π¨ Hazing Lawyers for Grant County, Wisconsin Families β Attorney 911 Fights for Victims
Hazing Happens in Grant County. We Fight Back.
Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical β we’re in the fight right now. And we’re ready to bring that same aggressive representation to hazing victims and families in Grant County, Wisconsin.
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization in Grant County or anywhere in Wisconsin, you need a law firm that knows how to win. We do.
π Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
π§ Email: ralph@atty911.com
π Free Consultation: attorney911.com/hazing
This Is Happening in Wisconsin β Right Now
Hazing isn’t just a problem in Texas or Florida. It’s happening at universities and colleges across Wisconsin β including near Grant County.
Wisconsin Universities with Greek Life Near Grant County:
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville (Platteville, WI) β Less than 30 miles from Grant County
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, WI) β Major Greek system
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (Whitewater, WI)
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (La Crosse, WI)
- Edgewood College (Madison, WI)
- Viterbo University (La Crosse, WI)
These are the same national fraternities and sororities that operate in Texas. The same organizations that paid millions in hazing settlements. The same organizations that hospitalized our client in Houston.
If it’s happening in Texas, it’s happening in Wisconsin.
The Hazing Crisis in Wisconsin β What Families Need to Know
1. Hazing Is Illegal in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has strong anti-hazing laws. Hazing is a crime.
Wisconsin Statute Β§ 948.51 β Hazing
“No person may intentionally or recklessly engage in acts which endanger the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating in connection with a school, college or university.”
Penalties:
- Class A Misdemeanor β Up to 9 months in jail, $10,000 fine
- Class H Felony β If death or great bodily harm results (up to 6 years in prison)
This means: The individuals who hazed your child can go to jail. And they can be sued.
2. Consent Is Not a Defense
Just like in Texas, Wisconsin law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.
Wisconsin Statute Β§ 948.51(3):
“Consent is not a defense to a prosecution under this section.”
What this means for Grant County families:
When fraternities say, “He agreed to participate,” “He knew what he was getting into,” or “He could have left at any time” β it doesn’t matter. Wisconsin law says consent doesn’t justify hazing.
3. Universities Are Liable Too
Universities in Wisconsin have a legal duty to protect students. When they fail, they can be held accountable.
In our current case:
- The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred.
- They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 at a different fraternity.
- They failed to implement effective oversight.
- They are now being sued for $10 million.
Wisconsin universities face the same liability. If your child was hazed at a Wisconsin school, the university may be responsible for failing to protect them.
What Grant County Families Are Up Against
The Same National Organizations That Hazed Our Client
Our client in Texas was hazed by Pi Kappa Phi β a national fraternity with 150+ chapters across America, including in Wisconsin.
Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at Wisconsin universities including:
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
They are not the only ones.
Other national fraternities with documented hazing histories also operate in Wisconsin:
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) β Multiple hazing deaths nationally
- Sigma Chi β Recent hazing lawsuit in South Carolina
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) β $10.1 million settlement in Ohio (Stone Foltz case)
- Beta Theta Pi β $110+ million settlement in Pennsylvania (Timothy Piazza case)
- Phi Delta Theta β $6.1 million jury verdict in Louisiana (Max Gruver case)
These organizations have paid MILLIONS in settlements. They have a pattern of hazing. And they operate in Grant County and across Wisconsin.
The Same Hazing Activities That Hospitalized Our Client
In our Texas case, our client was subjected to:
- Waterboarding β Simulated drowning with a garden hose
- Forced eating until vomiting β Milk, hot dogs, peppercorns
- Extreme physical punishment β 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls
- Wooden paddles β Struck repeatedly
- Sleep deprivation β Forced to drive members during early morning hours
- Psychological torture β Hog-tied face-down with object in mouth
This isn’t just happening in Texas. These same activities happen in Wisconsin. We’ve seen hazing reports from Wisconsin universities involving:
- Forced alcohol consumption
- Physical beatings
- Extreme exercise
- Sleep deprivation
- Humiliation rituals
If your child has experienced anything like this in Grant County or Wisconsin, we can help.
