If you’re reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, to explore new horizons, and build a future. Instead, they were tortured, abused, and left with physical and emotional scars that may last a lifetime. In our community of City of Portsmouth, Virginia, we understand the trust parents place in our educational institutions and the profound betrayal felt when that trust is shattered by senseless acts of hazing. We at Attorney911 are here to help families in City of Portsmouth fight back against the fraternities, sororities, universities, and individuals who perpetrate these horrific acts.

We are not just offering sympathy; we are offering aggressive, proven legal action. We are actively fighting this battle right now for victims just like yours. Just weeks ago, in November 2025, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members for the brutal hazing of a prospective member, Leonel Bermudez. This case is not just a warning; it is a clear demonstration of our commitment to holding every responsible party accountable, no matter how powerful.

The Haunting Echoes of Houston: What Happened to Leonel Bermudez and Why It Matters to City of Portsmouth Families

The nightmare that unfolded for Leonel Bermudez could just as easily happen to a student from City of Portsmouth attending college in Virginia, or indeed, anywhere across the nation. Leonel wasn’t even an enrolled student at the University of Houston yet; he was a “ghost rush” planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. Despite this, he endured weeks of systematic abuse that culminated in a medical emergency.

On November 3, 2025, Leonel was forced to undergo extreme physical punishment as part of Pi Kappa Phi’s initiation process. He was made to perform over 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and other grueling exercises until he became so exhausted he couldn’t stand without help. This was not an isolated incident. Throughout the weeks prior, he was subjected to simulated waterboarding with a garden hose – a tactic recognized internationally as torture. He was forced to eat large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, then made to continue exercising in his own vomit-soaked grass. He was stripped to his underwear in cold weather, struck with wooden paddles, and forced to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down with an object in his mouth for over an hour.

The consequences were devastating. Leonel crawled home on November 3, and his condition worsened over the next two days. On November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, a classic sign of muscle breakdown, and spent three nights and four days hospitalized, facing the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. His fear of retribution for speaking out highlights the severe psychological trauma inflicted.

We understand that parents in City of Portsmouth send their children to institutions like Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Christopher Newport University, or James Madison University, expecting them to be safe. They trust that these institutions, and the student organizations within them, will foster growth, not inflict trauma. The same national fraternities operating in Houston, including Pi Kappa Phi, have active chapters near City of Portsmouth. The same cultural pressures, the same institutional oversight failures, and the same horrific hazing incidents can and do occur wherever Greek life exists. Our fight in Houston is a blueprint for the aggressive representation we bring to families in City of Portsmouth whose children have been victimized.

As Ralph Manginello told ABC13, “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.” Lupe Pena added, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” For City of Portsmouth families, we aim to bring the same light and achieve justice that prevents future harm.

This case has received significant media attention, underscoring its gravity and the public’s demand for accountability. You can read more about it through these independent reports:

• ABC13 Houston: Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges
• KHOU 11: $10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations
• Houston Chronicle: UH fraternity hazing lawsuit

The national organization, Pi Kappa Phi, even issued its own statement, confirming the closure of its Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, following “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” This admission of wrongdoing, released just days before our lawsuit, demonstrates their awareness of the severe nature of the hazing.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

For many parents in City of Portsmouth, the word “hazing” might conjure images of silly pranks or harmless rituals. But as Leonel Bermudez’s case makes painfully clear, hazing today is often nothing short of organized torture and abuse. It is not about “building character” or “team bonding”; it is about exerting power, inflicting humiliation, and causing physical and psychological harm. This is not the harmless fun of movies; this is systematic degradation that can lead to lifelong trauma or even death.

The hazing that occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, clubs, and other student organizations across America – including those attended by students from City of Portsmouth – has evolved into a dangerous practice with severe consequences.

It IS:

• Assault and Battery: Direct physical harm, like the wooden paddles used on Leonel.
• Torture: Methods like simulated waterboarding, designed to inflict extreme suffering and fear.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: Forced calisthenics, running drills, and exercises that go far beyond healthy exertion, leading to conditions like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
• Forced Consumption: Making students eat or drink dangerous substances, or massive quantities of benign substances, to the point of vomiting or worse, alcohol poisoning.
• Psychological Warfare: Humiliation rituals, sleep deprivation, and threats designed to break down a person’s will and self-worth.
• Reckless Endangerment: Placing students in situations where their mental or physical health is at unreasonable risk.
• Sometimes Manslaughter or Murder: When hazing leads to death, the perpetrators can face the most severe criminal charges.

