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Haralson County Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | Beta Nu Shut Down: $24M Pike Settlements | Attorney911 — Federal Court, Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

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

If you’re reading this in Haralson County, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went off to college near Haralson County, surrounded by dreams of friendship and academic growth. Instead, they encountered something horrific: hazing. The devastating truth is that what was supposed to be a journey of personal development turned into an ordeal of abuse, humiliation, and potentially life-threatening injury. We’re here to help families in Haralson County fight back, just as we did for Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was brutally hazed by a fraternity at the University of Houston.

We are Attorney911, and we understand what you’re going through. Your child was supposed to make friends, build character, and find a community in their fraternity or sorority, or on their sports team. Instead, they were tortured, abused, and pushed to their physical and psychological limits. This isn’t about mere pranks or harmless initiations; modern hazing is systematic degradation, and it’s happening at institutions your children attend. We are a firm built on aggressive representation of hazing victims, powered by a data-driven litigation strategy, and relentless in pursuing accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries.

The Hazing Crisis: Why Haralson County Families Need Us

Hazing is a pervasive and dangerous problem that infiltrates college campuses and student organizations across America, including those that students from Haralson County may attend. It’s a dark secret that many institutions and national organizations would prefer to keep hidden, but its consequences are tragically real, ranging from severe physical injuries to psychological trauma, and even death.

Consider these sobering facts:

  • 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing. This isn’t an isolated issue; it’s deeply embedded in the culture of many fraternities and sororities.
  • 40% of student athletes report hazing. It’s not limited to Greek life; sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student groups are also hotbeds of hazing activity.
  • Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every year in the United States. These aren’t accidents; they are preventable tragedies directly linked to reckless and abusive behavior.
  • 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it. The culture of fear, loyalty, and intimidation ensures silence, allowing these dangerous practices to continue unchecked.

These are not just statistics; they represent shattered lives and broken families. For parents in Haralson County, this means that every time your child goes off to college, whether it’s within Georgia or to a major university in Texas or another state, they face these very real and devastating risks. The universities and national organizations often know hazing happens. They have the power to stop it. Yet, they often choose not to, until someone is hospitalized or dies. Only then do they scramble to “suspend” or “dissolve” chapters, claiming to be “shocked” by the very behaviors they enabled.

We refuse to let them hide behind these tactics. At Attorney911, we believe that when institutions fail to protect students, they must be held accountable. And we have the track record, the expertise, and the legal firepower to make that happen.

The Landmark Case: A $10 Million Fight in Your Backyard (Figuratively Speaking)

Haralson County Families: This Is What Hazing Looks Like. This Is What We Do About It.

This is not some theoretical debate about college traditions. This is about real students, real injuries, and real accountability. The case of Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. is not just another lawsuit; it is the cornerstone of our commitment to fighting hazing nationally, a battle we are waging right now from our Houston headquarters, and one we are prepared to bring to Haralson County. This $10 million lawsuit, filed in Harris County Civil District Court in November 2025, represents everything our firm stands for: aggressive representation, data-driven strategy, and unrelenting pursuit of justice.

This case happened in Houston, Texas. But the same hazing happens at universities near Haralson County. The same fraternities operate near Haralson County. The same institutional negligence exists at colleges that students from Haralson County choose to attend. And we will fight for Haralson County families with the same aggression and dedication we’re bringing to this pivotal case.

The details of Leonel Bermudez’s ordeal are deeply disturbing, but they are crucial for every parent in Haralson County to understand. Hazing today is not a harmless rite of passage; it is brutal, insidious, and can permanently alter a young person’s life.

The Plaintiff: Leonel Bermudez

Leonel Bermudez was not even a University of Houston student at the time of the hazing. He was what is known as a “ghost rush,” a prospective member who had accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi, expecting to transfer to UH for the upcoming semester. They did this to someone who wasn’t even enrolled yet.

On September 16, 2025, Leonel accepted his bid. What followed were weeks of systematic abuse, psychological torture, and extreme physical punishment that ultimately left him hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

What Happened: The Hazing Timeline

The hazing began almost immediately after Leonel accepted his bid. The lawsuit details a harrowing sequence of events, stretching from mid-September to early November 2025:

  • September 16, 2025: Leonel accepts his bid to Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston.
  • September 16 – November 3, 2025: Weeks of systematic hazing, abuse, and torture follow.
  • October 13, 2025: In a chilling testament to the chapter’s culture, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. This wasn’t just Leonel; it was a pervasive experience.
  • October 15, 2025: During a forced workout, another pledge lost consciousness and collapsed, requiring other pledges to elevate his legs until he recovered. Despite this alarming incident, the hazing continued.
  • November 3, 2025: This was the night Leonel’s body broke down. As punishment for missing an event, he was forced to endure extreme physical exertion:
    • 100+ pushups
    • 500 squats
    • High-volume “suicides” (intense running drills)
    • Bear crawls
    • Wheelbarrows
    • “Save-you-brother” drills
    • Two-mile warmups
    • Repeated 100-yard crawls
    • All while reciting the fraternity creed under threat of immediate expulsion. He became so utterly exhausted that he could not stand without help.
  • November 4-5, 2025: Leonel struggled to move, his condition worsening with each passing hour.
  • November 6, 2025: His mother, horrified by his state, rushed him to the hospital. A terrifying symptom of his internal damage: he was passing brown urine, a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown.
  • November 6-10, 2025: Leonel spent three nights and four days hospitalized, receiving intensive medical treatment for his diagnosis of severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
  • November 14, 2025: Just days after Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi National officially closed its Beta Nu Chapter, according to their own website statement.
  • November 21, 2025: Attorney911 filed the $10 MILLION LAWSUIT in Harris County. The news quickly spread, with ABC13 and KHOU 11 providing immediate coverage.
  • November 22, 2025: The Houston Chronicle further reported on the lawsuit.
  • November 24, 2025: Houston Public Media published its own detailed account, confirming the $10 million figure and revealing additional, disturbing hazing elements.

The Hazing Activities Exposed in Our Lawsuit

This was not a few isolated incidents; this was a calculated campaign of abuse:

  • Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning: KHOU reported “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” with pledges sprayed in the face with a hose while doing calisthenics. They were forced to run repeatedly under the threat of being waterboarded. When done to enemy combatants, this is torture and a war crime. They did it to college students.
  • Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges were forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited. Then, they were forced to continue running sprints through their own vomit while in clear physical distress.
  • Extreme Physical Punishment: Beyond the grueling workout that led to Leonel’s collapse, other reported activities included being struck with wooden paddles, “high-volume suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls.
  • Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Leonel was forced to carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times. They were subjected to forced stripping to underwear in cold weather. We even documented how another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Threats of physical punishment and expulsion enforced compliance.
  • Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: Forced early morning drives for fraternity members contributed to chronic exhaustion, impacting their ability to function.

The Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis

Leonel’s physical injuries were severe and potentially life-altering. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous condition where muscle tissue breaks down, releasing damaging proteins into the bloodstream. Key symptoms he experienced included passing brown urine (a hallmark of myoglobin in the urine), painfully stiff muscles, and difficulty moving. The most severe complication was acute kidney failure, which required his four-day hospitalization. This is the same critical medical condition that Attorney911 has extensive experience litigating. Our firm partner, Ralph Manginello, has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases.

Institutional Responses – On the Record

The response from the institutions involved provides further damning evidence:

  • University of Houston Spokesperson (Houston Public Media, Nov 24, 2025): “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards… any individual found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges.” Translation: They’re admitting they didn’t stop it, and now they’re scrambling to limit liability and pointing to criminal consequences.
  • Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters (pikapp.org, Nov 21, 2025): Their statement announced the closure of the Beta Nu Chapter “following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” Crucially, they added, “we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” What their corporate PR statement actually means: “violations of… risk management policy” means they waterboarded a student and caused him kidney failure. Their claim of “prioritizing the well-being of our members” rings hollow when a member is in the hospital because of their own chapter’s actions. And “we look forward to returning to campus” shows a shocking lack of remorse, as they plot their comeback even as our client recovers.

The facts show a pattern: Pi Kappa Phi closed the chapter before our lawsuit was filed, indicating they knew what was coming. KHOU reported that the national organization “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” Our lawsuit alleges “a pattern of similar hazing and policy violations by the fraternity, locally and nationally.” With 150+ chapters across America, how many others are engaging in these same dangerous acts?

Why This Case Matters to Haralson County Families

  1. Proof That “Tradition” is Torture: These aren’t harmless rites; they are systematic abuse. Such brutality happens at universities students from Haralson County attend, whether it’s the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Jacksonville State University across the border in Alabama, or other colleges across the South or nation.
  2. Universities Are Complicit: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of this hazing occurred. Universities that students from Haralson County attend have the same power to stop hazing—and the same liability when they fail to do so.
  3. National Organizations Know: Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters immediately suspended their chapter after Leonel’s hospitalization. The same nationals operate near Haralson County—they know what’s happening in their chapters.
  4. Victims Are Afraid: Leonel is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” Victims in Haralson County face the same fear. We protect our clients.
  5. One Brave Victim Can Protect Haralson County Students: As Lupe Pena stated, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do.” Your child’s case could save lives.
  6. $10 Million Sends a Message: This is the price for torturing our kids. Haralson County families can send the same powerful message.

Media Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case

We encourage Haralson County families to read the full details from these reputable news sources:

The official statement from Pi Kappa Phi National regarding their closure of the Beta Nu Chapter can be found here: https://pikapp.org/pi-kappa-phi-closes-beta-nu-chapter-at-the-university-of-houston/

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

For Haralson County parents, it’s vital to discard any outdated notions of hazing as harmless pranks. Today’s hazing practices are far more insidious and dangerous, often involving outright torture and abuse. It is not “boys being boys.” It’s not “tradition.” It’s not “building brotherhood.”

IT IS:

  • Assault
  • Battery
  • Torture
  • Reckless endangerment
  • Sometimes manslaughter
  • Sometimes murder

The types of hazing incidents we see today involve profound physical and psychological harm:

Category Examples from the Bermudez Case & Beyond Medical Consequences
Physical Abuse Beatings, paddling (wooden paddles in Bermudez case), branding, burning, forced extreme exercise (500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, wheelbarrows, suicides, 100-yard crawls in Bermudez case) until collapse. Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown, as seen in Bermudez), Acute kidney failure (Bermudez), Traumatic brain injury, broken bones, cardiac arrest.
Forced Consumption Forced binge drinking (common in many hazing deaths), eating until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns in Bermudez case), consuming non-food substances. Alcohol poisoning (a leading cause of hazing deaths), choking, aspiration pneumonia, gastrointestinal damage.
Sleep Deprivation Forced late nights, early mornings, disrupted sleep cycles (early morning driving in Bermudez case). Extreme fatigue, impaired judgment, accidents, increased risk of illness.
Psychological Torture Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation, threats (carrying sexual objects, stripping, hog-tying, threats of expulsion in Bermudez case). PTSD, severe anxiety disorders, depression, suicidal ideation, paranoia, trust issues, academic decline.
Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning Pledges sprayed in the face with a garden hose (Bermudez case), simulating drowning. Traumatic fear, psychological damage, actual drowning risk.
Exposure Forced exposure to cold weather while minimally clothed (Bermudez case), heat exposure, confinement in small, dark spaces. Hypothermia, frostbite, heatstroke, panic attacks.
Servitude Forced cleaning, driving, errands for senior members (driving members in early mornings in Bermudez case). Exhaustion, loss of personal time, psychological subservience.

The Institutional Failure:
Universities constantly claim they are “tough on hazing,” yet the brutal reality persists. They have policies, but often fail to enforce them. They have administrators, but often look the other way until a tragedy can no longer be ignored. They have the power to stop it, but often choose not to until someone gets hospitalized or dies. Then, and only then, do they “suspend” or “dissolve” chapters, claiming they’re “shocked.” This cycle of negligence must end.

Who Is Responsible: Every Entity That Participated Or Allowed It

When your child is hazed, it’s natural to instinctively blame the individuals who inflicted the abuse. While those individuals are absolutely liable, our data-driven approach at Attorney911 ensures that we cast a far wider net. The chain of responsibility for hazing extends far beyond a few rogue students. We target every entity that enabled, condoned, or failed to prevent the abuse, ensuring comprehensive accountability. In the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case, we are pursuing:

  • Local Chapter (Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi): This is the immediate perpetrator. The chapter directly organized and conducted the hazing activities. Their leadership, such as the fraternity president and pledgemaster, were directly responsible for directing these activities. The individual members who participated in or stood by during the hazing are also directly liable.
  • National Organization (Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc.): These are the “deep pockets.” The national organization, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, has a duty to supervise its chapters, enforce its anti-hazing policies, and ensure the safety of its members. Our lawsuit alleges they failed to do so, despite general knowledge of a “hazing crisis” and specific prior incidents like the death of Andrew Coffey at their Florida State chapter in 2017. Their sudden closure of the Beta Nu chapter after the hospitalization shows they knew their policies were violated and that serious wrongdoing occurred.
  • University (University of Houston) & Governing Body (UH Board of Regents): Universities have a fundamental duty to protect their students and provide a safe learning environment. In the Bermudez case, the University of Houston is particularly liable because they owned and directly controlled the specific fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. They had the power to regulate, inspect, and intervene. Furthermore, the university had clear prior notice: a student was hospitalized from hazing at another fraternity on their campus in 2017. Their failure to learn from past incidents and implement effective oversight makes them directly complicit.
  • Housing Corporation (Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc): Often, separate corporate entities own the fraternity houses. These housing corporations also have a duty to ensure the safety of their premises and can be held liable if hazing occurs on their property due to their negligence.
  • Individual Perpetrators: Beyond the known officers, all individual members who participated in, directed, or failed to stop the hazing are personally liable. Furthermore, the lawsuit includes former members who hosted hazing at their residences, and even the spouse of a former member for allowing gross negligence on their property. This shows our commitment to identifying every single responsible party.

The Deep Pockets:
It’s important for Haralson County families to understand that we are not just suing broke college kids. We strategically pursue entities with substantial assets and insurance coverage to ensure meaningful compensation:

  • National fraternity/sorority organizations command multi-million dollar endowments, significant assets, and extensive liability insurance policies.
  • Universities like the University of Houston possess vast resources, including state funding, endowments, and institutional liability insurance.
  • Housing corporations have property assets and specific insurance coverage.
  • Even individuals may carry homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies that can provide coverage for certain types of negligence.

As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena know exactly how insurance companies and large institutions hide assets and strategize to minimize payouts. We use this insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients. We know the plays they will run because we used to run them.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

The message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations is clear: hazing costs MILLIONS. We have the receipts. These landmark verdicts and settlements prove that hazing cases win, and the damages awarded reflect the extreme suffering and devastating losses our clients endure. The same powerful legal strategies apply to cases for Haralson County victims.

Haralson County Families: These verdicts and settlements prove that hazing litigation can lead to significant accountability.

Here are just a few examples of multi-million dollar outcomes across the nation:

  • STONE FOLTZ — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

    • TOTAL: $10.1 MILLION+
    • What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at BGSU, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. He was found unresponsive the next morning and died from alcohol poisoning.
    • Outcome: Bowling Green State University settled for $2.9 million, and Pi Kappa Alpha national plus involved individuals settled for $7.2 million. This was the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. Most recently, in December 2024, a judgment of $6.5 million was ordered against Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, personally.
    • Relevance: Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is directly in line with this precedent. It demonstrates that both universities and national fraternities face multi-million dollar liabilities, and even individual chapter officers can be held personally accountable for massive sums.

  • MAXWELL GRUVER — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)

    • TOTAL: $6.1 MILLION JURY VERDICT
    • What Happened: In September 2017, 18-year-old Maxwell Gruver died from acute alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495) after being forced to drink excessive alcohol during a Phi Delta Theta pledge event known as “Bible Study.”
    • Outcome: A jury found the fraternity and its members liable, awarding the Gruver family $6.1 million. Several members faced criminal charges, with one convicted of negligent homicide. The tragedy also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” which made hazing a felony in Louisiana.
    • Relevance: This jury verdict unequivocally proves that ordinary citizens, when presented with the truth of hazing, will deliver multi-million dollar judgments to victims. It shows that courts are willing to punish fraternities that engage in deadly practices.

  • TIMOTHY PIAZZA — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)

    • TOTAL: $110+ MILLION (Estimated in multiple settlements)
    • What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza died after falling repeatedly down a flight of basement stairs during a Beta Theta Pi hazing ritual known as “the gauntlet,” where he was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes (reaching a BAC of 0.36). Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911, and security cameras captured their horrific inaction.
    • Outcome: Multiple criminal convictions, including involuntary manslaughter, were secured against fraternity members. The civil settlements, though confidential, are estimated to exceed $110 million. This case also spurred the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in Pennsylvania.
    • Relevance: The immense size of this settlement, driven by overwhelming evidence (including video footage), demonstrates the extreme value juries and institutions place on preventing such tragedies. It underscores that when the facts are clear, the financial consequences are catastrophic for the perpetrators.

  • ANDREW COFFEY — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

    • TOTAL: Confidential Settlement
    • What Happened: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey, a pledge at Florida State, died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night.”
    • Outcome: Nine fraternity members were charged with hazing, and the Pi Kappa Phi chapter was permanently closed at FSU. His family secured a confidential civil settlement.
    • Relevance: This is the SAME FRATERNITY as our current case. Andrew Coffey’s death, just 8 years before Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization, proves that Pi Kappa Phi National had actual notice of deadly hazing practices within its chapters and failed to act effectively. This pattern of negligence is a crucial element in our pursuit of punitive damages.

Laws Created Because of Hazing Deaths

These families turned tragedy into legislative change, further underscoring the severity of these incidents:

  • Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law (Pennsylvania, 2018): Made hazing causing death a felony.
  • Max Gruver Act (Louisiana, 2018): Increased penalties and made hazing a felony.
  • Collin’s Law (Ohio, 2021): Named after Collin Wiant, with felony hazing charges.
  • Adam’s Law (Virginia): Increased accountability for hazing.

These precedents, with their multi-million dollar outcomes and legislative impacts, are not just historical footnotes. They are battle plans. They arm us with the undeniable proof that justice—and substantial compensation—is achievable for hazing victims and their families in Haralson County, regardless of where the incident occurred. Your case can make a difference.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights

For Haralson County families seeking justice after hazing, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. While our firm is based in Texas, where the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case is being fought, it is vital to remember that similar anti-hazing statutes and civil liability theories exist in most states, including Georgia. The principles of negligence and accountability apply regardless of Haralson County. Our firm’s federal court authority and dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) allow us to pursue your case, no matter where the hazing occurred.

Texas Hazing Laws (Education Code § 37.151-37.157)

Texas has some of the strongest anti-hazing laws in the nation, providing a robust framework for both criminal prosecution and civil liability. These laws protect students from harmful acts committed for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization.

  • Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Texas law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging or membership. This includes:

    • Physical brutality: Whipping, beating, striking, branding, etc. (Relevant to the wooden paddles in Bermudez case).
    • Sleep deprivation, exposure, confinement, calisthenics: Any activity that subjects a student to unreasonable risk of harm or affects mental/physical health. (Directly applicable to Leonel’s 500 squats, waterboarding, cold exposure, and sleep deprivation).
    • Forced consumption: Food, liquid, alcohol that subjects the student to unreasonable risk. (Relevant to forced eating and drinking until vomiting in Bermudez case).
    • Activities violating the Penal Code: Any act that is otherwise a crime.
    • Coercing consumption: Forcing drugs or alcohol to the point of intoxication.

    Haralson County Application: While Georgia’s hazing laws may differ in specifics, the types of behaviors Leonel suffered would constitute hazing under most state statutes and criminal codes. The hazing your Haralson County child experienced likely violates both state criminal law AND gives rise to civil liability.

  • Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Texas law makes hazing a crime, with escalating penalties:

    • Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
    • Class A Misdemeanor: For hazing causing serious bodily injury (up to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine). This directly applies to Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
    • State Jail Felony: For hazing causing death (180 days – 2 years state jail, $10,000 fine).
      The University of Houston spokesperson even mentioned “potential criminal charges” in connection with the Bermudez case, highlighting the criminal dimension of hazing.

  • Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations, not just individuals, can be held criminally liable if they condone or encourage hazing. Penalties can include fines up to $10,000, denial of operating rights, or forfeiture of property. This ensures that the fraternity chapters and even national organizations face consequences.

  • Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is one of the most critical provisions. The statute explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution that the person hazed consented to the hazing.”
    THIS IS CRITICAL for Haralson County families: When fraternities argue “he agreed to participate,” or “they knew what they were signing up for,” Texas law says CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE. You cannot consent to be assaulted, tortured, or criminally hazed. This legislative foresight is an invaluable tool against common defense tactics.

  • University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Universities are legally mandated to report hazing incidents and face penalties for non-compliance. This creates a paper trail and holds institutions accountable for tracking the problem.

Civil Liability for Hazing — What Haralson County Victims Can Sue For

Beyond criminal charges, civil lawsuits allow victims and their families in Haralson County to pursue substantial financial compensation for the harms they have suffered. These civil claims are generally recognized in every state and form the basis of our aggressive litigation strategy:

  1. Negligence Claims: This is a broad category applicable in Haralson County and all states. We argue that the university, national fraternity, and local chapter had a “duty of care” to protect students, they “breached” that duty by allowing hazing, and this breach “caused” the student’s “injuries” leading to “damages.”
  2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (like the UH-owned fraternity house in the Bermudez case), the property owner has a responsibility to maintain safe premises. Allowing dangerous conditions like systematic hazing to persist creates liability.
  3. Negligent Supervision: This applies when institutions or organizations (like a national fraternity over its chapter, or a university over its Greek system) fail to adequately supervise, monitor, or train their subordinates, leading to harm.
  4. Assault and Battery: These are intentional torts. Every individual who physically harmed a student through acts like waterboarding, paddling, striking, or forced physical exertion can be sued for assault and battery.
  5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): This claim addresses severe psychological harm. Hazing often involves “outrageous conduct” that causes “severe emotional distress” (such as PTSD, anxiety, depression) to the victim, opening the door for IIED claims.
  6. Wrongful Death: Tragically, some hazing incidents are fatal. In such cases, families can sue for wrongful death, seeking compensation for the loss of their loved one, including funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and future earnings.
  7. Punitive Damages: As discussed, when hazing involves “gross negligence,” “malice,” or “intent to harm,” courts can award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter similar behavior in the future. The egregious acts in the Bermudez case strongly support punitive damages.

Haralson County Families: These civil claims exist in virtually every jurisdiction. Your child’s hazing case can proceed regardless of whether local criminal prosecution is pursued. Our expertise spans both criminal and civil aspects, ensuring a comprehensive legal strategy designed for maximum accountability.

Who Is Attorney911: Haralson County’s Hazing Litigation Experts

We understand that when your family in Haralson County faces a legal emergency like hazing, you need immediate, aggressive, and professional help. Attorney911, Legal Emergency Lawyers™, is a Texas-based personal injury and criminal defense law firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We proudly serve hazing victims and their families in Haralson County and nationwide through our federal court authority and unwavering commitment to traveling wherever justice demands. Haralson County families deserve the same aggressive representation we provide our clients locally.

Key Differentiators: Why Haralson County Families Choose Attorney911

Advantage Details Haralson County Benefit
25+ Years Courtroom Experience Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, is a battle-tested trial attorney with over 25 years of experience. This means proven expertise fighting for victims’ rights, ready for your Haralson County case.
Former Insurance Defense Insight Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys who know their playbook. We anticipate how Haralson County defendants (universities, fraternities, insurers) will fight back and build strategies to dismantle their defenses.
Federal Court Admissions Admitted to U.S. District Courts. We can pursue Haralson County cases in federal court, giving us broader reach against national organizations.
Dual-State Bar Admission Licensed in Texas AND New York. A strategic advantage for Haralson County cases against national fraternities headquartered anywhere in the U.S.
Se Habla Español Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking communities. Haralson County Spanish-speaking families affected by hazing receive culturally competent, barrier-free legal support.
Nationwide Hazing Expertise We are actively litigating a $10M hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston RIGHT NOW. Haralson County families get access to the same cutting-edge strategies and aggressive representation being used in landmark hazing litigation.

The Attorney911 Approach: How We Serve Haralson County Hazing Victims

When a legal emergency hits—whether it’s on a Texas highway, a Haralson County campus, or a fraternity house anywhere in America—we move FIRST, FAST, and DECISIVELY.

For Haralson County hazing victims, our team:

  • Builds cases with expert witnesses — from medical professionals on rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, to Greek life culture experts, to specialists in institutional negligence.
  • Preserves evidence immediately — texts, photos, medical records, witness statements. We know how quickly crucial evidence can disappear.
  • Negotiates from strength — because we are currently litigating a multi-million dollar hazing case, defendants know we mean business.
  • Travels to Haralson County — for depositions, meetings, and trials when needed. Distance is never a barrier to justice.
  • Provides remote consultations — Haralson County families can meet with our attorneys via phone or video at their convenience.

If a university, fraternity, or insurance company tries to silence Haralson County hazing victims, we take it to court.

Why Haralson County Families Choose Us

Hazing Litigation Expertise: We are currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical – we’re in the fight RIGHT NOW. This means Haralson County families get representation from a firm actively leading the charge against hazing.

Nationwide Reach: While our firm is based in Texas, we serve hazing victims in Haralson County and across America. Our federal court authority, dual-state bar licenses, and willingness to travel ensure that no victim is beyond our reach. We offer remote consultations to make the process as seamless as possible for families in Haralson County.

Staff & Culture: Our staff is bilingual, friendly, and genuinely passionate about helping our clients. We understand the trauma hazing inflicts, and we approach every case with empathy and dedication. Haralson County families are treated like family.

Payment Flexibility: We understand that the financial burden of a hazing incident can be overwhelming. That’s why we take hazing cases on CONTINGENCY – you don’t pay us unless and until you get paid yourself. For Haralson County hazing victims, there are $0 upfront fees. We don’t get paid unless we WIN your case.

What Sets Us Apart: We offer a real emotional investment in hazing victims. We’ve seen what fraternities and other organizations do to young people. We’re fighting it in court today. We see your child as a person – not a paycheck. And we will fight fiercely for Haralson County families.

Client Testimonials & Reviews

Our commitment to our clients is reflected in our Google My Business Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 Stars | 250+ Reviews. Here’s what some of our clients have said:

  • “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
  • “Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett
  • “My wife and I had such a great experience with this law firm. They all go above and beyond and really care about you as a person. I never felt like ‘just another case’ they were working on.” — Ambur Hamilton
  • “They fought with the other party insurance and got me more of the settlement that I was expecting.” — Vivian Ruiz

Attorney Profiles: The Lawyers Fighting for Haralson County Hazing Victims

RALPH P. MANGINELLO — Managing Partner

Ralph Manginello is the driving force behind Attorney911, a seasoned trial attorney with over 25 years of courtroom experience. He is admitted to both the Texas State Bar (since 1998) and the New York State Bar Association, and is authorized to practice in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. This dual-state and federal court admission provides a strategic advantage for Haralson County cases against national fraternities.

Strategic Advantage: Former Insurance Defense Attorney. Ralph spent years working on the defense side for insurance companies. This invaluable insider knowledge means he knows exactly how opposing counsel thinks, strategizes, and attempts to minimize or deny claims. He’s seen their playbook from the inside, and now he uses that insight to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for victims, including those in Haralson County.

High-Profile Case Experience: Ralph’s experience includes multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation against BP following the catastrophic Texas City refinery explosion in 2005. This demonstrates his capacity to take on massive corporate defendants, a critical skill when facing large universities and national Greek organizations. He also has a journalism background from the University of Texas at Austin, training him to investigate, uncover facts, and tell compelling stories – essential for exposing what institutions want to hide in Haralson County hazing cases. A dedicated father of three, he deeply understands what’s at stake for families.

LUPE ELENO PEÑA — Associate Attorney

Lupe Peña adds another layer of formidable defense knowledge to the Attorney911 team. He is also admitted to the Texas State Bar (since 2012) and the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas.

Strategic Advantage: Former National Insurance Defense Attorney. Like Ralph, Mr. Peña began his career defending insurance companies. He worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm, handling a wide range of cases that gave him firsthand knowledge of how large insurance companies evaluate, strategize, and attempt to lowball or deny payouts. His approach is simple: “outwork, outsmart, and outfight the other side.” This battlefield intelligence from inside the enemy’s war room is now deployed to maximize recovery for his clients.

Specialized Expertise: Mr. Peña’s experience in wrongful death cases, dram shop liability (holding establishments accountable for over-serving alcohol), and catastrophic injury cases directly applies to the severe outcomes of hazing incidents. His finance background also provides critical insight into economic damages, future loss calculations, and business acumen when dealing with corporate defendants. As a third-generation Texan and fluent Spanish speaker, he ensures that Haralson County Hispanic families affected by hazing receive comprehensive legal services without language barriers.

Together, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña represent a combined 37+ years of legal experience, with deep insider knowledge of how insurance companies and large institutions operate. When a hazing victim or their family in Haralson County hires Attorney911, they’re not just getting lawyers – they’re getting former insiders who know exactly how the other side thinks, operates, and tries to win. This is an unfair advantage for victims.

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

If you’re reading this, and your child has been hazed, the time for action is now. We understand that this is an incredibly traumatic and confusing time. You may feel angry, scared, overwhelmed, or unsure of what to do next. We’ve compiled immediate, actionable guidance to help you protect your child, preserve crucial evidence, and secure their legal rights.

Immediate Actions for Haralson County Hazing Victims and Families:

  1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately: This is your absolute priority. Even if injuries seem minor, or if symptoms are delayed (like those for rhabdomyolysis or psychological trauma), get a full medical evaluation from a doctor. Document everything. Any delay in treatment can be used by the defense to claim your injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the hazing. If your child has been hospitalized, ensure all medical records are meticulously kept.

  2. Preserve All Evidence: This is critically important. Hazing incidents are often hidden, and evidence can disappear quickly.

