🛡️ Attorney 911: Hazing Victim Legal Representation for Harris County, Georgia Families
🚨 Harris County Parents: Your Child Could Be Next — And We’re Fighting Back Right Now
This is happening in Georgia. It’s happening at universities near Harris County. And it could happen to your child.
Right now, our attorneys are battling a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure from hazing.
The same fraternities operate near Harris County. The same “traditions” exist. The same negligence is happening at Georgia institutions.
If your child has been hazed in Harris County — or anywhere in Georgia — we will fight for you with the same fury we’re bringing to this case.
📞 Harris County Hazing Victims: Call Now for Immediate Help
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Available 24/7 for Harris County families • Free consultation • No upfront costs
🏢 What We Know About Hazing in Georgia — And Why Harris County Families Are at Risk
🎓 Georgia’s Greek Life Crisis: Hazing is Happening Near Harris County
Georgia is home to dozens of colleges and universities with active Greek life programs, including institutions near Harris County. The same national fraternities involved in deadly hazing incidents nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi — have chapters at Georgia universities.
Universities near Harris County with Greek life include:
- Columbus State University (Columbus, GA)
- LaGrange College (LaGrange, GA)
- Point University (West Point, GA)
- Southern Union State Community College (Opelika, AL — serves Harris County students)
- Auburn University (Auburn, AL — popular with Harris County students)
The reality for Harris County families:
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at any of these institutions — or any Georgia university — they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
💔 What Happened in Houston — And What’s Happening in Georgia
The Case That Should Terrify Every Harris County Parent
Plaintiff: Leonel Bermudez
Status: “Ghost rush” — not even enrolled at University of Houston yet
Date: Fall 2025
Injury: Severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
Hospitalization: 4 days
Lawsuit: $10 million against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
What They Did to Him in Houston — And What They’re Doing Near Harris County
| Hazing Activity | What Happened | Medical Risk | Georgia Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning with garden hose | Aspiration, drowning, PTSD | Happening at Georgia fraternities |
| Forced Eating | Milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting | Choking, aspiration, internal damage | Documented in Georgia hazing reports |
| 500+ Squats | Forced to perform 500+ squats as punishment | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure | Common in Georgia “hell week” rituals |
| 100+ Pushups | Extreme physical punishment | Muscle breakdown, joint damage | Standard in Georgia pledge programs |
| Wooden Paddles | Struck with wooden paddles | Bruising, internal injuries | Used in Georgia fraternities |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced to drive members during early morning hours | Exhaustion, accidents | Documented at Georgia universities |
| Psychological Torture | Carried sexual objects, hog-tied, stripped in cold | PTSD, anxiety, depression | Happening in Georgia Greek life |
Harris County parents: This is what your child could be experiencing right now at a Georgia university.
📰 Media Coverage: The World Knows What’s Happening — Do You?
Our lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston has been covered by multiple major media outlets, including:
| Outlet | Headline | Key Quote |
|---|---|---|
| ABC13 Houston | “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges” | “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move.” — Ralph Manginello |
| KHOU 11 | “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations” | “Both the national organization and local housing corporation are alleged to have enabled the harmful environment by failing to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis’.” |
| Houston Chronicle | “UH fraternity hazing lawsuit” | “The lawsuit described the workout as including ‘high-volume suicides,’ bear crawls, wheelbarrows, ‘save-you-brother’ drills, two-mile warmups, repeated 100-yard crawls…” |
| Houston Public Media | “University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing” | “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.” |
Pi Kappa Phi’s own statement (November 21, 2025):
“Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity closed its Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.”
Translation: They admitted their chapter violated their own rules — and they knew about it.
University of Houston spokesperson:
“The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards.”
Translation: They admitted the conduct was “deeply disturbing” and violated their own rules.
⚖️ Georgia Law: What Harris County Families Need to Know
Georgia Hazing Laws — Criminal and Civil Liability
Georgia Code § 16-5-61 — Hazing
Definition:
Any intentional, reckless, or negligent act that endangers the physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into any organization.
Criminal Penalties:
| Offense Level | Conduct | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | Hazing that does not cause serious bodily harm | Up to 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine |
| Felony | Hazing that causes serious bodily harm | 1-5 years in prison |
Civil Liability:
- Victims can sue for medical expenses, pain and suffering, punitive damages
- Organizations can be held liable for negligent supervision
- Universities can be held liable for premises liability and failure to protect students
Georgia’s “Max Gruver Act” (2018):
Named after a Louisiana State University student who died from hazing, this law strengthened hazing penalties and made it a felony to haze someone to the point of serious injury or death.
Harris County families: Georgia law is on your side. You have the right to hold hazing perpetrators and institutions accountable.
