🚨 Hazing Lawyers for Daviess County Families – Justice for Victims of Fraternity & Sorority Abuse
Attorney 911 – Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experts – Now Serving Daviess County, Indiana
📞 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline for Daviess County Hazing Victims: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com/hazing
Daviess County Parents & Students: Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines – Neither Does Justice
The same fraternities that hospitalized our client in Houston operate at universities near Daviess County. The same “traditions” that nearly killed a student at the University of Houston exist right here in Indiana. And the same legal strategies that are winning millions in Texas courts can bring justice to Daviess County families.
We are Attorney 911 – the law firm currently fighting a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we know how to win.
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization near Daviess County, you have legal rights – and we will fight for them.
🔥 This Happened in Houston. It’s Happening in Daviess County.
The Case That Shows Daviess County Families What Hazing Really Looks Like
On November 21, 2025, our firm filed a $10 MILLION lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for the hazing of Leonel Bermudez – a young man who accepted a bid to join the fraternity in September 2025.
What followed was weeks of systematic abuse, torture, and hazing that hospitalized Bermudez for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
What They Did to Him:
- Waterboarded him with a garden hose – simulated drowning, a form of torture
- Forced him to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck him with wooden paddles – physical beating with weapons
- Forced him to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting – then made him keep running
- Hog-tied another pledge face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
- Another pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout – they kept going
- Threatened him with expulsion if he didn’t comply
- Made him drive fraternity members during early morning hours, causing exhaustion
- Forced him to carry a fanny pack with objects of sexual nature at all times
The Result:
- November 3, 2025: Bermudez punished for missing an event – forced to do extreme exercises until he could not stand without help
- November 4-5: His condition worsened – couldn’t move
- November 6: His mother rushed him to the hospital – passing brown urine (sign of muscle breakdown)
- November 6-10: Hospitalized for 3 nights, 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
The Defendants’ Response?
- Pi Kappa Phi closed the chapter – but their statement said: “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.”
- The University of Houston – which owns the fraternity house – called the events “deeply disturbing” but took no meaningful action
- No one apologized. No one took responsibility. They just waited for the lawsuit.
🚨 Daviess County Families: This Is Happening Near You
Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America – including in Indiana. Other fraternities like Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, and Phi Delta Theta have chapters at universities near Daviess County.
The same national organizations that paid millions in hazing settlements are operating right here in Indiana.
Universities Near Daviess County with Greek Life – and Hazing Risks:
While we cannot comment on specific incidents at local institutions without verified information, we know for a fact that the following universities near Daviess County have active Greek organizations:
- Indiana University Bloomington (1 hour east)
- Purdue University (2.5 hours north)
- University of Evansville (1.5 hours south)
- Butler University (3 hours north)
- Indiana State University (1 hour north)
And these are just the major universities. Smaller colleges and community colleges in the Daviess County area may also have Greek life or other student organizations where hazing occurs.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Daviess County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Daviess County Hazing Victim
Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “building character.” It is not “boys being boys.”
It is:
- Assault
- Battery
- Torture
- Reckless endangerment
- Sometimes manslaughter or murder
And it is illegal in Indiana.
Indiana Hazing Laws – What Daviess County Families Need to Know
Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2 defines hazing as:
“A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally engages in conduct that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person as part of an initiation or admission into a student organization commits hazing.”
Penalties in Indiana:
- Class B Misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in jail and $1,000 fine
- Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing results in serious bodily injury – up to 1 year in jail and $5,000 fine
- Level 6 Felony: If hazing results in death – 6 months to 2.5 years in prison
Consent is NOT a defense – just like in Texas, Indiana law does not allow defendants to claim that the victim “agreed” to participate.
💰 Who Is Liable? Everyone Who Participated – Or Allowed It to Happen
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible. In our Houston case, we are suing:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Former Members | Hazing occurred at their residence |
| Spouses of Members | Allowed hazing at their home |
| National Organization | Knew about “hazing crisis”; failed to supervise; had prior incidents (Andrew Coffey death in 2017) |
| University | Owned fraternity house; failed to prevent hazing despite prior incidents (2017 hospitalization at UH) |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for institutional liability |
Daviess County families: The same defendants exist in Indiana.
- The local fraternity/sorority chapter
- The national organization
- The university or college
- Individual members and officers
- Insurance companies
And they all have money – or insurance policies – to pay for the harm they cause.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Daviess County
Step 1: Ensure Immediate Safety
- Remove your child from the dangerous situation
- Seek medical attention immediately – even if injuries seem minor
- Document everything medically – hazing injuries can worsen over time
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
Save everything – nothing is too small:
| Evidence Type | What to Save |
|---|---|
| Medical Records | Hospital records, ER visits, doctor notes, therapy records |
| Photos/Videos | Injuries at all stages of healing, hazing activities, locations |
| Communications | Text messages, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails |
| Witness Information | Names and contact info of other pledges, witnesses, bystanders |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child |
| Financial Records | Medical bills, lost wages, tuition/fees paid |
| Academic Records | Impact on grades, enrollment, scholarships |
| Clothing/Objects | Items used in hazing, clothing worn during incidents |
DO NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Talk to the fraternity/sorority or university without legal counsel
- Sign anything from the organization
- Post about the incident on social media
- Give statements to university administrators alone
Step 3: Report the Hazing
- File a police report with local law enforcement (Daviess County Sheriff’s Office or Washington Police Department)
- File a Title IX report with the university (if applicable)
- Report to the national organization (if Greek life)
Step 4: Contact an Attorney – Immediately
Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911
Why you need a lawyer:
- Evidence disappears – fraternities delete messages, destroy records
- Witnesses forget – memories fade, people change stories
- Universities protect themselves – not you
- Insurance companies lowball – they want to pay as little as possible
- Statutes of limitations expire – in Indiana, you typically have 2 years to file a lawsuit
We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win your case.
