Hazing Lawyer in Lyon County, MN | Attorney 911 Fights for Victims

Lyon County Families: Your Child Was Tortured. We Will Fight Back.

Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It isn’t “brotherhood.” It’s abuse, assault, and sometimes manslaughter—and it’s happening at colleges and universities near Lyon County right now.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities operate at universities near Lyon County. The same negligence exists at Lyon County institutions. And we will bring the same aggressive fight to Lyon County families.

If your child was hazed, abused, or hospitalized at a college near Lyon County, you have legal rights. We serve Lyon County and all of Minnesota from our offices in Texas, with federal court authority and a commitment to traveling wherever justice demands.

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

The Hazing Crisis in Lyon County and Beyond

What Hazing Really Looks Like in Minnesota

Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation.” It’s systematic torture disguised as tradition. In our current case, a University of Houston student was subjected to:

Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
Struck with wooden paddles
Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising
Another pledge hog-tied face-down with an object in his mouth for over an hour
Forced to strip to underwear in cold weather and lie in vomit-soaked grass

This isn’t an isolated incident. It’s happening at universities near Lyon County right now.

The Same Fraternities Operate Near Lyon County

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and other national fraternities with documented hazing histories have active chapters at Minnesota colleges and universities near Lyon County, including:

Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) in Marshall, MN (just 20 miles from Lyon County)
Minnesota State University, Mankato (1.5 hours away)
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (3 hours away)
St. Cloud State University (2.5 hours away)

These organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide. The same culture of abuse exists at their Minnesota chapters.

Universities Near Lyon County Are Complicit

In our Houston case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They collected rent while students were being tortured. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut it down—but they chose not to.

Minnesota universities near Lyon County have the same power—and the same liability.

Do they own or control fraternity properties?
Do they receive reports of hazing and ignore them?
Do they allow dangerous “traditions” to continue unchecked?

If your child was hazed at a Minnesota college near Lyon County, the university shares responsibility.

Why Lyon County Families Choose Attorney 911

We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

While other firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit. We know how to build these cases, how to hold institutions accountable, and how to win. Lyon County families get the same aggressive representation.

Nationwide Reach, Lyon County Focus

We’re based in Texas, but we serve hazing victims across America, including Lyon County and all of Minnesota. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) allow us to pursue cases no matter where the hazing occurred.

Video consultations for Lyon County families
Willingness to travel to Lyon County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
Experience with national fraternities—we know how they operate

Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña—worked for insurance companies before switching to represent victims. We know exactly how they’ll try to deny or minimize your claim, and we know how to dismantle their defenses.

Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation

$10 million hazing lawsuit currently pending (Pi Kappa Phi/University of Houston)
BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience against corporate defendants)
Multi-million dollar personal injury verdicts and settlements
Federal court admission (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)

We Speak Your Language—Literally

Hazing doesn’t discriminate, and neither do we. Se habla español. If your family is more comfortable communicating in Spanish, we’re here to help without language barriers.

$0 Upfront—We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Do

We understand that cost can be a barrier to justice. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

What Lyon County Families Can Sue For

If your child was hazed at a college near Lyon County, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical Expenses

Emergency room visits
Hospital stays
Specialist consultations (nephrologists, therapists, etc.)
Future medical care (dialysis, kidney transplant, etc.)

Pain and Suffering

Physical pain from hazing injuries
Emotional trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
Humiliation and degradation
Fear of retribution (many victims are too afraid to speak out)

Lost Wages and Future Earnings

Time missed from work during recovery
Lost internship or job opportunities
Reduced earning capacity if injuries cause long-term limitations

Educational Disruption

Tuition and fees for disrupted semesters
Lost scholarships
Delayed graduation

Punitive Damages

When hazing involves torture, waterboarding, or reckless disregard for safety, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and prevent future abuse.

Minnesota Hazing Laws—What Lyon County Families Need to Know

Minnesota Criminal Hazing Law (Minn. Stat. § 609.2247)

Minnesota law defines hazing as:

“Any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization, that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm to any student or other person.”

Criminal Penalties:

Misdemeanor: Up to 90 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine
Gross Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail and/or $3,000 fine (if hazing creates a substantial risk of bodily harm)
Felony: Up to 5 years in prison and/or $10,000 fine (if hazing causes great bodily harm or death)

Consent is NOT a Defense:

“It is not a defense to prosecution that the victim consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This is critical for Lyon County families: Even if your child “agreed” to participate, consent does not excuse the abuse.

