If you’re reading this in Maryland, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went off to a university, perhaps in our vibrant state, or beyond, excited to make new friends and build a future. Instead, they were tortured, abused, and injured, all in the name of “tradition.” We understand what you’re going through. The fear, the anger, the overwhelming sense of betrayal – it’s a nightmare no parent should ever endure. We are here to help families in Maryland fight back, to turn that pain into powerful action, and to hold every single responsible party accountable.

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It is not “boys being boys” or “just character-building.” In places like Baltimore, College Park, Annapolis, or even Salisbury, the same dangerous activities that nearly killed students across the country are happening. It’s a dark secret that many universities and national organizations would prefer to keep hidden, but we shine a light on it. We are Attorney911, and we are actively fighting hazing right now. We aggressively represent hazing victims and their families in Maryland and nationwide, and we are ready to take on your fight, wherever it may be.

The Haunting Echoes: What Happened in Houston Can Happen in Maryland

Just weeks ago, our firm, Attorney911, filed a landmark $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members. This is not a hypothetical case; it is a live, ongoing battle that vividly illustrates the brutal reality of hazing today and exactly how aggressively we fight for justice. What happened to Leonel Bermudez in Texas is a chilling warning for every parent in Maryland with a child attending college.

Leonel was not yet even an enrolled student at the University of Houston. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective transfer student planning to join the university in the upcoming semester. Yet, this made him no less a target for the fraternity’s brutal initiation rituals. He accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. What followed was an agonizing seven weeks of systematic abuse and torture that landed him in the hospital for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

Imagine your child, eager to fit in, being subjected to simulated waterboarding with a garden hose – a form of torture typically reserved for enemy combatants. Picture them hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in their mouth for over an hour, or forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited, only to be made to run sprints while physically distressed and then lie in their own vomit-soaked grass.

Leonel endured extreme physical punishment, including over 100 push-ups and 500 squats, bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and repeated 100-yard crawls, all while reciting the fraternity creed under threat of expulsion. One night, the abuse became so intense he could no longer stand without help. He crawled home, his body completely broken. Days later, passing brown urine – a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown – his mother rushed him to the hospital. He had suffered rhabdomyolysis, a condition where damaged muscle tissue releases harmful proteins into the bloodstream, leading to life-threatening acute kidney failure.

This horrific event happened in Houston, but the same national fraternities with the same “traditions” operate at universities throughout Maryland. Whether it’s the University of Maryland, College Park, Towson University, Salisbury University, or Johns Hopkins, the risks are real. The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of this torture occurred, just as universities throughout Maryland maintain strong ties to Greek life. Their failure to protect students creates a direct line of liability, and we will pursue it.

Within weeks of Leonel’s hazing being reported, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at the University of Houston was suspended. Its members voted to surrender their charter, and the chapter was permanently closed. Criminal referrals were initiated, and our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit, holding not only the individual members accountable, but also the national fraternity, its housing corporation, the University of Houston, and the UH Board of Regents.

Maryland parents, you need to hear this: The fear Leonel feels – the fear of retribution for speaking out – is real. This is why victims rarely come forward. But one brave victim, when represented by relentless attorneys, can protect countless others. As our attorney Lupe Peña stated to ABC13, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

You can learn more about this case directly from the news coverage:

• ABC13 (KTRK) reported on November 21-22, 2025: “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges”
• Click2Houston (KPRC 2) also published their report on November 21, 2025: “Only on 2: Lawsuit alleges severe hazing at University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter fraternity”
• Hoodline summarized the case on November 22, 2025: “University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Face $10M Lawsuit Over Alleged Hazing and Abuse”

This very real, very current case is proof that Attorney911 is not theoretical. We are not “someday we hope to handle hazing cases.” We are actively fighting right now to bring justice to victims of hazing, and we will bring the same aggressive, data-driven, and relentless approach to your child’s case in Maryland.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in Modern Greek Life

When most parents think of hazing, they might envision harmless pranks or forced calisthenics. They might recall scenes from old movies. The reality today, as tragically demonstrated by Leonel Bermudez’s case, is far more sinister and dangerous. Hazing has evolved into systematic torture, psychological manipulation, and often life-threatening abuse, and it’s happening at institutions across Maryland.

