If you’re reading this, your family in Albemarle County 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 your area fight back against the darkness of hazing. Our firm, Attorney911, has dedicated itself to holding fraternities, sororities, universities, and individuals accountable for the devastating harm caused by hazing. We understand that parents in Albemarle County send their children off to institutions of higher learning, expecting them to be safe, to grow, and to learn, not to be broken, humiliated, or gravely injured. We are here to tell you: you are not alone, and you have powerful legal options.

The Nightmare in Houston: A Warning for Albemarle County Families

Just weeks ago, here in Texas, our firm, Attorney911, filed a landmark $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members. This powerful legal action, filed in Harris County Civil District Court on November 21, 2025, centers on the horrifying hazing of Leonel Bermudez, a prospective student — a “ghost rush” — who wasn’t even enrolled at the university yet.

Leonel’s story is a harrowing cautionary tale that should resonate with every parent in Albemarle County whose child is attending college or considering Greek life. He accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. What followed was an agonizing seven weeks of systematic abuse, physical torture, and psychological torment that culminated in his hospitalization for severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days in the hospital, his young body ravaged by the fraternity’s cruel “traditions.”

The news coverage has been extensive, confirming the graphic details:

• ABC13 Houston reported on November 21-22, 2025, that “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges.” (Link)
• KHOU 11 on November 21, 2025, confirmed a “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations.” (Link)
• The Houston Chronicle followed up on November 22, 2025, with details in “UH fraternity hazing lawsuit.” (Link)
• Houston Public Media on November 24, 2025, elaborated on the details, confirming the “$10 million over alleged hazing.” (Link)

Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters even posted its own statement on November 21, 2025, announcing they had closed their Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, “following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” (Link) They shut down the chapter just one week before our lawsuit was filed, a clear sign they knew the full extent of the egregious conduct.

This is not some theoretical legal battle; this is a live, active fight being waged by our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, right now in Texas. We bring this same level of aggressive, data-driven advocacy to every hazing case we take on, including those affecting families in Albemarle County.

Why this case resonates deeply with families in Albemarle County:

• National Reach: Pi Kappa Phi has over 150 chapters across America, including near Albemarle County. The same dangerous “traditions” can surface anywhere.
• Complicit Institutions: Many universities, including those near Albemarle County, have the same oversight failures and potential liabilities as the University of Houston.
• Vulnerable Students: Leonel wasn’t even a full-time student yet. This highlights how easily any young person, even one planning to transfer, can become a hazing target.
• Our Commitment: If your child in Albemarle County is hazed, we will bring the same relentless fight to your case as we are bringing to this Houston nightmare.

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 Peña added, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” We believe this with every fiber of our being.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes in Albemarle County

For too long, hazing has been dismissed as “boys being boys” or harmless “tradition.” The reality, as uncovered in the Bermudez case and countless others, is far darker. Hazing is systematic abuse, torture, psychological torment, and often constitutes criminal assault and battery. It is not about building character or fostering brotherhood; it is about breaking down individuals and exacting conformity through fear and pain.

The details of Leonel Bermudez’s hazing are a chilling look into the true nature of what happens behind closed doors, often in university-owned properties or the homes of members, in plain sight of institutions meant to protect students in Albemarle County and across the nation.

The Hazing Activities Documented in Our Lawsuit:

• Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose.” This is a form of torture, explicitly labeled as such by Houston Public Media. It is a war crime when inflicted on enemy combatants – yet it was done to a prospective college student. Pledges were sprayed directly in the face with a hose while performing calisthenics and forced to run under the constant threat of being waterboarded.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges were made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited. After projectile vomiting, they were immediately forced to continue running sprints while in visible physical distress, sometimes lying in vomit-soaked grass.
• Brutal Physical Punishment: Leonel was forced to perform over 100 pushups, 500 squats, and numerous other exercises like “high-volume suicides,” bear crawls, and wheelbarrows. He endured “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was made to recite the fraternity creed during these grueling sessions and was struck with wooden paddles. Another pledge even lost consciousness during these workouts on October 15, yet the hazing continued.
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Pledges were forced to strip to their underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times. In a separate incident on October 13, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Threats of physical punishment or immediate expulsion for non-compliance maintained a constant atmosphere of fear and coercion.
• Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: Pledges were regularly forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to severe exhaustion that impacted their daily lives.

