🚨 Hazing in Marshall County: Know Your Rights and How to Fight Back
Marshall County families: If your child has been hazed, you are not alone. And you are not powerless.
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It’s abuse. It’s illegal. And it happens right here in Marshall County. The same fraternities that have killed students nationwide operate at universities near Marshall County. The same negligence that sent a University of Houston student to the hospital with kidney failure exists at Marshall County institutions.
At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles during Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston. He ended up in the hospital with kidney failure. Now we’re suing for $10 million.
Marshall County families: This could be your child. And we will fight for you just like we’re fighting for Leonel.
📞 Marshall County Hazing Victims: Call Now for Free Consultation
1-888-ATTY-911
Available 24/7 for Marshall County families
🔍 What Is Hazing — And Why It’s Dangerous in Marshall County
Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them — regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. In Minnesota, hazing is illegal and can result in criminal charges.
Common hazing activities in Marshall County and nationwide include:
- Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking)
- Extreme physical exercise (like 500 squats, bear crawls, or “suicides”)
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Beating with wooden paddles
- Sleep deprivation
- Forced consumption of food or non-food items until vomiting
- Psychological abuse and humiliation
- Sexual assault or harassment
The medical consequences can be severe:
- Alcohol poisoning
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
- Traumatic brain injury
- Hypothermia or heat stroke
- Broken bones
- Death
In our current case, Leonel Bermudez suffered:
- Severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
- Acute kidney failure
- 4 days in the hospital
- Ongoing medical monitoring
This isn’t tradition. This is torture.
⚖️ Minnesota Hazing Laws: What Marshall County Families Need to Know
Minnesota Statute § 121A.69 — Hazing Prohibited
Definition of Hazing:
Any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization, athletic team, or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending any school, college, university, or other educational institution in this state.
Key Provisions:
- Hazing is a misdemeanor in Minnesota
- Consent is not a defense — even if the victim agreed to participate, it’s still illegal
- Schools must have anti-hazing policies
- Schools must report hazing incidents
For Marshall County families: If your child was hazed at a Minnesota college or university, the institution had a legal duty to protect them. When they failed, you have legal rights.
🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable in Marshall County Hazing Cases
When hazing happens in Marshall County, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:
1. Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapters
- Directly organize and conduct hazing activities
- Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager) have leadership responsibility
- Individual members who participate are personally liable
2. National Fraternity/Sorority Organizations
- Provide oversight and policies
- Know about hazing risks (many have prior incidents)
- Have deep pockets and insurance policies
- Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other nationals operate near Marshall County
3. Colleges and Universities Near Marshall County
- Have duty to protect students
- Often own or control Greek housing
- Have power to regulate or remove organizations
- Can be liable for negligent supervision
- Universities near Marshall County include:
- University of Minnesota Crookston (approximately 45 miles from Marshall County)
- Northland Community & Technical College (approximately 30 miles from Marshall County)
- Minnesota State University Moorhead (approximately 70 miles from Marshall County)
- Other regional institutions where Marshall County students may attend
4. Individual Perpetrators
- Each person who participated in hazing can be sued individually
- Personal assets and homeowner’s insurance may provide coverage
5. Housing Corporations and Property Owners
- Own fraternity/sorority houses where hazing occurs
- Have premises liability for unsafe conditions
💰 What Marshall County Families Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit
If your child was hazed in or near Marshall County, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses (hospital bills, rehabilitation, ongoing treatment)
- Future medical costs (if injuries require long-term care)
- Lost wages (if your child missed work or internships)
- Educational expenses (tuition, fees if enrollment was disrupted)
- Property damage (if personal items were damaged during hazing)
Non-Economic Damages:
- Physical pain and suffering (from injuries sustained)
- Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse)
- Humiliation and embarrassment (from degrading activities)
- Loss of enjoyment of life (impact on college experience)
- Disfigurement (scars, permanent injuries)
Punitive Damages:
- Awarded when conduct is especially egregious
- Meant to punish wrongdoers and deter future misconduct
- Appropriate when institutions knew about hazing and failed to stop it
Recent hazing cases nationwide have resulted in:
- $10.1 million settlement (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million jury verdict (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
- $110+ million settlement (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)
Marshall County families: Your child deserves the same justice.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Marshall County
IMMEDIATE STEPS:
-
Seek medical attention — Even if injuries seem minor, get checked. Some conditions like rhabdomyolysis may not show symptoms immediately.
-
Preserve all evidence —
- Take photos of injuries
- Save all text messages, social media posts, GroupMe chats
- Keep any physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)
- Get names and contact information of witnesses
-
Do NOT talk to the fraternity/sorority or university alone — They will try to control the narrative and minimize your claim.
-
Do NOT post on social media — Anything you post can be used against you.
-
Contact an experienced hazing attorney immediately — Evidence disappears quickly, and statutes of limitations apply.
LONG-TERM STEPS:
-
Follow all medical advice — Attend all follow-up appointments and therapy sessions.
-
Document everything — Keep a journal of symptoms, medical visits, and how the hazing has affected your child’s life.
-
Report to authorities — Consider filing a police report and reporting to the university’s Title IX office.
-
Contact Attorney 911 — We offer free consultations and work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.
⏳ Why Marshall County Families Need to Act Now
The Statute of Limitations:
- In Minnesota, you typically have 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit
- If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue forever
Evidence Disappears Quickly:
- Text messages get deleted
- Social media posts get removed
- Witnesses forget details
- Organizations destroy records
The Sooner You Act, the Stronger Your Case:
- We can send preservation letters to prevent evidence destruction
- We can interview witnesses while memories are fresh
- We can document injuries at all stages of healing
Marshall County families: Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call us today.
