If you’re reading this in City of Waynesboro, Virginia, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college. They were supposed to learn and grow. Instead, they were tortured. They were abused. They were brought to the brink of physical collapse, or worse, they were taken from you forever. We’re here to help families in City of Waynesboro and across America fight back against the insidious cancer of hazing.

Here at Attorney911, we understand what you’re going through. Your child’s pain is your pain, and the betrayal of trust they feel is a wound inflicted upon your entire family. The fear, the anger, the confusion – these are emotions no parent in City of Waynesboro should ever have to endure because of a university or fraternity claiming to build character. We are dedicated to turning that pain and rage into aggressive action, and holding every responsible party accountable.

This isn’t just about obtaining compensation; it’s about sending a clear, unequivocal message: hazing will no longer be tolerated. It’s about protecting future generations of students in City of Waynesboro and beyond from experiencing the horrors your child endured. We are actively fighting this battle right now, on behalf of a victim just like your child, in a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university. We will bring the same relentless fight to your case in City of Waynesboro, Virginia.

The Landmark Case: Attorney911 vs. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston (2025)

City of Waynesboro Families: This is not a theoretical fight. This is a real, ongoing battle for justice.

What happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston just weeks ago is a stark warning for parents in City of Waynesboro. This case tragically illustrates the brutal reality of modern hazing, but it also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to holding powerful institutions accountable. The horrors Leonel experienced could happen at any university near City of Waynesboro – at James Madison University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, or even here at home with students returning from colleges across the state. The same national fraternities that perpetuate this violence operate chapters near you, and the same institutional negligence that allowed it to happen in Houston exists at colleges and universities that students from City of Waynesboro attend.

This is precisely why we are fighting so aggressively in Texas, and why we will bring that same aggression to your case in City of Waynesboro.

News Coverage of the $10 Million Lawsuit

Within days of us filing the lawsuit, major Houston news outlets reported on the egregious details:

ABC13 Houston: On November 21, 2025, ABC13 reported on the “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges.” This report featured direct quotes from our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, detailing the victim’s harrowing experience and our firm’s commitment. You can read their coverage here: ABC13 Report
KHOU 11: Also on November 21, 2025, KHOU 11 covered the “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations.” This report notably identified our client by name, Leonel Bermudez, and highlighted the university’s ownership of the fraternity house where much of the abuse occurred. Find their report here: KHOU 11 Report
Houston Chronicle: On November 22, 2025, the Houston Chronicle published its summary, “UH fraternity hazing lawsuit,” providing additional details about the brutal exercises forced upon pledges.
Houston Public Media: On November 24, 2025, Houston Public Media explicitly cited the “$10 million” figure in their headline: “University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing.” This article further elaborated on Leonel’s status as a “ghost rush” – a prospective member not even yet enrolled at the university. You can read it here: Houston Public Media Report

We also saw the national fraternity issue their own statement on November 21, 2025, acknowledging not only the closure of their UH chapter, but their hope to “return to campus at the appropriate time.” This telling statement speaks volumes about their priorities. Read their statement here: Pi Kappa Phi National Statement

The Defendants in Our $10 Million Lawsuit

Our lawsuit, filed in Harris County Civil District Court, targets every entity and individual we believe bears responsibility for the horrific hazing of Leonel Bermudez:

Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (University of Houston Beta Nu Chapter): The local chapter that directly organized and executed the hazing.
Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters: The national organization, which knew or should have known about the hazing crisis within its chapters nationwide.
Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation: The entity responsible for the physical fraternity house where much of the abuse occurred.
University of Houston: The institution that owned and controlled the fraternity house and failed to prevent the hazing despite prior incidents.
UH Board of Regents: The governing body with ultimate oversight of the university.
Fraternity President: The chapter leader responsible for overseeing activities.
Pledgemaster: The individual directly responsible for the pledge process.
Current and Former Members: At least 13 individuals who participated in, facilitated, or failed to stop the hazing. This includes a former member and his spouse, as hazing occurred at their private off-campus residence.

Leonel Bermudez’s Story: A Warning for City of Waynesboro Parents

Leonel Bermudez was not even an enrolled student at the University of Houston when he was hazed. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective transfer student who had accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. What followed was an escalating campaign of systematic physical and psychological torment that ultimately landed him in the hospital for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

This is not a story from a faraway land or a distant past. This happened in Texas, just weeks ago, at a major university that many students from City of Waynesboro might consider attending. It happened to someone who wasn’t even their student.

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.”

And as Lupe Pena emphasized: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

This is why we fight. And this is exactly the aggressive, data-driven, and relentless representation we bring to every hazing victim and family we represent, including those in City of Waynesboro, Virginia.

