Hazing Victims in Newton County: Legal Rights and Justice for Fraternity Abuse

When “Tradition” Becomes Torture: Newton County Families Deserve Justice

Newton County parents send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities and Greek organizations to provide positive experiences—not to subject their children to systematic abuse, humiliation, and life-threatening conditions. Yet across America, and right here near Newton County, hazing continues to hospitalize, traumatize, and even kill students.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting one of the most egregious hazing cases in recent memory—a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was waterboarded, forced to perform 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and struck with wooden paddles during pledge activities. He ended up hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

This isn’t just happening in Houston. The same fraternities operate at universities near Newton County. The same negligence exists at Newton County institutions. And we will fight for Newton County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to this landmark case.

What Newton County Families Need to Know About Hazing

Hazing Is Not “Harmless Tradition”—It’s Dangerous and Illegal

Hazing activities that Newton County students may encounter include:

• Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
• Forced consumption: Alcohol (binge drinking), food (eating until vomiting), non-food substances
• Sleep deprivation: Forced late nights, early mornings, disrupted sleep
• Psychological torture: Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, threats
• Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
• Waterboarding/drowning: Simulated drowning, water torture
• Exposure: Cold weather exposure, heat exposure, confined spaces

These aren’t harmless pranks. They’re dangerous, illegal, and have led to serious injuries and deaths across America.

Newton County Students Are at Risk Right Now

The fraternities involved in recent high-profile hazing cases have active chapters at universities near Newton County. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other organizations with documented histories of abuse maintain chapters throughout the region.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at a Newton County-area university, they face the same risks that hospitalized our Houston client.

Universities Near Newton County Have Failed to Protect Students

In our current case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 at a different fraternity on their campus. Despite this knowledge, they failed to implement effective safeguards.

The same institutional failures exist at universities near Newton County. When universities own or control fraternity properties and have the power to regulate Greek organizations, they share responsibility when hazing occurs.

Legal Rights for Newton County Hazing Victims

Newton County Families Can Sue for Hazing Injuries

Newton County hazing victims have legal rights regardless of where the incident occurred. You can pursue compensation for:

• Medical expenses (hospital bills, ongoing treatment, rehabilitation)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Lost wages (time missed from work or school)
• Future earning capacity (if injuries affect career prospects)
• Psychological treatment (therapy for PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Punitive damages (to punish particularly egregious conduct)

In Texas, there is no cap on pain and suffering damages in personal injury cases. This means Newton County families can recover significant compensation for the harm their children have suffered.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Newton County Hazing?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:

1. Local fraternity/sorority chapters—Directly organized and conducted hazing activities
2. National fraternity/sorority organizations—Failed to supervise chapters despite knowledge of hazing risks
3. Universities and colleges—Failed to prevent hazing despite having authority to regulate Greek organizations
4. Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, etc.)—Leadership responsibility; directed activities
5. Individual members—Participated in or failed to stop hazing
6. Property owners—Allowed hazing to occur on their premises (including fraternity houses and private residences)

Our attorneys are currently pursuing all these defendants in our $10 million Pi Kappa Phi case, and we will bring the same comprehensive approach to Newton County hazing cases.

Consent Is Not a Defense Under Texas Law

One of the most common defenses in hazing cases is that the victim “consented” to participate. Texas law explicitly rejects this argument:

“It is not a defense to prosecution that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”
— Texas Education Code § 37.154

When fraternities argue that your child “agreed” to participate, Texas law says consent doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of whether the victim “consented.”

Our Current Hazing Case: What Happened to Leonel Bermudez

The Incident That Hospitalized Our Client

Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston on September 16, 2025. What followed was weeks of systematic abuse that hospitalized him for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event by being forced to perform extreme physical exercises including:

• 100+ pushups
• 500+ squats
• High-volume “suicides” (running drills)
• Bear crawls and wheelbarrows
• Two-mile warmups
• Repeated 100-yard crawls

He was threatened with immediate expulsion if he stopped. He became so exhausted he couldn’t stand without help. When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t move. The day after that was worse. On November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with kidney failure.

