If you’re reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college. Instead, they were tortured. We’re here to help families in Treutlen County fight back.

We are Attorney911, and we understand completely what you are going through. We are a team of Legal Emergency Lawyers™ with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, dedicated to immediate, aggressive, and professional help for those facing unimaginable legal emergencies. For families in Treutlen County grappling with the nightmare of hazing, know that you don’t fight this battle alone. We bring our decades of experience, insider knowledge from former insurance defense work, and a relentless pursuit of justice directly to you, no matter where you are in Treutlen County, or across America.

Hazing is not a rite of passage; it is abuse, plain and simple. It’s a dangerous, often criminal act that leaves physical and psychological scars, and sometimes it tragically costs lives. We are currently actively engaged in a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university for severe hazing that hospitalized a young man struggling to survive an ordeal no student should ever face. This isn’t just a theoretical fight for us; it is happening right now, and we are winning.

Our commitment extends to every community, including Treutlen County. While Treutlen County might be a place where strong community ties and local values are cherished, the reality of the college experience often means students leave home and encounter challenges their families could never imagine. Whether your child attends a university within Georgia, travels out of state, or goes to one of Georgia’s outstanding institutions like the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern University, or Mercer University – wherever they encounter Greek life or other student organizations, the risk of hazing is real. We are here to bring the same aggressive, data-driven, and compassionate legal representation to Treutlen County families that we provide across the nation.

The Haunting Echoes of Houston: Our $10 Million Fight Against Hazing

The reality of modern hazing is far more sinister than most families in Treutlen County realize. It’s not innocent pranks; it’s systematic abuse. We are currently embroiled in a landmark $10 million lawsuit, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al., filed just weeks ago in November 2025, right in our home base of Houston. This case is not just a warning; it is a live demonstration of what we do and how we fight. This happened less than three weeks ago in Houston, and every parent in Treutlen County needs to understand that this same nightmare could unfold for their child.

Leonel Bermudez was an aspiring college student, a “ghost rush” who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet. He was planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. He accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025, hoping for friendship and belonging. What he received instead was weeks of systematic torture, culminating in his hospitalization for severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

We know what you’re thinking: “This could never happen to my child.” But Leonel’s story is a stark reminder that this kind of abuse is happening today, at universities across America, and it affects students just like yours.

The Unthinkable Acts: What Leonel Endured

The details of Leonel’s hazing are horrifying, involving extreme physical and psychological torment:

Waterboarding: Pledges, including Leonel, were sprayed in the face with a garden hose, simulating drowning. This is not a harmless prank; it is a torture technique recognized globally.
Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Leonel was made to consume excessive amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Then, he was forced to continue physically strenuous activities while lying in vomit-soaked grass.
Extreme Physical Exertion: He was subjected to more than 100 push-ups, 500 squats, “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was forced to recite the fraternity creed during these grueling exercises, all under threat of immediate expulsion if he stopped. This relentless physical abuse was so severe that it led to his muscles breaking down.
Physical Beatings: The lawsuit alleges pledges were struck with wooden paddles.
Psychological Torture and Humiliation: Leonel was forced to carry a fanny pack containing sexually explicit objects at all times. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
Sleep Deprivation: He was forced to drive fraternity members during the early morning hours, contributing to severe exhaustion.

This relentless torment led to the incident on November 3, 2025. Leonel was punished for missing an event, forced into an extreme workout that left him unable to stand. He crawled up the stairs to his bed when he got home, barely able to move. Days later, his mother rushed him to the hospital when he began passing brown urine—a terrifying sign of muscle disintegration.

The Medical Nightmare: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

Leonel was hospitalized for three nights and four days, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis occurs when muscle tissue breaks down, releasing damaging proteins into the bloodstream that can severely harm the kidneys. This life-threatening condition can lead to permanent kidney damage or even death. Our client’s ordeal highlights the very real and devastating physical consequences of hazing.

