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February 23, 2026 17 min read
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🛡️ Hazing Victims in Keith County, Nebraska: Your Legal Rights and Path to Justice

Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Keith County, Nebraska and Nationwide
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com

🚨 Keith County Families: Hazing Is Happening Near You — And It’s Not What You Think

If you’re a parent in Keith County, Nebraska, you send your child to college expecting them to be safe. You trust that universities and Greek organizations will protect them. But the truth is, hazing is happening right now at colleges near Keith County — and it’s not the harmless “initiation” you might imagine.

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. In that case, a young man was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and struck with wooden paddles — all as part of what the fraternity called “tradition.” He ended up in the hospital with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of inpatient care.

This isn’t happening just in Texas. It’s happening at universities near Keith County, Nebraska. The same fraternities operate here. The same negligence exists. And the same pain is being inflicted on Keith County families.

🔍 What Is Hazing — Really?

Hazing isn’t just about drinking too much or doing embarrassing tasks. It’s abuse. It’s torture. And it’s illegal.

Under Nebraska law, hazing is defined as any activity that:

  • Endangers the physical or mental health or safety of a student
  • Is used for initiation, admission, or affiliation with a group
  • Is done intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly

Examples of hazing we’ve seen in our cases:
Waterboarding — Simulated drowning with hoses
Forced consumption — Eating or drinking until vomiting
Extreme physical punishment — 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls
Sleep deprivation — Forced late-night activities
Psychological abuse — Humiliation, threats, isolation
Physical assault — Being struck with wooden paddles, beaten
Sexual humiliation — Forced to carry sexual objects, nudity

This isn’t tradition. It’s trauma — and it’s happening to students from Keith County, Nebraska.

🏛️ Nebraska Hazing Law: What Keith County Families Need to Know

Nebraska has strong laws against hazing, and victims have powerful legal rights.

Nebraska Revised Statute § 28-311.08 — Hazing

Hazing means any activity by which a person intentionally or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health or safety of an individual for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group, organization, or team.

Key Points for Keith County Families:

  • Hazing is a Class II misdemeanor in Nebraska — punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine
  • If hazing results in serious bodily injury, it’s a Class I misdemeanor — up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine
  • If hazing results in death, it’s a Class IIIA felony — up to 3 years in prison and a $10,000 fine
  • Consent is NOT a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter
  • Organizations can be held liable — Fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and universities can all be sued

This means: If your child was hazed in Nebraska, the people who harmed them can go to jail — and you can sue them for damages.

💔 What Hazing Does to Keith County Students

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries — it leaves deep, lasting scars.

Physical Injuries:

  • Rhabdomyolysis — Muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure (like our client in Texas)
  • Alcohol poisoning — Can be fatal; many hazing deaths involve forced drinking
  • Traumatic brain injury — From beatings or falls
  • Broken bones — From physical abuse
  • Hypothermia or heat stroke — From exposure to extreme temperatures
  • Sexual assault injuries — Hazing often involves sexual humiliation or violence

Psychological Trauma:

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — Flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety
  • Depression and anxiety — Many victims struggle with mental health for years
  • Suicidal ideation — Hazing can push victims to the brink
  • Trust issues — Many victims struggle to form relationships after being betrayed
  • Academic decline — Grades suffer, some students drop out

Financial Consequences:

  • Medical bills — Hospital stays, therapy, medications
  • Lost wages — Time missed from work or internships
  • Educational disruption — Some students transfer or drop out, losing scholarships
  • Long-term career impact — Some injuries prevent students from pursuing their chosen careers

🏢 Who Is Liable for Hazing in Keith County, Nebraska?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can — and should — be held accountable.

1. The Local Chapter

The fraternity or sorority chapter that organized and conducted the hazing is directly liable. This includes:

  • Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, etc.)
  • Active members who participated
  • Members who knew and failed to stop it

2. The National Organization

National fraternities and sororities have deep pockets and insurance policies. They can be held liable for:

  • Failing to supervise local chapters
  • Failing to enforce anti-hazing policies
  • Ignoring prior hazing incidents at other chapters

Example: In our Texas case, Pi Kappa Phi National is being sued because they knew about a “hazing crisis” but failed to stop it.

