If you’re reading this in Augusta County, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went away to college, expecting to make friends and build a future. Instead, they were tortured, abused, and potentially suffered severe injury because of hazing. We understand what you’re going through, Augusta County families. We are here to help you fight back.

We are Attorney 911, and we are not just talking about hazing; we are aggressively fighting it right now in court. Just a few weeks ago, in November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members after our client, Leonel Bermudez, was waterboarded, hog-tied, force-fed until he vomited, and subjected to extreme physical exertion that led to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. This happened in Houston, but the same fraternities, the same dangerous “traditions,” and the same institutional failures exist at universities everywhere, including those near Augusta County.

We are here to tell you that you are not alone. You have legal rights, and we possess the expertise, the experience, and the dedication to stand by Augusta County families and hold every responsible party accountable. We know what it takes to win these cases, and we are ready to bring that fight to Augusta County.

The Case That Shows Augusta County Families Why We Fight: Leonel Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston

The story of Leonel Bermudez is a harrowing testament to the brutal reality of hazing today, and it serves as a stark warning to parents in Augusta County. Leonel was a “ghost rush,” a bright young man planning to transfer to the University of Houston for the spring semester. He had not even officially enrolled yet, but he accepted an invitation to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025. What followed was a systematic campaign of abuse that would land him in the hospital for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

This is what parents in Augusta County need to understand: hazing isn’t a harmless rite of passage; it is torture with life-threatening consequences.

Our client’s experience began after accepting his bid, when he was immediately plunged into weeks of escalating physical and psychological torment. He was subject to an enforced dress code, mandatory study hours, and weekly interviews with fraternity members. These seemingly innocuous demands quickly gave way to far more sinister acts:

• Waterboarding: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” a tactic so brutal it is globally recognized as torture when employed by military forces. He was sprayed directly in the face while doing calisthenics, simulating drowning.
• Forced Consumption: He was made to consume copious amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, then ordered to continue physical activities, often lying in his own vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: The hazing included relentless exercises like 100+ pushups, 500 squats, “high-volume suicides” (sprint drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother drills,” and repeated 100-yard crawls. Critically, these exercises were performed until he could no longer stand without help. We have also uncovered evidence of him being struck with wooden paddles.
• Psychological Torture: Beyond the physical, he was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather, carry a fanny pack containing sexually explicit objects, and endure threats of further physical punishment or expulsion if he didn’t comply. We also learned of another pledge being hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• Sleep Deprivation: Leonel was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, disrupting his sleep and leading to profound exhaustion.

The breaking point arrived on November 3, 2025, when, as punishment for missing an event, Leonel was forced into an extreme workout regimen until he collapsed. Our attorney, Ralph Manginello, recounted his terrifying experience to ABC13: “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.” Leonel was passing brown urine, a tell-tale sign of severe muscle breakdown, and was diagnosed with acute kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.

Within weeks of this incident, and specifically, just seven days before we filed our lawsuit, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters closed its Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston. Their public statement acknowledged “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” The University of Houston, which owned the fraternity house where much of this abuse occurred, released a statement calling the events “deeply disturbing” and mentioning “potential criminal charges.”

Why does this matter to Augusta County families?

• Pi Kappa Phi is a national fraternity with over 150 chapters across America, including at universities in the greater Virginia area. The same dangerous “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel can and do happen in chapters near Augusta County.
• Universities, whether in Houston or near Augusta County, have a responsibility to protect their students. The University of Houston owned the property where some of the hazing took place, just as universities near Augusta County might own or control fraternity housing on or near their campuses. Their failure to act makes them liable.
• National organizations often know about the dangers within their chapters. Pi Kappa Phi’s national leadership quickly moved to shut down the chapter, demonstrating an awareness of serious wrongdoing on their part. This is indicative of a systemic problem that permeates Greek life nationwide.
• A strong legal fight sends a message. As our attorney Lupe Pena stated to 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.” Our $10 million lawsuit aims to protect not just Leonel, but future students as well.

If your child is attending or considering institutions in or near Augusta County, such as James Madison University in Harrisonburg, the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, or Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, it is crucial to understand that they could face similar risks. The same national organizations, with their often-documented histories of hazing, have chapters at these institutions. We are fighting to ensure that fraternities and universities across the nation, including those sending their students from Augusta County, understand the severe consequences of allowing such abuse to occur.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes for Augusta County Parents

For many Augusta County parents, the word “hazing” might conjure images of silly pranks or lighthearted initiation ceremonies. This perception is dangerously far from the truth. Modern hazing, particularly in fraternities and other student organizations, is not innocent fun; it is a systematic campaign of physical, psychological, and often sexual abuse designed to degrade, control, and break down individuals. It is violence disguised as “tradition.”