The statistics are sobering: over half of all students in Greek organizations report experiencing hazing, and nearly 40% of student athletes report it. Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States, yet 95% of students who are hazed never report it. This silence allows the cycle of abuse to continue, often with the complicit knowledge or willful ignorance of universities and national organizations. They have the power to stop it, but often choose not to, until a student is hospitalized or dies.

Consider the typical activities now exposed as hazing:

• Physical Abuse: Beatings, paddling, branding, forced extreme exercises until physical collapse, often with inadequate rest or nutrition.
• Forced Consumption: Binge drinking, consuming large volumes of food or non-food items until vomiting, rapid consumption of strange concoctions.
• Sleep Deprivation: Requiring pledges to stay awake for extended periods, perform tasks at odd hours, or intentionally disrupting their sleep.
• Psychological Torture: Verbal abuse, harassment, isolation, threats, scavenger hunts designed to humiliate, forced servitude, public degradation rituals.
• Sexual Abuse: Forced nudity, sexually explicit acts, carrying sexually suggestive objects, or sexual assault.
• Exposure: Being forced to remain in uncomfortable temperatures, confined spaces, or exposed to elements.
• Servitude: Being forced to clean, run errands, or provide constant services for older members.

The medical consequences of these acts are severe and often life-altering:

• Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure: As seen in Leonel Bermudez’s case, from extreme overexertion.
• Alcohol poisoning: A common cause of hazing deaths, leading to organ damage or respiratory failure.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): From falls, beatings, or head impacts.
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From exposure to extreme cold or heat.
• Cardiac arrest: From extreme physical exertion or underlying heart conditions exacerbated by hazing.
• Infections: From injuries that are not properly treated or from unsanitary conditions.
• Long-term psychological damage: Including PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, which can drastically impact a student’s ability to live a normal life.
• Death: The ultimate, tragic outcome that far too many families have endured.

These are not “pranks” or “traditions.” These are criminal acts that demand accountability.

Who Is Responsible When Students from City of Portsmouth Are Hazed?

One of the most powerful aspects of hazing litigation is the ability to hold multiple parties accountable, not just the individuals directly involved. When a student from City of Portsmouth is harmed by hazing, we pursue justice from every entity that contributed to that harm. This comprehensive approach is designed to ensure that the victims receive full compensation and that a strong message is sent to prevent future incidents.

In Leonel Bermudez’s case, our lawsuit names a wide range of defendants, demonstrating our strategy of identifying and targeting everyone who participated, facilitated, or enabled the hazing. The same legal theories and responsible parties apply when hazing occurs at universities attended by students from City of Portsmouth:

1. Local Chapter of the Fraternity/Sorority: This includes the specific group that directly organized and conducted the hazing. They are the immediate perpetrators of the abuse.
2. Chapter Officers and Leaders: Individuals like the chapter president, pledgemaster, or risk manager who hold positions of authority and actively directed or allowed the hazing activities. These individuals can be held personally liable for their actions and omissions. We saw this in the Stone Foltz case, where a chapter president was personally liable for $6.5 million.
3. Individual Members Who Participated: Every person who actively engaged in hazing, failed to intervene, or created a dangerous environment can be named as a defendant.
4. Former Members and Their Spouses: Often, hazing rituals occur at off-campus residences, including those of alumni or former members. If they hosted or knowingly allowed the hazing to occur on their property, they, along with their spouses (if they are co-owners of the property), can be held liable under premises liability laws. This was a direct defendant category in the Bermudez case, highlighting how far our reach extends.
5. National Fraternity or Sorority Organization: National organizations have a fundamental responsibility to oversee their local chapters, establish and enforce anti-hazing policies, and ensure member safety. When hazing occurs, it often points to a systemic failure at the national level. These organizations have significant assets and insurance policies making them a primary target. In the Bermudez case, Pi Kappa Phi National’s own admission of “violations” and the quick closure of the chapter demonstrate their awareness and liability.
6. The University or College: Educational institutions have a legal and moral duty to protect their students, enforce anti-hazing policies, and provide a safe learning environment. If the university owned the property where hazing occurred (as the University of Houston did in the Bermudez case), they bear premises liability. Their failure to adequately supervise Greek life, investigate reports, or respond to known patterns of hazing makes them directly liable. Universities near City of Portsmouth, such as Old Dominion University in Norfolk or Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, operate under similar duties of care.
7. The University’s Board of Regents or Governing Body: As the ultimate governing authority of the institution, they share responsibility for institutional failures, particularly when hazing reflects a systemic lack of oversight.
8. Housing Corporations: These entities often own and manage fraternity or sorority houses. If they failed to maintain a safe environment or knowingly allowed hazing to occur on their property, they can be held accountable. The Beta Nu Housing Corporation was named in the Bermudez lawsuit.
9. Insurance Carriers: Behind many of these defendants are insurance policies designed to cover such liabilities. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring invaluable insider knowledge on how to navigate these policies and maximize recovery for our clients.

