Hazing Lawyer in Lyon County, IA | Attorney 911 Fights for Hazing Victims
If your child was hazed in Lyon County, Iowa—or anywhere in the country—we can help.
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It’s not tradition. It’s not harmless fun. It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s torture. And when fraternities, sororities, or universities allow it to happen, they must be held accountable.
At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. A young man was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure—all because he wanted to join a brotherhood.
The same thing happens in Lyon County, IA.
The same fraternities operate at Iowa colleges. The same universities fail to protect students. And the same culture of abuse continues—until someone stands up.
We will fight for Lyon County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to this case.
🚨 What Is Hazing? The Lyon County Reality
Hazing in Lyon County isn’t just a few harmless pranks. It’s a systematic, dangerous culture that puts students at risk of:
✅ Physical abuse – Beatings, paddling, extreme exercise, forced consumption of alcohol/food
✅ Psychological torture – Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats
✅ Life-threatening injuries – Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injury
✅ Death – Since 2000, at least one student has died from hazing every year in the U.S.
This isn’t just happening at big universities—it’s happening in Lyon County, IA, too.
If your child was hazed at Northwestern College, Iowa Lakes Community College, or another Iowa school, we can help.
💔 Real Hazing Cases: This Is What Happens in Lyon County, IA
🔥 The Pi Kappa Phi Case (2025) – The Fight We’re Fighting Now
Victim: Leonel Bermudez (University of Houston)
What Happened:
- Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, and “suicides” (running drills) until he collapsed
- Waterboarded with a garden hose—simulated drowning, a form of torture
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in vomit-soaked grass
- Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
The Defendants:
- Pi Kappa Phi National – Knew about a “hazing crisis” but did nothing
- University of Houston – Owned the fraternity house where the abuse happened
- Individual members – Participated in the torture
Our Lawsuit: $10 million for Leonel Bermudez’s suffering.
This same fraternity has chapters across the U.S.—including near Lyon County, IA.
💀 Stone Foltz (2021) – $10.1 Million Settlement
Victim: Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)
What Happened:
- Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol at a fraternity event
- Died from acute alcohol poisoning
Outcome:
- $10.1 million settlement (university + fraternity)
- Multiple criminal convictions
- Ohio passed “Collin’s Law” to strengthen anti-hazing penalties
This could happen in Lyon County, IA—if we don’t stop it.
💀 Maxwell Gruver (2017) – $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
Victim: Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
What Happened:
- Forced to drink during a “Bible Study” pledge event
- Answered questions wrong? Drink more.
- Blood alcohol level: 0.495 (6x the legal limit)
- Died from alcohol poisoning
Outcome:
- $6.1 million jury verdict against the fraternity
- Louisiana passed the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony
This is the kind of justice Lyon County families deserve.
💀 Timothy Piazza (2017) – $110+ Million Settlement
Victim: Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
What Happened:
- Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes
- Fell down stairs multiple times while severely intoxicated
- Fraternity members waited 12 HOURS before calling 911
- Died from traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding
Outcome:
- $110+ million settlement (one of the largest hazing payouts ever)
- 18 fraternity members charged criminally
- Pennsylvania passed the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law
This is the level of accountability we demand for Lyon County victims.
⚖️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Lyon County, IA?
When hazing happens, everyone involved can be sued—not just the students who participated.
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization (Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, etc.) | Failed to supervise, knew about hazing culture |
| University/College | Owns fraternity houses, failed to protect students |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster) | Leadership responsibility, directed activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in or witnessed hazing and did nothing |
| Alumni | Allowed hazing at their homes, premises liability |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for institutional liability |
In Lyon County, IA, we will sue everyone responsible.
📞 What Lyon County Families Should Do If Their Child Was Hazed
If your child was hazed in Lyon County, time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. And the statute of limitations could expire.
✅ Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and head injuries can be life-threatening
- Medical records are critical evidence
✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos of injuries, hazing locations, any physical evidence
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs)
- Write down everything that happened (dates, times, who was involved)
- Get witness names and contact info
✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will try to control the narrative
- They will pressure you to stay silent
- Anything you say can be used against you
✅ Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
We offer free, confidential consultations for Lyon County families. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.
💰 How Much Is a Lyon County Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing cases can result in millions of dollars in compensation, depending on:
| Factor | Impact on Case Value |
|---|---|
| Severity of injuries | Hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage = higher value |
| Psychological trauma | PTSD, anxiety, depression = significant compensation |
| University/fraternity knowledge | If they knew about prior hazing, punitive damages apply |
| Pattern of abuse | Multiple victims = stronger case |
| Egregious conduct | Waterboarding, forced drinking, paddling = higher punitive damages |
Recent hazing settlements & verdicts:
- $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Penn State)
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Bowling Green)
- $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, LSU)
- $4+ million (Adam Oakes, VCU)
Lyon County families deserve the same justice.
