Hazing Victims in Chattooga County: Your Rights, Your Recovery, Your Justice

🚨 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Chattooga County — And We’re Fighting Back

Chattooga County families, listen closely: What happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston is not an isolated incident. It’s a warning. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student, forced him to do 500 squats until his kidneys failed, and left him hospitalized for four days operate right here in Georgia. The same national organizations that ignored Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017 have chapters near Chattooga County today. And the same universities that failed to protect their students are failing students in our community too.

This isn’t just about one case in Texas. This is about protecting Chattooga County students from the same torture, the same trauma, and the same institutional failure that nearly killed Leonel Bermudez.

At Attorney 911, we’re not just fighting this battle in Houston. We’re bringing the fight to Chattooga County. If your child has been hazed, abused, or injured in a fraternity, sorority, or any student organization near Chattooga County, we will hold the perpetrators and the institutions accountable — no matter where they are.

🔥 The Hazing Crisis in Chattooga County: What Every Parent Needs to Know

1. Hazing is Not “Tradition” — It’s Abuse

Hazing is not about “building brotherhood.” It’s not about “paying your dues.” It’s not about “making memories.”

It’s about power. It’s about control. It’s about breaking young people down so they’ll never speak up.

In Leonel Bermudez’s case, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members:

• Waterboarded him with a garden hose (simulated drowning — a form of torture)
• Forced him to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
• Struck him with wooden paddles (physical assault with a weapon)
• Forced him to eat until he vomited, then made him keep running
• Humiliated him by making him carry sexual objects and strip in cold weather
• Threatened him with expulsion if he didn’t comply

This is not hazing. This is abuse. This is assault. This is criminal.

And it’s happening right here in Georgia.

2. The Same Fraternities Are in Chattooga County

Pi Kappa Phi, the fraternity that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez, has over 150 chapters across America — including in Georgia. Other fraternities with documented hazing deaths and lawsuits, like Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), Beta Theta Pi, and Phi Delta Theta, also have active chapters near Chattooga County.

These are not “a few bad apples.” This is a systemic problem.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Chattooga County, they are at risk.

3. Universities Near Chattooga County Are Complicit

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded. They collected rent while students were being tortured. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter at any time — but they chose not to act.

This is not just a fraternity problem. This is a university problem.

Universities near Chattooga County have the same power — and the same liability. If they know about hazing and fail to stop it, they are just as responsible as the fraternity members who do the abuse.

And they will pay.

4. Hazing Can Cause Permanent Damage — Physically and Mentally

Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle tissue that releases toxins into the bloodstream, leading to kidney damage, organ failure, and even death.

But the damage doesn’t stop there.

Hazing victims often suffer:

• Permanent kidney damage (requiring lifelong monitoring or dialysis)
• Traumatic brain injuries (from beatings, falls, or alcohol poisoning)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (from torture, humiliation, and fear)
• Depression and anxiety (from the psychological trauma of abuse)
• Academic decline (from missing classes, sleep deprivation, and stress)
• Career setbacks (from delayed graduation or lost opportunities)

This is not a “rite of passage.” This is a life-altering trauma.

5. Hazing is Illegal in Georgia — And Consent Doesn’t Matter

Georgia has strict anti-hazing laws (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61). Hazing that causes serious bodily harm is a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

And here’s the most important part: Consent is NOT a defense.

Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Georgia law says that doesn’t matter. If they were forced, coerced, or pressured into dangerous activities, the law protects them.

If your child was hazed in Georgia, they have legal rights — and we will enforce them.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Hazing Victim in Chattooga County

1. You Can Sue the Fraternity, the University, and the Individuals

In Leonel Bermudez’s case, we’re suing:
✅ Pi Kappa Phi National (for failing to supervise and prevent hazing)
✅ The local UH chapter (for organizing and conducting the abuse)
✅ The University of Houston (for owning the house and failing to stop it)
✅ Individual fraternity members (for participating in the hazing)
✅ Alumni and spouses (for allowing hazing at their homes)

The same legal strategy applies in Chattooga County.

If your child was hazed, you can sue:

• The local chapter (for the abuse)
• The national organization (for failing to prevent it)
• The university (for failing to protect students)
• The individual members (for their personal involvement)

And you can seek compensation for:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages (if they missed work or internships)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish the perpetrators and prevent future hazing)

2. You Have a Limited Time to Act — Don’t Wait

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury.

If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.

Hazing victims often delay reporting because of:

• Shame (“I should have known better”)
• Fear of retaliation (“They’ll make my life hell”)
• Loyalty to the organization (“I don’t want to get them in trouble”)
• Not realizing it was illegal (“I thought it was just part of pledging”)

But the longer you wait, the harder it is to gather evidence — and the more likely the fraternity will destroy it.

If your child was hazed, call us NOW. The clock is ticking.

3. You Don’t Have to Face This Alone — We’ll Fight for You

Hazing cases are not like other personal injury cases. They involve:

• Powerful institutions (universities, national fraternities)
• Intimidation tactics (fraternities will try to silence victims)
• Complex legal strategies (multiple defendants, insurance policies, criminal implications)

You need a law firm that knows how to fight these battles — and win.

At Attorney 911, we have:
✅ 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys (we know how they’ll try to deny your claim)
✅ Federal court authority (we can sue national organizations anywhere)
✅ Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York — strategic for national cases)
✅ A track record of multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements

We’re not just lawyers. We’re fighters. And we will fight for your child like they’re our own.

