If you’re reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, make connections, and grow into adulthood. Instead, they were tortured. We’re here to help families in Iowa fight back.

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It is not “boys being boys” or some quaint college tradition. As we have seen firsthand in a case we are actively litigating in Texas, hazing is systematic abuse, emotional manipulation, and physical torture that can leave a young person with lifelong injuries, both physical and psychological. In the worst cases, it tragically takes their life. If your child has been subjected to such cruelty at a university or college in Iowa, or if they attend an institution elsewhere and have faced this nightmare, we want you to know you are not alone. Our firm, Attorney911, stands ready to aggressively represent victims and their families across America, including here in Iowa.

We understand the mix of fear, anger, and confusion you must be feeling. It’s a betrayal of trust that no parent should ever have to confront. Universities and national Greek organizations promise a safe environment, but too often, they turn a blind eye to the violent “traditions” festering within their chapters. When that trust is shattered, and your child is left with severe injuries or worse, you deserve answers, accountability, and justice. We’re here to help you get it.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in Iowa might imagine hazing as innocent pranks or mild inconveniences. They might think it’s about carrying a special paddle, running errands, or performing silly stunts. But the reality is far more sinister, far more dangerous, and tragically, far more common. We know this because we are actively fighting a case right now that exposes the brutal truth of modern hazing.

The story of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was not even a University of Houston student yet, is a stark warning for Iowa families. He was a “ghost rush,” planning to transfer to the university for the upcoming semester, eager to connect and build a future. But instead of friendship, he found systematic abuse that landed him in the hospital with severe and life-threatening medical conditions.

Here’s what Leonel endured, actions that are far removed from any notion of “harmless fun”:

• Waterboarding: He was subjected to simulated waterboarding with a garden hose, an act considered torture when used against enemy combatants, let alone a hopeful college student. Imagine the terror of being sprayed in the face with a hose while exercising, with the constant threat of being waterboarded again.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: He was forced to perform over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, and wheelbarrows. The hazing included “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was made to recite the fraternity creed while enduring this prolonged torture, under threat of immediate expulsion if he stopped. This continued until his muscles broke down, leading to a critical medical emergency.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Leonel was made to consume copious amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Then, in a horrific display of degradation, he was forced to continue running sprints in physical distress and lie in the vomit-soaked grass. This isn’t just gross; it’s designed to break a person’s spirit and will.
• Physical Beatings: He was struck with wooden paddles, a blatant act of assault that goes far beyond any “tradition.”
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: He was compelled to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times. In another incident, a different pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather, then sprayed with a hose. These acts are designed to humiliate, degrade, and instill fear.
• Sleep Deprivation: He was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, contributing to severe exhaustion in addition to the physical torment.

This wasn’t a one-time event; it went on for weeks. By November 3, 2025, after a particularly brutal session, Leonel was so exhausted he couldn’t stand without help. He crawled home. Within days, his mother rushed him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days in inpatient care, passing brown urine — a critical sign of muscle breakdown. The damage from rhabdomyolysis can be permanent, potentially requiring lifelong medical monitoring, and in severe cases, dialysis or even a kidney transplant.

Leonel’s story is a harrowing example of how extreme hazing has become. This is not about building character; it’s about breaking individuals. And it’s happening all over America, including at institutions near you in Iowa.

Who is Responsible: Holding Everyone Accountable for Hazing in Iowa

When a young person in Iowa is subjected to hazing, it’s easy to point the finger at the individual students directly involved. But our strategy at Attorney911 is to hold every single entity accountable, from the individuals to the deeply pocketed institutions that enable such abuse. As our ongoing $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez demonstrates, we target not just the students, but also the local chapter, the national organization, the housing corporation, and the university itself.

