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 Passaic County, New Jersey fight back.

We are Attorney911, and we represent families nationwide whose children have been victimized by savage hazing rituals at colleges and universities. While our headquarters are in Houston, Texas, our reach extends across America, and we are committed to bringing our aggressive, data-driven legal strategies to families in Passaic County, just like yours. We know your child went off to college, whether it’s out of state or here in New Jersey, hoping for a bright future. When that trust is betrayed by dangerous fraternities, negligent universities, and complicit students, we act with immediate, aggressive, and professional legal intervention.

Hazing is not a harmless prank in Passaic County or anywhere else; it is abuse, plain and simple. It inflicts physical and psychological trauma that can last a lifetime, or tragically, end a life too soon. If your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, you are not alone. We understand what you’re going through – the fear, the anger, the desperate search for answers. We are actively fighting this battle right now, with a client whose story is a stark warning to every parent in Passaic County.

The Landmark Fight: Attorney911 vs. Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston (2025)

The case of Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. is not just another lawsuit; it is the embodiment of everything Attorney911 stands for. It’s November 2025, and our firm has filed a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court against Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, its Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston, the University of Houston itself, its Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity members. This case sends a thunderous message: hazing is torture, and those responsible will be held accountable. And we will bring that same thunder to Passaic County.

This case happened in Houston. But the same hazing happens at universities near Passaic County. The same fraternities operate near Passaic County. The same negligence exists at institutions throughout New Jersey. And we will fight for Passaic County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to this case.

The Story of Leonel Bermudez: A Warning for Passaic County Parents

Leonel Bermudez was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet, planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. He just wanted to make friends, to belong. What he endured was weeks of calculated brutality that landed him in the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The abuse began almost immediately after he accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. For weeks, he was subjected to a relentless regime of physical and psychological torture. This wasn’t “tradition”; it was systematic degradation.

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are fearless in telling Leonel’s story because it is a story every parent in Passaic County needs to hear. As Ralph Manginello told 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.”

Lupe Pena echoed our firm’s mission, telling 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.”

The Horrors Leonel Endured: Hazing Tactics as Torture

The lawsuit alleges a litany of horrific hazing activities, pushing the boundaries of what most parents could imagine possible at a university. These aren’t isolated pranks; they are documented acts of abuse that constitute criminal acts and civil battery.

• Waterboarding: Leonel was “waterboarded with a garden hose,” a simulated drowning technique that is globally recognized as torture. This wasn’t about bonding; it was about breaking him.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: He was forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. The cruelty didn’t stop there; he was then commanded to continue running sprints through his own vomit, lying in the vomit-soaked grass after. This is not tradition; it is psychological and physical torment.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: The hazing included grueling workouts like 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was forced to recite the fraternity creed under threat of expulsion, pushing his body until he could not stand without assistance. The Houston Chronicle also reported that pledges were “struck with wooden paddles.” This severe exertion led to his collapse and critical medical condition.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: Leonel was stripped to his underwear in cold weather and forced to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. These acts were designed to degrade and dehumanize.
• Sleep Deprivation: He was compelled to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, disrupting his sleep and exacerbating his exhaustion.

The Medical Emergency: Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure

The relentless physical abuse resulted in severe rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous condition where damaged muscle tissue releases harmful proteins into the bloodstream. This caused his urine to turn brown—a classic sign of muscle breakdown—and led to acute kidney failure. Leonel spent three nights and four days in the hospital, fighting a condition that can be fatal and can leave lasting kidney damage. This is the same medical condition Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in litigating in hazing cases.

Institutional Complicity: The University and National Fraternity Knew

The lawsuit alleges that both the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” This is a critical point. The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place, making them directly responsible under premises liability laws. This isn’t theoretical; we’re talking about a university owning the property where students were waterboarded.

Pi Kappa Phi, a national fraternity with over 150 chapters across America, quickly suspended and then closed its UH chapter after Leonel’s hospitalization, but not before the chapter had already surrendered its charter. Their official statement noted “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” While they acknowledged violations, they also stated, “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” a stark indication of their lack of genuine remorse. Pi Kappa Phi, the same national organization, has a documented history of hazing deaths, including Andrew Coffey’s death from alcohol poisoning in 2017 at Florida State University. Eight years passed between these two incidents, yet the pattern of abuse continued. The University of Houston also had a prior hazing incident in 2017 involving another fraternity that resulted in a student’s hospitalization, proving they were aware of the dangers on their campus.

This case is not just about Leonel Bermudez; it’s about holding institutions accountable and sending a clear message that such atrocities will not be tolerated. The same national fraternities that have killed students at Penn State, LSU, and Florida State maintain chapters in New Jersey. Parents in Passaic County deserve to know that this type of aggressive representation is available to them.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in Passaic County

For families in Passaic County, new to the college experience, hazing might conjure images of silly pranks or embarrassing antics. The reality is far more sinister and dangerous. Hazing has evolved into a form of systematic abuse that can include physical assault, sexual abuse, psychological torture, and life-threatening deprivation. This is not about building character; it’s about breaking individuals.

Hazing is endemic, touching not only fraternities and sororities but also sports teams, clubs, marching bands, and ROTC programs at colleges and universities throughout New Jersey and beyond. Statistics show that over 55% of students involved in Greek organizations experience hazing, and tragically, since 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every single year in the United States. Ninety-five percent of students who are hazed never report it, often due to fear, shame, or loyalty to the group.

This crisis hits close to home for Passaic County families. Local institutions like William Paterson University, Passaic County Community College, and Montclair State University—just outside Passaic County—all host student organizations that are susceptible to hazing. Whether your child attends Rutgers, Seton Hall, or a university in another state, the risks are the same, and the consequences can be devastating.

Here’s what hazing truly looks like, drawing from the horrific details of cases like Leonel Bermudez’s:

• Physical Abuse: This category encompasses a spectrum of barbaric acts, from beatings and paddling with objects like wooden paddles to branding and burning. Forced exercise, such as the 500 squats and 100+ pushups Leonel endured, pushing students to the brink of physical collapse, is common. The intentional infliction of pain and injury is a cornerstone of this type of hazing.
• Forced Consumption: This often involves alcohol, leading to binge drinking, chugging, and fatal alcohol poisoning, as seen in the tragic deaths of Max Gruver and Andrew Coffey. But it can also include forced eating of large quantities of specific foods until vomiting, or even non-food substances. These acts are designed to induce nausea, humiliation, and often, severe medical distress.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often subjected to grueling schedules that involve forced late-night or early-morning activities, limiting their ability to sleep. This exhaustion can lead to physical collapse, impaired judgment, and increased vulnerability to further abuse.
• Psychological Torture: This is often the most insidious form of hazing, leaving deep, lasting scars. It includes relentless humiliation, verbal abuse, isolation, threats, and intimidation. The fanny pack incident in the Bermudez case, filled with sexually demeaning objects, is a clear example of this. The “hog-tying” of another pledge in our case demonstrates outright torture. This type of hazing aims to break a student’s spirit and self-worth.
• Sexual Abuse: Hazing can escalate to forced nudity, sexually suggestive acts, or even outright sexual assault. The presence of sexually explicit objects, as in Leonel’s fanny pack, is a gateway to further sexual degradation and objectification.
• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: As Leonel’s case tragically showed, some fraternities use waterboarding—a widely condemned torture technique. This premeditated act of simulated drowning reveals a depraved level of cruelty.
• Exposure: Students may be forced to endure extreme cold or heat, confined in small, uncomfortable spaces, or left in isolated locations, posing risks of hypothermia, heatstroke, or physical injury.
• Servitude: Pledges are often forced to perform demeaning tasks for fraternity members, such as cleaning, driving, running errands, and other forms of coerced labor, eroding their dignity and personal time.

The consequences of these acts are not merely embarrassment; they are severe medical emergencies and profound psychological wounds:

• Medical Conditions: Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, as in Leonel Bermudez’s case. Alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injury from falls or beatings, hypothermia, hyperthermia, cardiac arrest from extreme exertion, and internal injuries from forced consumption are all documented outcomes.
• Psychological Trauma: PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and long-term trust issues are common among hazing survivors. The trauma can disrupt academic careers, social development, and lead to self-medication through substance abuse.

The institutions—the fraternities, sororities, and universities—often turn a blind eye or minimize these incidents until a student is critically injured or dies. Only then do they scramble to issue statements, suspend chapters, or initiate “investigations,” usually to protect their reputation and limit their liability. Attorney911 exists to shatter that complacency and ensure that true accountability is achieved.

