north-carolina-featured-image.png

North Carolina Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M Pike Settlements | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

Earth, North America, North Carolina, United States

If you’re reading this in North Carolina, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, to grow, to learn, and to prepare for their future. Instead, they were tortured. They were abused. They were subjected to rituals that endangered their very life. We’re here to help families in North Carolina fight back against the pervasive and dangerous culture of hazing that continues to grip campuses across our state and the nation.

The warm, humid air of North Carolina, the spirit of community, and the promise of higher education at institutions like the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University in Raleigh, Duke University in Durham, East Carolina University in Greenville, and Appalachian State University in Boone, draw thousands of students every year. Parents across North Carolina send their children off to college with dreams and expectations of learning, growth, and new experiences. Never in their wildest nightmares do they imagine their child being subjected to acts of simulated waterboarding, forced excessive physical exertion leading to organ failure, or forced consumption to the point of vomiting. Yet, this is the horrifying reality of modern hazing.

Here at Attorney911, we are not just talking about hazing; we are actively fighting it right now. Our firm is currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members for an unspeakable act of hazing that occurred in November 2025. This case, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al., filed in Harris County Civil District Court, is the centerpiece of everything we stand for: aggressive representation, data-driven litigation, and relentless pursuit of justice for every entity responsible for hazing injuries.

What happened to Leonel Bermudez in Houston is not an isolated incident. The same national fraternities operate on campuses across North Carolina, from the bustling urban environments of Charlotte and Raleigh to the picturesque mountains of Boone and the coastal plains of Wilmington. The same insidious “traditions” that hospitalized our client are likely being carried out in fraternity houses and off-campus locations near you. Universities in North Carolina face the same challenges of oversight and the same liabilities when they fail to protect their students as the University of Houston. We bring the same dedication and ferocity to North Carolina families as we do to every case we handle. We believe that if you or your child has been subjected to such cruelty, you deserve full justice, no matter how powerful the institutions or individuals involved.

Our Attorneys Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW — The Same Fight We’ll Bring to North Carolina

The chilling details of the Bermudez case serve as a stark warning to parents across North Carolina and indeed, the entire nation. Leonel Bermudez was a “ghost rush”—a prospective member who hadn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet, planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. They did this to someone who wasn’t even their student, demonstrating a shocking disregard for human dignity and safety.

Within weeks of Bermudez’s hazing being reported, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at the University of Houston was suspended. The members, facing mounting pressure, voted to surrender their charter, leading to the chapter’s permanent closure. Criminal referrals were initiated, and our firm, Attorney911, filed a $10 million lawsuit naming the university, the national fraternity, the housing corporation, and 13 individual members who participated in or facilitated the heinous acts.

This is not a hypothetical scenario; this is active litigation covered by major news outlets:

Even Pi Kappa Phi National themselves issued a statement on November 21, 2025: “Pi Kappa Phi Closes Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston“, attempting to control the narrative. This case proves that Attorney911 is not theoretical; we are actively fighting right now in court, securing justice and sending a clear message to those who perpetuate hazing. North Carolina parents deserve to know that this firm fights back fiercely.

The Hazing Activities Exposed in Our Lawsuit — A Warning to North Carolina Parents

What Leonel endured was not harmless pranks; it was systematic torture designed to break him physically and psychologically. These are the kinds of activities that constitute hazing today, and North Carolina parents need to be aware that these same horrifying acts can happen to their children at institutions across the state.

Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose.” Pledges were sprayed in the face with a hose while forced to do calisthenics, running repeatedly under the threat of further waterboarding. This is torture. This is a war crime when done to enemy combatants. It was done to college students, right here in Texas.

Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Leonel was made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. This forced consumption was followed by being ordered to continue running sprints while in clear physical distress, lying in vomit-soaked grass.

Extreme Physical Punishment: Hazing included 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. Pledges were also struck with wooden paddles. One pledge even lost consciousness during these grueling workouts. Leonel himself became so exhausted he couldn’t stand without help, eventually suffering total muscle breakdown.

Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather, carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature, and was threatened with physical punishment or expulsion for non-compliance. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.

Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, causing severe exhaustion, which naturally impacted their daily lives and academics.

The physical toll on Leonel was devastating. He developed rhabdomyolysis, a severe breakdown of muscle tissue that releases damaging proteins into the bloodstream. This led to acute kidney failure, a life-threatening complication, and he was hospitalized for three nights and four days, passing brown urine—a classic sign of kidney damage. The long-term risk of permanent kidney damage persists. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, making him uniquely qualified to handle cases of this devastating injury.

