If you’re reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college. Instead, they were tortured. We’re here to help families in the U.S. Outlying Islands fight back.

We understand the fear, the anger, and the desperation that washes over parents when they discover their child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing. Like a worried parent searching online at 2 AM, you are looking for answers, for justice, and for someone strong enough to stand with your family against powerful institutions. We are Attorney911, and we are actively fighting this battle right now for families just like yours. Our commitment to aggressive representation and data-driven strategy has made us a definitive authority on hazing litigation, not just in Texas, but nationwide.

When your child leaves for college, whether it’s out of the U.S. Outlying Islands to the mainland or to one of the universities that might serve students from our islands, you trust that they will be safe. You expect them to pursue their education, build friendships, and grow into young adults, not to endure brutal acts disguised as “tradition.” Yet, the reality of hazing in America is far darker than most parents imagine. It is a crisis that claims lives, shatters futures, and leaves deep emotional and physical scars. We are here to tell you that what happened to your child is not acceptable, it is not their fault, and you do not have to fight this alone.

The Hazing Crisis: Why U.S. Outlying Islands Families Need Us

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It is abuse, plain and simple, and it has devastating consequences. Every year, countless students across the United States, including those who come from the close-knit communities of the U.S. Outlying Islands, are subjected to physical, psychological, and sometimes sexual torture in the name of “brotherhood” or “tradition.” These are not isolated incidents; statistics reveal a disturbing epidemic:

55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing.
40% of student athletes report hazing.
Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every single year in the United States.
A shocking 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it, often due to fear of retaliation, shame, or pressure from their peers.

This crisis extends beyond fraternities and sororities, infiltrating sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and various other student organizations. What begins as a desire to belong can quickly escalate into a nightmare of forced consumption, sleep deprivation, extreme physical exertion, humiliation, and often, life-threatening injury.

For families in the U.S. Outlying Islands, the challenge can feel even more daunting. Your children might be attending universities far from home, making it harder to spot warning signs or intervene quickly. The unique cultural aspects and close community ties of the U.S. Outlying Islands mean that incidents can feel particularly devastating, violating a deep-seated trust in the safety and well-being of our young people. Whether your child is attending a university with a major Greek life presence like the University of Hawaii at Manoa, or smaller institutions across the Pacific, the risks of hazing are universal, and the national fraternities and sororities that operate there are often the same organizations we hold accountable on the mainland.

When institutions, whether they are national fraternities or the universities themselves, fail to protect students, they must be held accountable. And that is exactly what we do at Attorney911. We transform the pain and anger of families like yours into a relentless pursuit of justice.

The Landmark Case: A $10 Million Fight Happening Right Now

We don’t just talk about fighting hazing; we’re in the trenches doing it. The case of Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. is not just another lawsuit; it is the cornerstone of our firm’s mission, showcasing our aggressive approach to hazing litigation. This isn’t a theoretical battle; it’s a live, ongoing fight in the Harris County Civil District Court, filed in November 2025.

The same fight we are bringing to this case, we will bring to your family in the U.S. Outlying Islands.

This case, widely covered by prominent Houston media outlets such as ABC13, KHOU 11, the Houston Chronicle, and Houston Public Media, demonstrates in stark detail the realities of modern hazing and our unwavering commitment to justice.

Media Coverage Highlights:

ABC13 (KTRK) on November 21-22, 2025, titled “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges.” Read the full report here.
KHOU 11 on November 21, 2025, titled “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations.” Find the full story here.
Houston Public Media on November 24, 2025, titled “University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing.” More details can be found here.

We also directly reference internal statements made by the defendant, Pi Kappa Phi National, which confirmed the closure of their Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, citing “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” See their official statement here.

The Core of the Bermudez Case: A $10 Million Fight

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet, though he was planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. Despite not being an official student, he accepted a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025. What followed was an agonizing weeks-long ordeal of systematic abuse, torture, and hazing that landed him in the hospital for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

We filed a $10 million lawsuit naming a comprehensive list of defendants to ensure full accountability:

Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (University of Houston Beta Nu Chapter)
Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters
Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation
The University of Houston
The UH Board of Regents
The fraternity president, pledgemaster, and other individual fraternity members
Even a former member and his spouse, as some hazing occurred at their private residence.

This case is a stark warning: hazing happens, and it can happen to your child, whether they are in Houston, on any mainland campus, or even at institutions serving the U.S. Outlying Islands. The national fraternities that have killed and injured students across the country also have chapters at universities attended by students from the U.S. Outlying Islands. The same organizational failures and dangerous “traditions” are prevalent everywhere these chapters exist.

As Ralph Manginello told ABC13, “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.” This visceral detail captures the hidden horror many parents only discover tragically too late.

Lupe Pena emphasized our broader mission: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” For U.S. Outlying Islands families, this sentiment resonates deeply. Your child’s case, like Leonel’s, can be a catalyst for change, sending a powerful message that hazing will no longer be tolerated.

The Hazing Timeline: Torture Unveiled

The lawsuit chronicles weeks of escalating abuse, culminating in Leonel’s hospitalization:

September 16, 2025: Leonel accepts a bid to Pi Kappa Phi.
September 16 – November 3, 2025: Weeks of systematic hazing, abuse, and torture.
October 13, 2025: Another pledge is hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
October 15, 2025: A pledge loses consciousness and collapses during a forced workout; other pledges have to elevate his legs until he recovers.
November 3, 2025: The incident that led to Leonel’s hospitalization. He is forced to do over 100 pushups, 500 squats, and other exercises, while reciting the fraternity creed under threat of immediate expulsion. He becomes so exhausted he cannot stand without help.
November 4-5, 2025: Leonel’s condition rapidly worsens, unable to move due to extreme soreness.
November 6, 2025: His mother rushes him to the hospital after he begins passing brown urine – a classic sign of muscle breakdown.
November 6-10, 2025: Leonel spends three nights and four days in the hospital, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
November 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National officially closes its Beta Nu Chapter, ahead of our lawsuit filing.
November 21, 2025: Attorney911 files the $10 million lawsuit in Harris County.

This timeline is not just a sequence of dates; it’s a chilling account of calculated cruelty. The fact that the national fraternity closed the chapter before we filed the lawsuit speaks volumes about their awareness of the wrongdoing and their attempt to mitigate public relations damage.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents still envision hazing as harmless pranks or mild inconveniences. Leonel’s case shatters that illusion. The hazing he endured was calculated, brutal, and designed to break him down physically and psychologically. This is not “boys being boys” or “team building”; this is assault, battery, torture, and potentially even attempted murder.

Here’s exactly what Leonel and other pledges were subjected to, as revealed in our lawsuit:

Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning: Pledges were subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” sprayed in the face while doing calisthenics. They were threatened with repeated waterboarding. Houston Public Media explicitly stated, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.” This is not a game; this is a war crime when inflicted on enemy combatants. It was done to college students seeking friendship.
Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges were forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited, and then made to continue running sprints while physically distressed, even lying in their own vomit-soaked grass. This isn’t a prank; it’s a deliberate act of humiliation and physical degradation.
Extreme Physical Punishment: This included over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. Pledges were forced to perform these while reciting the fraternity creed, under threats of expulsion if they stopped. The Houston Chronicle also reported that pledges were “being struck with wooden paddles.” These exercises broke Leonel’s body, leading to life-threatening medical conditions.
Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Pledges were forced to strip to their underwear in cold weather, carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times, and endured constant threats. The hog-tying incident of another pledge, face-down with an object in his mouth for over an hour, highlights the sheer cruelty and dehumanization involved.
Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, disrupting their crucial sleep and leading to chronic exhaustion. This isn’t about being tired; it’s about breaking down a student’s mental and physical defenses, making them vulnerable to further abuse.

Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis and Beyond

The physical toll on Leonel Bermudez was severe. His body began to literally break down. Rhabdomyolysis is a grave condition where damaged muscle tissue releases harmful proteins into the bloodstream, which can overwhelm the kidneys and lead to acute kidney failure.

Leonel’s symptoms were horrifying:

Brown urine: A tell-tale sign of myoglobin in the urine, indicating severe muscle breakdown.
Very high creatine kinase levels: Lab results confirming extensive muscle damage.
Acute kidney failure: A life-threatening complication that put his life at risk.

He spent four days hospitalized, receiving intensive medical care. While he survived, the long-term risk of permanent kidney damage remains. This is the same medical condition Attorney911 has specific expertise in litigating, particularly Ralph Manginello.

For U.S. Outlying Islands families, it’s crucial to understand these types of injuries are not uncommon in hazing. Forced binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning and permanent brain damage, extreme physical exertion can cause cardiac arrest, and sexual abuse leaves lifelong psychological scars. The physical and emotional trauma can be devastating, leading to PTSD, anxiety, depression, and even death.

Institutional Responses: A Pattern of Denial and Delay

The reactions of Pi Kappa Phi National and the University of Houston mirror a common pattern: initial shock, vague condemnation, and attempts to manage public perception rather than genuinely address the root causes.

The University of Houston spokesperson stated, “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards… any individual found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges.” This is an admission that egregious acts occurred under their watch, and a subtle acknowledgment of potential criminal liability.

Pi Kappa Phi National’s statement on their website, while announcing the closure of the Beta Nu Chapter, also declared, “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time and continuing our partnership with the University of Houston in the years ahead.” This reveals a chilling lack of remorse. While our client struggled with kidney failure, the national organization was already planning its comeback, demonstrating a profound disconnect from accountability and victim well-being. This statement, given just days after the chapter was closed for “violations,” proves a conscious awareness of wrongdoing without true contrition.

Attorney911’s firm has documented from KHOU that the national organization and housing corporation allegedly “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” This is devastating: they knew a crisis existed, and they chose not to act effectively.

Why This Case Matters to U.S. Outlying Islands Families

Proof That “Tradition” Is Torture: The horrific details of Leonel’s case expose hazing for what it truly is – systematic abuse. This is happening now, even at universities your children might attend.
Universities Are Complicit: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of this torture occurred. Universities near the U.S. Outlying Islands have the same leverage over their Greek life chapters and the same liability when they fail to exercise it.
National Organizations Know: Pi Kappa Phi’s immediate action to suspend and dissolve the chapter, followed by their public relations statement, confirms they were aware of severe violations. The same national organizations operate chapters across the Pacific and globally, and they are fully aware of the dangers lurking within their ranks.
Victims Are Afraid: Leonel Bermudez is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” This fear is real and pervasive in hazing cultures. We protect our clients from such pressures.
One Brave Victim Can Protect U.S. Outlying Islands Students: As Lupe Pena expressed, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do.” Your decision to seek justice can create ripples of change, potentially saving lives and preventing future tragedies in your very own community.
$10 Million Sends a Message: This substantial lawsuit sends an unequivocal message to fraternities, national organizations, and universities: the cost of torturing our children is immense, and we will demand accountability. Families in the U.S. Outlying Islands can send the same powerful message.

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

Hazing, for far too long, has been shrouded in secrecy and normalized as trivial “rites of passage.” Yet, current incidents like the Bermudez case reveal a terrifying reality: hazing today includes acts that would be classified as torture, assault, and battery under any other circumstance. It’s time to shed light on precisely what victims endure.

This is not about freshmen forced to sing silly songs or pledges doing calisthenics in matching t-shirts. This is about physical and psychological abuse, often escalating to life-threatening levels, driven by power dynamics and a perverse interpretation of “tradition.”

It Is NOT “Boys Being Boys.” It Is NOT “Tradition.” It Is NOT “Building Brotherhood.”

IT IS:

Assault
Battery
Torture
Reckless Endangerment
Sexual Abuse
Financial Exploitation
Sometimes Manslaughter
Sometimes Murder

For parents in the U.S. Outlying Islands, whose children may travel far from home to attend university, understanding these grim realities is critical. The anonymity of a large campus or the pressures within a new social group can make it easier for hazing to thrive unchecked.

The Chilling Spectrum of Hazing Incidents:

Drawing from cases like Leonel Bermudez’s and countless others across the country, we see a pattern of cruelty that falls into several disturbing categories:

Physical Abuse: This is the most overt form, leaving visible scars. It includes beatings, paddling (like the wooden paddles used on Leonel), branding, burning, and forced exercise to exhaustion – precisely what caused Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. Victims are often deprived of sleep and subjected to extreme physical labor, risking muscle breakdown, dehydration, and heart failure.
Forced Consumption: Often involving alcohol, this leads to devastating outcomes. Binge drinking, “chugging” contests, and excessive shots are common. Pledges are often forced to drink until blacking out or vomiting, leading to alcohol poisoning. But it also extends to forced eating (like the milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns in Leonel’s case), or consuming non-food substances. These actions override bodily autonomy and can cause acute health crises.
Sleep Deprivation: This insidious form of hazing weakens a student’s mental and physical state, making them more susceptible to manipulation. Early morning “wake-ups,” forced late nights, and requiring pledges to be constantly available, often involving tasks like driving members, strip away essential rest, leading to exhaustion and compromised judgment.
Psychological Torture & Humiliation: This category aims to break a student mentally. It encompasses verbal abuse, threats, forced servitude, social isolation, and public or private humiliation. The fanny pack with sexual objects, the hog-tying incident, and forced stripping documented in Leonel’s case are prime examples of this dehumanizing aspect. This type of hazing can lead to severe and lasting mental health issues, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Simulated Waterboarding/Drowning: This is a particularly heinous act. As seen in Leonel’s case, victims are sprayed directly in the face with hoses, creating the terrifying sensation of drowning. This is a recognized torture technique, designed to induce extremefear and compliance, underscoring the malicious intent behind such acts.
Exposure: Pledges are often forced to endure harsh environmental conditions, such as stripping to minimal clothing in cold weather or being subjected to extreme heat. This can result in hypothermia, frostbite, heatstroke, or other serious health complications.
Sexual Abuse: This is the darkest and most underreported form of hazing, ranging from forced nudity and sexual acts to carrying sexually explicit objects (as in Leonel’s case) and even sexual assault.
Servitude & Demeaning Tasks: Pledges are often treated as personal servants, forced to perform demeaning chores, errands, or academic tasks for older members while neglecting their own studies and well-being.

The Medical and Psychological Fallout:

The consequences of such abuse are profound and often permanent:

Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure: Directly observed in Leonel’s case, this can lead to lifelong kidney complications or death.
Alcohol Poisoning: A leading cause of hazing deaths, often resulting in brain damage or organ failure.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From falls, beatings, or violent shaking, leading to cognitive impairment, memory loss, and personality changes.
Internal Injuries: Such as a lacerated spleen (as seen in a prior UH hazing case), ruptured organs, or bone fractures from physical abuse.
Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From extreme weather exposure.
Cardiac Arrest: From extreme physical exertion, especially when combined with pre-existing conditions or dehydration.
PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation: The long-term psychological scars can be as debilitating as the physical ones. Victims often struggle with trust issues, academic decline, social withdrawal, and may turn to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.
DEATH: The ultimate, heartbreaking consequence, which tragically occurs year after year.

For U.S. Outlying Islands parents, whose children may be geographically isolated while at college, understanding these specific tactics is crucial. This is not consensual behavior; it is calculated abuse, and it necessitates tenacious legal action.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Participant and Institution Accountable

When hazing occurs, it’s not simply the fault of a few bad actors. The insidious culture of hazing thrives on a network of complicity and negligence, extending from individual perpetrators to entire national organizations and universities. Attorney911’s aggressive, data-driven approach means we identify every potentially liable party and pursue them relentlessly. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena know exactly how these defendants will try to deflect blame, and we are prepared to dismantle their strategies.

Here’s who we target, and why they bear responsibility:

1. The Local Chapter of the Fraternity or Sorority

The immediate perpetrators are often the members of the local chapter. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, the Beta Nu Chapter directly organized and carried out the brutal hazing of Leonel Bermudez.

Liability: Direct responsibility for organizing and conducting illegal hazing activities. The chapter, as an entity, can be sued for its role, often under theories of general negligence and intentional torts.

2. Chapter Officers and Individual Members

The individuals who plan, execute, and participate in hazing bear personal liability for their actions. This includes the chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager, and any member who actively participates, encourages, or even stands idly by while hazing occurs. In the Bermudez lawsuit, we have named the fraternity president, pledgemaster, and 13 individual fraternity members.

Liability: These individuals can be held personally liable for a range of charges including assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, and negligence. Their actions can also constitute criminal hazing under state laws, which may influence civil outcomes. As the Stone Foltz case demonstrates, individual chapter officers can be held personally liable for millions.

3. Former Members and Their Spouses

Hazing often extends beyond official chapter properties, occurring at off-campus residences that may belong to alumni or former members. In Leonel’s case, some major hazing sessions occurred at the private residence of a former member and his spouse, leading to their inclusion as defendants.

Liability: For former members, this can include direct involvement in hazing, aiding and abetting, or negligent supervision if they were present. For property owners, such as the spouse, liability can arise from premises liability (failure to maintain a safe environment), or for allowing their property to be used for illegal activities. Many homeowner’s insurance policies may cover these individuals, demonstrating the wide net we cast to ensure justice.

4. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization

These are the “deep pockets” that often pull the strings and exert control over local chapters, yet frequently claim ignorance when hazing occurs. Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters is a major defendant in Leonel’s case.

Liability: National organizations are typically liable for:
- Negligent Supervision: Failing to adequately supervise their local chapters, especially when they have knowledge of a pattern of hazing.
- Failure to Enforce Policies: Not enforcing their own anti-hazing rules, despite having them on paper.
- Failure to Train or Educate: Not properly training local chapter leadership on hazing prevention and risk management.
- Vicarious Liability: Being held responsible for the actions of their agents (the local chapter and its members) who are operating under the national brand.
- Pattern of Hazing: As seen with Pi Kappa Phi’s history, evidence of prior hazing injuries or deaths in other chapters proves a systemic problem the national organization should have addressed.

5. The University or College

Universities often have a complex and sometimes paradoxical relationship with Greek life. They benefit from Greek organizations’ fundraising, alumni engagement, and social structure, but frequently turn a blind eye to hazing until tragedy strikes. In Leonel’s lawsuit, both the University of Houston and the UH Board of Regents are named defendants.

Liability: Universities can be held liable under several theories:
- Negligent Supervision: Failing to adequately oversee Greek life organizations and enforce anti-hazing policies, particularly when they operate on campus or in university-owned facilities.
- Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university property (as it did in the university-owned Pi Kappa Phi house in Bermudez’s case), the university has a duty to maintain a safe environment and prevent illegal activities.
- Institutional Knowledge: If the university knew or should have known about hazing risks (like the prior 2017 UH hazing hospitalization) and failed to act.
- Failure to Protect Students: A general duty of care owed to students to ensure their safety and well-being.
- Title IX Violations: If hazing involves sexual abuse or harassment, the university can face liability under Title IX for failing to address it.

6. Insurance Carriers

While not directly involved in the hazing, insurance companies ultimately foot the bill for settlements and verdicts. This includes:

The national organization’s liability insurance.
The university’s institutional liability insurance.
Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance for individual members or property owners.
Umbrella and excess liability policies.

The Deep Pockets: This is not about suing broke college students. It’s about holding financially robust institutions accountable. National fraternities and universities possess millions in assets and comprehensive insurance coverage designed to cover these types of liabilities. Attorney911’s expertise as former insurance defense attorneys means we know exactly how to identify these policies and negotiate for maximum recovery for our clients from the U.S. Outlying Islands.

Attorney911’s Data-Driven Approach: The Hazing Intelligence System

We don’t guess who to sue; we know. Attorney911 maintains one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, and leverages this knowledge for cases nationwide, including for families in the U.S. Outlying Islands. This proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine contains data from multiple sources, allowing us to identify every entity behind the Greek letters.

Our database includes:

Over 125 IRS-registered Greek organizations in Texas, with their EINs (Employer Identification Numbers), legal names, and mailing addresses. These include house corporations, alumni chapters, and honor societies. For example, Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515) in Frisco, Texas, Kappa Sigma Mu Gamma Chapter Inc (EIN 133048786) in College Station, Texas, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Texas Sigma Incorporated (EIN 882755427) in San Marcos, Texas, are just a few of the entities we track. This Beta Nu Housing Corporation with EIN 462267515 is the same entity behind the UH chapter we sued.
Comprehensive lists of Texas universities, allowing us to pinpoint which institutions host specific chapters. Families from the U.S. Outlying Islands often send their children to major state universities like the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or private institutions like Baylor and SMU, all of which are on our radar.
Detailed organizational data across 25 Texas metropolitan areas, showing a massive presence of Greek-related entities. For example, the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metro area alone, where our Bermudez case was filed, has 188 Greek organizations under our radar. The Dallas–Fort Worth metro has 510, and Austin–Round Rock has 154. This illustrates the sheer scale of the Greek system, spanning undergraduate chapters, alumni groups, house corporations, and honor societies – all tracked by our firm.
Cross-referenced data revealing significant overlap between IRS and other organizational databases, confirming that the same national brands appear across various types of chapters. Brands like Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Psi, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Beta Tau are consistently tracked across different organizational types.

This meticulous data collection allows us to identify the entire corporate structure and financial ecosystem supporting a Greek organization. When hazing happens, we know exactly who the local chapter’s house corporation is, which alumni fund it, what national body governs it, and what insurance policies are likely in play. This knowledge is our tactical advantage, ensuring that no responsible party can hide behind a veil of bureaucracy.

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

For parents in the U.S. Outlying Islands asking if it’s truly possible to get justice for hazing, the answer is a resounding YES. We have a proven track record against powerful defendants, and the national landscape of hazing litigation offers compelling evidence: families across the country have recovered multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their children’s injuries and deaths. These precedents don’t just show what’s possible; they establish the high cost of institutional negligence and the severe consequences of deadly hazing.

The message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations is clear: Hazing costs millions. We have the receipts. The same legal strategies and outcomes apply to victims from the U.S. Outlying Islands.

Here are some of the landmark cases that demonstrate the power of aggressive hazing litigation:

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

Total Recovery: Over $10.1 Million

Just a few years ago, Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old student, died from alcohol poisoning after a Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” event. He was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol. The legal fallout was immense:

Bowling Green State University settled with Stone’s family for $2.9 million. This was the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history.
Pi Kappa Alpha National and several individual members paid an additional $7.2 million in settlements.
In December 2024, a judgment was entered against Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, for $6.5 million in personal liability.

Relevance for U.S. Outlying Islands Families: This case directly supports our $10 million demand in the Bermudez lawsuit. It proves that even when a victim dies from forced alcohol consumption, both the university and the national fraternity are held accountable for multi-million dollar amounts. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, suffered life-threatening kidney failure, a severe injury that warrants similar, substantial compensation.

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

Jury Verdict: $6.1 Million

Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 after a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” event where pledges were forced to drink if they answered questions incorrectly.

A civil jury returned a $6.1 million verdict against the fraternity members responsible.
This case was so impactful that it led to the passage of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making hazing a felony offense.

Relevance for U.S. Outlying Islands Families: The Gruver case illustrates that juries are willing to award multi-million dollar verdicts for hazing deaths. This verdict was a powerful message, and the egregious nature of incidents like waterboarding in our Bermudez case is likely to illicit similar outrage from a jury.

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

Total Settlements: Over $110 Million (Estimated)

Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old student, died tragically after a Beta Theta Pi hazing event where he was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes. He fell down stairs multiple times and was left for 12 hours without medical attention by fraternity brothers.

The cumulative settlements are estimated to exceed $110 million, involving numerous defendants.
The incident led to the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania, significantly strengthening anti-hazing legislation.
Multiple fraternity members faced criminal charges, including involuntary manslaughter.

Relevance for U.S. Outlying Islands Families: The Piazza case is a benchmark for the immense financial and legal consequences of hazing, especially when coupled with institutional negligence and clear evidence (security cameras captured everything). Our aggressive approach seeks to uncover similar levels of institutional failure.

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

The Same Fraternity as Our Case: Pi Kappa Phi National

Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old student, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night.” The chapter was permanently closed at FSU, and multiple fraternity members faced criminal charges. A civil lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed, confidential amount.

Crucial Relevance for the Bermudez Case and U.S. Outlying Islands Families: The fact that Andrew Coffey died in a Pi Kappa Phi hazing incident exactly eight years before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized in a Pi Kappa Phi hazing incident is a smoking gun for finding what is called a “pattern of negligence.” This directly proves that Pi Kappa Phi National knew about the deadly hazing culture within its chapters and failed to act effectively. This establishes a clear pattern of negligence by the national organization, bolstering our claims for substantial damages, including punitive damages. It’s evidence that if no one acts, Pi Kappa Phi will continue to harm.

5. Adam Oakes at Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021)

Settlement: Over $4 Million

Adam Oakes, a freshman at VCU, died of alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi hazing ritual. His family filed a $28 million lawsuit, eventually settling for more than $4 million. This case also spurred “Adam’s Law” in Virginia, focusing on hazing prevention and transparency.

Relevance for U.S. Outlying Islands Families: This recent settlement for millions demonstrates that even for new cases, the industry standard for these horrific acts is high-value compensation.

What These Precedents Mean for Your Case:

Multi-Million Dollar Recovery is Standard: These cases are consistently resolved for millions, whether through settlement or jury verdict. Our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez is not an arbitrary figure; it is firmly rooted in the outcomes of similar, tragic incidents across the nation.
Institutional Accountability: Universities and national fraternities consistently appear as primary defendants, and they consistently pay substantial sums. This underscores their legal duty to protect students and the immense financial risks they face when they fail.
Pattern Evidence is Key: The clear patterns of negligence, particularly evident with Pi Kappa Phi’s history, are crucial for demonstrating foreseeability and demanding punitive damages, which are intended to punish gross misconduct and deter future harm.
Legislative Change Follows Tragedy: Many of these cases have directly led to new, stricter anti-hazing laws. Your family’s decision to fight can contribute not only to your justice but also to a safer environment for all students, including those from the U.S. Outlying Islands.

Attorney911 brings this history of success and a deep understanding of precedent to every hazing case we handle, ensuring that U.S. Outlying Islands families have the best possible chance to achieve justice and secure maximum compensation. We don’t just understand the law; we understand the landscape of hazing litigation and how to win.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding the Legal Framework

For families from the U.S. Outlying Islands navigating a hazing incident, understanding the legal landscape can be overwhelming. While the specifics of anti-hazing laws vary by state, many share common principles. Our firm, based in Texas, operates under some of the strongest anti-hazing legislation in the country, and our federal court authority often allows us to pursue justice for victims nationwide, regardless of where the incident occurred.

Crucially, for U.S. Outlying Islands families, even if your child attends a university in another state, the principles discussed here—especially the idea that consent is not a defense—are often foundational to successful hazing litigation across the U.S.

Texas Hazing Laws: A Shield for Victims

Texas law is clear and unambiguous: hazing is illegal, it is a crime, and consent is never a defense. These protections are enshrined in the Texas Education Code, Sections 37.151 through 37.157.

1. Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):

Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of membership or affiliation, if the act:

Endangers physical health or safety: Physical brutality, striking (like with the wooden paddles in Leonel’s case), sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, calisthenics (like the 500 squats that caused rhabdomyolysis), or any activity that subjects a student to an unreasonable risk of harm.
Endangers mental health or safety: Humiliation, degradation, isolation, or any activity that adversely affects a student’s mental well-being.
Involves forced consumption: Beverages, alcohol, drugs, or food (like the forced milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns for Leonel) in amounts that create an unreasonable risk of harm or intoxication.

Application to Leonel’s Case: Leonel’s ordeal—waterboarding, forced exercise to kidney failure, wooden paddles, forced eating, sleep deprivation, and humiliation—satisfies multiple elements of this statutory definition, making it undeniably illegal hazing under Texas law. These types of activities would also fall squarely under the anti-hazing statutes in most other states where students from the U.S. Outlying Islands pursue their education.

2. Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152):

Hazing is not just a university policy violation; it’s a crime.

Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in, soliciting, or aiding hazing, or for having firsthand knowledge and failing to report it. Punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes serious bodily injury. Punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
State Jail Felony: If hazing causes death. Punishable by 180 days to two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine.

Application to Leonel’s Case: Given Leonel’s severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, the individual perpetrators could face Class A Misdemeanor charges. The University of Houston spokesperson themselves acknowledged “potential criminal charges,” indicating the seriousness of the situation. This potential criminal liability reinforces the civil claims we pursue.

3. Organizational Liability (§ 37.153):

The law extends beyond individuals, holding organizations accountable.

An organization commits an offense if it condones or encourages hazing, or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing.
Penalties can include fines up to $10,000, denial of permission to operate on campus, and forfeiture of property.

Application: This statute directly targets both the local Pi Kappa Phi chapter and the national organization, holding them responsible for fostering an environment where such actions could occur.

4. Consent Is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154):

This is perhaps the most critical legal protection for hazing victims and their families.

“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.”

Application: This provision directly dismantles the common defense strategy that hazing victims “voluntarily participated” or “knew what they were signing up for.” The legislature explicitly recognized that the power dynamics, peer pressure, and fear of ostracism inherent in hazing negate true consent. This means any argument from our opponents that Leonel “consented” to being waterboarded or suffering kidney failure is legally irrelevant under Texas law. Many other states have similar provisions, recognizing that you cannot ethically or legally consent to illegal, degrading, or life-threatening acts.

5. University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155):

Universities are legally obligated to report hazing incidents.

The chief administrative officer must report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within 30 days. Failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor.

Application: This provision ensures accountability for university administrations that might otherwise try to sweep incidents under the rug. It also creates a paper trail for investigations into institutional negligence.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges

While state anti-hazing laws focus on criminal prosecution and organizational penalties, civil lawsuits are where victims and their families from the U.S. Outlying Islands can recover substantial financial compensation for their suffering. Our firm leverages multiple civil liability theories in hazing cases:

Negligence Claims: This is the bedrock of many hazing lawsuits. We argue that universities, national fraternities, and individual members had a duty of care to protect students from harm, that they breached that duty by allowing or participating in hazing, that this breach caused the injuries, and that the victim suffered damages.
Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned or controlled property (as it did in Leonel’s case), the institution has a duty to maintain safe premises and prevent dangerous conditions. This is a powerful claim given the University of Houston’s ownership of the fraternity house where the hazing took place.
Negligent Supervision: National organizations can be held liable for failing to adequately supervise their local chapters, especially when they have knowledge of a pattern of hazing. Universities can similarly be sued for failing to oversee Greek life activities.
Assault and Battery: These intentional torts apply directly to individuals who physically harm victims, such as striking them with paddles or waterboarding. Every participant in such acts can face individual civil liability.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): Hazing regularly involves outrageous conduct—like the sexual humiliation and repeated psychological torment Leonel endured—that causes severe emotional distress, supporting an IIED claim.
Wrongful Death: In the tragic event of a hazing death, families from the U.S. Outlying Islands can file wrongful death claims, seeking compensation for their profound loss, including grief, loss of companionship, and financial support.

For U.S. Outlying Islands Families: The exact statutes may vary by state, but these civil claims are universally available across the United States. Our federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) provide us with a broad jurisdictional reach, enabling us to represent your family no matter where your child attends college. This comprehensive legal framework, combined with our strategic approach, ensures that we can pursue justice against every responsible party.

Why Attorney911: Your Unfair Advantage in Hazing Litigation

When your family in the U.S. Outlying Islands faces the nightmare of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the nuances of this specific type of litigation and possesses the strategic firepower to take on powerful institutions. Attorney911 offers a unique combination of experience, insight, and dedication that makes us the obvious choice for hazing victims and their families nationwide. We are not just attorneys; we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ committed to shutting down your emergency.

Our Battle-Tested Team: Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña

Our firm is led by two accomplished attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Eleno Peña, both of whom bring invaluable perspectives shaped by decades of diverse legal experience. Both are male attorneys, a key detail important for accuracy.

Ralph P. Manginello: The Aggressive Litigator and First Responder to Legal Emergencies

Ralph Manginello, our founder and president, is a force in the courtroom with over 25 years of experience. His career is marked by a history of going head-to-head with some of the largest corporations and insurance companies, most notably in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation. This experience against massive corporate defendants is crucial for hazing cases that involve large national fraternities and universities.

His qualifications uniquely position him to lead hazing cases:

Former Insurance Defense Attorney: Ralph started his career defending insurance companies. This means he knows their strategies, their weaknesses, and how they calculate their offers. He uses this insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for victims from the U.S. Outlying Islands.
Federal Court Authority: Admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and experienced in the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, Ralph can pursue your case in federal courts, which is often essential when dealing with national organizations or out-of-state defendants, allowing us to represent U.S. Outlying Islands families with children attending universities across the country.
Dual-State Bar Admissions (Texas and New York): This broad licensure provides a strategic advantage, particularly when national fraternities are headquartered outside of Texas, as many are.
Journalism Background: His Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin trained him to investigate thoroughly, uncover hidden facts, and construct compelling narratives – skills invaluable in hazing cases where institutions try to suppress the truth.
Hazing-Specific Expertise: Ralph has direct experience with fraternity litigation, rhabdomyolysis cases (like Leonel Bermudez’s), and holding universities accountable. His deep understanding of the medical and legal aspects of hazing injuries is unmatched.
Championship Athlete and Coach: A Cheshire Academy Hall of Fame inductee, Ralph’s background in competitive sports gives him a unique understanding of team dynamics, locker room culture, and the pressures that can escalate into hazing. He understands the environments where these abuses flourish.
Father of Three: As a parent himself, Ralph understands the profound impact of hazing on families. This personal connection fuels his aggressive advocacy.
Relentless Pursuit: Ralph’s career is defined by his willingness to confront powerful adversaries. He will travel to the U.S. Outlying Islands, or any necessary location, for depositions, trials, and client meetings to ensure justice is served.

Lupe Eleno Peña: The Insider Who Knows the Defense’s Playbook

Lupe Peña, a third-generation Texan from Sugar Land, brings over 12 years of legal experience, including an invaluable period working for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national insurance defense firm. This experience is the ultimate “unfair advantage” for our clients.

Former National Insurance Defense Attorney: Lupe spent years defending multi-national corporations and insurance companies against personal injury claims. He learned firsthand their strategies for valuing claims, their tactics for delaying and denying payouts, and their entire playbook for minimizing victim compensation. Now, he uses that intelligence against them.
Comprehensive Defense-Side Experience: At Litchfield Cavo, Lupe handled products liability, personal injury defense, workers’ compensation defense, construction law, and commercial litigation. This broad background means he understands every angle a defendant might pursue.
Finance Background & Business Acumen: With a B.B.A. in International Business and pre-law experience in finance, Lupe excels at analyzing economic losses, calculating future earning capacity, and understanding the financial structures of corporate defendants like national fraternities, ensuring all potential damages are pursued for U.S. Outlying Islands victims.
Federal Court Authority: Also admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, Lupe can join Ralph in navigating federal litigation, giving our firm extended reach for hazing cases involving national entities.
Bilingual (Se Habla Español): Lupe’s fluency in Spanish allows us to provide comprehensive legal services, including consultations and ongoing communication, to Spanish-speaking families in the U.S. Outlying Islands without language barriers, ensuring every victim has a voice.
Aggressive Philosophy: His guiding principle—”outwork, outsmart, outfight”—is exactly the mentality needed to take on the well-funded legal teams of national fraternities and universities.
Wrongful Death and Dram Shop Expertise: Lupe has extensive experience recovering millions for families in wrongful death cases and holding establishments accountable for alcohol-related injuries, directly applicable to hazing cases involving forced drinking, which are major factors in hazing injuries and deaths.

The Attorney911 Advantage for U.S. Outlying Islands Families:

“Insider” Knowledge: With both Ralph and Lupe having served on the defense side, we know precisely how the national fraternities, universities, and their insurance companies will attempt to deny, delay, and deflect blame. We anticipate their moves and counter them strategically.
Unwavering Aggression: Our reputation is built on tenacious advocacy. We are not afraid to take on the largest institutions and will pursue every liable party to ensure justice for your child.
Data-Driven Litigation: Our proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine gives us an unparalleled advantage in identifying the complete corporate structures, chapter histories, and financial assets of Greek organizations. We know who to sue and how to find their resources.
National Reach, Local Dedication: While our physical offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our federal court authority, dual-state bar admissions, and commitment to travel mean we can effectively represent hazing victims from the U.S. Outlying Islands, or anywhere in the country. Distance is not a barrier to justice for us.
Contingency Fee Basis: We take hazing cases on contingency. This means families from the U.S. Outlying Islands pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win your case. This removes the financial burden, allowing you to focus on your child’s recovery. Learn more about how contingency fees work here.
Unmatched Communication & Empathy: We understand the trauma families endure. Our team—including amazing staff like Leonor—is dedicated to clear, consistent communication, treating every client like family. As Chad Harris, a client, said, “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” See client testimonials here.
Proven Track Record of Success: From multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in personal injury cases to high-profile criminal defense dismissals documented by media like ABC13, our results speak for themselves. We deliver for our clients.

Beyond the Courtroom: Community and Compassion

Our commitment extends beyond legal representation. Ralph’s involvement with Crime Stoppers of Houston and his role as a youth sports coach reflect a deep dedication to community safety and mentorship. Lupe’s third-generation Texan roots and finance background further ground our firm in both local values and sophisticated financial analysis, crucial for assessing damages. We are not just lawyers; we are members of the community, committed to protecting its most vulnerable.

For U.S. Outlying Islands families, choosing Attorney911 means partnering with a team that has the legal prowess, the insider knowledge, and the unwavering dedication to fight for your child’s rights and ensure that justice is not just a concept, but a tangible outcome.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Guidance for U.S. Outlying Islands Families

When hazing impacts your child, the moments immediately following the discovery can be chaotic and overwhelming. However, swift and strategic action is critical to protecting your child’s health, preserving crucial evidence, and building a strong legal case. Families in the U.S. Outlying Islands, often geographically separated from mainland universities, must be particularly diligent.

This is the immediate plan of action for U.S. Outlying Islands families facing a hazing crisis:

Step 1: Prioritize Safety and Medical Attention

Your child’s physical and mental well-being is paramount.

Remove Your Child from the Situation Immediately: If they are still in an environment where hazing is occurring or are vulnerable to further abuse, get them out.
Seek Medical Attention (Even if Injuries Seem Minor): Even if your child feels “fine,” injuries from hazing, like rhabdomyolysis or internal damage, may not manifest immediately. The adrenaline from a traumatic event can mask pain.
- Go to the Emergency Room: For severe injuries (unconsciousness, extreme pain, difficulty moving, signs of internal injury, any suspicion of alcohol poisoning or drug overdose).
- See a Doctor: For any discomfort or concern. Delays in seeking treatment will be used by defense attorneys to argue that injuries were not serious or were unrelated to the hazing.
- Mental Health Evaluation: Psychological trauma from hazing is real and can be devastating. Seek counseling or therapy immediately for PTSD, anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation.
Document Everything Medically: Ensure all medical professionals explicitly document that the injuries are a result of hazing or related activities. Get copies of all medical records, hospital discharge papers, lab results (like creatine kinase levels), and physician notes.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence Immediately

Hazing incidents are often swept under the rug, and evidence can disappear quickly. You must act to preserve every piece of documentation. Ralph Manginello constantly preaches, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.” Learn more about using your phone to document legal cases here.

Photos and Videos:
- Injuries: Photograph all physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling) as soon as possible, and continue to document their healing process over time.
- Locations: Take photos or videos of the hazing locations – the fraternity house, specific rooms, outdoor areas, vehicles involved. Note any specific details like alcohol containers, unsanitary conditions, or unusual setups.
- Relevant Items: Photograph any items used in the hazing (paddles, specific clothing, degrading objects).
Electronic Communications (CRITICAL):
- Screenshot EVERYTHING: Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat conversations, Instagram DMs, Facebook messages, or any other social media exchanges related to the hazing, pledges, members, or even subsequent conversations. These are often the most damning pieces of evidence.
- Do NOT Delete ANYTHING: Even old messages that seem irrelevant now could become vital later. Deleting messages can be considered spoliation of evidence and severely harm your case.
Documents:
- Save any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or written instructions provided by the organization.
- Keep academic records that show any decline in grades following the hazing.
- Retain financial records, including medical bills, lost wages, and tuition/fees paid.
Witness Information:
- Collect names, phone numbers, and any contact information for other pledges, fraternity/sorority members, witnesses, or bystanders who might have observed the hazing or its aftermath.
- Even if they are hesitant to get involved, their contact information is valuable.

Step 3: Crucial “DO NOTs”

Avoiding these common mistakes can literally make or break your case. Watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case here.

DO NOT Delete Any Messages or Posts: We cannot stress this enough.
DO NOT Speak with the Fraternity/Sorority Leadership or Members: They are not your friends. They will attempt to control the narrative, coerce silence, and may even destroy evidence.
DO NOT Speak with University Officials Alone: University administration’s primary goal is to protect the institution, not your child. Any statements your child makes could be used against them later. Insist on having legal counsel present.
DO NOT Sign Anything: Do not sign any documents from the fraternity/sorority, the university, or any legal entity without first consulting an attorney. You could inadvertently waive your rights.
DO NOT Post about the Incident on Social Media: Anything posted–even if seemingly innocuous, like a picture of your child looking “fine” at a later event–can be twisted by defense attorneys to undermine claims of injury or trauma. Watch our video on why you shouldn’t post on social media after an accident here.
DO NOT Give Recorded Statements: Neither to police (without an attorney) nor to insurance companies. They are looking for ways to diminish your claim.

Step 4: Contact Attorney911 Immediately

Time is of the essence in hazing cases.

Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline: Our phone number, 1-888-ATTY-911, is a direct line to help 24/7. We offer free consultations for U.S. Outlying Islands families.
Why Call Immediately:
- Statute of Limitations: In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury, and for wrongful death, two years from the date of death. Other states have similar deadlines. Waiting too long means you lose your right to sue forever. For more on statutes of limitations, watch our video here.
- Evidence Disappears: Electronic evidence is volatile. Witness memories fade. Organizations move quickly to cover their tracks.
- Expert Guidance: We can immediately advise you on specific evidence to collect, who to avoid speaking with, and how to best protect your child’s legal rights. We will guide you through evidence preservation, Title IX reporting, and potential criminal referrals.

For U.S. Outlying Islands families, geographical distance presents unique challenges, but it is not a barrier to receiving top-tier legal representation. We offer secure video consultations, and our attorneys are prepared to travel to the U.S. Outlying Islands for depositions, client meetings, or trial, ensuring your case receives the personalized attention it deserves.

We know this is a frightening time, but inaction can be far more damaging. By following these steps and reaching out to us, you are taking the most powerful step possible toward justice for your child and accountability for those who harmed them.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline is Open for U.S. Outlying Islands Families

When hazing shatters your family’s peace, you need immediate, aggressive, and professional help. You need someone who understands the profound trauma your child has endured and is prepared to fight tirelessly against powerful institutions. We are Attorney911, and we are your Legal Emergency Lawyers™. Families in the U.S. Outlying Islands, you are not alone in this fight.

Our attorneys are currently representing a hazing victim against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in a landmark $10 million lawsuit. We are in the fight, right now. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we know how to win. We will bring that same aggressive, data-driven representation to your family in the U.S. Outlying Islands.

No matter where your child attends college, if they have been subjected to hazing, we are here to help.

U.S. Outlying Islands Families: Your Free, Confidential Consultation Awaits

We understand that reaching out can be the hardest step, but it is the most crucial. We offer a FREE, NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION to every family impacted by hazing. During this initial conversation, we will listen to your story, evaluate the specifics of your case, and outline the immediate steps you can take to protect your child’s rights.

There is no upfront cost to you. We accept hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us $0 unless and until we win your case. We take on the financial risk, so your family can focus on healing, not on legal bills. To understand more about how contingency fees work, watch our video here.

Reach Out to Us Now, 24/7:

Your legal emergency cannot wait, and neither do we. We are available around the clock to assist families from the U.S. Outlying Islands.

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

Email Us: ralph@atty911.com
Visit Our Website: attorney911.com

For U.S. Outlying Islands families, distance is not a barrier to justice:

Remote Consultations: We can conduct confidential video or phone consultations, making it easy for you to connect with our legal team from anywhere in the U.S. Outlying Islands.
Nationwide Reach: Our federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) allow us to pursue cases against national fraternities, sororities, and universities across the country.
We Travel for Justice: Our attorneys are prepared to travel to the U.S. Outlying Islands for depositions, key meetings, and trial appearances as needed. Your case will receive the dedicated, in-person attention it deserves.

Don’t Wait – Time is Critical:

The clock is ticking. Evidence disappears rapidly, witnesses’ memories fade, and crucial legal deadlines, such as the statute of limitations (typically two years for personal injury and wrongful death claims), can expire. Delaying action can severely jeopardize your ability to seek justice and compensation. Your prompt action can make all the difference.

We Represent Victims of Hazing in ALL Contexts:

While our current flagship case involves a fraternity, hazing is not limited to Greek life. We stand ready to represent victims of hazing in:

Fraternities and sororities at any university your children from the U.S. Outlying Islands may attend.
Sports teams, from high school to college.
Marching bands and other performance groups.
ROTC programs and military academies.
Clubs, honor societies, and other student organizations.
Any group found to be using abuse as an “initiation” or “team-building” ritual.

A Message to Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know Leonel Bermudez was not the only victim. The lawsuit details how another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness during forced workouts, and how another was hog-tied. If you, or someone you know, were part of the Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston, you have rights too. We can evaluate your situation and may be able to represent you, joining forces to hold every responsible party accountable.

As Lupe Pena passionately 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.

Your child deserves justice. Your family deserves closure. Attorney911 is ready to fight for you. We protect the injured and defend the accused throughout the U.S. Outlying Islands and nationwide.