Who Is Responsible? Holding Every Entity Accountable

When a hazing incident occurs in Passaic County, the immediate instinct might be to blame the individual students involved. However, the tragic reality is that hazing is often a systemic issue, rooted in institutional failures, and a conspiracy of silence. At Attorney911, we believe that everyone who participated in, facilitated, or simply failed to prevent hazing must be held accountable. Our litigation strategy in cases like Leonel Bermudez’s cast a wide net, ensuring all liable parties with the economic means to pay are brought to justice.

Here’s a breakdown of who can and should be held responsible in a hazing lawsuit:

• Local Chapter (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter at UH):

  • Why they’re liable: The local chapter directly organizes, condones, and executes the hazing rituals. Chapter officers, such as the president and pledgemaster, bear significant responsibility for directing and overseeing these activities. Individual members who participate in, encourage, or fail to intervene in hazing are also directly culpable. In our Bermudez case, the local chapter orchestrated the brutal events that led to Leonel’s hospitalization.
  • Legal Basis: Direct negligence, assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and conspiracy.

• National Fraternity/Sorority Organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters):

  • Why they’re liable: National organizations are supposed to supervise their local chapters, provide anti-hazing policies, and enforce codes of conduct. When they fail to do so, especially with a known history of hazing incidents across their network (like Pi Kappa Phi’s prior death of Andrew Coffey in 2017), they are deemed negligent. Their “risk management policies” often prove to be nothing more than window dressing. National fraternities often have deep pockets through endowments and robust insurance policies, making them a primary target for significant financial recovery.
  • Legal Basis: Negligent supervision, vicarious liability for the actions of their chapters, and sometimes direct negligence if policies are inadequate or unenforced.

• Universities & Colleges (e.g., University of Houston, William Paterson University, Montclair State University, Rutgers):

  • Why they’re liable: Universities have an inherent duty to protect their students. When hazing occurs on university-owned property (like the Pi Kappa Phi house at UH), their liability is significantly amplified under premises liability laws. Furthermore, universities are responsible for overseeing Greek life and student organizations. If they have a history of hazing incidents (like UH in 2017), yet fail to implement adequate preventative measures or ignore warning signs, they are negligent. They have the power to regulate, suspend, or ban organizations, and their failure to act is a critical link in the chain of responsibility.
  • Legal Basis: Premises liability, negligent supervision, institutional negligence, and sometimes breach of contract (e.g., if a student is promised a safe educational environment).

• Housing Corporations (e.g., Beta Nu Housing Corporation):

  • Why they’re liable: These entities often own or manage the physical fraternity or sorority houses. They have a responsibility to ensure these properties are safe and that illegal activities like hazing aren’t occurring on their premises. Like universities, their ownership or control of the property makes them liable for dangerous conditions.
  • Legal Basis: Premises liability, negligent supervision.

• Individual Perpetrators (Chapter Officers, Members, Alumni):

  • Why they’re liable: Every individual who actively participates in hazing, directs it, encourages it, or even turns a blind eye when they have a duty to act, can be held personally responsible. This includes current members, chapter officers like the pledgemaster and president, and even alumni who facilitate or host hazing activities (as seen with the former member and his spouse in the Bermudez case). Individual culpability is not shielded by organizational affiliations.
  • Legal Basis: Assault, battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and criminal charges (as hazing is illegal in most states, including New Jersey and Texas).

• Insurance Carriers:

  • Why they’re liable: The financial recovery in hazing cases often comes from the liability insurance policies held by national organizations, universities, and sometimes even homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies of individual defendants. These policies are the “deep pockets” that provide compensation for victims. At Attorney911, our team, including former insurance defense attorneys Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are adept at identifying and pursuing claims against every available insurance policy to maximize a victim’s recovery.
  • Legal Basis: Contractual obligation to cover damages under their policies.

In Passaic County, Attorney911 doesn’t just sue the “fraternity”; we meticulously investigate and name every single entity and individual responsible. From the specific local chapter your child was forced to endure abuse with, to the national organization, the university administration, and even the individuals who orchestrated or stood by, we ensure that everyone who played a role in the trauma your family has suffered is held accountable.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof of Accountability

For parents in Passaic County grappling with the aftermath of hazing, understanding the potential for substantial recovery is crucial. These are not small claims; they are multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements that send an unmistakable message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations: hazing costs dearly. The same aggressive legal strategies that achieved these landmark results nationwide are precisely what we bring to Passaic County hazing cases.