The Hazing Activities That Led to Hospitalization

The lawsuit details a pattern of abuse that included:

• Waterboarding: Simulated waterboarding with a garden hose while doing calisthenics
• Forced eating: Large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns consumed until vomiting
• Physical punishment: Being struck with wooden paddles
• Exhaustion: Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours
• Humiliation: Forced to carry a fanny pack with objects of sexual nature at all times
• Sleep deprivation: Late-night activities combined with early morning obligations
• Psychological abuse: Threats of physical punishment and/or expulsion for non-compliance

Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. A different pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout on October 15, 2025.

Institutional Failures That Allowed This to Happen

1. Pi Kappa Phi National knew about a “hazing crisis” but failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
2. The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
3. The university had a prior hazing incident in 2017 at a different fraternity on campus
4. Pi Kappa Phi had a prior hazing death in 2017 at Florida State University
5. Despite 8 years of warnings, neither institution implemented effective safeguards

Why Newton County Families Choose Attorney 911

We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

While other law firms talk about hazing cases, we’re actively litigating one of the most significant hazing lawsuits in the country. Our $10 million case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is making headlines and sending a message to Greek organizations nationwide.

Newton County families get the same aggressive representation we’re providing in Houston.

Former Insurance Defense Attorneys on Your Side

Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena—are former insurance defense lawyers. We know exactly how insurance companies and institutional defendants think, strategize, and try to minimize claims. We’ve seen their playbook from the inside, and now we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses.

When you hire Attorney 911, you’re not just getting lawyers—you’re getting former insiders who know how to fight the system.

Nationwide Reach for Newton County Families

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims across America through:

• Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York)
• Video consultations for Newton County families
• Willingness to travel for depositions, trials, and client meetings

If your child was hazed at a university near Newton County, we can help regardless of where you’re located.

Proven Results in Complex Litigation

Our attorneys have handled some of the most complex cases in Texas:

• BP Texas City explosion litigation—Mass tort experience against major corporate defendants
• Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
• Federal court experience in U.S. District Court and Second Circuit
• Criminal defense experience—Understanding how criminal and civil cases intersect

This experience directly applies to hazing cases involving institutional negligence and wrongful death.

We Speak Spanish and Understand Newton County Families

Many hazing victims and their families are more comfortable communicating in Spanish. Our bilingual staff ensures that language barriers don’t prevent Newton County families from getting the justice they deserve.

Se habla español. We can serve Newton County’s Hispanic community without language barriers.

No Upfront Costs for Newton County Families

We understand that cost can be a prohibitive factor in hiring a lawyer. We take hazing cases on contingency—you don’t pay us unless and until you get paid yourself.

Contingency fee: Newton County hazing victims pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.

What Newton County Families Should Do If Their Child Is Hazed

Immediate Steps to Protect Your Rights

1. Seek medical attention immediately—Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor. Some conditions like rhabdomyolysis may not show symptoms immediately.
2. Preserve all evidence—Take photos of injuries, save all communications (texts, social media, emails), document witness names and contact information.
3. Do NOT talk to the fraternity or university without legal counsel—They will try to control the narrative and may pressure you to sign documents that waive your rights.
4. Do NOT post on social media about the incident—Anything you post can be used against you.
5. Contact an attorney immediately—The statute of limitations is typically 2 years, but evidence disappears quickly.

Evidence to Preserve for Your Case

The Legal Process for Newton County Hazing Cases

1. Free Consultation

We offer a free, confidential consultation to evaluate your case. During this meeting, we’ll:

• Review what happened to your child
• Assess the strength of your legal claims
• Explain your rights and options
• Answer all your questions

2. Investigation

If we take your case, we’ll immediately begin investigating:

• Gathering medical records
• Interviewing witnesses
• Preserving evidence
• Identifying all responsible parties
• Building your case

3. Demand and Negotiation

We’ll compile all your damages and send a demand to the defendants. This typically includes:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Future damages
• Punitive damages

We’ll negotiate aggressively to reach a fair settlement.

4. Litigation (If Necessary)

If the defendants refuse to offer fair compensation, we’ll file a lawsuit and take your case to court. This process includes:

• Filing the complaint
• Discovery (interrogatories, depositions, document requests)
• Motions practice
• Mediation
• Trial (if necessary)

5. Resolution

Most cases settle before trial. If we reach a settlement, you’ll receive compensation for your damages. If we go to trial, a judge or jury will decide the outcome.

