Hazing Victims in Brown County, Minnesota: Your Legal Rights and Path to Justice

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — Neither Does Justice

If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in Brown County, Minnesota, you’re not alone. The same national fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston — causing kidney failure — operate chapters at universities near Brown County. The same negligence that hospitalized our client exists at Minnesota institutions. And Attorney 911 is fighting for Brown County families with the same relentless commitment we’re bringing to our current $10 million hazing lawsuit.

This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening in Minnesota. And we will fight for Brown County victims.

The Hazing Crisis in Minnesota: What Brown County Families Need to Know

Hazing is Widespread in Minnesota

Minnesota has seen its share of hazing tragedies. While Brown County itself may not have a major university, nearby institutions with active Greek life include:

• Minnesota State University, Mankato (45 miles from Brown County)
• Southwest Minnesota State University (Marshall, 50 miles away)
• Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, 60 miles away)
• St. Olaf College (Northfield, 100 miles away)
• University of Minnesota system schools (Twin Cities, Duluth, Morris, Rochester)

These institutions have active Greek organizations — including the same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths nationwide.

The Same Fraternities Operate in Minnesota

The fraternities that have paid millions in hazing settlements — Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Phi, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — all have chapters at Minnesota universities. The same culture of abuse exists in Brown County’s backyard.

Minnesota Hazing Law: Strong Protections for Victims

Minnesota Statute § 121A.69 defines hazing as:

“Any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, that subjects the person to the likelihood of bodily injury.”

Key Provisions:

• Criminal penalties — Hazing is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and $1,000 in fines
• No consent defense — Even if a student “agreed” to participate, consent is not a legal defense
• Institutional liability — Schools and organizations can be held responsible for failing to prevent hazing
• Reporting requirements — Schools must investigate and report hazing incidents

Brown County families have strong legal rights under Minnesota law.

What Brown County Families Can Learn from Our Current $10 Million Hazing Case

The Case That Shows What’s Happening in Minnesota Right Now

Leonel Bermudez was a “ghost rush” — a prospective member not even enrolled at the University of Houston. He accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi in September 2025. Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic torture disguised as “tradition”:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups — until his muscles broke down, causing rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
• Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault with weapons
• Forced to eat until vomiting — then forced to continue running sprints
• Hog-tied face-down on a table — another pledge endured this for over an hour
• Stripped to underwear in cold weather — exposure and humiliation
• Threatened with expulsion — coercion and intimidation

Result: Bermudez was hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. He could not walk without help. His urine turned brown from muscle breakdown.

The fraternity’s response? They closed the chapter before the lawsuit was even filed — proving they knew they were liable. Their official statement said they “look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.”

Translation: They’re already planning their comeback while our client recovers.

Why This Matters for Brown County Families

1. This isn’t “boys being boys.” This is assault, battery, and torture — and it’s happening at Minnesota universities.
2. Universities know. The University of Houston had a hazing hospitalization in 2017 (a different fraternity) and did nothing to prevent this from happening again.
3. National fraternities know. Pi Kappa Phi had a hazing death in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at Florida State) and did nothing to fix their culture.
4. They will try to silence you. Our client is fearful of retribution for speaking out. Brown County victims face the same intimidation.
5. But silence protects the abusers. Speaking out is the only way to stop this from happening to the next student.

What Constitutes Hazing in Minnesota?

Minnesota law is clear: Any activity that subjects a student to the likelihood of bodily injury is hazing. This includes:

If your child experienced any of these in Brown County or at a Minnesota university, they were hazed. And they have legal rights.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Brown County?

In our current case, we are suing everyone who allowed the abuse to happen. Brown County families can pursue the same defendants:

Brown County families: You can sue all of these parties — even if the hazing occurred at a university outside Brown County.

What Brown County Families Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit

Hazing victims are entitled to full compensation for all harm caused. In our current case, we are seeking $10 million for our client. Brown County families can recover:

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

• Medical expenses — Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, rehabilitation, future treatment
• Lost wages — Time missed from work or internships due to injuries
• Educational costs — Tuition, fees, and lost scholarships if hazing disrupted education
• Future earning capacity — If injuries cause long-term limitations

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain and suffering — The agony of rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, broken bones, burns
• Emotional distress — PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution
• Humiliation and shame — From degrading hazing activities
• Loss of enjoyment of life — Inability to participate in normal college activities

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

Minnesota allows punitive damages when conduct is malicious, willful, or recklessly indifferent to safety. Given the torture-like nature of hazing (waterboarding, 500 squats, paddling), punitive damages are often awarded.

