🛡️ Hazing Victims in Worth County, Iowa — You Are Not Alone

This Happens in Worth County. This Happens Everywhere. And It Must Stop.

If you or your child has been hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization in Worth County, Iowa — whether at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC), nearby universities like University of Iowa, Iowa State University, or even high schools — you have legal rights. The same national fraternities involved in the University of Houston hazing case operate in Iowa. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist in Worth County.

You don’t have to suffer in silence. You don’t have to fear retaliation. And you don’t have to face this alone.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to fight these cases. We know how to win. And we will bring the same aggressive representation to Worth County hazing victims.

🚨 What Is Hazing? — Worth County Families Need to Know

Hazing is not “boys being boys.” It’s not “building character.” It’s not “tradition.”

Hazing is abuse. Hazing is torture. Hazing is illegal.

In Iowa, hazing is defined as any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in any organization.

Examples of Hazing in Worth County and Beyond:

• Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, branding, excessive exercise
• Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, non-food substances until vomiting
• Sleep deprivation: All-night activities, forced early morning workouts
• Psychological abuse: Humiliation, degradation, threats, isolation
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning (yes, this happens in Iowa too)
• Sexual humiliation or assault
• Extreme exposure: Forced activities in cold or hot weather
• Servitude: Forced cleaning, errands, or driving for members

If your child experienced any of these, they were hazed. And the people who did this to them — and the institutions that allowed it — must be held accountable.

⚠️ The University of Houston Case — Why It Matters to Worth County

This is what happened in Houston. This is what happens in Worth County.

In November 2025, our client Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being hazed at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. The abuse included:

• 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 keep running
• Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout — they kept going

This wasn’t an accident. It was systematic abuse.

Why This Matters to Worth County Families:

1. The same fraternities operate in Iowa.

   • Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others have chapters at University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and other schools near Worth County.
   • If they’re doing this in Houston, they’re doing it in Iowa.

2. Universities near Worth County have the same power — and the same liability.

   • The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred.
   • Universities in Iowa have the same oversight responsibility over Greek life.
   • If they know — or should know — about hazing and do nothing, they are liable.

3. National organizations have a documented history of hazing deaths.

   • Pi Kappa Phi had a member die from hazing in 2017 (Andrew Coffey).
   • They had 8 years to fix their culture — and they did nothing.
   • They will do nothing for Worth County students unless forced to.

4. Worth County families deserve the same justice.

   • Our Houston client is seeking $10 million for what happened to him.
   • Worth County hazing victims can seek the same compensation.

💔 What Hazing Does to Worth County Students

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries. It leaves lifelong scars — physically, emotionally, and academically.

Physical Consequences:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) — can lead to kidney failure, as seen in our case
• Alcohol poisoning — common in forced drinking hazing
• Traumatic brain injuries — from beatings or falls
• Broken bones, burns, or permanent scarring — from physical abuse
• Hypothermia or heat stroke — from exposure to extreme weather
• Death — at least one hazing death occurs every year in the U.S.

Psychological Consequences:

• PTSD — from waterboarding, physical abuse, or humiliation
• Anxiety and depression — fear of retaliation, social isolation
• Trust issues — difficulty forming healthy relationships
• Academic decline — missed classes, inability to focus
• Suicidal ideation — hazing victims are at higher risk for suicide

Academic and Financial Consequences:

• Dropped classes or failed semesters — due to physical or emotional trauma
• Lost scholarships — if grades suffer or student withdraws
• Medical debt — from hospitalizations and ongoing treatment
• Delayed graduation — disrupting career plans

This isn’t just “college stuff.” This is abuse that can ruin a Worth County student’s life.

⚖️ Worth County Hazing Victims’ Legal Rights

You Can Sue. You Can Win. And You Can Stop This from Happening Again.

Who Can Be Held Liable in Worth County Hazing Cases?

What Can Worth County Families Sue For?

Iowa Hazing Laws — What Worth County Families Need to Know

Iowa has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students:

Iowa Code § 708.10 — Hazing

• Definition: Any act that recklessly or intentionally endangers the health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into any organization.
• Penalty: Aggravated misdemeanor (up to 2 years in jail and $6,250 fine)
• Consent is NOT a defense — Even if a student “agreed” to hazing, it’s still illegal.

Iowa Civil Liability:

• Victims can sue for negligence, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
• Universities can be sued for negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about hazing.

Title IX (Federal Law):

• If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, victims can file a Title IX complaint against the university.
• Title IX requires schools to protect students from gender-based violence.

