🚨 Hazing Legal Emergency: Your Rights as a Jefferson County Student or Parent

If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization in Jefferson County, Colorado — you have legal rights. And you’re not alone.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will fight just as hard for Jefferson County families.

This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening right here in Jefferson County. And it’s time to stop it.

🏛️ Jefferson County Hazing: The Reality in Our Community

Jefferson County is home to major universities and colleges where Greek life thrives, including:

• Colorado School of Mines (Golden)
• Red Rocks Community College (Lakewood and Arvada)
• Nearby institutions like the University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and University of Denver

The same national fraternities and sororities that have caused hazing deaths and hospitalizations nationwide operate right here in Jefferson County.

• Pi Kappa Phi — the fraternity we’re suing for waterboarding a student — has chapters across Colorado
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — all have paid millions in hazing settlements
• These same organizations operate at universities near Jefferson County

Jefferson County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.

⚠️ What Hazing Looks Like in Jefferson County

Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation.” It’s abuse, torture, and sometimes manslaughter disguised as tradition.

Recent Hazing Incidents Nationwide — Same Letters, Same Danger

Jefferson County families: These aren’t distant tragedies. These are warnings. The same fraternities operate near Jefferson County. The same hazing culture exists here.

What Hazing Actually Is — The Jefferson County Reality

This is not “brotherhood.” This is not “sisterhood.” This is abuse.

💔 The Human Cost: What Hazing Does to Jefferson County Students

Physical Injuries Seen in Jefferson County-Area Cases

Psychological Trauma — The Invisible Damage

Jefferson County parents: This isn’t just about physical safety. Hazing destroys mental health, academic potential, and trust. Your child could be suffering in silence.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights: Colorado and Federal Law Protect Jefferson County Students

Colorado Anti-Hazing Law — C.R.S. § 18-9-124

Colorado has a criminal anti-hazing law that applies to all student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and clubs.

Definition of Hazing (C.R.S. § 18-9-124):

Any activity by which a person recklessly endangers the health or safety of or causes a risk of bodily injury to an individual for purposes of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any student organization.

Key Elements:

• Reckless endangerment — doesn’t require intent to harm
• Risk of bodily injury — includes physical and psychological harm
• For purposes of initiation — includes pledging, “new member” activities

Criminal Penalties:

Consent is NOT a Defense:

The law explicitly states that consent of the victim is not a defense.

Jefferson County families: If your child was hazed, the perpetrators can be criminally charged. We can help you report this to law enforcement.

Civil Liability: You Can Sue for Damages

Even if criminal charges are filed, you can also file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation for injuries.

Who Can Be Sued in Jefferson County:

1. The local chapter — direct organizers of hazing
2. National fraternity/sorority — failed to supervise, knew of hazing culture
3. The university/college — failed to protect students, premises liability
4. Individual members — participated in or facilitated hazing
5. Alumni — allowed hazing at their homes
6. Advisors — failed to prevent hazing

Types of Civil Claims Available:

Damages You Can Recover in Jefferson County:

• Medical expenses (hospital, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (time missed from work/school)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
• Educational damages (tuition, scholarship loss)

Federal Civil Rights Claims — Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex-based discrimination in education. Hazing often involves sexual harassment or creates a hostile environment.

How Title IX Applies to Hazing:

• Sexual harassment — hazing often includes sexualized activities
• Gender discrimination — some hazing targets specific genders
• Hostile environment — hazing creates intimidating, offensive conditions
• Deliberate indifference — university knew and failed to act

What You Can Do:

• File a Title IX complaint with the university
• File a Title IX complaint with the U.S. Department of Education
• Include Title IX claims in your civil lawsuit

Jefferson County families: Title IX provides additional legal leverage against universities that fail to protect students.

📋 What Jefferson County Families Should Do IMMEDIATELY

STEP 1: PRESERVE EVIDENCE — THIS IS CRITICAL

DO:
✅ Take photos of all injuries (even minor bruises, cuts)
✅ Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, emails)
✅ Get witness names (other pledges, bystanders)
✅ Document everything (dates, times, locations, what happened)
✅ Save medical records (ER visits, doctor notes, therapy records)
✅ Take screenshots of any social media posts about hazing

DO NOT:
❌ Delete anything — even old messages
❌ Post on social media about the incident
❌ Confront the fraternity/sorority without legal counsel
❌ Sign anything from the organization
❌ Give statements to university administrators alone

Why This Matters: Evidence disappears quickly. Texts get deleted. Photos get lost. Preserve everything now.

STEP 2: SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION

Even if injuries seem minor, get checked immediately.