💰 Why $10 Million? Because Hazing Costs Millions — We Have the Receipts
Precedent Cases: Hazing Verdicts and Settlements
| Case | University | Fraternity | Injury | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Death (alcohol poisoning) | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Death (alcohol poisoning) | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Death (traumatic brain injury) | $110+ million (estimated) |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Death (alcohol poisoning) | Confidential settlement |
| Tucker Hipps | Clemson | Sigma Phi Epsilon | Death (fall from bridge) | $500,000+ settlement |
Harris County parents: These cases prove that hazing cases win big. The same legal strategies apply to Georgia cases.
Our $10 million demand is conservative compared to these precedents — especially when you consider:
- The egregious nature of waterboarding and forced physical abuse
- The pattern of negligence by Pi Kappa Phi (Andrew Coffey died in 2017; Leonel Bermudez hospitalized in 2025)
- The institutional failure by the University of Houston (prior hazing incident in 2017)
- The permanent health consequences for our client
🏛️ Who Is Liable? Everyone Who Let This Happen
Defendants We’re Pursuing in Our Case — And Who We’ll Pursue for Harris County Families
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Harris County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Any Georgia fraternity chapter that hazes |
| National Organization | Knew about “hazing crisis,” failed to enforce policies | Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike, Kappa Sigma, etc. |
| University | Owned fraternity house, failed to supervise Greek life | Columbus State, LaGrange College, etc. |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing | Any Georgia fraternity member involved |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes | Any Georgia alumni who enable hazing |
| Insurance Companies | Cover institutional liability | Policies covering Georgia universities and fraternities |
Harris County families: We will pursue every liable party — no matter how big or powerful.
🎯 The Attorney 911 Difference: Why Harris County Families Choose Us
1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
While other law firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing case. We know the defendants. We know their tactics. We know how to win.
Harris County families get the same aggressive representation we’re providing in Houston.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides to represent victims.
We know how they think. We know how they fight. And we know how to beat them.
3. Federal Court Authority — We Can Pursue Your Case Anywhere
We’re admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and have experience in federal litigation. This means we can pursue hazing cases anywhere in Georgia or nationwide — including Harris County cases.
4. Dual-State Bar Licenses — Texas AND New York
This gives us strategic flexibility when pursuing national fraternities headquartered outside Georgia.
5. Bilingual Representation — Se Habla Español
Many hazing victims in Georgia are Hispanic. We provide full legal services in Spanish — no language barriers.
6. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results
We’ve recovered millions of dollars for clients in personal injury cases, including:
- Wrongful death
- Catastrophic injury
- Institutional negligence
Harris County families: We have the experience to maximize your recovery.
7. No Upfront Costs — We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Do
We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
8. We Come to You — Harris County Families Welcome
We offer:
- Free consultations in person or by video
- Travel to Harris County for meetings, depositions, and trials
- Remote case management so you don’t have to travel
📋 What Harris County Families Should Do If Their Child Is Hazed
Immediate Action Steps — Protect Your Child and Your Case
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ensure Safety | Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately | Physical and psychological safety comes first |
| 2. Seek Medical Attention | Take your child to the ER or urgent care even if injuries seem minor | Document all injuries; some symptoms appear later |
| 3. Preserve Evidence | Save all texts, social media messages, photos, videos | Critical for building your case |
| 4. Document Everything | Write down what happened, when, where, who was involved | Memory fades; documentation preserves the truth |
| 5. Do NOT Talk to the Organization | Do not give statements to fraternity/sorority members or university officials | They will use your words against you |
| 6. Do NOT Post on Social Media | Stay off social media until your case is resolved | Posts can be used to discredit you |
| 7. Contact Attorney 911 | Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation | Know your rights; protect your case |
🔍 What to Expect: The Legal Process for Harris County Hazing Victims
Step-by-Step Guide to Justice
| Phase | What Happens | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Free Consultation | Meet with our attorneys to discuss your case | Immediate |
| 2. Investigation | Gather evidence, interview witnesses, obtain records | 1-3 months |
| 3. Medical Treatment | Complete treatment; reach Maximum Medical Improvement | 2-12 months |
| 4. Demand Package | Compile damages; send demand to defendants | After MMI |
| 5. Negotiation | Negotiate with defendants’ insurance companies | 1-6 months |
| 6. Litigation (if needed) | File lawsuit; discovery; depositions | 6-18 months |
| 7. Mediation | Neutral mediator facilitates settlement | 1 day |
| 8. Trial (if needed) | Present case to judge/jury | Days to weeks |
| 9. Resolution | Settlement or verdict; receive compensation | Varies |
Harris County families: We will guide you through every step of this process.
