24/7 LIVE STAFF — Compassionate help, any time day or night
CALL NOW 1-888-ATTY-911
Blog | Earth

Saint Croix County (Wisconsin/Saint Croix County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 27, 2026 14 min read
saint-croix-county-featured-image.png

Hazing Lawyer in Saint Croix County, WI | Attorney 911

Protecting Hazing Victims & Families in Western Wisconsin

Has your child been hazed at a Saint Croix County college, university, or Greek organization? You’re not alone. Attorney 911 is currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving that fraternities, sororities, and universities must be held accountable for the physical and psychological abuse they allow.

We serve hazing victims in Saint Croix County, WI, and across the nation. If your child was injured, hospitalized, or traumatized by hazing, call us now for a free, confidential consultation.

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

Why Saint Croix County Families Trust Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Fighting Hazing Right Now—And Winning

While based in Texas, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure—just like what could happen to students in Saint Croix County.

The same fraternities operate in Wisconsin. The same negligence exists at Saint Croix County universities. We will bring the same aggressive fight to your case.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Playbook

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know how they:
Minimize claims
Delay settlements
Pressure victims to accept lowball offers

We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. Federal Court Authority—We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.

We’re admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas) and licensed in Texas and New York, giving us the power to pursue hazing cases nationwide—including in Saint Croix County, WI.

4. We Travel to You—No Distance Is Too Far

We come to Saint Croix County for:
Depositions
Client meetings
Court appearances
Investigations

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. Contingency Fee Representation—No Upfront Costs

We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.

6. Bilingual Legal Support—Se Habla Español

Our team includes Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff to ensure no language barriers stand in the way of justice.

Hazing in Saint Croix County: What Parents & Students Need to Know

Hazing Is Not Just “Tradition”—It’s Abuse

Hazing is not harmless fun. It’s assault, battery, and psychological torture—and it happens at colleges and universities near Saint Croix County, including:

  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls (River Falls, WI – 20 min from Saint Croix County)
  • University of Wisconsin-Stout (Menomonie, WI – 30 min from Saint Croix County)
  • University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN – 45 min from Saint Croix County)
  • Private colleges and technical schools in the region

Common hazing activities in Saint Croix County and beyond:
Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging)
Extreme physical exertion (500+ squats, bear crawls, paddling)
Waterboarding & simulated drowning (as seen in our UH case)
Sleep deprivation & exhaustion (late-night activities, forced driving)
Psychological torture (humiliation, threats, isolation)
Sexual abuse & forced nudity

These aren’t “pranks.” They’re crimes.

Universities & Fraternities in Saint Croix County Are Liable

If your child was hazed at a Saint Croix County school or by a Greek organization with a local chapter, multiple parties can be held responsible:

Defendant Why They’re Liable
Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing
National Fraternity/Sorority Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies despite knowing the risks
University/College Failed to supervise Greek life, ignored prior hazing incidents
Individual Members Participated in or facilitated hazing
Alumni & Housing Corporations Allowed hazing to occur on their property
Insurance Companies Must pay claims for institutional negligence

We sue everyone responsible.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Saint Croix County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if your child says they’re “fine,” hazing can cause life-threatening injuries, including:
Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown → kidney failure)
Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal)
Traumatic brain injury (from beatings or falls)
PTSD, anxiety, and depression

Document everything. Medical records are critical evidence in your case.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do not delete anything. Save:
Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, social media posts
Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
Witness contact information
Medical records & bills

The more evidence you have, the stronger your case.

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

They will try to:
Minimize what happened
Pressure you to stay quiet
Destroy evidence
Get you to sign away your rights

Let us handle all communications.

Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

Hazing cases have strict deadlines (usually 2 years in Wisconsin). The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

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

Saint Croix County Hazing Cases We Handle

Type of Hazing Examples Legal Claims
Physical Abuse Paddling, beatings, forced exercise Assault, battery, negligence
Forced Consumption Alcohol poisoning, forced eating Negligence, reckless endangerment
Waterboarding/Torture Simulated drowning, extreme physical punishment Assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress
Psychological Abuse Humiliation, threats, sleep deprivation Intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence
Sexual Abuse Forced nudity, sexual acts, harassment Sexual assault, battery, negligence
Wrongful Death Hazing-related fatalities Wrongful death, negligence, reckless homicide

We handle all types of hazing cases—no matter how severe.

