Attorney 911: Hazing Victim Legal Support for Sumner County, Kansas Families
🚨 Hazing Is Happening Near Sumner County — And Your Child Could Be Next
Sumner County parents: If your child attends college or is planning to, they may be at risk of hazing — a dangerous “tradition” that has sent students to hospitals and morgues across America. The same fraternities and organizations that have killed and maimed students nationwide operate right here near Sumner County. And if your child is hazed, they deserve justice — no matter where it happens.
At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t just happening in Texas — it’s happening everywhere, including near Sumner County.
You don’t have to face this alone. We serve hazing victims nationwide, including right here in Kansas. Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
🏛️ The Hazing Crisis in Kansas and Beyond
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” It’s assault. It’s torture. It’s life-threatening. And it’s happening at colleges and universities near Sumner County, including:
- Wichita State University (40 miles from Sumner County)
- Friends University (Wichita)
- Southwestern College (Winfield, ~30 miles from Sumner County)
- Bethel College (North Newton, ~45 miles from Sumner County)
- Newman University (Wichita)
- And many more
These institutions have Greek organizations with active fraternity and sorority chapters — the same organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide.
The fraternities near Sumner County include:
- Pi Kappa Phi (same fraternity we’re suing for $10M)
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
- Kappa Sigma
- Phi Delta Theta
- Sigma Chi
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
- And many others
These are the same organizations that have:
- Forced students to drink until they died (Max Gruver, LSU; Stone Foltz, BGSU)
- Beaten students with wooden paddles (our client at UH)
- Waterboarded students with garden hoses (our client at UH)
- Forced students to exercise until they collapsed (our client at UH)
- Hospitalized students with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure (our client at UH)
This isn’t happening “somewhere else.” It’s happening near Sumner County. And if your child is pledging, they could be next.
💔 What Hazing Really Looks Like — The UH Case That Could Happen Here
In November 2025, our client Leonel Bermudez — a transfer student who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet — accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi. What followed was weeks of systematic abuse that sent him to the hospital with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, requiring a 4-day hospital stay.
The Hazing That Hospitalized Our Client (And Could Happen Near Sumner County):
| Hazing Activity | What Happened | Medical Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning with a garden hose while doing calisthenics | Psychological trauma, fear of drowning |
| Forced Eating | Forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting | Vomiting, dehydration, risk of choking |
| 500 Squats | Forced to perform 500+ squats as punishment | Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) |
| 100 Pushups | Forced to perform 100+ pushups | Rhabdomyolysis, muscle damage |
| Wooden Paddles | Struck repeatedly with wooden paddles | Bruising, potential internal injuries |
| “Suicides” (Running Drills) | High-volume sprinting drills until exhaustion | Rhabdomyolysis, dehydration |
| Bear Crawls | Forced to crawl on hands and feet for extended periods | Muscle strain, rhabdomyolysis |
| Two-Mile Warmups | Forced to run two miles before main workout | Exhaustion, dehydration |
| 100-Yard Crawls | Repeated crawling for 100 yards | Rhabdomyolysis, joint damage |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours | Exhaustion, impaired judgment |
| Cold Exposure | Forced to strip to underwear in cold weather | Hypothermia risk |
| Hog-Tying | Another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour | Asphyxiation risk, psychological trauma |
| Sexual Humiliation | Forced to carry a fanny pack with sexual objects at all times | Psychological trauma, humiliation |
The result? Leonel Bermudez couldn’t walk, couldn’t move, and passed brown urine — a classic sign of rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition where muscle breakdown damages the kidneys.
He spent 4 days in the hospital fighting for his life.
This didn’t happen in a back alley. It happened in a fraternity house — and the University of Houston owned the building.
This could happen to your child at a university near Sumner County.
🏥 The Medical Dangers of Hazing — What Sumner County Parents Need to Know
Hazing doesn’t just cause bruises and embarrassment. It can cause life-threatening medical emergencies, including:
1. Rhabdomyolysis (Muscle Breakdown) — The Silent Killer
- What it is: Extreme physical exertion (like 500 squats or bear crawls) causes muscle fibers to break down, releasing myoglobin into the bloodstream.
- Why it’s dangerous: Myoglobin damages the kidneys, leading to acute kidney failure — which can be fatal.
- Symptoms:
- Severe muscle pain
- Dark brown or tea-colored urine
- Weakness, inability to move
- Nausea, vomiting
- Treatment: Immediate hospitalization, IV fluids, potential dialysis
Our client had rhabdomyolysis. So did students at other universities. This is not rare — it’s a known risk of hazing.
2. Alcohol Poisoning — The Fast Track to Death
- What it is: Forced drinking of large amounts of alcohol in a short time.
- Why it’s dangerous: Alcohol depresses the central nervous system. At high levels, it can stop breathing and cause death.
- Symptoms:
- Confusion, stupor
- Vomiting
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Blue-tinged skin
- Unconsciousness
- Treatment: Immediate medical attention; can be fatal if untreated
Max Gruver (LSU) died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink during hazing. Stone Foltz (BGSU) died from the same cause. This could happen to a student near Sumner County.
