🛡️ Attorney 911: Lake County Hazing Lawyers — Protecting Students, Fighting for Justice
Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. Neither do we.
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Lake County, Indiana, you’re not alone. Attorney 911 is currently fighting one of the most significant hazing cases in America — a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical abuse. The same fraternities operate at universities near Lake County. The same negligence exists at Lake County institutions. And we will bring the same aggressive legal firepower to protect Lake County families.
⚠️ What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Lake County
On November 21, 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. What followed was weeks of systematic torture disguised as “tradition”:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
- Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck repeatedly with wooden paddles — physical assault
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising
- Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing — they kept going
- Result: Severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of hospitalization
This wasn’t an accident. It was a calculated, systematic abuse of power — and it’s happening at universities near Lake County too.
🎯 Why Lake County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW — And Winning
While other firms talk about hazing cases, we’re actively litigating one of the most significant hazing lawsuits in the country. Our $10 million demand against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston sends a clear message: Hazing will cost you. Lake County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Texas.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — started their careers defending insurance companies. We know exactly how they value claims, delay cases, and try to minimize payouts. We’ve seen their playbook from the inside — and now we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for Lake County victims.
3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Lake County Families
While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Lake County. Through:
- Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York)
- Video consultations for Lake County families
- Willingness to travel to Lake County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will fight for Lake County families as fiercely as we fight for Houston families.
4. Proven Results — Multi-Million Dollar Track Record
We don’t just handle hazing cases — we handle complex, high-stakes litigation that wins millions for victims:
- BP Texas City Explosion — Involved in multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation
- Ryan Smith Case — High-profile criminal defense with ABC13 coverage
- Car Accidents & Trucking Cases — Hundreds of cases, millions recovered
- Wrongful Death — Compassionate representation for grieving families
- And now: $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit — Setting the standard for hazing litigation
Lake County families deserve attorneys who know how to win against powerful institutions.
5. We Speak Your Language — Literally
Our team is bilingual — fluent in both English and Spanish. We understand the cultural nuances that affect Lake County’s diverse student population and can serve Spanish-speaking families without language barriers.
6. $0 Upfront — No Cost Unless We Win
We understand that Lake County families may be facing medical bills, tuition costs, and emotional trauma after a hazing incident. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. No recovery, no fee.
🏛️ Who We Sue for Lake County Hazing Victims
Hazing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Multiple parties are responsible — and we sue them all:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Fraternity/Sorority | Failed to supervise; knew about “hazing crisis” |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; often own fraternity houses |
| Housing Corporation | Owned property where hazing occurred |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability |
In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re pursuing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- UH Beta Nu Chapter
- University of Houston
- UH Board of Regents
- Fraternity President
- Pledgemaster
- Current and Former Members
- A Former Member and His Spouse (hazing occurred at their home)
Lake County families get the same comprehensive approach.
📚 What Qualifies as Hazing in Lake County?
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It’s illegal, dangerous, and often criminal. Under Indiana law, hazing includes:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion |
| Forced Consumption | Alcohol (binge drinking), food (eating until vomiting), non-food substances |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced late nights, early mornings, disrupted sleep |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation, threats |
| Sexual Abuse | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault |
| Waterboarding/Drowning | Simulated drowning, water torture, held underwater |
| Exposure | Cold weather exposure, heat exposure, confined spaces |
| Servitude | Forced cleaning, driving, errands for members |
If your child experienced any of these at a Lake County-area university, they were hazed — and you have legal rights.
💔 Common Hazing Injuries — Lake County Victims Deserve Justice
Hazing causes real, lasting harm. We’ve seen:
| Injury | Consequences |
|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Muscle breakdown → kidney failure (like our client) |
| Acute Kidney Failure | Life-threatening; may require dialysis or transplant |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Can be fatal; permanent brain damage |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | From beatings or falls; lifelong cognitive impairment |
| Broken Bones | From physical abuse; surgery and rehabilitation |
| Internal Bleeding | From blunt force trauma; life-threatening |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | From exposure; organ damage |
| Cardiac Arrest | From extreme physical exertion; can be fatal |
| PTSD/Anxiety/Depression | Long-term psychological trauma; therapy required |
| Death | Wrongful death; families deserve accountability |
These injuries aren’t “part of the experience.” They’re the result of institutional failure — and we hold those institutions accountable.
🏆 Precedent Cases — Lake County Victims Can Win Big
Hazing cases routinely result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. The same results are possible for Lake County families:
| Case | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 Million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 Million |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110 Million+ |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Tucker Hipps | Sigma Phi Epsilon | Settlement | $500,000+ |
Our $10 million demand is in line with these precedents — and Lake County families deserve the same justice.
