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 to learn in a safe environment. Instead, they were tortured. They were subjected to abuse disguised as tradition, and now you, a parent in the City of Williamsburg, are searching for answers, for justice, and for a way to fight back. We understand what you’re going through, and we want you to know: we’re here to help families in the City of Williamsburg fight back against the insidious problem of hazing.

Here at Attorney911, we are not just lawyers; we are advocates, strategists, and relentless champions for victims of hazing in the City of Williamsburg and across the nation. This isn’t a theoretical fight for us. We are in the trenches right now, actively litigating a landmark $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the horrific hazing of Leonel Bermudez. This case, still unfolding in Harris County Civil District Court, represents everything we stand for: aggressive representation of hazing victims, data-driven litigation strategies, and unwavering pursuit of accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries and deaths.

We know hazing isn’t just a Texas problem; it’s a national crisis, and it impacts families in the City of Williamsburg just as profoundly. Your children attend colleges and universities across Virginia and beyond, and they deserve protection from the very institutions and organizations entrusted with their well-being. When that trust is betrayed, we are the firm that steps in to demand justice.

The Horrifying Truth: What Happened to Leonel Bermudez

A Stark Warning for City of Williamsburg Families

The story of Leonel Bermudez should be a sobering wake-up call for every parent in the City of Williamsburg whose child is considering Greek life or any student organization. What happened to Leonel is not an isolated incident; it’s a terrifying example of the brutal reality of modern hazing. It happened just weeks ago in Houston, and cases like his occur with alarming frequency at universities across the country, including those where City of Williamsburg students enroll.

Leonel Bermudez was not even a registered student at the University of Houston yet. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity planning to transfer to the university for the upcoming semester. On September 16, 2025, he accepted a bid to join the fraternity, full of hope for camaraderie and friendship. What followed was an agonizing seven weeks of systematic abuse, physical torture, and psychological torment that ultimately landed him in the hospital for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

During this period, Leonel and other pledges were subjected to a litany of horrifying acts. Imagine your child being waterboarded with a garden hose, systematically sprayed in the face with water during calisthenics, simulating drowning. This isn’t a prank; it’s a form of torture, a war crime when inflicted upon enemy combatants. Yet, fraternity members did this to college students seeking belonging.

He was forced to eat until he vomited. Pledges were made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they were violently ill. And after vomiting, they were forced to continue running sprints, often lying in vomit-soaked grass.

The physical exertion was extreme and relentless. Leonel was compelled to perform over 100 push-ups and 500 squats. Other exercises included high-volume “suicides” (sprint drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-your-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls, all while reciting the fraternity creed. He was subjected to public humiliation, forced to continually carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature, and stripped to his underwear in cold weather. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Pledges even lost consciousness during these forced workouts, with others required to elevate their legs until they revived.

By November 3, 2025, after being punished for missing an event, Leonel Bermudez was so exhausted he could not stand without help. He crawled home, his body screaming in agony. The next day, he could barely move; the day after, his condition worsened. On November 6, his terrified mother rushed him to the hospital, where doctors discovered his urine was brown—a tell-tale sign of muscle breakdown. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, a life-threatening condition where muscle tissue breaks down and releases damaging proteins into the bloodstream, overwhelming the kidneys.

As Attorney Ralph Manginello told ABC13, “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.”

Within weeks of this report, the Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters officially closed its Beta Nu Chapter, effective November 14, 2025 – just days before our $10 million lawsuit was filed. This move was a clear attempt to mitigate damages and distance the national organization from the local chapter’s egregious actions, but it also served as an admission of severe misconduct. As Attorney Lupe Pena succinctly put it, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

The Deeply Disturbing Institutional Response

The University of Houston, which owned the fraternity house where much of this torture occurred, issued a statement calling the events “deeply disturbing” and a “clear violation of our community standards.” They also mentioned “potential criminal charges,” signaling the severity of the alleged crimes. Meanwhile, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, in their public statement, thanked the University of Houston for its “collaboration and leadership” and expressed their desire to “return to campus at the appropriate time.” This callous disregard for Leonel’s suffering and their immediate focus on their future presence underscores the deep-seated cultural problems within these organizations.

This case is not just about Leonel Bermudez; it’s about every student from the City of Williamsburg who leaves home for college, trusting that the institutions they attend will keep them safe. It’s about challenging the notion that these “traditions” are harmless rites of passage. They are not. They are assault, battery, and sometimes, as tragically seen in other cases, manslaughter or murder.

