McIntosh County Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Closed Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

If you’re reading this in McIntosh County, Georgia, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went off to college, hoping to make friends, build a community, and start their adult life. Instead, they were tortured. They were abused. And now, you’re searching for help, worried, and angry. We are here to help families in McIntosh County fight back.

Hazing is not a harmless tradition. It’s a dangerous, often criminal, act that can leave students with lifelong physical and psychological scars, and in the worst cases, can be fatal. We, the attorneys at Attorney911, understand what you’re going through. We are currently embroiled in a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university for the severe hazing of a young man just like your child. What happened to him is happening to students across our nation, including those from McIntosh County who attend college in Georgia or elsewhere. We bring the same aggressive, data-driven, and relentless pursuit of justice to every case, whether it’s in Houston or right here for families in McIntosh County.

The Haunting Echoes of Hazing: What Happened in Houston Could Happen to a McIntosh County Student

This isn’t a theoretical discussion or a distant problem. This is a recent, live case unfolding just a few weeks ago, and it serves as a stark warning to every parent in McIntosh County, Georgia. It reveals the brutal reality of modern hazing and why aggressive legal action is not just necessary, but critical.

On November 21, 2025, we, Attorney911, filed a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court, targeting Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was a “ghost rush,” meaning he wasn’t even an enrolled University of Houston student yet; he was planning to transfer for the Spring 2026 semester. Yet, this didn’t stop the members of Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter from subjecting him to weeks of systematic abuse that landed him in the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

This is not just a Houston story; it’s a national tragedy waiting to happen again, potentially to a student from McIntosh County, Georgia. The same national fraternities that have killed students across the country have chapters at universities many McIntosh County students attend, including the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University, Georgia Tech, and other institutions across the Southeast. The same dangerous “traditions” and institutional negligence we are fighting in Houston exist wherever Greek life operates. Every family in McIntosh County needs to understand this reality.

Leonel Bermudez’s Ordeal: A Glimpse into Modern Hazing

Leonel accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. What followed was a horrifying period of hazing activities detailed in our lawsuit and reported by major news outlets like ABC13, KHOU 11, and Houston Public Media:

• Waterboarding with a Garden Hose: Leonel was subjected to simulated waterboarding, where he was sprayed in the face with a garden hose while performing calisthenics. This is a form of torture, yet it was forced upon a young man trying to find a brotherhood.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: He was made to consume excessive amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Even then, he was forced to continue running sprints in the very grass where he had just vomited.
• Extreme Physical Exertion: Leonel was forced to perform over 100 push-ups, 500 squats, “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and other strenuous exercises while reciting the fraternity creed. This was done to the point of complete physical and mental exhaustion. Our lawsuit alleges he was even struck with wooden paddles.
• Sleep Deprivation and Humiliation: He was made to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, stripping him of vital rest. He was forced to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times, a clear act of psychological torture and degradation.
• Witnessing Others Suffer: Leonel also witnessed other pledges enduring similar horrors. On October 13, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Just two days later, on October 15, a pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout, requiring other pledges to elevate his legs to revive him.

On November 3, 2025, after being punished for missing an event, Leonel was pushed to his absolute limit during one of these extreme exercise sessions. He became so exhausted he couldn’t stand without help, crawling home and collapsing into bed. For two days, his condition worsened. On November 6, his mother, horrified, rushed him to the hospital. He was passing brown urine, a tell-tale sign of severe muscle breakdown. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospitalization. This is the same critical medical condition that our firm, Attorney911, has successfully litigated before, showcasing Attorney Ralph Manginello’s specific expertise in these severe hazing injury cases.

The Immediate Fallout and Our Firm’s Aggressive Response

Within days of these horrific events being reported, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters suspended the Beta Nu chapter. In a statement on their website, which they published the same day we filed our lawsuit, November 21, 2025, Pi Kappa Phi confirmed they had closed the chapter on November 14, 2025, citing “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” This closure, just seven days before our lawsuit, clearly shows an attempt to distance themselves from the chapter, acknowledging wrongdoing while trying to limit liability.

The University of Houston, which owned the fraternity house where much of this abuse occurred, also condemned the acts. A university spokesperson told Houston Public Media that “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and clear violation of our community standards,” noting they were coordinating with law enforcement and that anyone found responsible would face “disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges.”

