⚠️ Washington County, Kansas Hazing Victim Legal Guide ⚠️

You Are Not Alone. What Happened to You Was Wrong. We Can Help.

If you or your child has been hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization in or near Washington County, Kansas, you may have legal rights to compensation and justice. The same fraternities and institutions that have paid millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts nationwide operate right here in Kansas.

We are Attorney 911, a Texas-based law firm with 25+ years of experience fighting for victims of institutional negligence. While we are headquartered in Houston, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Washington County, Kansas. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we can bring that same aggressive representation to Washington County families.

This guide explains:

• What constitutes hazing under Kansas law
• Who can be held liable in Washington County
• What compensation you may be entitled to
• How we can help Washington County victims — no matter where you are

🚨 What Is Hazing? — Kansas Law Explained

Kansas has strict anti-hazing laws that apply to all educational institutions, including colleges and universities in and around Washington County.

Kansas Statute § 21-5420 — Hazing Defined

“Hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student or another person, whether individually or in concert with others, against a student, and in which both of the following apply:

1. The act was committed in connection with an initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.
2. The act contributes to a substantial risk of physical injury, mental harm, or degradation or causes physical injury, mental harm, or personal degradation.

This means hazing includes:

• Physical abuse — beatings, paddling, forced exercise, branding
• Forced consumption — alcohol, food, non-food substances (even if you “volunteered”)
• Psychological abuse — humiliation, degradation, threats, isolation
• Sexual abuse — forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
• Dangerous activities — waterboarding, sleep deprivation, extreme weather exposure

It does NOT matter if you “consented” or “agreed” to participate. In Kansas, consent is not a defense to hazing.

🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Washington County?

When hazing occurs in or near Washington County, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible:

1. The Local Fraternity or Sorority Chapter

• The chapter that directly organized and conducted the hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledge master, risk manager)
• Individual members who participated

2. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization

• National headquarters that failed to supervise the local chapter
• Nationals that knew about prior hazing incidents and did nothing
• Nationals that failed to enforce anti-hazing policies

Example: Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, and many others have paid millions in settlements for hazing nationwide. These same nationals operate chapters at universities near Washington County.

3. The University or College

• Premises liability — if hazing occurred on university-owned property
• Negligent supervision — if the university failed to monitor Greek life
• Institutional knowledge — if the university knew about prior hazing and did nothing

Universities near Washington County with Greek life include:

• Kansas State University (Manhattan, ~100 miles away)
• University of Kansas (Lawrence, ~120 miles away)
• Wichita State University (~150 miles away)
• Fort Hays State University (~130 miles away)
• Emporia State University (~140 miles away)
• Smaller colleges and community colleges across Kansas

4. Individual Perpetrators

• Each person who participated in or facilitated the hazing
• Even if they were “just following orders”
• They can be sued personally and face criminal charges

5. Alumni and Hosts

• Former members who allowed hazing at their homes
• Spouses or partners who allowed hazing on their property

6. Insurance Companies

• Homeowner’s insurance (for off-campus locations)
• Liability insurance (for national organizations and universities)
• Fraternity/sorority insurance policies

💰 What Compensation Can Washington County Victims Recover?

Hazing victims in Washington County may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages, including:

Economic Damages (Tangible Costs)

• Medical bills — hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment
• Lost wages — time missed from work during recovery
• Educational costs — tuition for missed semesters, transfer costs
• Future medical expenses — if injuries require long-term care (e.g., kidney damage, chronic pain)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain — from injuries, forced exercise, beatings
• Mental anguish — PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution
• Emotional distress — humiliation, shame, loss of trust
• Loss of enjoyment of life — inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed
• Disfigurement — scars, burns, permanent injuries

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

• If the conduct was intentional, reckless, or malicious
• Meant to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing
• Can be millions of dollars in cases like ours

Precedent Proof — They Will Pay:

• $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
• $10 million (pending) — Leonel Bermudez (UH, Pi Kappa Phi — our case)

📞 How We Help Washington County Hazing Victims

We understand that Washington County families may feel hesitant to pursue legal action against powerful institutions. But we make it easy, safe, and risk-free to seek justice.

