🚨 Hazing Victims in Upshur County: You Are Not Alone. We Are Fighting This Fight Right Now.

Upshur County parents, students, and families: If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization near Upshur County, we are here to help.

This isn’t just happening in Texas. The same fraternities that waterboarded and hospitalized a student at the University of Houston have chapters at universities across America — including near Upshur County. The same culture of abuse exists in West Virginia. The same negligence exists at institutions near Upshur County. And the same legal rights exist for Upshur County families.

We are fighting this battle right now. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, have filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for what happened to Leonel Bermudez. He was waterboarded. He was forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down. He was struck with wooden paddles. He ended up in the hospital with kidney failure.

This happened in Houston. It happens in Upshur County. And we will fight for Upshur County victims with the same fury.

🔥 What Hazing Really Is — And What It Does to Our Kids

Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “building brotherhood.” It’s not “just boys being boys.”

Hazing is:

• Assault — being struck, beaten, paddled
• Torture — waterboarding, simulated drowning
• Reckless endangerment — forced exercise to the point of organ failure
• Psychological abuse — humiliation, degradation, threats
• Sometimes manslaughter — when it kills

What hazing does to victims:

• Physical injuries — broken bones, burns, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure
• Hospitalization — like Leonel Bermudez, who spent 4 days in the hospital
• Permanent health damage — chronic kidney disease, need for dialysis or transplant
• Psychological trauma — PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts
• Academic disruption — failing classes, dropping out, lost scholarships
• Death — since 2000, at least one hazing death every year in America

This is not what you sent your child to college for.

🏛️ Who Is Really Responsible — The Institutions That Failed Upshur County Students

When hazing happens, it’s not just the individual members who are responsible. The institutions that enable and protect the culture of abuse must be held accountable.

1. National Fraternities and Sororities

• They have millions in assets and insurance
• They know hazing happens — they’ve paid millions in settlements
• They fail to supervise their chapters
• They close chapters quietly when exposed, then reopen later
• Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others operate near Upshur County. They are all on notice.

2. Universities and Colleges Near Upshur County

• They own or control fraternity and sorority houses
• They collect rent while students are abused
• They have the power to inspect and shut down dangerous organizations
• They fail to act until someone is hospitalized or dies
• They prioritize reputation over safety

3. Individual Members and Officers

• They organize and participate in hazing
• They threaten and intimidate pledges
• They cover up when things go wrong
• They face personal liability — one fraternity president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally

4. Insurance Companies

• They profit from premiums while institutions fail to protect students
• They pay out millions when lawsuits are filed
• They should be part of the solution

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Upshur County Hazing Victim

You have the right to seek justice. You have the right to compensation. You have the right to hold these institutions accountable.

1. Civil Lawsuits — Compensation for Your Injuries

• Medical expenses — hospital bills, future treatment, therapy
• Lost wages — time missed from work or internships
• Pain and suffering — physical and emotional trauma
• Punitive damages — to punish egregious conduct and deter future abuse

Precedent shows this is possible:

• $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)
• $10 million — Our current case (Pi Kappa Phi, University of Houston)

Upshur County families: These same results are possible for you.

2. Criminal Charges — Holding Individuals Accountable

• Hazing is a crime in West Virginia and most states
• Assault and battery charges apply
• Reckless endangerment charges apply
• Manslaughter charges apply in death cases

Upshur County institutions: The University of Houston spokesperson already mentioned “potential criminal charges” in our case. The same applies in West Virginia.

3. Institutional Change — Protecting Future Students

• Forcing universities to implement real oversight
• Forcing fraternities to change their culture
• Creating new laws and policies to prevent future abuse
• Sending a message that this cannot happen again

🚨 What Upshur County Families Should Do Right Now

If your child has been hazed:

1. Get them to a doctor immediately — even if they “feel fine.” Rhabdomyolysis, concussions, and other injuries may not appear immediately.
2. Document everything — take photos of injuries, save all texts and social media messages, get witness names and contact information.
3. Do NOT talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university alone — they will try to control the narrative and minimize your claim.
4. Do NOT post on social media — anything you post can be used against you.
5. Contact an attorney immediately — the statute of limitations is typically 2 years, but evidence disappears fast.

If your child has died from hazing:

1. Contact law enforcement — this may be a criminal matter.
2. Preserve all evidence — do not let the organization destroy anything.
3. Contact an attorney immediately — wrongful death claims have strict deadlines.
4. Know that you are not alone — other families have walked this path and won justice.

📞 How Upshur County Families Can Reach Us

You are not alone. We are fighting this fight right now. And we will fight for you.

