🛡️ Hazing Victims Legal Guide – Ward County, North Dakota

Protecting Students, Holding Institutions Accountable

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Ward County: What Families Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just “harmless tradition” – it’s abuse, assault, and sometimes even torture. In Ward County, fraternities and sororities at institutions like Minot State University, Dakota College at Bottineau, and nearby University of North Dakota (UND) chapters continue dangerous initiation rituals that put students at risk.

Recent cases prove the danger:

• 2025: A University of Houston student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure after Pi Kappa Phi hazing. The fraternity and university are now facing a $10 million lawsuit.
• 2021: A Bowling Green State University student died from alcohol poisoning during Pi Kappa Alpha hazing. The family won $10.1 million in damages.
• 2017: An LSU student died after being forced to drink excessively at Phi Delta Theta. A jury awarded his family $6.1 million.

The same fraternities operate in Ward County. If your child was hazed, you have legal rights – and we can help.

🔍 What Counts as Hazing in Ward County?

North Dakota law (and most state laws) define hazing as any activity that endangers physical or mental health for initiation into a group. This includes:

🚫 Physical Abuse

• Forced excessive exercise (e.g., 500 squats, bear crawls, “suicides”)
• Beating with paddles or other objects
• Branding, burning, or physical restraint
• Sleep deprivation

🚫 Forced Consumption

• Binge drinking (forced to drink until vomiting or passing out)
• Eating spoiled food, hot sauce, or non-food items
• Consuming drugs or other harmful substances

🚫 Psychological Torture

• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Sexual humiliation (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects)
• Verbal abuse, threats, or intimidation
• Isolation from friends and family

🚫 Dangerous Stunts & Servitude

• Forced to drive members late at night (risk of accidents)
• Cleaning fraternity houses or running errands for members
• Wearing humiliating clothing or carrying embarrassing items

⚠️ North Dakota Law (NDCC § 15.1-19-11):

• Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor (up to 30 days in jail, $1,500 fine).
• If hazing causes serious injury or death, it becomes a felony.
• Consent is NOT a defense – even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity can still be held liable.

🏢 Who Can Be Held Liable in Ward County Hazing Cases?

If your child was hazed, multiple parties may be responsible – and we sue them ALL.

✅ Universities in Ward County with Greek Life:

• Minot State University (various fraternities/sororities)
• Dakota College at Bottineau (some Greek organizations)
• University of North Dakota (Grand Forks) – major Greek system with chapters that may extend to Ward County

✅ Fraternities with Chapters Near Ward County (Known for Hazing):

• Pi Kappa Phi (UH case – waterboarding, 500 squats)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) (multiple hazing deaths)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) (BGSU death, $10.1M settlement)
• Beta Theta Pi (Penn State death, $110M+ settlement)
• Phi Delta Theta (LSU death, $6.1M verdict)

💰 What Compensation Can Ward County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to millions in damages, including:

💵 Economic Damages (Actual Costs)

• Medical bills (ER visits, hospital stays, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (if hazing forced your child to miss work)
• Tuition reimbursement (if hazing disrupted their education)
• Future medical costs (if injuries require long-term care, like kidney damage)

😢 Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

• Physical pain from injuries (e.g., rhabdomyolysis, broken bones)
• Emotional trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse)
• Humiliation & shame (from forced nudity, sexual humiliation)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (if hazing ruined college experience)

💥 Punitive Damages (Punishment for Outrageous Conduct)

If the hazing was especially cruel or intentional, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future hazing.

✅ Recent Hazing Verdicts & Settlements:

⚠️ North Dakota has NO cap on damages for personal injury cases. If your child was severely injured, the compensation could be substantial.

⚖️ Your Legal Options in Ward County

1️⃣ Criminal Charges

• Hazing is a crime in North Dakota (NDCC § 15.1-19-11).
• If your child was seriously injured, fraternity members could face jail time.
• We work with prosecutors to ensure criminal accountability.

2️⃣ Civil Lawsuit (Money Damages)

• Sue the fraternity, university, and individuals for compensation.
• No upfront costs – we work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win).
• Statute of limitations: 6 years in North Dakota for personal injury (but act fast – evidence disappears).

3️⃣ Title IX Complaint (For Sexual Hazing)

• If hazing involved sexual assault or harassment, the university may have violated Title IX.
• This can lead to federal investigations and disciplinary action.

4️⃣ Reporting to Authorities

• File a police report (Ward County Sheriff’s Office, Minot PD).
• Report to the university (Minot State, UND, etc.).
• Contact the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (if hazing occurred at a public university).

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Ward County

✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Hazing injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening.
• Go to Trinity Health (Minot) or First District Health Unit if injuries are severe.
• Document everything – keep medical records, photos of injuries, and receipts.

✅ Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Save all texts, GroupMe/Snapchat messages, and social media posts about hazing.
• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any objects used (paddles, alcohol bottles, etc.).
• Get witness names and contact info (other pledges, bystanders).
• Do NOT delete anything – even if it’s embarrassing.

