🛡️ Hazing Victims in Chaves County Deserve Justice
Aggressive Legal Representation for Fraternity & Sorority Abuse
If your child was hazed at a college or university near Chaves County, you are not alone. The same national fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston operate chapters across New Mexico. The same negligence that led to a $10 million lawsuit in Texas exists right here in Chaves County.
At Attorney 911, we are currently 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 hold institutions accountable. And we will fight for Chaves County families with the same fury we’re bringing to this case.
🚨 This Happened in Houston. It Could Happen in Chaves County.
In November 2025, Leonel Bermudez, a prospective member of Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston, was subjected to weeks of systematic abuse that hospitalized him with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The fraternity:
- Waterboarded him with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced him to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck him with wooden paddles
- Forced him to eat until vomiting, then made him run through his own vomit
- Hog-tied another pledge face-down with an object in his mouth
He spent 3 nights and 4 days in the hospital. The fraternity was shut down. The university claimed it was “deeply disturbing.” And now, we’re suing for $10 million.
This isn’t just a Houston problem. The same fraternities with chapters near Chaves County have the same hazing cultures. The same universities near Chaves County have the same oversight failures. And the same families near Chaves County deserve the same justice.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Chaves County Hazing Victim
Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s abuse. And in New Mexico, it’s illegal.
New Mexico Anti-Hazing Law (NMSA 1978, § 29-1-13)
Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation into an organization. This includes:
- Physical brutality (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
- Any activity that creates a risk of serious bodily injury
Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the organization liable.
Who Can Be Sued?
We pursue every liable party, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized the hazing |
| National Fraternity/Sorority | Failed to supervise; knew about prior incidents |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; owned/controlled the property |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility (president, pledgemaster, etc.) |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated the hazing |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability |
In our UH case, we’re suing 10+ defendants — because hazing is never the fault of just one person. It’s a systemic failure.
💰 Multi-Million Dollar Precedents: Hazing Cases Win Big
Hazing cases do not settle for small amounts. Juries and institutions pay millions when students are harmed. These are real cases with real outcomes:
| Case | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Death from forced drinking | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017) | Phi Delta Theta | Death from alcohol poisoning | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Death from forced drinking | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Death from forced drinking | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes (VCU, 2021) | Delta Chi | Death from hazing | $4+ million |
Our $10 million demand is in line with these precedents. And these results are possible for Chaves County victims too.
🏢 Fraternities Near Chaves County with Hazing Histories
The same national organizations named in these lawsuits have chapters near Chaves County. If your child was hazed at any of these institutions, we can help.
Universities Near Chaves County with Greek Life:
| University | Location | Greek Organizations Present | Hazing Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) | Las Cruces, NM (~180 miles) | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, others | High |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) | Albuquerque, NM (~200 miles) | Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, others | High |
| Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) | Portales, NM (~100 miles) | Local fraternities/sororities | Moderate |
| Texas Tech University | Lubbock, TX (~150 miles) | Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, others | High (multiple hazing deaths) |
| West Texas A&M University | Canyon, TX (~200 miles) | Multiple fraternities/sororities | Moderate |
Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon — the same fraternities involved in multi-million dollar lawsuits — have active chapters near Chaves County.
If your child was hazed at any of these schools, call us immediately.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Chaves County
Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. The statute of limitations is ticking.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and concussions can have delayed symptoms
- Medical records are critical evidence
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Photos/Videos: Injuries, hazing locations, items used
✅ Texts/Group Chats: Screenshots of all communications about hazing
✅ Social Media: Posts, DMs, stories (take screenshots before they’re deleted)
✅ Witnesses: Names and contact info of other pledges or bystanders
✅ Documents: Pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child
DO NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Talk to the fraternity/sorority or university without legal counsel
- Sign anything from the organization
- Post about the incident on social media
Step 3: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
We offer:
- Free, confidential consultations for Chaves County families
- Remote video consultations — no need to travel to Houston
- Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront. We only get paid if you win.
