Hazing Victims in Washington County, Oregon: Your Legal Rights and How to Seek Justice

🚨 Hazing Is Not Tradition — It’s Abuse. And It’s Illegal in Oregon.

Washington County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. When they join a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization, they trust that the university and national organizations will protect them. Too often, that trust is betrayed.

Hazing incidents like the recent $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston can and do happen at institutions near Washington County. The same national fraternities and sororities operate chapters at universities across Oregon. The same dangerous “traditions” exist. The same institutional failures occur.

If your child has been hazed in Washington County — or anywhere in Oregon — you have legal rights. And you have attorneys who will fight for you.

🏢 Who We Are: Attorney 911 — Fighting for Hazing Victims Nationwide

Attorney 911 is a Texas-based personal injury and hazing litigation firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. While we’re headquartered in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Washington County, Oregon.

Why choose us for your Washington County hazing case?

✅ 25+ years of litigation experience — We’ve taken on major institutions and won
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — We know how the other side thinks and fights
✅ Federal court admission — We can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction when needed
✅ Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York, giving us strategic flexibility
✅ Currently litigating a $10 million hazing case — We’re in this fight RIGHT NOW
✅ We travel to Washington County — For depositions, trials, and meetings
✅ Remote consultations available — Washington County families can meet with us virtually
✅ Contingency fee basis — $0 upfront; we only get paid if we win your case

We’re not just talking about hazing. We’re fighting it in court right now. And we’ll bring that same fight to Washington County.

📍 Hazing in Washington County: What Oregon Families Need to Know

Oregon Universities Near Washington County with Greek Life Presence

Washington County is home to Pacific University in Forest Grove, and is near several major universities with active Greek life communities:

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have chapters at these universities. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Washington County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

Oregon Hazing Laws: Strong Protections for Victims

Oregon has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students and hold perpetrators accountable.

Oregon Revised Statutes § 163.197 — Hazing

Definition of Hazing in Oregon:

Any act that recklessly or intentionally endangers the health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any organization.

This includes:

• Physical brutality (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
• Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse
• Exposure to extreme weather
• Any activity that creates a substantial risk of physical injury

Key Legal Points for Washington County Families:

1. Consent is NOT a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it doesn’t matter
2. Criminal penalties — Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor in Oregon, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $6,250 fine
3. Organizational liability — Fraternities, sororities, and universities can be held responsible
4. Civil liability — Victims can sue for damages including medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages

Oregon’s law is clear: Hazing is illegal, and institutions that allow it will be held accountable.

⚠️ The Hazing Crisis: It’s Happening Near Washington County

Recent Hazing Incidents in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest

While Washington County hasn’t made national headlines for hazing deaths, hazing incidents have occurred at Oregon universities and are likely happening right now:

The pattern is clear: Hazing is happening at universities near Washington County. The same national organizations that have paid millions in settlements elsewhere operate in Oregon. It’s not a matter of “if” — it’s a matter of “when” the next serious incident occurs.

💰 Proven Results: Multi-Million Dollar Hazing Settlements

Hazing cases win big when victims have experienced legal representation. These aren’t theoretical numbers — these are real verdicts and settlements from cases just like what could happen in Washington County:

Washington County families: These results are possible for your case too. The same legal strategies apply in Oregon. The same damages are available. The same institutions can be held accountable.

🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing: What Washington County Parents Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “girls being girls.” It causes real, serious, sometimes permanent injuries:

Physical Injuries from Hazing

Psychological Trauma from Hazing

Washington County parents: If your child has been hazed, seek medical attention immediately — even if they say they’re “fine.” Many hazing injuries don’t appear right away. Psychological trauma often emerges later. Document everything.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Washington County

Immediate Steps for Washington County Hazing Victims

If you suspect or know your child has been hazed, take these steps immediately:

1. Ensure Safety

   • Remove your child from the dangerous situation
   • If there’s an immediate medical emergency, call 911

2. Seek Medical Attention

   • Go to the emergency room or urgent care
   • Tell medical providers the injuries resulted from hazing
   • Request full documentation of all injuries and treatment

3. Preserve Evidence

   • Save all text messages, social media posts, emails, and GroupMe chats
   • Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing
   • Document any physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)
   • Get names and contact information of witnesses

4. Report to Authorities

   • File a police report with local law enforcement
   • Report to the university’s Title IX office or student conduct office
   • Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization

5. Do NOT Confront the Organization

   • Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leadership or members
   • Do not sign anything from the organization
   • Do not post about the incident on social media

6. Contact an Attorney

   • Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911
   • We offer free consultations for Washington County hazing victims
   • We’ll guide you through the next steps and protect your rights

Why Washington County Families Need an Attorney

Hazing cases are complex. The organizations involved have:

• Institutional lawyers
• Insurance companies
• Public relations teams
• Risk management professionals

They will try to:

• Minimize what happened
• Blame your child
• Offer low settlements
• Pressure you to sign away your rights
• Destroy evidence

You need your own experienced legal team to:

• Investigate the incident thoroughly
• Preserve critical evidence
• Handle all communications with the other side
• Calculate the full value of your claim
• Negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation
• Take the case to trial if necessary

Washington County families: Don’t try to fight this alone. The institutions have teams of lawyers. You deserve your own team.