This is not about “boys being boys.” This is about assault, battery, reckless endangerment, and sometimes, manslaughter or murder. It’s a profound betrayal of trust, inflicted by student organizations, and often enabled by the very universities and national Greek councils charged with protecting students.

Types of Hazing Incidents We See:

• Physical Abuse: Beatings, paddling (as with a wooden paddle in Leonel’s case), burning, branding, forced extreme exercise to the point of collapse or rhabdomyolysis, sleep deprivation, and exposure to harsh elements.
• Forced Consumption: Binge drinking until alcohol poisoning, forced eating of repugnant substances or food until vomiting, or consumption of non-food items. The Bermudez case starkly highlighted this, with forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until severe vomiting.
• Psychological Torture: Intense humiliation, degradation (like Leonel being forced to carry sexually suggestive objects), isolation, verbal abuse, cyberbullying, and threats that instill deep fear and anxiety.
• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: As seen in Leonel’s case, this involves spraying water on the face to simulate drowning, a tactic recognized globally as torture.
• Sexual Abuse or Exploitation: Forced nudity, sexually explicit acts, or handling of sexual objects.
• Servitude and Humiliation: Forced cleaning, driving members in the early hours (a form of sleep deprivation Leonel endured), running errands, or performing demeaning tasks.
• Sleep Deprivation: Orchestrated activities that prevent pledges from getting adequate rest, leading to physical and mental deterioration.

The Medical Consequences Are Real and Often Dire:
The physical and psychological toll of hazing can be catastrophic. We have seen, and are currently litigating, cases involving severe injuries like:

• Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure: This was Leonel Bermudez’s diagnosis, a direct result of extreme physical exertion. It means muscle tissue breaking down and poisoning the kidneys, a potentially fatal condition.
• Alcohol Poisoning: A leading cause of hazing deaths, often resulting from forced binge drinking, as in the cases of Andrew Coffey and Max Gruver.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From falls, beatings, or unconsciousness due to abuse.
• Hypothermia or Hyperthermia: From forced exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Spinal Cord Injuries and Broken Bones: Resulting from falls, assaults, or forced physical activity.
• Life-Long Psychological Trauma: PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and deep-seated trust issues that can profoundly impact a victim’s life long after the physical wounds heal. Leonel Bermudez’s fear of retribution, as noted by ABC13, underscores this psychological burden.

These are not isolated incidents. These are patterns of behavior that recur across the country, across different fraternities and sororities, and at various universities, including those within Maryland like the University of Maryland, College Park, where Greek life is prominent, or state universities like Frostburg or Stevenson. The institutional failure lies in the repeated turning of a blind eye until tragedy strikes.

Who Is Responsible? Everyone Who Participated Or Allowed It.

When a child in Maryland is injured by hazing, the question of who is responsible can seem complex. However, our firm’s approach is clear: we cast a wide net, holding every entity that played a part in the abuse or failed to prevent it, accountable. We do not just target the direct perpetrators; we pursue the “deep pockets” who knew or should have known better.

In Leonel Bermudez’s $10 million lawsuit, we are pursuing a comprehensive list of defendants, demonstrating our strategy for uncovering every liable party:

1. The Local Chapter: The Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi directly organized and carried out the hazing activities. This includes the chapter president, pledgemaster, and other active members who led or participated in the abuse. Their direct involvement makes them primary targets for liability.
2. Individual Members: Every single person who participated in, directed, or failed to intervene in the hazing when they had a duty to do so, is a defendant. In Leonel’s case, this includes 13 individual fraternity members, including current officers and those who actively engaged in the torture. This also extends to former members and even their spouses who allowed hazing to occur at their private residences, creating premises liability.
3. The National Organization: Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity’s National Headquarters is a prime defendant. They failed to adequately supervise their local chapter, failed to enforce anti-hazing policies despite knowledge of a national “hazing crisis,” and have a documented history of severe hazing incidents, including the death of Andrew Coffey in 2017. National fraternities often wield immense power and financial resources, and we make them use those resources to compensate victims, not cover up their cultural failures.
4. The University: The University of Houston is a key defendant because it owned and controlled the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. Universities have a fundamental duty to protect their students, enforce conduct policies, and provide a safe environment. When they fail to act, especially after prior hazing incidents on their campus (as with UH in 2017), they are directly liable. The University of Maryland, College Park, Towson, and other schools in Maryland face the same liability when they turn a blind eye or fail to effectively regulate Greek life.
5. The Governing Board: In the University of Houston’s case, the UH Board of Regents is also named. This extends accountability to the highest levels of institutional leadership, ensuring that oversight failures are addressed comprehensively.
6. The Housing Corporation: The Beta Nu Housing Corporation, which owned the property where hazing occurred, is also a defendant. These entities often have separate funding and insurance, and their failure to ensure a safe property makes them liable.
7. Insurance Carriers: Behind every national organization, university, and even individual, there are layers of insurance policies. These are the “deepest pockets” that ultimately pay out multi-million dollar settlements. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña know precisely how to navigate these policies and maximize recovery for our clients.

