If you’re reading this in Greene County, Virginia, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went off to college, expecting to gain an education, make friends, and build a future. Instead, they were tortured, abused, and injured in a hazing incident. We understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to help families in Greene County fight back against the fraternities, sororities, and universities that allowed this to happen.

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It’s violent, humiliating, and often life-threatening. The stories we hear from families across the nation, including those in communities like Greene County, are heartbreaking. Students are being waterboarded, forced to drink to the point of alcohol poisoning, enduring extreme physical punishment, and suffering severe psychological trauma. This isn’t just “boys being boys”; it’s a serious form of abuse that demands accountability.

At Attorney911, we are more than just legal professionals; we are relentless advocates for hazing victims and their families. We are actively fighting these battles right now, and our ongoing $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is proof of our aggressive, thorough, and data-driven approach. We bring this same level of dedication and expertise to every family we represent, including those in Greene County, Virginia, whose lives have been shattered by hazing.

The Nightmare in Houston: A Warning to Greene County Families

Just last month, in November 2025, our firm filed a landmark $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members. This case, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al., is currently in Harris County Civil District Court, and it illustrates the horrific reality of modern hazing and the lengths to which we will go to secure justice.

Leonel Bermudez was not even a University of Houston student yet. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member planning to transfer in the spring. Despite not being officially enrolled, he was subjected to a systematic campaign of weeks-long abuse designed to break him physically and psychologically.

The hazing Leonel endured was not a game. It was a calculated form of torture that included:

• Simulated Waterboarding: He was sprayed in the face with a garden hose while performing calisthenics, a dehumanizing act that mimics drowning. As Houston Public Media rightly pointed out, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.”
• Extreme Physical Punishment: Leonel was forced to perform over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and “save-your-brother” drills. He recited the fraternity creed while exercising until he was so exhausted he could not stand without help. The Houston Chronicle reported that pledges were even “struck with wooden paddles.”
• Forced Consumption Until Vomiting: Leonel was made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Even then, he was forced to continue running sprints while in physical distress, eventually made to lie in his own vomit-soaked grass.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: He was made to strip unclothed in cold weather and carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times. Another pledge was even hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• Sleep Deprivation: He was repeatedly forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to severe exhaustion.

This relentless abuse culminated in an incident on November 3, 2025, when Leonel, punished for missing an event, was pushed to his absolute physical limits. He crawled up the stairs when he got home, unable to function. His condition worsened over the next two days until his mother, terrified by his brown urine, rushed him to the hospital on November 6.

He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis is a life-threatening condition where muscle tissue breaks down, releasing damaging proteins into the bloodstream that can overwhelm the kidneys. Leonel spent three nights and four days in the hospital, fighting for his life. His creatine kinase levels were “very high,” confirming extensive muscle damage. He faces the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

The Institutional Response: Too Little, Too Late

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi National suspended the University of Houston chapter. On November 14, 2025 – just seven days before we filed our lawsuit – Pi Kappa Phi officially closed its Beta Nu Chapter, stating it was “following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.”

While this might seem like accountability, Pi Kappa Phi’s own statement also revealed their true intentions: “We thank the University of Houston for its collaboration and leadership… we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This isn’t remorse; it’s a strategic move to clear the way for their return, even as Leonel Bermudez recovers from their abuse.

The University of Houston, through a spokesperson, called the events “deeply disturbing” and a “clear violation of our community standards,” noting “potential criminal charges” against those responsible. Yet, as KHOU 11 reported, the lawsuit alleges both the national organization and the housing corporation “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” Furthermore, the fraternity house where much of this torture occurred was owned by the University of Houston, firmly establishing the university’s premises liability.

Why Leonel’s Story Matters to Greene County

This tragic incident in Houston is not isolated. The same fraternities operate chapters at universities across Virginia and the nation. Greene County is part of a vibrant region with respected educational institutions like the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, James Madison University in Harrisonburg, and Mary Baldwin University in Staunton. Students from Greene County attend these and many other colleges, where Greek life thrives. The horrific events that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez could just as easily happen to a student from Greene County pledging a fraternity at a nearby campus or anywhere else in the country.

Our $10 million lawsuit sends an unmistakable message: we will hold every responsible party accountable. We are not theoretical; we are actively fighting right now in court, and we will bring the same aggressive, data-driven approach to hazing victims and their families in Greene County, Virginia.

