🛡️ Hazing Victims in Wayne County, Pennsylvania — You Are Not Alone
If your child was hazed at a college or university near Wayne County, Pennsylvania, Attorney 911 is here to fight for you.
We are currently representing a student in a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after he was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme physical abuse. This same fraternity — and many others — operate chapters at universities across Pennsylvania, including near Wayne County.
Wayne County families: What happened in Houston can happen here. The same “traditions” that sent our client to the hospital exist in Pennsylvania. The same negligence that allowed waterboarding and 500 squats at UH exists at Pennsylvania institutions. And the same justice that we’re fighting for in Texas is available to Wayne County victims.
You have legal rights. You have the right to hold these organizations accountable. And you have Attorney 911 — a law firm with 25+ years of experience, former insurance defense insight, and a proven track record of winning millions for victims — ready to fight for Wayne County families.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Pennsylvania — It’s Happening Near Wayne County
The Problem: Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines
Hazing is not just a Texas problem. It’s a national epidemic — and Pennsylvania is no exception.
Universities Near Wayne County With Active Greek Life:
- East Stroudsburg University (Monroe County) — 30+ miles from Wayne County
- Bloomsburg University (Columbia County) — 50+ miles from Wayne County
- Mansfield University (Tioga County) — 60+ miles from Wayne County
- Wilkes University (Luzerne County) — 70+ miles from Wayne County
- University of Scranton (Lackawanna County) — 80+ miles from Wayne County
- Penn State University (multiple campuses) — State College is 150+ miles, but satellite campuses closer
These are just the major institutions near Wayne County. Fraternities and sororities operate at nearly every college and university in Pennsylvania — including community colleges and private schools.
The Same Fraternities That Hazed Our Client Operate Near Wayne County
The same national fraternities involved in our current lawsuit — and in other multi-million dollar hazing cases — have active chapters at Pennsylvania universities near Wayne County:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Pennsylvania Chapters Near Wayne County |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Our current $10M lawsuit (UH 2025); Andrew Coffey death (FSU 2017) | Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg, Penn State |
| Pi Kappa Alpha | Stone Foltz death (BGSU 2021) — $10.1M settlement | Bloomsburg, Penn State |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver death (LSU 2017) — $6.1M verdict | Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg, Penn State |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza death (Penn State 2017) — $110M+ settlement | Penn State (main campus) |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon | Multiple hazing deaths; chemical burns case (Texas A&M 2021) | Bloomsburg, Penn State |
| Sigma Chi | Recent wrongful death lawsuit (UT Austin 2025) | Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg, Penn State |
Wayne County families: These are not theoretical dangers. These are real fraternities with real chapters at real universities near Wayne County. They have the same national organizations, the same hazing cultures, and the same negligent oversight that led to our client’s hospitalization.
⚠️ What Hazing Looks Like in Pennsylvania — The Same Abuse That Sent Our Client to the Hospital
The UH Pi Kappa Phi Case — This Is Happening Near Wayne County
In November 2025, our client Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to extreme hazing at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter.
The hazing activities he endured are the same “traditions” that exist at fraternities near Wayne County:
| Hazing Activity | Description | Why It’s Dangerous |
|---|---|---|
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning with a garden hose | Torture; risk of drowning; severe psychological trauma |
| Forced Exercise | 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls | Causes rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown); leads to kidney failure |
| Wooden Paddles | Struck with wooden paddles | Physical assault; risk of internal injuries |
| Forced Eating | Large amounts of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting | Risk of choking; aspiration; food poisoning |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced to drive members during early morning hours | Causes exhaustion; increases accident risk |
| Psychological Abuse | Carrying sexual objects; hog-tying pledges; stripping in cold weather | Severe emotional distress; PTSD |
| Threats of Expulsion | Threatened with expulsion if activities not completed | Coercion; duress; negates “consent” |
These are not “pranks.” These are not “initiation rituals.” This is systematic abuse. This is torture. And it’s happening at universities near Wayne County.
