🛡️ Hazing Justice for Burleigh County Families: How Attorney 911 Fights for North Dakota Students

Burleigh County, North Dakota — When you send your child to college, you trust that universities and student organizations will keep them safe. But for families in Burleigh County and across North Dakota, that trust is being shattered by a dangerous epidemic: hazing in fraternities, sororities, and other student groups.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this crisis nationwide — and we’re bringing our expertise to Burleigh County families. While we’re based in Texas, our federal court authority and commitment to justice mean we can represent hazing victims anywhere in America, including Bismarck, Mandan, Lincoln, and all of Burleigh County.

If your child has been hazed at Bismarck State College, the University of Mary, or any other institution in Burleigh County, you need to know: This isn’t just “tradition.” This is abuse. This is illegal. And you have legal rights.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Burleigh County: What Families Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just a problem in big states like Texas or California — it’s happening right here in Burleigh County. The same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries operate chapters at universities near Burleigh County.

Burleigh County Families: This Could Happen to Your Child

In November 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing. The fraternity forced him to:

• Do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
• Endure waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Eat until he vomited, then continue running sprints
• Be struck with wooden paddles
• Carry objects of a sexual nature at all times

This wasn’t an isolated incident. Another pledge lost consciousness during a forced workout just weeks before. The fraternity knew the risks — they even closed their chapter immediately after the hospitalization — but it was too late for our client.

The same fraternities with chapters near Burleigh County have the same hazing cultures. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at a Burleigh County-area university, they face the same risks.

⚠️ Why Burleigh County Families Need a Hazing Lawyer

1. Hazing is Illegal in North Dakota

North Dakota has strict anti-hazing laws that make hazing a crime. Under North Dakota Century Code § 15.1-19-01, hazing is defined as:

“Any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.”

This means:

• Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the organization accountable.
• Universities can be liable — if they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it.
• Individual members can be sued — each person who participated in hazing can be held personally responsible.

2. Universities Near Burleigh County Have a Duty to Protect Students

Colleges and universities in the Burleigh County area have a legal obligation to protect students from hazing. This includes:

• Bismarck State College
• University of Mary (Bismarck)
• United Tribes Technical College
• Other regional institutions

If a university near Burleigh County knew or should have known about hazing and failed to act, they can be held liable.

3. National Fraternities Have Deep Pockets — and a Pattern of Negligence

The same national organizations that have paid millions in hazing settlements operate chapters near Burleigh County. For example:

These aren’t isolated incidents — they’re part of a pattern. If a fraternity near Burleigh County has a chapter of one of these organizations, they have the same culture of abuse.

💰 What Burleigh County Families Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit

If your child has been hazed, you may be entitled to significant compensation for:

Economic Damages (Actual Financial Losses)

• Medical bills — Hospitalization, emergency room visits, therapy, medications
• Future medical expenses — If hazing causes long-term health issues (e.g., kidney damage, PTSD)
• Lost wages — If your child had to miss work due to injuries
• Educational costs — Tuition for missed classes, lost scholarships, delayed graduation

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain — From injuries like rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, or burns
• Emotional distress — Anxiety, depression, PTSD from hazing trauma
• Humiliation and shame — From degrading hazing rituals
• Loss of enjoyment of life — If hazing affects your child’s ability to participate in normal activities

Punitive Damages (To Punish the Wrongdoers)

If the hazing was particularly egregious (e.g., waterboarding, forced drinking, physical abuse), courts may award punitive damages to punish the organization and deter future hazing.

Example: In the Max Gruver case, a jury awarded $6.1 million in punitive damages against a fraternity for forcing a student to drink until he died.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Burleigh County

If your child has been hazed at a Burleigh County-area university, time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly, and North Dakota has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if your child seems “fine,” get them checked by a doctor. Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis or internal bleeding) may not show symptoms right away.
• Document everything. Keep records of all medical visits, diagnoses, and treatments.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence. Save everything:

✅ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs — Any communication about hazing
✅ Photos or videos — Of injuries, hazing activities, or fraternity events
✅ Social media posts — Screenshots of fraternity members bragging about hazing
✅ Witness information — Names and contact info of other pledges or bystanders
✅ Fraternity documents — Pledge manuals, schedules, or rules given to your child
✅ Medical records — Hospital bills, doctor notes, therapy records

DO NOT:
❌ Delete any messages or posts
❌ Talk to fraternity/sorority leaders without a lawyer
❌ Sign anything from the organization
❌ Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Hazing

• File a police report — Hazing is a crime in North Dakota.
• Report to the university — Under Title IX, universities must investigate hazing.
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority — They may claim they didn’t know, but they often do.

Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

Do not talk to insurance companies, university administrators, or fraternity lawyers without legal representation. They will try to minimize your claim and pressure you into accepting a low settlement.