    • Communications: Save every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat message, Instagram DM, email, or any other digital communication related to the hazing. These are often smoking guns.
    • Photos/Videos: Save any photos or videos, however upsetting, of injuries (at all stages of healing), hazing activities (if any exist), or the locations where hazing occurred.
    • Documents: Keep any pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child, or documents from the fraternity/sorority or university.
    • Witness Information: Collect names and contact information for any other pledges, friends, or witnesses who saw the hazing or your child’s condition afterward.
    • Financial Records: Keep all medical bills, receipts for treatment, proof of lost wages (if your child missed work), and records of tuition/fees paid.
    • Academic Records: Document any impact on your child’s grades, enrollment status, or scholarships.

    To learn more about documenting evidence, watch our video: “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

  3. DO NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority, University, or Their Lawyers: Without legal counsel, anything you say can and will be used against you or your child.

    • Do NOT delete ANY messages or posts, even those you think are irrelevant. This could be considered spoliation of evidence.
    • Do NOT talk to fraternity/sorority leadership or university administrators without your attorney present. They are not on your side; they are protecting their institution.
    • Do NOT sign anything from the organization, university, or insurance company.
    • Do NOT post about the incident on social media. Anything you post can be twisted and used to undermine your child’s case.

    To understand what mistakes to avoid, watch our video: “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

  4. Call Us Immediately: Time is of the essence. Most states, including Georgia (where Haralson County is located), have a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including hazing. For wrongful death cases, the clock also typically starts from the date of death.

    • Evidence disappears: Digital trails fade, witnesses forget, and organizations actively destroy or conceal records.
    • Your rights expire: Missing the statute of limitations means you permanently lose your right to sue.
    • Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case acted immediately—hospitalized November 6, lawsuit filed within weeks. This is how you protect your rights.

    For more details on legal deadlines, watch “Texas Statutes of Limitations” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

  5. Haralson County Families: Distance is Not a Barrier: Although we are based in Houston, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including those in Haralson County. We offer video consultations, and our attorneys are prepared to travel to Haralson County for depositions, client meetings, and trials as needed. If your child was hazed in a different state, our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses allow us to pursue justice wherever the incident occurred.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline in Haralson County

🚨 Haralson County Families: Have You or Your Child Been Hazed?

You have legal rights. We are fighting this fight right now – and we’ll fight for Haralson 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. And we know how to WIN. Haralson County families deserve and will receive the same aggressive representation.

Haralson County Families – Call Now – Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

We are available 24/7 for Haralson County hazing emergencies. Your initial consultation is completely free, confidential, and comes with no obligation. This is not just a phone number; it’s your lifeline to justice.

We work on CONTINGENCY – $0 upfront for Haralson County families. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid. This ensures that expert legal representation is accessible to every family, regardless of their financial situation. For more information on fees, watch our video: “How Contingency Fees Work” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.

We Serve Haralson County Hazing Victims – And Hazing Victims Nationwide

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, hazing happens at colleges and universities in Haralson County, throughout Georgia, and all across America. We are equipped to evaluate your Haralson County case regardless of where the incident occurred, utilizing:

  • Federal court authority: To pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often necessary when dealing with national organizations.
  • Dual-state bar licenses: Our attorneys are licensed in Texas AND New York, providing a strategic advantage against national fraternities and sororities frequently headquartered in other states.
  • Video consultations: Haralson County families can meet with us remotely, eliminating travel barriers during a difficult time.
  • Travel commitment: We come to Haralson County for depositions, client meetings, and trials as needed. Your location will not prevent us from fighting for you.

Hazing is not limited to Greek life in Haralson County. We represent victims of hazing in:

  • Fraternities and sororities at institutions like the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Jacksonville State University in nearby Alabama, or other universities across the country where Haralson County students attend.
  • Haralson County sports teams.
  • Marching bands at colleges and universities that Haralson County students may join.
  • ROTC programs.
  • Clubs and organizations at schools nationwide.
  • Military academies.
  • Any organization that uses abuse as an “initiation” tactic.

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know there are more of you. Leonel Bermudez was not the only one hazed. Another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness on October 15. Others were subjected to the same waterboarding, forced eating, and physical abuse. Criminal referrals were initiated.

You have rights too. We can represent you effectively.

As Lupe Pena said: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Call us. Let’s bring them ALL to justice.

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

Whether you are in Haralson County, Georgia, or anywhere else in the country, we are your Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We are ready to listen, we are ready to fight, and we are ready to help you and your family navigate this incredibly challenging time. Don’t face this nightmare alone. Contact us today.