💔 The Human Cost of Hazing — Wayne County Families Deserve to Know
What Happened to Leonel Bermudez Can Happen to Your Child
The Timeline of Torture:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 16, 2025 | Bermudez accepts bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at UH as a “ghost rush” (not yet enrolled) |
| September – November 2025 | 7 weeks of systematic hazing — waterboarding, forced eating, extreme exercise, physical abuse |
| October 13, 2025 | Another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour |
| October 15, 2025 | A pledge loses consciousness during a forced workout — other pledges have to elevate his legs until he recovers |
| November 3, 2025 | Bermudez punished for missing an event — forced to do 100+ pushups, 500 squats, and other exercises until he collapses |
| November 4, 2025 | “Really sore and couldn’t really move” |
| November 5, 2025 | “The next day was worse” |
| November 6, 2025 | Mother rushes Bermudez to hospital — he’s passing brown urine (sign of muscle breakdown) |
| November 6-10, 2025 | Hospitalized for 3 nights, 4 days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure |
| November 14, 2025 | Pi Kappa Phi National closes UH chapter |
| November 21, 2025 | $10 MILLION LAWSUIT FILED by Attorney 911 |
The Medical Consequences:
Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle tissue that releases a damaging protein (myoglobin) into the blood. It can cause:
- Acute kidney failure (Bermudez’s diagnosis)
- Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)
- Permanent kidney damage (potential lifelong monitoring)
- Death (if untreated)
This is not a minor injury. This is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by extreme physical abuse.
The Psychological Trauma:
Our client is fearful of doing an interview due to retribution (ABC13). This fear is real. Hazing victims often:
- Suffer from PTSD
- Experience anxiety and depression
- Develop trust issues
- Struggle with academic performance
- Isolate themselves socially
- Have suicidal ideation
Hazing doesn’t just hurt the body. It destroys the soul.
⚖️ Pennsylvania Hazing Laws — What Wayne County Families Need to Know
Pennsylvania Has Strong Anti-Hazing Laws — But Enforcement Is Weak
Pennsylvania Anti-Hazing Law (18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2802-2810)
Definition of Hazing (§ 2802):
Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization.
This includes:
- Physical brutality (paddling, beating, branding)
- Forced consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, or drugs
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological abuse
- Anything that creates a risk of injury
Wayne County families: The hazing that hospitalized our client — waterboarding, 500 squats, forced eating — clearly violates Pennsylvania law.
Criminal Penalties in Pennsylvania:
| Offense Level | Conduct | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| Summary Offense | Hazing that does not cause serious bodily injury | Up to 90 days in jail; up to $300 fine |
| Misdemeanor of the 3rd Degree | Hazing that causes or creates a substantial risk of bodily injury | Up to 1 year in jail; up to $2,500 fine |
| Felony of the 3rd Degree | Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death | Up to 7 years in prison; up to $15,000 fine |
Application to Bermudez Case:
- Rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure = serious bodily injury
- Individuals who participated could face felony charges in Pennsylvania
- Organizations can be fined up to $15,000
Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law (2018) — Named After Penn State Victim
Key Provisions:
- Mandatory reporting — Universities must report hazing incidents
- Institutional penalties — Fines up to $15,000 per incident
- Transparency — Schools must publish hazing reports
- Immunity for reporters — Encourages witnesses to come forward
Why This Matters for Wayne County:
- Pennsylvania has already recognized how serious hazing is
- The state has named a law after a hazing victim (Timothy Piazza, Penn State 2017)
- Wayne County families can use this law to demand accountability
Civil Liability — Wayne County Victims Can Sue for Millions
Pennsylvania law allows hazing victims to sue for:
- Negligence — Duty of care owed; breach of duty; injury
- Assault and Battery — Intentional harmful contact
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress — Outrageous conduct causing severe distress
- Premises Liability — If hazing occurred on university property
- Negligent Supervision — Universities and national organizations failed to oversee
Precedent in Pennsylvania:
- Timothy Piazza case — $110+ million settlement against Beta Theta Pi and Penn State
- Piazza Law — Created by the family to prevent future hazing deaths
- Multiple criminal convictions — Including involuntary manslaughter
Wayne County families: If it can happen at Penn State, it can happen at universities near Wayne County. And Pennsylvania juries will hold them accountable.
💰 What Wayne County Hazing Victims Can Recover — Multi-Million Dollar Precedents
Hazing Cases Win Big — And Pennsylvania Cases Are No Exception
Wayne County Families: These settlements and verdicts prove that hazing cases are worth millions — and Pennsylvania juries are willing to award them.
| Case | University | Fraternity | Year | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | 2017 | Settlement | $110,000,000+ (estimated) |
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | 2021 | Settlement + Judgment | $10,100,000+ |
| Maxwell Gruver | LSU | Phi Delta Theta | 2017 | Jury Verdict | $6,100,000 |
| Andrew Coffey | FSU | Pi Kappa Phi | 2017 | Settlement | Confidential (likely multi-million) |
| Adam Oakes | VCU | Delta Chi | 2021 | Settlement | $4,000,000+ |
What This Means for Wayne County Victims:
- Pennsylvania has the highest hazing settlement in history ($110M+ at Penn State)
- Juries award millions — even when victims survive (like our client)
- Universities and fraternities pay — they have the money and insurance
- Wayne County families can recover for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and PTSD
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
🏢 Who Is Liable for Hazing in Wayne County? — Everyone Who Let It Happen
Wayne County Families Can Sue Multiple Defendants
When hazing occurs, multiple parties are responsible — and Wayne County victims can sue them all.
1. Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter (Near Wayne County)
Why They’re Liable:
- Directly organized and conducted hazing
- Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) directed activities
- Members participated and failed to stop abuse
Wayne County Example:
If your child was hazed at the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at East Stroudsburg University, you can sue:
- The chapter itself
- The chapter president
- The pledgemaster
- All members who participated
2. National Fraternity/Sorority Organization
Why They’re Liable:
- Failed to supervise Wayne County chapter
- Knew about hazing risks (pattern evidence from other chapters)
- Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
- Have deep pockets — millions in assets and insurance
Wayne County Example:
Pi Kappa Phi National is currently being sued in our $10M case. They oversee chapters at Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg, and Penn State — all near Wayne County.
3. University or College (Near Wayne County)
Why They’re Liable:
- Duty to protect students
- Power to regulate Greek life
- Often own or control fraternity/sorority houses
- Failed to prevent hazing despite prior incidents
Wayne County Example:
If hazing occurred at Bloomsburg University’s Pi Kappa Phi house, the university:
- May own the property
- Has oversight responsibility
- Can be sued for negligent supervision
4. Individual Members (Near Wayne County)
Why They’re Liable:
- Participated in hazing
- Failed to stop abuse
- Can be sued personally
- May have homeowner’s insurance that covers liability
Wayne County Example:
In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million.
5. Housing Corporations (For Off-Campus Hazing Near Wayne County)
Why They’re Liable:
- Own property where hazing occurred
- Failed to prevent illegal activities on premises
- May have insurance coverage
Wayne County Example:
If hazing occurred at a private residence near East Stroudsburg University, the homeowners can be sued.
6. Alumni (Near Wayne County)
Why They’re Liable:
- Often host hazing events
- May have insurance coverage
- Can be sued for premises liability
Wayne County Example:
In our current case, a former member and his spouse are named defendants for hosting hazing at their home.
🔍 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Wayne County — Immediate Action Steps
Wayne County Families: Time Is Critical — Evidence Disappears Fast
STEP 1: GET MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY
Why It’s Critical:
- Document injuries (physical and psychological)
- Establish medical record of harm
- Identify long-term consequences (kidney damage, PTSD, etc.)
- Insurance companies will argue you weren’t really hurt if you delay treatment
What to Do:
- Go to the emergency room if injuries are serious
- Follow up with primary care physician
- Seek mental health treatment for trauma
- Keep all medical records and bills
STEP 2: PRESERVE ALL EVIDENCE
Hazing evidence disappears quickly. Preserve everything:
| Evidence Type | What to Save |
|---|---|
| Medical Records | Hospital records, ER visits, doctor notes, therapy records |
| Photos/Videos | Injuries at all stages; hazing activities; fraternity house |
| Text Messages | Screenshots of all communications about hazing |
| Group Chats | GroupMe, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram DMs |
| Social Media | Posts about hazing; photos from events |
| Documents | Pledge manuals; schedules; rules given to pledges |
| Witness Info | Names and contact info of other pledges, witnesses |
| Financial Records | Medical bills; lost wages; tuition/fees paid |
DO NOT:
- Delete ANY messages or posts
- Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
- Sign anything from the organization
- Post about the incident on social media
- Give statements to university administration alone
STEP 3: DO NOT TALK TO THE ORGANIZATION OR INSURANCE COMPANIES
Why It’s Critical:
- They will try to minimize your claim
- They will try to blame your child
- They will use your words against you
- They have teams of lawyers working to pay you as little as possible
What to Do Instead:
- Refer all communications to your attorney
- Do not give any statements without legal counsel present
- Do not sign any documents without attorney review
STEP 4: CONTACT A HAZING ATTORNEY IMMEDIATELY
Why It’s Critical:
- Statute of limitations — Pennsylvania has deadlines (typically 2 years)
- Evidence disappears — witnesses forget, messages get deleted
- Insurance companies lowball — they’ll offer pennies on the dollar
- Universities and fraternities have lawyers — you need one too
What Attorney 911 Offers Wayne County Families:
✅ Free consultation — No cost to evaluate your case
✅ Contingency fee — You pay $0 upfront; we only get paid if you win
✅ Nationwide representation — We serve Wayne County from our Texas offices
✅ Video consultations — Meet with us remotely
✅ Travel commitment — We come to Wayne County for depositions and trials
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — We know their playbook
✅ Multi-million dollar experience — We’re currently litigating a $10M hazing case
Call Now: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911
STEP 5: REPORT TO AUTHORITIES (OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED)
Reporting Options:
- Local Police — File a criminal complaint
- University Title IX Office — Report sexual misconduct or discrimination
- Pennsylvania State Police — For serious crimes
- Fraternity/Sorority National Headquarters — They may investigate
Why Report:
- Creates official record
- May lead to criminal charges
- Can support civil lawsuit
- Protects other students
STEP 6: SUPPORT YOUR CHILD EMOTIONALLY
Hazing causes severe psychological trauma. Your child may:
- Feel ashamed or embarrassed
- Fear retribution
- Struggle with anxiety or depression
- Isolate themselves
- Have suicidal thoughts
What to Do:
- Listen without judgment
- Validate their feelings — “This was not your fault”
- Encourage professional help — therapy for PTSD
- Reassure them — “We will hold them accountable”
- Monitor for signs of depression — withdrawal, hopelessness, self-harm
🛡️ Why Wayne County Families Choose Attorney 911
We Are Not Just Lawyers — We Are Legal Emergency Responders
1. We’re Currently Fighting This Fight — Right Now
While other law firms talk about hazing cases, we are actively litigating one — a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
Wayne County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Houston.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are both former insurance defense attorneys.