3. Traumatic Brain Injury — From Falls and Beating
- What it is: Head injuries from falls, blows, or being struck with objects (like wooden paddles).
- Why it’s dangerous: Brain injuries can cause permanent disability, memory loss, or death.
- Symptoms:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Loss of consciousness
- Treatment: Immediate medical attention; may require surgery
Timothy Piazza (Penn State) died after falling down stairs during hazing. His fraternity brothers waited 12 hours to call 911.
4. Hypothermia and Heat Stroke — From Exposure Hazing
- What it is: Forced exposure to extreme cold or heat (e.g., stripping in cold weather, exercising in extreme heat).
- Why it’s dangerous: Can lead to organ failure and death.
- Symptoms:
- Shivering (hypothermia)
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Loss of consciousness
- Treatment: Immediate medical attention; can be fatal
5. Psychological Trauma — The Invisible Wound
Hazing doesn’t just hurt the body — it destroys the mind. Victims often suffer:
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Anxiety and depression
- Suicidal ideation
- Trust issues and social withdrawal
- Academic decline
Our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” This fear is real — and it’s a sign of the psychological damage hazing causes.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Sumner County Hazing Victim
If your child has been hazed, they have legal rights — and so do you. Hazing is illegal in Kansas, and victims can sue for:
1. Negligence — The University and Fraternity Failed to Protect Your Child
- Duty of care: Universities and fraternities have a legal duty to protect students from foreseeable harm.
- Breach of duty: When they fail to prevent hazing, they breach that duty.
- Causation: The hazing directly caused your child’s injuries.
- Damages: Medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
In our case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They had a duty to inspect, regulate, and prevent abuse — and they failed.
2. Assault and Battery — The Individuals Who Hurt Your Child
- Assault: Threatening or causing fear of harm (e.g., “Do this or you’ll be expelled”).
- Battery: Unwanted physical contact (e.g., being struck with a paddle, waterboarded, forced to exercise).
Every person who participated in or facilitated the hazing can be sued individually.
3. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress — The Psychological Torture
- Outrageous conduct: Waterboarding, humiliation, threats — these are extreme and outrageous.
- Severe emotional distress: PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution.
Our client is afraid to speak out. That fear is evidence of the emotional damage caused by hazing.
4. Premises Liability — The University Owns the Building
- If the hazing occurred in a university-owned fraternity house, the university is liable for unsafe conditions.
- If it occurred at a private residence, the homeowner may be liable.
In our case, the University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house. They collected rent while students were being tortured.
5. Punitive Damages — Punishing the Egregious Conduct
- When conduct is especially outrageous, courts can award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future misconduct.
- Waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles — this is outrageous conduct.
In the Gruver case, the jury awarded $6.1 million. In the Piazza case, the settlement was over $110 million. Punitive damages send a message: This cannot happen again.
💰 What Your Case Could Be Worth — Real Hazing Settlements and Verdicts
Hazing cases win big — because juries understand the severity of the abuse. Here’s what other families have recovered:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement + Verdict | $10.1 million |
| Max 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 (multi-million) |
| Adam Oakes | VCU | Delta Chi | Settlement | $4+ million |
Our case is seeking $10 million — and that number is supported by precedent.
What You Could Recover in a Sumner County Hazing Case:
| Damage Type | What It Covers | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships | $10,000 – $100,000 |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries | $100,000 – $1,000,000 |
| Emotional Distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression | $250,000 – $2,000,000 |
| Punitive Damages | Punishing the outrageous conduct | $500,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Total Potential Recovery | $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+ |
You don’t pay us unless we win. We work on contingency — meaning $0 upfront, and we only get paid if we recover money for you.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed Near Sumner County
If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations run out. Here’s what you should do immediately:
1. Get Medical Attention — Even If They “Feel Fine”
- Hazing injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) can take days to appear.
- Go to the ER or urgent care immediately — even if your child says they’re okay.
- Document everything — keep all medical records, bills, and receipts.
Why? Insurance companies will argue that if your child didn’t seek medical attention, they weren’t really hurt. Don’t let them get away with it.
2. Preserve All Evidence
Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence. Preserve everything:
| Evidence Type | What to Save |
|---|---|
| Photos/Videos | Injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house, anything suspicious |
| Text Messages | Group chats, direct messages, threats, admissions of hazing |
| Social Media | Screenshots of posts about hazing, deleted posts, DMs |
| Emails | Any communication with the fraternity, university, or members |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules, any written materials |
| Witness Info | Names and contact info of other pledges, witnesses, bystanders |
| Financial Records | Medical bills, lost wages, tuition receipts |
Do NOT:
- Delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing or incriminating.
- Post about the incident on social media.
- Talk to the fraternity, university, or their lawyers without an attorney.
