Hazing Victim Legal Representation in Wabaunsee County, Kansas

Justice for Students Harmed by Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

Wabaunsee County families send their children to college expecting safety, opportunity, and growth. But when Greek organizations engage in hazing rituals—forced drinking, physical abuse, sleep deprivation, and psychological torture—those expectations are shattered. If your child has been injured, hospitalized, or traumatized by hazing at a fraternity or sorority near Wabaunsee County, you have legal rights—and we can help you fight back.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme physical abuse, waterboarding, and forced consumption. The same fraternities and sororities operate at colleges near Wabaunsee County, and the same negligence exists at local institutions. We will bring the same aggressive legal strategy to Wabaunsee County families.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Kansas & Beyond

Hazing is not “tradition”—it’s abuse. And it happens right here in Kansas.

Hazing Incidents in Kansas & Nearby States

While Wabaunsee County itself is a rural area, students from the county often attend larger universities in Kansas and neighboring states where Greek life is active. Some documented hazing cases in the region include:

• University of Kansas (KU) – Multiple hazing violations reported in recent years, including forced alcohol consumption and physical abuse.
• Kansas State University (K-State) – Hazing incidents involving excessive drinking, paddling, and sleep deprivation.
• Wichita State University – Reports of forced exercise, humiliation, and alcohol-related hazing.
• University of Missouri (Mizzou) – Multiple hazing deaths, including the 2021 drowning of Danny Santulli during a Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) event.
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Hazing incidents involving forced drinking, physical punishment, and psychological abuse.

Nationally, hazing has led to:

• At least one hazing-related death per year since 2000.
• 55% of college students in fraternities/sororities experiencing hazing.
• Multi-million-dollar lawsuits against universities and national Greek organizations.

This is not just a problem elsewhere—it’s happening near Wabaunsee County, and it could happen to your child.

💔 What Hazing Looks Like: The Wabaunsee County Risk

Hazing takes many forms, but all of them are dangerous, illegal, and traumatizing. Some of the most common—and most dangerous—hazing practices include:

🔥 Physical Abuse

• Forced exercise to exhaustion (e.g., 500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls)
• Beating with paddles, belts, or other objects
• Branding or burning
• Confinement in small spaces (closets, basements, trunks of cars)

🍺 Forced Consumption (Alcohol & Other Substances)

• Binge drinking (forced to consume entire bottles of alcohol)
• Forced eating until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, raw eggs, peppercorns)
• Consumption of non-food items (dirt, hot sauce, dog food)
• Drug use (forced or pressured)

💦 Waterboarding & Simulated Drowning

• Spraying with hoses while doing calisthenics
• Holding underwater or simulating drowning
• Extreme water consumption leading to water intoxication

😨 Psychological Torture & Humiliation

• Sleep deprivation (forced to stay up all night, drive members at odd hours)
• Public shaming (forced to wear embarrassing clothing, carry sexual objects)
• Verbal abuse & threats (“You’ll be expelled if you don’t comply”)
• Isolation from friends/family

🚑 Medical Consequences of Hazing

Hazing doesn’t just leave emotional scars—it can cause life-threatening injuries, including:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure) – Like our current client in Houston
• Alcohol poisoning – Leading cause of hazing deaths
• Traumatic brain injury – From falls, beatings, or lack of oxygen
• Heatstroke or hypothermia – From forced outdoor activities in extreme weather
• Internal bleeding – From physical abuse or forced consumption
• PTSD, anxiety, and depression – Long-term psychological damage

If your child has been hospitalized, traumatized, or injured due to hazing, they deserve justice—and so does your family.

⚖️ Legal Rights for Wabaunsee County Hazing Victims

1. Kansas Hazing Laws (K.S.A. 21-5414)

Kansas law explicitly prohibits hazing and makes it a criminal offense. Under K.S.A. 21-5414, hazing is defined as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student, acting alone or with others, against another student for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any organization.”

Penalties for hazing in Kansas:

• Class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months in jail and $1,000 fine) for general hazing.
• Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and $2,500 fine) if hazing causes bodily harm.
• Felony charges if hazing results in death or serious injury.

Consent is NOT a defense—even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.