This horrifying sequence of events is not unique to Texas. These same practices are occurring at colleges and universities throughout North Carolina where these fraternities and sororities have chapters. The physical and psychological impact on victims is profound, and we believe aggressive legal action is the only way to stop it.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes in North Carolina

When North Carolina parents hear the word “hazing,” many still picture relatively harmless pranks—some mild humiliation, maybe a silly costume. They often remember movies like “Animal House” or hear about “traditions” that students endure for a sense of belonging. The reality, however, particularly in the context of Greek life and other student organizations across North Carolina, is far more sinister and dangerous. Hazing today is rarely harmless; it is a systematic pattern of abuse, psychological torture, and often life-threatening rituals that leave deep physical and emotional scars.

“It’s not ‘boys being boys.’ It’s not ‘tradition.’ It’s not ‘building brotherhood,'” explains Ralph Manginello. “It is assault. It is battery. It is torture. It is reckless endangerment. Sometimes it’s manslaughter. Sometimes it’s murder.”

The facts are damning:

  • More than half of students (55%) in college Greek organizations experience hazing.
  • 40% of student athletes in North Carolina and nationwide report suffering hazing.
  • Disturbingly, since the year 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every year in the United States.
  • Despite the prevalence, a staggering 95% of students who are hazed do not report it, often due to fear of retaliation, shame, or misplaced loyalty.

This crisis occurs not just in fraternities and sororities, but in sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and various clubs and student organizations at universities across North Carolina. The pattern of abuse, from institutions like Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central, UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, UNC Pembroke, UNC Wilmington, and Western Carolina, is consistently the same.

Hazing isn’t about bonding; it’s about breaking. It strips away individuality, creates a false sense of loyalty through shared trauma, and empowers abusers while terrifying victims. What happened to Leonel—waterboarding, forced consumption, extreme physical conditioning, psychological humiliation—is not an isolated set of events. It is a playbook of abuse that has been passed down through generations of Greek life, largely unchecked by the very institutions sworn to protect their students at North Carolina’s colleges and universities.

Why North Carolina Universities Are Complicit

The institutional failure surrounding hazing at colleges and universities across North Carolina is as disturbing as the acts themselves. Universities know hazing exists. National organizations know hazing exists. They have the power, the resources, and the moral obligation to stop it. Yet, too often, they choose not to—until, that is, a student is hospitalized or dies. Only then do they scramble to “suspend” or “dissolve” chapters, issue statements expressing “deep disturbance,” and claim to be “shocked.”

Our case against the University of Houston is particularly illustrative. UH owned and directly controlled the fraternity house where much of Leonel Bermudez’s hazing occurred. They had the power to regulate, inspect, suspend, or permanently remove organizations that violated campus policy. Yet, they failed to act effectively, even after a previous hazing incident at UH in 2017 sent another student to the hospital with a lacerated spleen. This establishes a clear pattern of institutional negligence that can be found at universities throughout North Carolina.

North Carolina parents must understand that when hazing happens on campus, or at off-campus properties used by university-recognized organizations, the university shares liability. They have a duty to keep students safe. When they own the very premises where torture occurs, and have the power to stop it, their responsibility becomes undeniable.

Who Is Responsible: Every Entity and Individual Who Participated or Allowed Hazing

When a North Carolina student is subjected to hazing, the question of “who is responsible” extends far beyond just the immediate perpetrators. Our strategy at Attorney911 is to hold every single entity and individual accountable—not just the students who inflict the abuse, but the institutions that allow it to fester. In the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case, we are pursuing a comprehensive list of defendants, many of whom are common in hazing litigation:

  • Local Chapter: The Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi directly organized and conducted Bermudez’s hazing. Likewise, local chapters of fraternities and sororities at institutions like UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, or Duke in North Carolina bear direct responsibility.
  • Chapter Officers: The leadership, including the fraternity president and pledgemaster, are named as defendants. They directed and allowed the hazing, failing in their duty to protect pledges.
  • Individual Members: Every current and former member who actively participated in the hazing activities is a defendant. Personal liability is critical, as demonstrated by the Stone Foltz case where an individual chapter president was held personally liable for millions.
  • Former Members and Their Spouses: In the Bermudez case, former members and their spouses who hosted hazing sessions at their private residences are also named. This extends premises liability and personal responsibility beyond the immediate chapter.
  • National Organization: Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters is a primary defendant. Our lawsuit alleges they “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” They had actual knowledge of deadly hazing from previous incidents, yet failed to effectively intervene. These national organizations, including those with chapters across North Carolina, often have millions in assets and vast insurance policies.
  • University and Board of Regents: The University of Houston and its Board of Regents are named for institutional failures, including owning the fraternity house where hazing occurred, and failing to prevent hazing despite previous incidents on campus. Universities in North Carolina, with their substantial endowments and liability insurance, are just as liable when they fail to provide a safe environment for their students.

