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 Wilcox County, Georgia, and across the nation fight back.

We understand what you’re going through. Your child, perhaps in the prime of their life, went off to a university, expecting to find camaraderie and build a future. Instead, they encountered brutality disguised as “tradition”—an experience that leaves lasting physical and emotional scars. What happened to them was not a prank; it was a violation. Whether your family lives in Pineview, Abbeville, or Rochelle, or your child attends a university elsewhere, the impact of hazing is devastating.

In Wilcox County, Georgia, a close-knit community where families value safety and trust, the idea that a child could be subjected to violent and demeaning acts as part of a college experience is unthinkable. Yet, the hazing crisis sweeping the nation does not spare any community, including those here in Wilcox County. Your children travel to colleges and universities across Georgia and beyond—to institutions like the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, or even the historically black colleges and universities like Albany State or Fort Valley State, which often attract students from communities like ours. And when they leave the safety of our homes, they can become vulnerable to the insidious dangers of hazing.

We are Attorney911, and we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We specialize in turning the pain and rage of families into aggressive legal action. This isn’t a hypothetical fight for us; we are actively engaged in hazing litigation right now, leading a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university for the severe hazing of a prospective member. We bring the same level of dedication, expertise, and proven tactics to every family we represent, including yours in Wilcox County.

🚨 The Valdez Case: Our $10M Fight Against Hazing, Happening Right Now

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

The nightmare of hazing became a horrifying reality for Leonel Bermudez, a young man who sought friendship and brotherhood in a fraternity. What happened to him, just weeks ago in Houston, Texas, is a stark warning that hazing is not a relic of the past; it is a brutal reality on campuses today—and it can happen to students from Wilcox County, Georgia, at any university. Our firm, Attorney911, is currently locked in a $10 million legal battle over this horrific incident, and we believe it perfectly illustrates why families like yours need unwavering, expert legal representation.

A Look at the Case: Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston (Filed November 2025)

Leonel Bermudez was not even an enrolled student at the University of Houston yet. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective transfer student who had accepted a bid to the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025. What was supposed to be an exciting new chapter in his life quickly devolved into weeks of systematic abuse, physical torture, and psychological torment.

On November 3, 2025, after weeks of relentless hazing, Leonel was brutally punished for missing an event. He was forced to endure an unimaginable gauntlet of physical exertion: over 100 push-ups, more than 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and “save-you-brother” drills. All while reciting the fraternity creed, under constant threats of expulsion if he stopped. He was exercised until his muscles screamed in protest, until he became so exhausted he could not stand without help.

When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs. The next day, he was incredibly sore and struggled to move. The day after that, his condition worsened dramatically. His mother, an unsung hero in this story, rushed him to the hospital, where doctors discovered he was passing brown urine—a terrifying sign of severe muscle breakdown. He was diagnosed with acute kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition where damaged muscle fibers release their contents into the bloodstream, poisoning the kidneys. Leonel spent three nights and four days hospitalized, undergoing intensive medical treatment. Even now, he faces the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This isn’t an isolated incident. The lawsuit alleges that this behavior wasn’t a one-off mistake but part of “a pattern of similar hazing and policy violations by the fraternity, locally and nationally.” Indeed, our firm uncovered a chilling detail: Pi Kappa Phi’s own national headquarters admitted failing to enforce anti-hazing rules despite knowledge of “a hazing crisis.”

What Happened Next: Our Immediate Legal Action

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, the Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters suspended the University of Houston chapter. By November 14, 2025, they had officially closed the Beta Nu Chapter. This swift action, taken less than a week before our lawsuit was filed, speaks volumes about their awareness of the gravity of the situation. As our lead attorney, Ralph Manginello, stated to ABC13, “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.”

On November 21, 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court, naming numerous defendants:

• The national Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
• The local Beta Nu Chapter
• The Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation
• The University of Houston (which owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place)
• The UH Board of Regents
• 13 individual fraternity members, including the president, pledgemaster, and even a former member and his spouse who hosted hazing sessions in their private residence.

This lawsuit has garnered significant media attention, with major outlets like ABC13 Houston, KHOU 11, the Houston Chronicle, and Houston Public Media covering the allegations in detail. As our attorney Lupe Peña told 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.”

