24/7 LIVE STAFF — Compassionate help, any time day or night
CALL NOW 1-888-ATTY-911
Blog | Earth

Middlesex County (Earth/North America/United States/Massachusetts/Middlesex County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 22, 2026 17 min read
middlesex-county-featured-image.png

Here is the complete, publication-ready, Middlesex County-optimized marketing content for hazing victims. This content is comprehensive, culturally relevant, educational, and fully SEO-optimized for Middlesex County, Massachusetts audiences:

Hazing Victims in Middlesex County Deserve Justice

This Happened in Texas. It Could Happen to Your Child in Middlesex County.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a student with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The same fraternities operate at universities across Middlesex County. The same negligence exists at Middlesex County institutions. And we will fight for Middlesex County families with the same aggression.

If your child was hazed in Middlesex County, you are not alone. We are here to help.

What Middlesex County Families Need to Know About Hazing

The Hazing Crisis in Middlesex County

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” It’s abuse. It’s torture. And it happens right here in Middlesex County.

The Statistics Are Alarming:

  • 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
  • 40% of student athletes report hazing
  • Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States
  • 95% of students who are hazed do not report it
  • Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student organizations in Middlesex County

Middlesex County Universities Are Not Immune:

  • Tufts University
  • Harvard University
  • MIT
  • Brandeis University
  • Bentley University
  • Regis College
  • Lasell University
  • Cambridge College
  • Middlesex Community College

These institutions have active Greek life chapters, sports teams, and student organizations where hazing occurs. If your child attends or plans to attend any of these schools, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Texas.

The Landmark Case: What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Middlesex County

The $10 Million Fight Against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston

Our client, 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, torture, and hazing that hospitalized him for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

What Middlesex County Families Need to Understand:

  • The same fraternities that hazed our client operate at universities near Middlesex County.
  • The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist in Middlesex County.
  • Universities near Middlesex County face the same liability failures as UH.
  • If your child is being hazed in Middlesex County, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting in Houston.

The Hazing Activities That Hospitalized Our Client

Our client was subjected to extreme physical and psychological abuse, including:

Physical Abuse Forced Consumption Psychological Torture Sleep Deprivation
Waterboarding with a garden hose Forced to drink milk until vomiting Carrying objects of sexual nature Forced to drive members during early morning hours
Struck with wooden paddles Forced to eat hot dogs and peppercorns until vomiting Hog-tied with object in mouth for over an hour Exhaustion from late-night activities
500+ squats Forced to continue running after vomiting Stripped to underwear in cold weather Chronic sleep deprivation
100+ pushups Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass Threats of physical punishment and expulsion
Bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “suicides”
100-yard crawls
Two-mile warmups

The Result: Our client collapsed on November 3, 2025. He couldn’t stand without help. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. His mother rushed him to the hospital on November 6, where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days in the hospital.

Why This Case Matters to Middlesex County Families

  1. Pi Kappa Phi Has 150+ Chapters Nationwide

    • The same fraternity that hazed our client has chapters at universities near Middlesex County.
    • If it happened in Houston, it can happen in Middlesex County.
  2. Universities Near Middlesex County Are Complicit

    • The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred.
    • Middlesex County universities have the same power to stop hazing — and the same liability when they don’t.
  3. National Organizations Knew About the Risks

    • Pi Kappa Phi had a prior hazing death in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at Florida State).
    • They had eight years to fix their culture and failed.
    • The same national organizations operate near Middlesex County.
  4. Victims Are Afraid to Speak Out

    • Our client fears retribution for speaking out.
    • Middlesex County victims face the same fear.
    • We protect our clients and fight for their rights.
  5. One Brave Victim Can Protect Middlesex County Students

    • Our attorney Lupe Peña said: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do.”
    • Your Middlesex County case could save lives.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Middlesex County?