The “Deep Pockets” Strategy: It is critical to understand that pursuing hazing litigation is not about financially ruining individual college students. While individual perpetrators are held liable for their actions, the significant financial compensation for victims typically comes from the “deep pockets” of the national fraternities, the universities, and their insurance carriers. These multi-million dollar organizations have the resources to implement change, and holding them financially accountable is often the most effective way to force them to take hazing seriously. We, as former insurance defense attorneys, know exactly how to pursue these policies and maximize recovery for North Carolina families.

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

The legal fight against hazing is rarely easy, but the precedents set by brave victims and their families have established a clear track record of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. These cases send an undeniable message: hazing costs millions, and institutions that enable it will pay dearly. North Carolina families should understand that the same legal strategies and outcomes are possible for victims here in our state.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements — They Will Pay

1. Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

  • Total: $10.1 Million+
  • Outcome: Stone Foltz, an 18-year-old freshman, died after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” initiation. His family received $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity and other individuals. Most recently, in December 2024, a former chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally in a civil judgment. This case represents the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history.
  • Relevance to Our Case: Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is directly aligned with this precedent. It demonstrates that both universities and national fraternities face multi-million dollar liability.

2. Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)

  • Total: $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
  • Outcome: Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 after being forced to consume excessive alcohol during a “Bible Study” hazing event. A jury awarded his family $6.1 million. The case led to a criminal conviction for negligent homicide and the passage of the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
  • Relevance to Our Case: This case proves that juries are willing to award substantial sums for hazing injuries and deaths, and that severe hazing can lead to both civil and criminal penalties.

3. Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)

  • Total: $110 Million+ (Estimated)
  • Outcome: Timothy Piazza died after consuming 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a “gauntlet” hazing ritual. He fell down stairs multiple times and fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911. The family reached confidential settlements totaling an estimated $110 million or more. The case resulted in multiple criminal convictions, including involuntary manslaughter, and the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania.
  • Relevance to Our Case: This case highlights the potential for astronomical damages when evidence is strong (like the security camera footage in Piazza’s case), and the significant legal and legislative impact a single hazing death can have.

4. Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

  • Outcome: Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a “Big Brother Night” event. This was a chapter of Pi Kappa Phi—the same national organization involved in our current lawsuit. The chapter was permanently closed, members faced criminal charges, and a confidential civil settlement was reached.
  • Relevance to Our Case: This is a smoking gun for Pi Kappa Phi National. They had 8 years between Coffey’s death and Bermudez’s hospitalization to fix their hazing culture. They demonstrably failed, establishing a strong pattern of negligence and deliberate indifference.

These cases are not just statistics; they are human tragedies that resulted in significant legal victories for victims and their families. They send a powerful message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations that hazing will no longer be tolerated as a “tradition” but will be met with severe consequences. For North Carolina families, these precedents mean that pathways to justice and substantial compensation are well-established.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights in North Carolina Hazing Cases

While our firm is based in Texas, the fundamental legal principles that allow us to aggressively pursue hazing cases in Houston are broadly applicable to hazing cases in North Carolina and across the country. Many states, including North Carolina, have enacted anti-hazing laws, and civil liability theories like negligence and premises liability apply universally. Furthermore, our federal court authority means we can pursue your case regardless of where the hazing occurred in North Carolina.

North Carolina’s Anti-Hazing Law

Like Texas, North Carolina has its own anti-hazing laws. The state’s law, generally applicable to public and private educational institutions, broadly prohibits hazing and often includes provisions that make consent an invalid defense. It’s a felony in North Carolina to be involved in hazing that results in serious injury. Our firm will thoroughly analyze the specifics of North Carolina’s statutes alongside federal law and common law torts to build the strongest possible case for your family.