Why This Case Matters to Families in Wilcox County, Georgia

1. It’s a Glimpse into Modern Hazing: The tactics used against Leonel—waterboarding with a garden hose, forced consumption to the point of vomiting, brutal physical exertion—are not old stories. They are happening today, at universities across the country. Your child, attending a nearby university or one across the state, could face similar abuse.
2. Universities and Nationals are Complicit: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where some of the most egregious hazing occurred. This highlights the deep institutional responsibility of colleges and universities to ensure student safety, especially on their own property. National fraternities, despite their anti-hazing policies, often turn a blind eye until tragedy strikes.
3. Pattern of Negligence: Both Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston have a history of hazing incidents. In 2017, Andrew Coffey died in a Pi Kappa Phi hazing incident at Florida State University. The same year, a student at the University of Houston was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen due to hazing at a different fraternity. Both institutions had eight years to learn from these tragedies and implement effective safeguards. They failed, and Leonel Bermudez paid the price.
4. $10 Million Sends a Clear Message: Our lawsuit seeks $10 million not just to compensate Leonel for his horrific injuries, but to send an undeniable message to every fraternity, every university, and every individual involved: hazing will no longer be tolerated. It is the cost of torturing our children.

This case is new. It is ongoing. It represents everything Attorney911 stands for: aggressive representation of hazing victims, a data-driven litigation strategy, and unrelenting pursuit of accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries. We are not theoretical; we are actively fighting right now in Harris County Civil District Court, and we are ready to bring that fight to Wilcox County families who have suffered the same nightmare.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

When Wilcox County parents hear the word “hazing,” they might picture harmless pranks or mild inconveniences—a misperception often perpetuated by the very organizations that engage in these cruel acts. But the truth, as evidenced by Leonel Bermudez’s case and countless others, is far more sinister. This is not about building character or fostering brotherhood; it is about systematic abuse, degradation, and often, life-threatening torture.

Hazing has evolved from “boys being boys” to deeply disturbing rituals that exploit power dynamics and inflict severe harm. It often occurs under a veil of secrecy, shrouded in tradition and a misguided sense of loyalty. For families in Wilcox County, it is crucial to understand the true face of hazing, so they can recognize the signs and protect their children.

The Grimmer Reality of Hazing Tactics

Based on our current litigation and extensive experience, hazing today is characterized by several brutal categories:

1. Physical Abuse and Extreme Exertion

This is far more than strenuous exercise; it’s designed to push individuals beyond safe physical limits, often resulting in severe injury or organ failure.

• Forced Physical Gauntlets: Leonel Bermudez was forced to perform 100+ push-ups, 500+ squats, “high-volume suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and 100-yard crawls repeatedly. This led to his muscles breaking down and his kidneys failing. Other pledges lost consciousness during similar workouts.
• Paddling and Beatings: The use of wooden paddles to strike pledges, as alleged in Leonel’s case, is a direct assault. More broadly, this can include punching, kicking, and simulated fighting.
• Exposure to Elements: Being forced to strip to underwear in cold weather or sprayed with freezing water from a garden hose, mimicking waterboarding, subjects individuals to dangerous temperature extremes and immense psychological distress.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often deprived of sleep through forced late-night or early-morning activities, running errands for members, or intense “study hours” that leave no time for rest. This impairs judgment, increases vulnerability, and breaks down physical and mental resistance.

2. Forced Consumption: A Deadly Ritual

The pressure to consume dangerous substances is a hallmark of modern hazing and a leading cause of fatalities.

• Alcohol Poisoning: The most common cause of hazing deaths. Pledges are forced to “chug” large quantities of hard liquor, often entire bottles, in short periods. Max Gruver and Andrew Coffey both died this way, with blood alcohol levels many times the legal limit.
• Eating Until Vomiting: Forcing pledges to consume large amounts of specific foods—like milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns in Leonel’s case—until they vomit. Often, they are then forced to continue physical activity, running through their own vomit, adding an element of extreme degradation.
• Non-Food Substances: In some extreme cases, pledges are forced to consume urine, feces, or other vile substances.

3. Psychological Torture and Humiliation

These tactics aim to break down an individual’s self-esteem and identity, fostering dependence and obedience through fear.

• Degrading Rituals: Being hog-tied face-down with an object in the mouth, forced public nudity, or carrying bizarre items (like the fanny pack with sexual objects in Leonel’s case) designed to shame and embarrass.
• Verbal Abuse and Threats: Constant shouting, insults, threats of expulsion, or social ostracism create an environment of fear where pledges feel they cannot refuse.
• Isolation and Control: Limiting communication with the outside world, dictating clothing, or controlling daily schedules are all tactics to assert dominance and break individuality.

4. Sexual Hazing: The Ultimate Violation

Sadly, sexual hazing is a deeply disturbing aspect of this crisis, often going unreported due to profound shame, fear, and trauma.

• Forced Nudity: Pledges are compelled to be naked in front of others.
• Simulated Sexual Acts: Forcing individuals to engage in simulated sexual activities with each other or with inanimate objects.
• Sexual Assault: In the most egregious cases, hazing can escalate to full-blown sexual assault, leaving victims with unimaginable trauma.