What Hazing Truly Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in Greene County might imagine hazing as innocent pranks or mild inconveniences. The reality, as Leonel’s case tragically demonstrates, is far darker. Modern hazing rituals are often indistinguishable from torture, designed to exert absolute control, instill fear, and break down a student’s sense of self and dignity.

This is not some bygone practice from a distant past; it is happening right now, at universities students from Greene County attend. It is a pervasive, hidden crisis that claims lives and shatters futures.

The Alarming Truth About Hazing:

• Widespread Problem: More than half (55%) of students in Greek organizations experience hazing, and 40% of student-athletes report similar abuse. This isn’t a fringe issue; it’s deeply embedded in youth culture.
• Constant Danger: Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every year in the United States. These are preventable tragedies that continue to occur despite increased awareness and legislation.
• Silence and Fear: A staggering 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it. Victims remain silent due to shame, fear of retaliation, loyalty to the group, or the mistaken belief that they “consented.”
• Not Just Fraternities: While fraternities are often spotlighted, hazing occurs across a wide spectrum of student organizations, including sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and various clubs at colleges and universities that students from Greene County might attend.

The Real Faces of Hazing:

• Physical Abuse: This includes beatings, paddling, branding, burning, and forced exercise designed to cause injury or collapse, just as Leonel Bermudez experienced.
• Forced Consumption: Binge drinking, ingesting non-food substances, or being forced to eat until vomiting are common, leading to alcohol poisoning, choking, and severe gastrointestinal distress.
• Psychological Torture: Humiliation rituals, verbal abuse, isolation, sleep deprivation, and credible threats create lasting trauma, anxiety, PTSD, and depression.
• Sexual Abuse: Forced nudity, sexualized acts, and even sexual assault are documented forms of hazing that leave indelible scars.
• Exposure: Pledges are forced to endure extreme cold or heat, placed in confined spaces, or subjected to simulated drowning.

Severe Medical and Psychological Consequences:

The physical abuse in hazing can lead to:

• Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure: As seen in Leonel’s case, muscle breakdown can be life-threatening.
• Alcohol Poisoning: A leading cause of hazing deaths, leading to organ failure and brain damage.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: From falls, beatings, or violent shaking.
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Cardiac Arrest: From extreme physical exertion beyond human limits.

The emotional and psychological toll is equally devastating:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Persistent fear, flashbacks, and anxiety.
• Severe Anxiety and Depression: Often leading to academic failure, social withdrawal, and suicidal ideation.
• Substance Abuse: Victims may self-medicate to cope with the trauma.

This is the reality of hazing today, and it’s a reality that students from Greene County, Virginia, face when they go off to college. We believe that by shedding light on these dark practices, and by aggressively pursuing justice, we can create meaningful change and protect future generations.

Who Is Responsible? Holding Every Entity Accountable

When hazing occurs, it’s rarely just one individual at fault. A culture of silence, complicity, and negligence often extends from the individual perpetrators to the highest levels of university and national Greek life administration. In hazing litigation, we meticulously investigate and pursue every party that bears responsibility.

We don’t guess who might be liable; we know. Our approach, proven effectively in cases like Leonel Bermudez’s, involves systematically identifying and targeting every entity that either participated in the hazing or allowed it to flourish.

The Multi-Layered Web of Accountability:

1. Local Chapter and Individual Members: The front lines of hazing.

   • Direct Perpetrators: Any individual who actively inflicted physical or psychological abuse on a victim can be held personally liable for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
   • Chapter Officers: Leaders like the fraternity president, pledgemaster, and risk manager bear a heightened responsibility. They organize, direct, and oversee pledge activities. Their failure to stop hazing, or their active participation, makes them primary targets. In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was personally hit with a $6.5 million judgment.
   • Participating Members: Even those who don’t hold leadership positions but actively participate in or encourage hazing activities are liable.
   • Witnesses Who Fail to Act: Members who witness hazing and do nothing to stop it or report it also bear a degree of responsibility, especially if physical harm is foreseeable.

