Hazing Victims in Power County: Legal Rights and Paths to Justice
Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — Neither Does Justice
If your child was hazed at a college or university near Power County, Idaho, you’re not alone. The same fraternities, sororities, and institutional failures that led to a $10 million hazing lawsuit in Texas are happening right here in Idaho. At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle nationwide — and we’re ready to fight for Power County families.
This Is Happening in Power County Too
Power County may be small, but our students attend colleges and universities where Greek life thrives. Institutions like Idaho State University in Pocatello, College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, and even nearby Utah State University and University of Utah have active fraternity and sorority chapters. The same national organizations involved in the University of Houston case — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others — operate chapters near Power County.
If your child was hazed, abused, or hospitalized because of Greek life “traditions,” they deserve justice. And we know how to get it.
The Power County Hazing Crisis: What Parents Need to Know
1. Hazing Is Not “Tradition” — It’s Abuse
Hazing isn’t harmless fun. It’s assault, battery, and sometimes torture. In Texas, we’re litigating a case where a student was:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down (rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure)
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in his own vomit
This isn’t tradition. This is abuse. And it’s happening in Idaho too.
2. Universities Near Power County Are Failing Our Kids
Colleges and universities have a legal duty to protect students. But too often, they turn a blind eye to hazing — until someone gets hurt or dies. In our Texas case:
- The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the abuse occurred.
- They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 (a student was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen).
- They did nothing to prevent it from happening again.
Power County parents: If your child was hazed at a university near Power County, that institution may be liable for failing to protect them.
3. National Fraternities Know — And They Don’t Care
Pi Kappa Phi, the fraternity in our Texas case, has 150+ chapters across America. They knew about the dangers of hazing because:
- A student died in 2017 at their Florida State University chapter (Andrew Coffey).
- They did nothing to fix their culture.
- Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized with kidney failure at their University of Houston chapter.
The same nationals operate near Power County. They know what’s happening in their chapters — and they’re not stopping it.
What Counts as Hazing in Idaho?
Idaho law defines hazing as any activity that:
- Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
- Is done for the purpose of initiation, admission, or membership in an organization
- Includes forced consumption of alcohol, drugs, or food
- Includes physical brutality (beatings, paddling, excessive exercise)
- Includes psychological abuse (sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats)
Examples of hazing near Power County:
- Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging)
- Extreme physical activities (marathon workouts, calisthenics until collapse)
- Sleep deprivation (all-night activities, forced driving)
- Humiliation (stripping, carrying sexual objects, verbal abuse)
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Beating with paddles or other objects
If your child experienced any of these, they were hazed — and they have legal rights.
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Power County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held accountable:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted the hazing |
| National Organization | Knew about hazing risks (prior incidents) but failed to supervise chapters |
| University/College | Owned or controlled the property; failed to prevent hazing despite prior incidents |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated the hazing (can be sued personally) |
| House Corporations | Owned the property where hazing occurred; failed to maintain safe premises |
| Alumni/Advisors | Hosted hazing events; provided alcohol or location for abuse |
Power County parents: If your child was hazed, we’ll identify every liable party and pursue them aggressively.
What Can Power County Families Recover?
Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages
- Medical bills (hospitalization, surgery, therapy, future treatment)
- Lost wages (time missed from work due to injuries)
- Educational disruption (tuition refunds, lost scholarships)
- Future earning capacity (if injuries cause long-term limitations)
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical pain and suffering (the agony of rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, etc.)
- Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression from the abuse)
- Emotional distress (humiliation, shame, loss of trust)
- Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in activities, social isolation)
Punitive Damages
- To punish the defendants for egregious conduct (waterboarding, torture, cover-ups)
- To send a message that hazing will not be tolerated
Precedent Cases Show Hazing Victims Can Win Millions:
- $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
- $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
- $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
Power County families: Your child’s case could be worth millions of dollars. Don’t settle for less.
What Should Power County Families Do If Their Child Was Hazed?
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if your child seems “fine,” hazing can cause delayed-onset injuries (rhabdomyolysis, internal bleeding, traumatic brain injury).
- Go to the ER or urgent care — document everything.
- Follow up with specialists (nephrologists for kidney damage, therapists for PTSD).
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
- Get witness names and contact info (other pledges, bystanders).
- Keep all medical records and bills.
- Do NOT delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing or irrelevant.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will try to control the narrative.
- They will pressure your child to stay quiet.
- They will destroy evidence.
- Anything your child says can be used against them.
Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately
- Statutes of limitations are short (2 years in Idaho for personal injury).
- Evidence disappears quickly (texts deleted, witnesses forget, organizations cover up).
- The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
Power County families: Call Attorney 911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
Why Power County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win. Power County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Texas.
2. We Know the Playbook — Because We Used to Defend It
Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to minimize or deny claims. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.
3. We Have Federal Court Authority
While we’re based in Texas, we can pursue hazing cases nationwide through:
- Federal court jurisdiction (for cases involving civil rights violations or interstate defendants)
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
- Willingness to travel to Power County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
4. We Speak Your Language — Literally
Our staff is bilingual (English and Spanish), so Power County’s Spanish-speaking families can communicate comfortably and confidently.
5. No Upfront Costs — We Only Get Paid If You Win
We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing.
6. We Treat Power County Families Like Family
We understand the trauma hazing causes. We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. We’ll fight for you like we’re fighting for our own family.
Frequently Asked Questions for Power County Families
Q: My child was hazed, but they “consented” to participate. Can we still sue?
A: YES. Idaho law says consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity and university are still liable for the harm they caused.
Q: The fraternity says this was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?
A: NO. “Tradition” does not justify abuse. If the activities endangered your child’s health or safety, it’s hazing — and it’s illegal.
Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. What can we do?
A: We protect our clients. We’ll ensure your child’s identity is protected, and we’ll hold the fraternity accountable for any intimidation or retaliation.
Q: We’re in Power County. How can a Texas law firm help us?
A: We serve clients nationwide. We offer:
- Video consultations (Zoom, FaceTime, phone)
- Travel to Power County for depositions, trials, and meetings
- Federal court jurisdiction for cases involving national fraternities
- Local co-counsel if needed for Idaho-specific issues
Q: How much is my child’s case worth?
Every case is different, but hazing cases with documented injuries, pattern evidence, and institutional negligence often settle for millions of dollars. We’ll evaluate your child’s case and fight for the maximum compensation they deserve.
Q: What if my child was hazed at a college outside of Idaho?
We can still help. Many national fraternities have chapters across state lines. We can pursue cases in any state where the hazing occurred.
Power County Parents: You Have the Power to Stop This
Hazing doesn’t have to be “part of the college experience.” It doesn’t have to be “just how things are.” It can stop — but only if victims and families stand up.
Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Hold the fraternity accountable — Sue for the harm they caused.
- Hold the university accountable — Demand real oversight of Greek life.
- Hold the national organization accountable — Force them to change their culture.
- Protect the next student — Your courage could save lives.
Power County Families: Contact Us Today
If your child was hazed at a college or university near Power County, time is running out. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire.
Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We don’t get paid unless you get paid. Power County families deserve justice — and we’ll fight to get it for you.
