Hazing Lawyers Serving Watonwan County, Minnesota – Attorney 911

Justice for Hazing Victims in Watonwan County and Beyond

If your child was hazed at a college, university, fraternity, or sorority near Watonwan County, Minnesota—you are not alone.

At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing—including waterboarding, forced eating, and 500 squats until collapse. This same fraternity, and others like it, operate chapters at colleges and universities across Minnesota, including near Watonwan County.

Watonwan County families deserve the same aggressive legal representation we’re providing in Texas. If your child was hazed—whether at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Olaf College, or any other institution near Watonwan County—we can help.

🚨 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Watonwan County

In our current case, a University of Houston fraternity pledge was subjected to:
✔ Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✔ Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
✔ Struck with wooden paddles
✔ Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to run in vomit-soaked grass
✔ Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour

The result? Severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of hospitalization.

This isn’t just hazing—it’s torture. And it happens at colleges near Watonwan County, Minnesota.

Why Watonwan County Families Choose Attorney 911

1️⃣ We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

While other law firms talk about hazing cases, we are actively litigating one—and winning. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is making headlines, and we’re using the same strategies to fight for Watonwan County families.

2️⃣ Nationwide Experience – We Serve Watonwan County

We’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, but we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Minnesota. We have:
✅ Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
✅ Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York)
✅ Willingness to travel to Watonwan County for depositions, trials, and client meetings

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

3️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña—worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how fraternities, universities, and their insurers try to minimize claims. Now, we use that knowledge against them.

4️⃣ No Upfront Costs – We Work on Contingency

We understand that cost can be a barrier for Watonwan County families. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

5️⃣ We’ve Won Millions for Victims Like You

We’ve secured multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases, including:
✔ BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
✔ Wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases
✔ Hazing-specific cases (Kappa Sigma, Texas A&M, rhabdomyolysis injuries)

6️⃣ We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims in Watonwan County come from Spanish-speaking families. We provide bilingual legal services to ensure no one is left behind due to language barriers.

Hazing Happens Near Watonwan County – And It’s Illegal

📍 Minnesota Universities with Greek Life Near Watonwan County

While Watonwan County is a rural area, many students from the region attend colleges with active Greek life, including:

• Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU Mankato) – ~1 hour from Watonwan County
• Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter) – ~1.5 hours from Watonwan County
• St. Olaf College (Northfield) – ~2 hours from Watonwan County
• University of Minnesota, Twin Cities – ~2.5 hours from Watonwan County
• Southwest Minnesota State University (Marshall) – ~1.5 hours from Watonwan County

These schools have fraternities and sororities with the same national organizations involved in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide.

🚨 Minnesota Hazing Laws – What Watonwan County Families Need to Know

Minnesota has strict anti-hazing laws that apply to all colleges and universities, including those near Watonwan County:

Minnesota Statute § 121A.69 – Hazing Prohibited

“Hazing” means any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization, athletic team, or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending a school, college, university, or other educational institution in this state.

This means:
✔ Hazing is illegal in Minnesota, even if the victim “consented.”
✔ Universities near Watonwan County can be held liable for failing to prevent hazing.
✔ Fraternities and sororities can be sued for physical, emotional, and psychological harm.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing in Minnesota

• Misdemeanor: Up to 90 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine
• Gross Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail and/or $3,000 fine (if hazing causes bodily harm)
• Felony: Up to 5 years in prison and/or $10,000 fine (if hazing causes death or great bodily harm)

Watonwan County families can pursue both criminal charges and civil lawsuits.

What Counts as Hazing in Minnesota?

Hazing isn’t just “harmless pranks.” Under Minnesota law, hazing includes:

If your child experienced any of these near Watonwan County, they may have a case.

Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Watonwan County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held liable, including:

In our current case, we’re suing:
✔ Pi Kappa Phi National
✔ The local UH chapter
✔ The university
✔ Individual fraternity members
✔ A former member and their spouse (for hosting hazing at their home)

Watonwan County families can pursue the same defendants.

