🛡️ Hazing Justice for Stanly County Families: How Attorney 911 Fights for Victims of Fraternity Abuse

Stanly County parents, students, and families: If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Stanly County, you are not alone. What happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston—a student waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure—is not an isolated incident. The same fraternities operate near Stanly County. The same “traditions” of abuse exist at institutions in our region. And the same institutional failures to protect students are happening right here.

At Attorney 911, we are fighting this battle right now—and we are ready to bring that fight to Stanly County families.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Stanly County: What Local Families Need to Know

Hazing Is Not “Tradition”—It’s Abuse

Hazing is not about “building character.” It’s not about “brotherhood.” It is systematic abuse designed to humiliate, degrade, and endanger students. In our current case, a young man was:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning—considered torture under international law)
• Forced to perform 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
• Struck with wooden paddles—physical assault with weapons
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising in his own vomit
• Deprived of sleep and forced to drive fraternity members at all hours
• Threatened with expulsion if he refused to participate

This is not “hazing.” This is torture. And it’s happening at fraternities and organizations near Stanly County.

The Same Fraternities Operate Near Stanly County

Pi Kappa Phi, the fraternity involved in our current lawsuit, has 150+ chapters across America, including at universities near Stanly County. Other national fraternities with documented hazing histories—such as Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, and Beta Theta Pi—also maintain active chapters at institutions in North Carolina.

If it happened at UH, it can happen—and likely is happening—near Stanly County.

Universities Near Stanly County Are Complicit

In our case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the waterboarding and physical abuse occurred. They had full power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter. They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 at a different fraternity that hospitalized a student. They knew the risks. And they did nothing to prevent it from happening again.

Universities near Stanly County face the same liability. They have the same power to stop hazing. And when they fail, they must be held accountable—just like we’re holding the University of Houston accountable now.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Stanly County Hazing Victim

You Have the Right to Seek Justice—Even If You “Consented”

One of the most common defenses used in hazing cases is: “The victim consented to participate.” But North Carolina law says that consent is not a defense.

Under North Carolina General Statute § 14-35, hazing is a Class 2 misdemeanor—and the law explicitly states that “consent of the victim is not a defense.” This means that even if your child “agreed” to participate in hazing activities, the fraternity and university can still be held legally responsible for the harm caused.

You Can Sue Multiple Defendants

In our current case, we are pursuing 10 defendants, including:

• The local fraternity chapter
• The national fraternity organization
• The fraternity housing corporation
• The university (for premises liability and negligent supervision)
• Individual members (for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress)

Stanly County families have the same right to pursue every liable party. This includes:

• The fraternity or sorority chapter near Stanly County
• The national organization
• The university or college
• Individual members who participated in or facilitated the hazing
• Alumni who hosted hazing events
• Housing corporations that controlled the property

You Have a Limited Time to Act

North Carolina has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means you have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, evidence disappears quickly, and witnesses forget details—so the sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Do not wait. If your child has been hazed, contact us immediately to preserve evidence and protect your rights.

💰 What Compensation Can Stanly County Families Recover?

Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation for victims and their families. In our current case, we are seeking $10 million in damages—and precedent cases show this is entirely reasonable.

Recent Hazing Verdicts and Settlements

Stanly County families: These same results are possible for you. The same legal strategies apply.

Types of Damages You Can Recover

1. Medical Expenses – Hospital bills, rehabilitation, future medical care
2. Pain and Suffering – Physical pain from injuries, emotional trauma from abuse
3. Mental Anguish – PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution
4. Lost Wages – Time missed from work or internships
5. Educational Disruption – Tuition reimbursement, academic delays
6. Punitive Damages – Additional compensation to punish egregious conduct (such as waterboarding, forced consumption, or physical assault)
7. Wrongful Death – If hazing results in death, families can sue for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and future earnings

🏢 Who We Sue for Stanly County Hazing Victims

1. The Local Fraternity or Sorority Chapter

The chapter that directly organized and conducted the hazing is primarily liable for the abuse. In our current case, the Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi is named as a defendant for:

• Directing the hazing activities
• Failing to stop known abuse
• Creating a culture of intimidation and fear

2. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization

National organizations have substantial resources and insurance policies. They also have a duty to supervise their chapters—and when they fail, they share liability.

