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. They were hazed in a way that left them physically and emotionally scarred, or worse, they were taken from you forever. We understand what you’re going through. We’re here to help families in Utah fight back.

Hazing is not a harmless tradition. It is abuse, plain and simple. It’s an act that leaves lasting scars, not just on the victim, but on entire families. Attorney911 is dedicated to aggressively representing victims of hazing across the country, including families throughout Utah, ensuring that every entity responsible for these heinous acts is held accountable. We are not just lawyers; we are advocates for justice, relentless in our pursuit of truth and fair compensation for those who have been wronged.

Our firm, Attorney911 Legal Emergency Lawyers™, is based in Texas, with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. While our roots are in the Lone Star State, our commitment to fighting hazing extends nationwide. We serve hazing victims and their families in Utah and across America, leveraging our federal court authority and an unwavering willingness to travel wherever justice demands. Families in Utah deserve the same aggressive, expert representation that we provide in our home state. When your family faces a legal emergency of this magnitude, you need a team that acts first, fast, and decisively.

The Hazing Crisis: Why Utah Families Need Us

Hazing in America is a pervasive and dangerous crisis that undermines the very purpose of higher education and extracurricular involvement. For families across Utah, the dream of their child attending college, joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in a sports team can quickly turn into a nightmare when hazing occurs. This isn’t just about harmless pranks; it’s about systematic abuse that often leads to severe injury, psychological trauma, and even death.

Despite widespread awareness and anti-hazing campaigns, the culture of hazing persists within various student organizations at universities throughout Utah and nationwide. Students, eager to belong and conform, often endure unimaginable physical and emotional torment, believing it is a necessary rite of passage. What they find instead is a deeply disturbing cycle of abuse.

Hazing incidents are rarely isolated events perpetrated by a few rogue individuals. They are often deeply ingrained in the culture of specific chapters and organizations, frequently enabled by a lack of oversight or deliberate indifference from national governing bodies, university administrations, and even alumni. These institutions often prioritize reputation and tradition over the safety and well-being of their students, creating an environment where hazing can flourish undetected, or worse, be tacitly accepted.

For parents in Utah, sending a child off to college is an act of trust – trust that the university will provide a safe environment, trust that Greek organizations will uphold their stated values of brotherhood and sisterhood, and trust that their child will be protected from harm. When hazing shatters that trust, it leaves families devastated and searching for answers. Attorney911 stands as a beacon of hope for these families, offering not just legal expertise but also a fierce commitment to holding those responsible accountable, ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated. We fight not just for compensation, but for cultural change that will protect future generations of students in Utah and beyond.

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

Utah Families: This is not a hypothetical. This is happening right now. This is a battle we are fighting in court as you read this, a battle that defines who we are and what we stand for. This happened in Houston, just like it could happen at universities in Utah. The same national fraternities operate there. The same negligence exists at institutions across the country. And we will bring the same aggressive representation to hazing victims in Utah that we are bringing to this $10 million lawsuit.

This case is the centerpiece of everything Attorney911 represents: aggressive, data-driven litigation, relentless pursuit of accountability, and a profound empathy for victims and their families.

News Coverage of Our Fight

Our fight has garnered significant attention from major news outlets, solidifying the importance and severity of the issues we are addressing. Families in Utah can track our progress and see our firm’s commitment firsthand through these reports:

• ABC13 Houston: Published November 21-22, 2025, detailing “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges.” Read the full report here.
• KHOU 11: Their coverage on November 21, 2025, highlighted the “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations.” Find more details here.
• Houston Chronicle: Reported on the “UH fraternity hazing lawsuit” on November 22, 2025. Access the article here.
• Houston Public Media: On November 24, 2025, they revealed the precise “$10 million” figure and further hazing details in their piece, “University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing.” Read it here.

Perhaps most tellingly, the defendant, Pi Kappa Phi National, issued their own statement on November 21, 2025, titled “Pi Kappa Phi Closes Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston,” which is accessible on their website. You can read their official announcement here. This statement, issued before our lawsuit was widely publicized, demonstrates their immediate awareness and attempts to manage the fallout.

Our $10 Million Lawsuit: Details of the Bermudez Case

Filed in Harris County Civil District Court on November 21, 2025, our lawsuit seeks $10 million in damages. The plaintiff, Leonel Bermudez, is represented by our very own attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. The defendants named in this critical litigation include:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (specifically their 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’s President
• Their Pledgemaster
• Multiple current and former fraternity members
• A former member AND his spouse, because significant hazing occurred at their private residence.

This extensive list of defendants underscores our strategy: to hold every single entity, from individuals to national organizations and universities, fully accountable.

The Story of Leonel Bermudez: A Warning for Utah Families

Leonel Bermudez was not even an enrolled University of Houston student at the time of the hazing. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member planning to transfer in the upcoming semester. He accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. What followed was a brutal, systematic campaign of abuse and torture that lasted for weeks. It culminated in his hospitalization for three nights and four days, suffering from severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

This devastating incident highlights a grim reality: hazing incidents like this can and do occur at universities near Utah. The same network of national fraternities, including Pi Kappa Phi, operates with chapters throughout Utah and across America. The horrifying “traditions” that hospitalized our client are tragically common. Universities, much like the University of Houston, often fail in their duty to protect students, becoming complicit through their inaction. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Utah, they face these very same risks.

As Ralph Manginello recounted to ABC13 News, “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.”

Attorney Lupe Pena powerfully articulated our 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.”

The Horrifying Hazing Timeline

• September 16, 2025: Leonel accepts a bid to Pi Kappa Phi. The weeks that followed were a descent into systematic abuse.
• October 13, 2025: Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. This wasn’t an isolated incident; it was part of a pattern.
• October 15, 2025: A pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout. Other pledges had to elevate his legs until he revived. Despite this clear warning sign, the hazing continued.
• November 3, 2025: A pivotal incident where our client was severely punished, forced to endure over 100 pushups, 500 squats, and other extreme exercises while reciting the fraternity creed. He was threatened with immediate expulsion if he stopped. He became so exhausted he couldn’t stand without help.
• November 4-5, 2025: Leonel couldn’t move; his condition rapidly worsened.
• November 6, 2025: His mother rushed him to the hospital. He was passing brown urine, a tell-tale sign of severe muscle breakdown.
• November 6-10, 2025: Leonel was hospitalized for three nights and four days, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• November 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National officially closed its Beta Nu Chapter, making their move just before our lawsuit.
• November 21, 2025: Attorney911 filed the $10 MILLION lawsuit in Harris County, electrifying media coverage from ABC13 and KHOU 11.
• November 22, 2025: The Houston Chronicle picked up the story, followed by Houston Public Media on November 24, revealing even more details.

The Hazing Activities Exposed in Our Lawsuit

The alleged hazing activities endured by Leonel Bermudez read like a catalog of torture:

• Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning: KHOU News confirmed “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose.” Pledges were sprayed directly in the face while doing calisthenics, and threatened with it if they didn’t comply. This isn’t a prank; it is torture recognized as a war crime.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges, including Leonel, were compelled to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited. Then, they were forced to continue running sprints in physical distress, and even lie in their own vomit.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: Over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. This continued until pledges, like Leonel, couldn’t stand without help. The Houston Chronicle also reported instances of “being struck with wooden paddles.”
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Forced to strip to underwear in cold weather, carrying a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature, and the horrifying hog-tying of another pledge face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Threats of physical punishment and expulsion were constant, coupled with enforced dress codes, study hours, and weekly interviews designed for control.
• Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, disrupting their sleep and ensuring chronic exhaustion, indicative of psychological control.

The Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis

Leonel Bermudez’s medical diagnosis was severe: rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases harmful proteins into the bloodstream, which can overwhelm the kidneys. His symptoms included passing brown urine (a classic sign of muscle breakdown), extremely high creatine kinase levels (confirming severe muscle damage), and an inability to stand or walk. This is the exact type of serious medical condition our firm has successfully litigated before, and Ralph Manginello possesses specific expertise in such cases.

Institutional Responses: On the Record

The responses from the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National, while outwardly regretful, reveal a deeper story of awareness and attempts to manage liability:

• University of Houston Spokesperson (Houston Public Media, November 24, 2025): “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 statement, while condemning the acts, simultaneously signals a recognition of grave wrongdoing and attempts to contain legal exposure.
• Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters (pikapp.org, November 21, 2025): “Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity closed its Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, following violations… Pi Kappa Phi takes all allegations of hazing seriously… we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This admission of “violations” and the timeline of their chapter closure – before our lawsuit was filed – is telling. Their immediate action and aspirations to “return to campus” speak volumes about their awareness of the gravity of the situation, yet their focus remains on future operations rather than fully addressing the profound harm caused.

These public statements, while seemingly contrite, are steeped in legal strategy. They hint at a coordinated effort to manage public perception and legal risk.

Why This Case Matters to Utah Families

1. Proof That “Tradition” Is Torture: The severe acts inflicted upon Leonel are not harmless rituals. These are acts of violence and psychological torment that happen at universities throughout Utah.
2. Universities Are Complicit: The fact that the hazing occurred in a fraternity house owned by the University of Houston underscores the university’s deep liability. Campuses across Utah that host Greek life and own or oversee fraternity properties bear the same responsibility to protect their students – and face the same accountability when they fail.
3. National Organizations Know: Pi Kappa Phi National’s swift chapter closure demonstrates their awareness of the severe infractions. The same national organizations with chapters in Utah maintain oversight and responsibility.
4. Victims Are Afraid: Leonel’s fear of retribution is sadly common among hazing victims. We protect our clients, ensuring their voices are heard without fear.
5. One Brave Victim Can Protect Utah Students: As Lupe Pena emphasized, this fight is about preventing future harm. Your decision to pursue justice in Utah could protect countless other students.
6. $10 Million Sends a Message: This substantial lawsuit is designed to send an unmistakable message: the price of torturing our children is astronomical. Families in Utah can send the very same message.

This is not a theoretical battle for us. This is a living, ongoing fight in a courtroom just a few hundred miles from our office. It is the clearest demonstration of what Attorney911 does, and what we can and will do for families in Utah.

What Hazing Really Looks Like

The popular image of hazing often involves silly pranks or embarrassing antics – a misconception that dangerously downplays its true nature. In reality, hazing has evolved into a barbaric and systematic form of abuse that inflicts severe physical injury, profound psychological trauma, sexual assault, and even death. It is far from “boys being boys” or innocent “tradition”; it is a form of institutionalized torture.

It Is:

• Assault and Battery: Direct physical violence, forced physical exertion to the point of collapse, and strikes with objects.
• Torture: Methods designed to inflict extreme physical and psychological pain, such as waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and exposure to the elements.
• Reckless Endangerment: Placing individuals in situations where their health and safety are gravely jeopardized.
• Psychological Warfare: Humiliation, degradation, isolation, and threats that break down a person’s mental resilience.
• Sometimes Manslaughter or Murder: When hazing directly leads to a student’s death, the perpetrators and enabling institutions can face grave criminal charges.

The statistics paint a stark picture:

• Over 55% of students involved in Greek organizations report experiencing hazing.
• At least one hazing death has occurred annually in the U.S. since 2000.
• A staggering 95% of those hazed choose not to report it, often due to fear of retaliation, shame, or loyalty to their organization.

Hazing is not confined to fraternities and sororities; it permeates sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and various clubs and student organizations across countless campuses, including those in Utah.

The Institutional Failure: Universities and national organizations are not ignorant of these issues. They are often aware of the prevalence of hazing but frequently fail to implement effective preventative measures. They typically intervene only after a student is critically injured or dies, at which point they issue condemnations, suspend chapters, and claim to be “shocked” by the events. This reactive, rather than proactive, approach highlights a systemic failure to protect students, leaving them vulnerable to repeated and escalating abuse.

Types of Hazing Incidents We See

Drawing from cases like Leonel Bermudez’s and other documented incidents, hazing manifests in many horrific forms:

• Physical Abuse: Beatings, paddlings (as experienced by Leonel), branding, burning, forced exercise beyond limits leading to conditions like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
• Forced Consumption: Binge drinking (a common cause of hazing deaths), eating repulsive substances or excessive amounts of food until vomiting, or consuming non-food items.
• Sleep Deprivation: Forcing pledges to stay awake for extended periods, perform late-night tasks, or endure disrupted sleep cycles.
• Psychological Torture: Humiliation (e.g., carrying sexually explicit items), degradation, verbal abuse, isolation from friends and family, and incessant threats designed to break an individual’s will.
• Sexual Abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, the carrying of sexual objects, or sexual assault.
• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: As described in Leonel’s case, this extreme form of torture can induce terror and a sensation of drowning.
• Exposure: Forcing individuals to be outdoors in extreme weather conditions (cold or heat) with inadequate clothing.
• Servitude: Requiring pledges to provide personal services, such as cleaning, driving, or running errands for members, often at odd hours.

Each of these acts carries severe medical consequences, from alcohol poisoning and traumatic brain injury to hypothermia, cardiac arrest, sexual trauma, and life-altering psychological conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Ultimately, many of these “traditions” tragically lead to death.

Who Is Responsible: Every Entity That Participated Or Allowed It

When a student in Utah suffers from hazing, attributing blame isn’t confined to the immediate perpetrators. Our strategy is comprehensive, pursuing every single party that bears responsibility, drawing parallels from our Pi Kappa Phi case:

• Local Chapters: The fraternity or sorority chapter directly organizing and executing the hazing rituals is fundamentally liable for their actions and the injuries inflicted. Their officers, like the President and Pledgemaster in Leonel’s case, bear direct leadership responsibility.
• Individual Members: Every member who actively participated in, condoned, or failed to intervene in hazing activities can be held personally liable. This extends even to former members and their spouses, especially if hazing occurred on their private property, as seen in our current lawsuit.
• National Fraternity/Sorority Organizations: These vast entities, like Pi Kappa Phi National, are frequently named defendants. They have a duty to supervise their local chapters, enforce anti-hazing policies, and ensure student safety. When they fail—despite having ample resources and often previous knowledge of hazing incidents—their liability is significant. They possess deep pockets and substantial insurance coverage.
• Universities & Colleges: Institutions like the University of Houston are increasingly being held accountable. Their liability arises when they own the property where hazing occurs, fail to adequately oversee Greek life, ignore warning signs, or do not enforce their own anti-hazing policies. Universities have a fundamental duty to provide a safe learning environment, and when they demonstrably fail, they face legal repercussions.
• Housing Corporations: Often separate legal entities, these corporations own and manage fraternity or sorority houses. If hazing occurs on their property, they can be held liable under premises liability laws for failing to maintain a safe environment.
• Insurance Carriers: Behind every national organization, university, and housing corporation are insurance policies designed to cover institutional liability. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena possess an invaluable insider’s understanding of how these carriers operate, allowing us to pursue maximum coverage aggressively.

It is crucial to understand that our goal is not merely to sue broke college students. It is about challenging the deep pockets of the powerful institutions and individuals who enable, perpetuate, and profit from hazing culture. We aim to dismantle this system of negligence, one lawsuit at a time, protecting students in Utah and across the United States.

It means we sue everyone responsible. We don’t guess. We know.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For families reeling from hazing, proving accountability is paramount. But equally important is demonstrating that justice in these cases often means significant financial compensation. These landmark verdicts and settlements serve as powerful precedents, signaling to institutions across the country, including those in Utah, that hazing comes with an astronomical cost. The same aggressive legal strategies that led to these massive payouts are precisely what we bring to every case, including those for hazing victims in Utah.

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

Total: Over $10.1 Million

Stone Foltz tragically died in 2021 from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” event at Bowling Green State University. The university settled for $2.9 million, and Pi Kappa Alpha national, along with individuals, settled for a combined $7.2 million. This landmark case resulted in the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio’s history, setting a clear benchmark for severe hazing incidents. A recent (December 2024) $6.5 million judgment against a former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, highlighted individual liability even further, showing that officers can be held personally accountable for millions.

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

Total: $6.1 Million Verdict

In 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 after a Phi Delta Theta hazing event at LSU. A jury later awarded his family $6.1 million. This painful case spurred Louisiana to enact the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony and sending an unmistakable message to fraternities and universities nationwide, including potentially in Utah.

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

Total: $110+ Million (Estimated from Multiple Settlements)

Timothy Piazza’s death in 2017 after a Beta Theta Pi hazing ritual at Penn State—where he was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes, fell multiple times, and was left without medical attention for 12 hours—resulted in a staggering, though confidential, settlement estimated to exceed $110 million. The egregious actions captured on surveillance cameras galvanized national outrage and led to Pennsylvania’s stringent “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.”

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

Crucially, the SAME Fraternity as Our Current Case

Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017 from alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” at Florida State University is particularly damning for the Pi Kappa Phi national organization. This incident, just eight years before Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization, proves that Pi Kappa Phi National had explicit knowledge of the deadly consequences of their chapters’ hazing activities. Despite this, they failed to implement effective changes, leading directly to another severe injury.

UT Austin Sigma Chi: (November 2025)

Another Texas Hazing Lawsuit Filed This Week

Adding to the urgency and relevance of our fight, just this past week, a lawsuit was filed in Texas concerning the death of an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Texas at Austin following alleged “horrific abuse” by the Sigma Chi fraternity. This contemporaneous case demonstrates the ongoing, widespread nature of the hazing crisis and underscores that the same battles we are fighting are actively unfolding in Texas and across the country. The proximity of this recent filing further amplifies the need for aggressive legal action.

Why These Precedents Matter for Hazing Victims in Utah

1. Our $10 Million Demand Is Supported by Law: Cases like Stone Foltz’s clearly establish a precedent for multi-million dollar payouts, aligning perfectly with our demand in the Bermudez case. This demonstrates that substantial recovery is realistic for severe injuries, even when they do not result in death.
2. Pi Kappa Phi Has a Deadly History: The Andrew Coffey case is a smoking gun. It shows Pi Kappa Phi National knew about fatal hazing within their ranks in 2017, yet failed to prevent Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization eight years later. This pattern of negligence strengthens claims for punitive damages.
3. Universities Are Not Immune: The settlements involving Bowling Green State University and the University of Houston’s prior hazing incident demonstrate that universities and colleges in Utah are equally exposed to liability for their failures to protect students.
4. Juries Hate Hazing: The $6.1 million verdict in the Max Gruver case proves that juries are willing to deliver massive awards when confronted with egregious hazing behaviors. The acts in the Bermudez case—waterboarding, forced eating, extreme physical abuse—are likely to provoke similar outrage.
5. Hazing Cases Drive Legal and Cultural Change: The “Max Gruver Act” and “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” are testaments to how civil litigation can force legislative reform. Our work for hazing victims in Utah can contribute to broader changes that will protect students nationwide.

These cases are not merely footnotes in legal history; they are battle maps that guide our strategy. They empower us to assure families in Utah that holding powerful institutions accountable for hazing is not just possible, but repeatedly proven.

Texas Law Protects You

For families in Utah grappling with the devastating impact of hazing, understanding the legal framework is a crucial step towards justice. While our firm is rooted in Texas and deeply familiar with its laws, it is important to know that most states, including Utah, have similar anti-hazing statutes. More significantly, the civil liability theories and potential for federal civil rights claims transcend state lines, allowing Attorney911 to pursue your case regardless of where the hazing incident occurred in Utah. Our federal court authority ensures our reach is truly national.

Understanding Hazing Laws: Texas and Beyond

The Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157 outlines specific anti-hazing laws that reflect a broader national understanding of what constitutes hazing and its severe consequences.

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): The law defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution… directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in an organization if the act… endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student.” This definition includes a wide array of behaviors, from physical brutality (whipping, striking, branding), sleep deprivation, and exposure to the elements, to forced calisthenics (like the 500 squats Leonel endured), forced consumption of substances until vomiting, and any activity violating the Penal Code. The specific details of Leonel Bermudez’s ordeal, including waterboarding, extreme workouts, and forced ingestion, clearly fall under multiple provisions of this statute. Similar detailed definitions exist in many state laws, including those applicable in Utah.

Criminal Penalties: Texas law imposes significant criminal penalties for hazing, ranging from Class B misdemeanors for engaging in hazing to Class A misdemeanors for hazing causing serious bodily injury (which Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure certainly qualify as), and even State Jail Felonies for hazing causing death. The University of Houston spokesperson’s mention of “potential criminal charges” in our case underscores the severity of these legal repercussions.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations can be directly penalized with fines up to $10,000, denial of operating rights, or forfeiture of property if they condone or encourage hazing. This statute makes it clear that the fraternity itself—both the local chapter and the national organization—can be held accountable.

Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is perhaps one of the most critical provisions. Texas law explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution… that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” This demolishes the common defense used by fraternities and universities that victims “knew what they were getting into” or “agreed to participate.” The law recognizes that true consent is impossible under coercive hazing conditions. This principle applies in many states and is a cornerstone of our legal strategy.

Civil Liability for Hazing: What Utah Victims Can Sue For

Beyond criminal prosecution, civil lawsuits provide victims and their families in Utah with a powerful avenue for seeking compensation and ensuring accountability. The following civil liability theories are generally applicable in Utah and throughout the United States:

1. Negligence Claims: This is the most common civil claim. It asserts that the defendants (individuals, local chapter, national organization, university) owed a duty of care to the student, breached that duty through their hazing activities or lack of oversight, and this breach directly caused the student’s injuries and resulting damages. This framework applies universally, including for hazing victims in Utah.
2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university or a housing corporation (as was the case with the University of Houston-owned fraternity house), these entities can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment and allowing dangerous conditions (the hazing itself) to exist.
3. Negligent Supervision: This claim targets the failure of national organizations to adequately oversee their chapters, and universities to properly supervise Greek life or other student organizations. When such failures lead to foreseeable harm, these institutions bear responsibility.
4. Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators who engage in intentional harmful or offensive contact (like paddling, forced physical abuse, or waterboarding) can be sued directly for assault and battery. The “consent is not a defense” principle is particularly potent here.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): This claim is applicable when the hazing conduct is “extreme and outrageous” and causes severe emotional distress, conditions often met in hazing cases where psychological torture is involved, leading to PTSD or severe anxiety.
6. Vicarious Liability: This legal principle holds one party responsible for the actions of another. For example, a national fraternity can be vicariously liable for the actions of its local chapter members, or a university for their recognized student organizations.

For families in Utah, understanding that these civil avenues for justice are available, irrespective of the outcomes of criminal proceedings, is vital. Attorney911 stands ready to navigate these complex legal landscapes, fighting for the rights and recovery of hazing victims.

Why Attorney911: The Lawyers Fighting for Utah Hazing Victims

When your child has been subjected to unthinkable hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the intricate legal landscape of hazing litigation and knows how to win against powerful institutions. Attorney911 offers an unmatched blend of experience, insight, and dedication, making us the clear choice for families in Utah seeking justice.

Our Unmatched Differentiators

• 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Ralph P. Manginello brings over two decades of intense litigation to every case. He is a battle-tested trial attorney who isn’t afraid to take on formidable opponents. This proven experience is directly applied to cases for hazing victims in Utah, ensuring aggressive and effective representation.
• Former Insurance Defense Insight: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Eleno Peña have worked on the defense side for insurance companies. This invaluable insider knowledge means we understand exactly how insurance companies strategize, evaluate claims, and attempt to minimize payouts. We know their playbook, and we use it against them to maximize claims for our clients, whether they are in Houston or Utah.
• Federal Court Admissions: Our admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, empowers us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often crucial when dealing with national fraternities and multi-state litigation. This national reach ensures we can represent hazing victims in Utah effectively, even if their case crosses state lines.
• Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas AND New York): Ralph Manginello’s dual licensure provides a strategic advantage, especially when confronting national Greek organizations that may have headquarters or significant operations in New York or other states. This expands our legal toolkit and national reach for Utah hazing cases.
• Hazing Litigation Expertise: We are not just talking about hazing; we are actively fighting it. Our firm is currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This active, high-stakes battle demonstrates our real-world expertise in hazing cases, including those involving rhabdomyolysis and severe institutional negligence—the very skills we bring to Utah families.
• Se Habla Español: We are proud to offer bilingual services, ensuring that Spanish-speaking families in Utah and across the country receive comprehensive support without language barriers.
• Willingness to Travel for Justice: While our primary offices are in Texas, geography is never a barrier to justice. We are fully prepared to travel to Utah for crucial depositions, meetings, and trials, ensuring a personalized and dedicated approach to your case. For families who cannot travel, we offer convenient remote consultations via video.

Our Team: Your Dedicated Legal Emergency Lawyers™

Ralph P. Manginello – Managing Partner
Ralph P. Manginello is not just a lawyer; he is a force. With more than 25 years of courtroom experience, he has developed a reputation as a fierce advocate for his clients. He honed his skills in high-stakes litigation, including his involvement in the multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation against BP following the Texas City refinery explosion—experience directly applicable to taking on massive institutional defendants like national fraternities and universities in Utah. His background as a former insurance defense attorney gives him unparalleled insight into the strategies the opposition will use. His degree in journalism makes him adept at uncovering facts and storytelling, crucial for exposing hazing’s hidden truths. As a father of three, he deeply understands the emotional toll hazing takes on families.

Lupe Eleno Peña – Associate Attorney
Lupe Eleno Peña (a male attorney, despite the common misconception regarding his name) adds another layer of critical insider knowledge to our team. Before joining Attorney911, he worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm. This experience means Mr. Peña knows precisely how large insurance companies evaluate claims, strategize defenses, and strive to minimize payouts. He now uses this deep understanding to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients. A third-generation Texan and fluent Spanish speaker, his roots and language capabilities ensure we connect with diverse communities, including Hispanic families in Utah, who may be grappling with hazing incidents.

Together, Ralph and Lupe constitute Attorney911’s “insurance counter-intelligence system.” Both bringing former insurance defense experience, they create an unfair advantage for victims, offering a combined 37+ years of insight into the opposition’s tactics. This blend of aggressive litigation, insider knowledge, and personal commitment sets Attorney911 apart, making us the undeniable choice for hazing victims and their families in Utah.

What to Do Right Now for Hazing Victims in Utah

If your child has been harmed by hazing at a university or organization in Utah, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. Taking the right steps not only ensures the victim’s safety and well-being but also preserves crucial evidence for any potential legal action. We understand this is an incredibly traumatic time, and you might feel overwhelmed, but acting swiftly is essential. Here’s what families in Utah should do right now:

1. Prioritize Medical Attention, Immediately:

   • Seek immediate medical assessment: Even if injuries seem minor or hidden, or the victim is reluctant, insist on a thorough medical examination. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis (as in Leonel Bermudez’s case) may not manifest fully for days. Adrenaline can mask pain.
   • Document everything: Ensure all injuries, symptoms, and medical visits are extensively documented in medical records. These records are invaluable evidence.

2. Preserve ALL Evidence – EVERYTHING Is Important:

   • Photos and Videos: Take pictures of all physical injuries at every stage of healing. If you have any photos or videos related to the hazing—even if seemingly innocuous—save them.
   • Communications: Crucially, DO NOT delete any text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages, Instagram DMs, emails, or any other digital communication. These often contain direct evidence of hazing, threats, coordination among members, and the coercion used. Screenshots are vital.
   • Witness Information: Collect names, phone numbers, and any other contact details for anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or people who may have knowledge of the organization’s activities.
   • Documents: Keep any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or other documents provided by the organization.
   • Financial Records: Retain all medical bills, receipts for any treatments, and documentation of lost wages or educational expenses incurred due to the hazing.
   • Academic Records: Gather any records showing academic impact, such as dropped classes, withdrawals, or changes in enrollment status.
   • You can learn more about how to effectively gather this evidence from our video, “Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?”

3. Avoid Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case (See Our Video: “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY):

   • Do NOT Delete Anything: As mentioned, digital evidence is crucial. Deleting messages can be seen as spoliation of evidence.
   • Do NOT Directly Confront the Organization: Do not attempt to speak with fraternity/sorority leadership, university administrators, or their attorneys without legal counsel. They are not on your side and will likely try to extract information or coerce you.
   • Do NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the organization, university, or their representatives without your attorney’s review. You could inadvertently waive your rights.
   • Do NOT Post on Social Media: Anything you or the victim posts online can and will be used against your case to claim lack of injury, participation, or other mitigating factors. Maintain complete social media silence regarding the incident.
   • Do NOT Give Recorded Statements: You are not obligated to provide recorded statements to anyone—especially insurance adjusters—without your attorney present.

4. Understand the Statute of Limitations – Act Quickly:

   • Most states, including Utah, have a strict statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases, typically two years from the date of injury or death. This means you have a limited window to file a lawsuit.
   • Delays can be fatal to a case. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and organizations can destroy crucial records. Our video, “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?”, emphasizes this urgency.

Why Contact Attorney911 Immediately?

Hazing victims often delay seeking help due to shame, fear of retaliation, or misguided loyalty. However, every moment counts. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was hospitalized on November 6th, and our lawsuit was filed within weeks. This swift action allowed us to preserve crucial evidence and immediately begin building a powerful case.

For families in Utah, distance is not a barrier to receiving our aggressive representation. We offer immediate, free consultations via phone or video conference. We travel to Utah for depositions, client meetings, and trials as needed. Your child endured unthinkable trauma; now let us fight for their justice.

Contact Us: Your Call to Action for Justice in Utah

Utah Families: If you or your child has been a victim of hazing, you are not alone, and you have powerful legal rights. We are not just talking about fighting hazing; we are doing it right now with a $10 MILLION lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we know how to win. We will provide hazing victims and their families in Utah with the same aggressive, uncompromising representation.

The emotional, physical, and financial toll of hazing can be overwhelming. As parents, you sent your children to college in Utah expecting them to be safe, to learn, and to grow. When institutions fail in their duty of care, and organizations inflict torture disguised as tradition, you deserve swift, decisive action.

Utah Families: Call Now for a FREE Consultation

Our Legal Emergency Lawyers™ are available 24/7 to listen to your story, evaluate your case, and outline the path to justice. There is no obligation, and your initial consultation is completely free. We will come to you, or we can connect via video conference—whatever works best for your family in Utah.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email Us Directly: ralph@atty911.com

Visit Our Website for More Information: attorney911.com

We Work on a Contingency Fee Basis: $0 Upfront for Utah Families

We understand that you are likely facing significant financial strains due to medical bills, lost wages, and educational disruptions caused by hazing. This is why we take hazing cases on contingency. This means:

• You pay absolutely $0 upfront to hire our firm.
• We don’t get paid unless and until YOU get paid.
• Our fees are collected as a percentage of the settlement or verdict we secure for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing for our legal services.

This ensures that access to expert legal representation is never a barrier for any hazing victim in Utah, regardless of their financial situation. For a deeper understanding of this payment structure, watch our video, “How Do Contingency Fees Work?”.

We Serve Hazing Victims in Utah and Nationwide

Hazing is a problem that knows no state lines. While our firm is headquartered in Houston, Texas, our commitment to fighting for hazing victims extends across the country. Whether the incident occurred at the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, Utah State University, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Westminster College, or any other institution in Utah or beyond, we can represent you.

Our ability to represent clients nationwide is powered by:

• Federal court authority: We are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, granting us jurisdiction in federal courts across the country for certain types of cases.
• Dual-state bar licenses: Attorney Ralph Manginello is licensed in both Texas and New York, providing additional strategic advantages when dealing with national organizations with multi-state operations.
• Video consultations: Utah families can meet with us remotely via secure video conferencing, allowing for immediate and convenient access to our legal expertise.
• Commitment to travel: We are prepared to travel to Utah for critical depositions, client meetings, and, if necessary, trial, ensuring that your case receives the personalized attention it deserves.

We passionately represent victims of hazing in all forms of organizations, not limited to Greek life:

• Fraternities and sororities at institutions across Utah.
• Sports teams, from high school to university level, including those in Utah.
• Marching bands and other performance groups at Utah universities.
• ROTC programs and military academies.
• Any club or academic organization in Utah that uses abusive rituals for initiation or membership.

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know Leonel Bermudez was not the only one. Our lawsuit describes another pledge hog-tied and a third who lost consciousness. If you were part of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston during the Fall 2025 pledge period and were subjected to similar hazing, or if you witnessed these horrifying acts, you have rights.

As Lupe Pena 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 story is important. Your courage can make a difference. Let Attorney911 be your legal emergency team, fighting fiercely for the justice and accountability you and your family deserve.