Hazing Lawyer in Iowa County, Wisconsin – Protecting Students & Families from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

Attorney 911 – Your Legal Emergency Response Team for Hazing Victims in Iowa County

At Attorney 911, we understand the devastating impact hazing can have on students and their families in Iowa County, Wisconsin. Whether your child attends University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Edgewood College (nearby Madison), or another institution in the region, hazing remains a serious threat in Greek organizations, sports teams, and student clubs.

Our firm is actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving that fraternities and universities can and should be held accountable when they fail to protect students. The same legal strategies we’re using in Texas apply to Iowa County families.

If your child has been hazed, abused, or hospitalized due to fraternity or sorority rituals in Iowa County, we can help. Call our 24/7 hazing hotline at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Why Iowa County Families Trust Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Fighting Hazing Right Now – And Winning

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are currently representing a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles during Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston.

This isn’t just a case—it’s a movement to stop hazing nationwide. We’re using this lawsuit to send a message to fraternities in Iowa County and across Wisconsin: Hazing is not tradition—it’s abuse, and it will cost you millions.

2. We Know Iowa County’s Greek Life Culture

Iowa County is home to students attending:

• University of Wisconsin-Platteville (just 30 minutes away)
• Edgewood College (Madison, ~1 hour away)
• University of Wisconsin-Madison (~1 hour away)
• University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (~2 hours away)

These schools have active Greek systems, including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, and others—the same fraternities we’re suing in Texas. If your child was hazed in Iowa County, we know how to build a strong case against the local chapter, national organization, and even the university.

3. We Travel to Iowa County – You Don’t Have to Come to Us

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Iowa County. We offer:
✅ Free video consultations (Zoom, FaceTime, phone)
✅ In-person meetings in Iowa County when needed
✅ Travel for depositions, trials, and client meetings

Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will fight for Iowa County families as aggressively as we fight for our local clients.

4. No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning:
✔ $0 upfront – You pay nothing to hire us
✔ We cover all case expenses (investigations, experts, court fees)
✔ We only get paid if we win your case (typically 33-40% of the settlement/verdict)

You have nothing to lose by calling us. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

5. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Before representing victims, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña worked for insurance companies, defending corporations against injury claims. We know exactly how fraternities and universities will try to avoid liability—and we know how to counter their tactics.

This insider knowledge gives Iowa County families a massive advantage in hazing lawsuits.

Common Hazing Practices in Iowa County – And How We Prove Liability

Hazing in Iowa County fraternities and sororities often involves:

In our current case, our client suffered:
✔ Severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) from forced exercise
✔ Acute kidney failure requiring 4 days in the hospital
✔ Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✔ Forced eating until vomiting
✔ Physical beatings with wooden paddles

If your child experienced similar abuse in Iowa County, we can help you sue for:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Lost wages & educational opportunities
• Punitive damages (to punish the fraternity/university)

Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Iowa County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:

In our current case, we’re suing:
✔ Pi Kappa Phi National
✔ The local UH chapter
✔ The University of Houston (for owning the fraternity house)
✔ Individual fraternity members and officers

The same legal strategy applies to Iowa County cases.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Iowa County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Hazing injuries can be life-threatening. If your child shows signs of:

• Severe muscle pain (possible rhabdomyolysis)
• Dark/brown urine (sign of kidney damage)
• Extreme exhaustion (sign of dehydration or organ failure)
• Alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness)
• Physical injuries (bruises, cuts, broken bones)

Go to the ER immediately. Medical records are critical evidence in hazing lawsuits.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do NOT delete anything. Save:
✔ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshots + metadata)
✔ Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
✔ Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
✔ Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records)
✔ Witness contact information (other pledges, bystanders)

If you don’t preserve evidence now, it may disappear forever.

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

Fraternities and universities will try to control the narrative after hazing incidents. They may:

• Pressure your child to sign documents (waiving their rights)
• Offer a low settlement (before you know the full extent of damages)
• Destroy evidence (delete texts, remove security footage)
• Intimidate witnesses (threaten expulsion or legal action)

Do not speak to them without legal representation. We will handle all communications.

Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately – 1-888-ATTY-911

The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be. We will:
✔ Conduct a free case evaluation (no obligation)
✔ Send preservation letters to the fraternity/university (preventing evidence destruction)
✔ Gather witness statements (before memories fade)
✔ File a lawsuit (before the statute of limitations expires)

Wisconsin has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Do not wait—contact us today.

Recent Hazing Cases That Prove Justice Is Possible

1. $10.1 Million Settlement – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)

• What happened: A pledge was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol and died from alcohol poisoning.
• Outcome: The university and fraternity paid $10.1 million to the family.
• Why it matters: Our $10 million demand in the UH case is directly in line with this precedent.

2. $6.1 Million Jury Verdict – Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)

• What happened: A pledge died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink during a “Bible Study” hazing ritual.
• Outcome: A jury awarded $6.1 million, and the state passed Max Gruver’s Law, making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
• Why it matters: Juries will award millions for hazing deaths and injuries.

3. $110+ Million Settlement – Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)

• What happened: A pledge was forced to drink 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes, fell down stairs, and died after fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911.
• Outcome: The family received an estimated $110 million settlement.
• Why it matters: Strong evidence = massive settlements. Our case has detailed documentation of waterboarding, forced exercise, and medical records.