🏆 Why Daviess County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now – $10 Million Lawsuit in Progress
While other firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Daviess County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to this case.
2. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Daviess County from Houston
- Federal court authority – U.S. District Court admission
- Dual-state bar licenses – Texas AND New York
- Willingness to travel – We come to Daviess County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- Remote consultations – Video meetings available for Daviess County families
3. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
Both of our attorneys – Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena – worked for insurance companies before switching to represent victims. We know exactly how they think, how they value cases, and how they try to minimize payouts.
Now we use that knowledge against them.
4. Proven Multi-Million Dollar Results
We have recovered millions of dollars for victims of:
- Wrongful death
- Catastrophic injuries
- Institutional negligence
- Reckless endangerment
The same strategies apply to Daviess County hazing cases.
5. Bilingual Services – Se Habla Español
Many hazing victims in Daviess County come from Hispanic families. Our staff is fluent in Spanish, and we provide comprehensive legal services in Spanish, including:
- Initial consultations
- Ongoing case communication
- Document translation and explanation
- Courtroom interpretation coordination
6. We Understand Greek Life Culture – And How to Fight It
Hazing cases require an understanding of:
- Greek life dynamics
- University administrative processes
- Title IX intersection
- Criminal vs. civil implications
- Multi-defendant strategies
We know how to navigate these complexities.
7. We Travel to Daviess County – Distance Is Not a Barrier
We are based in Houston, but we will come to Daviess County for:
- Client meetings
- Depositions
- Trials
- University investigations
Your location does not prevent you from getting justice.
💰 What Compensation Can Daviess County Hazing Victims Recover?
Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation for victims and their families. In our current $10 million case, we are pursuing:
Economic Damages – The Tangible Costs
| Damage Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, specialists, medications, future treatment |
| Mental Health Treatment | Therapy for PTSD, anxiety, depression |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work during recovery |
| Educational Costs | Tuition for disrupted semester, lost scholarships |
| Future Earning Capacity | If injuries cause permanent limitations |
Non-Economic Damages – Pain and Suffering
| Damage Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Physical Pain | Pain during hazing, hospitalization, recovery |
| Mental Anguish | Trauma from abuse, fear of retribution, anxiety |
| Emotional Distress | Humiliation, shame, impact on relationships |
| Loss of Enjoyment | Inability to participate in normal activities |
| Disfigurement | Scars from branding, burns, or injuries |
Punitive Damages – Punishing Egregious Conduct
When hazing involves:
- Torture (like waterboarding)
- Reckless disregard for safety (like forcing 500 squats until collapse)
- Pattern of abuse (like ignoring prior incidents)
- Cover-up attempts
Courts award punitive damages to send a message: This cannot happen again.
📈 Precedent Cases – Daviess County Victims Can Win Millions
These Cases Show What’s Possible for Daviess County Families:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 Million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 Million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110 Million+ |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Settlement | $4 Million+ |
Daviess County families: These same results are possible for Indiana victims.
🚫 Common Defenses – And How We Defeat Them
Fraternities and universities will try to avoid accountability. Their most common defenses – and our responses:
| Defense | Their Argument | Our Response |
|---|---|---|
| “He consented” | “He agreed to participate” | Indiana law says consent is NOT a defense |
| “It’s tradition” | “Everyone goes through it” | Tradition doesn’t justify illegal activity |
| “He could have left” | “He wasn’t forced” | Fear of retaliation, social exclusion = duress |
| “We didn’t know” | “We had no idea this was happening” | Universities and nationals have oversight responsibility |
| “It’s just college kids” | “They didn’t mean any harm” | Ignorance is not an excuse for torture |
📅 Statute of Limitations – Daviess County Families Must Act Fast
In Indiana, you typically have 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit.
DO NOT WAIT. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. And your legal rights expire.
Call Attorney 911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.
🎯 The Message to Daviess County Fraternities and Universities
To the fraternities operating near Daviess County:
We know who you are.
We know your corporate structures.
We know your insurance policies.
We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.If you haze students in Daviess County, we will find every liable entity – and we will sue them all.
The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at University of Houston learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.
To the universities near Daviess County:
You own the buildings. You collect the rent. You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous organizations.
When you fail to act, you become liable for what happens on your property.
The University of Houston owned the house where a student was waterboarded. They will pay for that failure. Your institution could be next.
📞 Daviess County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or any student organization near Daviess County, you have legal rights – and we will fight for them.
📞 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com/hazing
We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Daviess County families: You are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now – and we will fight for you.
🔥 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to Hold Them Accountable.
Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™ – Serving Daviess County from Houston, Austin & Beaumont