The Medical and Psychological Fallout: Real Injuries, Real Pain

The consequences of hazing are anything but minor. For Leonel Bermudez, the extreme physical exertion led to:

• Rhabdomyolysis: A severe breakdown of muscle tissue, releasing harmful proteins into the bloodstream.
• Acute Kidney Failure: The myoglobin released from damaged muscles clogs the kidneys, leading to life-threatening organ failure. Leonel’s brown urine was a classic sign of this. He now faces potential long-term kidney complications.

Beyond the physical, hazing inflicts profound psychological damage:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The terror and degradation can lead to flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and avoidance behaviors.
• Depression and Anxiety: Many victims struggle with lasting feelings of worthlessness, despair, and crippling anxiety.
• Suicidal Ideation: The overwhelming psychological burden can lead to thoughts of self-harm, tragically culminating in suicide for some victims who cannot escape the torment.
• Trust Issues: Victims often struggle to trust others, particularly authority figures, making it difficult to form healthy relationships or seek help.

This is why we fight for students from Wilcox County. This is why we are relentless. We see the pain, the scars, and the broken trust. We understand that this is not just an incident; it is a life-altering trauma that demands justice and accountability.

Who Is Responsible? Holding Every Entity Accountable

One of the most powerful aspects of our hazing litigation strategy is our relentless pursuit of every single entity that bears responsibility for the harm caused. Hazing is never the fault of just one individual; it is a systemic problem enabled by multiple layers of negligence and indifference. When a student from Wilcox County, Georgia, is harmed by hazing, we don’t just sue the immediate perpetrators; we target the “deep pockets” who allowed it to happen.

Our $10 million lawsuit in the Bermudez case exemplifies this comprehensive approach. We are pursuing everyone who played a role, directly or indirectly:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: Members and Leaders of the Local Chapter

These are the people who actively participated in, organized, and directed the hazing rituals.

• Fraternity President and Pledgemaster: These individuals hold leadership positions and are directly responsible for the activities of the chapter, especially during the pledge process. They often create and enforce the hazing agenda.
• Chapter Members: Any member who actively participated in hazing, knew about it and failed to stop it, or even pressured younger pledges to participate, can be held individually liable.
• Former Members and Their Spouses: In Leonel’s case, some of the hazing took place at the private residence of a former member and his spouse. This extends liability to anyone who provides a venue for hazing or knowingly allows it to occur on their property.
  Why they’re liable: They committed direct assault, battery, and engaged in reckless conduct that led to injury. As we saw in the Stone Foltz case, individual officers can be held personally liable for millions of dollars.

2. The Local Chapter: The Greek Organization Itself

Even if the chapter is a smaller entity, it operates as an organization and can be held responsible.

• Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi (University of Houston): This is the immediate group that orchestrated and carried out the hazing of Leonel Bermudez.
  Why they’re liable: The chapter, as a collective body, is vicariously liable for the actions of its members and for fostering a culture where hazing is tolerated or encouraged. They also violate their own institutional rules and often state anti-hazing laws.

3. The National Organization: The “Deep Pockets” Behind the Letters

Most local chapters are part of larger, national fraternal organizations with significant resources, assets, and insurance. These are often the true “deep pockets.”

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc. (National Headquarters): This is the national body that oversees more than 150 chapters across America.
  Why they’re liable: National fraternities often claim to have strict anti-hazing policies, but they frequently fail to enforce them. They have a duty to supervise their chapters, provide adequate training, and intervene when hazing occurs. When they fail, especially after previous incidents like the death of Andrew Coffey at a Pi Kappa Phi chapter in 2017, their negligence becomes clear. Their public statements admit “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy” and “membership conduct standards,” indicating a fundamental breakdown in oversight.

4. The University: The Institution That Should Protect Its Students

Universities have a profound responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of their students. When they fail in this duty, they are liable.

• University of Houston & UH Board of Regents: In Leonel’s case, the university owned the very fraternity house where some of the hazing occurred.
  Why they’re liable:
  • Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned or supervised property (like the fraternity house in Leonel’s case), the university can be held liable as a property owner for allowing dangerous conditions to exist.
  • Negligent Supervision and Oversight: Universities often claim to have anti-hazing policies and Greek life oversight. But if they fail to actively monitor, investigate, and penalize hazing, they are negligent. The University of Houston had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 (a student with a lacerated spleen from a different fraternity), indicating they had notice of the problem.
  • Failure to Protect: Universities have a duty to protect their students from foreseeable harm. When a pattern of hazing is evident, and they do not act decisively, they breach this duty. The UH spokesperson’s statement about the events being “deeply disturbing” and a “clear violation of our community standards” is an admission of this failure.

5. The Insurance Carriers: The Real Source of Compensation

Ultimately, multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements often come from the insurance policies held by these defendants.

