Hazing Lawyers for Montcalm County Families | Attorney 911

🚨 When “Tradition” Becomes Torture: The Hazing Crisis in Montcalm County

Montcalm County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust that universities and Greek organizations will protect their students—not subject them to torture, abuse, and life-threatening rituals disguised as “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.”

But the reality is horrifying.

Right now, in fraternities and sororities across Michigan—and at universities near Montcalm County—students are being waterboarded, forced to drink until they vomit, beaten with paddles, sleep-deprived, humiliated, and pushed to the brink of death—all in the name of “initiation.”

This isn’t tradition. It’s assault. It’s battery. It’s criminal.

And when universities and national fraternities fail to stop it, they become just as responsible as the individuals who inflict the abuse.

🔥 The Case That Proves Hazing is Happening Near Montcalm County

On November 21, 2025, our law firm, Attorney 911, 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 hospitalized with kidney failure after being subjected to weeks of brutal hazing.

What Happened to Leonel Bermudez?

• 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
• Forced to eat until he vomited, then made to run sprints through his own vomit
• Deprived of sleep—forced to drive fraternity members at all hours
• Threatened with expulsion if he didn’t comply
• Another pledge lost consciousness during a forced workout—yet the hazing continued
• Result? Severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure—requiring four days in the hospital

Leonel wasn’t even a student at UH yet. He was a “ghost rush”—a prospective member expected to transfer for Spring 2026. The fraternity hazed him before he was even enrolled.

Why This Matters to Montcalm County Families

• Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America—including near Montcalm County.
• The same national fraternities that operate at UH have chapters at universities near Montcalm County.
• The same “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez happen at Montcalm County-area institutions.
• Universities near Montcalm County face the same liability failures as UH.
• If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Montcalm County, they face the same risks.

This isn’t just a Texas problem. It’s a Michigan problem. It’s a Montcalm County problem.

🏛️ Who Is Liable When Hazing Happens in Montcalm County?

When a student is hazed near Montcalm County, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:

In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re suing:
✅ The fraternity chapter
✅ The national organization
✅ The university (UH owned the fraternity house!)
✅ Individual members and officers
✅ A former member and his spouse (hazing occurred at their home)

The same legal strategy applies to Montcalm County hazing victims.

⚖️ Michigan Hazing Laws: What Montcalm County Families Need to Know

Michigan’s Anti-Hazing Law (MCL 750.411t)

Michigan law explicitly prohibits hazing and defines it as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with an organization.”

This includes:

• Physical brutality (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, drugs)
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats)
• Exposure to extreme conditions (cold, heat, confinement)

Criminal Penalties in Michigan

But criminal charges aren’t enough. Families deserve financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and the lifelong trauma hazing causes.

💰 What Can Montcalm County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing cases can result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what Montcalm County families may be entitled to:

1. Economic Damages (Tangible Losses)

• Medical bills (ER visits, hospital stays, surgeries, therapy)
• Future medical costs (dialysis, kidney transplants, ongoing treatment)
• Lost wages (time missed from work during recovery)
• Educational costs (tuition reimbursement if forced to withdraw)

2. Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

• Physical pain from injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, burns)
• Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse)
• Emotional distress (humiliation, shame, loss of trust)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)

3. Punitive Damages (Punishing the Wrongdoers)

• Awarded when conduct is especially reckless or intentional
• Meant to deter future hazing
• Can exceed compensatory damages

📊 Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (Proof It Can Be Won in Montcalm County)

Montcalm County families: These same results are possible for you.

🚨 What Montcalm County Families Should Do If Their Child Is Hazed

✅ Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries can be life-threatening.
• Document everything—hospital records, doctor’s notes, photos of injuries.
• If your child is showing signs of distress (dark urine, extreme muscle pain, confusion), take them to the ER immediately.

✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence. Save everything:

• Text messages (GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs)
• Photos/videos (of injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house)
• Social media posts (even if deleted, screenshots help)
• Witness contact info (other pledges, bystanders)
• Fraternity documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)

⚠️ DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to fraternity/sorority leaders without a lawyer
• Sign anything from the organization
• Post about the incident on social media

✅ Step 3: Report the Hazing

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in Michigan)
• File a Title IX complaint with the university (if sexual assault or gender-based abuse occurred)
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority (though they may try to cover it up)

✅ Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

Time is critical. Michigan has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, but:

• Evidence disappears quickly (fraternities delete messages, destroy records)
• Witnesses forget details
• Universities and nationals will try to silence victims

We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultations for Montcalm County families
✔ No upfront costs—we work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win)
✔ Aggressive representation—we’ve won millions for hazing victims
✔ Nationwide reach—we can represent Montcalm County victims no matter where the hazing occurred

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Available 24/7 for Montcalm County hazing emergencies

🎯 Why Montcalm County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Currently Fighting a $10M Hazing Lawsuit

• Right now, we’re representing Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and UH.
• We know how to win these cases—because we’re in the fight today.
• Montcalm County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. We’re Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know how the other side thinks.
• We’ve seen their playbook—now we use it against them.
• We know how to maximize settlements and expose weak defenses.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority

• Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas—can pursue Montcalm County cases in federal court.
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York)—strategic advantage against national fraternities.

4. We Travel to Montcalm County

• We come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)

• Hazing affects all students, including Spanish-speaking families.
• We provide bilingual legal support for Montcalm County families.

6. We’ve Won Millions for Victims

• BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
• Multi-million dollar personal injury cases
• Hundreds of successful settlements and verdicts

7. We’re Parents Too

“We see your child as a person—not a paycheck. And we will fight hard for Montcalm County families, because we truly care.” — Ralph Manginello

📢 A Message to Montcalm County Fraternities & Sororities

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Montcalm County:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi—if your chapter operates near Montcalm County, know this:

• We track your house corporations, alumni chapters, and national insurance policies.
• We document every hazing incident in your history.
• We know your corporate structure—and we know how to sue you.

The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated.

Your chapter could be next.

Clean up your act now—or face the consequences in court.

🏆 Our Promise to Montcalm County Families

If your child has been hazed near Montcalm County, we will:
✅ Investigate aggressively—gathering texts, photos, witness statements
✅ Preserve evidence—before it disappears
✅ Sue everyone responsible—chapter, nationals, university, individuals
✅ Maximize your compensation—medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages
✅ Protect your child’s future—no retaliation, no intimidation
✅ Fight until justice is served

You don’t pay us unless we win.

🚨 Montcalm County Parents: Protect Your Child Before It’s Too Late

Hazing doesn’t just happen at big state schools. It happens at:
✔ Central Michigan University
✔ Michigan State University
✔ University of Michigan
✔ Ferris State University
✔ Grand Valley State University
✔ And other colleges near Montcalm County

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority, talk to them about hazing.

Warning signs your child may be a hazing victim:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Withdrawal from friends/family
• Secretive behavior about Greek life
• Sudden changes in mood (anxiety, depression)
• Fear of talking about their pledge experience

If you suspect hazing, act immediately.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Available 24/7 for Montcalm County hazing emergencies

We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it right now.

And we’ll fight for Montcalm County families too.

🔗 Additional Resources for Montcalm County Families

• Michigan Anti-Hazing Law (MCL 750.411t)
• StopHazing.org (Hazing Prevention)
• Clery Center (Campus Safety)
• RAINN (Sexual Assault Support)

© 2025 Attorney 911 | Houston, Austin & Beaumont, TX | Serving Montcalm County & Nationwide
Legal Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Results may vary based on specific case facts. Consult an attorney for legal guidance.