Hazing Legal Emergency? We Fight for Poweshiek County Families
If your child was hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization near Poweshiek County, Iowa—we can help.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t just a Houston problem—it’s happening at universities near Poweshiek County, too.
The same fraternities. The same negligence. The same betrayal of trust.
You don’t have to face this alone. We come to Poweshiek County for your case. Call us 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ✉ ralph@atty911.com
Why Poweshiek 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. This isn’t theoretical—we’re in the courtroom, in the media, and in the fight for justice.
- ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media have all covered our case.
- The fraternity shut down their UH chapter after our client was hospitalized.
- We’re holding both the fraternity AND the university accountable—just like we’ll do for Poweshiek County families.
If your child was hazed near Poweshiek County, we’ll fight for you with the same aggression.
2. We Know How to Win Against Powerful Institutions
Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers, PR firms, and insurance companies working to silence victims. We know their playbook because we used to defend them.
- Ralph Manginello is a former insurance defense attorney—he knows how they try to minimize claims.
- Lupe Pena worked at a national defense firm—he knows how they twist the facts.
- Together, they’ve won millions for injury victims—including hazing cases.
We don’t back down. We don’t settle for less. We fight until justice is served.
3. We Come to Poweshiek County for Your Case
While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we travel to Poweshiek County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
- Video consultations available for Poweshiek County families.
- We handle everything remotely—evidence collection, negotiations, filings.
- No upfront costs—we work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
If your child was hazed near Poweshiek County, we’ll be there for you.
4. We Understand the Poweshiek County Community
Poweshiek County is home to Grinnell College, Iowa Valley Community College, and nearby universities like the University of Iowa. Greek life, sports teams, and student organizations operate here—and so does hazing.
We know:
- The pressure students face to “fit in.”
- The fear of retaliation if they speak up.
- The shame and isolation victims feel after hazing.
- The betrayal when institutions fail to protect students.
You’re not alone. We’ve seen this before. We know how to help.
5. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)
Many hazing victims and their families in Poweshiek County speak Spanish. We provide full legal services in Spanish—no language barriers, no misunderstandings.
- Initial consultations in Spanish
- Case updates in Spanish
- Document translation
- Courtroom interpretation
No family should face this alone because of language barriers.
What Counts as Hazing in Poweshiek County?
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It’s abuse. Under Iowa law, hazing includes:
✅ Physical abuse – Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion (like our client who did 500 squats until his kidneys failed).
✅ Forced consumption – Alcohol, food, or other substances (like the student who died from forced drinking at Pi Kappa Phi).
✅ Psychological torture – Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation (like our client who was waterboarded with a garden hose).
✅ Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects.
✅ Servitude – Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands.
If your child experienced any of this near Poweshiek County, they were hazed—and they have rights.
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Poweshiek County?
Hazing isn’t just the fault of a few “bad apples.” Institutions are responsible too. In our current case, we’re suing:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local fraternity chapter | Organized and conducted the hazing. |
| National fraternity organization | Knew about the “hazing crisis” but failed to stop it. |
| University | Owned the fraternity house; had power to regulate Greek life. |
| Individual members | Participated in or allowed the abuse. |
| Former members & spouses | Hosted hazing at their homes. |
If your child was hazed near Poweshiek County, we’ll identify every responsible party—and hold them accountable.
What Can Poweshiek County Families Recover?
Hazing causes physical injuries, emotional trauma, medical bills, and lost opportunities. We fight for:
💰 Medical expenses – Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment.
💰 Lost wages – Time missed from work or school.
💰 Pain and suffering – Physical and emotional trauma.
💰 Punitive damages – To punish egregious conduct (like waterboarding or forced drinking).
💰 Wrongful death – If hazing led to a fatality.
In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million. Similar cases have resulted in:
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
- $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)
Poweshiek County families deserve the same justice.
What Should Poweshiek County Families Do Now?
✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms immediately.
✅ Step 2: Preserve Evidence
- Take photos of injuries, hazing locations, and any objects used.
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails).
- Write down everything—dates, times, what was said, who was there.
- Get witness names and contact info.
✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
They will try to control the narrative, destroy evidence, and intimidate witnesses. Let us handle them.
✅ Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
- 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
- ralph@atty911.com
- Free, confidential consultation
The sooner you call, the stronger your case will be.
Poweshiek County Hazing Cases We Handle
We represent victims of hazing in:
🎓 Fraternities & sororities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others near Poweshiek County)
🏈 Sports teams (football, wrestling, basketball, etc.)
🎺 Marching bands
🎖️ ROTC programs
🏳️ Student clubs & organizations
If your child was hazed near Poweshiek County, we can help.
