🛡️ Attorney 911 — Hazing Victims in Thomas County, Kansas: Your Path to Justice

Thomas County families: If your child has been a victim of fraternity, sorority, or organizational hazing at a college or university near Thomas County, Kansas, you are not alone. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we will bring this same aggressive representation to Thomas County.

Call now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Thomas County, Kansas — What Families Need to Know

Hazing is not harmless “tradition.” It is abuse, torture, and sometimes manslaughter — and it happens at colleges and universities across America, including institutions near Thomas County.

What Is Happening Near Thomas County?

While Thomas County itself is a rural area, students from Thomas County often attend larger universities in Kansas and neighboring states where Greek life is active. These include:

• Fort Hays State University (Hays, KS — approximately 30 miles south of Thomas County)
• University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS)
• Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS)
• Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO)
• University of Nebraska (Lincoln, NE)

At these schools — and many others — national fraternities and sororities with chapters near Thomas County engage in dangerous hazing rituals, including:

• Forced alcohol consumption leading to alcohol poisoning
• Extreme physical punishment (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls) causing rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Waterboarding and simulated drowning
• Forced eating until vomiting
• Sleep deprivation and exhaustion
• Psychological torture and humiliation

This is not “boys being boys.” This is not “building brotherhood.” This is abuse — and it is illegal in Kansas.

⚠️ The Landmark Case: Why Thomas County Families Should Pay Attention

We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being hazed at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. Our lawsuit seeks $10 million in damages.

What Happened to Leonel Bermudez — And Why It Matters to Thomas County

Leonel Bermudez, a “ghost rush” (not even enrolled at UH yet), accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi in September 2025. Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups in a single session
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass
• Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to exhaustion

On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event. He was forced to perform extreme physical exercises until he collapsed and could not stand without help. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. The next day, he was so sore he couldn’t move. His condition worsened, and on November 6, 2025, his mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days in the hospital.

Why This Case Is Relevant to Thomas County

1. The same fraternities operate near Thomas County.

   • Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other national organizations have chapters at universities near Thomas County, including Fort Hays State University and others.

2. The same hazing “traditions” exist near Thomas County.

   • The abuse that hospitalized Bermudez is not unique to Houston. It happens at universities across America — including those near Thomas County.

3. Universities near Thomas County face the same liability.

   • The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. Universities near Thomas County may also own or control Greek housing — and they have the same duty to protect students.

4. National organizations have deep pockets.

   • Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide and substantial insurance coverage. The same is true for other national fraternities operating near Thomas County.

5. Thomas County victims can win.

   • Our case shows that hazing victims can hold institutions accountable — and win multi-million dollar settlements. Thomas County families deserve the same justice.

💔 The Human Cost: Hazing Kills and Maims Students

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It has killed students across America and left countless others with permanent physical and psychological damage. Consider these real cases:

Thomas County families: These are not isolated incidents. This is a national crisis — and it happens at universities near Thomas County.

⚖️ Kansas Hazing Laws: What Thomas County Families Need to Know

Kansas has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students — including those from Thomas County who attend college elsewhere.

Kansas Statutes § 21-5414 — Criminal Hazing

In Kansas, hazing is a criminal offense. Specifically:

“Hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with others, against a student in connection with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, participating in, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization which is affiliated with an educational institution, and which is intended to have the effect of, or should reasonably be expected to have the effect of, humiliating, degrading, or injuring the student.

Penalties for hazing in Kansas:

• Class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months in jail and $1,000 fine)
• Class A misdemeanor if the hazing results in bodily harm (up to 1 year in jail and $2,500 fine)
• Nonperson felony if the hazing results in great bodily harm or death (up to 3.5 years in prison)

Important for Thomas County families: Even if the hazing occurred in another state (e.g., Colorado or Nebraska), Kansas law may still apply if the victim is a Kansas resident or the organization is based in Kansas.

Consent Is Not a Defense in Kansas

Kansas law explicitly states:

“It shall not be a defense to a prosecution under this section that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This means that even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity or organization can still be held liable.

Organizational Liability

Kansas law also holds organizations criminally liable for hazing committed by their members. This means:

• Local chapters can be held responsible
• National organizations can be held responsible
• Universities can be held responsible if they knew or should have known about the hazing

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing Near Thomas County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing:

Thomas County families: This means that if your child was hazed at a university near Thomas County, you can sue multiple defendants — and maximize your recovery.

💰 What Can Thomas County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families are entitled to full compensation for the harm they have suffered. This includes:

Economic Damages (Tangible Losses)

• Medical expenses (hospital bills, therapy, rehabilitation, future care)
• Lost wages (time missed from work due to injuries)
• Educational losses (tuition, scholarships, academic disruption)
• Funeral expenses (in wrongful death cases)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain and suffering (from injuries, medical treatment, recovery)
• Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution)
• Emotional distress (humiliation, shame, loss of trust)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)
• Disfigurement or permanent impairment (scars, lasting physical limitations)

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

In cases of gross negligence or intentional harm, courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future misconduct. This is particularly relevant in hazing cases where:

• The organization knew about prior incidents and did nothing
• The hazing involved torture or extreme cruelty (e.g., waterboarding)
• The organization tried to cover up the hazing

Thomas County families: In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are seeking $10 million — an amount supported by recent hazing verdicts and settlements.

