Attorney 911: Brown County, Kansas Hazing Lawyers – Protecting Students & Families

🚨 Hazing in Brown County: A Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight

Brown County, Kansas, is known for its tight-knit communities, strong family values, and proud tradition of higher education. Families send their children to college expecting them to grow, learn, and be safe. But behind the scenes, a dangerous culture of hazing persists—one that has already destroyed lives across America, and one that threatens students in Brown County, Hiawatha, Horton, and nearby universities every year.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—where a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening in Kansas. It’s happening near Brown County. And it could be happening to your child.

If your son or daughter has been hazed at Fort Hays State University, Washburn University, Kansas State University, the University of Kansas, or any other institution near Brown County, you have legal rights. We will fight for you.

🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Not “Just Tradition”)

Hazing is not harmless fun. It’s not “building character.” It’s not “just how things are done.”

Hazing is abuse. It’s torture. It’s a crime.

Under Kansas law, hazing includes any activity that:
✔ Endangers physical or mental health (forced exercise, sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme weather)
✔ Involves forced consumption (alcohol, food, or other substances to the point of vomiting or passing out)
✔ Includes physical brutality (beatings, paddling, branding, waterboarding)
✔ Causes psychological trauma (humiliation, threats, isolation)
✔ Is done as part of “initiation” into a group (fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, clubs)

In Kansas, hazing is a crime. And if it causes serious injury or death, those responsible can be held criminally and civilly liable.

💔 Real Hazing Cases Near Brown County – The Same Thing Could Happen Here

📌 Case 1: The $10 Million Fight We’re Leading Right Now (Same Fraternities Operate in Kansas)

Victim: Leonel Bermudez (University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi)
What Happened:

• Forced to drink until vomiting
• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Made to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure

Why This Matters for Brown County:

• Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at Kansas universities (including KU and K-State)
• The same national fraternity that failed to stop this in Texas operates near Brown County
• If it happened at UH, it can happen at a Kansas school

We are suing for $10 million. The same compensation is possible for Brown County victims.

📌 Case 2: The Student Who Died After Being Forced to Drink (Same Fraternity as KU’s Chapter)

Victim: Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)
What Happened:

• Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol at a fraternity event
• Died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.39 – nearly 5x the legal limit)
  Outcome:
• $10.1 million settlement (largest in Ohio history)
• Fraternity permanently banned
• Multiple members criminally convicted

Why This Matters for Brown County:

• Pi Kappa Alpha has a chapter at the University of Kansas (KU)
• The same fraternity that killed Stone Foltz operates in Kansas
• If your child is pledging Pike at KU, they face the same risks

📌 Case 3: The 18-Year-Old Who Died After “Bible Study” Hazing (Same Fraternity as K-State’s Chapter)

Victim: Maxwell Gruver (Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta)
What Happened:

• Forced to drink alcohol for every wrong answer in a “Bible Study” hazing ritual
• BAC reached 0.495 (6x the legal limit)
• Died from alcohol poisoning
  Outcome:
• $6.1 million jury verdict
• Fraternity member sentenced to prison
• Louisiana passed the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony

Why This Matters for Brown County:

• Phi Delta Theta has a chapter at Kansas State University (K-State)
• The same fraternity that killed Maxwell Gruver operates in Kansas
• If your child is pledging Phi Delt at K-State, they face the same risks

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Brown County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held accountable—not just the students involved. We sue everyone responsible.

In our current $10 million case, we are suing:
✅ Pi Kappa Phi National (for failing to stop hazing despite knowing about “a hazing crisis”)
✅ The University of Houston (for owning the fraternity house where torture occurred)
✅ Individual fraternity members (for participating in and enabling the abuse)

We will do the same for Brown County families.

🚑 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Brown County

🔹 Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), alcohol poisoning, and traumatic injuries can be life-threatening.
• Even if your child “feels fine,” get them checked. Some injuries (like kidney damage) don’t show symptoms right away.
• Keep all medical records. These will be critical for your case.

🔹 Step 2: Preserve Evidence

Hazing cases are won or lost based on evidence. Do not delete anything.

✅ Text messages, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs (screenshots of hazing discussions)
✅ Photos/videos (of injuries, hazing activities, fraternity events)
✅ Social media posts (fraternity members bragging about hazing)
✅ Witness names & contact info (other pledges, bystanders)
✅ Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records)
✅ Fraternity documents (pledge manuals, schedules, emails from leadership)

⚠️ WARNING: Fraternities and universities will try to destroy evidence. They may:

• Delete group chats
• Pressure witnesses to stay silent
• Claim “it was just a joke”
• Offer money to keep quiet

Do not let them get away with it.