Key Legal Principles Applicable to North Carolina Hazing Cases

1. Consent is NOT a Defense: This is one of the most critical aspects of hazing law. In Texas, our Education Code § 37.154 explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution… that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” Many states, including North Carolina, have similar legal provisions or courts that recognize that true consent is impossible under duress, coercion, or intoxication. The argument that “he agreed to participate” or “she could have left” simply does not hold up in court when hazing involves abuse and coercion. We are experts at dismantling this common defense.

2. Civil Liability Theories: Regardless of state-specific statutes, victims and their families in North Carolina can pursue civil lawsuits based on several legal theories:
* Negligence: This is the most common legal theory. It argues that a duty of care was owed to the student (by the university, national fraternity, or individual members), that this duty was breached through hazing, that the breach caused injuries, and that damages resulted.
* Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university or fraternity, they may be liable for failing to maintain a safe environment. The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where Leonel was hazed, making this a pivotal claim in our lawsuit. North Carolina universities and fraternities owning property have similar duties.
* Negligent Supervision: National fraternities and universities have a duty to supervise their chapters and Greek life organizations to prevent hazing. Failure to do so constitutes negligent supervision.
* Assault and Battery: Individual participants in hazing can be sued directly for intentional harmful or offensive contact.
* Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): Hazing practices often meet the criteria for “extreme and outrageous conduct” that causes severe emotional harm, giving rise to IIED claims.
* Wrongful Death: When hazing leads to a student’s death, families can pursue wrongful death claims to recover for their profound losses, as seen in the Piazza, Foltz, and Gruver cases.

3. Who Can Be Held Responsible: Our litigation targets a wide array of defendants to ensure comprehensive accountability:
* Individual Hazers: The students who actively participate in the hazing.
* Chapter Leadership: The president, pledgemaster, and other officers who direct or allow the hazing.
* Local Chapter Entity: The legally recognized organization that is part of the national fraternity.
* National Fraternity/Sorority Organization: For failing to adequately supervise, set policy, or enforce anti-hazing rules across their chapters, including those in North Carolina.
* University/College: For negligent supervision of student organizations, failure to provide a safe campus environment, or premises liability if hazing occurs on university property.
* Housing Corporations: Separate entities that often own the fraternity or sorority houses, they too can be held liable for practices occurring on their property.

For families in North Carolina, these legal avenues provide powerful tools to seek justice. We understand that navigating these complex legal waters can be overwhelming, especially while dealing with the trauma of hazing. Our role is to explain your rights clearly, without legal jargon, and to pursue aggressive, data-driven litigation on your behalf.

Why Attorney911 For Your North Carolina Hazing Case

When your family in North Carolina is grappling with the devastating impact of hazing, choosing the right legal representation is paramount. You need a legal team with not only decades of experience but also a proven track record of fighting powerful institutions and winning. Attorney911 offers unique advantages that position us as the definitive choice for hazing victims in North Carolina and nationwide.

Our Unfair Advantage: Former Insurance Defense Insiders Fighting for You

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. This is not a coincidence; it’s a strategic advantage we leverage for every client. We spent years on the other side, learning the tactics, strategies, and internal playbooks of insurance companies and large corporate defendants. We know how they think, how they value claims, how they negotiate, and every trick they use to minimize payouts. Now, we use that insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients.

Lupe Peña, for instance, honed his skills at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national insurance defense firm. There, he defended insurance companies and corporations across a wide array of complex litigation, including products liability, personal injury, construction law, and commercial disputes. This experience translates into an unparalleled ability to anticipate defense strategies and build impenetrable cases for hazing victims against well-funded national fraternities and universities.

Unparalleled Litigation Experience and Federal Court Authority

With over 25 years of courtroom experience, Ralph Manginello is a battle-tested trial attorney. His involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion Litigation demonstrated his capacity to take on massive corporate defendants in complex, high-stakes cases—a skill directly applicable to litigation against multi-million dollar national fraternities and universities.

Our firm’s admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and Ralph’s experience in the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, grants us federal court authority. This is crucial for national hazing cases, as it allows us to pursue litigation on a broader scale, often against national organizations headquartered outside of North Carolina.

Ralph also holds dual-state bar licenses in Texas AND New York. This dual licensure provides a strategic advantage when facing national fraternities that may have corporate registrations or substantial operations in states beyond North Carolina, allowing us greater flexibility in pursuing legal action.

Dedicated Hazing-Specific Expertise

We aren’t just personal injury lawyers who occasionally take a hazing case; we are experts in hazing litigation. Our current $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is proof of our active engagement and deep understanding of this complex area of law. Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in:

  • Rhabdomyolysis injury recovery and litigation (directly relevant to Leonel Bermudez’s case).
  • Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation and Texas A&M University hazing cases.
  • Representation in cases involving hospitalization and life-threatening hazing incidents.
  • Wrongful death from hazing activities.