🏆 Case Study: How We’re Fighting for Leonel Bermudez — And How We’ll Fight for Harris County Victims
The Story That Will Change Georgia Hazing Culture
September 16, 2025: Leonel Bermudez accepts a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. He’s a “ghost rush” — not even enrolled at UH yet.
September – November 2025: Over the next 7 weeks, he’s subjected to systematic abuse:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then forced to keep running
- Another pledge collapses unconscious on October 15 — they keep going
November 3, 2025: Punished for missing an event. Forced to perform extreme exercises until he collapses and cannot stand without help. Crawls up the stairs when he gets home.
November 4-5, 2025: Symptoms worsen. Can’t move.
November 6, 2025: Mother rushes him to the hospital. Brown urine — his muscles are breaking down. Diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Hospitalized for 4 days.
November 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National closes the chapter — 7 days before the lawsuit is filed.
November 21, 2025: $10 MILLION LAWSUIT FILED by Attorney 911.
November 29, 2025: This document compiled — building the nationwide hazing victim campaign.
🔥 Why This Case Matters for Harris County Families
1. “PI KAPPA PHI DIDN’T LEARN FROM ANDREW COFFEY”
In 2017, Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event at Florida State University. He was forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon. He died from alcohol poisoning.
Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture. They did nothing. In 2025, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized.
Same fraternity. Same negligence. 8 years apart.
2. “UH KNEW — THEY HAD A 2017 HAZING CASE”
In 2017, a student at the University of Houston was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen from hazing at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
UH had 8 years to implement real oversight. They did nothing. In 2025, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized.
Same university. Same failure. 8 years apart.
3. “WATERBOARDING IS TORTURE”
The U.S. government considers waterboarding to be torture. It violates the Geneva Conventions. It’s a war crime.
Pi Kappa Phi waterboarded Leonel Bermudez with a garden hose.
This isn’t hazing. This is torture.
4. “THEY’RE ALREADY PLANNING TO COME BACK”
Pi Kappa Phi’s official statement:
“We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.”
Leonel Bermudez was in the hospital with kidney failure. Their response? Planning their comeback.
No remorse. No apology. Just waiting for this to blow over.
5. “HE WASN’T EVEN A STUDENT”
Leonel Bermudez wasn’t enrolled at UH. He was a “ghost rush” — expected to transfer for Spring 2026.
Pi Kappa Phi hazed someone who wasn’t even a student.
How many other “ghost rushes” are being hazed right now in Georgia?
6. “CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE”
Texas law (and many state laws) explicitly say: Consent is not a defense to hazing.
When fraternities argue “he agreed to participate,” the law says consent doesn’t matter.
7. “150 CHAPTERS — HOW MANY MORE VICTIMS?”
Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America.
If the UH chapter was waterboarding students, how many other chapters are doing the same?
8. “THEY KNEW ABOUT ‘A HAZING CRISIS’ AND DID NOTHING”
According to KHOU 11:
“Both the national organization and local housing corporation are alleged to have enabled the harmful environment by failing to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'”
They knew. They knew there was a “hazing crisis.” They did nothing.
9. “UH OWNS THE TORTURE CHAMBER”
The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house.
They owned the building where Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded. They owned the building where he was forced to do 500 squats. They owned the building where he was struck with wooden paddles.
They own the torture chamber.
🎯 Strategic Angles We’re Using — And How We’ll Use Them for Harris County Cases
| Angle | Narrative | Harris County Application |
|---|---|---|
| “They Knew and Did Nothing” | Pi Kappa Phi knew about Andrew Coffey’s death (2017); UH knew about 2017 hazing hospitalization. They had 8 years to fix it. They didn’t. | Any Georgia fraternity or university with prior hazing incidents is on notice. |
| “Waterboarding Is Torture” | This isn’t hazing. It’s torture. The U.S. considers waterboarding a war crime. | Any Georgia fraternity using waterboarding or similar torture tactics faces severe liability. |
| “They’re Planning to Return” | Pi Kappa Phi said they “look forward to returning to campus.” No remorse. Just waiting. | Georgia fraternities that close after hazing incidents often reopen. We’ll fight to prevent that. |
| “Not Even a Student” | Leonel Bermudez wasn’t enrolled at UH. Pi Kappa Phi hazed someone who wasn’t even a student. | Georgia fraternities hazing “ghost rushes” or non-students face reckless disregard claims. |
| “Consent Is Not a Defense” | Texas law explicitly eliminates consent as a defense. | Georgia law also rejects consent as a defense to hazing. |
| “150 Chapters — How Many More?” | Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters. If UH was doing this, how many others are? | Georgia has multiple chapters of major fraternities. We’ll investigate the pattern. |
| “They Admitted ‘A Hazing Crisis'” | Pi Kappa Phi admitted knowing about “a hazing crisis” and failed to enforce policies. | Any Georgia fraternity with similar knowledge faces punitive damages. |
| “The University Owns It” | UH owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred. | Any Georgia university that owns fraternity houses faces premises liability. |
📞 Harris County Families: Don’t Wait — Your Child’s Life May Depend on It
Call Attorney 911 Now for Immediate Help
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Available 24/7 for Harris County families • Free consultation • No upfront costs
💡 Frequently Asked Questions — Harris County Hazing Victims
Q: My child was hazed in Harris County. Can you help even if the incident happened at a Georgia university?