Recent hazing cases have resulted in:

• $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)

Brown County families can recover the same compensation.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Brown County or Minnesota

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be life-threatening
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) requires professional help
• Medical records create critical evidence

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. Save:

• Text messages, GroupMe, Snapchat, WhatsApp — Any communications about hazing
• Photos and videos — Of injuries, hazing activities, fraternity houses
• Social media posts — From fraternity members bragging about hazing
• Pledge manuals, schedules, rules — Documents given to your child
• Witness contact information — Other pledges, bystanders, friends

Step 3: Report the Hazing

• File a police report — Hazing is a crime in Minnesota
• Report to the university — Demand an investigation
• File a Title IX complaint — If sexual harassment/assault occurred
• Report to the national organization — If a Greek organization was involved

Step 4: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers Without Counsel

• They will try to minimize the incident
• They will try to get your child to sign away their rights
• They will try to twist your child’s words against them

Step 5: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

We offer:

• Free, confidential consultations — No cost to discuss your case
• Contingency fee representation — You pay nothing unless we win
• Nationwide service — We represent hazing victims in Minnesota and across the U.S.
• 24/7 availability — Hazing emergencies don’t wait

Call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Why Brown County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
• We know how to build these cases — and we know how to win
• Brown County families get the same aggressive representation

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

• Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña worked for insurance companies before switching sides
• We know how they value claims, delay cases, and try to deny liability
• We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery

3. Federal Court Authority — We Can Sue Anywhere

• Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• Can pursue cases in federal court — critical for out-of-state defendants
• Can represent Brown County families no matter where the hazing occurred

4. Dual-State Bar Licenses — Texas and New York

• Strategic advantage for lawsuits against national fraternities headquartered in New York or other states

5. Proven Track Record in High-Stakes Litigation

• BP Texas City explosion litigation — Mass tort experience against major corporations
• $10+ million hazing lawsuit — Currently in litigation
• Hundreds of personal injury cases — Proven results

6. We Will Travel to Brown County

• We come to Brown County for depositions, client meetings, and trials
• Distance is not a barrier to justice

7. Bilingual Services — Se Habla Español

• Hazing affects students from all backgrounds
• We serve Spanish-speaking families without language barriers

Frequently Asked Questions for Brown County Families

1. Can we sue if the hazing happened at a university outside Brown County?

Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Minnesota. If the fraternity or university has ties to Minnesota (such as a local chapter or alumni), we can sue them in Minnesota courts. We can also pursue cases in federal court if necessary.

2. What if my child “consented” to the hazing?

Consent is not a defense in Minnesota. Minnesota Statute § 121A.69 explicitly states that hazing is illegal regardless of whether the victim consented. The law recognizes that peer pressure, coercion, and intimidation negate true consent.

3. How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

Minnesota has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This means you have two years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit. Do not wait — evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

4. What if the fraternity claims it was “just tradition”?

“Tradition” is not a legal defense. Assault is assault. Battery is battery. Torture is torture. No amount of tradition justifies waterboarding, 500 squats, or wooden paddles.

5. Can we sue if no one was hospitalized?

Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may have suffered psychological trauma, humiliation, or other injuries that entitle them to compensation. PTSD, anxiety, and depression are real injuries with real financial costs.

6. What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

We understand the fear. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is fearful of retribution for speaking out. We will protect your child’s identity and take legal action against anyone who retaliates.

7. How much will this cost us?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so you never pay out of pocket.

The Message to Minnesota Fraternities: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating near Brown County:

• Pi Kappa Alpha
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Pi Kappa Phi
• Phi Delta Theta
• Beta Theta Pi
• Kappa Sigma
• Sigma Chi
• And all others

We are watching. We are documenting. We are building cases.

The $10 million lawsuit we filed in Texas is just the beginning. The same legal strategies apply to your chapters in Minnesota. The same multi-million dollar verdicts are possible. The same criminal charges can be filed.

If you haze students in Minnesota, we will hold you accountable.

Brown County Families: You Are Not Powerless

Hazing thrives in secrecy. It thrives in fear. It thrives when victims believe they have no options.

But you do have options. You have rights. And you have Attorney 911 on your side.

We will:

• Fight for full compensation for your child’s injuries
• Hold every responsible party accountable
• Protect your child from retaliation
• Ensure this never happens again

The time to act is now.

Contact Attorney 911 — Brown County’s Hazing Litigation Experts

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for hazing emergencies)

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Website: attorney911.com

📍 Serving Brown County, Minnesota and nationwide

We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it right now — and we’ll fight for Brown County families too.

Brown County Parents: This Could Be Your Child Next

The same fraternities that waterboarded our client operate at universities near Brown County. The same negligence that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez exists at Minnesota institutions. The same culture of abuse is happening in your backyard.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Call Attorney 911 now: 1-888-ATTY-911