The Hazing Timeline and Activities Exposed in Our Lawsuit

The hazing of Leonel Bermudez was not a single incident but a prolonged campaign of abuse over several weeks:

September 16, 2025: Leonel accepts a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi.
September 16 – November 3: Weeks of systematic abuse, torture, and hazing unfold. During this period, pledges faced:
- “Simulated waterboarding with a garden hose.” Yes, fraternity members sprayed pledges in the face with a hose while they performed calisthenics, forcing them to run repeatedly under threat of being waterboarded. Waterboarding is a torture technique. They did this to college students.
- Forced eating until vomiting: Pledges were forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited, and then made to run sprints while clearly in distress, sometimes lying in their own vomit.
- Extreme physical punishment: This included 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (sprinting drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, repeated 100-yard crawls, and being struck with wooden paddles. Pledges were forced to recite the fraternity creed while exercising to exhaustion.
- Psychological torture and humiliation: Pledges were forced to strip to their underwear in cold weather, and made to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times. In one terrifying incident on October 13, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
- Sleep deprivation: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, causing severe exhaustion, which further impacted their physical and mental state.
- On October 15, 2025: Another pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout. Other pledges had to elevate his legs until he recovered. Despite this alarming incident, the hazing continued.
November 3, 2025: Leonel was subjected to an extreme punishment involving severe physical exertion for missing an event. He became so exhausted he could not stand without help, crawling into bed when he returned home.
November 6, 2025: His condition worsened, and his mother rushed him to the hospital. He was found to be passing brown urine, a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown.
November 6-10, 2025: Leonel spent three nights and four days hospitalized, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He continues to face ongoing risks of permanent kidney damage.
November 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National officially closed its Beta Nu Chapter, an action they announced days before our lawsuit became public.
November 21, 2025: We filed the $10 million lawsuit.

The Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis is a terrifying medical condition where damaged muscle tissue rapidly breaks down, releasing a harmful protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream. This myoglobin can severely damage the kidneys, leading to acute kidney failure and, if untreated, can be fatal.

Leonel Bermudez’s symptoms were classic indicators: passing brown urine, severely elevated creatine kinase levels (a marker of muscle damage), and ultimately, acute kidney failure. This severe condition necessitated his four-day hospitalization for intensive medical care. Our firm specifically has expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, making Ralph Manginello particularly suited to understand and litigate the long-term impact on Leonel’s health.

Institutional Responses: A Coordinated Effort to Evade Accountability

The responses from both the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters revealed a chilling pattern of damage control and a clear lack of genuine remorse.

University of Houston Spokesperson (Houston Public Media, Nov 24, 2025): “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards. The University is conducting its own investigation in coordination with law enforcement and with the cooperation of the fraternity and its national leadership. Pending the outcome of these investigations, any individual found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges.”
- Beneath the veneer of concern, this statement is an admission that they knew it was “deeply disturbing” and a “clear violation.” Their “coordination” with the fraternity and “law enforcement” points to a scramble to manage the fallout and protect the institution.
Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters (pikapp.org, Nov 21, 2025): “Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity closed its Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards… We thank the University of Houston for its collaboration and leadership. Pi Kappa Phi has a proud history… and we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time and continuing our partnership with the University of Houston in the years ahead.”
- Their statement that the chapter was closed “effective November 14,” a full seven days before our lawsuit was made public, reveals they knew what was coming and acted quickly to distance the national organization. Their mention of “collaboration” with UH confirms a coordinated effort. And most chillingly, their eagerness to “return to campus” shows a complete lack of remorse for Leonel’s suffering.

Why This Case Matters to City of Waynesboro Families

“Tradition” is Torture: These are not harmless pranks. Waterboarding, forced eating, and extreme physical exertion are forms of torture, not brotherhood. These same tactics can, and do, occur at universities near City of Waynesboro, Virginia.
Universities Are Complicit: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. Universities near City of Waynesboro, such as James Madison University, the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, or Virginia Tech, have the same power and moral obligation to prevent hazing on their campuses, and the same liability when they fail.
National Organizations Know: Pi Kappa Phi’s national leadership suspended and dissolved the chapter before the lawsuit went public, demonstrating a clear awareness of dangerous activity. These same national organizations have chapters near City of Waynesboro and must be held to account for their systemic failures.
Victims Are Afraid: Leonel Bermudez is fearful of retribution for speaking out. Students in City of Waynesboro who experience hazing often face similar fears. We are here to protect victims and ensure their voices are heard without fear.
One Brave Victim Can Save Lives: As Lupe Pena stated, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do.” Your decision to seek justice for hazing in City of Waynesboro can protect countless other students.
$10 Million Sends a Message: The substantial damages sought in this lawsuit are intended to send an undeniable message that torturing students comes with a severe price. City of Waynesboro families can, and should, send the same message when their children are harmed.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

For many parents in City of Waynesboro, the word “hazing” conjures images of harmless pranks or mild inconveniences. Perhaps messy uniforms, late-night errands, or silly scavenger hunts. But the reality, as evidenced by Leonel Bermudez’s case, is far more sinister. Modern hazing frequently involves battery, assault, torture, psychological torment, and often, death.

