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 Monmouth County, New Jersey fight back.

We understand what you’re going through, the fear, the anger, the overwhelming sense of betrayal. It’s a feeling no parent in Monmouth County should ever have to experience. We are Attorney911, and our mission is simple: to make sure no other Monmouth County family endures what yours has. We aggressively represent hazing victims and their families in Monmouth County and across America, ensuring that fraternities, sororities, universities, and individuals are held accountable for their actions.

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It is not “boys being boys” or “building brotherhood.” It is abuse. It is assault. It is torture. And when it injures or kills a student, it warrants the full force of the law in Monmouth County, New Jersey, just as it does in our hometown of Houston, Texas.

We are actively fighting this battle right now. Just weeks ago, in November 2025, our firm, Attorney911, filed a landmark $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members. This is not a hypothetical case or a distant legal theory. This is a real, ongoing fight for justice in a Texas courtroom, and it perfectly exemplifies the aggressive, data-driven, and relentless approach we bring to every hazing case, including those affecting families in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

Leonel Bermudez was subjected to a horrific ordeal. He was waterboarded with a garden hose. He was hog-tied. He was forced to eat until he vomited. He endured psychological torture, sleep deprivation, and forced physical exertion so extreme that his muscles broke down, leading to kidney failure. He spent four agonizing days in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition. And the most shocking detail? He wasn’t even an enrolled student at the University of Houston yet; he was a “ghost rush” planning to transfer. They did this to someone who wasn’t even theirs to protect.

Within weeks of this horrific hazing being reported, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended. The members voted to surrender their charter, and the chapter was permanently closed. Criminal referrals against individual members were initiated. Our firm, Attorney911, didn’t hesitate. We filed a $10 million lawsuit, targeting every responsible entity: the university, the national fraternity, the housing corporation, and the 13 individual perpetrators.

This case, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al., filed in Harris County Civil District Court, is the proof that Attorney911 is not theoretical. We are not “someday we hope to handle hazing cases.” We are actively fighting right now. We tell Leonel’s story so parents in Monmouth County understand this is what hazing looks like today, in educational institutions where their children might attend. And we make them understand that Attorney911 is the firm that fights back, bringing that same commitment to justice to Monmouth County homes and universities.

The Bermudez Case: A Warning to Monmouth County Families, a Promise of Action

This case didn’t happen in a vacuum. It happened because institutions failed. Pi Kappa Phi National had a documented history of deadly hazing, including the death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University in 2017 – eight years before Leonel’s incident. The University of Houston itself had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving another fraternity chapter. Both institutions had ample warning and eight years to implement meaningful change. They failed, and Leonel Bermudez paid the price.

This is why we urge Monmouth County families: do not remain silent. The same national fraternities that have caused harm across the country operate at universities your children attend, potentially right here in New Jersey. The same institutional failures that allowed hazing at the University of Houston can exist at campuses near you, from Rutgers University in New Brunswick to Monmouth University in West Long Branch, or Seton Hall University in South Orange. We bring our Houston-based expertise to Monmouth County victims because these patterns are national, and the fight for justice knows no geographical boundaries.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in Monmouth County may associate hazing with harmless pranks or outdated traditions. The reality, as tragically demonstrated by Leonel Bermudez’s case, is far more sinister. Hazing today is often systematic, brutal, and life-threatening. These are not isolated incidents of “boys being boys”; they are acts of battery, intentional abuse, and reckless endangerment that can have lifelong consequences or even lead to death.

Based on our live litigation and countless other documented incidents, here’s what hazing can really look like:

Physical Abuse:

• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: As Leonel experienced, being sprayed forcefully in the face with a hose while doing calisthenics, creating a terrifying sensation of drowning. This is a recognized form of torture, a war crime when inflicted upon enemy combatants, yet it is used against young students seeking acceptance.
• Extreme Forced Physical Exertion: Pledges forced to perform hundreds of push-ups, thousands of squats, endless “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, and other strenuous activities until physical collapse. This leads to conditions like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, as in Leonel’s case.
• Beatings and Paddling: Being struck with wooden paddles, fists, or other objects, often to the point of bruising, injury, or severe pain, as alleged in the lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi.
• Forced Exposure: Being forced to strip to underwear in cold weather, enduring prolonged exposure to the elements, or being confined in small, uncomfortable spaces.
• Branding and Markings: Inflicting burns or other permanent marks on the body.