2. Civil Lawsuits: Holding Institutions Accountable

While criminal charges punish individuals, civil lawsuits allow victims to sue for financial compensation from:

• The local fraternity/sorority chapter (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma)
• The national Greek organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi National, Sigma Alpha Epsilon National)
• The university (if they knew or should have known about hazing)
• Individual members (chapter presidents, pledgemasters, active members)
• Alumni or off-campus hosts (if hazing occurred at private residences)

Types of damages you can sue for:

Precedent for multi-million-dollar hazing lawsuits:

• $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State University)
• $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
• $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
• $10 million – Our current case against Pi Kappa Phi & UH

Wabaunsee County families deserve the same justice.

🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable in a Wabaunsee County Hazing Case?

Hazing is never the fault of the victim. Multiple parties can—and should—be held accountable:

1. The Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter

• Directly organized and participated in hazing.
• Failed to stop abuse despite knowing the risks.
• Violated their own anti-hazing policies.

2. The National Greek Organization

• Failed to supervise local chapters.
• Ignored prior hazing incidents (like our Pi Kappa Phi case).
• Enabled a culture of abuse by not enforcing anti-hazing rules.

3. The University

• Failed to monitor Greek life despite prior hazing incidents.
• Owned or controlled property where hazing occurred (premises liability).
• Had the power to suspend or expel dangerous organizations—but didn’t.

4. Individual Members (Students & Alumni)

• Chapter presidents, pledgemasters, and active members who organized or participated in hazing.
• Alumni who hosted hazing events at their homes.
• Members who witnessed abuse but failed to stop it.

5. Insurance Companies

• Fraternities/sororities have liability insurance policies that cover hazing claims.
• Universities have institutional insurance for student injuries.
• Homeowners’ insurance may cover hazing at private residences.

Our attorneys know how to pursue every liable party—and every insurance policy—to maximize your compensation.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Wabaunsee County

Time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. If your child has been hazed, follow these steps immediately:

📌 Step 1: Seek Medical Attention

• Go to the ER or urgent care—even if injuries seem minor.
• Document everything (bruises, cuts, symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, anxiety, etc.).
• Get a full medical evaluation—some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately.

📌 Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, and social media posts about hazing.
• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
• Write down witness names and contact information.
• Keep all medical records and bills.

📌 Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority or University Alone

• They will try to control the narrative and minimize your claim.
• Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney.
• Do not give a recorded statement to their insurance company.

📌 Step 4: Contact a Hazing Attorney Immediately

• Kansas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
• Evidence disappears fast—texts get deleted, witnesses forget, university investigations close.
• The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.

📞 Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
(Available 24/7 for Wabaunsee County families)

🏆 Why Wabaunsee County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Actively Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case Right Now

• We represent Leonel Bermudez, who was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles at Pi Kappa Phi (University of Houston).
• The same fraternities operate near Wabaunsee County, and the same negligence exists at local universities.
• We know how to win these cases—and we’ll bring that expertise to Wabaunsee County.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys = Insider Knowledge

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
• We know exactly how they try to deny claims—and how to counter their tactics.
• We’ve won millions for victims by exposing insurance company tricks.

3. We’ll Travel to Wabaunsee County for Your Case

• While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims nationwide.
• We offer video consultations for Wabaunsee County families.
• We’ll travel to Wabaunsee County for depositions, meetings, and trials.

4. No Upfront Costs – We Work on Contingency

• You pay $0 unless we win your case.
• Our fee comes from your settlement—no risk to you.
• We don’t get paid unless you get paid.

5. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)

• Hazing affects all communities, including Hispanic students.
• We provide bilingual legal representation for Spanish-speaking families.

6. 25+ Years of Litigation Experience

• Ralph Manginello has 25+ years of trial experience, including BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass torts).
• Lupe Pena has 12+ years of experience, including working at a national defense firm (Litchfield Cavo).
• We know how to take on powerful institutions—and win.

🎯 Our Strategy for Wabaunsee County Hazing Cases

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to fraternities, universities, and individuals.
• Subpoena text messages, social media, and chapter records before they’re deleted.
• Interview witnesses while memories are fresh.

