π¨ Hazing Lawyers for San Juan County, Colorado β Protecting Students from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse
Attorney 911 β Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experts Now Serving San Juan County Families
β οΈ San Juan County Parents: Your Child Could Be Next
Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. The same fraternities and sororities that waterboarded a student at University of Houston have chapters near San Juan County. The same “traditions” that sent our client to the hospital with kidney failure exist at Colorado institutions.
We are fighting this battle RIGHT NOW in Texas β and we will fight for San Juan County victims with the same fury.
ποΈ Hazing at Colorado Institutions: The Reality Near San Juan County
While San Juan County itself is a small, rural community, it is surrounded by educational institutions where Greek life thrives. Students from San Juan County attend colleges and universities where hazing is a documented problem:
Universities Near San Juan County with Greek Organizations:
-
Fort Lewis College (Durango, CO)
- Active Greek life with multiple fraternities and sororities
- Located approximately 60 miles from Silverton (San Juan County seat)
- Known for outdoor recreation culture β but also Greek life presence
-
Western Colorado University (Gunnison, CO)
- Greek organizations present on campus
- Approximately 150 miles from San Juan County
- Attracts students from rural Colorado communities
-
Colorado Mesa University (Grand Junction, CO)
- Larger university with established Greek system
- Approximately 170 miles from San Juan County
- Serves students from western Colorado
-
University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, CO)
- Major Greek life hub with over 30 fraternities and sororities
- Approximately 300 miles from San Juan County
- Attracts students from across Colorado
-
Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO)
- Another major Greek life center
- Approximately 320 miles from San Juan County
- Serves students from rural Colorado communities
The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths nationwide operate chapters at these schools β including the fraternity currently being sued for waterboarding a student in Texas.
π° This Is Happening NOW: Our $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit
The Case That Should Terrify Every Fraternity Near San Juan County
π November 21, 2025 β Attorney 911 files $10 million lawsuit against:
- Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (national organization)
- Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter (University of Houston)
- University of Houston
- UH Board of Regents
- Fraternity president, pledgemaster, current and former members
- A former member and his spouse (hazing occurred at their home)
π₯ What happened to our client:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose β simulated drowning
- Forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups β until he couldn’t stand
- Struck with wooden paddles β physical assault
- Forced to eat until vomiting β then forced to keep running
- Ended up in the hospital for 3 nights, 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
- Crawled up the stairs when he got home β couldn’t walk (per attorney Ralph Manginello)
π₯ The fraternity’s response?
They closed the chapter and said they “look forward to returning to campus.” No apology. No remorse. Just damage control.
π’ Media coverage:
- ABC13 Houston: “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization”
- KHOU 11: “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity”
- Houston Chronicle: “Being struck with wooden paddles”
- Houston Public Media: “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture”
π Why This Should Concern San Juan County Families
-
The same fraternities operate near San Juan County
- Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America β including in Colorado
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta β all have documented hazing deaths
- If it happened in Houston, it can happen in Durango, Gunnison, or Boulder
-
Universities near San Juan County have the same oversight failures
- University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
- They had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 and did nothing
- Fort Lewis College, Western Colorado University, and others have the same power β and the same liability β when they fail to act
-
Hazing doesn’t require enrollment
- Our client was a “ghost rush” β not even enrolled at UH yet
- The fraternity hazed someone who wasn’t even a student
- If your child is considering Greek life near San Juan County, they’re at risk even before classes start
-
The psychological damage lasts forever
- Our client is fearful of retribution for speaking out
- Hazing victims often develop PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- The trauma doesn’t end when the physical injuries heal
βοΈ Colorado Hazing Laws: What San Juan County Families Need to Know
Colorado Revised Statutes Β§ 18-9-124 β Hazing
Definition of Hazing in Colorado:
Any activity by which a person recklessly endangers the health or safety of or causes a risk of bodily injury to an individual for purposes of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any student organization.
Key Provisions:
- Hazing is a Class 3 misdemeanor (up to 6 months in jail, $750 fine)
- If hazing results in bodily injury, it becomes a Class 2 misdemeanor (up to 12 months in jail, $1,000 fine)
- If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a Class 4 felony (2-6 years in prison, $2,000-$500,000 fine)
- Consent is NOT a defense β Colorado law explicitly states that consent does not justify hazing
What This Means for San Juan County Victims:
- Criminal charges can be filed against individual perpetrators
- Civil lawsuits can be filed against organizations, universities, and individuals
- Universities can be held liable for failing to prevent hazing
- National fraternities can be sued for failing to supervise chapters
π° Hazing Settlements & Verdicts: What San Juan County Families Can Recover
These Cases Prove Hazing Victims WIN β And Win Big
| Case | University | Fraternity | Year | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | 2021 | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | 2017 | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | 2017 | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | 2017 | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | 2021 | Settlement | $4+ million |
San Juan County Families: These same results are possible for Colorado victims.
