If you’re reading this in Grayson County, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, to engage in community, to build a future. Instead, they were tortured. They were abused. They were brought to the brink of physical and psychological collapse, or worse, they were taken from you forever. We’re here to help families in Grayson County fight back.

Hazing is not a harmless tradition. It is a violent, dangerous practice that continues to devastate families across the United States, including families right here in Grayson County. We, Attorney911, are a law firm fiercely dedicated to representing victims of college hazing and their families. Our commitment is not theoretical; it is proven in the courtroom, where we are actively pursuing justice in high-stakes, multi-million dollar hazing lawsuits right now. We understand what you’re going through, and we are ready to stand with you.

In Grayson County, your child might attend institutions like Virginia Tech, Radford University, Emory & Henry College, or other nearby colleges. They might come from local high schools such as Grayson County High School, or they might travel farther afield to universities across Virginia or even out of state. Regardless of where your child studies, the threat of hazing from fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and other organizations is a pervasive and dangerous reality. What happened in Houston to our client could easily happen in Grayson County, and the same aggressive, data-driven legal approach we employ in Texas is available to you.

The Landmark Case: Attorney911 Fights for Leonel Bermudez and Grayson County Families

Grayson County Families: The case we are actively litigating in Houston against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is a stark warning. It is a real story of real suffering, and it demonstrates exactly what we do to hold institutions accountable for hazing. This happened just weeks ago, and it could happen at universities your children attend, whether they are in Grayson County or anywhere else in the country. We are ready to bring the same fight and the same relentless pursuit of justice to your family in Grayson County.

Media Coverage Confirms the Horrors:

The depth of the hazing suffered by our client, Leonel Bermudez, is not merely alleged; it is documented by multiple prominent news organizations.

ABC13 Houston: On November 21-22, 2025, ABC13 (KTRK) reported on the extreme abuse and hazing that led to our client’s hospitalization. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, provided direct comments detailing the horrors suffered.
KHOU 11: On November 21, 2025, KHOU 11 confirmed the filing of our $10 million lawsuit, revealing the plaintiff’s name, Leonel Bermudez. They also highlighted the critical detail that the hazing occurred in a “University-owned fraternity house” and pointed to the national organization’s alleged “knowledge of a hazing crisis.”
Houston Chronicle: On November 22, 2025, the Houston Chronicle published details from our lawsuit, including specific, brutal hazing activities like “high-volume suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, repeated 100-yard crawls, forced eating until vomiting, and “being struck with wooden paddles.”
Houston Public Media (HPM): On November 24, 2025, HPM not only confirmed the $10 million figure but also used chilling language, stating, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.” They also clarified Leonel’s status as a “ghost rush” – a prospective member not even yet enrolled at the university.

The Defendant’s Own Admissions:

Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, in a statement published on their website on November 21, 2025, confirmed they closed their Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston effective November 14, 2025. This closure, which occurred just seven days before our lawsuit was filed, was “following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” This public admission clearly indicates their knowledge of severe wrongdoing and their attempt to mitigate the fallout before formal legal action. Their statement, which also expressed a desire to “look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” speaks volumes about their lack of genuine remorse.

The $10 Million Fight: Who We Are Holding Accountable

Our $10 million lawsuit, filed in Harris County Civil District Court, names a comprehensive list of defendants, illustrating our strategy of pursuing every entity responsible:

Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (University of Houston Beta Nu Chapter): The local chapter that directly orchestrated and executed the hazing.
Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters: The national body responsible for overseeing all chapters, which we assert failed to enforce anti-hazing policies despite documented knowledge of a pervasive “hazing crisis” within its ranks.
Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation: The entity holding responsibility for the property where much of the abuse took place.
University of Houston: The institution that owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred, and which we argue failed in its duty to protect students and prevent such abuses on its campus.
UH Board of Regents: The governing body with ultimate institutional oversight.
Individual Fraternity Members: Including the chapter President and Pledgemaster, and various current and former members who either participated in or facilitated the hazing.
A Former Member and His Spouse: Notably, hazing sessions were alleged to have occurred at their private residence, expanding the scope of premises liability.

This methodical and aggressive approach to defendant identification is precisely what we will bring to any hazing case involving your child in Grayson County. We leave no stone unturned in seeking justice.

