🚨 Emmet County Hazing Lawyer — Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse

Hazing isn’t tradition. It’s torture. And Emmet County families deserve justice.

If your child has been the victim of fraternity or sorority hazing in Emmet County or at nearby colleges, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we’re bringing the same aggressive representation to Emmet County families.

We know the same fraternities operate near Emmet County. We know the same hazing happens here. And we know how to stop it.

⚠️ The Hazing Crisis in Emmet County & Beyond

Hazing is a national epidemic — and Emmet County students are not immune. Across Iowa and the Midwest, fraternities and sororities continue dangerous initiation rituals that put young lives at risk.

The truth about hazing in Emmet County:

• It happens at colleges near Emmet County — including major universities with active Greek life
• The same national fraternities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others) have chapters near Emmet County
• Universities know it happens — but often fail to act until it’s too late
• Victims are afraid to speak up — fearing retaliation, social ostracism, or academic consequences
• Families don’t know their rights — and institutions take advantage of that silence

This is not “boys being boys.” This is not “building character.” This is abuse. This is assault. And it’s illegal.

🏥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Emmet County

We’re fighting this battle right now — and Emmet County families should know what’s possible.

In November 2025, our attorneys filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to extreme hazing.

This is what hazing looked like at UH — and what it looks like at fraternities near Emmet County:

Leonel Bermudez wasn’t even a UH student yet. He was a “ghost rush” — a prospective member expected to transfer. They did this to someone who wasn’t even enrolled in their school.

The same thing happens to Emmet County students at universities nearby.

💔 Why Emmet County Families Need a Hazing Lawyer

1. Institutions Protect Themselves — Not Your Child

When hazing is exposed, universities and fraternities circle the wagons. Their first priority is protecting their reputation and limiting liability — not helping your child.

What they’ll say to Emmet County families:

• “It was just tradition.”
• “He agreed to participate.”
• “We’ve suspended the chapter.”
• “We’ll handle it internally.”

What they won’t say:

• “We failed to protect your child.”
• “We knew this was happening and did nothing.”
• “We own the building where the abuse occurred.”
• “We’ll pay for the medical bills and trauma we caused.”

They will offer settlements that are a fraction of what your child deserves. They will pressure you to sign confidentiality agreements. They will try to make it go away quietly.

You need a lawyer who knows how they operate — and how to fight back.

2. Emmet County Students Face Unique Pressures

Students from Emmet County often attend universities where they don’t have family nearby. They’re vulnerable to peer pressure, isolation, and intimidation.

Common scenarios for Emmet County students:

• Attending a university hours from home
• Being the only student from Emmet County in their fraternity/sorority
• Fear of disappointing family or community expectations
• Financial dependence on scholarships or Greek housing
• Fear of being ostracized if they speak up

These pressures make Emmet County students especially vulnerable to hazing — and make it harder for them to report abuse.

3. The Same Fraternities Operate Near Emmet County

The fraternities involved in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide have chapters at universities near Emmet County.

Fraternities with documented hazing histories near Emmet County:

These are not isolated incidents. This is a pattern of abuse across the same national organizations that have chapters near Emmet County.

4. Universities Near Emmet County Have the Same Liability

The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house where hazing occurred. They collected rent while students were being tortured. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter — but they chose not to.

The same thing happens at universities near Emmet County:

• Universities own or control fraternity/sorority housing
• Universities have Greek life oversight offices
• Universities have the power to suspend or expel chapters
• Universities fail to use that power — until someone gets hurt

When hazing happens at a university near Emmet County, the institution shares liability.

