Hazing Lawyers for Dubuque County, Iowa | Attorney 911
Justice for Hazing Victims in Eastern Iowa — Nationwide Representation from Texas
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Dubuque County: What Families Need to Know
Hazing isn’t just a problem at big universities like Texas A&M or Penn State — it happens right here in Dubuque County, Iowa, and across Eastern Iowa. If your child attends Loras College, University of Dubuque, Clarke University, or any school in the region, they could be at risk.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — proving that fraternities, sororities, and universities can be held accountable. Dubuque County families deserve the same aggressive legal representation.
📍 Hazing in Dubuque County: It’s Closer Than You Think
While our firm is based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide — including in Dubuque County, Iowa. The same fraternities and sororities that have been sued for hazing deaths and injuries in other states operate right here in Eastern Iowa.
Universities & Colleges in Dubuque County Where Hazing Occurs:
✅ Loras College – Active Greek life with multiple fraternities and sororities
✅ University of Dubuque – Growing Greek system with hazing risks
✅ Clarke University – Smaller but still vulnerable to hazing culture
✅ Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) – Calmar & Peosta Campuses – Hazing in clubs and sports teams
The same national organizations that have paid millions in hazing lawsuits — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta — have chapters near Dubuque County. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Eastern Iowa, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
💔 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Dubuque County
Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was a transfer student who accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. What followed was weeks of torture:
✔ Waterboarding 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 run sprints in his own vomit
✔ Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing — fraternity members did nothing
Bermudez ended up hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure. Now, we’re suing Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and individual members for $10 million.
This isn’t just a Texas problem — it’s happening in Dubuque County too.
📜 Iowa Hazing Laws: What Dubuque County Families Should Know
Iowa has strict anti-hazing laws under Iowa Code § 708.10, which defines hazing as:
“Any act or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization.”
Iowa Hazing Penalties:
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Hazing (Simple Misdemeanor) | Up to 30 days in jail + $625 fine |
| Hazing Causing Serious Injury (Aggravated Misdemeanor) | Up to 2 years in jail + $6,250 fine |
| Hazing Causing Death (Class D Felony) | Up to 5 years in prison + $7,500 fine |
But criminal charges aren’t enough. Families deserve financial compensation for medical bills, emotional trauma, and lost opportunities. That’s where Attorney 911 comes in.
⚖️ Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Dubuque County?
If your child was hazed in Dubuque County, Iowa, we can sue:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; knew about risks |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes |
| Insurance Companies | Policies may cover hazing injuries |
Our $10 million lawsuit in Houston names all of these defendants — and we’ll do the same for Dubuque County victims.
💰 How Much Is a Dubuque County Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing lawsuits can result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what we’ve seen in recent cases:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | $10.1 Million |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Phi Delta Theta | LSU | $6.1 Million Jury Verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | $110+ Million (Estimated) |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Confidential Settlement |
| Leonel Bermudez (2025) | Pi Kappa Phi | University of Houston | $10 Million Lawsuit Pending |
Dubuque County families can recover compensation for:
✅ Medical bills (hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
✅ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✅ Lost wages & future earning capacity
✅ Punitive damages (to punish the organization)
✅ Wrongful death (if hazing results in fatality)
🔍 Warning Signs of Hazing in Dubuque County
Hazing isn’t always obvious — but there are red flags parents should watch for:
Physical Hazing Signs:
❌ Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
❌ Extreme fatigue or difficulty moving (could indicate rhabdomyolysis)
❌ Vomiting, nausea, or signs of alcohol poisoning
❌ Sleep deprivation (pledges forced to stay up all night)
❌ Forced exercise to exhaustion (500 squats, bear crawls, etc.)
Behavioral Hazing Signs:
❌ Sudden secrecy about fraternity/sorority activities
❌ Withdrawal from family and friends
❌ Anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms
❌ Fear of retaliation if they speak up
❌ Sudden drop in academic performance
What Hazing Looks Like in Dubuque County:
- Forced drinking (alcohol poisoning risks)
- Physical beatings (paddling, slapping, “calisthenics”)
- Psychological torture (humiliation, sleep deprivation)
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Forced consumption of food/drinks until vomiting
- Isolation and intimidation
If you notice these signs, your child may be a victim of hazing — and they need legal help immediately.
