If you’re reading this in Arkansas, your family may be traversing one of the most frightening pathways imaginable. Your child, perhaps a bright student from Little Rock, Fayetteville, or Texarkana, was supposed to forge lifelong friendships and pursue academic dreams at college. Instead, they were brutalized, humiliated, and enduring unimaginable trauma under the guise of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.” This isn’t just about pranks; this is abuse, plain and simple. We want you to know that we are here to help families in every corner of Arkansas fight back against the insidious culture of hazing.

We understand what you’re facing. The fear, the anger, the confusion – it consumes. Many callers to our hotline, 1-888-ATTY-911, reach us in the dead of night, searching desperately for answers after a text message reveals a nightmare, or a hospital call shatters their peace. While our headquarters are in Houston, Texas, our dedication to eradicating hazing knows no state lines. We actively represent hazing victims nationwide, including families right here in Arkansas. We possess the legal firepower, the insider knowledge, and the unwavering commitment to pursue justice against every individual, every chapter, every national organization, and every university complicit in the torture of your child.

Our firm, Attorney911, led by Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, is at the forefront of this fight. We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re actively taking on the powerful institutions responsible, pursuing multi-million dollar lawsuits to hold them accountable. We are currently engaged in a landmark $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members for the horrific hazing of Leonel Bermudez. This case is not just a testament to our aggressive representation; it’s a stark warning to organizations in Arkansas and across America: if you haze our children, we will find you, and we will make you pay.

The Landmark Case: Attorney911 vs. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston (2025)

Arkansas Families: This is what hazing looks like today. This happened recently in Houston, just hours from many Arkansas communities, and it could happen to your child at any university they attend. The same national fraternities that operated in this case have chapters at universities throughout Arkansas. The same negligence found at the University of Houston can exist at institutions across your state. And we will bring the same aggressive, data-driven strategy to fight for your child’s rights in Arkansas as we are employing in this pivotal Houston case.

Leonel Bermudez was not even an enrolled University of Houston student at the time he accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi in September 2025. He was a “ghost rush,” planning to transfer in the upcoming semester. Yet, for seven agonizing weeks, he was subjected to a systematic campaign of abuse, torture, and degradation. This wasn’t a one-time incident; it was an organized, relentless assault on his physical and psychological well-being.

The hazing inflicted upon Leonel was nothing short of torture. He was waterboarded with a garden hose, a practice considered a war crime when inflicted upon enemy combatants. He was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour, a chilling act of dehumanization. He was forced to eat until he vomited, specifically consuming milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns to induce sickness, and then made to lie in his own vomit-soaked grass before being forced to continue physical drills.

The physical punishment was extreme and relentless. Leonel was compelled to perform 100+ pushups and 500 squats, along with high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-your-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was struck with wooden paddles. He was forced to recite the fraternity creed while enduring this abuse, and threatened with immediate expulsion if he failed to comply. This extreme exertion continued until his body simply gave out, leaving him so exhausted he could not stand without help.

The psychological toll was immense. Beyond the dehumanizing acts, he was forced to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times. He was stripped to his underwear in cold weather and sprayed with a hose. Adding to the degradation, he was systematically deprived of sleep, forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, which contributed to his severe exhaustion.

When Leonel finally made it home on November 3, 2025, he crawled up the stairs. For two days, he was in agony, unable to move. His condition worsened, and his mother, witnessing his severe state, rushed him to the hospital. There, doctors confirmed he was suffering from severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. A clear sign of the muscle breakdown was the brown urine he was passing. Leonel spent three nights and four days hospitalized, battling consequences that could have resulted in permanent kidney damage or even death.

Within weeks of this horrific incident being reported, Attorney911 sprang into action. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at the University of Houston was swiftly suspended, then permanently closed. Its members voted to surrender their charter, and criminal referrals were initiated. On November 21, 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court, naming not only the local chapter and 13 individual fraternity members, but also the Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, the Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation, the University of Houston, and the UH Board of Regents.

This case is real. It’s ongoing. And it demonstrates the relentless commitment Attorney911 has to hazing victims. Parents in Arkansas, from Bentonville to Hot Springs, need to understand that this level of abuse is not a relic of the past; it is happening right now, in universities, and to students just like yours.

