediately – Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
2. Document everything – Take photos of injuries, save text messages, preserve social media posts
3. Report the incident – To campus authorities, local police, and Title IX office
4. Do not talk to the organization – They will try to control the narrative and destroy evidence
5. Do not sign anything – From the fraternity, university, or their representatives
6. Contact Attorney 911 immediately – Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation

Evidence Preservation Checklist

What NOT to Do After Hazing

❌ Do not delete any messages or posts – This destroys evidence
❌ Do not post on social media about the incident – Anything you post can be used against you
❌ Do not confront the organization – They will coordinate their story and intimidate witnesses
❌ Do not talk to university administrators alone – They protect the institution, not you
❌ Do not accept settlement offers – First offers are always lowball; consult an attorney first

How Attorney 911 Serves Golden Valley County Families

Nationwide Representation for North Dakota Victims

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Golden Valley County, through:

• Federal court authority – We can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Video consultations – Golden Valley County families can meet with us remotely
• Travel commitment – We come to Golden Valley County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Remote case management – We handle everything electronically when travel isn’t possible

Our Golden Valley County Hazing Case Process

1. Free Initial Consultation: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential case evaluation
2. Evidence Preservation: We immediately work to secure all evidence
3. Medical Documentation: We ensure all injuries are properly documented
4. Demand Letters: We send formal demand letters to all defendants
5. Negotiation: We aggressively negotiate for full and fair compensation
6. Litigation: If necessary, we file a lawsuit and prepare for trial
7. Resolution: We fight for maximum compensation through settlement or verdict

Why Golden Valley County Families Choose Us

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

“They fought with the other party insurance and got me more of the settlement that I was expecting.” – Vivian Ruiz

“The Manginello Law Firm treated me with honesty and respect from the very beginning. I was able to trust the firm to advocate for me.” – Debra Cambric-Chisolm

Golden Valley County families get the same level of service, dedication, and results as our Texas clients.

The Hazing Watchdog: Our Intelligence on Greek Organizations

At Attorney 911, we don’t just react to hazing incidents – we track the organizations that perpetrate them. Our Hazing Watchdog system maintains comprehensive intelligence on fraternities and sororities across America, including those operating near Golden Valley County.

What We Track for Golden Valley County

1. IRS-registered Greek organizations – We track 125+ IRS-registered entities in Texas alone
2. Hazing incident databases – We maintain records of 30+ documented hazing cases nationwide
3. Chapter locations – We know which fraternities operate at universities near Golden Valley County
4. Corporate structures – We understand the legal entities behind Greek letters
5. Insurance policies – We know how to pursue the deep pockets that can pay damages

Sample Organizations We Track Near Golden Valley County

While we don’t have specific data on Golden Valley County chapters, we track organizations like:

Golden Valley County families: If your child was hazed at any of these or other organizations, we already have intelligence that can help your case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Golden Valley County

Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?

A: Hazing victims often fear retaliation or social consequences for speaking out. At Attorney 911, we understand these concerns and can help protect your child’s identity while pursuing justice. The most important thing is to preserve evidence – take screenshots of messages, photos of injuries, and document everything. Then call us for a confidential consultation. We can advise you on the best approach to protect your child’s rights without putting them at further risk.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the activities. Is that a defense?

A: No. North Dakota law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held legally responsible. This is a common defense tactic that we’re prepared to defeat.

Q: We’re in Golden Valley County and you’re in Texas. Can you still help us?

A: Absolutely. While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Golden Valley County. We have federal court authority, can conduct video consultations, and will travel to Golden Valley County for important meetings and court appearances. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911 for a hazing case?

A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless and until we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so there’s no financial risk to Golden Valley County families. We only get paid if you get paid.

Q: What if the hazing happened at a university outside Golden Valley County?

A: It doesn’t matter where the hazing occurred. If your child attends school near Golden Valley County or you’re a Golden Valley County resident, we can represent you. We’ve handled cases across America and can pursue justice regardless of where the incident occurred.

