Hazing Lawyers Serving Louisa County, Iowa – Attorney 911

Fraternity & Sorority Hazing Victims in Louisa County Deserve Justice – We Will Fight for You

If your child was hazed at a college near Louisa County, Iowa – whether at the University of Iowa, Iowa State, or another institution – you are not alone. Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “building brotherhood.” It is abuse. It is assault. It is often criminal. And it must stop.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston – a case involving waterboarding, forced exercise until kidney failure, and systematic torture of a student. The same fraternities and sororities operate in Iowa. The same negligence exists at Iowa universities. And we are ready to bring the same fight to Louisa County.

We serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Louisa County, Iowa. If your child was injured, hospitalized, or traumatized by hazing, call us now for a free, confidential consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 www.attorney911.com

We don’t get paid unless you win.

The Hazing Crisis in Iowa – What Louisa County Families Need to Know

Hazing Happens at Iowa Colleges – Including Near Louisa County

Louisa County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But hazing is happening right now at Iowa universities, including:

• University of Iowa (Iowa City) – Home to 25+ fraternities and sororities, including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), and others with documented hazing histories.
• Iowa State University (Ames) – Greek life is a major part of campus culture, with 40+ fraternities and sororities. Hazing incidents have been reported in the past.
• Other Iowa colleges – From private institutions like Grinnell College and Coe College to public universities like the University of Northern Iowa, Greek organizations operate across the state.

The same fraternities that have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide – Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta – have active chapters in Iowa. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Louisa County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Texas.

What Is Hazing? Iowa Law & the Reality on Campus

Iowa’s Anti-Hazing Law (Iowa Code § 708.10) – What It Says

Iowa law defines hazing as:

“Any act which is committed in connection with initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization, which subjects another student to the likelihood of serious bodily injury.”

This includes:

• Physical abuse (paddling, beatings, forced exercise)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
• Sleep deprivation (late-night activities, forced driving)
• Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
• Sexual abuse (forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects)

Iowa law makes hazing a criminal offense:

• Simple hazing – Misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail, $1,875 fine)
• Hazing causing injury – Aggravated misdemeanor (up to 2 years in jail, $6,250 fine)
• Hazing causing death – Class D felony (up to 5 years in prison)

Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says they cannot legally consent to hazing.

The Reality of Hazing in Iowa – What Really Happens

Hazing is often hidden behind closed doors, but the abuse is real. In our current case, a University of Houston student was:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles repeatedly
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in his own vomit
• Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure

This is not an isolated incident. Hazing like this happens at Iowa colleges too. Some common hazing practices in Iowa include:

These are not “pranks.” They are crimes.

Who Is Liable When Hazing Happens Near Louisa County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can – and should – be held accountable. In our $10 million lawsuit, we are suing:

Universities near Louisa County have a legal duty to protect students. When they fail – as the University of Houston did – they must be held accountable.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Iowa

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

• Go to the ER or urgent care – Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away.
• Document everything – Get medical records, take photos of injuries, save hospital bills.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails)
• Take screenshots of social media posts about hazing
• Write down names of witnesses, perpetrators, and bystanders
• Keep any physical evidence (paddles, clothing, objects used in hazing)

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone

• Do not give statements to fraternity/sorority leaders, university officials, or insurance companies.
• Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney.
• Do not post on social media about the incident (even “I’m fine” can be used against you).

Step 4: Report the Hazing (If Safe to Do So)

• File a police report – Hazing is a crime in Iowa.
• Report to the university’s Title IX office – Hazing often violates Title IX (gender-based harassment).
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority – They may claim they’ll investigate, but they will protect themselves.

Step 5: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

• The statute of limitations in Iowa is 2 years – If you wait, you may lose your right to sue.
• Evidence disappears fast – Fraternities, sororities, and universities will destroy records.
• We can protect your child – We handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies.

Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Why Louisa County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We Are Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case Right Now

• We represent Leonel Bermudez, a student who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure at the University of Houston.
• We are suing Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, the national organization, and the University of Houston for $10 million.
• The same fraternities operate in Iowa. We know how to fight them.

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims.
• We know exactly how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to avoid liability.
• We use that knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.

• We are admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas).
• We can pursue hazing cases in federal court – critical for cases involving national fraternities.
• Distance is not a barrier – We represent victims nationwide, including in Iowa.

4. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

• $10 million lawsuit (current hazing case)
• Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
• Former BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
• Hundreds of successful cases – from car accidents to wrongful death

5. We Offer Contingency Fees – $0 Upfront

• You pay nothing unless we win.
• We advance all case costs (medical records, experts, investigations).
• No financial risk for Louisa County families.

6. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

• Many hazing victims and families are Spanish-speaking.
• We provide full legal services in Spanish – no language barriers.

7. We Will Travel to Iowa for Your Case

• We come to Louisa County, Iowa City, Ames, or anywhere in Iowa for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
• We offer video consultations for Iowa families who cannot travel.

What Louisa County Hazing Victims Can Recover

Hazing victims can pursue economic and non-economic damages, including:

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

• Medical bills (ER visits, hospital stays, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (time missed from work due to injuries)
• Future medical expenses (if injuries require long-term care)
• Tuition reimbursement (if hazing forced withdrawal from school)
• Property damage (if personal items were destroyed)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

• Physical pain and suffering (from injuries, medical treatment)
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and shame (from hazing activities)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)
• Punitive damages (to punish the fraternity/university for egregious conduct)

In severe cases, hazing victims can recover MILLIONS of dollars. Our current case seeks $10 million – and we have won even larger settlements in the past.