Forced Consumption:

• Binge Drinking: Forcing pledges to consume excessive amounts of alcohol in short periods, often an entire bottle of liquor, leading to acute alcohol poisoning and death, as seen in the tragic cases of Stone Foltz and Max Gruver.
• Forced Eating: Requiring pledges to eat specific foods or non-food items until they vomit, then forcing them to continue exercising or lying in their own vomit, as Leonel experienced. This is designed for humiliation and physical distress.
• Consumption of Harmful Substances: Forcing pledges to ingest substances that are not food or drink, or are spoiled, exposing them to illness.

Psychological Torture and Humiliation:

• Degradation and Mockery: Verbal abuse, insults, and ridicule designed to break down a pledge’s self-esteem.
• Ritualistic Humiliation: Forced nudity, carrying degrading objects (like Leonel’s fanny pack with sexual objects), or engaging in sexually explicit activities.
• Hog-Tying and Restraint: As seen in the Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, hog-tying an individual face-down with an object in their mouth, leaving them vulnerable and helpless for extended periods. This is a severe form of assault and false imprisonment.
• Threats and Intimidation: Threats of physical violence, social ostracization, or expulsion from the fraternity for non-compliance.
• Sleep Deprivation: Forcing pledges to stay awake for extended periods, perform late-night tasks like driving members, or frequently waking them, leading to physical and mental exhaustion.

Sexual Assault and Harassment:

• While not explicitly detailed in the Bermudez case, hazing rituals often include elements of forced nudity, sexual degradation, and, in tragic cases, actual sexual assault. These are among the most severe forms of hazing and carry lifelong trauma.

The Medical Consequences are Real and Grave:

• Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure: The life-threatening outcome for Leonel Bermudez, where muscle tissue breaks down and poisons the kidneys.
• Alcohol Poisoning: The leading cause of hazing deaths, resulting from forced binge drinking.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From falls, blows to the head, or severe concussions during physical hazing.
• Internal Organ Damage: Lacerated organs, as in the 2017 UH case, or other internal injuries.
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From forced exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Cardiac Arrest: From extreme physical exertion or pre-existing conditions exacerbated by hazing.
• Psychological Trauma: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation, which can plague victims for years or a lifetime.

When families in Monmouth County send their children off to college, whether to universities within New Jersey like Rutgers or Princeton, or out of state to places like the University of Houston, they do so with the expectation that their children will be safe. They trust that the institutions will protect them. The current reality of hazing is a direct betrayal of that trust.

Who Is Responsible? Finding Every Liable Party for Monmouth County Victims

When hazing severely injures or kills a student, it’s never just the actions of a few individuals. The Attorney911 legal team conducts an exhaustive investigation to identify every entity with legal culpability. Our Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit demonstrates our comprehensive approach, targeting all responsible parties. For Monmouth County families seeking justice, we expand this approach to hold accountable every individual and institution involved.

Here’s a breakdown of who can be held responsible in a hazing case:

1. The Local Chapter of the Fraternity or Sorority:

   • Why they’re liable: This is the immediate group that organized and carried out the hazing activities. They are directly responsible for the actions of their members during these events.
   • Monmouth County application: The local chapter at any New Jersey university is a primary defendant.

2. Chapter Officers and Leaders (e.g., President, Pledgemaster, Risk Manager):

   • Why they’re liable: These individuals have leadership responsibility within the chapter. They often direct, sanction, or actively participate in hazing, and they have a duty to ensure the safety of pledges. Their direct involvement makes them personally responsible.
   • Stone Foltz precedent: The former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was held personally liable for a $6.5 million judgment in the Stone Foltz case in December 2024. This shows that individual officers in Monmouth County can and will face significant personal financial consequences.