1. Free, Confidential Consultation

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com
• We’ll listen to your story and explain your rights
• No obligation, no pressure

2. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

• You pay nothing unless we win your case
• No hourly fees, no retainer
• We only get paid if you receive compensation

3. We Handle Everything

• Evidence preservation — texts, photos, videos, witness statements
• Medical documentation — we work with doctors to document your injuries
• Legal filings — we file the lawsuit and handle all paperwork
• Negotiation — we fight for the maximum settlement
• Trial (if needed) — we’re not afraid to go to court

4. We Serve Washington County — No Matter Where You Are

• Video consultations — meet with us remotely
• We travel to Washington County — for depositions, meetings, and trials
• Federal court authority — we can pursue your case in federal court if needed
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas and New York, with nationwide reach

5. We Protect You

• Confidentiality — your identity is protected
• No retaliation — we hold institutions accountable for intimidation
• Emotional support — we understand the trauma of hazing

🚫 Common Myths About Hazing Cases — Debunked

Myth 1: “I consented, so I can’t sue.”

❌ FALSE. Kansas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if you agreed to participate, you can still seek compensation.

Myth 2: “It was just a prank — not real hazing.”

❌ FALSE. If it caused physical or mental harm, it’s hazing. Waterboarding, forced exercise until collapse, and physical beatings are not pranks — they are abuse.

Myth 3: “The fraternity will kick me out if I speak up.”

❌ FALSE. Many fraternities have already been shut down for hazing. Speaking up can prevent future victims and hold the real wrongdoers accountable.

Myth 4: “I don’t live in Texas — Attorney 911 can’t help me.”

❌ FALSE. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Washington County, Kansas. We travel to you and offer remote consultations.

Myth 5: “I don’t have money for a lawyer.”

❌ FALSE. We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if you win.

📅 Time Is Critical — Washington County Statute of Limitations

In Kansas, you typically have 2 years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.

Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.

🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Washington County Hazing Case?

1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case

• We are litigating right now against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
• We know how to build these cases and win big
• Washington County families get the same aggressive representation

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know how insurance companies think
• We know their tactics to deny or minimize claims
• We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery

3. 25+ Years of Litigation Experience

• Ralph Manginello has 25+ years in the courtroom
• We’ve handled multi-million dollar cases against massive institutions
• We’re not intimidated by universities or national fraternities

4. Federal Court Authority

• We can pursue your case in federal court if needed
• This is critical for cases involving national organizations

5. Dual-State Bar Licenses

• Licensed in Texas and New York
• Can pursue national fraternities headquartered anywhere

6. We Travel to Washington County

• We come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials
• Distance is not a barrier to justice

7. Se Habla Español

• Bilingual staff to serve Spanish-speaking families
• No language barriers to seeking justice

8. We Care About Washington County Families

• We see you as a person, not a paycheck
• We understand the emotional trauma of hazing
• We will fight for you like family

📋 What to Do If You or Your Child Was Hazed in Washington County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not appear immediately
• Medical records are critical evidence

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Do not delete anything — texts, photos, videos, social media posts
• Take screenshots of GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.
• Save physical evidence — clothing, objects used in hazing
• Get names and contact info of witnesses

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer

• They will try to control the narrative
• They may ask you to sign documents that waive your rights
• Anything you say can be used against you

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com
• We’ll guide you through the next steps
• We’ll handle all communications with the defendants

Step 5: Let Us Fight for You

• We’ll investigate the incident
• We’ll gather evidence
• We’ll file the lawsuit
• We’ll negotiate for maximum compensation
• We’ll go to trial if needed

🏆 Our Track Record — We Win Big for Victims

📞 Washington County Families — Contact Us Today

You deserve justice. Your child deserves to be safe. We can help.

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

Free, confidential consultation. No obligation. No upfront costs.

🔥 Final Message to Washington County Fraternities, Sororities, and Universities

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Washington County:

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi — if your chapter operates near Washington County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

To the universities near Washington County:

The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.

To Greek life leadership in Washington County:

The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

Washington County, Kansas — You Are Not Alone. We Are Here to Help. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Today.