3. Do NOT Sign Anything or Give Statements
- The fraternity, university, and their insurance companies will try to get you to sign away your rights.
- They will try to get recorded statements to use against you.
- Do not talk to them without an attorney present.
Insurance adjusters are not your friends. Their job is to pay you as little as possible — even if it means twisting your words.
4. Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Kansas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases.
- The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner we can preserve evidence, identify witnesses, and build your case.
- We offer free, confidential consultations — and we don’t charge unless we win.
Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911.
🔍 Who Can Be Held Liable? Everyone Who Let This Happen
Hazing cases involve multiple defendants — because multiple parties are responsible. In our case, we’re suing:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi National | Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies despite knowing about “a hazing crisis” |
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted the hazing |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership who directed or allowed the hazing (president, pledgemaster, etc.) |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated the hazing |
| Former Members | Allowed hazing to occur at their residence |
| University of Houston | Owned the fraternity house; failed to prevent hazing despite prior incidents |
| University Board of Regents | Institutional oversight failure |
This means there are multiple insurance policies and deep pockets to go after. We don’t just sue broke college students — we sue the institutions with the money.
🚫 The “Consent” Defense — Why It Doesn’t Matter in Kansas
Fraternities will try to argue:
“He agreed to participate. He knew what he was getting into. He could have left at any time.”
This is their #1 defense — and it’s legally invalid in Kansas.
Kansas law (and most state laws) explicitly state that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, they did not consent to being waterboarded, beaten, or forced to do 500 squats until their kidneys failed.
The law is clear: You cannot consent to being a victim of a crime.
🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Sumner County Hazing Case?
We are not just any law firm. We are hazing litigation specialists with:
1. Active Hazing Litigation Experience
- We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
- We know exactly how these cases work — because we’re in the fight right now.
- We’ve handled rhabdomyolysis cases, wrongful death cases, and institutional liability cases.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena used to work for insurance companies.
- We know exactly how they try to lowball victims and deny claims.
- We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.
3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Sumner County and Beyond
- We’re based in Texas, but we serve hazing victims nationwide.
- Federal court authority — we can pursue your case in federal court.
- Dual-state bar licenses — Texas and New York.
- We travel to Sumner County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
4. Contingency Fee Representation — $0 Upfront
- You pay nothing to hire us.
- We only get paid if we win your case.
- Our fee is a percentage of your recovery — so we’re on the same team.
5. Aggressive, Compassionate Advocacy
- We don’t back down from powerful institutions.
- We fight for maximum compensation.
- We treat you like family — because we understand what you’re going through.
6. Bilingual Support — Se Habla Español
- We have Spanish-speaking staff to serve Hispanic families.
- No language barriers — we communicate clearly and effectively.
7. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results
- We’ve recovered millions for personal injury victims.
- We’ve taken on massive corporations (like in the BP Texas City explosion case).
- We’ve won cases at trial and through settlement.
📞 What Happens When You Call Attorney 911?
When you call us, here’s what to expect:
- Free, Confidential Consultation — We listen to your story and evaluate your case.
- Immediate Action — We send preservation letters to defendants to protect evidence.
- Investigation — We gather medical records, witness statements, and other evidence.
- Demand Letter — We send a demand to the defendants seeking fair compensation.
- Negotiation — We negotiate aggressively to get you the best possible settlement.
- Litigation (if necessary) — If they won’t settle fairly, we take them to court.
- Recovery — We fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
We handle everything — you focus on healing.
🚨 Sumner County Parents: Your Child’s Life Could Be in Danger
Hazing doesn’t just cause injuries — it kills. Since 2000, at least one student has died from hazing every year in the United States.
The fraternities near Sumner County have the same culture that led to:
- Andrew Coffey’s death (Pi Kappa Phi, 2017)
- Max Gruver’s death (Phi Delta Theta, 2017)
- Timothy Piazza’s death (Beta Theta Pi, 2017)
- Stone Foltz’s death (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021)
They haven’t changed. They won’t change — unless we make them.
If your child is being hazed, don’t wait until it’s too late. Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911.
📢 A Message to Fraternities Near Sumner County
To Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Pi Kappa Alpha, and every other Greek organization operating near Sumner County:
We are watching. We are documenting. We are coming for you.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts in other states apply to your chapters. If you haze students near Sumner County, we will pursue every liable entity — the national organization, the local chapter, the housing corporation, the alumni, and every individual member.
We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH. Your chapter could be next.
🏆 Enough Is Enough — Let’s End Hazing Near Sumner County
Hazing is not tradition. It’s not brotherhood. It’s not harmless fun.
It’s assault. It’s torture. It’s life-threatening.
Sumner County families deserve better. Your children deserve to be safe.
If your child has been hazed, you have legal rights. You have the right to justice. You have the right to compensation. And you have the right to hold the people who hurt your child accountable.
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are here to fight for you.
📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation
1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Serving Sumner County and all of Kansas — because hazing doesn’t stop at state lines.
We don’t get paid unless you do. $0 upfront. No risk. Just justice.