This is not a social rite of passage. This is assault, battery, false imprisonment, and reckless endangerment. For families in Albemarle County, it’s critical to understand that this level of abuse is not an anomaly; it’s a terrifying reality hidden beneath the veneer of Greek letters and university tradition.

The Haunting Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis and Beyond

Leonel Bermudez’s body literally broke down from the physical abuse. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis is a condition where damaged muscle tissue releases harmful proteins into the bloodstream, which can lead to kidney failure and even death. The classic signs were present in Leonel: he was passing brown urine due to myoglobin in his bloodstream, and his creatine kinase levels confirmed vast muscle damage.

The risks associated with hazing activities extend far beyond rhabdomyolysis:

• Alcohol Poisoning: A common killer in forced binge drinking rituals.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: From beatings, falls, or uncontrolled physical activity.
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Cardiac Arrest: From extreme physical exertion in untrained individuals.
• PTSD, Anxiety, Depression: Long-term psychological scars that can haunt victims for life.
• Death: The ultimate, tragic consequence the most severe hazing incidents.

The trust placed in universities and Greek organizations by families in Albemarle County is shattered when such horrors occur. Our goal at Attorney911 is to expose this reality and ensure those responsible pay a heavy price.

Who Is Responsible for Hazing? Holding Every Party Accountable

When hazing leaves a student in Albemarle County injured or worse, it’s natural to ask: who allowed this to happen? The answer is often complex because the web of responsibility extends far beyond the individual students directly involved. Our experience, especially with cases like Leonel Bermudez’s, shows that accountability must reach every entity that participated in, condoned, or failed to prevent the abuse. We meticulously build cases to hold responsible the individuals, the local chapters, the national organizations, and the universities themselves.

1. The Individual Perpetrators:
In the Bermudez lawsuit, we named the fraternity president, the pledgemaster, other current members who participated, and even former members who hosted hazing sessions at their off-campus residence, along with one former member’s spouse. Every person who actively participated in, directed, encouraged, or failed to intervene in the hazing can be held personally liable for a victim’s injuries. This isn’t just about peer accountability; it’s about holding individuals criminally and civilly responsible for their actions.

2. The Local Fraternity or Sorority Chapter:
The Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston directly organized and carried out the hazing. Local chapters are often responsible for their members’ conduct, especially when that conduct is part of an organized “pledge process.” They can be held liable for negligent supervision of their activities and can bear responsibility for premises liability if the hazing occurs in a chapter-controlled house.

3. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization:
National organizations, like Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, often claim they have strict anti-hazing policies and that rogue chapters act independently. However, our cases consistently show that national organizations frequently have prior knowledge of hazing problems, fail to adequately supervise local chapters, and do not enforce their own policies. In Leonel’s case, KHOU 11 reported allegations that the national organization “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” Pi Kappa Phi National closed its UH chapter just days before our lawsuit was filed, implicitly acknowledging culpability. These national entities possess significant assets and insurance coverage, making them crucial targets for ensuring a victim receives full compensation.

4. The University or College:
Universities have a profound duty to protect their students, a responsibility that extends to the environments they foster, including Greek life. In Leonel’s case, the University of Houston itself is a defendant because, crucially, it owned and controlled the fraternity house where some of the hazing took place. This establishes direct premises liability for the university. Furthermore, universities like those near Albemarle County have the power to regulate, inspect, suspend, or even expel Greek organizations. When they fail to act despite clear evidence or past incidents of hazing on their campus, they become equally liable for negligently supervising student life and failing to provide a safe learning environment. The UH Board of Regents is also named in our lawsuit, holding the governing body accountable for institutional failures.

5. Insurance Carriers:
The true “deep pockets” in hazing litigation often belong to insurance companies. These include the national organization’s liability insurance, the university’s institutional insurance, and even homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies for off-campus locations where hazing occurs. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña know precisely how to navigate these policies and relentlessly pursue maximum recovery from every available source, benefiting families in Albemarle County.

