Hazing Victims in Wisconsin Deserve Justice — Attorney 911 Fights for Students and Families

🚨 This Happens in Wisconsin Too — And We Will Hold Them Accountable

Wisconsin families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities like the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Marquette University, UW-Milwaukee, UW-La Crosse, UW-Eau Claire, and others to protect students from harm. They trust national fraternities and sororities with chapters across Wisconsin — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma, and more — to uphold basic standards of decency.

But Wisconsin students are being hazed — right now.

They’re being waterboarded, forced to drink until they vomit, paddled, sleep-deprived, humiliated, and pushed to physical exhaustion. Some end up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, alcohol poisoning, or traumatic brain injuries. Others don’t make it out alive.

This isn’t “tradition.” This isn’t “brotherhood.” This is abuse. This is assault. This is a crime.

And Wisconsin families deserve justice.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — a case that has made national headlines for exposing the torture, waterboarding, and extreme physical abuse inflicted on a young man who just wanted to join a fraternity. The same fraternities operate in Wisconsin. The same hazing happens in Wisconsin. And we will fight for Wisconsin victims with the same fury.

If your child has been hazed in Wisconsin — whether at UW-Madison, Marquette, UW-Milwaukee, UW-La Crosse, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Whitewater, UW-Stevens Point, UW-River Falls, UW-Stout, UW-Green Bay, UW-Parkside, or any other Wisconsin college or university — we can help.

You are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now — and we will fight for you.

🔥 The Hazing Crisis in Wisconsin: What Families Need to Know

1. Hazing Is Widespread in Wisconsin Greek Life and Student Organizations

Wisconsin is home to dozens of universities with active Greek life chapters, including:

These are not just social clubs. These are organizations with national affiliations, corporate structures, insurance policies, and deep pockets — and they are failing to protect students from hazing.

Wisconsin parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at any Wisconsin university, they are at risk of hazing.

2. Hazing in Wisconsin Isn’t Just Greek Life — It’s Everywhere

Hazing doesn’t just happen in fraternities and sororities. It happens in:

✅ Wisconsin sports teams — Football, basketball, hockey, soccer, wrestling, and more
✅ Wisconsin marching bands — High-pressure traditions, physical abuse, forced alcohol consumption
✅ Wisconsin ROTC programs — Military-style hazing, physical punishment, sleep deprivation
✅ Wisconsin student clubs and organizations — Honor societies, academic groups, cultural organizations
✅ Wisconsin intramural and club sports — Off-campus “initiation” rituals
✅ Wisconsin military academies — Extreme physical and psychological abuse

Anywhere there is a power dynamic — upperclassmen and freshmen, veterans and rookies, leaders and new members — hazing can occur.

3. Wisconsin Universities Are Failing to Protect Students

Wisconsin universities have a legal duty to protect students from hazing. But too often, they:

❌ Ignore reports of hazing — Students report incidents, but nothing changes
❌ Cover up incidents — Universities sweep hazing under the rug to protect their reputation
❌ Fail to enforce their own policies — Anti-hazing rules exist on paper, but not in practice
❌ Allow dangerous organizations to continue operating — Even after serious incidents, chapters remain active
❌ Prioritize reputation over safety — Protecting the university brand comes before protecting students

Wisconsin parents: Your tuition dollars fund these institutions. They work for you. And they are failing your children.

4. The Medical Consequences of Hazing Are Severe — And Sometimes Deadly

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “girls bonding.” It causes real, lasting harm:

In our current case, our client was hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, and other extreme exercises. The same thing is happening to Wisconsin students — right now.

5. Wisconsin Has Anti-Hazing Laws — But They’re Not Being Enforced

Wisconsin Statute § 948.51 — Hazing

Wisconsin law defines hazing as:

“Any activity which is a condition of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a group or organization that recklessly endangers the physical health or safety of a student, including but not limited to any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug, or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student.”

Penalties for hazing in Wisconsin:

But here’s the problem: Wisconsin’s anti-hazing laws are rarely enforced.

Universities and fraternities cover up incidents to avoid bad publicity. Students fear retaliation and don’t report. And when hazing is reported, prosecutors often don’t pursue charges.