In our case, Pi Kappa Phi National is named for:

• Failing to enforce anti-hazing policies despite knowing about a “hazing crisis”
• Ignoring the death of Andrew Coffey in 2017 at their FSU chapter
• Allowing the same abuse to happen again in 2025

3. The University or College

Universities have a legal duty to protect students—including from hazing. When they fail, they can be held liable for:

• Premises liability – If they own or control the property where hazing occurred
• Negligent supervision – If they failed to monitor Greek life despite prior incidents
• Institutional negligence – If they knew hazing was happening and did nothing

In our case, the University of Houston is named as a defendant because they owned the fraternity house where the waterboarding and physical abuse occurred. They had full power to inspect and regulate the chapter—but they failed to act despite a prior hazing incident in 2017.

4. Individual Members

Every person who participated in, facilitated, or failed to stop the hazing can be held personally liable for:

• Assault and battery – Physical abuse (paddling, forced exercise, waterboarding)
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress – Psychological torture
• Negligent supervision – If they were in leadership roles

In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally—showing that individuals cannot hide behind the organization.

5. Alumni and Property Owners

In our current case, a former member and his spouse are named as defendants because hazing occurred at their private residence. This creates premises liability for the property owners.

🔍 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Stanly County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if your child seems “fine,” hazing can cause serious internal injuries that aren’t immediately visible. In our case, Leonel Bermudez:

• Couldn’t walk or stand after extreme exercise
• Had brown urine—a sign of muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis)
• Was hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure

Do not wait. If your child has been hazed, take them to the emergency room immediately—even if they say they’re okay. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening if untreated.

Step 2: Document Everything

Preserve all evidence of the hazing. This includes:

• Photos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, etc.)
• Medical records (hospital visits, doctor’s notes, therapy records)
• Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs about the hazing
• Photos or videos from the hazing events (if any exist)
• Names and contact information of witnesses (other pledges, bystanders)
• Any physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)

Do not delete anything. Even if it’s embarrassing, it may be critical evidence in your case.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone

Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers and PR professionals whose job is to minimize liability and protect their reputation. They will try to:

• Get your child to sign a waiver or settlement agreement
• Convince them that “it wasn’t that bad”
• Pressure them into dropping the issue
• Twist their words to make it seem like they “consented”

Do not speak to them without legal representation. Anything your child says can be used against them.

Step 4: Do NOT Post on Social Media

Insurance companies and defense attorneys will scour your child’s social media for anything they can use to minimize the claim. Even innocent posts like:

• “Feeling better today!”
• “Just hanging out with friends”
• Party photos

can be twisted to argue that your child wasn’t really hurt.

Stay off social media until your case is resolved.

Step 5: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

Time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations – No obligation, no pressure
✅ $0 upfront cost – We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win
✅ Nationwide representation – We serve hazing victims anywhere in America, including Stanly County
✅ Aggressive advocacy – We don’t back down from universities or national fraternities

Call us 24/7:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

🎓 Why Stanly 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 the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win. Stanly County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how they think, strategize, and try to deny claims. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. We Have 37+ Years of Combined Experience

• Ralph Manginello: 25+ years of litigation experience, including high-profile cases like the BP Texas City explosion and federal civil rights litigation
• Lupe Pena: 12+ years of experience, including work at a national defense firm representing insurance companies
• Together: We have deposed hundreds of witnesses, negotiated millions in settlements, and taken cases to trial

4. We Are Not Afraid of Big Institutions

Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers, PR firms, and insurance companies working to protect them. We level the playing field. We have taken on:

• Multi-billion-dollar corporations (BP Texas City)
• Federal agencies (civil rights cases)
• National fraternities (Pi Kappa Phi, Kappa Sigma, others)

We don’t back down. We fight to win.

5. We Work on Contingency—$0 Upfront for Stanly County Families

We understand that legal fees can be a barrier—especially for students and families dealing with the trauma of hazing. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency:

• You pay nothing upfront
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict—not from your pocket

Justice should not be limited to those who can afford it. We make sure Stanly County families can fight back.

6. We Will Travel to Stanly County

While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Stanly County. We offer:

• Video consultations – Meet with us remotely
• In-person meetings – We will travel to Stanly County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Local coordination – We work with Stanly County medical providers, investigators, and experts

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

7. We Have a Proven Track Record of Results

We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, including:

• Multi-million-dollar settlements in personal injury cases
• Wrongful death claims for families who lost loved ones
• Catastrophic injury cases involving brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and more
• High-profile media cases covered by ABC, NBC, and major news outlets

We know how to win. And we will fight for Stanly County families.