What Hazing Truly Looks Like Today

For many parents in the City of Williamsburg, the word “hazing” might conjure images of mischievous pranks or inconvenient tasks. We’re here to tell you that modern hazing is far more sinister, and the story of Leonel Bermudez is a chilling testament to its brutality. This is not about building character or bonding; it is about systematic abuse, degradation, and torture that can leave psychological scars as deep as the physical ones.

Beyond the Stereotypes: Recognizing the Red Flags

Hazing activities today are designed to break pledges down, physically and psychologically, to instill absolute obedience and loyalty through fear. Here are the types of hazing incidents we see in cases across the country, activities that your child from the City of Williamsburg might silently endure:

Extreme Physical Abuse: This goes far beyond mild discomfort. We are talking about forced exercise to the point of collapse, as Leonel experienced, leading to conditions like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. It includes beatings, paddling, burning, branding, and other forms of physical assault. The use of wooden paddles, as alleged in Leonel’s case, is a stark example of outright physical violence.
Forced Consumption: This is often deadly and involves compelling pledges to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol, food until vomiting, or even non-food substances. Binge drinking is a common and lethal hazing ritual that has claimed countless lives.
Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often intentionally deprived of sleep, forced into late-night or early-morning activities that leave them exhausted and vulnerable to suggestion and injury. Leonel was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, disrupting his rest and leading to exhaustion.
Psychological Torture and Humiliation: This is a core component of modern hazing. It includes verbal abuse, threats, forced nudity, social isolation, and degrading tasks designed to strip individuals of their dignity. The fanny pack containing sexual objects or the hog-tying incident in Leonel’s case are examples of this cruel humiliation. Threats of physical punishment or expulsion if tasks were not completed added immense psychological pressure.
Waterboarding or Simulated Drowning: Yes, this happens. As documented in Leonel’s case, pledges are sprayed in the face with hoses, often while doing calisthenics, simulating the horrific act of drowning. This is a profound violation that instills terror.
Exposure to the Elements: Forcing pledges into harsh environmental conditions without proper clothing or shelter, leading to hypothermia, heatstroke, or other health emergencies. Leonel was made to strip to his underwear in cold weather and sprayed with a hose.
Sexual Harassment and Assault: Hazing often involves forced nudity, sexually suggestive acts, or outright sexual assault. These incidents are deeply traumatizing and often go unreported due to shame and fear.
Servitude and Abuse of Power: Pledges become personal servants to active members, running errands, cleaning, cooking, and performing demeaning tasks. This reinforces a power imbalance and fosters an environment ripe for abuse.

The Medical and Psychological Toll

The consequences of hazing are severe, often lifelong. For Leonel, the extreme physical exertion resulted in rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospitalization. This is a medical emergency that can lead to permanent kidney damage or even death.

Beyond the immediate crisis, victims can suffer from:

Alcohol poisoning: A common and often fatal outcome of forced drinking.
Traumatic brain injury: From physical assaults or falls while intoxicated or exhausted.
Internal injuries: From beatings, falls, or forced consumption.
Hypothermia or heatstroke: From exposure.
Cardiac arrest: From extreme physical exertion.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The psychological impact of torture and abuse can manifest as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and profound emotional distress, requiring long-term therapy.
Depression and Anxiety: Leaving victims withdrawn, unable to cope, and sometimes leading to suicidal ideation.
Academic Decline: The physical and emotional toll can severely impact academic performance, leading to dropped classes, lost scholarships, and delayed graduation.

When families in the City of Williamsburg send their children off to college, they expect them to return home safe and sound, not traumatized and hospitalized. This is not “boys being boys”; it is criminal behavior, and the institutions that allow it must be held accountable.

Who Is Responsible When Hazing Happens?

When your child from the City of Williamsburg is harmed by hazing, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, to wonder who you can turn to, and who can be held accountable. The truth is, hazing is
rarely the fault of just one individual. It’s often a systemic failure involving many layers of responsibility, from the individual perpetrators to the largest institutions. Our firm specializes in identifying and pursuing every single liable party, ensuring that everyone who contributed to the harm faces justice.

In our landmark $10 million lawsuit involving Leonel Bermudez, we’ve cast a wide net, naming every responsible party because that’s what it takes to send a clear message: hazing will not be tolerated, and those who enable it will pay.

Here are the key entities and individuals who can be held responsible in a hazing case:

The Local Chapter of the Fraternity or Sorority

This is often the most obvious responsible party. The local chapter, including its active members and leadership, directly organizes and carries out hazing activities.