⚖️ Emmet County Hazing Laws — Know Your Rights

Iowa Hazing Law

Iowa Code § 708.10 — Hazing

Definition:

“Hazing” means any intentional or reckless act committed by a person acting individually or with others against a student for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any organization if the act:

1. Endangers the physical health or safety of the student
2. Involves the consumption of alcohol or drugs
3. Involves physical brutality
4. Subjects the student to extreme mental stress
5. Causes or intends to cause bodily injury

Penalties:

• Simple Misdemeanor — Up to 30 days in jail and $625 fine
• Serious Misdemeanor — If bodily injury occurs; up to 1 year in jail and $1,875 fine
• Aggravated Misdemeanor — If serious injury occurs; up to 2 years in jail and $6,250 fine

Consent is NOT a Defense:

“The implied or express consent of a person to hazing is not a defense to a charge of hazing.”

Organizational Liability:
Organizations can be penalized with fines up to $5,000.

Reporting Requirement:
School officials must report hazing incidents to law enforcement.

Civil Liability — What Emmet County Families Can Sue For

Criminal charges are just one part of the equation. Emmet County families can also file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:

💰 What Emmet County Hazing Victims Can Recover

Hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. The same outcomes are possible for Emmet County victims.

Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts:

Emmet County families: These results are possible for your case too.

Damages Available in Emmet County Hazing Cases:

🏛️ Who Can Be Sued in Emmet County Hazing Cases

When hazing occurs, multiple parties share liability. Emmet County families can pursue:

The deep pockets:

• National fraternity/sorority organizations
• Universities
• Insurance carriers

This is not about suing broke college students. It’s about holding institutions accountable.

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

Immediate Steps — Preserve Evidence & Protect Your Rights

Critical: Do NOT sign anything from the fraternity, sorority, or university without consulting an attorney.

Evidence Checklist — What to Preserve

Important: If your child is incapacitated, friends or family should step in to preserve evidence immediately.

⏳ Time Is Critical — Iowa Statute of Limitations

Iowa law limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after hazing occurs.

Do NOT wait.

• Evidence disappears
• Witnesses forget
• Organizations destroy records
• Your rights expire

If your child was hazed in Emmet County, contact us immediately — even if it happened months ago.

🏆 Why Emmet County Families Choose Attorney 911

We’re Not Just Hazing Lawyers — We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

While other firms talk about hazing cases, we’re actively litigating one.

We filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in November 2025. We know the defendants. We know their playbook. We know how to win.

Emmet County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Houston.

Our Advantages for Emmet County Hazing Victims:

We Understand the Culture — Because We’ve Seen It Firsthand

Ralph Manginello:

• Former college athlete (Cheshire Academy Hall of Fame)
• Understands team culture, locker room dynamics, and the pressures that lead to hazing
• Knows how Greek life operates — and how to dismantle its defenses

Lupe Pena:

• Former attorney at national defense firm (Litchfield Cavo LLP)
• Insider knowledge of how insurance companies and institutions defend these cases
• Knows the tactics they use to minimize claims — and how to counter them

Together, we’re a formidable team against institutions that think they can get away with abusing our children.

🗺️ We Serve Emmet County Hazing Victims — No Matter Where the Abuse Occurred

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide — including Emmet County families whose children were hazed at universities across America.

How we serve Emmet County families:

• Video consultations — Meet with our attorneys remotely
• Travel commitment — We come to Emmet County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• Federal court authority — Pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Nationwide reach — Take on national fraternity and university defendants anywhere

Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines — and neither do we.

🎯 Our Approach — Aggressive, Compassionate, Strategic

Phase 1: Immediate Response — Protect the Evidence

• Send preservation letters to all defendants
• Demand immediate cessation of all hazing activities
• Secure all available evidence (texts, photos, videos, witness statements)
• Coordinate with medical professionals to document injuries
• File temporary restraining orders if necessary to protect evidence

Phase 2: Build the Case — Prove the Pattern

• Conduct thorough investigation of the chapter’s history
• Identify prior hazing incidents at the same chapter
• Document the national organization’s knowledge and failure to act
• Gather medical records, therapy records, academic records
• Identify all liable parties (individuals, chapter, nationals, university)

