If you’re reading this in Brunswick County, Virginia, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Perhaps your child went off to college, expecting to make lasting friendships and create fond memories, only to be subjected to abuse and humiliation. Perhaps they were welcomed into a fraternity or sorority, a team, or an organization, under the guise of tradition, but instead, they were terrorized. We understand what you’re going through. Your child was supposed to build character and community; instead, they were tortured. We’re here to help families in Brunswick County and across America fight back against the insidious cancer of hazing.

We are Attorney911, and we are not just talking about the hazing crisis; we are actively fighting it. Right now, in Houston, Texas, we are representing a hazing victim, Leonel Bermudez, in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, its national headquarters, the University of Houston, and 13 individual members. This case, fresh from November 2025, perfectly illustrates the raw, brutal reality of modern hazing and exactly the kind of aggressive, data-driven, and relentless representation we bring to every family whose child has been harmed.

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It is not “boys being boys” or “character building.” It is systematic abuse, emotional manipulation, and often, brutal physical violence. It can lead to severe injuries, psychological trauma, and even death. When your child is waterboarded, forced to eat until they vomit, or made to perform hundreds of squats until their kidneys fail, it’s not a prank – it’s torture. For families in Brunswick County, Virginia, who have endured this nightmare, we offer a path to justice, healing, and accountability.

The Unthinkable Truth: Hazing in America Today

The story of Leonel Bermudez is not unique; it is a stark warning for parents in Brunswick County and beyond. Leonel, a prospective University of Houston transfer student—a “ghost rush”—who wasn’t even fully enrolled yet, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi in September 2025. What followed was an almost two-month ordeal of systematic abuse, designed to break him down physically and mentally. This happened in Houston, a major metropolitan hub, at a prominent university. It can, and does, happen at universities and colleges across Virginia, and in communities like Brunswick County, wherever Greek life or other student organizations exist.

For weeks, Leonel was subjected to a litany of horrors. He was waterboarded with a garden hose, simulating drowning, a tactic recognized globally as torture. He was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. He was forced to gorge himself on milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, only to be made to continue exercising in his own vomit-soaked grass. The physical torment was relentless: hundreds of push-ups and 500 squats, bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and other grueling “drills” that pushed his body past its breaking point. He was even struck with wooden paddles. He endured sleep deprivation, forced early morning drives for fraternity members, and constant psychological degradation, including being made to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature. The lawsuit details how another pledge even lost consciousness during these forced workouts on October 15, yet the hazing continued.

On November 3, 2025, after being punished for missing an event, Leonel was pushed so far he could no longer stand. He crawled to his bed, and for two agonizing days, his condition worsened. His mother found him passing brown urine—a clear sign of muscle breakdown—and rushed him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition where muscle tissue rapidly disintegrates, releasing damaging proteins into the bloodstream, and acute kidney failure. He spent four horrific days hospitalized, battling for his life, facing the potential for permanent kidney damage.

Within days of the hazing being reported, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters suspended the University of Houston chapter. Days later, they made the decision to permanently close the chapter. The University of Houston, in its own statement about the “deeply disturbing” events, indicated coordination with law enforcement and the possibility of criminal charges. But this was too little, too late for Leonel. Our firm wasted no time, filing a $10 million lawsuit on November 21, 2025, to hold every responsible party accountable.

This tragedy, extensively covered by ABC13, KHOU 11, the Houston Chronicle, and Houston Public Media, is not an isolated incident. The same national fraternities that perpetuate hazing culture in Texas have chapters at universities across Virginia, from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Old Dominion University in Norfolk, George Mason University in Fairfax, James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Parents in Brunswick County send their children to these institutions expecting safety, not torture. We want every parent in Brunswick County whose child attends college in Virginia or anywhere else to understand that if this can happen at a major university like Houston, it can happen anywhere. We are here to ensure that when it does, families in Brunswick County have a powerful advocate in their corner.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in Brunswick County might have a vague idea of hazing – perhaps some silly pranks or embarrassing rituals. The reality is far more sinister and dangerous. Hazing today is calculated abuse, designed to exert power, break down individuals, and force conformity through terror. It inflicts lasting physical injuries, profound psychological trauma, and in the worst cases, results in death.

