Sac County Hazing Lawyer – Protecting Students from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse
Serving Families in Sac County, Iowa, and Nationwide
If your child was hazed, abused, or injured in a fraternity, sorority, or other student organization in Sac County, Iowa, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is fighting against hazing nationwide—including right now in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—and we are ready to bring that same aggressive representation to Sac County families.
Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “brotherhood.” It is assault, battery, and sometimes torture—and institutions that allow it must be held accountable.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
Why Sac County Families Trust Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases
1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities and sororities operate in Sac County, and we will bring the same relentless fight to protect your child.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña—previously worked for insurance companies and national defense firms. We know exactly how they try to minimize claims, deny liability, and intimidate victims. Now, we use that insider knowledge to maximize compensation for Sac County families.
3. We Serve Sac County from Our Texas Offices – No Distance Barrier
While we are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Sac County, Iowa. We offer:
✅ Free video consultations – No need to travel
✅ Remote case management – We handle everything digitally
✅ Willingness to travel – For depositions, trials, and client meetings in Sac County
✅ Federal court authority – Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
4. No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If You Win
We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This ensures that every Sac County family can afford top-tier legal representation, regardless of financial situation.
5. We Speak Spanish – Serving Sac County’s Hispanic Families
Many hazing victims in Sac County come from Hispanic families who may face language barriers. Se habla español—we provide full legal services in Spanish, including consultations, case updates, and courtroom representation.
The Hazing Crisis in Sac County – What Families Need to Know
Hazing Happens at Sac County Schools
Sac County is home to Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, as well as nearby institutions like Morningside University, Western Iowa Tech Community College, and Iowa Central Community College—all of which have active Greek life. The same national fraternities and sororities involved in deadly hazing cases nationwide—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, and others—operate chapters near Sac County.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Sac County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
What Hazing Looks Like in Sac County
Hazing isn’t just “harmless pranks.” In our current case, we’ve documented:
✔ Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✔ Forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, and bear crawls (leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure)
✔ Struck with wooden paddles (physical assault)
✔ Forced to eat until vomiting (then made to lie in vomit-soaked grass)
✔ Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in their mouth (false imprisonment)
✔ Sleep deprivation (forced to drive fraternity members at all hours)
✔ Threats of expulsion if they refused to participate
This is not “tradition.” This is torture.
Sac County Universities Are Liable for Hazing
Many Sac County parents assume that if their child is hazed, the university will protect them. They won’t. In our case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the abuse occurred—and they did nothing to stop it.
If your child was hazed at a Sac County school, the university may be legally responsible for:
✅ Failing to supervise Greek organizations
✅ Ignoring prior hazing incidents
✅ Allowing dangerous conditions on university-owned property
✅ Covering up abuse to protect their reputation
Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Sac County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Sac County Example |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, or other fraternity/sorority chapter in Sac County |
| National Organization | Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies despite knowing about risks | Pi Kappa Phi National, SAE National, etc. |
| University | Owned the property, failed to supervise Greek life, ignored prior incidents | Briar Cliff University, Morningside University, etc. |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership who directed or allowed hazing | President, Pledgemaster, Risk Manager |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing | Active members who abused pledges |
| Former Members/Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes | Alumni who allowed dangerous activities |
| Housing Corporations | Owned the fraternity/sorority house where hazing occurred | Property owners or landlords |
The national fraternity and university have deep pockets and insurance policies. We will pursue every liable party to maximize your compensation.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Sac County
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
Even if your child insists they’re “fine,” hazing can cause life-threatening injuries, including:
✔ Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
✔ Alcohol poisoning (from forced drinking)
✔ Traumatic brain injury (from beatings or falls)
✔ Heat stroke or hypothermia (from forced outdoor activities)
✔ PTSD, anxiety, and depression (from psychological abuse)
Go to the ER or urgent care in Sac County if your child shows any of these symptoms:
❌ Severe muscle pain
❌ Brown or dark urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis)
❌ Difficulty walking or moving
❌ Confusion, dizziness, or loss of consciousness
❌ Extreme fatigue or inability to stay awake
❌ Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, slow breathing, pale skin)
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
Do not delete anything. Save:
✅ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshots + originals)
✅ Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities (even if they seem minor)
✅ Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records)
✅ Witness names and contact information (other pledges, bystanders)
✅ Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
✅ Academic records (to show impact on grades or enrollment)
Do NOT:
❌ Post about the incident on social media (insurance companies will use it against you)
❌ Talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university without a lawyer
❌ Sign anything from the organization (they may try to get you to waive your rights)
❌ Confront the perpetrators (let us handle it legally)
Step 3: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
Hazing cases have strict deadlines (usually 2 years in Iowa). The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
We will:
✔ Evaluate your case and explain your legal options
✔ Preserve evidence before it disappears
✔ Handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
✔ Fight for maximum compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages
What Compensation Can Sac County Hazing Victims Recover?
