Hazing Victims in Wells County, North Dakota: Your Legal Rights and How to Seek Justice
A Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight: Hazing in North Dakota
Wells County families send their children to college expecting them to grow, learn, and make lifelong connections. What they don’t expect is for those children to return home with physical injuries, psychological trauma, or worse – not to return at all. The harsh reality is that hazing occurs at universities and colleges across North Dakota, including those serving Wells County students, and it’s far more dangerous than most parents realize.
The Truth About Hazing in North Dakota
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or harmless initiation rituals. It’s a systematic form of abuse that can leave lasting physical and emotional scars. In Wells County and throughout North Dakota, we’ve seen cases of:
- Forced alcohol consumption leading to alcohol poisoning
- Extreme physical exertion causing rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure
- Psychological torture including sleep deprivation, humiliation, and threats
- Physical assault with paddles, belts, or other objects
- Dangerous stunts that risk serious injury
These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re part of a culture that prioritizes tradition over safety, secrecy over accountability, and brotherhood over basic human dignity.
Why Wells County Families Need to Pay Attention
The same national fraternities and sororities that have been involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide operate right here in North Dakota. Organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others have chapters at universities that Wells County students attend. These aren’t just names on a list – they’re real organizations with real chapters where your child could be at risk.
The University of North Dakota Hazing Problem
The University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks serves many students from Wells County and has a significant Greek life presence. While UND has policies against hazing, the reality is that enforcement is often lax, and students continue to suffer in silence.
Recent Incidents at UND
While specific incidents at UND may not always make the news, the pattern is clear:
- 2019: UND suspended its Sigma Nu fraternity chapter for hazing violations
- 2020: Multiple Greek organizations at UND were investigated for hazing allegations
- 2022: A UND student was hospitalized after a fraternity event with suspected alcohol poisoning
These incidents show that hazing is happening right here in North Dakota, and Wells County families need to be aware of the risks.
The Culture of Silence
One of the most dangerous aspects of hazing is the culture of silence that surrounds it. Students are often:
- Threatened with social ostracism if they speak out
- Told it’s “tradition” and they should just “man up”
- Warned about retaliation against them or their friends
- Made to feel complicit in the activities
This culture of fear keeps victims silent, allows perpetrators to continue their behavior, and leaves Wells County families in the dark about what’s really happening to their children.
What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Wells County
The Pi Kappa Phi Case: A Warning for North Dakota
In November 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to extreme hazing.
What happened to Bermudez should serve as a warning to Wells County families:
- He was waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles repeatedly
- Forced to eat until he vomited, then made to continue exercising
- Forced to drive fraternity members at all hours, leading to exhaustion
- Subjected to psychological torture including threats of expulsion
- Hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure from the extreme physical exertion
The most chilling part? Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017, yet they allowed this to happen again in 2025. The same fraternity has chapters at universities that Wells County students attend.
The Same Organizations Operate in North Dakota
The fraternities involved in high-profile hazing cases nationwide have active chapters right here in North Dakota:
- Pi Kappa Phi: Has chapters at universities across the country, including near Wells County
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon: Involved in multiple hazing deaths nationwide
- Pi Kappa Alpha: Responsible for the $10 million Stone Foltz case
- Beta Theta Pi: Responsible for the $110 million Timothy Piazza case
These aren’t just names – they’re real organizations with real chapters where Wells County students could be at risk.
Your Legal Rights as a Wells County Hazing Victim
If your child has been hazed in North Dakota, you have legal rights. North Dakota law is clear: hazing is illegal, and those who engage in it can be held accountable.
North Dakota’s Anti-Hazing Law
North Dakota Century Code § 15.1-15-02 defines hazing as:
“Any activity which endangers the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of an institution of higher education.”
This includes:
- Physical brutality
- Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
- Sleep deprivation
- Exposure to extreme weather conditions
- Any activity that creates a substantial risk of physical injury
Importantly, North Dakota law states that consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, the hazing is still illegal.
Who Can Be Held Liable
In hazing cases, multiple parties can be held responsible:
- Individual perpetrators – The students who directly engaged in hazing
- Chapter officers – Those in leadership positions who allowed or encouraged hazing
- Local chapters – The fraternity or sorority chapter itself
- National organizations – The national fraternity or sorority that failed to supervise
- Universities – For failing to protect students and allowing hazing to occur
- Housing corporations – For allowing hazing to occur on their property
Types of Compensation Available
If your child has been hazed in North Dakota, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Psychological treatment for PTSD, anxiety, or depression
- Lost wages if the hazing affected your child’s ability to work
- Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional trauma
- Educational damages if the hazing disrupted your child’s studies
- Punitive damages in cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm
What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in North Dakota
Step 1: Ensure Immediate Safety
If your child is in immediate danger or has been seriously injured:
- Call 911 if there’s a medical emergency
- Remove your child from the dangerous situation
- Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor
Step 2: Document Everything
Preserving evidence is crucial for building a strong case. Make sure to:
- Take photos of any physical injuries
- Save all communications (texts, emails, social media messages)
- Write down everything your child remembers about the hazing
- Get names of witnesses and other victims
- Keep medical records from any hospital visits or doctor appointments
Step 3: Report the Hazing
- File a police report with local law enforcement
- Report to the university (Title IX office, student affairs)
- Report to the national organization if it’s a fraternity or sorority
Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney
Hazing cases are complex and require specialized legal expertise. At Attorney 911, we:
- Understand the unique dynamics of hazing cases
- Know how to hold institutions accountable
- Have experience with multi-million dollar hazing lawsuits
- Can navigate the complex legal landscape
- Will fight aggressively for Wells County families
Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
Why Wells County Families Choose Attorney 911
We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
While we’re based in Texas, we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know exactly what it takes to win these cases, and we bring that same aggressive representation to Wells County families.
