🚨 Hazing Victims in Southeastern Connecticut: You Are Not Alone

If you or your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization in Southeastern Connecticut, you have legal rights. Attorney 911 is fighting this battle nationwide — and we will fight for Southeastern Connecticut families with the same determination.

🏛️ Hazing in Southeastern Connecticut: The Hidden Crisis

Southeastern Connecticut is home to prestigious universities and colleges where Greek life thrives. From the University of Connecticut’s main campus in Storrs to Connecticut College in New London, Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, thousands of Southeastern Connecticut students participate in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and other organizations.

But behind the social events and community service lies a dangerous secret: hazing.

Hazing isn’t just “harmless tradition” — it’s abuse. It’s torture. It’s often criminal. And it’s happening right here in Southeastern Connecticut.

⚠️ What Southeastern Connecticut Families Need to Know

1. Hazing is illegal in Connecticut — Connecticut General Statutes § 53-23a makes hazing a crime punishable by fines and imprisonment
2. Consent is not a defense — Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the law says consent doesn’t matter
3. Universities are liable — If a Southeastern Connecticut institution knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be held legally responsible
4. National organizations are liable — Fraternities and sororities with chapters in Southeastern Connecticut have the same hazing cultures we’re fighting nationwide
5. You have time limits — Connecticut has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims

💔 Real Hazing, Real Consequences: What’s Happening in Southeastern Connecticut

While specific hazing incidents in Southeastern Connecticut may not be publicly documented, we know from national patterns that the same dangerous activities occur here:

Common Hazing Activities in Southeastern Connecticut:

Medical Consequences Southeastern Connecticut Families Should Know:

• Rhabdomyolysis — Muscle breakdown that can cause kidney failure (like our client in Houston)
• Acute Kidney Failure — Life-threatening organ failure
• Alcohol Poisoning — Can be fatal; requires emergency treatment
• Traumatic Brain Injury — From beatings or falls
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia — From exposure
• Cardiac Arrest — From extreme physical exertion
• PTSD, Anxiety, Depression — Long-term psychological damage
• Suicide — Tragic outcome of hazing trauma

📰 The Case That Proves Southeastern Connecticut Families Can Fight Back

Right now, Attorney 911 is litigating a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being subjected to:

• 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 continue exercising
• Hog-tied on a table with an object in his mouth (another pledge)
• Forced to strip to underwear in cold weather
• Carrying a fanny pack with sexual objects at all times

This isn’t just happening in Texas. This is happening in Southeastern Connecticut.

Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America, including in the Northeast. The same national organization that failed to protect our client operates at universities near Southeastern Connecticut.

If your child has been hazed in Southeastern Connecticut, we will fight for you with the same aggression.

⚖️ Connecticut Hazing Law: What Southeastern Connecticut Families Need to Know

Connecticut General Statutes § 53-23a — Hazing

Definition:

Any action which recklessly or intentionally endangers the health or safety of a person for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization.

Penalties:

• Class A Misdemeanor — Up to 1 year in jail and/or $2,000 fine
• If death or serious injury results: Felony — Up to 10 years in prison and/or $10,000 fine

Key Provision:

Consent is NOT a defense — Even if the victim “agreed” to participate, the law says consent doesn’t matter.

Civil Liability for Southeastern Connecticut Hazing Victims

Southeastern Connecticut families can sue for:

1. Negligence — University failed to protect students
2. Premises Liability — Hazing occurred on university property
3. Assault and Battery — Physical abuse
4. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress — Psychological trauma
5. Wrongful Death — If hazing results in death

Who Can Be Sued in Southeastern Connecticut:

• The local fraternity/sorority chapter
• The national organization
• The university or college
• Individual members who participated
• Housing corporations
• Alumni who facilitated hazing

💰 Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Southeastern Connecticut families should know that hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts nationwide. Here’s what other families have won:

These results are possible for Southeastern Connecticut families too.

