Hazing Victims in Logan County, North Dakota: Your Rights and How to Seek Justice
A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight
Logan County parents send their children to college with high hopes—earning a degree, making lifelong friends, and preparing for successful careers. What they don’t expect is that their child might be subjected to systematic abuse, torture, or life-threatening rituals in the name of “tradition.” Yet this is exactly what’s happening in fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations across North Dakota and the nation.
The recent case of Leonel Bermudez—a University of Houston student hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded and forced to perform extreme physical punishment during fraternity hazing—isn’t just a Texas problem. It’s happening right here in North Dakota. The same national fraternities with chapters at North Dakota universities have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide. The same culture of abuse exists in Logan County institutions.
If your child has been hazed in Logan County, you’re not alone. And you have powerful legal rights.
What Hazing Really Looks Like in Logan County
Hazing isn’t harmless “initiation rituals.” It’s abuse. In the Bermudez case, fraternity members:
- Waterboarded pledges with garden hoses (simulated drowning)
- Forced them to eat until vomiting, then made them continue physical activities
- Struck them with wooden paddles
- Required extreme physical punishment (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls) that led to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
- Hog-tied a pledge face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
- Denied sleep by forcing pledges to drive members during early morning hours
This isn’t tradition. It’s torture.
And it’s happening at universities near Logan County. The same fraternities that engaged in this conduct at UH have chapters at North Dakota institutions. The same national organizations that failed to prevent the Bermudez hospitalization have failed to prevent hazing at Logan County-area schools.
Logan County Families: You Have Legal Rights
North Dakota law provides strong protections against hazing, and victims have the right to seek compensation for their injuries. Here’s what Logan County families need to know:
1. Hazing Is Illegal in North Dakota
Under North Dakota Century Code § 15.1-19-17, hazing is defined as any activity that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with any organization. This includes:
- Physical brutality (beating, striking, paddling)
- Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological abuse
- Any activity that creates an unreasonable risk of harm
Importantly, consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.
2. Criminal Penalties Apply
Hazing can result in criminal charges in North Dakota, including:
- Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and $3,000 fine) for hazing that causes bodily injury
- Class C felony (up to 5 years in prison and $10,000 fine) for hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death
3. Civil Lawsuits Can Recover Millions
Victims of hazing in Logan County can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses (hospitalization, rehabilitation, therapy)
- Lost wages (time missed from work or school)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct and deter future hazing)
Precedent cases show that hazing lawsuits can recover substantial amounts:
- $10.1 million settlement for the family of Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million jury verdict for the family of Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
- $110+ million estimated settlement for the family of Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
These same results are possible for Logan County families.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Logan County?
When hazing occurs in Logan County, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:
1. The Local Chapter
The fraternity or sorority chapter that organized and conducted the hazing is directly liable for the actions of its members.
2. The National Organization
National fraternities and sororities have a duty to supervise their chapters and enforce anti-hazing policies. When they fail to do so—as Pi Kappa Phi did in the Bermudez case—they can be held liable for the harm caused.
3. The University or College
Universities have a responsibility to protect their students. When they fail to prevent hazing despite knowing it occurs (as UH did after a 2017 hazing hospitalization), they can be held liable for negligent supervision.
4. Individual Members
Every person who participated in or facilitated the hazing can be sued individually. In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was held personally liable for $6.5 million.
5. Property Owners
If hazing occurred at a private residence, the homeowners can be held liable for premises liability.
What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Logan County
If you suspect your child has been hazed in Logan County, take these steps immediately:
1. Seek Medical Attention
Hazing can cause serious physical and psychological injuries. Even if your child seems fine, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately. Go to the emergency room or urgent care if your child shows any signs of distress.
2. Document Everything
Preserve all evidence of hazing:
- Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
- Text messages, social media posts, GroupMe chats about hazing
- Medical records from hospital visits or doctor appointments
- Names and contact information of witnesses
- Any physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)
3. Report the Incident
- To the university (file a formal complaint with the student conduct office)
- To law enforcement (file a police report)
- To the national organization (if applicable)
4. Do NOT Speak to the Organization or Their Lawyers
Fraternities, sororities, and universities often try to control the narrative after hazing incidents. Do not give statements or sign documents without consulting an attorney first.
5. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney
Hazing cases are complex and require specialized legal expertise. An experienced attorney can:
- Preserve evidence before it disappears
- Identify all liable parties
- Calculate the full extent of damages
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- File a lawsuit if necessary
Logan County families can reach Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.
