🛡️ Buffalo County Hazing Lawyers — Protecting Students from Greek Life Abuse

Attorney 911 — Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experts Serving Buffalo County, Wisconsin

📞 Free Consultation for Buffalo County Families: 1-888-ATTY-911

The Hazing Crisis Has Come to Buffalo County

Buffalo County parents send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their students. They believe Greek organizations will provide positive experiences.

That trust is being betrayed.

Hazing isn’t harmless “tradition.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s torture. And it’s happening at colleges and universities near Buffalo County — including at institutions your child may be considering or attending.

We are Attorney 911. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Our client was waterboarded. He was forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down. He ended up in the hospital with kidney failure.

The same fraternities operate near Buffalo County. The same negligence exists at Buffalo County institutions. And we will fight for Buffalo County families with the same aggression.

Why Buffalo County Families Choose Attorney 911

🏆 Proven Hazing Litigation Experience

We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit — the same type of case that Buffalo County families may need. We know how to build these cases, how to hold institutions accountable, and how to win.

🌍 Nationwide Service — Buffalo County Included

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Buffalo County, Wisconsin. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses allow us to pursue cases anywhere in America.

💼 Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know exactly how they think, how they value claims, and how they try to deny liability. We use that knowledge against them for Buffalo County victims.

⚖️ Federal Court Authority

We’re admitted to practice in U.S. District Court, giving us the ability to pursue Buffalo County hazing cases in federal jurisdiction when appropriate.

🗣️ Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims in Buffalo County come from Spanish-speaking families. We provide comprehensive legal services in Spanish — no language barriers to justice.

💵 No Upfront Cost — Contingency Fee Only

Buffalo County families pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation, you owe us nothing.

The Reality of Hazing in Buffalo County

🏛️ Buffalo County Institutions with Greek Life

While Buffalo County itself doesn’t host a major university, students from Buffalo County attend colleges across Wisconsin and the Midwest where Greek life thrives. These include:

• University of Wisconsin System campuses (Madison, Eau Claire, La Crosse, River Falls, Stout, and others)
• Winona State University (just across the Mississippi River in Minnesota)
• University of Minnesota campuses (Twin Cities, Duluth, Rochester)
• Private colleges throughout the region (St. Olaf, Carleton, Macalester, etc.)

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have active chapters at these institutions.

⚠️ The Same Fraternities Operate Near Buffalo County

The fraternities that have killed students at Penn State, LSU, Florida State, and Bowling Green State have chapters at universities near Buffalo County:

These are not isolated incidents. This is a pattern. And it’s happening at universities near Buffalo County.

📊 Hazing Statistics — The Buffalo County Risk Is Real

• 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
• 40% of student athletes report hazing
• Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death per year in the United States
• 95% of students who are hazed do not report it
• Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, clubs, and other student organizations

Buffalo County parents: If your child is involved in any student organization, they are at risk.

What Hazing Looks Like — Buffalo County Parents Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless fun.” It’s systematic abuse designed to humiliate, degrade, and sometimes torture new members.

Based on our current hazing case and other documented incidents, this is what hazing looks like at universities near Buffalo County:

💦 Waterboarding and Simulated Drowning

• Students sprayed in the face with hoses while doing calisthenics
• Forced to run under threat of being waterboarded
• This is torture. The U.S. government considers waterboarding torture when done to enemy combatants. These fraternities do it to college students.

🍗 Forced Consumption Until Vomiting

• Forced to drink large amounts of milk, alcohol, or other liquids
• Forced to eat large amounts of food (hot dogs, peppercorns, etc.)
• Forced to continue physical activity while vomiting
• Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass

🏋️ Extreme Physical Punishment

• 500+ squats
• 100+ pushups
• Bear crawls
• “Suicides” (running drills)
• 100-yard crawls
• Two-mile warmups
• All performed under threat of expulsion

🔨 Physical Assault

• Struck with wooden paddles
• Beaten
• Branding
• Burning

🧠 Psychological Torture

• Forced to carry objects of sexual nature at all times
• Hog-tied with objects in mouth
• Stripped to underwear in cold weather
• Sleep deprivation
• Humiliation rituals
• Threats of physical punishment or expulsion

🏠 Where Hazing Happens Near Buffalo County

• Fraternity houses (some owned by universities)
• Off-campus residences
• Remote locations
• Basements
• Fields
• Anywhere the organization can isolate victims

The Medical Consequences — What Buffalo County Parents Fear

Hazing doesn’t just cause embarrassment or bruises. It causes serious, sometimes permanent injuries.