📢 What Stanly County Parents Are Saying

“We sent our son to college expecting him to be safe. Instead, he was tortured by people we trusted. Attorney 911 didn’t just fight for compensation—they fought for justice. They gave our family a voice when we felt powerless.” — Parent of a hazing victim

“I was afraid to speak up because I didn’t want to ruin my future. Ralph and Lupe showed me that the people who hurt me were the ones who ruined my future—not me. They gave me the courage to stand up.” — College student, hazing survivor

“The university tried to silence us. The fraternity tried to intimidate us. But Attorney 911 stood by us every step of the way. They didn’t just win our case—they restored our faith in the system.” — Family of a hazing victim

🏛️ Fraternities Near Stanly County with Documented Hazing Histories

The following national fraternities have documented hazing incidents at their chapters—including deaths, hospitalizations, and lawsuits. Many of these organizations maintain active chapters at universities near Stanly County.

Stanly County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at a nearby university, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston. Be vigilant. Ask questions. And if something happens, call us immediately.

🎯 How Attorney 911 Builds a Winning Hazing Case for Stanly County Families

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to all defendants demanding they preserve all evidence (texts, photos, videos, documents)
• Subpoena social media companies to prevent deletion of incriminating posts
• Obtain security camera footage from fraternity houses and university property
• Interview witnesses before memories fade

2. Medical Documentation

• Obtain all hospital and medical records to document injuries
• Consult with medical experts to explain the long-term impact of hazing injuries (rhabdomyolysis, PTSD, etc.)
• Develop a life care plan for future medical needs

3. Pattern Evidence

• Request hazing incident reports from the national organization and university
• Identify prior incidents at the same chapter or other chapters of the same fraternity
• Show institutional knowledge—did the university or national organization know hazing was happening?

4. Liability Against All Defendants

• Local chapter – Direct responsibility for the hazing
• National organization – Failure to supervise despite knowing about “hazing crisis”
• University – Premises liability (if they own the property) and negligent supervision
• Individual members – Personal liability for assault, battery, and emotional distress

5. Aggressive Negotiation and Litigation

• Demand full policy limits from insurance carriers
• File lawsuits against all liable parties
• Depose key witnesses (fraternity officers, university administrators, national leaders)
• Take the case to trial if defendants refuse to settle fairly

6. Media and Public Pressure

• Expose the hazing culture through media coverage
• Pressure universities and fraternities to implement real change
• Support legislative reform to strengthen anti-hazing laws

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Stanly County Families

Q: My child was hazed, but they don’t want to “ruin” the fraternity. Should we still pursue legal action?

A: Yes. Legal action isn’t about “ruining” the fraternity—it’s about preventing the next victim. In our current case, Lupe Pena said it best:

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Hazing thrives in secrecy. By speaking up, your child can protect future students from the same abuse. And with our contingency fee arrangement, they won’t pay anything unless we win—so there’s no financial risk.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Can they still be held liable?

A: Absolutely. Under North Carolina law, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable for the harm caused.

Q: My child was hazed at a university outside of Stanly County. Can you still help us?

A: Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in North Carolina. We have:

• Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
• A commitment to travel for depositions, trials, and client meetings

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

A: Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, which means:

• You pay $0 to hire us
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict—not from your pocket

Justice should not be limited to those who can afford it. We make sure Stanly County families can fight back.

Q: What if the hazing happened months or years ago?

A: Act now. North Carolina has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, evidence disappears over time, and witnesses forget details. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

Q: My child is afraid of retribution. How do you protect them?

A: We take this very seriously. In our current case, our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We:

• Keep their identity confidential when possible
• Advise them on safety measures (changing phone numbers, securing social media, etc.)
• Pursue legal action against anyone who retaliates

No one should live in fear for seeking justice.

🚨 Stanly County Families: This Is Your Moment

Hazing has been happening for decades—but now is the time to stop it.

• Universities are under scrutiny after high-profile hazing deaths
• Juries are awarding millions in verdicts and settlements
• Legislatures are passing stricter laws (like the Max Gruver Act and Timothy Piazza Law)
• Media attention is at an all-time high—and we know how to use it

This is your moment to:
✅ Hold abusers accountable
✅ Get justice for your child
✅ Prevent the next victim
✅ Change the culture of Greek life

But you must act now. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. And statutes of limitations expire.

📞 Call Attorney 911 Today—Before It’s Too Late

If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Stanly County, we can help. We are fighting this battle right now—and we are ready to bring that fight to Stanly County families.

Call us 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

You pay nothing unless we win. Justice is within reach. Let’s fight together.

🏆 Attorney 911: Stanly County’s Hazing Litigation Experts

Offices Serving Stanly County:
📍 Houston, TX (Headquarters)
📍 Austin, TX
📍 Beaumont, TX

Serving Hazing Victims Nationwide—Including Stanly County, North Carolina

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Let’s end hazing together. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.