We want Augusta County families to understand the true, terrifying face of hazing, as revealed in cases like Leonel Bermudez’s:

• Physical Brutality: This includes beatings, paddling (like the wooden paddles used on Leonel), branding, forced consumption of alcohol or noxious substances that lead to extreme illness or death, and brutal exercise regimens that push the body past its breaking point. Leonel’s physical ordeal, including 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, and repeated sprints, led directly to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. This is not “toughness training”; it is physical assault.
• Waterboarding and Simulated Drowning: As shocked parents in Augusta County heard from the news reports on Leonel’s case, this is a form of torture. Being sprayed in the face with a garden hose until one feels they are drowning is a harrowing experience designed to instill terror and helplessness. This is a war crime when inflicted on combatants; it is unforgivable when inflicted on a college student.
• Forced Eating and Vomiting: Making students consume obscene amounts of food or non-food items until they vomit, then forcing them to remain in or near their own sickness, is a profound act of degradation. This strips a person of their dignity and control over their own body.
• Psychological Warfare: Hazing relentlessly attacks a victim’s mental and emotional state. This can involve humiliation tactics, such as carrying degrading objects or stripping in public, as well as sleep deprivation, isolation, verbal abuse, constant criticism, threats, and coercion. The aim is to break down an individual’s will, making them compliant out of fear. Leonel’s need to drive members at all hours led to exhaustion, a form of psychological manipulation and abuse.
• Sexual Abuse and Degradation: Hazing frequently involves forced nudity, sexual acts, or carrying objects of a sexual nature, as Leonel was forced to do. This is a profound violation of personal boundaries and human dignity.
• Reckless Endangerment: Many hazing rituals involve activities that put students at severe risk of injury or death, such as forced binge drinking (a factor in many hazing deaths nationwide), exposure to extreme temperatures, prolonged physical exertion, or dangerous stunts. These are not accidents waiting to happen; they are disasters being engineered.
• Silence and Coercion: A core component of hazing culture is the code of silence. Victims are explicitly or implicitly threatened with retaliation, social ostracization, or worse if they report the abuse. Leonel’s fear of retribution, as noted by ABC13, is a common and powerful barrier to reporting and seeking justice.

Medical Consequences of Hazing that Augusta County Families Must Know:
The results of this egregious behavior can be devastating, leading to severe physical and psychological injuries. We see:

• Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure: As tragically demonstrated in Leonel’s case, extreme physical exertion can break down muscle tissue, releasing myoglobin that overloads the kidneys. This can be fatal or lead to permanent kidney damage.
• Alcohol Poisoning: Forced binge drinking is a leading cause of hazing deaths, leading to coma, brain damage, or death.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From beatings, falls, or forced activities that result in head trauma.
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Cardiac Arrest: From forced physical exertion coupled with underlying conditions or substance abuse.
• Fractures, Lacerations, Burns: Direct results of physical abuse.
• PTSD, Anxiety, Depression: The long-term psychological toll of hazing can be debilitating, impacting academic performance, social relationships, and overall quality of life.

This is not “boys being boys.” This is not “tradition.” This is not “building brotherhood.”
It is assault. It is battery. It is torture. It is reckless endangerment. And, far too often, it is manslaughter or murder. This is the reality we are fighting against, and we want Augusta County parents to be fully aware.

Who Is Responsible? Holding Every Entity Accountable for Hazing in Augusta County

When hazing claims a student, a child, a brother or sister, the question “Who is responsible?” echoes through the hearts of every Augusta County family. The answer, often, is not just the individual perpetrators, but an entire ecosystem of negligence that allows such abhorrent acts to flourish. Our firm, Attorney 911, makes it our mission to identify and hold accountable every single entity that enabled or participated in the hazing, ensuring no one escapes responsibility. This is exactly what we are doing in the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case, and it’s the same comprehensive strategy we bring to Augusta County hazing cases.

Here is a breakdown of who can and should be held responsible for hazing injuries and deaths:

1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity or Sorority):

   • Direct Liability: The chapter itself, as an organized entity, directly plans, organizes, and executes hazing rituals. They are vicariously liable for the actions of their members.
   • Example from Bermudez Case: The Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston actively organized and conducted the waterboarding, forced eating, and extreme physical workouts that hospitalized Leonel. The chapter fostered and perpetuated the dangerous environment.

