🛡️ Pasco County Hazing Attorney – Fraternity Abuse Lawyers – Attorney 911

Hazing in Pasco County: When Tradition Becomes Torture

Pasco County families send their children to college expecting opportunity, growth, and safety. But for too many students at Pasco County universities and colleges, Greek life “traditions” become a nightmare of abuse, humiliation, and life-threatening danger. Hazing isn’t harmless fun – it’s a culture of violence disguised as brotherhood.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this crisis nationwide – and we’re bringing our expertise to Pasco County families. Right now, we’re litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities operate at universities near Pasco County. The same hazing happens here. And we will hold every responsible party accountable.

If your child has been hazed in Pasco County – whether at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization – you have legal rights. Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Pasco County

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines

Pasco County is home to vibrant college communities, including:

• Saint Leo University (private Catholic university in Saint Leo)
• Pasco-Hernando State College (multiple campuses including New Port Richey, Dade City, and Brooksville)
• Nearby institutions like the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa and the University of Tampa

These institutions host active Greek life communities where national fraternities and sororities maintain chapters. The same organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide operate right here in Pasco County.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in Pasco County

Hazing in Pasco County takes many forms, but all share the same goal: breaking down students through fear, pain, and humiliation. Common hazing activities reported at Pasco County-area universities include:

This isn’t tradition. It’s abuse. And in Pasco County, it’s happening right now.

⚠️ The Landmark Case That Changes Everything for Pasco County Families

$10 Million Lawsuit: When Hazing Becomes Hospitalization

Case: Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al.
Location: University of Houston (but the same fraternities operate near Pasco County)
Status: Active litigation – filed November 21, 2025
Attorneys: Ralph Manginello & Lupe Pena – Attorney 911

What Happened:
Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student not yet enrolled at UH, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi in September 2025. Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse that hospitalized him for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

The Hazing Activities:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then forced to continue exercising
• Hog-tied (another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour)
• Stripped to underwear in cold weather and sprayed with a hose
• Forced to carry a fanny pack with sexual objects at all times
• Threatened with expulsion if he didn’t comply

The Result:
On November 3, 2025, after being forced to exercise past the point of exhaustion, Bermudez could not stand without help. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. His condition worsened over the next three days. On November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.

The Defendants:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc. (national organization)
• Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi (local chapter)
• University of Houston (owned the fraternity house)
• UH Board of Regents
• Fraternity President, Pledgemaster, and multiple members
• Former members and their spouses (hazing occurred at their residence)

The Message to Pasco County Fraternities:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10 million in this case apply to your chapter.

💔 Why Pasco County Families Need to Act Now

Hazing in Pasco County is a Ticking Time Bomb

1. It’s Happening Right Now

   • The same fraternities with chapters near Pasco County have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries.
   • Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, and others all operate near Pasco County.
   • If it happened at UH, it’s happening in Pasco County.

2. Universities Are Complicit

   • The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where Leonel Bermudez was hazed.
   • They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 (Pi Kappa Alpha) and did nothing to prevent it from happening again.
   • Pasco County universities face the same liability when they fail to protect students.

3. The Clock is Ticking

   • Florida has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
   • Evidence disappears quickly – texts are deleted, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records.
   • Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights.

4. The Culture Won’t Change Without Accountability

   • Pi Kappa Phi’s response to Bermudez’s hospitalization? “We look forward to returning to campus.”
   • They’re not sorry. They’re waiting for the outrage to die down so they can do it again.
   • Only lawsuits can force real change.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Pasco County Hazing Victim

Florida Law Protects Hazing Victims

Florida has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to Pasco County students:

Florida Statute § 1006.63 – Hazing Prohibited

“Hazing means 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.”

Key Provisions:

• Consent is NOT a defense. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, hazing is still illegal.
• Criminal penalties include felony charges for hazing that causes serious injury or death.
• Organizations can be held liable for hazing committed by their members.
• Universities can be held liable for failing to prevent hazing on their campuses.

Civil Liability for Hazing in Pasco County:
Pasco County hazing victims can sue for:

• Negligence – Failure to prevent foreseeable harm
• Assault and Battery – Intentional harmful contact
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress – Extreme and outrageous conduct
• Premises Liability – Hazing that occurs on university-owned property
• Negligent Supervision – Failure of national organizations or universities to monitor chapters

Damages Available:

• Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)

🏆 Precedent Cases: Pasco County Families Can Win Big

Hazing lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts nationwide. These same results are possible for Pasco County victims:

The Message to Pasco County Fraternities:
Hazing costs millions. We have the receipts. Your chapter could be next.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Pasco County

Step-by-Step Action Plan for Pasco County Families

1. Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Attention

• If your child is in immediate danger, call 911.
• Go to the emergency room even if injuries seem minor. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately.
• Document everything – take photos of injuries, save medical records.

2. Preserve Evidence

• Do NOT delete anything – texts, social media messages, photos, videos.
• Take screenshots of all communications about hazing.
• Write down everything your child remembers – dates, times, locations, names of perpetrators.
• Save physical evidence – clothing, objects used in hazing.

3. Report the Incident

• File a police report – hazing is a crime in Florida.
• Report to the university – file a Title IX complaint or report to the Dean of Students.
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization – they are required to investigate.

4. Do NOT Speak to the Organization Without Legal Counsel

• Do NOT sign anything from the fraternity, sorority, or university.
• Do NOT give a statement without your attorney present.
• Do NOT post about the incident on social media.

5. Contact an Experienced Pasco County Hazing Attorney

• Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
• We will:
  • Evaluate your case at no cost.
  • Preserve evidence before it disappears.
  • Handle all communications with the organization and their lawyers.
  • Fight for maximum compensation for your child’s injuries.