Within weeks of Leonel’s hospitalization, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit. This is not just a legal document; it’s a declaration that we will not tolerate this abuse. We are relentlessly pursuing:

• The national Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity.
• The local Beta Nu chapter.
• The Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation.
• The University of Houston and its Board of Regents.
• 13 individual fraternity members, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and even a former member and his spouse at whose residence some hazing occurred.

This swift, comprehensive action is what Attorney911 stands for. It’s the level of dedication and expertise we bring to every hazing case, knowing that the stakes are incredibly high for the victims and their families in McIntosh County and across the country.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in McIntosh County might imagine hazing as innocent pranks or mild inconveniences. Leonel Bermudez’s case shatters this outdated perception. Modern hazing, particularly within fraternities and sororities at institutions where McIntosh County students might attend, is often about power, control, and degradation, leading to severe physical and psychological harm. This is why it is critical for families in McIntosh County to understand the full scope of what hazing truly means today.

The Gritty Reality: More Than Just “Pranks”

Hazing is not about building character; it’s about breaking it down. It goes far beyond typical “initiation rites” and often includes activities that are criminal, abusive, and life-threatening. The types of hazing activities witnessed by Leonel and other victims underscore the sheer brutality involved:

• Physical Abuse: This can range from sleep deprivation and forced physical exertion to the point of collapse (as Leonel experienced, leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure) to more direct acts like beatings, paddling, branding, and even sexual assault. Forced calisthenics, extreme workouts, and exposure to harsh elements are common.
• Forced Consumption: This often involves large quantities of alcohol, food, or even non-food items, leading to alcohol poisoning, vomiting, aspiration, and other severe health crises. The forced ingestion of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting experienced by Leonel is a prime example.
• Psychological Torment: This is insidious and can leave lasting scars. It includes verbal abuse, humiliation, isolation, exclusion, threats, and degrading rituals. Forcing Leonel to carry a fanny pack with sexual objects is a clear act of psychological torture designed to break a person down. The hog-tying incident involving another pledge perfectly illustrates this.
• Simulated Drowning/Waterboarding: As Leonel’s case tragically demonstrates, this horrifying act is sometimes used. This is not a prank; it is torture designed to induce extreme fear and physiological distress, with life-threatening risks.
• Servitude and Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often forced to engage in endless tasks or act as personal drivers for older members, leading to severe sleep deprivation that compromises their health, academic performance, and safety behind the wheel.

These acts are designed to assert dominance, enforce conformity, and create a false sense of loyalty through shared trauma. They are not about friendship; they are about power. And when they occur, they demand accountability.

The Silent Epidemic: Why Hazing Continues

Despite numerous highly publicized hazing deaths and injuries, this dangerous culture persists due to several factors:

• Secrecy and Fear: Hazing rituals are often shrouded in secrecy, relying on pledges’ fear of retribution, social ostracization, or further punishment if they speak out. Leonel’s own fear of retribution for sharing his story is a common response.
• Peer Pressure and Desire to Belong: Young students, eager to fit in and form connections in a new environment, are highly susceptible to peer pressure and endure abuse for the perceived benefit of acceptance.
• Institutional Indifference: Universities and national organizations, despite having clear anti-hazing policies, often fail to enforce them effectively. They may prioritize the reputation of their institutions or the longevity of Greek life chapters over the safety of their students, only acting decisively when a tragedy occurs and legal action becomes imminent.
• Outdated “Traditions”: Many members genuinely believe they are upholding “traditions” passed down through generations, overlooking the inherent cruelty and dangers of these practices.

Hazing is not a necessary rite of passage. It is abuse, and it is preventable. McIntosh County families need to know that these incidents are not just isolated mistakes by a few “bad apples” but often symptoms of deeper institutional failures that we are committed to exposing and stopping.

Who Is Responsible for Hazing Injuries: A Web of Accountability

When a student from McIntosh County is severely injured or killed due to hazing, the responsibility extends far beyond the individual college students who may have actively participated. Our experience, particularly with the unfolding Leonel Bermudez case, shows that a complex web of individuals and institutions can, and should, be held liable. We aggressively pursue every entity that enabled, tolerated, or participated in the abuse.