2. Chapter Officers and Individual Members:

   • Direct Perpetrators: Any individual who actively plans, participates in, or facilitates hazing is personally liable. This includes the chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager, and any other members present and involved.
   • Failure to Intervene: Individuals who witness hazing and fail to intervene or report it can also be held responsible, especially if they are in a position of authority or perceived authority.
   • Example from Bermudez Case: Our lawsuit names the fraternity president, pledgemaster, and other current and former individual members who directly participated in, directed, or allowed the hazing. The Stone Foltz case proved that individual chapter officers can be personally liable, as former president Daylen Dunson was ordered to pay $6.5 million. This sends a powerful message that individual students cannot hide behind the fraternity shield.

3. Former Members and Their Spouses/Property Owners:

   • Hosting Hazing: Hazing often occurs off-campus, sometimes at the residences of alumni or former members. These individuals can be held liable for hosting and facilitating illegal activities on their property.
   • Example from Bermudez Case: Our lawsuit explicitly names a former member and his spouse as defendants because some of the major hazing sessions occurred at their private residence. This extends liability beyond the active student body.

4. The National Organization (Fraternity or Sorority):

   • Vicarious Liability: National fraternities are corporations with substantial assets and insurance policies. They are responsible for overseeing their local chapters and ensuring compliance with anti-hazing policies.
   • Failure to Supervise/Enforce: If national headquarters knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing within their chapters (as demonstrated by prior incidents like Andrew Coffey’s death in Pi Kappa Phi in 2017) and failed to take meaningful action, they are liable. KHOU 11 reported that Pi Kappa Phi National “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.’” This is a direct admission of negligence.
   • Pattern Evidence: Our case highlights how Pi Kappa Phi National had 8 years since Andrew Coffey’s death to eradicate hazing, yet Leonel Bermudez was still severely injured. This establishes a pattern of knowing disregard.
   • Example from Bermudez Case: Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters is a primary defendant. Their swift closure of the UH chapter, just days before our lawsuit, indicates their awareness of significant wrongdoing and an attempt to mitigate legal exposure, which ironically reinforces their culpability.

5. The University or College:

   • Institutional Negligence: Universities have an inherent duty to protect their students from harm, especially when that harm occurs on their campus or under the purview of their recognized student organizations.
   • Failure to Oversee Greek Life: This includes inadequate anti-hazing policies, weak enforcement, failure to investigate complaints, or simply turning a blind eye to a known problem.
   • Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned or university-controlled property (like a fraternity house owned by the university), the institution has direct premises liability for allowing dangerous conditions to exist.
   • Example from Bermudez Case: The University of Houston, and its Board of Regents, are key defendants. KHOU 11 directly stated that the hazing occurred in a “University-owned fraternity house.” Furthermore, UH had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 (involving a different fraternity), meaning they had eight years’ actual notice that hazing was a problem on their campus and failed to prevent it from recurring. This demonstrates institutional negligence and foreseeability.

6. Insurance Carriers:

   • Deep Pockets: The ultimate source of compensation often comes from the liability insurance policies held by the national fraternity, the university, and even the homeowner’s policies of individual defendants. These policies can have limits in the millions.
   • Our Expertise: With both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena being former insurance defense attorneys, we possess an unparalleled insider’s understanding of how insurance companies evaluate claims, strategize defenses, and ultimately pay out. We know their playbook because we helped write it.

Our legal strategy is comprehensive. We do not just target the “low-hanging fruit.” We apply relentless pressure to every individual and institution that contributed to the hazing. For Augusta County parents, this means that even if the individual students involved appear to have limited resources, the national organizations and universities involved frequently have the financial capacity, through their substantial insurance policies and endowments, to provide significant compensation. The deeper the pockets, the bigger the message we can send to prevent future tragedies.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof for Augusta County Victims

When a student from Augusta County is irrevocably harmed by hazing, families often wonder if justice is truly possible against such powerful institutions. We are here to tell you, unequivocally: Yes, it is. The legal landscape is filled with precedent-setting verdicts and settlements that prove hazing is costing fraternities and universities millions, creating a powerful incentive for change. These same legal strategies and precedents apply directly to hazing cases arising from universities in or near Augusta County.

The $10 million lawsuit we just filed in the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case is not an arbitrary number. It is firmly rooted in the outcomes of landmark hazing cases across the nation.

