🚨 Hazing Lawyer in Clatsop County: Protecting Students from Fraternity and Sorority Abuse

Attorney 911 — Fighting for Hazing Victims in Clatsop County and Beyond

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — And Neither Do We

Clatsop County families: if your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or any student organization, you are not alone. The same national fraternities that waterboarded a student at University of Houston have chapters operating near Clatsop County. The same negligence that hospitalized our client exists at institutions in your community. And we will fight for Clatsop County victims with the same aggression we’re bringing to our $10 million hazing lawsuit.

We serve Clatsop County families nationwide. While based in Texas, our federal court authority and commitment to traveling for justice mean distance is not a barrier to accountability. If your child was hazed in Clatsop County, we will come to you.

This Is Happening in Clatsop County — Right Now

The Crisis You Don’t See

Hazing is not just a distant problem. It’s happening at colleges and universities near Clatsop County. The same fraternities involved in our landmark lawsuit — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — have active chapters at institutions in and around Clatsop County.

What’s happening to Clatsop County students?

• Waterboarding and simulated drowning
• Forced consumption of alcohol until vomiting
• Extreme physical punishment (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
• Sleep deprivation and exhaustion
• Psychological torture and humiliation
• Being struck with wooden paddles
• And worse

These aren’t “pranks.” These aren’t “traditions.” This is abuse. This is assault. This is sometimes manslaughter. And it’s happening to Clatsop County students.

The Case That Shows Clatsop County Families What’s Possible

Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi — $10 Million Lawsuit (2025)

The Facts:

• Victim: Leonel Bermudez, a “ghost rush” — not even enrolled at University of Houston yet
• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter
• What Happened: Weeks of systematic hazing including:
  • Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
  • Forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls
  • Struck with wooden paddles
  • Forced to eat until vomiting, then forced to keep running
  • Another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness — they kept going
• Result: Severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure; 3 nights, 4 days hospitalized

The Lawsuit:

• $10 MILLION sought from Pi Kappa Phi National, local chapter, University of Houston, and individual members
• Filed November 21, 2025 — covered by ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media
• Chapter closed November 14, 2025 — 7 days before lawsuit; they knew it was coming

Why This Matters to Clatsop County Families:

• Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America — including near Clatsop County
• The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen at Clatsop County fraternities
• Universities near Clatsop County face the same liability failures as UH
• If your child is being hazed in Clatsop County, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting in Houston

What Is Hazing? The Legal Definition in Oregon and Nationwide

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.

This includes:

• Physical brutality (beating, paddling, branding)
• Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse and humiliation
• Confinement or exposure to extreme conditions
• Any activity that creates unreasonable risk of harm

Critical Legal Point: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of consent.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Clatsop County?

When hazing happens, everyone who participated or allowed it can be held responsible. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re suing:

Clatsop County families: The same liability applies to institutions near you. If your child was hazed, we will identify and pursue every responsible party.

What Can Clatsop County Families Recover?

Hazing victims are entitled to full and fair compensation for all harm suffered. This includes:

Economic Damages:

• Medical bills (hospitalization, treatment, therapy)
• Future medical expenses (kidney monitoring, potential dialysis)
• Lost wages (time missed from work)
• Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships)
• Rehabilitation costs

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Humiliation and embarrassment
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disfigurement or disability

Punitive Damages:

When conduct is outrageous, reckless, or intentional, courts award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future misconduct. This is especially likely when:

• The organization knew about prior hazing incidents
• They failed to implement safeguards
• They covered up or minimized the abuse

Precedent Shows Clatsop County Families Can Win Millions:

• $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
• $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
• $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
• $4+ million — Adam Oakes (Delta Chi, VCU)

Our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez is directly in line with these precedent-setting cases.

What Should Clatsop County Families Do If Their Child Is Hazed?

IMMEDIATE ACTION STEPS:

1. Seek Medical Attention

   • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
   • Rhabdomyolysis, concussions, and psychological trauma may not be immediately apparent
   • Medical records are critical evidence

2. Preserve All Evidence

   • DO NOT delete any communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, emails)
   • Take photos of injuries, hazing locations, any physical evidence
   • Write down everything you remember about what happened
   • Get contact information for any witnesses

3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization

   • The fraternity/sorority will try to control the narrative
   • They may pressure you to sign documents or make statements
   • Do not speak to them without legal counsel

4. Do NOT Post on Social Media

   • Anything you post can be used against you
   • Even posts showing you “looking fine” can be used to minimize your injuries
   • Stay off social media until your case is resolved

5. Contact an Attorney Immediately

   • Statute of limitations applies — in Oregon, you typically have 2 years to file
   • Evidence disappears quickly
   • Witnesses forget details
   • Organizations destroy records
   • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Clatsop County Hazing Case?