Here’s a breakdown of who can be held responsible in a hazing case in Iowa:

• The Individual Perpetrators: This includes the fraternity president, pledgemaster, and any other current or former members who actively participated in, directed, or enabled the hazing. In our Houston case, we even sued a former member and his spouse because some major hazing sessions occurred at their private residence, making them liable for allowing their property to be used for illegal activities. These individuals often try to hide behind the group, but we will seek to hold each of them personally accountable.
• The Local Chapter: The specific fraternity or sorority chapter that orchestrated and carried out the hazing rituals is directly liable. They are often unregistered entities, but they exist, they have leaders, and they have members who chose to participate in this abuse.
• The National Organization: This is a critical target. National fraternities and sororities, like Pi Kappa Phi, often boast of “more than 150 chapters across America.” They have millions in assets, liability insurance, and the power to regulate, sanction, and even revoke the charters of their local chapters. Our lawsuit alleges that Pi Kappa Phi National failed to enforce anti-hazing rules despite knowledge of a “hazing crisis” within its organization. This isn’t a new issue for Pi Kappa Phi; Andrew Coffey died in a Pi Kappa Phi hazing incident at Florida State University in 2017. They had eight years to fix their culture, and they failed. We will prove that these national organizations, including those with chapters near Iowa, have a pattern of turning a blind eye to deadly behavior until it makes headlines.
• The University or College: Educational institutions, including those in Iowa, have a non-delegable duty to protect their students from foreseeable harm, especially on properties they own or control. In Leonel Bermudez’s case, the hazing occurred in a University of Houston-owned fraternity house. This means the university had direct oversight and responsibility for maintaining a safe environment. The University of Houston also had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving another fraternity. They knew hazing was a problem on their campus, and they failed to act. Any university or college in Iowa that allows hazing to flourish on its campus, especially within properties it controls, is equally liable.
• The Housing Corporation: Many fraternity and sorority houses are owned by separate housing corporations. These entities are responsible for the safety and condition of the property. If hazing occurs on their premises, they can be held liable for failing to prevent a dangerous environment. For example, Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc in Frisco, Texas (EIN 462267515), is one of the many entities we actively track and hold accountable.
• Insurance Carriers: This is often where the actual recovery comes from. National organizations, universities, and even individual homeowners have robust liability insurance policies designed to cover such incidents. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña know exactly how these policies work and how to force insurance companies to pay out for your child’s injuries.

We don’t guess who is responsible; we investigate and identify every single entity connected to the hazing. We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, including EINs, legal names, addresses, house corporations, and insurance structures. We use this data to ensure that when hazing happens, we know precisely who to sue. This same data-driven approach allows us to pursue accountability for Iowa families, regardless of where the incident occurred.

Multi-Million Dollar Proof: What Iowa Hazing Cases Can Win

When institutions minimize hazing or tell you that such cases are difficult to win, they are banking on your lack of knowledge and your fear. We are here to tell you: hazing cases can and do win multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. These are not isolated incidents; they are a pattern. Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an outlier; it’s a testament to our aggressive pursuit of justice, informed by the successes of other brave families. The same legal strategies and precedents apply to hazing cases in Iowa, giving families here the same opportunity for significant recovery.

Here are some landmark cases that demonstrate the substantial compensation awarded to hazing victims and their families across the nation:

• Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Totaling $10.1 Million+
  • What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Pi Kappa Alpha, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during an initiation event. He died from alcohol poisoning.
  • The Outcome: This tragic case resulted in over $10.1 million in settlements and judgments. Bowling Green State University paid $2.9 million, and Pi Kappa Alpha National, along with other individuals, settled for an additional $7.2 million. Most recently, in December 2024, a jury personally ordered Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, to pay an additional $6.5 million. This case demonstrates that both universities and national fraternities face massive financial liability, and individuals directly involved can be held personally responsible for millions.
  • Iowa Relevance: Our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez is directly in line with this precedent, even though Leonel survived severe, life-threatening injuries while Foltz tragically passed away. The physical and psychological impact of hazing can be equally devastating.
• Maxwell Gruver, Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): $6.1 Million Verdict
  • What Happened: In September 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning (with a BAC of 0.495, over six times the legal limit) during a Phi Delta Theta hazing ritual known as “Bible Study,” where pledges were forced to drink heavily for incorrect answers.
  • The Outcome: His family received a $6.1 million jury verdict. The case also led to the passage of the “Max Gruver Act,” which made hazing a felony in Louisiana.
  • Iowa Relevance: This case proves that juries are willing to award millions to hazing victims. It also shows that judicial outcomes can lead to powerful legislative changes, sending a clear message to other states like Iowa.
• Timothy Piazza, Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): $110+ Million (Estimated)
  • What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza participated in a Beta Theta Pi event where he was forced to consume 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes, reaching a BAC of 0.36. After suffering a traumatic brain injury from multiple falls down stairs, fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911. He tragically died. Security cameras captured every horrific detail.
  • The Outcome: The family reached confidential settlements estimated to be well over $110 million. Multiple fraternity members faced criminal charges, with several convicted of involuntary manslaughter, hazing, and assault. The case inspired the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in Pennsylvania.
  • Iowa Relevance: Piazza’s case highlights that when there is undeniable, egregious evidence, damages can reach astronomical figures. This should serve as a warning to universities and fraternities with chapters near Iowa.
• Andrew Coffey, Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Confidential Settlement
  • What Happened: On November 3, 2017, Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning after a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night,” where he was forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon.
  • The Outcome: Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges, and the FSU chapter was permanently closed. His family reached a confidential settlement.
  • Iowa Relevance: This is the SAME national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez. The fact that Pi Kappa Phi has a hazing death on its record from 2017, yet allowed the same deadly culture to persist until Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized in 2025, is a critical piece of pattern evidence. They knew; they failed to act.
• Adam Oakes, Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): Over $4 Million Settlement
  • What Happened: In February 2021, Adam Oakes, a Delta Chi pledge, died from alcohol poisoning after a hazing event.
  • The Outcome: His family successfully settled for over $4 million, and his death spurred the creation of “Adam’s Law” in Virginia.
  • Iowa Relevance: Another recent confirmation of significant financial recovery in non-death hazing cases.

We are currently litigating for $10 million in the Bermudez case. This demand is entirely justified by the severe physical injuries, the documented psychological trauma, the egregious nature of the hazing, and the clear pattern of negligence by a national fraternity that failed to learn from a prior death.

These precedents send an unmistakable message to every university, every national organization, and every local chapter, including those operating near Iowa: Hazing is a multi-million dollar liability. If they sacrifice student safety for “tradition,” they will pay a steep price. If your child has been victimized by hazing in Iowa, we believe you deserve the same aggressive representation and opportunity for justice.

Iowa Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights in a Hazing Incident

If your child has been hazed in Iowa, you might feel overwhelmed by the legal complexities. But there are laws designed to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable. While our firm is based in Texas, where we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit, many core legal principles, including federal civil rights protections and negligence claims, apply nationwide. Furthermore, Iowa has its own specific anti-hazing laws that provide a strong foundation for civil action.

Iowa’s Anti-Hazing Laws

Iowa, like many states, has laws specifically prohibiting hazing. These laws make it clear that hazing is not merely a university disciplinary issue but a matter of criminal concern that also creates significant civil liability.

Key Provisions Often Found in State Anti-Hazing Statutes (using Texas as an example for principles that apply in many states including Iowa):

• Broad Definition of Hazing: Most states define hazing comprehensively to include any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization. This includes physical brutality, forced exercise, sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, forced consumption (of food, alcohol, or other substances), and any act that violates criminal law.
  • Iowa Relevance: The hazing Leonel Bermudez suffered—waterboarding, forced exercise to kidney failure, forced eating—clearly falls under these broad definitions and would likely violate Iowa’s anti-hazing statutes.
• “Consent is NOT a Defense”: This is a cornerstone of anti-hazing laws in many states, including Texas. As Texas Education Code § 37.154 explicitly states, “It is not a defense to prosecution… that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”
  • Iowa Relevance: This directly counters the common defense perpetuated by fraternities and sororities: “they knew what they were signing up for” or “they could have said no.” Iowa’s legal framework, like that in Texas, recognizes that true consent is impossible under duress, peer pressure, and the threat of social ostracization or expulsion from the group. Your child cannot legally consent to being abused or tortured.
• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is often a criminal offense, ranging from misdemeanors for simple participation to felonies for hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
  • Iowa Relevance: Leonel Bermudez’s severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure would likely qualify as “serious bodily injury” in Iowa, opening the door for criminal charges against the individual perpetrators, in addition to civil lawsuits.
• Organizational Liability: Many state laws hold organizations themselves, not just individuals, responsible for hazing. This can include fines, loss of recognition, and forfeiture of property.
  • Iowa Relevance: This provides a direct legal avenue to pursue the local chapter, and by extension, the national organization and the university, for their roles in allowing hazing to occur.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges

Even if criminal charges are not pursued or result in a conviction, civil lawsuits offer a powerful path to justice and compensation for hazing victims in Iowa. We can pursue a variety of claims against all responsible parties:

• Negligence: This is often the primary claim. It argues that the university, national organization, and individual members owed a duty of care to the student, breached that duty by allowing or participating in hazing, and that this breach caused the student’s injuries and damages.
• Gross Negligence: When actions are so reckless and indifferent to safety that they demonstrate a conscious disregard for the well-being of others, it rises to the level of gross negligence. This opens the door for punitive damages, which are designed to punish the wrongdoers and deter similar behavior in the future. The prior death of Andrew Coffey at a Pi Kappa Phi event, coupled with Leonel’s hospitalization, presents a compelling case for gross negligence against the national fraternity.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (like the University of Houston in our case) or a housing corporation, these entities can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
• Negligent Supervision: This type of claim asserts that the national fraternity failed to adequately supervise its local chapter, and the university failed to properly oversee Greek life activities on its campus.
• Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators can be sued for intentional harmful or offensive contact. Waterboarding, paddling, and forced physical activities all constitute assault and battery.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): This claim applies when outrageous conduct causes severe emotional distress. The psychological torture, humiliation, and terror associated with hazing easily meet this threshold.

Federal Protections

Beyond state law, federal protections can also apply, particularly when hazing involves discrimination or sexual violence. The firm’s federal court authority and dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) allow us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which can be a key advantage when dealing with national organizations.

Understanding these legal avenues is the first step toward reclaiming your power. No matter where the hazing occurred, federal law, and the laws of the state where it happened and those where the defendants reside, combine to give a broad range of options for holding every responsible party accountable. We are committed to navigating these laws to secure the justice and compensation your family deserves.

Why Attorney911 is Iowa’s Choice for Hazing Litigation

When your child has been gravely injured by hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the intricate legal landscape of hazing litigation and is prepared to fight against powerful institutions. Attorney911 is built for these battles, and we bring our specialized expertise and aggressive approach to families in Iowa and across the country.

Here’s why families in Iowa facing the trauma of hazing choose Attorney911:

• We Are Actively Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit RIGHT NOW: This isn’t theoretical for us. We are currently in the Harris County Civil District Court fighting against Pi Kappa Phi National, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members for the hazing of Leonel Bermudez. This firsthand, current litigation experience means we are immersed in the latest hazing tactics, defense strategies, and legal precedents. We apply this real-time knowledge to every case we take, including those for Iowa families.
• Unmatched Insider Knowledge: Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Both of our lead attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, began their careers defending insurance companies against personal injury claims. Lupe Peña worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm. This means they’ve seen the insurance industry’s playbook from the inside. They know how insurance companies and large institutions strategize to deny, delay, and devalue claims. This “counter-intelligence” gives us an unparalleled advantage in fighting for maximum compensation for our clients in Iowa.
• Aggressive, Battle-Tested Courtroom Experience (25+ Years): Ralph Manginello brings over 25 years of trial experience to your case. He has gone head-to-head with some of the largest corporations, including his involvement in the multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation against BP following the catastrophic Texas City refinery explosion. This experience proves our capacity to take on massive defendants like national fraternities and major universities, regardless of their resources.
• Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Bar Admissions: We are admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts and licensed in both Texas and New York. This dual authority is a strategic advantage in hazing cases, as national fraternities are often headquartered in different states, and federal civil rights claims can sometimes be applicable. Our federal court admissions allow us to pursue justice for Iowa victims against national defendants across state lines.
• Specialized Expertise in Rhabdomyolysis and Hazing-Related Injuries: Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis cases, the exact life-threatening condition Leonel Bermudez suffered. This deep medical and legal understanding is crucial when fighting for appropriate compensation for complex, severe hazing injuries.
• Data-Driven Litigation Strategy: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Database: We maintain an extensive database of IRS-registered Greek organizations in Texas, complete with EINs, legal names, addresses, and corporate structures. This allows us to quickly identify and target every liable entity, from local chapter housing corporations like Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN 371768785 in Missouri City, Texas) to national organizations and their alumni associations. We don’t guess; we know exactly who is behind the Greek letters. The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metro area alone has 510 Greek organizations under our radar, and the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metro area has 188. Such a robust intelligence system is a formidable weapon in hazing litigation, ensuring we leave no stone unturned in Iowa.
• Compassionate and Client-Focused Approach: We understand that dealing with hazing litigation is an emotionally draining experience for Iowa families. Our team provides empathetic support, clear communication, and a commitment to treating you and your child not just as a case, but as family. As one of our Google reviewers, Chad Harris, put it, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.”
• No Upfront Costs: Contingency Fee Basis: We take hazing cases on contingency. This means you pay absolutely nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This removes the financial barrier, allowing families in Iowa to pursue justice against well-funded institutions without incurring immediate legal fees.
• Nationwide Reach with Local Connection to Iowa: While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach extends nationwide. We regularly conduct remote consultations via video conference with families in Iowa and across the country. And when necessary for depositions, client meetings, or trials, our team is prepared to travel to Iowa to advocate for your child directly.
• A Track Record of Results and Public Acclaim: Our 4.9-star rating on Google with over 250 reviews reflects our consistent dedication to clients. From securing trial dismissals in criminal cases to multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury claims, our firm has a proven history of success. Our work has been covered by major media outlets like ABC13 and KHOU 11, giving our specific hazing litigation public visibility and demonstrating our commitment to bringing these issues to light.