Here are some of the multi-million dollar cases that demonstrate what is possible for hazing victims and their families:

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

   • Outcome: $10.1 Million+ in Settlements and Judgments
   • What Happened: Stone Foltz was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” hazing event. He died from alcohol poisoning.
   • Breakdown: Bowling Green State University paid $2.9 million. Pi Kappa Alpha National and several individuals paid $7.2 million. Most recently, in December 2024, a former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was ordered to pay the Foltz family an additional $6.5 million personally, showing that individual perpetrators cannot escape accountability.
   • Relevance to Augusta County: This case sets a benchmark for the significant value of hazing cases, directly supporting our $10 million demand. It shows that universities and national fraternities, along with individuals, are all held financially responsible.

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

   • Outcome: $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
   • What Happened: During a “Bible Study” hazing event, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, was forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol. For every wrong answer to fraternity questions, he had to drink more. He died from acute alcohol poisoning with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.495—six times the legal driving limit.
   • Relevance to Augusta County: This jury verdict demonstrates that when cases go to trial, juries are willing to award millions for hazing-related deaths and severe injuries. It also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana, showing the legislative impact of these cases.

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

   • Outcome: $110 Million+ (Estimated Confidential Settlements)
   • What Happened: Timothy Piazza was forced to consume 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes during a “gauntlet” at a bid acceptance event. His BAC reached 0.36. He fell down a flight of stairs multiple times, suffering a traumatic brain injury. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for 12 hours, during which they tried to revive him without professional medical help. He died two days later. Security cameras captured the entire horrific event.
   • Relevance to Augusta County: This case highlights the potentially astronomical settlements when evidence is irrefutable and the negligence is extreme. It also shows the importance of quick action to preserve evidence in Augusta County hazing cases, which we prioritize. The “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” also emerged from this tragedy, increasing penalties for hazing in Pennsylvania.

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

   • Outcome: Confidential Settlement, Chapter Permanently Closed
   • What Happened: Andrew Coffey, a Pi Kappa Phi pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to consume an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a “Big Brother Night” hazing ritual. Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges.
   • Relevance to Augusta County: This is critical: Pi Kappa Phi is the SAME national organization we are suing in the Bermudez case. Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017 gave Pi Kappa Phi National eight years to fix its deadly hazing culture. They failed, leading directly to Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization for kidney failure. This long-standing pattern of negligence significantly strengthens our current case and our ability to pursue major compensation for families in Augusta County.

5. Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021)

   • Outcome: $4 Million+ Settlement
   • What Happened: Adam Oakes died from acute alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi big-little hazing event at VCU. He was forced to drink a 40-ounce bottle of Tequila, among other drinks. Lawsuit was originally filed for $28 million.
   • Relevance to Augusta County: Another recent example of multi-million dollar recovery for hazing death victims, further demonstrating the value of these cases across the country. It reinforces that strong demands in the tens of millions are often settled for figures in the multi-million range. This case also led to “Adam’s Law” in Virginia, a critical new hazing statute.

These cases are more than just statistics; they are human stories of immense suffering turned into powerful legislative change and significant financial accountability. For Augusta County families facing the aftermath of hazing, these precedents offer powerful proof that pursuing legal action can lead to substantial compensation and, more importantly, can help prevent future tragedies. We are equipped with the knowledge and experience of these cases to fight just as aggressively for your child in Augusta County.

Texas Law Protects You: A Legal Framework for Augusta County Families

For Augusta County families dealing with hazing, understanding the legal framework is crucial. While our firm is based in Texas, the principles of civil liability for hazing are universal, and many states, including Virginia, have their own anti-hazing laws. The aggressive approach we take under Texas law can be adapted and applied to hazing incidents nationwide, including any that may occur near Augusta County.

Let’s break down the key aspects of Texas hazing law, and how its strength empowers us to fight for victims:

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

1. Broad 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: Such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, or placing harmful substances on the body. This directly applies to the wooden paddles and other physical assaults Leonel endured.
   • Involves excessive physical activity or endangerment: Sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, calisthenics, or other activities that pose an unreasonable risk of harm or negatively affect mental or physical health. Leonel’s 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls, sleep deprivation, and hose spraying fall squarely under this definition, leading to his rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
   • Involves forced consumption: Any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance that poses an unreasonable risk of harm. Leonel’s forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting is a clear violation.
   • Violates the Penal Code: Any activity that requires a student to commit a crime.
   • Coerces alcohol/drug consumption: Forcing consumption that leads to intoxication, as defined by the Penal Code.