$10 Million Hazing Lawsuit: What This Means for Saint Croix County Families

The Case That Proves Hazing Costs Millions

In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against:

  • Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
  • University of Houston
  • Individual fraternity members

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was:
Waterboarded with a garden hose
Forced to do 500 squats until he collapsed
Struck with wooden paddles
Hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure

The fraternity knew this was happening—and did nothing. The university owned the house where the torture occurred—and did nothing.

This is not an isolated incident. It happens at colleges near Saint Croix County, too.

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Case Fraternity Outcome
Stone Foltz (2021) Pi Kappa Alpha $10.1 million (Ohio)
Maxwell Gruver (2017) Phi Delta Theta $6.1 million jury verdict (Louisiana)
Timothy Piazza (2017) Beta Theta Pi $110+ million (Penn State)
Andrew Coffey (2017) Pi Kappa Phi Confidential settlement (FSU)

These cases prove that hazing victims and families can—and do—win big. Your Saint Croix County case can too.

How We Build a Strong Hazing Case for Saint Croix County Victims

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

We send legal preservation letters to fraternities, sororities, and universities demanding they save all evidence, including:
Text messages & social media
Photos & videos
Chapter meeting minutes
Pledge manuals & schedules

If they destroy evidence, we seek sanctions.

2. Medical & Psychological Documentation

We work with:
Doctors to document physical injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, etc.)
Therapists to document PTSD, anxiety, and depression
Economists to calculate future medical costs

The more evidence of harm, the higher the compensation.

3. Pattern Evidence & Prior Incidents

We investigate:
Has this fraternity had prior hazing incidents?
Has the university ignored past hazing reports?
Has the national organization failed to enforce anti-hazing policies?

Pattern evidence = stronger case = higher damages.

4. Deposing Every Defendant

We depose:
Fraternity/sorority leaders
University administrators
Individual members who participated
National organization representatives

We force them to answer for their actions under oath.

5. Maximizing Your Compensation

We pursue:
Medical bills (past & future)
Lost wages & earning capacity
Pain & suffering
Emotional distress
Punitive damages (to punish the organization)

Our goal: The maximum possible compensation for your child’s suffering.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Saint Croix County

Q: Is hazing really a big problem in Saint Croix County?

A: Yes. While specific Saint Croix County hazing incidents may not be widely reported, hazing is a nationwide epidemic—and colleges near Saint Croix County are not immune. Fraternities and sororities with chapters in River Falls, Menomonie, and the Twin Cities have been involved in hazing scandals in the past.

If your child was hazed, you’re not alone.

Q: Can I sue even if my child “consented” to hazing?

A: Yes. In Wisconsin and most states, consent is not a defense to hazing. The law recognizes that pledges are under extreme peer pressure, coercion, and fear of retaliation—they don’t truly “consent.”

Q: What if the fraternity says they’ve already punished the members?

A: That’s not enough. Suspending or expelling a few members does not compensate your child for their injuries. You still have the right to sue for:
Medical bills
Pain & suffering
Emotional trauma
Punitive damages

Q: How long do I have to file a hazing lawsuit in Wisconsin?

A: In Wisconsin, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 3 years from the date of injury. However, you should act immediately—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and fraternities destroy records.

Q: Can I afford a hazing lawyer?

A: Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

Q: Will my child’s name be made public?

A: Not necessarily. We can file the case under a pseudonym (e.g., “John Doe”) to protect your child’s privacy. Many hazing victims fear retaliation—we take that seriously.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it’s part of a fraternity, sorority, or university-affiliated activity, the organization can be held liable.

Saint Croix County Hazing Resources

Emergency Contacts

🚨 If your child is in immediate danger, call 911.

Reporting Hazing in Wisconsin

Mental Health Support

Saint Croix County Hazing Lawyer: Call Now for a Free Consultation

If your child was hazed in Saint Croix County, WI, or at a nearby university, you have legal rights. We are fighting hazing nationwide—and we will fight for your family.

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

We offer:
Free, confidential case evaluations
No upfront costs—we work on contingency
Video consultations for Saint Croix County families
Aggressive representation against fraternities, sororities, and universities

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Deadlines expire. Call now.

🔥 Enough is Enough. Let’s Hold Them Accountable. 🔥

Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
📍 Serving Saint Croix County, WI, and Nationwide
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ✉ ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com

Share this article:

Need Legal Help?

Free consultation. No fee unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911

Ready to Fight for Your Rights?

Free consultation. No upfront costs. We don't get paid unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911