Hazing Victims in Kingman Reef: Your Rights, Your Recovery, Your Justice

If Your Child Was Hazed in Kingman Reef, You Are Not Alone

Kingman Reef families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their children. They assume Greek organizations will provide brotherhood and sisterhood, not torture.

That trust is being betrayed.

Right now in Houston, we are fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston because a young man was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, struck with wooden paddles, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities operate at universities near Kingman Reef. The same hazing culture exists in Kingman Reef. The same institutional failures allow this abuse to continue.

If your child has been hazed in Kingman Reef, we can help. We are Attorney 911 — the hazing litigation experts fighting for justice nationwide, including Kingman Reef families.

What Is Hazing? It’s Not “Tradition” — It’s Abuse

Hazing includes any activity that:

✔ Endangers physical health — forced exercise, sleep deprivation, exposure to elements
✔ Endangers mental health — humiliation, degradation, psychological torture
✔ Forces consumption — alcohol, food, or other substances to the point of vomiting or injury
✔ Involves physical violence — beatings, paddling, branding, waterboarding
✔ Creates sexual humiliation — forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault

This is not “building brotherhood.” This is not “team bonding.” This is abuse. This is assault. This is often criminal.

Hazing in Kingman Reef: The Reality

Kingman Reef is home to major educational institutions where Greek life thrives. The same national fraternities and sororities that have caused hazing deaths and hospitalizations across America have active chapters near Kingman Reef.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, and others — these are the same organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Kingman Reef, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

The Medical Consequences: What Hazing Does to the Body

Hazing doesn’t just cause embarrassment. It causes real, lasting physical damage.

Rhabdomyolysis — When Muscles Break Down

Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, or other extreme exercises? This can cause rhabdomyolysis — a life-threatening condition where muscle tissue breaks down and releases proteins into the bloodstream that destroy the kidneys.

Our client in Houston was hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being forced to exercise to exhaustion.

Symptoms:

Severe muscle pain
Dark brown urine (sign of muscle breakdown)
Weakness and inability to move
Kidney failure (requires hospitalization)

Long-term consequences:

Chronic kidney disease
Need for dialysis
Kidney transplant
Permanent physical limitations

Alcohol Poisoning — When Drinking Becomes Deadly

Forced to drink alcohol? This can lead to alcohol poisoning — a medical emergency that can cause:

Unconsciousness
Slow or irregular breathing
Hypothermia
Seizures
Death

Nationwide, at least one student dies from hazing every year — most from alcohol poisoning.

Traumatic Brain Injury — From Beatings or Falls

Struck with paddles, hit, or forced to endure physical abuse? This can cause:

Concussions
Skull fractures
Internal bleeding
Permanent brain damage

Psychological Trauma — The Invisible Wounds

Hazing doesn’t just hurt the body — it destroys the mind. Victims often suffer:

PTSD — flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety
Depression — feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness
Anxiety — constant fear, panic attacks
Trust issues — difficulty forming relationships
Suicidal thoughts — hazing increases suicide risk

Our client in Houston is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution” — this fear is real, and it’s part of the psychological damage.

The Legal Reality: Kingman Reef Families Have Rights

1. You Can Sue for Hazing in Kingman Reef

Hazing is not just a university disciplinary issue — it’s a legal issue. Kingman Reef families can pursue:

Negligence claims against the university for failing to protect students
Assault and battery claims against individual perpetrators
Intentional infliction of emotional distress for psychological trauma
Premises liability claims if hazing occurred on university-owned property
Wrongful death claims if hazing caused a death

You do NOT have to be a student at the university to be protected. Our client in Houston wasn’t even enrolled at UH — he was a “ghost rush” expected to transfer. If your child was hazed in Kingman Reef, they have rights.

2. Consent Is Not a Defense

Fraternities will argue: “He agreed to participate. He knew what he was getting into.”

Texas law (and most state laws) explicitly say: CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE TO HAZING.

The law recognizes that peer pressure, fear of social exclusion, and threats of expulsion negate true consent. You cannot “consent” to being abused.

3. Universities Are Liable for Hazing in Kingman Reef

Universities near Kingman Reef have a legal duty to protect students. When they fail, they can be held accountable.

In our Houston case:

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
They had a student hospitalized from hazing in 2017 — they knew the risks
They failed to implement real oversight
They are now a defendant in our $10 million lawsuit

Kingman Reef universities face the same liability. If they own fraternity houses, if they oversee Greek life, if they knew or should have known about hazing — they can be sued.

4. National Fraternities Have Deep Pockets

National fraternities and sororities are multi-million dollar organizations with:

Substantial assets
Liability insurance policies
The ability to pay large settlements

Precedent cases show they WILL pay:

$10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State / Pi Kappa Alpha)
$6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (LSU / Phi Delta Theta)
$110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Penn State / Beta Theta Pi)

The same national organizations operate near Kingman Reef. They have the money. They will pay.

