Hazing Lawyers in Shawnee County: Protecting Students from Abuse & Holding Institutions Accountable

Shawnee County Families: Your Child Deserves Justice

If your son or daughter has been a victim of hazing in Shawnee County—whether at Washburn University, a local fraternity or sorority, a sports team, or any student organization—you are not alone. Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “team bonding.” It is abuse, assault, and often criminal conduct that can lead to life-altering injuries or even death.

At Attorney 911, we are nationally recognized hazing litigation experts currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for a student hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme hazing. The same fraternities, the same negligence, and the same failures exist at institutions near Shawnee County. We will bring the same aggressive legal fight to Shawnee County families.

📞 Call our Hazing Legal Emergency Hotline now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Free Consultation: attorney911.com/hazing

The Hazing Crisis in Shawnee County: What Families Need to Know

Hazing Happens in Shawnee County—And It’s More Dangerous Than You Think

Shawnee County is home to Washburn University, a respected institution with a vibrant campus life—and, like many universities, a Greek system where hazing can thrive in the shadows. While Shawnee County may not have made national headlines for hazing deaths, that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening here.

The reality:

National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Alpha have active chapters at universities near Shawnee County.
Hazing isn’t limited to fraternities—it happens in sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student organizations.
Most hazing victims never report it—out of fear, shame, or loyalty to the group.
What starts as “harmless” pranks can escalate quickly—leading to hospitalizations, permanent injuries, or worse.

If your child is pledging a Greek organization, joining a sports team, or participating in any student group in Shawnee County, they are at risk.

What Counts as Hazing in Kansas?

Kansas law defines hazing as any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. This includes:

✅ Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion, sleep deprivation
✅ Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, or other substances (even non-alcoholic) to the point of vomiting or injury
✅ Psychological abuse: Humiliation, degradation, threats, isolation
✅ Dangerous activities: Waterboarding, branding, excessive calisthenics, extreme weather exposure
✅ Servitude: Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands
✅ Sexual humiliation or assault: Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual acts

Kansas law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

The Medical Consequences of Hazing: What Shawnee County Parents Must Know

Hazing isn’t just “kids being kids.” It can cause serious, life-threatening injuries—many of which don’t appear immediately.

Common Hazing Injuries We See in Shawnee County Cases:

Injury	Cause	Long-Term Consequences
Rhabdomyolysis	Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats, bear crawls)	Kidney failure, permanent kidney damage, dialysis, transplant
Acute Alcohol Poisoning	Forced binge drinking	Coma, death, permanent brain damage
Traumatic Brain Injury	Beatings, falls, head trauma	Memory loss, cognitive impairment, personality changes
Hypothermia/Hyperthermia	Exposure to extreme cold/heat	Organ damage, cardiac arrest, death
Broken Bones	Paddling, beatings, falls	Chronic pain, mobility issues, surgery
Internal Bleeding	Blows to the abdomen	Emergency surgery, organ removal, death
PTSD, Anxiety, Depression	Psychological torture	Therapy, medication, lifelong mental health struggles

Our client in Houston was hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, and other extreme exercises. The same could happen to a student in Shawnee County.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Shawnee County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can—and should—be held accountable. In our current $10 million lawsuit, we are suing:

The local fraternity/sorority chapter – They organized and carried out the hazing.
The national fraternity/sorority organization – They failed to supervise and enforce anti-hazing policies.
The university (Washburn University or others near Shawnee County) – They have a duty to protect students and often own the property where hazing occurs.
Individual members – Chapter officers, pledgemasters, and active members who participated.
Alumni and former members – Those who hosted hazing events or enabled the culture.
Insurance companies – Providing coverage for institutional liability.

Universities and national organizations have deep pockets. They will try to shift blame to “a few bad apples,” but we know the truth: Hazing is a systemic problem, and institutions enable it.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Shawnee County

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

If your child is showing signs of injury (severe pain, dark urine, vomiting, confusion, difficulty walking), take them to the ER.
Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries can be fatal if untreated.
Medical records are critical evidence—document everything.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Take photos/videos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, etc.).
Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
Write down everything your child remembers (dates, times, locations, what was said).
Get names and contact info of witnesses (other pledges, bystanders).
Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing or irrelevant.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or University Alone

Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative.
They will pressure your child to sign statements or accept blame.
They will destroy evidence if they can.
Anything you say to them can be used against you in court.

Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

The statute of limitations in Kansas is typically 2 years—but evidence disappears fast.
We offer free, confidential consultations—no upfront cost.
We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

📞 Call now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

Why Shawnee County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit—Right Now

We represent a student hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles.
The same fraternities operate near Shawnee County—we know how to hold them accountable.
This isn’t theoretical. We are in the fight RIGHT NOW.

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Playbook

Before we represented victims, we defended insurance companies.
We know exactly how they try to minimize claims.
We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority—We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.

We are admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas)—meaning we can pursue cases in federal court nationwide.
Shawnee County families don’t need a local lawyer—we can represent you no matter where the hazing occurred.