The Institutions’ Response: A Disappointing Pattern

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters suspended the UH chapter. A week later, on November 14, 2025—a mere seven days before we filed our lawsuit—they officially closed the Beta Nu chapter, citing “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.”

While Pi Kappa Phi claimed to be “prioritizing the well-being of our members,” they also stated, “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This shows a shocking lack of remorse and a focus on future recruitment rather than genuine accountability for the harm caused.

The University of Houston spokesperson acknowledged the events as “deeply disturbing” and representative of “a clear violation of our community standards,” noting “potential criminal charges.” However, the university’s response raises serious questions about their prior oversight, especially since they owned the fraternity house where some of this torture occurred.

Why This Case Resonates in Treutlen County

This case, unfolding in a major city like Houston, sends an urgent message to families in Treutlen County for several critical reasons:

Same Fraternities, Same Dangers: Pi Kappa Phi is a national organization with over 150 chapters across America. The same “traditions” that led to Leonel’s hospitalization could be happening at universities where students from Treutlen County attend.
Institutional Complacency: Universities, whether in Houston or near Treutlen County, often know about hazing but fail to act decisively until tragedy strikes.
Off-Campus Hazing: Some of Leonel’s hazing occurred at a former member’s residence, implicating even those not directly affiliated with the university.
The Power of Legal Action: Our $10 million lawsuit demonstrates the aggressive stance Attorney911 takes to hold every responsible entity accountable – from individual members to national headquarters and the university itself.

We are fighting for Leonel Bermudez not just for his justice, but to send a resounding message that hazing will not be tolerated. As our attorney Lupe Peña stated, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

For many parents in Treutlen County, the word “hazing” might conjure images of harmless pranks or mild inconveniences. However, as the terrifying details of Leonel Bermudez’s case reveal, modern hazing is a brutal, systematic form of abuse designed to degrade, control, and inflict physical and psychological harm. This is not about building character; it’s about breaking individuals. We want to ensure that Treutlen County families understand the true face of hazing, which often occurs hidden from view, shielded by secrecy and fear.

Common Hazing Tactics: It’s Not “Boys Being Boys”

Hazing incidents, whether at universities across Georgia like Georgia State, Kennesaw State, or from our extensive experience in Texas, often involve a horrifying array of tactics:

Physical Abuse: This is direct, violent harm. In Leonel’s case, it included being struck with wooden paddles and forced into extreme physical exertion like 500 squats and 100-yard crawls until his body shut down. Other forms include beatings, branding, prolonged calisthenics, and sleep deprivation.
Forced Consumption: This often involves alcohol, leading to dangerous levels of intoxication, but can also include forced eating of grotesque or excessive amounts of food, as Leonel experienced, or even non-food substances. These actions can lead to alcohol poisoning, choking, aspiration, and severe internal injuries.
Psychological Torture and Humiliation: This targets the victim’s dignity and mental well-being. It ranges from verbal abuse and denigration to forced public humiliation, sleep deprivation, sensory deprivation, and isolation. Leonel’s fanny pack with sexual objects, the hog-tying of another pledge, and being forced to lie in his own vomit are prime examples.
Sexual Hazing: This can include forced nudity, sexual assault, simulated sexual acts, or carrying sexually explicit objects, often leaving deep and lasting psychological trauma.
Exposure to the Elements: Forcing pledges outdoors in extreme weather, or spraying them with cold water (like Leonel being sprayed with a garden hose in cold weather), can lead to hypothermia, illness, and acute discomfort.
Servitude and Degradation: Pledges are often forced to perform menial or demeaning tasks for older members, such as cleaning, driving, running errands at all hours, or being called upon at any moment, contributing to sleep deprivation and a complete loss of personal autonomy.