We believe that no family in Iowa should suffer in silence after experiencing hazing. We offer immediate, aggressive, and professional help for your legal emergency. We know the fight ahead, and we are ready to lead the charge for justice for your child.

What To Do Right Now: An Urgent Guide for Iowa Families After Hazing

The moments immediately following a hazing incident can be chaotic, terrifying, and confusing. But what you do (or don’t do) in these critical hours and days can profoundly impact your ability to seek justice and recover compensation. If your child has been a victim of hazing in Iowa, please follow these crucial steps without delay. Remember, we are available 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 to guide you through this process.

Step 1: Prioritize Immediate Safety and Medical Attention

Your child’s physical and mental well-being is paramount.

• Remove Your Child from the Dangerous Environment: If your child is still in an unsafe situation, get them out immediately. Contact campus safety, local law enforcement, or remove them yourself if possible.
• Seek Immediate Medical Attention, Even for Seemingly Minor Injuries: Hazing often involves hidden dangers. Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure took days to manifest fully. Adrenaline can mask pain. Go to an emergency room, a trusted doctor, or an urgent care clinic.
  • Crucially, tell medical staff everything: Explain that the injuries are a result of hazing. This documentation is critical for your legal case.
  • Do not delay: Insurance companies and defense attorneys will use any delay in seeking medical care as an argument that the injuries were not severe or not related to the hazing.
• Seek Mental Health Support: Hazing inflicts severe psychological trauma. Connect your child with a counselor, therapist, or mental health professional immediately. Documenting this emotional and psychological impact is as vital as documenting physical injuries.

Step 2: Preserve ALL Evidence

Evidence is the backbone of any legal case, and hazing perpetrators often work quickly to destroy it. This is the single most important thing you can do for your child’s case.

• Take Photos and Videos:
  • Injuries: Photograph every bruise, cut, scrape, burn, or physical manifestation of hazing at every stage of healing. Document any changes or worsening conditions.
  • Locations: Take photos or videos of the hazing location (fraternity house, off-campus residence, park, dorm room, etc.). Document anything that looks suspicious or out of place.
  • Objects: If there were any objects used in the hazing (paddles, hoses, specific clothing), photograph them.
  • Witnesses: Discreetly photograph any potential witnesses or other members present.
• Preserve ALL Communications:
  • DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. This includes text messages, group chats (GroupMe, Snapchat, WhatsApp), social media messages, emails, photos, and videos. These often contain direct evidence of hazing, coercion, threats, and coordination among members.
  • Take Screenshots: Screenshots are easy to preserve and date-stamp. Save them to multiple devices and cloud storage.
  • Download Data: Learn how to download data from common apps (e.g., Snapchat Memories, GroupMe chat history) before it expires or is deleted by others.
• Gather Documents:
  • Pledge Manuals/Schedules: Any written materials given to your child about the pledging process.
  • Medical Records: Obtain copies of all hospital records, doctor’s notes, lab results (like creatine kinase levels for rhabdomyolysis), therapy notes, and billing statements.
  • Financial Records: Keep track of medical bills, missed work wages, and any other out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Academic Records: Document any impact on grades, enrollment status, or scholarships.
• Identify Witnesses: Write down the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or people your child confided in.

