Hazing Victims in Treutlen County: Your Rights and How to Get Justice

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — And Neither Do We

If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Treutlen County, Georgia, you’re not alone. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston, forced another to do 500 squats until his kidneys failed, and have paid millions in settlements nationwide operate right here in Georgia. The same negligence, the same culture of abuse, and the same institutional failures exist at institutions near Treutlen County.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for what happened to our client, Leonel Bermudez. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold universities and fraternities accountable. And we know how to win.

If your child has been hazed in Treutlen County or anywhere in Georgia, we will fight for you with the same aggression we’re bringing to the courtroom in Texas.

What Is Hazing? It’s Not “Tradition” — It’s Abuse

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them — regardless of whether they consent. In Georgia, hazing is illegal and can result in criminal charges.

Common hazing activities near Treutlen County include:

• Forced physical exertion (excessive calisthenics, running, or exercise to the point of collapse)
• Sleep deprivation (forced late-night activities that prevent adequate rest)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, or other substances to the point of vomiting or poisoning)
• Physical abuse (paddling, beating, or other forms of assault)
• Psychological torture (waterboarding, humiliation, or degradation)
• Sexual abuse (forced nudity, sexual acts, or carrying sexual objects)
• Isolation and servitude (being forced to perform tasks for members)

This is not “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.” It’s abuse. It’s illegal. And it can cause lifelong harm.

The Hazing Crisis in Georgia: It’s Happening Near Treutlen County

Georgia is home to major universities with active Greek life, including institutions near Treutlen County. The same national fraternities and sororities that have been involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, and others — have chapters at colleges and universities across Georgia.

Recent hazing cases in Georgia and nationwide prove that this is a systemic problem:

• 2021: Stone Foltz, a Pi Kappa Alpha pledge at Bowling Green State University, died from forced alcohol consumption. His family received a $10.1 million settlement.
• 2017: Maxwell Gruver, a Phi Delta Theta pledge at Louisiana State University, died from alcohol poisoning after a hazing ritual. A jury awarded his family $6.1 million.
• 2017: Timothy Piazza, a Beta Theta Pi pledge at Penn State University, died after falling down stairs during a hazing ritual. His family received an estimated $110 million settlement.
• 2025: Leonel Bermudez, a Pi Kappa Phi pledge at the University of Houston, was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles. We are currently suing for $10 million.

These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re part of a pattern — and it’s happening near Treutlen County.

What Happened to Our Client: A Warning for Treutlen County Families

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston in September 2025. He wasn’t even a student at UH yet — he was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member expected to transfer for the spring semester.

Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse and torture that left him hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Here’s what happened to him — and what could happen to your child at a fraternity or sorority near Treutlen County:

The Hazing Activities:

• Waterboarding: He was sprayed in the face with a garden hose while doing calisthenics, simulating drowning.
• Forced eating: He was made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited — then forced to continue running sprints while in physical distress.
• Extreme physical punishment: He was forced to do 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, bear crawls, “suicides” (running drills), and 100-yard crawls. On November 3, 2025, he collapsed from exhaustion and could not stand without help.
• Wooden paddles: He was struck with wooden paddles.
• Psychological torture: He was forced to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• Sleep deprivation: He was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to exhaustion.
• Threats: He was threatened with physical punishment and/or expulsion if he did not comply.

The Medical Consequences:

• Rhabdomyolysis: The breakdown of muscle tissue caused by extreme physical exertion, which releases a damaging protein into the bloodstream.
• Acute kidney failure: His kidneys failed due to the myoglobin released from his damaged muscles.
• Hospitalization: He spent three nights and four days in the hospital, where doctors confirmed his muscles had broken down and his kidneys were failing.

The Institutional Failures:

• Pi Kappa Phi National knew about a “hazing crisis” but failed to enforce anti-hazing policies.
• The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred and had a prior hazing incident in 2017 — yet failed to prevent this from happening again.
• Individual members participated in, directed, and failed to stop the abuse.

This is what hazing looks like. This is what happens when institutions fail to protect students. And this is what we’re fighting to stop.

Who Is Liable for Hazing Near Treutlen County?

If your child has been hazed, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:

1. The Local Chapter

The fraternity or sorority chapter that organized and conducted the hazing is directly liable. This includes:

• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager)
• Members who participated in hazing
• Members who witnessed hazing and failed to stop it

2. The National Organization

National fraternities and sororities have a duty to supervise their chapters. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be held liable. In our case, Pi Kappa Phi National knew about a “hazing crisis” and did nothing to prevent it.