We don’t just sue individuals; we look for patterns of negligence, failures of oversight, and systemic problems that allowed the hazing culture to flourish. From the specific local chapter in Maryland that engages in the abuse, to the national organization that profits from its chapters, all the way up to the university administration that enables it – every responsible entity will be brought to justice.

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

For parents in Maryland grappling with the aftermath of hazing, one of the most pressing questions is often, “What is justice truly worth?” The answer, as demonstrated by landmark verdicts and settlements across the nation, is that justice for severe hazing injuries and deaths can be multi-million dollar awards. These precedents send an unequivocal message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations: hazing costs millions. We gather the receipts, and we will apply these same successful legal strategies to your child’s case in Maryland.

We leverage these powerful legal victories to communicate to any defendant in Maryland that we are serious, that we know how to litigate these cases, and that we have a proven path to securing significant compensation.

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

Total Payout: Over $10.1 Million
Stone Foltz died in March 2021 after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” initiation event at Bowling Green State University. His death from acute alcohol poisoning led to a landmark settlement:

• Bowling Green State University settled for $2.9 million.
• Pi Kappa Alpha National and several individual members settled for $7.2 million.
• In December 2024, a jury ordered Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, to pay $6.5 million in personal liability. This personal judgment alone is nearly 70% of the initial $10 million demand in Leonel Bermudez’s case.

Maryland Relevance: This case directly supports our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case. It demonstrates that both universities and national fraternities pay substantial amounts, and responsible individuals face massive personal liability.

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

Total Payout: $6.1 Million Verdict
Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died in September 2017 from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 (six times the legal limit) during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” hazing event at LSU. He was forced to drink if he answered questions incorrectly.

• The Gruver family secured a $6.1 million jury verdict.
• This case also led to criminal convictions and the passage of Max Gruver’s Law, making hazing a felony in Louisiana.

Maryland Relevance: This verdict proves that juries are outraged by hazing and will award millions. The fact that criminal charges and felony legislation followed underscores the severity with which society views these crimes.

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

Total Payout: Estimated Over $110 Million
Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old at Penn State, died in February 2017 after consuming 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event. He fell repeatedly down stairs, suffered a traumatic brain injury, and fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911.

• The Piazza family reached a confidential settlement, estimated at over $110 million, with Penn State and numerous individuals.
• This case, bolstered by security camera footage, led to multiple criminal convictions and the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania.

Maryland Relevance: When the evidence is strong and undeniable, and institutions are clearly negligent, settlements can reach staggering amounts. The fact that the hazing was captured on video made the case irrefutable, highlighting the importance of thorough evidence collection.

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

Payout: Confidential Settlement
Andrew Coffey died in November 2017 during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” hazing ritual at Florida State University, after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon.

• This is the SAME NATIONAL FRATERNITY involved in our current Leonel Bermudez case. Nine fraternity members were criminally charged, and the FSU chapter was permanently closed. The family reached a confidential civil settlement.

Maryland Relevance: The Coffey case is a smoking gun for our Bermudez lawsuit. It proves Pi Kappa Phi National knew about deadly hazing within its chapters years before Bermudez was hospitalized. This establishes a pattern of negligence and deliberate indifference, strengthening our argument for substantial punitive damages against the national organization that also has chapters in Maryland.

Other Significant Cases:

• Adam Oakes (VCU / Delta Chi, 2021): Settled for $4+ million in October 2024 after Oakes died from alcohol poisoning during hazing. This $28 million lawsuit further highlights high-value claims.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (University of Alabama, 2023): Lawsuit filed for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a hazing incident, demonstrating large claims for severe non-fatal injuries.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Texas A&M University, 2021): Settled for over $1 million after a student suffered chemical burns during hazing.
• Kappa Sigma (Miami, 2001): A $12.6 million jury verdict for the death of Chad Meredith.
• Sigma Chi (College of Charleston, 2024): Settled for over $10 million in a hazing death case.