🏆 Why Southeastern Connecticut Families Choose Attorney 911

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. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight today. Southeastern Connecticut families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Southeastern Connecticut

While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Southeastern Connecticut. We have:

• Federal court authority — Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York
• Willingness to travel — We come to Southeastern Connecticut for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Remote consultation technology — Southeastern Connecticut families can video chat with our attorneys

3. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance defense firms before switching to represent victims. We know exactly how insurance companies:

• Try to minimize claims
• Delay settlements
• Deny liability
• Twist victims’ words

We use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for Southeastern Connecticut families.

4. Multi-Billion Dollar Case Experience

Ralph Manginello was involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation — a multi-billion dollar mass tort against one of the world’s largest corporations. We know how to take on massive institutional defendants. Universities and national fraternities don’t intimidate us.

5. Hazing-Specific Expertise

We have direct experience with:

• Rhabdomyolysis injury cases (like our current client)
• Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation
• Texas A&M University hazing cases
• Hospitalization compensation claims
• Life-threatening hazing incidents
• Wrongful death from hazing activities

6. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims in Southeastern Connecticut come from Spanish-speaking families. We provide comprehensive legal services in Spanish, including:

• Initial consultations in Spanish
• Case communication in Spanish
• Document translation and explanation
• Courtroom interpretation coordination

7. Contingency Fee — $0 Upfront for Southeastern Connecticut Families

We understand that cost can be a barrier to justice. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency:

• $0 upfront cost
• $0 unless we win
• We only get paid if you get paid
• No hourly fees, no retainers

Southeastern Connecticut families pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

📋 What Southeastern Connecticut Families Should Do If Hazing Happens

IMMEDIATE ACTION STEPS:

1. Ensure Safety — Remove the victim from the dangerous situation immediately
2. Seek Medical Attention — Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
3. Preserve Evidence — Take photos of injuries, save text messages, screenshot social media posts
4. Document Everything — Write down what happened, who was involved, dates, times, locations
5. Do NOT talk to the organization — They will try to control the narrative
6. Do NOT post on social media — Anything you post can be used against you
7. Contact an attorney — Call Attorney 911 immediately for a free consultation

EVIDENCE TO PRESERVE:

🕒 Time Limits: Don’t Wait to Act

Connecticut Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury:

• 2 YEARS from date of injury

What This Means for Southeastern Connecticut Families:

• You have 2 years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit
• If you wait, you lose your legal rights forever
• Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your case becomes harder to prove

DO NOT WAIT due to:

• Shame or embarrassment
• Fear of social retaliation
• Loyalty to the organization
• Pressure from members to stay quiet
• Not recognizing it as hazing

Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your rights.

🎯 Common Defenses — And How We Defeat Them

Defense: “He Consented to Participate”

Our Response:

• Connecticut law says consent is NOT a defense to hazing (CGS § 53-23a)
• Coercion and peer pressure negate true consent
• Victims rarely know what they’re consenting to
• Fear of retaliation or social ostracism creates duress

Defense: “It Was Just Tradition”

Our Response:

• “Tradition” does not legitimize illegal activity
• Assault is assault, regardless of “tradition”
• Universities and nationals have policies against hazing — they’re required to enforce them

Defense: “The University Didn’t Know”

Our Response:

• Universities have a duty to protect students
• They have oversight responsibility over Greek life
• If they didn’t know, they should have known
• Prior incidents at other universities put them on notice

Defense: “It Wasn’t That Bad”

Our Response:

• Waterboarding is torture
• 500 squats causing kidney failure is not “mild”
• Psychological trauma is real and compensable
• Juries decide what’s “bad enough”

🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing: What Southeastern Connecticut Parents Need to Know

Rhabdomyolysis — The “500 Squats” Disease

What It Is:
Rhabdomyolysis occurs when skeletal muscle tissue breaks down rapidly. The damaged muscle cells release their contents into the bloodstream, including:

• Myoglobin — A protein that can damage kidneys
• Creatine kinase (CK) — Enzyme marker of muscle damage
• Potassium — Can cause cardiac arrhythmias
• Phosphorus — Can cause organ damage

