🚨 Hazing Victims in Calhoun County, Florida: Your Legal Rights and How to Fight Back

If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization in Calhoun County, Florida — you are not powerless. You have legal rights. And we can help you fight back.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing. The same fraternities operate at universities near Calhoun County. The same negligence exists at Florida institutions. And we will fight for Calhoun County families with the same aggression.

This is happening in Florida. This is happening near Calhoun County. And it could be happening to your child right now.

⚠️ What Is Hazing? (Florida Law Explained)

Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “building character.” It’s not “just part of the process.”

Under Florida law (Florida Statute § 1006.63), hazing is:

Any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution.

This includes:

• Physical abuse: Beating, paddling, forced exercise, exposure to extreme weather
• Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, drugs, or other substances
• Psychological abuse: Humiliation, degradation, sleep deprivation, isolation
• Dangerous activities: Waterboarding, branding, blindfolded activities, extreme physical challenges
• Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects

Florida law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of consent.

🏥 The Medical Reality of Hazing — What It Does to Your Child

Hazing isn’t harmless. It causes real, lasting harm. In our current case, a student was hospitalized for four days with:

• Rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure
• Acute kidney failure — life-threatening condition requiring hospitalization
• Severe muscle pain and inability to walk — from extreme physical punishment

Other documented medical consequences of hazing include:

• Alcohol poisoning — leading to death (multiple cases nationwide)
• Traumatic brain injury — from beatings or falls
• Hypothermia or heat stroke — from exposure to extreme weather
• Cardiac arrest — from extreme physical exertion
• PTSD, anxiety, and depression — from psychological torture
• Suicidal ideation — from shame, humiliation, and trauma

Hazing doesn’t just hurt your child physically. It can destroy their mental health, their academic future, and their life.

📰 The Hazing Crisis in Florida — It’s Happening Near Calhoun County

Florida has seen multiple hazing deaths and hospitalizations in recent years. The same fraternities — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others — operate at universities across Florida, including near Calhoun County.

Recent Florida Hazing Cases:

These are not isolated incidents. This is a pattern. And it’s happening in Florida.

Universities Near Calhoun County with Active Greek Life:

While Calhoun County itself is a smaller community, it is surrounded by universities and colleges where Greek life thrives — and where hazing is a known risk:

• Florida State University (Tallahassee, ~60 miles east) — Major Greek system; Andrew Coffey died here in 2017
• University of Florida (Gainesville, ~120 miles east) — Large Greek presence; multiple hazing investigations
• Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, ~60 miles east) — Historically Black university with active Greek organizations
• Tallahassee Community College (~60 miles east) — Smaller Greek presence, but still active
• Chipola College (Marianna, ~20 miles north) — Local community college with student organizations
• Gulf Coast State College (Panama City, ~40 miles south) — Greek life presence

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha — have active chapters at these Florida institutions.

If your child attends or plans to attend college near Calhoun County, they face the same hazing risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

💔 What Happened to Our Client — This Could Be Your Child

In our current case, Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. He wasn’t even a student yet — he was a “ghost rush,” expected to transfer for the upcoming semester.

What followed was seven weeks of systematic abuse and torture that sent him to the hospital with kidney failure.

The Hazing He Endured:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups — until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
• Struck with wooden paddles — physical beating
• Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting — then forced to continue exercising
• Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass — after vomiting from forced consumption
• Forced to strip to underwear in cold weather — exposure and humiliation
• Sprayed with a garden hose while minimally clothed — water torture
• Carried a fanny pack with objects of sexual nature at all times — sexual humiliation
• Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour — witnessed by Bermudez
• A pledge lost consciousness during a workout — fraternity members had to elevate his legs until he recovered

On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event. He was forced to perform extreme exercises until he couldn’t stand. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. The next day, he couldn’t move. His mother rushed him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.

This happened in Texas. But the same thing is happening in Florida. It could be happening to your child right now.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights Under Florida Law

1. Florida’s Anti-Hazing Law (Florida Statute § 1006.63)

Florida has one of the strongest anti-hazing laws in the country. It makes hazing a criminal offense and provides for civil liability.

Criminal Penalties:

Important: Florida law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.

Civil Liability:

Florida law also allows victims to sue for damages in civil court. This means you can:

• Sue the fraternity/sorority
• Sue the national organization
• Sue the university
• Sue individual members
• Recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more

2. Negligence Claims — Holding Institutions Accountable

Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, you can sue for negligence in civil court.

Who can be sued for negligence?

• The fraternity/sorority chapter — for organizing and conducting hazing
• The national organization — for failing to supervise and prevent hazing
• The university — for failing to protect students from known hazing risks
• Individual members — for participating in or failing to stop hazing

Elements of a negligence claim:

1. Duty of care — The defendant had a responsibility to protect your child
2. Breach of duty — They failed to meet that responsibility
3. Causation — Their failure caused your child’s injuries
4. Damages — Your child suffered harm as a result

Universities have a duty to protect students. When they fail — and a student is injured — they can be held liable.

3. Premises Liability — If Hazing Happened on University Property

Many fraternity and sorority houses are owned or controlled by universities. If hazing occurred on university property, the university can be held liable under premises liability law.

Example: If your child was hazed at a fraternity house owned by the university, the university can be sued for failing to maintain a safe environment.

4. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

If the hazing was particularly outrageous or extreme, you may have a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED).

What qualifies as IIED?

• Conduct that is extreme and outrageous
• Conduct that intentionally or recklessly causes severe emotional distress
• Severe emotional distress that results

Example: Waterboarding, forced nudity, and sexual humiliation could qualify as IIED.