⚖️ Who Is Liable for Washington County Hazing?

In hazing cases, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:

1. Local Chapter Members and Officers

• Chapter president, pledgemaster, officers — leadership responsibility
• Individual members — those who participated in hazing
• Former members — those who hosted hazing events
• Spouses/partners — those who allowed hazing at their property

2. National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

• Failed to supervise the local chapter
• Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Knew or should have known about hazing culture
• Allowed dangerous traditions to continue

3. University or College

• Failed to monitor Greek life organizations
• Failed to investigate reports of hazing
• Failed to protect students from known dangers
• Owned or controlled property where hazing occurred

4. Housing Corporations

• Owned or managed the fraternity/sorority house
• Failed to maintain safe premises
• Allowed dangerous conditions to exist

5. Insurance Companies

• Liability insurance covering the organization
• Homeowner’s insurance for individual members
• Institutional insurance for the university

Washington County families: We sue every responsible party to maximize your recovery. In our current $10 million case, we’re pursuing the local chapter, national organization, university, housing corporation, and individual members.

💰 What Washington County Hazing Victims Can Recover

Hazing victims in Washington County can recover both economic and non-economic damages:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded when conduct is especially egregious. They’re designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct.

Hazing often qualifies for punitive damages because:

• It’s intentional
• It’s reckless
• It’s designed to harm
• Institutions often know about it and allow it to continue

Washington County juries can award punitive damages when they find the conduct particularly outrageous.

🕒 Washington County Statute of Limitations: Act Now

Oregon law limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after hazing:

• Personal Injury: 2 years from the date of injury
• Wrongful Death: 3 years from the date of death

Washington County families: DO NOT WAIT.

• Evidence disappears
• Witnesses forget details
• Organizations destroy records
• Your legal rights expire

The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be. We’re currently representing a client whose case we filed within weeks of the hazing incident. That’s how you protect your rights.

🎯 Why Washington County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical for us — we’re in the trenches fighting hazing right now.

Our client was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting
• Subjected to sleep deprivation and psychological abuse

We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we’ll bring that expertise to Washington County.

2. We Know How the Other Side Thinks

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. We’ve worked for the other side. We know their playbook.

We know how they:

• Try to minimize injuries
• Blame the victim
• Destroy evidence
• Offer low settlements
• Pressure families to accept unfair offers

We use that knowledge against them. We know their tactics because we used to use them — now we dismantle them.

3. We Have the Resources to Fight Powerful Institutions

Hazing cases require:

• Medical experts
• Hazing culture experts
• Economic experts
• Investigators
• Forensic analysts

We have the resources to build your case properly. We work with top experts to document injuries, calculate damages, and prove liability.

4. We Travel to Washington County

While we’re based in Texas, we represent clients nationwide. For Washington County cases, we:

• Offer video consultations so you don’t have to travel
• Travel to Washington County for depositions, trials, and meetings
• Handle all communications with Washington County institutions
• Fight for Washington County families as if we were local

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Washington County Families

We understand that cost can be a concern for Washington County families. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency:

• $0 upfront — No retainer, no hourly fees
• $0 unless we win — We only get paid if we recover compensation for you
• No financial risk — If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

Our fee is a percentage of your recovery. This allows Washington County families to fight powerful institutions without worrying about legal bills.

6. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims and their families in Washington County are Spanish-speaking. We provide comprehensive legal services in Spanish:

• Initial consultations in Spanish
• Case communications in Spanish
• Document translation and explanation
• Courtroom interpretation coordination
• Eliminating language barriers to justice

No Washington County family should be denied justice because of language barriers.

7. We’re Not Afraid to Go to Trial

Many personal injury attorneys settle cases quickly to avoid the time and expense of trial. We’re not afraid to take cases to trial when necessary.

In our current $10 million hazing case, we’re prepared to present our evidence to a jury if the defendants don’t offer a fair settlement.

We don’t back down from powerful institutions. We fight for what’s right.

📞 Washington County Hazing Victims: Contact Us Now

If your child has been hazed in Washington County — or anywhere in Oregon — call us immediately.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

Free consultation • Available 24/7 • $0 upfront

We will:

• Listen to your story
• Evaluate your case
• Explain your legal rights
• Develop a strategy for justice
• Fight for maximum compensation

Washington County families: Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your legal rights expire. Call us now.