Direct Perpetrators: The individual members who actively participate in the hazing, physically abusing, harassing, or coercing pledges. These are the ones who inflict the pain, the humiliation, and the suffering.
Chapter Officers: The president, pledgemaster, and other leaders who plan, supervise, or tacitly approve the hazing rituals. They are often the orchestrators, directing the abuse.
All Active Members: Even members who do not actively participate but are aware of the hazing and fail to report it or intervene can be held liable. Their inaction contributes to the culture of silence and complicity.

In the Bermudez case, we specifically named the Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, the fraternity president, the pledgemaster, and other active members, including some who were former members who hosted hazing at their residences.

The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization

These are the “deep pockets” of Greek life. National organizations oversee hundreds of local chapters across the country, including many that have chapters where City of Williamsburg students attend college. They often have sophisticated corporate structures, significant assets, and extensive insurance policies.

Failure to Supervise: The national organization has a duty to oversee its chapters, ensure compliance with anti-hazing policies, and provide adequate training. When they fail, they are liable.
Failure to Enforce Policies: Most national fraternities have anti-hazing policies on paper, but if they don’t actively enforce them, they are enabling hazing.
Knowledge of Prior Incidents: If a national organization has a history of hazing incidents at other chapters (as Pi Kappa Phi does with the death of Andrew Coffey), they are on notice of a systemic problem. Their failure to act aggressively after such events demonstrates gross negligence.
Housing Corporations: Often, a separate housing corporation, sometimes managed by the national organization or alumni, owns the fraternity house where hazing occurs. This entity also bears responsibility for ensuring the safety of its premises.

Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, which has 150+ chapters across America, is a key defendant in the Bermudez case, just as they were implicated in the 2017 death of Andrew Coffey.

The College or University

Universities have a profound responsibility to protect their students. They provide a learning environment, and when they fail to ensure its safety, they can be held liable.

Institutional Negligence: Universities have the power to regulate Greek life, investigate complaints, and intervene when hazing occurs. Failure to do so constitutes negligence.
Lack of Oversight: Inadequate staffing in Greek life offices, insufficient training for student leaders, or a culture that minimizes hazing risks are all forms of institutional negligence.
Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned property, or property that the university controls or leases (as was the case with the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi house), the university has a direct responsibility to maintain safe premises.
Failure to Act on Prior Knowledge: As with the University of Houston, which had a documented hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving another fraternity, a university cannot claim ignorance. They have a duty to implement effective changes when they know hazing is a recurring problem on their campus.

In our lawsuit, both the University of Houston and the UH Board of Regents are named as defendants, holding the entire institution accountable for its failures.

Individual Members Who Hosted or Allowed Hazing at Their Residence

Beyond active members, others can also be held responsible. In the Bermudez case, we included a former member and his spouse who allowed hazing sessions to occur at their private residence.

Premises Liability: As property owners, they have a duty to ensure the safety of those on their property and not to allow illegal activities to occur.
Aiding and Abetting: By providing a venue and implicitly or explicitly condoning the hazing, they can be seen as aiding and abetting the abuse.

Insurance Carriers

The financial resources to compensate victims often come through the insurance policies held by the national organizations, universities, and sometimes even individuals.

Liability Insurance: National fraternities, universities, and housing corporations typically carry substantial liability insurance policies.
Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance: In cases where hazing occurs at private residences, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies may provide coverage.

As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring invaluable insider knowledge to the table. They know exactly how these insurance companies operate, how they value claims, and how they attempt to minimize payouts. This allows us to anticipate their strategies and relentlessly negotiate for the maximum compensation your family deserves.

When your child from the City of Williamsburg is victimized by hazing, we don’t just look for easy targets. We meticulously investigate every angle, identify every potentially liable party, and pursue them all to ensure comprehensive accountability and justice. We do not guess who is responsible; we know, and we sue everyone responsible.

What These Multi-Million Dollar Cases Win

For families in the City of Williamsburg grappling with the aftermath of hazing, understanding the potential financial recovery is critical. These cases are not just about monetary compensation; they are about sending a powerful message that hazing will no longer be tolerated, and that responsible institutions will pay a severe price for their negligence. The multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements achieved in hazing cases across the country, including those for the deaths of Stone Foltz, Maxwell Gruver, and Timothy Piazza, prove that justice is attainable—and these same legal principles apply directly to hazing incidents affecting families in the City of Williamsburg.