5. Wrongful Death — If Hazing Killed Your Child

If your child died as a result of hazing, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit against all responsible parties.

Who can sue for wrongful death in Florida?

• Parents
• Spouses
• Children
• Other dependents

Damages in wrongful death cases can include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical expenses related to the injury
• Loss of future earnings
• Loss of companionship and support
• Pain and suffering of the deceased
• Punitive damages (in cases of extreme negligence)

💰 What Your Family Can Recover — Compensation for Hazing Victims

If your child has been hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:

1. Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

• Medical bills — hospital stays, doctor visits, therapy, rehabilitation
• Future medical expenses — ongoing treatment, potential dialysis or transplant
• Lost wages — if your child missed work during recovery
• Lost earning capacity — if hazing affects their future career
• Educational expenses — tuition, fees, lost scholarships if they had to withdraw

2. Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain and suffering — from injuries sustained during hazing
• Mental anguish — PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution
• Emotional distress — humiliation, shame, loss of trust
• Loss of enjoyment of life — inability to participate in activities they once enjoyed
• Disfigurement — scars, burns, or other permanent marks

3. Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

In cases of extreme or outrageous conduct, Florida courts may award punitive damages. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct.

Examples of conduct that may justify punitive damages:

• Waterboarding or other forms of torture
• Forced consumption leading to alcohol poisoning or choking
• Extreme physical abuse causing permanent injury
• Sexual abuse or humiliation
• Covering up hazing incidents

📋 What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Calhoun County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked by a doctor
• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
• Medical records are critical evidence for your case

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Save everything related to the hazing:

• Text messages — GroupMe, Snapchat, iMessage, WhatsApp, etc.
• Social media posts — Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter/X
• Photos and videos — of injuries, hazing activities, or locations
• Physical evidence — clothing, paddles, other items used in hazing
• Witness information — names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
• Medical records — hospital bills, doctor notes, test results
• Academic records — if hazing affected grades or enrollment

Do NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to fraternity/sorority members without legal counsel
• Sign anything from the organization or university
• Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Incident

• File a police report — hazing is a crime in Florida
• Report to the university — file a formal complaint with student affairs or Greek life office
• Report to the national organization — if it’s a fraternity/sorority, file a complaint with the national headquarters
• Report to the Florida Department of Education — file a complaint about university negligence

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

• Do NOT talk to insurance companies or university lawyers without an attorney
• Do NOT accept any settlement offers without legal advice
• Contact Attorney 911 immediately for a free consultation

📞 Why Calhoun County Families Choose Attorney 911

We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now — And We’ll Fight for You

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we know how to win.

Calhoun County families get the same aggressive representation we provide to our Houston clients.

Our Advantages for Calhoun County Families:

We Will Travel to Calhoun County for Your Case

While we are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide. We offer:

• Free video consultations for Calhoun County families
• Travel to Calhoun County for depositions, client meetings, and trials
• Remote case management — we handle everything from our offices
• Nationwide network of experts — medical, Greek life, institutional negligence

Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will fight for your Calhoun County family no matter where the hazing occurred.

🔥 Warning to Fraternities Near Calhoun County

To fraternities operating near Calhoun County, Florida:

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured multi-million dollar verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

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

We track your house corporations, your alumni chapters, your national insurance structure, and your documented history of hazing deaths. If your Florida chapters harm students, we will pursue every liable entity.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down after our lawsuit. Your chapter could be next.

🏛️ Warning to Florida Universities Near Calhoun County

To universities near Calhoun County:

The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.

We are coming for every university that:

• Owns fraternity/sorority houses where hazing occurs
• Fails to implement real oversight of Greek life
• Ignores prior hazing incidents
• Prioritizes reputation over student safety

Florida State University knew about Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017. They did nothing to prevent future incidents. University of Houston knew about a 2017 hazing hospitalization. They did nothing. Don’t make the same mistake.

📞 Calhoun County Families: Contact Us Now

If your child has been hazed in Calhoun County or at any Florida institution, contact Attorney 911 immediately for a free, confidential consultation.

Legal Emergency Hotline for Hazing Victims:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Free Consultation: Available 24/7 for Calhoun County families

We work on contingency — you pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.

⏳ Time Is Critical — Florida Statute of Limitations

Florida law gives you a limited time to file a lawsuit:

Do not wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your rights expire.

Contact Attorney 911 today. We will evaluate your case, preserve your evidence, and fight for the justice your family deserves.

🎯 Our Promise to Calhoun County Families

1. We will listen — without judgment, with compassion
2. We will investigate — thoroughly, aggressively
3. We will preserve evidence — before it disappears
4. We will build your case — with medical experts, hazing experts, and a winning strategy
5. We will negotiate from strength — we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case
6. We will go to trial if needed — and we will win
7. We will protect your child — from retaliation, from intimidation
8. We will fight for every dollar — to cover medical bills, pain and suffering, and to send a message
9. We will honor your child — by ensuring this never happens to another family

📢 Enough Is Enough — Help Us Stop Hazing in Florida

Hazing doesn’t stop unless victims speak up. If you know about hazing in Calhoun County or anywhere in Florida, report it. If you’ve been hazed, come forward.

Your case could save lives.

Lupe Pena said it best in our current case:

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Calhoun County families: Your voice matters. Your child deserves justice. And we are here to fight for you.

🚨 Call Now — Before It’s Too Late

1-888-ATTY-911

Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Calhoun County, Florida and Nationwide

We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it right now. And we’ll fight for you.