🚨 Hazing Victim Legal Representation in Madison County, Nebraska

Madison County Families: Your Child Was Hazed. You Have Rights. We Can Help.

Hazing isn’t tradition. It’s abuse. It’s assault. And it’s illegal in Nebraska.

If your child was hazed at a Madison County university, fraternity, sorority, or student organization, you need experienced legal representation to hold the responsible parties accountable. Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit in Texas — and we’re ready to bring that same aggressive representation to Madison County families.

We don’t just talk about fighting hazing. We’re doing it right now.

🔥 The Hazing Crisis in Madison County, Nebraska

Madison County is home to Wayne State College, a respected institution with a growing Greek life presence. While Wayne State College has a strong academic reputation, the presence of national fraternities and sororities means Madison County students face the same hazing risks that have hospitalized and killed students across America.

The same national fraternities that waterboarded a student in Houston operate chapters near Madison County.

The same “traditions” that caused kidney failure in Texas exist at Nebraska institutions.

The same negligence that allowed hazing at University of Houston exists at colleges near Madison County.

Your child could be next.

📍 Hazing in Nebraska: The Reality

While Nebraska may not make national headlines for hazing deaths like some states, the problem is very real:

• Fraternities and sororities at Nebraska universities have been disciplined for hazing
• Athletic teams have faced hazing allegations
• Marching bands and other student organizations engage in dangerous initiation rituals
• Nebraska law prohibits hazing — but enforcement is often weak until someone gets hurt

In 2017, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln fraternity was suspended for hazing. In 2021, another UNL fraternity was suspended for alcohol-related hazing. These incidents prove that hazing culture exists in Nebraska — and Madison County students are at risk.

The time to act is before your child gets hurt. But if it’s already happened, we can help.

🏥 What Hazing Looks Like in Madison County

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “girls bonding.” It’s systematic abuse that can cause:

Physical Injuries:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown from forced exercise) — can lead to kidney failure
• Alcohol poisoning from forced drinking
• Broken bones from physical abuse
• Traumatic brain injuries from beatings or falls
• Hypothermia from forced exposure to cold
• Burns from branding or hot objects

Psychological Trauma:

• PTSD from waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Anxiety and depression from constant humiliation
• Fear of retaliation — many victims stay silent
• Academic decline from sleep deprivation and stress
• Substance abuse as self-medication

Sexual Abuse:

• Forced nudity
• Sexual humiliation
• Sexual assault
• Carrying sexual objects as “punishment”

Financial Consequences:

• Medical bills from injuries
• Therapy costs for trauma
• Lost wages from missed work
• Tuition wasted if forced to drop out

This isn’t harmless fun. This is abuse. And it’s happening to Madison County students right now.

💰 The $10 Million Fight: Why Madison County Families Should Care

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. This case proves that hazing victims can win big — and Madison County families can too.

What Happened in Our Texas Case:

• A Madison County-like student (not even enrolled at the university yet) was hazed by Pi Kappa Phi
• He was waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then continue running
• Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Pi Kappa Phi closed the chapter — but only after the lawsuit was filed
• University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the torture occurred

This same fraternity has chapters across America — including near Madison County.

This same university negligence exists at institutions near Madison County.

This could happen to your child in Madison County.

⚖️ Nebraska Hazing Laws: What Madison County Families Need to Know

Nebraska Revised Statute § 28-311.06 — Hazing

Definition of Hazing in Nebraska:

Any activity by which a person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health or safety of an individual for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group, organization, or team.

This includes:

• Physical brutality (beatings, paddling, branding)
• Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
• Sleep deprivation
• Exposure to extreme weather
• Psychological abuse
• Any activity that creates risk of injury

Nebraska Law is Clear: Consent is NOT a defense.

§ 28-311.06(3): “It is not a defense to a charge of hazing that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This means:

• Even if your child “agreed” to participate
• Even if they “knew what they were getting into”
• Even if they “could have left at any time”

THE LAW SAYS: CONSENT DOESN’T MATTER. HAZING IS ILLEGAL.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing in Nebraska:

This means:

• Individuals who haze can go to prison
• Organizations that haze can be fined and shut down
• Universities that allow hazing can face civil liability

Civil Liability: What Madison County Families Can Sue For

Criminal charges punish the perpetrators. Civil lawsuits compensate the victims.

Madison County families can sue for:

Precedent shows hazing cases win MILLIONS:

• $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Ohio)
• $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (Louisiana)
• $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Pennsylvania)

Madison County families deserve the same justice.