Phase 3: Send the Message — Demand Accountability

• File lawsuit against all responsible parties
• Publicly expose the culture of abuse
• Work with media to pressure institutions
• Coordinate with law enforcement for criminal charges
• Demand policy changes at the university and national level

Phase 4: Maximize Recovery — Get What You Deserve

• Aggressively negotiate with insurance companies
• Prepare for trial if necessary
• Present compelling case to jury if settlement isn’t fair
• Secure maximum compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages
• Ensure the verdict sends a message that prevents future hazing

📞 Emmet County Families — Contact Us Now

If your child has been the victim of hazing in Emmet County or at any university, contact Attorney 911 immediately.

Free Consultation — 24/7 Availability

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

We work on contingency — $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

1. Confidential case evaluation — We listen to your story
2. Honest assessment — We tell you if you have a case
3. Legal options — We explain your rights and choices
4. No pressure — The decision is always yours
5. Next steps — We outline what happens if you choose to proceed

We Come to Emmet County

For Emmet County cases, we:

• Offer video consultations for convenience
• Travel to Emmet County for meetings, depositions, and trials
• Work with local medical providers and experts
• Coordinate with Emmet County law enforcement if criminal charges are pursued

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Emmet County Hazing Cases

Q: My child was hazed at a university outside Emmet County. Can you still help us?

A: Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide. Wherever the hazing occurred, we can pursue the case. Our federal court authority and nationwide reach allow us to take on national fraternity and university defendants anywhere in America.

Q: The fraternity said my child “consented” to the activities. Does that mean we can’t sue?

A: No. Iowa law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, that does not justify illegal and dangerous activities. The law recognizes that coercion, peer pressure, and intimidation negate true consent.

Q: The university says they’re “handling it internally.” Should we trust them?

A: Absolutely not. Universities have a conflict of interest. Their priority is protecting their reputation and limiting liability — not getting justice for your child. They will offer settlements that are a fraction of what your case is worth. They will pressure you to sign confidentiality agreements. They will try to make it go away quietly.

You need an independent attorney who works for YOU — not the university.

Q: How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?

A: $0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means:

• You pay nothing to hire us
• We advance all case expenses
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee comes as a percentage of your recovery

This levels the playing field. You can fight powerful institutions without worrying about legal fees.

Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

A: We protect our clients. Many hazing victims fear retribution for speaking out. We understand these concerns and take steps to protect our clients, including:

• Confidentiality protections
• Legal strategies to prevent retaliation
• Coordination with university officials to ensure safety
• Legal action if retaliation occurs

Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was fearful of doing an interview due to retribution. We respect that fear and work to protect our clients at every step.

Q: How long does a hazing lawsuit take?

A: It depends on the complexity of the case. Some cases settle within months. Others take years, especially if they go to trial. Factors that affect timeline:

• Severity of injuries
• Number of defendants
• Willingness of parties to settle
• Need for litigation

We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing your recovery.

Q: Can we sue even if criminal charges weren’t filed?

A: Yes. Civil lawsuits and criminal charges are separate. Even if no criminal charges were filed, you can still file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation for your child’s injuries.

In fact, civil lawsuits often succeed even when criminal cases fail. The burden of proof is lower in civil court, and you can still win even if the criminal case didn’t.

Q: What if my child doesn’t want to sue?

A: The decision is always yours. Some victims are hesitant to pursue legal action due to loyalty to the organization, fear of social consequences, or desire to move on. We respect that decision.

However, we encourage families to consider:

• The long-term impact of medical bills
• The psychological trauma that may require therapy
• The need to hold institutions accountable to prevent future hazing
• The message that silence sends to other victims

We offer free consultations with no obligation. You can learn your rights without committing to legal action.

🚫 The Lies They Tell Emmet County Families

Lie #1: “It was just tradition — no harm intended.”