Leonel Bermudez’s Story: A Warning to Grayson County Parents

Leonel Bermudez was not even officially a student at the University of Houston when he accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective transfer student planning to enroll for Spring 2026. This means the fraternity subjected someone who wasn’t even under the university’s official purview to weeks of degradation and physical torture.

The hazing activities he endured were systemic and horrifying:

Waterboarding with a Garden Hose: Lee was sprayed directly in the face with a garden hose while performing calisthenics, a dehumanizing act that media outlets like Houston Public Media explicitly called a “form of torture,” normally reserved for enemy combatants.
Forced Eating Until Vomiting: He was made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. He was then forced to continue rigorous physical activities, sometimes lying in his own vomit, demonstrating a grotesque disregard for human dignity and health.
Extreme Physical Punishment: This included over 100 push-ups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was struck with wooden paddles and forced to recite the fraternity creed under duress. During these grueling sessions, he and other pledges were pushed beyond their limits; one report noted another pledge losing consciousness and collapsing on October 15, predating Leonel’s severe injury, yet the hazing continued.
Psychological Torture and Humiliation: Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack containing “objects of a sexual nature” at all times. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. These acts were designed to break spirits, not build brotherhood.
Sleep Deprivation: He was compelled to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, contributing to severe exhaustion.

The immediate consequence of this brutal hazing manifested on November 3, 2025, when Leonel, punished for missing an event, was forced to undergo an extreme workout. He became so exhausted he couldn’t stand without help, crawling home in excruciating pain. The next two days, his condition worsened dramatically. On November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days hospitalized, passing brown urine due to muscle breakdown, a life-threatening complication that carries a risk of permanent kidney damage. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, conveyed this medical emergency to 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.”

This case, happening now, is the centerpiece of Attorney911’s aggressive stance against hazing. It is proof that we do not just talk about justice; we fight for it. For families in Grayson County, this means the same level of expertise, dedication, and ferocity is available to you if your child becomes a victim of hazing, whether it’s at a nearby campus or one further away.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in Grayson County Today

When parents in Grayson County send their children off to college, they envision academic growth, vibrant social experiences, and safe environments. They do not envision their children enduring torture. Unfortunately, the reality of modern hazing is far removed from the harmless pranks of movies past. It is a calculated, often escalating series of abuses designed to strip pledges of their dignity and autonomy, making them subservient to the organization.

Hazing is pervasive in many organizations, not just fraternities. Sports teams at high schools and colleges in and around Grayson County, sororities, marching bands, ROTC programs, and various clubs are also susceptible. The stories often follow a similar, chilling pattern of psychological manipulation and physical torment.

Here’s the stark truth of what hazing looks like, similar to what Leonel Bermudez endured and what your child could face in an institution near Grayson County:

Physical Brutality: This isn’t just a slap on the wrist. It involves beatings, paddling with wooden objects, forced calisthenics (like the hundreds of squats and push-ups, bear crawls, and “suicides” that put our client in the hospital), and sometimes even branding or other forms of corporal punishment. The goal is to induce physical breakdown and submission.
Forced Consumption: This often involves massive quantities of alcohol, leading to life-threatening alcohol poisoning (a common cause of hazing deaths). It also includes forced eating of disgusting or dangerous concoctions until vomiting, as happened in our active case. In some instances, pledges are forced to consume non-food items or substances.
Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often kept awake for days on end, forced to run errands, drive members, or participate in late-night sessions. This mental and physical exhaustion breaks down psychological defenses, making individuals more vulnerable to further abuse and creating dangerous situations, such as driving while drowsy.
Psychological Torture: This category includes relentless humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation, and threats. Forcing a pledge to carry sexually explicit items, or hog-tying them, as detailed in our lawsuit, are prime examples. The psychological toll can be as destructive, if not more so, than the physical injuries, leading to long-term issues like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: While less talked about, hazing can involve forced nudity, sexual harassment, or even sexual assault. The coercion inherent in hazing environments creates opportunities for such horrific abuses, often leaving deep and lasting trauma.
Exposure to the Elements: Pledges may be forced to strip down in freezing temperatures, made to stand for hours in the rain or cold, or confined to small, uncomfortable spaces, risking hypothermia or other serious health complications. Our client was sprayed with a hose in cold weather, exacerbating his physical strain.