This specialized focus ensures that we understand the unique medical, psychological, and institutional aspects of hazing cases, allowing us to build compelling arguments for North Carolina families.

Compassionate, Client-Centered Approach

We understand that for North Carolina parents, a hazing incident is a profound trauma. We approach every case with empathy, warmth, and a commitment to direct, honest communication. Our team, which includes bilingual staff fluent in Spanish, ensures that every North Carolina family, including our Hispanic community members, feels understood and supported.

As Ralph often says, “I started Attorney911 to make sure people suffering from a legal emergency received immediate, aggressive, and professional help from someone they could trust.” We see your child as a person, not a paycheck, and we are genuinely passionate about fighting for victims. Our 4.9-star rating on Google My Business from over 250 reviews reflects our unwavering commitment to client satisfaction and getting results. Testimonials often highlight our responsive communication, aggressive advocacy, and the feeling that clients are treated like family.

No Upfront Costs: Contingency Fee Representation for North Carolina Families

We know that the financial burden of managing a legal battle against well-funded institutions can be daunting, especially when dealing with medical bills and lost income. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means:

  • You pay $0 upfront.
  • We don’t get paid unless and until you get paid.
  • Our fees are a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

This commitment removes any financial barriers, allowing North Carolina families to pursue justice without added stress or risk. We will travel to North Carolina for depositions, client meetings, and trials when needed, and we offer remote consultations to ensure access for families across the state.

When it comes to fighting hazing, Attorney911 doesn’t just talk the talk; we walk the walk. Our ongoing litigation, our deep experience, and our unwavering dedication to victims make us the clear choice for North Carolina families seeking justice.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Guidance for North Carolina Families After Hazing

If you are a parent in North Carolina whose child has been subjected to hazing, or if you are a student who has experienced it, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While panic and emotional distress are natural, swift and informed action can significantly impact the strength of any future legal claim. We urge you to take these steps immediately.

1. Prioritize Medical Attention and Document Injuries

Seek medical care immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some severe injuries (like rhabdomyolysis or internal bleeding) may not be immediately apparent. For psychological trauma, consult a mental health professional experienced in trauma.

  • Go to the nearest hospital emergency room or urgent care clinic.
  • Inform medical staff that the injuries resulted from a hazing incident. This ensures relevant documentation.
  • Keep all medical records. This includes hospital reports, doctor’s notes, test results (blood work, urine tests, imaging scans), bills, and prescriptions. Your medical records are the cornerstone of proving the extent of the harm.

2. Preserve All Evidence — “Document Everything!”

This cannot be stressed enough. Ralph Manginello consistently advises, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.“

  • Photographs and Videos: Take clear, timestamped photos and videos of any physical injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling, burns) as soon as they appear and throughout the healing process. If possible and safe, photograph the location where the hazing occurred, any makeshift “props” or equipment used, and any residue (e.g., vomit-soaked grass, spilled liquids).
  • Communications: This includes every single text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat conversation, Instagram DM, email, or social media post related to the hazing. Hazers often use these platforms for instructions, threats, or to boast. Screenshots are critical.
  • Witness Information: Gather names, phone numbers, and any identifying information of other pledges, fraternity/sorority members, or bystanders who witnessed the hazing or its aftermath. Even those who were reluctant to speak up in the moment may be willing to assist a legal investigation.
  • Documents: Preserve any pledge manuals, schedules, “rules” or codes of conduct given to your child. These can reveal the organized nature of the hazing.
  • Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, receipts for medications, travel expenses for treatment, and records of any lost wages or missed academic opportunities.
  • Academic Records: Document any impact on grades, enrollment status, or scholarships.

Critical Warning: Lupe Peña emphasizes the importance of understanding “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case.” DO NOT delete any messages, photos, or posts. Deleting evidence can be used against you and severely damage your case. DO NOT post about the incident on social media or engage in online arguments with the fraternity. Anything you post can and will be scrutinized by the defense.

3. Do NOT Communicate Alone with Defendants or Their Representatives

This is vital. Without legal counsel, do not:

  • Give statements or discuss the incident with fraternity/sorority leadership, national representatives, or alumni.
  • Speak with university administrators (e.g., Greek life advisors, deans, Title IX investigators) alone. They represent the institution’s interests, not your child’s.
  • Give recorded statements to any insurance company.
  • Sign any documents presented by the fraternity, university, or their lawyers without first consulting your own attorney. They may try to get you to waive your rights.