3. The University or College

Universities near Keith County, Nebraska have a duty to protect students. They can be held liable for:

  • Failing to monitor Greek organizations
  • Failing to respond to hazing complaints
  • Allowing hazing to occur on university property
  • Ignoring prior hazing incidents

Example: The University of Houston is being sued in our case because they owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred and failed to prevent it despite a prior hazing incident in 2017.

4. Individual Perpetrators

Every person who participated in or facilitated hazing can be sued individually. This includes:

  • Chapter officers
  • Active members
  • Alumni who hosted hazing events
  • Spouses or partners who allowed hazing on their property

Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million to the victim’s family.

5. Insurance Companies

Most fraternities, sororities, and universities have liability insurance policies that cover hazing incidents. These policies often have millions of dollars in coverage — and we know how to access them.

💰 What Keith County Hazing Victims Can Recover

If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to significant compensation — including:

Economic Damages (Actual Financial Losses):

  • Medical bills — Hospital stays, doctor visits, therapy, medications
  • Future medical expenses — Ongoing treatment, potential surgeries
  • Lost wages — Time missed from work or internships
  • Educational costs — Tuition, fees, lost scholarships
  • Property damage — If personal items were damaged during hazing

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering):

  • Physical pain — From injuries sustained during hazing
  • Mental anguish — PTSD, anxiety, depression
  • Emotional distress — Humiliation, shame, betrayal
  • Loss of enjoyment of life — Inability to participate in normal activities
  • Disfigurement — Permanent scars or injuries

Punitive Damages (To Punish the Wrongdoers):

If the conduct was especially egregious (like waterboarding or forcing exercise until kidney failure), juries can award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future hazing.

Recent hazing verdicts and settlements:

  • $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)
  • $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
  • $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
  • $4+ million — Adam Oakes (VCU, Delta Chi)

Our current case: We are seeking $10 million for our client who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded and forced to do 500 squats.

Keith County families: These same results are possible for you.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Keith County, Nebraska

If you suspect or know that your child was hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and legal deadlines expire.

Step 1: Ensure Your Child’s Safety

  • Remove them from the situation immediately — No more hazing events
  • Seek medical attention — Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked out
  • Document everything — Take photos of injuries, save medical records

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

Hazing cases are built on evidence. Preserve everything you can:
Text messages — Save all communications about hazing
Social media — Screenshot posts, messages, or group chats
Photos/videos — From hazing events or injuries
Witness information — Names and contact info of other victims or witnesses
Medical records — Hospital bills, doctor notes, therapy records
Fraternity/sorority documents — Pledge manuals, schedules, rules

DO NOT:
❌ Delete any messages or posts — Even if they’re embarrassing
❌ Confront the organization without legal counsel — They may destroy evidence
❌ Sign anything from the fraternity, sorority, or university — It may waive your rights
❌ Post about the incident on social media — It can be used against you

Step 3: Report the Hazing

  • To the university — File a formal complaint with the Greek life office or student affairs
  • To the police — Hazing is a crime in Nebraska; consider filing a police report
  • To the national organization — Report the chapter to the fraternity/sorority’s national headquarters

Step 4: Contact an Attorney

Hazing cases are complex and high-stakes. Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers fighting to minimize your claim. You need your own legal team to level the playing field.

Why Keith County families choose Attorney 911:
We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case — We know how to win
We’ve handled hundreds of personal injury cases — Including catastrophic injuries
We’re former insurance defense attorneys — We know how the other side thinks
We have federal court authority — Can pursue cases nationwide
We offer free consultations — No upfront cost to Keith County families
We work on contingency — You pay $0 unless we win your case

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

⚖️ How We Fight for Keith County Hazing Victims

When you hire Attorney 911, we go to work immediately to build a strong, winnable case.