The Medical Reality: The injuries sustained from hazing extend far beyond temporary discomfort. They include:

Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure: A direct outcome of extreme physical exertion, leading to muscle breakdown and the release of toxins that can shut down kidneys, as tragically happened to Leonel Bermudez. This can lead to permanent damage and lifelong medical needs.
Alcohol Poisoning: Often fatal, it results from forced binge drinking.
Head Trauma: From falls, beatings, or other physical assaults.
Internal Injuries: From physical abuse or forced consumption.
Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From exposure to extreme temperatures.
Psychological Disorders: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), severe depression, anxiety disorders, and suicidal ideation are common and can require years of therapy.

This is the reality of hazing today, and it’s a reality that demands immediate and forceful legal intervention. For Grayson County families, understanding this grim spectrum of abuse is the first step toward recognizing when your child is in danger and taking action.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Liable Party from Grayson County to Houston Accountable

When a hazing incident occurs, victims and their families in Grayson County often feel overwhelmed, unsure of who can truly be held accountable. The truth is, liability for hazing extends far beyond the individual students involved. A comprehensive legal strategy, like the one we employ at Attorney911, targets every entity that had a hand in perpetuating, enabling, or allowing the abuse to occur. We cast a wide net, ensuring that no responsible party can escape justice.

Using our ongoing Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case as a blueprint, here are the key categories of defendants we target:

The Local Chapter of the Fraternity or Sorority: This is the most direct perpetrator. The local chapter organizes, participates in, and often conceals the hazing activities. Their officers, like the President and Pledgemaster named in our current lawsuit, bear significant responsibility for the directives and orders given to pledges. All individual student members who participate in or fail to report hazing can also be held liable for their actions.
The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization: These are the “deep pockets.” National organizations (like Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters in our case) typically have millions of dollars in assets, endowments, and liability insurance. They hold the ultimate authority over their local chapters, establish policies, and conduct oversight. When hazing occurs, we argue that the national organization either knew or should have known about the dangerous culture, failed to provide adequate supervision, or enacted insufficient anti-hazing policies. The death of Andrew Coffey at an FSU Pi Kappa Phi chapter in 2017, eight years before Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization, is crucial evidence of Pi Kappa Phi National’s knowledge and failure to act. The tragic fact that the same national organization experienced a death in 2017, and then hospitalized our client in 2025, demonstrates a dangerous pattern of negligence and provides strong grounds for holding them accountable.
The University or College: Institutions like the University of Houston, where the hazing of Leonel Bermudez occurred, bear substantial responsibility. Universities have a fundamental duty to protect their students’ safety, both on and off campus. This duty is amplified when, as in our case, the university actually owns the fraternity house where the hazing took place. They have the power to regulate, suspend, or ban Greek organizations, and their failure to do so, especially in the face of prior hazing incidents (like the 2017 Pi Kappa Alpha hazing at UH that hospitalized another student), constitutes clear institutional negligence. Governing bodies like the UH Board of Regents are also named defendants, embodying the ultimate institutional oversight.
Housing Corporations: Many fraternities and sororities operate through separate housing corporations (like the Beta Nu Housing Corporation in our case), which own or lease the chapter houses. These entities have a duty to ensure the safety of their premises and can be held liable if hazing occurs on their property.
Individual Adults and Alumni: As seen in our lawsuit, adult individuals, including former fraternity members and even their spouses who own residences where hazing takes place, can be named as defendants. They can be held responsible under premises liability laws or for aiding and abetting the hazing. Alumni who actively foster or encourage hazing culture, particularly through financial or advisory capacities, also face potential liability.
Insurance Carriers: Ultimately, the funds for significant settlements and verdicts typically come from the liability insurance policies held by the national organizations, universities, and housing corporations. Our legal team, uniquely composed of former insurance defense attorneys like Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, understands precisely how insurance companies operate. We know their tactics to deny or minimize claims because we used to be on their side. This insider knowledge is a critical advantage for our clients in Grayson County, enabling us to aggressively pursue maximum compensation from these “deep pockets.”

For families in Grayson County, this multi-faceted approach ensures that justice is pursued diligently. Hazing is a complex issue, with numerous layers of responsibility. We make sure that every layer is exposed and every responsible party faces the consequences of their actions.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof for Grayson County Victims

The thought of taking on powerful national fraternities and major universities can be daunting for any family in Grayson County. They often have vast legal teams and seemingly endless resources. However, our track record and the precedent set by other landmark hazing cases across the country demonstrate unequivocally that justice can be won, and the compensation can be substantial. These aren’t just legal victories; they are pivotal moments that force institutional change and provide victims and their families with the resources to rebuild their lives.

Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an arbitrary figure; it is grounded in the reality of what juries and settlements award for such egregious conduct. The suffering endured by hazing victims in Grayson County and nationwide is immense, and the financial accountability must reflect that.

Here are some of the landmark verdicts and settlements that prove the power of aggressive hazing litigation:

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Total Recovery: $10.1 Million+
- What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at BGSU, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing ritual. He died from acute alcohol poisoning.
- The Outcome: This case resulted in criminal convictions for multiple fraternity members, including a Chapter President who was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally in a December 2024 judgment. The university paid $2.9 million, and the national fraternity, along with other individuals, contributed to a $7.2 million settlement. The total recovery exceeded $10.1 million, becoming the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history.
- Relevance for Grayson County: This case provides an almost identical benchmark for our $10 million demand. It shows that even with non-fatal yet life-altering injuries (like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure), multi-million dollar recoveries are achievable. It also demonstrates that individual officers, not just the large institutions, can face significant personal financial accountability.
Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
- What Happened: In September 2017, 18-year-old Max Gruver died from acute alcohol poisoning during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” hazing event at LSU. Pledges were forced to chug alcohol for incorrect answers to fraternity questions, leading to Max’s BAC reaching nearly six times the legal limit.
- The Outcome: A jury returned a $6.1 million verdict against the fraternity and individuals involved. This case also led to criminal convictions and the passage of the Max Gruver Act, which made hazing a felony in Louisiana – a powerful message that state legislatures will respond to egregious hazing.
- Relevance for Grayson County: This verdict proves that juries are willing to impose multi-million dollar penalties when confronted with the horrific facts of hazing. Our case, with its elements of waterboarding and extreme physical abuse, involves conduct equally, if not more, egregious than forced consumption.
Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): Estimated $110 Million+ in Settlements
- What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a Penn State pledge, suffered fatal injuries after being coerced into consuming 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event. He fell multiple times, sustaining a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited over 12 hours before calling 911, and the entire horrific ordeal was captured on security cameras.
- The Outcome: This resulted in criminal charges against 18 fraternity members, convictions for involuntary manslaughter and hazing, and an estimated $110 million+ in settlements. It also prompted the passage of Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.
- Relevance for Grayson County: This case highlights that when evidence is strong and the conduct is brazenly reckless, the financial consequences can be staggering. While our client survived, the video evidence in the Piazza case underscored the brutality, and the detailed allegations in our lawsuit similarly paint a clear picture of systematic abuse.
Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Confidential Settlement
- What Happened: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” at FSU after being forced to consume an entire bottle of bourbon.
- The Outcome: This led to criminal charges against nine fraternity members and a confidential civil settlement. Critically, the FSU Pi Kappa Phi chapter was permanently closed.
- Relevance for Grayson County: This is devastating for the defense in our ongoing case. Pi Kappa Phi, the same national fraternity involved in Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization, had a pledge die from hazing just eight years prior. This establishes a clear pattern of negligence by the national organization and their failure to learn from past tragedies, significantly bolstering our case for punitive damages.

These multi-million dollar outcomes send an undeniable message: hazing will not be tolerated. For families in Grayson County, these precedents provide crucial hope and illustrate what is achievable when you partner with a law firm that has the expertise and the drive to fight for your child. The names of Matthew Naquin, Daylen Dunson, and others serve as a stark reminder that individuals also face significant personal liability, not just the institutions. We are committed to achieving similar results for victims in Grayson County and nationwide.

Texas Hazing Law Protects Grayson County Students

For families in Grayson County navigating the aftermath of a hazing incident, understanding the legal framework that protects your child is paramount. While many states have enacted anti-hazing legislation, Texas is particularly robust in its statutes, providing significant legal recourse for victims. These laws are not just for Texas universities; they set a strong precedent that can inform actions and legal strategies nationwide, underpinning our firm’s ability to represent Grayson County families regardless of where the hazing offense occurred.

The Texas Education Code: A Comprehensive Shield

The foundational legal protection against hazing in Texas is enshrined in Texas Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F, Sections 37.151 through 37.157. These statutes clearly define hazing, establish criminal penalties, outline organizational liabilities, and, crucially, disarm one of the most common defenses employed by perpetrators and institutions.