Legal Emergency Hotline for Upshur County Hazing Victims:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We offer:

• Free consultations — no cost to discuss your case
• Video consultations — available for Upshur County families who cannot travel
• Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront; we don’t get paid unless you get paid
• Nationwide reach — federal court authority; we can pursue your case no matter where the hazing occurred

We will travel to Upshur County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

🎯 Why Upshur County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

• $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
• Active litigation — this isn’t theoretical; we’re in the fight
• Media coverage — ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media
• Proven track record — multi-million dollar results in personal injury cases

2. We Understand the Culture of Greek Life — Because We’ve Been There

• Ralph Manginello — former insurance defense attorney; understands how fraternities and universities operate
• Lupe Pena — former national insurance defense attorney; knows how institutions try to avoid liability
• Together, we’ve spent 37+ years dismantling the strategies insurance companies use to deny claims

3. We Have the Resources to Take on Powerful Institutions

• Federal court authority — U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York
• Expert network — medical experts, hazing culture experts, institutional negligence experts
• Aggressive litigation strategy — we don’t back down from insurance companies or universities

4. We Speak Your Language — Literally

• Se habla español — bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Upshur County families
• Cultural understanding — we serve families from all backgrounds
• Compassionate representation — we treat Upshur County families like family

5. We Are Committed to Ending Hazing Culture

• This isn’t just about compensation — it’s about accountability
• We want to prevent the next tragedy — like Lupe Pena said, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do.”
• We work with legislators to create stronger hazing laws
• We educate students and families about the dangers of hazing

🏆 Our Experience — Built for Upshur County Hazing Cases

Ralph Manginello — 25+ Years of Litigation Experience

• Former insurance defense attorney — knows how insurance companies think
• Multi-billion dollar case experience — BP Texas City explosion litigation
• High-profile case experience — Ryan Smith case (ABC13 coverage)
• Civil rights litigation — federal appellate experience
• Hundreds of DWI/DUI defenses — knows how to challenge flawed evidence
• Journalism background — knows how to tell compelling stories to juries

Lupe Pena — 12+ Years of Litigation Experience

• Former national insurance defense attorney — worked at Litchfield Cavo LLP
• Wrongful death expertise — direct experience representing grieving families
• Dram shop experience — knows how to hold establishments accountable for alcohol-related injuries
• Finance background — understands economic damages and future losses
• Bilingual (Spanish) — serves Hispanic Upshur County families

Together, We Are an Unfair Advantage for Upshur County Victims

• We know how the other side operates — because we used to be on the other side
• We know how to dismantle their defenses — because we built them
• We know how to maximize your compensation — because we’ve done it before
• We know how to send a message — because we’re not afraid to go to trial

📚 What Upshur County Families Need to Know About Hazing

1. Hazing Is Widespread — And It’s Happening Near Upshur County

• 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
• 40% of student athletes report hazing
• Since 2000, at least one hazing death every year in America
• 95% of hazing victims do NOT report it

The same fraternities that operate at the University of Houston have chapters at universities near Upshur County. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others are all present in West Virginia. The same culture of abuse exists here.

2. Hazing Is Illegal in West Virginia

• West Virginia Code §18-2C-1 defines hazing and makes it a crime
• Consent is not a defense — even if a student “agrees” to participate, it’s still illegal
• Organizations can be held liable — fraternities, sororities, sports teams
• Individuals can be held liable — members and officers face personal consequences

3. Universities Near Upshur County Are Complicit

• They own or control fraternity and sorority houses
• They collect rent while students are abused
• They have the power to inspect and shut down dangerous organizations
• They fail to act until someone is hospitalized or dies

The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded. They knew about a prior hazing incident in 2017. They did nothing to prevent it from happening again. Universities near Upshur County face the same liability.

4. National Fraternities and Sororities Know — And They Do Nothing

• They have millions in assets and insurance
• They know hazing happens — they’ve paid millions in settlements
• They close chapters quietly when exposed, then reopen later
• They prioritize reputation over safety

Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture after Andrew Coffey died in 2017. They did nothing. Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized in 2025. The same pattern exists at fraternities near Upshur County.

5. The Psychological Impact of Hazing Is Devastating

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries. It causes:

• PTSD — flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety
• Depression — feelings of hopelessness, withdrawal
• Anxiety — fear of social situations, panic attacks
• Suicidal ideation — feeling like there’s no way out
• Trust issues — difficulty forming relationships
• Academic decline — failing classes, dropping out

These effects can last a lifetime. Upshur County victims deserve compensation for this trauma.