Hazing victims in Sac County may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages, including:
| Type of Damage | Examples | Potential Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | ER visits, hospital stays, therapy, future treatment | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships | $10,000 – $100,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain from injuries, emotional trauma | $100,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation | $200,000 – $3,000,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, paddling) | $500,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing resulted in death | $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+ |
In our current case, we are seeking $10 million for a student hospitalized with kidney failure. Your child’s case could be worth just as much.
Sac County Hazing Laws – What You Need to Know
Iowa Hazing Law (Iowa Code § 708.10)
Iowa law defines hazing as:
“Any act which is intended to or which recklessly or intentionally endangers the health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating in connection with a school, college, or university.”
Penalties in Iowa:
✔ Simple Misdemeanor (up to 30 days in jail and $625 fine)
✔ Serious Misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and $1,875 fine) if hazing causes bodily injury
✔ Class D Felony (up to 5 years in prison) if hazing causes serious injury or death
Consent is NOT a defense in Iowa. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.
University Liability in Sac County
Universities in Iowa (including Briar Cliff University) have a legal duty to protect students from hazing. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be sued for negligence.
Sac County Hazing Cases We Handle
We represent victims of hazing in all types of organizations, including:
| Organization Type | Sac County Examples |
|---|---|
| Fraternities | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, others |
| Sororities | Alpha Delta Pi, Delta Delta Delta, Chi Omega, others |
| Sports Teams | College athletics, club sports, intramural teams |
| Marching Bands | High school and college bands |
| ROTC Programs | Military training hazing |
| Honor Societies | Academic and leadership organizations |
| Student Clubs | Any organization with initiation rituals |
If your child was abused, humiliated, or injured as part of any “initiation,” we can help.
Sac County Hazing Lawyer – Free Consultation
You don’t have to fight this alone. Attorney 911 is here to help Sac County families hold fraternities, sororities, and universities accountable.
✅ Free, confidential case evaluation
✅ No upfront costs – we only get paid if you win
✅ Bilingual services (Se habla español)
✅ Nationwide representation – we serve Sac County from our Texas offices
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now
Or email: ralph@atty911.com
Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. Deadlines expire. Contact us today.
Sac County Hazing Resources
Emergency Contacts
🚨 If your child is in immediate danger, call 911.
Medical Help in Sac County
🏥 UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Sioux City – (712) 279-3500
🏥 MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center – (712) 279-2010
🏥 Briar Cliff University Health Services – (712) 279-5433
Reporting Hazing in Sac County
📞 Briar Cliff University Title IX Office – (712) 279-5490
📞 Sioux City Police Department – (712) 279-6440 (non-emergency)
📞 Iowa Department of Education – (515) 281-5294
Support for Hazing Victims
💙 HazingPrevention.Org – www.hazingprevention.org
💙 StopHazing – www.stophazing.org
💙 National Sexual Assault Hotline – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Sac County Hazing FAQ
Q: My child was hazed but didn’t get hurt. Can we still sue?
A: Yes. Even if your child wasn’t physically injured, they may have suffered emotional distress, PTSD, or humiliation. We can pursue compensation for mental anguish, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented.” Is that a defense?
A: No. Iowa law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.
Q: We’re afraid of retaliation. How can you protect my child?
A: We take victim protection seriously. We can:
✔ File restraining orders against perpetrators
✔ Request university protection for your child
✔ Keep your identity confidential during litigation
✔ Pursue punitive damages for any retaliation
Q: How much is my Sac County hazing case worth?
A: Every case is different, but hazing cases often settle for millions, especially when:
✔ The victim was hospitalized
✔ The university knew about prior hazing incidents
✔ The conduct was egregious (waterboarding, paddling, forced consumption)
✔ The national fraternity has a history of hazing
In our current case, we are seeking $10 million for a student hospitalized with kidney failure. Your child’s case could be worth just as much.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Sac County?
A: Iowa has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. If you don’t file within 2 years, you lose your right to sue forever. Contact us immediately to protect your rights.
Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: Yes. Hazing is illegal regardless of where it occurs—on campus, at a fraternity house, or at an off-campus location.
Q: What if the fraternity is already suspended?
A: Suspension does not protect them from liability. In fact, it may be evidence that they knew their conduct was wrong. We will pursue the national organization, the university, and individual members for full compensation.
Q: My child is an immigrant. Will this affect their visa status?
A: No. Pursuing a hazing lawsuit does not affect immigration status. We represent many immigrant students and ensure their rights are protected.
Sac County Hazing Verdicts & Settlements – What’s Possible
Hazing cases routinely result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Here are recent examples:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million (estimated) |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential settlement (same fraternity as our current case) |
Your child’s case could be worth just as much—especially if the conduct was egregious or the university failed to act.
Sac County Hazing Lawyer – Contact Us Today
If your child was hazed in Sac County, Iowa, call Attorney 911 now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We serve Sac County families from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.
No upfront costs. No fees unless we win.
Time is running out. Call today.
