🚨 Hazing Legal Emergency: What Evans County Families Need to Know
Evans County, Georgia — When you send your child to college, you expect them to be safe. You expect the university to protect them. You expect the organizations they join to treat them with dignity.
But for too many students across America — and right here in Georgia — those expectations are betrayed. Hazing has become a national crisis, and Evans County families are not immune.
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This case is not just about Houston — it’s about every university, every fraternity, and every student in America, including those in Evans County.
If your child has been hazed in Georgia, we can help.
📰 The Crisis: What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Evans County
On November 21, 2025, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston.
What followed was weeks of systematic abuse that hospitalized him for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
What Leonel Endured:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning
- Forced to perform 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
- Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass
- Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
- A pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a workout — the hazing continued
- Threatened with expulsion if he stopped or complained
Leonel wasn’t even a student at UH yet. He was a “ghost rush” — a prospective member expected to transfer for the upcoming semester. They hazed someone who wasn’t even enrolled.
⚠️ Why This Matters to Evans County Families
1. The Same Fraternities Operate in Georgia
Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America, including chapters at universities near Evans County. The same national organization that allowed Leonel to be waterboarded and hospitalized operates in our state.
If it can happen in Houston, it can happen in Evans County.
2. Universities Near Evans County Have the Same Responsibility
The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where Leonel was hazed. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter. They failed.
Universities near Evans County — including Georgia Southern University, East Georgia State College, and others — have the same responsibility to protect their students. When they fail, they must be held accountable.
3. Hazing is Not Just a “College Problem” — It’s a Georgia Problem
- 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing (National Study of Student Hazing)
- 40% of student athletes report hazing (Alfred University study)
- Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States
- 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it
Hazing happens in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and clubs — anywhere students form groups with initiation rituals.
It happens in Georgia. It could happen to your child.
🔍 How to Recognize Hazing in Evans County
Hazing often starts with small acts that escalate. If your child is experiencing any of the following, it may be hazing:
Physical Hazing:
- Forced exercise to exhaustion (pushups, squats, running)
- Being struck with objects (paddles, belts, etc.)
- Sleep deprivation (late-night activities, early-morning driving)
- Exposure to extreme weather (stripping in cold, outdoor activities in heat)
- Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or other substances
- Physical restraints (tying, hog-tying, blindfolding)
Psychological Hazing:
- Humiliation (wearing embarrassing clothing, carrying sexual objects)
- Verbal abuse (yelling, name-calling, threats)
- Isolation (excluding from social activities, “silent periods”)
- Sleep deprivation (disrupting sleep patterns)
- Servitude (forced errands, cleaning, driving members)
Sexual Hazing:
- Forced nudity
- Sexualized activities
- Sexual assault or harassment
Warning Signs Your Child May Be Hazed:
- Sudden changes in behavior (withdrawal, anxiety, depression)
- Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, soreness)
- Avoiding certain people or places
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns
- Drop in academic performance
- Secretive behavior about group activities
- Fear of retaliation if they speak up
🏥 The Medical Consequences: What Hazing Does to the Body
Hazing isn’t just “harmless fun.” It can cause serious, permanent, and even fatal injuries.
Physical Injuries:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) — can lead to kidney failure (as in Leonel’s case)
- Acute kidney failure — life-threatening; may require dialysis or transplant
- Alcohol poisoning — can be fatal; common in forced drinking hazing
- Traumatic brain injury — from beatings or falls
- Broken bones — from physical abuse
- Internal bleeding — from blunt force trauma
- Hypothermia or heat stroke — from exposure
- Cardiac arrest — from extreme physical exertion
Psychological Injuries:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Suicidal ideation
- Trust issues
- Social withdrawal
Long-Term Consequences:
- Chronic health conditions (kidney disease, heart problems)
- Permanent disability
- Substance abuse (self-medicating for trauma)
- Difficulty forming healthy relationships
- Career limitations (academic disruption, reputation damage)
⚖️ Georgia Law: What Evans County Families Need to Know
Georgia Hazing Law (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61)
Georgia law defines hazing as:
“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student against another student in connection with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization which is affiliated with or sanctioned by a public or private postsecondary institution in this state.”
Hazing is a misdemeanor in Georgia — but if it causes serious bodily harm or death, it becomes a felony.
Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate, the hazing is still illegal.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Georgia?