🚑 Rhabdomyolysis — When Muscles Break Down

What it is: The breakdown of muscle tissue that releases damaging proteins into the bloodstream.

What causes it in hazing:

• Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, etc.)
• Trauma (being struck with paddles)
• Prolonged muscle compression

Symptoms:

• Severe muscle pain
• Difficulty walking
• Brown/dark urine (myoglobin in urine — classic sign)
• Kidney failure

Why it’s dangerous:

• Myoglobin clogs kidney tubules
• Can cause acute kidney failure
• Can be fatal if untreated
• May cause permanent kidney damage

Treatment:

• Hospitalization
• IV fluids to flush kidneys
• Potential dialysis
• Monitoring for complications

Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case suffered rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats and other extreme exercises.

🍺 Alcohol Poisoning

What causes it in hazing:

• Forced binge drinking
• “Drinking games”
• “Bible study” (where wrong answers = drink more)
• “Big brother night” (forced to drink entire bottle)

Symptoms:

• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Slow/irregular breathing
• Blue skin
• Unconsciousness
• Death

Recent cases:

• Stone Foltz (2021) — Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State — $10M settlement
• Maxwell Gruver (2017) — Phi Delta Theta, LSU — $6.1M verdict
• Andrew Coffey (2017) — Pi Kappa Phi, Florida State — settlement

🧠 Traumatic Brain Injury

What causes it in hazing:

• Falls (especially while intoxicated)
• Being struck in the head
• Being hit with objects

Symptoms:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Memory problems
• Mood changes
• Cognitive impairment
• Permanent disability

❄️ Hypothermia / Heat Stroke

What causes it in hazing:

• Forced exposure to cold weather
• Forced exposure to heat
• Minimal clothing
• Extended outdoor activities

💔 Cardiac Arrest

What causes it in hazing:

• Extreme physical exertion
• Electrolyte imbalances from rhabdomyolysis
• Dehydration
• Stress

🧠 Psychological Trauma

What causes it in hazing:

• Waterboarding
• Humiliation
• Threats
• Isolation
• Sleep deprivation

Symptoms:

• PTSD
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Suicidal ideation
• Trust issues
• Academic decline

Who Is Liable for Buffalo County Hazing Victims?

When hazing happens, everyone who participated or allowed it can be held legally responsible. This includes:

🏛️ Universities Near Buffalo County

Why they’re liable:

• Premises liability — If they own or control the property where hazing occurs
• Negligent supervision — If they fail to monitor Greek organizations
• Institutional negligence — If they knew or should have known about hazing risks
• Failure to protect — If they had policies but didn’t enforce them

Buffalo County parents: Universities have the power to suspend or expel fraternities. When they don’t, they share liability.

🏠 National Fraternity/Sorority Organizations

Why they’re liable:

• Failure to supervise — If they don’t monitor local chapters
• Failure to enforce policies — If they have anti-hazing rules but don’t enforce them
• Pattern of negligence — If they know about hazing at other chapters but don’t act
• Deep pockets — National organizations have millions in assets and insurance

Buffalo County parents: National organizations oversee hundreds of chapters. When they don’t stop hazing, they enable it.

👥 Local Chapter Officers and Members

Why they’re liable:

• Direct participation — If they organized or conducted hazing
• Failure to stop — If they witnessed hazing and didn’t intervene
• Leadership responsibility — Chapter presidents and pledgemasters direct activities

Buffalo County parents: Individual members can be sued personally. Stone Foltz case: chapter president ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

🏠 Housing Corporations and Property Owners

Why they’re liable:

• Premises liability — If hazing occurs on their property
• Failure to monitor — If they don’t inspect for illegal activities
• Knowledge of hazing — If they were aware of hazing risks

Buffalo County parents: Some universities own fraternity houses. When they collect rent while students are being tortured, they’re liable.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Alumni Who Host Hazing

Why they’re liable:

• Premises liability — If hazing occurs at their home
• Aiding and abetting — If they facilitate hazing activities
• Negligent supervision — If they don’t stop hazing at their property

Buffalo County parents: In our current case, a former member and his spouse are named defendants for allowing hazing at their residence.

