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Emanuel County Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M Pike Settlements | 125+ Greek Orgs Tracked | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

Earth, Emanuel County, Georgia, North America, United States

If you’re reading this in Emanuel County, Georgia, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college. They were supposed to thrive, learn, and grow. Instead, they were tortured. They were abused. They were deeply hurt, physically or emotionally, by a “brotherhood” or “sisterhood” that betrayed their trust. We’re here to help families in Emanuel County fight back when hazing turns dreams into nightmares.

What happened to your child isn’t just an isolated incident; it’s part of a nationwide crisis, one we are actively fighting right now. We understand the fear, the anger, and the desperation that can drive a parent to search for answers in the middle of the night. At Attorney911, we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™, and we provide immediate, aggressive, and professional help to victims of hazing and their families, not just across Texas but directly to communities like Emanuel County.

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

Families in Emanuel County need to understand the reality of hazing today, and our active litigation in Houston provides a stark warning and a clear path forward. This isn’t just a theoretical legal discussion; we are in the fight right now, aggressively pursuing justice in a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university. This is the same fight we’re prepared to bring to Emanuel County, Georgia.

Emanuel County Families: This case happened in Houston, just last month. But the same type of hazing occurs at universities throughout Georgia. The same national fraternities and sororities with dangerous “traditions” have chapters at institutions your children might attend. The same institutional negligence that allowed hazing at the University of Houston can be found at colleges and universities near Emanuel County. And we will fight for Emanuel County families with the same ferocity and dedication we are bringing to this critical lawsuit.

We are ready to leverage our federal court authority, our dual-state bar licenses, and our deep understanding of these complex cases to ensure Emanuel County victims receive the aggressive representation they deserve.

Media Coverage of Our Active Lawsuit

Our firm’s commitment to holding hazing perpetrators accountable has already garnered significant media attention in Texas:

We also have the national fraternity’s own public acknowledgment of the chapter closure:

The $10 Million Fight: Emanuel County Deserves to Know

This lawsuit, seeking $10 million, was filed just weeks ago, on November 21, 2025, in Harris County Civil District Court. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are relentlessly pursuing accountability from every party responsible.

The defendants in this landmark case include:

  • Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (the 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
  • The Pledgemaster
  • Multiple current and former fraternity members
  • Even a former member and his spouse, because hazing occurred at their private residence.

This extensive list of defendants demonstrates our comprehensive, data-driven strategy to ensure everyone who enabled, participated in, or permitted the hazing is held liable.

Leonel Bermudez’s Story: A Warning for Emanuel County Families

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was a “ghost rush” – a prospective member who wasn’t even an enrolled University of Houston student yet. He was planning to transfer to UH for the upcoming semester. They did this to someone who hadn’t even officially joined their student body.

Leonel accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. What followed was an agonizing weeks-long period of systematic abuse and torture that landed him in the hospital for three nights and four days, suffering from severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

This case is a stark warning for Emanuel County families:

  • Pi Kappa Phi has more than 150 chapters across America, including at many institutions throughout Georgia, such as Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern University (Statesboro, near Emanuel County), and the University of Georgia.
  • The same dangerous “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel can easily happen at fraternities near Emanuel County, Georgia.
  • Universities like the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern, and Georgia Tech face the same liability failures as the University of Houston if they allow hazing to occur on their campuses or within their affiliated organizations.
  • If your child is being hazed in Emanuel County, Georgia, or while attending college elsewhere, we will fight for you with the same aggressive tactics we’re employing in Houston.

Mr. Manginello told ABC13, “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.” This is the harrowing reality of modern hazing.

As Mr. Pena passionately stated 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.” We believe this fight in Houston is a fight for every student in Emanuel County and beyond.

The Unthinkable Timeline: How Hazing Escalated

The lawsuit paints a horrific picture of the hazing Leonel endured:

  • September 16, 2025: Leonel accepts a bid to Pi Kappa Phi. The “pledge” period, supposedly about brotherhood, immediately devolves into systematic abuse.
  • Throughout late September and October: Leonel is subjected to an enforced dress code, required study hours, weekly interviews, and is forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, causing constant exhaustion. He is forced to carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times, facing threats of physical punishment or expulsion if he doesn’t comply.
  • October 13, 2025: In a chilling incident, another pledge is hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour while fraternity members prepare for a meeting. This demonstrates the constant threat and dehumanization present.
  • October 15, 2025: A pledge loses consciousness and collapses during a forced workout. Other pledges are forced to elevate his legs until he recovers. This is a clear warning sign of dangerous conduct that was ignored.
  • Multiple occasions: Leonel is subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose” – a torture technique generally applied to wartime enemies. He is forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomits. After vomiting, he’s forced to continue running sprints while clearly in physical distress, often lying in vomit-soaked grass. He is also forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and is sprayed with a garden hose. The lawsuit alleges he was even “struck with wooden paddles.”
  • November 3, 2025: The climax of the hazing. Leonel is punished for missing an event. He is forced into an extreme exercise regimen, including over 100 pushups, over 500 squats, “high-volume suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother drills,” two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He forced to recite the fraternity creed while exercising, under threat of immediate expulsion. He becomes so exhausted he cannot stand without help.
  • November 4-5, 2025: Leonel’s condition rapidly deteriorates. He is “really sore and couldn’t really move” (Manginello). “The next day was worse.”
  • November 6, 2025: His mother, horrified by his state and the fact he is “passing brown urine” (a critical sign of muscle breakdown), rushes him to the hospital.
  • November 6-10, 2025: Leonel spends three nights and four days hospitalized, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. The same day, Pi Kappa Phi National “suspends” its UH chapter.
  • November 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National officially closes the Beta Nu Chapter.
  • November 21, 2025: Our firm files the $10 million lawsuit.

The Hazing Activities: Beyond Pranks, It’s Torture

The level of abuse Leonel endured goes far beyond any “prank” or misguided “tradition.” It is systematic torture:

  • Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning: Leonel was sprayed in the face with a hose while doing calisthenics, forced to run repeatedly under threat of this “waterboarding.” As Houston Public Media rightly noted, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.” This is simply inhumane.
  • Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Massive amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns were forced upon him until he vomited, then he was made to continue running sprints in his physical distress and lie in his own vomit.
  • Extreme Physical Punishment: Hundreds of pushups, 500 squats, high-intensity running drills, bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother drills,” two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls were designed to break him. The fact that another pledge lost consciousness during these workouts on October 15 underscores the extreme danger. He was even “struck with wooden paddles.”
  • Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Forcing him to strip to his underwear, carry sexually explicit objects, and hog-tying other pledges are all designed to dehumanize and break down individuals, instilling fear and compliance through psychological manipulation.
  • Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: The forced early morning drives and constant hazing took a severe toll, leading to the collapse of his body while trying to withstand the physical demands. This is the exact playbook hazers have used for decades to increase vulnerability and compliance.

The Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis and Near-Fatal Kidney Failure

What happened to Leonel Bermudez was not merely exhaustion; it was a life-threatening medical emergency.

What is Rhabdomyolysis? This is a severe condition where damaged muscle tissue rapidly breaks down and releases a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream. This myoglobin is incredibly toxic to the kidneys and can lead to acute kidney failure or even death.

Leonel’s medical evidence confirmed the severity:

  • Brown urine: A classic and alarming sign of myoglobin in the urine, indicating severe muscle breakdown.
  • Very high creatine kinase levels: Lab tests confirmed massive muscle damage.
  • Acute kidney failure: His kidneys, vital organs for filtering waste, were failing. This is a life-threatening complication.
  • Four days of hospitalization: He required intensive medical treatment to prevent permanent damage or death.
  • He suffered severe muscle pain and difficulty walking, unable to stand or walk for days after the incident.

This is the very same medical condition our firm has successfully litigated before, demonstrating Mr. Manginello’s specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases. In Emanuel County, just as elsewhere, medical treatment is paramount, and these detailed records are vital evidence.

Institutional Responses: A Pattern of Avoidance

The way the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National responded speaks volumes, and it reflects a pattern we see nationwide, including potentially at institutions your Emanuel County children might attend.

The University of Houston spokesperson told Houston Public Media on November 24, 2025: “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards. The University is conducting its own investigation in coordination with law enforcement and with the cooperation of the fraternity and its national leadership. Pending the outcome of these investigations, any individual found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges.” This statement, while seemingly proactive, is an admission that they acknowledge the severity (“deeply disturbing”) and that criminal conduct likely occurred (“potential criminal charges”). It also reveals their “coordination” with the fraternity, suggesting a united front to manage public relations and legal liability.

Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, in their public statement on November 21, 2025, confirmed they closed the Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, before our lawsuit was publicly filed. They cited “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” This is a public admission of wrongdoing. Their closing line, “we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” demonstrates a shocking lack of remorse and a clear intent to resume operations once the controversy dies down. It’s a clear signal that without strong accountability, they simply wait out the storm.

The critical questions: If Pi Kappa Phi truly prioritized the “well-being of our members,” why did they fail to prevent such egregious acts? If UH’s “community standards” were clear, why did they not act sooner? These institutions, like those in Georgia, often claim ignorance or express shock, but their actions (or inactions) often tell a different story.

Why This Case Matters to Emanuel County Families

  1. Proof That “Tradition” is Torture: This case shatters the myth that hazing is harmless “fun.” It demonstrates it is indeed systematic abuse, assault, and torture. This same type of abuse can happen at institutions your Emanuel County children attend or nearby, such as Georgia Southern University or East Georgia State College.
  2. Universities Are Complicit: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of this torture occurred. Universities in Georgia, whether it’s the University of Georgia, Kennesaw State, or Georgia Tech, have the same moral and legal obligation to prevent hazing on their campuses or properties and face the same liability when they fail.
  3. National Organizations Know: Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters closing the chapter immediately after the hospitalization proves they knew the conduct was wrong. These same national organizations, including Pi Kappa Phi, have chapters active across Georgia, and they must be held accountable for the failures of their local branches.
  4. Victims Are Afraid: Leonel’s fear of retribution for speaking out is real and common. Students in Emanuel County and elsewhere feel immense pressure and fear reprisal. Our firm is dedicated to protecting our clients and ensuring their voices are heard without fear.
  5. One Brave Victim Protects Others: As Lupe Pena emphasized, sometimes one brave act of coming forward can prevent harm to countless others. Your case from Emanuel County could be the one that sets a precedent and saves lives in your community.
  6. $10 Million Sends a Message: A $10 million demand underscores the severe costs of hazing. Emanuel County families have the power to send the same message with their cases, demanding financial accountability that forces systemic change.

This is not “boys being boys.” This isn’t “tradition.” This is criminal, dangerous, and often fatal behavior. The crisis affects fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student organizations across the nation. A shocking 55% of students in Greek organizations report experiencing hazing, and 95% of those hazed never report it. Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States. Universities and national organizations have the power to stop it, but often fail to act until a tragedy like Leonel’s hospitalization or a student’s death tragically forces their hand.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Understanding the Abuse

When most people think of hazing, they might picture harmless pranks. The reality, as Leonel’s case so chillingly demonstrates, is far more sinister. Hazing is calculated abuse, pure and simple. It transcends benign initiation rituals and delves into physical and psychological torture that can leave lasting scars, both visible and invisible. We want Emanuel County families to truly understand the depth of this crisis.

Based on our active Pi Kappa Phi case and other documented incidents across the country, what hazing really looks like today includes:

  • Physical Abuse: This is the most obvious and often the most immediately damaging. It can involve beatings, being struck with wooden paddles as Leonel was, branding, burning, or being forced into exercises to the point of collapse and organ failure. The 500 squats, 100 pushups, and other extreme calisthenics Leonel endured are clear examples.
  • Forced Consumption: This category often leads to some of the most tragic outcomes, particularly with alcohol. Victims are forced to binge drink or “chug” large quantities of alcohol, leading to alcohol poisoning. It also includes consuming large amounts of food, like the milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns forced on Leonel until he vomited, or even non-food substances.
  • Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often kept awake for days on end, forced into late-night activities, early morning “workouts,” or, as Leonel experienced, driving members for hours, leading to dangerous levels of exhaustion that break down both body and mind.
  • Psychological Torture: This can be as devastating as physical abuse, causing lasting mental health issues. It includes humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, bullying, isolation, and explicit threats. Making Leonel carry objects of a sexual nature in a fanny pack, hog-tying other pledges, or forcing him to strip are all acts of extreme psychological torment.
  • Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: As sickening as it sounds, techniques that mimic drowning are employed. Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose.” This is an act of torture, plain and simple, and should never be dismissed as “hazing.”
  • Exposure: This can involve being forced to endure extreme cold or heat, confined in small, uncomfortable spaces, or enduring other environmental stressors that pose serious health risks. Leonel was forced to strip in cold weather and sprayed with a hose.
  • Servitude: Pledges are treated as servants, forced to clean, run errands, or provide transport for members, further diminishing their self-worth and independence.

The Medical Consequences Extend Far Beyond Injury:

The consequences of hazing are severe and can include:

  • Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure: As tragically demonstrated by Leonel Bermudez.
  • Alcohol Poisoning: A leading cause of hazing deaths.
  • Traumatic Brain Injury: Resulting from beatings, falls, or uncontrolled violence.
  • Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From exposure to extreme weather.
  • Cardiac Arrest: From extreme physical exertion and stress.
  • PTSD, Anxiety, Depression: Long-term psychological damage requiring extensive therapy.
  • DEATH: The ultimate, irreversible outcome of hazing that spirals out of control.

If an Emanuel County family has faced any of these harrowing experiences, know that we see you, we hear you, and we are ready to fight for you. These are not minor incidents; they are severe breaches of trust and safety.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Party Accountable

One of the most crucial aspects of hazing litigation is identifying and pursuing every single party that bears responsibility. It’s not just the individual fraternity members; it’s the entire ecosystem that allows hazing to flourish. For Emanuel County families, this means we will aggressively target everyone from the students involved to the international organizations that oversee them, and the universities that host them. Our approach in the Pi Kappa Phi case reveals the breadth of our strategy:

  1. Local Chapters (Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi): These are the direct perpetrators. They organized, coordinated, and carried out the hazing activities. Their officers, such as the President and Pledgemaster, are particularly liable for directing the abuse. We pursue legal action against the chapter as an entity and its individual leaders.
  2. Individual Members: Every participant in the hazing can be held personally responsible, including current members who actively engaged, and even former members and their spouses who provided a location (like the private residence where hazing occurred in Leonel’s case) or facilitated the abuse. Their individual actions constitute assault, battery, and other intentional torts.
  3. National Fraternity/Sorority Organizations (Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters): These are often the “deep pockets.” National organizations have a fundamental duty to supervise their local chapters, enforce anti-hazing policies, and ensure student safety. In Leonel’s case, the national organization showed its culpability by immediately suspending and dissolving the chapter when the hazing became public. This action confirms they knew the conduct was wrong. We allege they failed to act despite knowledge of a “hazing crisis” and a documented history of severe hazing, including the death of Andrew Coffey at their Florida State chapter in 2017. These national entities operate in Emanuel County, Georgia, and across every state.
  4. Universities & Colleges (University of Houston and UH Board of Regents): Educational institutions have a paramount duty to protect their students. In Leonel’s case, the University of Houston is particularly liable because it owned and directly controlled the fraternity house where significant hazing occurred. This establishes clear premises liability. Furthermore, UH had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving a different fraternity, proving they had actual notice of hazing dangers on their campus and failed to implement effective preventative measures. Universities throughout Georgia, including those popular with Emanuel County students, must be held to the same standard.
  5. Housing Corporations: Many fraternities and sororities have separate housing corporations that own or manage the properties. These entities can be liable for failing to maintain a safe environment and for permitting hazing to occur on their premises.
  6. Insurance Carriers: This is where the significant financial recovery often comes from. National organizations, universities, housing corporations, and even individuals (through homeowner’s or renter’s insurance) carry policies designed to cover such incidents. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Mr. Manginello and Mr. Pena have insider knowledge of how these carriers operate, allowing us to anticipate their strategies and aggressively pursue maximum compensation.

The “Deep Pockets” Strategy: It’s crucial for Emanuel County families to understand that pursuing a hazing lawsuit isn’t about suing individual college students for small amounts. It’s about holding massive institutions – national fraternities with millions in assets, and universities with substantial endowments and insurance policies – accountable for their systemic failures.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For Emanuel County families wondering if legal action can truly make a difference, the answer is a resounding yes. Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an outlier; it’s consistent with a growing number of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements that prove when institutions fail to protect students from hazing, they will pay a heavy price. We want Emanuel County to know that these same results are within reach for victims in Georgia.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements: They Will Pay

  • Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Total: $10.1 Million+
    Stone Foltz tragically died in 2021 after being forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation event. The total recovery for his family, including settlements from Bowling Green State University ($2.9 million) and the national fraternity plus individuals ($7.2 million), exceeds $10.1 million. This case in Ohio sets a crucial precedent: a public university paid millions, a national fraternity paid millions, and a chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million in a judgment last month (December 2024). This directly aligns with our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez.
  • Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): Total: $6.1 Million Verdict
    Maxwell Gruver, just 18, died in 2017 from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink during a Phi Delta Theta pledge event at LSU. A jury awarded his family a $6.1 million verdict. This case proved that juries are willing to award substantial sums for hazing deaths, and it led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
  • Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): Total: $110+ Million (Estimated Settlements)
    Timothy Piazza died in 2017 from a traumatic brain injury after consuming 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi hazing ritual at Penn State. Fraternity brothers shamefully waited 12 hours before calling 911. The settlements in this case are estimated to exceed $110 million, with multiple criminal convictions and the passage of the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in Pennsylvania. The egregious conduct, combined with damning video evidence, led to monumental accountability.
  • Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Same Fraternity as Our Case
    Andrew Coffey died on November 3, 2017, from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” at Florida State. This is critical: the same national organization, Pi Kappa Phi, that is involved in our current lawsuit with Leonel Bermudez, had a student die in their hazing eight years prior. This unequivocally demonstrates Pi Kappa Phi’s knowledge of deadly hazing practices and their systemic failure to prevent it, directly supporting our claims for punitive damages for Leonel.

Legislative Change & Personal Accountability

These landmark cases don’t just result in financial compensation; they often drive significant change:

  • Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law (Pennsylvania, 2018): Felony charges for hazing causing death, immunity for reporting.
  • Max Gruver Act (Louisiana, 2018): Made hazing a felony with increased penalties.
  • Collin’s Law (Ohio, 2021): Named after Collin Wiant, with stronger felony hazing charges.
  • The upcoming Stop Campus Hazing Act at the federal level, which will require colleges to publicly report hazing incidents.

These precedents underscore a crucial point for Emanuel County families: our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is not an arbitrary figure. It is firmly rooted in what juries and courts have determined to be proper compensation for hazing victims and their families. When hazing causes severe injury or death, the responsible parties will pay millions. This is the financial leverage that forces organizations to finally change.

Texas Law Protects You, and Federal Law Extends it Everywhere

While our firm is based in Texas, the principles of justice and accountability for hazing victims extend throughout the United States, including Emanuel County, Georgia. Many states, including Georgia, have anti-hazing laws. Crucially, our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses allow us to pursue cases against national organizations and universities regardless of where the hazing occurred, bringing our expertise directly to Emanuel County families.

Texas Hazing Laws: A Model for Accountability

Texas law explicitly addresses hazing, and its framework provides a strong foundation for civil litigation:

Texas Education Code § 37.151 – Definition of Hazing:
This statute broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization. The definition includes:

  • Physical brutality: “Whipping, beating, striking, branding…or similar activity.” (Leonel was “struck with wooden paddles” and endured extreme physical punishment.)
  • Activities endangering health: “Sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics…that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.” (Leonel experienced sleep deprivation, cold weather exposure, and extreme calisthenics leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.)
  • Forced consumption: “Consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance… that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm.” (Leonel was forced to eat until vomiting.)
  • Acts violating the Penal Code: Any activity that requires a student to commit a criminal offense.

Emanuel County Application: Georgia’s anti-hazing laws, like the “Max Gruver Act” in Texas or Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, contain similar definitions and prohibitions. The key takeaway is that the abusive acts experienced by your child in Emanuel County are almost certainly illegal and actionable.

Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152):
Hazing causing serious bodily injury, like Leonel’s kidney failure, is a Class A Misdemeanor in Texas, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Hazing that causes death is a State Jail Felony, punishable by 180 days to two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine. The University of Houston spokesperson even mentioned “potential criminal charges” in their statement regarding Leonel’s case, confirming the criminal nature of these acts.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153):
Organizations themselves can be penalized, including fines up to $10,000 and the denial of their right to operate on campus. This is why Pi Kappa Phi was quick to close its chapter.

Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154):
This is one of the most vital aspects of Texas law: “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 directly counters the common defense argument that “he agreed to participate” or “he knew what he was signing up for.” Under Texas law, consent does not legitimize criminal acts of hazing. This important legal principle is echoed in many state anti-hazing laws, including Georgia’s efforts to strengthen its own statutes, ensuring that victims in Emanuel County cannot be blamed for participating in abuse.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges

Beyond the criminal penalties, hazing victims and their families in Emanuel County have strong grounds for civil lawsuits, even when criminal charges are not pursued or are dismissed. Civil lawsuits allow victims to seek financial compensation for their injuries and suffering.

  1. Negligence Claims: This is the most common civil claim. It asserts that the university, national organization, or individuals owed a duty of care to the student, breached that duty through their hazing or failure to prevent it, which directly caused the injuries and resulting damages.
  2. Premises Liability: If the hazing occurred on university property or property owned by a fraternity housing corporation, the property owner can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment. This is especially relevant to the University of Houston, which owned the house where Leonel was hazed.
  3. Negligent Supervision: National organizations and universities have a duty to supervise their chapters and Greek life. Their failure to do so, especially when they have actual knowledge of hazing, constitutes negligent supervision.
  4. Assault and Battery: Every individual who participated in physical hazing acts (like striking with paddles or waterboarding) can be sued directly for intentional harm.
  5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Hazing acts, particularly those involving psychological torture and extreme humiliation, can give rise to claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress, especially when they lead to conditions like PTSD.

These civil claims are recognized across most states, including Georgia, meaning Emanuel County victims have robust legal avenues for justice. Our firm’s ability to operate in federal courts also means we can often bypass certain state-level limitations and pursue claims on a larger, national scale where appropriate.

Why Attorney911: Your Expert Hazing Litigation Partner in Emanuel County

When your child has been subjected to the trauma of hazing, you need legal representation that is not only highly skilled but fiercely dedicated and strategically smart. Attorney911 is not just another personal injury firm; we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ with a distinct focus and proven track record in hazing litigation that directly benefits families in Emanuel County, Georgia.

What Makes Attorney911 the Right Choice for Emanuel County Families?

  1. Active Hazing Litigation Expertise: We are currently battling Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit. This is not theoretical; this is real, ongoing litigation positioning us at the forefront of this fight. Emanuel County families benefit directly from this cutting-edge experience. We are in the trenches right now, using and refining the strategies that will win your case.
  2. 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Mr. Ralph Manginello brings over 25 years of battle-tested trial experience. This experience means we aren’t afraid to take on powerful institutions like national fraternities or major universities. We know how to prepare a case for trial, and that readiness often leads to stronger settlement offers.
  3. Former Insurance Defense Insight: Both Mr. Ralph Manginello and Mr. Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. This is an unparalleled advantage for our clients. We know the insurance companies’ playbooks, their tactics, their weaknesses, and exactly how they will try to deny or minimize your claim. Mr. Pena, especially, having worked for a national defense firm like Litchfield Cavo LLP, understands the internal strategies of major insurers. This insider knowledge is your unfair advantage against the deep pockets of fraternities and universities.
  4. Federal Court Admissions & Dual-State Bar Licenses: Our attorneys are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and hold bar licenses in both Texas and New York. This federal authority and multi-state licensing mean we can pursue hazing cases against national organizations no matter where they are headquartered or where the hazing occurred, including any university in Emanuel County, Georgia. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
  5. Multi-Billion Dollar Case Experience: Mr. Manginello’s involvement in the BP Texas City Explosion litigation (a multi-billion dollar mass tort case) against a massive corporate defendant demonstrates our capability to handle incredibly complex, high-stakes cases against powerful, well-resourced opponents. These same skills are directly transferable to hazing cases involving institutional negligence.
  6. Hazing-Specific Focus & Expertise: We have direct experience with fraternity litigation, rhabdomyolysis cases (like Leonel’s), and university accountability. Our in-depth knowledge of Greek life culture, university administrative processes, and the specific medical consequences of hazing makes us uniquely qualified.
  7. Journalism Background: Mr. Manginello’s degree in journalism equips him with the investigative skills to uncover hidden facts and the storytelling acumen to present compelling narratives to juries. Hazing cases often involve exposing what institutions try to keep secret, and this background is invaluable.
  8. Bilingual Staff (Se Habla Español): Mr. Lupe Pena is fluent in Spanish, and our staff is fully bilingual. This ensures that Spanish-speaking families in Emanuel County receive comprehensive legal services without any language barriers, from initial consultation to courtroom representation.
  9. Compassionate, Parent-Focused Approach: We are fathers ourselves, and we deeply understand what’s at stake when a child is harmed. We speak directly to parents, offering empathy and clear guidance, not legal jargon. We see your child as a person, not a paycheck, and we are genuinely committed to helping Emanuel County families navigate these traumatic experiences.
  10. Contingency Fee Basis: For Emanuel County hazing victims, the fear of legal costs should never prevent pursuing justice. We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis – meaning you pay absolutely nothing upfront. Our fees are paid only if and when we win your case. This eliminates financial risk and levels the playing field against well-funded defendants.
  11. Willingness to Travel: While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we will travel to Emanuel County, Georgia, for depositions, key meetings, and trials as necessary. We also offer convenient remote consultations via video to make the process as easy as possible for out-of-state clients.

Our Promise to Emanuel County:

“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.” — Chad Harris, a client. This sentiment, echoed in our 4.9-star Google rating from over 250 reviews, defines our client relationships. We are committed to standing with Emanuel County families, from the scared parent searching online at 2 AM to the moment justice is served.

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

If you or your child in Emanuel County, Georgia, has been a victim of hazing, the first few hours and days are critical. What you do (and don’t do) immediately following an incident can significantly impact your potential legal case. We urge you to take these steps to protect your rights and ensure justice.

1. Prioritize Medical Attention and Document Everything

  • Seek Medical Care Immediately: Your health is paramount. If there’s any physical injury, pain, or psychological distress, get professional medical help right away – whether it’s an emergency room visit, a doctor’s appointment, or a mental health consultation. Even if injuries seem minor or symptoms are delayed (like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis or PTSD), establish a medical record from the earliest possible moment.
  • Document Everything: Keep every piece of medical documentation. This includes hospital records, ER reports, doctor’s notes, test results (like Leonel’s creatine kinase levels), prescriptions, and therapy records. Future medical bills and rehabilitation expenses are also crucial evidence.
  • Photographs and Videos: Use your phone to document everything. Take photos of any physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) as they appear and as they heal. If safe and possible, discretely photograph the hazing location or any physical evidence. Screenshots of text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, or any social media communications about the hazing incidents are invaluable. Consider our video “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs).

2. Preserve Crucial Evidence

  • Save All Communications: KEEP every text message, email, GroupMe chat, Snapchat log, or any other digital communication related to the hazing. Do not delete anything, even if it seems irrelevant or embarrassing. These communications often contain direct evidence of the hazing, threats, or peer pressure. Our video “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY) emphasizes how deleting evidence can destroy a case.
  • Identify Witnesses: Write down the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges who experienced it, or anyone to whom your child confided details. Their testimony can be crucial.
  • Keep all Documents: Save any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or other documents provided by the fraternity, sorority, or organization.
  • Financial and Academic Records: Keep records of any lost wages if your child missed work, any lost scholarships or tuition payments if their academic career was disrupted, or any other financial losses.

3. Avoid Critical Mistakes

  • Do NOT Talk to the Organization or University Alone: Do not give statements, written or verbal, to fraternity or sorority leaders, national organization representatives, or university administrators without first consulting with an attorney. Their priority is to protect the institution, not your child.
  • Do NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the fraternity, university, or their insurance companies without legal review. You could inadvertently waive your rights to future compensation.
  • Do NOT Post on Social Media: Anything posted on social media can and will be used against your case. Avoid discussing the incident, your injuries, or your legal proceedings online. Also, avoid posting anything that could suggest you are “fine” or enjoying yourself, as this can contradict your claims of suffering.
  • Do NOT Confront “The Bros”: Your safety and your child’s safety is most important. While anger is natural, direct confrontation can escalate the situation and compromise future legal action.
  • Do NOT Delay: Hazing cases have statutes of limitations (typically two years for personal injury in Georgia, similar to Texas), meaning there are strict deadlines to file a lawsuit. Evidence also disappears rapidly, and memories fade. Our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c) highlights this urgency.

4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Litigation Attorney Immediately

This is the single most important step. As soon as your child is safe and medically stable, contact a law firm experienced in hazing litigation.

Why Call Us Immediately?

  • We Act Fast: The sooner we are involved, the sooner we can send preservation letters to all defendants, compelling them to retain evidence. We can initiate investigations while memories are fresh and evidence is abundant.
  • Protect Your Rights: We will handle all communications with the universities, national organizations, and insurance companies, ensuring your rights are protected and you don’t inadvertently harm your case.
  • Expert Guidance: We will evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and guide you through every step of the complex legal process.

Distance is no barrier for Emanuel County families. We offer free, remote consultations. We can speak Spanish. We are here 24/7 because a legal emergency can happen at any time.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline in Emanuel County

If you are an Emanuel County family, or if your child has been hazed at a college or university near Emanuel County, Georgia, you are in a legal emergency. We are Attorney911, and we are ready to respond. What happened to your child was wrong, and we are here to ensure every responsible party is held accountable.

Emanuel County Families: Have you, or has your child, been hazed? You have legal rights, and we are fighting this fight right now – and we will fight for Emanuel County victims too.

Our attorneys are currently representing a hazing victim against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in a $10 MILLION lawsuit. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. We know how to WIN. Emanuel County families deserve and will receive the same aggressive, expert representation.

Emanuel County Families – Call Now for a FREE Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Our Legal Emergency Hotline is available 24/7 for Emanuel County hazing emergencies.

We work on a CONTINGENCY FEE BASIS – this means you pay $0 upfront for our legal services. We only get paid if and when we win your case. This removes the financial burden and risk from your family, allowing you to focus on healing.

We Serve Emanuel County Hazing Victims – And Hazing Victims Nationwide

While our physical offices are located in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach and expertise extend far beyond. Hazing is a national crisis, and its ugly face can appear at universities and colleges near Emanuel County, Georgia, including:

  • Georgia Southern University (Statesboro): A large public university commonly attended by students from Emanuel County, with a significant Greek life presence.
  • East Georgia State College (Swainsboro, near Emanuel County): A local institution where student organizations can also engage in hazing.
  • University of Georgia (Athens): A flagship university with a long history of Greek life, often attracting students from across Georgia.
  • Georgia Tech (Atlanta): Another major institution with active fraternities and sororities.

We can competently evaluate and represent your Emanuel County case, regardless of location, through:

  • Federal Court Authority: Our admission to U.S. District Courts allows us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often necessary when dealing with national fraternities and multi-state litigation.
  • Dual-State Bar Licenses: With licenses in both Texas and New York, our firm is strategically positioned to litigate against national fraternity and sorority organizations that may be headquartered or have significant operations outside of Georgia.
  • Video Consultations: We offer secure and confidential video consultations, making it easy for Emanuel County families to meet with our attorneys remotely from the comfort of their homes.
  • Travel Commitment: We are prepared to travel to Emanuel County, Georgia, for essential depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Distance will not be a barrier to achieving justice for your family.

Hazing is not confined to Greek life alone. We represent victims of hazing in a wide array of organizations throughout Emanuel County and across the nation, including:

  • Fraternities and sororities
  • Sports teams (high school, college, and club teams)
  • Marching bands and other performing arts groups
  • ROTC programs and military academies
  • Clubs and student organizations
  • Any group that uses abuse, coercion, or humiliation as part of an initiation or membership practice.

For Other Victims of the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

To any other student or pledge who suffered or witnessed the abuse within the UH Pi Kappa Phi chapter – we know Leonel was not the only one. Another pledge lost consciousness on October 15; others endured the waterboarding, forced eating, physical punishment, and psychological torment. You have rights, and we can represent you too. As Mr. Pena stated, “Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Call us now to discuss your experience confidentially.

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

We are here for you, Emanuel County. Let us fight for the justice your family deserves and help ensure no other student has to endure the horrors of hazing.