🚨 Hazing Victims in Seminole County: You Are Not Alone
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Seminole County, Florida, you have legal rights — and powerful allies ready to fight for you.
At Attorney 911, we are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. This isn’t just a case — it’s a movement. We are fighting to protect students like yours, right here in Seminole County, from the same abuse that hospitalized our client.
🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen Here in Seminole County
Our client, Leonel Bermudez, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. What followed was weeks of systematic abuse that sent him to the hospital with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. He was:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning
- Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault
- Forced to eat until vomiting — then forced to keep running
- Hog-tied on a table — another pledge endured this for over an hour
- Threatened with expulsion if he didn’t comply
He spent 3 nights and 4 days in the hospital fighting for his life.
This didn’t happen in some distant state. This happened in Texas — and the same national fraternities operate right here in Seminole County.
⚠️ Hazing Is Happening at Seminole County Universities
Seminole County is home to vibrant colleges and universities where Greek life thrives. The same national fraternities involved in our lawsuit — Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, and others — have active chapters at universities near Seminole County.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Seminole County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.
Universities Near Seminole County with Greek Life:
| University | Location | Greek Organizations Present |
|---|---|---|
| University of Central Florida (UCF) | Orlando, FL (30 miles from Seminole County) | Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, and many more |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL (20 miles) | Fraternities and sororities |
| Stetson University | DeLand, FL (50 miles) | Greek organizations |
| Florida State University (FSU) | Tallahassee, FL (250 miles) | Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others |
| University of Florida (UF) | Gainesville, FL (120 miles) | Large Greek system |
The same national fraternities that have paid millions in hazing settlements operate right here in Central Florida.
💰 These Cases Win Millions — And We Know How to Do It
Hazing lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements across the country. We know how to build these cases, and we’re fighting one right now.
Recent Hazing Verdicts & Settlements:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | $110+ million (estimated) settlement |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Confidential settlement (death case) |
Our $10 million lawsuit is right in line with these precedents — and we’re bringing the same fight to Seminole County.
🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable in Seminole County Hazing Cases
When hazing happens, multiple parties can — and should — be held accountable:
- The Local Chapter — The fraternity or sorority that organized and conducted the hazing
- The National Organization — They set the culture and failed to supervise
- The University — They have a duty to protect students and often own the property where hazing occurs
- Individual Members — Every person who participated in or facilitated the hazing
- Chapter Officers — Presidents, pledgemasters, and other leaders who directed activities
- Alumni & Advisors — Former members who enabled or hosted hazing
- Housing Corporations — Entities that own fraternity/sorority property
In our current case, we are suing all of these parties — and we will do the same for Seminole County victims.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Seminole County
If you suspect your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire.
Immediate Action Steps for Seminole County Families:
- Seek Medical Attention — Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked. Rhabdomyolysis and other hazing injuries can be life-threatening.
- Preserve All Evidence — Save all texts, social media messages, photos, videos, and documents related to the hazing.
- Do NOT Confront the Organization — They will destroy evidence and coordinate their story.
- Do NOT Sign Anything — The organization may try to get you to sign away your rights.
- Call Us Immediately — 1-888-ATTY-911 — We offer free, confidential consultations for Seminole County hazing victims.
🛡️ Why Seminole County Families Choose Attorney 911
We understand that Seminole County families have choices. Here’s why we are the right team to fight for your child:
| Advantage | How We Help Seminole County Families |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years of Litigation Experience | We’ve taken on powerful institutions and won |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know how the other side thinks — and how to beat them |
| Federal Court Authority | We can pursue Seminole County cases in federal court |
| Dual-State Bar Admission | Texas AND New York — strategic advantage for national fraternities |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Seminole County families |
| Nationwide Hazing Expertise | We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case — same strategies available for Seminole County |
| We Travel to Seminole County | For depositions, trials, and client meetings — distance is not a barrier |
| Contingency Fee | $0 upfront — We don’t get paid unless you get paid |
🎓 We Understand the Seminole County Community
Seminole County is a place where families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. The Seminole County community values education, family, and respect. When those values are betrayed by hazing, it’s devastating.