It is NOT “boys being boys.” It is NOT “tradition.” It is NOT “building brotherhood.”

IT IS:

Assault and Battery: Direct physical violence, forced physical exertion, or unwanted contact causing harm.
Torture: Intentionally inflicting severe physical or mental suffering, such as waterboarding or sleep deprivation.
Reckless Endangerment: Creating a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death.
Psychological Warfare: Deliberate humiliation, degradation, and manipulation designed to break down self-esteem.
Manslaughter or Murder: Tragically, many hazing incidents escalate to criminal levels, leading to wrongful death.

This problem is pervasive. Statistics reveal a grim truth:

Over 55% of students in Greek organizations report experiencing hazing.
40% of student athletes endure hazing rituals.
Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every single year in the United States.
A staggering 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it, often due to fear, shame, or loyalty.

Hazing is not confined to fraternities and sororities. It plagues sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and various other clubs and organizations at universities and colleges across America, including those that students from City of Waynesboro attend.

The Institutional Failure: A Pattern of Negligence

Universities and national organizations know this is happening. They create policies and present smiling faces to the public, but behind the scenes, a culture of deliberate indifference often prevails. They have the power to stop it. They consistently choose not to – until a student is hospitalized or dies. Only then do they “suspend” or “dissolve” chapters, feigning shock and promising investigations. This pattern demonstrates a systemic failure that demands accountability.

Common Hazing Tactics

Based on our intensive litigation and expertise, we’ve identified the most common and dangerous hazing tactics. The Bermudez case highlights many of these:

Category	Examples of Hazing Activities	Medical & Psychological Consequences
Physical Abuse	Beatings, paddling, branding, burning, forced exercise to exhaustion, forced nudity in cold temperatures, waterboarding.	Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, traumatic brain injury, broken bones, burns, hypothermia, cardiac arrest, organ damage, death.
Forced Consumption	Binge drinking, “chugging” alcohol, forced consumption of massive amounts of food until vomiting, ingesting non-food items.	Alcohol poisoning, choking, aspiration pneumonia, gastrointestinal damage, rhabdomyolysis.
Sleep Deprivation	Forced late-night activities, early-morning call-times, disrupted sleep cycles, waking pledges at random hours.	Exhaustion, impaired judgment, memory loss, decreased academic performance, increased risk of accidents.
Psychological Torture	Humiliation, verbal abuse, degradation, ritualistic sexual harassment, social isolation, threats of violence or social ostracism.	Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, loss of self-esteem, trust issues, academic decline.
Sexual Hazing	Forced nudity for initiation rites, sexual acts, carrying anatomically suggestive objects, making sexually suggestive gestures.	Profound psychological trauma, PTSD, shame, guilt, increased risk of sexual assault.
Waterboarding/Drowning Trauma	Simulating drowning by pouring water over a person’s face while restricting breathing.	Extreme psychological terror, feeling of impending death, aspiration, pneumonia, actual drowning.
Exposure	Forced exposure to extreme cold or heat, confinement in small spaces, requiring pledges to lie in vomit-soaked grass.	Hypothermia, hyperthermia, frostbite, respiratory issues, severe psychological distress.
Servitude	Forced cleaning, driving, errands, or personal services for older members.	Exhaustion, loss of personal time, disruption of studies, psychological burden.

Who Is Responsible: Every Entity and Individual Who Participated or Allowed It

One of the most powerful aspects of hazing litigation is the ability to hold multiple parties accountable. When your child from City of Waynesboro is harmed by hazing, it’s not just “a few bad apples.” It’s often a network of individuals and powerful institutions that either actively perpetuate the abuse or negligently allow it to continue.

In the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case, we are pursuing:

The Local Chapter (Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi): They directly conceived, organized, and executed the hazing activities. Their officers, such as the President and Pledgemaster, are particularly culpable for leading and enforcing the abuse.
Individual Members: Every current and former fraternity member who actively participated in, facilitated, or witnessed and failed to report or stop the hazing can be held personally liable. This includes those who hosted hazing at their residences.
The National Organization (Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters): National fraternities and sororities have a duty to oversee their local chapters, enforce anti-hazing policies, and ensure student safety. When they fail in this duty, especially after prior incidents like the death of Andrew Coffey, they are liable for negligent supervision, failure to train, and promoting a dangerous culture.
The Housing Corporation (Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc): These entities often own the physical fraternity houses. They can be held liable for premises liability if they allowed dangerous conditions or activities to occur on their property.
The University (University of Houston): Universities have a fundamental duty to protect their students. When hazing occurs, particularly on university-owned property or when the university has prior knowledge of hazing issues (as UH did), they can be held liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and creating an unsafe environment.

The “Deep Pockets” of Hazing Litigation

Parents in City of Waynesboro often worry about how to pay for medical bills, therapy, and education, or consider if suing is even worth it. The answer is a resounding “yes.” This isn’t about suing broke college kids. It’s about holding financially stable institutions accountable:

National fraternities and sororities: They possess substantial assets, endowments, and multi-million dollar liability insurance policies designed for these very scenarios.
Universities and colleges: Most institutions have significant endowments, state funding, and extensive insurance coverage.
Housing corporations: These entities often own valuable real estate and carry insurance.

As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena know exactly how these powerful entities evaluate claims, how much they set aside for potential payouts, and precisely how to pursue maximum compensation from their “deep pockets.”

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For families in City of Waynesboro grappling with the aftermath of hazing, understanding what kind of justice is possible is critical. Past verdicts and settlements in hazing cases demonstrate that aggressive legal action can result in multi-million dollar outcomes. These are not merely statistics; they are the stories of families who fought back and won, forcing institutions to pay the price for their negligence. These precedents directly inform our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case and show City of Waynesboro families what is achievable.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements: They Will Pay

STONE FOLTZ — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Total: $10.1 Million+
- Stone Foltz, 20, died in March 2021 from alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” event. He was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol. The Foltz family secured a $2.9 million settlement from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from the Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity and other defendants. This case set a record as the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio’s history. Multiple individuals faced criminal charges and convictions.
- Implication for City of Waynesboro: Our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez, who survived but suffered life-threatening injuries, is well within the realm of established precedent, even for a non-fatal case, given the egregious nature of the hazing.
MAXWELL GRUVER — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): Total: $6.1 Million Verdict
- Maxwell Gruver, 18, died in September 2017 from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 during a Phi Delta Theta pledge event called “Bible Study.” Pledges were forced to drink excessive alcohol for incorrect answers. A jury awarded his family $6.1 million. The case also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
- Implication for City of Waynesboro: This case proved that juries will deliver substantial verdicts when presented with clear evidence of hazing, even if the university was not the primary defendant. Gruver’s case directly contributed to strong anti-hazing legislation, highlighting the societal demand for accountability.
TIMOTHY PIAZZA — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): Total: $110 Million+ (Estimated)
- Timothy Piazza, 19, died in February 2017 after consuming 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi hazing ritual. He fell down stairs multiple times, suffering a traumatic brain injury. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911. Security cameras captured the entire horrific ordeal. The Piazza family reached a confidential settlement, estimated to be well over $110 million, with Penn State and numerous fraternity members. The case also spurred Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.”
- Implication for City of Waynesboro: When the evidence is undeniable and the conduct is egregious, as it is in the Bermudez case with waterboarding and kidney failure, settlements can reach astronomical figures. This case shows what is possible when victims relentlessly pursue justice.
ANDREW COFFEY — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017):
- Andrew Coffey, 20, died in November 2017 from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night.” Notably, this is the SAME NATIONAL FRATERNITY as the one involved in our current lawsuit. Nine fraternity members were criminally charged, and the FSU chapter was permanently closed. The family reached a confidential settlement.
- Critical Implication for City of Waynesboro: This case is a “smoking gun” for the Bermudez lawsuit. It proves Pi Kappa Phi National had actual knowledge of deadly hazing within its chapters eight years prior to Leonel’s hospitalization. Despite this, their systemic failures allowed identical abuses to occur, supporting substantial punitive damages for their deliberate indifference. When a City of Waynesboro student is hazed by Pi Kappa Phi, their national organization’s history of deadly negligence is a critical factor.
ADAM OAKES — Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): Total: $4 Million+ Settlement
- Adam Oakes, 19, died in February 2021 from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi bid initiation at VCU. His family, working with attorneys, secured a $4 million+ settlement in October 2024. Their advocacy also led to “Adam’s Law” in Virginia, requiring hazing education and reporting.
- Implication for City of Waynesboro: This recent and local example from Virginia demonstrates that significant settlements are being reached for hazing deaths on university campuses right here in the Mid-Atlantic. This confirms that these tragedies are not isolated to other states, and that Virginia families have a clear path to justice.

