🚨 Hazing Victims in Orange County, NC: You Are Not Alone
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization in Orange County, North Carolina — we can help.
At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to hold institutions accountable. Orange County families deserve the same aggressive representation.
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” — Lupe Peña, Attorney
🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Orange County
In November 2025, Leonel Bermudez, a prospective member of Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston, was hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being subjected to extreme hazing.
What they did to him:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning
- Forced to perform 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles — physical beating
- Forced to eat until vomiting — then forced to continue exercising
- Hog-tied another pledge with an object in his mouth for over an hour
- Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout — they kept going
The result: Leonel couldn’t walk, his urine turned brown from muscle breakdown, and he spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.
This didn’t happen in a vacuum. Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017. The University of Houston had another student hospitalized from hazing in 2017. They had 8 years to fix their culture. They did nothing.
⚠️ Hazing Happens in Orange County Too
Orange County is home to UNC-Chapel Hill, one of the most prestigious universities in the country — and a campus with a long history of Greek life. The same national fraternities and sororities that operate at UNC and other North Carolina schools have the same hazing cultures we’re fighting in Texas.
Fraternities with chapters near Orange County that have hazing histories:
| Fraternity | Hazing Incident | Year | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz died from forced drinking | 2021 | $10.1M settlement |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | David Bogenberger died from forced drinking | 2012 | $14M settlement |
| Phi Delta Theta | Max Gruver died from forced drinking | 2017 | $6.1M jury verdict |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza died after fall during hazing | 2017 | $110M+ settlement |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Chemical burns case at Texas A&M | 2021 | $1M+ settlement |
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey died from forced drinking | 2017 | Chapter closed |
| Pi Kappa Phi | Leonel Bermudez hospitalized with kidney failure | 2025 | $10M lawsuit pending |
These same organizations have chapters at UNC-Chapel Hill and other schools near Orange County. If it can happen in Houston, it can happen in Chapel Hill. It can happen in Raleigh. It can happen in Durham. It can happen to your child.
🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Orange County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held accountable:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Knew or should have known about hazing culture; failed to supervise |
| University | Failed to protect students; failed to supervise Greek life |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Alumni | Allowed hazing at their homes; facilitated activities |
| Housing Corporations | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
In our current case:
- Pi Kappa Phi National — knew about “a hazing crisis” and did nothing
- University of Houston — owned the fraternity house where torture occurred
- Chapter Officers — directed the hazing activities
- Individual Members — participated in waterboarding, paddling, forced exercise
Orange County families: The same liability applies to UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, NC State, and other schools in North Carolina.
💰 What Orange County Hazing Victims Can Recover
Hazing cases can result in significant compensation for victims and families:
| Damage Type | Examples | Orange County Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Bills | Hospital stays, ER visits, specialists, therapy | Covers all medical treatment from hazing injuries |
| Future Medical | Kidney monitoring, dialysis, transplant, therapy | Covers long-term health consequences |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work during recovery | For students with jobs or internships |
| Educational Impact | Tuition, scholarships, academic disruption | Covers costs of transferring or delayed graduation |
| Physical Pain | Pain from injuries, medical treatment | Compensation for physical suffering |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution | Therapy and treatment for psychological harm |
| Punitive Damages | Additional damages to punish defendants | When hazing is especially egregious (like waterboarding) |
Precedent Settlements and Verdicts:
- $110 million+ — Timothy Piazza (Penn State / Beta Theta Pi)
- $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green / Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (LSU / Phi Delta Theta)
- $10 million — Our current case against Pi Kappa Phi and UH
Orange County families: These same results are possible for North Carolina victims.
⏳ Time Is Running Out — North Carolina Statute of Limitations
North Carolina law gives you only a limited time to file a lawsuit:
| Claim Type | Statute of Limitations |
|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 3 years from date of injury |
| Wrongful Death | 2 years from date of death |
DO NOT WAIT. Every day you delay:
- Evidence disappears
- Witnesses forget
- Organizations destroy records
- Your legal rights expire
If your child was hazed in Orange County, call us NOW at 1-888-ATTY-911.
🛡️ How We Protect Orange County Hazing Victims
1. We Know How to Fight Institutions
- We’re currently suing a national fraternity and major university
- We know their playbook — we’ve seen it before
- We don’t back down from powerful defendants
2. We Understand the Culture
- Ralph Manginello was a hall of fame athlete — he understands team dynamics
- We know how Greek life operates
- We know the pressure points to apply
3. We Travel to Orange County
- We’re based in Texas, but we serve clients nationwide
- We’ll come to Orange County for depositions, meetings, and trials
- Distance is not a barrier to justice
4. We Work on Contingency
- $0 upfront cost — you pay nothing to hire us
- We only get paid if we win your case
- No financial risk to Orange County families
5. We Protect Your Privacy
- Hazing victims often fear retribution
- We handle all communications with defendants
- Your identity is protected
🚨 What Orange County Families Should Do RIGHT NOW
If your child has been hazed in Orange County, North Carolina:
✅ 1. Get Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked
- Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away
- Medical records are critical evidence
✅ 2. Preserve All Evidence
- Do NOT delete any messages, photos, or videos
- Take screenshots of all communications about hazing
- Save physical items used in hazing (paddles, clothing, etc.)