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Broad and Inclusive

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

Involves physical brutality: Such as whipping, beating, striking (like being struck with wooden paddles in our case), branding, or placing harmful substances on the body.
Endangers mental or physical health/safety: This includes sleep deprivation (forcing pledges to drive in early morning hours), exposure to the elements (stripping pledges naked in cold weather, spraying them with hoses), confinement, or excessive calisthenics (like the 500 squats and hundreds of pushups that caused Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis).
Involves forced consumption: Non-prescribed drugs, or excessive alcohol. It also includes forcing consumption of food or liquids that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects their health (like making Leonel eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting).
Requires violation of the Penal Code: Any activity that forces a student to commit a crime.
Involves coercion to consume: Drugs or alcohol to the point of intoxication, as defined by the Penal Code.

The hazing Leonel Bermudez endured, including waterboarding, forced extreme exercise, physical assault, coerced eating, and exposure, satisfies multiple explicit elements of this definition, making it a clear violation of Texas law. This same comprehensive definition of hazing can be applied to incidents affecting Grayson County students, even if the state where it occurred has a less explicit statute, as the underlying torts (assault, battery, gross negligence) still apply.

Criminal Penalties: Holding Individuals Accountable (§ 37.152)

Texas law imposes severe criminal penalties for hazing:

Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, or aiding/soliciting someone to haze, or having knowledge of hazing and failing to report it. This carries a penalty of up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes serious bodily injury, which definitively includes Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. This can result in up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
State Jail Felony: If hazing results in death. This is punishable by 180 days to two years in state jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

The fact that the University of Houston spokesperson mentioned “potential criminal charges” in connection with our case underscores the severity with which these allegations are being viewed, both legally and institutionally.

Organizational Penalties: Hitting Fraternities Where It Hurts (§ 37.153)

Organizations themselves can face criminal charges if they “condone or encourage hazing or if an officer or any combination of members, pledges, or alumni of the organization commits or assists in the commission of hazing.” Penalties can include:

Fines up to $10,000.
Denial of permission to operate on campus.
Forfeiture of property.

The rapid closure of the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi chapter by its national body and the university’s swift response highlight their awareness of these severe organizational consequences.

The Indisputable Truth: Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154)

One of the most critical aspects of Texas’s anti-hazing law, and one we frequently leverage, is its explicit rejection of consent as a defense:

“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 is paramount. When fraternities or universities attempt to argue that the victim “voluntarily participated,” “knew what they were signing up for,” or “could have chosen to leave,” Texas law unequivocally declares these arguments irrelevant. You cannot legally consent to being a victim of a crime, and hazing activities often constitute various crimes, from assault and battery to unlawful restraint. While this is a Texas statute, the legal principle that one cannot consent to criminal activity holds true in states across the country and is a crucial point we bring to all hazing litigation for Grayson County families.

Institutional Reporting Requirements: Making Universities Accountable (§ 37.155)

Educational institutions like the University of Houston are legally mandated to report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within 30 days of becoming aware of them. Failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor. This provision forces transparency and provides another avenue for accountability when institutions attempt to sweep incidents under the rug.

Beyond Texas Statutes: Universal Civil Liability

While Texas hazing laws provide a strong foundation, civil lawsuits for hazing are frequently built upon broader legal principles that apply nationwide, benefiting Grayson County victims wherever their incident occurred:

Negligence: This is perhaps the most common claim. It argues that the responsible parties (individuals, local chapter, national organization, university) owed a duty of care to the victim, breached that duty (e.g., by permitting hazing), and this breach directly caused the victim’s injuries and damages.
Premises Liability: Particularly relevant when hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university or a housing corporation, such as the University of Houston owning the fraternity house in our case. Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe premises and prevent dangerous activities.
Negligent Supervision: This claim targets the failure of national organizations to adequately oversee their chapters, or universities to properly monitor Greek life activities. The continued hazing at Pi Kappa Phi despite the 2017 death of Andrew Coffey, and the repeat hazing at UH despite the 2017 injury of Jared Munoz, are prime examples of this systemic failure.
Assault and Battery: These are intentional torts directly applicable to physical hazing acts like the wooden paddles, waterboarding, or forced physical exertion. Each individual involved in these acts can be held personally liable.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: This claim is valid when the hazing involves “extreme and outrageous” conduct that causes severe emotional distress, such as the psychological torment Leonel Bermudez endured.
Wrongful Death: In the most tragic hazing cases, families can file wrongful death lawsuits to recover damages for their profound loss, including grief, loss of companionship, lost financial contributions, and funeral expenses.