This comprehensive approach ensures that those with “deep pockets” – the national organizations, universities, and their insurers – are held to account, not just the individual students who may have fewer financial resources. It’s about systemic change and securing the maximum possible compensation for hazing victims in City of Portsmouth and across America.

What These Cases Win: A Legacy of Justice for City of Portsmouth Families

The emotional devastation of hazing is immeasurable, but the legal system allows us to pursue significant compensation that can help victims and their families rebuild their lives and secure a measure of justice. The Attorney911 team is proud to stand on the shoulders of legal precedent, where families have recovered millions of dollars in similar cases nationwide. These victories send a clear message: hazing will not be tolerated, and those responsible will pay.

We want families in City of Portsmouth to understand that these are not isolated incidents, and these multi-million dollar outcomes are not mere aspirations; they are proven realities. Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an outlier—it is directly in line with what juries and settlements have awarded previously.

Here are just a few landmark cases that showcase the potential for significant recovery and the profound impact of hazing litigation:

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

Total Payout: $10.1 Million+

Stone Foltz, a pledge at Bowling Green State University, died in March 2021 after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing ritual. This tragic event resulted in a $2.9 million settlement from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha and various individuals, totaling over $10.1 million. This case represents the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. Most recently, in December 2024, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was ordered to pay $6.5 million in personal judgments. This clearly shows that individuals, even fraternity officers, are not immune from significant personal liability, a critical factor for City of Portsmouth families considering action.

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

Total Payout: $6.1 Million Verdict

In September 2017, Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman at LSU, died from acute alcohol poisoning with a blood alcohol content of 0.495—more than six times the legal limit—after a Phi Delta Theta hazing ritual involving forced drinking. A jury delivered a $6.1 million verdict to his family. This case also led to criminal convictions, including negligent homicide, and inspired the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana. The emotional narrative and substantial jury award here demonstrate that the justice system is prepared to punish those who engage in hazing.

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

Total Payout: $110+ Million (Multiple Settlements)

Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old sophomore at Penn State, died in February 2017 after a Beta Theta Pi hazing event where he was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes, reaching a dangerously high BAC of 0.36. He fell repeatedly, sustaining a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding, while fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911. The horrific incident was captured on security cameras. Multiple criminal charges were filed, including involuntary manslaughter, and Beta Theta Pi was permanently banned from Penn State. The civil lawsuits resulted in confidential settlements estimated to exceed $110 million, leading to Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law. This case sets a powerful precedent for the enormous financial liability faced by institutions and individuals in severe hazing incidents.

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

The Same Fraternity as Our Houston Case

Tragically, Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old pledge at Florida State, died in November 2017, after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night.” He died of acute alcohol poisoning. Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges, and the FSU chapter was permanently closed. His family also reached a confidential civil settlement.

This case is critically important for families in City of Portsmouth because it involves the exact same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, that our firm is currently suing in Houston. Pi Kappa Phi National had eight years between Andrew Coffey’s death and Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization to address its deadly hazing culture. They failed. This pattern of negligence establishes a powerful argument for punitive damages and shows a shocking disregard for student safety at the national level.

University of Houston / Pi Kappa Alpha (2017)

Prior Hazing at the Same University

It’s also crucial to note that the University of Houston itself had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017, involving a Pi Kappa Alpha pledge named Jared Munoz, who suffered a lacerated spleen. A $1 million lawsuit was filed, and a grand jury even indicted the national organization. This means the University of Houston was on actual notice that hazing dramatically endangered its students on campus. Despite this, its failures continued, leading to Leonel Bermudez’s severe injuries eight years later. This is institutional negligence that resonates for families in City of Portsmouth who expect their universities to learn from past tragedies.

These precedents clearly demonstrate that hazing claims are winnable, often resulting in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. They also drive legislative change. For families in City of Portsmouth, knowing that these battles have been fought and won provides hope and a clear path to justice. Whether the hazing involves physical abuse, forced alcohol consumption, psychological torment, or tragically, death, the legal framework is in place to hold every responsible party accountable.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights in City of Portsmouth

While our firm is based in Texas, and we are currently litigating the landmark Bermudez case here, the legal principles and actions we take extend nationwide, including to families in City of Portsmouth, Virginia. Most states have robust anti-hazing laws, and for those that don’t, federal civil rights claims and common-law negligence theories apply regardless of location. The same national fraternities and universities operate throughout the country, facing similar legal duties and liabilities.

Let’s look at the robust protections offered by Texas law, which mirrors or informs legislation in many other states:

Texas Hazing Laws (Education Code § 37.151-37.157)

Texas has clear, strong anti-hazing statutes that define hazing broadly and impose severe penalties.

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): This statute defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization if the act:

• (1) is any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding…
• (2) involves sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other similar activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
• (3) involves consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance… that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student…”

Application to Leonel Bermudez’s case: His hazing clearly met multiple elements of this definition, including physical brutality (wooden paddles), calisthenics creating unreasonable risk (500 squats leading to rhabdomyolysis), exposure to elements (stripped in cold, sprayed with hose), forced consumption (milk/hot dogs/peppercorns until vomiting), and sleep deprivation. This detailed legal definition leaves no room for doubt about the criminal nature of the acts.

Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152):
Texas law provides for escalating criminal penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, soliciting it, or failing to report it (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes serious bodily injury (up to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine).
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes death (180 days – 2 years state jail, $10,000 fine).

Since Leonel suffered “serious bodily injury” (rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure), the individuals involved could face Class A Misdemeanor charges. The University of Houston spokesperson even highlighted “potential criminal charges” in their statement to the media.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations themselves can be penalized, including fines up to $10,000 and denial of the right to operate on campus, if they condone or encourage hazing. This applies directly to both the local Pi Kappa Phi chapter and the national organization.

Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is one of the most critical aspects of modern anti-hazing law. The statute explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution… that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”
This means that any argument from a fraternity, university, or individual that a student “voluntarily participated” or “knew what they were getting into” is legally invalid in Texas. This fundamental truth applies to the inherent coercion of hazing, which relies on peer pressure, fear of exclusion, and the desire to belong – undermining any true “consent.” For families in City of Portsmouth, this provision is a cornerstone of justice, as it prevents perpetrators from shifting blame onto the victim.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Prosecution

Beyond state-specific anti-hazing statutes, robust civil remedies allow victims and their families to seek monetary compensation. These claims are available nationwide and form the basis of our aggressive litigation strategy:

1. Negligence Claims: This is the bedrock of many personal injury cases. We argue that institutions and individuals had a “duty of care” to protect students, that they “breached” that duty by allowing hazing, that this breach “caused” injuries, and that the victim suffered “damages” as a result. This applies to universities that fail to supervise Greek life, national fraternities that fail to enforce anti-hazing policies, and individuals who engage in harmful acts.
2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by a university or housing corporation (as in the Bermudez case with the University of Houston owning the fraternity house), those entities can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
3. Negligent Supervision: This applies when an entity with oversight responsibility (like a national fraternity or a university Greek life office) fails to adequately supervise its members or chapters, allowing hazing to occur.
4. Assault and Battery: These are direct intentional torts, applicable when individuals inflict physical harm. Every person who participated in the waterboarding, paddling, or forced physical abuse can be held individually liable.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): This claim addresses severe psychological harm resulting from “extreme and outrageous” conduct. The torture methods common in hazing often meet this high bar, leading to conditions like PTSD, severe anxiety, and depression.
6. Wrongful Death: When hazing leads to a student’s death, families can pursue wrongful death claims to recover for their immense losses, including loss of companionship, future earnings, and funeral expenses. Punitive damages are often awarded in these tragic cases.

For City of Portsmouth families, these legal avenues mean that even if local law enforcement doesn’t pursue criminal charges, or if state laws are less stringent, a civil lawsuit can still achieve substantial justice. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) allow us to pursue these cases against national organizations and universities anywhere in the country.

Why Attorney911: Your Fierce Advocate in City of Portsmouth

When your family in City of Portsmouth faces the unimaginable trauma of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a fierce advocate who understands the nuances of this complex litigation and has a proven track record of fighting powerful institutions. Attorney911, Legal Emergency Lawyers™, stands ready to be that advocate. We are not a general personal injury firm dabbling in hazing cases; we are directly engaged in the fight, with a flagship $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university. This is our focus, and we bring unparalleled expertise to every hazing case, including those impacting City of Portsmouth families.

Here’s why families across City of Portsmouth and the nation choose Attorney911:

1. Direct, Current Hazing Litigation Experience: We are currently battling Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in a $10 million hazing lawsuit. This isn’t theoretical; we’re in the trenches right now, applying the strategies and insights that can only come from active litigation. We use this real-time experience to inform every case we take, ensuring City of Portsmouth victims benefit from the most current and aggressive legal tactics.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: We Know Their Playbook: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena spent significant time working on the defense side, representing insurance companies and corporations. This insider knowledge is our “unfair advantage.” We’ve seen their strategies, their weaknesses, and how they attempt to minimize payouts. For City of Portsmouth families, this means we anticipate their moves, dismantle their legal defenses, and negotiate from a position of strength. Lupe Peña, in particular, honed his skills at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national insurance defense firm, providing critical insight into how powerful entities structure their defenses.
3. Federal Court Authority & Dual-State Bar Admissions: Hazing cases often involve national fraternities or universities with operations across state lines. Our admission to U.S. District Courts and dual bar licenses in Texas and New York provide a strategic advantage, allowing us to pursue complex cases in federal jurisdiction and against national organizations, regardless of where they are headquartered. This means we can hold those national organizations accountable in City of Portsmouth, even if their headquarters are far away.
4. Battle-Tested Against Massive Defendants: Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation, which claimed 15 lives and injured over 180, demonstrates our capacity to take on the largest corporate defendants. Hazing suits against national fraternities and universities require this level of experience and resolve. We bring this formidable experience to every hazing case, ready to face any institution in City of Portsmouth or beyond.
5. Deep Hazing-Specific Expertise: Our firm has built specific expertise in hazing litigation, including unique medical conditions like rhabdomyolysis—the exact injury Leonel Bermudez suffered. We understand the specific dynamics of Greek life culture, university administrative failures, and the complex legal theories that link abuse to liability.
6. Data-Driven Litigation: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Database: We don’t guess who is responsible; we know. We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, tracking over 125 IRS-registered entities, including house corporations, alumni chapters, and their insurance structures. This intelligence allows us, when hazing happens in City of Portsmouth or across Texas, to immediately identify every entity behind the Greek letters, from the chapter to the national organization, and their corporate structures. We know exactly who to sue.
   • For example, we track organizations like Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. (EIN 462267515) in Frisco, Texas, and Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN 371768785) in Missouri City. These seemingly obscure details are crucial in identifying the “deep pockets” responsible when hazing causes harm. We even extend this to knowing actual brand overlaps, such as recognizing that the same Pi Kappa Alpha brand appears across undergraduate chapters, alumni groups, and honor societies, giving us a complete intelligence picture.
   • Our database includes 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 metropolitan areas in Texas alone. For instance, the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metro area alone, our home base, has 188 such organizations. The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metro area has 510, and the Austin–Round Rock metro area boasts 154. This extensive data demonstrates our proactive, methodical approach to hazing litigation, providing an unparalleled advantage for victims everywhere.
7. Client-Centered Approach for City of Portsmouth Families: We understand that dealing with hazing’s aftermath is devastating. Our bilingual staff (Se Habla Español) provides warm, empathetic support, treating every City of Portsmouth family with the respect and care they deserve. We offer free consultations, contingency fee arrangements (meaning you pay nothing unless we win), and the flexibility of video consultations and a commitment to travel to City of Portsmouth for depositions, meetings, or trials as needed.
8. Media Savvy and Public Accountability: Our firm knows how to use media attention strategically to apply public pressure on defendants. The extensive media coverage of the Bermudez case demonstrates our ability to communicate complex legal issues—and the severity of hazing—to a wider audience, which often encourages reluctant defendants to settle.
9. A Father’s Perspective: Ralph Manginello, a father of three, deeply understands the pain and fear City of Portsmouth parents experience when their child is harmed. This personal investment fuels our relentless pursuit of justice.

We protect victims like you throughout City of Portsmouth, Virginia, and nationwide. Our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont serve City of Portsmouth families with the same dedication. We truly work with clients all over America, and can help City of Portsmouth hazing victims no matter where the incident occurred. Call or email anytime with questions.

Testimonials from clients emphasize our dedication:

• “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris
• “What seemed to be a crisis for my family and I with no way out on how to fight or solve our case, Atty. Manginello stepped in and absolutely fought for us. A true PITT BULL and fighter. He don’t play!” — Chad Harris

Choosing Attorney911 means choosing a legal team that is ready to outwork, outsmart, and outfight the opposition, armed with insider knowledge, data-driven strategies, and an unwavering commitment to justice for hazing victims in City of Portsmouth.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for City of Portsmouth Families After Hazing

The moments following a hazing incident can be chaotic and confusing, but your actions during this critical time can significantly impact your potential legal case. If you or your child in City of Portsmouth has been a victim of hazing, it is crucial to act swiftly and strategically. Do not delay, as evidence can disappear, memories can fade, and legal deadlines approach.

Here are the immediate steps you should take:

Step 1: Prioritize Safety and Seek Medical Attention
Your child’s physical and mental well-being is paramount.

• Remove them from the situation: If hazing is ongoing, ensure your child is immediately extracted from the environment.
• Seek immediate medical care: Even if injuries seem minor, or if psychological distress is the primary concern, prompt medical evaluation is essential. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis or internal injuries may not be immediately obvious. Document all symptoms, no matter how small. Inform medical staff that the injuries resulted from hazing. This creates an official medical record linking the harm to the hazing incident.
• For psychological trauma: Seek professional counseling or therapy. Hazing often leaves deep emotional scars, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Documenting these impacts is crucial for a comprehensive claim.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence (The 24/7 Rule)
Hazing often leaves digital breadcrumbs or physical artifacts that are vital for building a strong case.

• Digital Communications: Save every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat, Instagram DM, email, or any other digital communication related to the hazing. This includes direct threats, instructions, plans, admissions of wrongdoing, or even casual conversations that shed light on the hazing culture. Screenshots are critical, as messages can be deleted.
• Photos and Videos: Take photos of any physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling) at all stages of healing. If there’s any photographic or video evidence of the hazing itself, preserve it immediately. Photos of the hazing location, fraternity house, or any relevant items can also be valuable.
• Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or agreements provided by the organization. Keep financial records of any fees paid to the fraternity or university that were for, or associated with, the hazing.
• Witness Information: Identify anyone who witnessed the hazing or who has knowledge of it. Collect their names and contact information. Other pledges, former members, or even bystanders can be crucial witnesses.
• Physical Evidence: If there are any clothes, items, or substances involved in the hazing, preserve them carefully.

Step 3: Do NOT Communicate with the Organization or University Without Legal Counsel
This is a critical mistake many families make.

• Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leaders: They will attempt to control the narrative, coordinate stories, and may even intimidate your child or other witnesses.
• Do not give statements to university administration alone: While you should report the hazing, do so with legal counsel. Universities are institutions that protect their own interests, and statements given without legal guidance can inadvertently harm your case.
• Do not sign anything: Never sign any documents from the fraternity, university, or their representatives without speaking to an attorney. You could inadvertently waive your legal rights.
• Avoid social media posts: Do not post about the incident or your child’s injuries on any social media platform. Anything posted can and will be used by the defense to discredit your claims.