By casting a wide net of accountability, our firm ensures that everyone who played a role in the hazing incident — actively or passively — is brought to justice. This approach not only secures comprehensive compensation for victims but also sends a powerful message that promotes real change in the culture of hazing, impacting universities and Greek organizations in Albemarle County and everywhere else.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof for Albemarle County Families

The question on every parent’s mind in Albemarle County when their child has been deeply wronged is whether justice is truly attainable. Our answer is a resounding yes. Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an arbitrary number; it is firmly rooted in a growing body of precedent-setting hazing cases that have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for victims and their families across the nation.

These landmark cases prove that fraternities, universities, and individuals will be held financially accountable for their roles in hazing. The same legal strategies, the same commitment to justice, and the same aggressive pursuit of accountability apply to potential hazing lawsuits originating from Albemarle County.

Stone Foltz: A $10.1 Million+ Recovery

• Victim: Stone Foltz, 20, a pledge at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.
• Incident: In March 2021, Stone was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation event. He died from acute alcohol poisoning.
• Outcome: The Foltz family received $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha and various individuals, totaling over $10.1 million. This tragic case led to the passage of “Collin’s Law” in Ohio. In December 2024, Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million in a separate judgment – highlighting the personal financial liability individuals face.
• Significance for Albemarle County: This case provides a direct comparable for our $10 million demand, demonstrating that universities and national fraternities are both on the hook for substantial amounts. Importantly, our client Leonel survived but suffered severe, life-altering injuries—and even in non-death cases, the damages can be enormous.

Maxwell Gruver: A $6.1 Million Jury Verdict

• Victim: Maxwell Gruver, 18, a freshman at Louisiana State University.
• Incident: In September 2017, Max was forced to drink excessive alcohol during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” event. He died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495.
• Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family $6.1 million. This case also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana, and a criminal conviction for negligent homicide.
• Significance for Albemarle County: This jury verdict proves that when cases go to trial, juries are ready to deliver multi-million dollar judgments when confronted with the devastating reality of hazing. Our case, with its egregious facts of waterboarding and extreme physical abuse, presents an equally compelling narrative for a jury.

Timothy Piazza: Over $110 Million in Settlements

• Victim: Timothy Piazza, 19, a sophomore at Penn State University.
• Incident: In February 2017, Tim was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes at a Beta Theta Pi pledge event. He fell down stairs repeatedly while intoxicated and fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911. He died from a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Cameras captured the entire horrifying ordeal.
• Outcome: The Piazza family reached a confidential settlement estimated to be over $110 million from the university and fraternity. Multiple fraternity members faced criminal charges, with several convictions for involuntary manslaughter and hazing. This case inspired the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in Pennsylvania.
• Significance for Albemarle County: The sheer scale of this settlement demonstrates the immense financial cost of institutional negligence and egregious hazing. It underscores that strong evidence and a compelling narrative can lead to massive compensation for victims.

Andrew Coffey: The Same Fraternity, A Deadly Pattern

• Victim: Andrew Coffey, 20, a pledge at Florida State University.
• Incident: In November 2017, Andrew was forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon at a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” and died from acute alcohol poisoning.
• Outcome: Pi Kappa Phi permanently closed its FSU chapter, and nine members faced criminal charges. The civil lawsuit settled for a confidential amount.
• Significance for Albemarle County: This case is devastating for Pi Kappa Phi National, the same fraternity we are suing in the Bermudez case. Andrew Coffey died exactly eight years before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. This long-standing pattern of lethal hazing directly supports our argument for punitive damages and underscores the national organization’s consistent failure to address known dangers within its chapters.

These cases are not isolated incidents; they represent a national pattern of abuse and institutional failure that directly impacts families in Albemarle County. They also demonstrate that justice, in the form of substantial financial recovery and legislative change, is possible. Our firm leverages this extensive precedent knowledge to maximize outcomes for our hazing victim clients, ensuring that these “traditions” never escape accountability.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights Beyond Albemarle County

For families in Albemarle County whose children have been victimized by hazing, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. While our primary legal base is in Texas, the state’s anti-hazing laws are some of the most robust in the nation, and similar statutes, coupled with federal civil rights and negligence claims, empower us to represent victims nationwide, including those in Albemarle County. Our federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) provide a strategic advantage in cases against national fraternities, regardless of their headquarters.

