🚨 Hazing Lawyer in Ellsworth County, KS | Attorney 911

When “Tradition” Becomes Torture — We Fight Back

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization near Ellsworth County, you need a hazing lawyer who knows how to win. Attorney 911 is currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we bring that same aggressive representation to Ellsworth County families.

Ellsworth County Parents: This Could Be Your Child Next

In November 2025, a young man named Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. What followed was weeks of systematic abuse that hospitalized him with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after he was forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, and endure simulated waterboarding with a garden hose. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.

This didn’t just happen in Houston. The same fraternities operate at universities near Ellsworth County. The same culture of abuse exists. The same negligence allows it to continue.

If your child is being hazed in Ellsworth County, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting for Leonel Bermudez.

🏆 Why Ellsworth County Families Choose Attorney 911

✅ We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

While other law firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit. We know the tactics, the defenses, and how to win. Ellsworth County families get the same aggressive representation we provide in Houston.

✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know their playbook. We know how they try to deny claims, minimize injuries, and blame victims. Now we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for Ellsworth County victims.

✅ Federal Court Authority

We’re admitted to U.S. District Court and have experience in federal litigation. This means we can pursue Ellsworth County hazing cases in federal jurisdiction, giving us more leverage against national fraternities and universities.

✅ Dual-State Bar Admission

Licensed in Texas AND New York — a strategic advantage when suing national fraternities headquartered outside Kansas.

✅ Se Habla Español

Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Ellsworth County families. No language barriers to justice.

✅ We Travel to Ellsworth County

For depositions, client meetings, and trials — distance is not a barrier. We come to you.

✅ Contingency Fee Representation

Ellsworth County families pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.

🔥 What Is Hazing? Ellsworth County Needs to Know

Hazing isn’t “boys being boys.” It’s not “tradition.” It’s not “building brotherhood.”

In Kansas and across America, hazing is:

• Assault (physical abuse, beatings, paddling)
• Battery (unwanted physical contact)
• Torture (waterboarding, sleep deprivation)
• Reckless endangerment (forced alcohol consumption)
• Sometimes manslaughter or murder

Examples of hazing we’ve seen in Kansas and nationwide:

• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Forced alcohol consumption until vomiting
• Extreme physical exercise to exhaustion (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
• Being struck with wooden paddles or other objects
• Sleep deprivation and forced late-night activities
• Psychological torture and humiliation
• Sexual assault or forced nudity
• Being locked in small spaces or exposed to extreme weather

The medical consequences can be severe:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
• Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal)
• Traumatic brain injury (from beatings or falls)
• Hypothermia or heat stroke (from exposure)
• Cardiac arrest (from extreme physical exertion)
• PTSD, anxiety, depression (long-term psychological damage)

⚖️ Kansas Hazing Laws — What Ellsworth County Families Need to Know

Kansas Hazing Statute (K.S.A. 21-5422)

Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor in Kansas. This means:

• Up to 6 months in jail
• Up to $1,000 fine
• Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still illegal

Definition of Hazing in Kansas:

“Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student, whether individually or in concert with others, against another student, and in which both of the following apply:

(a) The act was committed in connection with an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in any organization that is affiliated with a school, college, or university; and

(b) The act contributes to a substantial risk of potential physical injury, mental harm, or degradation.”

Civil Liability for Hazing in Kansas

Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, Ellsworth County families can sue for money damages including:

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)

Who can be sued in Ellsworth County hazing cases?

• The local fraternity/sorority chapter
• The national organization (they have deep pockets)
• The university or college (they have a duty to protect students)
• Individual members who participated
• Fraternity/sorority housing corporations
• Alumni who allowed hazing on their property

💰 Hazing Settlements & Verdicts — What Ellsworth County Victims Can Recover

Hazing cases win MILLIONS. Here’s what other families have recovered:

These same results are possible for Ellsworth County victims. The same legal strategies apply.

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Ellsworth County?

1. The Local Chapter

The fraternity or sorority chapter that organized the hazing is directly liable for the abuse. They can’t hide behind “tradition” or “it’s just how we do things.”

2. The National Organization

National fraternities and sororities have millions in assets and insurance. They’re supposed to supervise their chapters. When they fail, they’re liable.

Examples of national organizations with chapters near Ellsworth County:

• Pi Kappa Phi
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
• Beta Theta Pi
• Sigma Chi
• Kappa Sigma
• Phi Delta Theta
• Sigma Nu
• Delta Tau Delta

These same organizations have paid MILLIONS in hazing settlements nationwide. They can pay for Ellsworth County victims too.

3. The University or College

Universities near Ellsworth County have a duty to protect students. When they fail, they’re liable.

How universities fail:

• Ignoring prior hazing incidents (they should have known it was happening)
• Failing to supervise Greek life (they have the power to regulate)
• Owning or controlling fraternity/sorority property (premises liability)
• Covering up hazing reports (institutional negligence)

Universities near Ellsworth County:

• Fort Hays State University (Hays, KS — ~30 miles from Ellsworth County)
• Barton Community College (Great Bend, KS — ~50 miles)
• University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS — ~200 miles)
• Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS — ~150 miles)
• Wichita State University (Wichita, KS — ~120 miles)

If your child was hazed at a university near Ellsworth County, we can pursue the institution for negligence.

4. Individual Members

Every person who participated in or allowed hazing can be sued personally. This includes:

• The chapter president
• The pledgemaster
• Active members who participated
• Alumni who hosted hazing events
• Anyone who witnessed and failed to stop it

In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally. Ellsworth County hazing perpetrators face the same liability.

5. Housing Corporations

Many fraternity and sorority houses are owned by separate housing corporations. These entities are liable for what happens on their property.