• National Organization’s Liability Insurance: National fraternities carry substantial liability insurance policies.
• University’s Institutional Insurance: Universities have extensive insurance coverage to protect against various liabilities, including student injury claims.
• Homeowner’s/Renter’s Insurance: Individual members or hosts may have personal insurance coverage that can contribute to a settlement.
  Why they’re liable: These policies are designed to cover the very types of injuries and negligence that arise from hazing incidents. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña know exactly how to navigate these complex policies and maximize recovery for our clients.

Beyond Individual “Bad Apples”

It’s critical for Wilcox County families to understand that hazing is rarely just a few “bad apples.” It’s a systemic failure where:

• Individuals act cruelly.
• Local chapters enable and organize the cruelty.
• National organizations fail to supervise and enforce their own rules, often prioritizing image over safety.
• Universities, despite their knowledge and resources, fail to protect the students entrusted to their care.

We at Attorney911 understand these intricate layers of responsibility. Our data-driven approach means we meticulously identify every potential defendant and every avenue for accountability. We ensure that no one who contributed to your child’s trauma—whether a leader, a participant, an enabler, or a negligent institution—can hide from justice. We will ensure that every single culpable party contributes to the compensation your Wilcox County family deserves.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof That Hazing Does Not Pay

The devastating impact of hazing is reflected not only in shattered lives but also in the multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements that families win when they stand up and fight. These landmark cases send an unequivocal message: hazing is an expensive, unlawful, and morally reprehensible act. For families in Wilcox County, Georgia, these precedents offer hope and tangible proof that taking legal action can lead to significant justice and, crucially, can prevent future tragedies.

Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an outlier; it is rooted in a clear pattern of multi-million dollar awards in hazing cases across the nation. We leverage these precedents to demonstrate to fraternities, universities, and their insurers that we understand the true value of these claims and will not back down until our Wilcox County clients receive what they deserve.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements: The Price of Negligence

1. Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

Total Payout: Over $10.1 Million

• What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge at Bowling Green State University, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing ritual. He died of alcohol poisoning days later.
• The Outcome: The university settled with his family for $2.9 million, and the Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity, along with individuals, settled for an additional $7.2 million. Most recently, in December 2024, a jury ordered Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, to pay an additional $6.5 million in personal liability.
• Significance for Wilcox County: This case sets a benchmark for major payouts, demonstrating that both universities and national fraternities face multi-million dollar liability. It also proves that individual orchestrators of hazing can be held personally responsible for massive sums. Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is directly in line with these precedents.

2. Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)

Total Verdict: $6.1 Million

• What Happened: In September 2017, 18-year-old Max Gruver died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 (six times the legal limit) during a Phi Delta Theta hazing event at LSU. Pledges were forced to drink heavily whenever they answered a question incorrectly during a “Bible Study” ritual.
• The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family $6.1 million. Several fraternity members faced criminal charges, with one convicted of negligent homicide. The tragedy also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
• Significance for Wilcox County: This jury verdict unequivocally shows that juries are willing to award substantial compensation for hazing deaths. It also highlights the potential for criminal justice outcomes alongside civil litigation, sending a powerful message to perpetrators.

3. Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)

Total Payout: Estimated $110 Million+

• What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge at Penn State’s Beta Theta Pi chapter, was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a “gauntlet” ritual. He fell repeatedly down stairs, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911, and he later died. All of this was captured on surveillance cameras.
• The Outcome: The Piazza family reached a confidential settlement estimated at over $110 million. Numerous fraternity members faced criminal charges, with some receiving prison sentences for involuntary manslaughter and hazing. The “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” was enacted in Pennsylvania.
• Significance for Wilcox County: This case illustrates the immense value assigned to hazing deaths, particularly when there is undeniable evidence. It also underscores how these cases drive significant legislative change, transforming outrage into action that protects future students.

4. Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

Outcome: Chapter Closed, Criminal Charges, Confidential Settlement

• What Happened: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old pledge at the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at Florida State University, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon during a “Big Brother Night” ritual.
• The Outcome: Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges, and the chapter was permanently closed. The family reached a confidential settlement with the national organization.
• Significance for Wilcox County: This case is particularly damning for our current litigation, as it involves the same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, that hazing Leonel Bermudez. It proves that Pi Kappa Phi National had actual knowledge of deadly hazing within its chapters eight years prior to Leonel’s hospitalization, yet failed to implement effective changes. This evidence of a repeated pattern of negligence strengthens our pursuit of punitive damages.

Why These Results Matter for Wilcox County Families

1. Your Claims Have Value: These multi-million dollar figures are not arbitrary. They reflect the catastrophic loss, the immense pain and suffering, the long-term medical costs, and the institutional failures inherent in hazing tragedies. Your child’s suffering in Wilcox County has just as much value, and we are prepared to fight for it.
2. No Institution is Above the Law: Whether it’s a small private college or a large public university, a local chapter or a powerful national organization—these entities have been proven to be liable and forced to pay. Their resources, legal teams, and PR campaigns are no match for determined legal action backed by irrefutable evidence.
3. Accountability Prevents Future Harm: Beyond financial compensation, these victories force change. They compel fraternities to re-evaluate their cultures, universities to strengthen their oversight, and legislators to enact stricter anti-hazing laws. By fighting for your Wilcox County family, you contribute to a safer environment for all students.
4. We Know How to Win: Attorney911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit, armed with the knowledge of these precedents and the strategies that secured these payouts. We understand how to build a case that resonates with juries and forces defendants to the negotiating table. We are ready to put this proven expertise to work for students from Wilcox County who have been subjected to similar abuses.

The message is clear: when hazing happens, the responsible parties will pay. We are here to ensure that justice is served for your Wilcox County family and that your child’s trauma is not dismissed.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Wilcox County Victims’ Rights

For families in Wilcox County, Georgia, seeking justice after a hazing incident, understanding the legal landscape is paramount. While we operate out of Texas, where our lead case is currently being litigated, the protections afforded by state anti-hazing laws and broader civil liability principles extend across the nation. In fact, many states, including Georgia, have anti-hazing laws modeled after those in Texas, making our expertise highly relevant no matter where the hazing occurred.

Crucially, our authority to pursue cases in federal courts means we can represent hazing victims from Wilcox County and nationwide, regardless of state lines. What happened to Leonel Bermudez is precisely addressed by robust legal frameworks designed to hold perpetrators and institutions accountable.

The Foundation: Texas Anti-Hazing Laws (Education Code §§ 37.151-37.157)

Texas has one of the nation’s most comprehensive anti-hazing laws, and its principles are mirrored in many other states, including Georgia (Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 16-5-61). These laws criminalize hazing and provide critical leverage for civil lawsuits.

1. What is Hazing? A Clear Legal Definition (§ 37.151):
Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act against a student for the purpose of affiliation or membership in an organization, if that act:

• Involves physical brutality: Such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, or placing harmful substances on the body (like the wooden paddles from Leonel’s case).
• Endangers mental or physical health/safety: Including sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement, or excessive physical activity (“calisthenics”) that poses an unreasonable risk of harm. The 500 squats and waterboarding Leonel endured directly fit this definition, leading to severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
• Involves forced consumption: Forcing students to consume food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk of harm (like the milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns forced upon Leonel until he vomited).
• Requires criminal acts: Any activity that forces a student to violate the Penal Code.
• Coerces alcohol/drug consumption into intoxication: Directly targeting forced binge drinking rituals that lead to alcohol poisoning.

For Wilcox County Application: The specific acts Leonel Bermudez endured—waterboarding, forced eating, extreme calisthenics, physical assault—fall under multiple provisions of this statute. It is likely that similar incidents occurring in Georgia or any other state would likewise meet the definition of hazing under local laws.

2. Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Crime (§ 37.152):
Texas law imposes serious criminal penalties for hazing, ranging from Class B misdemeanors for participating to State Jail Felonies for hazing that causes death.

• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury (like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure) can lead to up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine for perpetrators.
• State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes death can result in 180 days to two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine.
  Wilcox County Application: These criminal classifications show the severe societal condemnation of hazing. Even if local prosecutors in Wilcox County’s jurisdiction are hesitant, the legal framework for criminal charges is robust nationwide.

3. Organizational Liability: The Entity is Responsible (§ 37.153):
The law explicitly states that an organization commits an offense if it condones or encourages hazing, or if its members, pledges, or alumni participate. Organizations can face fines, denial of the right to operate, and forfeiture of property.
Wilcox County Application: This provision is key to holding local chapters and national organizations accountable, demonstrating that the “bad apples” defense is insufficient.

4. Consent is NOT a Defense: The Law is Unambiguous (§ 37.154):
This is perhaps the most critical provision. Texas law unequivocally states:

“It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”
Wilcox County Application: This shatters the common fraternity defense of “he agreed to participate” or “he could have left.” The law recognizes that coercion, peer pressure, and the desire for affiliation negate true consent in these situations. This principle is vital for any victim from Wilcox County. You cannot consent to be abused or tortured.

5. University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155):
Universities are legally obligated to report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor.
Wilcox County Application: This creates accountability for universities, establishing a paper trail and making it harder for them to hide incidents.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges, for Full Compensation

While criminal penalties punish perpetrators, civil lawsuits seek to compensate victims and their families for their profound losses. For Wilcox County victims, our civil litigation strategy targets every possible avenue:

1. Negligence Claims: The broadest basis for liability. We argue that institutions and individuals had a “duty of care” to protect students, they “breached” that duty through their actions or inactions, this “caused” the injuries, and resulted in “damages.” This applies to universities, national fraternities, and individual members alike.
2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by defendants (like the University of Houston owning the fraternity house), they can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
3. Negligent Supervision: This applies when an entity has a duty to supervise others (e.g., a national fraternity overseeing its local chapter, or a university overseeing its Greek life system) but fails to do so, leading to harm.
4. Assault and Battery: Direct claims against individuals who physically harmed the victim (e.g., paddling, waterboarding). These are intentional torts that do not require proof of negligence.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): Reserved for truly “outrageous” conduct (like waterboarding or forced humiliation) that causes severe emotional distress, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
6. Wrongful Death: In the tragic event of a hazing-related fatality, families can pursue claims for the loss of their loved one’s companionship, future earnings, funeral expenses, and more.

Why Every Wilcox County Family Needs Expert Legal Counsel

Successfully navigating these complex legal frameworks requires deep expertise. The defendants—national fraternities, powerful universities, and their sophisticated legal teams—will deploy every tactic to minimize their liability and shift blame. They will argue “consent.” They will claim ignorance. They will say they “did everything right.”

We anticipate these arguments because we have faced them before. Our firm operates in Texas, a state with strong anti-hazing laws, and our dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) and federal court authority mean that we are equipped to pursue these cases wherever they arise, from Wilcox County, Georgia, to any institution across the country. We understand the nuances of the law and how to use it as a powerful weapon for justice. Your Wilcox County family deserves nothing less than this comprehensive and aggressive legal protection.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for Wilcox County Hazing Victims

When your child from Wilcox County, Georgia, has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the intricacies of hazing litigation and has the proven ability to deliver results. Attorney911 is built for these fights. We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™—a team forged in the fire of complex litigation, with specific, current experience battling national fraternities and major universities over hazing. We offer a unique combination of expertise, empathy, and aggressive strategy that makes us the clear choice for families in Wilcox County and nationwide.

Our Unmatched Expertise and Strategic Advantage: What Wilcox County Families Get

1. Currently Litigating a $10M Hazing Lawsuit: We are not hypothetical. Our firm is actively engaged in the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, which demonstrates our real-time commitment and expertise in hazing cases. This means we are constantly refining our strategies, aware of the latest tactics used by defendants, and leveraging fresh precedents. Wilcox County families benefit directly from this live, aggressive prosecution of a major hazing case.

2. Ralph P. Manginello: 25+ Years of Battle-Tested Experience:

   • Former Insurance Defense Attorney: Ralph started his career defending insurance companies. This invaluable insider knowledge means we know their playbook, their strategies to deny claims, and how they value cases—and we use it all against them to maximize your child’s recovery.
   • Multi-Billion Dollar Litigation Against Corporate Giants: Ralph’s involvement in the BP Texas City Explosion litigation, a mass tort case against a massive corporate defendant, proves our capacity to take on and win against deeply entrenched, powerful institutions like national fraternities and major universities. This is directly applicable to hazing cases.
   • Federal Court Authority: Admitted to the U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas) and with appellate experience in the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, Ralph can pursue complex hazing cases in federal jurisdiction, often providing a strategic advantage against national organizations.
   • Journalism Background: Trained to investigate, uncover facts, and tell compelling stories, Ralph brings a unique ability to present your child’s hazing experience in a clear, compelling narrative that resonates with juries—especially vital when exposing what institutions try to hide.
   • Father of Three: Ralph knows firsthand what’s at stake when a family’s child is harmed. This deep personal understanding fuels his commitment to justice for hazing victims.

3. Lupe Eleno Peña: The Insider’s Edge from National Insurance Defense:

   • Former National Insurance Defense Attorney (Litchfield Cavo LLP): Just like Ralph, Lupe began his career on the other side, working for one of the largest national insurance defense firms. He learned firsthand how insurance companies value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize payouts for victims. Now, he uses that “battlefield intelligence” to fight for our clients.
   • 12+ Years of Litigation, Focused on Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury: Lupe has recovered millions for clients in cases involving wrongful death, dram shop liability (holding establishments accountable for over-serving alcohol, directly relevant to hazing), and catastrophic injuries. These are exactly the types of highly complex, high-stakes cases that arise from hazing.
   • Finance & Business Acumen: With a B.B.A. in International Business and a pre-law career in finance, Lupe brings a sophisticated understanding of economic damages, lost earning capacity, and corporate structures—all critical when suing national fraternities with complex financial operations.
   • Bilingual (Fluent in Spanish – Se Habla Español): For Wilcox County’s diverse community, Lupe’s fluency in Spanish ensures that Hispanic families affected by hazing receive comprehensive legal services without language barriers, fostering trust and clear communication.

4. Data-Driven Litigation: We Don’t Guess, We Know:

   • We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, including EINs, legal names, addresses, house corporations, and insurance structures. When hazing happens, we already know who to sue. This enables us to move faster, target every responsible entity, and build an airtight case.
   • This level of intelligence means we can prove a “pattern of negligence” through documented incidents, like Pi Kappa Phi’s history from Andrew Coffey’s death to Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization.

5. Nationwide Reach, Local Commitment for Wilcox County:

   • While headquartered in Houston, our dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) and federal court admissions mean we can pursue hazing cases virtually anywhere in the United States, including for families in Wilcox County, Georgia.
   • Distance is not a barrier to justice. We offer remote consultations via phone and video, and our attorneys will travel to Wilcox County for depositions, client meetings, or trials as needed. We bring big-city legal power directly to your community.

Our Culture: Empathy, Aggression, and Unwavering Support

“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris, a client.

• Client-Centered Approach: We understand the profound emotional and financial toll hazing takes on families. We prioritize clear communication, ensuring you are informed and supported at every step. We truly treat our Wilcox County clients like family.
• Contingency Fees: No Upfront Cost to Wilcox County Families: The last thing you need during a crisis is the burden of legal fees. We take hazing cases on contingency, meaning you pay absolutely nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case, aligning our success directly with yours.
• Proven Track Record: With over 250+ 4.9-star Google reviews, our clients consistently praise our communication, dedication, and ability to secure significant settlements.
• Ethical Aggression: We are assertive, tenacious, and unrelenting in our pursuit of justice, but always operate with the highest ethical standards. We fight dirty tactics with superior legal strategy.

For Wilcox County families whose lives have been shattered by hazing, Attorney911 offers not just legal representation, but a promise: we will fight for your child with the same fury and dedication that we bring to every case, every day. We are ready to be your Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Wilcox County Families

If your child from Wilcox County, Georgia, has been subjected to hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While the emotional turmoil can be overwhelming, quick and decisive action can profoundly impact the success of any legal claim. This is a legal emergency, and just like any emergency, rapid, informed response can make all the difference.

Here are the crucial steps you should take right now to protect your child, preserve evidence, and secure their legal rights:

Step 1: Prioritize Your Child’s Safety and Well-being

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: If your child exhibits any physical symptoms (bruises, pain, vomiting, dark urine, disorientation, loss of consciousness, or any injury, no matter how minor it seems), get them to an emergency room or doctor immediately.
   • Why: This ensures proper medical care, and critically, creates official medical records that document the physical injuries linked to the hazing. Delays in seeking treatment can be used by defendants to argue the injuries weren’t severe or connected to the incident. For Leonel Bermudez, his mother rushing him to the hospital saved his kidneys and provided vital medical evidence.
2. Address Psychological Trauma: Hazing inflicts deep emotional wounds. Seek immediate counseling or therapy for your child. Keep records of all sessions and diagnoses.
   • Why: Psychological harm is a significant component of damages. Early intervention and documentation establish the direct link between hazing and mental health impacts like PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
3. Remove Your Child from the Harmful Environment: If your child is still in a situation where they are being hazed, remove them immediately. This may mean taking them out of the fraternity/sorority, sports team, or even the university if necessary, particularly if campus authorities are not responsive.
   • Why: Safety comes first. Continued exposure worsens trauma and reduces legal standing by implying acquiescence.

Step 2: Preserve Every Piece of Evidence

This cannot be overstated: DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Assume anything can be deleted, lost, or concealed.

• Medical Records: Obtain every record from every medical visit, including emergency room reports, doctor’s notes, test results (like Leonel’s creatine kinase levels), prescriptions, and bills.
• Photos and Videos:
  • Injuries: Take clear, dated photos of any physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling) on your child’s body immediately, and continue to photograph their healing progression.
  • Hazing Environment/Evidence: If safe to do so, photograph the location where hazing occurred, any items used (e.g., paddles, alcohol bottles, areas where forced activities took place), or any visible signs of hazing.
• Digital Communications: SAVE EVERYTHING.
  • Text Messages, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, etc.: These are often goldmines of evidence, detailing instructions, threats, derogatory comments, or even admissions of hazing. Take screenshots immediately, ensuring dates and times are visible. Do not delete anything from your child’s phone or social media accounts.
  • Emails: Save any emails related to the organization.
• Witness Information: Gather names, phone numbers, and any other contact information for other pledges, witnesses who saw the hazing, or anyone your child confided in. Their testimony can be crucial.
• Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, “rules,” or communications your child received from the organization.
• Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, therapy costs, expenses from missed work, or any fees paid to the fraternity/organization.
• Academic Records: Document any impact on your child’s grades, enrollment, or scholarships.

Step 3: Avoid Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

1. DO NOT Delete Anything: Deleting digital evidence can lead to accusations of spoliation of evidence, severely damaging your case.
2. DO NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority Leadership or Members: They will try to get your child to minimize events, sign documents, or take blame. They are not on your side.
3. DO NOT Talk to University Administration Alone: Universities have a vested interest in protecting their reputation. Any statements made without legal counsel can be used against your child. Let your attorney guide these communications.
4. DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any waivers, releases, or agreements offered by the fraternity, university, or their representatives without your attorney’s review.
5. DO NOT Post on Social Media: Anything your child or you post about the incident or their recovery can and will be used by the defense to discredit the claim. Stay entirely silent on social media. Avoid posting pictures of your child seeming “fine” or enjoying themselves, as this will be twisted to imply they weren’t truly hurt.
6. DO NOT Give Recorded Statements: Insurance adjusters or university representatives may ask for a recorded statement. Politely decline and state that all communications should go through your attorney. They are trained to elicit information that can harm your case.

Step 4: Contact an Expert Hazing Litigation Attorney Immediately

This is the most crucial step. The 2-year statute of limitations in Georgia for personal injury and wrongful death cases means you have a limited window to act. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and defendants strategize quickly.

• Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911. We are available 24/7 for hazing emergencies. The consultation is free, confidential, and without obligation.
• Why Us: We bring immediate, aggressive, and professional help. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are former insurance defense lawyers who know exactly how the other side thinks. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit and have a proven track record against powerful institutions.
• We Come to Wilcox County (or Meet Remotely): While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve clients nationally. We offer video consultations for Wilcox County families, and our attorneys will travel to Georgia for depositions, client meetings, or trials as needed. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Your child’s future, and the ability to hold perpetrators accountable, hinges on these immediate actions. Do not face this nightmare alone. Call Attorney911.

🚨 Wilcox County Families: Has Your Child Been Hazed?

You Have Legal Rights. We Are Fighting This Fight Right Now—And We’ll Fight for Wilcox County Victims Too.

The crisis of hazing extends far beyond the headlines from faraway universities. It deeply impacts communities like Wilcox County, Georgia, where parents send their children off to college with hopes and dreams, not fears of torture and abuse. Whether your child attends a state university in Georgia—the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern University—or any other institution across the nation, they are susceptible to the same dangers that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez.

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

Wilcox County Families — Call Now — Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Available 24/7 for Wilcox County hazing emergencies

We work on CONTINGENCY — $0 upfront for Wilcox County families. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid. This means financial concerns should never prevent you from seeking justice for your child.

What Wilcox County Hazing Victims Should Do Right Now:

1. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION: If your child has been physically harmed, even if it seems minor, ensure they receive a thorough medical evaluation immediately. Document everything.
2. PRESERVE ALL EVIDENCE: Save every text message, email, photo, video, GroupMe chat, or social media post related to the hazing. Note down names and contact information of witnesses. Remember: “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.” – Ralph Manginello.
3. DO NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority, University, or Their Lawyers: Anything you say can be used against you. Let us handle all communications.
4. DO NOT Post on Social Media: Any information, photos, or updates posted online can severely jeopardize your case. Stay silent about the incident.
5. CALL US IMMEDIATELY: Time is critical. The Georgia statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death is generally two years. Evidence disappears, and memories fade. Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights.

We Serve Wilcox County Hazing Victims — And Hazing Victims Nationwide

While our physical offices are based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), our legal reach extends far beyond state lines. Hazing is a national crisis, and its victims deserve national-level representation. We can evaluate your Wilcox County case regardless of where the incident occurred, utilizing our:

• Federal court authority: Our admission to U.S. District Courts allows us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often a strategic advantage against national fraternities and universities.
• Dual-state bar licenses: Our attorneys are licensed in both Texas and New York, providing a broader legal foundation.
• Video consultations: Wilcox County families can meet with us remotely, ensuring convenience and accessibility.
• Travel commitment: We are prepared to travel to Wilcox County, Georgia, for depositions, client meetings, or trials as needed. Distance will never be a barrier to our commitment to your case.

Hazing is not limited to Greek life in Wilcox County. We represent victims of hazing in a wide array of organizations, including:

• Fraternities and sororities at universities and colleges across Georgia.
• Wilcox County sports teams, including high school and collegiate athletics.
• Marching bands and other performance groups.
• ROTC programs and military academies.
• Any student club or organization that uses abuse or intimidation as “initiation.”

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know there are more of you. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was not the only one hazed. Another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness. Others endured the same waterboarding, forced consumption, and physical abuses. You have rights too. We can represent you.

As Lupe Peña 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