These multi-million dollar payouts are a clear warning. They shatter the illusion that hazing is a minor infraction. For families in Maryland, these precedents mean that aggressive legal action can not only bring justice and compensation but also lead to profound change, saving future lives. We, at Attorney911, are committed to achieving these same results for hazing victims in Maryland.

Maryland Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights Against Hazing

For families in Maryland, understanding the legal landscape surrounding hazing is crucial. While our firm is based in Texas, the principles of civil liability for hazing are broadly applicable across state lines. Maryland has its own specific anti-hazing laws designed to protect students, and these statutes, combined with federal civil rights protections and common law negligence claims, create a robust framework for victims to seek justice.

Maryland’s Anti-Hazing Laws

Maryland’s hazing statutes (Maryland Education Article, Title 26, Subtitle 1, § 26-101 et seq.) prohibit hazing and define it broadly.

Key Provisions of Maryland Hazing Law (often referred to as “Alex & Calvin’s Law”):

• Definition of Hazing: Maryland defines hazing as doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into a student organization, for the purpose of being admitted into or affiliating with a student organization, or for the purpose of retaining membership in a student organization, that:
  • Causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any student directly, or
  • Forces or requires any student to commit a criminal act, or
  • Exposes a student to conditions that are abusive, dangerous, or alarming, regardless of the student’s willingness to participate.
• Criminal Penalties: Maryland law makes hazing a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment up to 6 months, a fine up to $500, or both, for engaging in, soliciting, or directing another to engage in hazing.
• Organizational Liability: Universities in Maryland are required to adopt anti-hazing policies and ensure their enforcement. Student organizations found responsible for hazing can face suspension or permanent banning.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: A critical aspect of Maryland law, similar to Texas law, is that the victim’s consent or willingness to participate in hazing is NOT a defense in a civil or criminal proceeding. This means that arguments like “they volunteered” or “they could have left” carry no legal weight.

This legislation provides a powerful foundation for criminal charges and reinforces the public policy against hazing, which strongly supports civil claims for damages.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges

While criminal penalties punish the perpetrators, civil lawsuits are how victims in Maryland recover compensation for their physical, emotional, and financial losses. We build civil cases using several legal theories:

1. Negligence Claims: This is the most common claim. We argue that the defendants (fraternity, university, individuals) had a duty of care to the victim, they breached that duty through their actions or inactions, this breach caused the victim’s injuries, and as a result, the victim suffered damages. For example, a university in Maryland has a duty to provide a safe learning environment, and failing to monitor hazing activities is a clear breach.
2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university or a fraternity housing corporation (as in Leonel Bermudez’s case), we can pursue premises liability claims. Property owners in Maryland have a duty to maintain a reasonably safe premises and warn of dangerous conditions.
3. Negligent Supervision/Retention: This applies when national organizations fail to properly supervise their chapters in Maryland, or when universities fail to adequately oversee Greek life or address known hazing problems.
4. Assault and Battery: Many hazing acts involve intentional harmful or offensive contact, which are civil assaults and batteries. Every individual who participated can be sued directly.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): Hazing conduct is often so extreme and outrageous (like waterboarding or forced humiliation) that it causes severe emotional distress, giving rise to an IIED claim.
6. Gross Negligence / Reckless Disregard: When the defendants’ actions demonstrate an extreme lack of concern for safety, as in deliberately ignoring past hazing incidents or escalating dangerous rituals, we pursue claims for gross negligence. This opens the door to punitive damages, which are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
7. Federal Civil Rights Claims: In some instances, hazing that involves discrimination or a failure to respond to reports (especially in the context of sexual hazing or gender-based violence) may trigger federal civil rights claims under Title IX. This is crucial for students at public or private universities in Maryland receiving federal funding.

Maryland Families: These legal theories provide a robust pathway to justice. The laws are on your side, and where the laws are insufficient, the precedents for multi-million dollar payouts in civil court will serve as a powerful catalyst for accountability. It’s not enough for a university or fraternity in Maryland to issue a statement; they must pay for their failures.

