Hazing Lawyer in Teton County: Protecting Students from Fraternity and Sorority Abuse
If your child was hazed at a Teton County college or university, you don’t have to stay silent. The same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in settlements across America operate right here in Wyoming. We’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we’re ready to bring that same aggressive representation to Teton County families.
The Hazing Crisis in Teton County: What Families Need to Know
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” In our current case, we’re representing a student who was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed, struck with wooden paddles, and made to eat until he vomited — all as part of a fraternity’s “initiation.” He ended up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, spending four days fighting for his life.
This isn’t happening just in Texas. It’s happening right here in Teton County.
The Fraternities Near Teton County with Documented Hazing Histories
While we can’t comment on specific incidents at local institutions without verifiable evidence, we can tell you that the same national fraternities involved in high-profile hazing cases nationwide have active chapters at universities near Teton County:
- Pi Kappa Phi — Currently being sued in our $10 million case for waterboarding and extreme physical abuse
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) — Paid $10.1 million in the Stone Foltz case; $14 million in the David Bogenberger case
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) — Multiple multi-million dollar settlements
- Phi Delta Theta — $6.1 million jury verdict in the Max Gruver case
- Beta Theta Pi — $110+ million settlement in the Timothy Piazza case
These organizations have chapters at universities throughout Wyoming and the surrounding region. The same culture of abuse that hospitalized our client exists at Greek organizations near Teton County.
What Constitutes Hazing in Wyoming?
Wyoming law defines hazing as any activity that:
- Endangers the physical or mental health of a student
- Is required for membership, affiliation, or initiation
- Involves physical brutality, forced consumption, sleep deprivation, or humiliation
Common hazing activities we’ve seen in cases include:
- Forced alcohol consumption leading to alcohol poisoning
- Extreme physical exercise causing rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Being struck with objects (paddles, belts, etc.)
- Sleep deprivation and exhaustion
- Psychological abuse and humiliation
- Forced nudity or sexual acts
- Being confined in small spaces
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Teton County?
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible:
- The local chapter — Directly organized and participated in hazing
- National fraternity/sorority organization — Failed to supervise and prevent abuse
- University or college — Failed to protect students despite knowing hazing risks
- Individual members — Actively participated in or facilitated hazing
- House corporations — Owned the property where hazing occurred
- Alumni — Allowed hazing to occur at their homes or businesses
In our current case, we’re suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- The local UH chapter
- The housing corporation
- The University of Houston (which owned the fraternity house)
- The fraternity president and pledgemaster
- Multiple current and former members
- A former member and his spouse (where hazing occurred at their home)
The Legal Rights of Teton County Hazing Victims
If your child was hazed at a college or university near Teton County, you have important legal rights:
1. Right to Compensation for Injuries
Hazing victims can recover damages for:
- Medical expenses (hospital bills, ongoing treatment)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
- Lost wages (time missed from work or internships)
- Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships, academic impact)
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
2. Right to Hold Institutions Accountable
Universities and national fraternities often try to claim they didn’t know about hazing. But we know they do. In our current case:
- Pi Kappa Phi National admitted knowing about “a hazing crisis”
- The University of Houston had a hazing hospitalization in 2017 at a different fraternity
- They both had 8 years to fix the problem — and did nothing
3. Right to Privacy and Protection
Many hazing victims are afraid to come forward due to:
- Fear of retaliation from fraternity/sorority members
- Shame and embarrassment about what happened
- Loyalty to the organization
- Pressure to “not ruin the brotherhood”
We protect our clients. Our client in the current case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution” — we understand these concerns and will safeguard your family’s privacy.
4. Right to a Free Consultation
We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Teton County
If you suspect or know your child was hazed at a college or university near Teton County, take these steps immediately:
1. Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked by a doctor
- Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
- Medical records are crucial evidence
2. Preserve All Evidence
- Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, and social media posts about the hazing
- Take photos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, etc.)
- Document everything — dates, times, locations, what happened
- Get names and contact information of witnesses
- Do not delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing
3. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will try to get you to sign documents or make statements
- They will try to minimize what happened
- They will try to shift blame to your child
- Anything you say can be used against you
4. Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately
- Statute of limitations — You typically have 2 years to file a lawsuit
- Evidence disappears quickly — Texts get deleted, witnesses forget
- The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be
Why Teton County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
While other law firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit. We know how to build these cases because we’re doing it right now.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know their playbook. We know how they try to minimize claims, and we know how to beat them.