At Attorney 911, we offer free consultations for Burleigh County families. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:

• You pay $0 upfront
• We only get paid if we win your case
• We handle all communications with the defendants

Call us 24/7 at 📞 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com

🏢 Who We Sue for Burleigh County Hazing Victims

When we file a hazing lawsuit, we sue everyone responsible — not just the individuals who participated, but the institutions that enabled the abuse.

1. The Local Chapter

• The fraternity or sorority chapter that organized the hazing
• Example: If hazing occurred at a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter near Burleigh County, we sue the local chapter.

2. The National Organization

• The national fraternity or sorority that oversees the chapter
• Why? They have deep pockets and often know about hazing but fail to stop it.
• Example: Pi Kappa Phi National was sued for $10 million in our recent case because they knew about “a hazing crisis” but did nothing.

3. The University

• The college or university where the hazing occurred
• Why? Universities have a duty to protect students and often own the fraternity houses where hazing happens.
• Example: In our University of Houston case, we’re suing the university because they owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred.

4. Individual Members

• The fraternity/sorority officers and members who participated in hazing
• Why? Each person who hazed your child can be held personally liable.
• Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

5. Housing Corporations or Property Owners

• If hazing occurred at a private residence, we sue the property owners.
• Example: In our UH case, we sued a former member and his spouse because hazing occurred at their home.

⚖️ North Dakota Hazing Laws: What Burleigh County Families Need to Know

North Dakota has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students. Under North Dakota Century Code § 15.1-19-01, hazing is a criminal offense that can result in:

Key Legal Points for Burleigh County Families:

1. Consent is NOT a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the organization accountable.
2. Universities can be liable — If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it.
3. Criminal + civil liability — Hazing can result in both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit.
4. Statute of limitations — You have 2 years from the date of the hazing to file a lawsuit.

🎯 Why Burleigh County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight right now. Burleigh County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense

Fraternities and sororities will argue: “Your child consented to the hazing.” We know how to destroy this argument. North Dakota law says consent is not a defense — and we’ll make sure the court enforces that.

3. We Have Insider Knowledge

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how insurance companies think, how they try to minimize claims, and how to beat them at their own game.

4. We’ll Travel to Burleigh County

While we’re based in Texas, we serve clients nationwide. We’ll travel to Burleigh County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

We understand that Burleigh County families may be worried about legal costs. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis:

• You pay nothing upfront
• We only get paid if we win your case
• No hidden fees

6. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)

Many hazing victims in Burleigh County may come from Hispanic families. We offer bilingual representation to ensure language is never a barrier to justice.

📚 Common Hazing Myths — Debunked for Burleigh County Families

Myth 1: “Hazing is just harmless fun.”

Reality: Hazing is abuse, not fun. It can lead to:

• Hospitalization (like our client with kidney failure)
• Death (like Stone Foltz, Max Gruver, and Timothy Piazza)
• PTSD, anxiety, and depression
• Academic decline and lost opportunities

Myth 2: “My child consented, so we can’t sue.”

Reality: Consent is not a defense under North Dakota law. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

Myth 3: “Only fraternities haze.”

Reality: Hazing happens in:

• Fraternities and sororities
• Sports teams
• Marching bands
• ROTC programs
• Academic clubs
• Honor societies

Myth 4: “The university didn’t know, so they’re not responsible.”

Reality: Universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be held liable.

Myth 5: “We can’t afford a lawyer.”

Reality: At Attorney 911, you pay nothing upfront. We work on contingency — we only get paid if we win your case.

🏆 Our Track Record: Multi-Million Dollar Results for Hazing Victims

At Attorney 911, we have a proven track record of holding institutions accountable for hazing. Here are just a few examples:

Burleigh County families: These results show that hazing cases win big. The same legal strategies apply to your case.

🔥 Warning to Fraternities Near Burleigh County

To fraternities and sororities operating near Burleigh County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured multi-million dollar verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Burleigh County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

We track your house corporations, your alumni chapters, your national insurance structure, and your documented history of hazing deaths.

If your Burleigh County-area chapter harms students, we will pursue every liable entity. We already shut down the Beta Nu chapter at UH. Your chapter could be next.

📞 Burleigh County Families: Contact Us Today

If your child has been hazed at a Burleigh County-area university, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the 2-year statute of limitations is ticking.

We offer free, confidential consultations. Call us 24/7 at:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We serve Burleigh County families nationwide. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

🏆 Why We Fight for Burleigh County Families

At Attorney 911, we don’t just see your child as a case — we see them as a person who trusted an institution and was betrayed.

We fight for Burleigh County families because:

• We’ve seen what hazing does to kids — our client was hospitalized with kidney failure.
• We know the institutions won’t change unless forced — they only act when lawsuits hit.
• We believe in justice — no family should suffer in silence.

Burleigh County families: You are not alone. We are here to fight for you.

Enough is enough. It’s time to hold them accountable.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com