Why Attorney911 is the Clear Choice for Maryland Hazing Victims

When your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, choosing the right legal representation is one of the most critical decisions you will make. This is not a time for general personal injury lawyers or quick fixes. You need a legal team with specific expertise in hazing litigation, a relentless drive for justice, and the deep resources to take on powerful institutions. Attorney911 stands apart as the definitive choice for families throughout Maryland.

We are not just Texas lawyers; we are hazing litigation experts for Maryland and nationwide.

1. We Are Actively Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW: The Bermudez Case

• The Proof: We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for severe hazing that resulted in rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. This isn’t theoretical; we are in the trenches right now, fighting a major national fraternity and a large university. This aggressive, data-driven approach is exactly what we bring to hazing cases in Maryland.
• Maryland Benefit: When you hire us, you’re not getting attorneys who speculate about hazing; you’re getting a team that is immersed in current hazing litigation, using battle-tested strategies that are immediately applicable to your case in Maryland.

2. Battle-Tested Experience from Multi-Billion Dollar Cases

• Ralph P. Manginello, our managing partner, has over 25 years of courtroom experience, including involvement in the BP Texas City Explosion litigation. This multi-billion dollar mass tort case, which involved 15 deaths and 180+ injuries, demonstrates our capacity to successfully take on massive corporate defendants with virtually unlimited resources.
• Maryland Benefit: University systems in Maryland and national fraternities are powerful entities. Our experience against giants proves we are unafraid and highly capable of securing justice, no matter the size of the opponent.

3. Insider Knowledge: We Know the Opponent’s Playbook

• Both Ralph Manginello AND Lupe Eleno Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. Lupe, in particular, worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national defense firm, where he defended insurance companies and corporations in a wide array of cases.
• Maryland Benefit: We have seen the defense’s strategies firsthand. We know how insurance companies try to undervalue claims, delay payouts, and protect their clients. We leverage this insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize your recovery in Maryland.

4. Federal Court and Dual-State Authority for Nationwide Reach

• Federal Court Admission: Both Ralph and Lupe are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. This federal court authority allows us to pursue hazing cases against national fraternities and universities in federal jurisdictions across the country, including in Maryland, particularly when hazing involves patterns of abuse or constitutional violations.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph is licensed in both Texas AND New York. This dual-state capability provides a strategic advantage for hazing cases that often involve national organizations headquartered outside of Texas.
• Maryland Benefit: No matter where the hazing occurred in Maryland—be it a university in College Park, a fraternity house in Baltimore, or a sports team activity in Salisbury—we have the legal authority and flexibility to bring your case. We can travel to Maryland for depositions, court proceedings, and client meetings as needed.

5. Dedicated to Hazing-Specific Expertise

• We have specific expertise in hazing litigation, including rhabdomyolysis injury recovery (as in the Bermudez case), Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation, Texas A&M University hazing cases, and wrongful death from hazing activities.
• Maryland Benefit: Our focused expertise means we understand the unique medical, psychological, and institutional dynamics of hazing cases in Maryland, from evidence collection to expert witness identification.

6. Compassionate, Client-Centered Approach (Se Habla Español)

• We understand the trauma hazing inflicts. Our team is warm, empathetic, and dedicated to supporting our clients through every step of the legal process.
• Se Habla Español: Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that Hispanic families in Maryland affected by hazing receive comprehensive legal services without language barriers.
• Maryland Benefit: We treat our clients like family. Whether you are in Rockville, Frederick, or Annapolis, we provide responsive, clear communication and unwavering support.
• Google Reviews: Our 4.9-star rating from over 250 reviews speaks volumes about our commitment to client satisfaction, with testimonials praising our communication, dedication, and results:
  • “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris
  • “They all go above and beyond and really care about you as a person. I never felt like ‘just another case’ they were working on.” — Ambur Hamilton

7. No Upfront Costs: We Work on Contingency

• We understand that families in Maryland already bear significant financial burdens from medical bills, therapy, and lost academic opportunities. Therefore, we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis.
• Maryland Benefit: You pay absolutely nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This eliminates financial risk and ensures that every family, regardless of their economic situation, can access top-tier legal representation against powerful defendants. For more details on this, you can visit our video on “How Contingency Fees Work”.