4. We Are Dual-Licensed (Texas & New York)—Strategic Advantage Against National Fraternities

National fraternities and sororities often have headquarters in multiple states.
Our Texas and New York bar licenses give us strategic leverage in negotiations.

5. We Speak Spanish—Se Habla Español

Hazing doesn’t discriminate—neither do we.
If your family is more comfortable speaking Spanish, we can help without language barriers.

6. We Travel to Shawnee County for Your Case

We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we come to you.
Whether it’s for depositions, client meetings, or trial, we will be in Shawnee County when you need us.

7. We Work on Contingency—$0 Upfront Cost

You pay nothing unless we win.
No hourly fees, no retainers, no hidden costs.
We only get paid if you get paid.

Shawnee County Hazing Case Examples: What Justice Looks Like

Case 1: $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston (2025)

What Happened: A “ghost rush” (not even a UH student yet) was hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being:

Waterboarded with a garden hose
Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, and other extreme exercises
Struck with wooden paddles
Forced to eat until vomiting, then run through his own vomit

Our Role: We filed a $10 million lawsuit against:

Pi Kappa Phi National
The local chapter
The University of Houston (which owned the fraternity house)
Individual members

Why This Matters for Shawnee County: The same fraternity has chapters at universities near Shawnee County. If they’re doing this in Houston, they’re doing it near Shawnee County.

Case 2: $6.1 Million Jury Verdict for Hazing Death (LSU, 2017)

What Happened: A freshman died from acute alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495) after being forced to drink during a “Bible Study” hazing event.

Outcome:

$6.1 million jury verdict against the fraternity
Criminal conviction for the fraternity member who forced the drinking
Max Gruver Act—Louisiana made hazing a felony

Why This Matters for Shawnee County: Juries award millions for hazing. The same could happen in Kansas if a student is injured or killed.

Case 3: $110+ Million Settlement for Hazing Death (Penn State, 2017)

What Happened: A student died after being forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes, then falling down stairs repeatedly. Fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911.

Outcome:

$110+ million settlement (confidential)
18 members charged criminally
Timothy Piazza Antihazing Law—Pennsylvania strengthened hazing penalties

Why This Matters for Shawnee County: When evidence is strong (like security camera footage in this case), settlements reach $100+ million. Our case has detailed documentation—we’re ready to fight.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits in Shawnee County

1. My child “consented” to hazing. Can we still sue?

YES. Kansas law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

2. The fraternity says it was “just a prank.” Is it still hazing?

YES. Hazing is defined by whether the activity endangers mental or physical health—not whether it was “meant as a joke.” Waterboarding, forced exercise to exhaustion, and paddling are not pranks—they’re abuse.

3. Will my child get in trouble for reporting hazing?

No. Kansas has anti-retaliation laws protecting students who report hazing. Additionally, your child is the victim—not the perpetrator. We will protect their identity and ensure they are not punished.

4. The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be sued?

YES. Universities have a duty to supervise student organizations. If hazing occurred on campus or in university-owned housing (like a fraternity house), the university can be held liable for negligent supervision.

5. How much is my child’s hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits typically include compensation for:

Medical bills (past and future)
Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
Lost wages (if the injury affected work or school)
Punitive damages (to punish the organization for egregious conduct)

Precedent cases show verdicts and settlements ranging from $1 million to $110+ million.

6. How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

In Kansas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is typically 2 years from the date of the injury. Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

7. Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

YES. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If the organization is affiliated with a Shawnee County school, we can pursue legal action.

8. Will this affect my child’s academic or athletic career?

We work to protect your child’s future. Many hazing cases are resolved confidentially, and we can structure settlements to minimize long-term impact.

9. What if the fraternity tries to cover it up?

We aggressively pursue evidence through:

Subpoenas for text messages, emails, and social media
Depositions of fraternity members and university officials
Public records requests for internal documents
Expert testimony on hazing culture and institutional negligence

10. How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?

$0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Shawnee County Universities & Greek Organizations: We Are Watching

To the fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and student organizations near Shawnee County:

We know who you are. We know your national organizations. We know your insurance companies. And we know what you’re doing to our kids.

Pi Kappa Phi – You waterboarded a student in Houston. How many Shawnee County students have you tortured?
Sigma Alpha Epsilon – You’ve paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide. Are your Shawnee County chapters next?
Pi Kappa Alpha – You’ve had multiple hazing deaths. When will you stop?
Washburn University – You have a duty to protect students. If hazing happens on your watch, we will hold you accountable.
All Shawnee County Greek Organizations – We track your house corporations, your alumni chapters, and your national insurance policies. If you haze, we will find you.

The message is clear: Hazing costs millions. We have the receipts. And we will use every legal tool to make you pay.

Shawnee County Families: It’s Time to Fight Back

Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It’s torture. It’s abuse. And it’s illegal.

If your child has been hazed in Shawnee County, you have rights. You have the right to hold the people who hurt them accountable. You have the right to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and the trauma they endured.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting for Shawnee County families.