Hazing Lawyers for Dixie County Families – Holding Fraternities & Universities Accountable

Dixie County Parents: Your Child Was Betrayed. We Will Fight for Justice.

Every year, thousands of college students across Florida—including those near Dixie County—are subjected to brutal, degrading, and sometimes life-threatening hazing rituals under the guise of “tradition” or “brotherhood.” What begins as an innocent desire to belong can quickly turn into a nightmare of physical abuse, psychological torture, and permanent injury—or worse, death.

At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting this battle right now in a landmark $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This case proves that fraternities and universities know about the dangers of hazing—and do nothing until it’s too late.

If your child was hazed in Dixie County or at a nearby university, we can help.

📞 Call our Hazing Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🚨 This Happened in Houston. It’s Happening Near Dixie County Too.

The Case That Proves Hazing Is Everywhere—Including Dixie County

In November 2025, our client—Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student not even enrolled at the University of Houston yet—was hospitalized for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to weeks of systematic abuse by Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

What They Did to Him:

✔ Waterboarded 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 assault with weapons
✔ Forced to eat until vomiting – Then made to keep running through his own vomit
✔ Hog-tied another pledge – Left face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
✔ Sleep deprivation – Forced to drive fraternity members at all hours, leaving him exhausted
✔ Threatened with expulsion – If he didn’t comply

The Result:

• Rhabdomyolysis – His muscles broke down, releasing toxins that shut down his kidneys
• Acute kidney failure – Required four days of hospitalization
• Permanent health risks – Possible long-term kidney damage
• Psychological trauma – Fear of retribution, PTSD, anxiety

The Defendants Knew. They Did Nothing.

• Pi Kappa Phi National had 8 years to fix their culture after Andrew Coffey died in a similar hazing incident (2017). They failed.
• University of Houston had 8 years to prevent hazing after another student was hospitalized in 2017. They failed.
• Both institutions knew about the “hazing crisis” and chose reputation over safety.

This isn’t just happening in Houston. It’s happening at universities near Dixie County. And if your child was hazed, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting for Leonel.

🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Dixie County?

Hazing is not just the fault of a few “bad apples.” The entire system enables it—fraternities, universities, national organizations, and even individual members.

1. The Fraternity (Local Chapter)

• Directly organized and conducted hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) are personally liable
• Individual members who participated can be sued

2. The National Fraternity Organization

• Knew about prior hazing deaths and injuries (like Andrew Coffey in 2017)
• Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Allowed a “hazing crisis” to continue
• Has deep pockets and insurance

3. The University

• Owns or controls fraternity houses (premises liability)
• Knew hazing was happening (prior incidents)
• Failed to supervise Greek life
• Ignored warning signs
• Has institutional insurance and assets

4. Individual Perpetrators

• Fraternity officers who planned hazing
• Members who participated
• Alumni who hosted hazing events
• Can be sued personally for assault, battery, and emotional distress

5. Insurance Companies

• Fraternities and universities have liability insurance
• Homeowners’ insurance may cover alumni defendants
• We know how to pursue these policies aggressively

💰 What Compensation Can Dixie County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families are entitled to full compensation for the harm caused. Our firm has recovered millions for victims of abuse, and we will fight for every dollar your family deserves.

1. Medical Expenses

• Emergency room bills
• Hospitalization costs
• Future medical care (kidney monitoring, therapy, rehabilitation)
• Prescription medications

2. Lost Wages & Future Earning Capacity

• Time missed from work due to injuries
• Lost internships or job opportunities
• Reduced earning potential if injuries affect career path

3. Pain & Suffering

• Physical pain from hazing injuries
• Emotional trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and degradation
• Loss of enjoyment of life

4. Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

• When conduct is intentional, reckless, or malicious
• Designed to punish the defendants and deter future hazing
• Can be millions of dollars in cases like this

5. Wrongful Death (If the Worst Happens)

• Funeral expenses
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of future financial support
• Punitive damages

⚖️ Florida Hazing Laws – What Dixie County Families Need to Know

Florida has strong laws against hazing, and victims have legal rights to hold perpetrators accountable.

Florida Statute § 1006.63 – Hazing Defined & Criminal Penalties

Hazing is defined as:

“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.”

