Hazing Victims in Oldham County, Kentucky: Your Legal Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help

🚨 Hazing Is Happening in Oldham County — And It’s Not What You Think

Oldham County parents send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust that universities and Greek organizations near Oldham County will protect their kids from harm. But the truth is, hazing is happening right now at institutions near Oldham County — and it’s not just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.”

It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s torture. And it’s illegal.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now in a landmark $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. A young man was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure — all as part of what the fraternity called “pledging.”

The same fraternities operate near Oldham County. The same universities near Oldham County have the same oversight failures. And the same national organizations that allowed this to happen in Houston are operating near Oldham County right now.

If your child has been hazed in Oldham County or at a university near Oldham County, we can help.

🏛️ The Hazing Crisis in Oldham County & Beyond

What Is Hazing?

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them — regardless of whether they consent. In Kentucky and across America, hazing is illegal, and consent is not a defense.

Hazing Isn’t Just “Harmless Fun” — It’s Dangerous

Hazing can cause:

• Physical injuries (broken bones, burns, internal injuries)
• Life-threatening conditions (rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injury)
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide)
• Death

Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S. And for every death, there are countless victims who survive but suffer lifelong consequences.

Hazing Is Happening Near Oldham County

Oldham County is home to families who send their children to colleges and universities across Kentucky and beyond. Many of these institutions have active Greek life organizations, including:

• University of Louisville (just 20 miles from Oldham County)
• University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY)
• Bellarmine University (Louisville)
• Spalding University (Louisville)
• Indiana University Southeast (New Albany, IN — near Oldham County)
• And many more

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, and others — have chapters at universities near Oldham County.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Oldham County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

⚠️ The Landmark Case: What Happened at UH — And What It Means for Oldham County

📰 The Case That Proves Hazing Is Out of Control

In November 2025, Attorney 911 filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after weeks of brutal hazing.

This wasn’t just hazing. It was torture.

What Happened to Leonel Bermudez?

Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston in September 2025. What followed was seven weeks of systematic abuse, including:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass
• Another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
• A pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a workout

On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event. He was forced to do extreme physical exercises while reciting the fraternity creed under threat of expulsion. He became so exhausted he could not stand without help. The next day, he was so sore he couldn’t move. By November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days in the hospital.

Why This Case Matters to Oldham County Families

1. The Same Fraternities Operate Near Oldham County

   • Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America, including in Kentucky and nearby states.
   • If they’re waterboarding students in Houston, how many other chapters near Oldham County are doing the same?

2. Universities Near Oldham County Have the Same Failures

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

3. They Knew This Could Happen — And Did Nothing

   • In 2017, a student at UH was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen from hazing at a different fraternity.
   • In 2017, Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event at Florida State University from forced alcohol consumption.
   • They had 8 years to fix their culture. They didn’t.

4. This Isn’t the First Time — And It Won’t Be the Last

   • Hazing deaths and serious injuries happen every year at universities across America.
   • Oldham County families deserve to know that their children are at risk.

💔 What Hazing Looks Like in Oldham County & Nearby Universities

Hazing isn’t just about drinking games. It’s organized abuse disguised as “tradition.” Here’s what hazing can look like at universities near Oldham County:

Physical Abuse

• Beatings with paddles, belts, or other objects
• Forced exercise to exhaustion (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
• Branding or burning
• Sleep deprivation (forced to stay up all night for “activities”)

Forced Consumption

• Forced to drink alcohol until vomiting or passing out
• Forced to eat spoiled food, hot sauce, or other substances
• Forced to consume large amounts of milk, eggs, or other foods until vomiting

Psychological Torture

• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Being stripped naked in public or in cold weather
• Carrying objects of a sexual nature at all times
• Being forced to wear humiliating clothing or signs
• Verbal abuse and threats

Dangerous Activities

• Being left in remote locations (kidnappings)
• Being forced to engage in illegal activities
• Being forced to endure extreme weather conditions

Medical Consequences of Hazing

Hazing can cause serious, life-threatening injuries, including:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure — like our client)
• Alcohol poisoning (leading to coma or death)
• Traumatic brain injury (from falls or beatings)
• Heat stroke or hypothermia (from extreme weather exposure)
• Internal injuries (from physical abuse)
• PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicide

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Hazing Victim in Oldham County

If your child has been hazed in Oldham County or at a university near Oldham County, they have legal rights. You may be able to file a civil lawsuit against:

• The local fraternity chapter
• The national fraternity organization
• The university
• The individuals who participated in the hazing

Kentucky Anti-Hazing Laws

Kentucky has strict anti-hazing laws that make hazing a criminal offense. Under KRS 164.375, hazing is defined as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization.”