The Stone Foltz Tragedy: A $10.1 Million+ Precedent

Victim: Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old Bowling Green State University student.
Incident: In March 2021, at a Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” event, he was forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol. He died from acute alcohol poisoning.
Outcome: The Foltz family secured over $10.1 million in settlements and judgments. This included $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from the national Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and several individual members. Most recently, in December 2024, a former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million. This represents the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio’s history. Stone Foltz’s death also led to “Collin’s Law,” strengthening Ohio’s anti-hazing statutes.

Why this matters for your City of Williamsburg case: Our $10 million demand in the Leonel Bermudez case is directly in line with this precedent. It demonstrates that even when a victim survives, the severe injuries and egregious conduct warrant multi-million dollar compensation. Also, it shows personal liability for individuals.

The Maxwell Gruver Act: A $6.1 Million Verdict That Changed Law

Victim: Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old Louisiana State University student.
Incident: In September 2017, at a Phi Delta Theta pledge event called “Bible Study,” he was forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol for answering questions incorrectly. He died from acute alcohol poisoning with a blood alcohol content of 0.495—six times the legal limit.
Outcome: A jury delivered a $6.1 million verdict to the Gruver family. In addition, one fraternity member was convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced to prison. Maxwell’s death directly led to the passage of the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.

Why this matters for your City of Williamsburg case: This case unequivocally proves that juries are ready to award millions for hazing deaths, underscoring the severe consequences institutions and individuals face. The fact that it ignited legislative change highlights the societal condemnation of such practices.

The Timothy Piazza Case: Over $110 Million in Settlements

Victim: Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old Penn State University student.
Incident: In February 2017, during a Beta Theta Pi bid acceptance night, he was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes as part of a ritual called “the gauntlet.” Highly intoxicated, he fell down a flight of stairs multiple times, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911. He died two days later. Security camera footage within the fraternity house documented the entire horrific night.
Outcome: While specific settlement amounts remain confidential, estimates suggest the total recovery for the Piazza family exceeded $110 million. Eighteen fraternity members faced criminal charges, with multiple convictions for involuntary manslaughter and hazing. This tragedy also spurred the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in Pennsylvania.

Why this matters for your City of Williamsburg case: The sheer magnitude of the Piazza settlement demonstrates the potential for enormous recovery when egregious conduct is clearly documented, and institutional negligence is undeniable. It also emphasizes the power of clear evidence, such as video proof, in building an irrefutable case.

Our Own Ongoing Case: Leonel Bermudez and Pi Kappa Phi

Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is in the same vein as these landmark cases. While Leonel survived, his life-altering injuries—rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—are direct consequences of intentional torture and extreme physical abuse. The fact that this is against Pi Kappa Phi, the same national organization whose Florida State chapter saw Andrew Coffey die from hazing just eight years prior, strengthens our argument for punitive damages and systemic negligence.

Key Takeaways for City of Williamsburg Families:

Hazing Is Costly: These cases prove that hazing costs institutions and individuals millions of dollars. Your child’s suffering can translate into significant compensation.
Universities Are Liable: Institutions like Bowling Green State and Penn State have paid millions for their failure to prevent hazing, making universities near the City of Williamsburg equally vulnerable.
National Fraternities Are Held Accountable: Pi Kappa Alpha and Phi Delta Theta, among others, have faced multi-million dollar payouts, demonstrating that national oversight failures lead to massive liability for fraternities with chapters in the City of Williamsburg.
Individual Accountability: The $6.5 million judgment against Daylen Dunson in the Stone Foltz case shows that individual perpetrators, including chapter officers, can be held personally liable for the immense harm they inflict.
Deterrence and Change: Beyond financial compensation, these lawsuits pave the way for stronger anti-hazing laws and improved safety protocols, helping to protect future students. Your City of Williamsburg case can be part of this vital change.

These precedent-setting cases showcase what is possible when aggressive, data-driven legal teams like Attorney911 take on the powerful institutions that allow hazing to persist. We will bring the same level of expertise, dedication, and relentless advocacy to your child’s hazing case in the City of Williamsburg, ensuring that every responsible party pays for the suffering they caused.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Anti-Hazing Statutes

For families in the City of Williamsburg whose children attend colleges and universities across the country, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. While our comprehensive knowledge extends to anti-hazing laws nationwide, it’s particularly important to highlight the strength of Texas’s anti-hazing statutes, as these provide a robust framework for accountability against fraternities and universities, just like in the Leonel Bermudez case. Many states have laws modeled after or similar to Texas’s, offering powerful recourse for victims.

