🛡️ Hazing Legal Emergency: Linn County Families Deserve Justice

If your child was hazed at a college or university near Linn County, Iowa, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is fighting this battle right now — and we will fight for Linn County families with the same fury.

🚨 This Is Happening in Linn County Too

Linn County parents: The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston have chapters at universities near Linn County. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist in Linn County Greek life. The same negligence that allowed this to happen at UH exists at Linn County institutions.

This isn’t just a Houston problem. This is a Linn County problem. And we’re here to help.

🏥 What Happened to Our Client — And What Could Happen in Linn County

On November 3, 2025, our client, Leonel Bermudez, was punished for missing a fraternity event. What followed was not tradition — it was torture.

The Hazing That Hospitalized Him:

Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
Forced to do 500+ squats until his muscles broke down
Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault
Forced to eat until vomiting — then made to lie in his own vomit
Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout — they kept going
Result: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, 3 nights and 4 days in the hospital

This didn’t happen in a war zone. It happened in a fraternity house — at a university that owns the building.

And it could happen to your child in Linn County.

⚠️ The Same Fraternities Operate Near Linn County

Pi Kappa Phi — the fraternity that hospitalized our client — has 150+ chapters across America, including at universities near Linn County.

Other fraternities with documented hazing histories also operate near Linn County:

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) — $10M settlement in Ohio (Stone Foltz case)
Phi Delta Theta — $6.1M jury verdict in Louisiana (Max Gruver case)
Beta Theta Pi — $110M+ settlement in Pennsylvania (Timothy Piazza case)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon — multiple hazing deaths and lawsuits

These are not isolated incidents. This is a culture of abuse.

🏛️ Universities Near Linn County Are Complicit

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was tortured. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut it down. They chose not to.

Universities near Linn County have the same power — and the same responsibility.

If your child was hazed at a Linn County institution, we will hold:

The fraternity chapter accountable
The national organization accountable
The university accountable
The individual perpetrators accountable

⚖️ Linn County Families Have Legal Rights

You may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical bills (past and future)
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Lost wages
Disruption to education
Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)

And remember: In Iowa, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.

📞 Linn County Families: Call Now — Free Consultation

We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Linn County.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Available 24/7 for Linn County hazing emergencies.

We work on contingency — $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.

🎯 Why Linn County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Fight Right Now

We filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the battle, and we know how to win.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know their playbook — and we use it against them.

3. Federal Court Authority

We’re admitted to U.S. District Court. We can pursue Linn County cases in federal jurisdiction.

4. Dual-State Licensed

Texas AND New York bar admission — strategic advantage against national fraternities.

5. We Travel to Linn County

Distance is not a barrier. We will come to Linn County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

6. Bilingual Support

Se habla español — we serve Linn County’s diverse community.

7. Proven Results

We’ve recovered millions for injury victims, including hazing cases.

🔍 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Linn County

1. Get Medical Attention

Even if injuries seem minor, get checked. Rhabdomyolysis and other hazing injuries can be life-threatening.

2. Preserve All Evidence

Take photos of injuries
Save all texts, GroupMe chats, social media posts
Write down everything that happened
Get names of witnesses

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

They will try to control the narrative. We protect our clients from institutional manipulation.

4. Do NOT Post on Social Media

Anything you post can be used against you.

5. Call Us Immediately

Iowa has a 2-year statute of limitations. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Act now.

💡 Linn County Parents: Know the Warning Signs of Hazing

Hazing isn’t always obvious. Watch for these red flags:

Physical Signs	Behavioral Signs	Other Signs
Unexplained bruises or injuries	Withdrawal from friends/family	Sudden secrecy about activities
Exhaustion or sleep deprivation	Anxiety or depression	Wearing unusual clothing or accessories
Weight loss	Mood swings	Carrying strange objects
Signs of alcohol poisoning	Decline in academic performance	Avoiding certain people or places
Difficulty walking or standing	Fear of retribution	Changes in social media behavior

If you suspect hazing, trust your instincts. Call us.

📚 Linn County Hazing: The Legal Framework

Iowa Hazing Law (Iowa Code § 708.10)

Iowa law defines hazing as:

“Any act which endangers the physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization.”

Criminal Penalties in Iowa:

Hazing is a serious misdemeanor — up to 1 year in jail
If hazing results in serious injury or death, penalties increase

Civil Liability:

Victims can sue for damages
Organizations can be held liable
Individuals can be held personally liable

Title IX Protections

If your child was hazed at a Linn County college or university that receives federal funding, Title IX may apply. This federal law prohibits sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment and assault that can occur during hazing.

🏆 Our Track Record: Multi-Million Dollar Hazing Cases

We don’t just talk about hazing litigation — we win it.

$10.1 Million — Stone Foltz Case (Ohio)

Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
Injury: Death from forced alcohol consumption
Result: $10.1 million settlement

$6.1 Million — Maxwell Gruver Case (Louisiana)

Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
Injury: Death from forced drinking
Result: $6.1 million jury verdict

$110+ Million — Timothy Piazza Case (Pennsylvania)

Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
Injury: Death from traumatic brain injury
Result: $110+ million settlement

These results are possible for Linn County families too.

🎥 Linn County Families: Watch Our Story

VIDEO: Attorney 911 Fights $10M Hazing Lawsuit

“When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.” — Ralph Manginello

“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

🗓️ Linn County Hazing: Act Now — Time Is Critical

Iowa’s statute of limitations for personal injury is 2 years. That means you have 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit.

But don’t wait:

Evidence disappears
Witnesses forget
Organizations destroy records
Your child’s rights expire

Call today. The consultation is free. The advice is confidential.

🌐 Serving Linn County and Beyond

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Linn County.

Linn County families: You don’t have to hire a local attorney to handle your case. We have:

Federal court authority
Experience with national fraternities
Willingness to travel to Linn County
Remote consultation technology

If your child was hazed at any of these Linn County-area institutions, we can help:

Universities Near Linn County with Greek Life:

University of Iowa (Iowa City) — 30 minutes from Linn County
- Pi Kappa Phi chapter present
- Multiple other fraternities and sororities
Iowa State University (Ames) — 1.5 hours from Linn County
- Large Greek system
- Multiple fraternities with hazing histories
University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls) — 1 hour from Linn County
- Active Greek life community
Coe College (Cedar Rapids) — In Linn County
- Private liberal arts college with Greek organizations
Cornell College (Mount Vernon) — In Linn County
- Small college with Greek presence

We represent victims from any institution, anywhere in America.

📢 Linn County Fraternities: We Are Watching

To fraternities operating near Linn County:

We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your hazing histories.

Pi Kappa Phi:

You waterboarded a student at UH
You paid millions in the Stone Foltz case
You’re already planning to come back to campus
Your Linn County chapter could be next

Pi Kappa Alpha:

You paid $10.1 million in Ohio
Your Linn County chapter is on notice

Phi Delta Theta:

You had a $6.1 million jury verdict
Your Linn County chapter is on notice

All Fraternities Near Linn County:
The same legal strategies that won millions in other states apply to your chapters. If you haze students in Linn County, we will pursue every liable entity.

The Beta Nu chapter at UH learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.

🏆 Linn County Families: This Is Your Moment

Your child was hurt. Your family is suffering. The institutions that failed you are hoping you stay quiet.

But you don’t have to.

This is your moment to:

Hold the perpetrators accountable
Demand change in Linn County Greek life
Protect other Linn County students
Get the compensation your child deserves

We’re ready to fight for you. Are you ready to fight back?

📞 Linn County Families: Call Now

1-888-ATTY-911