Hazing Lawyers for Garden County, Nebraska – Protecting Students from Abuse

Garden County Families: Your Child Deserves Justice

Hazing isn’t tradition—it’s abuse. If your son or daughter has been harmed by fraternity or sorority hazing in Garden County, Nebraska, we can help. At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—and we’re ready to bring that same aggressive representation to Garden County.

What Happens in Garden County Doesn’t Stay in Garden County

Greek organizations with chapters near Garden County have the same dangerous cultures we’re fighting in Texas. The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Houston operate at institutions across Nebraska. The same universities that fail to protect students in Texas have counterparts in Garden County that turn a blind eye to abuse.

Your child’s hazing injury is not their fault. Whether it’s physical abuse, forced alcohol consumption, or psychological torment, we will hold every responsible party accountable—from the individual members to the national organizations and the universities that enable them.

The Hazing Crisis in Garden County: What Parents Need to Know

Greek Life Near Garden County: The Same Fraternities, The Same Risks

While Garden County may not have a major university within its borders, students from the area attend colleges and universities across Nebraska where Greek life thrives. Some of the institutions near Garden County with active Greek organizations include:

• Chadron State College (Chadron, NE) – Approximately 70 miles from Garden County
• University of Nebraska at Kearney (Kearney, NE) – Approximately 150 miles from Garden County
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Lincoln, NE) – Approximately 250 miles from Garden County

These schools host chapters of the same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide, including:

• Pi Kappa Phi (the fraternity we’re currently suing in Texas)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
• Beta Theta Pi
• Phi Delta Theta
• Sigma Chi
• Kappa Sigma

The same organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths operate chapters near Garden County. If your child is pledging—or even considering pledging—a fraternity or sorority, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

What Constitutes Hazing in Nebraska?

Nebraska law defines hazing as any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation into a student organization. This includes:

Physical Abuse

• Forced exercise to the point of exhaustion (e.g., 500 squats, 100+ pushups)
• Beatings with paddles or other objects
• Sleep deprivation
• Exposure to extreme weather (e.g., forced to stand outside in cold weather)
• Branding or burning

Forced Consumption

• Binge drinking (forced to consume large amounts of alcohol)
• Forced eating (e.g., hot dogs, milk, or other substances until vomiting)
• Consumption of non-food items (e.g., peppercorns, raw eggs)

Psychological Abuse

• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Humiliation rituals (e.g., forced to wear embarrassing clothing or carry sexual objects)
• Isolation or confinement
• Threats of violence or expulsion

Sexual Abuse

• Forced nudity
• Sexual assault or harassment
• Carrying or using sexual objects as part of “traditions”

Nebraska Revised Statute § 28-311.03 makes hazing a Class II misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the hazing results in serious bodily injury, it becomes a Class I misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the hazing results in death, it can be charged as a felony.

Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Nebraska law explicitly states that consent does not excuse hazing.

Real Hazing Cases: What Happened in Texas Could Happen in Garden County

Case Study: The Pi Kappa Phi Lawsuit – A Warning for Garden County Families

In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a pledge who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after weeks of systematic hazing. The fraternity subjected him to:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Another pledge lost consciousness during a hazing workout

Bermudez spent three nights and four days in the hospital fighting for his life. The fraternity closed its chapter seven days before the lawsuit was filed—proof they knew they were in the wrong.

Why This Matters for Garden County:

• Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including near Garden County.
• The same national organization that allowed this in Texas oversees chapters in Nebraska.
• If they’re willing to torture a student in Houston, they’re willing to do it anywhere—including near Garden County.

Other Hazing Cases That Prove the Pattern

These cases prove that hazing isn’t just “boys being boys”—it’s a deadly culture that universities and fraternities enable. And it’s happening near Garden County.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Garden County?

When hazing occurs, everyone involved can—and should—be held accountable. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re suing:

1. The Local Chapter – The fraternity or sorority that organized and conducted the hazing.
2. The National Organization – The national fraternity or sorority that failed to supervise its chapters (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi National).
3. The University – The institution that allowed hazing to occur on its campus or in its Greek housing.
4. Individual Members – The fraternity or sorority officers and members who participated in or facilitated the hazing.
5. Alumni & Housing Corporations – Former members or housing entities that allowed hazing to occur on their property.

Garden County families should know: If your child was hazed at a university near Garden County, we can pursue all of these defendants—regardless of where they’re located.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Garden County

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly, and Nebraska’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is four years—but the sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked by a doctor.
• Hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, or concussions can have delayed symptoms.
• Medical records are critical evidence in your case.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, burns).
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails).
• Document the hazing timeline (dates, locations, what happened).
• Get witness names and contact information (other pledges, bystanders).
• Do not delete anything—even if it’s embarrassing.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without a Lawyer

• They will try to control the narrative and minimize your child’s experience.
• They may ask your child to sign documents that waive their rights.
• Anything your child says can be used against them in a lawsuit.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer

• Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
• We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Garden County.
• We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.

Why Garden County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We’re 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 today, and we’re ready to bring that same aggression to Garden County cases.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena—worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know how they minimize claims, delay payments, and try to deny liability. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.

We’re admitted to U.S. District Court, meaning we can pursue hazing cases in federal court—critical when suing national fraternities or universities outside Nebraska.

4. Dual-State Licensed – Texas & New York

Our attorneys are licensed in both Texas and New York, giving us a strategic advantage when suing national organizations headquartered in different states.

5. Aggressive Litigators – We Don’t Back Down

We don’t settle for lowball offers. We take cases to trial when necessary to get the justice your child deserves.

6. We Travel to Garden County

If your child was hazed at a university near Garden County, we will travel to you for depositions, meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

7. Bilingual Representation – Se Habla Español

We provide full legal services in Spanish for Garden County families who prefer to communicate in their native language.

What Garden County Families Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit

Hazing victims are entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages

• Medical bills (hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (if your child missed work due to injuries)
• Educational disruptions (tuition refunds, scholarship losses)
• Future medical costs (if injuries require long-term care)

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in activities)
• Disfigurement (scars, permanent injuries)

Punitive Damages

If the hazing was intentional or grossly negligent, we can pursue punitive damages to punish the defendants and prevent future abuse.

The Clock Is Ticking – Nebraska’s Statute of Limitations

Nebraska law gives hazing victims four years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. However:

• Evidence disappears quickly (texts get deleted, witnesses forget).
• Fraternities and universities destroy records once they know a lawsuit is coming.
• The sooner we act, the stronger your case will be.

Don’t wait. Call Attorney 911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Garden County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone

Hazing is not a rite of passage—it’s a crime. The fraternities and universities that allow it must be held accountable.

We’re fighting this battle in Texas, and we’re ready to fight for Garden County families too. If your child has been hazed, call us now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Free Consultation – No Upfront Costs

We don’t get paid unless you win. Let’s get justice for your child.

Garden County Parents: A Final Warning

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Garden County, ask them these questions tonight:

1. Has the chapter ever been investigated for hazing?
2. Are there any “traditions” that involve physical pain, forced drinking, or humiliation?
3. What happens if a pledge refuses to participate?
4. Who supervises pledge activities?

If the answers make you uncomfortable, trust your instincts. Hazing is happening in Garden County—just like it’s happening everywhere else. Don’t let your child become the next victim.

Call Attorney 911 today: 1-888-ATTY-911.