Texas Hazing Laws: A Model for Accountability

The Texas Education Code, specifically Sections 37.151 to 37.157, sets a clear legal framework that defines hazing, outlines severe penalties, and, crucially for victims, explicitly states that consent is not a defense.

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):
Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization, if the act:

• Involves physical brutality (e.g., whipping, beating, striking, branding).
• Involves sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, or excessive calisthenics that risks physical or mental harm.
• Involves forced consumption of food, liquid, or alcohol that risks harm.
• Requires a student to violate the Penal Code.
• Coerces a student to consume drugs or alcohol to the point of intoxication.

Application to the Bermudez Case and for Albemarle County: Leonel’s ordeal—waterboarding, forced eating, extreme calisthenics (500 squats resulting in rhabdomyolysis), wooden paddles, sleep deprivation, and exposure—satisfies multiple elements of this definition. This means the individuals and organizations involved committed criminal hazing. Many states have similar definitions, meaning your family in Albemarle County can likely pursue justice under similar robust state-level protections where the incident occurred, often allowing for civil lawsuits where these elements are easily proven.

Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154):
This is a critical provision for all hazing victims. The law explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution that the person hazed consented to the hazing.”

• For Albemarle County families: This shuts down the common argument made by fraternities and universities that “the student chose to participate” or “they could have left.” Texas law (and similar laws in other states) recognizes that the inherent power imbalance, social pressure, and fear of retaliation negate true consent in hazing scenarios. You cannot consent to be criminally assaulted or abused.

Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152):
In Texas, hazing causing serious bodily injury (like Leonel’s kidney failure) is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. If hazing causes death, it’s a State Jail Felony, with up to two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine.

• For Albemarle County: Many states also impose criminal penalties, and a victim’s civil lawsuit can proceed independently of any criminal prosecution, although criminal findings can strengthen the civil case. The University of Houston spokesperson even mentioned “potential criminal charges” in their statement about Leonel’s case, confirming the criminal nature of such acts.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153):
Organizations whose officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing can face fines up to $10,000, denial of operating permission, and forfeiture of property.

• For Albemarle County: This means local chapters and national organizations can be directly sanctioned, providing further leverage in civil proceedings.

University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155):
Texas universities must report hazing incidents to the state coordinating board, with failure to do so constituting a Class B Misdemeanor.

• For Albemarle County: This highlights the legal obligations of educational institutions and provides a basis for discovery into a university’s prior knowledge and response history.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges

While criminal charges punish wrongdoers, civil lawsuits are the primary means for victims and their families to recover compensation for their immense suffering and staggering financial losses. Regardless of whether an incident takes place in Texas or Albemarle County, the theories of civil liability are broadly applicable across all states:

• Negligence: This is often the cornerstone of hazing lawsuits. We argue that the fraternity, the national organization, and the university owed a “duty of care” to the student, breached that duty by allowing or participating in hazing, which directly caused the injuries, resulting in damages.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university property (as in Leonel’s case, where UH owned the fraternity house) or other controlled property, the owners/occupiers have a duty to maintain a safe environment.
• Negligent Supervision: This applies to both national organizations (failing to oversee local chapters) and universities (failing to monitor Greek life or other student organizations effectively).
• Assault and Battery: These intentional torts allow individual perpetrators to be held personally liable for physical contact and threats. Waterboarding, paddling, and forced exertion fall squarely under these definitions.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Hazing that is extreme and outrageous and causes severe emotional distress (like PTSD or severe anxiety) can lead to significant compensation.
• Vicarious Liability: This holds institutions responsible for the actions of their agents (e.g., a national fraternity for its chapter’s members, or a university for its recognized student organizations).

For families in Albemarle County, these legal principles mean that you have a powerful path to justice. Our firm will meticulously investigate every aspect of your child’s hazing incident, identifying all liable parties and leveraging every legal tool available to secure the compensation and accountability your family deserves, regardless of the location.

Why Attorney911 is the Right Choice for Albemarle County Hazing Victims

When your child in Albemarle County has been victimized by hazing, you need legal representation that is more than just competent; you need aggressive, experienced, and deeply committed advocates who understand the unique complexities of hazing litigation. At Attorney911, we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ with a proven track record, and our current $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston speaks volumes about our dedication and capability. We bring this same fire to every case, anywhere, including Albemarle County.