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

• They will try to control the narrative.
• They will twist your words.
• They will pressure you to sign something that waives your rights.

✅ Instead, call us immediately. We handle all communication with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies.

🔹 Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 – Free Consultation

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9111)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

We offer:
✔ Free, confidential case evaluation
✔ No upfront costs – We only get paid if we win
✔ 24/7 availability – We’re here when you need us
✔ Federal court authority – We can sue national fraternities anywhere
✔ Bilingual support (Spanish available)

💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Brown County?

Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation—especially when:
✅ Serious physical injuries (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
✅ Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
✅ Wrongful death (if hazing results in death)
✅ University/fraternity knowledge (if they knew about prior hazing incidents)
✅ Cover-up attempts (if they tried to hide what happened)

📊 Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts

Brown County families can recover compensation for:
✔ Medical bills (past and future)
✔ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
✔ Lost wages (if injuries prevent work)
✔ Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships lost)
✔ Punitive damages (to punish the fraternity/university)

⚖️ Kansas Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know

📜 Kansas Statute 21-5420 – Criminal Hazing

In Kansas, hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by:

• Up to 6 months in jail
• Up to $1,000 in fines

If hazing causes serious injury or death, it can be charged as a felony.

📜 Civil Liability – You Can Sue for Money Damages

Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, you can still sue for financial compensation.

Who Can Be Sued?
✅ The fraternity/sorority (local chapter and national organization)
✅ The university (if they knew about hazing and failed to stop it)
✅ Individual members (those who participated in or enabled hazing)
✅ Property owners (if hazing occurred at a house they owned)

What Can You Recover?
✔ Medical expenses (hospital bills, therapy, future treatment)
✔ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✔ Lost wages (if injuries prevent work)
✔ Educational damages (tuition, scholarships lost)
✔ Punitive damages (to punish the fraternity/university)

🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Brown County Hazing Case?

1️⃣ We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

• We are actively litigating a hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We know exactly how these cases work—and how to win them.
• Brown County families get the same aggressive representation.

2️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
• We know how they try to lowball victims.
• We know how to dismantle their defenses.
• We’ve seen their tactics from the inside—and we use that knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3️⃣ Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue National Fraternities Anywhere

• We are admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas).
• We can pursue national fraternities in federal court—no matter where they’re headquartered.
• Brown County families don’t have to settle for local lawyers who don’t understand hazing cases.

4️⃣ Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas & New York) – Strategic Advantage

• We are licensed in Texas and New York—where many national fraternities are headquartered.
• This gives us strategic leverage in negotiations and litigation.

5️⃣ We Travel to Brown County – You Don’t Have to Come to Us

• We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we serve clients nationwide.
• We will come to Brown County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• Distance is not a barrier to justice.

6️⃣ Bilingual Support – Se Habla Español

• Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
• We offer full Spanish-language support for Brown County families.

7️⃣ No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If You Win

• $0 out of pocket.
• We work on a contingency fee basis—we only get paid if we win your case.
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

🚨 Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed in Brown County

Hazing is often hidden—but these red flags may indicate your child is at risk:

✅ Sudden secrecy (“I can’t tell you what we do at meetings.”)
✅ Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, sprains)
✅ Extreme fatigue (falling asleep in class, missing deadlines)
✅ Sudden weight loss or gain (forced eating, extreme exercise)
✅ Withdrawal from friends/family (avoiding calls, acting depressed)
✅ Unusual behavior (anxiety, mood swings, nightmares)
✅ Missing classes or events (forced to attend late-night hazing sessions)
✅ Talking about “traditions” or “initiation” (downplaying risks)

If you notice these signs, call us immediately.

📢 To Brown County Fraternities & Universities: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating near Brown County:

• Pi Kappa Phi (KU, K-State)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (KU)
• Phi Delta Theta (K-State)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (KU)
• Sigma Chi (K-State)
• And all others…

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.

If you haze students in Brown County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue your national organization, your local chapter, and every member involved.

The Beta Nu chapter at UH? SHUT DOWN. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated.

Your chapter could be next.

📞 Brown County Families: Call Us Now – Free Consultation

🚨 If your child has been hazed in Brown County, Kansas, you have legal rights. We will fight for you.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9111)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

We offer:
✔ Free, confidential case evaluation
✔ No upfront costs – We only get paid if we win
✔ 24/7 availability – We’re here when you need us
✔ Federal court authority – We can sue national fraternities
✔ Bilingual support (Spanish available)

Brown County hazing victims deserve justice. We will fight for you.