Why:

• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms immediately
• Medical records create a documented trail of harm
• Delaying treatment hurts your case — defense will claim you weren’t really hurt

What to Tell the Doctor:

• “I was hazed at my fraternity/sorority”
• Describe all activities you were forced to do
• Describe all symptoms (physical and emotional)

Jefferson County medical facilities:

• St. Anthony Hospital (Lakewood) — Emergency care
• Lutheran Medical Center (Wheat Ridge) — Emergency care
• Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (Aurora) — Emergency care
• Jefferson Center for Mental Health — Counseling and therapy

STEP 3: REPORT TO AUTHORITIES

File reports with:

1. Local law enforcement (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office or local police)
2. University Title IX office (if sexual harassment involved)
3. University student conduct office (hazing violation)
4. Colorado Department of Higher Education (state oversight)

Why Report:

• Creates official record
• May lead to criminal charges
• Supports your civil case
• Protects other students

Jefferson County Law Enforcement Contacts:

• Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office: (303) 277-0211
• Golden Police Department: (303) 384-8045
• Lakewood Police Department: (303) 987-7111
• Arvada Police Department: (303) 980-7300
• Wheat Ridge Police Department: (303) 237-2220

STEP 4: CONTACT AN ATTORNEY — FREE CONSULTATION

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

Why You Need a Lawyer:

• We handle ALL communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
• We preserve evidence before it disappears
• We build your case with medical experts, investigators, and hazing specialists
• We fight for maximum compensation — medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages
• We protect your rights — no one intimidates our clients

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

Jefferson County families: Distance is not a barrier. We offer:

• Video consultations — meet with us remotely
• Travel to Jefferson County — for depositions, trials, client meetings
• Nationwide representation — we can pursue your case no matter where the hazing occurred

💰 What Your Jefferson County Hazing Case Could Be Worth

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. The value depends on:

Recent Hazing Case Outcomes — What’s Possible for Jefferson County Victims

Jefferson County families: These cases prove that hazing victims win. And we know how to build these cases.

🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Jefferson County Hazing Case

1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

• We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH
• We know the defenses they’ll use — and how to defeat them
• We know the insurance strategies they’ll employ
• We know the university tactics to avoid liability

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

• Ralph Manginello — Former insurance defense attorney
• Lupe Pena — Former national insurance defense attorney (Litchfield Cavo LLP)
• We know how they think — because we used to be them
• We know how to dismantle their defenses

3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Jefferson County Families

• Federal court authority — U.S. District Court admission
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York
• Video consultations — Meet with us from Jefferson County
• Willingness to travel — We come to Jefferson County for your case

4. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation

• BP Texas City explosion — Mass tort litigation against BP
• Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
• Hundreds of cases won by exposing flawed evidence
• Aggressive trial attorneys — we don’t back down

5. We Understand the Culture

• Ralph Manginello — Hall of Fame athlete, youth coach
• We understand team dynamics, locker room culture, peer pressure
• We know how hazing thrives in these environments
• We know how to expose the truth

6. We Protect Our Clients

• Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is “fearful of retribution”
• We protect your privacy and safety
• We handle all communications — no one intimidates you
• We fight for your rights — no matter how powerful the defendant

7. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

• No hourly fees
• No retainer
• No upfront costs
• We only get paid if YOU win
• Jefferson County families pay $0 unless we recover compensation

📞 Jefferson County Families: Call Now — Free Consultation

This is your legal emergency. We respond immediately.

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

We offer:
✅ Free, confidential case evaluation
✅ Immediate evidence preservation
✅ Aggressive legal representation
✅ No upfront costs — we work on contingency
✅ Video consultations for Jefferson County families
✅ Willingness to travel to Jefferson County

❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Jefferson County Hazing Victims

Q: My child was hazed but didn’t go to the hospital. Do we have a case?

A: Yes. Even without hospitalization, hazing can cause:

• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Academic disruption (dropped classes, lost scholarships)
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering

Many hazing cases involve non-physical harm that still justifies compensation.

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

A: NO. Colorado law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

Why consent doesn’t matter:

• Peer pressure and social coercion negate true consent
• Victims often don’t know what they’re consenting to
• Hazing is inherently dangerous and illegal
• The law explicitly eliminates this defense

Q: We’re in Jefferson County. You’re in Houston. Can you help us?

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

How we serve Jefferson County families:

• Video consultations — meet with us remotely
• Travel to Jefferson County — for depositions, trials, client meetings
• Federal court authority — can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York
• Remote case management — we handle everything from Houston

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Q: The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Are they liable?

A: Yes, if they should have known.

Universities can be liable for:

• Premises liability — if hazing occurred on university-owned property
• Negligent supervision — if they failed to monitor Greek life
• Deliberate indifference — if they knew or should have known about hazing risks
• Failure to enforce policies — if they had anti-hazing policies but didn’t enforce them

Many universities own fraternity houses. If they own the property where hazing occurs, they share liability.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Colorado?

A: 2 years from the date of injury for most personal injury claims in Colorado.

