🛡️ Erie County Hazing Lawyer | Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Attorney | Attorney 911
Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — Neither Do We
If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization in Erie County, Ohio, you’re not alone. The same national Greek organizations that allowed a student to be waterboarded and hospitalized at the University of Houston operate right here in Erie County. The same universities that fail to protect students from abuse have chapters in Erie County. And the same legal strategies that are winning millions in Texas can work for Erie County families.
At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now — and we’re bringing the fight to Erie County.
🚨 This Happened in Houston. It’s Happening in Erie County.
The Case That Proves Hazing is Everywhere
On November 21, 2025, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for the hazing of Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student who wasn’t even enrolled at UH yet when he was subjected to:
✅ Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
✅ Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups — until his muscles broke down, causing rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
✅ Struck with wooden paddles — physical abuse with weapons
✅ Forced to eat until vomiting — then made to lie in vomit-soaked grass
✅ Sleep deprivation — forced to drive fraternity members at all hours
✅ Psychological torture — carrying sexual objects, threats of expulsion
Bermudez spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life. And here’s the kicker:
🔥 This wasn’t the first time.
🔥 Pi Kappa Phi killed a student in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at FSU) and did nothing to change.
🔥 University of Houston had a hazing hospitalization in 2017 and did nothing to prevent it from happening again.
The same fraternities operate in Erie County. The same negligence exists at Erie County universities. And the same justice is available to Erie County families.
🏛️ The Fraternities Near Erie County With Hazing Histories
Erie County is home to respected colleges and universities where Greek life thrives — and where hazing happens. The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have active chapters at institutions near Erie County, including:
- Bowling Green State University (just 30 minutes from Erie County)
- University of Toledo (less than an hour away)
- Lorain County Community College
- Other regional colleges and universities
These are the same fraternities that have paid millions in settlements:
| Fraternity | Hazing Case | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) | $10.1 million settlement |
| Phi Delta Theta | Max Gruver (LSU, 2017) | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) | $110+ million settlement |
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017) & Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025) | $10 million lawsuit pending |
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Erie County, they face the same risks. And if they’ve already been hazed, they deserve the same justice.
⚖️ Erie County Hazing Victims Have Rights — We Know How to Enforce Them
Ohio Hazing Law Protects Your Child
Ohio has strong anti-hazing laws, including Collin’s Law, which makes hazing a felony in some cases. Under Ohio law:
✅ Hazing is illegal — no matter what the organization calls it
✅ Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate
✅ Universities can be held liable — for failing to protect students
✅ National organizations can be sued — for failing to supervise chapters
✅ Individuals face criminal charges — up to felony prosecution
We know Ohio hazing law. We know how to build cases that win. And we know how to make institutions pay.
💰 What Erie County Hazing Victims Can Recover
Hazing cases aren’t just about holding individuals accountable — they’re about compensating victims for the harm they’ve suffered and preventing it from happening to others. Erie County families can recover:
| Damage Type | What It Covers | Erie County Example |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Bills | Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment | Rhabdomyolysis treatment, kidney monitoring |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships | Missed opportunities due to hospitalization |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain from abuse | Agony of waterboarding, muscle breakdown |
| Emotional Distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression | Fear of retribution, nightmares, therapy |
| Educational Impact | Tuition loss, scholarship impact | Delayed graduation, transferred schools |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | Waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles |
In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re seeking $10 million. Erie County families deserve the same.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Erie County
If your child has been hazed — whether at Bowling Green, Toledo, LCCC, or any school in Erie County — time is critical. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. And statutes of limitations run out.
✅ Immediate Steps for Erie County Families:
- Get Medical Attention — Even if injuries seem minor, document everything
- Preserve All Evidence — Texts, photos, videos, social media, witness names
- Do NOT Talk to the Organization — They will try to control the narrative
- Do NOT Post on Social Media — Anything you post can be used against you
- Call Attorney 911 Immediately — 1-888-ATTY-911 — free consultation
We will:
- Guide you through evidence preservation
- Handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
- Build a strong case for maximum compensation
- Travel to Erie County for depositions, meetings, and trials
🏆 Why Erie County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — it’s happening. And we’re bringing the same fight to Erie County.
2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense
Fraternities will argue your child “agreed” to participate. Ohio law says consent doesn’t matter. We know how to defeat this defense and hold them accountable.
3. We Have Insider Knowledge
Both of our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how insurance companies think, how they value claims, and how they try to minimize payouts. We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery.
4. We Go After Deep Pockets
We don’t just sue individual students — we sue:
- The local chapter — for organizing the hazing
- The national organization — for failing to supervise
- The university — for failing to protect students
- Individual perpetrators — for participating
5. We Serve Erie County Families — No Matter Where You Are
While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Erie County. We offer:
- Video consultations — meet with us remotely
- Travel to Erie County — for depositions, meetings, and trials
- Federal court authority — we can pursue cases anywhere
6. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront
We understand that cost can be a barrier to justice. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
🎯 Our Message to Erie County Fraternities and Universities
To the fraternities operating in Erie County:
We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements. And we know your chapters are doing the same things that hospitalized our client in Houston.
If you haze students in Erie County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue your chapter, your nationals, and your university. We will pursue every insurance policy. And we will make you pay.
The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated.
Your chapter could be next.
To the universities in Erie County:
You own the fraternity houses. You collect the rent. You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous chapters. When you fail to protect students, you are liable.
The University of Houston owned the house where a student was waterboarded. They’re now a defendant in our $10 million lawsuit. Your university could be next.
📞 Erie County Families: Your Legal Emergency Hotline
If your child has been hazed in Erie County, call us immediately. The clock is ticking.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Available 24/7 for Erie County hazing emergencies.
🔍 Frequently Asked Questions for Erie County Families
Q: My child was hazed at Bowling Green / Toledo / LCCC. Can you help?
A: Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Erie County. Distance is not a barrier.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented.” Does that matter?
A: No. Ohio law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization is still liable.
Q: How much is my child’s case worth?
Every case is different, but hazing cases involving serious injuries or psychological trauma can result in six- or seven-figure settlements or verdicts. In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million.
Q: How much does it cost to hire you?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency — we only get paid if we win your case. There are no hidden fees or costs.
Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
We understand the fear of speaking out. We protect our clients’ privacy and work to ensure they are not retaliated against. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, our client was “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution” — we take this seriously.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
In Ohio, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the injury. However, do not wait — evidence disappears, and witnesses forget. Contact us immediately.
Q: Can we sue the university?
Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to act, they can be held liable. In our case, the University of Houston is a defendant because they owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred.
Q: What if the hazing didn’t cause physical injuries?
Hazing doesn’t have to cause physical injuries to be illegal or actionable. Psychological trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression are all compensable. We pursue damages for emotional distress in every case.
Q: Can we still sue if the chapter was suspended or closed?
Absolutely. Closing a chapter is an admission of wrongdoing. We pursue the national organization, the university, and individual members — even if the chapter is no longer active.
📢 Erie County Parents: The Time to Act Is Now
You sent your child to college in Erie County expecting them to be safe. Instead, they were abused, humiliated, and traumatized — all in the name of “tradition.”
This isn’t just about your child. It’s about every student in Erie County who might be next. The fraternities won’t stop until someone makes them. The universities won’t act until they’re forced to.
We are that force.
We’re fighting this battle in Texas. We’re ready to bring it to Erie County. And we’re ready to win.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit attorney911.com
Erie County families: You are not alone. We are your legal emergency responders.