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

Texas boasts one of the nation’s most comprehensive anti-hazing laws, making it a powerful weapon for victims and prosecutors. This law draws a clear line: hazing is not merely a violation of school policy; it is a serious criminal offense.

What is Hazing? (Texas Education Code § 37.151)

The law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization, if that act:

Involves Physical Brutality: Such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electrical shocking, placing a harmful substance on the body, or other similar activity. (Leonel was struck with wooden paddles and forced into extreme physical exertion.)
Involves Sleep Deprivation, Exposure, Confinement, or Excessive Calisthenics: Or any similar activity that subjects a student to an unreasonable risk of harm or negatively affects their mental or physical health. (Leonel endured sleep deprivation, stripping in cold weather, hose spraying, and extensive calisthenics leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.)
Involves Forced Consumption: Of food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affect health. (Leonel was forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.)
Requires Criminal Acts: Any activity that induces, causes, or requires a student to violate the Penal Code.
Involves Coercion to Consume Drugs or Alcohol: In amounts that would lead a reasonable person to believe the student is intoxicated. (This often applies to forced binge drinking rituals.)

The clarity of this definition means that the horrific acts inflicted on Leonel Bermudez fall squarely within what Texas law classifies as criminal hazing. Incidents like these, often dismissed as “tradition” or “pranks,” are legally recognized as serious crimes.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing (§ 37.152)

The law carries significant criminal consequences, demonstrating society’s condemnation of hazing:

Engaging in Hazing: Can be a Class B Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Hazing Causing Serious Bodily Injury: Rises to a Class A Misdemeanor, with penalties up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. As Leonel suffered severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, this likely falls into the “serious bodily injury” category.
Hazing Causing Death: Is a State Jail Felony, carrying a sentence of 180 days to two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine. This underscores the severity of fatal hazing incidents.
Failure to Report: Even those with firsthand knowledge of hazing who fail to report it to school officials can face Class B Misdemeanor charges.

The University of Houston spokesperson even highlighted “potential criminal charges” in their statement regarding the Bermudez case, reflecting this legal reality.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153)

Crucially, the law doesn’t just target individuals. Organizations themselves can be held liable:

An organization commits an offense if it condones or encourages hazing, or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing.
Penalties can include fines up to $10,000 and even denial of permission to operate on campus. This is why Pi Kappa Phi was swift to close its Beta Nu chapter, though this legal maneuver doesn’t erase their fundamental liability.

Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154)

This is perhaps the most powerful aspect of the Texas anti-hazing law, and it’s a critical point for any parent in the City of Williamsburg to understand:

“It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This statutory language explicitly eliminates the common defense used by fraternities and sororities: that the victim “agreed” to participate, or “knew what they were signing up for.” Texas law recognizes that the power dynamics, coercion, and peer pressure inherent in hazing negate true consent. A student cannot legally consent to be tortured or abused. This provision is a game-changer in holding perpetrators and institutions accountable.

Beyond Texas Law: Civil and Federal Liability

While Texas law provides a strong foundation, civil liability theories—which exist nationwide—further bolster hazing cases:

Negligence Claims: The core of most personal injury lawsuits, proving that a duty of care was breached, leading to injuries and damages. This applies to universities, national organizations, and individual members.
Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (like the UH fraternity house) or another individual (like the former member’s residence in the Bermudez case), property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises.
Negligent Supervision: When national organizations fail to adequately supervise their chapters, or universities fail to properly oversee Greek life, they can be held liable.
Assault and Battery: Direct claims against individual members for intentional harmful or offensive contact.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For outrageous conduct that causes severe emotional suffering.
Federal Civil Rights Claims: In some instances, hazing that involves discrimination or a pattern of abuse that violates a student’s civil rights can open avenues for federal litigation, where our federal court authority comes into play.

For City of Williamsburg families, this means that even if the hazing occurred outside of Texas, similar legal protections exist. And with our firm’s federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York), we are uniquely positioned to pursue justice against national fraternities and universities across state lines. The law is on the side of the victims, and we are here to wield it aggressively.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for City of Williamsburg Families

When your family in the City of Williamsburg faces the nightmare of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need battle-tested warriors who understand the intricate landscape of hazing litigation. At Attorney911, the choice is clear. We combine deep legal expertise, an aggressive approach, and unparalleled insider knowledge to deliver results that truly matter—not just for our clients, but for bringing about systemic change.