Causes in Hazing:

• Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
• Prolonged muscle compression
• Trauma (beatings, paddling)

Why It’s Dangerous:

• Myoglobin clogs kidney tubules
• Leads to acute kidney failure
• Can be fatal if untreated
• May cause permanent kidney damage

Symptoms:

• Severe muscle pain
• Muscle weakness
• Dark brown urine (myoglobinuria)
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Nausea/vomiting

Treatment:

• Aggressive IV fluid hydration
• Monitoring kidney function
• Potential dialysis if severe
• Hospitalization required

Long-Term Consequences:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Need for dialysis
• Kidney transplant
• Recurrence risk with future exertion
• Cardiac issues from electrolyte imbalances

Our Client’s Experience:
Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis after being forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, and other extreme exercises. He suffered acute kidney failure and could not walk or stand.

This could happen to your child in Southeastern Connecticut.

📞 Southeastern Connecticut Families: Contact Us Now

If you or your child has been hazed in Southeastern Connecticut, call Attorney 911 immediately for a free, confidential consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 ralph@atty911.com

🌐 attorney911.com

Available 24/7 for Southeastern Connecticut hazing emergencies

We offer:

• Free initial consultation
• Video consultations for Southeastern Connecticut families
• Willingness to travel to Southeastern Connecticut for your case
• Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront
• Spanish-speaking attorneys (Se habla español)

🎯 Our Promise to Southeastern Connecticut Families

1. We will listen — Without judgment, with compassion
2. We will investigate — Gather evidence, interview witnesses
3. We will fight — Against fraternities, sororities, universities
4. We will pursue every liable party — No one escapes accountability
5. We will maximize your recovery — Medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages
6. We will protect your privacy — Your story stays confidential unless you choose to share it
7. We will be there — Every step of the way, from consultation to resolution

🔥 To Fraternities and Sororities Operating in Southeastern Connecticut:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters in Southeastern Connecticut.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates in Southeastern Connecticut, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

We track your house corporations, your alumni chapters, your national insurance structures, and your documented histories of hazing deaths.

If you haze students in Southeastern Connecticut, we will pursue every liable entity. We already shut down the Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston. Your chapter could be next.

Clean up your act before we clean you out in court.

🏛️ To Southeastern Connecticut Universities:

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was waterboarded. They collected rent while students were tortured. They had the power to inspect, to regulate, to shut it down — and they did nothing.

If your institution in Southeastern Connecticut owns or controls Greek housing, you have the same responsibility. You have the same liability.

The same national fraternities with hazing death records operate on Southeastern Connecticut campuses. If you fail to protect students, you will be held accountable.

Act now, or face the same accountability we’re bringing to University of Houston.

📚 Southeastern Connecticut Resources for Hazing Victims

National Organizations:

• StopHazing — Research and education on hazing prevention (stophazing.org)
• HazingPrevention.Org — Resources for students, parents, and schools (hazingprevention.org)
• Gordie Center — Focuses on alcohol education and hazing prevention (gordie.org)

Connecticut-Specific:

• Connecticut General Assembly — Review hazing laws (cga.ct.gov)
• University of Connecticut — Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life — Reporting resources (greeklife.uconn.edu)
• Connecticut College — Student Life — Reporting and support (conncoll.edu/student-life)
• Eastern Connecticut State University — Student Conduct — Reporting options (easternct.edu/student-conduct)
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy — Office of the Commandant — Reporting and support (uscga.edu)

Hotlines:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 988 (for mental health crises)
• Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741
• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline — 800-656-HOPE (4673)

📢 Final Message to Southeastern Connecticut Families

You are not alone.

What happened to your child was not “tradition.” It was not “building character.” It was not “making friends.”

It was abuse. It was assault. It was often criminal.

You have the right to seek justice. You have the right to compensation. You have the right to hold those responsible accountable.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. We are fighting this battle right now — and we will fight for Southeastern Connecticut families with the same determination.

Call us. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.

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

Serving Southeastern Connecticut and nationwide. Se habla español.