Step 3: Do NOT Communicate with the Perpetrators or Institutions

This is where you absolutely need legal counsel.

• Do Not Talk to Fraternity/Sorority Members or Leadership: They are not your child’s friends. They will attempt to silence, intimidate, or coach your child on what to say. Anything said can and will be used against your child.
• Do Not Talk to University Administration or Campus Counsel Without Legal Representation: Universities, like fraternities, will try to control the narrative and minimize their liability. Their first priority is protecting the institution, not your child. Any statement given to them can be used against your child’s legal case.
• Do Not Sign Anything: Never sign any documents, waivers, or statements from the fraternity, university, or their insurance companies without a lawyer reviewing them first.
• Avoid Social Media Discussions: Do not post about the incident on social media, no matter how angry or heartbroken you are. Anything posted can be used by the defense to discredit your child’s claims.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Litigation Attorney IMMEDIATELY

Time is critical.

• The Statute of Limitations: In most states, including Iowa for personal injury and wrongful death claims, there is a two-year statute of limitations. This means you generally have only two years from the date of the injury or death to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to pursue compensation forever.
• Evidence Disappears: Text messages get deleted, memories fade, documents are destroyed. The sooner we get involved, the more evidence we can preserve.
• Defense Begins Immediately: The institutions and individuals responsible for hazing will immediately begin building their defense. You need your own legal team to level the playing field.
• Free Consultation: We offer a free, confidential consultation. There is no obligation, and you will learn about your legal options and rights. We work on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.

For Iowa families and students, we understand that finding the right attorney who genuinely understands the complexities of hazing litigation can be challenging. We are here to bring our national experience, including our current $10 million lawsuit, directly to you.

Iowa Families: Call Us. We Hear You. We Fight for You.

If your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing at a university in Iowa or anywhere else, the time to act is now. The institutions and individuals responsible for this abuse will try to explain it away, sweep it under the rug, or minimize the harm. They rely on your silence and your fear. But your child’s pain, your family’s heartbreak, and the immense betrayal you’ve experienced demand accountability.

We are Attorney911, and we are not afraid to take on powerful fraternities, national organizations, and major universities. We are actively fighting the fight right now, seeking $10 million in damages for Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This is more than just a lawsuit; it’s a stand against a culture of abuse that has stolen lives and destroyed futures. We will bring that same unwavering commitment and aggressive legal strategy to your family’s hazing case in Iowa.

We understand the complex emotions you’re navigating. This isn’t just about legal claims; it’s about validating your child’s suffering, seeking justice for a profound wrong, and sending a clear message that hazing will not be tolerated.

You have legal rights. We are fighting this fight right now – and we’ll fight for Iowa victims too.

Iowa Families — Call for Your Free, Confidential Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Our Legal Emergency Hotline is available 24/7 for Iowa hazing victims and their families.

• Email Us: If you prefer to write, you can reach Ralph Manginello directly at ralph@atty911.com.
• Visit Our Website: Learn more about our firm and our commitment to justice for victims at attorney911.com.
• Remote Consultations: Even though our offices are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, a significant portion of our work, including initial consultations and strategizing, can be conducted remotely via phone or video conference. We routinely work with families across the country.
• We Come to Iowa: For critical meetings, depositions, or trial appearances, our attorneys are prepared to travel to Iowa to ensure your case receives the personalized attention it deserves. Distance will not be a barrier to achieving justice for your child.

Remember, there is no upfront cost for our services in hazing cases. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless and until you get paid. Our interests are fully aligned with yours: securing the maximum compensation for your child’s injuries and suffering.

Don’t let the fear of retribution or the intimidation tactics of powerful institutions silence you. Your courage in speaking out could prevent another child in Iowa from suffering the same fate. As Lupe Peña said regarding our ongoing case, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Let us help you turn your child’s pain into powerful change.