Hazing Victims in Barrigada: Your Rights, Your Justice, Your Future
If you or your child has been a victim of hazing in Barrigada, you are not alone. We are Attorney 911, and we are fighting this battle right now.
Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “brotherhood.” It is not “just part of the process.” It is abuse. It is assault. It is illegal. And when institutions like universities and fraternities allow it to happen—when they fail to protect students—they must be held accountable.
Right now, our firm is representing Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being hazed at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. We’ve filed a $10 million lawsuit against the fraternity, the university, and the individuals responsible. This isn’t just about compensation—it’s about sending a message to every Greek organization, every university, and every student in Barrigada: Hazing will not be tolerated.
This same fraternity has chapters near Barrigada. This same negligence exists at institutions near Barrigada. And if your child has been hazed, we will fight for Barrigada families with the same fury we’re bringing to this case.
What Is Hazing?
Hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. Under Guam law and federal civil rights protections, hazing can include:
✅ Physical abuse – Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion, sleep deprivation
✅ Forced consumption – Alcohol, food, or other substances to the point of vomiting or injury
✅ Psychological torture – Waterboarding, humiliation, threats, isolation
✅ Sexual abuse or degradation – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
✅ Exposure to extreme conditions – Cold, heat, confined spaces
If your child experienced any of these in Barrigada, they were hazed. And they have legal rights.
Who Is Liable?
Hazing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Multiple parties can—and should—be held accountable:
🔹 The local fraternity/sorority chapter – The individuals who organized and carried out the hazing
🔹 The national fraternity/sorority organization – They set the policies (or failed to enforce them)
🔹 The university or college – They have a duty to protect students and often own the property where hazing occurs
🔹 Individual members – Every person who participated in or allowed the hazing can be sued personally
🔹 Alumni or off-campus hosts – If hazing happened at a private residence, the property owners can be liable
In our current case, we are suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National (for failing to stop hazing despite knowing about prior deaths)
- The University of Houston (for owning the fraternity house where the abuse occurred)
- The chapter officers and members (for carrying out the hazing)
- A former member and his spouse (for allowing hazing at their home)
If your child was hazed in Barrigada, we will identify every liable party and pursue them aggressively.
What Are Your Legal Rights?
Hazing victims in Barrigada have multiple legal avenues to seek justice:
1. Civil Lawsuit for Compensation
You can sue for:
✔ Medical bills (past, present, and future)
✔ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✔ Lost wages (if the hazing affected their ability to work)
✔ Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships, academic setbacks)
✔ Punitive damages (to punish the defendants for egregious conduct)
Precedent shows that hazing cases win BIG:
- $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
- $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
- $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is in line with these verdicts—and your Barrigada case could be worth just as much.
2. Criminal Charges
Hazing is a crime in many jurisdictions, including Guam. Depending on the severity, perpetrators could face:
- Misdemeanor charges (for hazing that causes injury)
- Felony charges (for hazing that causes death or severe bodily harm)
- Assault and battery charges (for physical abuse)
- Reckless endangerment charges (for actions that put victims at risk)
We work with prosecutors to ensure criminal accountability.
3. Title IX Complaints (For Sexual Hazing)
If the hazing involved sexual abuse, harassment, or humiliation, the university may have violated Title IX—a federal law that protects students from gender-based discrimination.
We can file a Title IX complaint to force the school to take action.
4. Wrongful Death Claims (If the Worst Happens)
If your child died as a result of hazing, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit to hold the responsible parties accountable and secure compensation for your loss.
What Should You Do Right Now?
If your child has been hazed in Barrigada, time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations expire.
🚨 IMMEDIATE STEPS FOR BARRIGADA FAMILIES:
- Seek medical attention – Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening.
- Preserve all evidence – Save:
- Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
- Photos or videos of injuries or hazing activities
- Names and contact info of witnesses
- Any documents given to your child (pledge manuals, schedules)
- Do NOT talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal counsel – They will try to control the narrative and minimize your claim.
- Do NOT post on social media – Anything you say can be used against you.
- Contact an attorney immediately – The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Barrigada Hazing Case?
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. We know how to win these cases.
2. We Have Insider Knowledge of How Defendants Operate
- Ralph Manginello – Former insurance defense attorney. He knows how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability.
