If you’re reading this in Bulloch County, Georgia, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went off to college, hoping to make friends and build a future. Instead, they were subjected to brutal hazing, and now you’re searching for answers, desperately looking for someone who understands what you’re going through. We know that fear, that anger, that profound sense of betrayal. We’re here to help families in Bulloch County fight back against the insidious culture of hazing that continues to plague campuses across America.

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It is abuse, plain and simple, and it has devastating consequences for victims and their families in Bulloch County and beyond. We are Attorney911, and we are actively fighting this battle in courts right now. Our firm is currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the horrific hazing of our client, Leonel Bermudez. What happened to Leonel is a stark warning for parents in Bulloch County whose children attend, or plan to attend, colleges where Greek life and other student organizations thrive.

We understand that Bulloch County families might feel isolated or unsure of where to turn. While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) allow us to represent hazing victims nationwide, including those right here in Bulloch County, Georgia. We offer remote consultations and are prepared to travel wherever justice demands. The same aggressive, data-driven approach we bring to our Houston cases is available to you.

The Haunting Echoes of Campus Brutality: The Leonel Bermudez Case

The story of Leonel Bermudez is a chilling reminder of the dark side of Greek life that impacts students in Bulloch County and throughout Georgia. His case is not just a lawsuit; it’s a rallying cry for accountability. In September 2025, Leonel, then a prospective transfer student to the University of Houston, accepted a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He was what is known as a “ghost rush”—a student not yet enrolled but planning to transfer. What should have been an exciting new chapter in his life quickly devolved into weeks of systematic psychological and physical torture.

According to the lawsuit we filed in Harris County Civil District Court on November 21, 2025, Leonel was subjected to unthinkable acts. He was reportedly waterboarded with a garden hose, a form of simulated drowning that constitutes torture. He was hog-tied, stuffed into a fanny pack with sexually explicit objects, and stripped to his underwear in cold weather. The physical torment was relentless: being forced to consume excessive amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, only to be forced to continue rigorous exercises such as 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, bear crawls, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was even forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to severe sleep deprivation. The Houston Chronicle specifically reported that he was struck with wooden paddles, an act of sheer physical brutality.

On November 3, 2025, after being punished for missing an event, Leonel was subjected to an extreme workout that pushed his body to its absolute limits. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, recounted to ABC13 Houston, “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.” Leonel was hospitalized for three nights and four days, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis—a dangerous condition where muscle tissue breaks down, releasing damaging proteins into the bloodstream—and acute kidney failure. He was passing brown urine, a classic sign of muscle breakdown and kidney distress. This tragic outcome left him with the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Within days of these events, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the University of Houston chapter. On November 14, 2025, just a week before we filed our $10 million lawsuit, the Beta Nu chapter was permanently closed, with members voting to surrender their charter. The University of Houston’s spokesperson acknowledged the conduct as “deeply disturbing” and a “clear violation of our community standards,” even mentioning “potential criminal charges.” This swift action by both the national fraternity and the university demonstrates their undeniable knowledge of the severity and wrongfulness of the hazing. However, their public statements also revealed a disturbing lack of genuine remorse, with the national organization already stating they “look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This lack of accountability only fuels our resolve to fight harder.

Our team at Attorney911, led by Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, immediately recognized the gravity of Leonel’s situation. As Lupe Pena emphasized to ABC13, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” This case is not just about one victim; it’s about exposing a systemic problem that affects Bulloch County students and families. Fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi have over 150 chapters across America, and the “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel are shockingly common. The failure of universities and national organizations to provide proper oversight creates an environment where such brutality can flourish.

This case is a stark warning for parents in Bulloch County whose children might attend Georgia Southern University, East Georgia State College, or other institutions across Georgia where Greek life is prevalent. The very same national fraternities and sororities with problematic histories have active chapters in these areas. The negligence we are fighting in Houston is the same negligence that could endanger your child. We want Bulloch County families to know that we are not theoretical; we are actively fighting right now in court, seeking justice and full accountability for every entity responsible, from the individual members to the national organizations and the universities that enable them.

