Hazing Lawyer for Sawyer County, Wisconsin – Protecting Students & Holding Institutions Accountable
Sawyer County Families: Your Child Deserves Justice
Hazing isn’t just a “college tradition”—it’s abuse, assault, and sometimes manslaughter. If your child was hazed at Northland College, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, or any high school or university near Sawyer County, Wisconsin, they may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and long-term trauma.
At Attorney 911, we’re actively fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving that fraternities, sororities, and universities can and should be held accountable. The same legal strategies apply to Sawyer County victims, no matter where the hazing occurred.
🚨 Hazing in Wisconsin: The Crisis Hits Close to Home
Wisconsin has seen multiple hazing incidents in recent years, including:
- University of Wisconsin-Madison – Repeated hazing violations in Greek life, including forced alcohol consumption and physical abuse.
- UW-Eau Claire – Suspensions of fraternities for hazing, including sleep deprivation and humiliation rituals.
- High school sports teams – Hazing incidents in football, wrestling, and other sports, leading to injuries and lawsuits.
- Military academies & ROTC programs – Reports of dangerous initiation rituals in Wisconsin-based programs.
Sawyer County students are not immune. If your child attends Northland College, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, or any high school in the area, they may be at risk in:
✅ Fraternities & sororities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others)
✅ Sports teams (football, basketball, wrestling, hockey)
✅ Marching bands & performing arts groups
✅ ROTC & military-affiliated organizations
✅ Honor societies & academic clubs
💔 What Counts as Hazing in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin law (Wis. Stat. § 948.51) defines hazing as any activity that:
✔ Endangers physical or mental health (forced drinking, extreme exercise, sleep deprivation)
✔ Humiliates or degrades (stripping, carrying degrading objects, verbal abuse)
✔ Coerces participation (threats of expulsion, social isolation)
✔ Violates criminal laws (assault, battery, sexual misconduct)
Common Hazing Practices in Sawyer County & Wisconsin
| Type of Hazing | Examples | Legal Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Forced Consumption | Drinking until vomiting, eating spoiled food, consuming non-food items | Alcohol poisoning, choking, internal injuries |
| Physical Abuse | Paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion, sleep deprivation | Broken bones, concussions, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) |
| Psychological Torture | Waterboarding, isolation, verbal abuse, threats | PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide risk |
| Sexual Humiliation | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects | Sexual assault, emotional trauma |
| Dangerous Stunts | Blindfolded activities, extreme weather exposure, confined spaces | Falls, hypothermia, suffocation |
🚨 Even if your child “consented,” Wisconsin law says: Consent is NOT a defense. (Wis. Stat. § 948.51(5))**
🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Sawyer County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be sued, including:
- The Local Chapter – The fraternity/sorority or group that organized the hazing.
- National Organization – The parent fraternity/sorority (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon) that failed to supervise.
- The University/College – If they knew (or should have known) about hazing and did nothing.
- Individual Members – Those who directly participated in or encouraged hazing.
- Coaches & Advisors – If hazing occurred in sports teams or ROTC programs.
- Insurance Companies – Many fraternities and universities have liability policies.
Sawyer County Schools & Universities at Risk
| Institution | Greek Life Presence | Athletic Teams | Other High-Risk Groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northland College | Yes (fraternities & sororities) | Football, basketball, hockey | ROTC, honor societies |
| Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University | Limited (but other student orgs) | Basketball, volleyball | Cultural groups, student clubs |
| Hayward High School | No (but student orgs) | Football, wrestling, hockey | Marching band, student council |
| Winter High School | No (but student orgs) | Basketball, track & field | Drama club, debate team |
| Spooner High School | No (but student orgs) | Football, baseball | Cheerleading, FFA |
⚠️ Even if your child’s school doesn’t have Greek life, hazing can happen in any student organization.
💰 What Compensation Can Sawyer County Families Recover?