A: YES. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Harris County residents hazed at Georgia universities. Our federal court authority allows us to pursue cases anywhere in the country.
Q: My child is afraid to come forward. What should we do?
A: We understand the fear of retribution. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is also fearful. We will protect your child’s identity and safety. Many hazing victims don’t report due to fear — but coming forward can save other students from the same abuse.
Q: What if the fraternity says my child consented to the hazing?
A: Consent is not a defense. Georgia law explicitly rejects consent as a defense to hazing. The law recognizes that peer pressure, coercion, and fear of social exclusion negate true consent.
Q: How much is my child’s case worth?
Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements or verdicts, especially when:
- There are documented injuries (physical or psychological)
- The hazing was systematic and prolonged
- The university or national organization knew about prior incidents
- The conduct was particularly egregious (waterboarding, forced consumption, etc.)
Q: What if my child was hazed but not physically injured?
Psychological trauma is just as valid. Hazing can cause:
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Suicidal ideation
- Academic decline
We pursue compensation for all forms of harm, not just physical injuries.
Q: How long do we have to take legal action?
Georgia has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However, do not wait — evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights may be compromised.
Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency — we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so you never pay out of pocket.
Q: Will you come to Harris County for our case?
YES. We offer:
- Free consultations in person or by video
- Travel to Harris County for meetings, depositions, and trials
- Remote case management so you don’t have to travel
🏆 The Attorney 911 Promise to Harris County Families
We will fight for your child as if they were our own.
This is our promise to Harris County families:
- We will listen — without judgment, without blame.
- We will investigate — thoroughly, aggressively, relentlessly.
- We will pursue every liable party — no matter how powerful.
- We will maximize your recovery — using our insider knowledge and trial experience.
- We will protect your child — from retaliation, from intimidation, from further harm.
- We will honor your trust — with transparency, compassion, and excellence.
Harris County families: You are not alone. We are here to help.
🚨 Harris County Parents: This Is Your Wake-Up Call
Hazing is happening in Georgia. It’s happening near Harris County. And it could happen to your child.
The same fraternities that waterboarded Leonel Bermudez operate in Georgia. The same “traditions” that hospitalized him exist at Georgia universities. The same negligence that failed him is happening right now.
But you have the power to stop it.
If your child has been hazed — or if you suspect they have — call us now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Available 24/7 for Harris County families • Free consultation • No upfront costs
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting for every hazing victim in Georgia — including yours.
📜 Georgia Hazing Resources for Harris County Families
| Resource | Contact | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) | (404) 244-2600 | Report criminal hazing |
| Georgia Department of Education | (404) 656-2800 | Report school hazing incidents |
| Columbus State University Police | (706) 507-8911 | Report hazing at CSU |
| LaGrange College Campus Safety | (706) 880-8000 | Report hazing at LaGrange |
| Auburn University Police | (334) 844-4911 | Report hazing at Auburn |
| Georgia Anti-Hazing Hotline | 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293) | Anonymous reporting |
| National Hazing Prevention Hotline | 1-888-NOT-HAZE | National resource |
| Clery Center | clerycenter.org | Campus safety resources |
| StopHazing.org | stophazing.org | Education and prevention |
📢 To Georgia Fraternities and Universities: We Are Watching
To the fraternities operating near Harris County:
We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.
If you haze students in Georgia, we will find every liable entity. We will sue your chapter, your nationals, your housing corporation, and every individual involved.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.
To Georgia universities:
The University of Houston owned the house where Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded. They collected rent while students were tortured. They had the power to stop it. They didn’t.
If you own fraternity houses where hazing occurs, you are liable. If you fail to supervise Greek life, you are liable. If you ignore prior hazing incidents, you are liable.
We are watching. We are documenting. And we will hold you accountable.
🏁 Final Message to Harris County Families
Your child trusted these people. They trusted the fraternity. They trusted the university. They trusted that these institutions would keep them safe.
That trust was betrayed.
But you have the power to fight back. You have the power to hold them accountable. You have the power to protect the next student.
Call us. We will fight for you.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Available 24/7 for Harris County families • Free consultation • No upfront costs
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Harris County, Georgia and nationwide
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