- Get names and contact info of witnesses
✅ 3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- The fraternity/sorority will try to control the narrative
- Anything you say can be used against you
- Let us handle all communications
✅ 4. Do NOT Post on Social Media
- Insurance companies and attorneys will use your posts against you
- Even innocent posts can be twisted to minimize your injuries
✅ 5. Call Attorney 911 Immediately
- 1-888-ATTY-911 — available 24/7
- Free consultation for Orange County families
- We’ll evaluate your case and explain your rights
📞 Orange County Hazing Victims: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 NOW
We are fighting this battle right now. We know how to win. Orange County families deserve justice too.
“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 really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.” — Ralph Manginello, Attorney
This is what hazing looks like. This is what we fight against. This is what we will stop.
If your child has been hazed in Orange County, North Carolina — call us now.
1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We serve Orange County and all of North Carolina. We come to you. We fight for you. We win for you.
🎓 Universities Near Orange County with Greek Life
The following universities and colleges near Orange County have active Greek organizations. If your child attends or plans to attend any of these schools, they face the same hazing risks we’re fighting in Texas.
| University | Location | Greek Life Presence |
|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | Major Greek system; 30+ fraternities and sororities |
| Duke University | Durham, NC | Strong Greek presence; selective chapters |
| North Carolina State University | Raleigh, NC | Large Greek community |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro, NC | Active Greek life |
| Elon University | Elon, NC | Significant Greek influence |
| Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem, NC | Strong Greek tradition |
| Davidson College | Davidson, NC | Greek organizations present |
| North Carolina Central University | Durham, NC | Historically Black Greek organizations |
The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have chapters at these schools. If your child is pledging Greek life near Orange County, they face the same risks.
❓ Common Questions from Orange County Families
Q: My child consented to participate. Can we still sue?
A: YES. North Carolina law does not allow consent as a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable for injuries.
Q: The fraternity said it was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?
A: NO. “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity. Waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical abuse are not traditions — they are crimes.
Q: We’re worried about retaliation. How do you protect us?
A: We handle all communications with the organization. We protect your identity. We take threats of retaliation seriously and can take legal action against those who intimidate victims.
Q: How much does it cost to hire you?
A: $0 upfront. We work on contingency — we only get paid if we win your case. There is no financial risk to Orange County families.
Q: We’re not in Texas. Can you still help us?
A: YES. We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Orange County, North Carolina. We travel to you for depositions and meetings. We have federal court authority to pursue cases anywhere in the country.
Q: What if my child was hazed off-campus?
A: It doesn’t matter where the hazing occurred. If it was part of a student organization, both the organization and the university can be held liable.
Q: How long does a hazing case take?
A: Every case is different. Some settle within months; others take years. We work aggressively to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing compensation.
Q: What if the fraternity is already suspended?
A: That doesn’t end your legal rights. In fact, it may strengthen your case by showing the organization knew about the problem.
📢 To Orange County Fraternities and Sororities: We Are Watching
To the fraternities and sororities operating near Orange County:
We are watching. We are documenting. We are building cases.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. If you haze students in Orange County, we will pursue every liable entity — your national organization, your local chapter, your housing corporation, and every individual member.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, Phi Gamma Delta, Sigma Nu, Delta Chi — if your chapter operates near Orange County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America.
We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston. Your chapter could be next.
Clean up your act. Or we will clean you out in court.
🏆 Our Track Record: Fighting for Victims
At Attorney 911, we don’t just talk about justice — we fight for it. Here’s what we’ve accomplished for our clients:
Hazing Litigation:
- Currently litigating $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
- Experience with Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation
- Expertise in rhabdomyolysis injury cases from hazing
Personal Injury Victories:
- Multi-million dollar settlements in catastrophic injury cases
- BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience against major corporations
- Hundreds of cases won by exposing flawed evidence
Client Satisfaction:
⭐ 4.9 Stars on Google (250+ reviews)
“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett
“One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello and they said that they would take it. And in the next few months I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.” — Donald Wilcox
“They fought with the other party insurance and got me more of the settlement that I was expecting.” — Vivian Ruiz
Why Orange County Families Choose Us:
✅ 25+ years of litigation experience — battle-tested in courtrooms across the country
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — we know their playbook
✅ Federal court authority — can pursue cases nationwide
✅ Dual-state bar admission (Texas and New York) — strategic advantage
✅ Se habla español — bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families
✅ Contingency fee basis — $0 upfront cost; we don’t get paid unless you do
🔚 Enough Is Enough, Orange County
Hazing has to stop.
It’s not “boys being boys.” It’s not “tradition.” It’s not “building character.”
It is:
- Assault
- Battery
- Torture
- Reckless endangerment
- Sometimes manslaughter
- Sometimes murder
Orange County families: You have the power to stop it. By standing up, by speaking out, by pursuing justice.
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña. We are fighting this battle right now. And we will fight for you.
📞 CALL NOW: 1-888-ATTY-911
Orange County hazing victims — your rights matter. Your child matters. Justice matters.
Call us now for a free, confidential consultation.
1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We serve Orange County, North Carolina and all of America. We come to you. We fight for you. We win for you.
“This is what happened at UH. This happens nationwide. This could happen in Orange County. If your child attends college near Orange County, they face the same hazing risks. Orange County parents deserve the same aggressive representation we provide in Houston.” — Attorney 911