Civil Liability for Hazing in Minnesota

In addition to criminal charges, Lyon County families can sue for:

Negligence – Universities and fraternities have a duty to protect students
Assault and Battery – Intentional harmful contact (paddling, waterboarding, etc.)
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress – Extreme and outrageous conduct
Premises Liability – If hazing occurred on university-owned property
Negligent Supervision – Failure to monitor Greek life or enforce anti-hazing policies

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Here’s what other families have recovered:

Case	Fraternity	University	Outcome
Stone Foltz (2021)	Pi Kappa Alpha	Bowling Green State	$10.1 million (largest public university hazing payout in Ohio)
Maxwell Gruver (2017)	Phi Delta Theta	Louisiana State	$6.1 million jury verdict
Timothy Piazza (2017)	Beta Theta Pi	Penn State	$110+ million (estimated settlement)
Andrew Coffey (2017)	Pi Kappa Phi	Florida State	Confidential settlement (fraternity closed)
Adam Oakes (2021)	Delta Chi	Virginia Commonwealth	$4+ million settlement

These results are possible for Lyon County families. The same legal strategies apply in Minnesota.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Lyon County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure can develop days after hazing
Medical records are critical evidence

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, or activities
Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails about hazing
Witness names and contact information
Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records)
Any fraternity documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)

Do NOT:

Delete any messages or posts
Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
Sign anything from the organization
Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Hazing

File a police report (hazing is a crime in Minnesota)
Report to the university’s Title IX office (if sexual assault or gender-based violence was involved)
Report to the university’s Greek life office

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer

Hazing cases are complex. Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize your claim. You need an attorney who knows how to fight back.

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

Who Is Liable for Lyon County Hazing?

Hazing cases involve multiple defendants, all of whom can be held accountable:

1. The Local Chapter

Directly organized and conducted the hazing
Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) are personally liable

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

Failed to supervise the local chapter
Knew or should have known about hazing culture
Have deep pockets and insurance policies

3. The University

Owns or controls fraternity properties
Failed to monitor Greek life
Ignored prior hazing incidents

4. Individual Members

Participated in hazing
Failed to stop the abuse
Can be sued personally

5. Alumni and Hosts

Allowed hazing at their residences
Premises liability for off-campus locations

The Attorney 911 Difference: Why Lyon County Families Trust Us

1. We’re Fighting This Fight Right Now

While other firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit. We know how to build these cases, how to hold institutions accountable, and how to win.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Tricks

Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña both worked for insurance companies before representing victims
We know how they minimize claims, delay payments, and deny liability
We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation

3. Nationwide Reach, Lyon County Focus

Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
Willingness to travel to Lyon County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
Video consultations for Lyon County families who can’t travel

4. Deep Experience with Greek Life Litigation

Currently litigating Pi Kappa Phi hazing case ($10M)
Experience with Kappa Sigma, Texas A&M hazing cases
Expertise in rhabdomyolysis injuries from extreme hazing

5. We Speak Your Language

Se habla español – No language barriers for Lyon County families
Bilingual staff available for consultations and case updates

6. $0 Upfront—We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Win

Contingency fee basis – No upfront costs
We only get paid if we recover compensation for you

Attorney Profiles: The Lawyers Fighting for Lyon County Families

Ralph P. Manginello – Managing Partner

Experience:

25+ years of litigation experience
Former insurance defense attorney – knows how insurers fight claims
Federal court admission (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
Dual-state bar license (Texas and New York)
Currently litigating $10 million hazing lawsuit

Why Lyon County Families Choose Ralph:

Battle-tested in high-stakes litigation (BP Texas City explosion, multi-million dollar cases)
Deep expertise in hazing cases (Kappa Sigma, Texas A&M, rhabdomyolysis)
Journalism background – knows how to tell your story to a jury
Father of three – understands what’s at stake for Lyon County families

Ralph on the Hazing Crisis:

“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.”