📋 What Should Thomas County Families Do If Their Child Is Hazed?

If your child has been hazed at a university near Thomas County, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and statutes of limitations expire. Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and other hazing injuries can be life-threatening
• Medical records are critical evidence

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails)
• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence
• Write down everything your child remembers (dates, times, what happened, who was involved)
• Get names and contact info of witnesses (other pledges, bystanders)
• Do NOT delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing or incriminating

Step 3: Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone

• Do NOT talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
• Do NOT sign anything from the organization or university
• Do NOT post on social media about the incident
• Do NOT give statements to university administrators alone

Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately

• Kansas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims
• Evidence disappears quickly (texts deleted, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records)
• The sooner you involve an attorney, the stronger your case will be

Step 5: Report to Authorities (Optional but Recommended)

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in Kansas)
• Report to the university’s Title IX office (if sexual assault or gender-based hazing occurred)
• Report to the national organization (though they may not act)

🎯 Why Thomas County Families Should Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case

• We are actively fighting for Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
• We know how to build these cases and hold institutions accountable
• Thomas County families get the same aggressive representation

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides
• We know their playbook — how they try to minimize or deny claims
• We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery

3. We Have Federal Court Authority

• Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• Can pursue cases in federal court if needed
• Can represent Thomas County families regardless of where the hazing occurred

4. We Are Dual-State Licensed (Texas and New York)

• This gives us strategic advantage in cases against national fraternities (many are headquartered in New York)
• Can pursue claims against organizations based anywhere in the U.S.

5. We Offer Free, Confidential Consultations

• No upfront cost
• No obligation
• We come to you if needed

6. We Work on Contingency — You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

• No win, no fee
• We only get paid if we recover compensation for you
• This means no financial risk for Thomas County families

7. We Travel to Thomas County

• We will come to Thomas County for meetings, depositions, and trials
• Distance is not a barrier to justice

8. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)

• Many hazing victims are from Spanish-speaking families
• We provide bilingual representation to ensure no language barriers

9. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

• Recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims
• Experience with high-stakes litigation (e.g., BP Texas City explosion)
• Aggressive, trial-ready representation

📞 Thomas County Families: Contact Us Now

If your child has been hazed at a university near Thomas County, do not wait. Evidence disappears, and your legal rights expire.

Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

We serve Thomas County and all of Kansas — and we will fight for your family.

🔍 Frequently Asked Questions for Thomas County Families

Q: What if my child was hazed at a university outside of Kansas?

A: It doesn’t matter where the hazing occurred. If your child is a Kansas resident or the organization has ties to Kansas, we can pursue the case. We have federal court authority and can represent victims nationwide.

Q: What if my child “consented” to the hazing?

A: Consent is not a defense in Kansas. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable. The law is clear: you cannot consent to being hazed.

Q: What if the hazing happened months or years ago?

A: Act now. Kansas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to sue. Even if the hazing occurred years ago, contact us — there may be exceptions.

Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

A: We understand. Many hazing victims fear retribution for speaking out. We protect our clients. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, our client was “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution” — but with our legal protection, he is standing up for justice.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

A: Nothing upfront. We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so there is no financial risk for Thomas County families.

Q: Can we sue the university?

A: Yes, if the university failed to protect your child. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing the University of Houston because they owned the fraternity house and had a prior hazing incident in 2017. If a university near Thomas County knew or should have known about hazing and did nothing, they can be held liable.

Q: What if my child doesn’t want to sue?

A: We respect your child’s wishes. However, pursuing legal action is not just about compensation — it’s about stopping the abuse and protecting future students. Many victims choose to sue because they don’t want what happened to them to happen to someone else.

Q: What if the fraternity says it was “just tradition”?

A: Tradition is not an excuse for abuse. Waterboarding, forced eating, and extreme physical punishment are not “tradition” — they are torture. Juries and courts do not accept “tradition” as a defense.

📢 A Message to Fraternities and Universities Near Thomas County

To the fraternities, sororities, and universities operating near Thomas County:

We are watching. We are litigating. We are holding you accountable.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million+ verdicts in other hazing cases apply to your chapters. If you haze students near Thomas County, we will pursue every liable entity — including:

• Your local chapter
• Your national organization
• Your university
• Your individual members
• Your insurance carriers

We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your history.

The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at University of Houston is now shut down. The same can happen to your chapter near Thomas County.

Clean up your act now — or we will clean it up in court.

🏆 Our Commitment to Thomas County Families

At Attorney 911, we don’t just represent clients — we fight for justice. We fight to:

1. Hold abusers accountable — so they can’t hurt others
2. Secure fair compensation — so victims can rebuild their lives
3. Change the culture — so no other Thomas County family has to go through this

Thomas County families: You are not alone. We are here to help.

Call now:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Enough is enough. It’s time to end hazing near Thomas County — for good.