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Boone County (Earth/North America/United States/Kentucky/Boone County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Pi Kappa Phi Shut Down By Our $10M Lawsuit | Attorney911 — Federal Court | Evidence Preservation Experts | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 22, 2026 20 min read
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🚨 Hazing Lawyers for Boone County, Kentucky Families — Attorney 911

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines. Neither Do We.

Boone County parents: If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization near Boone County, we can help. Based in Texas but serving victims nationwide, Attorney 911 is currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we’re ready to bring the same aggressive representation to Boone County families.

Call 24/7: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com

This Happened in Texas. It’s Happening Near Boone County Too.

The Hazing That Hospitalized Our Client — And Could Happen to Your Child

In November 2025, our client Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being hazed at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. What he endured isn’t just “tradition” — it’s abuse, torture, and reckless endangerment. And it’s happening at universities near Boone County too.

Here’s what Leonel faced — and what Boone County students may be facing right now:

Hazing Activity What Happened Medical Risk
Waterboarding Simulated drowning with a garden hose while doing calisthenics Asphyxiation, psychological trauma
Forced Eating Consumed milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting Choking, aspiration, gastrointestinal distress
Extreme Exercise 500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), kidney failure, cardiac arrest
Wooden Paddles Struck with wooden paddles Bruising, internal injuries, permanent damage
Sleep Deprivation Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours Exhaustion, impaired judgment, accidents
Psychological Abuse Carried a fanny pack with sexual objects; hog-tied face-down for over an hour PTSD, anxiety, depression, humiliation

Leonel wasn’t even a UH student yet. He was a “ghost rush” — a prospective member expected to transfer for the Spring 2026 semester. They did this to someone who wasn’t even enrolled.

This isn’t just happening in Texas. The same fraternities operate at universities near Boone County. The same “traditions” exist. The same negligence allows it to continue.

Why Boone County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW — And Winning

  • We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
  • Our client was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing — the same injuries Boone County students may face.
  • We know how to build these cases, hold institutions accountable, and win.

2. We Serve Boone County Families — No Matter Where Hazing Occurred

While we’re based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), hazing is a nationwide crisis, and we represent victims across America, including Boone County. Here’s how we serve Boone County families:

  • Federal court authority — We can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction.
  • Dual-state bar licenses — Licensed in Texas and New York.
  • Video consultations — Meet with us remotely from Boone County.
  • We travel to Boone County — For depositions, meetings, and trials.
  • 24/7 availability — Hazing emergencies don’t wait. Neither do we.

Distance is not a barrier to justice. If your child was hazed near Boone County, we will fight for you.

3. We Know How to Sue the Deep Pockets

Hazing cases aren’t just about suing broke college students. We go after the institutions with money:

  • National fraternity/sorority organizations (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and more)
  • Universities and colleges near Boone County (they own the houses, they have the duty to protect)
  • Insurance companies (fraternities and universities carry liability policies worth millions)
  • Individuals with assets (chapter officers, alumni, housing corporations)

We know where the money is — and how to get it.

4. We’re Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know:

  • How they minimize claims
  • How they delay payments
  • How they try to blame victims
  • How to counter their tactics

We’ve seen their playbook from the inside — and now we use that knowledge against them.

5. We Offer $0 Upfront — You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

Boone County families shouldn’t have to worry about legal fees while dealing with the trauma of hazing. We take hazing cases on contingency — you pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

How it works:

  • We advance all case costs (investigation, experts, filings).
  • We handle everything — you focus on your child’s recovery.
  • If we win, our fee comes from the settlement or verdict.
  • If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

This levels the playing field. Now Boone County families can fight back against powerful institutions without financial risk.

What Boone County Parents Need to Know About Hazing

1. Hazing Is Illegal in Kentucky

Kentucky has strict anti-hazing laws that apply to Boone County schools. Under KRS 164.375, hazing is defined as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student, or group of students, against another student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in an organization.”

This includes:

  • Physical brutality (beating, paddling, branding)
  • Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats)
  • Any activity that risks serious injury or death

Penalties in Kentucky:

  • Misdemeanor for hazing that causes injury
  • Felony for hazing that causes serious physical injury or death
  • Organizations can be fined or banned

Boone County families: If your child was hazed, they were the victim of a crime. You have legal rights.

2. Consent Is NOT a Defense in Kentucky

Fraternities and sororities near Boone County will try to argue:

  • “Your child agreed to participate.”
  • “They knew what they were getting into.”
  • “They could have left at any time.”

Kentucky law says: CONSENT DOES NOT MATTER.

Under KRS 164.375(4):

“It is not a defense to a charge under this section that the victim consented to the conduct.”

Why this matters for Boone County families:

  • Even if your child “agreed” to hazing, they can still sue.
  • The law protects students from coercion and peer pressure.
  • The focus is on the conduct of the organization — not the victim’s choices.

3. Universities Near Boone County Are Liable Too

Boone County parents often assume fraternities and sororities are independent of the university. They’re not.

Universities near Boone County:

  • Own or control fraternity/sorority houses (premises liability)
  • Recognize and regulate Greek organizations (duty to supervise)
  • Have the power to suspend or expel chapters (failure to act = negligence)
  • Receive federal funding (Title IX liability for failing to protect students)

If your child was hazed near Boone County, the university shares responsibility.

4. Hazing Causes Permanent Damage — Physical and Psychological

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It causes real, lasting harm to Boone County students:

Type of Harm Examples Long-Term Impact
Physical Rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, burns, alcohol poisoning Chronic pain, organ damage, disability
Psychological PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation Therapy, medication, lifelong trauma
Academic Missed classes, failed courses, dropped out Lost scholarships, delayed graduation, career impact
Financial Medical bills, lost wages, future earning capacity Debt, financial instability, economic hardship

Boone County families: These injuries are compensable. You can sue for:

  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • Lost wages and earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)

Who We Sue for Boone County Hazing Victims

When your child is hazed near Boone County, we don’t just sue one person — we sue everyone responsible.

Defendant Why They’re Liable Boone County Application
Local Chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing Boone County fraternity/sorority chapter
National Organization Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Kappa Sigma, etc.
University Owned/controlled property; failed to protect students NKU, UC, Xavier, Miami, Thomas More, etc.
Chapter Officers Leadership responsibility; directed hazing President, pledgemaster, risk manager
Individual Members Participated in or failed to stop hazing Active members who hazed your child
Alumni/Hosts Allowed hazing at their property Former members who hosted events
Insurance Companies Coverage for institutional liability Fraternity/university insurance policies

Boone County families: We pursue every liable party to maximize your compensation.

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing cases don’t just settle — they win big. Here’s what juries and courts have awarded in recent hazing lawsuits:

Case University Fraternity Outcome Amount Why It Matters for Boone County
Stone Foltz Bowling Green State Pi Kappa Alpha Settlement $10.1M+ Same fraternity; $10M is achievable
Maxwell Gruver Louisiana State Phi Delta Theta Jury Verdict $6.1M Juries award millions for hazing
Timothy Piazza Penn State Beta Theta Pi Settlement $110M+ Strong evidence = massive outcome
Andrew Coffey Florida State Pi Kappa Phi Settlement Confidential Same national organization
Adam Oakes Virginia Commonwealth Delta Chi Settlement $4M+ Recent case; shows pattern

Boone County families: These cases prove that hazing victims win. The same legal strategies apply to Boone County cases.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed Near Boone County

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

  • Go to the ER or urgent care — even if injuries seem minor.
  • Document everything — medical records are critical evidence.
  • Mental health matters — seek therapy for PTSD, anxiety, or depression.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

  • Take photos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
  • Save all communications — texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, emails.
  • Write down everything — dates, times, what happened, who was there.
  • Get witness information — other pledges, bystanders, friends.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization

  • Do not confront the fraternity/sorority or university alone.
  • Do not give statements to their lawyers or insurance companies.
  • Do not sign anything without legal counsel.
  • Do not post on social media about the incident.

Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

  • 24/7 Hazing Hotline: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911
  • Email: ralph@atty911.com
  • Free consultation — we’ll evaluate your case at no cost.
  • No upfront fees — we only get paid if we win.

The sooner you call, the stronger your case. Evidence disappears quickly, and statutes of limitations apply.

Boone County Universities: The Same Hazing Risks Exist Here

Boone County is home to Northern Kentucky University, and nearby universities with active Greek life include:

  • University of Cincinnati (UC)
  • Xavier University
  • Miami University
  • Thomas More University

These schools have the same fraternities and sororities involved in nationwide hazing scandals:

Fraternity Notable Hazing Cases Universities Near Boone County
Pi Kappa Phi Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017), Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025) UC, NKU
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical burns (Texas A&M, 2021) UC, Xavier
Kappa Sigma Adam Oakes (VCU, 2021) UC, NKU
Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) UC, Miami
Phi Delta Theta Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017) UC, Xavier

Boone County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Boone County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.

Warning Signs of Hazing Near Boone County

Hazing is often hidden, but Boone County parents should watch for these red flags:

Physical Signs Behavioral Signs Academic Signs
Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns Withdrawal from family/friends Sudden drop in grades
Extreme fatigue or exhaustion Increased anxiety or depression Skipping classes
Difficulty walking or moving Mood swings or irritability Missing assignments
Vomiting or nausea Fear of social situations Dropping out of activities
Weight loss or gain Nightmares or insomnia Avoiding certain people
Signs of alcohol poisoning Secretive behavior Quitting sports/clubs

If you notice these signs in your Boone County student, ask questions — and call us if you suspect hazing.

Frequently Asked Questions for Boone County Families

1. Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

Yes. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it’s part of the organization’s activities, they’re liable.

2. What if my child “consented” to hazing?

Consent is not a defense in Kentucky. Even if your child agreed to participate, they can still sue. The law protects students from coercion and peer pressure.

3. How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

Kentucky’s statute of limitations for personal injury is 1 year. However, some exceptions may apply. Call us immediately to protect your rights.

4. Can we sue the university near Boone County?

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to act, they’re liable.

5. What if the fraternity is already suspended?

Suspension doesn’t erase liability. We can still sue the national organization, individual members, and the university.

6. How much is our case worth?

Every case is unique, but hazing cases often settle for hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on:

  • Severity of injuries
  • Egregiousness of conduct
  • Number of liable parties
  • Insurance coverage available

We’ll evaluate your Boone County case for free and give you an honest assessment.

7. Will this affect my child’s academic record?

No. Pursuing a lawsuit is confidential and won’t appear on your child’s transcript. Universities cannot retaliate against students for seeking justice.

8. Can we sue if no one was physically injured?

Yes. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is compensable. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may have a case.

9. What if we’re not sure it was hazing?

Call us. We’ll review the facts and help you determine if it meets Kentucky’s legal definition of hazing.

10. How do we pay for a lawyer?

You don’t. We work on contingency — $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

Boone County Hazing Resources

Report Hazing Near Boone County:

Support for Hazing Victims:

  • National Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
  • Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Legal Help for Boone County Families:

The Message to Boone County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Boone County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10 million+ verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students near Boone County, we will find every liable entity — the university, the national organization, the housing corporation, and every individual member.

To the universities near Boone County:
You own the houses. You recognize the organizations. You have the power to stop hazing. If you fail to protect Boone County students, you will be held accountable — just like the University of Houston.

The Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at UH?
SHUT DOWN. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.

That’s what happens when you haze near Boone County. Your chapter could be next.

Boone County Families: We’re Here to Fight for You

You are not alone. Hazing is a betrayal of trust — but you have the power to fight back. We’ve seen what fraternities do to kids. We’re fighting it in court right now. We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. And we will fight hard for Boone County families, because we truly care.

Call us today for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com

We serve Boone County families with the same aggression we bring to our $10 million hazing case. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Boone County Hazing Lawyer — Serving NKU, UC, Xavier, Miami, Thomas More, and All Nearby Universities

Attorney 911
📍 Serving Boone County from Houston, Austin, and Beaumont
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing

$0 Upfront. $0 Unless We Win. Boone County Families Deserve Justice.

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