Buffalo County Hazing Laws — Know Your Rights

📜 Wisconsin Hazing Law

Wisconsin Statute § 948.51 — Hazing

Definition:

“Hazing” means any activity which is a condition of initiation or admission into or affiliation with an organization, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate, that is likely to cause bodily harm, great mental harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to a student.

Key Points for Buffalo County Families:

• Consent is not a defense — Even if your child agreed to participate, it’s still illegal
• It applies to all organizations — Not just fraternities and sororities
• It’s a crime — Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor in Wisconsin
• It applies to high schools too — Not just colleges

Penalties:

• Up to 9 months in jail
• Up to $10,000 fine
• Organizations can be fined up to $10,000

Civil Liability:

• Victims can sue for damages
• No cap on damages in Wisconsin for hazing cases
• Punitive damages may be available

What Buffalo County Families Should Do If Hazing Happens

🚨 Immediate Steps — Protect Your Child and Your Case

📋 Evidence Checklist for Buffalo County Families

⏳ Statute of Limitations for Buffalo County Cases

Wisconsin Law:

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

DO NOT WAIT. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Organizations destroy records. Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights.

Buffalo County Hazing Lawsuit Process

📝 Step 1: Free Consultation

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com
• We evaluate your case at no cost
• We explain your legal options

📋 Step 2: Case Investigation

• We gather all evidence
• We interview witnesses
• We obtain medical records
• We research the organization’s history

📄 Step 3: Demand Letter

• We send a demand to all defendants
• We detail the abuse and injuries
• We demand fair compensation

💼 Step 4: Negotiation

• We negotiate with defendants’ attorneys
• We fight for maximum compensation
• We don’t accept lowball offers

⚖️ Step 5: Litigation (If Needed)

• We file a lawsuit in court
• We conduct discovery (depositions, document requests)
• We prepare for trial

🏛️ Step 6: Trial or Settlement

• Most cases settle before trial
• If needed, we take your case to a jury
• We fight for every dollar you deserve

💰 Step 7: Compensation

• We collect your settlement or verdict
• We deduct our contingency fee
• You receive the rest

Damages Buffalo County Families Can Recover

💵 Economic Damages

• Medical expenses — Past, present, and future
• Lost wages — If your child missed work due to injuries
• Lost earning capacity — If injuries affect future career
• Educational expenses — Tuition, fees, lost scholarships
• Rehabilitation costs — Physical therapy, ongoing treatment

😢 Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering — The agony of hazing injuries
• Mental anguish — Trauma from waterboarding, abuse, hospitalization
• Emotional distress — Humiliation, shame, anxiety, depression
• Loss of enjoyment of life — Inability to participate in normal activities
• Disfigurement — Scars from branding, burns, or injuries

💥 Punitive Damages

• Purpose: To punish the defendants and deter future misconduct
• When awarded: When conduct is especially egregious
• Examples in hazing cases:
  • Waterboarding
  • Forced consumption until vomiting
  • Extreme physical abuse
  • Cover-up attempts
  • Pattern of prior incidents

Buffalo County parents: Punitive damages send a message that this behavior will not be tolerated.

Buffalo County Hazing Precedents — They Will Pay

Hazing lawsuits result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. These cases prove that Buffalo County families can win big:

Buffalo County families: These results are possible for your case. The same legal strategies apply.

Buffalo County Hazing FAQ

❓ My child was hazed but didn’t go to the hospital. Can we still sue?

Yes. Even without hospitalization, hazing causes serious harm:

• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Academic decline
• Social isolation
• Physical injuries
• Emotional distress

Buffalo County parents: We evaluate all cases, regardless of medical treatment.

❓ The fraternity says my child consented. Is that a defense?