The horrific acts Leonel endured are not “tradition”; they are criminal assaults:

• Physical Abuse and Assault: This extends far beyond mere “roughhousing.” It includes beatings, paddling, forced physical exertion to the point of collapse (like Leonel’s 500 squats that led to kidney failure), sleep deprivation, branding, and exposure to extreme temperatures. The wooden paddles used on Leonel are tools for assault, not instruments of “brotherhood.”
• Forced Consumption: This is a hallmark of dangerous hazing, often involving massive amounts of alcohol, but also food or even non-food items. Leonel was forced to eat until he vomited. Forced binge drinking is a leading cause of hazing deaths nationwide, as seen in the tragic cases of Stone Foltz and Max Gruver. This is deliberate poisoning, not initiation.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: Hazing aims to strip individuals of their dignity and self-worth. Leonel was hog-tied and forced to carry sexually explicit objects. This deep-seated humiliation, verbal abuse, intimidation, and constant threats create an environment of fear that can lead to severe and lasting psychological damage, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
• Simulated Drowning: The waterboarding Leonel suffered is a particularly heinous act. As Houston Public Media rightly pointed out, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.” When performed by nations, it is condemned as a war crime. When performed by college students, it is an act of extreme violence and a profound betrayal of trust.

These activities are not about “building character” or “team bonding.” They are about control, dominance, and a twisted sense of power that can leave victims permanently scarred, both physically and emotionally. Universities and national organizations often try to minimize these acts or label them as “isolated incidents.” Our experience, however, shows a pattern of systemic failure and deliberate indifference.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Enabler Accountable

When hazing occurs, it’s never just the actions of a few “bad apples.” It’s a systemic problem enabled by multiple layers of negligence and complicity. Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez names not only the individual perpetrators but also the powerful institutions that create the environment for hazing to thrive. We believe every entity that contributes to the harm of a student must be held accountable. For families in Brunswick County, understanding who can be held responsible is the first step toward justice.

Here’s who we target, and why they are liable:

• The Local Chapter and Its Officers: These are the individuals and the immediate group directly organizing and implementing the hazing. The fraternity president, pledgemaster, and other chapter leaders are directly responsible for the activities they direct or allow to occur. The lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi names the chapter president and pledgemaster, and 13 individual members who either participated, facilitated, or failed to intervene.
• Individual Members: Every student who actively participates in hazing, or even witnesses it and fails to report or intervene, can be held personally liable. In Leonel’s case, even former members who hosted hazing at their private residence, and the spouse of a former member who allowed it on her property, are named defendants. This is crucial because it expands the scope of liability beyond just the active students. In the Stone Foltz case in Ohio, the former chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million. This shows that individuals cannot hide behind the fraternity’s shield.
• The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization: National organizations like Pi Kappa Phi exert significant control over their chapters. They establish policies, provide training, and have the authority to suspend or revoke chapter charters. When hazing occurs, especially fatal or severely injurious acts, it demonstrates a failure to supervise, a lack of effective policy enforcement, and often, an ingrained culture that enables such behavior. In Leonel’s case, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters knew about a “hazing crisis” and failed to enforce anti-hazing rules. They also had direct knowledge of another death, that of Andrew Coffey in 2017, just eight years prior, in another Pi Kappa Phi chapter. This establishes a clear pattern of negligence and deliberate indifference. These national organizations typically have multi-million dollar insurance policies and substantial assets, making them “deep pockets” for compensation.
• The University, Colleges, and Their Boards: Universities have an undeniable responsibility to protect their students, especially when they host Greek life organizations on their campuses. In Leonel’s case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. This is a critical factor for premises liability. Furthermore, UH knew about a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving another fraternity on its campus. Despite this prior warning, they failed to implement effective oversight to prevent recurrences. Universities, driven by their brand and reputation, often try to distance themselves from hazing incidents. However, their power to regulate campus life, their ownership of property, and their knowledge of potential risks make them crucial defendants liable for institutional negligence. The University of Houston Board of Regents is also named in our lawsuit, ensuring accountability extends to the highest levels of governance.
• Insurance Carriers: Behind every national organization, university, and often even individual members, are insurance policies. These can include general liability policies, homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, and umbrella policies. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena know precisely how these policies work and how to leverage them to secure maximum compensation for our Brunswick County clients. We don’t just sue the individuals; we go after the “deepest pockets” possible to ensure full financial recovery.