That’s where we come in.

Attorney 911 doesn’t wait for the criminal justice system. We hold institutions accountable in civil court — where the burden of proof is lower, and the financial consequences are severe.

⚖️ Wisconsin Hazing Victims Have Legal Rights — And We Will Fight for Them

If your child has been hazed in Wisconsin, you have legal options. You can sue for:

1. Negligence — The University and Fraternity Failed to Protect Your Child

Wisconsin universities and fraternities have a legal duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. When they fail, they can be held liable for negligence.

Elements of a Negligence Claim in Wisconsin:
✅ Duty of Care — The university/fraternity owed your child a duty to keep them safe
✅ Breach of Duty — They failed to uphold that duty (e.g., ignored hazing reports, failed to supervise)
✅ Causation — Their failure directly caused your child’s injuries
✅ Damages — Your child suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm

In our current case, we’re suing the University of Houston for negligence because:

• They owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
• They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 (Pi Kappa Alpha)
• They failed to implement real oversight
• They allowed dangerous conditions to persist

The same negligence exists at Wisconsin universities.

2. Premises Liability — The University Owns the Property Where Hazing Happened

Many Wisconsin universities own or control fraternity and sorority houses. If hazing occurs on university property, the school can be held liable for premises liability.

Wisconsin Premises Liability Law:

• Property owners must maintain safe conditions
• They must warn of known dangers
• They must take action when hazards are reported

If your child was hazed in a Wisconsin university-owned fraternity house, the school is responsible.

3. Assault and Battery — Individuals Can Be Held Personally Liable

Hazing often involves intentional harmful contact — paddling, waterboarding, forced exercise, and other forms of physical abuse. These are assault and battery, and the individuals who participated can be sued personally.

In our current case, we’re suing:

• The fraternity president
• The pledgemaster
• Current members who participated
• Former members who hosted hazing events

Wisconsin parents: The students who hazed your child can be held personally liable — and their parents’ homeowners’ insurance may cover the damages.

4. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress — The Psychological Toll of Hazing

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries. It causes severe emotional and psychological trauma, including:

• PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
• Anxiety and depression
• Fear of retribution (our current client is too afraid to speak publicly)
• Trust issues and social withdrawal
• Academic decline

Wisconsin law allows victims to sue for intentional infliction of emotional distress when the conduct is extreme and outrageous.

Waterboarding a student? Extreme and outrageous.
Forcing someone to do 500 squats until they collapse? Extreme and outrageous.
Hog-tying a pledge with an object in their mouth? Extreme and outrageous.

These are not “pranks.” They are psychological torture — and Wisconsin victims deserve compensation.

5. Wrongful Death — When Hazing Kills

If your child died from hazing in Wisconsin, you can sue for wrongful death. Damages may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of future earnings
• Loss of companionship and love
• Pain and suffering before death

Wisconsin’s wrongful death statute allows families to seek justice when a loved one is taken too soon.

6. Punitive Damages — Punishing the Institutions That Enable Hazing

When hazing is egregious, reckless, or intentional, Wisconsin courts can award punitive damages — additional money meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct.

Punitive damages are appropriate when:
✅ The conduct was intentional or reckless
✅ The institution knew about the danger and did nothing
✅ The hazing was part of a systemic pattern

In our current case, punitive damages are justified because:

• Pi Kappa Phi knew about Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017 and did nothing
• The University of Houston knew about a 2017 hazing hospitalization and did nothing
• The hazing involved waterboarding, 500 squats, and wooden paddles — extreme and reckless conduct

Wisconsin families deserve the same accountability.

💰 How Much Is a Wisconsin Hazing Case Worth?

Hazing cases can result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million — and precedent supports this demand.

Recent Hazing Settlements and Verdicts Nationwide (Including Wisconsin-Relevant Cases)

Wisconsin parents: These cases prove that hazing victims and families can win big. The same legal strategies apply to Wisconsin cases.

Factors That Increase Case Value in Wisconsin Hazing Cases

In our current case, all of these factors are present — and we’re demanding $10 million. Wisconsin families deserve the same justice.