2. Aggressive Discovery to Expose the Truth

• Depose chapter officers, pledgemasters, and active members.
• Request internal fraternity/sorority documents showing prior hazing incidents.
• Subpoena university records proving they knew about hazing risks.

3. Pursue Every Liable Party

• Sue the local chapter for direct liability.
• Sue the national organization for failing to supervise.
• Sue the university for negligent oversight.
• Sue individual members for personal participation.

4. Maximize Insurance Coverage

• Identify all insurance policies (fraternity, university, homeowners’).
• Demand full policy limits—some policies cover $1M+ per incident.
• Prevent insurance companies from lowballing your claim.

5. Fight for Maximum Compensation

• Medical bills (past and future).
• Therapy and mental health treatment (PTSD, anxiety, depression).
• Lost wages and future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional).
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct).

6. Public & Media Pressure

• Expose the truth through media coverage.
• Pressure universities to reform Greek life.
• Encourage other victims to come forward.

📞 Wabaunsee County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed, injured, or traumatized by a fraternity or sorority near Wabaunsee County, you have legal rights. We can help.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Wabaunsee County families)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com

Free, confidential case evaluation.
No upfront costs—we only get paid if we win.
We travel to Wabaunsee County for your case.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Wabaunsee 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 is hesitant, we can:

• Protect their legal rights before the statute of limitations expires.
• Preserve evidence in case they change their mind later.
• Advise on university reporting options (Title IX, student conduct).
• Help document injuries for future medical or legal needs.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Can they still be held liable?

A: Absolutely. Under Kansas law (K.S.A. 21-5414), consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate:

• Peer pressure, threats, and coercion negate true consent.
• Fraternities/sororities use social exclusion and expulsion threats to force compliance.
• The law explicitly says consent doesn’t matter.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus? Can we still sue the university?

A: Yes. Universities can be held liable if:

• They knew or should have known about hazing risks.
• They failed to enforce anti-hazing policies.
• The hazing was connected to a university-recognized organization.
• The university owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred.

Q: How much is my hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but factors that increase value include:
✅ Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, wrongful death).
✅ Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, physical abuse).
✅ Prior hazing incidents (shows the university/fraternity knew about the risk).
✅ University ownership of property (premises liability).
✅ National organization’s involvement (deep pockets for settlement).
✅ Criminal charges filed (strengthens civil case).

Recent hazing settlements/verdicts:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
• $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
• $10 million (Our current case against Pi Kappa Phi & UH)

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

• Kansas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
• If the victim is a minor, the clock may not start until they turn 18.
• If the university or fraternity covered up the hazing, the deadline may be extended.

Do NOT wait—contact us immediately to protect your rights.

Q: Will my child have to testify in court?

• Most cases settle out of court (90%+).
• If the case goes to trial, your child may need to testify—but we prepare them thoroughly.
• Depositions (out-of-court testimony) are more common and less intimidating.

Q: What if my child was drinking? Will that hurt the case?

• No. Even if your child consumed alcohol:
  • Forced drinking is still hazing—they didn’t choose to drink excessively.
  • Fraternities/sororities are responsible for providing alcohol to minors.
  • Universities have a duty to prevent underage drinking in Greek organizations.

📢 A Message to Wabaunsee County Fraternities & Sororities

To the chapters operating near Wabaunsee County:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts in other hazing cases apply to your chapter.

If you haze students near Wabaunsee County:

• We will find every liable entity—your chapter, your nationals, your alumni, your university.
• We will pursue every insurance policy—your general liability, your directors’ insurance, your homeowners’ policies.
• We will expose your culture of abuse—in court, in the media, and in the legislature.

The Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at UH?

• Shut down.
• Surrendered their charter.
• Facing a $10 million lawsuit.

Your chapter could be next.

Clean up your act now—or we’ll clean it up for you in court.

🏆 Wabaunsee County Families: You Are Not Alone

Hazing leaves victims feeling isolated, ashamed, and powerless. But you are not alone—and you do not have to suffer in silence.

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

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Wabaunsee County hazing emergencies)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com

Free consultation. No upfront costs. We only get paid if we win.

Justice for Wabaunsee County. Justice for your child. 💙