Why Logan County Families Choose Attorney 911
We are currently litigating the $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—the same fight we’ll bring to Logan County. Here’s why Logan County families trust us:
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
While other firms talk about hazing cases, we’re actively litigating one. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are representing Leonel Bermudez in his lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH. We know how to build these cases because we’re doing it right now.
2. We Know How to Win Against Powerful Institutions
We have experience taking on universities, national fraternities, and insurance companies. Our firm:
- Has 25+ years of litigation experience
- Has handled multi-billion dollar cases (including the BP Texas City explosion litigation)
- Has federal court authority, allowing us to pursue cases nationwide
- Has dual-state bar admission (Texas and New York), giving us strategic advantages in cases involving national organizations
3. We Understand the Medical Consequences of Hazing
Hazing causes serious injuries, from rhabdomyolysis (as in the Bermudez case) to traumatic brain injury, alcohol poisoning, and psychological trauma. We work with medical experts to document the full extent of your child’s injuries and calculate future medical needs.
4. We Offer Free Consultations and Contingency Fees
We understand that Logan County families may be hesitant to pursue legal action due to cost concerns. That’s why we offer:
- Free initial consultations—no obligation
- Contingency fee representation—you pay nothing unless we win your case
- No upfront costs—we advance all case expenses
5. We Serve Logan County Families Nationwide
While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims across the country, including Logan County. We offer:
- Video consultations for Logan County families
- Willingness to travel to Logan County for depositions and trials
- Remote case management for out-of-state clients
Common Misconceptions About Hazing in Logan County
1. “It’s Just Tradition—Everyone Goes Through It”
Reality: Hazing is illegal, dangerous, and has no place in modern education. Traditions that endanger students are not traditions—they’re crimes.
2. “My Child Consented, So It’s Not Illegal”
Reality: North Dakota law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.
3. “The University Will Handle It”
Reality: Universities often prioritize their reputation over student safety. Many have failed to prevent hazing despite prior incidents. Legal action is often necessary to force real change.
4. “It’s Not Worth Suing”
Reality: Hazing cases can recover millions of dollars in compensation. In the Bermudez case, we’re seeking $10 million for injuries that included kidney failure and hospitalization. Logan County families deserve the same level of representation.
5. “I Can’t Afford a Lawyer”
Reality: We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs for Logan County families.
Logan County Universities and Hazing Risk
While Logan County itself doesn’t have a major university, nearby institutions have active Greek life programs where hazing can occur. Some of the universities near Logan County with Greek organizations include:
- North Dakota State University (Fargo)
- University of North Dakota (Grand Forks)
- Minnesota State University Moorhead
- Valley City State University
The same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in hazing settlements operate at these schools. If your child attends or plans to attend a university near Logan County, they could be at risk.
The Time to Act Is Now
Hazing victims in Logan County have a limited time to take legal action. In North Dakota, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 6 years, but it’s critical to act quickly because:
- Evidence disappears (texts are deleted, witnesses forget)
- Organizations destroy records to cover up wrongdoing
- Your legal rights expire if you wait too long
Logan County families: Don’t wait. Contact Attorney 911 today for a free consultation.
How Logan County Families Can Get Help
If your child has been hazed in Logan County or at a nearby university, here’s how we can help:
- Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
- We’ll evaluate your case and explain your legal options
- We’ll preserve evidence before it disappears
- We’ll identify all liable parties (chapter, nationals, university, individuals)
- We’ll calculate damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, future costs)
- We’ll negotiate with insurance companies or file a lawsuit if necessary
- We’ll fight for maximum compensation for your child
Logan County families pay nothing unless we win your case.
A Message to Logan County Fraternities and Sororities
To the fraternities and sororities operating near Logan County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured multi-million dollar verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Logan County, we will pursue every liable entity—your chapter, your national organization, your university, and every individual member.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi—if your chapter operates near Logan County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America. We have proven these cases can be won.
The UH Pi Kappa Phi chapter that hospitalized our client? They’re now shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
That’s what happens when you haze in North Dakota.
Logan County Parents: Protect Your Child
You sent your child to college to learn, grow, and prepare for the future—not to be waterboarded, beaten, or hospitalized. If your child has been hazed in Logan County, they deserve justice. And you deserve answers.
Call Attorney 911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.
Logan County families: We’re fighting this battle right now, and we’ll fight for you too.
Contact Attorney 911
Legal Emergency Hotline for Logan County Hazing Victims: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Service Area: Logan County, North Dakota + Nationwide
Logan County families can schedule a free consultation by phone or video. We will travel to Logan County for depositions, trials, and client meetings as needed.
Hazing victims in Logan County pay nothing upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.