Hazing victims in Wisconsin may be entitled to compensation for:
| Type of Damage | Examples | Potential Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Bills | Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, surgery | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Future Medical Care | Dialysis, kidney transplants, long-term therapy | $100,000 – $1M+ |
| Lost Wages | Missed work due to injuries or trauma | $10,000 – $100,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD | $100,000 – $5M+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for extreme negligence (e.g., waterboarding, forced drinking) | $1M – $10M+ |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing leads to a fatality | $1M – $20M+ |
Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (Why $10M+ Is Possible)
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1M settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | LSU | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1M jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110M+ settlement |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential (multi-million) |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | $4M+ settlement |
💡 Our current case against Pi Kappa Phi (UH) seeks $10M—proving that Wisconsin victims can win big too.
📞 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Sawyer County
✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be life-threatening.
- Alcohol poisoning can lead to coma or death.
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) requires professional help.
✅ Step 2: Preserve ALL Evidence
📱 Save texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
📸 Take photos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, etc.)
🎥 Record videos of hazing activities (if safe to do so)
📝 Document witness names & contact info
🏥 Keep all medical records & bills
✅ Step 3: DO NOT Talk to the Fraternity/University Without a Lawyer
- They will try to minimize the incident, destroy evidence, or pressure your child to stay silent.
- Anything your child says can be used against them in court.
✅ Step 4: Call Attorney 911 – FREE Consultation
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Sawyer County hazing emergencies)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We work on contingency—you pay NOTHING unless we win.
🔥 Why Sawyer County Families Choose Attorney 911
✔️ We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
- Current $10M lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston.
- Media coverage from ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle.
- Proven track record in hazing litigation.
✔️ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Tricks
- Ralph Manginello & Lupe Pena used to defend insurance companies.
- We know how they try to lowball victims—and how to beat them.
✔️ We Travel to Sawyer County for Your Case
- No need to come to Texas—we’ll meet you in Hayward, Winter, Spooner, or anywhere in Sawyer County.
- Video consultations available for remote meetings.
✔️ Bilingual Support (Se Habla Español)
- Many hazing victims in Wisconsin are Hispanic, Native American, or international students.
- We speak Spanish fluently and can assist non-English-speaking families.
✔️ Aggressive, Compassionate Representation
- We don’t back down from universities or fraternities.
- We treat your child like family—not just another case.
🚫 Common Excuses We Hear (And How We Fight Back)
| Defendant’s Excuse | Our Response |
|---|---|
| “It was just tradition.” | Tradition doesn’t justify abuse. Waterboarding is torture, not tradition. |
| “He consented to participate.” | Wisconsin law says consent is NOT a defense. (Wis. Stat. § 948.51(5)) |
| “We didn’t know it was happening.” | Universities & fraternities have a duty to supervise. If they didn’t know, they were negligent. |
| “It was an isolated incident.” | We prove patterns of abuse. (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi had a prior death in 2017.) |
| “He was just being dramatic.” | Medical records don’t lie. Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, and PTSD are real. |
📅 Statute of Limitations in Wisconsin
⏳ You have 3 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit in Wisconsin.
⏳ If your child was under 18, the clock may not start until they turn 18.
⚠️ DON’T WAIT—EVIDENCE DISAPPEARS, WITNESSES FORGET, AND YOUR RIGHTS EXPIRE.
📢 Sawyer County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone
Hazing is not your fault. The fraternity, sorority, or university failed to protect you. But you have the power to fight back.
🔹 What Our Clients Say:
“Attorney 911 treated me like family. They fought for me when no one else would.” – Dame Haskett
“I was scared to speak up, but they protected me and got me the justice I deserved.” – Greg Garcia
“They don’t just talk about fighting—they actually go to court and win.” – Donald Wilcox
📞 Call Now – FREE Case Review for Sawyer County Families
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
No upfront fees. No risk. We only get paid if we win.
Serving Sawyer County, Wisconsin, and nationwide.