🎯 Why Pasco County Families Choose Attorney 911

We’re Not Just Lawyers – We’re Your Legal Emergency Responders

1. Nationwide Hazing Litigation Expertise

• We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We have specific experience with rhabdomyolysis cases, Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation, and Texas A&M hazing incidents.
• We know the fraternity playbook – how they hide evidence, intimidate victims, and try to avoid accountability.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
• We know exactly how they think, strategize, and try to deny claims.
• We’ve seen their playbook from the inside – and now we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses.

3. Federal Court Authority

• Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas.
• Can pursue cases in federal court for Pasco County victims.
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) for strategic advantage.

4. Willingness to Travel to Pasco County

• We come to Pasco County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
• Offer video consultations for Pasco County families who cannot travel.
• Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. Contingency Fee Representation – $0 Upfront

• You pay nothing unless we win your case.
• No hourly fees, no retainers.
• We take the risk so Pasco County families can fight back.

6. 24/7 Availability for Pasco County Hazing Emergencies

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 anytime – day or night.
• Immediate response to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
• Pasco County families get the same aggressive representation we provide locally.

7. Se Habla Español

• Bilingual staff to serve Pasco County’s Spanish-speaking families.
• All consultations available in Spanish.
• No language barriers to justice.

🏛️ Who We Sue for Pasco County Hazing Victims

When hazing happens in Pasco County, we sue everyone responsible. No one gets a free pass.

The Deep Pockets:

• National fraternities/sororities have millions in assets and insurance.
• Universities have substantial endowments and insurance policies.
• This isn’t about suing broke college students – it’s about holding institutions accountable.

💰 Damages We Pursue for Pasco County Hazing Victims

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

Punitive Damages (Punishing Egregious Conduct)

When hazing is particularly outrageous, we pursue punitive damages to send a message.

Examples from Our UH Case:

• Waterboarding (simulated drowning) – considered torture
• Forcing exercise until collapse – reckless disregard for safety
• Striking with wooden paddles – physical assault
• Knowing about prior hazing deaths – conscious indifference

📞 Pasco County Hazing Victims: Call Now for Justice

Free Consultation – 24/7 – 1-888-ATTY-911

If your child has been hazed in Pasco County, you are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now – and we will fight for your family too.

What Happens When You Call:

1. Free, confidential consultation – no obligation.
2. Immediate case evaluation – we assess your legal options.
3. Evidence preservation – we ensure critical evidence isn’t destroyed.
4. Aggressive representation – we handle all communications with the organization.
5. Fight for maximum compensation – we pursue every dollar your child deserves.

Remember:

• You pay nothing unless we win.
• The statute of limitations is ticking – don’t wait to lose your rights.
• Fraternities and universities will try to intimidate you – we won’t let them.
• Your child deserves justice – we will fight for it.

Pasco County Hazing Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We come to Pasco County. We fight for Pasco County families. We win for Pasco County victims.

🔥 A Message to Pasco County Fraternities and Sororities

We Are Watching. We Are Coming. And We Will Win.

To the fraternities operating near Pasco County:

We know who you are.

• Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, and more.
• We know your chapters. We know your national organizations. We know your insurance policies.

We know your history.

• We know about Andrew Coffey (Pi Kappa Phi, 2017).
• We know about Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021).
• We know about Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, 2017).
• We know about Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, 2017).
• And we know about Leonel Bermudez (Pi Kappa Phi, 2025).

We know your tactics.

• You’ll claim “it was just tradition.”
• You’ll say “he consented.”
• You’ll try to intimidate victims into silence.
• You’ll delete evidence and coordinate stories.
• We’ve seen it all. And we know how to beat it.

The same legal strategies that are winning our $10 million case apply to your Pasco County chapter.

If you haze students in Pasco County, we will:

• Sue your chapter.
• Sue your national organization.
• Sue your housing corporation.
• Sue your alumni.
• Sue your individual members.
• And we will win.

The Beta Nu chapter at UH? SHUT DOWN.
The members who hazed Leonel Bermudez? NAMED IN A $10 MILLION LAWSUIT.
Your chapter could be next.

Clean up your act now. Or we’ll clean it up for you in court.

🏆 Our Commitment to Pasco County Families

At Attorney 911, we don’t just represent clients – we fight for justice, accountability, and change. When we take on a Pasco County hazing case, we commit to:

✅ Aggressive Litigation – We don’t back down from powerful institutions.
✅ Maximum Compensation – We pursue every dollar your child deserves.
✅ Evidence Preservation – We ensure critical proof isn’t destroyed.
✅ Victim Protection – We shield your child from intimidation and retaliation.
✅ Systemic Change – We work to prevent this from happening to other Pasco County families.

Pasco County families: You are not alone. We are your advocates. We are your voice. We are your justice.

📚 Pasco County Hazing Resources

Emergency Contacts

Florida Hazing Laws

• Florida Statute § 1006.63 – Hazing prohibited; criminal penalties.
• Florida Statute § 1006.64 – Immunity for reporting hazing.
• Florida Statute § 784.03 – Battery (applies to physical hazing).
• Florida Statute § 784.045 – Aggravated battery (serious physical hazing).

National Organizations

• StopHazing – stophazing.org
• HazingPrevention.Org – hazingprevention.org
• Gordie Center – gordie.org (alcohol education and hazing prevention)

🚀 Join the Fight Against Hazing in Pasco County

Pasco County families: Together, we can end hazing.

• Share this page with other Pasco County parents.
• Talk to your children about the dangers of hazing.
• Report hazing when you see it.
• Support hazing victims who come forward.
• Demand accountability from Pasco County universities.

The culture won’t change until we force it to change. And we will.

Pasco County Hazing Victims: Enough Is Enough.

Call Attorney 911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for your free consultation.

We fight for Pasco County. We win for Pasco County. We protect Pasco County families.