Remember, universities and fraternities have their own legal teams and crisis management experts whose primary goal is to protect their institution. Let your attorney handle all communications.

4. Understand Legal Deadlines — The “Statute of Limitations”

Every state, including North Carolina, has strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit, known as the Statute of Limitations. In many personal injury cases, including hazing, this deadline is often two years from the date of the injury (or two years from the date of death in wrongful death cases). As Ralph Manginello explains, “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?”

  • DO NOT WAIT. Evidence disappears rapidly. Witnesses’ memories fade. Organizations may destroy records (spoliation).
  • Even if the individual victim is a minor, specific rules may apply to extend the deadline, but delaying action is always risky.
  • Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized on November 6 and our lawsuit was filed within weeks. This swift action is protective.

5. Call Attorney911 Immediately for a Free Consultation

You are not alone, and you do not have to fight this battle by yourself.

  • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) 24/7. Our legal emergency hotline is available around the clock.
  • Email us at ralph@atty911.com.
  • We offer free, confidential consultations for North Carolina families.
  • We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case. This allows you to secure top-tier legal representation regardless of your financial situation.
  • We offer video consultations for North Carolina families, eliminating geographical barriers. We are also prepared to travel to North Carolina for depositions, client meetings, and trials as needed.

Our firm is equipped to handle hazing cases nationwide, including throughout North Carolina. We are currently in the midst of a $10 million fight against a national fraternity and a major university. We bring that same level of aggression, expertise, and commitment to every client who entrusts us with their case. Let us turn your family’s pain into accountability and help prevent others from enduring similar horrors.

North Carolina Parents: Your Child Didn’t Deserve This. We’re Here to Help.

What happened to your child was not “tradition.” It was not “bonding.” It was not “building character.” It was abuse. It was assault. It may have been criminal. You have the right to seek justice. You have the right to compensation for your child’s injuries. You have the right to hold the people and institutions who hurt them accountable, even if you’re in North Carolina and we’re rooted in Texas.

Your family is not alone. Our attorneys are fighting this battle RIGHT NOW for a client just like yours – a student who was hospitalized because a fraternity thought torture was acceptable. We will fight for North Carolina victims with the same fury. As Lupe Pena often says, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Be brave. Step forward. North Carolina families and victims: Enough is enough.

Your child trusted these people. They trusted the fraternity. They trusted the numerous esteemed universities across North Carolina, from UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, Duke, Wake Forest, Elon, East Carolina, and Appalachian State, trusting that these institutions would keep them safe. That trust was betrayed. Your child was tortured, abused, hospitalized, or worse – taken from you forever. We understand the pain North Carolina families are feeling. We understand the rage. We are here to turn that pain and rage into accountability, no matter where you are in North Carolina or America. When our client’s mother rushed him to the hospital with kidney failure, she became a witness to institutional failure. When North Carolina families lose children to hazing, they deserve answers and justice. We will fight for your North Carolina family. We will honor your loved one by ensuring this never happens to another North Carolina family.

They knew. The fraternities operating near North Carolina knew hazing was happening. They organized it. They participated. They threatened expulsion if pledges didn’t comply. The national organizations knew hazing was a risk. They dissolved the UH chapter instantly when it was exposed, proving they knew exactly what was wrong. The same national groups operate near North Carolina. The universities in North Carolina knew hazing was endemic to Greek life years ago. They had the power to stop it. They all chose reputation over safety. They chose tradition over humanity. They chose their institution over your North Carolina child. Now they will pay.

When you waterboard a student in North Carolina, you pay. When you force someone to exercise until their kidneys fail, you pay. When you hog-tie a pledge with an object in his mouth, you pay. When you lie in vomit-soaked grass and call it brotherhood, someone pays. We are Attorney911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are coming for every institution in North Carolina, every national organization, and every individual who thinks they can torture our kids and walk away.

CALL NOW — FREE CONSULTATION

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Available 24/7 for North Carolina hazing emergencies.

We work on CONTINGENCY — $0 upfront for North Carolina families. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid.

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know there are more of you. Our client was not the only one hazed. Another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness on October 15. Others were subjected to the same waterboarding, forced eating, and physical abuse. You have rights too. We can represent you. As Lupe Pena 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 us. Let’s bring them ALL to justice.