🏥 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Chattooga County

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

If your child is showing any signs of hazing-related injuries, take them to the ER or a doctor right away.

Watch for these symptoms:

• Severe muscle pain (sign of rhabdomyolysis)
• Brown or dark urine (sign of kidney damage)
• Difficulty walking or moving (sign of muscle breakdown)
• Confusion, dizziness, or fainting (sign of heat stroke, alcohol poisoning, or head injury)
• Vomiting or nausea (sign of alcohol poisoning or forced consumption)
• Anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms (nightmares, flashbacks, fear of social situations)

Do not wait. Hazing injuries can be life-threatening.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Hazing cases are won or lost on the evidence. The fraternity and university will try to destroy it — you must act fast to preserve it.

Save:
✅ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshots and originals)
✅ Photos and videos (of injuries, hazing activities, or fraternity events)
✅ Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, test results)
✅ Witness names and contact info (other pledges, bystanders, friends)
✅ Fraternity documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
✅ Social media posts (from the fraternity or its members)

Do NOT:
❌ Delete anything
❌ Talk to the fraternity or university without a lawyer
❌ Sign anything from the fraternity
❌ Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Hazing to Authorities

Hazing is a crime in Georgia. You can report it to:

• Local police (file a criminal complaint)
• Your child’s university (file a Title IX or student conduct report)
• Georgia’s Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-800-282-5803)

But be careful: Universities and fraternities will try to minimize, cover up, or blame the victim. Do not give a statement without a lawyer present.

Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

This is the most important step.

The fraternity, the university, and their insurance companies will try to silence your child and deny liability. They will:

• Offer a lowball settlement (before you know the full extent of the damage)
• Pressure your child to stay quiet (“It’s just tradition,” “You agreed to this”)
• Destroy evidence (delete messages, alter records, intimidate witnesses)
• Blame your child (“They consented,” “They knew the risks”)

You need a lawyer who knows how to fight back.

At Attorney 911, we will:
✅ Protect your child from retaliation (we’ll handle all communications)
✅ Preserve the evidence (we’ll send preservation letters immediately)
✅ Build a strong case (we’ll gather medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony)
✅ Negotiate aggressively (we won’t accept lowball offers)
✅ Take it to trial if necessary (we’re not afraid to fight in court)

And we do it all on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.

💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Chattooga County?

Hazing cases can result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what other families have recovered:

Your child’s case could be worth millions — but only if you act now.

🎯 Why Chattooga County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

While other law firms talk about hazing cases, we’re litigating one right now. We’re suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for $10 million on behalf of Leonel Bermudez.

We know how to win these cases because we’re in the fight.

2. We Know How the Other Side Thinks

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to deny, delay, and lowball claims.

We’ve seen their playbook — and now we use it against them.

3. We’ll Travel to Chattooga County for Your Case

We’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont — but we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Chattooga County.

We will:
✅ Come to Chattooga County for depositions, meetings, and trials
✅ Offer video consultations so you don’t have to travel
✅ Handle all communications remotely (phone, email, secure portal)

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

4. We Work on Contingency — You Pay Nothing Upfront

We understand that Chattooga County families can’t afford to pay legal fees while their child is recovering from hazing injuries.

That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis:

• $0 upfront
• $0 out of pocket
• We only get paid if we win your case

If we don’t recover compensation for your child, you owe us nothing.

5. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims in Chattooga County come from Spanish-speaking families. We have bilingual staff and attorneys who speak fluent Spanish.

No language barriers. No miscommunication. Just justice.

6. We Have a Proven Track Record of Results

We’ve recovered millions of dollars for injury victims, including:

• $10+ million in a single case
• Multi-million-dollar settlements in wrongful death cases
• Millions for victims of institutional negligence (like hazing)

We don’t just file lawsuits. We win them.

📞 Chattooga County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now

If your child has been hazed, abused, or injured in a fraternity, sorority, or student organization near Chattooga County, we can help.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for a free, confidential consultation.
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit attorney911.com

We’re available 24/7. The consultation is free. And you pay nothing unless we win.

🔥 The Time to Act Is Now

Hazing doesn’t stop on its own. Universities won’t fix it. Fraternities won’t change unless they’re forced to.

But we can force them.

We can hold them accountable. We can make them pay. And we can protect the next Chattooga County student from going through the same nightmare.

If your child was hazed, don’t wait. Don’t let them silence you. Don’t let them destroy the evidence.

Call Attorney 911 today. We’ll fight for your child like they’re our own.

📢 To Fraternities Near Chattooga County: We’re Coming for You

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta — if your chapter is operating near Chattooga County, know this:

We are watching. We are documenting. We are building cases.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million in Texas apply to your Georgia chapter. The same evidence that shut down the UH chapter can shut down yours.

If you haze students in Chattooga County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will win.

The Beta Nu chapter at UH learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.

🏛️ To Universities Near Chattooga County: You Own the Problem

University of Houston owned the fraternity house where a student was waterboarded. They collected rent while he was tortured. They had the power to stop it — and they didn’t.

If your university owns or controls Greek housing near Chattooga County, you are liable.

If you know about hazing and fail to act, you will pay. And we will make sure of it.

💙 To Chattooga County Families: You Are Not Alone

We know how hard this is. We know your child is hurting. We know you’re angry, scared, and unsure what to do next.

But you don’t have to face this alone.

We’re here to fight for you. We’re here to protect your child. And we’re here to make sure this never happens again.

Call us. Today.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Enough is enough.