   Augusta County Takeaway: The hazing acts suffered by Leonel Bermudez during his Pi Kappa Phi initiation meet multiple criteria within this definition. Virginia’s “Adam’s Law” (Virginia Code § 18.2-56) carries similar definitions and even stronger penalties. These rigorous legal definitions exist to protect students, and we use them to build powerful cases.

2. Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Texas law carries significant criminal consequences for hazing, ranging from a Class B Misdemeanor (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine) for simply engaging in hazing, to a Class A Misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine) if hazing causes “serious bodily injury.” If hazing causes death, it becomes a State Jail Felony (180 days to 2 years state jail, $10,000 fine).

   • Augusta County Takeaway: Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure unquestionably constitute “serious bodily injury” under Texas law. This opens the door for criminal charges against the individual perpetrators, which, as the University of Houston spokesperson noted, are “potential criminal charges.” Criminal accountability often runs parallel to civil lawsuits, strengthening the victims’ position.

3. Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Texas law explicitly states that an organization commits an offense if it condones or encourages hazing, or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing. Penalties can include fines and denial of the right to operate on campus.

   • Augusta County Takeaway: This statute is crucial for holding the entire fraternity chapter, and by extension the national organization, accountable. In Leonel’s case, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter is liable for directly coordinating the hazing, and the national organization is liable for condoning it by failing to prevent it despite their documented knowledge of a “hazing crisis.”

4. Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most critical component of the Texas anti-hazing law: “It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

   • Augusta County Takeaway: This demolishes the “defense” often used by fraternities: “He agreed to participate,” “He knew what he was signing up for,” or “He could have left at any time.” The Texas legislature foresaw this cynical argument and unequivocally rejected it in the law. For Augusta County victims, this means your child’s initial willingness to participate does not absolve the perpetrators of their illegal and dangerous actions.

5. University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): University chief administrative officers must report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within 30 days. Failure to report is a Class B Misdemeanor.

   • Augusta County Takeaway: This means universities have a legal obligation to respond to hazing. Our discovery will investigate what reports the University of Houston filed (or failed to file) following prior incidents and Leonel’s hospitalization, holding them to public accountability.

Civil Liability for Hazing: Suing for Justice in Augusta County

Beyond criminal charges, civil lawsuits offer Augusta County victims and their families the pathway to monetary compensation for their immense suffering and losses. Our firm leverages a range of civil liability theories:

• Negligence: The core of most personal injury lawsuits. We prove that the defendants (individuals, chapter, national, university) owed a duty of care to the student, breached that duty through their hazing or failure to prevent it, and this breach directly caused the student’s injuries and damages. This theory applies irrespective of specific state anti-hazing laws.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university or a fraternity housing corporation, that entity can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment. As KHOU 11 reported, the hazing of Leonel Bermudez occurred in part in a “University-owned fraternity house,” making premises liability a direct claim against the University of Houston.
• Negligent Supervision: This applies when national organizations fail to adequately oversee their chapters, or universities fail to properly monitor Greek life, despite knowing of hazing risks. The failure of Pi Kappa Phi National to curb hazing after Andrew Coffey’s death, and the University of Houston’s failure after the 2017 lacerated spleen incident, are prime examples of negligent supervision.
• Assault and Battery: These claims specifically target the individual perpetrators for intentional harmful or offensive physical contact. Waterboarding, paddling, or forced physical exertion can all fall under these intentional torts.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): When hazing involves conduct so extreme and outrageous that it causes severe emotional distress, victims can sue for IIED. The waterboarding and other psychological terrors inflicted on Leonel Bermudez certainly meet this threshold.

For Augusta County families, even if a hazing incident happens out of state, these civil liability theories ensure that legal action can be pursued. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses allow us to fight for your rights against national organizations and institutions wherever they are located. When your child from Augusta County attends college, they are supposed to be safe. When that trust is betrayed, we are here to ensure the law protects them.

Why Attorney 911: Your Fierce Advocates in Augusta County and Beyond

When your child in Augusta County has been harmed by hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need battle-hardened advocates who understand the insidious nature of this abuse and how to dismantle the powerful institutions that enable it. You need Attorney 911. We are not a general personal injury firm dabbling in hazing cases; we are aggressively taking on hazing perpetrators and institutions, right now, as evidenced by our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We offer Augusta County families an unmatched combination of experience, insider knowledge, and unwavering dedication.

Here’s why Augusta County families choose Attorney 911 for hazing litigation:

1. Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit: We are not theoretical. We are actively in the trenches fighting this fight for Leonel Bermudez against a national fraternity and a major university. This ongoing case proves our expertise, our aggression, and our immediate relevance to your situation. Augusta County families can be confident that we apply the same proven strategies we utilize in high-stakes, cutting-edge litigation.