Here’s why families in Albemarle County choose Attorney911:

1. We Are Actively Fighting This Battle Right Now:
Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not a theoretical exercise. We are in the trenches, aggressively pursuing justice for a victim who suffered kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis due to hazing. This ongoing case demonstrates our immediate, real-world expertise and commitment to holding powerful institutions accountable. When you choose Attorney911, you’re not just hiring lawyers; you’re joining a firm that is currently leading the charge against hazing. Albemarle County families benefit from this immediate, cutting-edge experience.

2. Decades of Courtroom Experience and Former Defense Insight:
Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, brings over 25 years of courtroom experience. Crucially, both Ralph and Associate Attorney Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. This is an invaluable strategic advantage for families in Albemarle County. They’ve seen the playbook from the other side – they know how insurance companies and institutional defendants strategize to deny, delay, and minimize claims. Now, they use that insider knowledge to dismantle those defenses and maximize recovery for our clients.

3. Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Licenses:
Our admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, means we have the authority to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often essential when dealing with national fraternities and universities that operate across state lines. Furthermore, Ralph Manginello holds dual bar licenses in Texas and New York, giving us a strategic advantage when national fraternity organizations are headquartered out of state or operate with complex inter-state structures, which is directly relevant to hazing cases affecting Albemarle County.

4. Experience with Mass Tort Litigation Against Major Corporations:
Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation (where he represented victims against a massive corporate defendant following an incident that killed 15 and injured over 180) demonstrates his capacity to handle complex, high-stakes cases against powerful entities. This experience directly translates to hazing litigation, where universities and national fraternities are formidable, well-funded adversaries. This means families in Albemarle County can trust us to take on any defendant, regardless of how large or influential they are.

5. Hazing-Specific Expertise and Data-Driven Approach:
We have specific expertise in hazing litigation, including cases involving rhabdomyolysis. We know the specific medical consequences and how to prove them. Our firm maintains a comprehensive database of Greek organizations, legal names, EINs, and hazing incident histories across the country. We don’t guess who is responsible; we know the corporate structures behind the Greek letters, allowing us to identify every liable entity quickly and precisely. This data-driven approach means we are always one step ahead.

6. Compassionate Client Care and Communication:
We understand the trauma and emotional toll hazing takes on victims and their families. Our team is known for treating clients like family. We pride ourselves on consistent communication, ensuring you are updated at every stage of your case. Our client testimonials reflect this commitment:

• “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
• “Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett

7. “Se Habla Español”: Bilingual Staff for Albemarle County Hispanic Families:
Our staff is fully bilingual, with Lupe Peña being fluent in Spanish. This allows us to provide comprehensive legal services to Spanish-speaking families in Albemarle County, ensuring no language barrier hinders justice for hazing victims.

8. Contingency Fees: No Upfront Cost for Albemarle County Families:
We believe that no family should be denied justice due to financial constraints. We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us nothing upfront, and we don’t get paid unless and until you get paid. We shoulder the financial risk of litigation, allowing Albemarle County families to focus on healing without added economic burden.

9. Will Travel to Albemarle County and Offer Remote Consultations:
While our headquarters is in Houston, we represent hazing victims nationwide. We offer video consultations for families in Albemarle County, making it easy to connect with us remotely. For critical stages of the case, such as depositions or trials, our attorneys are prepared to travel to Albemarle County to provide in-person representation. Distance is never a barrier to pursuing justice.

10. Personal Commitment:
Ralph Manginello, a father of three, understands the profound trust parents place in educational institutions. His background as a Hall of Fame athlete and youth coach gives him unique insight into team dynamics and the pressures young people face in group environments. This personal connection fuels our firm’s passion for fighting against hazing.

When you’re searching for a hazing lawyer in Albemarle County, you need a firm that is experienced, aggressive, and intimately familiar with the tactics of the opposition. Attorney911 offers an “unfair advantage” for victims, combining insider knowledge, national reach, and unwavering determination to achieve justice for your family.

What To Do Right Now if Hazing Has Occurred in Albemarle County

If your child in Albemarle County has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. We understand that you may feel overwhelmed, angry, and scared. This is an emotionally charged situation, but acting quickly and deliberately can profoundly impact the success of any future legal claim. Here are the essential steps you should take right now to protect your child’s rights and build a strong hazing lawsuit.

Step 1: Seek Immediate Medical Attention and Document Everything

Your child’s health and safety are paramount. Even if injuries appear minor, or if they are primarily psychological, get professional medical help without delay.

• Go to the Emergency Room or Doctor: Ensure your child is thoroughly examined by healthcare professionals. Some injuries, like rhabdomyolysis or internal trauma from forced alcohol, may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening. Medical documentation creates an official record that is indispensable for any legal claim.
• Document Symptoms: Pay close attention to all physical and psychological symptoms. For example, in Leonel Bermudez’s case, his mother rushed him to the hospital when he was “passing brown urine,” a critical sign of rhabdomyolysis. Document muscle pain, bruising, cuts, signs of dehydration, as well as emotional distress, anxiety, or changes in behavior.
• Keep All Medical Records: Save every hospital bill, doctor’s note, therapy record, prescription, and receipt related to your child’s care. These will be crucial for calculating economic damages.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence Immediately

Hazing organizations and universities are often quick to destroy or hide evidence. We recommend sending out immediate preservation letters to all defendants to ensure they are on notice. You and your child must also act quickly:

• Digital Communications (CRITICAL!): Do NOT delete anything! This includes text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat conversations, Instagram DMs, emails, and any other forms of digital communication. These often contain direct evidence of hazing instructions, threats, coercion, and discussions among members. If possible, save screenshots and back up entire chat histories. Attorney911 stresses the importance of “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence.” (Link)
• Photos and Videos: If your child has any photos or videos of hazing activities or their injuries (at any stage of healing), preserve them immediately. This visual evidence can be incredibly powerful.
• Witness Information: Collect names, phone numbers, and any other contact information for other pledges, fraternity/sorority members, or any bystanders who may have witnessed the hazing. Their testimony can be invaluable.
• Hazing Documents: Save any pledge manuals, schedules, rule lists, or other documents provided by the organization. These often lay out the “official” (or unofficial) hazing program.
• Physical Evidence: If any items were used in the hazing (e.g., paddles, bags, special uniforms), or if there are photographs of specific locations where hazing occurred (e.g., fraternity house, private residence, off-campus fields), document them thoroughly.

Step 3: Avoid These Critical Mistakes

Many well-meaning actions can inadvertently damage your child’s legal case. Remember, the university and fraternity’s lawyers are not on your side.

• DO NOT Delete Anything: As mentioned, deleting digital evidence can be perceived as destruction of evidence.
• DO NOT Talk to the Organization or University (Alone): Do not give statements, written or verbal, to fraternity/sorority leadership, national representatives, university administrators, or their attorneys without consulting your own legal counsel first. They are protecting their interests, not your child’s.
• DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the fraternity, university, or their insurance companies without a lawyer’s review. You could unknowingly waive crucial legal rights.
• DO NOT Post on Social Media: Refrain from posting about the incident, your feelings, or even innocuous pictures of social activities. Anything your child or family posts can and will be used by the defense to undermine the claim of injury or suffering. We have a video about “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” (Link) and a specific one about “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident.”
• DO NOT Accept Early Settlement Offers: Insurance companies, and often universities, may quickly offer low-ball settlements in exchange for a release of liability, especially if they know a severe injury has occurred. Do not accept this.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer Immediately

The most important step you can take is to contact a law firm with extensive experience in hazing litigation, like Attorney911.

• Time is of the Essence: Statutes of limitations (the legal deadlines for filing a lawsuit) are strict—often two years from the date of injury or death in most states, including Virginia. Evidence disappears, and memories fade. Early legal intervention is crucial. Our video on “Texas Statutes of Limitations” (Link) explains these crucial deadlines.
• Free, Confidential Consultation: Attorney911 offers a free, no-obligation consultation to families in Albemarle County. We can assess your case, explain your rights, and outline the best path forward.
• Remote Assistance: For families in Albemarle County who may not be in Houston, we offer video consultations and are prepared to travel for depositions, meetings, and trials as needed. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

You Are Not Alone. We Can Help.

The pain and anger you feel are valid. Your child endured abuse that no one should ever experience. By taking these critical steps and partnering with an aggressive, experienced legal team, you can transform your terrifying experience into a powerful fight for accountability – not just for your child, but to protect others from enduring similar horrors in Albemarle County and beyond.

Remember, Leonel Bermudez’s battle against a powerful national fraternity and a major university shows precisely what can happen when victims and their families decide “enough is enough” and choose to fight back aggressively.

Albemarle County Families: Has Your Child Been Hazed? Call Today for a Free Consultation.

If your child in Albemarle County has been subjected to hazing, whether in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, club, or any other organization, know this: you have legal rights, and we are here to help you fight.

The pain, humiliation, and physical or psychological damage caused by hazing are unacceptable. What happened to Leonel Bermudez in Houston, the waterboarding, the forced eating, the life-threatening kidney failure from extreme physical abuse, is not confined to one university in one city. The same dangerous organizations and the same institutional failures exist at universities across Virginia, including those near Albemarle County.

We are Attorney911. We are actively engaged in a $10 million lawsuit right now against a national fraternity and a major university for egregious hazing. This isn’t just a practice area for us; it’s a mission. And we will bring that same level of aggression, dedication, and expertise to your child’s case in Albemarle County.

Albemarle County Families: Don’t Wait. Your Time to Act is Now.

📞 Call our Legal Emergency Hotline 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911

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

A free, confidential consultation is available for every hazing victim and family in Albemarle County. You speak directly with our experienced legal team, and we will evaluate your case without any obligation.

Why Contacting Attorney911 is Your Best Next Step for a Hazing Case in Albemarle County:

• No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency basis. This means you pay absolutely $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This removes any financial barrier to seeking justice for families in Albemarle County. Our video, “How Contingency Fees Work” (Link), explains this in detail.
• Nationwide Reach: While we are based in Houston, Texas, our federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) allow us to represent hazing victims across the country, including those in Albemarle County. We frequently conduct video consultations and are prepared to travel to Albemarle County for critical depositions, client meetings, or trials. Distance is not a hurdle to achieving justice.
• Insider Knowledge of the Opposition: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. This unique background allows us to anticipate the strategies used by national fraternities, universities, and their insurance companies, giving you a powerful advantage.
• Proven Results: Our current $10 million lawsuit and extensive knowledge of multi-million dollar precedent cases (like Stone Foltz, Timothy Piazza, Max Gruver, and Adam Oakes) demonstrate our capacity to secure significant compensation for victims.
• Comprehensive Experience: We handle all types of hazing injuries—from rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure to traumatic brain injuries, alcohol poisoning, and severe psychological trauma like PTSD. We also represent families in wrongful death cases resulting from hazing.
• Aggressive Advocacy: We are not afraid to take on powerful institutions. We will meticulously investigate, gather evidence, and relentlessly fight for maximum accountability and compensation for your child in Albemarle County.

What to Expect When You Call Us:
When you contact us, you’ll speak directly with our compassionate and experienced team. We’ll listen to your story, ask crucial questions about the hazing incident, any injuries sustained, and available evidence. We’ll guide you through the process, explain your legal options, and outline how we can help. This consultation is completely free and confidential.

We Represent Victims of Hazing From All Organizations in Albemarle County:

Hazing is not exclusive to fraternities and sororities. We represent victims of abuse in:

• Fraternities and sororities at institutions near Albemarle County
• Albemarle County sports teams (college and high school)
• Marching bands and other musical groups
• ROTC programs and military academies
• Clubs and student organizations recognized by Albemarle County schools or universities
• Any organization that uses physical, emotional, or psychological abuse as part of an initiation or membership rite.

Remember Leonel Bermudez. Remember his courage to step forward. His lawsuit is a stark warning and a beacon of hope. It shows that aggressive legal action can force powerful organizations to confront their dangerous practices. Your choice to act can contribute to changing the culture of hazing, protecting future students in Albemarle County and across the country.

Don’t let fear, shame, or the power of institutions silence your child’s story.
Contact Attorney911 today. Let us fight for the justice your family deserves.