The True Consequences: More Than Just Embarrassment

The outcomes of hazing are far from trivial:

Severe Bodily Injury: As seen with Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, physical hazing can lead to organ damage, broken bones, burns, lacerations, internal bleeding, and neurological damage.
Alcohol Poisoning: Forced binge drinking is a leading cause of hazing-related deaths.
Psychological Trauma: Victims frequently suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and difficulty forming trusting relationships. Leonel’s fear of retribution for speaking out speaks volumes about the lasting psychological impact.
Academic and Career Impact: Hazing can lead to failing grades, withdrawal from school, loss of scholarships, and long-term reputational damage or career limitations.
Wrongful Death: Tragically, hazing claims at least one life every year in the United States, leaving families in Treutlen County and across the nation shattered.

The Institutional Veil of Secrecy

Hazing persists because powerful institutions—national fraternities, universities, and even alumni—often prioritize their reputation and “tradition” over student safety. They create an environment where victims are too terrified to speak out, fearing further retaliation, social ostracization, or damage to their academic records. When incidents do come to light, these institutions often engage in damage control, issuing vague statements, suspending chapters temporarily, and waiting for the controversy to subside before planning their return.

Our fight in the Bermudez case is precisely against this institutional apathy. We believe that by exposing the horrific reality of hazing and holding every responsible party accountable, we can dismantle this culture of abuse and ensure that no more students suffer silently in communities like Treutlen County.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Party Accountable in Treutlen County Hazing Cases

When hazing leaves a student physically and psychologically scarred, as it did in Leonel Bermudez’s case, the responsibility extends far beyond the individual perpetrators. Our aggressive legal strategy at Attorney911 targets every entity that enabled, condoned, or failed to prevent the abuse. For families in Treutlen County, understanding who can be held accountable is the first step toward seeking justice.

1. The Local Chapter: The Direct Perpetrators

The most immediate culprits are often the local fraternity or sorority chapter members who actively planned, organized, and carried out the hazing. In Leonel’s case, our lawsuit names:

Chapter Officers: The fraternity president, pledgemaster, and other leaders who directed the activities. These individuals bear significant responsibility.
Participating Members: Every student who actively engaged in or facilitated the hazing acts can be held personally liable for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Former Members and Their Spouses: In Leonel’s case, hazing occurred at the private residence of a former member and his spouse. They are also named as defendants for premises liability and for allowing the abuse to take place on their property. This shows that responsibility extends beyond undergraduates.

2. The National Organization: The Puppet Masters

National fraternities and sororities oversee hundreds of chapters across the country. They collect dues, provide guidance, and are supposed to ensure their chapters adhere to anti-hazing policies. Yet, time and again, they fail. In Leonel’s lawsuit, we named:

Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters: We allege they failed to supervise the local chapter, enforce anti-hazing policies, and intervene despite knowledge of a “hazing crisis.” Their quick action to close the UH chapter after Leonel’s hospitalization is, in itself, an admission of wrongdoing.
Housing Corporation: Often, a separate corporate entity owns the fraternity house. They can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment and allowing hazing to occur on their property. We include Pi Kappa Phi’s housing corporation in our lawsuit.

Why are national organizations critical defendants? They have deep pockets, substantial assets, and liability insurance policies worth millions. They cannot claim ignorance when their own chapters behave violently. The death of Andrew Coffey at Pi Kappa Phi in 2017 meant they had eight years to prevent what happened to Leonel Bermudez.

3. The University or College: The Gatekeepers

Universities have a fundamental duty to protect their students from harm. They grant recognition to Greek organizations, control their conduct, and often provide housing or facilities. When they fail in this duty, they are liable. Our lawsuit names:

The University of Houston: Critically, UH owned the fraternity house where some of the most egregious hazing occurred. This establishes a direct premises liability claim.
The UH Board of Regents: As the governing body, the Board of Regents is ultimately responsible for institutional oversight and policy.

Why are universities critical defendants? They possess immense power and resources. They can enforce rules, conduct investigations, and punish organizations. Their failure to act, particularly when they have prior knowledge of hazing (as UH did from a 2017 incident with another fraternity), demonstrates institutional negligence and deliberate indifference. For students from Treutlen County attending any university, their safety should be paramount, and the university’s failure to provide it is a betrayal of trust.

4. Insurance Carriers: The Ultimate Payers

The “deep pockets” in these cases often belong to the insurance carriers that provide liability coverage for the national organizations, universities, housing corporations, and even individual defendants through homeowners’ or renters’ policies. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña possess invaluable insider knowledge of how these insurance companies operate. We know their strategies for minimizing payouts, and we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients.

In summary, when hazing occurs, we cast a wide net. We don’t just sue the few students who were present; we target every layer of responsibility, ensuring that those who participated, those who enabled, and those who should have prevented the abuse are held fully accountable. This comprehensive approach is how we secure multi-million dollar recoveries for our clients and force meaningful change.

What Hazing Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For families in Treutlen County, the idea of taking on powerful national fraternities and major universities can feel daunting. But the truth is, hazing claims have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements across the country, showing that accountability is not just possible, it is being achieved. These landmark cases provide crucial precedent for our $10 million lawsuit in Houston and demonstrate what is attainable for victims of hazing.

Here are just a few examples that prove juries and courts take hazing seriously and are willing to award significant financial compensation:

1. Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity

The Tragedy: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning.
The Outcome: The Foltz family secured over $10.1 million in settlements. This included $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha National Fraternity and individual members. This was the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. Most recently, in December 2024, a jury ordered the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, to pay the Foltz family $6.5 million personally.
Why it matters for Treutlen County: This case directly validates our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case. It shows that both universities and national fraternities are held financially liable, and individual perpetrators can face massive personal judgments.

2. Maxwell Gruver: Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta Fraternity

The Tragedy: In September 2017, Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman pledge at LSU, died from acute alcohol poisoning (with a BAC of 0.495) during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” event. He was forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol for answering questions incorrectly.
The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family a $6.1 million verdict. Matthew Naquin, one of the fraternity members, was also convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced to prison. The case inspired the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
Why it matters for Treutlen County: This jury verdict illustrates that when hazing leads to death or severe injury, juries are willing to deliver multi-million dollar judgments, sending a clear message of deterrence. The egregious actions in our Bermudez case are even more shocking and offensive to public morality than a drinking game gone wrong.

3. Timothy Piazza: Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi Fraternity

The Tragedy: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge at Penn State, died from a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after being forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi event. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911 despite his obvious distress, a delay captured on security cameras.
The Outcome: The Piazza family reportedly secured more than $110 million in confidential settlements from various defendants. Eighteen fraternity members faced criminal charges, with multiple convictions for involuntary manslaughter and hazing. The tragedy also led to Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.”
Why it matters for Treutlen County: This monumental settlement demonstrates the potential for astronomical damages in hazing cases, especially when evidence is strong and the conduct is extremely negligent. It underscores the importance of universities and Greek organizations having effective oversight.

4. Andrew Coffey: Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity

The Tragedy: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey, a pledge at FSU, 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.”
The Outcome: Nine fraternity members were charged with hazing, and the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at FSU was permanently closed. A civil suit by the Coffey family resulted in a confidential settlement.
Why it matters for Treutlen County: This case is particularly critical because Pi Kappa Phi is the same national fraternity involved in Leonel Bermudez’s case. Andrew Coffey’s death gave Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters eight years of notice that their chapters engaged in deadly hazing practices. Their failure to prevent Leonel’s hospitalization makes them even more culpable and strengthens the argument for punitive damages.

These cases are not isolated incidents; they represent a disturbing pattern across the country. They also provide a powerful blueprint for legal strategy. For Treutlen County families reeling from a hazing incident, these precedents offer both hope and a clear understanding of the financial and legal accountability that is possible. We are committed to achieving similar justice for our clients.