For Brunswick County families, this means that even if the immediate perpetrators are college students with limited assets, there are multiple, well-resourced entities that can and should be held responsible. We leave no stone unturned in identifying every liable party.

What These Cases Win: Protecting Your Family’s Future in Brunswick County

Many families in Brunswick County, coming face to face with the devastation of hazing, might feel overwhelmed and unsure if legal action is truly possible, let alone effective. However, the history of hazing litigation nationwide, including recent landmark cases, unequivocally proves that justice can be won, and the financial recoveries can be substantial. These aren’t abstract figures; they represent the resources victims and their families need for medical care, therapy, lost opportunities, and to rebuild their lives. Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an outlier; it is rooted in these powerful precedents.

Here are some of the landmark hazing verdicts and settlements that send a clear message: hazing costs millions. These same results are possible for families in Brunswick County, Virginia.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Total: $10.1 Million+
  Stone Foltz was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” event and died from alcohol poisoning. In the wake of his death, Bowling Green State University settled with the family for $2.9 million, while the national Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and other individuals collectively settled for $7.2 million. Most recently, in December 2024, a jury issued a $6.5 million personal judgment against the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, setting a powerful precedent for individual accountability. This case shows that both universities and national fraternities face significant financial liability, and chapter leaders can be held personally responsible for millions. Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is directly aligned with this substantial recovery.

• Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): Total: $6.1 Million Verdict
  Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to consume massive amounts of alcohol during a Phi Delta Theta pledge “Bible Study” where he was made to drink if he answered questions incorrectly. His blood alcohol content was 0.495—more than six times the legal limit. A jury awarded his family a $6.1 million verdict. This verdict sent a clear message that juries will not tolerate hazing and are willing to award substantial sums for the suffering it causes. Louisiana also passed the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony, showing how these cases drive legislative change.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): Total: $110+ Million (Estimated)
  Timothy Piazza died from a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after being forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi pledge event. Perhaps most damning, fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911, and security cameras captured much of the horrifying incident. While the exact settlement amount is confidential, it is estimated to be over $110 million, reflecting the extreme negligence and the devastating loss of life. Pennsylvania subsequently passed the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, strengthening anti-hazing measures. This case highlights how strong evidence and egregious conduct can lead to massive settlements that reshape institutional behavior.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Same Fraternity as Our Case
  Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon at a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night.” Nine fraternity members were criminally charged, and the chapter was permanently closed. While the civil settlement amount is confidential, the fact that Pi Kappa Phi—the very same national fraternity involved in Leonel Bermudez’s case—had a hazing death just eight years prior, is a crucial piece of pattern evidence for our lawsuit. It proves Pi Kappa Phi National knew about deadly hazing within its chapters and failed to act effectively.

• Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): $4+ Million Settlement
  Adam Oakes died from acute alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi fraternity hazing event at Virginia Commonwealth University. His family filed a $28 million lawsuit, which eventually settled for over $4 million, including a cash settlement for his parents and a substantial donation to their “Love Like Adam” Foundation. Six fraternity members faced criminal hazing charges. This case, closer to Brunswick County in Virginia, further validates multi-million dollar hazing recoveries and the enduring fight for accountability and reform.

These multi-million dollar outcomes demonstrate several critical points for Brunswick County families:

• Justice is Attainable: Despite the power and resources of national fraternities and universities, victims and their families can succeed in winning significant compensation.
• Institutional Accountability: These cases force institutions to confront their negligence and make vital changes to protect students.
• Deterrence: Such high financial penalties send a powerful message, making it clear that hazing will have severe consequences.
• Compensating for Loss: The funds recovered are essential for covering extensive medical bills, long-term care, therapy for psychological trauma, lost earnings, and the profound pain and suffering endured by victims and their families.

For Brunswick County families whose children attend universities in Virginia, like the University of Virginia or William & Mary, or those studying out of state, these precedents are a testament to what is possible. We bring the same aggressive, data-driven strategies and courtroom experience to our cases in Brunswick County as we do in Houston.

Texas Law Protects You: Debunking the “Consent” Myth

When a hazing incident rocks a community, particularly one with deep-seated traditions like those found in Brunswick County or nearby universities in Virginia, you’ll often hear the defendants argue, “they consented,” or “he knew what he was signing up for.” This insidious defense attempts to shift blame from the perpetrators to the victim, absolving the wrongdoers and institutions of responsibility.

However, in Texas, and in many other states, the law is unequivocally clear: CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE TO HAZING.

The Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157 outlines specific anti-hazing laws designed to protect students. These statutes define hazing broadly to include any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization. The categories of prohibited acts directly align with the abuse Leonel Bermudez suffered:

• Physical Brutality: Whipping, beating, striking (like the wooden paddles used on Leonel), branding, or placing harmful substances on the body.
• Endangering Activities: Sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, calisthenics (like Leonel’s 500 squats that led to rhabdomyolysis), or other activities creating an unreasonable risk of harm.
• Forced Consumption: Requiring the consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk of harm (like Leonel being forced to eat until he vomited).
• Coercion and Criminal Acts: Any activity that induces or requires a student to violate the Penal Code, or coercing them to consume drugs or excessive alcohol.

Crucially, Texas Education Code § 37.154 states: “It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This legal provision strips away the excuse that victims somehow agreed to their own torment. The legislature understood that hazing relies on coercion, peer pressure, and the power dynamics inherent in initiation rituals. True, genuine consent cannot be given under such duress, nor can one legally “consent” to criminal acts like assault or battery. When fraternities or universities near Brunswick County attempt to use this defense, our firm counters with the unyielding force of the law.

Beyond the specific anti-hazing statutes, Brunswick County families can also pursue justice through established civil liability theories, applicable in Virginia and across the country:

• Negligence Claims: We can prove that the fraternity, its national organization, and the university owed a duty of care to protect Leonel, breached that duty through their actions or inaction, and that this breach directly caused his severe injuries and damages. This is a fundamental legal principle of holding wrongdoers responsible.
• Premises Liability: Because the hazing often occurred in facilities owned or controlled by the university (like the University of Houston owning the Pi Kappa Phi house), or at private residences whose owners permitted the hazing, those property owners can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
• Negligent Supervision: This applies to national organizations that fail to adequately oversee their local chapters and to universities that fail to properly supervise campus organizations like fraternities and sororities. The pattern of previous hazing incidents at UH and within Pi Kappa Phi National directly supports claims of negligent supervision.
• Assault and Battery: When physical abuse occurs, each individual perpetrator and organization can be sued directly for intentional harmful or offensive contact. Waterboarding, paddling, and forced physical exertion leading to injury all fall under these categories.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The outrageous and extreme nature of hazing, like Leonel’s simulated waterboarding and psychological torment, can lead to claims for intentional infliction of severe emotional distress, compensating victims for conditions like PTSD and extreme anxiety.

For families in Brunswick County, these legal pathways ensure that justice is accessible, regardless of whether criminal charges are filed. Our focus is squarely on holding every responsible party accountable for what was done to your child and securing the full compensation your family deserves.

Why Attorney911: Your Brunswick County Partner in the Fight Against Hazing

Choosing the right legal representation after a hazing incident can feel like an impossible task, especially when dealing with the emotional and physical aftermath. For families in Brunswick County, Virginia, who are searching for an attorney who understands the unique complexities of these cases, Attorney911 offers unmatched experience, fierce advocacy, and a deep commitment to justice. While our offices are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach and expertise extend nationwide, making us the ideal partner for Brunswick County families.

Here’s why families in Brunswick County should choose Attorney911 to fight their hazing case:

• We Are Actively Litigating a Major Hazing Case Right Now: This isn’t theoretical for us. We are currently embroiled in the trenches of the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case, a $10 million lawsuit that epitomizes the modern hazing crisis. This means we are up-to-date on the latest legal strategies, the defense tactics employed by national fraternities and universities, and the public and media pressure points that lead to accountability. We fight for Leonel, and we will fight for your child in Brunswick County with the same dedication.
• Unparalleled Insider Knowledge: Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Both of our managing attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña (both male, for clarity), are former insurance defense lawyers. They spent years working on the other side, defending insurance companies and large corporations. This means they know exactly how the defense thinks, how they value claims, how they strategize to minimize payouts, and what tactics they use to deny justice. They now use that invaluable insider knowledge to dismantle the opposition’s arguments and maximize recovery for our clients. For Brunswick County families facing powerful fraternities and universities, this is an unfair advantage.
• Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Bar Admissions: Hazing cases often involve national fraternities or students who cross state lines for college. Our attorneys are admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts and are licensed in both Texas and New York. This dual-state and federal court authority provides a strategic advantage, allowing us to pursue national organizations wherever they operate, transcending geographic boundaries. For Brunswick County families, this means we can pursue justice for your child regardless of where the national fraternity is headquartered or where the university is located.
• 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 and win against the largest corporate defendants. Fraternities and universities are often multi-million or even billion-dollar enterprises. We are not intimidated by their size or resources.
• Deep Understanding of Hazing-Specific Injuries, Like Rhabdomyolysis: Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, the exact severe injury Leonel Bermudez sustained. This specialized medical-legal knowledge ensures we deeply understand the long-term impact of these injuries and can accurately calculate the full scope of damages.
• Bilingual Services: Se Habla Español: Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, and our staff is bilingual. This allows us to provide comprehensive legal services to Spanish-speaking families in Brunswick County and across the nation, ensuring no language barrier impedes access to justice.
• No Upfront Cost: Contingency Fee Basis: We understand that families grappling with the emotional toll of hazing may also face significant financial strain. We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us nothing unless and until we win your case. This eliminates financial barriers, ensuring that aggressive, expert legal representation is accessible to every Brunswick County family who needs it.
• We Come to You: Nationwide Reach with a Personal Touch: While we are headquartered in Houston, we are committed to serving hazing victims nationwide, including those in Brunswick County. We utilize modern technology for video consultations, making it easy for Brunswick County families to connect with us. When needed, our attorneys will travel to Brunswick County for depositions, client meetings, and trials, ensuring your case receives the personalized attention it deserves.
• A Culture of Empathy and Action: Our firm’s ethos is built on the philosophy of “Legal Emergency Lawyers™.” We pride ourselves on moving first, fast, and decisively when a legal emergency strikes. For hazing victims, this means immediate evidence preservation, aggressive legal action, and a compassionate approach that treats your family with the care and respect you deserve. We listen to your story, understand your pain, and fight tirelessly for your child. As one client testimonial stated, “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” This is the Attorney911 difference.

When you are searching for a hazing lawyer in Brunswick County, Virginia, remember that experience, aggression, and a proven track record against powerful institutions matter. Don’t let distance be a barrier to securing the best possible representation. We are ready to bring the full weight of our resources and expertise to your child’s case, ensuring that those who inflict harm are held accountable and that justice is served.

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

If you or your child in Brunswick County has been subjected to hazing, the immediate aftermath can be a whirlwind of shock, fear, and anger. Knowing what steps to take can protect your legal rights and dramatically strengthen any future claim. Time is often of the essence, as evidence can disappear and memories fade. We understand this is a traumatic time, but taking these critical steps immediately is crucial.

Here’s what you should do right now:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention (If You Haven’t Already): Your child’s health is the absolute priority. If there are any physical injuries, pain, or unusual symptoms (like the brown urine Leonel Bermudez experienced), get to an emergency room or doctor right away. Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked out. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries, like rhabdomyolysis, can have delayed but severe symptoms. Medical records are foundational evidence for any legal case. Ensure every injury, symptom, and medical visit is thoroughly documented.
2. Preserve All Evidence – Document Everything!
   • Text Messages, Group Chats, Social Media: Save every text message, Snapchat, GroupMe conversation, Instagram DM, email, or any other digital communication related to the hazing. Take screenshots, and if possible, back up entire conversations. These often contain explicit instructions, threats, details of activities, and confessions from the perpetrators.
   • Photos and Videos: If you or your child has any photos or videos of the hazing activities or injuries, DO NOT DELETE THEM. These are powerful pieces of evidence. Also, take photos of any visible injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) immediately, and continue to photograph their healing process over time.
   • Witness Information: Gather names, phone numbers, and any other contact details for other pledges, fraternity/sorority members, or any bystanders who witnessed the hazing or its aftermath. Their testimony can be invaluable.
   • Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or communications from the fraternity/sorority or university related to the pledge process.
   • Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, receipts for medications, travel expenses to appointments, and any lost wages due to missed work or academic opportunities.
3. DO NOT Communicate with the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers: Once you suspect hazing has occurred, avoid speaking to fraternity/sorority leadership, university officials (including Greek life advisors or student conduct offices), or their attorneys without legal counsel. They are not on your side; their priority is to protect the institution, not your child. They may try to get statements that could be used against you.
4. DO NOT Post on Social Media About the Incident: Anything posted online can and will be used by the defense to discredit your claim. Avoid discussing the hazing, your injuries, or the legal process on any social media platform.
5. DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the fraternity, sorority, or university, especially anything related to waivers of liability or confidentiality, without first consulting with an attorney.
6. Report the Incident (if safe to do so):
   • Law Enforcement: Hazing is often a criminal act. Consider filing a police report. The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office or local university police can investigate criminal hazing offenses.
   • University Officials: Most universities have anti-hazing policies and reporting mechanisms, including Title IX offices if there is any sexual harassment or assault component.
7. Contact Attorney911 Immediately: Time is critical. In Virginia, as in Texas, most personal injury lawsuits, including those stemming from hazing, have a statute of limitations of two years from the date of injury. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also typically two years from the date of death. This deadline may seem generous, but evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and organizations may destroy records. The sooner you contact us, the faster we can begin preserving evidence, investigating your claim, and building a strong case. We offer free consultations, and Brunswick County families can easily connect with us via phone or video conference. We will travel to Brunswick County if needed for your case.