Our Unmatched Expertise: Beyond Standard Personal Injury

Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit: This is our most compelling differentiator. We aren’t theorizing about hazing; we’re in the fight right now, actively seeking $10 million in damages from Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This ongoing case for Leonel Bermudez proves our aggressive, data-driven approach and our commitment to holding massive institutions accountable. For City of Williamsburg families, this means you’re getting attorneys who are actively engaged in the forefront of hazing litigation.
Ralph Manginello: 25+ Years of Battle-Tested Experience: Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, brings over two decades of courtroom experience. His deep legal acumen has been honed in the toughest legal battles, including multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation against BP following the catastrophic Texas City refinery explosion. This experience against corporate giants directly translates to taking on powerful national fraternities and well-funded universities. His journalism background also makes him a master investigator, ensuring no stone is left unturned in uncovering the facts of your City of Williamsburg case.
Lupe Peña: Former National Insurance Defense Insider: Associate attorney Lupe Peña offers an invaluable strategic advantage. He previously worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm. This means he knows the insurance company playbook inside and out—how they strategize, how they value claims, and precisely how they attempt to minimize payouts. Now, he uses that insider knowledge against them, providing an unfair advantage for our clients in the City of Williamsburg.
A Combined Insurance Counter-Intelligence System: With both Ralph and Lupe bringing former insurance defense experience, we have a unique “counter-intelligence system.” We know how the other side thinks because we used to be the other side. This enables us to anticipate their moves, dismantle their arguments, and push for maximum compensation for your City of Williamsburg family.
Federal Court Authority & Dual-State Bar Admissions: Hazing cases often involve national fraternities or students attending out-of-state universities. Our attorneys are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and Ralph is dual-licensed in Texas and New York. This means we have the authority and reach to pursue your case in federal courts anywhere in the nation, crucial for holding national organizations accountable, regardless of where the City of Williamsburg incident occurred.
Hazing-Specific Expertise: Rhabdomyolysis and More: Ralph Manginello has direct experience with hazing litigation, including rhabdomyolysis cases—the exact condition Leonel Bermudez suffered. This specialized medical-legal understanding ensures we can effectively articulate the severity and long-term impact of your child’s injuries.

Our Client-Centered Approach: Compassion Meets Aggression

We Come to You: Nationwide Service: While headquartered in Houston with offices in Austin and Beaumont, we proudly serve hazing victims in the City of Williamsburg and across America. We offer remote consultations via video to make it easy for City of Williamsburg families to connect with us. For depositions, critical meetings, and trials, our attorneys are prepared to travel to the City of Williamsburg or any location required to secure justice. Distance is never a barrier to our commitment.
Contingency Fee Basis: Zero Upfront Cost for City of Williamsburg Families: We understand that dealing with hazing trauma is financially and emotionally draining. You pay us absolutely nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless and until you get paid. This eliminates financial barriers and aligns our interests directly with yours—we only win if you win.
Bilingual Legal Services (Se Habla Español): For our Spanish-speaking families in the City of Williamsburg, we offer comprehensive bilingual services. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring clear communication and comfortable representation without language being an obstacle to justice.
24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline: Legal emergencies don’t keep business hours. Our hotline, 1-888-ATTY-911, is available 24/7. When your child from the City of Williamsburg is affected by hazing, you can reach us immediately for guidance and support.
A Track Record of Success and Client Testimonials: Our consistent 4.9-star rating on Google My Business, with over 250 reviews, reflects our commitment to client satisfaction. Our testimonials, such as those praising our aggressive advocacy, communication, and “family” approach, speak volumes about the trust our clients place in us.

Beyond the Courtroom: Driving Systemic Change

We don’t just win cases; we aim to change the culture of hazing. As Lupe Pena stated for ABC13, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Our lawsuits contribute to this goal by:

Forcing Accountability: Making institutions pay ensures they feel the financial pain of their negligence, motivating them to implement real change.
Setting Precedent: Every successful hazing lawsuit strengthens future cases and makes it harder for fraternities and universities to dismiss or cover up incidents.
Inspiring Legislation: Just as cases like Maxwell Gruver and Timothy Piazza led to new anti-hazing laws, our victories contribute to an ongoing movement for legislative reform.

For families in the City of Williamsburg, facing the unthinkable requires a powerful, compassionate, and unwavering legal partner. Attorney911 is that partner. We are prepared to bring our full arsenal of experience, data-driven strategies, and relentless advocacy to your fight, ensuring your child’s voice is heard and justice is served.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for City of Williamsburg Families

If you’re a parent in the City of Williamsburg, reading this at 2 AM, feeling a mix of fear, anger, and desperation, we want to empower you with immediate, actionable steps. The moments immediately following a hazing incident are critical for preserving evidence and protecting your legal rights. Do not wait; time is of the essence.