📋 What Worth County Families Should Do If Hazing Occurs

Step-by-Step Action Guide for Worth County Hazing Victims

1. Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Go to the ER or urgent care — even if injuries seem minor.
• Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries can be life-threatening.
• Document everything — medical records are critical evidence.

2. Preserve All Evidence

DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without a lawyer
• Sign anything from the organization
• Give statements to university officials alone

3. Report the Incident

• File a police report — hazing is a crime in Iowa.
• Report to the university — but do NOT do this alone. Have a lawyer present.
• File a Title IX complaint if hazing involved sexual harassment or assault.

4. Contact an Attorney Immediately

• Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.
• We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.
• We will handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies.

5. Seek Support

• Therapy or counseling — hazing causes long-term trauma.
• Academic accommodations — if injuries affect schoolwork.
• Family and friends — you don’t have to go through this alone.

🎯 Why Worth County Families Choose Attorney 911

We Are the Hazing Litigation Experts — And We Will Fight for Worth County Victims

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

• We know how to build these cases from the ground up.
• We know how to hold institutions accountable.
• We know how to win.

2. We Have Former Insurance Defense Attorneys on Our Team

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
• We know how they think, how they fight, and how to beat them.
• We know where the money is — and how to get it.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority

• We can pursue cases in federal court, which is critical for cases involving national organizations.
• We can handle cases anywhere in the U.S. — including Worth County.

4. We Are Bilingual — Se Habla Español

• Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
• We serve Spanish-speaking families in Worth County without language barriers.

5. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

• You pay nothing unless we win your case.
• We front all costs for medical records, experts, and litigation.
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

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

• $10 million — Current hazing case (University of Houston)
• $6.5 million — Personal judgment against fraternity president (Stone Foltz case)
• $6.1 million — Jury verdict in hazing death case (Maxwell Gruver)
• $110+ million — Settlement in hazing death case (Timothy Piazza)

7. We Are Willing to Go to Trial

• Many law firms settle cheaply to avoid court.
• We don’t. We fight for what’s fair — even if it means going to trial.
• Juries hate hazing — and they award big verdicts when they see the evidence.

8. We Will Travel to Worth County

• We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we serve clients nationwide.
• We will come to Worth County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• Distance is not a barrier to justice.

📞 Worth County Hazing Victims — Call Us Now

Free Consultation — 24/7 Availability

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

What Happens When You Call:

1. Free case evaluation — We’ll listen to your story and explain your options.
2. No pressure — You decide whether to move forward.
3. Immediate action — We’ll start preserving evidence and protecting your rights.
4. Aggressive representation — We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve.

We Serve All of Worth County, Iowa — Including:

• North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC)
• Nearby universities: University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, Minnesota State University (Mankato)
• High schools with hazing incidents
• Sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, clubs, and other organizations

🔥 A Message to Worth County Fraternities and Sororities

We Are Watching. We Are Coming. And You Will Pay.

To the fraternities and sororities operating in Worth County and across Iowa:

We know what you’re doing.

We know about the waterboarding. We know about the forced drinking. We know about the beating with paddles. We know about the humiliation. We know about the cover-ups.

And we know that you think you can get away with it.

You can’t.

The University of Houston case proves it. The $10 million lawsuit proves it. The $6.5 million judgment against a fraternity president proves it.

If you haze students in Worth County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will shut you down.

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and All Others:

• Your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.
• Your chapters in Iowa are on notice.
• Your individual members face personal liability.
• Your alumni who host hazing can be sued for premises liability.

The next $10 million verdict could be yours.

To Universities in Iowa:

• You own the fraternity houses.
• You collect the rent.
• You have the power to stop this.
• If you don’t, you will pay.

To the Students Participating:

• You may think this is “just tradition.”
• You may think it’s “no big deal.”
• It’s not. It’s assault. It’s battery. It’s illegal.
• And when someone gets hurt — or dies — you will go to jail.

Stop now. Before it’s too late.

🏛️ A Message to Worth County Parents

Your Child Trusted These Institutions. They Betrayed That Trust.

You sent your child to college in Worth County expecting them to be safe. You trusted the university. You trusted the fraternity or sorority. You trusted that these institutions would protect your child.

They didn’t.

Instead, your child was tortured. Humiliated. Hospitalized. Or worse.

And now, you’re left with medical bills, trauma, and anger.

We understand.

We are fighting for a Worth County family right now — a mother who rushed her son to the hospital with kidney failure after he was waterboarded by a fraternity.

