🚨 Hazing Lawyers for Jennings County Families – Justice for Your Child
If your son or daughter was hazed at a college near Jennings County, you have legal rights. We are fighting this battle right now – and we will fight for Jennings County families with the same determination.
At Attorney 911, we are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical – we’re in the fight right now, and we bring that same aggressive representation to Jennings County families.
⚠️ This Happens Closer Than You Think
The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Houston have chapters at universities near Jennings County. The same “traditions” that sent our client to the hospital with kidney failure exist at Jennings County-area institutions.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Jennings County, they face the same risks.
📞 Jennings County Families: Call Now – Free Consultation
24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline for Hazing Victims:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com/hazing
We serve Jennings County families from our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont offices. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
🔥 What We’re Fighting Right Now: The $10 Million Hazing Case
The Reality of Hazing in America
Our client, Leonel Bermudez, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston in September 2025. What followed was weeks of systematic abuse that hospitalized him for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
This wasn’t “boys being boys.” This was torture.
What Happened to Our Client – And Could Happen Near Jennings County
| Hazing Activity | What They Did | The Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning with a garden hose while doing calisthenics | Psychological trauma, fear of drowning |
| Forced Eating | Large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns consumed until vomiting | Physical distress, dehydration |
| Extreme Exercise | 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, “suicides” | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, 4-day hospitalization |
| Wooden Paddles | Struck repeatedly with wooden paddles | Bruising, physical pain |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced to drive members during early morning hours | Exhaustion, impaired judgment |
| Psychological Abuse | Carried fanny pack with sexual objects, stripped in cold weather | Humiliation, emotional distress |
| Threats | Threatened with expulsion for non-compliance | Fear, coercion |
On November 3, 2025, after being forced to perform extreme exercises, our client collapsed. He couldn’t stand without help. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. The next day, he couldn’t move. His mother rushed him to the hospital with kidney failure.
Why This Matters for Jennings County Families
-
The Same Fraternities Operate Near Jennings County
- Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America, including near Jennings County
- The same national organizations that allowed this to happen in Houston have chapters at universities near Jennings County
-
Universities Near Jennings County Face the Same Liability
- The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
- Universities near Jennings County have the same power – and the same responsibility – to prevent hazing
-
They Knew This Could Happen
- In 2017, Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event at Florida State University
- Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their hazing culture – they did nothing
- In 2017, a student was hospitalized from hazing at UH – they did nothing
- Now Leonel Bermudez has paid the price
-
They’re Already Planning to Come Back
- Pi Kappa Phi’s official statement: “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time”
- No remorse. No accountability. Just waiting for this to blow over.
-
This Could Be Your Child
- Our client wasn’t even a UH student yet – he was a “ghost rush,” expected to transfer
- They hazed someone who wasn’t even enrolled
- How many other students near Jennings County are being hazed right now?
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Jennings County Hazing Victim
Who Can Be Held Liable?
When hazing happens near Jennings County, multiple parties can – and should – be held accountable:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Jennings County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Same chapters operate near Jennings County |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise despite knowing about hazing | Same nationals oversee Jennings County-area chapters |
| University/College | Failed to prevent hazing despite having authority | Jennings County-area institutions have same duty |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities | Individual accountability applies everywhere |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing | Personal liability applies to all participants |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred | Premises liability applies to Jennings County locations |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes | Off-campus locations near Jennings County included |
What You Can Sue For
| Damage Category | What It Covers | Jennings County Victim Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, doctor visits, medications, future treatment | Emergency room visit, hospitalization, kidney treatment |
| Lost Wages | Income lost due to injuries | Missed work, lost internship opportunities |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries | Pain from rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, burns |
| Emotional Distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression from hazing | Trauma from waterboarding, forced eating, paddling |
| Educational Impact | Disruption to academic progress | Missed classes, failed courses, delayed graduation |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | Waterboarding, forced exercise to collapse, wooden paddles |
Texas Law Protects Hazing Victims
Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157 defines hazing and makes it illegal. Importantly, consent is NOT a defense – even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.
Hazing that causes serious bodily injury (like rhabdomyolysis or kidney failure) is a Class A Misdemeanor – punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
💰 Multi-Million Dollar Precedents: This Has Happened Before
Hazing cases win big verdicts and settlements. The same results are possible for Jennings County victims.
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Bermudez Case | Pi Kappa Phi | University of Houston | $10 million lawsuit pending | Our case |
These cases prove that hazing victims can – and do – win substantial compensation. The same legal strategies apply to Jennings County cases.
