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City of Emporia Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M Pike Settlements | Attorney911 — Pi Kappa Phi Shut Down | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

City of Emporia, Earth, North America, United States, Virginia

If you’re reading this in the City of Emporia, Virginia, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, build connections, and embark on a bright future. Instead, they were tortured, abused, and potentially suffered life-altering injuries because of hazing. We understand what you’re going through. The fear, the anger, the confusion – we see it in the eyes of parents every single day. We are here to help families in the City of Emporia fight back against the insidious culture of hazing that continues to plague colleges and universities across the nation.

Hazing is not a rite of passage. It is not harmless fun designed to build character or foster brotherhood. What your child experienced in the City of Emporia, or wherever they attend college, was likely assault, battery, and a criminal act. It’s a betrayal of trust that can leave lasting physical and psychological scars, and in the worst cases, it can tragically end a young life. We know this because we are actively fighting this battle right now. Our firm, Attorney911, is aggressively representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university. This isn’t just a legal theory for us; it’s our mission to ensure no other family has to endure this nightmare.

We believe that every family in the City of Emporia whose child has been harmed by hazing deserves aggressive, compassionate, and expert legal representation. Whether the incident occurred at a large state university, a small private college, or a local club, the pain and injustice are the same. Our doors are open to help you navigate this complex legal emergency, offering a free consultation to discuss your specific situation. You are not alone, and you do not have to fight this battle by yourself.

The Hazing Crisis: Why City of Emporia Families Need Us

Hazing is a pervasive and dangerous problem that shatters lives and betrays the trust parents place in educational institutions. While the City of Emporia may feel like a small, tight-knit community, its young people often attend colleges and universities across Virginia and beyond, where they can become targets of hazing. The allure of belonging can lead students into situations where they are subjected to unimaginable abuse, all under the guise of “tradition.”

We see the tragic statistics: 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing, and 40% of student athletes report being hazed. Since the year 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every single year in the United States. What’s even more alarming is that 95% of students who are hazed do not report it, often due to fear of retaliation, shame, or a misplaced sense of loyalty. This culture of silence allows hazing to flourish, with universities and national organizations often turning a blind eye until a tragedy forces their hand.

The consequences of this institutional failure are devastating. Hazing is a calculated form of abuse that often involves physical violence, psychological torture, sleep deprivation, and forced consumption of dangerous substances. It leaves victims with profound injuries, including rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, traumatic brain injury, alcohol poisoning, and severe psychological trauma like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. These are not minor incidents; they are brutal acts of violence that betray the very ideals of education and community.

Families in the City of Emporia send their children off to college with hopes and dreams, not expecting them to return with broken bodies and shattered spirits. When the unthinkable happens, they are often left reeling, unsure of where to turn. We want you to know that there are legal avenues to hold the responsible parties accountable. Universities, national fraternities and sororities, local chapters, and even individual perpetrators can and should be held responsible for the harm they inflict.

The Landmark Case: Attorney911 Fights for Accountability – A Warning for City of Emporia

What happens in Houston echoes across the nation, making this case a critical warning for families in the City of Emporia. Our attorneys are fighting this battle RIGHT NOW, representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This landmark case demonstrates exactly what hazing looks like today and the aggressive, data-driven approach we take to ensure accountability.

This case happened recently in Houston, Texas, but the pattern of abuse it exposes can happen at any university that students from the City of Emporia might attend. The same national fraternities that perpetrate hazing in Texas have chapters throughout Virginia, including at institutions like the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, James Madison University in Harrisonburg, George Mason University in Fairfax, and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. The same institutional negligence that we are fighting at the University of Houston is present at institutions across the country, where young people from municipalities like the City of Emporia dream of pursuing their education. And we will bring the same level of aggression and expertise to fight for City of Emporia families, regardless of where the hazing occurred.

News Coverage of Our Case:

And the fraternity’s own website confirms the chapter closure:

The Defendants in Our $10 Million Lawsuit:

  • Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (University of Houston Beta Nu Chapter)
  • Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters
  • Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation
  • The University of Houston
  • The UH Board of Regents
  • The local chapter’s Fraternity President
  • The Pledgemaster
  • Thirteen individual fraternity members
  • A former member and his spouse, because some hazing occurred at their residence.

The Story of Leonel Bermudez:
Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was a “ghost rush,” meaning he wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet. He was planning to transfer for the upcoming semester, eager to become part of the university community. On September 16, 2025, he accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi. What followed was an agonizing seven weeks of systematic abuse, physical torture, and psychological torment that ultimately landed him in the hospital for three nights and four days. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, life-threatening conditions caused by extreme physical exertion.

As Attorney 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.” Imagine this scenario happening to your child, whether they attend a university in Virginia like the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg or any other institution across the country.

Attorney Lupe Pena emphasized our motivation 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.” We believe that bringing these cases to light, no matter how painful, is the only way to demand change and prevent future tragedies for students in the City of Emporia and beyond.

The Hazing Timeline:

  • Sept 16, 2025: Leonel accepts a bid to Pi Kappa Phi.
  • Sept 16 – Nov 3: Weeks of systematic hazing, involving grueling physical activity, forced consumption, and psychological abuse.
  • Oct 13: Another pledge is hog-tied face-down for over an hour.
  • Oct 15: A pledge loses consciousness during a forced workout. The hazing continues.
  • Nov 3: Leonel is forced to do 100+ pushups, 500 squats, and other extreme exercises until he collapses, unable to stand. This is the incident that directly leads to his hospitalization.
  • Nov 4-5: Leonel’s condition rapidly deteriorates.
  • Nov 6: His mother rushes him to the hospital, where doctors discover he is passing brown urine—a critical sign of severe muscle breakdown. He is diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
  • Nov 6-10: Leonel spends four days hospitalized, receiving intensive medical care.
  • Nov 14: Pi Kappa Phi National closes its Beta Nu Chapter, a week before our lawsuit is filed. They knew what was coming.
  • Nov 21: Our $10 million lawsuit is filed in Harris County Civil District Court, making national headlines.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in the City of Emporia might imagine hazing as innocent pranks or mild inconveniences. The reality is far more sinister. Hazing today is often systematic, brutal, and life-threatening. Our lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston unveils the shocking truth:

  • Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” as reported by KHOU 11. Pledges were sprayed in the face with a hose during calisthenics, forced to run repeatedly under the threat of this torture. This is not a prank; it is a technique classified as torture when used on enemy combatants.
  • Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges were forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited, as described by ABC13. Even after vomiting, they were “forced to continue running sprints while clearly in physical distress” and made to lie in the vomit-soaked grass.
  • Extreme Physical Punishment: The lawsuit details relentless physical hazing, including 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and “save-you-brother” drills. Pledges were forced to recite the fraternity creed while exercising to the point of collapse, with some being struck with wooden paddles. One pledge even lost consciousness during these grueling workouts.
  • Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Leonel was forced to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times. Another pledge was “hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.” Pledges were stripped to their underwear in cold weather and threatened with expulsion for non-compliance.
  • Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members in the early morning hours, leading to severe exhaustion that impacted their daily functioning.

This constant abuse led to Leonel being rushed to the hospital with rhabdomyolysis, a severe muscle breakdown that releases damaging proteins into the bloodstream, leading to acute kidney failure. He was hospitalized for four days, his mother observing him passing brown urine—a tell-tale sign of this dangerous condition. Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, making us uniquely qualified to handle cases involving this devastating injury.

The Institutional Failure:
Sadly, this horror isn’t isolated. Universities and national organizations often know that hazing is rampant within their Greek life systems. They have policies, but they rarely enforce them effectively until a tragedy occurs. When it does, they typically close the chapter and issue carefully worded statements, like the one from Pi Kappa Phi National, which stated they “look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” even as our client was recovering from life-threatening injuries. This shows a profound lack of remorse and a systemic failure of accountability.

Who Is Responsible: The Chain of Accountability

When your child is harmed by hazing, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, wondering who can possibly be held accountable for such a widespread problem. The truth is, liability often extends far beyond just the individual perpetrators. Our aggressive strategy identifies and pursues every entity that contributed to the harm, ensuring that all responsible parties—from the individual students to the multimillion-dollar institutions—are held accountable. This approach applies whether the hazing occurs in the City of Emporia, across Virginia, or anywhere else in the country.

In the case of Leonel Bermudez, we are currently suing multiple parties:

  • Local Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi: The Beta Nu Chapter directly organized and conducted the hazing activities. Its officers, including the president and pledgemaster, were instrumental in orchestrating the abuse.
  • Individual Members: Every fraternity member who actively participated in, condoned, or failed to stop the hazing can be held personally responsible. In Leonel’s case, this includes 13 individual members, as well as a former member and his spouse who allowed hazing to occur at their private residence. This extends liability to property owners who facilitate such dangerous actions.
  • Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters: The national organization has an overarching responsibility to supervise its chapters, enforce anti-hazing policies, and ensure member safety. In Leonel’s case, KHOU 11 reported that the national organization failed to enforce its rules “despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” This admission of knowing about systemic problems, coupled with their inaction, establishes a clear path to liability. Furthermore, Pi Kappa Phi has a documented history of hazing deaths, like Andrew Coffey at Florida State University in 2017. Their failure to learn from past tragedies makes modern hazing incidents entirely foreseeable.
  • The University of Houston and Its Board of Regents: Universities have a non-delegable duty to protect their students, especially when hazing occurs on university-owned or controlled property. In Leonel’s case, the hazing occurred at a “University-owned fraternity house,” as reported by KHOU 11. The University of Houston also had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving another fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, demonstrating their prior knowledge of hazing risks on campus. Despite this, they failed to implement adequate safeguards. The University’s spokesperson even publicly stated that the events were “deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards,” acknowledging their own institutional failures.

The “Deep Pockets” of Accountability:
We understand that pursuing justice against powerful organizations can seem daunting. However, national fraternities and universities are often entities with substantial assets, large endowments, and comprehensive liability insurance policies. These are not just “college kids”; these are complex organizations with significant financial resources. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring invaluable insider knowledge to identify and target these “deep pockets,” understanding precisely how insurance companies value claims and strategize their defenses. This expertise is a critical advantage for families from the City of Emporia seeking justice.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

The thought of taking on a national fraternity or a large university can feel overwhelming for City of Emporia families. But we want you to know that families just like yours across the country are winning, securing multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements that send a clear message: hazing will not be tolerated, and institutions will be held accountable. These precedent cases prove that justice is achievable, and the same legal strategies apply to cases for victims in the City of Emporia.

Here are some landmark examples that have shaped hazing litigation in America:

  • Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (Pi Kappa Alpha): $10.1 Million+
    In 2021, Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing event. His family ultimately secured over $10.1 million in settlements and judgments, including $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from the national fraternity and individuals. This stands as the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is aligned with this significant precedent.
  • Maxwell Gruver at Louisiana State University (Phi Delta Theta): $6.1 Million Verdict
    In 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495—six times the legal limit—after being forced to play a drinking game during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” hazing event. A jury awarded his family $6.1 million, and one fraternity member was convicted of negligent homicide. The tragedy also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
  • Timothy Piazza at Penn State University (Beta Theta Pi): $110 Million+ (Estimated Settlement)
    In 2017, Timothy Piazza died after consuming 18 drinks in 82 minutes and suffering a traumatic brain injury from multiple falls during a Beta Theta Pi hazing ritual. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911, and security cameras captured the entire horrific event. The case resulted in a confidential settlement estimated at over $110 million and led to Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.” This case highlights how compelling evidence can lead to truly massive outcomes.
  • Andrew Coffey at Florida State University (Pi Kappa Phi): Confidential Settlement
    Tragically, in 2017, Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon at a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” event. This is the same national fraternity involved in our current lawsuit. Nine fraternity members were criminally charged, and the FSU chapter was permanently closed. This incident provides crucial pattern evidence, showing that Pi Kappa Phi National had clear notice of deadly hazing within its chapters years before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. It raises critical questions about what they did—or failed to do—in the intervening eight years.
  • Adam Oakes at Virginia Commonwealth University (Delta Chi): $4 Million+ Settlement
    In October 2024, the family of Adam Oakes, who died in 2021 from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi hazing ritual at VCU, reached a settlement of over $4 million. This case again demonstrates that major settlements are achieved even when the demand is high (the initial lawsuit sought $28 million), and that criminal consequences often run parallel to civil claims. Adam’s Law was passed in Virginia as a direct result.
  • UT Austin Sigma Chi Death: Lawsuit Recently Filed (November 2025)
    Just this week, another wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Texas, this time against Sigma Chi at the University of Texas at Austin, involving an 18-year-old freshman. This tragic incident highlights the ongoing crisis of hazing in our state, reinforcing the urgent need for aggressive legal action.

The Power of Precedent for City of Emporia Families:
These cases prove several critical points for families in the City of Emporia:

  1. Hazing costs millions: Our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez is not arbitrary; it’s grounded in the real-world value of these tragic cases.
  2. Universities and national organizations pay: These institutional defendants have significant assets and insurance, making them prime targets for accountability.
  3. Juries are outraged by hazing: The egregious nature of hazing often leads juries to award substantial damages, including punitive damages to punish wrongdoers.
  4. Hazing drives legislative change: Many of these tragedies have spurred new, tougher anti-hazing laws, like the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania, and Adam’s Law in Virginia, demonstrating the public’s demand for action.

While Leonel Bermudez survived his ordeal, his injuries were life-threatening and have long-term implications. The egregious conduct—waterboarding a prospective member—is unique and particularly disturbing. These precedents affirm that we are on the right path, and we are prepared to fight for City of Emporia families with the full force of this proven track record.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights in the City of Emporia

While our firm is based in Texas, the core legal principles that guide our hazing litigation apply across the United States. Virginia, where the City of Emporia is located, has its own anti-hazing laws, and generally, other states have similar statutes. Furthermore, federal civil rights claims and traditional negligence claims can be pursued regardless of the specific state a university is located in. This means our federal court authority allows us to effectively pursue your case no matter where the hazing occurred.

In Texas, our hazing laws are particularly robust, and they provide a strong framework for holding individuals and institutions accountable. These laws are an important reminder for City of Emporia families that hazing is not just an institutional policy violation; it’s a crime, and it carries severe civil penalties.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code § 37.151-37.157 – The “Hazing” Statute):
This statute defines “hazing” very broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring 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 (like Leonel being struck with wooden paddles), branding, or placing harmful substances on the body.
  • Involves sleep deprivation, exposure, confinement, or calisthenics: Any activity that subjects a student to an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects their health or safety. This directly applies to Leonel’s 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, waterboarding in cold weather, and sleep deprivation, all of which led to his dire medical condition.
  • Involves forced consumption: Forcing students to consume food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk of harm. Leonel’s forced eating until vomiting, even while already in physical distress, clearly falls under this category.

Criminal Penalties:
Texas law outlines specific criminal penalties for hazing, emphasizing the severity of these acts:

  • Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, soliciting, encouraging, or aiding hazing, or even for having firsthand knowledge of hazing and failing to report it. This carries penalties of up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
  • Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes serious bodily injury (like Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure), the offense can be elevated to a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The University of Houston spokesperson even highlighted “potential criminal charges” in their public statement.
  • State Jail Felony: If hazing causes death, it can be a State Jail Felony, punishable by 180 days to 2 years in state jail and a $10,000 fine.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153):
Under Texas law, organizations themselves can be found guilty of an offense if they condone or encourage hazing, or if their officers, members, pledges, or alumni participate in it. Penalties can include fines up to $10,000, denial of the right to operate on campus, and forfeiture of property. This is why we are suing both the local chapter and the national Pi Kappa Phi organization.

Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154):
This is a critical provision for City of Emporia families to understand. The law explicitly 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 means that any argument from a fraternity or university claiming that the victim “agreed to participate” or “knew what they were signing up for” is fundamentally invalid under Texas law. The legislature has removed this common defense because true consent cannot be given under duress, coercion, or the threat of social isolation and exclusion inherent in hazing.

University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155):
Universities are legally mandated to report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within 30 days of becoming aware of them. A failure to report is also a Class B Misdemeanor. This creates an institutional layer of accountability and helps us uncover previous hazing incidents if a university has been negligent in reporting.

Civil Liability: Your Right to Sue:
Beyond criminal prosecution, which aims to punish perpetrators, civil lawsuits empower victims and their families to seek financial compensation for their injuries and losses. This compensation can cover medical bills, lost earnings, and immense pain and suffering. Key civil liability theories applicable to hazing cases, wherever they occur, include:

  • Negligence: Holding universities, national organizations, and individuals accountable for failing to exercise reasonable care to prevent hazing, leading to foreseeable harm.
  • Premises Liability: When hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (like the University of Houston’s ownership of the Pi Kappa Phi house), they can be held liable for dangerous conditions.
  • Negligent Supervision: When national organizations fail to adequately supervise their chapters, or universities fail to monitor Greek life, they can be found liable for injuries that result.
  • Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators who physically harm a student can be sued for intentional torts.
  • Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For outrageous conduct that causes severe psychological trauma, such as waterboarding or extreme humiliation.

For families in the City of Emporia, these civil claims provide a powerful avenue for justice, regardless of whether criminal charges are ultimately filed or what state’s laws apply.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for City of Emporia Families

When your child is harmed by hazing, you need a legal team that not only understands the law but also shares your outrage. You need attorneys who are battle-tested, strategically brilliant, and relentless in their pursuit of justice. Attorney911 is that firm, and we are committed to extending our aggressive, expert representation to families in the City of Emporia.

We are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit right now. This isn’t theoretical expertise; it’s real-world, in-the-trenches fighting. The same aggressive strategies, the same deep analysis, and the same commitment to accountability that we are bringing to the Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston case, we will bring to your child’s case, whether they were hazed at a university near the City of Emporia, or across the country.

Here’s why Attorney911 is uniquely positioned to fight for City of Emporia hazing victims:

  • 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Ralph P. Manginello
    Our managing partner, Ralph P. Manginello, brings over two decades of intense litigation experience to your case. His background includes involvement in the multibillion-dollar mass tort litigation against BP following the Texas City refinery explosion, a powerful demonstration of his capability to take on massive corporate defendants and win. This experience is directly applicable to hazing cases involving institutional negligence and powerful national organizations. Ralph knows how to build a case with expert witnesses, preserve crucial evidence, and negotiate from a position of undeniable strength. He’s also a father of three, which fuels his personal commitment to protecting young people from hazing’s horrors.
  • Former Insurance Defense Insight: Lupe Eleno Peña
    Lupe Eleno Peña is not just an accomplished attorney; he’s an insider. Before joining Attorney911, Mr. Peña worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm. This means he spent years seeing the insurance companies’ playbook from the inside. He knows their strategies for minimizing claims, delaying payments, and denying responsibility. Now, he uses that invaluable battlefield intelligence against them, dismantling their defenses and maximizing recovery for our clients. This “insurance counter-intelligence system” is a huge advantage for City of Emporia families facing well-funded adversaries.
  • Federal Court Authority & Dual-State Bar Admission:
    While we are headquartered in Houston, our reach and capabilities extend nationwide. Both Ralph and Lupe are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, granting them federal litigation authority. Ralph is also admitted to the New York State Bar, providing a strategic advantage when pursuing national fraternities and sororities that are often based outside of Texas. This means we can pursue your hazing case in the appropriate federal court, regardless of where the incident occurred, ensuring maximum leverage against national organizations.
  • We Understand Complex Medical Injuries: Rhabdomyolysis Expertise
    Leonel Bermudez suffered from rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. These are complex medical conditions that require specialized knowledge to litigate effectively. Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, understanding the long-term medical implications and future costs associated with such severe injuries. This deep medical-legal knowledge ensures that every aspect of your child’s injuries, physical and psychological, is thoroughly documented and aggressively pursued.
  • Aggressive Evidence Preservation:
    Hazing cases often involve a concerted effort by perpetrators and institutions to hide or destroy evidence. Our team moves immediately to preserve critical information, including text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat histories, photos, videos, medical records, and witness statements. We understand that “time is critical,” as Ralph explains in our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c. The sooner we are involved, the better we can safeguard the evidence essential to your case.
  • Compassion and Communication:
    We treat our City of Emporia clients like family. We know you are scared, angry, and seeking answers. Our bilingual staff, fluent in Spanish, ensures that language is never a barrier to justice for all families. We pride ourselves on consistent communication; as one client, Dame Haskett, put it, “Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” We will keep you informed every step of the way, guiding you through the legal process with empathy and clarity.
  • Contingency Fees: No Upfront Cost for City of Emporia Families
    We understand that the financial burden of a hazing incident can be immense. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing upfront to hire our firm. We only get paid if and when we win your case. This eliminates any financial barrier to accessing top-tier legal representation, ensuring that you can fight back against powerful institutions without risking your family’s savings. Learn more about how this works in our video “How Contingency Fees Work” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
  • A Proven Track Record Against Major Defendants:
    Our success against powerful defendants, from BP to national fraternities, demonstrates our commitment to securing meaningful justice. We refuse to be intimidated by the resources of universities or national organizations. We believe that if you torture a child, you pay the price, and we are coming for every institution, every organization, and every individual who thinks they can harm our kids and get away with it. Just as the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston is now shut down, with criminal referrals initiated, and a $10 million lawsuit pending, we will fight to bring similar accountability to those who perpetrate hazing against students from the City of Emporia.

What To Do Right Now if Your Child Has Been Hazed in City of Emporia

If you’re a parent in the City of Emporia and your child has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While your natural instinct may be to protect your child from further trauma, taking specific steps now can make a profound difference in your ability to seek justice later. Time is of the essence; evidence can disappear, and legal deadlines can expire.

Here is actionable guidance on what you should do right now:

  1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your child’s health and safety are paramount. Even if injuries seem minor at first, or if your child is reluctant, psychological and physical trauma can have delayed effects. A medical evaluation establishes an official record of their injuries, which is vital for any future legal action. Be sure to explain to medical professionals that the injuries resulted from hazing. Get copies of all medical records, including emergency room reports, hospital stays, doctor’s notes, lab results, and any referrals (e.g., to specialists, physical therapy, mental health counseling).
  2. Preserve All Evidence – Document Everything! This is perhaps the most crucial step. As Ralph Manginello often says, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”
    • Photos/Videos of Injuries: Document any visible injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling) as they appear and as they heal. This includes any changes in their physical appearance or mobility.
    • Communications: Collect and save every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat conversation, Instagram DM, email, or other digital communication related to the hazing. If your child has a “burner phone” or secret accounts for pledge activities, secure that information immediately. These communications often contain direct instructions, threats, or acknowledgments of hazing. Do NOT delete anything.
    • Witness Information: Gather names and contact information for anyone who witnessed the hazing or has knowledge of it—other pledges, former members, bystanders. Even sympathetic alumni or chapter members might be crucial witnesses.
    • Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or other documents given to your child by the organization.
    • Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, receipts for medications, travel expenses to appointments, and any lost income if your child missed work or had to drop out of school.
    • Academic Records: Document how the hazing impacted your child’s grades, enrollment status, or scholarship eligibility.
  3. Do NOT Communicate with the Organization or University Alone: Do not let your child, or yourself, speak with fraternity/sorority leadership, university administrators, or their lawyers without legal counsel present. These individuals and institutions are primarily concerned with protecting themselves and minimizing liability. They may try to get your child to sign documents, make statements, or accept a settlement that waives their rights. Anything said can be used against your child.
  4. Avoid Social Media Engagement: Do NOT post about the incident on social media. Anything you or your child posts—even seemingly innocuous things like photos at a party—can be misinterpreted or used by the defense to argue that your child was not seriously injured or was not emotionally affected. Do not delete old posts either, as this could be seen as destruction of evidence.
  5. Contact an Experienced Hazing Litigation Attorney Immediately: This is where Attorney911 comes in. The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases in most states, including Virginia, is typically two years from the date of the injury or death. However, waiting jeopardizes your case. Evidence disappears quickly, memories fade, and perpetrators may coordinate their stories. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can move to:
    • Send preservation letters to all potential defendants, legally requiring them to protect evidence.
    • Begin our own investigation, securing evidence before it’s gone.
    • Advise you on your rights and the complex legal process.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a Free, Confidential Consultation.
We are available 24/7. Distance is not a barrier. While we are based in Houston, we represent hazing victims nationwide. We offer video consultations for City of Emporia families who cannot travel, and our attorneys are prepared to travel to the City of Emporia for depositions, client meetings, and trials when necessary. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline

If you’re a parent in the City of Emporia, Virginia, and your family has been shattered by hazing, you need immediate, aggressive, and expert legal help. This isn’t just about winning a lawsuit; it’s about justice, accountability, and sending a clear message that abuse disguised as “tradition” will not be tolerated.

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

Our attorneys are engaged in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for horrific hazing that led to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. We know how to build these cases from the ground up, how to hold powerful institutions accountable, and how to win against defendants who believe they are above the law. City of Emporia families get the same aggressive representation that is currently making headlines.

City of Emporia Families – Don’t Wait. Call Now for a FREE Consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

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

We are available 24/7 for City of Emporia hazing emergencies. When you call, you’ll speak directly with a team that understands the trauma you and your child are experiencing.

We work on CONTINGENCY: This means $0 upfront for City of Emporia families. You will never pay us a dime unless we win your case. This allows you to stand up to powerful fraternities, universities, and their legal teams without worrying about the cost.

What City of Emporia Hazing Victims Should Do Right Now:

  1. Prioritize Medical Care: Ensure your child has received comprehensive medical attention and follow all doctor’s orders. Keep detailed records of every visit, diagnosis, and prescription.
  2. Preserve Every Piece of Evidence: Collect and save all relevant communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails, social media posts), photos of injuries or hazing activities, and any documents related to the fraternity or university’s pledge process.
  3. Silence is Golden: Do NOT speak with or provide any statements to the fraternity, sorority, university, or their insurance representatives. Do NOT post about the incident on social media. Refer all inquiries to your legal counsel.
  4. Act Immediately: The statute of limitations exists (typically two years in Virginia for personal injury, though this can vary), but waiting means critical evidence is lost. Call us the moment you suspect hazing has occurred.

We Serve City of Emporia Hazing Victims – And Hazing Victims Nationwide

While our offices are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our commitment to justice for hazing victims extends far beyond. Hazing is a national scourge, occurring at colleges and universities across the country, including those that students from the City of Emporia might attend. This means we are equipped and ready to take on cases wherever they arise.

Our nationwide reach and capabilities mean that geographical distance is not a barrier to seeking justice:

  • Federal Court Authority: With attorneys admitted to U.S. District Courts, we can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction nationwide, which is often crucial when dealing with national organizations.
  • Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello’s admission to both the Texas and New York State Bars provides a strategic advantage when litigating against national fraternities, whose headquarters or operations may be based in various states.
  • Video Consultations: For City of Emporia families, we offer convenient and confidential video consultations, allowing you to discuss your case with our expert attorneys from the comfort of your home.
  • Travel Commitment: When necessary for depositions, client meetings, or trials, our attorneys travel to the City of Emporia or any other location to aggressively represent our clients.

Hazing isn’t just a Greek life problem. We represent victims of hazing in:

  • Fraternities and sororities near the City of Emporia, including chapters at universities throughout Virginia.
  • City of Emporia sports teams, from high school to college levels.
  • Marching bands, ROTC programs, and other student organizations.
  • Military academies and other organizations that use abuse as “initiation.”

To Other Victims of Hazing:

If you or your child have been subjected to hazing, whether at a large public university, a regional college, or any other organization, know this: You are not alone. And what happened to you was wrong.

In Leonel Bermudez’s case, we know he was not the only one hazed. Other pledges were subjected to similar waterboarding, forced eating, extreme physical punishment, even losing consciousness. We know there are always more victims than just the ones who come forward.

As Lupe Pena, one of our leading attorneys, so powerfully 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.”

Call us. Let’s work together to bring every responsible party to justice, prevent future tragedies, and protect students from the City of Emporia and beyond.

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