2. National Fraternity or Sorority Organizations: The “deep pockets” behind the Greek letters.

   • Failure to Supervise: National organizations are responsible for overseeing their chapters. If they fail to provide adequate training, enforce anti-hazing policies, or respond appropriately to reported incidents, they are liable. In Leonel’s case, Pi Kappa Phi National closed the chapter after his hospitalization, but their knowledge of a “hazing crisis” (as alleged in the lawsuit) and their failure to prevent a repeat of a death in 2017 speaks volumes.
   • Institutional Knowledge: Many national organizations have a documented history of hazing incidents across multiple chapters. This creates a “pattern of negligence” that can lead to massive punitive damages. As we’ve seen with Pi Kappa Phi, the death of Andrew Coffey in 2017 should have served as a wake-up call, yet Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized eight years later under their continued “oversight.”
   • Bylaws and Policies: Failure to enforce their own anti-hazing bylaws and risk management policies is a direct breach of duty.

3. Universities and Colleges: The ultimate custodians of student safety.

   • Duty to Protect: Universities have a legal and moral obligation to provide a safe educational environment for their students, including those participating in Greek life.
   • Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned or controlled property, as it did in Leonel Bermudez’s case (the University of Houston owned the fraternity house), the university can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
   • Negligent Supervision: Universities often oversee Greek life councils, approve chapters, and provide advisors. A failure to adequately monitor these organizations, investigate complaints, or enforce anti-hazing rules constitutes negligent supervision. The University of Houston had prior knowledge of student hospitalizations due to hazing in 2017, yet Leonel Bermudez was hazed again eight years later.
   • Institutional Indifference: When universities turn a blind eye to pervasive hazing cultures or prioritize reputation over student safety, they become complicit.

4. Housing Corporations and Alumni Boards: The entities that often own and manage fraternity properties.

   • These entities, often comprising alumni, frequently own the fraternity houses and play a role in their governance. They can be held liable for premises liability if they allow hazing to occur on their property or for negligent supervision if they are aware of hazing and fail to intervene. In Leonel Bermudez’s case, even a former member and his spouse were named as defendants because hazing sessions occurred at their private residence.

5. Insurance Carriers: The ultimate payout source.

   • While not directly responsible for hazing, insurance companies play a crucial role in compensating victims. National organizations, universities, and individual members often carry various liability insurance policies. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña possess invaluable insider knowledge of how these companies operate, strategize, and value claims. We know how to navigate complex commercial policies and maximize recovery for our clients.

Our firm’s extensive “Texas Hazing Intelligence Database” contains information on over 1,400 Greek-related organizations across 25 metropolitan areas in Texas alone, including Greene County. This includes their EINs, legal names, addresses, and corporate structures. This data-driven approach means we don’t guess; we know exactly who the liable parties are and how to pursue them. When hazing touches a Greene County family, we come to the table armed with this intelligence, prepared to hold every single responsible entity accountable, from the individual pledgemaster to the national board.

Million-Dollar Accountability: What These Cases Win

The goal of hazing litigation is not just to punish wrongdoers, but to secure full and fair compensation for victims to rebuild their lives. These cases consistently result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, sending a powerful message that hazing will not be tolerated. For families in Greene County, these financial outcomes are not just numbers; they represent the resources needed for medical care, therapy, lost educational opportunities, and a measure of justice.

We have seen juries and courts nationwide recognize the severe and lasting harm caused by hazing, awarding substantial damages that account for physical injuries, psychological trauma, and long-term consequences.

Landmark Precedents:

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (Pi Kappa Alpha), 2021: $10.1 Million+ Total. Stone Foltz was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol and died from alcohol poisoning. His family received $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from the national fraternity and individuals. In a December 2024 judgment, a former chapter president was personally ordered to pay an additional $6.5 million. This case directly supports our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case.
• Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University (Phi Delta Theta), 2017: $6.1 Million Verdict. Max Gruver died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol during a “quiz” night. A jury found the fraternity and individuals liable, and his death led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University (Beta Theta Pi), 2017: $110 Million+ (Estimated). Timothy Piazza consumed 18 drinks in 82 minutes, fell down stairs repeatedly, and fraternity brothers waited 12 hours to call 911. He died from traumatic brain injury. The extensive security camera footage helped secure an estimated $110 million+ in settlements, and led to Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.”
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (Pi Kappa Phi), 2017: Confidential Settlement. Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon at a Pi Kappa Phi event. This is the same national fraternity involved in Leonel Bermudez’s case, demonstrating a tragic pattern of negligence within Pi Kappa Phi spanning eight years.
• Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University (Delta Chi), 2021: $4 Million+ Settlement. Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi hazing event. The family received a significant settlement and worked with the Virginia Governor to pass “Adam’s Law,” strengthening anti-hazing measures. This case is especially relevant to our Greene County families, highlighting hazing tragedies within Virginia.