Exceptions:

• If the victim was a minor, the clock may not start until they turn 18
• If the injury wasn’t discovered immediately, the clock may start at discovery
• Wrongful death claims have different timelines

Jefferson County families: Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

Q: Will my child have to testify?

A: Possibly, but we prepare our clients thoroughly.

What to expect:

• We’ll protect your child’s privacy as much as possible
• Many cases settle before trial — no testimony needed
• If testimony is required, we’ll prepare your child extensively
• We’ll minimize emotional distress during the process

Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is “fearful of retribution.” We understand these concerns and protect our clients.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

A: $0 upfront. We work on contingency.

How contingency fees work:

• You pay nothing to hire us
• We advance all case expenses (investigators, experts, court fees)
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee is a percentage of the recovery (typically 33-40%)
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

Jefferson County families: This means no financial risk to you. We only succeed if you do.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus? Are they still liable?

A: Yes. Hazing is illegal on or off campus.

Where hazing can occur:

• Fraternity/sorority houses
• Private residences (including alumni homes)
• Hotels (for retreats or events)
• Parks or fields
• Any location where hazing activities take place

The location doesn’t matter. The conduct matters.

Q: Can we sue the national fraternity organization?

A: Absolutely. National organizations are frequently sued in hazing cases.

Why nationals are liable:

• They have deep pockets — millions in assets and insurance
• They failed to supervise local chapters
• They knew about hazing risks (many have prior incidents)
• They failed to enforce their own anti-hazing policies

In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re suing both the local chapter AND the national organization.

Q: What if my child was drinking? Will that hurt our case?

A: Not necessarily. Forced drinking is not voluntary.

Key points:

• If alcohol was provided by the fraternity, they share liability
• If drinking was forced or coerced, it’s not voluntary
• Consent to hazing does not equal consent to excessive drinking
• Many hazing victims are under 21 — illegal alcohol service increases liability

Jefferson County families: The focus is on who provided the alcohol and under what circumstances.

Q: How long will this take?

A: Most hazing cases settle within 12-24 months, but complex cases can take longer.

Factors that affect timeline:

• Severity of injuries
• Number of defendants
• Insurance company cooperation
• Whether the case goes to trial

Our Pi Kappa Phi case was filed in November 2025. We expect it to resolve within 18-24 months.

🚫 Warning Signs of Hazing in Jefferson County

Jefferson County parents: Know the signs that your child may be experiencing hazing.

Behavioral Changes:

• Sudden withdrawal from family/friends
• Increased secrecy about activities
• Avoiding questions about Greek life
• Sudden decline in academic performance
• Increased anxiety or depression
• Unexplained injuries
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Sudden financial requests

Physical Symptoms:

• Bruises, cuts, or burns
• Difficulty walking or moving
• Signs of exhaustion
• Unexplained weight loss
• Signs of alcohol or drug use
• Symptoms of dehydration
• Signs of psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety)

What They Might Say:

• “It’s just tradition.”
• “Everyone goes through it.”
• “I can’t talk about it.”
• “It’s not that bad.”
• “I don’t want to quit because of the money I’ve spent.”
• “They said I’ll be blacklisted if I tell anyone.”

Jefferson County parents: If you notice these signs, ask questions. Your child may be too afraid to speak up.

📢 A Message to Jefferson County Fraternities and Sororities

To the fraternities and sororities operating in Jefferson County:

We are watching.

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, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Delta Chi, Sigma Nu, Lambda Chi Alpha, Chi Phi, Delta Tau Delta, Phi Gamma Delta, Theta Chi, Alpha Tau Omega, Kappa Alpha Order, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Phi Kappa Theta, Alpha Sigma Phi, Delta Sigma Phi, Zeta Beta Tau, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Delta Upsilon, Acacia, Alpha Gamma Rho, FarmHouse, Triangle, Phi Sigma Kappa, Phi Kappa Theta, Alpha Chi Rho, Pi Lambda Phi, Tau Delta Phi, Phi Kappa Sigma, Phi Mu Delta, Theta Xi, Zeta Psi, Iota Phi Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Kappa Alpha Psi, Alpha Phi Alpha, Sigma Gamma Rho, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Iota Phi Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta —

If your chapter is hazing students in Jefferson County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will win.

The Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at University of Houston learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.

🏆 Join the Fight to End Hazing in Jefferson County

Hazing doesn’t stop with one lawsuit. It stops when Jefferson County stands up and says enough is enough.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Share this page with Jefferson County parents and students
2. Report hazing to authorities if you see it
3. Support hazing victims — they’re often afraid to speak up
4. Demand change from universities and national organizations
5. Contact your legislators — support stronger anti-hazing laws

Together, we can protect Jefferson County students.

📞 Jefferson County Families: Your Legal Emergency Starts Here

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

Free consultation. Immediate response. No upfront costs.

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

We fight for Jefferson County families. We don’t back down. And we don’t stop until justice is served.