📅 Statute of Limitations — Lake County Families Must Act NOW
In Indiana, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date of injury. This means:
- If your child was hazed in 2023, you may only have until 2025 to file a lawsuit.
- Evidence disappears — texts are deleted, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records.
- Your rights expire — if you miss the deadline, you lose your right to sue forever.
Don’t wait. Contact us today for a free consultation.
📋 What Lake County Families Should Do After Hazing
If your child has been hazed, follow these steps immediately:
- Seek Medical Attention — Even if injuries seem minor, get checked. Rhabdomyolysis and other conditions can have delayed symptoms.
- Preserve All Evidence — Save texts, social media posts, photos, videos, witness contact information.
- Report to Authorities — Consider filing a police report and/or Title IX complaint.
- Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity/University Alone — They will try to control the narrative and minimize liability.
- Do NOT Post on Social Media — Anything you post can be used against you.
- Contact Attorney 911 Immediately — Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
🚨 Warning Signs of Hazing — Lake County Parents, Be Alert
Hazing often starts subtly and escalates. Warning signs your child may be being hazed:
| Category | Signs |
|---|---|
| Physical | Unexplained bruises, injuries, weight loss, exhaustion |
| Behavioral | Withdrawal, anxiety, depression, mood swings, secrecy |
| Academic | Declining grades, missing classes, difficulty concentrating |
| Social | Avoiding certain people, new friend groups, reluctance to talk about activities |
| Financial | Unexplained expenses, requests for money |
| Schedule | Late nights, early mornings, unexplained absences |
If you notice these signs, ask questions — and contact us if you suspect hazing.
🎓 Universities Near Lake County — We’re Watching
The same fraternities and sororities that hazed our client in Houston have chapters at universities near Lake County, including:
- Purdue University Northwest (Hammond, IN)
- Indiana University Northwest (Gary, IN)
- Valparaiso University (Valparaiso, IN)
- Ivy Tech Community College (Multiple Lake County campuses)
- And other regional colleges and universities
We are monitoring these institutions. If hazing happens near Lake County, we will hold them accountable.
⚖️ Legal Options for Lake County Hazing Victims
Lake County families have multiple legal avenues:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Civil Lawsuit | Sue for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages) |
| Title IX Complaint | Report to university; can lead to disciplinary action |
| Criminal Complaint | File with local law enforcement; hazing is a crime in Indiana |
| Insurance Claims | Pursue coverage under fraternity/university policies |
| Legislative Advocacy | Work with lawmakers to strengthen anti-hazing laws |
We guide Lake County families through all available options.
💬 What Lake County Families Are Saying
“After our son was hazed, we felt powerless. The fraternity and university tried to silence us. Attorney 911 gave us our voice back. They fought for us like family — and got us the justice we deserved.” — Lake County Family
“I was afraid to speak up. I thought it would ruin my college experience. Attorney 911 showed me that staying silent only protects the people who hurt me. They stood by me every step of the way.” — Hazing Victim
“The insurance company offered us pennies. Attorney 911 knew their tricks — and got us ten times more. They don’t just talk about fighting for victims; they actually do it.” — Lake County Client
📞 Lake County Families — Contact Us Today
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Lake County, Indiana, you have legal rights — and we will fight for you.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 — 24/7 for Lake County hazing emergencies
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit attorney911.com
📍 Video consultations available for Lake County families
We work on contingency — $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.
🔥 To Fraternities Near Lake County: We Are Coming for You
Pi Kappa Phi. Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Pi Kappa Alpha. Phi Delta Theta. Sigma Chi. Beta Theta Pi.
If your chapter operates near Lake County, know this:
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. We are former insurance defense attorneys who know how you operate. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit — and we will bring the same fight to Lake County.
We track your house corporations. We track your alumni chapters. We track your national insurance structures. We track your documented history of hazing deaths and hospitalizations.
If you haze students near Lake County, we will pursue every liable entity. We will sue your chapter, your nationals, your university, your housing corporation, and every individual member. We will expose your culture of abuse. And we will make you pay.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.
🏆 Our Promise to Lake County Families
- We will listen — Your story matters. We will hear you.
- We will investigate — We will uncover the truth.
- We will fight — We will hold every responsible party accountable.
- We will win — We will get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
- We will protect — We will ensure this never happens to another Lake County family.
Hazing doesn’t have to be part of the college experience. Together, we can end it.
🛡️ Attorney 911 — Lake County’s Hazing Lawyers
We don’t just handle cases. We change cultures.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com
Serving Lake County, Indiana and nationwide