🏆 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Marshall County Hazing Case
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
- Marshall County families get the same aggressive representation we provide in Houston
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides
- We know their playbook — and we use it against them
- We know how to maximize your recovery
3. Federal Court Authority
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- Can pursue cases in federal court when appropriate
4. Dual-State Licensed
- Licensed in Minnesota AND Texas
- Strategic advantage for cases involving national organizations
5. Nationwide Reach
- While based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide
- We travel to Marshall County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- Offer video consultations for Marshall County families
6. Contingency Fee Representation
- $0 upfront costs — You pay nothing to hire us
- $0 unless we win — We only get paid if we recover compensation for you
- Level playing field — Now you can fight back against institutions with deep pockets
7. Bilingual Services
- Se habla español
- Can serve Marshall County’s Hispanic families without language barriers
8. Proven Track Record
- 25+ years of litigation experience
- Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts
- Experience with complex institutional defendants
9. Compassionate Representation
- We understand the trauma hazing victims experience
- We treat Marshall County families with dignity and respect
- We see your child as a person, not a paycheck
🎓 Common Hazing Scenarios in Marshall County — And How We Help
Scenario 1: “My son was forced to drink until he passed out at a fraternity near Marshall County.”
How we help:
- Document alcohol poisoning and related injuries
- Identify all responsible parties (individuals, chapter, nationals, university)
- Pursue compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages
Scenario 2: “My daughter was subjected to extreme physical exercise that put her in the hospital.”
How we help:
- Document rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, or other injuries
- Establish pattern of abuse through witness testimony
- Sue for medical expenses, future health consequences, and emotional trauma
Scenario 3: “My child was waterboarded during pledge activities.”
How we help:
- Frame waterboarding as torture (not hazing)
- Pursue punitive damages for egregious conduct
- Hold individual perpetrators personally liable
Scenario 4: “The university near Marshall County knew about hazing and did nothing.”
How we help:
- Establish institutional knowledge through discovery
- Pursue negligent supervision claims
- Demand accountability from university leadership
Scenario 5: “My child was hazed at a sorority near Marshall County.”
How we help:
- Document psychological trauma, humiliation, and abuse
- Pursue claims against sorority nationals and local chapter
- Protect your child’s privacy while seeking justice
Scenario 6: “My child wasn’t even a student yet when they were hazed.”
How we help:
- Establish that duty of care extends to prospective members
- Pursue claims against the organization for reckless recruitment practices
- Protect other potential victims
📞 Marshall County Families: Contact Us Today
If your child has been hazed in or near Marshall County, we can help. Call now for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We come to Marshall County. We fight for Marshall County families. And we don’t get paid unless we win for you.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions for Marshall County Families
Q: “My child signed a waiver saying they consented to hazing. Does that mean we can’t sue?”
A: No. Minnesota law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child signed something or verbally agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
Q: “The fraternity says this was just ‘tradition’ and not hazing. What can we do?”
A: “Tradition” is not a legal defense. If the activities caused harm or endangered your child, it’s hazing. We’ll document the conduct and prove it meets the legal definition.
Q: “We’re in Marshall County. How can a law firm from Texas help us?”
A: We serve hazing victims nationwide. We travel to Marshall County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. We offer video consultations. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Q: “The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can we still sue them?”
A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight or ignored warning signs, they can be held liable for negligent supervision.
Q: “My child is afraid of retaliation if we speak out. What can we do?”
A: We understand this fear — our current client is also afraid of retribution. We’ll protect your child’s identity and take steps to prevent retaliation. Many states have laws protecting hazing victims who come forward.
Q: “How much will this cost us? We can’t afford a lawyer.”
A: We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This levels the playing field so Marshall County families can fight back against powerful institutions.
Q: “What if the hazing happened off-campus?”
A: It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of where it occurs. If it was part of fraternity/sorority activities, the organization can still be held liable.
Q: “Can we sue the national fraternity organization, not just the local chapter?”
A: Absolutely. National organizations often have more resources and insurance coverage. They also have more responsibility for overseeing local chapters.
Q: “What if my child participated in some activities but not others?”
A: That doesn’t matter. Even if your child participated in some activities, they didn’t consent to illegal or dangerous conduct. We’ll focus on the specific acts that caused harm.
Q: “How long does a hazing lawsuit take?”
A: Every case is different. Some settle within months; others take years. We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing your recovery.
Q: “Can we file a criminal complaint too?”
A: Yes. Hazing is a crime in Minnesota. We can help you file a police report and coordinate with law enforcement. Criminal and civil cases can proceed simultaneously.
Q: “What if my child is an international student?”
A: Your child has the same legal rights as any other student. We’ve represented international students before and understand the unique challenges they face.
🔥 To Fraternities and Sororities Operating Near Marshall County:
We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. And we’re coming for you.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. The same national organizations that have paid millions in settlements oversee your activities.
If you haze students near Marshall County, we will find every liable entity. We will pursue every insurance policy. We will hold every individual accountable.
Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? SHUT DOWN. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
That’s what happens when you haze in Minnesota.
🏆 Our Commitment to Marshall County Families
At Attorney 911, we believe that no family should have to suffer through the trauma of hazing alone. We believe that institutions that enable abuse must be held accountable. And we believe that Marshall County families deserve justice.
When you hire us:
- We treat you with compassion and respect
- We fight aggressively for maximum compensation
- We protect your privacy and your child’s future
- We don’t back down from powerful institutions
- We don’t get paid unless we win for you
Marshall County families: You are not alone. We are here to help. Call us today.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Justice for Marshall County hazing victims starts here.