π₯ Medical Consequences of Hazing: What San Juan County Parents Must Watch For
Hazing doesn’t just cause bruises. It causes life-threatening medical conditions that require immediate attention:
1. Rhabdomyolysis (Like Our Client)
- What it is: Breakdown of muscle tissue releasing myoglobin into bloodstream
- Cause: Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, etc.)
- Symptoms:
- Severe muscle pain and weakness
- Dark brown/red urine (myoglobinuria)
- Difficulty moving or walking
- Nausea, vomiting
- Complications:
- Acute kidney failure (required hospitalization for our client)
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Permanent kidney damage
- Death
2. Alcohol Poisoning
- What it is: Potentially fatal overdose of alcohol
- Cause: Forced binge drinking, “drink until you vomit” rituals
- Symptoms:
- Confusion, stupor
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Hypothermia (low body temperature)
- Unconsciousness
- Complications:
- Death from respiratory arrest
- Aspiration pneumonia (from vomiting while unconscious)
- Permanent brain damage
3. Traumatic Brain Injury
- What it is: Damage to the brain from physical trauma
- Cause: Being struck with objects, falls, beatings
- Symptoms:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Nausea/vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Complications:
- Permanent cognitive impairment
- Memory loss
- Personality changes
- Increased risk of dementia later in life
4. Hypothermia/Hyperthermia
- What it is: Dangerously low or high body temperature
- Cause: Exposure to cold (forced to strip in winter) or heat (prolonged exercise in hot conditions)
- Symptoms (Hypothermia):
- Shivering
- Slurred speech
- Weak pulse
- Loss of coordination
- Confusion
- Symptoms (Hyperthermia):
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke (medical emergency)
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Seizures
5. Psychological Trauma
- What it is: Long-term mental health consequences of abuse
- Symptoms:
- PTSD (flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety)
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Suicidal ideation
- Trust issues
- Social withdrawal
- Academic decline
San Juan County Parents: If your child shows ANY of these symptoms after participating in Greek life activities, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. Then call us.
π¨ What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Colorado
IMMEDIATE ACTION PROTOCOL FOR San Juan County FAMILIES
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ensure safety | Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately |
| 2 | Call 911 if medical emergency | Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, head injuries require urgent care |
| 3 | Seek medical attention | Even if injuries seem minor β document everything |
| 4 | Preserve ALL evidence | Photos, videos, texts, social media, clothing, objects used in hazing |
| 5 | DO NOT talk to fraternity/sorority | They will try to control the narrative and destroy evidence |
| 6 | DO NOT post on social media | Anything you post can be used against your case |
| 7 | Report to university | File official report with Greek Life office or Dean of Students |
| 8 | Consider criminal report | Colorado law makes hazing a crime |
| 9 | Call Attorney 911 IMMEDIATELY | 1-888-ATTY-911 β 2-year statute of limitations applies |
π Evidence Checklist for San Juan County Hazing Victims
PRESERVE EVERYTHING. DELETE NOTHING.
| Evidence Type | What to Save |
|---|---|
| Medical Records | Hospital records, ER visits, doctor notes, therapy records |
| Photos/Videos | Injuries at all stages, hazing activities, locations |
| Text Messages | GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, SMS β ALL communications |
| Social Media | Screenshots of posts, DMs, stories, comments |
| Emails | Any communications about pledge activities |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules, membership agreements |
| Physical Evidence | Clothing worn during hazing, objects used in hazing |
| Witness Information | Names and contact info of other pledges, witnesses |
| Academic Records | Grades before/after hazing, enrollment status |
| Financial Records | Medical bills, lost wages, tuition payments |
San Juan County Families: We can help you preserve evidence remotely. Call us before you delete anything.
ποΈ Who We Sue for San Juan County Hazing Victims
We Hold EVERYONE Accountable β Not Just the Students
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | San Juan County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Any fraternity/sorority chapter near San Juan County |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities | President, pledge master, risk manager |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing | Every member who witnessed or participated |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew of “hazing crisis” | Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Sigma Chi, etc. β all operate near San Juan County |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred | Any fraternity/sorority house near San Juan County |
| University | Failed to prevent hazing; owned property | Fort Lewis College, Western Colorado University, etc. |
| University Administrators | Personal liability for oversight failures | Greek Life directors, Deans, Presidents |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes | Any alumni involved in San Juan County-area hazing |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for institutional liability | National fraternity insurance; university insurance |
San Juan County Families: We don’t just sue broke college students. We go after the institutions with deep pockets β the national fraternities, the universities, the insurance companies.
πΌ Why San Juan County Families Choose Attorney 911
We’re Not Just Lawyers. We’re Former Insurance Defense Attorneys Who Know How to Beat Them.
| Advantage | Why It Matters for San Juan County Families |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years Courtroom Experience | Battle-tested in state and federal courts β can pursue San Juan County cases in federal jurisdiction |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know their playbook β we used to work for them. Now we use that knowledge against them. |
| Federal Court Admission | U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas β can pursue San Juan County cases in federal court |
| Dual-State Bar Admission | Texas AND New York β strategic advantage for cases against national fraternities |
| Multi-Million Dollar Case Experience | BP Texas City explosion (15 deaths, |