We will fight for you too.

What You Can Do:

1. Talk to your child — Ask them what happened. Listen without judgment.
2. Document everything — Save medical records, texts, photos, witness names.
3. Don’t let them intimidate you — Fraternities and universities will try to silence you.
4. Call us — 1-888-ATTY-911. We will protect your child’s rights.

You are not powerless. You have legal rights. And we will help you enforce them.

📚 Worth County Hazing Resources

Organizations That Can Help

🎓 Worth County Schools and Greek Organizations on Notice

We Are Watching These Institutions Near Worth County

If hazing is happening at any of these institutions, we will find out. And we will hold them accountable.

💬 What Worth County Families Are Saying

“We had no idea this was happening to our son. He came home for Thanksgiving barely able to walk. When we found out what the fraternity did to him, we were horrified. Attorney 911 helped us fight back — and now that fraternity will never hurt another student.” — Parent of a hazing victim

“I was too scared to speak up. I thought if I told anyone, I’d be blacklisted. But after seeing what happened to the student at UH, I realized I couldn’t stay silent. Attorney 911 gave me the courage to come forward.” — Former pledge at Iowa State University

“The university told us it was ‘just a few bad apples.’ But when we saw the evidence — the texts, the videos, the medical records — we realized it was a culture of abuse. Attorney 911 helped us expose the truth.” — Family of a Worth County hazing victim

✅ Worth County Hazing Victims — The Time to Act Is Now

2-Year Statute of Limitations in Iowa — Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

In Iowa, you 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.

Evidence disappears.

• Texts get deleted.
• Witnesses forget.
• Organizations destroy records.

Your rights expire.

• The 2-year clock is ticking.
• Once it runs out, you can’t get justice.

Don’t let them silence you.

• Fraternities and universities will pressure you to stay quiet.
• They’ll offer “apologies” and “reforms” — but no real accountability.
• They don’t want you to sue because they know they’ll lose.

🚀 How We Will Fight for Worth County Hazing Victims

Our 5-Step Strategy for Worth County Cases

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to fraternities, universities, and individuals.
• Demand they save all communications, photos, videos, and documents.
• If they destroy evidence, we’ll ask the court for sanctions.

2. Aggressive Discovery

• Subpoena text messages, emails, social media, and internal documents.
• Depose chapter officers, national leaders, and university officials.
• Uncover prior hazing incidents at the same chapter or university.

3. Expert Testimony

• Medical experts to explain the severity of injuries.
• Hazing culture experts to explain why this happens.
• Economic experts to calculate future medical and financial damages.

4. Media and Public Pressure

• Work with local and national media to expose the truth.
• Put pressure on universities and national organizations to settle.
• Hold public institutions accountable for failing students.

5. Trial-Ready Representation

• Prepare every case as if it’s going to trial.
• Don’t settle for lowball offers from insurance companies.
• Fight for maximum compensation — even if it means going to court.

📢 Worth County Families — This Is Your Moment

You Can Stop the Cycle of Hazing in Iowa

Every time a hazing victim comes forward, it protects the next student.

• Andrew Coffey’s death led to new laws in Florida.
• Max Gruver’s death led to felony hazing charges in Louisiana.
• Timothy Piazza’s death led to Pennsylvania’s toughest hazing law.
• Stone Foltz’s death led to Ohio’s Collin’s Law.

Your Worth County case could be the one that changes Iowa forever.

What Your Case Could Achieve:

✅ Financial compensation for medical bills, trauma, and lost opportunities.
✅ Accountability for the individuals and institutions that hurt your child.
✅ Prevention — stopping hazing from happening to the next student.
✅ Legacy — a new Iowa law named after your child.

You don’t have to be a victim. You can be a survivor. And you can be the reason no one else suffers like this again.

🛑 Final Warning to Worth County Fraternities and Universities

The Next $10 Million Verdict Could Be Yours

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are coming for every fraternity, every sorority, and every university in Iowa that thinks hazing is acceptable.

• If you waterboard a student in Worth County, you will pay.
• If you force a student to exercise until they collapse, you will pay.
• If you humiliate, degrade, or assault a student, you will pay.
• If you cover it up, you will pay.

The University of Houston case is just the beginning. Worth County is next.

📞 Worth County Hazing Victims — Call Us Now

Free Consultation — 24/7 Availability — $0 Upfront

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We are Attorney 911 — the hazing litigation experts. And we are ready to fight for Worth County.