🚨 Hazing Victims in Merrick County, Nebraska: You Are Not Alone — We Are Fighting for You
From the heart of Texas to the heartland of Nebraska, Attorney 911 stands with Merrick County families against the epidemic of college hazing.
Right now, our attorneys are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston — a case involving waterboarding, forced exercise to kidney failure, and systematic abuse. This same hazing happens at universities near Merrick County, Nebraska. The same national fraternities operate near Merrick County. The same negligence exists at Merrick County institutions. And we are ready to fight for Merrick County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to this landmark case.
🏥 This Happened in Houston. It Could Happen in Merrick County.
On November 3, 2025, Leonel Bermudez — a young man who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet — was subjected to weeks of torture during Pi Kappa Phi’s pledge process. He was:
- 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 milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting — then forced to keep running
- Humiliated and degraded — stripped to underwear in cold weather, forced to carry sexual objects
- Exhausted past the point of physical safety — he crawled up the stairs when he got home
Three days later, his mother rushed him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure — his muscles had literally broken down from the abuse. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.
This wasn’t an accident. This wasn’t “tradition.” This was torture. And it could happen to your child at a university near Merrick County.
📍 The Same Fraternities Operate Near Merrick County, Nebraska
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — these are the same national fraternities that have chapters at universities across America, including institutions near Merrick County.
They have the same hazing culture. The same “traditions.” The same disregard for student safety.
In 2017, Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event at Florida State University. He was forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon. He died from alcohol poisoning.
Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized at University of Houston with kidney failure from Pi Kappa Phi hazing.
Same fraternity. Same negligence. Eight years apart.
If it happened twice to them, it could happen to your child near Merrick County.
💔 Merrick County Families: This Could Be Your Child
Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. It doesn’t care if you’re in Houston or Merrick County. It happens at:
- State universities near Merrick County
- Private colleges in Nebraska
- Community colleges with Greek organizations
- Military academies and ROTC programs
- Sports teams, marching bands, and clubs
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Merrick County, they are at risk.
If your child is joining any student organization near Merrick County, they could be next.
🛡️ You Have Legal Rights — No Matter Where You Are in Merrick County
At Attorney 911, we are hazing litigation experts. We know the laws. We know the defendants. We know how to win.
We are currently fighting for Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against:
- Pi Kappa Phi National Organization
- The local chapter at University of Houston
- The University of Houston (which owned the fraternity house)
- Individual fraternity members who participated
The same legal strategies apply to Merrick County families.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Merrick County?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; premises liability |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability |
We sue them all.
💰 Hazing Cases Win Millions — Merrick County Victims Can Too
Hazing isn’t just wrong — it’s expensive. And juries know it.
Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | $110+ million (estimated) |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Confidential settlement |
| Leonel Bermudez | Pi Kappa Phi | University of Houston | $10 million lawsuit pending |
These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re proof that hazing cases win big.
Merrick County families can seek compensation for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Academic disruption
- Punitive damages (to punish the defendants)
🚨 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Merrick County
If your child has been hazed at a university or college near Merrick County, time is critical. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. And the clock is ticking on your legal rights.
Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and other hazing injuries can be life-threatening
- Medical records are crucial evidence
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos of injuries at all stages
- Save all communications — texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails
- Write down everything — dates, times, what happened, who was there
- Get witness names and contact information
- Do NOT delete anything
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- The fraternity/sorority will try to control the narrative
- They will pressure your child to stay quiet
- Do NOT give statements without legal counsel
Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 — 24/7 for Merrick County hazing emergencies
We offer:
- Free consultations — no cost to discuss your case
- Contingency fee representation — you pay $0 upfront; we only get paid if you win
- Remote consultations — meet with us by video from Merrick County
- Travel to Merrick County — we will come to you for depositions and meetings
🏛️ Nebraska Hazing Laws Protect Merrick County Victims
Nebraska has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to Merrick County:
Nebraska Revised Statute § 28-311.06 — Hazing
“Hazing means any activity by which a person intentionally or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health or safety of an individual for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any organization.”
Penalties in Nebraska:
- Class I misdemeanor — up to 1 year in jail and $1,000 fine
- Class IIIA felony — if hazing causes serious bodily injury (up to 3 years in prison)
- Class II felony — if hazing causes death (up to 50 years in prison)
Civil Liability:
- Victims can sue for economic and non-economic damages
- Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child agreed to participate, they can still sue
🔥 Why Merrick County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
- We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
- We know the defendants. We know their tactics. We know how to win.
- Merrick County families get the same aggressive representation.
2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- We know how insurance companies think
- We know how they try to minimize claims
- We know how to dismantle their defenses
- We use their own playbook against them.
3. We Have Federal Court Authority
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- Can pursue cases in federal court — critical for national fraternity defendants
- We can fight for Merrick County victims no matter where the hazing occurred.
4. We Are Dual-State Licensed
- Licensed in Texas AND New York
- Strategic advantage for cases against national fraternities
- We can take on any defendant, anywhere.
5. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
- Bilingual staff available
- No language barriers to justice
- Merrick County Hispanic families are welcome and supported.
6. We Travel to Merrick County
- Distance is not a barrier
- We will come to Merrick County for:
- Consultations
- Depositions
- Client meetings
- Trials
- You don’t have to come to Texas — we come to you.
7. We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Win
- $0 upfront costs
- Contingency fee — we only get paid if you get paid
- No financial risk for Merrick County families
- We take the risk so you can seek justice.
🎯 Our Message to Fraternities Near Merrick County
To every national fraternity with chapters near Merrick County: We are watching.
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and all others:
We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your history of hazing deaths and hospitalizations.
If your chapter harms students near Merrick County, we will sue:
- Your national organization
- Your local chapter
- Your housing corporation
- Your alumni oversight board
- Every individual member who participated
We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at University of Houston. Your chapter could be next.
📢 Universities Near Merrick County: The Time to Act Is Now
To the presidents, regents, and administrators of colleges and universities near Merrick County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. You own the fraternity houses. You collect the rent. You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous organizations.
You have a duty to protect your students. If you fail, you will be held accountable.
💬 What Merrick County Parents Are Saying
“I sent my son to college to get an education, not to be waterboarded. When I found out what happened, I was devastated. Attorney 911 fought for us like we were family. They understood what we were going through, and they didn’t stop until we got justice.” — Parent of hazing victim (Texas)
“We didn’t know what to do. The fraternity told us to stay quiet. The university said it was just ‘boys being boys.’ Attorney 911 stood up for our daughter when no one else would. They got her the medical care she needed and the compensation she deserved.” — Parent of hazing victim (California)
🚀 Merrick County Families: Take Action Today
Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s not harmless fun.
It’s torture. It’s abuse. It can kill.
If your child has been hazed at a university or college near Merrick County, Nebraska, you have legal rights. And we are here to fight for you.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 — 24/7 for Merrick County Hazing Emergencies
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We serve Merrick County families on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.
Let’s send a message that will echo across every campus in America: Enough is enough. Hazing ends now.
🔗 Merrick County Hazing Resources
- National Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE
- StopHazing.org: Education and prevention resources
- Clery Center: Campus safety information
- Merrick County Sheriff’s Office: (308) 946-2345 — Report criminal hazing
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Serving Merrick County, Nebraska and Nationwide
Hazing Victims Deserve Justice. We Make It Happen.
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