If you’re reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life in Pennsylvania. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, build connections, and pursue their dreams. Instead, they were tortured, abused, and gravely injured under the guise of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.” We’re here to help families in Pennsylvania fight back against the insidious culture of hazing that continues to plague our universities and colleges.

We understand what you’re going through. The fear, the anger, the confusion – it’s overwhelming. You might be searching for answers at 2 AM, wondering how this could have happened at an institution you trusted. We want you to know that you are not alone, and you have powerful legal options.

Our firm, Attorney911, is actively fighting this battle right now. Just weeks ago, in November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court, Texas, on behalf of a hazing victim who was waterboarded, forced to eat until he vomited, and subjected to extreme physical torture by a fraternity. This case, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi, represents everything we stand for: aggressive representation of hazing victims, data-driven litigation, and unwavering accountability for every entity responsible for these horrific injuries.

The abuse Leonel Bermudez suffered mirrors incidents that can and do happen at institutions across Pennsylvania, from the bustling campuses of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or State College to smaller universities and colleges across the Commonwealth. The same national fraternities and sororities that operate in Texas have chapters flourishing near your Pennsylvania home, often under the same national leadership that has a documented history of hazing. The negligence that allowed Leonel to be hospitalized for acute kidney failure exists at institutions near your Pennsylvania family. And we will bring the same fury, expertise, and dedication to your case in Pennsylvania as we are bringing to our landmark Houston lawsuit.

Pennsylvania families deserve to know that when their children attend universities like Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, or any of the numerous colleges in the Commonwealth, they are not signing up for torture. They are signing up for an education and a safe environment. When that trust is betrayed, we are here to ensure justice is served.

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

This case isn’t just another lawsuit; it’s a testament to the aggressive, thorough, and relentless pursuit of justice that Attorney911 undertakes for hazing victims. It’s a real-time example of how we expose the truth, dismantle defenses, and hold powerful institutions accountable. This is the fight we are waging right now, and it’s the fight we will wage for your family in Pennsylvania.

Media Coverage That Exposed the Truth

Within days of our lawsuit being filed, major news outlets in Houston covered the horrific details:

ABC13 Houston: On November 21-22, 2025, ABC13 ran extensive coverage detailing the “abuse and hazing that led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges.” (ABC13 Link)
KHOU 11: On November 21, 2025, KHOU 11 reported on the “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations,” uniquely identifying our client by name.
Houston Chronicle: On November 22, 2025, the Houston Chronicle published its account of the “UH fraternity hazing lawsuit,” providing further details about the nature of the abuse.
Houston Public Media: On November 24, 2025, Houston Public Media confirmed the “$10 million over alleged hazing” figure, detailing the victim’s “ghost rush” status and the specific medical diagnoses.

Even the defendant, Pi Kappa Phi National, was forced to issue a statement on its website on November 21, 2025, titled “Pi Kappa Phi Closes Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston,” inadvertently revealing their consciousness of guilt by closing the chapter days before our lawsuit became public.

The Victim: Leonel Bermudez and His Terrifying Ordeal

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was a “ghost rush,” a prospective fraternity member who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston at the time of the hazing. He was planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. They did this to someone who wasn’t even their student, showcasing a shocking disregard for human life and safety.

Leonel accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston on September 16, 2025. What followed was an agonizing weeks-long period of systematic abuse and psychological torture. On November 6, 2025, his mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring three nights and four days of intensive medical care.

From Ralph Manginello to ABC13, describing Leonel’s condition:

“When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.”

His urine was brown, a classic symptom of severe muscle breakdown that can lead to permanent organ damage.

The Hazing Timeline: A Descent into Torture

The abuse Leonel endured wasn’t a one-time incident; it was a methodical, weeks-long campaign of physical and psychological torment:

September 16, 2025: Leonel accepts his bid, marking the beginning of the abuse.
Throughout September-November 2025: Hazing rituals are constant, including an enforced dress code, mandatory study hours, weekly interviews with members, and driving fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to severe exhaustion. Threats of physical punishment or expulsion were constant.
October 13, 2025: In a chilling testament to the chapter’s culture, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
October 15, 2025: Another pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout. His peers had to elevate his legs to revive him. This incident alone should have been a wake-up call, but the hazing continued unabated.
Multiple Occasions: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” a form of torture that simulates drowning. He was forced to eat large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, then ordered to continue running sprints while in physical distress, often made to lie in his own vomit-soaked grass. He was stripped to his underwear in cold weather, sprayed with hoses, and, as the Houston Chronicle reported, even “struck with wooden paddles.”
November 3, 2025: The incident that led to Leonel’s hospitalization. Punished for missing an event, he was forced through a brutal regimen of exercises: over 100 pushups, more than 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (sprint drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was made to recite the fraternity creed throughout and threatened with expulsion if he stopped. He became so exhausted he couldn’t stand without help.
November 6-10, 2025: Hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

The Devastating Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis is a life-threatening condition where damaged muscle fibers release their contents into the bloodstream, leading to kidney failure and potentially death. Leonel’s symptoms – brown urine, severe muscle pain, difficulty walking, and high creatine kinase levels – were clear indicators of this grave condition. While he survived, the long-term risk of permanent kidney damage remains. This is the same medical condition our firm has successfully litigated in the past. Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, a rare but devastating outcome of extreme physical abuse.

Who Is Being Held Accountable in Our $10 Million Lawsuit?

Our lawsuit names every entity and individual who played a role in Leonel’s suffering:

Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (Beta Nu Chapter): The local chapter that directly orchestrated and executed the hazing.
Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters: The national organization that failed to supervise, failed to enforce anti-hazing policies, and had a documented history of deadly hazing.
Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation: The entity that owns or controls the property where some of the hazing took place, making them liable under premises liability.
University of Houston: The institution that owned the fraternity house, controlled the campus environment, and failed in its duty to protect students, despite a prior hazing hospitalization on its campus in 2017. The University of Houston Board of Regents is also a named defendant, highlighting institutional oversight failures.
13 Individual Fraternity Members: Including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and other current and former members who participated in, directed, or enabled the hazing. Even a former member and his spouse are named as defendants because hazing occurred at their private residence.

This comprehensive approach demonstrates our commitment to leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice. We cast a wide net, ensuring that everyone who contributed to the harm is held accountable.

Lupe Pena summed up our firm’s mission 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.”

This case sends an undeniable message: Hazing is not a game, and those responsible will face severe consequences. The same aggressive, data-driven approach we are employing here in Houston will be brought to bear for Pennsylvania families seeking justice.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes and into the Darkness

For parents in Pennsylvania, the word “hazing” might conjure images of silly pranks or harmless rituals. But as Leonel Bermudez’s case tragically illustrates, modern hazing is far more sinister. It is systematic abuse, physical torture, and psychological warfare veiled as “tradition” or “team building.” This is not an isolated incident; this terrifying reality is played out on campuses across Pennsylvania and the nation.

Hazing Is NOT “Boys Being Boys” — It Is Criminal Assault

This is the grim reality your child might face:

Physical Torture: Instead of innocent tasks, pledges endure brutal physical exertion, beatings, paddling, and even “simulated waterboarding,” as our client experienced. These acts inflict severe injuries like rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, and internal organ damage. These are not pranks; they are criminal assaults.
Forced Consumption: Beyond binge drinking, hazing often involves forced consumption of dangerous amounts of alcohol, food until vomiting, or even non-food substances. This can lead to alcohol poisoning, choking, and severe gastrointestinal distress. The goal is degradation and control, not “brotherhood.”
Psychological Torture: Hazing includes deliberate humiliation, degradation, sleep deprivation, isolation, and constant verbal abuse. Victims can suffer profound psychological trauma, including PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, long after the physical wounds heal. Being forced to carry objects of a sexual nature continually, as happened to Leonel, is a form of sexual humiliation designed to strip away dignity.
Coercion and Control: Hazing environments are built on power imbalances. The “voluntary” aspect is a myth. Pledges are often threatened with physical punishment, social isolation, or expulsion from the organization if they don’t comply. Their phones are confiscated, their schedules controlled, their sleep deprived. This calculated deprivation erodes their ability to say no, making “consent” impossible.

The Disturbing Statistics of Hazing

The numbers paint a stark picture that every Pennsylvania parent should understand:

55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing. This means more than half of your child’s potential peers have been subjected to these rituals.
Hazing occurs across all student groups. It’s not just fraternities or sororities. Sports teams at institutions like Penn State and Pitt, marching bands at Temple, clubs, ROTC programs, and other student organizations in Pennsylvania can all be environments for hazing.
95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it. Shame, fear of retaliation, and perceived loyalty keep victims silent. This silence allows the cycle of abuse to continue, making it difficult for institutions to track and address the problem effectively.
Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States. These are preventable tragedies that continue to occur due to institutional negligence and a culture of silence.

What Modern Hazing Incidents Can Lead To

The medical and psychological toll of hazing is severe:

Rhabdomyolysis: As seen in Leonel’s case, extreme physical exertion can break down muscle tissue, releasing toxins that lead to acute kidney failure and permanent damage.
Alcohol Poisoning: Forced binge drinking is a leading cause of hazing deaths, with blood alcohol levels reaching lethal concentrations.
Traumatic Brain Injury: From physical beatings, falls, or repeated head trauma during hazing rituals.
Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: Prolonged exposure to extreme cold or heat, as in being stripped in cold weather, can lead to organ failure.
Sexual Assault: Hazing often includes sexualized abuse, forced nudity, and sexual acts, leading to profound trauma.
Psychological Wounds: PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and even suicidal ideation are common, long-lasting consequences.
Death: The ultimate, preventable tragedy that families across the nation, including those in Pennsylvania, have endured.

These are not the consequences of innocent fun; they are the direct results of criminal behavior that institutions often enable through neglect and inaction. Every Pennsylvania family deserves to know the true face of modern hazing.

Who Is Responsible? Holding Every Party Accountable

When a student in Pennsylvania is injured by hazing, it’s never just the actions of a few individuals. It’s often a systemic failure involving multiple layers of responsibility. Our approach at Attorney911 is to thoroughly investigate and pursue every entity that contributed to the harm, ensuring comprehensive accountability. We are not afraid to take on:

1. The Local Chapter of the Fraternity or Sorority

The immediate perpetrators are, of course, the local chapter and its active members. They directly organize, participate in, and enforce the hazing rituals. In Leonel’s case, the Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston is a primary defendant. This includes:

Chapter Officers: Leaders like the president and pledgemaster, who design and oversee pledge activities, bear direct responsibility. They often explicitly direct the abuse.
Individual Members: Every member who actively participates in hazing, encourages it, or even witnesses it and fails to intervene, can be held individually liable. As the horrific details showed in our case, members were paddling, waterboarding, and forcing activities that led to near-fatal injury.
Former Members and Hosts: Even individuals who are no longer active students but host hazing events at their residences can be held liable. In Leonel’s case, a former member and his spouse are defendants because some of the most egregious hazing occurred at their home. This opens up avenues for premises liability claims and potentially homeowner’s insurance coverage.

2. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization

National organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, whose chapters operate at institutions such as Penn State, Pitt, and Temple in Pennsylvania, often claim ignorance or distance from the actions of their local chapters. Our litigation strategy dismantles this defense by proving:

Failure to Supervise: The national organization has a duty to oversee its chapters, ensure compliance with anti-hazing policies, and provide adequate training. Their failure to do so, particularly when aware of a “hazing crisis” as alleged against Pi Kappa Phi, constitutes negligent supervision.
Failure to Enforce Policies: National organizations have extensive manuals and codes of conduct. When they fail to enforce these policies, they create an environment where hazing can thrive. Pi Kappa Phi explicitly stated they closed their UH chapter due to “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards,” a direct admission of this failure.
Pattern of Past Incidents: A national organization cannot claim ignorance if its chapters have a history of hazing. In Pi Kappa Phi’s case, the death of Andrew Coffey at their Florida State chapter in 2017 provided them with clear actual notice of the deadly consequences of their culture. Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. This pattern is crucial for demonstrating foreseeability and supporting claims for punitive damages. National organizations have “deep pockets” through their extensive assets, endowments, and national liability insurance policies, making them a primary target for significant damages.

3. The University or College

Pennsylvania universities, whether public or private, bear significant responsibility for the safety of their students and the activities occurring on their campuses. Institutions like Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh, and Temple University have a duty to create a safe learning environment.

Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned property, such as a fraternity house or on-campus grounds, the university can be held liable as a property owner. In Leonel’s case, the University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where the hazing took place, making their liability much clearer. They effectively “owned the torture chamber.”
Negligent Supervision and Oversight: Universities have a duty to oversee Greek life and other student organizations. This includes monitoring activities, responding to complaints, and enforcing anti-hazing policies. When they fail to do so, they contribute to the hazing culture. The fact that the University of Houston had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 (a student from Pi Kappa Alpha suffering a lacerated spleen) proved they had actual knowledge of the risks and failed to implement effective safeguards.
Deliberate Indifference: If a university knows about hazing, has the power to stop it, but chooses to do nothing or prioritize its reputation over student safety, it can be held liable for deliberate indifference. Pennsylvania has laws like the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, which places an even stronger burden on universities to act.
Disciplinary Action Failures: Universities often have codes of conduct and disciplinary processes. If these are weak, inconsistently applied, or designed to protect the institution rather than the student, they fail in their duty.

4. Insurance Carriers

Behind every university and national organization are extensive insurance policies. These are often the ultimate source of recovery for victims and their families. As attorneys who have worked on the defense side for insurance companies, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring invaluable insider knowledge. We understand how these companies value claims, minimize payouts, and strategize defenses. This allows us to aggressively pursue maximum compensation from every available policy.

In Pennsylvania, whether the incident occurs in a fraternity house in State College, a club in Philadelphia, or an athletic team in Pittsburgh, our firm will identify every responsible party and tirelessly work to hold them accountable. This comprehensive approach ensures that the suffering endured by your child results in meaningful justice and financial compensation.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof of Accountability

For Pennsylvania families grappling with the devastation of hazing, the question of what can be gained from pursuing legal action is paramount. These are not small claims. These are cases where universities, national organizations, and individuals are held financially responsible for their catastrophic failures. We point to landmark verdicts and settlements across the nation, demonstrating that significant compensation is not only possible but necessary to send a clear message.

Our $10 Million Demand Is Backed by Nation-Leading Precedent

Our current $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an arbitrary figure. It is firmly rooted in the outcomes of other major hazing cases that have reshaped the legal landscape across the United States. These cases serve as powerful warnings to institutions that continued negligence will carry a heavy financial cost.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements: They Will Pay

STONE FOLTZ — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Total $10.1 Million+
- What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Bowling Green State University, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during an initiation event. He was found unresponsive and died from alcohol poisoning.
- The Outcome: The Foltz family received nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha National Fraternity and individuals, totaling over $10.1 million. This was the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. Just recently, in December 2024, a devastating $6.5 million judgment was also issued against Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, personally.
- Significance for Pennsylvania: Our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez, a living victim with devastating kidney damage, is directly aligned with this precedent. It shows that even without a death, the level of suffering and institutional failure warrants multi-million dollar recovery.
MAXWELL GRUVER — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): Total $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
- What Happened: In September 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman at LSU, was forced to drink massive amounts of alcohol during a “Bible Study” hazing event. He died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495.
- The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family $6.1 million in a civil suit, sending a powerful message that juries despise hazing. The tragedy also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
- Significance for Pennsylvania: This case demonstrates that juries are willing to deliver multi-million dollar verdicts for hazing deaths. The egregiousness of behavior in Leonel’s case (waterboarding, physical torture) could resonate even more powerfully with a jury.
TIMOTHY PIAZZA — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): Total Estimated $110 Million+ (Multiple Settlements)
- What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge at Penn State, was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a hazing ritual. He fell down basement stairs multiple times, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911. He died days later.
- The Outcome: This case resulted in confidential settlements estimated to be well over $110 million, numerous criminal charges against 18 fraternity members (including convictions for involuntary manslaughter), and inspired Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law,” a comprehensive anti-hazing statute.
- Significance for Pennsylvania: This case, tragically local to Pennsylvania families, proves the immense financial and legal consequences of catastrophic hazing. The fact that security cameras captured everything in Piazza’s case made the evidence undeniable, similar to the detailed eyewitness accounts and physical evidence in Leonel’s case. It is a stark reminder to every university in Pennsylvania that institutional failure to curb hazing leads to devastating outcomes.
ANDREW COFFEY — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Settlement Confidential
- What Happened: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey, a pledge at Florida State, died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi event.
- The Outcome: Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges, and the chapter was permanently closed. A civil settlement was reached, though the amount remains confidential.
- Significance for Pennsylvania: This is critically important for our case because it involves the same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi. It proves that Pi Kappa Phi National had actual notice of deadly hazing within its chapters in 2017. The fact that Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized in 2025 by another Pi Kappa Phi chapter demonstrates a profound and inexcusable failure by the national organization to address its deadly culture. Attorney911 will leverage this pattern of negligence to maximize recovery.
ADAM OAKES — Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): Total $4 Million+ Settlement
- What Happened: In February 2021, Adam Oakes, a freshman at VCU, died from apparent alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi hazing event where he was forced to consume a large amount of whiskey.
- The Outcome: The family filed a $28 million lawsuit, which settled in October 2024 for over $4 million, including a substantial donation to their “Love Like Adam” Foundation and a new Virginia anti-hazing law.
- Significance for Pennsylvania: Shows that multi-million dollar settlements for hazing deaths are a consistent reality, and that initial demands are often high to reflect the true value of the loss.
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON / Pi Kappa Alpha (2017): $1 Million Lawsuit
- What Happened: In 2017, a student at the University of Houston, Jared Munoz, was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen after hazing by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
- The Outcome: A $1 million lawsuit was filed, and a grand jury indicted the national organization.
- Significance for Pennsylvania: This prior incident at the University of Houston is crucial. It proves the university knew, as far back as 2017, that hazing was a dangerous problem on its campus and failed to prevent it from happening again to Leonel Bermudez. This establishes a pattern of institutional negligence directly relevant to our current case.

A Recent Texas Tragedy: UT Austin Sigma Chi (November 2025)

Just as our lawsuit was filed in Houston, another tragic hazing death captured headlines in Texas: an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Texas at Austin, pledged to Sigma Chi, died by suicide following “horrific abuse.” A lawsuit was recently filed in that case, amplifying the urgency and public awareness of hazing in our state. This new case highlights that the problem is pervasive, across different fraternities and major universities, affecting families across the Lone Star State.

The Message to Every Pennsylvania Fraternity, University, and National Organization

These precedents send an unequivocal message to every university, every fraternity chapter (like those of Sigma Chi or Pi Kappa Alpha, who have settlements against them, at Temple or Penn State), and every national organization (including Pi Kappa Phi, Beta Theta Pi, and Phi Delta Theta, all with Pennsylvania chapters) that operates in Pennsylvania:

Hazing costs MILLIONS. We follow these cases. We track the settlements. We understand the legal strategies that secured these results. And we will deploy the exact same aggressive, data-driven approach to fight for justice for any hazing victim in Pennsylvania. If you torture students in Pennsylvania, you will pay.

Texas Law Protects You: Strong Anti-Hazing Statutes

For parents in Pennsylvania, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. While our firm is based in Texas, the principles of anti-hazing legislation and civil liability are often universal, and our federal court authority means we can apply these strong legal frameworks to your case in Pennsylvania. Here, we outline the robust protections offered by Texas law, which serves as a model for many states, including Pennsylvania’s own Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.

Texas Hazing Laws: A Comprehensive Defense

The Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157, often referred to as “Kendra’s Law” (named after Kendra Kubicek, a Texas Tech student who died from hazing in 2003), provides a clear, strong framework against hazing.

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):

Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization, if that act:

Involves physical brutality: Such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, or placing harmful substances on the body. Leonel Bermudez’s case involving wooden paddles and extreme physical abuse directly falls under this.
Involves sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, or calisthenics: Or any similar activity that risks harm or adversely affects physical or mental health. Examples from Leonel’s case, like forcing 500 squats to exhaustion, stripping in cold weather, and sleep deprivation, are explicit violations.
Involves consumption of dangerous food, liquid, or alcohol: Any substance that subjects the student to unreasonable risk of harm. Leonel being forced to eat hot dogs and peppercorns until vomiting is a direct violation here.
Requires violation of the Penal Code: Any activity that induces a student to commit a crime.
Involves coercing consumption of drugs or excessive alcohol: Forcing a student to consume alcohol to the point of intoxication.

Pennsylvania Application: Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law similarly provides broad definitions and prohibitions against physical, mental, and social hazing, making it equally potent in addressing incidents like Leonel’s.

Criminal Penalties: Hazing Is a Serious Crime

Texas law imposes significant criminal penalties for hazing, recognizing its severity:

Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, soliciting, encouraging, aiding, or failing to report hazing. Punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes serious bodily injury. This is precisely what Leonel Bermudez suffered with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, meaning individual perpetrators could face up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
State Jail Felony: If hazing causes death. Punishable by 180 days to 2 years in state jail and a $10,000 fine.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Holding Chapters Accountable

Texas law states that an organization commits an offense if it “condones or encourages hazing” or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit hazing. Penalties can include fines up to $10,000, denial of permission to operate on campus, and forfeiture of property. This ensures that the collective entity, not just individuals, faces consequences.

Consent Is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): The Game-Changer

This is one of the most powerful provisions of Texas anti-hazing law, and one that is echoed in Pennsylvania’s Piazza Law. It 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 is paramount. When fraternities or universities argue that Leonel “voluntarily participated” or “knew what he was getting into,” the law unequivocally states that his “consent” is irrelevant. You cannot consent to be criminally assaulted or hazed. This provision directly counters the most common defense tactic used by hazing perpetrators, and we will leverage it aggressively in Pennsylvania cases as well.

University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Accountability for Institutions

Texas law mandates that university chief administrative officers report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within 30 days. Failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor. This provision forces universities to acknowledge and document hazing, preventing cover-ups. Pennsylvania’s Piazza Law similarly strengthened reporting requirements for universities, requiring them to report hazing violations to the state police and publish them online.

Civil Liability: Your Right to Sue for Damages

Beyond criminal charges and organizational penalties, victims and their families have the right to pursue civil lawsuits, which are aimed at securing financial compensation for the harm suffered. This right exists in Pennsylvania just as it does in Texas.

Negligence Claims: This is a fundamental theory. We must prove that the university, national fraternity, or individuals owed a duty of care to the student, breached that duty through their actions or inactions (i.e., allowing hazing), directly caused the injuries, and that these injuries resulted in quantifiable damages.
Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university or a housing corporation (as in our UH case), they can be held responsible for failing to maintain a safe environment.
Negligent Supervision: When national organizations fail to adequately oversee their chapters, or universities fail to monitor Greek life activities, they are liable for negligent supervision.
Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators who engage in physical force, like waterboarding or paddling, can be sued directly for intentional harmful contact.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): The outrageous conduct involved in severe hazing can lead to profound emotional suffering, forming the basis for an IIED claim.
Wrongful Death: When hazing leads to a fatality, as in the tragic Timothy Piazza case in Pennsylvania, families can sue for wrongful death, seeking compensation for loss of companionship, future earnings, and funeral expenses, often with significant punitive damages.

Pennsylvania families should rest assured that strong legal principles, whether drawn from Texas statutes or Pennsylvania’s own robust anti-hazing laws, exist to protect their rights and hold responsible parties accountable. Our firm, with its federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses, is equipped to navigate these laws and aggressively pursue justice for you.

Why Attorney911 is the Clear Choice for Pennsylvania Hazing Victims

When your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, choosing the right legal representation is the most critical decision you will make. You need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the nuances of hazing litigation, the tactics of powerful institutions, and the profound trauma your family is enduring. Attorney911 offers a unique combination of expertise, experience, and empathy that makes us the definitive choice for hazing victims in Pennsylvania and nationwide.

Battle-Tested Expertise: We Are Fighting This Fight Right Now

Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is proof that we are not theoretical. We are not “someday we hope to handle hazing cases.” We are actively in the trenches, aggressively fighting for accountability for hazing victims right now. The strategies we are deploying, the evidence we are gathering, and the defendants we are pursuing are directly transferable to hazing cases anywhere in Pennsylvania.

Unparalleled Insider Knowledge Against the Defense

Both of our firm’s principal attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Eleno Peña, are former insurance defense attorneys. This is not a coincidence; it is a strategic advantage designed to benefit our clients.

Ralph P. Manginello: With over 25 years of courtroom experience, Ralph knows the defense playbook inside and out. Having previously worked defending insurance companies, he intimately understands their strategies for minimizing claims, denying liability, and delaying justice. He leverages this profound insight to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our hazing victims.
Lupe Eleno Peña: As a former associate attorney at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm, Lupe spent years defending insurance companies and corporations across a diverse range of practice areas. He learned firsthand how they value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to lowball payouts. His “battlefield intelligence from inside the enemy’s war room” is now used exclusively to aggressively outwork, outsmart, and outfight the other side on behalf of our clients.

This combined experience means that when a university, a national fraternity, or an insurance company tries to deny your claim in Pennsylvania, we know their next move before they make it. We anticipate their defenses and build a case designed to overcome them.

National Reach with Federal Court Authority

While our offices are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, hazing is a national crisis, and our reach extends far beyond state lines. We proudly serve hazing victims in Pennsylvania and across America through:

Federal Court Admissions: We are admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts. This is crucial because many hazing cases involve federal questions (like civil rights violations) or involve multi-state defendants (national fraternities and their chapters), allowing us to pursue justice in federal courts regardless of where the incident occurred in Pennsylvania.
Dual-State Bar Admission: Ralph Manginello is licensed to practice in both Texas AND New York. This dual licensure provides a strategic advantage, especially when dealing with national fraternity organizations often headquartered or operating extensively in states like New York.
Willingness to Travel: For depositions, critical client meetings, and trials, our attorneys are committed to traveling to Pennsylvania when needed. Distance is never a barrier to pursuing justice for our clients.
Remote Consultation Technology: We offer video consultations, making it easy for Pennsylvania families to connect with our legal team from the comfort and privacy of their homes.
Extensive Network: We collaborate with experts in hazing culture, university oversight, and medical rhabdomyolysis cases to build the strongest possible case for Pennsylvania victims.

Compassion and Transparency: We Treat You Like Family

Hazing cases are deeply personal and emotionally charged. We understand the profound impact this trauma has on students and their families. This is why our firm operates with empathy, warmth, and unwavering dedication to our clients.

“You Are Family to Them”: Our clients consistently praise our firm’s communication, responsiveness, and genuine care. As one testimonial states, “You are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.”
Bilingual Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that Hispanic families in Pennsylvania affected by hazing receive comprehensive legal services without language barriers. “Se habla español.”
No Upfront Cost: Contingency Fees: We operate on a contingency fee basis. This means Pennsylvania hazing victims pay $0 upfront. We cover all legal costs, and we don’t get paid unless and until you win your case. This removes the financial burden and risk from already struggling families.
25+ Years of Experience, 250+ 5-Star Reviews: Our track record speaks for itself. We have a 4.9-star rating on Google My Business from over 250 reviews, reflecting a consistent pattern of client satisfaction and successful outcomes. Ralph P. Manginello, named a Super Lawyer by grateful clients, has dedicated over two decades to fighting for victims.

Proven Success in High-Stakes Litigation

Ralph’s involvement in multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation during the BP Texas City refinery explosion (which killed 15 workers and injured 180+) demonstrates our firm’s capacity to take on massive corporate defendants and complex cases. This experience is directly applicable to hazing cases involving powerful national fraternities, universities, and their insurance carriers. Whether a single victim or multiple, we have the resources and resolve to fight.

Dedicated to Ending Hazing culture

Our commitment to fighting hazing goes beyond individual cases. We see each lawsuit as an opportunity to demand systemic change, just as the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania arose from tragedy. When Lupe Peña 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,” he articulates a core philosophy of our firm. We use the legal system to highlight the problem, to punish the wrongdoers, and to ensure that no other family in Pennsylvania has to endure this nightmare.

If your child has been hazed at any institution in Pennsylvania, we are ready to stand with you. We will leverage our deep expertise, our insider knowledge, and our unwavering commitment to justice to ensure your family receives the compensation and accountability you deserve.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Pennsylvania Hazing Victims

If your child has been hazed at a university, college, or any organization in Pennsylvania, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While emotional distress and confusion are natural, swift and decisive action can profoundly impact the success of your legal case. Time is of the essence, as evidence can disappear quickly, memories fade, and legal deadlines approach.

Here are the immediate steps you should take:

1. Prioritize Medical Attention and Document Everything

Your child’s physical and mental health is paramount.

Seek Medical Care Immediately: Even if injuries seem minor, get your child to a doctor, urgent care, or emergency room. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) have delayed symptoms. Insist on thorough examinations and diagnostic tests.
- WHY: Medical records are the cornerstone of any personal injury claim. Delays in seeking treatment will be used by the defense to argue your child wasn’t seriously injured. Ensure everything is documented, including any brown urine, muscle pain, difficulty moving, or psychological distress.
Follow All Medical Advice: If doctors recommend follow-up appointments, physical therapy, counseling, or specialists, ensure your child attends every session. Document all medications, treatments, and their effects.
- WHY: Adherence to treatment shows the severity of the injury and the earnestness of recovery. Non-compliance can be used against you.
Keep Detailed Records: Retain every single medical bill, insurance statement (Explanation of Benefits), prescription receipt, and travel log to medical appointments.
- WHY: These are quantifiable economic damages crucial for calculating compensation.

2. Preserve All Evidence — Digital and Physical

Hazing often occurs in clandestine environments, but digital footprints and physical evidence are almost always left behind.

Photograph and Video: If physically possible, take photos and videos of any visible injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling, burns) at all stages of healing. Photograph the location where the hazing occurred, any objects used in the hazing (e.g., alcohol containers, paddles, specific types of food), and the general scene.
- WHY: Visual evidence is powerful and undeniable. Ralph Manginello continuously advises, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to. Pictures are going to tell the story. Help your lawyer tell your story.”
Save All Communications: Collect every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat message, Instagram DM, email, or any other digital communication related to the hazing. This includes messages from other pledges, fraternity members, or anyone else involved.
- WHY: These communications can prove coercion, threats, planning, the extent of the hazing, and who was involved. Do NOT delete any messages.
Identify and Document Witnesses: Get names and contact information (phone numbers, emails) for anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or people who saw your child’s condition afterward.
- WHY: Witness testimony can corroborate your child’s account and provide crucial details.
Keep All Documents: Preserve any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or other documents given to your child by the organization or university.
- WHY: These documents can highlight official policies versus actual practices and planned activities.
Track Financial Losses and Academic Impact: Keep records of any lost wages (if your child missed work), tuition fees for semesters disrupted, and any negative impact on scholarships or academic standing.
- WHY: These are significant economic damages directly caused by the hazing.

3. Avoid These Critical Mistakes

The defense will actively look for ways to discredit your child and minimize their liability. Avoid these common pitfalls:

DO NOT Delete Anything: Do not delete text messages, social media posts, photos, or emails, even if you think they are irrelevant or incriminating. This can be seen as destruction of evidence.
DO NOT Post on Social Media: Anything your child posts online, even seemingly innocent photos, can be used by the defense to argue they were not truly injured or traumatized. Our advice is simple: “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident.”
DO NOT Talk to the Organization or University Without Legal Counsel: Do not give statements to fraternity/sorority leadership, university administrators, or their lawyers without an attorney present. They are not on your side and will try to get information that can harm your case.
DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the fraternity, university, or their insurance companies without first consulting with your attorney. You could inadvertently waive your rights to compensation.
DO NOT Give Recorded Statements to Insurance Companies: If an insurance adjuster contacts you, politely decline to give a recorded statement and refer them to your attorney. They are trained to elicit information that diminishes your claim.

4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Litigation Attorney Immediately

This is perhaps the most crucial step. The sooner you involve an attorney, the sooner they can protect your rights and begin building a strong case.

Time is Critical: In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the injury. For wrongful death, it’s two years from the date of death. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue forever. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and perpetrators may cover their tracks.
Free Consultations: We offer free, no-obligation consultations for Pennsylvania families. There’s no cost to discuss your case and understand your legal options.
Contingency Fees: You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This removes financial barriers to seeking justice.
We Protect You: Once you hire us, we handle all communications with the universities, fraternities, and insurance companies. We become your shield.

Our goal is not just to secure compensation, but to ensure that another family in Pennsylvania doesn’t have to experience the horror your child endured. Your decisive action now can lead to accountability and systemic change.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline for Pennsylvania Hazing Victims

If your child has been caught in the devastating grip of hazing anywhere in Pennsylvania – whether at a university in Philadelphia, a college in Pittsburgh, during an athletic event in Scranton, or a fraternity initiation in State College – you need immediate, aggressive, and expert legal help. You are experiencing a legal emergency, and Attorney911 is your first responder.

We know hazing incidents can leave families feeling isolated, angry, and unsure of where to turn. You might be searching for answers in the dead of night, desperately seeking guidance. We are here to provide that guidance, that fight, and that unwavering support.

Our attorneys are not just talking about hazing; we are fighting it right now. Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is a live demonstration of our commitment to holding every responsible party accountable. We are ready to bring that same aggressive, data-driven approach to your child’s hazing case in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Families — Call Now for a Free Consultation

Don’t wait. The clock is ticking, and evidence can disappear quickly. Your initial consultation with us is completely free and confidential. You speak directly with experienced hazing litigation attorneys.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

This hotline is available 24/7 for Pennsylvania hazing emergencies. We understand the urgency of your situation.

Email Us Anytime: ralph@atty911.com

Our Commitment to Pennsylvania Hazing Victims: No Upfront Cost

We understand that pursuing legal action against powerful institutions can seem daunting, especially with the financial strain of medical bills and emotional distress. That’s why we eliminate this barrier:

We work on CONTINGENCY: This means $0 upfront for Pennsylvania families. You pay literally nothing for our legal services until we win your case through a settlement or a verdict. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing for attorney fees. This aligns our interests directly with yours and allows you to focus on your family’s healing.

Distance is Not a Barrier to Justice in Pennsylvania

While our headquarters are in Houston, and we have offices in Austin and Beaumont, Texas, our legal reach for hazing victims extends across the United States, including Pennsylvania.

Remote Consultations: We offer convenient video consultations, allowing Pennsylvania families to meet with our attorneys from the comfort and privacy of their homes, without needing to travel.
Travel Commitment: For depositions, critical client meetings, and trials, our attorneys are fully prepared and committed to traveling to Pennsylvania. We believe that distance should never be an obstacle to securing justice.
Federal Court Authority: Our attorneys are admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts. This allows us to pursue complex hazing cases in federal jurisdiction, particularly when national fraternities or multi-state actors are involved.
Dual-State Bar Admissions: Ralph Manginello is licensed in both Texas and New York, providing additional strategic advantages when dealing with national organizations that may be headquartered or have significant operations outside of Texas.

We Represent Victims of Hazing in All Its Forms Across Pennsylvania

Hazing is unfortunately not limited to fraternities. We represent victims from:

Fraternities and Sororities: At universities like Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, Villanova University, Drexel University, Lehigh University, Bucknell University, Lafayette College, and many others across Pennsylvania.
Athletic Teams: From high school to college-level sports teams across the Commonwealth, team hazing is a pervasive problem.
Marching Bands and Other Student Organizations: Any club, group, or organization in Pennsylvania that uses abusive practices for initiation or membership.
ROTC Programs and Military Academies: Where individuals are often subjected to extreme physical and psychological demands under the guise of training.

To Other Victims of Hazing in Pennsylvania: You Are Not Alone

If you or someone you know has been subjected to hazing at any institution in Pennsylvania, we urge you to contact us. Many victims remain silent due to fear, shame, or loyalty to the organization. But justice begins with speaking out.

As Lupe Peña expressed, “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 courage can not only secure justice for yourself but also protect countless other Pennsylvania students from suffering the same devastating trauma.

Don’t let these institutions silence you. Don’t let them deny what happened. Don’t let them get away with it.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today for your free, confidential consultation. Let us fight for you and your family in Pennsylvania. Your legal emergency is our call to action.

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