What Wisconsin Hazing Victims Can Recover
Hazing victims in Wisconsin are entitled to full compensation for their injuries. This includes:
Economic Damages (Actual Financial Losses)
- Medical bills β Hospitalization, ER visits, therapy, future treatment
- Lost wages β Time missed from work during recovery
- Educational expenses β Tuition, fees, lost scholarships
- Future earning capacity β If injuries affect career prospects
Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)
- Physical pain β From injuries, medical procedures, recovery
- Mental anguish β PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear
- Emotional distress β Humiliation, shame, loss of trust
- Loss of enjoyment of life β Inability to participate in activities
- Disfigurement β Permanent scars or injuries
Punitive Damages (To Punish and Deter)
- Awarded when conduct is intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent
- Meant to punish the wrongdoers and deter future misconduct
- Available in Wisconsin when defendants show reckless disregard for safety
Wrongful Death Damages (If Hazing Kills)
If hazing results in death, families can sue for:
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering of the victim
- Punitive damages
Precedent Cases β What Wisconsin Families Can Expect
These Cases Prove Hazing Victims Win β And Win Big
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State (OH) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110 million+ |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Settlement | $4+ million |
These are not isolated incidents. These are documented patterns of abuse by national organizations that operate in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin families can achieve the same results.
Who We Can Sue for Wisconsin Hazing Victims
1. The Local Chapter
- Directly organized and conducted the hazing
- Individual members can be sued personally
- Chapter officers (president, pledge master) have leadership liability
2. The National Organization
- Failed to supervise local chapters
- Knew or should have known about hazing culture
- Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
- Deep pockets β millions in assets and insurance
3. The University
- Premises liability β If hazing occurred on university property
- Negligent supervision β Failed to monitor Greek life
- Institutional knowledge β Knew or should have known about hazing risks
- Financial resources β Substantial endowments and insurance
4. Individual Members
- Participated in hazing
- Failed to stop hazing
- Hosted hazing events
- Personal assets β May have homeowner’s insurance coverage
5. Alumni and Former Members
- Hosted hazing events at their homes
- Provided alcohol or locations
- Premises liability β If hazing occurred at their property
6. Insurance Companies
- National fraternities have liability insurance
- Universities have institutional insurance
- Homeowner’s policies may cover individual defendants
What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Wisconsin
π¨ IMMEDIATE ACTION STEPS FOR GRANT COUNTY FAMILIES
-
Get Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Document all symptoms and treatments
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening
-
Preserve Evidence
- Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing
- Save all communications β texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs
- Document everything β dates, times, locations, what happened
- Get witness names and contact information
-
Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do NOT give statements to fraternity/sorority leadership
- Do NOT sign anything from the organization
- Do NOT post on social media about the incident
-
Report to Authorities
- File a police report β Hazing is a crime in Wisconsin
- Report to the university β But do NOT do this alone; have an attorney present
- Consider Title IX report β Hazing often involves gender discrimination
-
Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Statute of limitations β 3 years in Wisconsin for personal injury
- Evidence disappears fast β Organizations destroy records, intimidate witnesses
- Insurance companies will lowball you β They want to pay as little as possible
π Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Why Grant County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
- We know how to build these cases
- We know how to win against powerful institutions
2. We Have the Experience
- 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
- Former insurance defense attorneys β We know their playbook
- Federal court admission β Can pursue cases nationwide
- Dual-state bar licenses β Texas and New York
- Wrongful death and catastrophic injury experience
3. We Understand Hazing Culture
- We’ve handled multiple hazing cases β Kappa Sigma, Texas A&M, rhabdomyolysis injuries
- We know the tactics fraternities use to intimidate victims
- We know how to expose the truth and hold them accountable
4. We Fight for Maximum Compensation
- We don’t accept lowball settlement offers
- We take cases to trial when necessary
- We know how to maximize damages for pain and suffering
- We pursue punitive damages when conduct is egregious
5. We Serve Grant County Families
- Free consultations β No upfront cost
- Contingency fee β We don’t get paid unless you win
- Video consultations β Meet with us remotely
- We travel to Wisconsin β For depositions, meetings, and trials
6. We Protect Our Clients
- We shield you from intimidation by organizations
- We handle all communications with defendants
- We preserve your privacy
- We fight for your rights every step of the way
What Happens When You Call Us
Step 1: Free Consultation
- We listen to your story
- We evaluate your case
- We explain your legal options
Step 2: Evidence Preservation
- We send preservation letters to all defendants
- We collect and secure evidence before it disappears
- We identify all liable parties
Step 3: Medical Documentation
- We work with medical experts to document injuries
- We calculate past and future medical expenses
- We assess long-term health consequences
Step 4: Demand and Negotiation
- We send a demand letter to all defendants
- We negotiate aggressively for full compensation
- We reject lowball offers
Step 5: Litigation (If Necessary)
- We file a lawsuit if defendants won’t settle fairly
- We conduct discovery β depositions, document requests
- We build a strong case for trial
Step 6: Resolution
- We achieve a settlement or jury verdict
- We ensure you receive maximum compensation
- We help you move forward with your life
Frequently Asked Questions for Wisconsin Families
Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to sue. Should we still call?