3. Individual Members Who Participated or Facilitated:

   • Why they’re liable: Any member who actively engaged in hazing, knew about it and failed to stop it, or failed to seek immediate medical help for an injured pledge, can be held individually accountable for assault, battery, and negligence.
   • Our Bermudez case: We named 13 individual fraternity members, including the president and pledgemaster.

4. Former Members and Alumni:

   • Why they’re liable: Hazing often continues beyond active undergraduate members. Alumni may organize, oversee, or provide locations for hazing activities. If they host or enable hazing, they can be held responsible under premises liability or for aiding and abetting.
   • Our Bermudez case: A former member and his spouse are defendants because some major hazing sessions occurred at their residence. This is a critical avenue for pursuing accountability, as alumni often have more assets.

5. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization:

   • Why they’re liable: National organizations, with their vast resources and insurance, are critical targets. They claim to oversee chapters, enforce anti-hazing policies, and provide risk management training. When hazing occurs, it shows a failure in these duties. If they knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing (as Pi Kappa Phi National did after Andrew Coffey’s death), their liability is clear.
   • Monmouth County application: All national Greek organizations with chapters in or near Monmouth County, such as those at Rutgers, Monmouth University, or other New Jersey colleges and universities, are subject to this liability. Many have paid millions in settlements.

6. The College or University:

   • Why they’re liable: Universities have a non-delegable duty to protect their students, especially when they exercise control over Greek life activities. If the university owns the fraternity house (as the University of Houston did), fails to investigate prior hazing incidents (as UH did), or fails to adequately supervise Greek organizations, they are a primary target.
   • Monmouth County application: Universities in New Jersey that host Greek life and have a history of hazing incidents, or fail to enforce their own anti-hazing policies, are directly liable.

7. University Administration and Board of Regents/Trustees:

   • Why they’re liable: These governing bodies are responsible for setting and enforcing campus policies, including those related to student safety and Greek life oversight. Their negligence in ensuring a safe campus environment, or their direct failure to act on known hazing problems, makes them culpable.
   • Our Bermudez case: The University of Houston Board of Regents is a named defendant.

8. Insurance Carriers:

   • Why they’re liable: Ultimately, the funds for compensation often come from liability insurance policies held by national fraternities, universities, housing corporations, and even individuals (e.g., homeowner’s insurance). As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring invaluable insider knowledge to identify and pursue every applicable policy.

For families in Monmouth County, understanding these layers of responsibility is crucial. When your child is harmed by hazing, we don’t just point fingers at a few college kids. We systematically dismantle the entire network of negligence and responsibility that allowed the abuse to occur. We pursue justice from every angle, leaving no stone unturned.

What These Cases Win: A Path to Justice for Monmouth County Victims

Families suffering from the unimaginable trauma of hazing often wonder if legal action can truly make a difference. The answer is a resounding yes. Our relentless pursuit of justice for Leonel Bermudez, demanding $10 million, is grounded in a strong history of multi-million dollar hazing verdicts and settlements across the nation. These cases send a clear message: hazing costs millions, and accountability will be enforced. The same powerful legal strategies that secured these results are available to Monmouth County victims.

Here are some of the landmark cases that prove hazing victims and their families can and do win substantial compensation:

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

• Total Recovery: $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 event. He was found unresponsive the next morning and died from acute alcohol poisoning.
• The Outcome: The Foltz family received nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University, marking the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. They also received $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha National Fraternity and various individuals. In a separate, direct judgment, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was ordered to pay the family $6.5 million in December 2024. Justice in this case was further served by multiple criminal convictions, and the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter was permanently expelled.
• Relevance to Monmouth County: This case directly supports our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez. It demonstrates that universities and national fraternities are willing to pay millions when hazing causes serious harm, even if it doesn’t result in death. It also proves that individual orchestrators of hazing can face significant personal financial liability.

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

• Total Recovery: $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
• What Happened: In September 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old LSU pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a Phi Delta Theta hazing ritual known as “Bible Study.” Pledges were forced to drink excessive amounts of liquor for incorrect answers to fraternity questions. His blood alcohol content was a staggering 0.495—more than six times the legal limit.
• The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family $6.1 million. The incident also led to criminal convictions, including a negligent homicide charge for one fraternity member, and spurred the passage of the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
• Relevance to Monmouth County: This demonstrates that juries are outraged by hazing and will deliver multi-million dollar verdicts, especially for egregious conduct. It also highlights how these tragedies can lead to stronger anti-hazing laws, holding responsible parties to higher standards.

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

• Total Recovery: $110 Million+ (Estimated Multi-Party Settlements)
• What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old Penn State pledge, was forced to consume 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi hazing ritual. He subsequently fell down a flight of stairs, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911, and the entire horrific ordeal was captured on security cameras. He died two days later.
• The Outcome: Although confidential, legal experts estimate the total settlements from Penn State, Beta Theta Pi National, and other parties exceeded $110 million. The case led to numerous criminal charges, including involuntary manslaughter, and prompted Pennsylvania to enact the comprehensive “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.”
• Relevance to Monmouth County: This case underscores that with strong evidence (like the detailed allegations in our Bermudez lawsuit), hazing cases can yield astronomical settlements. It changed the landscape of hazing law and institutional accountability across the country.

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

• Total Recovery: Confidential Settlement
• What Happened: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old pledge, died from alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” at Florida State University, just like Leonel Bermudez, at a Pi Kappa Phi chapter. He was forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon.
• The Outcome: This case resulted in criminal charges against nine fraternity members and the permanent closure of the FSU chapter. The family also reached a confidential settlement.
• Relevance to Monmouth County: This is hugely significant! Andrew Coffey died in a hazing incident involving the exact same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, that our client, Leonel Bermudez, was a pledge of. Pi Kappa Phi National had eight years between Coffey’s death and Bermudez’s hospitalization to address its deadly hazing culture. Their failure to do so demonstrates a shocking pattern of negligence and provides crucial evidence for punitive damages in our current lawsuit. It proves Pi Kappa Phi has a documented history of deadly hazing.

These precedents clearly demonstrate that national fraternities, universities, and individuals are being held financially accountable for failing to prevent hazing. For Monmouth County families, this means that justice is not just possible; it has been achieved by other victims, and we are prepared to pursue the same for you. Our demand for $10 million in the Bermudez case is not arbitrary; it is rooted in this history of successful, high-value litigation against powerful defendants.

Texas Law Protects You: Monmouth County Victims Have Strong Legal Rights

When a hazing incident devastates a family in Monmouth County, understanding the legal framework is essential. While laws vary by state, the fundamental principles of civil liability for negligence and intentional harm apply universally. Our firm, Attorney911, operates from Texas, a state with robust anti-hazing laws, and our federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses mean we can bring this expertise to bear on cases affecting Monmouth County victims, wherever they occur.

Here’s how anti-hazing laws and civil liability theories protect students and families:

Texas Hazing Laws (Education Code § 37.151-37.157):
While Monmouth County is in New Jersey, understanding Texas law provides insight into the type of protections often implemented across the country. Many states have adopted similar statutes.

• Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Texas defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of affiliation with an organization, that “endangers the mental or physical health or safety” of the student. This includes physical brutality (like striking, beating), sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, calisthenics presenting “unreasonable risk of harm,” and forced consumption of food or liquids that endanger health.
  • Monmouth County Relevance: The hazing Leonel Bermudez endured – waterboarding, forced exercise, physical striking – clearly falls under this definition, and similar actions would violate New Jersey’s stringent anti-hazing laws.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is one of the most powerful provisions. Texas law explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution… that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”
  • Monmouth County Relevance: This is critical! Fraternities and universities often argue that pledges “consented” or “knew what they were getting into.” The law rejects this. Coercion, peer pressure, and the power dynamic of hazing negate true consent. This means a hazing victim in Monmouth County cannot be legally said to have consented to being assaulted or severely injured.
• Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Hazing is a crime. Depending on the severity of the injury, it can range from a misdemeanor to a felony, with significant jail time and fines. Hazing that causes serious bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail), and hazing that causes death is a State Jail Felony (up to 2 years in state jail).
  • Monmouth County Relevance: Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure constitute “serious bodily injury,” meaning the perpetrators face criminal charges. New Jersey’s “Timothy J. Piazza’s Law” also carries severe criminal penalties for hazing, reflecting a national trend to treat hazing as the serious crime it is.
• Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations can be penalized, including fines and denial of operating rights, if they condone or encourage hazing, or if officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing.
  • Monmouth County Relevance: This holds the local chapter and national organization liable, not just individuals.

Civil Liability — Beyond Criminal Charges:
Civil lawsuits allow hazing victims and their families in Monmouth County to seek financial compensation for their suffering, regardless of whether criminal charges are filed. This is where we focus our efforts:

• Negligence: This is the most common claim. We argue that institutions (universities, national fraternities) and individuals (chapter members, alumni) had a duty to protect the student, breached that duty through their actions or inactions, and this breach directly caused the injuries.
  • In Monmouth County: We would demonstrate that universities have a duty of care to their students, and a breach of this duty through inadequate oversight or enforcement of hazing policies led to the harm.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (like the University of Houston’s ownership of the Pi Kappa Phi house) or an alumni association, they have a legal duty to maintain a safe environment.
  • In Monmouth County: If hazing happens in a fraternity house on university land, a university-affiliated property, or property owned by a local alumni corporation, all these entities can be held liable.
• Negligent Supervision: This applies when national organizations fail to adequately supervise their local chapters, or when universities fail to monitor Greek life activities effectively.
• Assault and Battery: Individual hazing perpetrators can be sued for intentional harmful or offensive contact (e.g., hitting, forced consumption, waterboarding).
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For extreme and outrageous conduct that causes severe emotional harm, such as psychological torture or humiliation.
• Wrongful Death: If hazing leads to a student’s death, families can pursue significant compensation for their loss, including funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and future financial support.

Our approach is comprehensive. We harness every available legal theory to build the strongest possible case for Monmouth County hazing victims. We leverage laws designed to protect students and hold negligent parties accountable, ensuring that victims receive the compensation they deserve.

Why Attorney911: Your Unfair Advantage in Monmouth County

When your family in Monmouth County is facing the unimaginable pain and confusion of a hazing incident, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a powerful advocate. You need a team that understands the complex dynamics of hazing litigation, that isn’t afraid to take on massive institutions, and that fights with conviction. That team is Attorney911. While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our expertise, resources, and commitment to justice extend nationwide, including directly to Monmouth County.

Here’s why Attorney911 is your unfair advantage:

1. Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit: We aren’t theoretical. We are in the fight right now. Our Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case is a live, active $10 million lawsuit. This means our strategies are fresh, our knowledge is current, and our resolve is proven. Monmouth County families get the benefit of a firm actively engaged in cutting-edge hazing litigation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Insiders: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena spent significant parts of their careers working for insurance companies and national defense firms. This is our “secret weapon.” We know exactly how the defense strategizes, how they value claims, what tactics they use to minimize payouts, and where their vulnerabilities lie. Lupe Peña’s experience at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national defense firm, gives us an insider’s view into how large corporations and their insurers operate. We use this invaluable insight to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients, creating an “unfair advantage” for victims in Monmouth County.

3. Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Bar Admissions: Hazing cases often involve national fraternities or universities with operations across state lines. Our admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and our dual bar licenses (Texas AND New York for Ralph Manginello) allow us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction and against national organizations, no matter where they are headquartered. This means we can chase justice for Monmouth County families across state lines, ensuring no national entity can hide.

4. Battle-Tested Litigation Experience (25+ Years): Ralph Manginello brings over a quarter-century of courtroom experience, tackling complex cases against formidable opponents. His involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation demonstrates our capacity to handle mass torts and take on corporate giants – the same skills vital for pursuing powerful universities and national fraternities in Monmouth County.

5. Hazing-Specific Expertise: From rhabdomyolysis cases like Leonel Bermudez’s to understanding the specific dynamics of fraternity culture and university oversight, we have a deep and demonstrated knowledge of hazing litigation. We know the medical conditions, the psychological impacts, and the institutional failures specific to these cases.

6. Comprehensive Data-Driven Strategy: We maintain an extensive database of Greek organizations, legal names, EINs, and incident histories. We don’t guess who to sue; we know. We identify every corporate entity behind the Greek letters, from house corporations in Frisco, Texas (like Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515) to alumni chapters in College Station (like Kappa Sigma Mu Gamma Chapter Inc, EIN 133048786), and we track their connections across Texas metros like Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land, which has 188 Greek organizations. This level of detail in identifying all liable parties is unparalleled and extends to national organizations operating in states like New Jersey.

7. Unwavering Empathy and Commitment: We are parents ourselves. Ralph Manginello is a father of three. We understand the devastation hazing brings. Our clients are not just case numbers; they are individuals and families who have been deeply wronged. We fight for you with the same intensity we would fight for our own. This genuine emotional investment fuels our aggressive representation.

8. Contingency Fee Basis – No Upfront Costs for Monmouth County Families: We understand that seeking justice can seem daunting, especially financially. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency. You pay us absolutely nothing upfront. We only get paid when we win your case. This levels the playing field, making top-tier legal representation accessible to every Monmouth County family regardless of their financial situation.

9. Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): Our team includes bilingual staff fluent in Spanish. This ensures that Spanish-speaking families in Monmouth County can communicate effectively and receive comprehensive legal services without language barriers, eliminating an additional layer of stress during an already difficult time.

10. Willingness to Travel and Remote Consultations: While our offices are in Texas, justice for hazing victims knows no state lines. We are fully equipped for remote consultations via phone or video conference, allowing Monmouth County families to connect with us from the comfort and safety of their homes. For key depositions, client meetings, or trial, our attorneys are prepared to travel to Monmouth County, New Jersey. Your location will not be a barrier to receiving the aggressive representation you deserve.

We recognize Monmouth County is home to many families who entrust their children to universities and colleges both within New Jersey and across the country. Whether your child attends Rutgers University, Monmouth University, The College of New Jersey, or any other institution, the threat of hazing is real. When that trust is shattered, Attorney911 stands ready to fight for you. Our 4.9-star rating on Google with over 250 reviews reflects our deep commitment to client communication, aggressive representation, and securing maximum settlements, with testimonials like “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such” from Chad Harris.

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

If your child in Monmouth County, New Jersey has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. What you do, and what you don’t do, can significantly impact the strength of your legal case. We understand the shock, fear, and anger you’re feeling, but acting quickly and strategically is paramount. Always remember, you did not deserve this, and we are here to help. Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Here are the immediate steps you should take:

Step 1: Seek Immediate Medical Attention and Document Injuries.

• Prioritize Health: Even if injuries seem minor, or if there’s emotional trauma, seek medical care immediately. Physical injuries like those Leonel Bermudez suffered (rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure) can worsen rapidly. Psychological trauma impacts long-term well-being.
• Medical Records are Key: Ensure all medical professionals, from emergency room staff to therapists, clearly document the injuries, their severity, and that they resulted from hazing. Keep copies of all hospital records, doctor’s notes, test results (like blood work for creatine kinase levels), bills, and any prescriptions.
• Photograph Everything: Use your cellphone to document all visible physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) at every stage of healing. If possible, take photos of the location where the hazing occurred, any objects used, or other physical evidence. This visual documentation is invaluable. As Ralph Manginello advises, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence, Especially Digital Communications.

• Text Messages and Group Chats: Hazing is often orchestrated through digital channels. Do NOT delete anything from GroupMe, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, Discord, or regular text messages. These communications can prove intent, coordination, and the specific acts of hazing. Screenshots are crucial.
• Social Media: Do NOT post about the incident on social media. Do NOT delete old posts, as this could be seen as spoliation of evidence. Defense attorneys will scour social media for anything that can undermine your credibility or claim of injury. Stay silent online until advised by your attorney.
• Photos and Videos: Save every photo or video related to the hazing or the organization, even if it doesn’t directly show the abuse.
• Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or communications from the fraternity/sorority or university related to the pledging process.
• Financial Records: Keep track of any medical bills, lost wages from missed work or school, tuition or fees paid, and any other out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the hazing.

Step 3: Identify Witnesses and Their Information.

• Other Pledges/Members: If other students witnessed or were subjected to hazing, gather their names and contact information. Their testimony can be incredibly powerful.
• Bystanders: Anyone who saw unusual activity or observed your child in distress could be a valuable witness.
• Anonymity: Understand that fear of retaliation is real. We can work with witnesses to protect their privacy while gathering crucial information.

Step 4: Do NOT Engage with the Accused or Institutions Without Legal Counsel.

• No Contact with Perpetrators: Do not speak directly with the fraternity/sorority members, their leadership, or alumni.
• No Statements to University/National Organizations: Do NOT give any official statements or sign any documents provided by the university administration (including Title IX officers) or the national fraternity/sorority without first speaking to your attorney. Their primary goal is to protect the institution, not your child. Anything you say can be used against you.
• No Discussions with Insurance Companies: An insurance adjuster, even from your own or the perpetrator’s insurance, is not your friend. They are trained to minimize payouts. Our advice: “Never talk to the insurance company after an accident.” Let your attorney handle all communications.

Step 5: Contact Attorney911 Immediately (1-888-ATTY-911).

• Time is of the Essence: The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases in New Jersey is generally two years from the date of injury or death. However, crucial evidence disappears quickly. Eyewitness memories fade, photographs and videos are deleted, and organizations begin to cover their tracks. Do NOT wait.
• Free, Confidential Consultation: Calling us costs you nothing and places you under no obligation. We offer free consultations 24/7. Even if you’re in Monmouth County, we can connect for a video consultation immediately.
• We Come to You: While based in Houston, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Monmouth County. We will travel for depositions, meetings, and trials when necessary. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Lupe Pena said it best during our Bermudez case coverage: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Your decision to act can prevent another Monmouth County child from suffering the same fate.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline in Monmouth County

If your child in Monmouth County, New Jersey, has been injured or worse, killed, due to hazing, you are facing a legal emergency. This is not a moment for hesitation or quiet suffering. This is a moment to act, to fight back, and to demand justice for what has been done to your family.

Attorney911 is your Legal Emergency Hotline. We are prepared to bring the full weight of our experience, our data-driven strategies, and our unwavering commitment to accountability to your case in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

Monmouth County Families: Have You or Your Child Been Hazed?

You have legal rights. We are fighting this fight right now – and we’ll fight for Monmouth County victims too.

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

Monmouth County Families – Call Now – Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Available 24/7 for Monmouth County hazing emergencies

We work on CONTINGENCY – $0 upfront for Monmouth County families. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid. This means you can pursue justice without the added financial strain of legal fees—we invest in your case, and we don’t get a dime until we secure compensation for you.

We Serve Monmouth County Hazing Victims – And Hazing Victims Nationwide

While our headquarters are proudly based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, hazing is a national crisis that affects colleges and universities in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and across America. We are equipped and ready to evaluate your Monmouth County case regardless of location.

• Federal Court Authority: Our admission to the U.S. District Court allows us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often necessary when dealing with national organizations or interstate issues.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello’s licenses in both Texas and New York provide a strategic advantage when dealing with national fraternities and universities.
• Video Consultations: Monmouth County families can meet with us remotely via secure video conference, making it easy to discuss your case from the comfort of your home.
• Travel Commitment: We are committed to justice. Our attorneys will travel to Monmouth County for depositions, client meetings, mediations, and trials as needed. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

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

• Fraternities and sororities at universities near Monmouth County, such as Rutgers University, Monmouth University, Seton Hall University, or Princeton University.
• Monmouth County sports teams.
• Marching bands at New Jersey universities.
• ROTC programs.
• Clubs and organizations at schools throughout Monmouth County.
• Military academies.
• Any organization nationwide that uses abuse and humiliation as “initiation.”

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know there are more of you. Leonel Bermudez was not the only one hazed. Another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness on October 15, 2025. Others were subjected to the same waterboarding, forced eating, and physical abuse.

You have rights too. We can represent you, protect your identity, and ensure your story is heard.

Lupe Pena said it best: “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