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

A: Typically 2 years from the date of the hazing incident in North Dakota, but this can vary depending on the circumstances. It’s critical to contact us as soon as possible because evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire. The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.

Q: What if my child was hazed but not physically injured?

A: Even without physical injuries, hazing can cause significant psychological harm including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. These are compensable injuries. We can help document the emotional impact and pursue compensation for psychological damages.

Q: Can we sue the university as well as the fraternity?

A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect their students and can be held liable for failing to prevent hazing. In our current case, the University of Houston is a defendant because they owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred. Many universities near Golden Valley County have similar liability.

Q: What kind of compensation can we expect?

A: Every case is different, but hazing cases can result in significant compensation including:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Punitive damages (in cases of egregious conduct)
• Educational losses

The precedent cases we’ve discussed show that juries award millions for hazing injuries.

Q: What if the fraternity tries to intimidate my child?

A: This is a common tactic. If you experience any intimidation or retaliation, document it immediately and contact us. We can take legal action to protect your child and hold the organization accountable for any attempts to silence victims.

Golden Valley County Universities and Hazing Risks

While Golden Valley County itself doesn’t have large universities, students from the county attend institutions across North Dakota and the region where hazing is a known risk. Some of the universities near Golden Valley County with active Greek life include:

• North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND)
• University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND)
• Minot State University (Minot, ND)
• Dickinson State University (Dickinson, ND)
• Bismarck State College (Bismarck, ND)

Golden Valley County parents: If your child attends any of these or other universities with Greek life, they face the same hazing risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

The Same National Fraternities Operate Near Golden Valley County

The same organizations involved in our current $10 million lawsuit have chapters at universities near Golden Valley County:

• Pi Kappa Phi: Multiple chapters in North Dakota and the region
• Pi Kappa Alpha: Multiple chapters in North Dakota and the region
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon: Multiple chapters in North Dakota and the region
• Beta Theta Pi: Multiple chapters in North Dakota and the region
• Phi Delta Theta: Multiple chapters in North Dakota and the region

Golden Valley County families: If your child is pledging any of these organizations, they face the same risks that led to our client’s hospitalization.

The Warning to Golden Valley County Fraternities

To fraternities operating near Golden Valley County: We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi – if your chapter operates near Golden Valley County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

Every national fraternity with chapters near Golden Valley County should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case, and we will bring the same fight to North Dakota.

Golden Valley County universities: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.

Contact Attorney 911 – Golden Valley County’s Hazing Litigation Experts

If your child has been the victim of hazing at any university – whether in North Dakota, Texas, or anywhere else – we can help. Golden Valley County families deserve the same aggressive representation we provide locally.

Free Consultation for Golden Valley County Families

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

Why Call Us Now?

1. Evidence disappears quickly – Texts get deleted, witnesses forget
2. Statutes of limitations expire – You have limited time to act
3. Institutions start damage control – They’ll try to cover up what happened
4. Medical documentation is critical – The sooner injuries are documented, the stronger your case
5. We can protect your child – From retaliation, intimidation, and further harm

What Golden Valley County Families Can Expect

• Confidential consultation – We respect your privacy
• Honest assessment – We’ll tell you if you have a case
• Immediate action – We’ll start preserving evidence right away
• Aggressive representation – We fight for maximum compensation
• No upfront costs – You pay nothing unless we win

Golden Valley County Parents: Protect Your Child’s Future

You sent your child to college to learn, to grow, and to build a future. You didn’t send them to be waterboarded, to be forced to exercise until their kidneys failed, or to be humiliated and abused.

If your child has been hazed, their future is at risk. Their health is at risk. Their education is at risk. Their emotional well-being is at risk.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting to change the culture that allows hazing to continue. We’re fighting for Leonel Bermudez in Houston. We’re fighting for every hazing victim across America. And we’re ready to fight for Golden Valley County families.

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911. The consultation is free. The call could change your child’s life.