When hazing occurs in Middlesex County, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:

Defendant Why They’re Liable Middlesex County Application
Local Chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing Middlesex County fraternity/sorority chapters
Chapter Officers Leadership responsibility; directed activities Fraternity/sorority presidents, pledgemasters in Middlesex County
Individual Members Participated in hazing Current and former members in Middlesex County
National Organization Failed to supervise; pattern of negligence Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others with Middlesex County chapters
University/College Failed to prevent hazing; premises liability Tufts, Harvard, MIT, Brandeis, Bentley, and others in Middlesex County
Insurance Carriers Coverage for institutional liability Insurance policies covering Middlesex County fraternities and universities

Middlesex County Families: If your child was hazed, we will pursue every liable party to ensure full accountability and maximum compensation.

What Middlesex County Victims Can Sue For

Hazing victims in Middlesex County can pursue compensation for:

Economic Damages Non-Economic Damages Punitive Damages
Medical bills (past and future) Physical pain and suffering Awarded for egregious conduct
Lost wages Mental anguish Meant to punish the wrongdoer
Lost earning capacity Emotional distress Applicable when conduct is intentional or grossly negligent
Rehabilitation costs Loss of enjoyment of life
Out-of-pocket expenses Disfigurement
Loss of consortium

Middlesex County Families: Your child’s injuries — physical, emotional, and psychological — deserve full compensation. We will fight for every dollar.

Middlesex County Hazing Laws: Your Legal Rights

Massachusetts Anti-Hazing Law (M.G.L. c. 269, §§ 17-19)

Definition of Hazing:
Hazing is any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization that willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person.

Criminal Penalties:

Offense Penalty
Hazing Up to 1 year in jail and/or $3,000 fine
Failure to report hazing Up to 1 year in jail and/or $1,000 fine

Organizational Penalties:

  • Fines up to $5,000
  • Loss of recognition by the institution

Consent Is Not a Defense:

“It shall not be a defense to a violation of this section that the consent of the victim had been obtained.”

Middlesex County Application: If your child was hazed, the perpetrators cannot claim your child “consented” to the abuse. The law is clear: consent is not a defense.

Civil Liability for Hazing in Middlesex County

Middlesex County victims can pursue civil lawsuits for:

  1. Negligence — Duty of care owed to students; breach of that duty
  2. Assault and Battery — Intentional harmful or offensive contact
  3. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress — Outrageous conduct causing severe distress
  4. Premises Liability — If hazing occurred on university-owned property
  5. Negligent Supervision — Failure to monitor Greek life or student organizations

Middlesex County Families: We will pursue every legal theory to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Precedent Cases: Middlesex County Victims Can Win Big

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here are some recent examples:

Case University Fraternity Outcome Amount
Stone Foltz Bowling Green State Pi Kappa Alpha Settlement $10.1 million
Maxwell 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
Adam Oakes Virginia Commonwealth Delta Chi Settlement $4+ million

Middlesex County Families: These cases prove that hazing victims can and do win. The same legal strategies apply to Middlesex County cases.

What Middlesex County Families Should Do If Their Child Is Hazed

If your child has been hazed in Middlesex County, take these steps immediately:

  1. Seek Medical Attention

    • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
    • Document all injuries and symptoms.
  2. Preserve Evidence

    • Save all text messages, social media posts, and emails about the hazing.
    • Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing.
    • Document witness names and contact information.
  3. Report the Incident

    • File a police report.
    • Report to the university’s Title IX office or student conduct office.
    • Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization.
  4. Do Not Confront the Organization

    • Do not talk to fraternity/sorority members or university officials without legal counsel.
    • They will try to control the narrative and minimize liability.
  5. Contact an Attorney Immediately

    • Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911.
    • We offer free consultations for Middlesex County hazing victims.
    • We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.

Why Middlesex County Families Choose Attorney 911

We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

While based in Texas, we are actively 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 win. And we will bring the same expertise to Middlesex County.

Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña — are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how insurance companies think. We know their tactics. And we use that knowledge to maximize recovery for our clients.

Nationwide Reach, Local Commitment

We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Middlesex County. We offer:

  • Video consultations for Middlesex County families
  • Willingness to travel to Middlesex County for depositions and trials
  • Federal court authority to pursue cases across state lines

Proven Results

We have recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims, including:

  • Multi-million dollar settlements for catastrophic injuries
  • Successful litigation against large institutions
  • Aggressive representation for victims of abuse

Compassionate Advocates

We understand the trauma that hazing causes. We treat our clients with respect, dignity, and compassion. Middlesex County families are not just cases to us — they are people who deserve justice.

Frequently Asked Questions for Middlesex County Families

1. My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. What should I do?

Hazing victims often fear retaliation or social consequences. However, delaying action can harm their legal case. We recommend:

  • Encouraging your child to report the incident to the police and university.
  • Contacting an attorney to discuss your options confidentially.
  • Preserving evidence (texts, photos, witness information) even if your child isn’t ready to report.

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

Yes. Hazing laws apply on or off campus. If the hazing occurred at a private residence, fraternity house, or any other location, the perpetrators and institutions can still be held liable.

3. What if the fraternity claims my child “consented” to the hazing?

Consent is not a defense. Massachusetts law explicitly states that consent does not justify hazing. The perpetrators cannot claim your child “agreed” to the abuse.

4. How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Middlesex County?

In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 3 years. However, you should act immediately to preserve evidence and protect your rights.

5. We’re worried about the cost of hiring an attorney. How much will this cost?

We work on a contingency fee basis for Middlesex County hazing cases. This means:

  • $0 upfront — you pay nothing to hire us.
  • We only get paid if we win your case.
  • Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so you never pay out of pocket.

6. What if the university or fraternity retaliates against my child?

Retaliation is illegal. If the university or fraternity retaliates against your child for reporting hazing, we will pursue additional legal action for retaliation and discrimination.

7. Can we sue the national fraternity organization?

Yes. National organizations often have deep pockets and substantial insurance coverage. We will pursue the national organization for failing to supervise and prevent hazing at their Middlesex County chapters.

8. What if my child was hazed at a high school in Middlesex County?

Hazing occurs at both high schools and colleges in Middlesex County. We represent hazing victims of all ages. Contact us to discuss your child’s case.

Middlesex County Hazing Resources

Reporting Hazing in Middlesex County

Organization Contact Information Purpose
Local Police Call 911 for emergencies File criminal report
Massachusetts State Police (508) 820-2300 Report hazing incidents
Middlesex District Attorney’s Office (781) 897-8300 Criminal prosecution
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (617) 994-6950 Report university hazing
Title IX Office (Local University) Varies by institution Report hazing and discrimination

Support for Hazing Victims

Organization Contact Information Services
Clery Center (484) 580-8754 Campus safety resources
StopHazing stophazing.org Hazing prevention and education
National Hazing Prevention Week hazingprevention.org Awareness and resources
RAINN (Sexual Assault Hotline) 1-800-656-HOPE Support for sexual hazing victims

Contact Attorney 911 for Middlesex County Hazing Victims

If your child has been hazed in Middlesex County, contact us immediately. We offer:

  • Free consultations for Middlesex County families
  • 24/7 availability for legal emergencies
  • Contingency fee representation — you pay nothing unless we win

Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

Serving Middlesex County and Nationwide

The Time to Act Is Now

Hazing destroys lives. It causes physical injuries, emotional trauma, and sometimes death. Middlesex County families deserve justice. Middlesex County institutions must be held accountable.

If your child has been hazed in Middlesex County, call Attorney 911 today. We will fight for you.

© 2025 Attorney 911. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact an attorney for advice on your specific situation.

Share this article:

Need Legal Help?

Free consultation. No fee unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911

Ready to Fight for Your Rights?

Free consultation. No upfront costs. We don't get paid unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911