The Pattern of Negligence: They Knew, and They Did Nothing

Pi Kappa Phi’s Deadly History

In 2017, Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event at Florida State University. He was forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon. He died from alcohol poisoning.

Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture. They had 8 years to implement real safeguards. They had 8 years to prevent another tragedy.

In 2025, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized at a Pi Kappa Phi event at University of Houston. He was waterboarded. He was forced to do 500 squats. He ended up in the hospital with kidney failure.

Same fraternity. Same negligence. 8 years apart.

Pi Kappa Phi National knew about the “hazing crisis” in their organization — and they did nothing to stop it.

University of Houston’s Institutional Failure

In 2017, a student at University of Houston was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen after hazing at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

UH had 8 years to implement real oversight. They had 8 years to inspect fraternity houses. They had 8 years to create meaningful safeguards.

In 2025, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized after hazing at a different fraternity — Pi Kappa Phi. The hazing occurred in a building owned by the University of Houston.

Same university. Same failure. 8 years apart.

UH knew hazing was happening on their campus — and they did nothing to stop it.

Kingman Reef Families: This Is Happening Near You

The same national fraternities that waterboarded our client in Houston have chapters at universities near Kingman Reef. The same institutional failures that allowed hazing at UH exist at Kingman Reef institutions.

If your child is pledging in Kingman Reef, they are at risk.

Common hazing activities in Kingman Reef:

Forced alcohol consumption
Extreme physical exercise to exhaustion
Sleep deprivation
Humiliation rituals
Physical violence (paddling, beating)
Waterboarding or simulated drowning
Forced consumption of food until vomiting
Sexual humiliation

These are not “traditions.” These are crimes.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Kingman Reef

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked by a doctor. Many hazing injuries — like rhabdomyolysis — have delayed symptoms. Document everything medically.

2. Preserve All Evidence

✔ Photos/videos — of injuries, hazing activities, locations
✔ Text messages — GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, iMessage
✔ Social media posts — any posts about hazing or pledge activities
✔ Witness information — names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
✔ Documents — pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to pledges
✔ Medical records — hospital visits, doctor notes, therapy records

DO NOT delete anything. DO NOT talk to the fraternity or university without legal counsel.

3. Do NOT Sign Anything

Universities and fraternities may ask your child to sign documents or make statements. Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney.

4. Contact an Attorney Immediately

Hazing cases have statutes of limitations — typically 2 years from the date of injury. Evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses forget. Contact us immediately to protect your rights.

Why Kingman Reef Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case

We are not just talking about hazing — we are fighting it in court right now. Our case against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston is active and ongoing. Kingman Reef families get the same aggressive representation we’re providing in Houston.

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know how insurance companies think. We know how they try to deny claims. We know how to beat them.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority

We are admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas — giving us the ability to pursue Kingman Reef cases in federal court if needed.

4. We Are Dual-State Licensed

We are licensed in Texas and New York — a strategic advantage when pursuing national fraternities headquartered in different states.

5. We Will Travel to Kingman Reef

We will come to Kingman Reef for depositions, client meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

6. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

Kingman Reef families pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.

7. We Have a Proven Track Record

We have recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims. We have experience with catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and institutional negligence.

8. We Speak Spanish

Se habla español. Many hazing victims in Kingman Reef come from Spanish-speaking families. We provide comprehensive legal services in Spanish, including:

Initial consultations
Ongoing case communication
Document translation
Courtroom interpretation

9. We Treat You Like Family

Our Google reviews say it best:

“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett

“This place feels like having a family over your case. And communication with you every step of the way.” — 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.” — Ambur Hamilton

The Message to Kingman Reef Fraternities: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating near Kingman Reef:

We know who you are. We know where you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your hazing histories.

If you haze students in Kingman Reef, we will find every liable entity. We will sue the chapter. We will sue the national organization. We will sue the university. We will sue the individuals.

The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? SHUT DOWN. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.

That’s what happens when you haze in Texas. That’s what happens when you haze in Kingman Reef.

Kingman Reef Families: You Have a Choice

You can:

Stay silent — and let the abuse continue
Speak up — and protect the next student

We choose to speak up. We choose to fight. We choose justice.

Contact Attorney 911 — Kingman Reef Hazing Victims Deserve Justice

If your child has been hazed in Kingman Reef, call us immediately. The clock is ticking. Evidence is disappearing. Your rights are at stake.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Available 24/7 for Kingman Reef hazing emergencies

📧 ralph@atty911.com

Email us to schedule a free consultation

🌐 attorney911.com

Learn more about our hazing litigation practice

We serve Kingman Reef families nationwide. Distance is not a barrier. Justice is our mission.

Kingman Reef Families: Enough Is Enough

The time for silence is over. The time for excuses is over. The time for accountability is now.

If your child was hazed in Kingman Reef, call Attorney 911. We will fight for you.

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