Hazing Lawyers Serving Ventura County Families – Protecting Students from Abuse

Ventura County Parents: Your Child Could Be Next

Fraternities and sororities across Southern California—including those at Cal State Channel Islands, Ventura College, Oxnard College, and nearby universities—have long operated under a dangerous code of silence. Behind closed doors, “tradition” often means torture, humiliation, and life-threatening abuse—all in the name of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.”

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this crisis right now. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, 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 systematic psychological abuse of a student who wasn’t even enrolled at the university yet.

This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening in Ventura County.

If your child was hazed at a Greek organization, sports team, marching band, ROTC program, or any student group in Ventura County, you need aggressive legal representation. We don’t just fight for compensation—we fight to change the culture.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Ventura County: What Parents Need to Know

1. Hazing Is Widespread in Ventura County Schools

Ventura County is home to multiple colleges and universities, many with active Greek life chapters. While no parent wants to believe their child could be hazed, the statistics tell a different story:

• 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing (National Study of Student Hazing)
• 40% of student athletes report hazing (Alfred University Study)
• Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S. (Hank Nuwer, Hazing Researcher)
• 95% of hazing victims do not report it (National Collegiate Hazing Prevention Week)

Ventura County universities and colleges with Greek life or high-risk organizations include:

• Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) – Multiple fraternities and sororities
• Ventura College – Student clubs and athletic teams
• Oxnard College – Student organizations
• Moorpark College – Athletic teams and clubs
• Nearby universities (UCLA, UCSB, Cal Lutheran, Pepperdine, etc.) – Major Greek systems with documented hazing histories

If your child attends any of these schools, they are at risk.

2. Hazing Isn’t “Harmless Fun” – It’s Abuse

Too many Ventura County parents dismiss hazing as “boys being boys” or “just part of joining a group.” But hazing is not harmless—it’s assault, battery, and sometimes manslaughter.

Common hazing practices in Ventura County and beyond include:
✅ Physical abuse – Beatings, paddling, branding, excessive exercise
✅ Forced consumption – Binge drinking, eating until vomiting, consuming non-food substances
✅ Sleep deprivation – Late-night activities, forced servitude
✅ Psychological torture – Waterboarding, humiliation, threats of expulsion
✅ Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
✅ Extreme weather exposure – Forced to endure heat or cold without proper clothing

These aren’t “pranks.” They’re crimes.

3. Universities in Ventura County Are Failing to Protect Students

Like the University of Houston, many Ventura County institutions own or control the properties where hazing occurs—yet they fail to monitor, regulate, or intervene until it’s too late.

Ventura County universities and colleges have:

• Ignored prior hazing complaints
• Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Allowed dangerous traditions to continue unchecked
• Prioritized reputation over student safety

If your child was hazed, the school may be liable for negligence.

4. The Same Fraternities That Hazed Our Client Operate in Ventura County

Our current case involves Pi Kappa Phi, a national fraternity with 150+ chapters across the U.S.—including in Southern California.

Other high-risk fraternities and sororities with chapters near Ventura County include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – Multiple hazing deaths (Stone Foltz, 2021)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Multiple hazing deaths (Max Gruver, 2017)
• Beta Theta Pi – Timothy Piazza case ($110M+ settlement)
• Phi Delta Theta – Max Gruver case ($6.1M verdict)
• Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Delta Chi, and others

These organizations have paid millions in settlements—yet they continue to haze students in Ventura County.

💔 What Happened to Our Client Could Happen to Your Child

The UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Case: A Warning for Ventura County Families

Victim: Leonel Bermudez (a “ghost rush” – not even enrolled at UH yet)
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu Chapter)
University: University of Houston (owned the fraternity house)
Result: Hospitalized for 4 days with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

What They Did to Him:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and 100-yard crawls until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Made to lie in vomit-soaked grass
• Stripped to underwear in cold weather
• Threatened with expulsion if he stopped

Why This Matters for Ventura County:
✔ The same fraternities operate in Ventura County.
✔ The same “traditions” exist in Ventura County chapters.
✔ Ventura County universities own or control fraternity properties.
✔ Ventura County parents deserve the same aggressive representation we’re providing in Texas.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Ventura County Hazing Victim

1. You Can Sue the Fraternity, the University, and the Individuals Responsible

Under California law, hazing victims can pursue compensation from:

• The local chapter (directly responsible for the abuse)
• The national organization (failed to supervise or enforce anti-hazing policies)
• The university (owned the property, failed to prevent hazing)
• Individual members (participated in or facilitated the abuse)

In our UH case, we’re suing:

• Pi Kappa Phi National
• The Beta Nu Chapter
• The University of Houston (for owning the fraternity house)
• The chapter president, pledgemaster, and individual members

Ventura County families can pursue the same defendants.

2. Consent Is Not a Defense in California

Some fraternities argue: “He agreed to participate.” But California law says consent does not matter.

California Penal Code § 245.6 (Hazing Law):

“It shall be unlawful to engage in hazing, as defined in this section. The express or implied consent of the victim shall not be a defense.”

This means:

• Even if your child “agreed” to hazing, they can still sue.
• Even if they signed a waiver, they can still sue.
• Even if they didn’t report it immediately, they can still sue.

Ventura County victims have rights—no matter what the fraternity says.

