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Nelson County (Earth/North America/United States/North Dakota/Nelson County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 24, 2026 12 min read
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Nelson County Hazing Attorney – Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse

Attorney 911: Fighting for Nelson County Hazing Victims Nationwide

🚨 Hazing in Nelson County: A Crisis That Can’t Be Ignored

Hazing isn’t just a distant problem—it’s happening right here in Nelson County, North Dakota, and at colleges across the region. Whether your child attends a local university, a nearby college, or a national fraternity with a chapter in the area, they could be at risk.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving that fraternities and universities knowingly allow dangerous hazing to continue. The same national organizations operate in Nelson County and surrounding areas, and the same risks exist for local students.

If your child has been hazed, abused, or injured in Nelson County, we can help.

📞 Nelson County Hazing Victims: Call Now for a Free Consultation

1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Email: ralph@atty911.com

We serve Nelson County families remotely and will travel to North Dakota for your case.

🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in North Dakota)

Hazing is any intentional, reckless, or negligent act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group.

Common Hazing Practices in Nelson County & Beyond:
Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging)
Extreme physical punishment (paddling, beatings, forced exercise to exhaustion)
Waterboarding & simulated drowning (yes, this is happening)
Forced eating until vomiting (then forced to continue activities)
Sleep deprivation & exhaustion (late-night activities, no rest)
Psychological abuse & humiliation (carrying sexual objects, public shaming)
Sexual assault & harassment (forced nudity, inappropriate acts)

North Dakota law (like Texas law) explicitly bans hazing—and consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says hazing is still illegal.

💔 Real Cases, Real Victims: What Hazing Looks Like in Nelson County

Case Study: The $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit We’re Fighting Right Now

Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not a Nelson County resident, but the same fraternities operate here)
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi (has chapters near Nelson County)
University: University of Houston
What Happened:

  • Forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and “suicides” (running drills) until he collapsed
  • Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
  • Struck with wooden paddles
  • Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in vomit-soaked grass
  • Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure
  • Result: $10 million lawsuit filed—same legal strategies apply to Nelson County victims

Why This Matters for Nelson County:

  • Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including near Nelson County
  • The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen at local fraternities
  • Universities near Nelson County face the same liability failures as UH
  • If your child is being hazed, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting in Houston

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Nelson County?

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

Defendant Why They’re Liable Nelson County Application
Local Fraternity Chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing Same chapters exist near Nelson County
National Fraternity Organization Failed to supervise; knew about hazing risks Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Sigma Chi, and others operate locally
University/College Failed to prevent hazing despite having authority Local institutions have Greek life oversight
Fraternity Housing Corporation Owned property where hazing occurred Many fraternity houses are university-owned or -affiliated
Individual Members Participated in or allowed hazing Each member can be sued personally
Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) Leadership responsibility; directed hazing Personal liability for officers
Former Members/Alumni Hosted hazing at their homes Premises liability applies

Nelson County families: If your child was hazed, we will identify every liable party and pursue maximum compensation.

💰 What Can Nelson County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing victims in Nelson County and across North Dakota may be entitled to:

1. Economic Damages (Tangible Losses)

  • Medical bills (ER visits, hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
  • Lost wages (if hazing disrupted employment or internships)
  • Future earning capacity (if injuries impact career prospects)
  • Educational expenses (tuition refunds, scholarship loss)

2. Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

  • Physical pain from injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, burns)
  • Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse)
  • Humiliation & shame (psychological trauma from hazing)
  • Loss of enjoyment of life (impact on college experience, social life)

3. Punitive Damages (Punishing the Wrongdoers)

  • Awarded when conduct is intentional, reckless, or malicious
  • Designed to punish and deter future hazing
  • No cap in North Dakota (unlike some states)

Precedent Cases Show Nelson County Families Can Win Big:

  • $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
  • $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
  • $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)

Your Nelson County case could be worth millions.

⚖️ Legal Rights for Nelson County Hazing Victims

North Dakota Hazing Laws

North Dakota has strict anti-hazing statutes, and victims have strong legal rights, including:
Criminal charges against perpetrators (hazing is a crime)
Civil lawsuits for money damages
University accountability for failing to protect students
Fraternity liability for enabling dangerous culture

Key Legal Theories for Nelson County Cases:

  • Negligence (universities/fraternities failed to prevent hazing)
  • Assault & Battery (physical abuse during hazing)
  • Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (psychological torture)
  • Premises Liability (hazing occurred on unsafe property)
  • Negligent Supervision (fraternities failed to monitor members)

Nelson County families: You have legal rights—and we will enforce them.

🚨 What Nelson County Families Should Do Immediately

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and legal deadlines approach.

✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention

  • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
  • Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and head injuries can be life-threatening
  • Medical records are crucial 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)
  • Document witness names (other pledges, bystanders)
  • Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing

✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

  • They will try to control the narrative
  • They may destroy evidence
  • They may pressure your child to stay silent
  • Anything you say can be used against you

✅ Step 4: Contact a Nelson County Hazing Attorney Immediately

  • Statute of limitations in North Dakota is 2 years—don’t wait
  • We offer free consultations—no risk to call
  • We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront

📞 Nelson County Families: Call Attorney 911 Now

1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Email: ralph@atty911.com

We serve Nelson County and all of North Dakota remotely.
We will travel to Nelson County for depositions, meetings, and trials.

🏆 Why Nelson County Families Choose Attorney 911

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

  • Right now, we’re fighting Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
  • Same legal strategies apply to Nelson County cases
  • We know how to win against fraternities and universities

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

  • Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña worked for insurance companies
  • We know how they try to deny claims
  • We use their own tactics against them

3. Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere

  • Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
  • Can pursue national fraternities no matter where they’re based
  • Nelson County families don’t need a local attorney—we handle it all

4. Dual-State Licensed (Texas & New York)

  • Strategic advantage for national fraternity cases
  • Can sue organizations headquartered anywhere in the U.S.

5. We Come to Nelson County

  • No need to travel to Texas—we come to you
  • Remote consultations available for Nelson County families
  • We’ll fight for you in North Dakota courts

6. Contingency Fee – $0 Upfront

  • You pay nothing unless we win
  • No hourly fees, no retainers
  • We only get paid after we secure your settlement or verdict

📢 To Nelson County Fraternities & Universities: We Are Watching

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, and all other fraternities operating near Nelson County:

“We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Nelson County, we will find every liable entity. We already shut down the UH chapter. Your chapter could be next.”

To Universities Near Nelson County:

“The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now—or face the same accountability.”

📞 Nelson County Hazing Victims: Call Now for Justice

1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Email: ralph@atty911.com

Free Consultation • No Upfront Costs • We Fight for Nelson County Families

🔗 Additional Resources for Nelson County Families

Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Nelson County, North Dakota, and Nationwide

📍 Headquarters: Houston, Texas
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com

Nelson County families: You are not alone. We will fight for you.

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