📞 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Dubuque County
If your child was hazed at Loras College, University of Dubuque, Clarke University, or any school in Eastern Iowa, act fast:
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, rhabdomyolysis and alcohol poisoning can be deadly.
- Go to MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center or UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital for evaluation.
- Document everything — medical records are crucial for your case.
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
✔ Take photos/videos of injuries
✔ Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, and social media posts
✔ Get names and contact info of witnesses
✔ Keep any physical evidence (clothing, paddles, etc.)
✔ Do NOT delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will try to control the narrative and minimize liability.
- Do not sign anything without legal counsel.
- Do not give a statement to administrators or insurance companies.
Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations for Dubuque County families
✅ Nationwide representation — we’ll travel to Iowa for your case
✅ Contingency fee basis — $0 upfront, we only get paid if you win
✅ Aggressive litigation — we sue universities, fraternities, and individuals
🏆 Why Dubuque County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case RIGHT NOW
- We’re currently litigating Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston — the same fight we’ll bring to Dubuque County.
- We know how to build hazing cases and hold institutions accountable.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
- Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña used to defend insurance companies.
- We know exactly how they try to deny claims — and how to beat them.
3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Dubuque County from Texas
- While based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we represent victims nationwide.
- We’ll travel to Dubuque County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
- Video consultations available for Iowa families.
4. Federal Court Authority — We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas.
- Can pursue federal civil rights claims against universities and fraternities.
5. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation
- BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
- Multi-million dollar personal injury verdicts
- Hundreds of successful cases against insurance companies
6. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
- Many hazing victims in Dubuque County are Latino or international students.
- We provide bilingual legal services to ensure no language barriers.
7. We Don’t Back Down — Even Against Big Institutions
- Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers and PR firms.
- We fight aggressively to get Dubuque County victims the compensation they deserve.
🎯 Fraternities & Sororities in Dubuque County with Hazing Risks
These organizations have chapters near Dubuque County and have been involved in hazing lawsuits nationwide:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Dubuque County Presence |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | $10M lawsuit (UH, 2025), Andrew Coffey death (FSU, 2017) | Loras College |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple hazing deaths, $1M+ settlements | Loras College |
| Kappa Sigma | Hazing lawsuits, rhabdomyolysis cases | University of Dubuque |
| Phi Delta Theta | $6.1M jury verdict (LSU, 2017) | Clarke University |
| Sigma Chi | Hazing lawsuits, sexual assault allegations | Loras College |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | $10.1M settlement (BGSU, 2021) | Loras College |
| Delta Chi | Hazing death lawsuit (VCU, 2021) | University of Dubuque |
If your child is pledging any of these organizations in Dubuque County, they could be at risk.
📢 To Fraternities & Sororities in Dubuque County: We Are Watching
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Delta Chi —
If your chapter is operating near Dubuque County, Iowa, know this:
- We are tracking your house corporations, alumni chapters, and insurance policies.
- We know your national organization’s hazing history.
- If you haze students in Dubuque County, we will sue you, your national, and your university.
- The $10 million lawsuit we filed in Houston is just the beginning.
The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down. Your chapter could be next.
🏛️ To Universities in Dubuque County: You Are Liable
Loras College, University of Dubuque, Clarke University —
If hazing happens on your campus, you are responsible. The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was waterboarded — and they’re now a defendant in our $10 million lawsuit.
You have a duty to protect students. If you fail, you will be held accountable.
📞 Dubuque County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now
If your child was hazed at Loras College, University of Dubuque, Clarke University, or any school in Eastern Iowa, you have legal rights.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
We offer:
✅ Free, confidential case evaluation
✅ $0 upfront — we only get paid if you win
✅ Nationwide representation — we’ll fight for Dubuque County victims
✅ Aggressive litigation against universities and fraternities
Don’t wait — evidence disappears, and statutes of limitations expire. Call now.
🔥 Enough Is Enough. Dubuque County Deserves Justice.
Hazing is not tradition. It’s not brotherhood. It’s abuse — and it has to stop.
If your child was hazed in Dubuque County, we will fight for you.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
Serving Dubuque County, Iowa — and hazing victims nationwide.