Step 1: Secure Immediate Medical Attention and Documentation

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

Go to an Emergency Room or Doctor: If there’s any chance of physical injury, get your child to the nearest emergency room in the City of Williamsburg or a trusted medical provider. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries, like rhabdomyolysis or concussions, may have delayed symptoms. Explain exactly what happened to the medical staff.
Document Everything (Medical Records): Ensure all injuries, symptoms, treatments, and conversations with medical professionals are thoroughly documented. Get copies of hospital records, ER visit summaries, doctor’s notes, test results (like blood work for creatine kinase levels in rhabdomyolysis cases), and any referrals to specialists or therapists. This forms the bedrock of your personal injury claim.
Seek Mental Health Support: Hazing inflicts profound psychological trauma. Connect your child with a qualified therapist or counselor in the City of Williamsburg who specializes in trauma. Document all sessions, diagnoses (such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression), and treatment plans.

Why Timely Medical Attention Matters:

Defense attorneys and insurance companies will seize on any delay in seeking medical care to argue that your child wasn’t seriously injured, or that their injuries were not caused by the hazing. Immediate and consistent medical documentation directly refutes such claims.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence—No Exceptions

Evidence is perishable. Texts get deleted, social media posts disappear, and memories fade. You must act quickly and methodically to preserve every piece of information.

Photos and Videos: Take pictures of all visible injuries (bruises, marks, swelling) at every stage of healing. If there are any photos or videos of the hazing activities themselves, save them immediately. Photograph the location where the hazing occurred if possible and safe to do so.
Digital Communications: This is absolutely critical in today’s digital age.
- Text Messages: Screenshot all relevant texts from fraternity/sorority members, pledges, or witnesses. Do not delete any messages from your phone.
- GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, etc.: Save direct messages, posts, and group chats. Remember that many apps have disappearing message features; capture screenshots before they vanish.
- Emails: Preserve all emails related to the organization or the hazing incident.
Documents: Collect any “pledge manuals,” schedules, rules, or communications distributed by the organization. Retain any tuition bills, financial aid statements, or scholarship information that might be affected.
Witness Information: Make a list of names and contact information for anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or any individuals who might have knowledge of what occurred. Even if they are reluctant to come forward now, this information is vital.
“Burner” Phone & Social Media Freeze: Consider obtaining a “burner” phone dedicated solely to critical communications related to the incident. More importantly, DO NOT POST ANYTHING ABOUT THE INCIDENT ON YOUR OR YOUR CHILD’S SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS. Anything posted can and will be used against you. DO NOT DELETE any previous posts, as this can be construed as spoliation of evidence. Freeze all social media activity related to the incident immediately.

Why Evidence Preservation Matters:

This evidence paints a clear picture of what happened, who was involved, and the extent of the harm. It directly combats the “he said/she said” defense and proves the systematic nature of hazing. Our firm has a “Hazing Intelligence Database” which tracks organizations, but your specific evidence makes your case irrefutable.

Step 3: Do NOT Communicate with the Perpetrators or Institutions

After a hazing incident, various parties will try to contact you or your child. It is imperative that you direct all communications through your attorney.

NO Contact with the Fraternity/Sorority: Do not speak to local chapter members, alumni advisors, or national representatives. They will try to minimize the incident, obtain information, or coerce you into silence.
NO Contact with University Administration (Alone): The university’s primary goal is to protect itself and its reputation. While cooperating with an official investigation is necessary, do so only with legal counsel present. Do not give any formal or informal statements without your attorney there.
DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents from the fraternity/sorority, university, or their insurance companies without a lawyer reviewing them first. You could inadvertently waive your rights to pursue legal action.
DO NOT Give Recorded Statements: Insurance adjusters or university investigators may ask for recorded statements. Politely decline and state that all communications should go through your legal counsel. They are trained to elicit information that can harm your case.

Why This Step Is Critical:

These powerful organizations have legal teams and public relations departments whose job is to protect them, not you. Any statements you or your child make can be twisted and used against your case. Let us be your shield.

Step 4: Call Attorney911 Immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911

The most crucial step you can take is to contact experienced legal counsel with expertise in hazing litigation.

