Hazing Lawyers in Sibley County, MN – Protecting Students from Abuse
Sibley County Families: You Are Not Alone
If your child has been a victim of hazing in Sibley County or at nearby colleges, Attorney 911 is here to help. We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against a major fraternity and university, and we bring that same aggressive representation to Sibley County families.
Hazing is not tradition. It is not bonding. It is abuse. And in Minnesota, it is illegal.
Why Sibley County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experience
We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This case involves:
- Waterboarding (simulated drowning with a garden hose)
- Forced consumption of food and milk until vomiting
- 500+ squats, 100+ pushups, and extreme physical punishment
- Rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure requiring hospitalization
This same fraternity has chapters near Sibley County. If they did this in Texas, they could be doing it in Minnesota. We will fight for Sibley County victims with the same determination.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
Both of our attorneys (Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña) previously worked for insurance defense firms, including national firms representing corporations and universities. We know exactly how they will try to minimize or deny your claim.
We use that insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize your recovery.
3. Federal Court Authority – We Can Pursue Cases Anywhere
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- Dual-state bar admission (Texas & New York)
- Willing to travel to Sibley County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
Distance is not a barrier to justice. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Sibley County and across Minnesota.
4. $0 Upfront Cost – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
This means Sibley County families can fight powerful institutions without financial risk.
5. Se Habla Español – Bilingual Representation for Sibley County Families
Our staff is fluent in Spanish. If your family prefers to communicate in Spanish, we can provide:
- Consultations in Spanish
- Case updates in Spanish
- Legal documents translated
- Courtroom interpretation coordination
No language barriers to justice.
Hazing in Sibley County: What Families Need to Know
Hazing is Illegal in Minnesota
Minnesota Statute § 121A.69 defines hazing as:
“Any act that endangers the physical or emotional health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization.”
This includes:
- Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
- Psychological abuse (humiliation, sleep deprivation, threats)
- Sexual abuse (forced nudity, sexual acts)
Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that does not matter.
Minnesota Hazing Penalties
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Misdemeanor Hazing | Up to 90 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine |
| Gross Misdemeanor Hazing (causing bodily harm) | Up to 1 year in jail and/or $3,000 fine |
| Felony Hazing (causing great bodily harm or death) | Up to 5 years in prison and/or $10,000 fine |
Universities and organizations can also face civil liability for millions in damages.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Sibley County Hazing?
1. Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapters
- The chapter that organized and conducted the hazing
- Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager)
- Individual members who participated
2. National Fraternity/Sorority Organizations
- Failed to supervise local chapters
- Knew about hazing risks but did nothing
- Have deep pockets and insurance policies
Example: Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including near Sibley County. They knew about deadly hazing (Andrew Coffey died in 2017) but failed to prevent it from happening again.
3. Minnesota Colleges & Universities
- Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, ~30 miles from Sibley County)
- Minnesota State University, Mankato (~40 miles from Sibley County)
- St. Olaf College (~60 miles from Sibley County)
- Carleton College (~60 miles from Sibley County)
Universities can be liable if:
- They own or control the property where hazing occurred
- They knew or should have known about hazing
- They failed to implement effective oversight
4. Individual Perpetrators
- Each person who participated in hazing can be sued personally
- Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally
Types of Hazing That Happen Near Sibley County
Hazing is not limited to fraternities. It happens in:
- Fraternities & sororities (most common)
- Sports teams (high school and college)
- Marching bands
- ROTC programs
- Honor societies
- Student clubs and organizations
Common Hazing Activities in Minnesota (and How We Prove Them)
| Hazing Activity | Evidence We Use in Court |
|---|---|
| Physical Abuse (paddling, beatings) | Photos, medical records, witness testimony |
| Forced Consumption (alcohol, food, non-food) | Text messages, videos, medical records (alcohol poisoning) |
| Sleep Deprivation | Schedules, witness testimony, academic records (impact on grades) |
| Psychological Abuse (humiliation, threats) | Text messages, social media, therapy records |
| Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning | Videos, witness testimony, medical records (panic attacks) |
| Extreme Exercise (500 squats, 100 pushups) | Videos, medical records (rhabdomyolysis), witness testimony |
| Sexual Abuse (forced nudity, sexual acts) | Photos, videos, medical records, witness testimony |
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Sibley County
Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, document everything medically
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be life-threatening
- Alcohol poisoning can be fatal
- Psychological trauma may not appear immediately
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
| Evidence Type | What to Save |
|---|---|
| Photos/Videos | Injuries, hazing activities, locations |
| Text Messages | Group chats, individual messages about hazing |
| Social Media | Screenshots of posts, messages, stories |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules |
| Witness Info | Names and contact info of other victims/witnesses |
| Medical Records | Hospital bills, doctor notes, therapy records |
Do NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Talk to the organization without legal counsel
- Sign anything from the fraternity/sorority/university
- Post about the incident on social media
Step 3: Report the Incident
- File a police report – Hazing is a crime in Minnesota
- Report to the university – But do NOT do this without an attorney
- Report to the national organization – But expect them to protect themselves
Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.