🎯 Who Is Liable for Hazing in Madison County?

1. The Local Chapter

• Directly organized and conducted the hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledge master, etc.) can be sued personally
• Example: In our Texas case, the chapter president and pledgemaster are named defendants

2. The National Organization

• Knew or should have known about hazing culture
• Failed to supervise local chapters
• Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Example: Pi Kappa Phi National knew about Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017 — but did nothing to stop Leonel Bermudez from being hospitalized in 2025

3. The University

• If they own the fraternity/sorority house — premises liability
• If they knew or should have known about hazing — negligent supervision
• If they had prior incidents — institutional negligence
• Example: University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where waterboarding occurred

4. Individual Members

• Anyone who participated in or facilitated hazing
• Anyone who failed to stop hazing they witnessed
• Example: In our Texas case, current and former members are named as defendants

5. Alumni/Hosts

• Anyone who allowed hazing at their home
• Example: In our Texas case, a former member and his spouse are named for allowing hazing at their residence

6. Insurance Companies

• National organizations have liability insurance
• Universities have institutional insurance
• Homeowners insurance may cover individual defendants

Madison County families: These same defendants exist in Nebraska. We know how to sue them all.

📋 What Madison County Families Should Do If Their Child Was Hazed

STEP 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked
• Rhabdomyolysis and other conditions may not show symptoms immediately
• Medical records create documentation for your case
• Delaying treatment hurts your legal claim — insurance companies will argue you weren’t really hurt

STEP 2: Preserve ALL Evidence

DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING.

If your child is incapacitated, have friends or family preserve evidence immediately.

STEP 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without Legal Counsel

• The fraternity/sorority will try to control the narrative
• They may offer a “settlement” that waives your rights
• They may intimidate witnesses
• Anything you say can be used against you

STEP 4: Do NOT Post on Social Media

• DO NOT post about the incident
• DO NOT post about being “fine” or “okay”
• DO NOT post party photos
• DO NOT engage with Greek life members online
• DO NOT delete old posts (that’s destruction of evidence)

Social media posts can destroy your case.

STEP 5: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

• Nebraska has a statute of limitations — you may lose your rights if you wait
• Evidence disappears quickly — witnesses forget, organizations destroy records
• Insurance companies will lowball you — they want to pay as little as possible
• The organization will have lawyers — you need your own

Madison County families: Call Attorney 911 today.

📞 Why Madison County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting Hazing RIGHT NOW

• We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit in Texas
• We know how to build these cases
• We know how to win
• Madison County families get the same aggressive representation

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides
• We know their playbook
• We know how they try to deny claims
• We know how to dismantle their defenses

3. Nationwide Service — We Come to Madison County

• Based in Texas, but we serve clients nationwide
• Federal court authority — can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York
• Video consultations available for Madison County families
• We travel to Madison County for depositions, trials, and client meetings

4. Contingency Fee Representation — $0 Upfront

• No upfront cost — you pay nothing to hire us
• No hourly fees — we don’t charge by the hour
• We only get paid if you win
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

Madison County families: You can afford to fight. The organization can’t afford to lose.

5. Bilingual Representation — Se Habla Español

• Lupe Pena is fluent in Spanish
• We serve Spanish-speaking families without language barriers
• No family should face hazing trauma with communication barriers

6. Proven Track Record in High-Stakes Litigation

• BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience
• Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases
• Federal court experience — U.S. District Court admission
• Criminal defense experience — know how to navigate parallel criminal investigations

7. We Understand the Culture

• Ralph Manginello is a former athlete and coach
• We understand team dynamics, locker room culture, and the pressures students face
• We know how fraternities and sororities operate
• We know how universities fail to protect students

8. We Protect Our Clients

• Our Texas client is fearful of retribution — we protect his identity
• We handle all communications with the organization
• We shield you from intimidation tactics
• We fight for your privacy

🎯 What Madison County Families Can Expect in a Hazing Lawsuit

Phase 1: Case Evaluation (Immediate)

• Free consultation to evaluate your case
• Review of evidence and injuries
• Determination of liable parties
• Assessment of potential damages

Phase 2: Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to all defendants
• Demand all evidence be saved
• Obtain medical records, communications, witness statements

Phase 3: Filing the Lawsuit

• File complaint in appropriate court
• Serve all defendants
• Begin formal discovery process

Phase 4: Discovery (3-12 months)

• Written questions (interrogatories)
• Document requests
• Depositions of defendants, witnesses, experts
• Medical examinations
• Expert reports

Phase 5: Negotiation & Settlement

• Demand package sent to defendants
• Settlement negotiations
• Mediation (structured settlement discussion)
• You control whether to accept any offer

Phase 6: Trial (if needed)

• Jury selection
• Opening statements
• Witness testimony
• Closing arguments
• Verdict

Phase 7: Resolution

• Settlement or verdict payment
• Distribution of funds
• Case closed

Most cases settle before trial. But we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial — because that’s how you get the best settlement.