For Grayson County families, whether your child was severely injured or, tragically, lost their life due to hazing, the legal mechanisms exist to pursue justice. We leverage every applicable law and legal theory to ensure maximum accountability and compensation. The strength of our legal system, combined with a deep understanding of these specific laws, empowers us to fight for your rights, fiercely and effectively.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for Grayson County Hazing Victims

When your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, the path to justice can seem overwhelming. You need more than just a lawyer; you need a team that understands the gravity of your situation, possesses unparalleled legal acumen, and is genuinely committed to fighting for your family. For families in Grayson County, Attorney911 offers a unique blend of empathy, expertise, and aggressive advocacy that positions us as the definitive choice for hazing litigation.

Our Unmatched Experience and Proven Aggression:

We are not general practitioners dabbling in hazing cases; we are specialists actively engaged in high-stakes hazing litigation. Our Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, a $10 million demand against a national fraternity and a major university, stands as living proof of our commitment and capability. This isn’t theoretical; this is real, ongoing, and demonstrates our unwavering resolve to hold powerful institutions accountable. When a frightened parent in Grayson County searches for help, they find a firm already in the trenches, fighting the exact battle they face.

The Attorney911 Advantage: Unfair to the Other Side, Empowering for You:

Former Insurance Defense Insight: Our legal team boasts a critical advantage: both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. Mr. Manginello, with over 25 years of experience, and Mr. Pena, with 12+ years, spent significant portions of their careers defending insurance companies and large corporations. This means we know exactly how the opposition thinks. We’ve seen their playbook, anticipated their strategies, and understand their weaknesses. For Grayson County families, this translates into leverage. We dismantle their defenses because we helped build them.
Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Licensure: Our admission to the U.S. District Court and our dual bar licenses in Texas and New York provide a strategic edge. Hazing often involves national fraternities or universities with operations spanning across state lines. Our federal court authority allows us to pursue complex cases in federal jurisdiction, while our dual-state licensure equips us to navigate the intricate legal landscapes of national organizations, often headquartered out of state. This means we can chase accountability wherever the national fraternity’s reach extends, not just within the confines of Grayson County.
Complex Litigation Expertise: Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation, a mass tort case against a massive corporate defendant, demonstrates his capacity to handle legal battles of immense scale and complexity. This experience against formidable opponents directly applies to hazing cases, where we confront well-funded national fraternities and universities. We are not intimidated by their resources or their legal teams.
Hazing-Specific Expertise and Data-Driven Strategy: We maintain one of Texas’s most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations, detailing their EINs, legal names, housing corporations, and insurance structures. We don’t guess who to sue; we know. This data-driven approach, refined through intricate case management, ensures that we identify and pursue every liable entity with precision. We understand the specific medical conditions like rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, just as our client Leonel Bermudez suffered, and we know how to litigate these complex injury claims.
Unwavering Client Focus: For worried parents in Grayson County, we offer more than just legal skill; we offer genuine empathy and uncompromising commitment. Our philosophy is simple: we treat your family like our own. Our social proof, with a 4.9-star Google rating from over 250 reviews, consistently highlights our compassionate communication, professional responsiveness, and tireless advocacy. Testimonials like “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such” reflect our core values. We understand the unique challenges facing families in Grayson County, and we are committed to being accessible and supportive throughout the legal process. Our team, which includes bilingual staff, ensures that language is never a barrier to justice for Hispanic families in Grayson County.
“Se Habla Español”: Lupe Pena, fluent in Spanish, ensures that language is never a barrier to justice for the diverse families of Texas, and beyond. This is especially important for many communities in Grayson County, where clear communication can make all the difference for families needing legal support during such a sensitive time.
No Upfront Fees: Contingency Basis: We understand that the financial strain of a hazing incident, coupled with potential time away from work, can make hiring an attorney seem impossible. That’s why we take all hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us absolutely nothing upfront. We only get paid if we secure a settlement or verdict for you. Our interests are entirely aligned with yours: we don’t get paid unless you get paid, ensuring that powerful legal representation is accessible to every Grayson County family, regardless of their financial situation.