- Evidence disappears quickly
- Witnesses forget details
- Statutes of limitations apply (typically 2 years in Minnesota)
Damages You Can Recover for Sibley County Hazing
Economic Damages (Financial Losses)
- Medical bills (hospital stays, therapy, future treatment)
- Lost wages (time missed from work during recovery)
- Educational damages (tuition, scholarships lost)
- Future earning capacity (if injuries affect career)
Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)
- Physical pain from injuries
- Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Humiliation and shame
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages (To Punish the Wrongdoers)
- Awarded when conduct is intentional, reckless, or egregious
- Example: Waterboarding, forced consumption until vomiting, extreme physical abuse
- No cap on punitive damages in Minnesota personal injury cases
Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million settlement |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential settlement |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | $4+ million settlement |
These cases prove that hazing victims CAN and DO win big. The same legal strategies apply to Sibley County cases.
Why Sibley County Families Should Act Now
1. Evidence Disappears Quickly
- Text messages get deleted
- Social media posts get removed
- Witnesses forget details
- Security camera footage gets overwritten
2. Statute of Limitations Applies
- Minnesota personal injury claims: 2 years from date of injury
- Wrongful death claims: 3 years from date of death
- If you wait, you lose your right to sue forever
3. Institutions Will Try to Silence You
- Universities will offer “support” while protecting themselves
- Fraternities will claim “it was just tradition”
- Insurance companies will offer lowball settlements
You need an attorney to protect your rights.
How Attorney 911 Fights for Sibley County Families
1. Immediate Evidence Preservation
- Send preservation letters to all defendants
- Subpoena text messages, social media, videos
- Obtain security camera footage
- Interview witnesses before they forget
2. Aggressive Negotiation
- We know how insurance companies lowball victims
- We refuse to accept unfair settlement offers
- We negotiate from a position of strength
3. Trial-Ready Representation
- If defendants won’t settle fairly, we take them to court
- We have 25+ years of trial experience
- We know how to present evidence to a jury
4. Full-Spectrum Legal Support
- Medical experts to explain injuries
- Economic experts to calculate damages
- Hazing experts to explain the culture
- Therapists to document psychological harm
Sibley County Hazing Lawyer: Free Consultation
If your child has been a victim of hazing in Sibley County or at nearby colleges, contact Attorney 911 today for a free, confidential consultation.
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win.
Serving Sibley County and all of Minnesota with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.
Frequently Asked Questions for Sibley County Families
Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to sue. Should we still contact a lawyer?
A: Yes. Even if your child doesn’t want to sue, you should:
- Document the incident for future reference
- Understand your legal rights
- Get advice on how to protect your child
- Have evidence preserved in case things escalate
Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: Yes. Minnesota law applies to hazing on or off campus. If the hazing was organized by a student organization, both the organization and the university may be liable.
Q: What if my child was drinking during the hazing?
A: Consent is not a defense under Minnesota law. Even if your child was drinking voluntarily, the organization can still be held liable for:
- Providing the alcohol
- Creating a dangerous situation
- Failing to stop the hazing
Q: How long does a hazing lawsuit take?
Most cases settle within 12-24 months. If the case goes to trial, it may take longer. We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing your recovery.
Q: Can we sue the university even if they suspended the fraternity?
Yes. Suspending the fraternity after the fact does not absolve the university of liability. If they knew or should have known about hazing, they can be held responsible.
Q: What if the fraternity claims it was “just tradition”?
“Tradition” is not a legal defense. Hazing is illegal in Minnesota regardless of how long it has been going on. We will expose the truth in court.
Sibley County Hazing Resources
Report Hazing in Minnesota
- Minnesota Department of Education: Report Hazing Form
- Minnesota State Colleges & Universities: Report Hazing
- Gustavus Adolphus College: Report Hazing
- Minnesota State University, Mankato: Report Hazing
Mental Health Support for Hazing Victims
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
- Minnesota Department of Health – Mental Health Resources: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/mentalhealth/
Minnesota Hazing Laws
- Minnesota Statute § 121A.69: Hazing Prohibited
- Minnesota Statute § 609.2242: Assault in the Fifth Degree (applies to physical hazing)
Sibley County: We Will Fight for Your Family
Hazing steals the college experience from our children. It causes physical injuries, psychological trauma, and sometimes death. Enough is enough.
At Attorney 911, we are fighting this battle right now in Texas, and we will bring that same determination to Sibley County. We know how to hold fraternities, sororities, and universities accountable. We know how to win.
If your child has been hazed, call us today. The consultation is free. The call could save your child’s future.
1-888-ATTY-911
ralph@atty911.com
attorney911.com
Serving Sibley County and all of Minnesota with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.
We come to you. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