8. Relentless Pursuit of Accountability

• Ralph Manginello’s background as a journalist trained him to investigate, uncover hidden facts, and tell compelling stories. This is invaluable when exposing hazing, which institutions desperately try to conceal.
• Maryland Benefit: We leave no stone unturned in our investigation, gathering every piece of evidence—from text messages and social media posts to university internal documents and national fraternity records—to build an irrefutable case against those responsible for your child’s harm in Maryland.

Choosing Attorney911 means choosing a legal team that views your fight as our fight. We are equipped with the experience, the knowledge, and the relentless determination to hold negligent fraternities, universities, and individuals accountable. We will not rest until justice is served for your family in Maryland.

What to Do Right Now if Your Child Has Been Hazed in Maryland

If you are a parent in Maryland, and your child has been harmed by hazing, you are likely overwhelmed, frightened, and angry. The actions you take in the immediate aftermath can significantly impact your ability to seek justice and recover compensation. It’s crucial to act quickly and strategically. We are here to guide you through these critical first steps.

Step 1: Prioritize Immediate Safety and Medical Attention

• Remove Your Child From Danger: Ensure they are immediately removed from any situation where hazing could continue. Their physical and psychological safety is paramount.
• Seek Medical Care IMMEDIATELY: Even if injuries seem minor or only psychological, get professional medical attention.
  • Go to the Emergency Room: If there are any physical injuries, signs of alcohol poisoning, unconsciousness, or any symptoms like brown urine (as Leonel Bermudez experienced), difficulty breathing, or severe pain, go to an ER in Maryland immediately.
  • Document Everything: Ensure all medical personnel know the injuries were caused by hazing. Get copies of all medical records, doctor’s notes, lab results (like creatine kinase levels for rhabdomyolysis), treatment plans, future prognosis, and hospital bills. This immediate documentation is critical.
  • Seek Mental Health Support: Hazing inflicts deep psychological wounds. Connect your child with a therapist or counselor experienced in trauma. Keep records of all therapy sessions and diagnoses.

Step 2: Preserve ALL Evidence – Digital and Physical

Hazing is clandestine, but it leaves traces. The defense will undoubtedly try to cover their tracks, so acting fast to preserve evidence is vital. You can start building your case by carefully gathering these items:

• Digital Communications:
  • Text Messages: Crucial for proving coercion, threats, and communications leading up to or during hazing. This includes direct texts, group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), and individual messages.
  • Social Media: Screenshots of Snapchat messages, Instagram DMs, Facebook posts, TikTok videos, or any other social media content related to the fraternity/sorority, pledges, or hazing. This can reveal activities, attendance, and attitudes.
  • Emails: Any emails from the organization, university officials, or members discussing pledge activities or rules.
  • Photos/Videos: Any images or videos from pledge events, parties, or any activities related to the hazing. See our video on “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence” for tips on documenting your case.
• Physical Evidence:
  • Injuries: Take clear, timestamped photos of all injuries as soon as possible, and continue to photograph them as they heal. Our attorneys emphasize: “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”
  • Clothing: Preserve any clothing worn during the hazing, especially if it’s soiled, torn, or has any relevant marks.
  • Hazing Paraphernalia: If any items were used in the hazing and are accessible, photograph them.
• Witness Information:
  • Other Pledges: Silently reach out to other pledges or members who might have witnessed the hazing or suffered similar abuse. Get their names and contact information. They may be scared, but their testimony can be invaluable.
  • Bystanders: Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious.
• Documents:
  • Any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or agreements provided by the fraternity/sorority or university related to the pledging process.
  • Financial records related to the incident, such as medical bills, lost wages, and tuition/fees if an enrollment or academic period was impacted.

Step 3: Crucial “DO NOTs” to Protect Your Case

• DO NOT Delete ANYTHING: Deleting messages, photos, or social media posts is considered destruction of evidence and can severely damage your case. Watch our video on “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case”.
• DO NOT Speak to the Fraternity/Sorority or University Officials Alone: They are not on your side. Their goal is to protect the institution, not your child. Any statement given without legal counsel can be used against you.
• DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the fraternity, university, or their legal representatives without having an attorney review them first. You could inadvertently waive critical legal rights.
• DO NOT Post on Social Media: Refrain from posting about the incident, your feelings, injuries, or even outwardly cheerful posts that the defense could argue contradict your claims of suffering. This is critical!
• DO NOT Give Recorded Statements: Decline requests for recorded statements from anyone—especially university officials, fraternity representatives, or insurance adjusters—without your attorney present.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Litigation Attorney IMMEDIATELY