🔍 Warning Signs of Hazing — What Upshur County Parents Should Watch For

Hazing is often hidden, but there are warning signs:

Behavioral Changes:

• Sudden drop in grades
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Increased secrecy about activities
• Avoiding questions about Greek life or sports
• Signs of depression or anxiety
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Changes in sleep patterns

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained injuries — bruises, cuts, burns
• Fatigue or exhaustion
• Difficulty walking or moving
• Signs of alcohol or drug use
• Weight loss from excessive exercise

Social Signs:

• Spending all time with the organization
• Missing classes or events to attend organization activities
• Wearing unusual clothing or carrying strange items
• Talking about “traditions” or “initiations” that sound harmful

Communication Clues:

• Texts or social media posts about “big brother night,” “pledge week,” “hell week”
• References to being “punished” or “disciplined”
• Jokes about being “broken” or “rebuilt”
• Mentions of forced activities, sleep deprivation, or physical challenges

If you see these signs, ask questions. If your child is evasive or defensive, they may be a victim of hazing.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions from Upshur County Families

1. “My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. Should I force them?”

It’s understandable that your child may be afraid of retaliation or social ostracism. However, reporting hazing is important for several reasons:

• It protects your child — the organization may continue to target them
• It protects others — other students may be at risk
• It preserves evidence — memories fade, but documentation lasts
• It starts the legal process — the statute of limitations is typically 2 years

What you can do:

• Document everything — save texts, take photos of injuries, get witness information
• Contact an attorney — we can help protect your child’s identity and guide you through the process
• Report to the university — but do so with legal counsel to protect your child’s rights

2. “The fraternity says my child consented. Does that mean we can’t sue?”

No. West Virginia law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization is still liable for any harm caused.

Why this matters:

• Hazing often involves coercion and peer pressure — true consent is impossible
• Students are not fully informed about what they’re agreeing to
• The law explicitly eliminates the consent defense

3. “The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be held liable?”

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect their students. If they own or control the property where hazing occurs, they can be held liable for failing to prevent it.

In our Pi Kappa Phi case:

• The University of Houston owned the fraternity house
• They had a prior hazing incident in 2017
• They failed to implement effective oversight
• They are named as defendants in our lawsuit

Universities near Upshur County have the same duty.

4. “We’re not in Texas. Can you still help us?”

Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Upshur County and across West Virginia. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses allow us to pursue cases anywhere in America.

How we serve Upshur County families:

• Video consultations — meet with us remotely
• Travel to Upshur County — for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Federal court jurisdiction — pursue cases in federal court
• Local partnerships — work with local counsel if needed

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. “How much will this cost us? We can’t afford a lawyer.”

You don’t need to pay anything upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — we only get paid if we win your case.

How it works:

• $0 upfront — no retainer, no hourly fees
• We cover all case expenses — investigations, experts, court costs
• You pay nothing if we lose — we take the risk, not you
• If we win, we take a percentage — typically 33-40% of the recovery

This means:

• Upshur County families can fight powerful institutions without financial risk
• We are financially motivated to win your case
• You get top-tier legal representation regardless of your financial situation

6. “The fraternity says this was just a ‘prank.’ How do we prove it was hazing?”

Hazing is defined by law. In West Virginia, hazing is any activity that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
• Is done for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership
• Includes physical brutality, forced consumption, sleep deprivation, or other dangerous activities

Examples from our Pi Kappa Phi case that qualify as hazing:

• Waterboarding (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500 squats until muscles broke down
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting
• Sleep deprivation from driving members at all hours
• Humiliation from carrying sexual objects

How to prove it:

• Medical records — injuries consistent with hazing
• Text messages and social media — communications about hazing activities
• Witness testimony — other pledges or bystanders
• Photos and videos — documentation of activities
• Expert testimony — hazing culture experts

7. “What if the fraternity retaliates against my child for reporting?”

Retaliation is illegal. Universities and fraternities cannot retaliate against students for reporting hazing.

What to do if retaliation occurs:

• Document everything — save all communications, take notes of incidents
• Report to the university — with legal counsel present
• Contact law enforcement — if threats or physical retaliation occur
• Contact an attorney — we can take legal action against retaliation

In our Pi Kappa Phi case:

• Our client is fearful of retribution for speaking out
• This fear is evidence of the intimidation culture in these organizations
• We will protect our clients from retaliation

8. “How long will this take? We just want it to be over.”

Hazing cases can take time, but we work to resolve them as quickly as possible. The timeline depends on several factors:

• Severity of injuries — more severe injuries require longer treatment and documentation
• Number of defendants — multiple defendants mean more complex negotiations
• Willingness to settle — some cases settle quickly; others go to trial
• Criminal investigations — parallel criminal cases may delay civil proceedings

Typical timeline:

• Initial investigation — 1-3 months
• Medical treatment — 2-12+ months (until Maximum Medical Improvement)
• Negotiation — 3-12 months
• Litigation (if needed) — 12-24+ months

We understand this is difficult. We will keep you informed at every step and work to resolve your case as efficiently as possible.

