🚨 Hazing Victims in Bear Lake County: You Are Not Alone — We Are Fighting for You

If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in Bear Lake County, we can help. The same legal strategies we’re using in our $10 million University of Houston hazing lawsuit apply to Bear Lake County families. You have rights. You have options. And you have allies in this fight.

🏢 Who We Are — Bear Lake County’s Hazing Litigation Experts

Attorney 911 Legal Emergency Lawyers™ is a Texas-based personal injury and criminal defense law firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. While we are headquartered in Texas, we proudly serve hazing victims and their families in Bear Lake County and nationwide through our federal court authority, dual-state bar licenses, and commitment to traveling wherever justice demands.

🔥 Why Bear Lake County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

🎯 Our Approach to Bear Lake County Hazing Cases

When a legal emergency hits — whether it’s on a Texas highway, a Bear Lake County campus, or a fraternity house anywhere in America — we move FIRST, FAST, and DECISIVELY.

For Bear Lake County hazing victims, our team:

• Builds cases with expert witnesses — medical professionals, Greek life culture experts, institutional negligence specialists
• Preserves evidence immediately — texts, photos, medical records, witness statements
• Negotiates from strength — we’re currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing case with national media attention
• Travels to Bear Lake County — for depositions, client meetings, and trials when needed
• Provides remote consultations — Bear Lake County families can video chat with our attorneys from home
• Protects your privacy — we understand the fear of retaliation and keep your case confidential

If a university, fraternity, or insurance company tries to silence Bear Lake County hazing victims, we take it to court.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Bear Lake County — What Families Need to Know

🔍 What Is Hazing?

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in an organization.

This includes:

• Physical abuse (beating, paddling, branding)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
• Extreme exercise (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological torture (humiliation, threats, isolation)
• Sexual abuse or forced nudity

🏛️ Hazing at Bear Lake County Institutions

While we cannot comment on specific incidents at Bear Lake County schools without verified information, we know for a fact that:

• National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Sigma Chi have chapters at universities near Bear Lake County
• The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at Bear Lake County fraternities
• Universities near Bear Lake County face the same Greek life oversight challenges that allowed hazing at UH
• Bear Lake County students face the same risks that sent our client to the hospital with kidney failure

If there’s a university near Bear Lake County, there’s likely a fraternity chapter with the same hazing culture we’re fighting in court right now.

📊 The Statistics — Hazing Is Deadly

• 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
• 40% of student athletes report hazing
• 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 occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, clubs, and other student organizations

💔 The Human Cost — What Hazing Does to Bear Lake County Families

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries. It destroys lives.

Physical Consequences:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) — like our Bear Lake County-relevant client
• Acute kidney failure — like our client
• Alcohol poisoning
• Traumatic brain injury
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Hypothermia or heat stroke
• Death

Psychological Consequences:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Depression
• Suicidal ideation
• Trust issues
• Social withdrawal
• Academic decline
• Substance abuse

Our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution” — this fear is real, and it’s why so many Bear Lake County victims stay silent.

⚠️ The Landmark Case — What Happened at University of Houston Could Happen in Bear Lake County

📰 The Story That Could Be Your Bear Lake County Child’s Story

Plaintiff: Leonel Bermudez
Status: “Ghost rush” — not even enrolled at University of Houston yet
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
University: University of Houston
Date: Fall 2025
Injuries: Severe rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, 3 nights/4 days hospitalized
Lawsuit: $10 million filed November 21, 2025

🔪 What Happened to Leonel Bermudez

Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston on September 16, 2025. What followed was weeks of systematic abuse, torture, and hazing that hospitalized him for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

The Hazing Activities:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning
• Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups — caused muscle breakdown
• Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault
• Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting — then forced to continue running
• Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass — humiliation
• Stripped to underwear in cold weather — exposure
• Sprayed with garden hose while minimally clothed — torture
• Carried fanny pack with objects of sexual nature — sexual humiliation
• Another pledge hog-tied face-down on table with object in mouth for over an hour — witnessed by Bermudez
• A pledge lost consciousness during workout — October 15, 2025 — they kept going
• Threatened with physical punishment and expulsion — coercion

The November 3, 2025 Incident:

• Bermudez punished for missing an event
• Forced to perform: 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, 100-yard crawls
• Required to recite fraternity creed while exercising under duress
• Threatened with immediate expulsion if he stopped
• Became so exhausted he could not stand without help
• Crawled up the stairs when he got home (per attorney Ralph Manginello)

The Aftermath:

• November 4: “Really sore and couldn’t really move”
• November 5: “The next day was worse”
• November 6: Mother rushes him to hospital with brown urine (sign of muscle breakdown)
• Diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
• Hospitalized for 3 nights, 4 days
• Pi Kappa Phi National closes chapter November 14, 2025 — 7 days before lawsuit
• $10 MILLION LAWSUIT FILED November 21, 2025

💔 Why This Matters to Bear Lake County Families

1. Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near Bear Lake County

   • The same national organization that waterboarded our client operates near Bear Lake County
   • Andrew Coffey died at Pi Kappa Phi in 2017 — they had 8 years to fix their culture and didn’t

2. Universities near Bear Lake County face the same liability failures as UH

   • UH owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
   • UH had a prior hazing incident in 2017 and failed to implement real oversight
   • Bear Lake County universities have the same power to regulate Greek life — and the same duty to protect students

3. Bear Lake County students face the same risks

   • If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Bear Lake County, they face the same dangers
   • The same “traditions” exist at Bear Lake County institutions
   • The same national organizations operate near Bear Lake County
   • The same universities fail to protect students

4. Bear Lake County families deserve the same aggressive representation

   • We are currently litigating this $10 million case
   • The same legal strategies apply to Bear Lake County victims
   • We will fight for Bear Lake County families with the same fury

⚖️ Bear Lake County Hazing Victims’ Legal Rights

📜 Texas Hazing Laws — What Bear Lake County Families Need to Know

Texas has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to all students in the state, including those at Bear Lake County institutions.

Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157 — Anti-Hazing Law

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):

Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off campus that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in an organization.

This includes:

• Physical brutality (whipping, beating, striking, branding)
• Sleep deprivation
• Exposure to the elements
• Extreme calisthenics
• Forced consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, or drugs
• Any activity that violates the Penal Code

CRITICAL FOR BEAR LAKE COUNTY VICTIMS:

“It is not a defense to prosecution that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” (§ 37.154)

This means: Even if your Bear Lake County child “agreed” to participate, consent is not a defense under Texas law. Fraternities cannot hide behind “tradition” or “he knew what he was getting into.”

🚔 Criminal Penalties for Hazing in Texas

Organizations can also be penalized:

• Fines up to $10,000
• Denial of permission to operate
• Forfeiture of property

🏛️ Civil Liability for Hazing — What Bear Lake County Victims Can Sue For

Bear Lake County hazing victims can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:

1. Negligence — Duty of care, breach, causation, damages
2. Premises Liability — If hazing occurred on property owned or controlled by the university
3. Negligent Supervision — National fraternity failed to supervise local chapter
4. Assault and Battery — Intentional harmful or offensive contact
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress — Outrageous conduct causing severe distress
6. Wrongful Death — If hazing results in death

Who Can Be Sued:

• The local fraternity/sorority chapter
• The national fraternity/sorority organization
• The university (if they knew or should have known)
• Individual members who participated
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, etc.)
• Alumni who facilitated hazing
• Housing corporations that own fraternity/sorority property

💰 Precedent Cases — Multi-Million Dollar Proof That Bear Lake County Victims Can Win

🏆 These Cases Show That Hazing Lawsuits Win — And Win Big

🔥 Why These Precedents Matter for Bear Lake County Families

1. $10 MILLION IS ACHIEVABLE — Stone Foltz family received $10.1 million
2. JURIES AWARD MILLIONS — Gruver family received $6.1 million jury verdict
3. UNIVERSITIES PAY — BGSU paid $2.9 million; Penn State paid $110+ million
4. NATIONAL FRATERNITIES PAY — Pi Kappa Alpha paid $7.2 million in Foltz case
5. INDIVIDUALS PAY — Stone Foltz chapter president ordered to pay $6.5 million personally
6. CRIMINAL CHARGES FOLLOW — Multiple convictions in Gruver and Piazza cases
7. LEGISLATION CHANGES — Gruver Act and Piazza Law created after these cases

Bear Lake County families: The same results are possible for your child. The same legal strategies apply. The same institutions can be held accountable.

📋 What to Do If Your Bear Lake County Child Has Been Hazed

🚨 Immediate Action Steps for Bear Lake County Families

DO THIS NOW:

1. Get medical attention immediately

   • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
   • Document everything — medical records are critical evidence
   • Rhabdomyolysis and other serious conditions may not show symptoms immediately

2. Preserve all evidence

   • Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing
   • Save all communications — texts, emails, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs
   • Document everything — write down what happened, when, who was involved
   • Get witness information — names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
   • Preserve physical evidence — clothing, objects used in hazing

3. Do NOT talk to the organization

   • Do NOT confront fraternity/sorority leadership
   • Do NOT sign anything from the organization
   • Do NOT give statements to university administrators alone

4. Do NOT post on social media

   • Anything you post can be used against you
   • Do NOT post about the incident
   • Do NOT post about being “fine” or “okay”
   • Do NOT engage with Greek life members online

5. Contact Attorney 911 immediately

   • Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
   • Email: ralph@atty911.com
   • Video Consultation: Available for Bear Lake County families
   • We come to Bear Lake County for depositions and client meetings

⏳ Timeline Considerations for Bear Lake County Victims

Texas Statute of Limitations:

• Personal Injury: 2 years from date of injury
• Wrongful Death: 2 years from date of death

DO NOT WAIT:

• Evidence disappears
• Witnesses forget
• Organizations destroy records
• Your rights expire

Our client in the UH case acted immediately — hospitalized November 6, lawsuit filed within weeks. This is how you protect your rights.

💔 Common Concerns from Bear Lake County Families — And Our Answers

❓ “My child agreed to participate. Can we still sue?”

YES. Texas law explicitly states:

“It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” (§ 37.154)

Why consent doesn’t matter:

• Hazing involves coercion and peer pressure — true consent is impossible
• Victims often don’t know what they’re consenting to — hazing is hidden until it happens
• Fear of retaliation (being ostracized, losing membership) negates consent
• “Tradition” is not a legal defense — assault is assault

❓ “The fraternity says it was just ‘tradition.’ Is that a defense?”

NO. “Tradition” is not a legal defense to hazing, assault, or battery. The law doesn’t care if “everyone does it” or “it’s always been this way.”

What matters:

• Was the activity dangerous? (Yes)
• Did it endanger health or safety? (Yes)
• Was it done for the purpose of pledging or initiation? (Yes)

If the answer to all three is yes, it’s hazing under Texas law — regardless of “tradition.”

❓ “We’re in Bear Lake County. Can a Houston law firm really help us?”

YES. While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Bear Lake County. Here’s how:

1. Federal Court Authority — We can pursue your case in federal court
2. Dual-State Bar Licenses — Texas AND New York (strategic for national fraternities)
3. Video Consultations — Meet with us remotely from Bear Lake County
4. We Travel to Bear Lake County — For depositions, client meetings, and trials
5. Remote Case Management — We handle everything electronically when needed
6. Local Partnerships — We work with Bear Lake County medical providers, experts, and investigators

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

❓ “What if the fraternity offers us money to stay quiet?”

DO NOT ACCEPT ANY OFFER WITHOUT CONSULTING AN ATTORNEY.

Why:

• First offers are always lowball offers — designed to make the problem go away
• Accepting an offer often means signing away your right to sue later
• You may underestimate your damages — medical bills, future treatment, pain and suffering
• You may not know the full extent of your injuries — some conditions develop over time

What to do instead:

• Contact Attorney 911
• We’ll evaluate the offer
• We’ll negotiate for fair compensation
• We’ll ensure you’re fully protected

❓ “How much is our case worth?”

Every case is unique, but Bear Lake County hazing cases can recover:

Our UH case is seeking $10 million. With severe injuries and egregious conduct, Bear Lake County cases can reach similar values.

❓ “Will my child get in trouble for reporting?”

NO. Texas has immunity provisions for reporting hazing:

“A person who reports hazing to a school official is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as a result of the report.” (§ 37.156)

This means:

• Your child cannot be sued for reporting hazing
• Your child cannot be criminally charged for reporting hazing
• The university cannot retaliate against your child for reporting hazing

However:

• The fraternity may retaliate socially (ostracism, bullying)
• We can help protect your child’s privacy during litigation
• We can pursue claims for emotional distress caused by retaliation

🏆 Why Bear Lake County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

🔥 Our Track Record — We Know How to Win

1. Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston

   • Waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles — same tactics used at Bear Lake County institutions
   • National media coverage (ABC13, KHOU, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media)
   • Pi Kappa Phi chapter shut down after our client was hospitalized

2. Multi-million dollar personal injury experience

   • BP Texas City explosion litigation (15 deaths, 180+ injuries)
   • Trucking accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death
   • Proven ability to take on massive institutional defendants

3. Former insurance defense attorneys

   • We know how insurance companies think
   • We know their playbook — and how to dismantle it
   • We know how to maximize insurance policy recoveries

4. Federal court authority

   • Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
   • Can pursue Bear Lake County cases in federal jurisdiction
   • Experience in U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals

5. Dual-state bar admission

   • Texas AND New York licensed
   • Strategic advantage for cases against national fraternities headquartered anywhere

6. Hazing-specific expertise

   • Rhabdomyolysis injury litigation
   • Kappa Sigma fraternity experience
   • Texas A&M University hazing cases
   • Wrongful death from hazing activities

7. We come to Bear Lake County

   • Immediate response
   • Relentless pursuit
   • Willing to travel for depositions, trials, and client meetings

8. We work on contingency

   • $0 upfront for Bear Lake County families
   • We don’t get paid unless you get paid
   • No hourly fees, no retainers

🏥 Our Approach to Bear Lake County Hazing Cases

When a Bear Lake County family contacts us:

1. Immediate Case Evaluation

   • Free consultation
   • Evaluate the strength of your case
   • Explain your legal options

2. Emergency Evidence Preservation

   • Send preservation letters to all defendants
   • Demand that evidence be preserved (texts, photos, videos, documents)
   • Prevent destruction of critical evidence

3. Medical Coordination

   • Work with Bear Lake County medical providers
   • Ensure all injuries are documented
   • Coordinate with specialists (nephrologists, therapists, etc.)

4. Expert Witness Network

   • Medical experts to document injuries
   • Greek life culture experts to explain the dynamics
   • Institutional negligence experts to show university failures

5. Aggressive Litigation

   • File lawsuit against all responsible parties
   • Conduct depositions of chapter officers, university administrators, national leaders
   • Build a case for maximum compensation

6. Media Strategy (if appropriate)

   • Publicize the case to pressure defendants
   • Work with journalists to expose the truth
   • Protect your family’s privacy when needed

7. Negotiation or Trial

   • Negotiate aggressively for fair settlement
   • Prepare for trial if defendants won’t settle fairly
   • Fight for maximum compensation at trial

📞 Bear Lake County Families: Contact Attorney 911 Today

If your child has been hazed in Bear Lake County, you are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now — and we will fight for you.

🚨 Bear Lake County Hazing Victims — Call Now for Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We offer:

• Free, confidential case evaluation
• Video consultations for Bear Lake County families
• In-person meetings in Bear Lake County when needed
• $0 upfront — we work on contingency
• Aggressive representation against universities and national fraternities

🏛️ We Serve Bear Lake County Hazing Victims From:

• Universities and colleges near Bear Lake County
• Fraternities and sororities with Bear Lake County chapters
• Bear Lake County high school and college sports teams
• Bear Lake County marching bands, ROTC, and student organizations
• Military academies and training programs near Bear Lake County

Distance is not a barrier. Justice is our priority.

💬 What Our Clients Say About Attorney 911

“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett

“One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello and they said that they would take it. And in the next few months I got a call to pick up this handsome check.” — Donald Wilcox

“If you’re ever in a car accident, I highly recommend you give them a call 10/10. The staff provides great customer service and show they are a firm that cares about their clients! Attorney Manginello & Leonore were both extremely nice, helpful, and made sure I was informed throughout the entire process. They’re the best!” — Devin Hebert

“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris

“This place feels like having a family over your case. And communication with you every step of the way. That’s how you know you’re in good hands.” — Kiwi Potato

“My wife and I had such a great experience with this law firm. They all go above and beyond and really care about you as a person. I never felt like ‘just another case’ they were working on.” — Ambur Hamilton

“This law firm here is 1 of a kind. I felt like I had my back against the world and Ralph Manginello gave me hope and believed in me… they made me feel like family best Law Firm” — MOSTHATED MILYYY’

🏆 Our Results for Clients Like Bear Lake County Families

🎯 Bear Lake County Hazing Victims: This Is Your Moment

Bear Lake County families: The hazing crisis has gone on for too long. Students are being tortured. Lives are being destroyed. Institutions are looking the other way.

But today, you have the power to fight back.

• You have strong legal rights under Texas law
• You have precedent cases showing multi-million dollar recoveries
• You have attorneys who are fighting this battle right now
• You have a voice that can protect the next student

This is your moment to:
✅ Hold the perpetrators accountable
✅ Get compensation for your child’s injuries
✅ Send a message that hazing will not be tolerated
✅ Protect future Bear Lake County students

The time to act is NOW.

🚨 Bear Lake County Families: Call Attorney 911 Today

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We fight for Bear Lake County hazing victims — no matter where you are. You are not alone. We are here to help.

🏆 Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™

Houston | Austin | Beaumont | Serving Bear Lake County and Nationwide

Immediate. Aggressive. Compassionate.