Common Hazing Injuries We See Near Poweshiek County
| Injury | What It Is | Why It’s Dangerous |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Muscle breakdown from extreme exercise | Can cause kidney failure (like our client) |
| Alcohol poisoning | Forced drinking leading to overdose | Can be fatal (like Andrew Coffey) |
| Traumatic brain injury | Head trauma from beatings or falls | Can cause permanent damage |
| Broken bones | From paddling or physical abuse | Requires surgery and long recovery |
| Hypothermia/hyperthermia | Exposure to extreme cold/heat | Can lead to organ failure |
| PTSD, anxiety, depression | Psychological trauma | Can last years or a lifetime |
If your child suffered any of these near Poweshiek County, we can help.
Why Poweshiek County Families Can’t Wait
⏳ The Clock Is Ticking
- Iowa has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases.
- Evidence disappears—fraternities delete messages, universities destroy records.
- Witnesses forget—memories fade, people move away.
🚨 Institutions Will Try to Silence You
- They’ll offer lowball settlements before you know the full extent of your injuries.
- They’ll pressure you to sign confidentiality agreements.
- They’ll threaten retaliation if you speak up.
Don’t let them win. Call us first.
What Happens When You Call Attorney 911?
- Free consultation – We listen to your story and explain your rights.
- Case evaluation – We determine if you have a strong claim.
- Evidence collection – We gather medical records, witness statements, and communications.
- Demand letter – We demand fair compensation from the responsible parties.
- Negotiation – We fight for the maximum settlement for your family.
- Litigation (if needed) – If they refuse to settle, we take them to court.
We handle everything—you focus on healing.
Poweshiek County Hazing Lawyer: Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I sue if my child consented to hazing?
Yes. Iowa law says consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity and university are still liable.
❓ What if the hazing happened off-campus?
It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal on or off campus. If it was part of a university-recognized organization, the school and fraternity are still responsible.
❓ Can I afford a lawyer?
Yes. We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
❓ Will the fraternity retaliate against my child?
We protect our clients. We can file restraining orders if needed and ensure your child’s safety.
❓ What if my child is afraid to speak up?
We understand. Many victims fear retaliation or social consequences. We can protect their identity and pursue the case discreetly.
Poweshiek County Hazing Cases: We’ve Seen This Before
Case 1: The Waterboarding Victim (Our Current Case)
- Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not yet enrolled at UH)
- Hazing: Waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles.
- Injury: Rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, hospitalized for 4 days.
- Lawsuit: $10 million against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston.
Case 2: The Forced Drinking Death
- Victim: Andrew Coffey (FSU, Pi Kappa Phi)
- Hazing: Forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon.
- Outcome: Died from alcohol poisoning.
- Result: Fraternity members criminally charged; chapter permanently closed.
Case 3: The $10.1 Million Verdict
- Victim: Stone Foltz (BGSU, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- Hazing: Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol.
- Outcome: Died from alcohol poisoning.
- Result: $10.1 million settlement (largest in Ohio history).
These cases prove one thing: Hazing kills. And when it doesn’t kill, it destroys lives. Poweshiek County families deserve justice.
Poweshiek County Parents: Know the Warning Signs
Hazing is often hidden, but these signs may indicate your child is being hazed:
🚩 Physical signs:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns.
- Extreme fatigue or difficulty walking.
- Sudden weight loss or dehydration.
- Complaints of muscle pain or dark urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis).
🚩 Behavioral signs:
- Withdrawal from friends and family.
- Sudden drop in grades.
- Anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms.
- Fear of certain people or places.
- Secretive behavior about Greek life or team activities.
🚩 Academic signs:
- Skipping classes or practices.
- Sudden disinterest in activities they once loved.
- Transferring schools or dropping out.
If you notice these signs, your child may be in danger. Call us immediately.
Poweshiek County Hazing Lawyer: Our Promise to You
- We listen. Your story matters. We’ll hear every detail.
- We fight. We don’t back down from powerful institutions.
- We protect. We shield you from retaliation and intimidation.
- We win. We’ve recovered millions for injury victims—including hazing cases.
- We care. You’re not just a case. You’re a family who deserves justice.
Poweshiek County Families: It’s Time to Fight Back
Enough is enough.
For too long, universities and fraternities have protected their reputations over student safety. They’ve covered up hazing, silenced victims, and let abusers walk free.
But we’re changing that.
We’re holding them accountable in Houston. Austin. Beaumont. And now, Poweshiek County.
If your child was hazed near Poweshiek County, call us now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ✉ ralph@atty911.com
No cost. No obligation. Just justice.
Serving Poweshiek County and All of Iowa
While based in Texas, we travel to Poweshiek County for your case. We also serve:
- Grinnell
- Montezuma
- Brooklyn
- Malcom
- Deep River
- Searsboro
- Nearby universities (University of Iowa, Iowa State, etc.)
Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. Neither do we.