Texas Law Protects You: Consent is Not a Defense to Hazing

For families in Treutlen County, understanding the legal landscape of hazing is crucial. Texas has some of the strongest anti-hazing laws in the nation, and critically, these laws explicitly protect victims from the common defense strategy used by perpetrators: claiming the victim “consented.” Our firm, Attorney911, operates daily within this legal framework, leveraging every statute to demand justice.

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

This comprehensive law defines what constitutes hazing and outlines severe penalties for individuals and organizations involved.

What is Hazing? Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization, if that act endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
- Physical Brutality: This includes acts like whipping, beating, striking (like being struck with wooden paddles in Leonel’s case), branding, or placing harmful substances on the body.
- Endangering Health and Safety: This covers sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements (such as Leonel being forced to strip in cold weather and hosed), confinement in small spaces, or excessive calisthenics (like Leonel’s 500 squats that led to kidney failure).
- Forced Consumption: This includes making a student consume food, liquid, or alcohol that puts them at unreasonable risk of harm or affects their health. Leonel’s forced eating until vomiting is a direct violation.
- Criminal Acts: Any activity that requires a student to violate the Penal Code.
- Coercing Intoxication: Forcing a student to consume an amount of alcohol that would lead a reasonable person to believe they are intoxicated.

Leonel Bermudez’s experience directly implicates numerous aspects of this definition, including physical brutality, endangering health through extreme calisthenics, forced consumption, and simulated waterboarding which, while not explicitly listed, falls under “physical brutality” or “similar activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm.”

Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Serious Crime

Texas law doesn’t just frown upon hazing; it criminalizes it:

Class B Misdemeanor: Simply engaging in hazing, soliciting, encouraging, or failing to report it carries penalties including up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes “serious bodily injury”—like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—the penalty escalates to up to 1 year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
State Jail Felony: If hazing causes death, perpetrators face 180 days to 2 years in state jail and a $10,000 fine.

The University of Houston spokesperson’s mention of “potential criminal charges” in their statement following Leonel’s incident highlights the criminal aspect of hazing, which exists alongside civil liability.

Organizational Liability: Holding Fraternities Accountable

The law also penalizes the organizations themselves:

Forfeiture of Right to Operate: Organizations that condone or encourage hazing, or whose officers or members commit it, can be denied permission to operate on campus.
Fines: Organizations can face fines of up to $10,000.

Pi Kappa Phi’s national leadership, by closing the UH chapter for “violations,” implicitly acknowledged the chapter’s organizational liability under such laws.

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

This is perhaps the most crucial aspect of Texas hazing law for victims and their families in Treutlen County. The statute explicitly states:

“It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This shatters the common “they knew what they signed up for” argument used by defense attorneys and fraternities. Leonel Bermudez’s lawyers cannot be told that he consented to being waterboarded or suffering kidney failure. The legislature recognized that the power dynamics, coercion, and social pressures inherent in hazing negate true consent.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Prosecution

Even if criminal charges are not pursued or result in acquittal, victims in Treutlen County can still pursue substantial civil claims for damages, using legal theories such as:

Negligence: The failure of an individual, organization, or university to exercise reasonable care, which directly leads to injury.
Premises Liability: Holding property owners (like the University of Houston, which owned the fraternity house) responsible for unsafe conditions on their land.
Negligent Supervision: The failure of national organizations and universities to adequately supervise their chapters and ensure a safe environment.
Assault and Battery: Direct claims against individuals who physically harmed the victim.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For extreme and outrageous conduct that causes severe emotional harm.

Our firm is expert at navigating both the criminal and civil aspects of hazing cases, ensuring that every avenue for justice is explored for our clients in Treutlen County. We take pride in our deep understanding of these laws and our aggressive application of them to protect victims.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for Treutlen County Hazing Victims

When your family in Treutlen County faces the devastation of a hazing incident, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the nuances of hazing litigation, who knows how to fight powerful institutions, and who will treat your child’s case with the urgency and compassion it deserves. Attorney911 offers a unique blend of experience, insight, and dedication that makes us the clear choice for families seeking justice.

