24/7 LIVE STAFF — Compassionate help, any time day or night
CALL NOW 1-888-ATTY-911
Blog | Earth

Polk County (Wisconsin/Polk County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | 125+ Greek Organizations Tracked with IRS Records | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 27, 2026 15 min read
polk-county-featured-image.png

Hazing Lawyers in Polk County, WI – Attorney 911 Fights for Victims of Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

Polk County Families: Your Child Deserves Justice After Hazing Abuse

Hazing isn’t just “tradition” or “harmless fun”—it’s abuse, torture, and sometimes even manslaughter. If your child was hazed at a Polk County college, university, or Greek organization, they may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and long-term trauma.

At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving that fraternities, sororities, and universities can and will be held accountable. We bring that same aggressive, no-nonsense legal strategy to Polk County, WI, and nationwide.

🚨 If Your Child Was Hazed in Polk County, Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

(Free consultation – we don’t get paid unless you win.)

🔥 The Hazing Crisis in Polk County, WI – It’s Happening Here Too

Hazing isn’t just a problem in big universities—it happens right here in Polk County, WI, and at colleges across Wisconsin. The same national fraternities and sororities that have killed students in Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania operate chapters near Polk County.

📍 Colleges & Universities Near Polk County with Greek Life:

While Polk County itself is a rural area, many students from the region attend colleges with active Greek life, including:

  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls (River Falls, WI – ~30 min from Polk County)

    • Fraternities: Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon
    • Sororities: Alpha Omicron Pi, Delta Zeta, Sigma Kappa
  • University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (Eau Claire, WI – ~1 hour from Polk County)

    • Fraternities: Alpha Sigma Phi, Delta Tau Delta, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Nu
    • Sororities: Alpha Phi, Delta Zeta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta
  • University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN – ~1.5 hours from Polk County)

    • Fraternities: Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta
    • Sororities: Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Chi Omega
  • St. Cloud State University (St. Cloud, MN – ~2 hours from Polk County)

    • Fraternities: Sigma Chi, Tau Kappa Epsilon
    • Sororities: Alpha Omicron Pi, Delta Zeta
  • University of Wisconsin-Stout (Menomonie, WI – ~30 min from Polk County)

    • Fraternities & Sororities: Smaller Greek system, but hazing risks still exist

⚠️ These same organizations have paid MILLIONS in hazing settlements nationwide.
If your child was hazed at a Polk County school or a nearby university, we can help.

⚖️ What Counts as Hazing in Wisconsin? (And Why It’s Illegal)

Wisconsin law (Wis. Stat. § 948.51) defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with an organization.

🚫 Common Hazing Practices in Polk County & Wisconsin:

Type of Hazing Examples Why It’s Illegal
Physical Abuse Beatings, paddling, forced exercise (500+ squats, bear crawls) Causes rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, internal injuries
Forced Consumption Alcohol poisoning, forced eating until vomiting Can lead to death (like Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
Waterboarding/Drowning Simulated drowning with hoses or buckets Torture—considered a war crime when done to prisoners
Sleep Deprivation All-night activities, forced driving Causes exhaustion, accidents, mental breakdowns
Psychological Torture Humiliation, threats, isolation Leads to PTSD, anxiety, depression
Sexual Humiliation Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects Sexual harassment, emotional trauma
Servitude Forced cleaning, errands, driving members Exploitation, loss of academic time

⚠️ Wisconsin Law Says: “Consent is NOT a defense.”
(Wis. Stat. § 948.51(5))
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, hazing is still illegal and those responsible can be sued.

💰 How Much Is a Polk County Hazing Case Worth?

Hazing cases can result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, especially when:

Medical injuries (hospitalization, surgery, long-term damage)
Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
University/fraternity negligence (prior hazing incidents, failure to supervise)
Egregious conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, physical beatings)

📊 Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (What Polk County Families Can Expect):

Case Fraternity Injury/Death Settlement/Verdict Why It Matters for Polk County
Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) Pi Kappa Alpha Death (alcohol poisoning) $10.1 million Same fraternities operate near Polk County
Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017) Phi Delta Theta Death (BAC 0.495) $6.1 million verdict Juries award millions for hazing deaths
Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) Beta Theta Pi Death (traumatic brain injury) $110+ million Shows potential for massive verdicts
Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025) Pi Kappa Phi Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure $10 million lawsuit (pending) Our case—proves living victims can win big

💡 Polk County families: These same results are possible for your child.

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

Hazing isn’t just the fault of a few “bad apples”—everyone involved can be held legally and financially responsible, including:

Defendant Why They’re Liable Polk County Application
Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter Directly organized hazing Same chapters exist at UW-River Falls, UW-Eau Claire, etc.
National Organization Failed to supervise, knew about hazing culture Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, others have paid millions
University/College Failed to prevent hazing despite knowing risks UW System, private colleges near Polk County
Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster) Directed hazing activities Individual liability—can be sued personally
Individual Members Participated in hazing Each member can be held accountable
Alumni/Advisors Allowed hazing at their homes Premises liability for off-campus events
Housing Corporations Owned fraternity/sorority property UW-River Falls, UW-Eau Claire may own Greek housing

⚠️ The deeper the pockets, the bigger the settlement.
National fraternities and universities have millions in insurance and assets—we know how to pursue them.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Polk County, WI

If your child was hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and legal deadlines expire.