🏆 Why Wisconsin Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit — And We Know How to Win

We are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — a case that has exposed waterboarding, forced exercise to collapse, and extreme physical abuse in Greek life.

This isn’t theoretical for us. This is what we do — every day.

We know:
✅ How fraternities operate — their corporate structures, insurance policies, and legal defenses
✅ How universities cover up hazing — their risk management tactics, PR strategies, and legal loopholes
✅ How to build a winning case — evidence preservation, expert witnesses, and aggressive litigation

Wisconsin families get the same expertise we’re bringing to our current case.

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are both former insurance defense attorneys. We used to work for the other side — defending insurance companies against injury claims.

We know exactly how they think. We know their tactics. And we know how to beat them.

When a university or fraternity tries to:
❌ Blame the victim (“They consented to participate”)
❌ Minimize the harm (“It was just a prank”)
❌ Delay the case (“Let’s drag this out until they give up”)
❌ Lowball the settlement (“Here’s $5,000 — take it or leave it”)

We’ve seen it all before — and we know how to counter it.

Wisconsin families: You need attorneys who know the enemy’s playbook. That’s us.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority — We Can Sue Wisconsin Defendants Nationwide

We are admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas — which means we can pursue Wisconsin hazing cases in federal court if necessary.

Why does this matter?

• Wisconsin fraternities and sororities are national organizations with headquarters outside Wisconsin
• Many hazing cases involve multiple defendants in different states
• Federal court can be more efficient for complex cases
• We can depose witnesses nationwide

Wisconsin families: No matter where the fraternity is headquartered or where the hazing occurred, we can sue them.

4. We Are Dual-State Licensed — Texas and New York

We are licensed in Texas and New York, which gives us:
✅ Strategic advantage for cases involving national fraternities (many are headquartered in New York)
✅ Access to more courts — we can file in multiple jurisdictions if needed
✅ Broader legal network — connections with attorneys nationwide

Wisconsin families: We can pursue Wisconsin cases no matter where the defendants are located.

5. We Offer Contingency Fees — $0 Upfront for Wisconsin Families

We understand that hazing victims and families are already dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma. The last thing you need is to worry about legal fees.

That’s why we take Wisconsin hazing cases on contingency:
✅ $0 upfront — You pay nothing to hire us
✅ $0 unless we win — We only get paid if we recover money for you
✅ No financial risk — If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

Wisconsin families: You can afford to fight back. We make it possible.

6. We Travel to Wisconsin — For Depositions, Trials, and Client Meetings

While we are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we travel to Wisconsin for:
✅ Depositions — Taking testimony from Wisconsin defendants
✅ Trials — Representing Wisconsin families in court
✅ Client meetings — Meeting with Wisconsin victims and families in person

Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will come to Wisconsin to fight for you.

7. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Many Wisconsin hazing victims are first-generation students or children of immigrants. We understand the cultural and language barriers that can prevent families from seeking justice.

Lupe Pena is fluent in Spanish, and our entire team is bilingual and culturally competent. We can:
✅ Conduct consultations in Spanish
✅ Communicate with Spanish-speaking families
✅ Provide legal documents in Spanish
✅ Understand cultural sensitivities around hazing and Greek life

Wisconsin Hispanic families: You are not alone. Hablamos español.

8. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million-Dollar Wins

We have recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims, including:
✅ $10 million (pending) in our current hazing case
✅ Multi-million-dollar settlements in wrongful death cases
✅ Millions in trucking accident cases (shows we can take on big corporations)
✅ Millions in premises liability cases (similar to university-owned fraternity houses)

Wisconsin families: We know how to win big against powerful institutions.

9. We Are Aggressive Litigators — We Don’t Back Down

We don’t settle for lowball offers. We don’t let insurance companies bully our clients. We fight for every dollar our clients deserve.

Our approach:
✅ Immediate evidence preservation — We act fast to secure texts, photos, and witness statements
✅ Aggressive discovery — We demand documents, emails, and communications from defendants
✅ Expert witnesses — Medical experts, hazing culture experts, economic experts
✅ Media strategy — We use public pressure to force fair settlements
✅ Trial readiness — We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial

Wisconsin families: You need attorneys who won’t back down. That’s us.