Criminal Penalties in Kentucky:

• Class B misdemeanor (up to 90 days in jail, $250 fine)
• Class A misdemeanor if the hazing causes serious physical injury (up to 12 months in jail, $500 fine)
• Class D felony if the hazing causes death (1-5 years in prison)

Important: Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that does not excuse the hazing.

Civil Lawsuits: Holding Institutions Accountable

In addition to criminal charges, hazing victims can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:

• Medical bills (hospitalization, rehabilitation, therapy)
• Lost wages (if the victim missed work due to injuries)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish the defendants for egregious conduct)

Precedent Cases Show Hazing Victims Can Win Millions:

Oldham County families deserve the same justice.

🏥 What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Oldham County

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. Here’s what to do immediately:

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention

• Go to the emergency room if your child is injured or showing signs of distress.
• Document all injuries with photos and medical records.
• Get a full medical evaluation — some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not be immediately obvious.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails).
• Take screenshots of any social media posts about the hazing.
• Photograph injuries at all stages of healing.
• Get names and contact information of witnesses.
• Do not delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing or incriminating.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer

• Do not sign anything from the fraternity, sorority, or university.
• Do not give a statement to university officials or Greek life leaders.
• Do not post about the incident on social media — anything you say can be used against you.

Step 4: Contact a Hazing Attorney Immediately

• Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
• We will guide you through the next steps and protect your rights.
• We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.

Step 5: Report the Hazing

• File a police report with local law enforcement.
• Report to the university (but do not do this without legal counsel).
• Report to the national fraternity organization (if applicable).

🔍 Why Oldham County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to win these cases.

2. We Have Insider Knowledge

Both of our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how insurance companies and universities try to minimize or deny claims. We use that knowledge to fight back and maximize your compensation.

3. We Serve Oldham County Families Nationwide

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims across America, including in Oldham County and Kentucky. We offer:

• Video consultations for Oldham County families
• Willingness to travel to Oldham County for depositions, trials, and meetings
• Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)

4. We Work on Contingency — No Upfront Costs

Oldham County families pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This means:

• No financial risk for you
• No hourly fees
• We’re motivated to win — because we don’t get paid unless you do

5. We Have a Proven Track Record

• 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
• Former insurance defense attorneys — we know their playbook
• Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases
• Experience with high-profile cases, including the BP Texas City explosion litigation
• Google 4.9-star rating (250+ reviews)

6. We Understand the Emotional Toll

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries — it causes deep emotional trauma. We understand the shame, fear, and betrayal that hazing victims and their families experience. We treat every client with compassion, respect, and dignity.

📞 Oldham County Families: Call Us Now — Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed in Oldham County or at a university near Oldham County, you are not alone. We can help.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Email: ralph@atty911.com

We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Oldham County, Kentucky.

You pay nothing unless we win.

🚫 To Fraternities and Universities Near Oldham County: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating near Oldham County:

• Pi Kappa Phi
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Pi Kappa Alpha
• Phi Delta Theta
• Beta Theta Pi
• And all others

We are watching. We are documenting. And we are coming for you.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. If you haze students near Oldham County, we will pursue every liable entity — your national organization, your local chapter, your housing corporation, and your individual members.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.

Your chapter could be next.

📢 A Message to Oldham County Parents

Oldham County parents: You send your children to college expecting them to be safe. You trust that universities and Greek organizations will protect them.

But the truth is, hazing is happening at universities near Oldham County right now. And the institutions that should be protecting your children are failing them.

We can help.

If your child has been hazed, call us immediately. We will fight for justice, accountability, and compensation.

Oldham County families deserve better. Your child deserves better.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.

📚 Additional Resources for Oldham County Families

Kentucky Anti-Hazing Laws

• KRS 164.375 – Kentucky’s anti-hazing statute
• KRS 508.140 – Assault in the fourth degree (applies to hazing)
• KRS 508.020 – Assault in the second degree (if serious injury occurs)

National Hazing Prevention Organizations

• HazingPrevention.org – Education and prevention resources
• StopHazing.org – Research and advocacy
• Clery Center – Campus safety resources

Mental Health Support

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

🔚 Enough Is Enough, Oldham County

Hazing has taken too many lives. It has destroyed too many futures. It has betrayed the trust of too many families.

Oldham County families deserve better. Your children deserve better.

If your child has been hazed, we can help.

Call Attorney 911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911.

We don’t get paid unless you do.

Let’s end hazing together.