1. The Local Chapter: The Direct Perpetrators

The most direct perpetrators of hazing are often the members and leaders of the local fraternity or sorority chapter. In Leonel Bermudez’s case against Pi Kappa Phi, we named:

• The Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi: As an organizational defendant, the chapter directly organized and conducted the hazing activities.
• Chapter Officers: This includes the fraternity president, the pledgemaster, and other leaders who designed, sanctioned, or oversaw the hazing program. They bear a significant burden of responsibility for creating the dangerous environment.
• Individual Members: Any active member who participated in the hazing, instigated it, or even stood by and failed to intervene to stop the abuse can be held accountable.
• Former Members and Their Spouses: In Leonel’s case, we named a former member and his spouse because some of the major hazing sessions occurred at their private residence. This highlights that liability can extend to anyone who provides a venue or enables the abuse, regardless of their current official status within the organization.

These individuals and the local chapter itself can be held liable for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and various negligence claims. Under Texas law, consent is not a defense to hazing, meaning the argument that a pledge “agreed” to the activities does not absolve the perpetrators.

2. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization: The Overseeing Entity

The national organization, such as Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., holds significant responsibility for its chapters across America, including those near McIntosh County. These large, often wealthy entities provide branding, resources, and often direct oversight to their local chapters. Their liability typically arises from:

• Failure to Supervise: Despite documented policies against hazing, national organizations often fail to adequately monitor, audit, or intervene in problematic chapters. In Leonel’s case, the national headquarters suspended the UH chapter immediately after his hospitalization, proving they had the power to intervene but only did so after a crisis.
• Failure to Enforce Policies: If a national organization has anti-hazing policies but consistently fails to enforce them, particularly after prior incidents, it can be held liable for fostering a culture where hazing is tacitly (or explicitly) allowed. KHOU 11 reported that our lawsuit alleges Pi Kappa Phi National “enabled the harmful environment by failing to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'”
• Pattern of Negligence: As we argue in Leonel’s case, Pi Kappa Phi National has a documented history of severe hazing incidents, including the death of Andrew Coffey in 2017. This pattern establishes knowledge and a history of failing to address dangerous behavior, strengthening the case for liability and punitive damages.

National organizations possess substantial assets and comprehensive insurance policies, making them “deep pockets” crucial for securing meaningful compensation for victims.

3. The University or College: The Host Institution

The university, such as the University of Houston in Leonel’s case, has a fundamental duty to protect its students from harm, both on and off campus. Their liability can stem from:

• Institutional Negligence: Universities have a broad duty of care to provide a safe educational environment. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm. With multiple national hazing incidents making headlines yearly, a university cannot claim ignorance.
• Failure to Supervise Greek Life: Universities regulate Greek life, often providing housing, advising, and disciplinary oversight. A failure to effectively supervise these organizations, monitor campus culture, or respond appropriately to warning signs constitutes negligence. The University of Houston, for instance, had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving another fraternity, yet failed to prevent Leonel’s injuries just eight years later.
• Premises Liability: Crucially, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of Leonel’s hazing occurred. This makes them directly responsible as a property owner for allowing dangerous conditions to exist on their premises. This is a powerful legal angle that few universities can evade.
• Failure to Respond: Delayed or inadequate responses to hazing allegations, or attempts to cover up incidents, further exacerbate a university’s liability.

Universities, with their vast endowments and extensive insurance coverage, are major targets in hazing litigation, and rightly so.

4. Housing Corporations and Alumni Boards: The Behind-the-Scenes Players

These entities often own the physical fraternity houses and provide financial or advisory support to local chapters. While seemingly independent, they can also be held liable for:

• Premises Liability: If a housing corporation owns the property where hazing occurs, they share responsibility with the university owner (if applicable) for ensuring a safe environment.
• Negligent Oversight: Alumni boards often exercise significant influence over chapter operations. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to act, they can be held accountable.

5. Insurance Carriers: The Financial Backstops

Ultimately, the financial compensation often comes from the insurance policies held by these various defendants: the national fraternity’s liability insurance, the university’s general liability insurance, and potentially homeowner’s or personal liability policies for individual perpetrators. Our expertise as former insurance defense attorneys, particularly the insight brought by Attorney Lupe Pena from his time at a national defense firm, provides us with an unparalleled advantage in navigating these complex policies and maximizing recoveries. We know how insurance companies evaluate claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize payouts, and we use that insider knowledge to benefit our clients.