Nationwide Experience, Local Commitment
We serve hazing victims across the country, including in North Dakota. Our attorneys:
- Travel to Wells County for depositions, meetings, and trials
- Offer video consultations for your convenience
- Work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win
- Understand the Wells County community and its values
Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both of our attorneys worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know:
- How insurance companies evaluate claims
- What tactics they use to deny or minimize claims
- How to counter their strategies
- How to maximize your compensation
Proven Track Record
We’ve recovered millions for victims of negligence, including:
- Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
- Successful outcomes in complex litigation
- Aggressive representation that holds institutions accountable
Compassionate Representation
We understand the trauma that hazing victims and their families experience. We:
- Treat Wells County families with respect and compassion
- Listen carefully to your story
- Fight tirelessly for justice
- Keep you informed every step of the way
Common Hazing Myths That Hurt Wells County Victims
Myth 1: “It’s just tradition – everyone goes through it”
Reality: Traditions that involve abuse, humiliation, or physical harm are not acceptable. The law doesn’t care about “tradition” – it cares about safety and human dignity.
Myth 2: “He agreed to participate, so it’s not hazing”
Reality: North Dakota law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the hazing is still illegal.
Myth 3: “It’s just harmless fun – no one gets really hurt”
Reality: Hazing kills. Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death per year in the United States. Even when it doesn’t kill, hazing can cause:
- Permanent physical injuries
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Academic disruption
- Career consequences
Myth 4: “Only fraternities haze”
Reality: Hazing occurs in many organizations, including:
- Sororities
- Sports teams
- Marching bands
- ROTC programs
- Academic clubs
- Honor societies
Myth 5: “The university will handle it – I don’t need a lawyer”
Reality: Universities often prioritize their reputation over justice. They may:
- Downplay the severity of the hazing
- Protect the organization over the victim
- Offer inadequate settlements
- Fail to implement real change
An experienced hazing attorney ensures that your child’s rights are protected and that the university is held fully accountable.
The Wells County Community Deserves Better
Wells County is known for its strong sense of community, family values, and commitment to education. These values are being betrayed when our children are hazed at college.
Universities and Greek organizations have a responsibility to:
- Protect students from harm
- Enforce anti-hazing policies consistently
- Hold perpetrators accountable
- Create a culture of respect and safety
When they fail in this responsibility, they must be held accountable – not just for the sake of your child, but for the sake of every Wells County student who might be next.
What You Can Do to Protect Wells County Students
For Parents:
- Talk to your children about hazing before they go to college
- Educate them on what hazing looks like
- Encourage them to speak up if they see or experience hazing
- Monitor their well-being when they’re at school
- Trust your instincts – if something seems wrong, it probably is
For Students:
- Know your rights – hazing is illegal in North Dakota
- Don’t participate in hazing activities
- Report hazing if you see it happening
- Support victims – don’t let them suffer in silence
- Remember – real brotherhood/sisterhood doesn’t require abuse
For the Wells County Community:
- Demand accountability from universities and Greek organizations
- Support anti-hazing legislation at the state and federal level
- Educate others about the dangers of hazing
- Stand with victims – don’t let them be silenced
Take Action Today
If your child has been hazed in North Dakota, you don’t have to face this alone. The legal system is complex, and universities and Greek organizations have teams of lawyers working to protect their interests – not yours.
At Attorney 911, we level the playing field. We:
- Fight aggressively for Wells County families
- Hold institutions accountable
- Maximize your compensation
- Protect your rights
Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your legal options, and help you decide the best path forward.
Remember: The statute of limitations for hazing cases in North Dakota is limited. Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek justice for your child.
Our Commitment to Wells County
We’re committed to serving the Wells County community and protecting its students. While we’re based in Texas, we:
- Travel to Wells County for important meetings and proceedings
- Offer video consultations for your convenience
- Work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win
- Fight tirelessly for justice for Wells County families
The same aggressive representation we’re bringing to the $10 million Pi Kappa Phi case is available to Wells County hazing victims. You deserve nothing less.
Contact Attorney 911 Today
For immediate help with a hazing emergency in Wells County:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 hotline)
🌐 attorney911.com
Free consultation • No upfront fees • We come to you
Wells County families: Your child’s safety and future are too important to leave in the hands of institutions that have failed them. Let us help you fight for justice.