For Grayson County, Distance is Not a Barrier to Justice:

While our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our reach extends nationwide, including to families in Grayson County. We offer video consultations, making it easy for you to connect with our legal team from the comfort and privacy of your home. Furthermore, we are fully prepared to travel to Grayson County for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Your location will never be a hindrance to our aggressive pursuit of justice.

Choosing Attorney911 means choosing a firm that brings an unfair advantage to your side—a firm that has already been in the fight, knows the enemy’s tactics, and will relentlessly pursue accountability for your child in Grayson County.

What To Do Right Now for Grayson County Hazing Victims

If you or your child in Grayson County has been a victim of hazing, the immediate aftermath can be chaotic and frightening. The decisions you make in the first hours and days can profoundly impact your ability to seek justice and secure compensation. We understand the shock and emotional toll, but acting swiftly and strategically is critical. Here are the immediate steps you should take, designed to protect your rights and preserve crucial evidence:

Step 1: Prioritize Immediate Safety and Medical Attention

Your child’s health and safety are paramount.

Remove Your Child from the Immediate Danger: If the hazing is ongoing, or if your child is still in a dangerous environment, get them out immediately.
Seek Medical Attention NOW: Even if injuries seem minor, or if your child is reluctant, prompt medical evaluation is non-negotiable. Many hazing injuries, like rhabdomyolysis, can have delayed or subtle symptoms until they become life-threatening.
- Go to the Emergency Room: For any obvious physical injuries, signs of severe exertion (muscle pain, dark urine), alcohol poisoning, head trauma, or psychological distress. Document everything the medical professionals observe and treat.
- Follow-Up with Specialists: Ensure your child continues with all recommended medical care, including visits to primary care physicians, specialists (like nephrologists for kidney issues), and mental health professionals. The consistency of medical care is vital evidence.
Document Everything from Medical Professionals: Keep meticulous records of every hospital visit, doctor’s appointment, diagnosis, treatment, medication, and recommendation. This medical paper trail forms the bedrock of your personal injury claim.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence Immediately

Hazing incidents are often quickly covered up, and evidence can vanish in an instant. You must act to preserve all available information.

Text Messages and Digital Communications: This is often the most critical evidence. DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. Save every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat conversation, Instagram DM, email, or other digital communication related to the hazing. Take screenshots of these conversations, ensuring dates and participants are visible. These often reveal planning, coercion, threats, and discussions among perpetrators.
Photos and Videos:
- Hazing Activities: If your child or anyone they know captured photos or videos of hazing activities, preserve them immediately. This is direct, undeniable proof.
- Injuries: Take clear, well-lit photographs of any visible injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling, burns, etc.) from multiple angles and with identifying markers (like a ruler for scale). Continue to photograph injuries as they heal to show the progression.
- Location: If safe to do so, photograph the location where the hazing occurred – the fraternity house, off-campus residence, specific rooms, fields, or outdoor areas.
Witness Information: Gather names, phone numbers, and any other contact information for anyone who witnessed the hazing, including other pledges or even members who were present but did not participate. Often, victims are afraid to come forward alone; having a list of potential witnesses can be invaluable.
Hazing Manuals or Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or communications distributed by the fraternity, sorority, or organization outlining “pledge activities” or expectations.
Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, therapy costs, and any lost wages if your child missed work or had to withdraw from classes.
Academic Records: Preserve any records that demonstrate how the hazing impacted your child’s academic performance, enrollment status, or scholarship eligibility.

Step 3: Crucial “DO NOTs” to Protect Your Case

What you don’t do is as important as what you do.

DO NOT Delete Anything: Deleting digital evidence can be seen as spoliation of evidence, which can severely damage your case. Even if it seems incriminating or unimportant, save it.
DO NOT Talk to the Organization (or their Lawyers): The fraternity, sorority, national organization, or university will likely try to contact your child or you for statements. They are not on your side. DO NOT speak with them, give a statement, or sign any documents without legal counsel. Anything you say can and will be used against you. They will try to minimize responsibility and protect their institution.
DO NOT Post on Social Media: Avoid posting anything about the incident, your feelings, or even innocuous activities on social media. Defense attorneys scour social media for anything that can be used to discredit your child’s claims of injury or suffering. Your child should also temporarily delete their social media accounts if possible, or at least make them private and refrain from posting.
DO NOT Confront Perpetrators or Organization Leaders: This can escalate tensions, lead to further intimidation, or result in the destruction of evidence. Let your legal team handle all communications.
DO NOT Wait to Seek Legal Counsel: There are strict deadlines (statutes of limitations) for filing lawsuits, typically two years for personal injury and wrongful death cases in most states. Evidence disappears quickly, and memories fade. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin building a strong case.