Here’s what history teaches us about the financial and legislative consequences of hazing:

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

Total Payout: $10.1 Million+
Stone Foltz died in March 2021 after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing ritual at Bowling Green State University. His family secured a combined $10.1 million+ in settlements, with $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from the national Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and its members. A former chapter president was also personally ordered to pay $6.5 million in a separate judgment in December 2024. This case underscores that universities and national organizations bear significant financial responsibility, and individual perpetrators can face massive personal liability. This stands as the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio’s history.

Maxwell Gruver: Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)

Jury Verdict: $6.1 Million
In September 2017, Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a Phi Delta Theta hazing ritual at LSU. A jury awarded his family a $6.1 million verdict, and in criminal proceedings, one fraternity member was convicted of negligent homicide. This case led to the passage of the “Max Gruver Act” in Louisiana, making hazing a felony. The verdict demonstrates that juries are outraged by hazing and will award substantial damages.

Timothy Piazza: Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)

Estimated Settlement: $110 Million+
Timothy Piazza died in February 2017 after consuming 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event at Penn State. After falling down stairs, fraternity members waited 12 hours to call for medical help. The civil settlement in this case was confidential but is widely estimated to be over $110 million. Over a dozen fraternity members faced criminal charges, with multiple convictions for involuntary manslaughter and hazing. This tragedy prompted Pennsylvania to pass the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.” This case proves that with strong evidence (captured entirely on security cameras), the financial accountability can be astronomical.

Adam Oakes: Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021)

Settlement: $4 Million+
Adam Oakes died in February 2021 after a Delta Chi hazing ritual at Virginia Commonwealth University involving forced alcohol consumption. His family, who originally sought $28 million, reached a settlement of over $4 million in October 2024. Six fraternity members also faced criminal charges. This outcome, though not a death, is a testament to significant recovery in cases of extreme hazing.

Andrew Coffey: Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

Outcome: Chapter Closed, Criminal Charges, Confidential Settlement
Andrew Coffey died in November 2017 after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon at a Pi Kappa Phi event at FSU. This is the same national fraternity involved in our Bermudez case. Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges, and the chapter was permanently closed. A confidential settlement was reached with his family. The fact that Pi Kappa Phi has a prior hazing death on its record from 2017 is devastating for their defense in the Leonel Bermudez case, demonstrating a clear pattern of negligence and foreseeability.

University of Houston / Pi Kappa Alpha (2017)

Outcome: Student Hospitalized (Lacerated Spleen), $1 Million Lawsuit
In 2017, a University of Houston student sustained a lacerated spleen due to hazing at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He filed a $1 million lawsuit, and a Harris County grand jury indicted the national organization. This is crucial for the Bermudez case because it shows the University of Houston was on notice of dangerous hazing on its campus years before Leonel’s hospitalization, yet failed to prevent a recurrence.

What These Precedents Mean for Passaic County Cases:

1. Multi-Million Dollar Recovery is Achievable: The past two decades have established a clear trend: hazing incidents, especially those involving serious injury or death, consistently result in multi-million dollar payouts. Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is well within this established precedent.
2. Universities and National Organizations Pay: These cases demonstrate that the responsibility extends far beyond individual students. Universities and national fraternities, with their vast endowments, assets, and insurance policies, are consistently held accountable.
3. Juries Are Outraged by Hazing: Cases that go to trial, like Max Gruver’s, show that juries are willing to deliver substantial verdicts against perpetrators and institutions that enable hazing. The egregious conduct in the Bermudez case (waterboarding, extreme physical torture, forced vomiting) is likely to provoke similar outrage.
4. Hazing Leads to Felony Charges and New Laws: The criminal consequences and legislative reforms that follow these tragedies, such as the Max Gruver Act and the Timothy J. Piazza Law, underscore society’s condemnation of hazing and its commitment to preventing future incidents.
5. Pattern Evidence Strengthens Cases: The repeated incidents involving Pi Kappa Phi (Andrew Coffey in 2017 and Leonel Bermudez in 2025) and the University of Houston (2017 and 2025) establish a devastating pattern of negligence that significantly enhances the potential for punitive damages.

For Passaic County families, these precedents offer powerful reassurance: justice for hazing victims is not only possible but has been achieved at the highest levels. We are equipped with these proven strategies to fight for your child, just as we are fighting for Leonel Bermudez.

Texas Law Protects You: A Framework for Justice

While Passaic County, New Jersey has its own anti-hazing laws, our firm’s deep expertise in Texas hazing statutes provides a robust framework that applies to similar laws across the nation. Moreover, our authority to litigate in federal courts means we can pursue justice for your child regardless of where the hazing occurred in America. The cornerstone of our legal strategy is the clarity that hazing is not merely a university policy violation but a serious crime with profound civil liabilities.

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

This comprehensive statute explicitly defines and prohibits hazing, outlining severe criminal and organizational penalties. Many states, including New Jersey, have similar legislative intent.

1. Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):
Texas law broadly defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act… directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization if the act… subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.”

Specifically, the law identifies several categories of prohibited acts, all of which were present in Leonel Bermudez’s case:

• Physical Brutality: Whipping, beating, striking, branding, or similar activity. The “wooden paddles” and forced extreme exercise Leonel endured fall squarely into this.
• Sleep Deprivation, Exposure, Confinement, Calisthenics: Leonel suffered severe sleep deprivation and endured calisthenics (500 squats, 100+ pushups) that subjected him to unreasonable risk and adverse effects on his health. Hazing also involved exposing pledges to cold weather and spraying them with water.
• Forced Consumption: This includes food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that subject a student to unreasonable risk. Leonel’s forced eating of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting is a direct violation.
• Activities Violating the Penal Code: Any activity that requires a student to commit a crime.
• Coercion to Consume Drugs or Alcohol to Intoxication: While Leonel’s case focused on food, this is a common hazing tactic often leading to alcohol poisoning deaths.

For families in Passaic County, this detailed definition is crucial. It means that the severe abuse your child suffered isn’t just “rough play” but a legally defined act of hazing with serious consequences.

2. Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152):
Texas law imposes criminal penalties ranging from Class B misdemeanors for engaging in hazing to State Jail Felonies if hazing causes death. In Leonel Bermudez’s case, his severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure legally constitute “serious bodily injury,” meaning those involved could face a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail. The University of Houston spokesperson even highlighted “potential criminal charges” against responsible individuals.

3. Organizational Liability (§ 37.153):
The law also holds organizations accountable. An organization commits an offense “if the organization condones or encourages hazing or if an officer or any combination of members, pledges, or alumni… commits or assists in the commission of hazing.” Penalties can include fines up to $10,000, denial of campus operating privileges, and forfeiture of property. This means that both the local chapter and the national organization, like Pi Kappa Phi National, can be held criminally responsible for the actions of their members.

4. Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154):
This is perhaps one of the most vital protections for victims. 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.”

This shatters the common defense used by fraternities: “He agreed to it,” or “He could have left.” The legislature recognized that true consent is impossible under conditions of duress, peer pressure, and the desire to belong. This legal principle dramatically strengthens a victim’s civil case, removing a key argument typically employed by the defense.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Prosecution

Even if criminal charges are not pursued or result in acquittal, civil lawsuits provide victims and their families in Passaic County a powerful avenue for justice and compensation:

• Negligence Claims: This is the most common foundation for hazing lawsuits. It alleges that a defendant (university, national fraternity, individuals) had a duty of care to protect the student, breached that duty through their actions or inactions, which directly caused the student’s injuries, resulting in damages.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (as in Leonel’s case at the UH-owned fraternity house) or a housing corporation, these entities can be held liable for maintaining an unsafe environment.
• Negligent Supervision: This applies when national organizations fail to adequately supervise their chapters, or when universities fail to oversee Greek life with sufficient rigor, allowing hazing to proliferate.
• Assault and Battery: These are intentional torts directly applicable to physical hazing acts like the waterboarding and paddling Leonel endured. Each individual involved in such acts can be personally sued.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): This claim addresses the severe psychological harm caused by hazing, requiring proof of “extreme and outrageous” conduct that caused severe emotional distress. The psychological torment Leonel faced, including the simulated waterboarding, clearly meets this standard.

Why This Legal Framework Matters for Passaic County Families:

1. Enforceable Rights: These laws provide clear legal grounds to pursue justice for your child.
2. Broad Accountability: The statutes allow for civil action against a wide range of defendants, from individual students to multi-million dollar institutions.
3. No “Consent” Loophole: The explicit rejection of consent as a defense eliminates a major hurdle many victims face.
4. Federal Authority: Our firm’s attorneys—licensed in Texas and New York, and admitted to federal courts—can bring these cases even across state lines, applying federal civil rights statutes where applicable and ensuring broad reach.

For families in Passaic County, understanding this legal landscape is the first step toward reclaiming power after a hazing incident. We meticulously build each case on these legal foundations, ensuring that justice is not just a hope but a tangible outcome.

Why Attorney911: Passaic County’s Choice for Hazing Litigation

When your child has been subjected to hazing, the choice of legal representation is pivotal. You need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the nuances of hazing litigation, who isn’t afraid to take on powerful institutions, and who genuinely cares about your family’s well-being. At Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, we bring a unique blend of experience, expertise, and ferocious advocacy to every hazing case, making us the clear choice for families in Passaic County, New Jersey.

Our Unmatched Experience and Proven Track Record

1. Actively Litigating Landmark Hazing Cases: We aren’t just talking about hazing; we’re fighting it right now. Our firm is currently spearheading the $10 million Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university. This active, high-stakes litigation demonstrates our current, real-world expertise in hazing cases—expertise that Passaic County families will benefit from directly.
2. 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, brings over two decades of battle-tested experience in state and federal courts. This extensive litigation history means he’s prepared for any legal challenge Passaic County cases may present, from complex discovery to high-pressure jury trials.
3. Former Insurance Defense Insight: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, our associate attorney (he/him), are former insurance defense lawyers. This “insider” knowledge is a game-changer. They’ve sat on the other side of the table, learned the tactics insurance companies use to minimize or deny claims, and now they use that playbook to dismantle the defense and maximize recovery for our hazing victims. This unique perspective gives us an unfair advantage against the well-funded legal teams of national fraternities and universities.
4. Federal Court Authority & Dual-State Bar Admissions: Our attorneys are admitted to federal district courts and licensed in both Texas and New York. This dual-state and federal court authority is a strategic advantage for Passaic County hazing cases, especially when targeting national fraternities often headquartered across state lines or subject to federal statutes. We can pursue justice wherever the facts lead, regardless of geographical boundaries.
5. Experience Against Massive Corporate Defendants: Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation demonstrates our capacity to take on even the largest corporate adversaries. This experience is directly applicable to hazing cases, where we often pursue multi-million dollar claims against powerful national organizations and universities.
6. Specific Hazing Injury Expertise: Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in hazing cases involving rhabdomyolysis—the same life-threatening condition our client Leonel Bermudez suffered. This specialized medical-legal knowledge ensures that every aspect of the victim’s pain, suffering, and long-term health implications is thoroughly addressed and aggressively pursued.

Our Commitment to Passaic County Families

1. Empathetic and Parent-Facing Approach: We understand that when your child is hazed, it’s a terrifying, infuriating, and deeply personal crisis. We communicate in clear, compassionate language, avoiding legal jargon, and speaking directly to your family’s fears and needs. Our firm treats Passaic County families like family, providing consistent communication and personalized attention throughout the legal process.
2. Contingency Fee – No Upfront Costs: The cost of fighting well-funded defendants can be daunting. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means Passaic County families pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless and until we win your case. This removes the financial barrier to justice, leveling the playing field against powerful institutions. You can call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation without any financial risk.
3. Nationwide Reach, Localized Service: While based in Texas, we serve Passaic County and hazing victims across America. We leverage technology for remote consultations, and our attorneys are prepared to travel to Passaic County for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Distance is never a barrier to pursuing justice for your child.
4. Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): Lupe Pena is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that Hispanic families in Passaic County facing language barriers receive comprehensive legal support without compromise. We believe every family deserves clear communication and understanding throughout their legal journey.
5. Dedicated to Accountability and Reform: For us, it’s not just about winning a settlement; it’s about driving systemic change. Cases like Leonel Bermudez’s prove that one brave victim, supported by aggressive legal representation, can force institutions to re-evaluate their dangerous practices. By holding those responsible accountable, we honor your child and help prevent future tragedies in Passaic County and beyond.

Our Firm’s Philosophy:

“I started Attorney911 to make sure people suffering from a legal emergency received immediate, aggressive, and professional help from someone they could trust.” — Ralph P. Manginello

For Passaic County families, a hazing incident is a legal emergency. We move first, fast, and decisively. We preserve evidence, build cases with expert witnesses, and negotiate from a position of strength, armed with the knowledge that we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case. If a university, fraternity, or insurance company attempts to silence your child, we will take them to court.

Our 4.9-star rating on Google with over 250 reviews reflects our consistent commitment to client satisfaction. People like Chad Harris say, “You are NOT a pest to them… You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” And Brian Butchee noted, “Attorney 911/Manginello Law Firm have definitely changed my views on this.”

When selecting a hazing lawyer in Passaic County, remember that you’re choosing a partner in a critical fight. Choose a firm with proven results, insider knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to your child’s justice. Choose Attorney911.

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

If your child has been a victim of hazing in Passaic County, or attending college elsewhere, the moments following the incident are critical. Fear, confusion, and anger are natural, but decisive action is paramount to protecting your child’s legal rights and building a strong case. Here’s what we advise families in Passaic County to do immediately:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention, No Matter How Minor the Injury Appears:

• Prioritize Health: Your child’s physical and mental well-being is the absolute first priority. Whether the injuries seem severe or minor, seek professional medical care immediately. This could mean an emergency room visit, urgent care, or a trusted family doctor.
• Document Everything: Ensure that your child clearly states to medical professionals that their injuries are a direct result of hazing activities. Ask the medical team to document every symptom, complaint, and detail your child can provide about the hazing incident. This creates an immediate, objective record that is invaluable for a legal case. In cases like Leonel Bermudez’s, early medical documentation of brown urine and muscle pain was critical in diagnosing rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
• Don’t Delay: A delay in seeking medical treatment can be used by defense attorneys to argue that the injuries weren’t severe or weren’t caused by the hazing. Even psychological trauma may not manifest immediately, but a visit to a mental health professional can begin documenting emotional distress.

2. Preserve ALL Evidence – Digital, Physical, and Testimonial:

• Digital Evidence is Crucial: Hazing often leaves digital footprints.
  * Text Messages & Group Chats: Save every single text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat, Instagram DM, or any other messaging communication related to the hazing. Screenshots are essential. Do not delete anything, even if it seems irrelevant or embarrassing. These communications often contain threats, instructions, evidence of coercion, and details of the abuse.
  * Social Media: Take screenshots of any relevant posts, photos, or videos from social media accounts of your child or other members involved in the organization.
  * Photos/Videos: If your child, or anyone else, took photos or videos of the hazing activities or the injuries sustained, preserve them immediately.
• Physical Evidence:
  * Injuries: Photograph your child’s injuries at all stages of healing—bruises, cuts, burns, swelling. Continue to take photos as they heal over time. Ralph Manginello emphasizes, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”
  * Clothing/Objects: Preserve any clothing worn during the hazing, or any objects used in the rituals, especially if they are damaged or relevant to the abuse (e.g., Leonel’s fanny pack).
• Witness Information: Gather the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or people who have knowledge of the organization’s activities. Their testimony can be vital.
• Documents: Keep any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or other documents provided by the fraternity, sorority, or university. These often lay out expectations and can contradict the actual hazing activities.
• Financial Records: Save all medical bills, receipts for medications, therapy, and any records of lost wages or academic expenses.

3. Do NOT Communicate Directly with the Organization, University, or Their Lawyers:

• Silence is Protection: Do not allow your child, or yourself, to speak with fraternity/sorority leaders, alumni advisors, university administrators, or their legal representatives without consulting your own attorney first. Our video “Never Talk to the Insurance Company After an Accident” applies directly here.
• Recorded Statements: Absolutely refuse to give any recorded statements. Their goal is to gather information that will be used against your child, twist their words, or minimize the incident.
• Do Not Sign Anything: Do not sign any documents, waivers, statements, or agreements provided by the organization or university. These documents are often designed to protect them and waive your child’s legal rights.

4. Avoid Social Media Posts About the Incident:

• Digital Footprint Risks: Our video “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” is extremely relevant. Anything your child or you post on social media can and will be scrutinized by the defense. They will look for anything that contradicts claims of injury or emotional distress, such as photos of your child socializing, even if it’s unrelated to the hazing.
• Maintain Privacy: It is best to maintain a low profile online regarding the incident until advised by your legal counsel.

5. Contact a Hazing Litigation Attorney IMMEDIATELY:

• Time is of the Essence: There is a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases in many states, including New Jersey. While this may seem like a long time, evidence can disappear rapidly, witnesses forget details, and organizations may destroy records. The sooner you act, the stronger your case.
• Free Consultation: Call Attorney911 immediately for a free, confidential consultation. As we are actively litigating a major hazing case, we can provide immediate, expert guidance specific to your situation. We staff our phones 24/7 because a legal emergency can arise at any time in Passaic County.

What We Will Do When You Call (1-888-ATTY-911):

• Listen Empathetically: We understand this is a traumatic time. We will listen to your child’s story with compassion and without judgment.
• Evaluate Your Case: We will assess the details of the hazing, the extent of the injuries, and identify all potential avenues for legal action against the individuals, the chapter, the national organization, and the university.
• Protect Your Rights: We will immediately issue preservation letters to all involved parties, demanding that they do not destroy any evidence.
• Guide You Through Next Steps: We will provide clear, actionable advice on how to proceed, keeping your child’s safety and well-being at the forefront.

Your phone call to 1-888-ATTY-911 is the crucial first step toward justice. For Passaic County families, we are your Legal Emergency Lawyers™, ready to fight back against the shame and abuse of hazing.

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

When your child has been a victim of hazing, it’s a legal emergency, and you need immediate, aggressive, and professional help. Attorney911 stands ready to be that help for families in Passaic County, New Jersey, and across the country. We are actively fighting the battle against hazing in courts right now, and we bring that same ferocity and dedication to every family we represent.

Passaic County Families: You have legal rights. What happened to your child was not a harmless prank; it was abuse. It was a betrayal of trust. It carries severe physical, emotional, and financial consequences. We are here to help you navigate this crisis and hold every responsible party accountable.

Your Direct Line to Justice:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

This is our Legal Emergency Hotline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you call, you’ll reach a dedicated team ready to listen, offer immediate guidance, and schedule your free, confidential consultation.

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

Why Contact Us Now?

1. Immediate Expertise: We are actively litigating one of the most high-profile hazing cases in the country right now ($10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for waterboarding and severe physical abuse). This means we have up-to-the-minute knowledge and strategies to apply to your Passaic County case.
2. Free, No-Obligation Consultation: Your initial call and consultation are completely free. We will listen to your story, evaluate the details of the hazing, and discuss your legal options without any cost or commitment from you.
3. No Upfront Fees – We Work on Contingency: We understand the financial strain that medical bills and lost academic opportunities can place on families. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay absolutely nothing upfront. Our payment comes only if and when we win your case. This ensures that every family, regardless of their financial situation, can access top-tier legal representation.
4. Time is Critical (Statute of Limitations): In New Jersey, as in most states, there is a strict 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means you have a limited window to file a lawsuit from the date of the hazing incident or the discovery of the injury. Delaying can jeopardize your ability to seek justice. Evidence can disappear, witness memories can fade, and the defense will be working against you from day one.
5. Evidence Preservation is Key: The sooner you contact us, the faster we can instruct you on how to preserve crucial evidence – text messages, photos, social media posts, medical records, and witness contacts. Our attorneys can issue immediate preservation letters to the fraternity, the university, and other defendants, legally compelling them not to destroy evidence.
6. Protection from Institutions: Fraternities, national organizations, and universities have legal teams whose primary goal is to protect their own interests. They may try to contact your child, minimize the incident, or pressure them into statements. Once you retain Attorney911, all communications will go through us, shielding your family from manipulation.

Our Commitment to Passaic County Hazing Victims:

• Nationwide Reach: While our offices are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our attorneys are licensed in multiple states (including New York) and admitted to federal courts. This allows us to pursue hazing cases no matter where in the country the incident occurred, including Passaic County, New Jersey.
• Remote Consultations: We offer convenient video consultations so Passaic County families can meet with our attorneys from the comfort and privacy of their homes, eliminating geographical barriers.
• Willingness to Travel: For depositions, client meetings, and trials, our attorneys are prepared to travel to Passaic County as needed, ensuring a robust local presence for your case.
• Comprehensive Advocacy: We represent victims of hazing in all student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and any other group that uses abuse as an initiation rite.
• Se Habla Español: We are proud to offer bilingual services, ensuring that Hispanic families in Passaic County can communicate effectively and comfortably with their legal team.

To Other Victims of Hazing:

If you are reading this as another victim of the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi hazing, or any other egregious hazing incident, know that we believe you. Leonel Bermudez was not alone, and you are not alone. There may be others who endured the same horrors or witnessed them. Call us. Your voice is powerful, and together, we can bring all responsible parties to justice. As Lupe Pena emphasized, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Don’t wait. Don’t let fear or shame silence you. Your courage can prevent another tragedy. Call Attorney911 today.

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