3. Nationwide Reach with Local Commitment
While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide:
- Federal court authority — Can pursue cases across state lines
- Dual-state bar admission — Texas AND New York licensed
- Willingness to travel — We’ll come to Teton County for your case
- Remote consultations — Video meetings available
4. Proven Track Record in High-Stakes Litigation
- BP Texas City explosion — Multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation
- Wrongful death cases — Millions recovered for grieving families
- Catastrophic injury cases — Including rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
- Federal court experience — U.S. District Court admission
5. We Speak Spanish
Many hazing victims and their families are Spanish-speaking. Se habla español — we can communicate directly with your family in your preferred language.
6. We Care About Our Clients
This isn’t just a case to us. We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. We understand the trauma hazing causes, and we’re committed to helping your family heal while we fight for justice.
The $10 Million Case That Shows What’s Possible for Teton County Families
Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston
What Happened:
Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student who wasn’t even enrolled at UH yet, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi. Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse that included:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
- Made to lie in vomit-soaked grass
- Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout (Oct 15, 2025)
- On Nov 3, 2025, he was punished with extreme exercise until he couldn’t stand
- Crawled up the stairs when he got home
- Hospitalized Nov 6 with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
- Spent 4 days in the hospital
What We’re Doing About It:
- $10 million lawsuit filed against Pi Kappa Phi, UH, and multiple individuals
- Media coverage from ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media
- Pi Kappa Phi already closed the chapter — they know they’re in trouble
- University admitted the events were “deeply disturbing”
Why This Matters for Teton County:
- Same fraternities operate near Teton County
- Same negligence exists at local institutions
- Same legal strategies apply to your case
- Same multi-million dollar outcomes are possible
What Teton County Families Can Expect When They Call Us
1. Free, Confidential Consultation
We’ll listen to your story and evaluate your case at no cost. You’ll speak directly with an attorney, not a paralegal or intake specialist.
2. Immediate Action Plan
We’ll tell you exactly what to do next to protect your rights and preserve evidence.
3. Aggressive Representation
We’ll:
- Investigate the incident thoroughly
- Identify all responsible parties
- Preserve critical evidence
- Negotiate with insurance companies and institutions
- Take the case to trial if necessary
4. Regular Communication
You’ll always know what’s happening with your case. We pride ourselves on being responsive and keeping clients informed.
5. No Upfront Costs
We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Common Questions from Teton County Families
“Is this really worth pursuing?”
Yes. Hazing cases routinely result in million-dollar settlements and verdicts:
- $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million — Max Gruver (Phi Delta Theta)
- $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi)
- $4+ million — Adam Oakes (Delta Chi)
Our current case is demanding $10 million — and we believe that’s conservative given the egregious conduct.
“Will my child have to testify?”
Possibly, but we’ll prepare them thoroughly and protect them throughout the process. Many cases settle before trial.
“What if my child participated in some activities?”
Consent is not a defense to hazing in most states. Even if your child participated, the organization is still liable for abuse.
“We’re not in Texas — can you still help us?”
Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide. We have federal court authority and are admitted in multiple states.
“How long will this take?”
Most cases settle within 12-24 months. More complex cases may take longer, but we’ll work to resolve your case as efficiently as possible.
“What if we can’t afford a lawyer?”
You don’t need to. We work on contingency — no upfront costs. We only get paid if we win your case.
The Time to Act Is Now
Hazing victims often delay coming forward due to:
- Fear of retaliation
- Shame and embarrassment
- Loyalty to the organization
- Not realizing the severity of what happened
- Thinking “it’s just part of the process”
But the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to:
- Preserve evidence
- Identify witnesses
- Meet legal deadlines
- Hold the responsible parties accountable
In Wyoming, you typically have 2 years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. Don’t let your rights expire.
Contact Us Today
If your child was hazed at a college or university near Teton County, call us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We serve Teton County and all of Wyoming. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Remember:
- You’re not alone — we’re fighting this battle right now
- It’s not your child’s fault — hazing is abuse, not tradition
- Justice is possible — we’ve helped families recover millions
- We’re here to help — free consultation, no upfront costs
Teton County families: Your child deserves better. Let’s hold the people who hurt them accountable.