3. The University or College

Universities near Treutlen County can be held liable if:

• They own or control the property where hazing occurred (e.g., fraternity houses owned by the university).
• They knew or should have known about hazing and failed to act.
• They failed to implement adequate oversight of Greek life organizations.
• They had prior hazing incidents on campus and did not take steps to prevent future incidents.

In our case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred and had a prior hazing incident in 2017 — yet failed to protect Leonel Bermudez.

4. Individual Perpetrators

Every person who participated in, directed, or facilitated hazing can be held personally liable for their actions. This includes:

• Members who physically abused your child
• Members who forced your child to participate in hazing activities
• Members who witnessed hazing and failed to stop it or report it

In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was held personally liable for $6.5 million.

5. Housing Corporations and Alumni

If hazing occurred at a private residence (e.g., an alumni’s home), the property owners can be held liable for premises liability. In our case, a former member and his spouse are named defendants for allowing hazing at their residence.

Your Legal Rights as a Hazing Victim in Treutlen County

If your child has been hazed, you have the right to pursue civil compensation for their injuries, as well as hold the responsible parties criminally accountable. Here’s what you can do:

1. Civil Lawsuit for Compensation

You can file a personal injury lawsuit against the fraternity, the university, and the individuals responsible. Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Lost wages (if your child missed work or lost earning potential)
• Educational damages (if hazing disrupted your child’s education)
• Punitive damages (to punish the defendants for egregious conduct)

In our case, we are seeking $10 million in damages for Leonel Bermudez. Similar cases have resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts.

2. Criminal Charges

Hazing is a crime in Georgia. Depending on the severity of the conduct, perpetrators can face:

• Misdemeanor charges (for hazing that does not cause serious injury)
• Felony charges (for hazing that causes serious injury or death)

In our case, the University of Houston spokesperson mentioned “potential criminal charges” against those responsible.

3. University Disciplinary Action

Universities near Treutlen County have a duty to investigate hazing and discipline those responsible. This may include:

• Suspension or expulsion of individual members
• Suspension or revocation of the fraternity or sorority’s recognition
• Mandatory hazing prevention training

What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Treutlen County

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. Here’s what you should do immediately:

1. Seek Medical Attention

• If your child is injured, take them to the emergency room or a doctor immediately.
• Even if their injuries seem minor, get them checked out. Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not appear immediately.
• Document everything. Keep records of all medical visits, diagnoses, and treatments.

2. Preserve Evidence

• Take photos of any injuries, the location where hazing occurred, and any items used in hazing (e.g., paddles, hoses, alcohol bottles).
• Save all communications, including text messages, emails, social media posts, and group chats (e.g., GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram).
• Write down everything your child remembers, including dates, times, locations, and the names of anyone involved.
• Get the names and contact information of witnesses, including other pledges who may have been hazed.

3. Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone

• Do not talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal counsel.
• Do not sign any documents from the organization.
• Do not post about the incident on social media.
• Do not delete any messages or posts related to the hazing.

The organization will try to control the narrative. They will try to intimidate your child. They will try to destroy evidence. Let us handle them.

4. Report the Hazing

• File a police report with your local law enforcement agency.
• Report the hazing to the university (e.g., the Office of Student Conduct or Greek Life).
• Report the hazing to the national organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi National).

If the university or fraternity fails to act, it strengthens your legal case.

5. Contact an Attorney Immediately

• Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
• We work on contingency, which means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
• We will handle all communications with the fraternity, the university, and their insurance companies.
• We will preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case on your behalf.

The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Treutlen County Hazing Case?

1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

We are actively litigating a hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know their playbook — and we know how to beat it.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority

We are admitted to practice in U.S. District Court, which means we can pursue your case in federal court if necessary.

4. We Are Dual-State Licensed

We are licensed in Texas and New York, which gives us strategic advantages when pursuing national fraternities and sororities.

5. We Will Travel to Treutlen County

We will come to Treutlen County for depositions, client meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

6. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

You pay nothing to hire us. We only get paid if we win your case. This means you can fight back against powerful institutions without financial risk.

7. We Speak Spanish

Se habla español. If your family is more comfortable speaking Spanish, we can communicate with you in your preferred language.

8. We Care About Your Child

We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. We will fight for them with the same passion we’re bringing to our current case.

What You Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit

If your child has been hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:

1. Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (hospital bills, doctor visits, therapy, medications, future medical care)
• Lost wages (if your child missed work or lost earning potential)
• Educational damages (tuition, fees, lost scholarships, or academic opportunities)
• Out-of-pocket expenses (travel costs, medical equipment, etc.)

2. Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering (the pain and discomfort caused by hazing)
• Emotional distress (an