When a student from McIntosh County is victimized by hazing, we don’t just point fingers; we name every responsible party in our lawsuits, ensuring a comprehensive pursuit of justice and accountability.

What These Hazing Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For families in McIntosh County grappling with the aftermath of hazing, understanding the potential financial recovery is critical. Our pursuit of $10 million in the Bermudez case is not arbitrary; it’s firmly grounded in a growing body of precedent-setting multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in hazing litigation across the nation. These cases demonstrate that when institutions fail to protect students, they pay a heavy price. This is what we fight for, and these are the results achievable for McIntosh County victims.

Major Hazing Verdicts and Settlements: A National Trend

Hazing is no longer a civil “boys will be boys” matter; it is a serious legal offense with severe financial consequences for those responsible.

• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021) — Over $10.1 Million: Stone Foltz tragically died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing event. The subsequent civil actions resulted in major payouts:

  • Bowling Green State University settled for $2.9 million.
  • Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity and other involved parties settled for $7.2 million.
  • Most recently, in December 2024, a jury ordered Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, to pay $6.5 million personally for his role in Foltz’s death. This demonstrates that individual officers can face massive personal liability.
  • Significance for McIntosh County: This case directly supports our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case. It shows that both universities and national fraternities pay multi-million dollar settlements. And critically, it proves individual perpetrators cannot hide from personal financial accountability. Any McIntosh County families whose child is hazed at a university can look to this case as a benchmark.

• Maxwell Gruver (Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta, 2017) — $6.1 Million Verdict: Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 after being forced to participate in a hazing ritual called “Bible Study,” where he had to drink if he answered questions incorrectly.

  • The civil lawsuit resulted in a $6.1 million jury verdict against various defendants.
  • One fraternity member was convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced to prison.
  • Louisiana passed the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony.
  • Significance for McIntosh County: This case proves that juries are willing to award multi-million dollar verdicts to hazing victims. It also shows that criminal action often runs parallel to civil lawsuits, increasing pressure and providing justice.

• Timothy Piazza (Pennsylvania State University / Beta Theta Pi, 2017) — Over $110 Million (Estimated): Timothy Piazza died from a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after falling repeatedly during a forced drinking hazing ritual. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911, and security cameras captured much of the horrific scene.

  • Piazza’s family reached confidential settlements estimated to be over $110 million from various parties, including the university and the national fraternity.
  • Multiple fraternity members faced criminal charges, with several convicted of hazing-related offenses, including involuntary manslaughter.
  • Pennsylvania enacted the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, strengthening anti-hazing legislation.
  • Significance for McIntosh County: This landmark case showcases the immense financial liability faced by universities and national fraternities when hazing leads to death and there is strong evidence.

• Adam Oakes (Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi, 2021) — Over $4 Million Settlement: Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi bid initiation event. His family filed a $28 million lawsuit, which eventually settled for over $4 million in October 2024, including a substantial donation to the “Love Like Adam” Foundation dedicated to hazing prevention.

  • Significance for McIntosh County: This recent settlement highlights that even without a jury verdict, national fraternities and universities are willing to pay millions to resolve hazing lawsuits.

• Andrew Coffey (Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi, 2017) — Confidential Settlement: Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon at a Pi Kappa Phi event — the same national fraternity involved in our Bermudez case.

  • Significance for McIntosh County: This case provides critical pattern evidence of Pi Kappa Phi National’s long-standing hazing problem. They knew what their chapters were doing, and they failed to stop it. This historical negligence is central to our argument for substantial damages in Leonel’s case, and it would be for any McIntosh County family pursuing a case against Pi Kappa Phi or any other national fraternity with a history of such incidents.

How These Precedents Empower McIntosh County Families

These cases demonstrate several crucial points for McIntosh County families whose children have been victimized by hazing:

1. Hazing is Foreseeable: National organizations and universities can no longer claim ignorance. The pattern of deaths and severe injuries makes hazing a foreseeable risk, increasing their legal responsibility when it occurs.
2. Multiple Liabilities: As seen in these cases, liability extends to individual perpetrators, local chapters, national organizations, and the universities themselves. This broadens the pool of defendants from whom compensation can be sought.
3. Significant Financial Recovery: Multi-million dollar awards are not outlandish; they are the established benchmark for severe hazing injuries and deaths. This includes compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and often substantial punitive damages.
4. A Powerful Message: Beyond monetary compensation, these cases send a powerful message that hazing will not be tolerated. They drive legislative change (like the Max Gruver Act and Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law) and force institutions to reform their policies.
5. Our Firm is Leading the Fight: Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is fully aligned with these national precedents, proving that we are at the forefront of this fight against hazing, equipped with the knowledge and aggression to secure similar results for McIntosh County families.