Criminal Penalties in Florida:

Consent is NOT a defense. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the law explicitly states that consent does not excuse hazing.

Civil Lawsuits – Holding Institutions Accountable

In addition to criminal charges, victims can sue for money damages in civil court. This is where Attorney 911 comes in.

Who Can Be Sued?

• The fraternity (local chapter)
• The national fraternity organization
• The university
• Individual members and officers
• Alumni who hosted hazing events

Statute of Limitations in Florida:

• Personal injury: 4 years from the date of injury
• Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death

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

🎓 Which Dixie County Universities & Colleges Have Hazing Risks?

While Dixie County itself does not have a major university, students from the area often attend colleges in nearby regions where hazing is a serious problem. Some of the universities near Dixie County with active Greek life include:

Universities Near Dixie County with Greek Life:

• University of Florida (Gainesville) – Large Greek system with documented hazing incidents
• Florida State University (Tallahassee) – Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others with hazing histories
• University of South Florida (Tampa) – Multiple fraternities and sororities with hazing violations
• Florida A&M University (Tallahassee) – Historically Black Greek organizations with hazing risks
• University of Central Florida (Orlando) – One of the largest Greek systems in Florida
• Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton) – Hazing incidents reported in recent years
• University of North Florida (Jacksonville) – Greek life with hazing violations

Fraternities with Documented Hazing Histories Near Dixie County:

These same fraternities have chapters at universities near Dixie County. If your child is pledging, they face the same risks.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Dixie County

If your child was hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and your legal rights expire.

✅ Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
• Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries can be life-threatening.
• Medical records are crucial evidence.

✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (take screenshots—don’t rely on disappearing messages).
• Take photos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling).
• Document everything (dates, times, locations, what was said).
• Get witness names and contact information.
• Do NOT delete anything.

✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

• They will try to control the narrative.
• They will pressure your child to sign documents.
• They will downplay the severity.
• Anything your child says can be used against them.

✅ Step 4: Do NOT Post on Social Media

• Insurance companies and fraternities will monitor your accounts.
• Even innocent posts (“I’m fine”) can be twisted to undermine your case.
• Stay quiet until you speak with an attorney.

✅ Step 5: Call a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

• The sooner you call, the stronger your case will be.
• We can send preservation letters to protect evidence.
• We can guide you through the legal process.
• We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront unless we win.

📞 Call our Hazing Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🏆 Why Dixie County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We know exactly how these cases work—and how to win them.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Both of our attorneys used to work for insurance companies.
• We know every trick they’ll use to deny or minimize your claim.
• We use that knowledge against them to maximize your recovery.

3. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Dixie County Families

• While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Florida.
• We have federal court authority, meaning we can pursue your case no matter where it happened.
• We offer video consultations and will travel to Dixie County for depositions and meetings.

4. Aggressive, Compassionate Representation

• We don’t back down from powerful institutions.
• We fight for every dollar you deserve.
• We treat you like family—because that’s what you are to us.

5. No Upfront Costs – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

• We work on a contingency fee basis—no hourly charges, no retainers.
• You pay nothing unless we recover money for you.
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

6. Bilingual Representation – Se Habla Español

• Our staff is fluent in Spanish.
• We serve Spanish-speaking families without language barriers.

7. Proven Results in High-Stakes Cases

• $10M hazing lawsuit (pending) – Pi Kappa Phi / University of Houston
• Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury and wrongful death cases
• Former BP Texas City explosion litigation – Mass tort experience
• Hundreds of cases won against insurance companies

📞 Dixie County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation

If your child was hazed, you are not alone. We are here to fight for you.

📞 Hazing Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

We serve Dixie County families and hazing victims nationwide. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

🔥 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to Hold Them Accountable.

Fraternities and universities have gotten away with hazing for too long. They know it’s happening, they know it’s dangerous, and they do nothing until someone gets hurt—or killed.

But now, the tide is turning.

• Juries are awarding millions in hazing cases.
• States are passing felony hazing laws.
• Victims are speaking out—and winning.

If your child was hazed, we will fight for you. We will hold every responsible party accountable. And we will make sure this never happens to another Dixie County family.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.