If you’re reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends and build a future at college. Instead, they were tortured, humiliated, and severely injured by hazing. We understand the fear, the anger, and the desperate search for help that leads California families to our door. At Attorney911, we are here to fight back for families like yours, bringing the same aggressive, data-driven litigation strategies that define our work in Texas to hazing victims in California and across the nation.

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It is not “boys being boys” or “just a tradition.” It is severe, often criminal, abuse that devastates lives and shatters families. For parents in California, sending a child off to college—whether it’s to a prestigious University of California campus, a vibrant California State University, or one of the many esteemed private universities across the Golden State—comes with the expectation of safety, growth, and academic achievement. No parent expects that their child will be waterboarded, forced to eat until they vomit, or endure physical abuse that leads to kidney failure. But this is the grim reality of hazing on campuses today, from the Pacific coast to the Sierra Nevada.

We are Attorney911, and we are actively on the front lines of this battle. We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members for horrific hazing that hospitalized our client, Leonel Bermudez, with acute kidney failure. This isn’t theoretical; this is real, ongoing, and demonstrates exactly what kind of firm we are: aggressive, thorough, data-driven, and relentless in pursuing accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries. The tactics and unwavering commitment we bring to this landmark case in Houston are precisely the same we will apply to hazing cases for families in California. We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re fighting it right now.

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

Our fight against hazing is spearheaded by the landmark case of Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al., filed in November 2025 in Harris County Civil District Court. This case is not just a lawsuit; it is a battle for justice that encapsulates everything Attorney911 stands for. It serves as a stark warning to fraternities and universities nationwide, including those operating across California, that we will not tolerate the physical and psychological torture of young people. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, a prospective transfer student to the University of Houston, suffered horrific hazing that led to a four-day hospitalization for severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. We are seeking $10 million in damages, a figure that sends an undeniable message about the cost of institutional negligence and unchecked abuse.

California Families: This Is What Hazing Looks Like. This Could Happen In California. This Is What We Do About It.

The details of Leonel’s story are critical for every parent in California to understand. They illustrate the brutal reality of hazing today and why firms like Attorney911 are essential in the fight for accountability.

The Plaintiff: Leonel Bermudez

Leonel Bermudez was a “ghost rush,” meaning he had accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi but was not yet even an enrolled student at the University of Houston, planning to transfer the following semester. Despite not being a student, he was subjected to an escalating pattern of abuse, torture, and hazing for weeks beginning in September 2025. This fact alone demonstrates the fraternity’s utter disregard for the safety and well-being of anyone, even those beyond their immediate student body.

What Happened: The Horrific Details

The hazing Leonel endured reads like a catalog of torture:

• Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” sprayed directly in his face while performing calisthenics. This is a tactic considered torture by international standards, yet it was inflicted upon a young man trying to find a community. (KHOU 11)
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: He was forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Even after vomiting, he was then forced to continue running sprints while clearly in physical distress and lie in his own vomit-soaked grass. (ABC13, Houston Chronicle)
• Extreme Physical Punishment: This included over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and other grueling exercises until he could no longer stand without help. He was forced to recite the fraternity creed during these exertions. (ABC13, Houston Chronicle) In one instance, a different pledge even lost consciousness during these workouts on October 15, and had to have his legs elevated by other pledges to revive him—a clear warning sign that was ignored. (Houston Chronicle)
• Being Struck with Wooden Paddles: Leonel was subjected to physical beatings, “being struck with wooden paddles.” (Houston Chronicle)
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: He was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather, made to carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times, and constantly threatened with physical punishment or expulsion if he didn’t comply. (ABC13) On October 13, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. (ABC13)
• Sleep Deprivation: He was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, which contributed to his physical and mental exhaustion. (ABC13)

The Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

The cumulative toll of this abuse was devastating. On November 3, 2025, after a particularly brutal session, Leonel collapsed, too exhausted to stand. He crawled to bed, his condition worsening over the next two days. By November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was passing brown urine—a classic sign of muscle breakdown. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, spending three nights and four days hospitalized receiving intensive medical treatment. (Houston Public Media)

Rhabdomyolysis is a life-threatening condition where damaged muscle tissue releases proteins that can severely harm the kidneys, potentially leading to permanent damage or even death. Our firm has specific expertise in litigating rhabdomyolysis cases resulting from hazing, underscoring our readiness to tackle the complex medical and legal challenges involved.

