🛡️ Attorney 911 — Hazing Victims in Dickinson County, Iowa
Hazing Isn’t Tradition. It’s Torture. And It’s Happening in Dickinson County.
Dickinson County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their students. They believe Greek life is about brotherhood and friendship.
But for too many students in Dickinson County and across Iowa, Greek life means something darker: hazing, abuse, and life-threatening rituals disguised as “tradition.”
At Attorney 911, 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 — a case involving waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and systematic abuse that hospitalized our client for four days.
The same fraternities operate at universities near Dickinson County. The same hazing culture exists. And the same negligence is putting Dickinson County students at risk.
If your child has been hazed in Dickinson County — whether in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization — you have legal rights. And we will fight for you.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Dickinson County
Hazing isn’t harmless fun. It’s not “boys being boys” or “building character.” It’s a dangerous, illegal, and often criminal practice that has led to:
- Hospitalizations from extreme physical exertion, alcohol poisoning, and abuse
- Permanent injuries including kidney failure, brain damage, and psychological trauma
- Deaths — at least one hazing death occurs in America every year since 2000
- Suicides from the shame, humiliation, and pressure
And it’s happening near Dickinson County.
Universities in Iowa — including those serving Dickinson County students — have Greek organizations with chapters of Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other national fraternities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide.
Dickinson County families deserve to know: Is your child safe?
⚠️ The Landmark Case: What Hazing Looks Like in 2025
Our attorneys are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston on behalf of a student who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being subjected to weeks of systematic hazing.
What Happened to Our Client:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault with weapons
- Forced to eat until vomiting — then made to continue exercising
- Another pledge lost consciousness during a forced workout — but the hazing continued
- Hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure after his muscles broke down from exertion
This didn’t happen in some distant state. It happened in 2025. And it could happen to a Dickinson County student tomorrow.
Why This Matters to Dickinson County Families:
- The same fraternities operate near Dickinson County — Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities across Iowa.
- The same “traditions” exist — forced drinking, extreme physical punishment, psychological abuse.
- Universities near Dickinson County face the same liability — they own or control fraternity houses and have the power to stop hazing.
- National organizations know about the risks — Pi Kappa Phi had another hazing death in 2017 and did nothing to prevent this.
- Dickinson County students are at risk — if it can happen at a major Texas university, it can happen at any college near Dickinson County.
💔 The Human Cost: What Hazing Does to Dickinson County Students
Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries. It leaves deep, lasting scars on victims and their families:
Physical Injuries:
- Rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure (like our client)
- Alcohol poisoning — forced drinking that can be fatal
- Traumatic brain injuries — from beatings or falls
- Broken bones and internal injuries — from physical abuse
- Hypothermia or heat stroke — from exposure to extreme weather
Psychological Trauma:
- PTSD — from waterboarding, beatings, or sexual humiliation
- Anxiety and depression — from ongoing fear and shame
- Trust issues — difficulty forming healthy relationships
- Academic decline — unable to focus on studies
- Suicidal ideation — from the weight of the abuse
Academic and Financial Consequences:
- Dropped classes or failed semesters — from physical or emotional trauma
- Lost scholarships — from academic decline or withdrawal
- Medical bills — from hospitalizations and ongoing treatment
- Therapy costs — for trauma and mental health treatment
Dickinson County families send their children to college to build a future — not to be broken by abuse.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Dickinson County Hazing Victim
If your child has been hazed in Dickinson County, you have legal rights under Iowa law and federal civil rights statutes. You may be entitled to compensation for:
| Damage Type | What It Covers | Dickinson County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, doctor visits, therapy, medications | Covers all treatment for hazing-related injuries |
| Future Medical Care | Ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, potential surgeries | Kidney monitoring, dialysis, mental health therapy |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work during recovery | For Dickinson County students with jobs |
| Lost Earning Capacity | Impact on future career due to injuries | If hazing affects academic or career path |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries | From beatings, forced exercise, waterboarding |
| Emotional Distress | Psychological trauma from abuse | PTSD, anxiety, depression from hazing |
| Loss of Enjoyment | Inability to participate in normal activities | Missing college experiences due to trauma |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | For waterboarding, forced exertion, cover-up attempts |
And in Iowa, there is no cap on pain and suffering damages — meaning juries can award what they believe is fair based on the evidence.
🎯 Who Is Liable for Dickinson County Hazing?
Hazing isn’t just the fault of the individuals who participated. Multiple parties can be held legally responsible for allowing hazing to occur:
1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority)
- Directly organized and conducted the hazing
- Officers (president, risk manager, pledgemaster) can be sued individually
- Members who participated can be held personally liable
2. The National Organization
- Failed to supervise the local chapter
- Knew or should have known about hazing risks
- Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
- Often have deep pockets and insurance coverage
3. The University
- Owns or controls the property where hazing occurred (premises liability)
- Failed to monitor Greek life despite prior incidents
- Failed to respond to reports of hazing
- Has substantial resources and insurance
4. Individual Members
- Each person who participated in or facilitated hazing
- Can be sued personally and face criminal charges
- May have homeowner’s insurance that covers liability
5. Housing Corporations
- Own the fraternity/sorority house
- Responsible for conditions on the property
Dickinson County families: You don’t have to sue just one person. You can — and should — hold everyone responsible accountable.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Dickinson County
If you suspect your child has been hazed in Dickinson County, time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly, and Iowa has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked
- Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
- Medical records are critical evidence for your case
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
DO:
- Take photos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)
- Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, or social media posts about hazing
- Write down everything your child remembers about what happened
- Get contact information for any witnesses
DO NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
- Sign anything from the organization
- Post about the incident on social media
Step 3: Contact an Attorney Immediately
- The sooner you involve an attorney, the better we can preserve evidence
- We can issue preservation letters to prevent evidence destruction
- We can guide you through reporting to authorities without jeopardizing your case
- We can handle all communications with the organization and their lawyers
Dickinson County families: Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
Step 4: Consider Reporting to Authorities
- University Title IX office — for institutional accountability
- Local law enforcement — hazing may be a crime in Iowa
- Iowa Board of Regents — for state university oversight
We can help you navigate these reports while protecting your legal rights.