Step 4: Understand the Legal Timelines – Act Immediately
The statute of limitations (the legal deadline to file a lawsuit) for personal injury cases, including hazing, is typically two years from the date of the injury in most states. For wrongful death, it’s two years from the date of death.

• The clock is ticking: While two years might seem like a long time, the investigative process for hazing cases is complex and thorough. Evidence can disappear, witnesses forget, and organizations may destroy records.
• Don’t delay: Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was hospitalized on November 6, and we filed the lawsuit within weeks. This swift action protects your rights and shows immediate resolve. Call us immediately.

Step 5: Contact Attorney911 for a Free, Confidential Consultation
This is the single most important step you can take.

• Immediate Help: We are available 24/7 for hazing emergencies. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.
• Free Consultation: We offer a completely free, no-obligation consultation to assess your case. You have nothing to lose by calling.
• No Upfront Costs: We take hazing cases on contingency, meaning you pay us absolutely nothing upfront. We only get paid if and when we win your case.
• Remote Accessibility: For City of Portsmouth families, distance is not a barrier. We offer video consultations and are fully prepared to travel to City of Portsmouth for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary.

Remember, you and your child did not deserve this. What happened was abuse, and you have legal rights to hold those responsible accountable. Let us help you turn your pain into powerful action against those who allowed this to happen.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline in City of Portsmouth

If you are a family in City of Portsmouth facing the devastating aftermath of a hazing incident, you are not alone. The legal emergency you are experiencing demands an immediate, aggressive, and experienced response. Attorney911, Legal Emergency Lawyers™, is standing by to bring the same relentless fight we are waging in the landmark Bermudez case to your child’s hazing injury.

Your child’s courage in speaking out against hazing deserves powerful legal backing. We understand the fear, the anger, and the desperation that parents in City of Portsmouth feel when their child is targeted by such senseless abuse. We are here to transform that pain into purposeful action.

City of Portsmouth Families: Don’t let distance be a barrier to justice. While our physical offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach extends nationwide. We regularly assist hazing victims across America, and we are fully equipped to handle your case right here in City of Portsmouth, Virginia.

Your Immediate Next Steps:

🚨 Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline for City of Portsmouth Hazing Victims:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Available 24/7 for free, confidential consultations.

You can also reach us via email at: ralph@atty911.com

Visit our website for more information: attorney911.com

What You Can Expect When You Contact Us:

• Free, Confidential Consultation: Your initial conversation with us is always free, and completely confidential. We will listen to your story with empathy and without judgment.
• No Upfront Fees: We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing upfront, and we only collect our fee if we successfully recover compensation for you. Our goal aligns perfectly with yours: to secure justice and maximum compensation. You can learn more about how this works by watching our video: How Contingency Fees Work.
• Comprehensive Case Evaluation: We will meticulously review the details of your hazing incident, including your child’s injuries, the identities of those involved, and the specific hazing activities endured.
• Empathetic and Aggressive Representation: We combine a compassionate understanding of your family’s ordeal with an unyielding determination to hold every responsible party accountable.
• State-of-the-Art Communication: We utilize video conferencing and other technologies to ensure that City of Portsmouth families can meet with us remotely, making the process convenient and accessible.
• Willingness to Travel: For critical depositions, court appearances, or client meetings, our attorneys will travel to City of Portsmouth, or any location needed, to ensure your case receives the personalized attention it deserves.

We Represent Victims of Hazing in ALL Types of Organizations near City of Portsmouth:

Hazing is not limited to fraternities and sororities. If your child has been harmed in any of the following types of organizations near City of Portsmouth, we can help:

• Fraternities and sororities at universities like Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Christopher Newport University, or James Madison University, and other colleges and universities in Virginia.
• High school and college sports teams.
• Marching bands and musical ensembles.
• ROTC programs.
• Clubs, honor societies, and other student organizations.
• Any group, institution, or organization that demands abuse as a condition of membership.

To the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter, we sent a clear message. Now, we are ready to send the same message to any fraternity, sorority, university, or individual who thinks they can commit such atrocities and escape accountability, whether in City of Portsmouth or anywhere else.

City of Portsmouth families, contact us today. Let us fight for your child. Let us secure the justice and compensation they deserve, and help prevent another family from enduring this nightmare.

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