Media Coverage of Our Fight

When this story broke, news outlets across Houston highlighted the severity of the hazing and our aggressive legal action:

• ABC13 (KTRK) reported on November 21, 2025: “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges.” They featured direct quotes from Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, detailing the victim’s fear of retribution and the horrific acts.
• Click2Houston (KPRC 2), in their coverage on November 21, 2025, stated: “Only on 2: Lawsuit alleges severe hazing at University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter, fraternity.”
• Hoodline provided a summary on November 22, 2025: “University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity face $10M lawsuit over alleged hazing and abuse.”

Our team at Attorney911 doesn’t back down from a fight, especially when it involves protecting innocent students. What happened to Leonel Bermudez is unacceptable, and we are dedicated to ensuring that every responsible party faces the consequences. We will pursue this case with the same intensity and determination that we will bring to any hazing case in Arkansas.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

For many parents in Arkansas, the word “hazing” might conjure images of silly pranks, late-night chores, or perhaps some minor sleep deprivation. The reality, tragically, is far darker. Hazing has evolved from “harmless traditions” into systematic abuse, physical torture, and psychological warfare that can leave deep, lasting scars or even end lives. It’s not about building camaraderie; it’s about breaking individuals down.

Universities and Greek organizations throughout Arkansas, including those in Fayetteville, Conway, Arkadelphia, and Russellville, often promote an image of wholesome collegiate experiences. Yet, beneath this veneer, a dangerous subculture persists in many places.

Here are the shocking realities of modern hazing, as evidenced by our current litigation and countless other tragic stories:

• Physical Torture: This is not roughhousing. This involves brutal beatings, burning, branding, forced extreme exercise leading to organ damage, and even simulated execution methods like waterboarding. The intent is to inflict pain, and it often results in severe injuries, hospitalization, and even death. Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from forced exertion are a direct consequence of this. Arkansas parents, imagine your child being subjected to these acts—this is what we are fighting.
• Forced Consumption: This category includes binge drinking to the point of alcohol poisoning, consuming non-food items, or eating copious amounts of disgusting or unsanitary food until vomiting, as Leonel suffered. This isn’t about having a few drinks; it’s about forcing a dangerous intake of substances that can be lethal. Too many students in Arkansas and across the nation have died from alcohol poisoning during hazing rituals.
• Psychological Degradation: Perpetrators aim to break down a pledge’s sense of self-worth. This involves public humiliation, forced servitude, verbal abuse, isolation, psychological manipulation, and even sexual degradation, such as forcing a pledge to carry sexually explicit items as was done to Leonel. The trauma of these experiences can lead to severe mental health issues, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often intentionally deprived of sleep through late-night activities and early morning demands for days or even weeks. This impairs cognitive function, makes them vulnerable to manipulation, and poses significant health risks.
• Sexual Abuse and Humiliation: Hazing rituals too often involve forced nudity, unwanted sexual contact, or the performance of degrading sexual acts. This is a severe criminal offense and leaves victims with profound, lifelong trauma.
• False Imprisonment and Restraint: As seen in the unrelated hog-tying incident during Leonel’s hazing, pledges are sometimes physically restrained against their will, often in humiliating or dangerous positions.

The consequences for victims are devastating. Students in Arkansas who endure hazing may experience:

• Severe physical injuries: Broken bones, burns, internal organ damage, rhabdomyolysis, concussions, and even permanent disability.
• Life-threatening conditions: Alcohol poisoning, heatstroke, hypothermia, and cardiac arrest.
• Profound psychological trauma: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety, clinical depression, long-term trust issues, and in many cases, suicidal thoughts or attempts.
• Academic and career disruption: Failing grades, dropping out of college, lost scholarships, and damage to their future career prospects.

When we speak of hazing, we are talking about acts that would be considered violent crime or torture outside the context of Greek life. It’s crucial for Arkansas families to understand that what their children might be enduring or witnessing is not a rite of passage; it is illegal, dangerous, and often criminal. We are here to help you expose these realities and ensure the perpetrators, and the institutions that enable them, are held fully accountable.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Complicit Party Accountable

A common misconception is that only the individual students directly involved in hazing are responsible. This simply isn’t true. Hazing is a systemic problem, and true accountability extends to every party that enabled, ignored, or failed to prevent it. In the hazing cases we pursue, including our landmark $10 million lawsuit, we cast a wide net to ensure that everyone that bears a legal responsibility is held to account.

For families in Arkansas, it’s vital to understand the full spectrum of potential defendants when your child is victimized by hazing:

1. The Local Chapter (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter): This is often the most obvious defendant. The local chapter directly organizes and executes the hazing rituals. Their officers, such as the Chapter President and Pledgemaster, are usually central figures in directing these activities. We seek to hold the chapter itself accountable for the collective actions of its members and for fostering a culture where such abuse can thrive.

2. Individual Members: Every student who actively participates in hazing, directs it, encourages it, or even stands by and allows it to happen without intervention, can be held individually liable. This includes the chapter officers, pledgemasters, and any other members involved. As seen in the Stone Foltz case, where a chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally, individuals cannot hide behind the fraternity’s corporate veil; their personal assets and reputations are at stake. Our lawsuit specifically names 13 individual members for their direct involvement in Leonel’s hazing.

3. Former Members and Alumni: The influence of alumni in Greek life is significant, often extending to financing, advising, and even participating in rituals. Our lawsuit in the Bermudez case notably includes former members and even a spouse, due to hazing events occurring at their private residence. This expands the scope of premises liability and demonstrates that hazing is often not confined solely to on-campus housing. If an alumnus in Little Rock, Jonesboro, or Fort Smith allows hazing to occur on their property, they are just as responsible.

4. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters): National organizations are powerful entities with vast resources, extensive policies, and explicit anti-hazing rules. Yet, time and again, they fail to enforce these rules. This failure constitutes negligence. National organizations have oversight responsibilities, and when they knew or should have known about a hazing culture within a chapter (especially given prior incidents like Andrew Coffey’s death at another Pi Kappa Phi chapter), their inaction makes them liable. They often control substantial assets and carry large insurance policies, making them a primary “deep pocket” defendant.

5. The Housing Corporation (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation): Many fraternity houses are owned or managed by separate housing corporations. These entities have a responsibility to maintain safe premises and to ensure that illegal activities like hazing do not occur on their property. In our lawsuit, we’ve joined the housing corporation because they failed to prevent hazing on property they controlled.

6. The University or College (e.g., University of Houston, University of Arkansas): Universities have a legal and moral duty to protect their students. This duty includes ensuring a safe campus environment, regulating student organizations, and responding to reports of misconduct. When hazing occurs, universities can be held liable for:

   • Negligent Supervision: Failing to adequately oversee Greek life or address known hazing problems.
   • Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned or controlled property, as it did in Leonel Bermudez’s case.
   • Failure to Act: Ignoring previous hazing incidents or complaints, as the University of Houston did with a prior incident in 2017 involving another fraternity.
   • Breach of Contract: Failing to uphold promises made to students regarding safety and well-being.
     Universities throughout Arkansas, including the University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, and Ouachita Baptist University, face the same obligations.

7. Insurance Carriers: Ultimately, the funds to compensate victims often come from insurance policies held by these various defendants. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña possess invaluable insider knowledge of how these companies operate, how they value claims, and how to effectively negotiate or litigate against them. We know their “playbook” and use it against them to maximize our clients’ recovery.

Bringing a hazing lawsuit requires meticulously identifying every responsible party and building a comprehensive case against them. This complex process demands attorneys who are not only skilled litigators but also strategic investigators with deep knowledge of institutional responsibilities and the various avenues of liability. That’s precisely the expertise Attorney911 brings to hazing victims in Arkansas.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof for Arkansas Families

For families enduring the aftermath of hazing, questions of justice inevitably lead to questions of compensation. Is it possible to hold these powerful institutions accountable financially? The answer is a resounding yes. Our relentless pursuit of justice for hazing victims has resulted in, and drawn from, multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements nationwide. These precedents offer not just hope, but a roadmap for families in Arkansas seeking substantial restitution for their child’s suffering.

