Hazing Lawyers in Adams County: Protecting Students from Fraternity and Sorority Abuse
Adams County Families: Your Child Deserves Justice
If your son or daughter has been hospitalized, traumatized, or worse by hazing in Adams County or at nearby universities, you’re not alone. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston—causing severe kidney failure—operate chapters at institutions near Adams County. The same negligence that allowed this to happen in Houston exists right here in Wisconsin.
At Attorney 911, we’re 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. And we will fight just as aggressively for Adams County families who have suffered similar abuse.
The Hazing Crisis in Adams County and Beyond
Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It isn’t “building brotherhood.” It’s abuse, torture, and sometimes murder—and it happens at colleges and universities near Adams County.
What Hazing Really Looks Like in Adams County
In our current case, a University of Houston student was:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in his own vomit
- Hospitalized for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
This isn’t an isolated incident. It happens at Adams County-area universities too. The same national fraternities with chapters near Adams County have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries across the country. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others have all been involved in deadly hazing incidents.
If your child attends a university near Adams County, they face the same risks.
Why Adams County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
We’re currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical—we’re in the fight today, and we’re bringing the same aggressive representation to Adams County families.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña—worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know exactly how they think, strategize, and try to deny claims. We’ve seen their playbook from the inside, and now we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize your recovery.
3. We Know Hazing Law Inside and Out
- Texas hazing laws (applicable to many national fraternities)
- Federal civil rights claims (for institutional cover-ups)
- Premises liability (when universities own the fraternity houses)
- Wrongful death claims (for families who have lost children)
We’ve handled hazing cases involving Kappa Sigma, Texas A&M, and rhabdomyolysis injuries. We know the medical, legal, and cultural aspects of these cases.
4. We Serve Adams County Families Nationwide
While we’re based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), we represent hazing victims across America, including in Adams County and Wisconsin. We offer:
- Video consultations for Adams County families
- Willingness to travel to Adams County for depositions and trials
- Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
5. No Upfront Costs for Adams County Families
We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This means:
- No financial risk for your family
- No hourly fees—we don’t bill by the hour
- We take the risk—if we don’t win, you owe us nothing
6. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)
Many hazing victims and their families are Spanish-speaking. Our team is bilingual, and we can communicate with you in Spanish at every stage of your case.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Adams County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if your child says they’re “fine,” hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, or concussions can have delayed symptoms. Get them checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, or items used in hazing
- Text messages, GroupMe chats, social media posts about hazing
- Names and contact info of witnesses (other pledges, bystanders)
- Medical records from hospital visits, therapy sessions
- Academic records showing impact on grades or enrollment
Do NOT delete anything. Even if it seems embarrassing or irrelevant, it could be crucial evidence.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone
- They will try to control the narrative
- They will pressure your child to stay quiet
- They will destroy evidence if they can
- Anything your child says can be used against them
Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
Time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
Who We Can Sue for Adams County Hazing Victims
Hazing cases involve multiple liable parties, and we pursue them all:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Fraternity/Sorority | Knew about hazing culture; failed to supervise |
| University/College | Owned fraternity house; failed to protect students |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability |
Deep pockets exist. National fraternities and universities have millions in assets and insurance. This isn’t about suing broke college students—it’s about holding institutions accountable.
Damages We Can Recover for Adams County Families
| Type of Damage | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work due to injuries |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from hazing injuries |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse |
| Emotional Distress | Humiliation, fear, loss of trust |
| Loss of Enjoyment of Life | Inability to participate in normal activities |
| Punitive Damages | To punish egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding) |
Precedent cases show hazing victims can recover millions:
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021)
- $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta, 2017)
- $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi, 2017)
Common Hazing Injuries in Adams County
Hazing takes many forms, and the injuries can be severe:
| Type of Hazing | Possible Injuries |
|---|---|
| Forced Exercise | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, heart attacks |
| Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning | Traumatic stress, respiratory distress, death |
| Forced Alcohol Consumption | Alcohol poisoning, choking, death |
| Physical Beatings | Broken bones, internal injuries, concussions |
| Forced Eating | Choking, vomiting, aspiration pneumonia |
| Sleep Deprivation | Mental breakdowns, accidents, heart issues |
| Exposure to Elements | Hypothermia, heat stroke, frostbite |
| Psychological Torture | PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide |
If your child suffered any of these, they may have a case.
