🚨 Hazing Prevention & Legal Rights for San Bernardino County Families

Hazing Happens Here. We Fight Back.

San Bernardino County is home to vibrant college communities, including Cal State San Bernardino, University of Redlands, Crafton Hills College, and nearby institutions like UC Riverside and Loma Linda University. These campuses host active Greek life organizations—fraternities and sororities that shape student experiences. But behind the social events and philanthropy, a dangerous culture of hazing persists.

Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s abuse.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case involving waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and a fraternity culture that prioritizes secrecy over safety. This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening right here in San Bernardino County.

If your child has been hazed—whether in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, ROTC, or any student organization—you have legal rights. And we will fight for you.

🏛️ Hazing in San Bernardino County: The Reality

Greek Life in San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire are home to dozens of fraternities and sororities across multiple universities and colleges. These organizations are affiliated with national Greek systems that have documented histories of hazing—including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others.

Key Institutions with Greek Life Near San Bernardino County:

• California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) – Active Greek community with multiple fraternities and sororities
• University of Redlands – Strong Greek presence, including historically Black and multicultural organizations
• Crafton Hills College – Emerging Greek life programs
• University of California, Riverside (UCR) – Large Greek system with over 50 chapters
• Loma Linda University – Professional and service-oriented Greek organizations

The Problem: These organizations operate under the same national structures that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student in Houston have chapters near San Bernardino County. The same universities that failed to protect students in other states have the same oversight failures here.

🚨 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in California)

Under California Education Code § 32050, hazing is defined as:

“Any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury to any former, current, or prospective student.”

This includes:

• Physical abuse – Paddling, beating, forced exercise, branding, excessive calisthenics
• Forced consumption – Alcohol, drugs, food (e.g., eating until vomiting)
• Psychological abuse – Sleep deprivation, humiliation, isolation, threats
• Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
• Dangerous stunts – Blindfolded activities, extreme weather exposure, waterboarding
• Servitude – Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands

California law is clear:
✅ Consent is NOT a defense – Even if a student “agrees” to participate, hazing is still illegal.
✅ Organizations AND individuals can be held liable – Both the fraternity/sorority and the members who participated can be sued.
✅ Universities can be liable – If the institution knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they share responsibility.

💔 Real Hazing Cases: This Could Happen in San Bernardino County

Case 1: The $10 Million Waterboarding Case (Our Current Lawsuit)

Victim: Leonel Bermudez (University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi)
What Happened:

• Forced to perform 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls until he collapsed
• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Not even a UH student yet – He was a “ghost rush” (prospective member expected to transfer)

Why This Matters for San Bernardino County:

• Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near San Bernardino County.
• The same national organization that allowed this in Houston operates in California.
• If it happened at UH, it can happen at CSUSB, UCR, or University of Redlands.

Case 2: The $6.1 Million Jury Verdict (Death from Forced Drinking)

Victim: Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
What Happened:

• Forced to drink alcohol as part of a “Bible Study” pledge event
• If he answered questions wrong, he had to drink more
• Died from acute alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495 – 6x the legal limit)
• 18 years old – just started college

Outcome:

• $6.1 million jury verdict against the fraternity
• Max Gruver Act – Louisiana made hazing a felony

Why This Matters for San Bernardino County:

• Forced drinking is a common hazing tactic in California fraternities.
• Universities near San Bernardino County have the same Greek life culture that led to Gruver’s death.
• Juries award millions when hazing causes death or serious injury.

Case 3: The $110 Million Settlement (Fraternity Waited 12 Hours to Call 911)

Victim: Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
What Happened:

• Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes during “the gauntlet”
• Fell down stairs multiple times while severely intoxicated
• Fraternity members waited 12 HOURS before calling 911
• Died from traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding

Outcome:

• $110+ million settlement (confidential, estimated)
• 18 members criminally charged (multiple convictions)
• Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law – Pennsylvania

Why This Matters for San Bernardino County:

• Fraternities near San Bernardino County have the same “gauntlet” traditions.
• Universities fail to monitor Greek life events—just like Penn State.
• When evidence is strong, settlements reach nine figures.

🔍 How to Know If Your Child Is Being Hazed in San Bernardino County

Hazing is often hidden behind secrecy and threats. But there are warning signs:

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
• Extreme fatigue or difficulty walking
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, passing out)
• Weight loss or dehydration
• Complaints of muscle pain or dark urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis)

Behavioral Signs:

• Sudden withdrawal from friends/family
• Anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms
• Fear of talking about Greek life
• Sudden drop in academic performance
• Avoiding certain people or places
• Secretive behavior about phone/social media

What Your Child Might Say:

• “It’s just tradition.”
• “Everyone goes through it.”
• “I can’t talk about it.”
• “If I tell, I’ll get kicked out.”
• “It’s not that bad.”

If you suspect hazing, ACT IMMEDIATELY. Evidence disappears quickly, and statutes of limitations apply.

🛡️ What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in San Bernardino County

Step 1: Ensure Immediate Safety

• If your child is in immediate danger, call 911.
• If they are injured, take them to the emergency room (even if they say they’re “fine”).
  • Delayed medical treatment can be life-threatening (e.g., rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning).
  • Medical records are critical evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

✅ Take photos/videos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns).
✅ Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
✅ Document witness names and contact info.
✅ Keep all medical records and bills.
✅ Take screenshots of social media posts about hazing activities.
✅ Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing.

❌ DO NOT:

• Confront the fraternity/sorority without legal counsel.
• Sign anything from the organization or university.
• Post about the incident on social media.
• Give statements to university administrators or insurance companies.

Step 3: Report the Incident

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in California).
• Report to the university’s Title IX office (hazing often violates Title IX).
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization (if applicable).

Step 4: Contact an Attorney

Hazing cases are complex. Universities and national Greek organizations have teams of lawyers working to minimize liability. You need your own legal team to fight back.

At Attorney 911, we:
✔ Investigate immediately – We preserve evidence before it disappears.
✔ Sue the right defendants – Universities, national organizations, individual members.
✔ Pursue maximum compensation – Medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages.
✔ Protect your child’s future – We ensure they aren’t retaliated against.

We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

⚖️ Who Can Be Held Liable in a San Bernardino County Hazing Case?

1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority)

• Directly organized and conducted the hazing.
• Example: Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH.

2. The National Organization

• Failed to supervise local chapters.
• Knew about prior hazing incidents and did nothing.
• Example: Pi Kappa Phi National (failed to stop hazing after Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017).

3. The University

• Premises liability – If the hazing occurred in university-owned housing.
• Negligent supervision – Failed to monitor Greek life despite prior incidents.
• Example: University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where hazing occurred.

4. Individual Members

• Participated in hazing activities.
• Failed to stop hazing despite knowing it was wrong.
• Example: Fraternity president, pledgemaster, active members.

5. Alumni & Housing Corporations

• Allowed hazing to occur at their property.
• Example: Former members who hosted hazing at their home.

6. Insurance Companies

• National fraternities and universities have liability insurance policies that cover hazing claims.
• We know how to pursue these policies (we’re former insurance defense attorneys).

💰 What Compensation Can San Bernardino County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to:

Economic Damages (Tangible Losses)

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages (if the victim missed work)
• Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships lost)
• Therapy costs (for PTSD, anxiety, depression)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

• Physical pain from hazing injuries
• Emotional distress (humiliation, fear, anxiety)
• PTSD and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement (scars, permanent injuries)

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

• Awarded when conduct is intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent.
• Example: Waterboarding, forcing exercise until collapse, covering up hazing.
• California has no cap on punitive damages (unlike some states).

Wrongful Death Damages (If Hazing Causes Death)

• Funeral expenses
• Loss of companionship
• Future earnings lost
• Punitive damages

Precedent Cases Show Hazing Settlements Reach Millions:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million jury verdict (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)

⏳ Why You Must Act Now: California’s Statute of Limitations

In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of injury.

This means:
✅ If your child was hazed in 2024, you may still have time to file.
✅ If your child was hazed in 2025, you must act immediately.
❌ If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.

Exceptions:

• If the victim was a minor, the clock may not start until they turn 18.
• If the hazing was covered up, the clock may start when the victim discovered the harm.

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your San Bernardino County Hazing Case?

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We know exactly how these organizations operate—because we’re suing them now.
• San Bernardino County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Texas.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We used to work for insurance companies—we know their playbook.
• We know how they minimize claims and deny liability.
• Now, we use that knowledge to fight for victims.

3. National Reach, Local Commitment

• Based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we serve hazing victims nationwide.
• Federal court authority – We can sue in federal court if needed.
• Dual-state licensed (Texas and New York) – Strategic advantage for cases involving out-of-state defendants.
• We come to San Bernardino County – For depositions, trials, and client meetings.

4. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation

• BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
• Multi-million-dollar personal injury settlements
• Criminal defense experience (we know how to navigate parallel criminal investigations)
• Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)

5. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)

• Hazing affects all communities, including Spanish-speaking families.
• We provide bilingual legal services—no language barriers.

6. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront

• No hourly fees.
• No retainers.
• You pay nothing unless we win.
• If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing.

📞 San Bernardino County Families: Contact Us Now

If your child has been hazed in San Bernardino County, we can help.

📞 Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

Free Consultation – No Obligation – Confidential

🔥 A Message to San Bernardino County Fraternities & Universities

To the fraternities operating near San Bernardino County:
We know who you are. We track your chapters. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements. If you haze students in San Bernardino County, we will find every liable entity and hold you accountable.

To the universities near San Bernardino County:
You own the buildings. You collect the rent. You have the power to stop hazing. If you fail to protect students, you will pay.

To the national Greek organizations:
You claim to be about “brotherhood” and “leadership.” But when students are waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until their kidneys fail, and hospitalized because of your culture, you don’t deserve to call yourselves leaders. You deserve to be held accountable.

The message is clear:
Hazing in San Bernardino County will not be tolerated. We are watching. We are ready. And we will fight for every victim.

🏆 Our Promise to San Bernardino County Families

1. We will listen without judgment.
2. We will investigate thoroughly.
3. We will preserve evidence before it disappears.
4. We will sue everyone responsible—universities, nationals, individuals.
5. We will fight for maximum compensation.
6. We will protect your child from retaliation.
7. We will not rest until justice is served.

Hazing ends when victims stand up. We stand with you.

San Bernardino County Parents: Your Child Trusted These People. We Will Make Them Answer for What They Did.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com