Hazing Victim Legal Support in Swift County, Minnesota

🚨 Swift County Families: You Are Not Alone

Hazing is not tradition. It’s not brotherhood. It’s not “just part of college.” It’s abuse. And when it happens to students in Swift County, Minnesota—whether at local colleges, universities, or through national Greek organizations with chapters nearby—you have legal rights.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for a student who was waterboarded, forced to perform extreme physical abuse, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities operate near Swift County. The same negligence exists at institutions near you. We will fight for Swift County families with the same aggression.

If your child has been hazed—whether through forced drinking, physical abuse, sleep deprivation, or psychological torture—you have options. And you don’t have to face this alone.

🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Minnesota)

Minnesota law defines hazing as any act committed for the purpose of initiating, admitting, or affiliating a student into an organization that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily harm or personal degradation.

Common Hazing Activities That Are Illegal in Swift County:

✅ Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, “drink until you vomit”)
✅ Extreme physical punishment (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, paddling)
✅ Waterboarding or simulated drowning (yes, this happens—we’re litigating it now)
✅ Sleep deprivation (forced late-night activities, no sleep for days)
✅ Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, carrying degrading objects)
✅ Forced eating until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns—then forced to keep exercising)
✅ Exposure to extreme temperatures (stripped in cold weather, sprayed with hoses)

🚨 Minnesota Statute 121A.69 makes hazing a misdemeanor, and if it results in serious injury or death, it can be a felony. Schools and organizations that allow hazing can be held civilly liable for damages.

💔 Real Cases, Real Consequences: What Hazing Does to Students

Case 1: The $10 Million Fight (Our Current Case)

Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not a Swift County resident, but the same fraternities operate near you)
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi (University of Houston)
What Happened:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose
• Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls until he collapsed
• Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing (October 15, 2025)
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to keep running
• Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure
• Result: $10 million lawsuit filed against Pi Kappa Phi, UH, and individual members

🔴 This is not an isolated incident. This happens at fraternities and organizations near Swift County.

Case 2: The Student Who Died from “Tradition”

Victim: Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Ohio)
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
What Happened:

• Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during initiation
• Found unresponsive the next morning
• Died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.35—4x the legal limit)
• Result: $10.1 million settlement (largest in Ohio history)

Case 3: The 18-Year-Old Who Never Got to Graduate

Victim: Maxwell Gruver (Louisiana State University)
Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
What Happened:

• Forced to drink during a “Bible Study” hazing ritual
• Blood alcohol level: 0.495 (6x the legal limit)
• Died from alcohol poisoning
• Result: $6.1 million jury verdict + Max Gruver Act (hazing now a felony in Louisiana)

⚖️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Swift County?

If your child was hazed, multiple parties can be sued, including:

💡 Swift County families: Even if the hazing happened at a school outside Swift County, we can still pursue the national organization and local chapter members who may live or have assets in Minnesota.

📋 What Should Swift County Families Do If Their Child Was Hazed?

✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be life-threatening (as in our current case).
• Alcohol poisoning can cause death.
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) requires professional help.
• Medical records are critical evidence.

✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence. Save:
✔ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshots + metadata)
✔ Photos/videos of injuries, hazing activities, or the location
✔ Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
✔ Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records)
✔ Witness names and contact information (other pledges, bystanders)

✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without a Lawyer

• Fraternities/sororities will try to control the narrative.
• They may offer a quick settlement (which is usually a lowball offer).
• They may pressure your child to sign a waiver.
• Never give a recorded statement without legal counsel.

✅ Step 4: Report the Incident (But Be Strategic)

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in Minnesota).
• Report to the university’s Title IX office (if applicable).
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority (they may investigate, but don’t rely on them).
• Consult an attorney first—we can guide you on how to report without jeopardizing your case.

✅ Step 5: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

📞 Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

• Free, confidential consultation for Swift County families.
• We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.
• We travel to Swift County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• We’ve handled multi-million-dollar hazing cases and know how to win.

💰 What Compensation Can Swift County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to:

💡 Precedent Cases Show Multi-Million-Dollar Recoveries Are Possible:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)

🔥 Why Swift County Families Choose Attorney 911

1️⃣ We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

• We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We know exactly how these organizations operate—because we’re suing them now.
• We’ve seen their playbook for covering up hazing—and we know how to beat it.

2️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Tricks

• Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
• We know how they try to deny claims, lowball settlements, and manipulate victims.
• We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3️⃣ We Have Federal Court Authority—We Can Sue Anywhere

• We are admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas).
• We can pursue national fraternities/sororities no matter where they’re headquartered.
• Distance is not a barrier—we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Swift County.

4️⃣ We Travel to Swift County

• We will come to Benson, Appleton, or anywhere in Swift County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• We offer video consultations for Swift County families who can’t travel.
• We make it easy for you to get justice.

5️⃣ No Upfront Costs—You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

• We work on a contingency fee basis—no retainer, no hourly fees.
• We only get paid if we win your case.
• Swift County families pay $0 upfront.

6️⃣ We Speak Spanish—Se Habla Español

• Hazing affects all communities, including Spanish-speaking families.
• We provide bilingual legal services—no language barriers.
• Hablamos español.

🚨 Warning Signs of Hazing in Swift County

Hazing often starts subtly and escalates. Know the red flags:

❌ Excessive alcohol consumption (“You have to drink to be part of the group.”)
❌ Forced physical activities (500 squats, bear crawls, “suicides”)
❌ Sleep deprivation (Late-night meetings, early-morning tasks)
❌ Humiliation rituals (Wearing degrading clothing, carrying embarrassing objects)
❌ Isolation from friends/family (“You can’t talk to anyone about this.”)
❌ Threats of expulsion (“If you don’t do this, you’re out.”)
❌ Unusual injuries (Bruises, burns, muscle pain, dark urine—sign of rhabdomyolysis)
❌ Sudden secrecy (“This is just between us brothers/sisters.”)

💡 If you suspect hazing, trust your instincts. Many victims are afraid to speak up.

📞 Swift County Families: Call Us Now

🚨 Time is critical.

• Evidence disappears quickly (texts, photos, witness memories fade).
• Statute of limitations (typically 2 years in Minnesota—don’t wait).
• The sooner we act, the stronger your case.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a Free, Confidential Consultation

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Visit: attorney911.com

We are based in Texas, but we serve hazing victims nationwide—including Swift County, Minnesota.

🏆 Our Promise to Swift County Families

1. We will listen—without judgment.
2. We will investigate—aggressively.
3. We will fight—relentlessly.
4. We will win—justice for your child.

Hazing is not tradition. It’s not brotherhood. It’s not “just part of college.”

It’s abuse. And we will hold them accountable.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com