Institutional Response: A Conspiracy of Silence (and Damage Control)

• Pi Kappa Phi National: On November 6, the national organization suspended the UH chapter. By November 14, seven days before our lawsuit was filed, they permanently closed the Beta Nu Chapter. In their public statement, they admitted to “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards” and even “thanked the University of Houston for its collaboration.” Most disturbingly, they stated, “we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” a clear indication of a lack of genuine remorse. (Pi Kappa Phi Website)
• University of Houston: A UH spokesperson stated that “the events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards,” acknowledging the severity of the conduct. They also noted “potential criminal charges” for those involved. (Houston Public Media) KHOU 11 reported that our lawsuit alleges both the national organization and housing corporation “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'”

Why This Matters to California Families:

• Same Fraternities, Same Hazing in California: Pi Kappa Phi has over 150 chapters across America, with many active in California, including at major institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, UCLA, USC, UC San Diego, and numerous other campuses throughout the state. The “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez can occur at fraternities near your home, no matter where you are in California.
• Universities Are Complicit: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. Many universities across California also own or have significant control over Greek housing. Just like UH, these California institutions have the power to stop hazing and are liable when they fail to do so.
• National Organizations Know (and Plan Their Return): Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters acted swiftly to close the chapter—after the hazing but before our lawsuit—showing they knew the conduct was wrong. Their “we look forward to returning” comment suggests they view this as a temporary setback, not a fundamental failure. This attitude is pervasive among national Greek organizations with chapters in California.
• Victims Are Afraid, We Protect Them: Our client fears retribution for speaking out. This fear is common among hazing victims everywhere, including California. We provide steadfast protection and support for our clients, ensuring their safety and justice.
• A Brave Victim Can Save Lives: As Attorney Lupe Peña profoundly 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.” Your decision to seek justice in California could save countless future students.
• $10 Million Sends a Message: The significant damages sought in Leonel’s case send an unequivocal message to fraternities and universities: hazing will cost you dearly. Families in California have the power to send the same message when their children are victimized.

Whether your child attends UC Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford, USC, or a California State University, the hazing environment they face could be just as brutal as what Leonel endured. We will bring our aggressive pursuit of justice to any corner of California where hazing occurs.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

For many parents in California, the image of hazing often conjures up harmless pranks or mild inconveniences from Hollywood movies. However, the reality, as evidenced by Leonel Bermudez’s case and countless others across the country, is far more sinister. Hazing today is calculated abuse, pure and simple, and it has devastating consequences for students at universities throughout California, from San Diego to Sacramento.

It’s NOT Pranks. It’s Torture.
Hazing has evolved into systematic brutality designed to break down a person physically and psychologically. It is:

• Assault and Battery: Direct physical harm, often involving beatings, paddles, forced strenuous exercise, or even branding.
• Torture: Methods designed to inflict severe mental or physical suffering, such as waterboarding, sleep deprivation, or extreme exposure.
• Reckless Endangerment: Actions taken with a callous disregard for the immense risk of serious injury or death.
• Psychological Warfare: Humiliation, degradation, isolation, and constant threats designed to strip dignity and instill fear.

The Chilling Reality of Modern Hazing Activities:

• Physical Abuse: Beatings, paddlings, forced uncomfortable positions, and grueling exercise regimens leading to exhaustion, injury, and conditions like rhabdomyolysis.
• Forced Consumption: Binge drinking large quantities of alcohol, often rapidly, leading to alcohol poisoning. Also, forced eating until vomiting, or consuming non-food items. The connection between forced consumption and serious medical emergencies, as seen in many national hazing deaths, is clear.
• Sleep Deprivation: Requiring pledges to stay awake for extended periods, perform tasks at all hours, or disrupt their sleep with sudden wake-up calls, leading to physical and mental deterioration.
• Sexual Harassment and Abuse: Forced nudity, sexually explicit acts, or handling sexual objects, which goes far beyond hazing into assault.
• Humiliation and Degradation: Verbal abuse, public shaming, being forced to dress in degrading ways, or perform demeaning tasks.
• Social Isolation: Restricting communication with others, creating an environment of dependence and fear.
• Exposure: Being forced to remain in uncomfortable or dangerous temperatures and environments, often with inadequate clothing.

These are not hypothetical scenarios. Every item on this list has been reported in hazing incidents across the nation, and many were directly inflicted upon our client, Leonel Bermudez, at the University of Houston. This level of abuse is happening today at colleges across California, and parents must understand the true nature of the threat.

The Institutional Blindness:
Despite the well-documented severity of hazing, many universities and national Greek organizations maintain a disturbing level of denial or indifference, often dismissing incidents as isolated or downplaying their severity. This willful blindness creates a breeding ground for tragedy.

The tragic reality is that hazing incidents are far more prevalent than most people realize:

• 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing. (NCAA, 2017)
• At least one hazing death has occurred every year in the United States since 2000. Tragically, California has seen its share of these devastating incidents, including the death of Noah Domingo at UC Irvine in 2019 and Armand Cerda at San Diego State University in 2019.
• 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it. This alarming statistic highlights the culture of fear, intimidation, and loyalty that hazing perpetrators cultivate.

When a child in California pledges a fraternity or sorority, joins an athletic team, or gets involved with a club at a local campus like UCLA, San Jose State, or UC Davis, they should expect camaraderie, not cruelty.