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. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight. Clatsop County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know their playbook. We know how they try to minimize claims. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. Federal Court Authority

We are admitted to practice in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. This means we can pursue Clatsop County cases in federal court when appropriate, giving us strategic flexibility.

4. Dual-State Bar Admission

We are licensed in Texas and New York. This is critical for hazing cases involving national fraternities, many of which are headquartered in New York.

5. Nationwide Reach

We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Clatsop County. We offer:

• Video consultations for Clatsop County families
• Willingness to travel to Clatsop County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• Remote case management — distance is not a barrier

6. Se Habla Español

We provide bilingual legal services in Spanish. Clatsop County Hispanic families affected by hazing can communicate with us without language barriers.

7. Contingency Fee Representation

We work on contingency — $0 upfront for Clatsop County families.

• You pay nothing to hire us
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

8. Proven Track Record

• 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
• Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases
• BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience directly applicable to hazing cases
• Hundreds of cases won by exposing flawed evidence
• Google 4.9 stars, 250+ reviews — clients trust us

9. Specific Hazing Expertise

• Rhabdomyolysis injury litigation — our current client has this exact condition
• Kappa Sigma fraternity cases — prior hazing litigation experience
• Texas A&M University hazing cases — institutional negligence experience
• Wrongful death and catastrophic injury — when hazing kills or permanently injures

10. We Understand the Culture

Ralph Manginello is a former athlete and youth coach. He understands:

• Team dynamics
• Locker room culture
• The pressures young people face
• How organizations manipulate and exploit those pressures

The Warning to Clatsop County Fraternities and Universities

To every fraternity and sorority operating near Clatsop County:

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. The same pattern evidence we’re using in our current case exists in your organization.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Clatsop County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

To every university near Clatsop County:

The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. If you own fraternity houses, if you regulate Greek life, if you have prior hazing incidents — you are on notice. Act now or face the same accountability.

To Greek life leadership at Clatsop County institutions:

The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

Clatsop County Families: You Have Rights. You Have Power. You Have Us.

Hazing leaves victims feeling powerless. The organizations that hurt you want you to stay silent. They want you to think you have no options. They want you to believe that “tradition” justifies abuse.

They are wrong.

You have the right to safety.
You have the right to justice.
You have the right to compensation.
You have the right to hold them accountable.

And you have Attorney 911 — a team that will fight for you with everything we have.

Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Available 24/7 for Clatsop County hazing emergencies
Free consultation — no obligation
$0 upfront — we only get paid if you win

We will travel to Clatsop County for your case.
We will fight for Clatsop County families like family.
We will not stop until justice is served.

Frequently Asked Questions for Clatsop County Families

Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to “ruin” the fraternity. What should I do?

A: Your child’s health and safety come first. Hazing is not “tradition” — it’s abuse, and it’s illegal. Many victims fear retribution or social consequences, but silence protects the abusers, not the victims. Our attorneys can help your child understand their legal rights without escalating the situation prematurely.

Q: The fraternity said my child “consented” to the activities. Can they still be held responsible?

A: Absolutely. In Oregon and most states, consent is not a defense to hazing. The law explicitly states that even if a student agreed to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held liable. This is because hazing often involves coercion, peer pressure, and power dynamics that negate true consent.

Q: We’re in Clatsop County. How can a Texas law firm help us?

A: While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Clatsop County. We offer:

• Video consultations so you don’t have to travel
• Federal court authority to pursue your case in federal jurisdiction
• Willingness to travel to Clatsop County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• Remote case management — we handle everything electronically

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Q: What if my child was hazed but wasn’t seriously injured?

A: Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may still have a valid legal claim. Hazing often causes:

• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Academic disruption
• Social isolation
• Long-term emotional harm

We evaluate each case individually. Contact us for a free consultation.

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 out of the settlement or verdict
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

This allows Clatsop County families to fight powerful institutions without financial risk.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: Location doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal whether it happens:

• On campus
• At a fraternity/sorority house
• At an off-campus residence
• At a retreat or event location

If the hazing was connected to the organization, they can be held liable.

Q: Can we sue the university even if they didn’t know about the hazing?

A: Possibly. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. If:

• The university owns or controls the property where hazing occurred
• The university has prior knowledge of hazing at their fraternities
• The university failed to implement adequate oversight
• The university failed to respond to reports of hazing

Then they may be liable for negligent supervision or premises liability.

Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

A: We understand. Many hazing victims fear social or academic