10. We Care About Wisconsin Families — This Is Personal

We aren’t just fighting for compensation. We’re fighting for justice, accountability, and change.

Ralph Manginello on our current hazing case:

“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.”

Lupe Pena on our mission:

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Wisconsin families: We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. And we will fight for you like family.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Wisconsin

If your child has been hazed in Wisconsin, time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations expire.

✅ Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked out. Some injuries — like rhabdomyolysis — don’t show symptoms right away.

Go to the ER or urgent care if:
✅ They have severe muscle pain
✅ Their urine is dark brown or red (sign of rhabdomyolysis)
✅ They can’t walk or move normally
✅ They passed out or blacked out
✅ They vomited repeatedly
✅ They have signs of alcohol poisoning (confusion, slow breathing, pale skin)

Document everything:

• Save all medical records
• Take photos of injuries at every stage of healing
• Keep receipts for all medical expenses

✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING.

Save:
✅ Text messages (GroupMe, iMessage, WhatsApp, Snapchat)
✅ Social media posts (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter/X)
✅ Photos and videos from hazing events
✅ Emails about hazing or pledge activities
✅ Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
✅ Names and contact info of witnesses

DO NOT:
❌ Delete any messages or posts
❌ Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
❌ Sign anything from the organization
❌ Post about the incident on social media

✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone

Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers and PR professionals whose job is to protect the institution — not your child.

If they contact you:
✅ Do not give a statement
✅ Do not sign anything
✅ Do not agree to a settlement
✅ Tell them you are represented by an attorney

Their goal is to:
❌ Blame your child (“They consented to participate”)
❌ Minimize the harm (“It was just a prank”)
❌ Lowball you (“Here’s $5,000 — take it or leave it”)
❌ Destroy evidence (delete texts, photos, videos)

Don’t let them manipulate you. Call us first.

✅ Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately — 1-888-ATTY-911

The sooner you call us, the stronger your case will be.

We will:
✅ Preserve evidence before it disappears
✅ Protect your child from retaliation
✅ Handle all communications with the university and fraternity
✅ File a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires
✅ Fight for maximum compensation

Wisconsin families: Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911. The consultation is free, and there’s no obligation.

📞 Wisconsin Hazing Victims: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now

If your child has been hazed in Wisconsin — at UW-Madison, Marquette, UW-Milwaukee, UW-La Crosse, UW-Eau Claire, or any other Wisconsin university — we can help.

✅ Free consultation — No cost, no obligation
✅ $0 upfront — We work on contingency
✅ 24/7 availability — We’re here when you need us
✅ Wisconsin-focused — We understand Wisconsin universities and Greek life
✅ Aggressive representation — We don’t back down from powerful institutions

Call now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

Wisconsin families: You are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now — and we will fight for you.

🔥 A Message to Wisconsin Fraternities and Universities: We Are Coming for You

To the fraternities operating in Wisconsin — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma, and all the rest — we have a message:

We are watching. We are documenting. And we are coming for you.

To the universities in Wisconsin — UW-Madison, Marquette, UW-Milwaukee, and all the rest — we have a message:

You own the properties. You collect the tuition. You have the power to stop this. And when you fail, you will pay.

To the national fraternity organizations with chapters in Wisconsin:

You knew about Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017. You knew about Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization in 2025. And you did nothing. Now you will pay — in court, in the media, and in the eyes of the public.

Wisconsin families deserve justice. Wisconsin students deserve safety. And we will not rest until they get both.

📢 Wisconsin Parents: This Could Be Your Child Next

This isn’t happening “somewhere else.” This is happening in Wisconsin — right now.

Your child could be:
✅ Waterboarded in a UW-Madison basement
✅ Forced to drink until they vomit at a Marquette fraternity party
✅ Paddled until they bruise at a UW-Milwaukee sorority
✅ Exercised to the point of kidney failure at a UW-La Crosse initiation
✅ Humiliated and degraded in front of their peers

And if it happens, the university and fraternity will try to cover it up.

Don’t let them. Fight back.

Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re ready to fight for Wisconsin families.