Step 4: Contact Attorney911 IMMEDIATELY

This is the most crucial step. Our team is available 24/7 to provide a free, confidential consultation.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911: Our legal emergency hotline is staffed around the clock. You will speak directly with a member of our team who understands hazing cases and can guide you through the next steps.
Email Ralph Manginello Directly: You can reach our managing partner at ralph@atty911.com.
Schedule a Video Consultation: For families in Grayson County, we offer convenient video consultations to discuss your case without the need for immediate travel.

Remember, you are not alone. Attorney911 is here to fight for your child and your family in Grayson County. We have the experience, the knowledge, and the fierce dedication to take on powerful institutions and demand the justice you deserve. The time to act is now.

Call Us Now: Attorney911 Fights for Grayson County Hazing Victims

If you’re reading this, your child in Grayson County may be suffering, your family may be broken, and you may be searching for answers and a path forward through the unimaginable pain of a hazing incident. We, Attorney911, want you to know: You have legal rights, and we are here to help you exercise them aggressively. We are fighting this battle every single day, right now, for victims just like your child – and we are ready to bring that relentless fight to Grayson County.

Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is active proof of our commitment. This isn’t just a case we read about; it’s a case we are actively litigating, pushing for maximum accountability for someone who suffered the horrors of waterboarding, extreme physical abuse, and ended up with acute kidney failure. The same dedication, the same data-driven strategy, and the same aggressive representation that we’re employing in Houston is available to your family in Grayson County.

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

Do not wait. The clock is ticking, and vital evidence can disappear. The time for action is now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Available 24/7: Our legal emergency hotline is answered around the clock, because hazing crises do not adhere to business hours.
Email Us: You can also reach our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, directly at ralph@atty911.com.
Website: Visit attorney911.com to learn more about our commitment to hazing victims.

We Work on Contingency: Your Financial Situation is Not a Barrier

We understand that pursuing legal action against powerful institutions can seem financially daunting. That’s why we take all hazing cases on a contingency fee basis.

$0 Upfront: You pay absolutely nothing out-of-pocket to hire us.
We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Get Paid: Our fees are only deducted after we successfully secure a settlement or verdict for your family. This aligns our goals perfectly with yours and ensures that top-tier legal representation is accessible to every family in Grayson County.
We Take the Risk: We invest our time, resources, and expertise into your case, bearing the financial risk ourselves.

Distance is Not a Barrier: We Serve Hazing Victims in Grayson County and Nationwide

While our physical offices are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach extends far beyond. Hazing is a national crisis, and we are equipped to represent victims wherever the abuse occurred, including in Grayson County, Virginia.

Video Consultations: We offer convenient and confidential video consultations, allowing you to connect with our attorneys from the comfort and privacy of your home in Grayson County.
Travel Commitment: Your case is important enough for us to travel. Our attorneys are prepared to come to Grayson County for depositions, critical meetings, and trials as necessary.
Federal Court Authority: Our admission to the U.S. District Court and our dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) provide the legal authority to pursue hazing cases against national fraternities and universities in federal jurisdictions, making geographical boundaries irrelevant to our pursuit of justice.

We represent victims of hazing in all organizations, not just fraternities. This includes:

Fraternities and sororities at universities near Grayson County, such as Virginia Tech, Radford University, and Emory & Henry College.
Sports teams at colleges and even high schools in Grayson County.
Marching bands, clubs, and other student organizations.
ROTC programs and military institutions.

For Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing: “Enough is Enough”

If you were a pledge or member of the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi chapter and witnessed or endured the same hazing as Leonel Bermudez, we know there are more of you. Our client’s lawsuit details how another pledge collapsed on October 15, and others were subjected to the same waterboarding, forced eating, and physical abuse.

You have rights, and we can represent you. As our attorney Lupe Pena said, “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 ensure accountability for all those responsible. Let’s make sure no other Grayson County family has to endure this nightmare.

Attorney911 is your legal emergency hotline. We are here to fight for you. We provide aggressive representation. We are focused on results. Contact us today.

Click here to call 1-888-ATTY-911
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