If your child from Darien, Eulonia, or any other community in McIntosh County has been impacted by hazing, these cases offer hope and a clear path forward. We are ready to leverage these precedents, and our own ongoing litigation, to fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves.

Texas Law Protects You: A Shield for McIntosh County Victims

When hazing occurs, institutions and individuals often try to shift blame, minimize the severity, and evade responsibility. But in Texas, and increasingly across the nation, strong anti-hazing laws provide a powerful legal framework to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable. For McIntosh County families, understanding these legal protections is the first step toward seeking justice.

Texas Hazing Statute: Education Code § 37.151-37.157

Texas has one of the nation’s most comprehensive anti-hazing laws, broadly defining and criminalizing hazing activities. While McIntosh County is in Georgia, our firm is deeply familiar with this framework as it guides our approach to every hazing case, including the Bermudez lawsuit. Many states have similar statutes, and the underlying civil claims apply universally.

The Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Broad and Inclusive

Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of membership in an organization, if the act endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student. This definition includes several specific categories that directly apply to Leonel Bermudez’s experience:

• Physical Brutality: Such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, or the “similar activity” of extreme prolonged exercise, waterboarding, and being struck with wooden paddles.
• Sleep Deprivation, Exposure to the Elements, Calisthenics: Leonel’s forced early morning drives and extreme workouts leading to rhabdomyolysis fall squarely under this. Being forced to strip to underwear and sprayed with a hose also constitutes exposure.
• Forced Consumption: Forcing a student to consume any substance that subjects them to an unreasonable risk of harm, like the milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns forced upon Leonel until he vomited.
• A “Violation of the Penal Code”: Any activity that induces a student to perform a task violating criminal law (e.g., assault, unlawful restraint).

Leonel Bermudez’s experience at Pi Kappa Phi meets multiple criteria under this powerful state statute, illustrating the criminal nature of the acts perpetrated against him.

Criminal Penalties: Serious Consequences

Texas law outlines severe penalties for hazing:

• Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, soliciting, aiding, or even possessing firsthand knowledge and failing to report it.
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes serious bodily injury (which includes Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure), individuals can face up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes death, individuals can face 180 days to two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine.

The University of Houston’s spokesperson mentioned “potential criminal charges,” underscoring that the actions against Leonel are not just civil wrongs, but potentially criminal offenses.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Holding Chapters Accountable

The law also allows for organizations themselves to be charged if they “condone or encourage hazing.” This means the Pi Kappa Phi chapter and potentially the national organization can face fines, denial of the right to operate, and forfeiture of property.

Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): The Game Changer

One of the most powerful provisions, and one that sets Texas law apart, explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution… that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.“

This is paramount. Fraternities and universities often try to argue that pledges “voluntarily participated” or “knew what they were signing up for.” Texas law unequivocally rejects this argument. When a student like Leonel Bermudez is subjected to abuse under peer pressure, threats, and a desire to belong, their “consent” is not meaningful and does not absolve the perpetrators of their criminal or civil liability. This legal principle is increasingly being adopted in other states, proving that legal systems recognize the coercive nature of hazing.

Institutional Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Transparency is Key

Universities are required to report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This creates a paper trail and places accountability on the institutions to acknowledge and address hazing.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges

Beyond criminal prosecution, civil lawsuits provide the means for victims like Leonel Bermudez, and McIntosh County families, to seek financial compensation for their suffering. Our firm leverages multiple civil theories of liability:

• Negligence: The failure of an individual or institution to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm. This applies to the fraternity members, the national organization for failing to supervise, and the university for failing to protect students.
• Premises Liability: Landowners have a duty to keep their property safe. Since the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing occurred, they face direct liability for allowing dangerous conditions to exist.
• Negligent Supervision: When an entity, like a national fraternity or a university, has a duty to supervise its members or organizations and fails to do so, leading to harm.
• Assault and Battery: Intentional acts causing harmful or offensive contact (e.g., forced exercise, paddling, waterboarding) are civil offenses that can be brought against individual perpetrators.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): Reserved for truly extreme and outrageous conduct, such as psychological torture like waterboarding or forced humiliation, that causes severe emotional harm.
• Wrongful Death: If hazing tragically results in a student’s death, families can pursue claims for emotional anguish, lost financial support, funeral expenses, and more.

For McIntosh County families, what this means is that a web of state laws and civil legal theories combine to provide multiple avenues for justice. Our job is to expertly navigate this legal landscape, building the strongest possible case to hold every responsible party accountable, regardless of where the hazing occurred.

Why Attorney911 is Your Unrivaled Choice for Hazing Litigation

When your family in McIntosh County, Georgia, faces the trauma of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the intricate legal and cultural landscape of hazing litigation. We, Attorney911, offer a unique blend of experience, insight, and aggressive representation that makes us the obvious choice for families like yours across the nation, even from a distance. We are actively fighting the same battles you face, right now.

Our Ongoing Fight: The Bermudez Case is Our Proof

We aren’t just reading about hazing; we’re in the trenches, fighting it right now. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is proof of our commitment and expertise. This isn’t theoretical; this is real-world, aggressive litigation:

• Active Litigation: We are currently litigating a multi-million-dollar hazing case. This means we have up-to-the-minute knowledge of legal strategies, defense tactics, and the evolving landscape of hazing accountability.
• Front-Line Experience: This case demands rapid evidence collection, strategic identification of multiple defendants (including individuals, local and national organizations, and the university), and an unwavering stand against powerful institutions. We are performing these critical actions for Leonel Bermudez, and we will do the same for your family in McIntosh County.
• Unwavering Dedication: As Attorney Lupe Pena expressed to ABC13, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” This mission drives our pursuit of justice for every hazing victim.

Our Unfair Advantage: Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

What truly sets Attorney911 apart is our insider knowledge of how the “other side” thinks. Both of our lead attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers.

• Ralph P. Manginello: Our founder and managing partner, Ralph, began his career defending insurance companies. He learned their tactics for minimizing claims, their strategies for negotiation, and their weak points. Now, he uses that invaluable insight to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients.
• Lupe Eleno Peña: A third-generation Texan, Lupe worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national defense firm, handling cases across a wide range of practice areas for insurance companies and corporate defendants. He saw their entire playbook—how they value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to delay or deny payouts. Now, he uses that battlefield intelligence to outwork, outsmart, and outfight them for hazing victims.

This dual perspective is an unparalleled advantage. When fraternities, universities, or their insurance carriers try to lowball our McIntosh County clients, we anticipate their moves because we used to make them. We know where to find the leverage, how to expose their vulnerabilities, and how to negotiate from a position of undeniable strength.

Proven Track Record Against Corporate Goliaths

Ralph Manginello’s experience spans over 25 years, including involvement in the BP Texas City Explosion litigation. This multi-billion dollar mass tort case, which killed 15 workers and injured over 180, proved his capacity to litigate against massive corporate defendants with virtually unlimited resources. This is the same caliber of defense we routinely face from national fraternities and major universities, and we have proven we can stand toe-to-toe with them, whether your case arises in McIntosh County or anywhere else.

Specialized Expertise for Hazing Injuries

We don’t just handle personal injury; we specialize in the specific nuances of hazing injuries. Ralph Manginello has particular expertise in rhabdomyolysis injury recovery and litigation, precisely the diagnosis Leonel Bermudez received. This means we understand the medical complexities, the long-term implications, and how to thoroughly document these unique injuries to ensure maximum compensation. We also have experience with Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation and Texas A&M University hazing cases, demonstrating our history of engagement with this issue.

Nationwide Reach and Local Connection

While our headquarters are in Houston, we represent hazing victims across the United States. For McIntosh County families, this means:

• Federal Court Authority: Our admission to U.S. District Courts provides the jurisdiction to pursue cases against national organizations and universities anywhere in the country.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph’s Texas and New York bar admissions (and our network across other states) give us a strategic advantage against national fraternities headquartered in different states.
• Willingness to Travel: Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will travel to McIntosh County, Georgia, for depositions, meetings, and trials when needed, ensuring your case receives the personalized attention it deserves.
• Remote Consultations: For families in McIntosh County, we offer convenient video consultations, making it easy to connect with an expert legal team without leaving your home.
• Se Habla Español: Our bilingual staff, including Attorney Lupe Peña, ensures that Spanish-speaking families in McIntosh County receive comprehensive legal guidance without language barriers.