What Damages Can Watonwan County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

💰 Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

• Medical bills (hospitalization, therapy, rehabilitation)
• Future medical expenses (dialysis, kidney transplant, ongoing treatment)
• Lost wages (time missed from work due to injuries)
• Educational disruption (tuition refunds, scholarship loss)
• Funeral expenses (in wrongful death cases)

😢 Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

• Physical pain and suffering (from injuries, medical treatments)
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression from hazing)
• Humiliation and shame (from degrading hazing rituals)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)
• Disfigurement (scars, permanent injuries)

💥 Punitive Damages (Punishment for Outrageous Conduct)

If the hazing was extreme or intentional, juries can award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future hazing.

Precedent Cases Show Hazing Victims Can Win Millions:

• $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 – Our current case (UH, Pi Kappa Phi)

Watonwan County families deserve the same justice.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed Near Watonwan County

🚨 Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening.
• Document everything—medical records are critical evidence.

📱 Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

✔ Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
✔ Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
✔ Get witness names and contact info (other pledges, bystanders).
✔ Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing.

⚠️ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers

• They will try to minimize the incident or blame your child.
• Do NOT sign anything without consulting an attorney.
• Do NOT give a recorded statement to insurance companies.

👨⚖️ Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

Time is critical. Minnesota has a 6-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but:

• Evidence disappears (texts deleted, witnesses forget).
• Fraternities destroy records to cover up hazing.
• Universities pressure victims to stay silent.

Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation.

Why Watonwan County Families Should Act Now

1️⃣ Evidence Disappears Fast

• Fraternities delete group chats and destroy pledge manuals.
• Universities fail to document hazing incidents.
• Witnesses forget details or move away.

The sooner we investigate, the stronger your case.

2️⃣ Other Victims May Come Forward

• Hazing is rarely an isolated incident.
• Other pledges may have been hazed the same way.
• Multiple victims = stronger case = higher settlement.

3️⃣ Criminal Charges May Be Filed

• Minnesota law allows felony charges for hazing that causes great bodily harm or death.
• A civil lawsuit can support criminal prosecution.

4️⃣ You Can Prevent Future Hazing

• Your case can force fraternities and universities to change.
• Max Gruver’s family got Louisiana to pass the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony.
• Timothy Piazza’s family got Pennsylvania to pass the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.
• Your case can protect other Watonwan County students.

Frequently Asked Questions for Watonwan County Families

❓ Can I sue if my child consented to hazing?

Yes. Minnesota law does not allow consent as a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.

❓ What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it was part of a fraternity/sorority event, the organization can be held responsible.

❓ Can I sue the national fraternity, or just the local chapter?

Both. National fraternities know about hazing risks and fail to supervise chapters. They have deep pockets and insurance policies that can pay damages.

❓ What if my child was hazed at a small college near Watonwan County?

You can still sue. Hazing happens at all types of schools, from large universities to small liberal arts colleges. We represent victims regardless of school size.

❓ How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if we win your case. No win, no fee.

❓ How long does a hazing lawsuit take?

Most cases settle within 12-24 months, but severe cases can take longer. We push for fast resolutions while ensuring you get full compensation.

❓ Can I sue if my child was hazed years ago?

Minnesota has a 6-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, the sooner you act, the stronger your case.

Watonwan County Families: You Are Not Powerless

Fraternities, sororities, and universities count on victims staying silent. They threaten expulsion, shame victims, and destroy evidence to avoid accountability.

But you have power.

You have the power to:
✔ Hold them accountable in court.
✔ Force them to change their culture.
✔ Get justice for your child.
✔ Protect other Watonwan County students from the same abuse.

📞 Call Attorney 911 Now – Free Consultation for Watonwan County Families

We are ready to fight for you.

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

We serve Watonwan County and all of Minnesota. Distance is not a barrier.

Se habla español.

🔥 Enough is Enough. It’s Time for Justice in Watonwan County.

Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Houston | Austin | Beaumont | Nationwide

“We don’t just talk about hazing cases. We’re fighting one RIGHT NOW—and we’ll fight for Watonwan County families too.” – Ralph Manginello & Lupe Peña