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

  • Send preservation letters to all defendants demanding they keep all evidence
  • Obtain text messages, social media posts, photos, and videos
  • Interview witnesses before memories fade
  • Secure medical records documenting injuries

2. Thorough Investigation

  • Reconstruct the timeline of hazing activities
  • Identify all liable parties — chapter, nationals, university, individuals
  • Gather pattern evidence — prior hazing incidents at the same chapter
  • Consult with medical experts to document injuries

3. Aggressive Negotiation

  • Demand policy limits from insurance companies
  • Negotiate with multiple defendants to maximize recovery
  • Push for full and fair compensation — not lowball offers

4. Litigation (If Necessary)

  • File a lawsuit against all liable parties
  • Conduct depositions of chapter officers, university officials, and national leaders
  • Present compelling evidence to a jury
  • Fight for maximum damages, including punitive damages

5. Holding Institutions Accountable

  • Fraternities and sororities — Demand chapter closures and national reforms
  • Universities — Push for stronger Greek life oversight
  • Individuals — Pursue personal liability and criminal charges where applicable

🎯 Why Keith County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight, and we know how to win.

2. We Have the Experience to Win

  • 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
  • Former insurance defense attorneys — We know how the other side thinks
  • Federal court admission — Can pursue cases nationwide
  • Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) — Strategic advantage for national cases
  • Proven track record — Millions recovered for personal injury victims

3. We Understand the Culture of Hazing

  • We’ve litigated multiple hazing cases, including rhabdomyolysis and wrongful death
  • We understand Greek life dynamics — the pressure, the fear, the “code of silence”
  • We know how to break through the denial and hold institutions accountable

4. We Serve Keith County Families

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide. We offer:

  • Free consultations for Keith County families
  • Video consultations — No need to travel
  • Willingness to travel to Keith County for depositions and trials
  • Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront cost

5. We Care About Your Child

We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. We understand the trauma they’ve endured, and we’re committed to helping them heal and move forward.

📞 Keith County Families: Call Us Today

If your child was hazed, you don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to help.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit attorney911.com

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

Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Deadlines expire. Call us today.

🔥 To the Fraternities and Universities Near Keith County, Nebraska:

We see you. We know what you’re doing. And we’re coming for you.

The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Texas have chapters near Keith County. The same universities that failed to stop hazing despite prior incidents operate near Keith County.

You have a choice:

  • Clean up your act now — End the hazing, implement real oversight, protect students
  • Or face the consequences — Lawsuits, criminal charges, public exposure, multi-million dollar verdicts

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we will hold you accountable.

📚 Additional Resources for Keith County Families

Know the Signs of Hazing

Hazing often starts subtly. Watch for these warning signs:

  • Sudden changes in behavior — withdrawal, anxiety, depression
  • Unexplained injuries — bruises, cuts, sprains
  • Secretive behavior about group activities
  • Sudden decline in academic performance
  • Avoiding certain people or places
  • Excessive fatigue or sleep deprivation
  • Changes in appearance — weight loss, signs of stress
  • Talking about “traditions” or “initiation” in vague terms

Nebraska Hazing Hotline

If you suspect hazing, you can report it anonymously:

  • Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence: 1-800-876-6238
  • University reporting systems — Check your child’s university website

Mental Health Support

If your child is struggling with the aftermath of hazing:

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • The Jed Foundation (for college students): jedfoundation.org

🏆 Our Commitment to Keith County Families

At Attorney 911, we believe that no student should have to endure abuse to belong. We’re committed to:

  • Ending the culture of hazing in Keith County and nationwide
  • Holding institutions accountable for failing to protect students
  • Securing justice and compensation for hazing victims
  • Preventing future tragedies by making hazing too costly to continue

If your child was hazed, we will fight for you. Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Keith County, Nebraska and Nationwide
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com

Your child deserves justice. We’re here to get it.

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