🛡️ Sioux County Hazing Victims: Your Legal Rights and How We Can Help
Attorney 911 — Serving Sioux County Families from Houston, Austin & Beaumont
If your child has been the victim of hazing at a college or university near Sioux County, North Dakota, you are not alone. The same fraternities that have paid millions in settlements nationwide—including the Pi Kappa Phi chapter we’re currently suing for $10 million—operate right here in North Dakota. We are fighting this battle right now, and we will fight for Sioux County families with the same determination.
⚠️ The Hazing Crisis Comes to Sioux County
Hazing isn’t just a problem in other states. The same national fraternities that have been involved in high-profile hazing deaths and lawsuits—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta—have active chapters at universities near Sioux County, including:
- Sitting Bull College (Fort Yates, ND)
- United Tribes Technical College (Bismarck, ND)
- Bismarck State College
- University of Mary (Bismarck, ND)
- Dickinson State University
These institutions serve Sioux County families, and the same hazing risks exist here. If your child attends or plans to attend college near Sioux County, they face the same dangers that put our client in the hospital with kidney failure.
🚨 What Sioux County Parents Need to Know
- Hazing is illegal in North Dakota — It’s a criminal offense under North Dakota Century Code § 15.1-19-13, punishable by fines and jail time.
- Consent is not a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, North Dakota law says consent doesn’t matter.
- Universities are liable — Schools have a duty to protect students. When they fail, they can be held accountable.
- National fraternities have deep pockets — These organizations have millions in assets and insurance. They will pay to settle.
- You have legal rights — Sioux County families can sue for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
🏥 Our Current Case: $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi
We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being hazed at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter. The hazing included:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
- Forced to perform 500 squats and 100+ pushups — until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault
- Forced to eat until vomiting — then forced to continue exercising
- Sleep deprivation — forced to drive fraternity members at all hours
- Psychological torture — threats of expulsion, carrying sexual objects
This happened in Houston. But the same fraternities operate near Sioux County. The same negligence exists at North Dakota institutions. And we will fight for Sioux County victims with the same fury.
📰 Media Coverage of Our Case
| Outlet | Date | Headline |
|---|---|---|
| ABC13 Houston | Nov 21, 2025 | Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge |
| KHOU 11 | Nov 21, 2025 | $10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations |
| Houston Chronicle | Nov 22, 2025 | UH fraternity hazing lawsuit |
| Houston Public Media | Nov 24, 2025 | University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million |
Key Quotes from Our Attorneys:
“When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.” — Ralph Manginello
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” — Lupe Pena
💰 Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions
Sioux County families should know: hazing cases settle for millions. Here are recent examples:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Settlement | $110 million+ |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes | Delta Chi | Virginia Commonwealth | Settlement | $4 million+ |
These results are possible for Sioux County victims too.
⚖️ North Dakota Hazing Law: Your Rights
North Dakota Century Code § 15.1-19-13 defines hazing as:
“Any activity which endangers the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of an institution of higher education.”
Key Provisions:
- Criminal penalties — Hazing is a misdemeanor, punishable by fines and up to 30 days in jail.
- Consent is not a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still illegal.
- Organizational liability — Fraternities and universities can be held responsible.
- Reporting requirements — Universities must report hazing incidents.
Civil Liability:
Sioux County families can sue for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Lost wages (if your child missed work or internships)
- Educational disruption (if hazing affected grades or enrollment)
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
📋 What Sioux County Families Should Do Immediately
If your child has been hazed:
- Get medical attention immediately — Even if injuries seem minor, document everything.
- Preserve all evidence — Save texts, photos, videos, social media posts, witness names.
- Do NOT talk to the fraternity or university alone — They will try to control the narrative.
- Do NOT post on social media — Anything you post can be used against you.
- Contact Attorney 911 immediately — Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.
⚠️ CRITICAL: North Dakota has a 2-year statute of limitations. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue.
🏢 Who Is Liable for Sioux County Hazing?
We sue everyone responsible, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Fraternity Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about “hazing crisis” |
| Chapter Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
| University | Failed to protect students; had power to stop hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in or allowed hazing |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability |
In our current case, we’re suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- The local chapter
- The housing corporation
- University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
- Individual members
- A former member and his spouse (hazing occurred at their home)
The same defendants exist for Sioux County cases.
🎯 Why Sioux County Families Choose Attorney 911
- We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now — We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case. Sioux County families get the same aggressive representation.
- Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We know how insurance companies think and how to defeat their tactics.
- Federal Court Authority — We can pursue Sioux County cases in federal court if needed.
- Dual-State Licensed — Texas AND New York bar admission gives us strategic advantage.
- Bilingual Services — Se habla español. We serve Sioux County’s Native American and Hispanic families.
- Contingency Fee Basis — $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you win.
- We Travel to Sioux County — For depositions, trials, and client meetings.
- Proven Results — We’ve won millions for personal injury victims, including hazing cases.
📞 Sioux County Families: Contact Us Immediately
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Sioux County, call us now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Free Consultation • No Upfront Costs • We Fight for Sioux County Families
🔥 Message to Fraternities Operating Near Sioux County
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and all other fraternities with chapters near Sioux County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students near Sioux County, we will pursue every liable entity—your national organization, your housing corporation, your members, and your insurance carriers.
The UH chapter that hospitalized our client? They’re now shut down. Your chapter could be next.
🏛️ Message to North Dakota Universities
To Sitting Bull College, United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck State College, University of Mary, and Dickinson State University:
You have a duty to protect your students. When you fail, you will be held accountable. The University of Houston is currently being sued for $10 million because they owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred and failed to stop it.
Sioux County families trust you to keep their children safe. That trust is being betrayed. Act now—or face the same accountability.
🎓 Sioux County Students: You Are Not Alone
If you’ve been hazed:
- You did nothing wrong.
- You are not to blame.
- You have legal rights.
- We can help.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911. Your consultation is confidential.
📚 Additional Resources for Sioux County Families
- North Dakota Hazing Law: ND Century Code § 15.1-19-13
- Stop Hazing: www.stophazing.org
- Clery Center (Campus Safety): www.clerycenter.org
- National Hazing Prevention Week: www.hazingprevention.org
🏆 Our Commitment to Sioux County
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. We are fighting for hazing victims across America, including in Sioux County. We see your child as a person—not a paycheck. And we will fight hard for Sioux County families because we truly care.
Sioux County families deserve justice. Sioux County students deserve safety. The time for accountability is now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