Iowa County Hazing Laws – What Wisconsin Families Need to Know

Wisconsin Hazing Laws (Wis. Stat. § 948.51)

Wisconsin law defines hazing as:

“Any act committed for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization, that recklessly endangers the physical health or safety of a student.”

Penalties for Hazing in Wisconsin:

• Class A Misdemeanor (up to 9 months in jail + $10,000 fine) for hazing that causes bodily harm
• Class H Felony (up to 6 years in prison + $10,000 fine) for hazing that causes great bodily harm or death
• Organizational penalties (fines, loss of recognition, forfeiture of property)

Key Legal Points for Iowa County Families:
✔ Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to hazing, the fraternity can still be held liable.
✔ Universities can be sued – If the school knew about hazing and failed to stop it, they share liability.
✔ Criminal charges may apply – Hazing can lead to felony charges in Wisconsin.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits in Iowa County

1. Can I sue if my child was hazed but didn’t suffer physical injuries?

Yes. Even if your child wasn’t physically injured, they may have experienced:

• PTSD, anxiety, or depression (requiring therapy)
• Academic decline (missed classes, failed courses)
• Loss of scholarships or future opportunities

We can sue for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

2. What if my child was drinking voluntarily?

Forced consumption is not voluntary. If the fraternity pressured your child to drink or threatened expulsion if they refused, they can still be held liable.

3. Can I sue if my child signed a waiver or agreed to hazing?

Yes. Wisconsin law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child signed a waiver, the fraternity can still be sued.

4. How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Iowa County?

• Personal injury: 3 years from the date of injury (Wis. Stat. § 893.54)
• Wrongful death: 3 years from the date of death

Do not wait—evidence disappears, and witnesses forget. Contact us immediately.

5. How much is my hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits typically result in settlements ranging from $100,000 to $10+ million, depending on:
✔ Severity of injuries (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
✔ Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, beatings, forced consumption)
✔ University’s knowledge of prior hazing incidents
✔ Fraternity’s history of hazing violations

In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million for a student who survived but suffered kidney failure and psychological trauma.

6. What if the fraternity already suspended the chapter?

That’s not enough. Fraternities often close chapters temporarily to avoid liability, then reopen under a new name. We will pursue the national organization, the university, and individual members to ensure they cannot escape accountability.

Fraternities & Sororities in Iowa County – We Know Their Hazing Histories

While Iowa County itself is a smaller community, students from the area attend schools with active Greek systems, including:

We track hazing incidents nationwide and can identify patterns of abuse in specific chapters.

How Attorney 911 Builds a Winning Hazing Case for Iowa County Families

Step 1: Free Case Evaluation

• We listen to your story and assess the strength of your case.
• We explain your legal rights and options.
• No obligation—just honest advice.

Step 2: Evidence Preservation

• We send legal preservation letters to the fraternity, university, and individuals involved.
• We subpoena text messages, social media, and internal documents before they’re deleted.
• We interview witnesses (other pledges, bystanders, alumni).

Step 3: Medical & Financial Documentation

• We work with medical experts to assess long-term injuries.
• We calculate past and future medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• We consult economic experts to determine the full value of your claim.

Step 4: Filing the Lawsuit

• We file a lawsuit against all liable parties (fraternity, university, individuals).
• We demand maximum compensation for your child’s injuries.
• We push for punitive damages to punish egregious conduct.

Step 5: Negotiation or Trial

• We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and defense attorneys.
• If they refuse to offer a fair settlement, we take the case to trial.
• Our attorneys have 25+ years of trial experience—we’re not afraid to fight in court.

Iowa County Hazing Resources & Support

If your child has been hazed, you’re not alone. Here are resources to help:

Emergency & Medical Support

• UW-Platteville Counseling Services: (608) 342-1865
• Edgewood College Counseling Services: (608) 663-4148
• UW-Madison University Health Services: (608) 265-5600
• SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital (Madison): (608) 251-6100
• Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital (Highland, WI): (608) 929-6000

Reporting Hazing in Wisconsin

• UW-Platteville Dean of Students: (608) 342-1854
• Edgewood College Student Affairs: (608) 663-3280
• UW-Madison Office of Student Conduct: (608) 263-5700
• Wisconsin Department of Justice – Hazing Reporting: https://www.doj.state.wi.us

Mental Health & Victim Support

• National Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
• RAINN (Sexual Assault Hotline): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
• Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741

Contact Attorney 911 – Iowa County’s Hazing Lawyers

If your child was hazed in Iowa County, Wisconsin, we can help.

📞 Call our 24/7 hazing hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com/hazing

Free Consultation • No Upfront Costs • We Only Get Paid If We Win

We serve Iowa County and all of Wisconsin. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Final Message to Iowa County Families

Hazing is not tradition. It’s not brotherhood. It’s not harmless fun.

It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s sometimes manslaughter.

And it will stop.

If your child was hazed in Iowa County, we will fight for you. We will hold the fraternity, the university, and the individuals accountable. And we will make sure this never happens to another Iowa County family.

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.