Laws Created Because of Hazing Deaths

These cases are not only about justice for individual victims but also about forcing systemic change. The personal tragedies of these families have led to landmark anti-hazing legislation across the country:

Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law (Pennsylvania, 2018): Introduced felony charges for hazing that causes death or serious injury, and provided immunity for those who report hazing.
Max Gruver Act (Louisiana, 2018): Elevated hazing to a felony offense, significantly increasing penalties.
Collin’s Law (Ohio, 2021): Named after Collin Wiant, another hazing victim, this law also introduced felony hazing charges and strengthened university oversight.
Adam’s Law (Virginia, 2022): Requires public and private universities in Virginia to adopt strong anti-hazing policies, publicly report hazing incidents, and provide hazing education. This is especially relevant for City of Waynesboro, as it confirms that hazing is a recognized problem in our state.

These legislative actions underscore society’s growing intolerance for hazing and provide additional legal avenues for accountability that families in City of Waynesboro can leverage.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Victims’ Rights

For families in City of Waynesboro, understanding the legal framework is crucial. While our Bermudez lawsuit is anchored in Texas law, most states, including Virginia, have similar anti-hazing statutes. More importantly, fundamental civil rights and negligence claims apply nationwide, meaning our firm’s federal court authority allows us to pursue justice for you no matter where the hazing occurred.

Texas Anti-Hazing Laws (Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157)

Texas has clear, robust anti-hazing laws that empower victims and criminalize hazing.

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):
Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or maintaining membership in an organization, if the act:

Involves physical brutality (whipping, beating, striking, branding).
Involves sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, calisthenics, or other activity risking harm to mental or physical health.
Involves forced consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances, risking harm.
Induces or requires performing tasks in violation of the Penal Code.
Coerces consumption of drugs or excessive alcohol leading to intoxication.

City of Waynesboro Application: Virginia’s anti-hazing laws, notably Adam’s Law, similarly define hazing broadly to include nearly all the behaviors detailed in the Bermudez case. This means the acts suffered by Leonel would likely constitute hazing offenses under Virginia law too.

Criminal Penalties: Texas law escalates penalties based on the severity of the hazing:

Class B Misdemeanor: For merely engaging in hazing.
Class A Misdemeanor: For hazing that causes serious bodily injury (like Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure).
State Jail Felony: For hazing that causes death.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations themselves can be penalized, facing fines up to $10,000, denial of operating privileges, and forfeiture of property.

University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Universities are legally mandated to report hazing incidents, with failure to do so constituting a Class B Misdemeanor.

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

City of Waynesboro Application: When fraternities or universities defend themselves by saying, “He agreed to participate,” or “They knew the risks,” this statute, and similar common law principles, renders that argument irrelevant. You cannot legally consent to criminal acts, physical brutality, or torture.

Civil Liability for Hazing: What City of Waynesboro Victims Can Sue For

Beyond criminal prosecution, civil lawsuits allow hazing victims and their families in City of Waynesboro to seek comprehensive compensation for their suffering. These civil theories are broadly applicable across all states:

Negligence Claims: This is the most common civil theory. It argues that a party (university, national fraternity, individual) owed a duty of care to the student, breached that duty through their actions or inactions related to hazing, and that breach directly caused the student’s injuries and damages.
- City of Waynesboro Application: Universities in Virginia owe a duty to their enrolled students. Fraternities, national and local, likewise owe a duty to their members and pledges.
Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by a university or housing corporation, they can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment or allowing dangerous conditions (like hazing) to persist.
- City of Waynesboro Application: If hazing occurs in a fraternity house leased or owned by a university near City of Waynesboro, or a chapter housing corporation, this theory applies. In our Bermudez case, the University of Houston owned the very house where the waterboarding occurred.
Negligent Supervision: This applies when an entity with oversight responsibility (national fraternity over a chapter, university over Greek life) fails to adequately supervise, resulting in harm.
- City of Waynesboro Application: National Greek letter organizations are continuously under fire for inadequate supervision over local chapters operating near City of Waynesboro, even for those that are non-profit organizations.
Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators who inflict physical harm can be directly sued for intentional torts like assault (placing someone in fear of harmful contact) and battery (actual harmful contact).
- City of Waynesboro Application: Every individual who participated in the waterboarding, forced physical activity, or any other physical abuse of your child can be named in a lawsuit.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: This claim addresses the severe psychological suffering caused by “extreme and outrageous” hazing conduct.
- City of Waynesboro Application: The psychological trauma of waterboarding, humiliation, and terror experienced by hazing victims can constitute grounds for this claim.