The Truth: Hazing is not tradition. It’s abuse. Waterboarding, forced exercise until collapse, wooden paddles — these are not “traditions.” They are forms of torture. Tradition does not justify assault.

Lie #2: “He agreed to participate — it’s not our fault.”

The Truth: Iowa law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. The law recognizes that peer pressure, coercion, and intimidation negate true consent. Even if your child agreed to participate, that does not justify illegal activities.

Lie #3: “We’ve suspended the chapter — the problem is solved.”

The Truth: Suspending a chapter is a public relations move, not a solution. The same national organization, the same culture, and often the same individuals remain. Without real accountability, the cycle continues.

In our Pi Kappa Phi case, the chapter was closed before the lawsuit was even filed — yet the national organization is already talking about returning to campus. They’re not sorry. They’re waiting.

Lie #4: “We’ll handle it internally — no need for lawyers.”

The Truth: Universities and fraternities handle it internally to protect themselves. Their goal is to limit liability, not to get justice for your child. They will offer lowball settlements. They will pressure you to sign confidentiality agreements. They will try to make it go away quietly.

You need an independent attorney who works for YOU — not the institution.

Lie #5: “This was an isolated incident — it won’t happen again.”

The Truth: Hazing is never an isolated incident. It’s a systemic problem across Greek life. In our Pi Kappa Phi case:

• The same fraternity had a hazing death in 2017 (Andrew Coffey)
• The same university had a hazing hospitalization in 2017
• Eight years passed — and nothing changed

Without real accountability, it will happen again.

🎓 Emmet County Students — Know Your Rights

You Have the Right To:

✅ Be safe — Universities and fraternities have a duty to protect you

✅ Say no — You can refuse to participate in hazing without consequences

✅ Report abuse — Without fear of retaliation

✅ Seek medical attention — For any injuries, physical or psychological

✅ Consult an attorney — Before speaking to anyone about the incident

✅ Hold institutions accountable — Through civil lawsuits

✅ Protect your future — Without hazing defining your college experience

If You’re Being Hazed in Emmet County:

1. Your safety comes first. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.
2. You can leave at any time. No one can legally force you to stay.
3. You can report anonymously. Many universities have anonymous reporting systems.
4. You have legal rights. Contact a hazing lawyer to understand your options.
5. You are not alone. Thousands of students experience hazing every year — and many are speaking up.

🏛️ Universities Near Emmet County — The Warning

To the administrators at universities near Emmet County:

We are watching. We are documenting. We know your Greek life oversight policies. We know your fraternity and sorority housing arrangements. We know your history with hazing incidents.

The same failures that made University of Houston a defendant exist at your campus.

Act now — or face the same accountability.

🏠 Fraternities & Sororities Near Emmet County — The Message

To the chapters of Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and all other Greek organizations near Emmet County:

We are tracking your house corporations. We know your national organizations’ hazing histories. We know your insurance policies. We know your alumni networks.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Closed. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated.

Your chapter could be next.

Clean up your culture. Enforce anti-hazing policies. Protect your pledges.

Because if you don’t, we will.

📢 To Emmet County Parents — A Final Warning

Your child is vulnerable.

They’re hours from home. They’re trying to fit in. They’re under peer pressure. They’re financially dependent. They’re afraid of disappointing you.

They’re perfect targets for hazing.

Talk to them about hazing before it happens. Make sure they know:

• Hazing is illegal in Iowa
• Consent is not a defense
• They can say no without consequences
• They can report anonymously
• They can call you — no matter what

And if the worst happens, call us. We’ll fight for them.

🚨 Emmet County Hazing Hotline — 1-888-ATTY-911

If your child has been hazed in Emmet County or at any university, contact Attorney 911 immediately.

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

Free consultation. 24/7 availability. $0 upfront.

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

Enough is enough. The cycle stops here.

Emmet County families: Your child deserves justice. Your family deserves compensation. And future students deserve to be safe.

Call us. We’ll fight for you.