We understand that no amount of money can truly compensate for the terror endured during hazing or the loss of a child. However, these significant awards serve as a powerful deterrent, forcing universities and national organizations to prioritize safety over secrecy and truly
implement change. They also ensure victims receive the lifelong support they often need for injuries, trauma, therapy, and lost educational or career opportunities.

Here are some of the landmark cases that demonstrate what is possible, proving that the aggressive legal strategies employed by Attorney911 can lead to life-changing outcomes for hazing victims:

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

Total Payout: $10.1 Million+

In 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Bowling Green State University, tragically died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing ritual. The university settled with his family for $2.9 million, and additional settlements from the national fraternity and individual members brought the total to over $10.1 million. This included a $6.5 million judgment against Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, making him personally liable. This case stands as the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. It directly supports our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case, demonstrating that institutions, when faced with egregious hazing, are compelled to pay millions.

Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)

Jury Verdict: $6.1 Million

Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman at LSU, died from acute alcohol poisoning (with a BAC of 0.495) during a Phi Delta Theta hazing event in 2017. Pledges were forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol for answering questions incorrectly. A jury awarded his family a $6.1 million verdict, sending a clear message that juries will not tolerate deadly hazing. This case also led to the passage of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making hazing a felony. This verdict proves that juries are outraged by hazing and will compensate victims generously.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)

Estimated Payout: $110 Million+

Timothy Piazza died in 2017 after a Beta Theta Pi hazing event at Penn State where he was forced to consume 18 drinks in just 82 minutes. He fell repeatedly down basement stairs, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited over 12 hours before calling 911, and security cameras captured much of the horrific ordeal. The family reached a confidential settlement estimated to be over $110 million, a testament to the devastating impact of such extreme negligence and the power of irrefutable evidence. This tragedy prompted the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania, significantly strengthening anti-hazing legislation. The immense payout demonstrates what is possible when hazing is documented and relentlessly pursued.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

Same Fraternity as Our Case!

Tragically, Andrew Coffey died in 2017 from acute alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” event at Florida State University. Pledges were forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon. Nine fraternity members were criminally charged, and the chapter was permanently closed. While the civil settlement amount was confidential, the fact that Pi Kappa Phi has a hazing death on its record is a critical piece of evidence. This proves that the national organization had actual knowledge of deadly hazing practices within its chapters for eight years leading up to Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization. They had ample time to implement changes and failed to do so, demonstrating a pattern of negligence and conscious indifference that is directly relevant to our current $10 million lawsuit.

Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021)

Settlement: $4 Million+

Adam Oakes died in 2021 during a Delta Chi hazing event at VCU, where he was forced to drink a fifth of tequila. His family filed a $28 million lawsuit and later reached a $4 million+ settlement with the fraternity and individual members. This case, like others, led to direct legislative change with Virginia’s Adam’s Law, which implemented stricter hazing penalties and a requirement for a public online hazing incident database.

$1 Million Lawsuit vs. University of Houston / Pi Kappa Alpha (2017)

Same University as Our Case!

In 2017, a University of Houston student, Jared Munoz, was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen due to hazing at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He filed a $1 million lawsuit. While the criminal case against the national organization was later dismissed on constitutional grounds, this incident proves that the University of Houston had actual knowledge of severe hazing on its campus years prior to Leonel Bermudez’s injury. Their failure to prevent repeat incidents reflects a systemic institutional negligence that we are actively challenging.

These cases, representing over $136 million in total documented hazing awards, are not isolated incidents. They represent a nationwide pattern of institutional failure and tragic consequences. For any family in Arkansas grappling with hazing, these precedents send a clear message: justice is attainable, and the responsible parties, no matter how powerful, can and will be held accountable. The same aggressive and data-driven legal strategies that secured these results are precisely what Attorney911 brings to your family in Arkansas.

Texas Law Protects You: A Framework for Justice

While Attorney911 operates from our Texas offices, the principles of anti-hazing law and civil liability extend nationwide. For families in Arkansas, understanding Texas hazing law provides a strong foundation, as many states have similar statutes designed to protect students. Importantly, our federal court admissions and dual state bar licenses (Texas and New York) provide the broad authority to pursue cases like yours, regardless of the specific state.