A: Yes. Even if your child doesn’t want to sue now, it’s important to:
- Document what happened
- Preserve evidence
- Understand your rights
- Have legal protection if they change their mind later
Q: The fraternity said this was “just tradition.” Is that a defense?
A: No. “Tradition” is not a legal defense. Hazing is illegal in Wisconsin regardless of “tradition.” The law doesn’t care if it’s been happening for 100 years β it’s still a crime.
Q: The university said they didn’t know. Can they still be liable?
A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight, they can be held liable even if they claim they didn’t know. In our Texas case, the university owned the fraternity house β they absolutely knew what was happening.
Q: We’re worried about retaliation. How do you protect us?
A: We take retaliation very seriously. We:
- Handle all communications with the organization
- Document any intimidation attempts
- File restraining orders if necessary
- Pursue additional claims for retaliation
Q: How much does it cost to hire you?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis β we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery, so there’s no financial risk to you.
Q: How long will this take?
A: Every case is different. Some settle in 6-12 months. Others take 2-3 years if they go to trial. We work as quickly as possible while ensuring you receive full compensation.
Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: Yes. Hazing is illegal on or off campus. If it happened at a private residence, we can sue the property owner and the individuals involved.
Q: What if my child was drinking? Will that hurt the case?
A: No. Wisconsin law says consent is not a defense. Even if your child was drinking voluntarily, that doesn’t justify hazing. Organizations often try to blame the victim β we know how to fight that.
The Message to Wisconsin Fraternities and Universities
To the fraternities operating near Grant County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10 million settlements in other states apply to your chapters. If you haze students in Wisconsin, we will find every liable entity.
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta β and every other national fraternity with chapters in Wisconsin:
You’ve paid millions in settlements across the country. You know the risks. If your Wisconsin chapters are hazing, we will shut them down and sue you for everything you’re worth.
To the universities in Wisconsin:
The University of Houston is being sued for $10 million because they owned the house where a student was waterboarded. If you own fraternity houses, if you have oversight responsibility, if you’ve had prior hazing incidents β you are next.
To Greek life leadership at Wisconsin universities:
The Bermudez case is a warning. The Foltz case is a warning. The Piazza case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.
Grant County Families: You Are Not Alone
Hazing is traumatic. It leaves physical and emotional scars. It makes victims feel ashamed, isolated, and powerless.
You don’t have to go through this alone.
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. We are fighting this battle right now. And we are ready to fight for Grant County families.
π Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
π§ Email: ralph@atty911.com
π Free Consultation: attorney911.com/hazing
We don’t just talk about hazing. We fight it. And we win.
Wisconsin Hazing Resources
Report Hazing:
- Wisconsin Department of Justice β https://www.doj.state.wi.us
- University of Wisconsin System Reporting β https://www.wisconsin.edu/report-hazing/
- Local Law Enforcement β File a police report
Support for Victims:
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) β 800-656-HOPE (4673) | www.rainn.org
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline β 988 | 988lifeline.org
- The Jed Foundation (Mental Health for Students) β jedfoundation.org
Anti-Hazing Organizations:
- HazingPrevention.Org β hazingprevention.org
- StopHazing β stophazing.org
- Clery Center (Campus Safety) β clerycenter.org
Final Message to Grant County Families
Your child trusted these people.
They trusted the fraternity. They trusted the university. They trusted that they would be safe.
That trust was betrayed.
Now it’s time to fight back.
We are Attorney 911. We are hazing lawyers. We are aggressive, experienced, and relentless.
We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for $10 million. We know how to win these cases. And we will bring that same fight to Wisconsin.
If your child has been hazed in Grant County or anywhere in Wisconsin, call us now.