When Leonel’s mother rushed him to the hospital, just days after his ordeal, we filed his $10 million lawsuit within weeks. This swift action protects his rights and sends an undeniable message to the defendants. We are ready to bring that same urgency and aggressive action to your child’s case in Brunswick County.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Starts Now

If your child in Brunswick County, Virginia, has been a victim of hazing, your family is in a legal emergency. The pain, fear, and frustration can be overwhelming, but you do not have to face this alone. At Attorney911, we are not just lawyers; we are advocates, strategists, and relentless fighters for justice. We have shown in the Bermudez case – where a student was waterboarded, force-fed, and hospitalized with kidney failure – that we are ready to take on national fraternities, universities, and individual perpetrators with an unwavering commitment to accountability.

We understand that Brunswick County families may feel geographically distant from our Texas offices, but hazing knows no state lines, and neither do we. Our federal court authority, dual-state bar admissions in Texas and New York, and commitment to client travel mean that we can effectively represent victims and their families wherever the hazing occurred, including throughout Virginia and Brunswick County.

It’s time to demand accountability. It’s time to send a message that hazing will not be tolerated.

Brunswick County Families: Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation

Do not wait. The clock is ticking on your legal rights. Evidence disappears, and memories fade. A phone call to us costs nothing and commits you to nothing, but it could be the most important step you take toward securing justice and holding those responsible accountable.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Our Legal Emergency Hotline is available 24/7 for Brunswick County hazing victims and their families.

Email us directly: ralph@atty911.com

You can also visit our website for more information: attorney911.com

We offer free, confidential consultations. During this call, we will listen to your story, assess the details of your case, and explain your legal options without any obligation. Our team is empathetic, knowledgeable, and ready to guide you through this difficult process.

Contingency Fee Basis: You Pay Nothing Upfront.
We understand that pursuing a lawsuit can be financially daunting. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means:

• $0 Upfront Costs: You pay no attorney fees out of your pocket to begin your case.
• We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Win: Our fees are a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing for our legal services.
  This ensures that every Brunswick County family has access to top-tier legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. For more details on how contingency fees work, watch our explanatory video here: How Contingency Fees Work.

We Come to You: Distance is Not a Barrier to Justice.
While our physical offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our legal team is fully equipped to serve clients virtually and in person as needed. For Brunswick County families, this means:

• Video Consultations: Easily connect with our attorneys from the comfort and privacy of your home in Brunswick County.
• Travel for Your Case: We will travel to Brunswick County, Virginia, for depositions, client meetings, and trials when necessary. Your location will not prevent us from aggressively pursuing your case.

For other victims of the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi hazing:
To any other pledges or students who witnessed or experienced the hazing that Leonel Bermudez endured: we know you are out there. We know you were also subjected to these horrors, or that you saw them happen. You may feel afraid or alone, but you have rights. Our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution,” a fear we understand and protect against. As Lupe Pena stated, “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 can protect your identity and fight for your justice.

No matter what form of hazing your child experienced – whether physical, psychological, or sexual – and no matter the organization responsible – fraternities, sororities, sports teams, military academies, or clubs – we are here to help.

If your child attends a university in Virginia, from the University of Virginia to James Madison or Virginia Tech, or any other institution, they deserve safety, not abuse. Call us today. Let us be your first responder in this legal emergency. We will turn your family’s pain into powerful action against those who chose to harm your child.