Hazing is more than just a university rule violation; it is explicitly prohibited by law in most states, including Arkansas, and carries severe criminal and civil penalties. Here’s a look at the comprehensive protections enshrined in Texas law, which reflects many of the common legal principles applied to hazing cases across the country:

Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157 — The Anti-Hazing Law

The Texas Education Code clearly defines hazing and outlines the consequences for those who perpetuate it.

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):
Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization, if the act:

• Involves physical brutality: This includes whipping, beating, striking (like with the wooden paddles in Leonel’s case), burning, or similar activities.
• Endangers mental or physical health or safety: This covers acts like sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements (stripped in cold weather), confinement, or calisthenics and other similar activities that subject the student to an unreasonable risk of harm (like Leonel’s 500 squats that led to kidney failure).
• Involves forced consumption: This includes food, liquid, drugs, or alcoholic beverages in an amount that causes an unreasonable risk of harm or intoxication (like Leonel’s forced eating until vomiting, or the forced alcohol consumption in the Andrew Coffey and Max Gruver cases).
• Requires violation of the Penal Code: Any activity that forces a student to commit a crime.

Application to Leonel Bermudez’s Case: Our lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston demonstrates multiple violations of this statute, including all the specific hazing acts detailed above. This law, and its parallels in other states, forms the bedrock of our strategy to hold perpetrators accountable.

Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152):
Hazing is not just a campus disciplinary matter; it’s a crime.

• Class B Misdemeanor: For merely “engaging in hazing,” soliciting hazing, or even having firsthand knowledge and failing to report it. Punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
• Class A Misdemeanor: For hazing that causes “serious bodily injury.” This applies directly to Leonel Bermudez’s case, given his severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
• State Jail Felony: For hazing that causes death. Punishable by 180 days to 2 years in state jail and a $10,000 fine.

The University of Houston spokesperson even highlighted “potential criminal charges” upon investigation outcomes, underscoring the severity of the alleged conduct.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153):
The law also holds the organizations themselves responsible. An organization commits an offense if it endorses or encourages hazing, or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing. Penalties can include fines up to $10,000, denial of operating privileges, and forfeiture of property. This is a critical component for holding local chapters and national organizations liable.

Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154):
This is perhaps the most crucial aspect of anti-hazing law nationwide. The statute explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution… that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This provision directly counters the common excuse used by fraternities: “He agreed to it,” or “He knew what he was signing up for.” Under Texas law, and similar laws in other states, a victim cannot legally consent to be hazed. This eliminates a primary defense tactic and strengthens the victim’s position.

Mandatory Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155):
Universities are legally obligated to report hazing incidents to state authorities. Failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor. This creates an additional layer of accountability for educational institutions.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges

While criminal charges aim to punish offenders, civil lawsuits, like the one Attorney911 pursues, are designed to compensate victims for their extensive damages and injuries. Our approach in Arkansas would leverage multiple civil liability theories:

1. Negligence: This is often the foundation of hazing lawsuits. We argue that institutions (universities, national fraternities) and individuals had a “duty of care” to protect students, they “breached” that duty by allowing or participating in hazing, this breach “caused” the injuries, and the victim suffered “damages.”
2. Premises Liability: When hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by a university or housing corporation (as in the Bermudez case with the University of Houston-owned fraternity house), these entities are responsible for maintaining a safe environment and preventing illegal activities.
3. Negligent Supervision: Universities and national organizations have a duty to adequately supervise their chapters and Greek life. Their failure to do so, especially when they have knowledge of prior hazing incidents, constitutes negligent supervision.
4. Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators can be sued for intentional physical harm (assault) and unwanted physical contact (battery). Waterboarding, paddling, or forced physical abuse would clearly fall under these categories.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The outrageous and extreme nature of severe hazing can lead to this claim, compensating victims for profound psychological suffering, such as PTSD.
6. Wrongful Death: In the most tragic cases, when hazing leads to a student’s death, families can pursue wrongful death claims to recover for their immense loss, including lost companionship, future earnings, and sorrow.

Our expertise in these legal frameworks, coupled with our federal court admissions (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) and dual Texas and New York bar licenses, allows us to strategically pursue hazing cases for Arkansas families against national organizations that often operate across state lines. The law is a powerful tool for justice, and we know how to wield it effectively on behalf of hazing victims.