📋 What Jennings County Families Should Do Immediately
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
- Medical records create crucial documentation for your case
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
DO:
- Take photos of all injuries at all stages of healing
- Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs about hazing
- Document witness names and contact information
- Keep all medical records and bills
- Write down everything you remember about what happened
DON’T:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Confront the fraternity or university without legal counsel
- Sign anything from the organization or their insurance company
- Post about the incident on social media
- Give statements to anyone without an attorney present
Step 3: Contact an Attorney Immediately
Time is critical because:
- Evidence disappears quickly
- Witnesses forget details
- Statutes of limitations apply (typically 2 years in Texas)
- Organizations will try to cover up what happened
We offer free consultations to Jennings County families. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Jennings County Families
Q: We’re in Jennings County – can you really help us?
A: Absolutely. While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide. We offer:
- Video consultations for Jennings County families
- Willingness to travel to Jennings County for depositions and meetings
- Federal court authority to pursue cases anywhere in the U.S.
- Experience with national fraternity organizations that operate near Jennings County
Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Q: What if my child “consented” to hazing?
A: Texas law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. The fraternity and university are still liable.
Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it happened at a fraternity house, a private residence, or any other location near Jennings County, you still have legal rights.
Q: How much does it cost to hire you?
A: $0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so there’s no financial risk to Jennings County families.
Q: How long does a hazing case take?
A: Every case is different. Some settle within months; others take years. Factors include:
- Severity of injuries
- Number of defendants
- Willingness to settle
- Need for litigation
We’ll fight for the best possible outcome as efficiently as possible.
Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
A: We understand the fear. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We take these concerns seriously and will:
- Protect your child’s identity when possible
- Advise on safety measures
- Hold organizations accountable for any retaliation
- Pursue additional damages if retaliation occurs
Q: Can we sue even if criminal charges weren’t filed?
A: Yes. Civil lawsuits and criminal cases are separate. Even if no criminal charges are filed, you can still sue for damages.
Q: What if my child was hazed at a different type of organization (not Greek life)?
A: Hazing happens in many organizations near Jennings County, including:
- Sports teams
- Marching bands
- ROTC programs
- Clubs and organizations
- Military academies
We represent all hazing victims, not just Greek life cases.
🎯 Why Jennings County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
- Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
- This isn’t theoretical – we’re in the fight today
- Jennings County families get the same aggressive representation
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides
- We know exactly how they think, strategize, and try to minimize claims
- We use that insider knowledge to maximize recovery for Jennings County victims
3. National Reach for Jennings County Families
- Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York)
- Willingness to travel to Jennings County for your case
- Experience with national fraternity organizations that operate near Jennings County
4. Proven Results in High-Stakes Cases
- BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
- Multi-million dollar personal injury settlements
- Successful criminal defense track record
- Experience with media-intensive cases
5. We Speak Your Language
- Se habla español – Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Jennings County families
- Compassionate, understanding approach
- We treat Jennings County families like family
6. We Come to You
- Video consultations available for Jennings County families
- Will travel to Jennings County for depositions, client meetings, and trials
- Remote case management technology
🏛️ Fraternities Near Jennings County That Have Hazing Histories
These national fraternities have paid millions in hazing settlements. They have chapters at universities near Jennings County.
| Fraternity | Hazing Incident | Settlement/Verdict | Jennings County Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017) – death; Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025) – hospitalization | Confidential; $10M lawsuit pending | Same fraternity operating near Jennings County |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) – death | $10.1 million | Chapters at universities near Jennings County |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017) – death | $6.1 million verdict | Chapters at universities near Jennings County |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) – death | $110+ million | Chapters at universities near Jennings County |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon | Multiple incidents including UT Austin (2023) | $1M+ | Chapters at universities near Jennings County |
The same Greek letters that caused these tragedies are on campuses near Jennings County.
📢 Message to Fraternities Operating Near Jennings County
To the fraternities with chapters near Jennings County:
We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi – if your chapter operates near Jennings County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
Every national fraternity with chapters near Jennings County should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won.
Universities near Jennings County: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.
To Greek life leadership at Jennings County-area institutions: The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.
🏆 Our Commitment to Jennings County Families
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
– Lupe Pena, Attorney 911
We are committed to:
- Protecting Jennings County students from hazing abuse
- Holding institutions accountable for failing to prevent hazing
- Securing justice for Jennings County hazing victims
- Preventing future tragedies through legal action
- Supporting Jennings County families through the legal process
This isn’t just about compensation. It’s about change.
📞 Jennings County Families: Call Now – Free Consultation
24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline for Hazing Victims:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com/hazing
We serve Jennings County from our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont offices. We will travel to Jennings County for your case.
You pay nothing unless we win.
🔗 Additional Resources for Jennings County Families
- Texas Hazing Laws – Full Text
- StopHazing.org – Hazing Prevention Resources
- HazingPrevention.org
- Clery Center – Campus Safety Resources
© 2025 Attorney 911. All rights reserved.
Serving Jennings County families with aggressive hazing litigation representation.
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