🏆 Our Promise to Washington County Families

1. We will listen. Your story matters. We’ll hear you.
2. We will investigate. We’ll gather all the evidence to build your case.
3. We will fight. We’ll take on the institutions and hold them accountable.
4. We will communicate. You’ll always know what’s happening with your case.
5. We will win. We won’t stop until we get justice for your family.

Washington County hazing victims: You are not alone. We are here to help.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions from Washington County Families

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

A: We understand that hazing victims often feel shame, fear, or loyalty to the organization. It’s important to know:

• Hazing is never the victim’s fault
• The organization is responsible for the abuse
• Reporting can prevent future victims

We can help your child understand their rights and options confidentially. Many victims fear retribution, but we can protect them through the legal process.

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

A: No. Oregon law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, it doesn’t matter. The law recognizes that hazing involves coercion, peer pressure, and power dynamics that negate true consent.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus? Can we still sue?

A: Yes. Oregon’s hazing law applies on or off campus. If the hazing occurred at a private residence, at an off-campus event, or anywhere else, the organization and individuals can still be held liable.

Q: How much is my Washington County hazing case worth?

A: Every case is unique. The value depends on:

• The severity of the injuries
• The egregiousness of the conduct
• The number of responsible parties
• The available insurance coverage
• The impact on your child’s life

We’ve seen hazing cases settle for millions of dollars. In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million for a victim who survived but suffered serious injuries.

Q: How long will a Washington County hazing case take?

A: Hazing cases can take:

• 6-12 months for minor injuries with clear liability
• 12-24 months for moderate injuries with multiple defendants
• 2-4 years for severe injuries or wrongful death

The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can start building your case. We work efficiently to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing your recovery.

Q: What if the fraternity/sorority has already suspended or closed the chapter?

A: That doesn’t end your legal rights. In fact, it can be evidence of guilt. In our current case, Pi Kappa Phi closed the chapter before we even filed the lawsuit — showing they knew what they did was wrong.

We pursue:

• The national organization
• The university
• Individual members
• Insurance companies

Closing the chapter doesn’t erase liability.

Q: Can we sue the university even if they didn’t directly participate?

A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students from known dangers. If:

• They knew or should have known about hazing
• They failed to implement proper oversight
• They owned or controlled property where hazing occurred
• They had policies that weren’t enforced

They can be held liable for negligent supervision.

Q: What if my child is an international student? Does that affect their rights?

A: No. International students have the same legal rights as any other student. Your immigration status does not affect your right to compensation.

We have experience representing international students and understand the unique challenges they face.

Q: How do we pay for medical bills while the case is pending?

A: We understand that medical bills can be overwhelming. We work with:

• Your health insurance
• Medical providers to delay billing
• Potential settlement advances in some cases

We won’t let medical bills pressure you into accepting a low settlement.

🔥 A Message to Washington County Fraternities and Sororities

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Washington County:

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured multi-million dollar verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Nu, Lambda Chi Alpha, Delta Chi, and all others:

If your chapter is hazing students in Washington County or anywhere in Oregon, know this:

• We will sue you
• We will sue your national organization
• We will sue the university if they enable you
• We will sue individual members personally
• We will pursue every available insurance policy
• We will take your case to trial if necessary
• We will make you pay

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston learned this the hard way. We shut them down. We’re suing them for $10 million. Your chapter could be next.

Clean up your act now. Implement real oversight. Enforce anti-hazing policies. Protect your pledges. Because if you don’t, we will.

🏛️ A Message to Washington County Universities

To Pacific University, Portland State University, University of Portland, Lewis & Clark College, Reed College, Willamette University, Oregon State University, University of Oregon, and all others:

You have a duty to protect your students. When you own fraternity houses, when you recognize Greek organizations, when you collect fees from students — you are responsible for what happens on your watch.

The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where a student was waterboarded. They’re now a defendant in our $10 million lawsuit.

You cannot claim ignorance. Hazing is happening on your campuses. Students are being abused. Parents are trusting you to keep their children safe.

Act now:

• Audit all Greek organizations
• Implement real oversight
• Enforce anti-hazing policies
• Hold chapters accountable
• Protect your students

Because if you don’t, we will hold you accountable in court.

📢 Final Call to Action for Washington County Families

Washington County parents: Your child’s safety is your top priority. When you send them to college, you trust that they’ll be protected. When that trust is betrayed, you have the right to fight back.

Washington County hazing victims: What happened to you was not your fault. You didn’t deserve to be abused. You have the right to seek justice.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. We are fighting this battle right now. And we will fight for Washington County families with the same fury.

📞 Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911

Free consultation • Available 24/7 • $0 upfront

Washington County families: Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your legal rights expire.

Call us now. Let’s get justice for your family.