2. Unparalleled Insider Knowledge: Two Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: This is our most significant strategic advantage. Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena spent years working for the very insurance companies and corporations we now sue.

   • Ralph Manginello: Our founder and managing partner, Mr. Manginello, has over 25 years of courtroom experience. He saw firsthand how insurance companies value claims and strategize to minimize payouts. He brings this deep understanding to every case, anticipating defense tactics and knowing how to counter them effectively.
   • Lupe Peña: Mr. Peña worked for a national insurance defense firm, Litchfield Cavo LLP, representing insurance companies and corporate defendants across various practice areas. He gained intimate knowledge of how large organizations assess risk, handle claims, and attempt to deflect responsibility. His expertise in products liability, personal injury defense, and commercial disputes gives us an invaluable perspective when dismantling the defenses of national fraternities, universities, and their insurers.
   • Augusta County Benefit: When you hire Attorney 911, you’re not just getting lawyers; you’re getting former insiders who speak the language of the defense. We know their weaknesses, their negotiation strategies, and their pressure points. This “insurance counter-intelligence system” gives Augusta County families an unfair advantage.

3. Extensive Litigation Experience Against Major Corporate and Institutional Defendants:

   • BP Texas City Explosion: Ralph Manginello was involved in the multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation against BP following the catastrophic refinery explosion that killed 15 workers and injured 180+. This experience demonstrates our capacity to fight and win against massive corporate defendants, a skill directly transferable to taking on national fraternities and large universities for Augusta County victims.
   • Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury: Both Mr. Manginello and Mr. Peña have extensive experience representing families in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, precisely the outcomes of severe hazing. They understand how to calculate and pursue massive damages for life-altering injuries and the tragic loss of life.
   • Federal Court Authority: We are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and Ralph Manginello has experience in the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. This federal court authority allows us to pursue Augusta County hazing cases beyond state lines, often crucial when dealing with national fraternities that operate across multiple states.

4. Dual-State Bar Admissions (Texas and New York): Ralph Manginello holds licenses in both Texas and New York. This dual licensure provides a strategic advantage for Augusta County cases involving national fraternities or universities headquartered in different states, enabling broader legal reach and expertise.

5. Fluent Spanish Speakers (Se Habla Español): Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, and our firm maintains a bilingual staff. This ensures that Spanish-speaking Augusta County families affected by hazing can receive comprehensive legal services without language barriers, fostering clear communication and trust during a traumatic time.

6. Unwavering Dedication & Client-Centered Approach:

   • Contingency Fees: We take hazing cases on contingency. This means Augusta County families pay $0 up-front. We don’t get paid unless and until you get paid. This eliminates the financial barrier to accessing justice against well-funded institutions.
   • We Come to You: While headquartered in Houston, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Augusta County. We offer video consultations, and our attorneys are prepared to travel to Augusta County for depositions, meetings, and trials as needed. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
   • 24/7 Availability: Hazing emergencies don’t wait for business hours. Our legal emergency hotline, 1-888-ATTY-911, is available 24/7 for immediate assistance.

7. Data-Driven Litigation: Attorney 911’s Texas Hazing Intelligence Database: We don’t guess who to sue; we know. Our firm maintains one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, including EINs, legal names, addresses, house corporations, and alumni chapters. This allows us to quickly identify every responsible corporate entity, from the local chapter to the national housing corporation with its tax-exempt status, demonstrating our meticulous approach. This database is invaluable not just for Texas cases but for understanding how these national organizations operate their chapters nationwide.

   For example, our database includes:

   • Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515) in Frisco, Texas, which is the same entity behind the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter we sued.
   • Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN 371768785) in Missouri City, Texas.
   • Kappa Sigma Mu Gamma Chapter Inc (EIN 133048786) in College Station, Texas.
   • Sigma Alpha Epsilon Texas Sigma Incorporated (EIN 882755427) in San Marcos, Texas.
   • Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc Theta Delta (EIN 475370943) in Houston, Texas.
   • Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Epsilon Kappa (EIN 746064445) in Nederland, Texas.

   These are not just college kids; they are tax-exempt corporations with financial structures, insurance, and real estate. We track them all. The Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metro area alone, where our office is headquartered, contains 188 Greek-related organizations. Across all 25 metropolitan areas in Texas, there are 1,423 Greek-related organizations, a massive network that we tirelessly analyze. When we identified the defendants in the Bermudez case, including their housing corporation, we already had this information.