Beyond the Stereotypes: What Hazing Really Looks Like Today

For too long, hazing has been dismissed as “boys being boys” or “harmless fun,” a quaint collegiate tradition. But for families in Bulloch County, we need to shatter those delusions. What Leonel Bermudez endured, and what countless other students face across campuses including those that Bulloch County students attend, is not a prank. It is systemic abuse, designed to degrade, humiliate, and control. It is often criminal, and it can be deadly.

Hazing is not just about forced drinking, though that is tragically common. It encompasses a wide spectrum of psychological and physical torment:

• Physical Abuse: This includes acts like beatings with paddles (as experienced by Leonel), branding, forced exposure to extreme temperatures, and intense physical exertion far beyond safe limits. When a student is forced to perform 500 squats and 100 push-ups until their muscles break down—resulting in severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, as in Leonel’s case—it’s not training; it’s an assault.
• Forced Consumption: This category extends beyond binge drinking. Victims are forced to consume large quantities of grotesque or harmful substances, often to the point of vomiting. Leonel’s experience of being forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, and then continuing physical punishment in his own vomit, illustrates this chilling reality. Beyond the immediate trauma, forced alcohol consumption is a leading cause of hazing deaths, leading to alcohol poisoning and irreversible organ damage.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often kept awake for days on end, forced to participate in activities late into the night and early into the morning, driving fraternity members around or completing endless tasks. This exhaustion severely impairs judgment, increases vulnerability, and poses serious safety risks, particularly if they are then forced to operate vehicles or machinery.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: This is often the most insidious form of hazing, leaving deep, lasting scars. It includes verbal abuse, threats, isolation, forced public humiliation, and activities designed to degrade a person’s dignity. Leonel was made to carry a fanny pack with sexually explicit objects and was hog-tied with an object in his mouth. These acts are designed to break a person’s will, fostering a sense of helplessness and fear.
• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: As Leonel’s case tragically showed, simulated waterboarding with a garden hose is a reality in hazing. This is an act of torture, provoking profound fear of death and severe psychological trauma. When media outlets like Houston Public Media explicitly state, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture,” it highlights the extreme nature of what these students are enduring.
• Sexual Abuse and Harassment: Hazing frequently involves forced nudity, sexually suggestive actions, or outright sexual assault. The psychological and emotional devastation from such acts can linger for a lifetime.

The medical consequences of hazing can be catastrophic. Beyond the documented rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure seen in Leonel’s case, victims suffer from alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injuries from falls or beatings, hypothermia, cardiac arrest from extreme exertion, and severe psychological conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. And tragically, far too often, it results in death. These are not minor incidents; these are life-altering or life-ending traumas inflicted upon young people who simply sought acceptance.

For Bulloch County parents, it’s vital to recognize that this is not a distant problem. Hazing can occur in any student organization, from fraternities and sororities to sports teams, marching bands, and ROTC. The tactics employed are often hidden, shrouded in secrecy, and enforced by fear of retribution, just as Leonel Bermudez felt. We understand that confronting this reality is terrifying, but knowing what hazing truly looks like is the first step toward protecting your child and demanding accountability.

Unmasking the Culprits: Who Bears Responsibility for Hazing Horrors

When hazing shatters a family’s life in Bulloch County, the question “Who is responsible?” is paramount. The answer, as our aggressive litigation strategy demonstrates, is almost always multiple parties. It is rarely just a few “bad apples” but a complex web of individual actions, organizational negligence, and institutional failures. In Leonel Bermudez’s $10 million lawsuit, we are pursuing a comprehensive list of defendants, showing that anyone who participated in, planned, enabled, or allowed hazing to occur will be held accountable. The same principle applies to hazing incidents affecting students from Bulloch County, Georgia.

Individual Perpetrators: The Direct Actors

At the most immediate level are the individuals who directly inflict the hazing. In Leonel’s case, this includes:

• Chapter Officers: The fraternity president, pledgemaster, and other leaders are often central to organizing and directing hazing activities. They hold positions of power within the peer hierarchy and directly instruct or condone the abuse.
• Current Members: Any individual who actively participates in hazing, encourages it, or even stands by and allows it to happen without intervention can be held personally liable for assault, battery, and other intentional torts.
• Former Members and Their Spouses: Our lawsuit uniquely targets former members who hosted hazing sessions at their off-campus residences and even one former member’s spouse who allowed hazing on their property. This expands liability to those who provide the venue and implicitly condone the behavior. As demonstrated in the Stone Foltz case, where a fraternity president was personally held liable for $6.5 million, individuals cannot hide behind the organization.

Local Chapters: The Immediate Organizers

The Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi itself is a direct defendant. Local chapters are typically responsible for implementing national policies, managing their members, and overseeing pledge activities. When a chapter organizes or allows hazing to become part of its “tradition,” it incurs direct liability. Even if a chapter is suspended or closed, its legal entity can still be sued.

National Organizations: The Deep Pockets and Absent Oversight

The national Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity headquarters is a primary defendant in Leonel’s case. While national organizations collect dues and set policies, they often fail to adequately supervise their local chapters. This constitutes negligent supervision. Crucially, national fraternities often have multi-million dollar insurance policies and substantial assets, making them the “deep pockets” essential for meaningful compensation. Their public statement acknowledging “violations” and the prior hazing death of Andrew Coffey at another Pi Kappa Phi chapter in 2017 strongly indicate their knowledge of a systemic problem and their failure to act effectively.

Our internal intelligence database, which tracks over 125 IRS-registered Greek organizations in Texas alone, shows the vast network of legal entities, including national headquarters and housing corporations, behind every chapter. These are not just groups of college kids; these are often well-funded corporations with significant liability. We apply this same data-driven approach to tracking national organizations for families in Bulloch County, Georgia.

Universities and Colleges: The Institutional Enablers

The University of Houston and the UH Board of Regents are key defendants. Universities have a fundamental duty to provide a safe educational environment for their students. This duty extends to oversight of student organizations, including fraternities and sororities. The University of Houston’s liability is particularly stark because, as KHOU 11 reported, they actually owned the fraternity house where some of the hazing took place. This clear premises liability, coupled with the fact that UH had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving another fraternity, demonstrates a pattern of institutional negligence and deliberate indifference.

Many universities have policies prohibiting hazing, but too many fail to enforce them. They often prioritize their reputation or the financial contributions of prominent alumni over student safety. For Bulloch County students attending colleges in Georgia, such as Savannah State University, Georgia Southern University, or the University of Georgia, the institutions themselves bear a heavy burden of responsibility if hazing occurs on their watch, particularly if they own or control Greek housing or have a history of unaddressed hazing incidents.

Housing Corporations: The Overlooked Owners

Beyond the national organization, dedicated housing corporations often own and manage fraternity houses. These entities have a responsibility to ensure safe premises and can be held liable if hazing occurs on their property. The Beta Nu Housing Corporation is a defendant in Leonel’s lawsuit, highlighting another layer of organizational accountability.

Insurance Carriers: The Ultimate Source of Recovery

Ultimately, much of the financial recovery comes from the various insurance carriers for these defendants: the national fraternity’s liability policy, the university’s institutional insurance, the housing corporation’s property insurance, and individual homeowner’s or personal liability policies. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring invaluable insider knowledge to identify and pursue every applicable insurance policy, giving our clients in Bulloch County a distinct advantage in maximizing compensation.

For families in Bulloch County, understanding this complex web of liability is crucial. We don’t just sue the “fraternity”; we meticulously identify every individual, every corporate entity, every board, and every insurance policy to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable. This comprehensive strategy is what makes our approach so effective in securing justice for hazing victims.

The Price of Pain: Multi-Million Dollar Precedents That Bulloch County Families Deserve

For families in Bulloch County dealing with the aftermath of hazing, one of the most pressing questions is, “Can we truly get justice? Can we make these powerful organizations pay?” The answer is a resounding yes. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is not an anomaly; it is firmly rooted in a growing body of multi-million dollar settlements and jury verdicts in hazing cases across the country. These precedents demonstrate that juries and courts are increasingly unwilling to tolerate hazing and are prepared to award significant compensation to victims and their families. This same opportunity for justice exists for hazing victims in Bulloch County, Georgia.

These landmark cases send an undeniable message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations in Bulloch County and nationwide: hazing costs millions.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): $10.1 Million+
  Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old Bowling Green State University student, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation event. His family ultimately secured over $10.1 million in settlements, with $2.9 million coming from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha and its individual members. Moreover, in December 2024, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was personally hit with a $6.5 million judgment. This case directly supports our $10 million demand, demonstrating that such figures are just and achievable for similarly egregious hazing incidents. For Bulloch County families, it shows that both universities and national fraternities face significant financial liability.

• Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): $6.1 Million Verdict
  Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old LSU freshman, died of acute alcohol poisoning after a Phi Delta Theta hazing ritual where pledges were forced to drink heavily for incorrect answers to questions. His family was awarded a $6.1 million jury verdict, and several fraternity members faced criminal charges, with one convicted of negligent homicide. This powerful verdict established that juries understand the severity of hazing and will not hesitate to award substantial damages. Furthermore, this tragedy led to the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana, underscoring the legislative response to such barbaric acts.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): $110 Million+
  Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old student at Penn State, died from a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after consuming 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi hazing ritual and suffering multiple falls, including down a flight of stairs. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours to call 911, and the entire incident was captured on security cameras. This case resulted in criminal charges against 18 fraternity members and ultimately led to settlements estimated at over $110 million. The Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law was also passed in Pennsylvania. This monumental outcome proves that when evidence is strong and the conduct is egregious, as in Leonel’s case, the resulting settlements can be astronomical.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Confidential Settlement
  Tragically, Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old FSU student, died of alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” ritual. This is particularly devastating because Pi Kappa Phi is the same national organization involved in Leonel Bermudez’s case. Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges, and the FSU chapter was permanently closed. The Coffey family reached a confidential civil settlement. This incident is irrefutable proof that Pi Kappa Phi National had actual knowledge of a deadly hazing culture within its chapters at least eight years before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. Their failure to prevent another severe incident directly supports claims for gross negligence and punitive damages.

• Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): $4 Million+ Settlement
  Adam Oakes, a VCU freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi hazing event. His family filed a $28 million lawsuit and secured a $4 million+ settlement in October 2024. This recent settlement further reinforces the trend of significant recoveries for hazing families.

For Bulloch County families, these cases demonstrate several critical points:

1. Hazing is Expensive: The financial costs of hazing are rightfully passed onto the responsible parties.
2. Universities Are Liable: Institutions like Bowling Green State University and Penn State have paid millions, proving that universities cannot turn a blind eye. Georgia Southern University, East Georgia State College, and other Georgia institutions face similar exposure.
3. National Organizations Are Accountable: Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and critically, Pi Kappa Phi itself, have paid substantial sums, demonstrating that national headquarters cannot escape responsibility for the actions of their chapters.
4. Individuals Pay: The $6.5 million judgment against an individual chapter president in the Foltz case signals that active participants can be personally decimated by their actions.
5. Justice Prevails: These cases not only provide financial relief but also often lead to criminal convictions and new anti-hazing laws, creating a powerful legacy of change.

Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is thus not just justified but is a necessary step to hold Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and all complicit individuals accountable. We will fight for Bulloch County families with the same ferocity and dedication, ensuring that the suffering caused by hazing is met with the full force of the law.

Your Shield: Texas Law Protects You from Hazing

For families in Bulloch County, Georgia, dealing with hazing, it’s crucial to understand the foundational legal protections in place. While each state has its own specific statutes, the principles of accountability are universal. Here in Texas, where our firm Attorney911 is based, we have robust anti-hazing legislation that strengthens a victim’s civil case, and many other states, including Georgia, have similar laws.