Who Is Responsible? Holding Every Entity Accountable

When hazing leaves a student physically or psychologically scarred, or worse, dead, the responsibility rarely rests with just a few individuals. Our work, exemplified by the Bermudez case, is to identify and pursue every single entity that enabled, encouraged, or failed to prevent the abuse. This comprehensive approach ensures maximum accountability and compensation for victims and their families in California.

In the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, we are pursuing a wide range of defendants, which serves as a blueprint for how we approach hazing cases across the country, including those originating in California:

1. The Local Chapter of the Fraternity/Sorority: This is the most direct perpetrator. The Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi directly organized and conducted the hazing activities that injured Leonel. In California, we would pursue the specific chapter at a campus like UC Berkeley or USC for their direct involvement. They are vicariously liable for the actions of their members.
2. Chapter Officers and Individual Members: The individuals who orchestrate, participate in, or fail to stop the hazing are personally liable. In Leonel’s case, we named the fraternity president, pledgemaster, and 13 individual fraternity members. This includes current members who actively engaged in the abuse and former members who may have hosted hazing at their residences, extending liability even beyond the active student body. This personal accountability sends a powerful message, especially when considering precedents like the $6.5 million judgment against a fraternity president in the Stone Foltz case.
3. National Fraternity or Sorority Organization: The national entities, such as Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters in Leonel’s case, often have significant assets and insurance. They are liable for failing to supervise their local chapters, inadequately enforcing anti-hazing policies, and, as our lawsuit alleges, showing knowledge of “a hazing crisis” without taking effective action. The fact that the same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, had a student die in 2017 (Andrew Coffey) proves their long-standing awareness of severe hazing within their organization. This pattern of negligence applies to national Greek organizations operating in California, many of which have their own histories of hazing incidents across the country.
4. The University or College: The educational institution itself, such as the University of Houston in our ongoing case, holds significant responsibility. Universities often own or control fraternity housing, have the power to regulate Greek life, and owe a duty to protect their students within their care. In Leonel’s case, UH owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place and also had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving a different fraternity. This establishes institutional knowledge and a direct failure to prevent foreseeable harm. California universities, like any institution, have similar responsibilities and face the same liability when they fall short, whether it’s at a large public university or a private college in Southern California.
5. The Housing Corporation: Many fraternities and sororities operate through separate housing corporations that own or manage the chapter’s physical property. Often, these are non-profit entities, but they are still responsible for ensuring the safety of their premises. The Beta Nu Housing Corporation in Leonel’s case is a defendant for its role in controlling the property where hazing occurred.
6. Spouses of Former Members (Premises Liability): In Leonel’s lawsuit, even the spouse of a former member was named as a defendant because significant hazing sessions occurred at their private off-campus residence. This demonstrates our commitment to extending liability to anyone who facilitated the abuse, emphasizing that liability is not confined to university grounds or active members.
7. Insurance Carriers: While not direct perpetrators, the insurance companies that underwrite the liability policies for national fraternities, universities, housing corporations, and even individual members (through homeowner’s or renter’s policies) are where the true financial recovery often originates. As attorneys with deep experience in insurance defense, we understand exactly how these companies operate, allowing us to strategically pursue maximum compensation for families in California.

We understand that pursuing complex litigation against multiple entities can seem daunting, especially for families reeling from trauma. However, by targeting every possible defendant, we ensure that the “deep pockets”—the national organizations, the universities, and their insurers—are held accountable, and that victims in California receive the full and just compensation they deserve for their suffering. We will leave no stone unturned in our relentless pursuit of justice.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For families from California grappling with the aftermath of hazing, one of the most pressing questions is: Can we actually win? And if so, how much? The answer, supported by a growing body of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements across the country, is a resounding YES. These landmark cases prove that juries and institutions are increasingly willing to impose severe financial penalties for hazing, and Attorney911 is prepared to deliver these same powerful outcomes for victims in California.

Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case is not arbitrary; it is directly informed and justified by these significant precedents. We use these prior victories to show California fraternities, universities, and national organizations that hazing is a costly behavior, and the same legal strategies creating these outcomes are precisely what we bring to every case.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements: The Price of Hazing

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): $10.1 Million+
  • What Happened: Stone Foltz, 20, died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” event. He was found unresponsive the next morning.
  • Outcome: The Foltz family received nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity and its members, totaling over $10.1 million. The chapter was permanently expelled, and multiple members faced criminal convictions. In a separate, direct judgment in December 2024, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.
  • Relevance to California: This case directly supports our $10 million demand, demonstrating the value placed on hazing injuries (even with a death as opposed to Leonel’s serious injury) by the legal system. It also highlights that individuals, even former student leaders, can be held personally liable for millions. Hazing at any California university could result in similar payouts.
• Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): $6.1 Million Verdict
  • What Happened: Max Gruver, 18, died after a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” event where he was forced to drink excessive alcohol for incorrect answers. His BAC was 0.495.
  • Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family $6.1 million. One fraternity member was convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced to prison. The tragedy spurred the passage of the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
  • Relevance to California: This powerful jury verdict underscores that when cases proceed to trial, juries are willing to award multi-million dollar sums to punish hazing. It also shows how victim advocacy can lead to significant legislative change, potentially encouraging stronger anti-hazing laws in California.
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): $110+ Million (Estimated)
  • What Happened: Timothy Piazza, 19, died from traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after being forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes. He fell down stairs and lay injured for 12 hours before fraternity members called 911. The entire incident was captured on security cameras.
  • Outcome: Multiple confidential settlements, estimated to be well over $110 million. Eighteen fraternity members faced criminal charges, with several convicted of involuntary manslaughter and hazing. Pennsylvania passed the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.
  • Relevance to California: The Piazza case sets the high-water mark for hazing settlements, demonstrating that when evidence is strong (as it is in our Bermudez case), and the conduct is extremely egregious, compensation can reach astronomical figures.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Confidential Settlement
  • What Happened: Andrew Coffey, 20, died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon at a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night.”
  • Outcome: Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges, the chapter was permanently closed, and a civil suit resulted in a confidential settlement.
  • Critical Relevance to our case: This is the SAME NATIONAL FRATERNITY AS LEONEL BERMUDEZ’S CASE. Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017 proves Pi Kappa Phi National knew the deadly potential of hazing within its chapters. The fact that Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized in 2025 demonstrates an alarming pattern of negligence and a failure to address the core issues within Pi Kappa Phi despite ample time and a prior death. This is powerful pattern evidence that can significantly increase the punitive damages sought in California hazing cases against this or any other national organization with a similar history.
• Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): $4 Million+ Settlement
  • What Happened: Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi hazing event.
  • Outcome: The family received a settlement of over $4 million and created the “Love Like Adam” Foundation, advocating for “Adam’s Law” in Virginia.
  • Relevance to California: Another multi-million-dollar settlement showing that even in cases resulting in death, the path to significant compensation is there.

Legislating Change: Turning Tragedy into Law

These tragedies have not only led to massive financial accountability but also fueled legislative change, showcasing the powerful impact that determined families and legal advocates can have:

• Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law (Pennsylvania)
• Max Gruver Act (Louisiana)
• Collin’s Law (Ohio)
• Adam’s Law (Virginia)
• Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (Pending)

Each of these laws, like Texas’s own stringent anti-hazing statute, works to strengthen protections for students and increase penalties for perpetrators. These national changes reflect a growing intolerance for hazing that empowers our litigation efforts for California families.

Why Your California Case Matters

For California families, these precedents provide crucial proof:

• Your Case Can Win Millions: These outcomes directly support substantial damage claims for hazing injuries and deaths, whether they occur at UCLA or UC Davis.
• Institutions Will Pay: Universities and national fraternities are consistently held liable and compelled to pay millions.
• Hazing is Punishable: These verdicts send a clear message that societal norms are shifting, and juries are willing to punish hazing severely.

At Attorney911, we leverage this extensive knowledge of past hazing litigation to inform our strategy for every new case, including yours in California. We understand what it takes to build a winning claim and are prepared to fight tirelessly to achieve justice for your family and protect other students in California from similar horrors.

The Hazing Crisis: Why California Families Need Us

The golden promise of higher education in California, with its world-renowned universities, cutting-edge innovation, and diverse cultural landscape, often overshadows a dark and dangerous undercurrent: hazing. From the sprawling campuses of the University of California and California State University systems to prestigious private institutions like Stanford and USC, students across the state are vulnerable to the severe and often life-threatening rituals perpetrated by fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, and other student organizations.

Parents in California send their children off to college, expecting them to thrive, not to be broken by abuse disguised as tradition. They anticipate academic excellence, not emergency room visits. This is precisely why Attorney911 extends its aggressive, compassionate, and expert hazing litigation services to every family in California.

Hazing’s Pervasive Reach in California

Hazing is not an isolated phenomenon. It is deeply ingrained in the culture of many campus organizations, thriving on secrecy, peer pressure, and a distorted sense of loyalty. In California, this includes:

• Fraternities & Sororities: National Greek letter organizations with chapters at UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, San Diego State, California State University Long Beach, and dozens of other campuses. These are often the most publicized sites of hazing activity, with patterns of abuse mirroring the tragic incidents we see nationwide.
• Athletic Teams: From high school to collegiate levels, sports teams across California, whether at Cal Poly or Fresno State, engage in hazing rituals that can range from forced alcohol consumption to physical assaults.
• ROTC Programs: While focused on leadership and military discipline, some ROTC units have been known to engage in hazing practices.
• Clubs and Organizations: Academic clubs, performance groups, and even voluntary service organizations can sometimes adopt hazing as a perverse form of initiation.

The Realities of Hazing in Action

The incidents detailed in Leonel Bermudez’s case – waterboarding, forced vomiting, grueling physical exertion, psychological humiliation – are not unique to a single fraternity or university in Texas. These same tactics occur regularly on campuses throughout California. For instance, California has seen tragic hazing deaths, like those of Noah Domingo at UC Irvine and Armand Cerda at San Diego State University in 2019, demonstrating that the dangers are very real and close to home for many California families.

California, a state known for its progressive values and strong legal protections, is still battling this silent epidemic. While institutions across the state claim to have zero-tolerance policies, the reality is that hazing persists, often due to a failure of oversight, inadequate enforcement, and a culture that prioritizes institutional reputation over student safety.

Why Attorney911 is Essential for California Families

Our firm, headquartered in Houston with additional offices in Austin and Beaumont, Texas, is uniquely equipped to serve hazing victims across the nation, including the entire state of California. Here’s why Attorney911 is the essential choice for your California family:

• National Expertise, Local Impact: While based in Texas, our successful litigation against national fraternities and major universities gives us unparalleled insight into the complex corporate and educational structures involved in hazing. We bring this national expertise directly to your California case.
• Federal Court Authority: Our attorneys are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and possess dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York). This enables us to pursue federal claims, including civil rights violations, that often arise in hazing cases, regardless of where the incident occurred in California.
• Knowledge of the “Enemy”: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. We know exactly how national fraternities, universities, and their powerful insurance companies in California are trained to defend against these claims, delay payments, and minimize compensation. We use their playbook against them.
• Willingness to Travel: Distance is not a barrier to justice. We regularly conduct video consultations with clients across the country and are prepared to travel to California for depositions, critical meetings, and trials whenever necessary.
• Data-Driven Litigation: We maintain one of the most comprehensive private databases of Greek organizations, tracking their corporate entities, EINs, and incident histories. This intelligence allows us to identify every responsible party—from the local chapter at a California university to the national headquarters—ensuring that no one escapes accountability.
• Empathy and Relentless Advocacy: We aren’t just lawyers; we are advocates who genuinely understand the profound trauma hazing inflicts. We fight for your child’s future in California as if they were our own, with a combination of fierce determination and heartfelt compassion.

For California parents whose lives have been shattered by hazing, it’s critical to act decisively. The systems that allowed this to happen are vast and complex, but with Attorney911, you have a powerful and experienced ally dedicated to bringing justice to your doorstep, no matter where you are in California.

Texas Law Protects You (and sets a national standard)

When a child is victimized by hazing, whether in Houston or in San Francisco, their path to justice is paved through the legal system. While our firm is rooted in Texas, understanding the strong anti-hazing laws here demonstrates the robust legal framework available to victims nationwide, including those in California. Most states, including California, have similar statutes designed to protect students and hold perpetrators accountable. Furthermore, the broader principles of civil liability apply uniformly across the United States, allowing us to enforce your rights regardless of where the hazing occurred.

Texas Hazing Laws: A Model for Protection

The Texas Education Code, specifically Sections 37.151 through 37.157, provides a comprehensive definition of hazing and outlines severe penalties for those who engage in it. This legal framework is particularly powerful and its principles extend to cases heard in other states, or in federal courts when dealing with national organizations.

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): The law defines hazing broadly as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution… directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, [etc.], if the act…endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student.” This includes:

• Physical Brutality: Whipping, beating, striking (like the wooden paddles in Leonel’s case), branding, placing harmful substances on the body.
• Endangerment to Health/Safety: Sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, calisthenics (like Leonel’s 500 squats and countless pushups that induced rhabdomyolysis), or other activities creating an “unreasonable risk of harm.”
• Forced Consumption: Forcing a student to consume food (like the hot dogs or peppercorns that made Leonel vomit), liquid, alcohol, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk.
• Criminal Acts: Any activity that forces a student to violate the Texas Penal Code.
• Coerced Intoxication: Forcing a student to consume an alcoholic beverage to the point of intoxication.

Leonel Bermudez’s ordeal with Pi Kappa Phi clearly falls under multiple categories of this definition, illustrating that these laws are designed to address precisely the kind of torture he endured. California’s own anti-hazing laws (e.g., the Chad Meredith Act) also provide strong definitions and protections, and any hazing incident at a California university would be scrutinized under similar legal standards.

Criminal Penalties: Texas law establishes serious criminal consequences for hazing:

• Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, failing to report it, or encouraging it. Punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes “serious bodily injury,” punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Leonel’s severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure would classify as serious bodily injury, meaning the individual perpetrators in his case face this severe criminal exposure.
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes death, punishable by 180 days to 2 years in state jail and a $10,000 fine. This is a crucial deterrent that ensures hazing fatalities are treated with the gravity they deserve.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): The law explicitly states that an “organization commits an offense if the organization condones or encourages hazing or if an officer or any combination of members, pledges, or alumni… commits or assists in the commission of hazing.” This means the Pi Kappa Phi chapter and the national organization are liable under Texas law, mirroring how institutions in California would be held accountable. Penalties can include fines up to $10,000, denial of campus operating rights, and forfeiture of property.

Consent Is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is perhaps one of the most powerful provisions and a critical point for California families. Texas law explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” This directly counters the common defense perpetuated by fraternities and universities that “pledges knew what they were signing up for” or “they could have left at any time.” The law understands that coercion, peer pressure, and fear of social ostracism negate true consent. This means that a California hazing victim cannot be blamed for choosing to endure abuse.

Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): University officials in Texas are legally mandated to report hazing incidents, with failure to do so constituting a Class B Misdemeanor. This provision is designed to ensure transparency and accountability at the institutional level, a practice that should be, and often is, mirrored in California university policies.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Prosecution

While criminal charges address the illegal nature of hazing, civil lawsuits provide the means for victims and their families in California to recover damages for their injuries and suffering. Our firm leverages multiple civil liability theories relevant in any U.S. state:

1. Negligence: This is the most common claim, asserting that the university, national fraternity, or individuals owed a duty of care to the student, breached that duty through their actions or inactions (like allowing hazing), and that this breach directly caused the student’s injuries and damages.
2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (as in Leonel’s case where UH owned the fraternity house) or another entity, that entity can be liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
3. Negligent Supervision: This claim targets the failure of national organizations and universities to adequately supervise their chapters and Greek life, leading to foreseeable hazing incidents.
4. Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators can be sued for intentional harmful or offensive contact.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Hazing that involves outrageous conduct (such as waterboarding) and causes severe emotional distress can fall under this claim.
6. Wrongful Death: In the most tragic cases, families can pursue wrongful death claims for the loss of a loved one due due to hazing, seeking compensation for grief, loss of companionship, and financial support.

For families in California, these legal avenues ensure that justice is not just a hope, but a tangible possibility. Whether the incident occurred at a UC, Cal State, or private campus, the law provides powerful tools to hold every responsible party accountable. We are experts in navigating these complex legal landscapes to secure maximum compensation for our clients, just as we are doing for Leonel Bermudez.

Why Attorney911: Your Trusted Legal Emergency Lawyers™ in California

When a hazing incident turns your life upside down, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a legal emergency team. Attorney911 is built on the philosophy of being the first responder to your legal crisis, and this commitment extends to every family in California reeling from the trauma of hazing. We understand that finding the right legal representation after such a devastating event can be overwhelming, which is why we want to clearly articulate why Attorney911 is the unparalleled choice for hazing victims and their families in California. While our roots and offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach and expertise know no state lines when it comes to fighting hazing.

Unmatched Experience and Insight

1. 25+ Years of Courtroom Battle-Tested Experience: Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, brings over two decades of aggressive litigation experience to every case. He’s not afraid of the courtroom, and his track record of multi-million dollar wins speaks for itself. This extensive trial experience is vital when taking on powerful institutions like universities and national fraternities in California.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. This, notably, makes Attorney911 a rare firm with dual former insurance defense lawyers. Lupe Peña, in particular, worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm, where he defended major corporations and insurance companies across multiple practice areas. This insider knowledge is our unfair advantage. We’ve seen their strategies, we know their weaknesses, and we use that insight to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our hazing victims in California. They can’t hide their tactics from us.
3. Multi-Billion Dollar Case Experience: Ralph’s involvement in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation, a multi-billion dollar mass tort, demonstrates his capacity to take on massive corporate defendants and their legal teams. This experience in high-stakes, complex litigation against colossal entities is directly applicable to hazing cases involving well-funded national fraternities and universities in California.
4. Federal Court Authority: We are admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and have federal appellate experience. This is crucial because many hazing cases can involve federal civil rights violations or interstate issues, allowing us to pursue justice in federal courts where the rules of engagement are different and often more advantageous for victims. Whether the hazing incident happened at UC San Diego or USC, we can navigate federal jurisdiction for your California family.
5. Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas AND New York): Ralph Manginello holds licenses in both Texas and New York. This dual licensure provides a strategic advantage when facing national fraternities or sororities primarily headquartered or incorporated in other states, allowing us to leverage legal frameworks across multiple jurisdictions for your California case.
6. Hazing-Specific Expertise: Our current $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is proof positive of our active and specialized focus on hazing litigation. We have direct experience with rhabdomyolysis cases, Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation, and holding universities accountable. This isn’t theoretical; we are in the fight right now, and we bring this laser-focused expertise to every hazing case, including those from California.

Our Client-Centered Approach for California Families

1. Empathetic and Parent-Facing Tone: We understand the fear and anger you’re experiencing. We speak directly to you, acknowledging your pain and validating your experience. We are not a cold, clinical law firm; we are compassionate advocates dedicated to supporting your family through this nightmare.
2. “Se Habla Español” – Bilingual Support: Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, and our team is bilingual. This ensures that Spanish-speaking families in California, a state with a large Hispanic population from Los Angeles to Fresno, receive comprehensive legal services without language barriers, from initial consultation to courtroom representation.
3. Contingency Fees – No Upfront Cost: We know dealing with the trauma of hazing often means significant medical bills and lost income. We take hazing cases on contingency. This means you pay us nothing upfront. We don’t get paid unless and until we secure compensation for you. This commitment ensures that financial concerns never prevent California families from seeking justice. (See our video “How Contingency Fees Work” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc)
4. Willingness to Travel to California: While our primary offices are in Texas, justice knows no geographical bounds. We regularly conduct remote consultations via video with families across California and are prepared to travel to your location for depositions, critical meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Distance will not compromise your fight for justice.
5. Immersive Evidence Preservation: Our team provides immediate, actionable guidance on how to preserve all critical evidence – texts, photos, videos, social media, medical records. We know what gets deleted and what gets hidden, and we’ll guide you through each crucial step. (See “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs)
6. Social Proof and Trust: With a 4.9-star rating and over 250 reviews on Google My Business, our clients consistently praise our communication, aggression, and compassionate approach. Testimonials from families describe us as treating them “like family” and commend attorneys Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña for their dedication and results.

Choosing Attorney911 means choosing a legal team that is not just knowledgeable and experienced, but deeply invested in fighting for victims of hazing in California. We have the expertise, the resources, and the relentless drive to take on the most powerful institutions and secure the justice and compensation your family deserves.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Guidance for California Families

If you or your child in California has been subjected to hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While the trauma can be overwhelming, swift and strategic action is essential to preserve evidence, protect your legal rights, and build a strong case for justice. The clock is ticking, and every step you take now can significantly impact your ability to secure accountability and compensation.

Step 1: Prioritize Immediate Safety and Medical Attention

• Remove Your Child from the Situation: If your child is still in an environment where hazing is occurring, get them out immediately. Their physical and psychological safety is paramount.
• Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Even if injuries seem minor or your child insists they are fine, get them to a doctor, urgent care, or emergency room. Adrenaline often masks pain. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis, which hospitalized Leonel Bermudez, can have delayed but severe symptoms.
  • Document Everything: Ensure all injuries, symptoms (including emotional distress), and the suspected cause are clearly documented in medical records. Brown urine, extreme soreness, difficulty moving – these are critical details.
  • Follow All Medical Advice: Adhere strictly to doctor’s orders, attend all follow-up appointments, and complete any prescribed therapies. Inconsistent medical care can be used by defense attorneys to argue that injuries were not severe. (See our video “Why Seeing a Doctor Right After an Accident Is Critical.”)

Step 2: Preserve Every Piece of Evidence

The defendants—the fraternity, the university, and their legal teams—will begin damage control immediately. Your ability to recover relies heavily on the evidence you secure now.

• Keep All Medical Records: Hospital records, ER visit summaries, doctor’s notes, specialists’ reports, therapy records, and all medical bills.
• Photos and Videos: Take clear, timestamped photos of any physical injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling, burns) at all stages of healing. Photograph the location where the hazing occurred if safe to do so. If your child is unable, have a trusted friend or family member do this.
• Electronic Communications:
  • DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages, Instagram DMs, emails, or any other digital communications related to the hazing. These are often smoking guns.
  • Screenshot Everything: Take screenshots of social media posts, group chats, or any online content that mentions the hazing, the individuals involved, or the organization.
• Witness Information: Collect names and contact information from anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or even individuals who might have heard about it. This could include other students, resident advisors, or even faculty members.
• Hazing Manuals/Schedules: Any physical documents, pledge manuals, schedules, or rules given to your child by the organization.
• Financial Records: Keep track of all expenses related to the hazing, including medical bills, travel for treatment, potential lost wages from missed work or internship opportunities, and even tuition fees if academic performance was affected.
• Impact Documentation: Keep a journal documenting the emotional and psychological impact of the hazing, changes in mood, sleep patterns, academic performance, and social behavior.

Step 3: Crucial “DO NOTs”

Failing to follow these guidelines can severely jeopardize your case:

• DO NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority Leadership: They are not your allies. Any conversation with them without legal representation will likely be used to build a defense against you.
• DO NOT Talk to University Administrators Alone: University officials, including Greek life advisors or student conduct officers, represent the institution’s interests, not your child’s. They will often try to gather information that can be used to protect the university from liability.
• DO NOT Sign Anything: Do not sign any documents from the fraternity, the university, or their insurance companies. You could inadvertently waive your rights to future legal action.
• DO NOT Post on Social Media: Anything your child posts—or that others post about them—can and will be used by defense attorneys to undermine their claims. This includes posts about feeling fine, attending social events, or even expressing anger or frustration. (See our video “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident.”)
• DO NOT Give Recorded Statements: Insurance adjusters are trained to elicit information that minimizes your claim. Never give a recorded statement to any insurer without your attorney present.
• DO NOT Delay: The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases in California is generally two years from the date of the injury or death. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and opportunities diminish with every passing day.

Step 4: Contact Attorney911 Immediately

Your immediate next step after ensuring safety and preserving evidence should be to contact an experienced hazing litigation attorney. We offer free, confidential consultations 24/7.

• Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
• Email Us Directly: ralph@atty911.com
• Available 24/7: Hazing emergencies don’t keep office hours, and neither do we.
• Distance Is Not a Barrier: For families in California, we provide convenient video consultations and are prepared to travel to you as needed for depositions, meetings, and trial.

Hazing is a serious legal emergency, and you need a serious legal team. We will leverage our expertise in federal court and our dual Texas and New York bar admissions to fight for your child’s rights in California and nationwide. Let us turn your despair into determined action.

Contact Us: Your California Anti-Hazing Legal Emergency Responders

If your family in California has been devastated by hazing, you are not alone, and you do not have to fight this battle by yourselves. The fear, the anger, the overwhelming injustice—we understand these emotions because we are actively fighting a similar fight right now. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the waterboarding and kidney failure of Leonel Bermudez proves our commitment to holding institutions accountable. We are ready to bring that same aggressive, compassionate, and data-driven advocacy to your hazing case in California.

The time to act is now. Hazing victims often feel ashamed, isolated, and pressured into silence. They may fear retaliation from peers or academic institutions. But your silence only protects the perpetrators. By speaking up, you not only seek justice for your child but also play a crucial role in protecting countless others who could be next.

California Families: Your Legal Emergency Starts Here.

📞 CALL OUR 24/7 LEGAL EMERGENCY HOTLINE: 1-888-ATTY-911

Email Us Directly: ralph@atty911.com

Website: attorney911.com

Why Call Attorney911 for Your California Hazing Case?

1. Free, Confidential Consultation: Your first conversation with us is always free. There’s no obligation, just an opportunity for us to listen to your story, evaluate your legal options, and provide you with clear, expert advice. We understand the sensitivity of these cases and guarantee complete confidentiality.
2. No Upfront Fees – We Work on Contingency: Facing medical bills, emotional trauma, and academic disruption is enough of a burden. You shouldn’t have to worry about legal fees. We take hazing cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay $0 out of pocket. We only get paid if we win your case. This aligns our interests directly with yours and levels the playing field against well-funded fraternities and universities.
3. Nationwide Reach, California Focused: While our offices are in Texas, our federal court authority and willingness to travel mean we can effectively represent hazing victims anywhere across California, from the University of Southern California to the University of California, Berkeley, and beyond. We regularly conduct remote consultations to make the process as easy as possible for your California family.
4. Proven Aggression Against Hazing: Our involvement in the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case is not just a case study; it’s tangible proof that we are actively and aggressively pursuing accountability for hazing victims. We know the tactics, we’ve compiled the data, and we are unflinching in our pursuit of justice.
5. Insider Knowledge of Defense Tactics: As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña know exactly how universities, national fraternities, and their insurance carriers will try to deflect blame, minimize your injuries, and delay resolution. We anticipate their moves and counter them strategically.
6. “Se Habla Español”: Our bilingual staff, including attorney Lupe Peña, ensures that Spanish-speaking families in California receive clear, comprehensive legal support in their native language, removing critical communication barriers.

To Chapters of Pi Kappa Phi & All Greek Organizations in California:

We know who you are. We know where you are. We know your corporate structure. We know your national organization’s history of hazing deaths and multi-million dollar payouts. And when you haze students in California, we will use every piece of this intelligence to hold you accountable. The Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston learned this the hard way – they are now shut down, and facing a $10 million lawsuit. Your chapter could be next.

We are watching every chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, and every other Greek organization operating at California universities. If you choose “tradition” over safety, if you choose abuse over brotherhood, we will find you, we will expose you, and we will hold you accountable for every penny, just as we are doing in Houston.

To the Universities and Colleges in California:

Your institutions have a duty to protect your students. When hazing takes place on your campuses, in your housing, or under the umbrella of your recognized organizations, you are on the hook. The University of Houston is a defendant in our $10 million hazing lawsuit because they owned the house where our client was tortured and had a prior hazing incident in 2017. Universities across California, from UC Santa Barbara to Cal State Fullerton, have similar responsibilities. Clean up your Greek systems, enforce your anti-hazing policies, and prioritize student safety over reputation, or you will face the same aggressive litigation that we are bringing in Houston.

To Other Victims of the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know there are more of you. Leonel Bermudez was not the only one. Another pledge lost consciousness. Others endured the same waterboarding, forced eating, and physical abuse. If you were a victim or witnessed what happened, you have rights, and we can represent you. Please contact us immediately. As Lupe Peña said, “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 1-888-ATTY-911 now. Let us be your first responders in this legal emergency. We are ready to fight for you and your family in California.