💼 Types of Hazing Cases We Handle for Madison County Families

If your Madison County child was hazed in any organization, we can help.

📚 Hazing Precedents That Protect Madison County Families

1. Stone Foltz — $10.1 Million (Ohio, 2024)

• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
• Injury: Death from forced alcohol consumption
• Outcome: $10.1 million settlement (university + fraternity)
• Why It Matters: Shows that $10 million+ is achievable in hazing cases

2. Maxwell Gruver — $6.1 Million Jury Verdict (Louisiana, 2023)

• Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
• Injury: Death from forced drinking (BAC 0.495)
• Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict; criminal convictions
• Why It Matters: Juries hate hazing and will award millions

3. Timothy Piazza — $110+ Million (Pennsylvania, 2017-2024)

• Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
• Injury: Death from traumatic brain injury (fell down stairs while intoxicated)
• Outcome: $110+ million settlement; multiple criminal convictions
• Why It Matters: Shows maximum possible recovery in hazing cases

4. Andrew Coffey — Same Fraternity as Our Texas Case (Florida, 2017)

• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
• Injury: Death from forced drinking
• Outcome: Chapter permanently closed; criminal charges
• Why It Matters: Pi Kappa Phi knew their chapters were deadly — but did nothing

5. Jared Munoz — Same University as Our Texas Case (Texas, 2017)

• University: University of Houston
• Injury: Lacerated spleen from hazing
• Outcome: $1 million lawsuit filed
• Why It Matters: UH knew hazing was dangerous — but did nothing to stop it

Madison County families: These same patterns exist at Nebraska institutions. These same results are possible for you.

🔍 How to Recognize Hazing in Madison County

Hazing often starts with seemingly “harmless” activities that escalate. Warning signs include:

Physical Hazing:

• Forced exercise to exhaustion (pushups, squats, running)
• Beating or paddling
• Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or non-food items
• Sleep deprivation
• Exposure to extreme weather (cold, heat)
• Forced to carry objects (bricks, paddles, sexual items)
• Branding or tattooing
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning

Psychological Hazing:

• Forced to recite pledges or creeds while exhausted
• Required to wear embarrassing clothing
• Forced to answer personal questions
• Required to perform personal services for members
• Threatened with expulsion if they don’t comply
• Isolated from friends and family

Sexual Hazing:

• Forced nudity
• Sexual humiliation
• Sexual assault
• Forced to carry sexual objects

Academic Hazing:

• Forced to miss class for hazing activities
• Required to maintain certain grades while being hazed
• Threatened with academic consequences if they report

If you see these signs in Madison County, your child may be in danger.

🚨 What to Do If Your Madison County Child Is Being Hazed NOW

ACT IMMEDIATELY:

1. Remove them from the situation — get them to safety
2. Seek medical attention — document any injuries
3. Preserve evidence — take photos, save texts, get witness info
4. Do NOT let them confront the organization alone
5. Contact an attorney — we can help stop the hazing and protect your child

We can send cease-and-desist letters to stop the hazing.

We can file restraining orders if needed.

We can take legal action to protect your child.

📞 Madison County Families: Call Attorney 911 Today

Hazing victims in Madison County, Nebraska deserve justice. We’re ready to fight for you.

Free Consultation — 24/7 Availability

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

We serve Madison County and all of Nebraska. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront. We only get paid if you win.

🔥 Message to Madison County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Madison County:

We are watching. We are coming. The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Madison County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

To the universities near Madison County:

The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.

To Greek life leadership at Madison County institutions:

The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

🎓 To Madison County Parents: Protect Your Child

Your child trusted these organizations. That trust was betrayed.

You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. That expectation was violated.

Hazing isn’t tradition. It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s illegal.

If your child was hazed in Madison County, you have rights. You have options. You have us.

Call Attorney 911 today. Let’s fight for your child — and for every Madison County student who comes after them.

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

Madison County families: The fight against hazing starts here.