8. Media Presence and Thought Leadership: Our “Attorney 911” podcast and published articles empower victims with knowledge. We contribute to the conversation, guiding individuals through their legal challenges and explaining complex legal issues in an accessible way. Families in Augusta County can find valuable insights on our YouTube channel, including videos on “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence” and “How Contingency Fees Work.”

We believe in aggressive representation, data-driven litigation, and holding every responsible party accountable. We treat Augusta County families not as a case number, but as family. Because when your child’s future is on the line, nothing less will do.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Augusta County Hazing Victims

If your child in Augusta County has been caught in the nightmare of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While panic, fear, and confusion are natural, taking swift and decisive action can profoundly impact the success of any legal claim. We are here to guide Augusta County families through these terrifying first steps.

Here is an actionable checklist of what to do right now:

STEP 1: PRIORITIZE SAFETY AND SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION.

• Remove Your Child from the Dangerous Environment: Your child’s physical and psychological safety is paramount. If they are still in a hazing situation, extract them immediately and ensure they are in a safe place.
• Emergency Medical Care: If there are any signs of physical injury, extreme exhaustion, disorientation, or substance abuse (e.g., alcohol poisoning), call 911 immediately. Do not delay. Leonel Bermudez’s situation rapidly deteriorated, leading to acute kidney failure. Delays in medical treatment can worsen injuries and make it harder to link them directly to the hazoning incident later.
• Documentation by Medical Professionals: Even if injuries seem minor, seek a thorough medical evaluation from a doctor or hospital near Augusta County. Medical records are critical evidence. They provide an objective, third-party account of the injuries, diagnosis, and treatment. Ensure that the medical staff explicitly notes that the injuries are hazing-related.
• Continue with Recommended Treatment: Follow all doctor’s orders, attend all follow-up appointments, and pursue any recommended physical therapy, counseling, or specialist referrals. Consistency in treatment demonstrates the severity and ongoing impact of the injuries.

STEP 2: PRESERVE EVERYTHING — EVIDENCE CAN DISAPPEAR FAST.

Hazing perpetrators and organizations often work quickly to destroy evidence. You must act faster.

• Photos and Videos:
  • Document Injuries: Take clear, well-lit photos and videos of all injuries immediately – bruises, cuts, swelling, marks, signs of illness (like discolored urine). Continue to document the healing process over time. As Ralph Manginello advises in our YouTube video, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to. Pictures are going to tell the story. Help your lawyer tell your story.”
  • Scene Documentation: If safe to do so, photograph or video all relevant locations: the fraternity house (especially if it’s university-owned near Augusta County), any off-campus houses where hazing occurred, and any “hazing props” or items.
• Communications (Digital & Physical):
  • Text Messages, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, etc.: Save every single message, photo, video, and audio file related to the hazing. Take screenshots of group chats, individual messages, and social media posts. Do NOT delete anything. This includes messages from other pledges, fraternity members, or anyone discussing the activities. These often contain explicit instructions, threats, or admissions of guilt.
  • Emails: Preserve all emails concerning the fraternity/sorority, pledge activities, or hazing.
  • Pledge Manuals/Schedules: Any physical documents, calendars, or schedules related to pledge activities. These often outline the official (and unofficial) demands placed on pledges.
• Witness Information:
  • Gather names and contact details (phone numbers, emails, social media handles) of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges who experienced it, or anyone who might have knowledge of the activities. Their testimony can be invaluable.
• Financial Records: Collect all medical bills, receipts for medications, travel documentation for treatment, and any records of lost wages or academic fees incurred due to the hazing.

STEP 3: AVOID CRITICAL MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR CASE.

This is a high-stakes legal battle, and the institutions you are up against have experienced lawyers and public relations teams whose job it is to minimize their liability.

• DO NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority, University, or Their Lawyers: Do not engage with fraternity leadership, national organization representatives, university administrators, or their attorneys without legal counsel. They are not on your side; they are protecting their institutions. Anything you say can and will be used against you. This is why our YouTube video “Never Talk to the Insurance Company After an Accident” is so crucial for hazing victims.
• DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the fraternity, national organization, or university without first having it reviewed by your attorney. You could inadvertently waive your legal rights.
• DO NOT Post on Social Media: Our video “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” applies directly here. Anything you post – pictures of you “looking fine” out with friends, frustrated rants, or even seemingly innocuous updates – can be twisted and used by the defense to argue your injuries aren’t severe or that you are misrepresenting your situation. Stay silent on social media.
• DO NOT Delete Anything: Deleting messages, photos, or posts can lead to accusations of spoliation of evidence, severely harming the credibility of your case.