🏆 Why Dickinson County Families Choose Attorney 911
When your child is hazed, you’re not just fighting a fraternity or a university. You’re fighting institutions with deep pockets, experienced lawyers, and a vested interest in silence.
You need attorneys who:
✅ Have successfully litigated hazing cases — including our current $10 million lawsuit
✅ Understand Greek life culture — we know how these organizations operate
✅ Are former insurance defense attorneys — we know how the other side thinks
✅ Have federal court authority — we can pursue cases nationwide
✅ Offer contingency fees — you pay nothing unless we win
✅ Travel to Dickinson County — we come to you for depositions and meetings
✅ Provide bilingual support — se habla español
Our Hazing Litigation Experience:
- Currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
- Experience with Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation
- Represented victims of hazing at Texas A&M University
- Successfully litigated rhabdomyolysis injury cases
- Wrongful death experience — if hazing leads to tragedy
- Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how to dismantle their defenses
💰 Proven Results: Multi-Million Dollar Hazing Settlements
Hazing cases result in substantial settlements and verdicts when victims have experienced legal representation. Here’s what other families have recovered:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Tucker Hipps | Sigma Phi Epsilon | Clemson | Settlement | $500,000+ |
Dickinson County families: These results are possible for Iowa victims too.
📞 Dickinson County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now
If your child has been hazed in Dickinson County — whether at a local university, college, or while participating in a national organization — you have legal rights. And we will fight for you.
Contact Attorney 911 Today:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Dickinson County hazing emergencies)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultations for Dickinson County families
✔ Contingency fee representation — you pay nothing unless we win
✔ Video consultations — no need to travel
✔ Willingness to travel to Dickinson County — for depositions, meetings, and trials
Dickinson County families: The clock is ticking. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. Statutes of limitations expire. Call us now.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Dickinson County Families
Q: My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. Should we still contact an attorney?
A: Yes. Many hazing victims are afraid of retaliation or social consequences. We can:
- Advise you on your legal options without requiring your child to report immediately
- Help preserve evidence that may be critical later
- Guide you through the process when your child is ready
- Protect your child’s identity if needed
Dickinson County families: You don’t have to make this decision alone.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the activities. Does that mean we can’t sue?
A: No. Iowa law recognizes that true consent is impossible in hazing situations due to:
- Coercion and peer pressure — fear of social exclusion or expulsion
- Power dynamics — older members have authority over pledges
- Deception — victims often don’t know what they’re agreeing to
- Duress — threats of physical punishment or humiliation
Iowa law does not allow organizations to use “consent” as a defense to hazing.
Q: We’re in Dickinson County. How can a Houston law firm help us?
A: We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Dickinson County, through:
- Federal court authority — we can file lawsuits in federal court
- Video consultations — meet with us remotely
- Travel commitment — we come to Dickinson County for depositions, trials, and meetings
- Experience with national organizations — fraternities and sororities operate the same way everywhere
Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911 for a Dickinson County hazing case?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:
- You pay $0 to hire us
- We only get paid if we win your case
- Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict
- If we don’t win, you owe us nothing
Dickinson County families: You can afford to fight back.
Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus? Are the university or national organization still liable?
A: Yes. Even if hazing occurs off-campus:
- National organizations are responsible for supervising their chapters
- Universities can be liable for failing to address known hazing risks
- Housing corporations may own off-campus properties where hazing occurs
- Individual members who participated can be sued personally
Location doesn’t absolve responsibility.
Q: My child was hazed at a small college near Dickinson County. Is it worth pursuing a case?
A: Yes. Hazing cases are about justice and accountability, not the size of the institution. Even small colleges:
- Have insurance that covers liability
- Have endowments or assets
- Can be held responsible for failing to protect students
- Need to be sent a message that hazing won’t be tolerated
Dickinson County families: Every case has value. Every victim deserves justice.
Q: What if my child was hazed at a military academy or ROTC program near Dickinson County?
A: We represent hazing victims in all types of organizations, including:
- Military academies
- ROTC programs
- Sports teams
- Marching bands
- Clubs and honor societies
- Any group that uses abuse as “initiation”
Hazing is hazing — no matter where it happens.
🎓 Dickinson County Parents: Protect Your Child’s Future
You sent your child to college to grow, learn, and build a future. You didn’t send them to be tortured, abused, or broken.
If your child has been hazed in Dickinson County, you have the power to fight back. You have the power to hold those responsible accountable. You have the power to protect the next student.
At Attorney 911, we don’t just represent victims. We fight for change.
We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit to send a message that hazing won’t be tolerated. We’ve seen what these organizations do to students. We know how they operate. And we know how to stop them.
Dickinson County families: If your child has been hazed, call us. We will fight for you.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Justice for Dickinson County hazing victims starts with a call.