Universities Near Adams County with Greek Life
Several universities near Adams County have active Greek life organizations, including:
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Phi, others)
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (multiple fraternities and sororities)
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (Greek organizations present)
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville (Greek life active)
- Edgewood College (Madison) (Greek organizations)
The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have chapters at these schools. If your child attends a university near Adams County, they face the same risks.
Frequently Asked Questions for Adams County Families
1. Can we sue if the hazing happened at a university near Adams County, not in Texas?
Yes. While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Wisconsin. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses allow us to pursue cases anywhere in the U.S.
2. What if my child “consented” to hazing?
Consent is not a defense in Wisconsin or most states. Even if your child agreed to participate, hazing is illegal, and organizations can still be held liable. Wisconsin has anti-hazing laws that explicitly state consent does not excuse hazing.
3. How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
In Wisconsin, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is typically 3 years from the date of injury. However, you should act immediately—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and defendants destroy records.
4. What if the fraternity/sorority claims they didn’t know about the hazing?
Universities and national organizations have a duty to supervise their chapters. If they failed to implement proper oversight, they can still be held liable. In our current case, Pi Kappa Phi National knew about a “hazing crisis” but failed to act.
5. Will my child have to testify?
Possibly, but we work to minimize their stress. Many cases settle before trial, and we prepare our clients thoroughly. In our current case, our client is fearful of retribution—we protect our clients’ privacy and safety at every step.
6. How much will this cost my family?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if we win your case. There are no hourly fees, no retainers—just aggressive representation with no financial risk to your family.
7. What if the university near Adams County tries to cover it up?
Universities often try to minimize liability and protect their reputation. We’ve seen this before, and we know how to uncover the truth. In our current case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred—they can’t claim ignorance.
The Time to Act Is Now
Hazing doesn’t stop on its own. It takes brave victims and aggressive attorneys to force change. If your child has been hazed in Adams County or at a nearby university, you have the power to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Adams County Families: Call Attorney 911 Today
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Free consultation. No upfront costs. We don’t get paid unless you win.
About Attorney 911
Ralph P. Manginello – Managing Partner
- 25+ years of litigation experience
- Former insurance defense attorney (knows how they fight claims)
- Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
- Multi-billion dollar case experience (BP Texas City explosion litigation)
Lupe Eleno Peña – Associate Attorney
- 12+ years of litigation experience
- Former national insurance defense attorney (Litchfield Cavo LLP)
- Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
- Fluent in Spanish (Se habla español)
- Expert in catastrophic injury cases
Our Offices (Serving Adams County Nationwide)
- Houston, TX (Headquarters)
- Austin, TX
- Beaumont, TX
We travel to Adams County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
Testimonials from Clients We’ve Helped
“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” – Dame Haskett
“One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello and they said that they would take it. And in the next few months, I got a call to pick up this handsome check.” – Donald Wilcox
“The Manginello Law Firm treated me with honesty and respect from the very beginning. I was able to trust the firm to advocate for me.” – Debra Cambric-Chisolm
“We’ve been family friends your whole life! Ha. Thank you for trusting us for over 20 years with your family’s legal emergencies.” – Attorney 911 response to Ariel Strawn
Adams County Families: You Are Not Alone
Hazing is a national epidemic, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right legal team, you can:
- Hold the abusers accountable
- Recover compensation for your child’s injuries
- Prevent this from happening to another Adams County family
Call us today. Let’s fight this together.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing