Hazing Lawyers for Lewis County, Kentucky Families – Attorney 911

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines – We Fight for Lewis County Victims Nationwide

Lewis County families: If your child has been hazed at a college, university, fraternity, sorority, or student organization, you are not alone. Hazing is happening at institutions near Lewis County—and across Kentucky and America. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston have chapters at universities near Lewis County. The same negligence that led to a $10 million lawsuit in Texas exists right here in Kentucky.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we will fight for Lewis County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to this landmark case.

This Happened in Houston. It’s Happening Near Lewis County.

The Case That Shows What Hazing Really Looks Like

On November 21, 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was systematically abused during the pledge process.

What happened to him wasn’t “tradition.” It wasn’t “brotherhood.” It was torture.

Waterboarded with a garden hose – Simulated drowning, a form of torture
Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
Struck with wooden paddles – Physical assault with weapons
Forced to eat until vomiting – Then forced to keep running through his own vomit
Hog-tied face-down on a table – Another pledge was restrained for over an hour
Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

Leonel wasn’t even a University of Houston student yet. He was a “ghost rush”—a prospective member expected to transfer. They hazed him anyway.

This isn’t just a Houston problem. It’s a Lewis County problem.

The same fraternities that did this in Texas have chapters at universities near Lewis County. The same negligence that allowed this to happen at UH exists at institutions in Kentucky. And the same legal strategies that are winning our $10 million case apply to Lewis County victims.

Why Lewis County Families Need a Hazing Lawyer

1. Hazing Is Illegal in Kentucky – But It Still Happens

Kentucky has anti-hazing laws that make it a crime to engage in or encourage hazing. Yet, every year, students in Lewis County and across Kentucky are subjected to dangerous, humiliating, and sometimes deadly hazing rituals.

Common hazing activities near Lewis County include:

Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, “chugging” games)
Extreme physical punishment (calisthenics to exhaustion, paddling, beatings)
Sleep deprivation (forced late-night activities, denied rest)
Psychological torture (humiliation, threats, isolation)
Sexual abuse (forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects)
Waterboarding and simulated drowning (yes, this happens here too)

If your child was hazed, they were the victim of a crime. And you have the right to hold the perpetrators—and the institutions that allowed it—accountable.

2. Universities and Fraternities Will Protect Themselves – Not Your Child

When hazing happens, universities and Greek organizations don’t rush to help the victim—they rush to protect themselves.

They minimize the incident (“It was just a prank”)
They blame the victim (“They consented to participate”)
They destroy evidence (deleting texts, photos, videos)
They pressure victims to stay silent (“Don’t ruin the fraternity’s reputation”)
They settle quietly to avoid bad publicity

They do not care about your child. They care about their reputation and their bottom line.

That’s why you need a lawyer who knows how to fight them.

3. The Same Fraternities Are Active Near Lewis County

The fraternity that waterboarded Leonel Bermudez—Pi Kappa Phi—has 150+ chapters nationwide, including at universities in Kentucky.

Other fraternities with hazing histories also operate near Lewis County:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Multiple hazing deaths, including at Texas A&M
Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – $10 million settlement in Ohio (Stone Foltz case)
Beta Theta Pi – $110 million settlement in Pennsylvania (Timothy Piazza case)
Phi Delta Theta – $6.1 million jury verdict in Louisiana (Max Gruver case)

If your child was hazed by any of these organizations, we can help.

4. You Have a Limited Time to Act

Kentucky has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims—typically 1-2 years from the date of the incident.

If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.

Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Defendants destroy records.

The time to act is NOW.

What Can Lewis County Families Sue For?

If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Type of Damage	Examples
Medical Expenses	Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment
Lost Wages	Time missed from work, lost internship opportunities
Pain and Suffering	Physical pain from injuries, emotional trauma
Mental Anguish	PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation
Educational Disruption	Dropped classes, delayed graduation, lost scholarships
Punitive Damages	Additional money to punish egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol poisoning)

In our current case, we are seeking $10 million for Leonel Bermudez. Similar results are possible for Lewis County victims.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Lewis County?

Hazing cases often involve multiple defendants, all of whom can be held accountable:

Defendant	Why They’re Liable
Local Chapter	Directly organized and conducted hazing
National Organization	Failed to supervise chapter; knew about hazing culture
University/College	Failed to protect students; may own fraternity house
Individual Members	Participated in or allowed hazing
Chapter Officers	Leadership responsibility (president, pledgemaster)
Alumni	Hosted hazing at their homes; premises liability
Insurance Companies	Provide coverage for institutional liability

In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing:

The local chapter
The national organization
The University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
Individual members
A former member and his spouse (hazing occurred at their home)

The same strategy applies to Lewis County cases.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Lewis County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked out.

Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be life-threatening
Alcohol poisoning can cause death
Psychological trauma may not appear immediately

Document everything. Keep all medical records.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do not delete anything. Save:

Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
Photos and videos of injuries or hazing activities
Names and contact info of witnesses
Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules)
Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes)
Academic records (if hazing affected grades or enrollment)

If you don’t preserve evidence now, it may disappear forever.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone

They will try to control the narrative.
They will pressure you to sign documents.
They will twist your words to blame you.

Anything you say can be used against you.

Step 4: Do NOT Post on Social Media

Do not post about the incident.
Do not post photos of yourself looking “fine.”
Do not engage with Greek life members online.

Insurance companies and lawyers will use your posts against you.

Step 5: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

Time is critical. The sooner you involve an attorney, the stronger your case will be.

At Attorney 911, we offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations for Lewis County families
✅ Contingency fee representation – $0 upfront costs (we only get paid if you win)
✅ Nationwide representation – We come to Lewis County for depositions and trials
✅ Video consultations – Meet with us remotely if you can’t travel
✅ Se habla español – Bilingual support for Spanish-speaking families

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Lewis County Hazing Case?

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

While other firms talk about hazing, we are actively fighting it in court right now.

Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is setting precedent for Lewis County families.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena—worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides to represent victims.

We know how they think. We know how they try to minimize claims. And we know how to beat them.

3. Federal Court Authority – We Can Pursue Your Case Anywhere

We are admitted to U.S. District Court, meaning we can represent Lewis County victims nationwide—not just in Kentucky.

Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. Neither do we.

4. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

We have recovered millions of dollars for victims of:

Hazing and fraternity abuse
Car accidents
Trucking accidents
Wrongful death
Brain and spinal cord injuries

We know how to maximize your recovery.

5. We Fight for Justice – Not Just Money

We don’t just settle cases. We hold institutions accountable.

In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are fighting to:

Shut down dangerous chapters
Force universities to implement real oversight
Change the culture of hazing

We see your child as a person—not a paycheck.

Lewis County Hazing Cases We Handle

We represent victims of hazing in:

Fraternities and sororities near Lewis County
College sports teams (football, basketball, baseball, etc.)
Marching bands and performing arts groups
ROTC and military training programs
Honor societies and academic clubs
Any student organization that uses abuse as “initiation”

If your child was hazed, we can help.

Common Hazing Injuries We See in Lewis County Cases

Injury	How It Happens	Long-Term Effects
Rhabdomyolysis	Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats)	Kidney failure, permanent damage
Alcohol Poisoning	Forced binge drinking	Death, brain damage, organ failure
Traumatic Brain Injury	Beatings, falls, paddling	Cognitive impairment, memory loss
Broken Bones	Physical abuse	Chronic pain, disability
Burns	Branding, hot objects	Permanent scarring
Hypothermia	Forced exposure to cold	Organ damage, frostbite
Heat Stroke	Forced exercise in heat	Organ failure, death
PTSD/Anxiety/Depression	Psychological torture	Lifelong mental health struggles
Sexual Assault	Forced nudity, sexual acts	Trauma, shame, long-term therapy

These injuries are preventable. The institutions that allowed them must be held accountable.

What to Expect in Your Lewis County Hazing Case

Phase 1: Free Consultation

We listen to your story
We evaluate your case
We explain your legal options

Phase 2: Investigation

Gather evidence (texts, photos, witness statements)
Obtain medical records
Identify all liable parties

Phase 3: Demand Letter

Send a demand to the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
Negotiate a fair settlement

Phase 4: Litigation (If Necessary)

File a lawsuit
Conduct depositions
Present your case in court

Phase 5: Resolution

Settlement or jury verdict
Compensation for your damages

We handle every step so you can focus on healing.

Frequently Asked Questions for Lewis County Families

1. Can I sue if my child consented to hazing?

Yes. Kentucky law does not allow “consent” as a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

2. Can I sue if my child wasn’t hospitalized?

Yes. You don’t have to be hospitalized to have a case. If your child suffered physical or psychological harm, you may be entitled to compensation.

3. Can I sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

Yes. Hazing is illegal on or off campus. If it happened at a fraternity house, an alumni’s home, or anywhere else, the organization can still be held liable.

4. Can I sue if my child is afraid of retaliation?

Yes. We protect our clients’ identities and take steps to prevent retaliation. Many hazing victims are afraid to come forward—we understand, and we will protect you.

5. Can I sue if the fraternity was already suspended?

Yes. Even if the chapter was closed, the national organization and university may still be liable for allowing the hazing to happen.

6. Can I sue if my child wasn’t a student yet?

Yes. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, the victim wasn’t even enrolled at UH. They hazed him anyway. If a fraternity or organization hazed your child, regardless of enrollment status, they can be held liable.

7. How much is my case worth?

Every case is different. Factors include:

Severity of injuries
Medical expenses
Psychological trauma
Lost wages
Punitive damages (if conduct was egregious)

In our current case, we are seeking $10 million. Similar results are possible for Lewis County victims.

8. How long will my case take?

Minor injuries, clear liability: 6-12 months
Moderate injuries, single defendant: 12-18 months
Severe injuries, multiple defendants: 18-36 months
Wrongful death cases: 2-4 years

We work as quickly as possible, but we won’t rush your case if it means accepting less than you deserve.

9. Do I have to go to court?

Most cases settle. But if the defendants won’t offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to trial.

10. What if I can’t afford a lawyer?

You don’t pay us unless we win. We work on a contingency fee basis—no upfront costs, no hourly fees. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing.

Lewis County Families: You Are Not Alone

Hazing is not “boys being boys.” It’s not “tradition.” It’s not “building character.”

It is abuse. It is assault. It is torture.

And it is illegal.

If your child was hazed, we will fight for you. We will hold the fraternity, the university, and the individuals who hurt them accountable.

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will bring that same fight to Lewis County.

Contact Attorney 911 Today – Free Consultation for Lewis County Families

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9111)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

Available 24/7 for Lewis County hazing emergencies.

We come to Lewis County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

Se habla español.

$0 upfront costs. We only get paid if you win.

Lewis County Hazing Resources

National Hazing Hotlines

HazingPrevention.Org: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
Gordie Center (Hazing Education): 1-866-GORDIE-1 (1-866-467-3431)

Kentucky-Specific Resources

Kentucky Department of Education – Anti-Hazing: Link
Kentucky State Police – Hazing Reporting: Link

Mental Health Support

Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Lewis County Families: The Time to Act Is Now

Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights.