🛡️ Hazing Victims in Jefferson County, Iowa — You Are Not Alone
A Message from Attorney 911 — Serving Jefferson County Hazing Victims Nationwide
Jefferson County families: if your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, ROTC program, or any student organization — you have rights. You have options. You have allies.
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 for Jefferson County families with the same relentless dedication.
🚨 What Is Hazing? — Jefferson County Parents Need to Know
Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “team building.” It’s not “harmless fun.”
In Iowa and across America, hazing includes:
- Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
- Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, or non-food substances until vomiting or passing out
- Psychological torture: Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats
- Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
- Dangerous activities: Blindfolded runs, extreme weather exposure, confined spaces
These are not pranks. They are crimes.
🏫 Hazing at Iowa Universities — Jefferson County Families Are at Risk
Jefferson County is home to Maharishi International University (MIU), and is near University of Iowa (Iowa City), Iowa State University (Ames), and other institutions where Greek life and student organizations thrive.
The same national fraternities and sororities that hazed our client in Texas operate right here in Iowa.
| Fraternity/Sorority | Presence in Iowa | Hazing History |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | University of Iowa | Current case: UH waterboarding, kidney failure |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon | University of Iowa | Chemical burns, forced alcohol |
| Sigma Chi | University of Iowa | $10M+ settlement (2024) |
| Phi Delta Theta | University of Iowa | Max Gruver death ($6.1M verdict) |
| Kappa Sigma | Iowa State | Multiple hazing incidents |
| Sigma Nu | Iowa State | Forced alcohol, physical abuse |
| Delta Tau Delta | University of Iowa | Alcohol poisoning cases |
| Alpha Phi Alpha | University of Iowa | Forced consumption incidents |
| Others | Multiple campuses | Hazing culture exists across organizations |
Jefferson County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at MIU, University of Iowa, Iowa State, or any school in Iowa — they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.
💔 The Medical Reality — Hazing Can Kill or Maim
Our client was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups while being waterboarded with a garden hose.
This is what hazing does to the body:
| Condition | Cause | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Extreme physical exertion | Muscle pain, dark urine, kidney failure |
| Acute Kidney Failure | Myoglobin from muscle breakdown | Nausea, confusion, swelling, death |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking | Vomiting, unconsciousness, death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Beatings, falls | Headaches, memory loss, permanent damage |
| Hypothermia | Cold weather exposure | Shivering, confusion, organ failure |
| Heat Stroke | Forced exercise in heat | Dizziness, nausea, death |
| PTSD | Psychological torture | Anxiety, flashbacks, suicide risk |
| Death | Any of the above | Irreversible tragedy |
Jefferson County families: This isn’t theoretical. This is happening to real students — including students from Iowa.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights in Iowa — Jefferson County Victims Can Sue
Iowa Hazing Law — Criminal and Civil Liability
Iowa Code § 708.10 — Hazing
“A person commits an act of hazing when the person intentionally or recklessly engages in any act or acts involving forced activity which endanger the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating in connection with a school, college, or university.”
Penalties:
- Aggravated misdemeanor — up to 2 years in prison
- Serious misdemeanor — up to 1 year in prison
- Simple misdemeanor — up to 30 days in jail
Civil Liability:
- Victims can sue for medical expenses, pain and suffering, punitive damages
- Organizations can be sued for negligent supervision, premises liability
- Universities can be sued for failure to protect students
Key Provision:
“Consent is not a defense.” — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, they can still sue.
Who Can Be Sued in Iowa?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University | Failed to prevent hazing despite power to do so |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing events; premises liability |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
Jefferson County families: You can sue all of them. We know how to build cases against multiple defendants.
💰 What Jefferson County Families Can Recover
Precedent Cases — They Will Pay
| Case | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Settlement | $110 million+ |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Our Current Case | University of Houston | Pending | $10 million demanded |
Jefferson County families: These verdicts and settlements prove that hazing cases win big. The same results are possible for Iowa victims.
Damages Available in Iowa
Economic Damages:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Lost academic opportunities
- Rehabilitation costs
Non-Economic Damages:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
Punitive Damages:
- Awarded when conduct is egregious, reckless, or intentional
- Meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct
- Iowa has no cap on punitive damages in most cases
🕒 Jefferson County Families — Time Is Running Out
Iowa Statute of Limitations:
- Personal Injury: 2 years from date of injury
- Wrongful Death: 2 years from date of death
Do not wait:
- Evidence disappears
- Witnesses forget
- Your rights expire
If your child was hazed in Fall 2023 or later — ACT NOW.
📋 What Jefferson County Families Should Do Immediately
Step 1: Get Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked
- Document everything — medical records are critical
- Tell the doctor exactly what happened — be specific about hazing
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Save all communications: Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails
- Take photos/videos: Injuries, hazing locations, items used in hazing
- Document everything: Dates, times, locations, who was present
- Get witness information: Names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do not speak to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
- Do not sign anything
- Do not post on social media about the incident
- Do not give statements to university administrators alone
Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Free consultation — we’ll evaluate your case at no cost
- Contingency fee — you pay nothing upfront; we only get paid if you win
- Nationwide representation — we serve Jefferson County and all of Iowa
Call Now: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911
🏛️ Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Jefferson County Hazing Case
1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
- Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
- Know the defendants, their tactics, and how to beat them
- Jefferson County families get the same aggressive representation
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
- Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies
- We know how they value claims, delay payouts, and deny liability
- We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery
3. Federal Court Authority — We Can Sue Anywhere
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- Can pursue cases in federal court across America
- Distance is not a barrier — we serve Jefferson County from our Houston office
4. Dual-State Bar Admission — Strategic Advantage
- Licensed in Texas and New York
- Can pursue national fraternities headquartered anywhere
- No jurisdictional limitations
5. Proven Results — Millions Recovered
- BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience
- Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts across practice areas
- Hazing-specific expertise — rhabdomyolysis, Kappa Sigma, Texas A&M cases
6. We Come to Jefferson County
- Travel to Jefferson County for depositions, trials, client meetings
- Video consultations available for remote meetings
- We will not let distance prevent justice
7. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
- Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families
- No language barriers to justice
8. We Care — Not Just About the Money
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” — Lupe Pena
We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. We fight because we care.
📢 To Fraternities and Sororities Operating in Iowa — We Are Watching
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma, and all others:
We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for waterboarding a student until he was hospitalized with kidney failure. We know your chapters. We know your culture. We know your history.
If your chapter hazes students in Iowa — we will find you. We will sue you. And we will win.
The same legal strategies that are dismantling Pi Kappa Phi apply to your chapter.
Clean up your act now — or we will clean you out in court.
🏫 To Iowa Universities — You Have Been Warned
University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Maharishi International University, and all Iowa institutions:
You have the power to stop hazing. You have the responsibility to protect students. You have the liability when you fail.
The University of Houston is being sued for $10 million because they owned the fraternity house where a student was waterboarded. They had the power to stop it. They failed.
Iowa universities: You are on notice. Act now — or face accountability.
🎯 Our Promise to Jefferson County Families
- We will listen — without judgment, without blame
- We will investigate — gather evidence, interview witnesses, build your case
- We will fight — against fraternities, sororities, universities, and individuals
- We will win — maximize your compensation and hold them accountable
- We will protect — your privacy, your future, your rights
📞 Jefferson County Families — Call Now
This is your moment. This is your fight. This is your justice.
Free consultation. No upfront cost. We only get paid if you win.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Serving Jefferson County, Iowa and nationwide.
🔥 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time for Justice.
Jefferson County families: Your child’s suffering ends here. Your fight for justice starts now.