Hazing Precedent Cases – They Will Pay

Fraternities and universities have paid millions of dollars in hazing settlements. Some recent cases:

These results are possible for Iowa hazing victims too.

Fraternities Near Louisa County with Hazing Histories

The following fraternities have documented hazing incidents nationwide and operate chapters at Iowa universities:

If your child was hazed by any of these fraternities in Iowa, we can help.

Sorority Hazing in Iowa – It Happens Too

While fraternity hazing gets more attention, sororities also engage in hazing, including:

• Forced drinking
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse
• Body shaming
• Sexual humiliation

Sororities with hazing histories in Iowa include:

• Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta)
• Kappa Delta
• Alpha Delta Pi
• Chi Omega
• Alpha Phi

If your daughter was hazed in a sorority near Louisa County, we can help.

What Iowa Universities Are Doing About Hazing – And Why It’s Not Enough

Universities near Louisa County claim they have “anti-hazing policies,” but these policies often fail to protect students. Common problems include:

❌ Lack of enforcement – Universities suspend chapters but allow them to return.
❌ Cover-ups – Administrators downplay hazing to protect the school’s reputation.
❌ Inadequate training – Greek life advisors are often understaffed and undertrained.
❌ No real consequences – Fraternities and sororities face temporary suspensions, not permanent bans.
❌ Ignoring prior incidents – Many universities have multiple hazing incidents before taking action.

The University of Houston had a hazing hospitalization in 2017 – and did nothing to prevent it from happening again in 2025. Iowa universities are making the same mistakes.

How We Will Fight for Louisa County Hazing Victims

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to fraternities, sororities, and universities.
• Demand all text messages, social media, and internal communications be saved.
• Prevent evidence destruction – fraternities often delete records after incidents.

2. Aggressive Investigation

• Interview witnesses, other pledges, and bystanders.
• Obtain security camera footage, photos, and videos.
• Gather medical records, police reports, and Title IX complaints.
• Work with hazing experts and medical professionals to document injuries.

3. Multi-Defendant Lawsuit

• Sue every responsible party:
  • The local chapter
  • The national fraternity/sorority
  • The university
  • Individual members
  • Housing corporations
  • Alumni who enabled hazing

4. Federal Court Litigation (When Needed)

• Some hazing cases involve federal civil rights violations (e.g., Title IX).
• We are admitted to U.S. District Court and can pursue federal claims.

5. Media & Public Pressure

• Expose hazing culture through media coverage.
• Pressure universities and fraternities to take real action.
• Work with legislators to strengthen Iowa’s anti-hazing laws.

6. Trial or Settlement – We Prepare for Both

• Most hazing cases settle – but we prepare every case for trial.
• If the fraternity/university refuses to offer a fair settlement, we will take them to court.
• Juries hate hazing – they award millions when institutions fail to protect students.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Iowa

1. My child was hazed, but they don’t want to sue. Should I still call a lawyer?

Yes. Even if your child doesn’t want to sue, a lawyer can:

• Protect their legal rights (statute of limitations starts now).
• Negotiate with the university for academic accommodations.
• Ensure evidence is preserved in case they change their mind later.
• Help file a Title IX complaint (hazing often involves gender-based harassment).

2. Can I sue if my child consented to hazing?

Yes. Iowa law says consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.

3. What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Hazing is illegal on or off campus. If the hazing occurred at a private home, the homeowners (including alumni) can be sued for premises liability.

4. How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Iowa?

2 years. Iowa’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date of injury. If you wait, you may lose your right to sue.

5. Can I afford a lawyer for a hazing case?

Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

6. What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

We protect our clients. Retaliation against hazing victims is illegal. We can take legal action if the fraternity, sorority, or university tries to intimidate your child.

7. Can I sue if my child wasn’t seriously injured?

Yes. Even if injuries were minor, you can still sue for:

• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Medical expenses (therapy, counseling)
• Academic disruption (missed classes, failed courses)
• Punitive damages (to punish the fraternity/university)

8. What if the fraternity says it was just “tradition”?

“Tradition” is not a legal defense. Waterboarding, forced drinking, and physical abuse are crimes, not traditions. We will hold them accountable.

Louisa County Parents: Protect Your Child Now

Hazing is not harmless. It is not a rite of passage. It is abuse – and it can destroy lives.

If your child was hazed near Louisa County, act now:

1. Get medical help – Even if injuries seem minor.
2. Preserve evidence – Save texts, photos, and witness names.
3. Do not talk to the fraternity or university alone.
4. Call Attorney 911 immediately.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 www.attorney911.com

We don’t get paid unless you win. We will fight for you.

Hazing in Iowa Must End – We Are Leading the Fight

At Attorney 911, we are not just representing victims – we are changing the culture. Our current $10 million hazing lawsuit has already:

• Shut down the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH.
• Forced the national organization to admit “violations.”
• Put universities and fraternities on notice nationwide.

But we need your help. If your child was hazed in Iowa, stand with us. Together, we can:
✅ Hold fraternities, sororities, and universities accountable.
✅ Get justice for hazing victims in Louisa County and across Iowa.
✅ Change the culture so no other family has to go through this.

Call us today. The fight starts now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Louisa County, Iowa and Nationwide