If you’re reading this, your family in Atkinson County may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, to explore new ideas, and build a future. Instead, they were tortured, humiliated, and left with physical or psychological scars. We understand your fear, your anger, and your desperate search for help at 2 AM. We’re here to tell you that you are not alone, and we are here to fight for Atkinson County families just like yours.

We are Attorney911, and we are actively fighting back against the pervasive and dangerous culture of hazing that continues to plague colleges and universities across America, including those that students from Atkinson County attend. We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re in the trenches right now, leading a groundbreaking $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university for the horrific hazing of a student. This isn’t theoretical – this is real, and it’s happening now. We bring this same aggressive, data-driven, and relentless pursuit of justice to hazing victims and their families in Atkinson County and across the nation.

The Haunting Reality of Hazing in America: It’s Not “Boys Will Be Boys.” It’s Torture.

The stereotypes of hazing as harmless pranks or innocent traditions are deadly myths. What our attorneys see in cases across the country, from our home base in Houston to communities like Atkinson County, are acts of systematic abuse, physical and psychological torture, and a shocking disregard for human life. Hazing is a direct threat to the children you send off to college, and it can happen anywhere – in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student organizations. It’s especially insidious in close-knit communities like Atkinson County where parents often trust institutions to protect their children, only to find that trust tragically betrayed.

The Bermudez Case: A Wake-Up Call for Atkinson County Families

The case of Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is a stark, recent example of the nightmare countless families from Atkinson County and beyond face. This is not some distant story; this is what hazing looks like today, in Texas, at universities your children might attend. And it’s why we are so passionately committed to battling this crisis.

In September 2025, Leonel Bermudez, a prospective student, a “ghost rush,” who was planning to transfer to the University of Houston for the spring semester, accepted a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. What followed was an agonizing seven weeks of systematic abuse that culminated in his hospitalization for severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days in the hospital, his young body breaking down from the sheer brutality he endured.

The Horrifying Details of the Hazing Leonel Endured:

• Waterboarding: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” sprayed in the face while doing calisthenics. This is a form of torture, a practice considered a war crime when used on enemy combatants. Yet, it was inflicted upon a college student seeking belonging.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: He and other pledges were forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited. Then, they were compelled to continue running sprints while clearly in physical distress, often forced to lie in their own vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: Hazing sessions included relentless physical exertion: 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was forced to recite the fraternity creed while enduring this, under threat of immediate expulsion if he stopped. Another pledge even lost consciousness during these grueling workouts on October 15, yet the hazing continued.
• Physical Beatings: Leonel was “struck with wooden paddles.” This isn’t a game; it’s assault and battery.
• Psychological Torture: Pledges were forced to strip to their underwear in cold weather, carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times, and endure psychological humiliation. On October 13, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• Sleep Deprivation: Leonel was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, which led to exhaustion, impacting his daily life.

By November 3, 2025, Leonel’s body simply gave out. Punishment for missing an event led to a final, brutal session that left him unable to stand without help. As Ralph Manginello recounted to 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.” His urine was brown from the breakdown of his muscle tissue – a clear sign of severe rhabdomyolysis, a condition that can lead to acute kidney failure and death.

Within weeks of this tragedy coming to light, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended. The members voted to surrender their charter, and the chapter was permanently closed. Criminal referrals were initiated. But for us, that wasn’t enough. We immediately filed a $10 million lawsuit against the national fraternity, the University of Houston, the housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the president, pledgemaster, and even a former member and his spouse at whose residence some hazing occurred.

Why the Bermudez Case Resonates with Atkinson County Families:

• Same Fraternities, Same Danger: Pi Kappa Phi has over 150 chapters across America, with many active at universities where students from Atkinson County enroll. The brutal “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel are not unique to one chapter; they are pervasive throughout Greek life.
• Universities Often Complicit: The hazing of Leonel happened at a fraternity house owned by the University of Houston. Universities near Atkinson County have the same power to regulate, inspect, and enforce rules, and often fail to do so, making them just as liable.
• National Organizations Know: Pi Kappa Phi National immediately closed the chapter. This shows they knew the conduct was wrong. Yet, this same national organization presides over chapters where Atkinson County students pledge. They knew about this danger, and they failed to protect.
• Victims Fear Retribution: Leonel is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution,” as reported by ABC13. This fear is a heavy burden for victims from Atkinson County too. We protect our clients and ensure their voices are heard without further intimidation.
• One Brave Stand Protects Many: As Lupe Peña 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.” Leonel’s courage, supported by Attorney911, can create a ripple effect, protecting Atkinson County students and changing the landscape of hazing accountability.
• $10 Million Sends a Message: This substantial claim isn’t just about financial compensation; it’s about holding powerful institutions accountable and sending an undeniable message: there is a severe price for torturing our children. Atkinson County families can send the same powerful message.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

For parents in Atkinson County, it’s crucial to understand that contemporary hazing is not the stuff of harmless movies. It is a systematic pattern of abuse, often deeply hidden and deliberately obscured.

Physically Brutal Hazing:

• Forced Exertion leading to Medical Emergencies: As seen with Leonel, endless calisthenics, “suicides,” and manual labor push students beyond their physical limits, causing conditions like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
• Beatings and Paddling: Direct physical violence, leaving bruises, broken bones, and internal injuries. The use of wooden paddles on Leonel is a stark example.
• Extreme Exposure: Forced stripping in cold weather, as in Leonel’s case, or prolonged exposure to heat, leading to hypothermia, frostbite, or heatstroke.
• Forced Consumption: Binge drinking, consuming rancid food, or non-food items until vomiting (as with Leonel’s milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns), leading to alcohol poisoning, choking, or organ damage.
• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: As Leonel experienced, this is a terrifying and traumatic act of controlled asphyxiation that inflicts severe psychological and physical distress.

Psychologically Torturous Hazing:

• Humiliation and Degradation: Being forced to wear humiliating attire (like Leonel’s fanny pack with sexual objects) or perform demeaning acts.
• Sleep Deprivation: Forcing pledges to stay awake for extended periods, drive members at odd hours, or participate in late-night, early-morning activities, leading to exhaustion, impaired judgment, and accidents.
• Isolation and Intimidation: Creating an atmosphere of fear, threatening retaliation or expulsion for non-compliance, undermining a student’s self-worth and ability to leave.
• Forced Servitude: Making pledges perform chores or personal services for older members, reinforcing a power imbalance.

The Medical Consequences are Real and Devastating:

Beyond mere soreness, hazing leads to critical, often life-altering medical conditions. Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure are perfect examples. Rhabdomyolysis breaks down muscle fibers, releasing harmful proteins into the bloodstream that can overwhelm the kidneys. This can result in permanent kidney damage, requiring dialysis or even a transplant in severe cases. Other consequences include:

• Alcohol Poisoning: A leading cause of hazing deaths, where excessive, forced alcohol consumption shuts down bodily functions.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: From falls, beatings, or violent shaking.
• Internal Organ Damage: From physical assaults or forced consumption.
• Psychological Trauma: PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation are common long-term effects. Leonel’s fear of retribution highlights the deep psychological scars left by such abuse.

These are not isolated incidents that just happen; they are the foreseeable outcomes of institutional negligence and unchecked abuse.

Who Is Responsible? Everyone Who Participated or Allowed It.

When a child from Atkinson County is harmed by hazing, our approach is comprehensive. We don’t just target the most obvious perpetrators; we identify and pursue every entity and individual responsible. As demonstrated in the Bermudez case, this includes multiple layers of accountability:

1. The Local Chapter: The specific fraternity or sorority chapter directly carrying out the hazing activities. This includes the chapter president, pledgemaster, and all members who participated or enabled the abuse.
2. Individual Members: Every person who actively participated in hazing, directed it, or stood by and watched without intervening can be held personally liable for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. This includes former members who hosted hazing events, as we have named in the Bermudez lawsuit.
3. National Franchise Organizations: Large fraternities and sororities with national charters, such as Pi Kappa Phi, are responsible for overseeing their local chapters. When they fail to enforce anti-hazing policies, they become liable for negligence. The fact that the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters immediately closed the UH chapter after Leonel’s hospitalization demonstrates an admission of severe misconduct and their failure in oversight.
4. Universities and Colleges: Educational institutions, including those that students from Atkinson County attend, have a non-delegable duty to protect their students. If they own the property where hazing occurs, fail to implement adequate anti-hazing policies, ignore reports, or fail to supervise Greek life organizations, they can be held liable. The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where Leonel was hazed, making their liability directly tied to premises negligence.
5. Insurance Carriers: These institutions and individuals are almost always covered by substantial liability insurance policies. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña know exactly how to navigate these complex policies to secure maximum compensation.