We understand what’s at stake for Seminole County families:
- The trust you placed in universities near Seminole County
- The excitement of your child joining a fraternity or sorority
- The betrayal when that trust is broken
- The fear when your child is hospitalized or traumatized
We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. And we will fight hard for Seminole County families because we truly care.
📞 Seminole County Families: Call Now for Immediate Help
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Seminole County, call us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We offer video consultations for Seminole County families who cannot travel to our offices.
We will travel to Seminole County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Seminole County Families
Q: My child was hazed at UCF. Can you help?
A: Absolutely. While we are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Seminole County and the Orlando area. We have federal court authority and are admitted to practice in multiple states.
Q: What if my child consented to the hazing?
A: Consent is not a defense. Florida law (like Texas law) explicitly states that consent does not justify hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
Q: How much does it cost to hire you?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on contingency — we only get paid if we win your case. Seminole County families pay $0 unless we recover compensation for you.
Q: How much is my case worth?
Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits often result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Factors include:
- Severity of injuries
- Medical expenses
- Psychological trauma
- Institutional knowledge (did the university/fraternity know about prior hazing?)
- Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced consumption, physical abuse)
Q: What if the fraternity says it was just “tradition”?
A: “Tradition” does not justify abuse. Waterboarding is torture. Forcing someone to exercise until their kidneys fail is assault. These are not traditions — they are crimes.
Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Florida has a 4-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However, you should act immediately — evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and memories fade.
Q: Will my child have to testify?
Possibly, but many cases settle before trial. If the case does go to trial, we will prepare your child thoroughly and support them every step of the way.
Q: Can you sue the university?
Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be held liable. In our current case, we are suing the University of Houston for owning the fraternity house where hazing occurred.
Q: What about criminal charges?
Hazing can result in criminal charges under Florida law. We work with prosecutors when appropriate and can help your family navigate both civil and criminal proceedings.
🔍 Warning Signs of Hazing in Seminole County
Many parents don’t realize their child is being hazed until it’s too late. Watch for these warning signs:
| Physical Signs | Behavioral Signs | Academic Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Unexplained bruises or injuries | Sudden withdrawal from family/friends | Declining grades |
| Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation | Increased secrecy | Missed classes |
| Weight loss or gain | Changes in sleep patterns | Withdrawal from academic activities |
| Signs of alcohol poisoning | Anxiety or depression | Loss of scholarships |
| Difficulty walking or moving | Fear of retribution | Transferring schools |
| Brown or dark urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis) | PTSD symptoms | Dropping out |
If you notice these signs, your child may be a victim of hazing. Call us immediately.
🏆 Our Promise to Seminole County Families
- We will listen — without judgment, with compassion.
- We will investigate — thoroughly and aggressively.
- We will preserve evidence — before it disappears.
- We will fight for justice — in court and in the public eye.
- We will hold every responsible party accountable — from the national organization to the individual perpetrators.
- We will protect your child — from retaliation and further harm.
- We will pursue maximum compensation — for medical bills, trauma, and pain and suffering.
- We will work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.
📢 To Fraternities and Sororities Operating Near Seminole County:
We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Seminole County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
Every national fraternity with chapters in Central Florida should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won.
To Greek life leadership at Seminole County universities: The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.
🔗 Additional Resources for Seminole County Families
- Florida Anti-Hazing Law (Florida Statute § 1006.63)
- HazingPrevention.Org
- StopHazing.org
- University of Central Florida Greek Life
🚨 Seminole County Hazing Victims: Act Now
The fraternities, sororities, and universities want you to stay silent. They want you to think you have no options. They want you to believe it’s just “tradition.”
They’re wrong.
You have rights. You have power. You have Attorney 911.
Call us now for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Serving Seminole County, Orlando, and all of Central Florida with aggressive, compassionate legal representation for hazing victims.