1. Active Expertise: We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We’re not just reading about hazing; we’re actively litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the severe hazing of Leonel Bermudez. This isn’t a theoretical exercise for us; it’s an ongoing, real-world fight that demonstrates our commitment, our strategy, and our capabilities. For families in Treutlen County, this means:

Current Knowledge: We are intimately familiar with the latest hazing tactics, institutional responses, and legal challenges.
Proven Strategy: We are applying advanced, data-driven litigation strategies in a live case, showing results.
Aggressive Approach: Our work in the Bermudez case is a blueprint for how aggressively we will pursue your case, no matter the location, including Treutlen County.

2. The Insider Advantage: Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, and Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, began their careers defending insurance companies and corporations. This isn’t a coincidence; it’s a strategic advantage we leverage for our clients.

Ralph Manginello’s Insight: With over 25 years of experience, Ralph knows the insurance playbook inside and out. He anticipates defense tactics, identifies weaknesses in their arguments, and understands how they value claims. His background, from high-stakes mass tort litigation like the BP Texas City explosion to hundreds of criminal defense cases, has honed his ability to dismantle complex defenses.
Lupe Peña’s National Defense Firm Experience: Lupe’s tenure at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm, gave him firsthand knowledge of how large corporations and their insurers strategize to minimize or deny payouts across various practice areas. He learned their internal workings, their valuation methods, and their delay tactics. Now, he uses that very “battlefield intelligence” to fight against them for hazing victims.

For families in Treutlen County, this means we know exactly how the national fraternities, universities, and their insurance carriers will try to deflect blame or offer lowball settlements. We speak their language, and we know how to counter their moves. This is an unfair advantage for you.

3. Nationwide Reach with a Local Touch

While we are headquartered in Houston with additional offices in Austin and Beaumont, our commitment to hazing victims extends far beyond. For Treutlen County families, this means:

Federal Court Authority: We are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, providing us with the authority to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction nationwide.
Dual-State Bar Admissions: Ralph is licensed in Texas and New York, offering a strategic advantage when dealing with national fraternities often headquartered or incorporated out of state.
Willingness to Travel: Distance is not a barrier to justice. We travel to Treutlen County for depositions, meetings, and trials as needed to secure justice for our clients.
Remote Consultations: We offer video consultations, making it easy for Treutlen County families to connect with our expert legal team from the comfort and privacy of their homes.
Se Habla Español: Our bilingual staff, including Lupe Peña who is fluent in Spanish, ensures that Spanish-speaking families in Treutlen County can access justice without language barriers.

4. Comprehensive Experience for Complex Cases

Our firm’s experience extends beyond general personal injury:

Rhabdomyolysis Expertise: Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, directly aligning with Leonel Bermudez’s severe injury.
Wrongful Death Cases: We have extensive experience representing families who have tragically lost loved ones, including those due to hazing.
Catastrophic Injury Cases: We understand how to pursue maximum damages for life-altering injuries that require long-term care and financial support.
Mass Tort Experience: Ralph’s involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation demonstrates our capacity to take on massive corporate defendants, a skill directly applicable to battling powerful national fraternities and universities.

5. Compassionate Advocacy, Relentless Pursuit

We understand the emotional toll hazing takes on victims and their families. Our approach is warm and empathetic, treating every client like family. We provide consistent communication, ensuring you are informed and supported throughout the legal process. However, this compassion does not diminish our aggressive pursuit of justice. We are “Legal Emergency Lawyers™” because we move first, fast, and decisively. We build cases with expert witnesses, preserve evidence immediately, and negotiate from a position of strength.

The social proof of our dedication is clear: over 250 five-star Google reviews, with clients consistently highlighting “consistent communication,” “caring staff,” and a firm that “fights for you like family” and gets the “job done right!”

For Treutlen County hazing victims, we see you, we hear you, and we will fight for you using every tool in our extensive legal arsenal. Our fight for Leonel Bermudez is proof.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Treutlen County Families After Hazing

The moments following a hazing incident can be chaotic and terrifying for both the victim and their family in Treutlen County. You might feel overwhelmed, confused, and unsure of what steps to take next. However, acting quickly and strategically is critical to preserving evidence, protecting legal rights, and ultimately securing justice. Our team at Attorney911 is here to guide you through these crucial first steps.

Step 1: Prioritize Immediate Safety and Medical Attention

Your child’s physical and mental well-being is the absolute first priority.

Remove Your Child from the Situation: If they are still in a dangerous environment, get them out immediately. Their safety is paramount, not fear of retaliation or social consequences.
Seek Medical Care Immediately: Even if injuries seem minor or your child is hesitant, get them professional medical attention.
- Go to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care: For visible injuries, signs of intoxication, dehydration, physical exhaustion, or any severe pain (like the muscle pain and dark urine Leonel Bermudez experienced). Inform medical staff that the injuries resulted from a hazing incident.
- Follow All Medical Advice: Attend all follow-up appointments, physical therapy, and specialist referrals. Consistent medical treatment is crucial for both recovery and for documenting the extent of the harm.
- Seek Mental Health Support: Hazing inflicts deep psychological wounds. Connect your child with a therapist or counselor specializing in trauma.

Step 2: Preserve ALL Evidence – “Document Everything!”

The defense will try to minimize or discredit your claims. Robust evidence is your most powerful weapon. Begin gathering and preserving everything you can, as outlined in our video, “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence“:

Medical Records: Obtain copies of all emergency room reports, hospital records, doctor’s notes, medical bills, diagnostic test results (blood work, imaging, etc.), and mental health treatment records.
Photos and Videos:
- Photograph any physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling) as soon as they appear and document their progression over time.
- If safe and possible, take photos or videos of the location where the hazing occurred, any items used in the hazing, or conditions that contributed to it.
Digital Communications: This is often a treasure trove of evidence in hazing cases.
- DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. Screenshot every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat conversation, Instagram DM, email, or social media post related to the hazing. This includes direct messages, group chats, schedules, instructions, or conversations among members.
- Save phone call logs and voicemails.
Documents: Keep any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or written instructions provided by the organization. Retain any receipts for dues, fees, or other expenses.
Witness Information: Collect the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or anyone with knowledge of the organization’s activities.

Step 3: Crucial “DO NOTs” – Avoid Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

Many victims unwittingly jeopardize their legal claims in the immediate aftermath. Heed these warnings, as explained in our video, “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case“:

DO NOT Speak to the Organization or University Without Counsel: Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leaders, alumni advisors, university administrators, or their legal representatives without consulting with an attorney first. They are NOT on your side; their priority is protecting the institution.
DO NOT Give Recorded Statements: Decline any requests for recorded statements from insurance companies, the fraternity, or the university.
DO NOT Sign Anything: Do not sign any documents, releases, or agreements provided by the organization or the university without legal review. You could be waiving crucial legal rights.
DO NOT Post on Social Media: Refrain from posting anything about the incident, your injuries, or your activities on social media. Everything you post can and will be used against you by the defense.
DO NOT Delete Evidence: Never delete any texts, photos, or communications, even if they seem irrelevant.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney IMMEDIATELY

Time is of the essence in hazing cases. In most states, including Georgia, there is a statute of limitations (typically two years for personal injury or wrongful death from the date of injury or death). As our video, “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?,” emphasizes, if you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue forever.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911: Our Legal Emergency Hotline is available 24/7. An initial consultation is free, and there is no obligation.
The Sooner, The Better:
- We can immediately send spoliation letters to all potential defendants, legally obligating them to preserve evidence (like security footage, emails, and text messages).
- We can begin our own investigation, securing evidence before it disappears or is purposely destroyed.
- We can advise you on how to interact with the university and law enforcement to protect your rights.
- We will handle all communication with the involved parties, shielding you from their tactics.

For Treutlen County families, please know that you do not have to endure this ordeal alone. Our team, with our active expertise and aggressive approach, is ready to fight for you. We understand the emotional toll, and we believe in bringing light to these dark incidents. Let us stand with you.

Treutlen County Families: Call Us Now – Free Consultation

If you or your child in Treutlen County has been a victim of hazing, the time to act is now. The physical and emotional scars left by hazing are profound, and the fight for justice can be complex and intimidating. But you do not have to face it alone. Attorney911 is here, ready to bring the same aggressive, data-driven, and compassionate representation to your case that we are currently delivering in our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.

You Have Legal Rights. We Are Fighting This Fight Right Now.

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are not theoretical experts; we are actively in the trenches, challenging powerful institutions and holding them accountable for the devastating consequences of hazing. Our flagship Bermudez case demonstrates precisely how we build these cases, identify every liable party, and relentlessly pursue the justice and compensation our clients deserve. And we will fight for Treutlen County victims with the same fury.

Treutlen County Families – Call Now – Free Consultation

Your first step toward justice begins with a simple, confidential conversation. We offer free, no-obligation consultations to hazing victims and their families in Treutlen County and across the nation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

This Legal Emergency Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We understand that hazing crises don’t adhere to business hours, and neither do we.

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Website: attorney911.com

We work on CONTINGENCY: For families in Treutlen County, this means you pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid. Our interests are fully aligned: we win when you win. This removes the financial burden, allowing you to focus on healing while we focus on justice.

What Treutlen County Hazing Victims Should Do Right Now:

Get Medical Attention Immediately: Your health is paramount. Ensure all physical injuries are documented and treated. Seek mental health support for the psychological trauma. Delays can be used by the defense to minimize your injuries.
Preserve All Evidence: Do not delete text messages, photos, videos, GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages, or any other digital communications related to the hazing. These are crucial pieces of evidence.
Do NOT Talk to the Organizations: Do not speak with fraternity/sorority members, alumni, university officials, or their lawyers without consulting your attorney first. Anything you say can be used against you.
Do NOT Post on Social Media: Refrain from posting anything about the incident or your well-being on any social media platform.
Call Us Immediately: The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases in most places is two years. Evidence disappears, and memories fade. Early intervention is critical to building a strong case.

We Serve Treutlen County Hazing Victims – And Hazing Victims Nationwide

While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, hazing knows no geographic boundaries. Hazing happens at colleges and universities throughout Georgia, including institutions where students from Treutlen County matriculate, such as the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, and Mercer University in Macon. We are equipped and ready to represent you, regardless of where the incident occurred in Treutlen County, or anywhere else in America.

Federal Court Authority: Our admission to federal courts allows us to pursue national fraternities and universities in federal jurisdiction.
Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello holds licenses in both Texas and New York, providing a strategic advantage when dealing with national organizations that may be headquartered out of state.
Video Consultations: We offer convenient, confidential video consultations for Treutlen County families who may not be able to travel.
Travel Commitment: We travel to Treutlen County and other locations as needed for depositions, client meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

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

Fraternities and sororities
Sports teams
Marching bands and other student organizations
ROTC programs
Military academies
Any organization where abuse is used as “initiation.”

To Other Victims of Hazing: Your Story Matters.

If you are another victim who has endured similar hazing, especially from the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at the University of Houston or any other organization involved in such abuse, we want to hear from you. Leonel Bermudez’s case is a testament to the power of one brave individual to spark change and hold powerful entities accountable. As Lupe Peña expressed, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Let us help you bring your story to light. Your courage can prevent future tragedies and protect other students in Treutlen County and beyond.

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

We are Attorney911. We are your Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We are here to fight for you and your family in Treutlen County.