- Lupe Peña – Former national defense firm attorney (Litchfield Cavo). He knows how insurance companies try to lowball victims.
We’ve seen their playbook. Now we use it against them.
3. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront for Barrigada Families
You pay nothing unless we win your case. No hourly fees. No retainers. No risk.
4. We Serve Barrigada Families Nationwide
While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims across the U.S., including Barrigada. We offer:
- Video consultations for Barrigada families
- Travel to Barrigada for depositions, meetings, and trials
- Remote case management so you don’t have to leave home
5. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results
- $10+ million – Current hazing case (Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi)
- Millions recovered in personal injury and wrongful death cases
- Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how to maximize your claim
6. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)
Many hazing victims in Barrigada come from Spanish-speaking families. We provide full legal services in Spanish—no language barriers.
7. We Are Parents Too
Ralph Manginello is a father of three. Lupe Peña is a family man. We understand what’s at stake when a child is harmed. We will fight for your family like we would fight for our own.
What Happens Next?
When you contact us, here’s what we’ll do for your Barrigada hazing case:
- Free, confidential consultation – We’ll listen to your story and explain your options.
- Immediate evidence preservation – We’ll send letters to the fraternity, university, and individuals demanding they preserve all evidence.
- Medical and financial assessment – We’ll work with experts to document your child’s injuries and damages.
- Identify all liable parties – We’ll determine who can be sued (fraternity, university, individuals, etc.).
- File the lawsuit – We’ll draft and file a strong legal complaint seeking maximum compensation.
- Aggressive litigation – We’ll take depositions, gather evidence, and build an undeniable case.
- Negotiate or go to trial – We won’t accept lowball offers. If they won’t pay what your case is worth, we’ll take them to court.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Barrigada Families
Q: My child was hazed, but they’re afraid to come forward. What should I do?
A: Fear of retaliation is real. Many hazing victims stay silent because they’re scared of being ostracized or punished. We protect our clients. Your child’s identity can be kept confidential during the legal process, and we can take steps to prevent retaliation.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Is that a defense?
A: No. Under Guam law and most state laws, consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t make the hazing legal or acceptable.
Q: The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be liable?
A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing risks (especially if there have been prior incidents), they can be held liable for failing to act.
Q: How much is my Barrigada hazing case worth?
A: Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements or verdicts. Factors that increase case value include:
- Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, death)
- Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced alcohol, physical abuse)
- Prior incidents at the same chapter/university (shows they knew the risk)
- Cover-up attempts (destroying evidence, intimidating witnesses)
Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
A: Statutes of limitations vary by jurisdiction, but in most cases, you have 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Do not wait. Evidence disappears, and your rights expire.
Q: My child was hazed at a private university near Barrigada. Can we still sue?
A: Absolutely. Private universities have the same duty to protect students as public ones. We can sue them for negligence, premises liability, and more.
Q: The hazing didn’t cause physical injuries—just emotional trauma. Do we still have a case?
A: Yes. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is a valid basis for a lawsuit. We work with mental health experts to document the full extent of your child’s suffering.
Q: The fraternity has already suspended the chapter. Does that mean they’re not liable?
A: No. Suspending or closing a chapter after the fact does not absolve them of liability. In fact, it can be seen as an admission of guilt. We will use their actions against them in court.
Q: My child was hazed off-campus. Can we still sue the university?
A: Possibly. If the university had control over the organization (e.g., recognized the fraternity, required them to follow rules), they may still be liable. We’ll investigate all angles.
Barrigada Families: This Is Your Moment
Hazing has gone on for too long. Universities look the other way. Fraternities claim it’s “tradition.” Victims are told to “toughen up.” Enough is enough.
Our current case proves that institutions will pay when they harm students. Pi Kappa Phi is facing a $10 million lawsuit because they failed to stop the abuse. The University of Houston is being sued because they owned the building where the torture happened.
If your child was hazed in Barrigada, we will fight for you with the same intensity.
📞 Call Attorney 911 Now – Free Consultation for Barrigada Families
24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email:
📧 ralph@atty911.com
Website:
🌐 attorney911.com
Se Habla Español – No language barriers. We serve Barrigada’s Spanish-speaking families with full bilingual support.
🚨 Don’t Wait. Evidence Disappears. Your Rights Expire.
Call now. We will fight for you.