6. Insurance Companies

National fraternities, universities, and housing corporations all carry liability insurance. These policies often have $1 million+ limits. As former insurance defense attorneys, we know how to pursue these policies aggressively.

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

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

Even if injuries seem minor, get your child checked by a doctor. Some hazing injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away. Medical records create critical evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Save EVERYTHING:

• Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
• Photos or videos of injuries or hazing activities
• Names and contact information of witnesses
• Any physical evidence (paddles, restraints, alcohol containers)
• Medical records and bills
• Academic records showing impact on grades

DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to the fraternity/sorority without legal counsel
• 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 Kansas
• Report to the university — they’re required to investigate
• Report to the national organization — they may have their own investigation

Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

The sooner you call us, the stronger your case will be. Evidence disappears quickly, and there are time limits for filing lawsuits.

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

⏳ Time Limits for Filing a Hazing Lawsuit in Kansas

Kansas Statute of Limitations:

• Personal Injury: 2 years from the date of injury
• Wrongful Death: 2 years from the date of death

DO NOT WAIT. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

In our current case, we filed the lawsuit within weeks of the hazing incident. That’s how you protect your rights.

🎯 How We Win Hazing Cases for Ellsworth County Families

1. We Prove the Hazing Happened

Using:

• Medical records
• Text messages and social media
• Witness testimony
• Photos and videos
• Chapter documents and communications

2. We Prove Who Is Responsible

We sue everyone who allowed the hazing to happen:

• The local chapter
• The national organization
• The university
• Individual perpetrators
• Housing corporations

3. We Prove the Damages

We work with medical experts, economists, and life care planners to calculate:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Punitive damages

4. We Fight Until We Win

We don’t back down from powerful institutions. We:

• File aggressive lawsuits
• Take depositions of everyone involved
• Pursue insurance policies aggressively
• Take cases to trial if necessary
• Appeal if we have to

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case. Ellsworth County families get the same fight.

🔍 Warning Signs of Hazing — Ellsworth County Parents Need to Know

If your child is joining a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization near Ellsworth County, watch for these red flags:

Behavioral Changes:

• Sudden secrecy about activities
• Avoiding questions about their organization
• Withdrawal from family and old friends
• Increased anxiety or depression
• Sudden changes in sleep patterns
• Unexplained injuries or bruises
• Wearing unusual clothing (matching outfits, uniforms)

Physical Signs:

• Fatigue or exhaustion
• Weight loss or gain
• Signs of sleep deprivation (dark circles, irritability)
• Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)
• Signs of alcohol or drug use

Academic Impact:

• Sudden drop in grades
• Missing classes or assignments
• Avoiding academic commitments

Financial Signs:

• Unexplained expenses (fees, “trip costs”)
• Asking for money frequently
• Selling personal items

What They Might Say:

• “It’s just tradition, Mom.”
• “Everyone goes through it.”
• “It’s how we bond.”
• “I can’t talk about it.”
• “It’s not that bad.”

These are all excuses. Hazing is abuse. If you suspect hazing, act immediately.

📞 Ellsworth County Hazing Victims — Call Now

If your child was hazed at a university near Ellsworth County, call Attorney 911 immediately.

Free Consultation — 24/7 Availability

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

We offer:

• Free, confidential case evaluation
• Video consultations for Ellsworth County families
• Immediate legal protection
• Aggressive representation against powerful institutions

We work on contingency — you pay $0 unless we win.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Ellsworth County

Q: My child “consented” to the hazing. Can we still sue?

A: YES. Kansas law says consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the hazing is still illegal and the perpetrators are still liable.

Q: The fraternity says it was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?

A: NO. “Tradition” doesn’t make abuse legal. If the activities meet the legal definition of hazing, they’re liable.

Q: We’re in Ellsworth County. Can you help us if the hazing happened far away?

A: YES. We represent hazing victims nationwide. We offer video consultations and travel to Ellsworth County for meetings and depositions.

Q: How much is my child’s hazing case worth?

It depends on the severity of the injuries, but hazing cases often settle for millions of dollars. We’ll evaluate your child’s specific situation during a free consultation.

Q: What if the fraternity tries to intimidate my child?

Call us immediately. We’ll protect your child from retaliation and ensure their rights are preserved.

Q: How long will the case take?

Some cases settle within months. Complex cases with multiple defendants may take 1-3 years. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

Q: What if my child is afraid to come forward?

We understand the fear of retaliation. We’ll protect your child’s identity and pursue the case aggressively to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Q: Can we sue the university?

YES. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they’re liable.

Q: What about criminal charges?

Hazing is a crime in Kansas. We can coordinate with law enforcement to pursue criminal charges while also filing a civil lawsuit.

🏆 Our Hazing Litigation Experience

Current Case: $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & UH

• Victim: Leonel Bermudez
• Injuries: Severe rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, 4-day hospitalization
• Hazing Activities: Waterboarding, 500 squats, 100 pushups, wooden paddles, forced eating until vomiting
• Defendants: Pi Kappa Phi National, UH Beta Nu Chapter, University of Houston, UH Board of Regents, individual members

Prior Hazing Experience:

• Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation — Represented victims of hazing
• Texas A&M University hazing cases — University accountability
• Rhabdomyolysis injury representation — Medical expertise in muscle breakdown cases

High-Profile Case Experience:

• BP Texas City explosion litigation — Mass tort experience against major corporations
• Ryan Mitchell Smith case — High-profile criminal defense with media coverage (ABC13)
• Federal court litigation — U.S. District Court admission

🚨 Ellsworth County Parents: This Is an Emergency

Hazing isn’t a prank. It’s not tradition. It’s abuse — and it can kill.

If your child was hazed at a university near Ellsworth County, call Attorney 911 now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We fight for Ellsworth County families. We don’t back down. We win.