• Call Us Now: The window to act is limited. In most states, including Maryland, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is typically two or three years from the date of injury or discovery of harm. For wrongful death, it’s often similar. Watch our video on “Texas Statutes of Limitations”, which while specific to Texas, highlights the universal importance of acting quickly. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and your legal rights can expire.
• Free Consultation: We offer a 100% free, confidential consultation to families in Maryland. There is no obligation, and it’s an opportunity to understand your legal options with expert guidance. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 anytime.
• Remote Accessibility: While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve clients in Maryland and across the nation through video consultations and are committed to traveling when necessary for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

You and your child have suffered enough. Now it’s time to fight back. We stand ready to bring the same aggressive, data-driven, and client-focused representation to your hazing case in Maryland that we are currently bringing to the front lines of hazing litigation in Texas.

Maryland Families: Have You or Your Child Been Hazed?

If you are a parent in Maryland, and your child has been subjected to any form of hazing – be it physical abuse, forced consumption, psychological torment, or severe humiliation – you have legal rights. Your child did not deserve this, and the institutions that allowed it must be held accountable.

We are actively fighting hazing right now. Our attorneys are representing a hazing victim against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in a $10 MILLION lawsuit. This is not just a case for us; it is a mission. We know how to build these cases, we know how to hold powerful institutions accountable, and we know how to win. Maryland families deserve the same aggressive and expert representation.

Maryland Families — Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation

Do not wait. The clock is already ticking. Evidence can disappear, witnesses can be intimidated, and your legal rights have deadlines.

📞 Dial 1-888-ATTY-911

Email Us: ralph@atty911.com

We are available 24/7 for Maryland hazing emergencies. We understand the urgency and the emotional toll.

We Work on Contingency: $0 Upfront for Maryland Families

The financial burden of medical bills, therapy, and academic disruption should not prevent you from seeking justice. We take all hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means:

• You pay us absolutely nothing upfront.
• We cover all costs of litigation.
• We only get paid if and when we win your case.

This ensures that every family in Maryland, regardless of their financial situation, can access top-tier legal representation against powerful national fraternities and universities.

We Serve Hazing Victims in Maryland and Nationwide

While our headquarters are in Texas, our reach extends far beyond. Hazing is a national crisis that impacts colleges and universities across America, including those thriving throughout Maryland such as:

• University of Maryland, College Park: A large state university with a significant Greek life presence.
• Towson University: Another major state institution known for active student organizations.
• Salisbury University: A vibrant campus with fraternities and sororities.
• Johns Hopkins University: A prestigious private institution where hazing risks also exist.
• Loyola University Maryland.
• Morgan State University.
• Mount St. Mary’s University.
• St. John’s College.
• United States Naval Academy (Annapolis)
• Numerous other private colleges and community colleges throughout the state.

The same national fraternities (like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, Delta Chi, and Sigma Phi Epsilon) that have been implicated in hazing deaths and injuries across the country often have active chapters at these Maryland institutions. The patterns of abuse, the institutional failures, and the legal strategies to hold them accountable are universal.

Our ability to represent you in Maryland includes:

• Federal court authority: We are admitted to federal courts, allowing us to pursue cases in federal jurisdictions across the country, especially relevant for cases against national organizations or those involving federal civil rights violations like Title IX.
• Travel commitment: Our attorneys are prepared to travel to Maryland for depositions, court proceedings, and client meetings as necessary.
• Video consultations: We offer convenient and confidential video consultations, allowing Maryland families to meet with our legal team remotely and start building their case immediately.

Hazing is not limited to Greek life. We represent victims of hazing in:

• Fraternities and sororities at universities near Maryland.
• Maryland sports teams, from high school to college.
• Marching bands and other musical organizations at Maryland institutions.
• ROTC programs and military academies in or near Maryland.
• Clubs and other student organizations throughout Maryland schools.
• Any organization that uses abuse or intimidation as a twisted form of “initiation.”

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 who suffered. Another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness on October 15. Others were subjected to waterboarding, forced eating, and extreme physical abuse. You have rights too. We can represent you, and your testimony can strengthen the overall case, sending an even more powerful message.

As Lupe Peña so powerfully 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 bring them all to justice.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com