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McLeod County Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 23, 2026 12 min read
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Hazing Lawyers in McLeod County, MN | Attorney 911

Hazing Victims in McLeod County Deserve Justice

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization near McLeod County, Minnesota, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is fighting this battle right now—and we will bring the same aggressive representation to McLeod County families.

This Is Happening in McLeod County

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and hospitalizations nationwide—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others—operate chapters at universities near McLeod County. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist right here in Minnesota.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near McLeod County, they face the same risks.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in McLeod County, MN

What Is Hazing?

Hazing is any intentional, reckless, or dangerous act committed for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a student organization. In Minnesota, hazing is illegal—and it can lead to criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and multi-million-dollar verdicts.

Hazing Happens in McLeod County

While McLeod County itself may not have a major university, nearby institutions—including St. Cloud State University, the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities), and Minnesota State University, Mankato—have active Greek life chapters. The same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths operate near McLeod County.

Common Hazing Practices Near McLeod County:
Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, “drink until you vomit”)
Extreme physical punishment (500 squats, bear crawls, paddling)
Psychological torture (sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats)
Waterboarding & simulated drowning (yes, this happens)
Forced servitude (driving members at all hours, cleaning fraternity houses)
Sexual humiliation (carrying sexual objects, forced nudity)

The Consequences?

  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
  • Alcohol poisoning (leading to coma or death)
  • Traumatic brain injuries (from beatings or falls)
  • PTSD, anxiety, and depression
  • Death

💰 We Are Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit Right Now

This Case Could Be Your Child’s Story

Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi & University of HoustonFiled November 21, 2025

What Happened?
Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student not yet enrolled at UH, accepted a bid to Pi Kappa Phi. Over seven weeks, he was subjected to:

  • Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
  • Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, and bear crawls until he collapsed
  • Struck with wooden paddles
  • Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to run sprints
  • Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth (another pledge)
  • Another pledge lost consciousness and collapsed—they kept going

The Result?

  • Severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
  • Acute kidney failure
  • Hospitalized for 3 nights, 4 days

The Defendants?

  • Pi Kappa Phi National (knew about prior hazing deaths)
  • University of Houston (owned the fraternity house where torture occurred)
  • Individual fraternity members (including the chapter president)

The Demand?
$10 MILLION

This is happening in Houston. It could be happening in McLeod County.

⚖️ Minnesota Hazing Laws – What You Need to Know

Minnesota Statute 121A.69 – Anti-Hazing Law

Minnesota law explicitly prohibits hazing and defines it as:

“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 that causes or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or serious psychological injury.”

Penalties in Minnesota:

  • Criminal charges (misdemeanor or felony, depending on severity)
  • Civil lawsuits (victims can sue for damages)
  • University disciplinary action (expulsion, suspension)

Consent Is NOT a Defense
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Minnesota law says consent does not excuse hazing.

🏛️ Who Can Be Sued in a McLeod County Hazing Case?

Hazing cases are not just against the students who did it. We pursue every responsible party—including those with deep pockets.

Defendant Why They’re Liable
Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing
National Fraternity/Sorority Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture
University/College Failed to protect students; may own fraternity houses
Individual Members Participated in or allowed hazing to continue
Alumni/Advisors Hosted hazing events; failed to intervene
Insurance Companies Liability policies may cover damages

Example: In our $10 million Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing:
✅ The national fraternity (for failing to stop hazing after prior deaths)
✅ The University of Houston (for owning the house where torture occurred)
Individual members (for participating in abuse)

💰 How Much Is a McLeod County Hazing Case Worth?

Hazing cases can result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what juries and courts have awarded in recent cases:

Case University Fraternity Outcome
Stone Foltz (2021) Bowling Green State Pi Kappa Alpha $10.1 Million
Maxwell Gruver (2017) Louisiana State Phi Delta Theta $6.1 Million (Jury Verdict)
Timothy Piazza (2017) Penn State Beta Theta Pi $110+ Million (Estimated)
Andrew Coffey (2017) Florida State Pi Kappa Phi Confidential Settlement

Your McLeod County hazing case could be worth:

  • $1M–$5M+ for serious injuries (hospitalization, PTSD, permanent damage)
  • $5M–$10M+ for wrongful death
  • Punitive damages (additional money to punish the defendants)

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in McLeod County

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

  • Go to the ER—even if injuries seem minor. Hazing can cause internal damage, rhabdomyolysis, or alcohol poisoning.
  • Document everything. Medical records are critical evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Photos/Videos – Injuries, hazing locations, text messages, social media posts
Texts/Group Chats – Screenshots of conversations about hazing
Witness Statements – Names and contact info of other pledges or bystanders
Fraternity Documents – Pledge manuals, schedules, rules
Medical Records – Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records

⚠️ DO NOT:

  • Delete any messages or posts
  • Talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university without a lawyer
  • Sign anything from the organization
  • Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Call Attorney 911 – Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

🔥 Why McLeod County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

  • We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
  • We know how to build these cases, negotiate with institutions, and win in court.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

  • Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena used to defend insurance companies.
  • We know exactly how they try to minimize claims—and we use that knowledge against them.

3. Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere

  • Admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas).
  • Can pursue national fraternities and universities no matter where they’re based.
  • We will travel to McLeod County for depositions, meetings, and trials.

4. Bilingual Representation (Se Habla Español)

  • Hazing affects all communities, including Hispanic students.
  • We provide full Spanish-language support for McLeod County families.

5. No Upfront Costs – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

  • Contingency fee basis – We only get paid if you win.
  • No hourly fees, no retainers.
  • We take the risk—you get the justice.

6. We’ve Won Millions for Victims Like You

  • BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
  • Wrongful death cases
  • Catastrophic injury claims
  • Criminal defense dismissals

🎯 Our Strategy for McLeod County Hazing Cases

1. Identify All Responsible Parties

We don’t just sue the students who did it. We pursue:
The fraternity/sorority chapter
The national organization (they have deep pockets)
The university (if they knew or should have known)
Individual members (personal liability)
Insurance companies (to maximize recovery)

2. Gather Overwhelming Evidence

  • Medical records (hospital stays, treatment, long-term effects)
  • Text messages & social media (proof of hazing coordination)
  • Witness testimony (other pledges, bystanders)
  • Pattern evidence (prior hazing incidents at the same chapter)

3. Demand Maximum Compensation

We fight for:
Medical bills (past and future)
Lost wages (if your child missed work or school)
Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
Punitive damages (to punish the defendants and prevent future hazing)

4. Send a Message – No More Hazing in McLeod County

  • Shut down dangerous chapters (like we did with Pi Kappa Phi at UH)
  • Force universities to implement real oversight
  • Make fraternities and sororities change their culture

📞 McLeod County Families: Call Us Now

Hazing is not “tradition.” It is abuse. It is illegal. And it must stop.

If your child was hazed in McLeod County, St. Cloud, Mankato, the Twin Cities, or anywhere in Minnesota, we can help.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Free Consultation • No Upfront Costs • We Fight for You

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🚨 Don’t Wait – The Clock Is Ticking

Minnesota has a statute of limitations on hazing cases. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to sue.

Call us today. We will fight for your child.

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

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