✅ Immediate Steps for Polk County Families:

  1. 🏥 Seek Medical Attention

    • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked (rhabdomyolysis, concussions, internal injuries can be delayed).
    • Medical records = proof of injury.
  2. 📸 Document Everything

    • Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any evidence.
    • Save texts, GroupMe/Snapchat messages, social media posts about hazing.
    • Get names and contact info of witnesses (other pledges, bystanders).
  3. 🚫 Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

    • They will downplay the incident, destroy evidence, or pressure your child to stay silent.
    • Anything you say can be used against you.
  4. 📞 Call Attorney 911 Immediately

    • Free consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
    • We’ll guide you on evidence preservation, legal rights, and next steps.
    • We work on contingency—no upfront cost to you.
  5. ⚖️ Consider Filing a Police Report

    • Hazing is a crime in Wisconsin (Wis. Stat. § 948.51).
    • A police report can strengthen your civil case.
  6. 📝 Report to the University (But Do It Safely)

    • Universities are required by law to investigate hazing.
    • Have an attorney review any statements before submitting.

⏳ Wisconsin Statute of Limitations – Don’t Wait Too Long!

Wisconsin law gives hazing victims only 3 years to file a lawsuit.

  • Personal Injury: 3 years from the date of injury
  • Wrongful Death: 3 years from the date of death

⚠️ If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.

Call Attorney 911 today to protect your child’s rights.

🎯 Why Polk County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case RIGHT NOW

  • Leonel Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston – Waterboarding, forced exercise, kidney failure.
  • Same fraternities operate near Polk County—we know their playbook.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know How They Fight

  • Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena used to defend insurance companies.
  • We know exactly how they’ll try to deny your claim—and how to beat them.

3. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Polk County, WI & Beyond

  • Based in Texas, but we travel to Polk County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
  • Federal court authority – Can sue national fraternities anywhere in the U.S.
  • Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York) – Strategic advantage for multi-state cases.

4. No Upfront Cost – We Only Get Paid If You Win

  • Contingency fee – You pay $0 unless we recover money for you.
  • We advance all case costs – No financial risk to your family.

5. We Treat Polk County Families Like Family

  • Compassionate, bilingual staff (Se habla español).
  • 24/7 availability – We’re here when you need us.
  • Aggressive representation – We don’t back down from powerful institutions.

📞 Polk County Hazing Victims: Call Now for a Free Consultation

1-888-ATTY-911 (Available 24/7)

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Video Consultations Available – No need to travel.

We come to Polk County, WI for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Polk County, WI Hazing Cases)

Q: My child was hazed at UW-River Falls/UW-Eau Claire. Can you help?

A: Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including at UW-River Falls, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout, and other Wisconsin schools. Distance is not a barrier—we handle cases remotely and travel to Polk County as needed.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Can they still be sued?

A: YES. Wisconsin law (Wis. Stat. § 948.51(5)) explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, hazing is still illegal, and those responsible can be held accountable.

Q: What if my child was hazed off-campus (at a house, hotel, etc.)?

A: The location doesn’t matter. If the hazing was part of a fraternity/sorority event, the organization, university, and individuals can still be sued. We’ve handled cases where hazing occurred at private homes, hotels, and even during road trips.

Q: How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?

A: $0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict, so there’s no financial risk to your family.

Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

A: We protect our clients. Many hazing victims fear retribution from fraternity members or the university. We handle all communications with the defendants, so you don’t have to. We also advise on safety measures to protect your child.

Q: Can we sue the university even if they didn’t know about the hazing?

A: Yes. Universities have a legal duty to protect students from known dangers. If the university should have known about hazing (e.g., prior incidents, complaints, or a culture of abuse), they can be held liable for negligent supervision.

🔥 Polk County Families: This Ends Now

Hazing has destroyed lives, ended futures, and shattered families—but it doesn’t have to happen to another Polk County student.

If your child was hazed, you have the power to stop it.

  • Hold the fraternity accountable.
  • Hold the university accountable.
  • Send a message that Polk County won’t tolerate abuse.

📞 Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

(Free consultation – no obligation.)

We don’t get paid unless you win.

🏆 About Attorney 911 – Polk County’s Hazing Litigation Experts

📍 Offices in Houston, Austin & Beaumont, TX – Serving Polk County, WI & Nationwide

🔹 Our Hazing Case Experience:

Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston
Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation – Represented victims in Texas
Texas A&M hazing cases – Experience with large Greek systems
Rhabdomyolysis injury expertise – Medical knowledge of hazing-related conditions

🔹 Why Polk County Families Trust Us:

  • 25+ years of trial experience (Ralph Manginello)
  • Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how defendants think
  • Federal court authority – Can sue national fraternities anywhere
  • Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York) – Strategic advantage
  • Bilingual staff (Se habla español) – Serving all Polk County families
  • No upfront cost – You pay nothing unless we win

🔹 Our Promise to Polk County Families:

“We see your child as a person—not a paycheck. We fight hard because we care. And we won’t stop until justice is served.”

📢 Polk County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone

Hazing thrives in silence. But when victims speak up, things change.

  • Stone Foltz’s family won $10.1 million.
  • Max Gruver’s case led to felony hazing laws.
  • Timothy Piazza’s death forced Penn State to reform Greek life.

Your child’s case could save the next Polk County student.

🚨 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

(Free, confidential consultation.)

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Website: attorney911.com/hazing

We fight for Polk County families. We fight for justice.

Share this article:

Need Legal Help?

Free consultation. No fee unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911

Ready to Fight for Your Rights?

Free consultation. No upfront costs. We don't get paid unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911