STEP 4: CONTACT ATTORNEY 911 IMMEDIATELY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION.

Time is a critical factor in hazing cases.

• The Statute of Limitations: In most states, including Virginia, you have a limited time (often two years) from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death, the clock starts from the date of death. Our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” emphasizes this urgency. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and your legal rights can expire if you wait too long.
• Immediate Investigation: The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin a thorough investigation, preserve critical evidence, identify all liable parties, and protect your child from further intimidation.
• Free, Confidential Consultation: We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to Augusta County families. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911. We will listen to your story with compassion, assess the merits of your case, and explain your legal options.
• No Upfront Costs: Hazing cases are taken on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing out-of-pocket for our legal services unless we win your case. This removes the financial barrier, allowing you to focus on your child’s recovery while we handle the legal fight.

We understand that Augusta County parents are reeling when their child is hazed. It’s a betrayal of trust. It’s a terrifying moment that no family should endure. But by taking these immediate steps and contacting Attorney 911, you can begin the journey toward justice, accountability, and ensuring that what happened to your child does not happen to another.

Contact Us: Your Advocates for Justice in Augusta County

If your child in Augusta County has been a victim of hazing, you are likely feeling overwhelmed, angry, and uncertain about what to do next. We want you to know that you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Attorney 911 is here to provide the aggressive, compassionate, and expert legal representation you need.

We are currently fighting an active $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for severe hazing. This is not a theoretical fight; it’s happening right now, and we are channeling every lesson learned, every strategy refined, and every bit of our legal fury into securing justice for our client. We are prepared to bring that same level of dedication and expertise to Augusta County families.

Augusta County Families: Call Us Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation.

Your child’s future, and possibly the safety of other students, depends on swift action. The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases means that evidence must be preserved and legal action initiated promptly.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

This is our legal emergency hotline, available 24/7. When you call, you’ll speak directly with our team, ready to listen to your story and explain your options.

• Email Us: Prefer to reach out digitally? Send us a message at ralph@atty911.com.
• Visit Our Website: Learn more about our firm and our commitment to justice at attorney911.com.

Our Commitment to Augusta County Hazing Victims:

• $0 Upfront, Contingency Fee Basis: We understand that the financial burden of medical bills and lost wages can be immense. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency. You pay absolutely nothing for our legal services unless we win your case. We carry the financial risk, so you can focus on healing.
• Nationwide Reach, Local Support: While our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, this does not limit our ability to represent Augusta County hazing victims. Hazing is a national crisis operating through national organizations.
  • Federal Court Authority: Our attorneys are admitted to federal courts, allowing us to pursue cases with broader jurisdiction, which is often necessary when suing national fraternities.
  • Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello holds licenses in both Texas and New York, providing broader legal scope.
  • Remote Consultations: We can conduct comprehensive video consultations with Augusta County families anywhere, ensuring you can connect with us from the comfort and privacy of your home.
  • We Travel to You: For depositions, critical meetings, and trials, our attorneys are prepared to travel to Augusta County to provide in-person representation. Distance will not be a barrier to securing justice for your child.
• Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): We proudly offer comprehensive legal services in Spanish to ensure that Hispanic families in Augusta County have full access to justice without language barriers.

Who We Fight For in Augusta County and Beyond:

We represent hazing victims from all types of organizations, understanding that this abuse is not limited to Greek life. If your child in Augusta County has been hazed in any of the following settings, we are here to help:

• Fraternities and Sororities at universities such as James Madison University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and other institutions across Virginia.
• College Sports Teams: From varsity athletes to club sports, hazing can tragically occur.
• Marching Bands and Other Performance Groups: Even seemingly harmless groups can harbor dangerous hazing rituals.
• ROTC Programs: The military-style culture can sometimes be twisted into abusive hazing.
• Clubs and Student Organizations: Any group that requires “initiation” can become a breeding ground for hazing.

A Message to Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

To others who suffered alongside Leonel Bermudez in the Pi Kappa Phi hazing: We know you are out there. Our client was not alone in his torment. Another pledge collapsed after a workout, and countless others endured the waterboarding, stress positions, and psychological abuse. You have rights, too, and your perspective is invaluable. 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.” Come forward. We can protect your identity and fight for your justice alongside Leonel.

Your call can change lives. It can ensure accountability. It can prevent another Augusta County family from experiencing this unthinkable pain.

Don’t wait. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.