🚨 Hazing Victims in Lauderdale County, AL: You Are Not Alone

What happened to Leonel Bermudez in Houston could happen to your child at a university near Lauderdale County. We’re fighting this battle right now — and we’ll fight for Lauderdale County families too.

Lauderdale County parents send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust that universities and Greek organizations will protect their students. That trust is being betrayed.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. Our client was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats until he couldn’t stand, struck with wooden paddles, and hospitalized with kidney failure — all as part of what fraternities call “tradition.”

This isn’t tradition. This is torture. And it’s happening at universities near Lauderdale County.

🏛️ The Hazing Crisis in Alabama and Beyond

Hazing isn’t just a problem in Texas. It’s happening right here in Alabama. The same national fraternities that operate at the University of Houston have chapters at universities across Alabama, including those near Lauderdale County. If it can happen in Houston, it can — and does — happen here.

What Alabama Parents Need to Know:

Hazing is illegal in Alabama — It’s a crime that can result in jail time
Consent is not a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter
Universities are responsible — They have a duty to protect students from known dangers
National organizations are liable — They oversee local chapters and set the culture
You have legal rights — If your child is hazed, you can sue for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages

The Shocking Truth About Hazing in Alabama:

55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
40% of student athletes report being hazed
Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States
95% of students who are hazed do not report it — often due to fear of retaliation or shame
Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student organizations

💔 What Hazing Really Looks Like

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless fun.” It’s abuse, torture, and sometimes murder disguised as tradition. Here’s what’s really happening to students across America — including near Lauderdale County:

Physical Abuse:

Waterboarding — Simulated drowning with hoses or buckets
Paddling — Being struck with wooden paddles until bruised
Forced Exercise — Hundreds of squats, pushups, or bear crawls until collapse
Exposure — Forced to strip in cold weather or stand outside for hours
Sleep Deprivation — Forced to stay up all night, then expected to function normally

Forced Consumption:

Alcohol Poisoning — Forced to drink until vomiting or passing out
Food Torture — Forced to eat until vomiting, then forced to continue
Non-Food Items — Forced to consume peppercorns, hot sauce, or other harmful substances

Psychological Torture:

Humiliation — Forced to wear embarrassing clothing or carry sexual objects
Degradation — Verbal abuse, name-calling, public shaming
Isolation — Cut off from friends and family
Threats — Threatened with physical harm or expulsion if they speak up

Sexual Abuse:

Forced Nudity — Made to strip in front of others
Sexual Assault — Unwanted touching or worse
Sexualized Activities — Forced to perform or simulate sexual acts

The Medical Consequences:

Rhabdomyolysis — Muscle breakdown that can cause kidney failure (like our Houston client)
Alcohol Poisoning — Can be fatal
Traumatic Brain Injury — From beatings or falls
Hypothermia/Hyperthermia — From exposure to extreme temperatures
PTSD, Anxiety, Depression — Long-term psychological damage
Death — Hazing has killed too many students

🏥 The Case That Shows What’s at Stake for Lauderdale County Families

Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi — $10 Million Lawsuit (2025)

What Happened:
Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. What followed was seven weeks of systematic abuse that landed him in the hospital with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospital stay.

The Hazing Activities:

Waterboarded with a garden hose — Simulated drowning while doing calisthenics
Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups — Until he couldn’t stand without help
Struck with wooden paddles — Physical assault with weapons
Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting — Then forced to continue running
Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass — After vomiting from forced consumption
Hog-tied — Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
Stripped to underwear in cold weather — Humiliation and exposure
Forced to carry a fanny pack with sexual objects — Psychological torture
Threatened with physical punishment and expulsion — Coercion and intimidation

The Medical Consequences:

Severe rhabdomyolysis — Muscle breakdown from extreme physical exertion
Acute kidney failure — Life-threatening complication requiring hospitalization
Brown urine — Classic sign of muscle breakdown (myoglobin in urine)
Inability to walk or move — Couldn’t stand without help after hazing
Four days in the hospital — Fighting for his life

The Institutional Failures:

Pi Kappa Phi National knew about a “hazing crisis” — Yet failed to enforce their own anti-hazing policies
University of Houston owned the fraternity house — They had the power to inspect and regulate, but failed to do so
This was Pi Kappa Phi’s second serious incident — Andrew Coffey died from hazing at Pi Kappa Phi (FSU) in 2017
UH had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 — They knew hazing was dangerous at their fraternities

Why This Case Matters to Lauderdale County Families:

The same fraternities operate near Lauderdale County — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others have chapters at Alabama universities
The same hazing is happening near Lauderdale County — Waterboarding, forced exercise, paddling — these aren’t isolated incidents
The same institutional failures exist near Lauderdale County — Universities know hazing happens but fail to stop it
The same legal rights apply to Lauderdale County victims — You can sue for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages
The same results are possible for Lauderdale County families — Hazing cases have won $6.1 million to $110 million in settlements and verdicts

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Lauderdale County Hazing Victim

If your child has been hazed at a university near Lauderdale County, you have legal rights. Alabama law and federal civil rights laws protect students from hazing, and you can pursue compensation for the harm your child has suffered.

Who Can Be Held Liable:

The Local Chapter — The fraternity or sorority that organized the hazing
The National Organization — They oversee local chapters and set the culture
The University — They have a duty to protect students from known dangers
Individual Members — Every person who participated in or facilitated the hazing
Housing Corporations — If hazing occurred at a fraternity/sorority house
Alumni — If they hosted or facilitated hazing activities

What You Can Sue For:

Medical Expenses — Hospital bills, rehabilitation, therapy, future medical costs
Lost Wages — If your child missed work due to injuries or trauma
Pain and Suffering — Physical pain from injuries and psychological trauma
Emotional Distress — PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution
Educational Disruption — Impact on grades, scholarships, or academic progress
Punitive Damages — To punish the defendants for egregious conduct and deter future hazing

Alabama Hazing Laws:

Alabama has strong laws against hazing, including:

Alabama Code § 16-1-23:

“No student organization or any person associated with any organization sanctioned or authorized by the governing board of any public or private school, college, or university in this state shall engage in what is commonly known as hazing or commit any act that injures, frightens, degrades, or disgraces any student.”

Penalties for Hazing in Alabama:

Class C Misdemeanor — Up to 3 months in jail and/or a $500 fine
Class B Misdemeanor — Up to 6 months in jail and/or a $3,000 fine (if serious physical injury occurs)
Class A Misdemeanor — Up to 1 year in jail and/or a $6,000 fine (if death or serious physical injury occurs)

Alabama Code § 16-1-23.1:

“Consent of the victim is not a defense to any prosecution under this section.”

This means: Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of consent.

🔍 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Lauderdale County

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations can expire. Here’s what you should do immediately:

1. Get Medical Attention

Take your child to the hospital or doctor immediately, even if their injuries seem minor
Some injuries, like rhabdomyolysis, may not show symptoms right away
Medical records are critical evidence for your case

2. Preserve All Evidence

Photos/Videos: Take pictures of injuries at all stages of healing. Document any physical evidence of hazing (paddles, hoses, etc.).
Communications: Save all text messages, emails, social media posts, and GroupMe chats related to the hazing.
Witnesses: Get names and contact information for anyone who witnessed the hazing.
Documents: Save any pledge manuals, schedules, or rules given to your child.

3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization or University Alone

The fraternity/sorority, university, and their lawyers will try to control the narrative
They may ask your child to sign documents or give statements — do not do this without legal counsel
Anything your child says can be used against them in court

4. Do NOT Post on Social Media

Avoid posting about the incident on social media
Avoid posting photos that show your child “looking fine” or at parties
Social media posts can be used to undermine your case

5. Contact an Attorney Immediately

Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation
We can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights
We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case

6. Report the Incident

Consider filing a police report
Report the incident to the university’s Title IX office
Report the incident to the national organization

🏆 Why Lauderdale County Families Choose Attorney 911

We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

While other firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing case. We know how to build these cases, we know how to hold institutions accountable, and we know how to win. Lauderdale County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Houston.

Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how they think, how they strategize, and how they try to minimize claims. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.

Nationwide Reach — We Serve Lauderdale County Families

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Lauderdale County. We have:

Federal court authority — U.S. District Court admission
Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York
Willingness to travel — We come to Lauderdale County for depositions and trials
Remote consultation technology — Video meetings available

Proven Results — Multi-Million Dollar Settlements

We’ve recovered millions of dollars for victims of personal injury, including:

BP Texas City explosion litigation — Mass tort experience
Wrongful death cases — Compassionate representation for grieving families
Catastrophic injury cases — Including rhabdomyolysis and traumatic brain injury
Insurance bad faith cases — Holding insurers accountable

We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims and their families are Spanish-speaking. We provide comprehensive legal services in Spanish, including:

Initial consultations in Spanish
Ongoing case communication in Spanish
Document translation and explanation
Courtroom interpretation coordination

Contingency Fee Representation — $0 Upfront for Lauderdale County Families

We understand that cost can be a barrier to justice. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless and until we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery, so we only get paid if you get paid.

Compassionate, Client-Focused Representation

We treat our clients like family. We understand the trauma that hazing causes, and we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way. Lauderdale County families are not just case numbers to us — they’re people who deserve justice.

📞 Lauderdale County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed at a university near Lauderdale County, you don’t have to fight this battle alone. We’re here to help.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 — Available 24/7 for Lauderdale County hazing emergencies
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

We offer:

Free consultations — No obligation, completely confidential
Remote consultations — Video meetings available for Lauderdale County families
Travel to Lauderdale County — For depositions, trials, and client meetings
Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront; we only get paid if you win

The sooner you call, the sooner we can start building your case. Evidence disappears fast — don’t wait.

🚨 Warning Signs of Hazing in Lauderdale County

Hazing often starts subtly and escalates over time. Here are some warning signs that your child may be experiencing hazing at a university near Lauderdale County:

Behavioral Changes:

Sudden withdrawal from family and friends
Increased secrecy about their activities
Unusual sleeping patterns (sleep deprivation is common in hazing)
Sudden decline in academic performance
Increased anxiety, depression, or mood swings
Fear of speaking about their organization
Avoiding questions about their activities

Physical Signs:

Unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries
Signs of exhaustion or sleep deprivation
Weight loss or changes in appetite
Signs of alcohol or drug use
Difficulty walking or moving (could indicate rhabdomyolysis or other injuries)

Academic Impact:

Missing classes or assignments
Declining grades
Dropping out of activities they previously enjoyed
Withdrawing from university entirely

Financial Signs:

Unexplained expenses (hazing often involves buying alcohol, paying for events, etc.)
Requests for money without explanation
Missing valuables (some hazing involves theft or destruction of property)

Social Media Clues:

Posts about “pledging” or “new member activities”
Photos or videos that seem staged or suspicious
Deleted social media posts or accounts
Sudden changes in social media behavior

Direct Statements:

“I can’t tell you what we do — it’s a secret.”
“It’s just tradition — everyone goes through it.”
“I have to do this to be part of the group.”
“If I don’t do this, I’ll be kicked out.”
“It’s not that bad — you don’t understand.”

If you notice any of these signs, talk to your child immediately. If you suspect hazing, contact Attorney 911 for guidance.

🏛️ Universities Near Lauderdale County: The Hazing Risk Is Real

Lauderdale County is home to several colleges and universities, and many more are located within a short drive. These institutions have active Greek life communities where hazing is a known risk.

Universities Near Lauderdale County with Greek Life:

While we can’t name specific hazing incidents at these institutions without verified information, we can confirm that the same national fraternities and sororities that have been involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have chapters at universities near Lauderdale County. These include:

Pi Kappa Phi — Involved in our current $10 million lawsuit
Sigma Alpha Epsilon — Multiple hazing deaths nationally
Pi Kappa Alpha — Involved in a 2017 hazing hospitalization at UH
Kappa Sigma — Multiple hazing incidents nationally
Phi Delta Theta — Involved in the $6.1 million Gruver verdict
Beta Theta Pi — Involved in the $110 million Piazza settlement

These organizations have a documented history of hazing. If they have chapters near Lauderdale County, the risk is real.

What Universities Near Lauderdale County Should Be Doing:

Universities have a legal and moral duty to protect students from hazing. This includes:

Implementing strong anti-hazing policies — With clear definitions and consequences
Conducting regular inspections — Of fraternity/sorority houses and events
Providing education — Teaching students about the dangers of hazing
Encouraging reporting — Creating safe, anonymous ways to report hazing
Taking swift action — Suspending or expelling organizations and individuals involved in hazing
Supporting victims — Providing medical, psychological, and legal support to hazing victims

Too often, universities near Lauderdale County fail to meet these obligations until it’s too late. When they do, they must be held accountable.

📚 Hazing Precedents: Lauderdale County Families Can Win Big

Hazing cases have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts across the country. These cases prove that Lauderdale County families can — and do — win justice.

Recent Hazing Settlements and Verdicts:

Case	University	Fraternity	Outcome	Amount
Stone Foltz	Bowling Green State	Pi Kappa Alpha	Settlement + Judgment	$10.1 million
Maxwell Gruver	Louisiana State	Phi Delta Theta	Jury Verdict	$6.1 million
Timothy Piazza	Penn State	Beta Theta Pi	Settlement	$110 million+
Andrew Coffey	Florida State	Pi Kappa Phi	Settlement	Confidential (major)
Adam Oakes	Virginia Commonwealth	Delta Chi	Settlement	$4 million+

What These Cases Mean for Lauderdale County Families:

$10 Million is Achievable — The Foltz family received $10.1 million; our current case seeks $10 million
Juries Hate Hazing — When cases go to trial, juries award millions in damages
Universities Pay — Bowling Green State paid $2.9 million; UH faces similar liability
National Organizations Pay — Pi Kappa Alpha paid $7.2 million in the Foltz case
Individuals Pay — The Foltz chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally
Criminal Charges Follow — Multiple hazing cases have resulted in criminal convictions
Laws Change — Hazing cases have led to new state and federal laws with harsher penalties

These cases prove that hazing victims and their families can win justice. Lauderdale County families deserve the same.

🎯 Our Strategy for Lauderdale County Hazing Cases

When we take on a hazing case for a Lauderdale County family, we pursue a comprehensive, aggressive strategy to maximize your recovery and hold all responsible parties accountable.

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

Send preservation letters to all defendants demanding they preserve all evidence
Obtain restraining orders to prevent destruction of evidence
Work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages and posts
Identify and interview witnesses immediately

2. Comprehensive Investigation

Obtain all medical records documenting injuries
Obtain all communications (texts, emails, social media) related to hazing
Obtain all university and fraternity documents related to hazing policies
Identify all potential defendants (individuals, organizations, universities)
Work with hazing experts to establish the pattern and culture of abuse

3. Aggressive Discovery

Serve subpoenas on all defendants for documents and communications
Take depositions of fraternity members, university officials, and national organization leaders
Subpoena social media companies for deleted posts and messages
Work with medical experts to establish the extent of injuries and future damages

4. Multi-Defendant Litigation

Sue the local chapter for direct liability
Sue the national organization for failure to supervise
Sue the university for premises liability and failure to protect students
Sue individual members for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress
Sue housing corporations and alumni for premises liability

5. Media and Public Pressure

Work with media to expose the hazing culture
Pressure universities to take action
Mobilize alumni and donors to demand accountability
Support legislative efforts to strengthen anti-hazing laws

6. Settlement Negotiation or Trial

Present a comprehensive demand package to all defendants
Negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation
If defendants refuse to settle fairly, take the case to trial
Present a compelling case to the jury to maximize damages

💡 Frequently Asked Questions for Lauderdale County Families

Q: My child was hazed, but they “agreed” to participate. Can we still sue?

A: YES. Alabama law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of consent.

Q: The fraternity says hazing is against their rules. Why are they liable?

A: Because they didn’t enforce their own rules. National organizations like Pi Kappa Phi have anti-hazing policies, but they often fail to enforce them. In our current case, Pi Kappa Phi National knew about a “hazing crisis” but failed to stop it. That makes them liable.

Q: The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be sued?

A: YES. Universities have a duty to protect students from known dangers. If a university has a history of hazing incidents (like UH did in 2017), they can’t claim ignorance. They have a responsibility to monitor Greek organizations and prevent hazing.

Q: My child was hazed off-campus. Can we still sue the university?

A: YES. Universities can be held liable for hazing that occurs off-campus if they have control over the organization or fail to take action when they become aware of hazing. In our current case, hazing occurred both on-campus (in a university-owned fraternity house) and off-campus (at a private residence).

Q: How much is my child’s hazing case worth?

A: It depends on several factors, including:

The severity of the injuries (physical and psychological)
The extent of medical treatment required
The impact on your child’s education and future earning potential
The egregiousness of the hazing conduct
Whether there’s a pattern of hazing at the organization
The financial resources of the defendants

Hazing cases have resulted in settlements and verdicts ranging from hundreds of thousands to over $100 million. We’ll work with medical and economic experts to calculate the full value of your child’s case.

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

A: In Alabama, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is typically 2 years from the date of the injury. However, there are exceptions for cases involving minors or delayed discovery of injuries. It’s critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible — evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights can expire.

Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. What can we do?

A: We understand. Hazing victims often fear retaliation from their peers or the organization. We take this fear seriously and will:

Protect your child’s identity to the extent possible
Work with law enforcement if threats are made
Pursue claims against individuals who retaliate
Provide support and resources for your child

In our current case, our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We’re committed to protecting our clients from further harm.

Q: We’re not in Texas. Can Attorney 911 still help us?

A: YES. While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Lauderdale County. We have:

Federal court authority — We can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York
Willingness to travel — We come to Lauderdale County for depositions and trials
Remote consultation technology — Video meetings available

Distance is not a barrier to justice. If your child was hazed near Lauderdale County, we can help.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

A: $0 upfront. We take hazing cases on contingency, which means:

You pay nothing to hire us
We advance all case expenses
We only get paid if we win your case
Our fee is a percentage of your recovery

We believe that cost should never be a barrier to justice. Lauderdale County families deserve aggressive representation, regardless of their financial situation.

Q: What if my child was hazed at a high school near Lauderdale County?

A: We can help. Hazing isn’t just a college problem — it happens in high schools too. We represent victims of hazing at all levels, including:

High school sports teams
High school clubs and organizations
Marching bands
ROTC programs
Any group that uses hazing as initiation

If your child was hazed in Lauderdale County, contact us immediately.

🏆 Our Commitment to Lauderdale County Families

At Attorney 911, we’re committed to fighting for justice for hazing victims and their families. Lauderdale County families deserve the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to our current $10 million case.

Our Promise to Lauderdale County Families:

We will listen — We’ll take the time to understand your child’s experience and how hazing has affected their life.
We will investigate — We’ll gather all the evidence needed to build a strong case.
We will fight — We’ll pursue every liable party, from individual members to national organizations to universities.
We will communicate — We’ll keep you informed at every step of the process.
We will win — We’ll work tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation for your child’s injuries.

Our Values:

Compassion — We understand the trauma hazing causes, and we’re committed to supporting our clients.
Aggression — We don’t back down from powerful institutions. We fight for what’s right.
Excellence — We bring decades of legal experience to every case.
Justice — We believe that hazing victims deserve accountability and compensation.

📞 Lauderdale County Families: Call Now — 1-888-ATTY-911

If your child has been hazed at a university near Lauderdale County, you don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to help.