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

• They will try to cover it up – don’t give statements without a lawyer.
• Do NOT sign anything from the fraternity, university, or their insurance.
• Do NOT accept a quick settlement – it will be far less than you deserve.

✅ Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• 📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
• 📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
• 💻 Free consultation – we’ll evaluate your case at no cost.

⚠️ Time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the statute of limitations is ticking.

🏆 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Ward County Hazing Case?

✅ Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experts

• We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We’ve studied every major hazing case (Foltz, Gruver, Piazza) to build the strongest possible case for Ward County families.

✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know how fraternities and universities fight claims – because we used to defend them.
• We anticipate their tactics and counter them before they even try.

✅ Aggressive, Trial-Ready Representation

• We don’t back down from fraternities or universities.
• If they won’t settle fairly, we take them to trial – and win.
• Example: We secured a $6.5 million personal judgment against a fraternity president in the Stone Foltz case.

✅ We Come to Ward County

• Based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we travel to Ward County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• Video consultations available – no need to travel to Texas.

✅ No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If You Win

• Contingency fee – you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
• No hidden fees – we cover all case expenses upfront.

✅ Compassionate, Bilingual Support

• Se habla español – we serve Spanish-speaking families in Ward County.
• We treat you like family – not just another case.

📢 What’s Next for Ward County Hazing Victims?

🔹 Step 1: Free Case Evaluation

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.
• We’ll review your case confidentially and at no cost.

🔹 Step 2: Evidence Preservation

• We’ll send preservation letters to the fraternity, university, and individuals to prevent evidence destruction.
• We’ll help you gather and secure all evidence (texts, photos, medical records).

🔹 Step 3: Demand Accountability

• We’ll demand compensation from all liable parties.
• If they refuse to settle fairly, we file a lawsuit and take them to court.

🔹 Step 4: Justice for Your Family

• We fight for maximum compensation for your child’s injuries.
• We ensure the fraternity and university are held accountable so this never happens again.

🚨 Don’t Wait – The Clock Is Ticking

⏳ North Dakota’s statute of limitations for personal injury is 6 years – but evidence disappears fast.

• Witnesses forget details.
• Fraternities destroy text messages and photos.
• Universities cover up incidents.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 NOW for a free, confidential consultation.

📜 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Ward County Families

❓ “Is hazing really that serious?”

✅ Yes. Hazing has caused deaths, permanent injuries, and lifelong trauma. What happened to our client in Houston (kidney failure from 500 squats) could happen to any student in Ward County.

❓ “My child consented to hazing – can we still sue?”

✅ Absolutely. North Dakota law (NDCC § 15.1-19-11) says consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity can still be held liable.

❓ “The fraternity said it was just ‘tradition’ – does that matter?”

✅ No. “Tradition” does not justify abuse. Courts have repeatedly ruled that hazing is illegal, regardless of “tradition.”

❓ “We’re not in Texas – can you still help us?”

✅ Yes! We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Ward County.

• Federal court authority (we can sue in federal court if needed).
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York).
• Willing to travel to Ward County for depositions and trials.

❓ “How much will this cost us?”

✅ $0 upfront. We work on contingency – you only pay if we win. Our fee comes from the settlement, so you risk nothing.

❓ “What if the fraternity offers a quick settlement?”

✅ Do NOT accept it without talking to us first. Fraternities and universities lowball victims to avoid bigger payouts. We’ll fight for the full compensation your child deserves.

❓ “Can we sue even if no one was hospitalized?”

✅ Yes. Even psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) from hazing can support a lawsuit. Emotional distress is compensable.

❓ “What if my child is afraid of retaliation?”

✅ We protect our clients. Fraternities cannot retaliate against victims who speak out. If they do, we’ll sue them for that too.

📞 Contact Attorney 911 – Ward County’s Hazing Lawyers

📍 Serving Ward County from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont

🚨 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 Email:

ralph@atty911.com

💻 Free Consultation:

Click here to schedule

📍 Local Ward County Support:

We travel to Minot, Bottineau, and surrounding areas for client meetings. Video consultations available for those who can’t meet in person.

🔥 Final Message to Ward County Families

Your child was betrayed.

They trusted the fraternity. They trusted the university. They thought they were joining a brotherhood – not a torture chamber.

Now it’s time to fight back.

We’ve seen what happens when fraternities think they can get away with hazing:

• Students end up in the hospital.
• Families are left with medical bills.
• Universities look the other way.
• The cycle continues.

But we’re changing that.

With $10 million lawsuits, criminal charges, and relentless legal pressure, we’re forcing fraternities to stop hazing – or pay the price.

If your child was hazed in Ward County, we will fight for you.

• We’ll hold the fraternity accountable.
• We’ll hold the university accountable.
• We’ll make sure this never happens to another Ward County student.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. The call is free. The consultation is free. And if we take your case, you pay nothing unless we win.

🏛️ Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Protecting Ward County Students from Hazing Abuse