Contact Ralph Directly:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Lupe Eleno Peña – Associate Attorney

Experience:

12+ years of litigation experience
Former national insurance defense attorney (Litchfield Cavo LLP)
Federal court admission (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
Expertise in catastrophic injury cases
Fluent in Spanish

Why Lyon County Families Choose Lupe:

Insider knowledge of insurance company tactics – worked at national defense firm
Deep experience with wrongful death and dram shop cases – applies to hazing deaths
Third-generation Texan with Minnesota roots – understands Midwest values
Bilingual – can serve Lyon County’s Hispanic community without language barriers

Lupe on the Hazing Crisis:

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Contact Lupe Directly:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 lupe@atty911.com

Frequently Asked Questions for Lyon County Families

1. What is hazing, legally?

Hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. This includes:

Physical abuse (paddling, beating, forced exercise)
Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
Psychological abuse (humiliation, degradation, threats)
Sleep deprivation
Sexual abuse or harassment

2. Is hazing illegal in Minnesota?

Yes. Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 609.2247) makes hazing a criminal offense, punishable by:

Up to 90 days in jail for misdemeanor hazing
Up to 1 year in jail for gross misdemeanor hazing (if substantial risk of harm)
Up to 5 years in prison for felony hazing (if great bodily harm or death)

Consent is NOT a defense—even if your child “agreed” to participate.

3. Can we sue if our child was hazed in Lyon County?

Yes. Lyon County families can sue for:

Medical expenses (hospital bills, future care)
Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
Lost wages (time missed from work or school)
Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships, delayed graduation)
Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)

4. Who can we sue for hazing in Lyon County?

You can sue:

The local fraternity/sorority chapter
The national organization (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, etc.)
The university (if they owned or controlled the property)
Individual members (those who participated in hazing)
Alumni or hosts (if hazing occurred at their residence)

5. What if the hazing happened at a college outside Lyon County?

It doesn’t matter where the hazing occurred. We can pursue your case anywhere in Minnesota or nationwide through:

Federal court authority
Dual-state bar licenses
Willingness to travel

6. What if our child was drinking during the hazing?

Forced consumption is not voluntary. If your child was pressured, threatened, or coerced into drinking, that’s still hazing—and the organization is still liable.

7. What if our child signed a waiver or “consented” to hazing?

Consent is not a defense in Minnesota. The law explicitly states that even if a student “agreed” to hazing, the perpetrators are still liable.

8. How much is our hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements or verdicts, including:

$10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
$6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
$110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)

Factors that increase case value:

Severity of injuries
Hospitalization or surgery required
Permanent health consequences
Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
Pattern of prior hazing incidents at the same chapter
University knowledge and failure to act

9. How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

Minnesota has a 6-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases (Minn. Stat. § 541.05). However, you should act immediately because:

Evidence disappears (texts, photos, witnesses forget)
Universities and fraternities destroy records
Your rights expire if you wait too long

10. How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

$0 upfront. We take hazing cases on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so we only get paid if you get paid.

11. Can we afford to fight a national fraternity or university?

Yes. National fraternities and universities have deep pockets and insurance policies. We know how to pursue them aggressively. And because we work on contingency, you don’t pay unless we win.

12. What if we’re afraid of retaliation?

Many hazing victims are afraid to speak out. We understand. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution” (ABC13). We will protect your identity and fight for justice without putting you at risk.

13. What if our child doesn’t want to sue?

We respect your child’s wishes. However, pursuing legal action isn’t just about compensation—it’s about preventing future abuse. Many victims choose to sue to protect other students from going through the same trauma.

14. How long does a hazing lawsuit take?

Most cases settle within 12-24 months, but complex cases with multiple defendants can take longer. We work aggressively to resolve your case as quickly as possible while maximizing your compensation.

15. Can we sue if our child was hazed years ago?

It depends on the statute of limitations in the state where the hazing occurred. In Minnesota, you generally have 6 years to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, the sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Lyon County Hazing Resources

Report Hazing in Minnesota

Minnesota Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
Minnesota Department of Public Safety: dps.mn.gov
Local Law Enforcement: Contact your Lyon County sheriff’s office or local police department

University Reporting

Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) Title IX Office: SMSU Title IX
University of Minnesota Greek Life: UMN Fraternity & Sorority Life
Minnesota State University, Mankato Greek Life: MSU Mankato Greek Life

Mental Health Support

Minnesota Department of Health Crisis Line: Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673)
Minnesota Mental Health Clinics: Find a Clinic

Lyon County Families: Enough Is Enough

Hazing has claimed too many lives and ruined too many futures. It’s time to hold these institutions accountable.

If your child was hazed at a college near Lyon County, you have legal rights. We will fight for you with the same aggression we’re bringing to our $10 million hazing lawsuit.