🚨 Houston County Hazing Lawyer — Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Attorney

Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. Neither do we.

Houston County families: if your child has been hazed, abused, or injured in fraternity or sorority activities at any college or university, you are not alone. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we will fight just as aggressively for Houston County victims.

Call us 24/7: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911

🏥 What Is Hazing? When Does It Become Illegal in Houston County?

Hazing in Minnesota — including Houston County — is defined as any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of their willingness to participate. Minnesota Statute § 121A.69 makes hazing a misdemeanor, and if it causes substantial bodily harm, it becomes a gross misdemeanor.

This means:

Consent is not a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate
Universities and Greek organizations can be held legally responsible
You may have grounds for a civil lawsuit for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and punitive damages

Houston County families need to know: Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It’s assault, battery, and sometimes torture — and it’s happening at colleges and universities near Houston County.

🔥 The Hazing Crisis in America — And Why Houston County Students Are at Risk

Hazing is not just a problem at big universities. It happens at small colleges, community colleges, and universities near Houston County — anywhere Greek life exists.

The statistics are alarming:

55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing
40% of athletes and 25% of fraternity members report being hazed
Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death per year in the U.S.
95% of hazing victims do not report it

Houston County parents: If your child is involved in Greek life, sports, marching band, ROTC, or any student organization — they are at risk of hazing.

The same fraternities that hazed our client in Houston operate chapters near Houston County:

Pi Kappa Phi
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
Beta Theta Pi
Phi Delta Theta
Kappa Sigma
And many others

These organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide — and they will pay for what happens to Houston County students too.

⚠️ The Landmark Case: Why Houston County Families Need to Pay Attention

$10 Million Hazing Lawsuit — Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston (2025)

Houston County families: This case is a warning. This is what hazing looks like. This could happen to your child.

What happened:
Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student not yet enrolled at the University of Houston, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi. Over seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse including:

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 milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass
Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing — they kept going
On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event with extreme exercise
He crawled up the stairs when he got home — the next day he couldn’t move
His mother rushed him to the hospital — he had rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
He was hospitalized for 3 nights and 4 days

The defendants:

Pi Kappa Phi National
Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter
University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
Individual fraternity members

The result:

$10 million lawsuit filed
Chapter permanently closed
Media coverage on ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media
Criminal investigation ongoing

Houston County families: This is not just a Houston problem. This is happening near Houston County too.

💔 Houston County Parents: This Could Be Your Child

The same fraternities that waterboarded our client operate chapters at universities near Houston County:

🎓 Universities Near Houston County with Greek Life

While Houston County itself is rural with no large universities, students from Houston County attend colleges throughout Minnesota and neighboring states where Greek life is active:

University	Location	Distance from Houston County	Greek Life Presence
University of Minnesota	Minneapolis, MN	~150 miles	Major Greek system (40+ chapters)
University of Minnesota – Duluth	Duluth, MN	~250 miles	Active Greek life
Winona State University	Winona, MN	~100 miles	Greek organizations
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse	La Crosse, WI	~60 miles	Strong Greek presence
University of Iowa	Iowa City, IA	~200 miles	Large Greek system
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	~150 miles	Greek organizations
Minnesota State University – Mankato	Mankato, MN	~180 miles	Greek life present
St. Cloud State University	St. Cloud, MN	~220 miles	Greek organizations
University of St. Thomas	St. Paul, MN	~180 miles	Greek life

Houston County students attend these schools — and face the same hazing risks.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other national fraternities have chapters at these universities. The same organizations that paid millions in hazing settlements operate near Houston County.

📋 What Counts as Hazing in Houston County?