9. “Will this go to trial? We don’t want to go to court.”

Most hazing cases settle out of court. However, if the defendants refuse to offer fair compensation, we are prepared to take your case to trial.

Why cases go to trial:

• Defendants deny liability
• Settlement offers are too low
• Victim wants public accountability
• Case has precedent-setting potential

Our approach:

• We negotiate aggressively to reach a fair settlement
• We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial — this gives us leverage in negotiations
• We only go to trial if necessary — but we’re not afraid to fight for you

In our Pi Kappa Phi case:

• We are prepared to go to trial if defendants don’t offer fair compensation
• The egregious nature of the conduct (waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles) will outrage a jury

10. “What if my child was partially at fault? Can we still recover compensation?”

Yes. Even if your child was partially at fault, you can still recover compensation as long as they were less than 50% responsible.

West Virginia follows a “modified comparative fault” rule:

• If your child is 50% or less at fault, they can recover damages reduced by their percentage of fault
• If your child is more than 50% at fault, they recover nothing

How this applies to hazing:

• Fraternities will argue your child “consented” or “could have left”
• West Virginia law explicitly says consent is not a defense
• Hazing involves coercion and peer pressure — true consent is impossible
• The organization’s negligence is almost always greater than the victim’s

💡 The Attorney 911 Difference — Why Upshur County Families Choose Us

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

While other firms talk about hazing, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing case. We know the defendants. We know their strategies. We know how to win.

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies
• We know how they think — because we used to be on their side
• We know their playbook — and we use it against them
• We know how to maximize your compensation — because we used to minimize it

3. We Have the Resources to Take on Powerful Institutions

• Federal court authority — we can pursue your case in federal court
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York
• Expert network — medical experts, hazing culture experts, institutional negligence experts
• Aggressive litigation strategy — we don’t back down from insurance companies or universities

4. We Speak Your Language

• Se habla español — bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Upshur County families
• Cultural understanding — we serve families from all backgrounds
• Compassionate representation — we treat Upshur County families like family

5. We Are Committed to Ending Hazing Culture

This isn’t just about compensation. It’s about accountability. It’s about preventing the next tragedy. It’s about sending a message that this cannot happen again.

We work with:

• Legislators to create stronger hazing laws
• Universities to implement real oversight
• Students and families to educate about the dangers of hazing
• Media to expose the truth

🏆 Our Track Record — Built for Upshur County Hazing Cases

1. Multi-Million Dollar Results

We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients in personal injury cases, including:

• $10 million — current hazing lawsuit (Pi Kappa Phi, University of Houston)
• Millions in wrongful death, trucking accident, and catastrophic injury cases

2. High-Profile Case Experience

• BP Texas City Explosion — multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation
• Ryan Smith Case — high-profile criminal defense with ABC13 coverage
• Assault Family Member — secured trial dismissal in Harris County

3. Federal Court Authority

• Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• Experience in U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals
• Can pursue Upshur County cases in federal jurisdiction

4. Former Insurance Defense Experience

• Ralph Manginello — former insurance defense attorney
• Lupe Pena — former national insurance defense attorney at Litchfield Cavo LLP
• Together, 37+ years of knowing how insurance companies operate

5. Client Testimonials

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

“One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello and they said that they would take it. And in the next few months, I got a call to pick up this handsome check.” — Donald Wilcox

“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

📞 Upshur County Families: Contact Us Today

You are not alone. We are fighting this fight right now. And we will fight for you.

Legal Emergency Hotline for Upshur County Hazing Victims:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We offer:

• Free consultations — no cost to discuss your case
• Video consultations — available for Upshur County families who cannot travel
• Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront; we don’t get paid unless you get paid
• Nationwide reach — federal court authority; we can pursue your case no matter where the hazing occurred

We will travel to Upshur County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

🔥 Upshur County Families: The Time to Act Is Now

Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights.

• Evidence disappears — texts are deleted, photos are lost, witnesses forget
• The statute of limitations runs — typically 2 years from the date of injury
• Universities and fraternities destroy records — they protect themselves, not you
• Other victims may come forward — but only if you lead the way

You have the power to stop this. You have the power to hold them accountable. You have the power to protect the next student.

Call us today. We are ready to fight for you.

1-888-ATTY-911

Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Protecting Upshur County Families When Institutions Fail Our Children