Hazing Injury Lawyers Serving Monona County, Iowa – Attorney 911
Justice for Hazing Victims in Monona County and Beyond
If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization near Monona County, Iowa – you have legal rights. We can help.
At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme hazing. The same fraternities, sororities, and universities operate in and around Monona County, Iowa – and we are ready to fight for Monona County families.
You are not alone. We will travel to Monona County for your case. Call now for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing
What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Monona County
The Case That Proves Hazing is a National Crisis
In November 2025, our attorneys filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries from hazing.
What they did to him:
✔ Waterboarded him with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✔ Forced him to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
✔ Struck him with wooden paddles
✔ Forced him to eat until he vomited – then made him keep running
✔ Hog-tied another pledge with an object in his mouth for over an hour
✔ A pledge lost consciousness during a workout – they kept going
The result?
- Severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
- Acute kidney failure
- 3 nights and 4 days in the hospital
This wasn’t an accident. This was torture.
And it’s happening at universities near Monona County, Iowa, right now.
Hazing is Not “Tradition” – It’s Abuse
Monona County Parents: This Could Be Your Child
Fraternities and sororities near Monona County operate under the same national organizations that allowed this to happen. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist at:
✅ Iowa State University (Ames, ~200 miles from Monona County)
✅ University of Iowa (Iowa City, ~250 miles from Monona County)
✅ University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls, ~220 miles from Monona County)
✅ Private colleges and universities across Iowa
The fraternities involved in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide have active chapters near Monona County, including:
- Pi Kappa Phi (same fraternity as our Houston case)
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
- Beta Theta Pi
- Phi Delta Theta
- Sigma Chi
- Kappa Sigma
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Iowa, they face the same risks.
Monona County Families Deserve Justice
We Know How to Win Hazing Cases – And We’re Doing It Right Now
Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense lawyers – we know how the other side thinks, and we know how to beat them.
We are currently litigating:
🔹 $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
🔹 Rhabdomyolysis injury cases from hazing
🔹 Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation in Texas
🔹 Texas A&M University hazing cases
We’ve seen what fraternities do to kids. We’re fighting back.
What Counts as Hazing in Iowa?
Iowa law defines hazing as any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.
This includes:
❌ Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, “chugging”)
❌ Extreme physical exercise (100+ pushups, 500+ squats, bear crawls)
❌ Physical abuse (paddling, beatings, branding)
❌ Psychological torture (waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation)
❌ Forced eating (hot sauce, raw eggs, peppercorns, until vomiting)
❌ Servitude (cleaning, driving members, running errands)
❌ Sexual humiliation (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects)
Even if your child “consented,” Iowa law says:
“Consent is not a defense to hazing.”
If your child was injured, you can sue.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Monona County?
We Sue Everyone Responsible
| 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; owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability |
We don’t just sue broke college students – we go after the deep pockets.
What Can Monona County Families Recover?
Hazing Victims Are Entitled to Compensation
| Type of Damages | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical Bills | Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work due to injuries |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD |
| Mental Anguish | Anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation |
| Disfigurement | Scars, burns, permanent injuries |
| Punitive Damages | Additional money to punish egregious conduct |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death |
Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:
💰 $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
💰 $6.1 million (Max Gruver, Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
💰 $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
These same results are possible for Monona County victims.
What Should Monona County Families Do Now?
Step-by-Step Guide to Protecting Your Rights
1️⃣ Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
- Rhabdomyolysis and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening.
2️⃣ Preserve All Evidence
- Save all texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, items used
- Get names and contact info of witnesses
- Do NOT delete anything
3️⃣ Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone
- They will try to control the story, destroy evidence, and intimidate you.
- Do not sign anything without legal counsel.
4️⃣ Do NOT Post on Social Media
- Anything you post can be used against you.
- Stay quiet until your case is resolved.
5️⃣ Call Attorney 911 Immediately
- Iowa has a 2-year statute of limitations – don’t wait.
- Evidence disappears fast – witnesses forget, messages get deleted.
- We offer free, confidential consultations.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
Why Monona County Families Choose Attorney 911
✅ We’re Fighting This Fight Right Now – Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit in Texas.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Lawyers – We know how the other side thinks and how to beat them.
✅ Federal Court Authority – Can pursue cases in federal court for Monona County victims.
✅ Nationwide Reach – We serve hazing victims across America, including Iowa.
✅ No Upfront Costs – We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win.
✅ We Travel to Monona County – For depositions, trials, and client meetings.
✅ Se Habla Español – Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families.
Monona County families deserve the same aggressive representation we provide in Texas.
Hazing is a Crime in Iowa – Know the Law
Iowa Code § 708.10 – Hazing
Definition:
“Hazing” means any act which endangers the physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization.”
Penalties:
- Simple Misdemeanor (up to 30 days in jail, $625 fine)
- Serious Misdemeanor (if bodily injury occurs – up to 1 year in jail, $1,875 fine)
- Aggravated Misdemeanor (if serious injury occurs – up to 2 years in jail, $6,250 fine)
Consent is NOT a defense.
If your child was hazed, you can sue – even if criminal charges aren’t filed.
Monona County Hazing Resources
Who to Contact for Help
| Resource | Contact | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney 911 | 1-888-ATTY-911 | Free legal consultation |
| Iowa State University (ISU) Hazing Hotline | (515) 294-1020 | Report hazing at ISU |
| University of Iowa Hazing Reporting | dos.uiowa.edu/hazing | Report hazing at UI |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Student Conduct | (319) 273-2332 | Report hazing at UNI |
| Iowa Department of Education | (515) 281-5294 | Report institutional failures |
| Iowa Attorney General | (515) 281-5164 | Report criminal hazing |
Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Monona County
Q: My child was hazed but didn’t go to the hospital. Can we still sue?
A: Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may have suffered PTSD, anxiety, depression, or other psychological harm. We can pursue compensation for emotional distress.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented.” Does that matter?
A: No. Iowa law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity can still be held liable.
Q: We’re in Monona County – how can a Texas law firm help us?
A: We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Iowa. We offer:
✔ Video consultations for Monona County families
✔ Federal court authority to pursue cases anywhere
✔ Willingness to travel to Monona County for depositions and trials
✔ Experience with out-of-state cases – we’ve represented clients across America
Q: How much does it cost to hire an attorney for a hazing case?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on contingency – we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict.
Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: You can still sue. Hazing laws apply on or off campus. If hazing occurred at a private residence, house, or event location, the property owners and hosts can be held liable.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Iowa has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Do not wait – evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.
Monona County Families: We Are Here to Help
You Don’t Have to Fight This Alone
Hazing is abuse, not tradition. It’s torture, not brotherhood. And it has no place in Monona County or anywhere else.
If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization near Monona County – call us now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing
Free Consultation • No Upfront Costs • Nationwide Representation