Act Fast: Statute of Limitations: In Virginia, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of injury. However, for “causes of action founded upon contract” or for “personal injury resulting from a felony,” different timelines may apply, and some circumstances (like the victim being a minor) can affect this. While this might seem like a lot of time, evidence disappears rapidly. The sooner we are involved, the stronger your case will be. Our 24/7 hotline is 1-888-ATTY-911.
Free Consultation: We offer a free, no-obligation consultation. You can speak with our experienced hazing attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, discuss your situation, and understand your legal options.
Contingency Fee Basis: There is absolutely no upfront cost to you. We work on a contingency fee, meaning we only get paid if we win your case.
Nationwide Reach: While we are based in Houston, our federal court authority, dual-state bar licenses, and willingness to travel mean we can represent City of Williamsburg families and act as their hazing lawyer near City of Williamsburg, regardless of where the incident occurred. We regularly conduct video consultations to make the process easy and accessible.

When tragedy strikes, you need immediate, aggressive, and professional help. Attorney911 is ready to be your first responder to this legal emergency. We are fighting this battle right now for Leonel Bermudez, and we will fight just as relentlessly for your child from the City of Williamsburg. Do not face this nightmare alone. Call us.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline for Hazing Victims in City of Williamsburg

If you’re reading this, your child from the City of Williamsburg has likely endured unimaginable trauma because of hazing. The fear, the anger, the confusion, and the overwhelming desire for justice are powerful emotions. We want you to know: you are not alone, and we are ready to fight for you.

At Attorney911, we are more than just a law firm; we are a dedicated team of legal emergency responders for victims of hazing in the City of Williamsburg and nationwide. We are actively engaged in the biggest hazing lawsuits in the country, and we bring that ferocity and expertise directly to your case, no matter where you are.

Your Immediate Next Step: Call Our 24/7 Hotline

When hazing impacts your family, time is critical. Evidence vanishes, memories fade, and legal deadlines approach quickly. That’s why we’ve made ourselves available around the clock.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

This hotline is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your call is confidential, and your initial consultation is absolutely free. You have nothing to lose by seeking immediate legal guidance.

Email Us Anytime: ralph@atty911.com

Visit Our Website: attorney911.com

What Happens When You Contact Attorney911?

Immediate & Free Consultation: You will speak directly with one of our experienced hazing attorneys, Ralph Manginello or Lupe Pena. We will listen to your story with compassion, ask critical questions, and provide a clear assessment of your legal options. This isn’t a sales call; it’s an opportunity for you to get answers and understand your rights.
No Upfront Fees – We Work on Contingency: We understand that your family in the City of Williamsburg is likely facing unexpected medical bills and emotional distress. Financial concerns should never prevent you from seeking justice. We take all hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means:
- You pay $0 upfront.
- We cover all litigation costs.
- We only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
Nationwide Reach, Hyperlocal Expertise: While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our legal authority extends nationwide.
- Federal Court Admissions: We are authorized to practice in U.S. District Courts, enabling us to pursue national fraternities and universities across state lines.
- Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello holds licenses in both Texas and New York, providing strategic advantages in national litigation.
- Remote Consultations: For City of Williamsburg families, we offer convenient and confidential video consultations, allowing you to connect with us from the comfort of your home.
- We Travel to You: For key depositions, client meetings, and trial proceedings, our attorneys are prepared to travel to the City of Williamsburg or any location necessary to aggressively pursue your case. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Bilingual Support (Se Habla Español): We are committed to ensuring justice for all families. Lupe Pena is fluent in Spanish, offering seamless communication and legal support for our Hispanic clients in the City of Williamsburg and beyond.

Our Commitment to City of Williamsburg Families:

Hazing is a legal emergency, and our firm is built to respond. We will bring the same aggressive, data-driven approach we are currently employing in the $10 million Leonel Bermudez case directly to your child’s situation in the City of Williamsburg.

We don’t just talk about hazing; we fight it. Our internal Hazing Intelligence Database meticulously tracks Greek organizations, their corporate structures, their national oversight, and their history of violations. When hazing touches your family in the City of Williamsburg, you won’t get a lawyer who has to start from scratch. You’ll get a team that already knows who they are, where they operate, and how to hold them accountable.

Do not allow the institutions responsible to sweep this under the rug. Do not let your child’s trauma be forgotten. Your decision to act now can not only secure justice and compensation for your family but also help prevent future tragedies for other students in the City of Williamsburg and beyond.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. Let us be your voice, your shield, and your sword in the fight against hazing. Enough is enough.