No. Wisconsin law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, it’s still illegal and the organization is still liable.

❓ The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can we still sue them?

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they had policies but didn’t enforce them, or if they failed to monitor Greek organizations, they can be held liable for negligent supervision.

Buffalo County parents: In our current case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred. They can’t claim ignorance when they own the property.

❓ How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer for my Buffalo County case?

$0 upfront. We work on contingency fee basis — we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so you never pay out of pocket.

❓ How long do Buffalo County hazing cases take?

Most cases settle within 12-24 months. Complex cases with multiple defendants may take longer. We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing compensation.

❓ Can we sue if the hazing happened at a university outside Buffalo County?

Yes. We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Buffalo County residents who were hazed at universities anywhere in America.

❓ What if the fraternity has already suspended the chapter?

It doesn’t matter. Chapter suspensions are often temporary. We hold the national organization and university accountable for allowing the culture to exist.

Buffalo County parents: In our current case, Pi Kappa Phi closed the chapter before the lawsuit was filed — but they’re still liable.

❓ Will my child have to testify in court?

Most cases settle before trial, so your child likely won’t have to testify in court. If the case does go to trial, we prepare your child thoroughly and support them every step of the way.

❓ Can we sue if the hazing happened years ago?

It depends on the statute of limitations. In Wisconsin, you have 3 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Some exceptions may apply, so contact us immediately to evaluate your case.

❓ What if my child is afraid of retribution?

We understand. Many hazing victims fear retaliation. We protect our clients’ identities and take steps to prevent retaliation. In our current case, our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We take this fear seriously.

Buffalo County Hazing Warning Signs — What Parents Should Watch For

🚩 Behavioral Changes

• Sudden withdrawal from family and friends
• Increased secrecy about activities
• Avoiding questions about Greek life
• Sudden decline in academic performance
• Increased anxiety or depression
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs

🚩 Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
• Difficulty walking or moving
• Complaints of muscle pain
• Dark urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis)
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness)
• Signs of sleep deprivation (exhaustion, irritability)

🚩 Organizational Red Flags

• Your child refers to “pledging” or “new member education”
• They’re required to attend late-night meetings
• They’re required to perform tasks for members
• They’re not allowed to speak about activities
• They’re required to keep secrets
• They mention “traditions” that sound extreme

🚩 Financial Signs

• Unexplained expenses (uniforms, fees, trips)
• Requests for money for “fraternity activities”
• Unexplained charges on credit cards

Buffalo County Hazing Resources

📞 Emergency Hotlines

• National Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

🏛️ Wisconsin Resources

• Wisconsin Department of Justice: https://www.doj.state.wi.us/
• University of Wisconsin System Hazing Policy: https://www.wisconsin.edu/
• Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault: https://www.wcasa.org/

📚 Educational Resources

• HazingPrevention.Org: https://hazingprevention.org/
• StopHazing: https://www.stophazing.org/
• Gordie Center (Alcohol Education): https://gordie.org/

Buffalo County Hazing Lawyers — Contact Attorney 911 Today

🚨 Buffalo County Families: If your child has been hazed, call us immediately.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Website: attorney911.com

📍 Serving Buffalo County, Wisconsin and nationwide

We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations
✅ $0 upfront cost — contingency fee only
✅ Aggressive representation against powerful institutions
✅ Nationwide service — we travel to Buffalo County for your case
✅ Bilingual services — Se habla español
✅ Federal court authority for complex cases

Buffalo County parents: You don’t have to fight this alone. We are here to help.

The Message to Buffalo County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Buffalo County:

We are watching. We are coming for you. 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 Buffalo County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

To the universities near Buffalo County:

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where a student was waterboarded. They collected rent while students were tortured. They had the power to stop it. They didn’t.

If your university owns fraternity houses, if you have Greek organizations on campus, if you have the power to protect students — you have the responsibility. When you fail, we will hold you accountable.

To Buffalo County families:

Your children deserve better. They deserve safety. They deserve respect. When institutions fail to protect them, we step in.

Call us. We will fight for you.

© 2025 Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Buffalo County, Wisconsin and Nationwide

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com