🔍 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Lyon County Hazing Case?
✅ We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH
- We know how to build these cases from the ground up
- We’ve seen the tactics fraternities use to avoid liability—and we know how to counter them
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- We used to defend insurance companies—now we use that knowledge against them
- We know exactly how they try to lowball victims
- We won’t let them get away with it
✅ Nationwide Representation for Lyon County Families
- We’re based in Texas, but we serve hazing victims nationwide
- We travel to Lyon County, IA for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- We offer video consultations for Lyon County families who can’t travel
✅ No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If We Win
- $0 upfront for Lyon County families
- Contingency fee – We take a percentage of your settlement only if we win
- No risk – If we don’t win, you owe us nothing
✅ Aggressive, Compassionate Representation
- We treat Lyon County families like family
- We understand the trauma hazing causes
- We fight for maximum compensation so you can focus on healing
📍 Lyon County, IA: We’re Here to Fight for You
Lyon County is home to Northwestern College, Iowa Lakes Community College, and other schools where hazing happens. If your child was hazed, we will:
✔ Investigate the incident – Gather evidence, interview witnesses
✔ Identify all liable parties – Fraternity, university, individuals
✔ Demand maximum compensation – Medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages
✔ Take it to trial if needed – We won’t accept lowball offers
✔ Protect your rights – No one will intimidate you into silence
We will come to Lyon County, IA, to fight for you.
🚨 Lyon County Parents: This Could Be Your Child Next
Fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Kappa Sigma have chapters across Iowa—including near Lyon County. They have a history of hazing, and they won’t stop unless someone makes them.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Lyon County, IA, they are at risk.
🔴 Warning Signs of Hazing in Lyon County:
- Extreme physical activities (forced exercise, calisthenics until exhaustion)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
- Sleep deprivation (late-night activities, early-morning tasks)
- Humiliation (wearing embarrassing clothes, carrying odd objects)
- Isolation (not allowed to talk to non-members)
- Threats (expulsion, physical punishment for non-compliance)
If you suspect your child is being hazed in Lyon County, IA, call us immediately.
📞 Lyon County, IA Hazing Victims: Call Now for a Free Consultation
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
- Free, confidential case evaluation
- No upfront costs – we only get paid if we win
- Aggressive representation for Lyon County families
- Nationwide service – we come to you
Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Call us today.
📌 Lyon County, IA Hazing Resources
🏛️ Iowa Anti-Hazing Laws
Iowa Code § 708.10 defines hazing as:
“Any intentional or reckless act committed by a student or an organization, whether on or off campus, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization.”
Penalties in Iowa:
- Simple misdemeanor (up to 30 days in jail, $625 fine)
- Aggravated misdemeanor if serious injury occurs (up to 2 years in jail)
- Class D felony if death results (up to 5 years in prison)
Consent is NOT a defense in Iowa.
📞 Emergency Contacts for Lyon County Hazing Victims
- Attorney 911 Hazing Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
- Lyon County Sheriff’s Office: (712) 472-8300
- Northwestern College Security: (712) 707-7000
- Iowa Lakes Community College Security: (712) 362-7911
- National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE
🔥 The Message to Lyon County Fraternities: We Are Watching
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and every fraternity operating in Lyon County, IA:
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are coming for you.
- We know your corporate structures (EINs, housing corporations, alumni chapters).
- We know your hazing histories (Pi Kappa Phi: Andrew Coffey’s death; UH hospitalization).
- We know your insurance policies—and we know how to make them pay.
- We know you plan to come back after scandals—not this time.
If you haze students in Lyon County, IA, we will sue you. We will depose your leaders. We will expose your culture. And we will make you pay.
The UH Pi Kappa Phi chapter is shut down. Your chapter could be next.
🏆 Justice for Lyon County Hazing Victims
Hazing in Lyon County, IA, is not inevitable. It’s not tradition. It’s abuse—and it must stop.
If your child was hazed, you have the power to fight back. You have the power to hold the fraternity, the university, and the individuals accountable. You have the power to prevent this from happening to another Lyon County family.
We are Attorney 911. We are fighting this battle right now. And we will fight for you.
Call us today. Let’s end hazing in Lyon County, IA—together.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
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