The Texas Education Code, sections 37.151 through 37.157, specifically addresses hazing, providing clear definitions and consequences:

Defining Hazing (§ 37.151): The law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization, if that act endangers the student’s mental or physical health or safety. This includes:

• Physical brutality: Whipping, beating, striking (like the wooden paddles Leonel Bermudez endured), branding, or placing harmful substances on the body.
• Sleep deprivation: Causing exhaustion, such as forcing late-night drives or activities.
• Exposure to elements: Forcing students to strip to underwear in cold weather or spraying them with hoses.
• Calisthenics or similar activities: Any exertion that poses an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects physical or mental health, like the 500 squats and 100 push-ups that caused Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
• Forced consumption: Making students consume food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk, such as forcing Leonel to eat until he vomited.
• Activities violating the Penal Code: Any task that would be a criminal offense, including assault or unlawful restraint.

For Bulloch County families, it’s highly likely that the hazing your child experienced falls squarely within such definitions, regardless of your state’s specific wording.

Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Texas law makes hazing a crime, with escalating penalties based on the severity of the harm. Simple hazing is a Class B Misdemeanor. Hazing causing serious bodily injury, like Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail. And tragically, hazing that causes death is a State Jail Felony. This demonstrates society’s recognition that hazing is not just a misguided prank but a serious criminal act.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): The law explicitly states that an organization commits an offense if it “condones or encourages hazing” or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni participate in it. This means local chapters, house corporations, and even national fraternities can face fines, expulsion from campus, and forfeiture of property. This targets the very entities that enable the hazing culture.

The Power of No Consent (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most critical legal point for hazing victims. The Texas statute unequivocally states: “It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This is paramount. Fraternities, universities, and their lawyers will almost always try to argue that the victim “consented,” “knew what they were signing up for,” or “could have left at any time.” Texas law explicitly shuts down this defense. Minors cannot legally consent to hazing, and even adults may not truly consent when faced with coercion, peer pressure, threats of ostracization, or the fear of losing their investment in a group. This legal principle acknowledges the immense power imbalance inherent in hazing. For Bulloch County students, this means that even if they participated, they retain their right to seek justice.

Institutional Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Universities are legally mandated to report hazing incidents to the state. Failure to do so is also a criminal offense. This creates a paper trail and holds institutions accountable for covering up incidents.

Beyond these specific hazing statutes, civil lawsuits for hazing also draw on broader legal theories:

• Negligence: This core legal concept applies when an individual or institution fails to exercise reasonable care, causing harm. Universities and national fraternities owe a duty of care to students. When they breach this duty by failing to prevent hazing, they are negligent.
• 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 owning the Pi Kappa Phi house), those entities can be liable for dangerous conditions on their property.
• Negligent Supervision: National organizations and universities can be held liable if they fail to adequately supervise local chapters or Greek life, especially when they have knowledge of past hazing incidents.
• Assault and Battery: Any direct physical contact that causes harm or is offensive, such as striking with paddles, forced physical exertion, or waterboarding, constitutes assault and battery, for which perpetrators can be individually sued.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): When hazing involves “extreme and outrageous” conduct that causes severe emotional distress, such as the psychological torture Leonel endured, defendants can be held liable for IIED.

These civil claims exist in Bulloch County, Georgia, and every state, allowing victims to bypass the need for criminal prosecution and directly pursue compensation for their suffering. Our firm’s expertise in these legal frameworks, coupled with our deep understanding of the tactics employed by defendants, ensures that Bulloch County hazing victims receive the full protection and power of the law.

Your Champions: Why Attorney911 Is the Choice for Bulloch County Hazing Victims

When you or your child has been subjected to hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a powerful legal team that understands the trauma, the tactics of the opposition, and the path to justice. You need champions willing to fight for families in Bulloch County with unwavering determination. At Attorney911, we are precisely that team, distinguished by unique strengths that make us the clear choice for hazing victims, no matter where they are.

We Are Actively Fighting This Battle Right Now

This isn’t theory for us. We are currently engaged in the trenches of hazing litigation, leading a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the horrific hazing of Leonel Bermudez. This live, ongoing case demonstrates our aggressive, data-driven approach and our commitment to holding every responsible party accountable. The same strategies, insights, and relentless pursuit of justice that we apply in Houston, we will bring to your hazing case in Bulloch County, Georgia.

Insider Knowledge: We Know Their Playbook

Both our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, and Associate Attorney Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense attorneys. This is not a coincidence; it’s a strategic advantage for you. They spent years working on the other side, understanding exactly how insurance companies and large institutions strategize to deny, minimize, and delay claims. Lupe Pena, in particular, worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national defense firm, gaining invaluable insight into the multi-faceted defense strategies used by organizations like national fraternities and universities. Now, they use that insider knowledge to dismantle the defense’s arguments and maximize recovery for our clients. For Bulloch County families, this means we anticipate our opponents’ moves, giving you a powerful edge.

Battle-Tested Experience Against Major Defendants

Ralph Manginello brings over 25 years of courtroom experience, including involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation. This experience proves our capacity to take on massive corporate defendants with virtually unlimited resources, a skill directly transferable to confronting national fraternities and major universities. We’ve recovered millions for clients across a wide range of personal injury cases, and we are not intimidated by powerful institutions.

Nationwide Reach with Local Dedication

While our core offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our ability to represent clients extends far beyond state lines, including to Bulloch County, Georgia.

• Federal Court Admissions: Both Ralph and Lupe are admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts, giving us the authority to pursue complex hazing cases in federal jurisdiction, regardless of where the incident occurred in Bulloch County or across the country.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph is licensed in both Texas and New York, a strategic advantage when dealing with national fraternity organizations often headquartered or incorporated in various states.
• Willingness to Travel: Distance is not a barrier to justice. We travel to Bulloch County as needed for depositions, client meetings, and trials, ensuring you have devoted representation on the ground.
• Remote Consultations: For your convenience, Bulloch County families can easily connect with our attorneys through video consultations, allowing us to begin building your case immediately.

Data-Driven Litigation for Unshakeable Cases

We don’t guess who is responsible; we know. We maintain one of the most comprehensive private databases of Greek organizations in Texas, including IRS-registered entities, EINs, names of housing corporations, and alumni chapters. This intelligence allows us to identify and target every liable entity, ensuring no stone is left unturned in pursuing accountability. We apply this same investigative rigor to hazing cases nationally, understanding the intricate corporate structures behind Greek letters, wherever they are rooted, including in Bulloch County.

Compassion Meets Aggression

We understand the trauma and emotional toll hazing takes on victims and their families. Our approach is deeply empathetic, treating every Bulloch County family with the care and understanding they deserve. You are not just a case number; you are part of our family. This compassion, however, is coupled with aggressive, uncompromising advocacy in the courtroom. We are pit bulls in pursuit of justice, because we believe that only relentless legal pressure can force meaningful change.

Bilingual Services

With Lupe Pena being fluent in Spanish, we proudly serve Hispanic families in Bulloch County, Georgia, ensuring that language is never a barrier to accessing top-tier legal representation. Se habla español.

No Upfront Costs: Contingency Fee Representation

We understand that the financial burden of a hazing incident can be immense. That’s why we take all hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means Bulloch County families pay absolutely $0 upfront. We only get paid if, and when, we win your case. This aligns our interests directly with yours and removes any financial barriers to seeking justice against powerful institutions. We invest our resources, time, and expertise into your fight, because we believe in your case.

Our 4.9-star rating on Google My Business, based on over 250 reviews, reflects our commitment to client satisfaction and successful outcomes, with families praising our communication, responsiveness, and dedication. As one client, Chad Harris, put it, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.”

For families in Bulloch County, the choice is clear. When facing a legal emergency like hazing, you need our unique combination of insider knowledge, battle-tested experience, nationwide reach, data-driven strategy, and deep compassion. We are Attorney911, and we are ready to fight for you.

Immediate Action: What Bulloch County Families Must Do Right Now After Hazing

The moments following a hazing incident can be chaotic and overwhelming. As a parent in Bulloch County, Georgia, your priority is your child’s well-being, but taking immediate, deliberate steps can be crucial for their legal case. The clock starts ticking from the moment the hazing occurs, and critical evidence can disappear quickly. We understand the shock, anger, and fear you’re experiencing, but decisive action can make all the difference.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention and Document Everything

Your child’s health is paramount. If they are injured, feel unwell, or are experiencing any physical or psychological distress, get them to a doctor or emergency room immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked.

• Go to the ER: If there’s any doubt about their condition, take them to the nearest hospital, such as East Georgia Regional Medical Center right here in Bulloch County. This creates an official medical record. The adrenaline from a traumatic event can mask pain, so conditions like concussions or rhabdomyolysis symptoms (as in Leonel Bermudez’s case) may not be immediately apparent.
• Be Thorough with Medical Providers: Clearly state that the injuries resulted from hazing. Ensure medical records reflect the cause, not just the symptoms.
• Preserve All Medical Records: Keep copies of all hospital records, doctor’s notes, diagnostic tests, prescriptions, and therapist invoices. These documents are the backbone of any personal injury claim.

Our video, “Why Seeing a Doctor Right After an Accident Is Critical,” emphasizes how crucial this step is for both health and legal purposes, as delays in treatment can be used by the defense to argue injuries weren’t severe.

2. Preserve All Evidence – Digital and Physical

Hazing often leaves digital breadcrumbs. These can be the most powerful evidence to refute claims of consent or deny patterns of behavior.

• Photos and Videos: If safe to do so, immediately photograph your child’s injuries at all stages of healing. If there are any photos or videos of the hazing itself, save them. Our video, “Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?”, highlights the importance of this.
• Communications: This is CRITICAL. Screenshot and save everything:
  • Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, Facebook messages, WhatsApp chats: These often contain direct evidence of forced activities, threats, coercion, or discussions about the hazing.
  • Emails: Any official or unofficial communications related to the organization or pledge activities.
• Witness Information: Collect names, phone numbers, and contact details of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or even casual bystanders. Their testimony can be invaluable.
• Documents: Keep any “pledge packets,” manuals, schedules, rules, or communications from the fraternity/sorority or university related to the activity.
• Financial Records: Collect medical bills, receipts for any related expenses (travel to treatment, medications), and documentation of lost wages if your child missed work for recovery.
• Academic Records: Document any impact on your child’s grades, enrollment status, or scholarships.

3. Do NOT Communicate Alone with Defendants or Their Representatives

This is a common and often devastating mistake. Institutions and organizations will try to control the narrative and minimize their liability.

• No Talking to Fraternity/Sorority Leaders: Do not engage with fraternity officers, alumni, or national leaders without legal counsel present. They will try to get your child to confess guilt, absolve the group, or sign away rights.
• No Talking to University Administration Alone: Universities have their own legal teams and will prioritize protecting the institution’s reputation over your child’s well-being. Do not give any statements or sign anything without legal advice.
• Never Give a Recorded Statement: If an insurance adjuster or university official asks for a recorded statement, politely decline. Our video, “Never Talk to the Insurance Company After an Accident,” outlines why this is so dangerous. Anything said can be twisted and used against your child.
• Do NOT Post on Social Media: Anything your child posts online can and will be scrutinized by the defense. Our video, “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident,” strongly advises against this. Even innocent posts can be taken out of context to imply they were not seriously hurt or were complicit. Also, do not delete old posts; this can be seen as spoliation of evidence.

4. Understand Your Legal Rights and the Statute of Limitations

Many hazing victims feel isolated and believe they have no recourse. This is false. You have strong legal rights to pursue compensation for damages and hold those responsible accountable.

• Time is Critical: In Georgia, personal injury lawsuits, including those for hazing, generally have a two-year statute of limitations. This means you have a limited time from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Our video, “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?”, explains this urgency. Waiting too long can mean losing your right to seek justice.
• Consent is Not a Defense: As discussed, in many states including Texas, consent is explicitly NOT a defense to hazing allegations. Do not worry if your child initially participated under duress; the law protects them.

5. Contact Attorney911 Immediately

The single most important step you can take after ensuring your child’s safety is to contact an experienced hazing litigation attorney. We offer free, confidential consultations 24/7.

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911: Our legal emergency hotline is available around the clock. We can begin evaluating your case, advising on evidence preservation, and protecting your child’s rights immediately.
• Benefit from Expert Guidance: We know the unique complexities of hazing cases, such as dealing with multi-layered institutional defendants, navigating complex peer dynamics, and handling the psychological impact on victims.
• No Financial Barrier: Remember, we take cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win. This ensures Bulloch County families can access top-tier legal representation regardless of their current financial situation.

The journey to justice after a hazing incident can be long and challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. For Bulloch County families, Attorney911 is ready to be your advocate, your protector, and your champion in the fight against hazing.

Call to Action for Bulloch County Families: Speak Up, Fight Back, Demand Justice

If your child has been subjected to hazing in Bulloch County, Georgia, or anywhere across the country, please know this: You are not alone, and you have powerful legal recourse. What happened to your child was not a harmless prank; it was an act of abuse, potentially criminal, and it demands accountability.

At Attorney911, we are relentlessly dedicated to fighting for hazing victims and their families. Our ongoing $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is proof of our commitment and expertise. We are not just talking about hazing; we are actively litigating, gathering evidence, pursuing every liable entity, and seeking maximum compensation to transform tragedy into justice. The same aggressive, data-driven strategies that we bring to our cases here in Texas are ready to be deployed for your family in Bulloch County.

Bulloch County Families: Don’t Wait. Your Time to Act is Now.

Hazing incidents, particularly those involving physical injury or psychological trauma, have a limited window for legal action. In Georgia, like Texas, personal injury lawsuits must typically be filed within two years of the incident. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and student organizations sometimes move quickly to cover their tracks. Waiting only risks jeopardizing your case.

Here’s How Attorney911 Will Fight for Bulloch County Families:

• Comprehensive Investigation: We will meticulously gather all medical records, digital communications, witness statements, and any other evidence to build an unassailable case.
• Multi-Party Accountability: We will identify and pursue every responsible party—from individual perpetrators to local chapters, national organizations, housing corporations, and the universities themselves. We know their playbook, and we will shut it down.
• Maximizing Your Compensation: We will fight for full compensation for all economic and non-economic damages, including medical bills, lost academic opportunities, future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages to punish egregious conduct.
• Media and Public Pressure: When appropriate, we leverage media attention to shine a light on institutional failures, creating public pressure that can accelerate settlements and drive policy changes that protect other students in Bulloch County and beyond.
• Dedicated Advocacy: You’ll have a compassionate and relentless legal team by your side, guiding you through every step of the process and ensuring your story is heard.

Contact Attorney911 for a Free, Confidential Consultation

The first step is a conversation. We offer a completely free and confidential consultation to all Bulloch County families. There’s no obligation, just an opportunity for us to listen to your story, assess your situation, and explain your legal options.

Bulloch County families, if your child has been hazed, please call us immediately. Our Legal Emergency Hotline is available 24/7:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

You can also reach us via email at: ralph@atty911.com

For more information, visit our website: attorney911.com

Remember, we operate on a contingency fee basis for hazing cases. This means you pay absolutely nothing upfront, and we only get paid if and when we successfully recover compensation for you. Our goal is to level the playing field, making sure that powerful institutions cannot evade justice simply because a family in Bulloch County fears the cost of legal action.

Distance is not a barrier to justice. While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we proudly serve hazing victims nationwide, including those right here in Bulloch County, Georgia. We offer seamless video consultations, and our team is prepared to travel to Bulloch County for depositions, meetings, or trials as your case requires.

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know Leonel Bermudez was not an isolated incident. The lawsuit alleges a “pattern of similar hazing and policy violations.” Another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness on October 15. Others were subjected to waterboarding, forced eating, and physical abuse. If you or someone you know was involved and suffered harm, we want to hear from you. You have rights, and we can help you too. As Lupe Pena so powerfully 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.”

Let us be your voice, your strength, and your advocate. Together, we can send an unmistakable message to every fraternity, every university, and every individual who thinks hazing is acceptable: no more. Join us in the fight for justice, and let us help ensure that no other Bulloch County family has to endure this nightmare.

Attorney911: Your Legal Emergency Lawyers. Trusted. Aggressive. Relentless.