Hazing Lawyer in Pottawatomie County: Holding Fraternities and Universities Accountable
If your child was hazed in Pottawatomie County, you are not alone—and you have legal rights.
Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “brotherhood.” It is abuse, torture, and sometimes manslaughter. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston operate chapters near Pottawatomie County. The same universities that fail to protect students from hazing exist in your community.
At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will fight just as aggressively for Pottawatomie County families.
Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
The Hazing Crisis in Pottawatomie County
Hazing happens at universities near Pottawatomie County. The same national fraternities involved in deadly hazing incidents nationwide—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi—have active chapters at institutions in and around Pottawatomie County.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Pottawatomie County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
What Hazing Looks Like in Pottawatomie County
Hazing isn’t just “roughhousing.” It is systematic abuse designed to break students physically and mentally. In our current case, a Pi Kappa Phi pledge 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 he vomited, then made to lie in his own vomit
- Threatened with expulsion if he refused to comply
He ended up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, fighting for his life.
This is not an isolated incident. This is happening at universities near Pottawatomie County.
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Pottawatomie County?
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible:
1. The Local Fraternity Chapter
- Directly organizes and conducts hazing activities
- Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) can be held personally liable
- Members who participated can be sued individually
2. The National Fraternity Organization
- Sets policies (or fails to enforce them)
- Knows about hazing culture but allows it to continue
- Has deep pockets—millions in assets and insurance
In our case, Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture after a student died at their Florida State chapter. They did nothing.
3. The University
- Has a duty to protect students
- Often owns or controls fraternity houses
- Can regulate, inspect, and shut down dangerous organizations
- In our case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred.
4. Individual Members and Alumni
- Can be held personally liable for their actions
- May have homeowner’s insurance that covers damages
What Can Pottawatomie County Families Recover?
Hazing victims and their families can pursue full compensation for:
| Category | What It Covers | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment | $50,000–$500,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work, lost internships | $10,000–$100,000+ |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $250,000–$5,000,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure) | $1,000,000–$10,000,000+ |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death, families can sue for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and future earnings | $1,000,000–$100,000,000+ |
Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions
| Case | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017) | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (multi-million) |
Our $10 million demand is in line with these verdicts—and Pottawatomie County families deserve the same justice.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Pottawatomie County
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away
- Medical records are critical evidence in your case
2. Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails)
- Document witness names (other pledges, bystanders)
- Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing
3. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers
- They will try to control the narrative
- They may destroy evidence
- They may pressure your child to stay silent
4. Call Attorney 911 Immediately
- Time is critical—statutes of limitations apply
- We offer free consultations for Pottawatomie County families
- We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Pottawatomie County Hazing Case?
1. We Are Actively 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 from the ground up
- We know how to hold institutions accountable
2. We Have Former Insurance Defense Experience
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides
- We know how they think, how they strategize, and how they try to deny claims
- We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery
3. We Have Federal Court Authority
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- Can pursue federal civil rights claims in addition to state lawsuits
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) allow us to take on national fraternities
4. We Will Travel to Pottawatomie County
- We serve hazing victims nationwide
- We offer video consultations for Pottawatomie County families
- We will come to Pottawatomie County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
5. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)
- Hazing affects students from all backgrounds
- We provide bilingual legal services for Spanish-speaking families
6. We Work on Contingency—No Upfront Costs
- You pay nothing unless we win your case
- We advance all costs (medical records, experts, court fees)
- We only get paid when you get paid
Common Defenses in Hazing Cases—and How We Defeat Them
Fraternities and universities will try to blame the victim. Here’s how we fight back:
| Defense Claim | Our Counter-Argument |
|---|---|
| “He consented to participate.” | Texas law says consent is NOT a defense (Education Code § 37.154) |
| “He knew the risks.” | Victims rarely know what they’re truly consenting to—hazing is hidden until it happens |
| “He could have left at any time.” | Fear of retaliation, social ostracism, and losing membership = duress |
| “This was just tradition.” | “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity—assault is assault |
| “He was drinking voluntarily.” | Forced consumption ≠ voluntary—peer pressure, threats, and “required” drinking negate consent |
What Happens If You Wait?
Evidence Disappears
- Fraternities destroy text messages, photos, and videos
- Witnesses forget details
- Universities “lose” records
Your Legal Rights Expire
- Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims
- If you wait, you lose your right to sue forever
More Students Get Hurt
- Hazing is a culture of abuse—if no one stands up, it continues
- Your case could prevent the next victim
Next Steps for Pottawatomie County Families
1. Call Us Immediately
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
2. Schedule a Free Consultation
- We’ll evaluate your case at no cost
- We’ll explain your legal options
- We’ll answer all your questions
3. Let Us Handle Everything
- We’ll preserve evidence
- We’ll investigate the fraternity and university
- We’ll build a strong case for maximum compensation
4. We Fight—You Recover
- We negotiate with insurance companies
- If they refuse to pay fairly, we take them to court
- We don’t back down
Pottawatomie County Hazing Victims: You Deserve Justice
Hazing is not harmless fun. It is abuse, torture, and sometimes murder. The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Houston operate near Pottawatomie County. The same universities that fail to protect students exist in your community.
You have the right to hold them accountable.
Call Attorney 911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We are the hazing lawyers Pottawatomie County families trust. Let us fight for you.