Recent Hazing Cases Show What’s Possible for Newton County Families

Stone Foltz Case: $10.1 Million Settlement

In 2021, Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing event at Bowling Green State University. His family received:

• $2.9 million from the university
• $7.2 million from the fraternity and individuals
• Total: $10.1 million

This case directly supports our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case.

Maxwell Gruver Case: $6.1 Million Jury Verdict

In 2017, Maxwell Gruver died from alcohol poisoning during a Phi Delta Theta hazing event at Louisiana State University. A jury awarded his family $6.1 million.

This case shows that juries will award significant compensation for hazing deaths and injuries.

Timothy Piazza Case: $110+ Million Settlement

In 2017, Timothy Piazza died after falling down stairs during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event at Penn State. His family received an estimated $110 million settlement.

This case demonstrates the potential ceiling for hazing damages when evidence is strong.

Newton County Universities With Greek Organizations at Risk

While we don’t have specific information about hazing incidents at Newton County institutions, we know that universities in the region with active Greek organizations include:

• Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS)
• University of Mississippi (Oxford, MS)
• University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, MS)
• Jackson State University (Jackson, MS)
• Alcorn State University (Lorman, MS)
• Delta State University (Cleveland, MS)

These institutions have active chapters of national fraternities and sororities that have been involved in hazing incidents elsewhere. The same organizations that hazed Leonel Bermudez in Houston have chapters throughout Mississippi.

Warning Signs of Hazing for Newton County Parents

Parents should be alert for these warning signs that their child may be experiencing hazing:

1. Unexplained injuries—Bruises, cuts, or soreness that can’t be explained
2. Changes in behavior—Withdrawal, anxiety, depression, mood swings
3. Sleep disturbances—Exhaustion, dark circles under eyes, falling asleep in class
4. Academic decline—Skipping classes, failing grades, missed assignments
5. Secretive behavior—Avoiding questions about Greek life, being vague about activities
6. Physical symptoms—Vomiting, nausea, dizziness, difficulty walking
7. Changes in appearance—Weight loss, unkempt appearance, wearing unusual clothing
8. Fear of retribution—Reluctance to talk about Greek life, fear of consequences

If you notice these signs, talk to your child immediately and consider contacting an attorney.

How Newton County Families Can Contact Us

Legal Emergency Hotline for Newton County Hazing Victims:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

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

Newton County families can schedule a free consultation through:

• Phone call (available 24/7)
• Email
• Video consultation
• In-person meeting (we travel to Newton County for serious cases)

Our Offices Serving Newton County:

Houston Office (Headquarters)
1177 W Loop S Suite 1600
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 528-9070

Austin Office
(713) 528-9070

Beaumont Office
(713) 528-9070

Service Area: Newton County + All of Texas + Nationwide Federal Court representation

The Message to Fraternities Near Newton County

To the fraternities operating at universities near Newton County:

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured multi-million dollar verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi—if your chapter operates near Newton County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

The Pi Kappa Phi chapter that hospitalized our client? They’re now shut down. Criminal referrals have been initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.

That’s what happens when you haze students near Newton County. That’s what happens when you think “tradition” justifies abuse. That’s what happens when you prioritize reputation over student safety.

We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it right now. And we will bring the same fight to Newton County.

Enough Is Enough: A Call to Action for Newton County

Newton County parents: Your children deserve to be safe at college. They deserve to join organizations without fear of torture, humiliation, or life-threatening abuse. They deserve institutions that protect them, not institutions that look the other way when hazing occurs.

If your child has been hazed at a university near Newton County, you have rights. You have options. You have Attorney 911.

We’re not just lawyers—we’re former insurance defense attorneys who know how to dismantle the defenses that institutions use to avoid accountability. We’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing case that’s making national headlines. And we will bring that same fight to Newton County.

Newton County families: Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

The same fraternities that hazed our client in Houston have chapters near Newton County. The same universities that failed to protect our client have campuses in your community. The same negligence, the same abuse, the same injuries—it’s happening right here, and it’s time to stop it.

Enough is enough.