Compassion, Not Commerce

We approach every case with empathy, understanding the immense emotional toll hazing takes on victims and their families. This is not just a business to us; it’s a mission. Our clients’ testimonials consistently highlight our firm’s compassionate, family-like approach, with many saying, “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” We treat every client from McIntosh County not just as a case, but as a person who deserves unwavering advocacy.

If your family in McIntosh County has been impacted by hazing, you are not alone, and you do not have to fight this battle by yourselves. We are Attorney911, and we are ready to bring our unparalleled expertise, aggressive strategies, and compassionate advocacy to your child’s case, just as we are for Leonel Bermudez.

What to Do Right Now for McIntosh County Hazing Victims

The moment you discover hazing has occurred, every second counts. Delay can lead to evidence disappearing, memories fading, and your legal rights expiring. For families in McIntosh County, Georgia, who are reeling from the shock and devastation of a hazing incident, immediate, decisive action is crucial. Here’s what you need to do right now.

1. Prioritize Medical Attention and Documentation

Your child’s health and safety are paramount.

• Seek Medical Care Immediately: Even if injuries seem minor, or if the individual is reluctant, get professional medical attention right away. Serious injuries like rhabdomyolysis or internal organ damage (as in Leonel Bermudez’s case) may not be immediately obvious. For psychological trauma, seek counseling or therapy.
• Document Everything Medically: Ensure all medical personnel understand the injuries are hazing-related. Obtain copies of all hospital records, emergency room visits, doctor’s notes, imaging results, and therapist’s records. This medical paper trail is foundational to your legal case.

2. Preserve Absolutely All Evidence

Hazing perpetrators often work quickly to destroy incriminating evidence. It is your responsibility to preserve every piece of information possible.

• Photos and Videos: Use your phone to document any visible injuries at every stage of healing (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling). If you have any photos or videos of hazing activities, or the locations where they occurred (fraternity houses, fields, etc.), save them securely. Remember Ralph Manginello’s advice: “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”
• Digital Communications: This is often the “smoking gun.” Securely save and screenshot all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat conversations, Instagram DMs, emails, and any other digital communications related to the hazing. Do not delete anything. This includes conversations among pledges, between pledges and members, or even internal fraternity discussions if available.
• Witness Information: Collect names, phone numbers, and any contact information for other pledges, fraternity members who did not participate, or any witnesses who saw or heard hazing activities.
• Physical Evidence: Preserve any physical items related to the hazing, such as clothing worn during the incident, “pledge books,” or any objects used during the rituals.
• Documents: Save any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or codes of conduct provided by the organization.
• Financial Records: Keep track of medical bills, lost wages (if the student had a job), and any tuition or fees for a semester disrupted by the hazing.
• Academic Records: Document any impact on grades, enrollment status, or scholarship eligibility.

3. What NOT to Do (Critical Warnings)

These common mistakes can severely damage your legal case:

• Do NOT Delete Anything: Digital evidence is often the strongest and easiest to destroy. Deleting messages, posts, or photos can be seen as spoliation of evidence.
• Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority, University, or Their Lawyers: They are not on your side. They will try to minimize the incident, obtain statements that can be used against you, or even coerce silence. Direct all communications through your attorney.
• Do NOT Sign Any Documents: Never sign anything from the organization or university without legal counsel review. You could be waiving critical rights.
• Do NOT Post About the Incident on Social Media: Anything you post can and will be used against you by the defense to undermine your credibility or claim your injuries are not severe. Stay silent on social media.
• Do NOT Confront Anyone Alone: This can escalate the situation, create further animosity, and potentially compromise evidence.

4. Understand the Urgent Legal Timelines

Every hazing case operates under strict legal deadlines, or “statutes of limitations.” In Texas, for example, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases is generally two years from the date of injury or death. While specific rules vary by state (for McIntosh County, Georgia, and wherever the incident occurred), the principle is the same: Delaying can cost you your legal rights.

• Time erodes evidence: Memories fade, digital evidence is deleted, and physical traces disappear.
• It weakens your case: The longer you wait, the harder it is to prove causation and liability.
• It closes the door to justice: Missing a deadline means you lose your right to sue forever.