Why Attorney911: Your Fierce Advocate in Arkansas

When your family in Arkansas is grappling with the devastating impact of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the intricate legal landscape, the cultural nuances of Greek life, and the tactics employed by powerful institutions. Attorney911, with our twenty-five plus years of courtroom experience and a team comprised of former insurance defense attorneys, offers an unparalleled advantage to hazing victims in Arkansas and nationwide.

While our primary offices are located in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our commitment to hazing victims extends far beyond state borders. We serve clients in Arkansas and across America, ensuring that geography is never a barrier to justice. Here’s why Attorney911 is the clear choice for your family:

1. Unmatched Experience Against Powerful Opponents

• 25+ Years of Courtroom Expertise: Ralph Manginello is a seasoned trial attorney with a quarter-century of experience battling formidable adversaries in court. This depth of experience means we are not intimidated by large universities or national fraternities that have vast legal teams and resources. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with powerful entities, including our involvement in the multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation against BP following the catastrophic Texas City refinery explosion. That same capacity for high-stakes litigation is now focused on hazing.
• Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña began their careers working for the very insurance companies and corporate defendants we now sue. This invaluable “insider information” gives us a strategic advantage. Lupe Peña, in particular, honed his skills at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm. We know their tactics, their valuation methods, their delay strategies, and their entire playbook. This allows us to anticipate their moves, dismantle their defenses, and relentlessly pursue the maximum compensation for our clients. For hazing victims in Arkansas, this means we know exactly how the national fraternities’ and universities’ insurers will attempt to deny or minimize claims – and how to counter every move.

2. Specialized Expertise in Hazing Litigation

• Actively Fighting Now: We are not theoretical. We are currently engaged in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for horrific hazing that led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. This isn’t just a case study; it’s our ongoing mission. Arkansas families benefit from strategies developed and refined in real-time, in the heat of battle.
• Rhabdomyolysis Specific Expertise: Ralph Manginello has direct experience with rhabdomyolysis cases resulting from hazing. This medical-legal specialization means we understand the nuances of this severe injury, its long-term implications, and how to effectively present damages to a jury.
• Pattern Evidence Mastery: Our firm meticulously tracks hazing incidents nationwide, understanding the patterns of specific fraternities and universities. When we sue Pi Kappa Phi, we remember Andrew Coffey. When we sue the University of Houston, we recall their 2017 hazing incident. This ability to link local incidents to a national history of negligence is a powerful tool to prove foreseeability and establish punitive damages.

3. Nationwide Reach and Access for Arkansas Families

• Federal Court Admissions: Both Ralph and Lupe are admitted to the U.S. District Court, granting them the authority to litigate cases in federal courts across the country. Many hazing cases against national fraternities and multi-state universities can be pursued in federal jurisdiction, giving us broad reach beyond Texas state lines.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello is licensed in both Texas and New York. This dual licensure provides a strategic advantage, particularly when dealing with national fraternity organizations often headquartered or operating in multiple states.
• “We Come to You” Commitment: While we are headquartered in Houston, distance is never a barrier to justice. We regularly conduct video consultations with clients across Arkansas – from Fort Smith to Pine Bluff – and are prepared to travel for depositions, critical meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Our legal emergency services are designed to meet your needs, wherever you are.
• Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): Our team is fluent in Spanish, offering comprehensive legal services to Hispanic families in Arkansas without language barriers. We ensure clear communication and compassionate representation for all our clients.

4. Client-Centered, Empathetic Approach

• Contingency Fee Basis: We understand that families grappling with hazing trauma may also face financial strain. We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if and when we win your case. This levels the playing field, allowing any family, regardless of economic status, to pursue justice against powerful institutions.
• Trae Tha Truth Endorsement: Even Houston icon Trae Tha Truth has recommended our firm, highlighting our reputation for integrity and fierce advocacy.
• “You are Family to them” Culture: Our client testimonials consistently speak to our warm, supportive approach. We treat every client like family, offering direct communication, consistent updates, and genuine personal investment in your case. We know that behind every case file is a family in pain, and we fight for you as if you were our own.

5. Proactive and Data-Driven Litigation

• Texas Hazing Intelligence Database: We maintain an extensive private directory of Greek organizations in Texas, complete with IRS EINs, legal names, addresses, house corporations, and alumni chapters. This allows us to quickly identify every potential defendant and their financial structure, enabling us to know exactly “who to sue” from day one. This data-driven approach is critical for building an ironclad case.
• Evidence Preservation Expertise: We guide clients on how to immediately preserve crucial evidence – from text messages and social media to medical records and witness accounts. Our YouTube video library provides practical tips, such as “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs), and warns against common mistakes that can jeopardize a case.

For families in Arkansas whose children have been victimized by hazing, choosing Attorney911 means partnering with a firm that genuinely cares, aggressively fights, and consistently wins. We know what it takes to stand up to major institutions, and we will bring that same unwavering commitment to your case.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Arkansas Families

If your child in Arkansas has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the discovery can be chaotic and overwhelming. However, swift action is crucial to protect your child’s health, preserve evidence, and secure their legal rights. We know you are scared and angry, scanning Google at 2 AM for help. Here are concrete steps you should take right now.

Step 1: Prioritize Safety and Seek Immediate Medical Attention

• Remove Your Child From Immediate Danger: Your child’s safety is paramount. If they are still in a dangerous environment, remove them immediately.
• Seek Medical Care: Even if injuries seem minor, or if your child is reluctant, get them examined by a medical professional right away.
  • Go to the Emergency Room: If there are visible injuries, severe pain, any loss of consciousness, confusion, vomiting, or if they report forced consumption of alcohol or substances. Do not delay.
  • Document Everything: Ensure all medical personnel know you suspect hazing as the cause of the injuries. Ask that it be noted in the medical records.
  • Keep All Records: Obtain copies of all hospital discharge papers, physician notes, test results (like Leonel Bermudez’s creatine kinase levels and kidney function reports), radiology reports, and billing statements.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence, Everywhere

• Do NOT Delete Anything: Tell your child NOT to delete any messages, photos, videos, or posts related to the hazing. Preservation is key.
• Text Messages and Group Chats: Hazing is often orchestrated through digital communication. Collect screenshots of every text message, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DM, Facebook chat, or any other digital communication. These messages often reveal coercion, directives, threats, and graphic descriptions of hazing activities.
• Photos and Videos: If any photos or videos of the hazing exist, secure them immediately. Also, photograph your child’s injuries as they appear and as they heal. Document bruises, cuts, burns, or any physical manifestations of hazing. Our video, “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs), provides vital instructions.
• Social Media Activity: Advise your child to immediately cease all social media posting and to review their privacy settings. Defense attorneys will scour social media for anything that might contradict their claims of injury or distress. Do NOT delete old posts, as this can be seen as spoliation of evidence.
• Physical Evidence: If there are any items associated with the hazing (e.g., specific clothing, objects used, alcohol containers), preserve them if safely possible. Note the locations where hazing occurred.
• Witness Information: Gather names and contact information for any other pledges, fraternity/sorority members, or bystanders who witnessed the hazing. They may be fearful, but an attorney can guide them on their rights.
• Organizational Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or communications received from the fraternity/sorority or university.

Step 3: Do NOT Communicate with the Organization or University Without Legal Counsel

• No Statements to Anyone: Your child should absolutely NOT give any statements—written, verbal, or recorded—to the fraternity/sorority, university administration, or their insurance representatives without legal counsel present.
• They Are NOT on Your Side: These institutions have legal teams and public relations strategies designed to protect their own interests, not your child’s. Any statement given can and will be used against your child. Even an innocent comment like, “I’m fine,” can be twisted to suggest no serious injury. Our video warning, “Never Talk to the Insurance Company After an Accident,” also applies directly to hazing environments.
• Do NOT Sign Anything: Do not sign any documents from the fraternity, sorority, or university administration, often disguised as “incident reports” or “waivers,” without a legal review.

Step 4: Report the Incident (Strategically)

• University Report (Carefully): While your child may be obligated to report to the university, approach this strategically. Consult with an attorney first. An attorney can advise on what information to provide and how to protect your child during the university’s investigation.
• Law Enforcement: In severe cases, particularly those involving physical assault, sexual abuse, or life-threatening injuries like Leonel Bermudez’s, filing a police report is crucial. This initiates a criminal investigation, which is separate from a civil lawsuit but can provide valuable evidence.
• Title IX Report: If the hazing involved sexual harassment or assault, a Title IX report may be appropriate. An attorney can help navigate this process.

Step 5: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney IMMEDIATELY

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911: This is your critical next step. The legal window of opportunity (known as the Statute of Limitations) is limited, typically two years from the date of injury or death in most states, including Arkansas for many personal injury claims. However, evidence disappears quickly, and memories fade.
• Free, Confidential Consultation: We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to all hazing victims and their families in Arkansas. We will listen to your story, assess the viability of your case, and explain your legal options without any upfront cost. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis; you only pay if we win. You can learn more about how this works in our video, “How Contingency Fees Work” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7nc).
• We Will Travel to Arkansas: While our offices are in Texas, we conduct remote consultations, and our attorneys are prepared to travel to Arkansas for depositions, client meetings, and trial, ensuring you receive the highest caliber of legal representation.

Taking these steps quickly can significantly impact the strength of your case and your ability to secure the justice and compensation your child deserves. Do not try to navigate this complex and emotionally charged situation alone. We are here to help.

Contact Us: Your Lifeline in Arkansas

If you or your child in Arkansas has endured the nightmare of hazing, you are not alone, and you do not have to fight this battle by yourselves. The fear, the pain, the anger – we understand. We are Attorney911, and we are ready to be your fierce advocates. Just as we are aggressively pursuing a $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, we will bring that same uncompromising drive for justice to your family in Arkansas.

We know hazing impacts students and families across your state, whether at the University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, Henderson State University, the University of Central Arkansas, or any other institution. The national fraternities and sororities that operate here are the same ones whose national organizations have paid millions in settlements elsewhere. The lessons learned from tragedies in Texas, Ohio, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania apply directly to every chapter in Fayetteville, Little Rock, Conway, and Arkadelphia.

Your child’s future, their physical health, and their emotional well-being are too important to leave to chance. Delay can jeopardize your rights and weaken your case. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and critical deadlines, like the two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Arkansas, approach quickly.

Arkansas Families: Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation

There is no cost, no obligation, and no risk to simply explore your options. Our initial consultation is always free. We believe every family deserves to understand their rights and the path to justice without financial burden.

📞 Dial Our Legal Emergency Hotline 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911

You can also reach us directly via email:
Email: ralph@atty911.com

What You Can Expect When You Call Us:

• Compassionate Listening: We will listen to your story with empathy and without judgment. We understand the sensitive nature of hazing and the immense pain it causes.
• Expert Assessment: We will provide an honest, thorough assessment of your case, identifying potential defendants and outlining the legal strategies we can employ.
• No Upfront Fees: We handle hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing out-of-pocket for our services. We only get paid if we win your case.
• Nationwide Reach: While our firm is based in Texas, please remember that our commitment to hazing victims extends to Arkansas and across the country. We utilize remote consultation technologies for your convenience and are prepared to travel to Arkansas for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary.
• Bilingual Support: Our team offers Spanish-speaking services (Se Habla Español) to ensure clear communication and support for all families.

We Are Here for All Arkansas Hazing Victims:

Hazing is not confined to fraternities and sororities. If your child or loved one has been harmed in Arkansas by hazing in any of the following organizations, we can help:

• Fraternities and Sororities near Little Rock
• Sports Teams at any Arkansas university or high school
• Marching Bands at Fayetteville
• ROTC programs in Conway
• Clubs and student organizations across Arkansas campuses
• Military academies or training programs

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know Leonel Bermudez was not the only one. Other pledges were harmed, another collapsed, and many more witnessed the abuse. If you were a part of the Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston, or know someone who was, your voice is crucial. You have rights, and we can protect them. As Lupe Peña stated, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Call us. Let’s send a powerful message together.

Your pursuit of justice can prevent future tragedies and send an unequivocal message that hazing will not be tolerated in Arkansas or anywhere else. Do not delay. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Let us be your legal emergency responders, ready to fight for your child and your family.