What this means for Wayne County families:
- We know how insurance companies value claims
- We know how they delay and deny payments
- We know how they try to blame victims
- We know how to dismantle their defenses
- We’ve seen their playbook — now we use it against them
3. Proven Track Record of Winning Millions for Victims
Recent Case Results:
- $10M+ — Currently litigating hazing case (Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi)
- Multi-million dollar settlements — Trucking accidents, wrongful death
- Hundreds of cases won — Car accidents, premises liability, criminal defense
- Former BP Texas City explosion litigation — Mass tort experience
Wayne County families: We know how to take on powerful institutions — and win.
4. Nationwide Representation for Wayne County Families
We serve hazing victims across America, including Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
How we represent Wayne County families:
- Federal court authority — U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York
- Video consultations — Meet with us remotely
- Travel commitment — We come to Wayne County for depositions and trials
- Remote case management — All evidence preserved digitally
Distance is not a barrier to justice.
5. Compassionate, Bilingual Representation
Our team includes bilingual staff — Se habla español.
Many hazing victims and their families are more comfortable speaking Spanish. We ensure no language barriers to justice.
6. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Wayne County Families
How contingency fees work:
- You pay nothing upfront
- We only get paid if you win your case
- Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict
- If we don’t win, you owe us nothing
Wayne County families: You can afford to fight. We take the financial risk so you can focus on healing.
7. We Treat Wayne County Families Like Family
Client testimonials speak for themselves:
“This place feels like having a family over your case. And communication with you every step of the way. That’s how you know you’re in good hands.” — Kiwi Potato
“My wife and I had such a great experience with this law firm. They all go above and beyond and really care about you as a person. I never felt like ‘just another case’ they were working on.” — Ambur Hamilton
“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris
🎯 Our Promise to Wayne County Families
This Is What We Will Do For You:
- Listen to your story — without judgment
- Evaluate your case for free — no obligation
- Preserve all evidence — before it disappears
- Handle all communications — with universities, fraternities, insurance companies
- Build a strong case — using expert witnesses, medical records, pattern evidence
- Negotiate aggressively — for maximum compensation
- Take them to trial if needed — we don’t back down from powerful defendants
- Protect your child — from retribution and intimidation
- Fight for justice — not just for you, but for the next Wayne County family
📞 Wayne County Families — Call Now for a Free Consultation
If your child was hazed at a college or university near Wayne County, Pennsylvania, we can help.
Call: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We offer:
✅ Free, confidential case evaluation
✅ $0 upfront — contingency fee representation
✅ Video consultations for Wayne County families
✅ Willingness to travel to Wayne County
✅ Aggressive, compassionate representation
⚠️ The Clock Is Ticking — Pennsylvania Has a 2-Year Statute of Limitations
Wayne County families: You have two years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit in Pennsylvania.
Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your legal rights expire.
Call Attorney 911 today. We’re ready to fight for you.
🔥 Enough Is Enough — Wayne County Families Deserve Justice
What happened to Leonel Bermudez in Houston can happen to your child in Pennsylvania.
The same fraternities. The same negligence. The same “traditions” of abuse.
But the same justice is available.
Wayne County families have the right to hold these organizations accountable. You have the right to compensation for your child’s injuries. You have the right to send a message that this cannot happen again.
Attorney 911 is here to fight for you.
We have the experience. We have the tenacity. We have the track record.
Call us today. Let’s hold them accountable — together.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
Wayne County, Pennsylvania — We Won’t Let Them Get Away With It.