- Aggressive litigation — we don’t back down from institutions
🔍 Why Chaves 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 the defendants’ playbook — we’ve seen it before
- We know how to expose institutional negligence
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides
- We know exactly how they’ll try to deny or minimize your claim
- We use their own tactics against them
3. Federal Court Authority
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- Can pursue Chaves County cases in federal court if needed
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) — strategic advantage for national fraternities
4. We Come to Chaves County
- We travel to Chaves County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- We offer remote consultations via video call
- Distance is not a barrier to justice
5. Bilingual Representation (Se Habla Español)
- Fluent Spanish-speaking staff
- Can serve Spanish-speaking Chaves County families without language barriers
6. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation
- BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
- Multi-million dollar personal injury verdicts
- Hundreds of cases won by exposing flawed evidence
7. We Treat You Like Family
“We’ve been family friends your whole life! Ha. Thank you for trusting us for over 20 years with your family’s legal emergencies.” — Attorney 911 response to client testimonial
Chaves County families are not just cases to us. We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. And we will fight hard for you, because we truly care.
🎯 Our Message to Fraternities Near Chaves County
To Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and every Greek organization with chapters near Chaves County:
We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Chaves County, we will pursue every liable entity.
We track your:
- House corporations
- Alumni chapters
- National insurance structures
- Documented history of hazing deaths
The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down after our lawsuit. Your chapter could be next.
🏛️ Our Message to Universities Near Chaves County
To New Mexico State University, University of New Mexico, Eastern New Mexico University, Texas Tech, and every institution near Chaves County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.
You have a duty to protect your students. When you own fraternity houses and have the power to regulate Greek life, you share liability for what happens on your property.
Act now — or face the same accountability.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Chaves County Families
1. My child was hazed but doesn’t want to sue. Should we still call?
Yes. Even if your child doesn’t want to pursue legal action, consulting with an attorney protects their rights. We can:
- Advise on evidence preservation
- Help file Title IX or police reports
- Explain legal options without pressure
- Protect against retaliation
2. How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?
$0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, so you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.
3. What if the hazing happened months or years ago?
The statute of limitations in New Mexico is typically 3 years for personal injury claims. However:
- Delayed discovery rules may extend the deadline
- Minors may have until age 18 + 3 years
- Criminal charges may have different deadlines
Call us immediately. The sooner we evaluate your case, the better.
4. What if my child was partially at fault?
New Mexico follows comparative negligence rules. Even if your child was partially at fault, you can still recover compensation as long as they were less than 50% responsible.
We fight to minimize your child’s attributed fault and maximize your recovery.
5. Can we sue if the hazing didn’t cause physical injuries?
Yes. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is compensable. We pursue damages for:
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Therapy and mental health treatment
- Academic disruption
6. What if my child signed a waiver or agreed to participate?
Consent is NOT a defense to hazing in New Mexico. The law explicitly states that even if your child agreed, the organization is still liable.
7. How long does a hazing lawsuit take?
Most cases settle within 12-24 months. Complex cases with multiple defendants may take longer. We work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while maximizing your compensation.
8. What if the fraternity is already suspended or closed?
That doesn’t end your legal rights. In fact, it may strengthen your case by showing the organization knew about the problem. We can still pursue:
- The national organization
- Individual members
- Alumni hosts
- Insurance carriers
9. Will my child have to testify?
Possibly, but most cases settle before trial. If your case does go to trial, we prepare you thoroughly and support you every step of the way.
10. Can you help if the hazing happened outside Chaves County?
Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide. If your child was hazed at any college or university in the U.S., we can evaluate your case.
📞 Chaves County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. The statute of limitations is ticking.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We offer:
✅ Free, confidential case evaluations
✅ Remote video consultations — no need to travel
✅ $0 upfront fees — we only get paid if you win
✅ Aggressive representation — we don’t back down from institutions
If your child was hazed in Chaves County, we will fight for you — just like we’re fighting for Leonel Bermudez.
🔥 Enough is Enough. It’s Time for Accountability.
To Chaves County fraternities: We’re coming for you.
To Chaves County universities: We’re holding you accountable.
To Chaves County families: We’re fighting for you.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.