Minnesota law and civil liability recognize many forms of hazing. If your child experienced any of the following, they may have a case:

Physical Abuse

Beatings, paddling, or hitting
Branding or burning
Forced exercise to the point of exhaustion or injury
Confinement in small spaces
Exposure to extreme heat or cold

Forced Consumption

Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking)
Forced consumption of food, liquids, or non-food items to the point of vomiting
Forced drug consumption

Psychological Abuse

Sleep deprivation
Verbal abuse and humiliation
Isolation from friends and family
Threats of physical harm or expulsion
Being forced to carry objects of a sexual nature

Sexual Abuse

Forced nudity
Sexual acts
Sexual harassment
Sexual assault

Dangerous Activities

Waterboarding or simulated drowning
“Line-ups” where pledges are struck
“Hell Week” activities designed to break pledges
Being forced to drive while exhausted

Houston County families: If your child experienced any of these, they were hazed — and the organization is legally responsible.

⚖️ Houston County Hazing Laws — What You Need to Know

Minnesota Statute § 121A.69 — Hazing

Definition:

“Hazing” means committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act, that creates a substantial risk of harm to a person, in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization.

Penalties:

Misdemeanor for hazing that does not cause substantial bodily harm
Gross misdemeanor for hazing that causes substantial bodily harm
Felony if hazing causes death or great bodily harm

Important for Houston County families:

Consent is not a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held criminally and civilly liable.

Civil Liability in Houston County

Even if no criminal charges are filed, you can sue for:

Medical expenses
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Lost wages
Punitive damages (to punish the organization)

Universities and national fraternities have deep pockets and insurance policies. They can — and should — pay for the harm they cause.

💰 What Is My Houston County Hazing Case Worth?

Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation for victims and their families. The value depends on:

Factor	How It Affects Case Value
Severity of injuries	Hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage = higher value
Medical expenses	Past and future medical bills are fully compensable
Psychological trauma	PTSD, anxiety, depression increase value significantly
Academic impact	If hazing caused your child to drop out or fail classes
Career impact	Lost internships, delayed graduation, damaged reputation
Egregiousness of conduct	Waterboarding, sexual assault, extreme physical abuse = higher punitive damages
Pattern of hazing	If the organization knew about prior hazing incidents
University involvement	If the university owned the fraternity house or failed to supervise

Precedent cases show that hazing lawsuits can result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts:

Case	Fraternity	Outcome	Amount
Stone Foltz (BGSU)	Pi Kappa Alpha	Settlement	$10.1 million
Maxwell Gruver (LSU)	Phi Delta Theta	Jury Verdict	$6.1 million
Timothy Piazza (Penn State)	Beta Theta Pi	Settlement	$110+ million
Adam Oakes (VCU)	Delta Chi	Settlement	$4+ million

Houston County families: Your child’s case could be worth millions — especially if the hazing was extreme, involved multiple defendants, or the organization knew about prior incidents.

📞 What Should Houston County Families Do If Their Child Is Hazed?

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked by a doctor
Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
Medical records are critical evidence

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do NOT delete any messages, photos, or videos — even if they’re embarrassing
Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
Take photos of any injuries at all stages of healing
Get contact information for any witnesses
Save any fraternity documents, emails, or communications

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without Legal Counsel

The fraternity/sorority will try to get your child to sign documents or give statements
They will try to minimize what happened
Anything your child says can be used against them
Do not let them intimidate or pressure your child

Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately

Minnesota has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases
Evidence disappears quickly
Witnesses forget details
The organization will destroy evidence if they can

Houston County families: Call us 24/7 at 📞 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

🏆 Why Houston County Families Choose Attorney 911

We Are Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit — And We’ll Fight Just as Hard for Houston County Victims

Advantage	Why It Matters for Houston County Families
25+ Years of Litigation Experience	We know how to win against powerful institutions
Former Insurance Defense Attorneys	We know how insurance companies try to deny claims — and how to beat them
Federal Court Authority	We can pursue cases in federal court for nationwide reach
Dual-State Licensed (Texas & New York)	Strategic advantage for cases against national fraternities
Se Habla Español	We serve Houston County’s Spanish-speaking families
Nationwide Service	We represent hazing victims anywhere in America — including Houston County
Contingency Fee	$0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you win.
Aggressive Representation	We don’t back down from fraternities, universities, or insurance companies
Compassionate Advocacy	We treat Houston County families like family. Your child is not just a case to us.

Houston County families: We are not afraid to take on powerful institutions. We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we will sue any organization that hazes Houston County students.

📢 Our Message to Houston County Fraternities and Sororities

To the Greek organizations operating near Houston County:

We are watching. We are coming. The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Houston County, know this:

We track your corporate structures
We know your insurance policies
We know your history of hazing settlements
If you haze students, we will find every liable entity

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.

Your chapter could be next.

🎓 Houston County Universities: The Same Liability Exists Here

To the universities near Houston County with Greek life:

The same institutional negligence that made the University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.

You own fraternity houses — you are responsible for what happens in them
You recognize Greek organizations — you have the power to regulate them
You know hazing happens — you’ve seen the national cases
You choose reputation over safety — until a student is hospitalized or killed

When that happens, we will hold you accountable — just like we’re holding UH accountable.

Houston County universities: Clean up your Greek life before we clean it out in court.

📞 Houston County Hazing Victims: Call Us 24/7

If your child has been hazed at any college or university — near Houston County or anywhere in America — we can help.

Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

We offer:

Free, confidential consultations
Video consultations for Houston County families who can’t travel
Willingness to travel to Houston County for depositions and meetings
Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront, we only get paid if you win

Houston County families: You are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now — and we will fight for you.

🔗 Resources for Houston County Families

Minnesota Hazing Laws

Minnesota Statute § 121A.69 — Hazing

National Hazing Prevention

Support for Hazing Victims

Media Coverage of Our Case

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Houston County Families

Q: My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. What should I do?

A: We understand that hazing victims often feel ashamed, embarrassed, or afraid of retribution. Your child does not have to report to the university or fraternity to pursue legal action. We can evaluate the case confidentially and advise you on the best course of action. The most important thing is to preserve evidence and seek medical attention.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the activities. Is that a defense?

A: No. Under Minnesota law, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable. This is the law in Minnesota — and it’s the law in most states.

Q: We’re in Houston County — can you really help us if the hazing happened out of state?

A: Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Houston County. We have:

Federal court authority
Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
Experience with out-of-state cases
Willingness to travel to Houston County for depositions and meetings
Video consultation technology

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

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

A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — that means:

You pay $0 to hire us
We only get paid if we win your case
Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict
If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

Houston County families: You can afford to fight back.

Q: What if the hazing happened last year? Is it too late to sue?

A: Minnesota has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This means you generally have two years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit. However, do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the organization will try to minimize what happened. Contact us immediately for a free case evaluation.

Q: The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can we still sue?

A: Yes. Universities have a duty to supervise Greek life. If they:

Own the fraternity house
Recognize the fraternity
Have prior knowledge of hazing at their school
Fail to implement effective oversight

They can be held liable for negligent supervision — even if they claim they didn’t know.

Q: My child was hazed but wasn’t physically injured. Do we still have a case?

A: Yes. Psychological trauma from hazing can be just as damaging as physical injuries. If your child experienced:

PTSD
Anxiety
Depression
Suicidal ideation
Academic decline
Social withdrawal

They may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages.

Q: What if my child is afraid of retribution?

A: We understand. Many hazing victims are afraid to come forward. We will:

Protect your child’s identity to the extent possible
Handle all communications with the organization
Advise your child on how to stay safe
Pursue legal action without putting your child in further danger

Your child’s safety is our priority.

🚨 Houston County Parents: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Hazing doesn’t get better on its own. It gets worse. What starts as “harmless fun” or “tradition” can quickly escalate to hospitalization, permanent injury, or death.

Houston County families: If your child is involved in Greek life, sports, or any student organization — talk to them about hazing. Ask them what’s really happening. And if you suspect hazing, contact us immediately.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting to end hazing — for Houston County students and students across America.