- The organization (fraternity, sorority, team, club)
- The national organization (if applicable)
- The university (if they knew or should have known about hazing)
- Individual members (those who participated or failed to stop hazing)
- Alumni or advisors (if they enabled or ignored hazing)
Statute of Limitations in Georgia
- Personal injury: 2 years from the date of injury
- Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death
Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire.
💰 What Evans County Families Can Recover
If your child has been hazed in Georgia, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages:
- Medical bills (hospital stays, treatment, therapy)
- Future medical expenses (ongoing care, rehabilitation)
- Lost wages (time missed from work or internships)
- Educational damages (tuition, scholarships, academic disruption)
Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Loss of enjoyment of life (impact on daily activities)
- Disfigurement (scars, permanent injuries)
Punitive Damages:
- Punishment for egregious conduct (when hazing is intentional or reckless)
- Deterrence for other organizations (to prevent future hazing)
Precedent Cases Show Hazing Victims Can Win Millions:
- $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta)
- $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
🛡️ What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Evans County
Step 1: Ensure Safety
- Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately.
- Seek medical attention — even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away.
Step 2: Document Everything
- Take photos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, burns).
- Save all communications (texts, emails, social media messages about hazing).
- Write down everything your child remembers (dates, times, locations, what happened).
- Get witness information (names and contact info of others who were hazed or witnessed hazing).
Step 3: Report the Hazing
- Report to the university (Georgia Southern, East Georgia State, etc.).
- File a police report — hazing is a crime in Georgia.
- Contact the Georgia Board of Regents if the university fails to act.
Step 4: Do NOT Speak to the Organization or Their Lawyers
- Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative.
- They may ask your child to sign documents or give statements.
- Anything your child says can be used against them.
Step 5: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney
- We offer free consultations — call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.
- We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
- We will handle all communications with the university, fraternity, and insurance companies.
🎯 Why Evans County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before representing victims. We know their playbook — and we use it against them.
3. Federal Court Authority
We are admitted to U.S. District Court, allowing us to pursue hazing cases nationwide, including in Georgia.
4. Dual-State Licensed
We are licensed in Texas and New York, giving us strategic leverage against national fraternities headquartered in different states.
5. Proven Track Record
- $10+ million in current hazing litigation
- Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
- Former BP Texas City explosion litigation — experience with complex, high-stakes cases
6. We Will Travel to Evans County
- Depositions, trials, client meetings — we come to you.
- Video consultations available for Evans County families.
- 24/7 availability for legal emergencies.
7. Se Habla Español
Hazing affects students from all backgrounds. We provide bilingual legal services to ensure no language barrier prevents justice.
📞 Evans County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed in Georgia, you have legal rights. We can help.
📍 How to Reach Us:
- Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
- Email: ralph@atty911.com
- Website: attorney911.com
💡 What to Expect:
- Free, confidential consultation — no obligation.
- Honest assessment of your case.
- No upfront costs — we work on contingency.
- Aggressive representation — we fight for maximum compensation.
🚫 What NOT to Do After Hazing
❌ Do NOT:
- Delete any messages, photos, or videos — this is destruction of evidence.
- Talk to the organization or their lawyers without legal counsel.
- Sign any documents from the fraternity, sorority, or university.
- Post about the incident on social media — anything you post can be used against you.
- Wait to take action — evidence disappears, and your legal rights expire.
🎓 Universities Near Evans County: The Warning Signs
Hazing thrives in environments where universities fail to act. Ask your child’s university:
- What is your anti-hazing policy?
- How do you monitor Greek organizations?
- What training do you provide to prevent hazing?
- How do you respond to hazing reports?
- Do you own or control fraternity/sorority houses? (If so, what oversight do you have?)
If the university cannot answer these questions satisfactorily, they may be failing to protect your child.
🔥 A Message to Fraternities and Sororities in Georgia
To the fraternities and sororities operating near Evans County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million 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 in Georgia, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
Every national fraternity with chapters in Georgia should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won.
Universities in Georgia: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.
🏆 The Time for Change is Now
Hazing has no place in Georgia. It has no place in America.
Enough is enough.
If your child has been hazed, you are not alone. We are here to fight for you.
Call us today: 1-888-ATTY-911
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Evans County, Georgia, and Nationwide
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ✉️ ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com