As seen in Leonel Bermudez’s case, prompt legal action is vital. His hospitalization occurred on November 6, and our $10 million lawsuit was filed weeks later. This urgency is what we bring to every case.

5. Call Us Immediately for a Free Consultation

The single most important step you can take right now is to contact an experienced hazing litigation attorney. We offer free, confidential consultations to families in McIntosh County and across the nation.

Our team will:

• Evaluate your case: We’ll assess the details of the hazing, the resulting injuries, and the potential for legal action.
• Provide immediate guidance: We’ll advise you on specific steps to take to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
• Handle communication: Once you retain us, we’ll manage all communication with the fraternity, university, and their legal teams, shielding you from further distress.
• Work on a contingency fee basis: This means you pay absolutely $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This removes the financial barrier to accessing expert legal representation against powerful institutions.

You don’t have to navigate this nightmare alone. We are here to fight for your child, to hold those responsible accountable, and to pursue the fullest possible compensation for the pain and suffering they have endured. For McIntosh County families, choosing to act now can make all the difference.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline for McIntosh County Hazing Victims

If you are a parent in McIntosh County, Georgia, or if your child has been a victim of hazing anywhere in the United States, we know you are facing an unimaginable crisis. The fear, the anger, the confusion – we understand. You need immediate, aggressive, and expert legal help. We are Attorney911, and we are ready to be your first responders to this legal emergency.

McIntosh County Families, Call Us Now: Your Free Consultation Awaits

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

This is your direct line to experienced hazing litigation experts, available 24/7.

• Email Us: ralph@atty911.com
• Visit Our Website: attorney911.com

No upfront cost. Ever. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay absolutely $0 out-of-pocket to hire us. We cover all the expenses of litigation, and we only get paid if we win your case. Your financial situation should never prevent you from seeking justice against powerful institutions.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your McIntosh County Hazing Case?

• We’re Actively Fighting: We are not just general personal injury lawyers. We are currently leading a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university for severe hazing injuries. What we are doing for Leonel Bermudez, we will do for your child from McIntosh County.
• Insider Advantage: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Eleno Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. We know the tactics that fraternities, universities, and their insurance companies will use to deny or minimize claims – because we used to use them. Now, we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and get you the maximum compensation.
• Nationwide Reach: While we are headquartered in Houston with offices in Austin and Beaumont, Texas, our federal court authority and willingness to travel mean we can effectively represent hazing victims from McIntosh County, Georgia, no matter where the hazing incident occurred. We offer remote video consultations for your convenience and will travel to McIntosh County for depositions, meetings, or trial if necessary.
• Specialized Expertise: From rhabdomyolysis cases like Leonel’s to wrongful death actions, we understand the specific medical, psychological, and legal complexities of hazing injuries.
• Compassionate Advocacy: We know this is deeply personal. We treat our clients like family, providing diligent communication, support, and fierce advocacy throughout the entire process.
• Se Habla Español: We are proud to serve the Hispanic community with bilingual staff, ensuring no language barrier impedes access to justice for McIntosh County families.

What to Expect When You Call Us

When you pick up the phone and dial 1-888-ATTY-911, you will speak with a team that understands. We will:

1. Listen with Empathy: We will hear your story, without judgment, and offer clear, actionable advice.
2. Evaluate Your Case for Free: We’ll quickly assess the strength of your claim and explain your legal options.
3. Guide Your Next Steps: We will instruct you on how to preserve critical evidence and avoid common mistakes that can jeopardize your case.
4. Begin the Fight: If you choose us, we will immediately launch a comprehensive investigation, engaging experts, and preparing to build a powerful case against every responsible party.

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing

We know Leonel Bermudez was not the only one. Other pledges endured trauma, one even lost consciousness. If you or someone you know was involved in the Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston, or at any other chapter, hear Attorney Lupe Pena’s words: “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. Your voice matters, and together, we can hold them all accountable.

Do not let fear, shame, or loyalty prevent you from seeking justice. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes. Hazing is a betrayal of trust, and the perpetrators, along with the institutions that enable them, must be held responsible.

For families in McIntosh County, Georgia, we are your strongest ally. Contact Attorney911 today. Let us fight for your child. Let us fight for accountability. Let us fight for justice.

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