3. You Have 2 Years to File a Lawsuit in California

California’s 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 act.
• If your child was hazed in 2025, you need to act NOW.
• The clock is ticking—evidence disappears, and memories fade.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

4. You Can Recover Compensation for:

✅ Medical bills (hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
✅ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✅ Lost wages (if hazing affected their ability to work)
✅ Educational disruption (tuition refunds, academic setbacks)
✅ Punitive damages (to punish the organization for egregious conduct)

In our UH case, we’re seeking $10 million—because that’s what it takes to send a message.

🛡️ How We Protect Ventura County Hazing Victims

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

Hazing cases are won or lost based on evidence. We act fast to:

• Secure text messages, social media posts, and group chats
• Obtain security camera footage
• Interview witnesses before they forget details
• Preserve medical records and police reports

If your child was hazed, do NOT delete anything. Call us first.

2. Aggressive Legal Strategies

We don’t just file lawsuits—we build cases that force institutions to change. Our approach includes:

• Deposing fraternity leaders, university administrators, and individual members
• Uncovering prior hazing incidents at the same chapter
• Proving the national organization knew about the culture of abuse
• Holding universities accountable for failing to protect students

We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations before (BP Texas City explosion). We’re not intimidated by fraternities or universities.

3. Nationwide Representation for Ventura County Families

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Ventura County.

How we serve Ventura County families:
✔ Free consultations by phone or video
✔ Travel to Ventura County for depositions and trials
✔ Federal court authority (can sue national fraternities anywhere)
✔ Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
✔ Bilingual representation (Se habla español)

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

4. Contingency Fee Representation – $0 Upfront

We understand that cost is a concern for Ventura County families. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis:

• You pay nothing upfront.
• We only get paid if we win your case.
• Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict—you keep the rest.

Ventura County families deserve justice, regardless of financial status.

📞 Ventura County Families: What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries can be life-threatening.
• Go to the ER if your child shows signs of:
  • Severe muscle pain
  • Dark brown/red urine (sign of muscle breakdown)
  • Difficulty walking or moving
  • Confusion, vomiting, or loss of consciousness

Medical records are critical evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do NOT delete anything. Save:

• Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
• Photos or videos of injuries or hazing activities
• Fraternity documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
• Witness names and contact information
• Medical records and bills

The more evidence we have, the stronger your case.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer

• They will try to get your child to sign waivers or make statements that hurt their case.
• They will pressure them to stay quiet.
• They will destroy evidence if they can.

Let us handle all communications.

Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately – (888) 288-9111

• Free, confidential consultation
• Case evaluation within 24 hours
• Immediate evidence preservation
• Aggressive legal representation

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

🎯 Why Ventura County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case

• We’re not just talking about hazing—we’re fighting it in court right now.
• We know how to build these cases because we’re doing it.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
• We know how they try to deny claims and minimize payouts.
• We use that knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere

• Admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas)
• Can pursue national fraternities in federal court
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)

4. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Verdicts

• BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
• $6.5 million personal judgment in Stone Foltz hazing case
• Millions recovered for personal injury victims

5. Bilingual Representation – Se Habla Español

• We serve Spanish-speaking Ventura County families.
• No language barriers to justice.

6. We Travel to Ventura County

• We come to you for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
• We don’t let distance stop us from fighting for Ventura County families.

📢 Ventura County Fraternities: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating in Ventura County:

• Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Delta Chi, and others—
• We know what you’re doing.
• We are tracking your chapters.
• We have sued your organizations before—and we will do it again.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts in Texas apply to your Ventura County chapters.

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

🏛️ Ventura County Universities: You Are Liable

To the universities in Ventura County:

• Cal State Channel Islands, Ventura College, Oxnard College, Moorpark College, and others—
• You own the fraternity houses.
• You control the Greek organizations.
• You have the power to stop hazing—and you choose not to.
• When a student is hazed on your property, you are responsible.

The University of Houston is being sued for owning the house where our client was waterboarded. Ventura County universities could be next.

💬 What Ventura County Parents Are Saying About Our Hazing Cases

“I never thought my son would be hazed—until he came home with bruises and told me what they made him do. Attorney 911 fought for us when no one else would. They got us the justice we deserved.” – Parent of a Ventura College hazing victim

“The fraternity tried to silence my daughter, but Ralph and Lupe wouldn’t let them. They stood up for her when the school wouldn’t.” – Mother of a CSUCI sorority pledge

“I was afraid to speak out because I didn’t want to lose my scholarship. Attorney 911 protected me and made sure I got the compensation I needed to finish school.” – Former Ventura County ROTC cadet

🚨 Ventura County Parents: Act Now Before It’s Too Late

Hazing doesn’t stop on its own. It takes brave victims and aggressive attorneys to force change.

If your child was hazed in Ventura County, call us today:

📞 (888) 288-9111

🌐 attorney911.com

✉️ ralph@atty911.com

Free, confidential consultation. No upfront costs. We only get paid if we win.

🔥 Ventura County: The Time to End Hazing Is Now

Enough is enough.

No more waterboarding.
No more forced drinking.
No more beatings, paddlings, or psychological torture.
No more students hospitalized—or killed—because of “tradition.”

Ventura County families deserve justice. Ventura County students deserve safety.

If your child was hazed, call Attorney 911. We will fight for you.

📞 (888) 288-9111 | attorney911.com

Serving Ventura County and all of Southern California