For parents in City of Waynesboro, it’s crucial to understand that these civil claims exist independently of any criminal prosecution decisions. A decision not to prosecute criminally does NOT prevent you from pursuing justice and compensation through a civil lawsuit.

Why Attorney911: Your Advocates in City of Waynesboro

When your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need an uncompromising advocate who understands the intricate legal landscape of hazing litigation. At Attorney911, located in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, but serving victims nationwide, we bring unparalleled experience, strategic insight, and aggressive dedication to every case, including those originating from City of Waynesboro, Virginia. Our commitment is to ensure that institutions and individuals responsible for hazing are held fully accountable.

Key Differentiators: Why City of Waynesboro Families Choose Attorney911

25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Ralph Manginello is a battle-tested trial attorney with over two decades of experience fighting for victims. This proven expertise translates directly to aggressive representation for City of Waynesboro families.
Former Insurance Defense Insight: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena previously worked on the defense side for insurance companies. They know the insurance company playbook—their strategies to deny claims, minimize payouts, and wear down victims. Now, they use that insider knowledge to strategically dismantle those defenses and maximize recovery for our clients, including those in City of Waynesboro. This is an unfair advantage for our clients.
Federal Court Admissions: We are admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts. This federal authority allows us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often crucial when dealing with national fraternities and universities that operate across state lines. This means we can actively litigate cases for City of Waynesboro victims in a powerful forum.
Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas AND New York): Ralph Manginello’s licensure in New York, in addition to Texas, provides a strategic advantage for hazing cases involving national fraternities or sororities often headquartered in various states. This allows for broader jurisdictional reach and strategic litigation no matter where the hazing occurred or where the national organization is based.
Se Habla Español: We proudly offer bilingual services. Our staff is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that Spanish-speaking families in City of Waynesboro and beyond can communicate openly and confidently about their legal emergencies. Lupe Pena is fluent in Spanish and ensures no language barrier obstructs justice.
Nationwide Hazing Expertise: We are not just theoretical; we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston right now. This means City of Waynesboro families benefit from real-time, cutting-edge legal strategies proven in current hazing battles.
We Will Travel to City of Waynesboro: Distance is not a barrier to justice. For depositions, client meetings, and trials, our attorneys are prepared to travel to City of Waynesboro, Virginia, ensuring you receive personalized and dedicated representation. Remote consultations via video conferencing are also readily available.

Ralph P. Manginello: Your Unwavering Advocate

Ralph Manginello is the managing partner and visionary behind Attorney911. His career is marked by aggressive advocacy for victims and a profound understanding of how to take on powerful entities.

BP Texas City Explosion Litigation (2005): Ralph was involved in this multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation against BP following the catastrophic refinery explosion. This experience demonstrates his capacity to handle complex, high-stakes cases against massive corporate defendants – a skill directly applicable to taking on universities and national fraternities.
Track Record of Success: With over 25 years in the courtroom, Ralph has a proven record of achieving significant results for his clients. His background in journalism trains him to investigate, uncover hidden facts, and tell compelling stories that resonate with juries – crucial for exposing the truth in hazing cases that institutions try to suppress.
Hazing-Specific Expertise: Ralph has direct experience in cases involving severe hazing injuries, including rhabdomyolysis – precisely the diagnosis Leonel Bermudez received. His work on Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation and Texas A&M hazing cases has sharpened his focus on Greek life accountability.
Community Values: As a father of three and an active youth sports coach, Ralph deeply understands the pressures young people face and the importance of protecting them. This personal commitment fuels his fight against the devastating impact of hazing.

Lupe Eleno Peña: The Insider Advantage

Lupe Eleno Peña, an associate attorney at Attorney911, brings a unique and invaluable perspective to our team.

Former National Insurance Defense Attorney: Before dedicating his career to representing injured victims, Lupe worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm. In this role, he defended insurance companies and corporate defendants across various practice areas. He gained firsthand knowledge of how large insurance companies value claims, strategize defenses, and aggressively attempt to minimize or deny payouts.
The Insider’s Playbook: Lupe learned every tactic used by insurance companies to lowball victims, delay claims, and wear down plaintiffs. Now, he uses that “battlefield intelligence” from inside the opposition’s war room to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients. For City of Waynesboro hazing victims, this means we know exactly how the university’s and national fraternity’s insurance carriers will try to fight your case, and we’ll be steps ahead.
Broad Litigation Experience: Lupe’s experience spans products liability, personal injury defense, construction law, and more, providing him with a comprehensive legal toolkit. His expertise in wrongful death and dram shop (alcohol over-service) cases is especially relevant to hazing, which often involves forced alcohol consumption and tragic fatalities.
Bilingual (Spanish): As a fluent Spanish speaker, Lupe is able to provide comprehensive legal services to Spanish-speaking families in City of Waynesboro, ensuring clear communication and culturally sensitive representation. Se habla español.
“Outwork, Outsmart, Outfight”: This is Lupe’s litigation philosophy. He believes in more preparation, strategic thinking informed by his defense background, and relentless advocacy that never backs down from powerful institutions.

Together, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena offer City of Waynesboro families a combined 37+ years of legal experience, with the strategic advantage of having defended the very entities we now fight against. When you hire Attorney911, you’re not just hiring lawyers; you’re hiring former insiders committed to delivering justice.

What to Do Right Now: Your Immediate Steps for Justice

If your child in City of Waynesboro has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While the emotional shock and trauma can be overwhelming, quick and decisive action can profoundly impact the strength of your legal case. We’re here to guide you through these challenging first steps.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Your child’s health and safety are paramount. Even if injuries seem minor or hidden, or even if the trauma is primarily psychological, seek professional medical help immediately.

Document Everything: Every visit to the emergency room, doctor’s office, therapist, or specialist creates a crucial paper trail. Ensure all medical professionals are aware the injuries were caused by hazing.
Don’t Delay: Any delay in seeking treatment can be used by the defense to argue that injuries were not severe or not directly related to the hazing.

2. Preserve All Evidence – EVERYTHING

Hazing cases often rely heavily on digital and physical evidence that can disappear quickly.

Digital Communications: Save every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat conversation, Instagram DM, email, and social media post related to the hazing. Take screenshots. Do NOT delete anything, even if it seems embarrassing or irrelevant. These communications often contain direct evidence of hazing instructions, threats, and witness dialogue. You can refer to our video “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence” for guidance.
Photos and Videos: Take photos and videos of any injuries your child sustained, at every stage of healing. Document the locations where hazing occurred (fraternity house, off-campus residences, parks, etc.). If any videos of the hazing exist, secure them immediately.
Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or other materials provided by the fraternity, sorority, or organization.
Witness Information: Collect the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, including other pledges, current members, or bystanders. They may be afraid to speak up, but their testimony can be invaluable.
Financial Records: Keep meticulous records of all medical bills, therapy costs, lost wages due to missed work or academic performance, and any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred.
Academic Records: Document any impact on your child’s grades, enrollment status, or scholarship eligibility.

3. Do NOT Communicate with the Organization or University Without Counsel

This is a critical mistake many families make.

No Statements: Do NOT give any recorded or unrecorded statements to the fraternity, sorority, national organization, university administration, or their lawyers without consulting your attorney first. They are not on your side and will use anything you say against you.
No Signatures: Do NOT sign any documents from the organization or university. You could inadvertently waive your rights.
No Social Media Posts: Do NOT post about the incident on social media. Everything you post can and will be used against you by the defense. Our video “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” emphasizes this crucial point.
Beware of Apologies/Offers: The organization or university may offer an apology, a scholarship, or a small settlement. These are tactics to silence you and minimize their liability. Do NOT accept anything or agree to anything without legal review.

4. Understand the Statute of Limitations – Act Quickly

In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including hazing, is generally two years from the date of injury. For wrongful death cases, it’s two years from the date of death. While courts may allow exceptions for minors or delayed discovery of injuries, these deadlines are firm.

Our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” explains this in detail.
Why You Cannot Wait: Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, critical digital data may be deleted, and organizations may destroy records. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be. Leonel Bermudez’s family acted immediately, leading to a lawsuit filing within weeks of his hospitalization. This timeliness is a testament to proactive legal strategy.

5. Contact a Qualified Hazing Litigation Attorney IMMEDIATELY

This is perhaps the most important step. We offer a free, confidential consultation.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 anytime, 24/7.
Email ralph@atty911.com.
No Upfront Cost: We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay $0 upfront for our services. We only get paid if we win your case. This allows City of Waynesboro families to seek justice without the burden of immediate legal fees. Our video “How Contingency Fees Work” explains this in detail.
Remote Consultations: Even if you’re in City of Waynesboro or elsewhere in Virginia, we can conduct video consultations to discuss your case thoroughly.
We Travel for Justice: For depositions, client meetings, and trials, our attorneys will travel to City of Waynesboro or wherever necessary to aggressively pursue your case.

When your child has been subjected to unimaginable trauma, don’t face the powerful legal teams of universities and national fraternities alone. We are here to be your unwavering voice and your strategic partner in seeking justice.

Attorney911’s Texas Hazing Intelligence Database: We Know Who They Are

We don’t guess who might be responsible for hazing in City of Waynesboro. We know. Our firm maintains one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations, not just in Texas but with national reach. This includes their legal names, EINs (Employer Identification Numbers), mailing addresses, house corporations, alumni chapters, and insurance structures. When hazing happens, we already know exactly who to sue.

For example, our database includes IRS-registered entities like:

Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc with EIN 462267515, based in Frisco, Texas. This is the very entity behind the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at the University of Houston, which we sued in the Bermudez case. We already knew their corporate structure, their assets, and their connections even before filing the lawsuit.
Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation with EIN 371768785, located in Missouri City, Texas.
Kappa Sigma Mu Gamma Chapter Inc with EIN 133048786, based in College Station, Texas.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Texas Sigma Incorporated with EIN 882755427, in San Marcos, Texas.
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc Theta Delta with EIN 475370943, in Houston, Texas.
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Epsilon Kappa with EIN 746064445, in Nederland, Texas.

We track these thousands of Greek-related organizations across 25 metropolitan areas in Texas alone, amounting to a total of 1,423 entities. This includes undergraduate chapters, house corporations that own fraternity and sorority property, alumni chapters that fund and influence undergraduate behavior, and even honor and professional Greek organizations. This level of granular detail allows us to identify every potential defendant and liability pathway.

When your child from City of Waynesboro is hazed, the fraternity will claim they are just college kids. But behind those Greek letters are tax-exempt corporations with EINs, bank accounts, real estate holdings, and insurance policies. Attorney911 tracks them all. We are sending a clear warning to every fraternity and sorority operating near City of Waynesboro: We know who you are. We know your structure. And when you haze students, we will find every liable entity.

Pi Kappa Phi: A National Record of Deadly Negligence

The Pi Kappa Phi national organization has a documented history of hazing leading to death. As mentioned, Andrew Coffey died in 2017 at Florida State University during a Pi Kappa Phi hazing event where he was forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon. Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized under the same national organization’s watch for waterboarding and kidney failure.

This pattern, combined with our lawsuit, proves a culture of negligence that permeates their 150+ chapters nationwide, including any chapters operating near City of Waynesboro. Attorney911 tracks their house corporations, their alumni chapters, their national insurance structures, and their documented history of hazing deaths. If their Virginia chapters, or any chapters a City of Waynesboro student may pledge, harm students, Attorney911 will pursue every liable entity.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline in City of Waynesboro

If you or your child in City of Waynesboro, Virginia, has been a victim of hazing, you are facing a legal emergency. Do not suffer in silence. Do not try to navigate this complex and emotionally draining process alone. You have legal rights, and we are here to fight for them with the same fierce dedication we bring to every case, including our current $10 million lawsuit.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR CITY OF WAYNESBORO HAZING VICTIMS:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Our Legal Emergency Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for families in City of Waynesboro.

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

You can also schedule a free and confidential consultation. We understand that confronting powerful institutions can be intimidating, especially from a distance. That’s why we offer:

Video Consultations: For City of Waynesboro families who cannot travel, we can meet with you remotely face-to-face to discuss your case in detail.
Travel Commitment: While our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we are prepared to travel to City of Waynesboro, Virginia, for depositions, client meetings, mediations, and trials when necessary. Distance will never be a barrier to justice.

Remember, we work on a CONTINGENCY FEE BASIS. This means:

$0 Upfront: You pay absolutely nothing out-of-pocket to hire us.
We Don’t Get Paid Unless YOU Get Paid: Our fees are contingent upon us securing compensation for you. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us a dime for our legal services.

We Serve Hazing Victims Nationwide, Including City of Waynesboro

Hazing is a national crisis, and its victims are everywhere. Whether the hazing occurred at a university in Virginia, or another state your child attends college in, our firm has the expertise and reach to help.

Federal Court Authority: Our admission to U.S. District Courts allows us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, often providing a powerful avenue against national organizations.
Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello holds licenses in both Texas and New York, giving us broader legal standing to pursue national fraternities and universities across the country.
Unmatched Experience: We represent victims of hazing in fraternities and sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, clubs, and any other organization that weaponizes abuse in the name of “initiation.”

To other victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing: We know there are more of you. Leonel Bermudez was not the only one. Another pledge collapsed on October 15. Many others endured the same waterboarding, forced eating, and brutal physical abuse. You have rights, and we can represent you. As Lupe Pena emphasized, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Call us. Let’s bring them all to justice.

Your child’s future, and the safety of countless other students, depends on people like you speaking out. Let Attorney911 be your voice.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free consultation. We are ready to listen, we are ready to fight, and we are ready to secure the justice your family deserves.