We go after the “deep pockets”—the national organizations and universities—because they have the resources and the institutional power to prevent these tragedies, yet often fail to do so. It is not about suing broke college kids; it is about sending an undeniable message that these institutions will be held accountable.

Hazing Costs Millions: Precedent-Setting Victories for Victims

The question many Atkinson County families ask is, “Can we really fight these powerful organizations?” Our answer is a resounding “Yes.” We have seen juries and courts award millions to hazing victims and their families. Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an arbitrary number; it’s a demand grounded in the powerful precedents set by other devastating hazing cases across the nation.

Consider these landmark cases, which serve as a stark warning to fraternities, universities, and national organizations that hazing will be met with severe financial penalties:

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021) – Over $10.1 Million: Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of liquor during a hazing ritual. The university settled for $2.9 million, and Pi Kappa Alpha, along with individual defendants, settled for over $7.2 million. Most recently, in December 2024, a judgment of $6.5 million was awarded against a single chapter president, Daylen Dunson, personally. This case proves that both institutions and individuals face massive financial consequences. Our $10 million demand directly aligns with this precedent.
• Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017) – $6.1 Million Verdict: Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink excessive amounts of liquor as punishment for wrong answers during a “Bible Study” hazing event. A jury awarded his family $6.1 million. Criminal convictions for negligent homicide followed, and Louisiana passed the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony. This case demonstrates that juries are outraged by hazing and will award millions to victims.
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017) – Over $110 Million (Estimated): Timothy Piazza died after falling down a flight of stairs repeatedly during a hazing ritual where he was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911, while surveillance cameras captured their horrific actions. The family settled for an estimated $110 million and played a pivotal role in passing the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania. This case underscores that strong evidence, like the detailed documentation in our Bermudez lawsuit, can lead to monumental settlements.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017) – (Settlement Confidential): Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink a bottle of bourbon during a “Big Brother Night” event. Nine fraternity members were criminally charged, and the Pi Kappa Phi chapter was permanently closed. Critically, this was the same national fraternity involved in Leonel Bermudez’s case. Pi Kappa Phi National had eight years since Andrew Coffey’s death to address their deadly hazing culture, and they failed, leading directly to Leonel’s severe injuries. This establishes a pattern of knowing disregard for student safety.
• Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021) – Over $4 Million Settlement: Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi hazing event. His family recently settled for over $4 million ($2.5 million cash settlement plus $425,000 to their foundation), even after initially pursuing a $28 million lawsuit. This is another recent, substantial recovery for a hazing death.

These aren’t just legal victories; they are human stories of families from across the country who turned their unimaginable pain into powerful accountability. From Atkinson County to Florida, from Pennsylvania to Louisiana, the legal system has shown its capacity to deliver justice and force change.

Texas Law Protects You: Consent is NOT a Defense

For families in Atkinson County, it’s vital to understand the legal protections available. While some hazing cases occur in other states, Texas has comprehensive anti-hazing laws, and similar statutes exist across the nation. More importantly, civil liability theories—like negligence, assault, and premises liability—apply regardless of location, giving us federal court authority to pursue your case no matter where the hazing occurred.

Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157 – The Texas Anti-Hazing Law

• Broad Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Texas law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining an organization, if it endangers mental or physical health. This includes physical brutality (like striking with paddles), sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, calisthenics leading to unreasonable risk (exactly what happened to Leonel), forced consumption of food or alcohol, and activities violating the Penal Code. Our Bermudez case clearly meets multiple aspects of this comprehensive definition.
• Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Hazing is not just a university policy violation; it’s a crime. Hazing that causes serious bodily injury (like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure) is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail. Hazing that causes death is a State Jail Felony, with penalties up to two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine. The University of Houston spokesperson has already alluded to “potential criminal charges” in Leonel’s case.
• Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations themselves can be fined up to $10,000, or even denied permission to operate on campus, if they condone or encourage hazing. This is why we hold national fraternities and local chapters directly accountable.
• CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most critical protection for Atkinson County families. Texas law explicitly states, “It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” This utterly demolishes the fraternity’s common defense: “he agreed to it,” or “he knew what he was signing up for.” Under Texas law, you cannot consent to be abused, tortured, or criminally hazed.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges for Atkinson County Victims

Even if criminal charges are not pursued or result in a dismissal, Atkinson County victims can still pursue civil lawsuits to recover damages. Our claims are typically based on:

• Negligence: Holding universities, fraternities, and individuals responsible for failing to exercise reasonable care to prevent hazing, which directly caused the student’s injuries.
• Premises Liability: When hazing occurs on university-owned or controlled property, like the Pi Kappa Phi house at UH, the institution has a duty to ensure safety. Their failure here makes them liable.
• Negligent Supervision: National organizations and universities have a duty to supervise local chapters and ensure their policies are followed. When they fail, students from Atkinson County pay the price.
• Assault and Battery: Direct claims against the individual perpetrators for intentional harmful or offensive contact.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For instances of extreme and outrageous conduct that cause severe emotional trauma, a direct claim for the psychological scars left by hazing.

These legal theories are well-established, and our team at Attorney911 has extensive experience applying them to secure justice for hazing victims.

Why Attorney911: Your Unfair Advantage in Atkinson County Hazing Cases

When your child from Atkinson County is a victim of hazing, you need a legal team that is not only compassionate and tenacious but also possesses an intimate understanding of the defendant’s playbook. That’s exactly what you get with Attorney911. Our unique blend of experience and strategic insight is your unfair advantage.

1. Former Insurance Defense Insiders: Both of our managing partners, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, began their careers defending insurance companies and corporations. Ralph has 25+ years of experience, and Lupe has 12+ years, including a tenure at a national defense firm, Litchfield Cavo LLP. This means they know exactly how the defense thinks, how they strategize to minimize or deny claims, and what tactics they use to delay payouts. They learned the enemy’s playbook from the inside, and now they use that knowledge to aggressively dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for Atkinson County hazing victims.
2. Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Licensure: Your child’s hazing incident in Atkinson County might involve a national fraternity headquartered across state lines or a university with deep legal resources. Our attorneys are admitted to the U.S. District Court, granting us authority to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often a strategic advantage against national organizations. Additionally, Ralph is licensed in both Texas and New York, providing a unique strategic edge in cases against national fraternities or universities with multi-state operations. This nationwide reach ensures we can represent Atkinson County families no matter where the hazing occurred or where the defendants are based.
3. Proven Track Record Against Massive Corporations: Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the multi-billion-dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation (where 15 workers died and 180+ were injured) demonstrates our capacity to take on and win against the largest corporate defendants. Hazing cases often involve massive national fraternities and wealthy universities, requiring the same level of legal firepower and strategic insight that Attorney911 brings.
4. Specialized Hazing Litigation Expertise: We are not general personal injury lawyers who occasionally handle hazing cases. With Ralph’s specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases and his focus on Kappa Sigma and Texas A&M hazing incidents, combined with our current $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, we are at the forefront of this legal battle. We understand the nuances of these cases, from proving institutional negligence to battling the “consent” defense.
5. Data-Driven Intelligence: We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, including IRS-registered entities, legal names, EINs, and addresses. This means when hazing happens to an Atkinson County student, we don’t guess who to sue; we know exactly who is behind the Greek letters, from the local chapter to the national housing corporation and the deep-pocketed national organization.
6. Compassionate, Parent-Facing Approach: We understand that parents in Atkinson County want to ensure their child’s safety and seek justice without being overwhelmed by legal jargon. We communicate clearly, empathetically, and directly with families, explaining every step of the process. Our 4.9-star rating on Google from over 250 reviews underscores our commitment to client satisfaction and treating every family “like family.”
7. Bilingual Support (Se Habla Español): Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, allowing us to provide comprehensive legal services to the Hispanic community in Atkinson County and beyond, ensuring no family faces language barriers in seeking justice.
8. No Upfront Cost, We Come to You: We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means Atkinson County families pay $0 upfront, and we don’t get paid unless we win your case. We understand that distance can be a concern, which is why we offer video consultations and are prepared to travel to Atkinson County for depositions, meetings, and trials when justice demands it.

The Crisis is Real: Hazing Statistics Across America

• Pervasive Problem: Over 55% of students involved in Greek life experience hazing. This isn’t rare; it’s alarmingly common.
• Annual Deaths: Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death each year in the United States, often due to forced alcohol consumption.
• Underreported incidents: Over 95% of students who are hazed do not report it, due to fear, shame, or loyalty to the organization.
• Beyond Greek Life: Hazing is also prevalent in sports teams (40% of student-athletes report hazing), marching bands, ROTC, and other student groups.

These statistics underscore a national epidemic that demands aggressive legal intervention. For Atkinson County families, “this happens elsewhere” is no longer an excuse.

Atkinson County: Your Local Context Matters

Atkinson County, Georgia, is a community where values of family, safety, and a strong sense of community run deep. When a child from Atkinson County goes off to college, whether it’s to universities within Georgia (like the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, or Valdosta State University which is particularly close), or to institutions further afield in Texas, Florida, or nationally, parents expect them to be safe. They expect universities to provide a protective environment, and they trust that Greek organizations will uphold positive values. When hazing shatters that trust, it devastates not just the immediate family, but the entire community structure.

While Atkinson County itself may not have a large university with a sprawling Greek system, families here send their children to colleges throughout the region and beyond. Valdosta State University, located in nearby Valdosta, Georgia, and other regional institutions, all feature active Greek life chapters. The Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, involved in the Bermudez case, has numerous chapters in Georgia and other Southern states, meaning the same dangers Leonel faced could easily confront a student from Atkinson County.

We understand that legal battles might seem distant or complicated for families in Atkinson County. But hazing is a nationwide crisis, and our firm’s reach, expertise, and dedication extend to your community. We are uniquely positioned to serve Atkinson County and surrounding areas, bringing the fight directly to the doorstep of negligent fraternities and universities.

Attorney911’s Texas Hazing Intelligence Database: We Know Who They Are.

We don’t guess who might be responsible for hazing; we know. Attorney911 maintains one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, a database that tracks over 1,400 Greek-related entities across 25 metropolitan areas in the state. This includes:

• Over 125 IRS-registered Greek organizations: With their exact legal names, Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), and mailing addresses. These aren’t just student groups; they are tax-exempt corporations with real assets and insurance. For example, our database tracks entities like Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515 in Frisco, Texas), which is the housing corporation for the very chapter we are suing. We also track Kappa Sigma Mu Gamma Chapter Inc (EIN 133048786 in College Station, Texas), among many others.
• Tracking National Brands: We can track specific national brands like Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Phi across undergraduate chapters, graduate and alumni chapters, and honor or professional affiliates. This allows us to connect local incidents to national patterns of negligence.

This intelligence network means that when hazing happens, we already know the corporate structures, the national affiliations, the housing corporations, and the insurance companies that are ready to be held accountable. This data-driven approach allowed us to rapidly identify all liable defendants in the Bermudez case and aggressively pursue them in court. The same powerful intelligence is available to fight for victims from Atkinson County.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Atkinson County Families

If your child in Atkinson County has been a victim of hazing, the immediate aftermath can be chaotic and frightening. It’s crucial to act quickly and strategically.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your child’s health is the absolute priority. Even if injuries seem minor, or if the trauma is primarily psychological, get them to a doctor, hospital, or mental health professional immediately. Document everything—every symptom, every physical mark, every conversation with medical staff. Delays in treatment can be used by the defense to minimize the severity of the injuries.
2. Preserve All Evidence: This is absolutely critical. Hazing often occurs in secret, and perpetrators will try to destroy evidence.
   • Medical Records: Keep copies of all hospital records, doctor’s notes, emergency room reports, and therapy records.
   • Photographs and Videos: Take pictures of any injuries at all stages of healing. If there are any photos or videos of the hazing itself, save them immediately. This could include group chats or social media posts related to the events.
   • Communications: Crucial for hazing cases. Save every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat, Instagram DM, email, or any other form of digital communication related to the hazing. Do not delete anything, even if it seems irrelevant or embarrassing.
   • Witness Information: Collect names and contact details of any other pledges, fraternity/sorority members, or bystanders who witnessed the hazing.
   • Documents: Preserve any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or agreements provided by the organization.
   • Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, lost wages, and college tuition/fees if studies were disrupted.
3. Do NOT Communicate with the Fraternity/University Without Legal Counsel: Do not talk to fraternity or sorority leadership, university administrators, or their lawyers. They are not on your side; their priority is to protect the institution. Do not give any statements, recorded or otherwise, and do not sign any documents without speaking to an attorney first. Anything you say can and will be used against you.
4. Do NOT Post on Social Media: This is a common mistake that can severely damage your case. Avoid posting about the incident, your injuries, or your emotional state on any social media platform. The defense will comb through your profiles for anything that can be twisted to undermine your claim.
5. Contact Attorney911 Immediately: The statute of limitations in Georgia, like Texas, is often two years for personal injury cases, but building a strong case takes time. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and perpetrators coordinate their stories. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin preserving evidence, securing witness testimony, and building an irrefutable case. We offer free, confidential consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Damages and Compensation: Securing Your Child’s Future

When we pursue a hazing lawsuit for an Atkinson County family, we aim to recover every possible dollar to compensate for the immense harm your child has suffered. This includes:

• Economic Damages: These are quantifiable financial losses, such as:
  • Past and Future Medical Expenses: Hospital stays, emergency room visits, specialist consultations, medications, long-term physical therapy, or mental health counseling needed for conditions like PTSD. For Leonel, this includes ongoing monitoring for his kidneys and potential future medical interventions.
  • Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: If your child’s injuries prevented them from working, or if long-term effects diminish their future career prospects.
  • Lost Academic Investment: Tuition, fees, and other costs if the hazing forced them to withdraw from school or impacted their academic performance.
• Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for intangible losses that profoundly impact your child’s quality of life. In Georgia, there are no caps on pain and suffering in personal injury cases, allowing for substantial recovery.
  • Physical Pain and Suffering: The agony endured during the hazing, during recovery, and any chronic pain.
  • Mental Anguish and Emotional Distress: The profound psychological trauma, humiliation, degradation, anxiety, depression, and PTSD resulting from the abuse. Leonel’s fear of retribution is a clear indicator of this.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: The inability to participate in normal college activities or a damaged sense of self that prevents them from living a full life.
  • Disfigurement: If the hazing caused burns, scars, or other permanent physical alterations.
• Punitive Damages: When hazing is grossly negligent, malicious, or intentional, we seek punitive damages. These are designed to punish the wrongdoers and deter similar conduct in the future. The egregious acts against Leonel—waterboarding, forced eating, physical beatings, and pushing him to kidney failure—demonstrate the conscious indifference and extreme risk-taking that warrant severe punitive damages. When Pi Kappa Phi National knew about a prior hazing death (Andrew Coffey in 2017) and chose not to act, resulting in Leonel’s hospitalization, that is a clear case for punitive action.

We are Attorney911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña. We are coming for every institution, every national organization, and every individual who thinks they can torture our kids and walk away unpunished.

Atkinson County Families: Enough is enough.

Your child’s pain is real. Your family’s distress is real. And your right to justice is non-negotiable. We are here to listen, to understand, and to fight. Distance is not a barrier; we offer remote consultations and will travel to Atkinson County for your case as needed. Don’t let fear or intimidation prevent you from seeking justice.

CALL US NOW. FREE CONSULTATION.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We work on contingency. You pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid.

Let’s bring this to light. Let’s make sure that what happened to Leonel Bermudez, and countless other victims across America, does not happen to another Atkinson County student. Your call can start the fight for accountability and help prevent future tragedies.