These cases send a clear message: hazing costs millions. The same legal strategies apply to hazing cases originating from Greene County, Virginia, and the universities your children attend.

Legislating Change: From Tragedy to Law

Many of these landmark cases have not only secured justice for victims but have also driven robust legislative reform. The “Max Gruver Act” in Louisiana, “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in Pennsylvania, “Collin’s Law” in Ohio, and “Adam’s Law” in Virginia were all born from the ashes of these tragedies. We believe Leonel Bermudez’s case has the potential to add to this legacy, forcing stricter accountability from national fraternities and universities nationwide, including those operating where Greene County students matriculate.

Virginia Law Protects You: Hazing is a Crime, Consent is Not a Defense

While we pursue Leonel Bermudez’s case under Texas law, Virginia, like most states, has clear and robust anti-hazing statutes designed to protect students. Greene County families should understand that these laws make hazing a serious offense and provide avenues for seeking justice. Additionally, civil liability theories—like negligence, premises liability, and negligent supervision—apply across all states, strengthening the legal standing of hazing victims regardless of location.

Adam’s Law: Virginia’s Anti-Hazing Legislation

Passed in 2022, inspired by the death of Adam Oakes at Virginia Commonwealth University, “Adam’s Law” significantly strengthened Virginia’s anti-hazing statutes. For Greene County residents, this means:

• Broader Definition of Hazing: Virginia law defines hazing as any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for initiation, admission, affiliation, or continuation of membership in any organization.
• Felony Charges: Hazing that results in serious bodily injury (like Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure) or death can be charged as a felony, carrying severe penalties for individuals involved.
• Organizational Liability: Colleges and universities, as well as student organizations, can face significant penalties, including loss of recognition and criminal charges, if they fail to address hazing.
• Reporting Requirements: Educational institutions are required to maintain and update a public hazing report annually, listing violations and sanctions, promoting greater transparency.
• Consent is Not a Defense: Critically, Virginia law, like Texas law, explicitly states that “consent is not a defense” to a hazing charge. This means that if your child was hazed, the fraternity or university cannot claim that your child agreed to it. The law recognizes that coercion and peer pressure negate true consent in these situations.

This legal framework provides powerful tools for prosecuting hazing criminally and holding responsible parties accountable in civil courts. Our federal court authorization and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) provide us with strategic advantages when pursuing national fraternities and universities, many of which operate across state lines and have chapters in places like Greene County, Virginia.

Civil Avenues for Justice in Greene County

Beyond criminal charges, civil lawsuits allow victims and their families in Greene County to pursue comprehensive compensation for the immense harm caused by hazing. These claims include:

• Negligence: Holding individuals, organizations, and universities liable for failing to exercise reasonable care to prevent hazing, which directly led to injuries.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurred on property controlled by the university or fraternity, they can be held responsible for maintaining an unsafe environment.
• Negligent Supervision: When national fraternities fail to adequately supervise their chapters, or universities fail to monitor Greek life, they can be sued for failing to prevent foreseeable harm.
• Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators who inflict physical violence can be sued directly.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For the egregious and outrageous conduct that causes severe psychological trauma, such as waterboarding or extreme humiliation.
• Wrongful Death: In the tragic event of a hazing-related death, families can seek compensation for their profound loss, including grief, emotional suffering, lost companionship, and financial support.

Families in Greene County should know that even if criminal prosecution doesn’t occur, a civil lawsuit provides a distinct and powerful path to justice and compensation. We guide you through every step, ensuring your rights are protected under Virginia law and beyond.

Why Attorney911 Is the Choice for Greene County Families

When faced with the devastating reality of a hazing injury or death, choosing the right legal representation is paramount. For families in Greene County, Virginia, Attorney911 offers not just legal expertise, but a unique combination of experience, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment that sets us apart. We understand that you need an advocate as aggressive and determined as the institutions you’re up against, and that’s precisely what we provide.

Unparalleled Experience, Proven Results:

• 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Our managing partner, Ralph P. Manginello, brings over two decades of battle-tested litigation experience to every case. He has navigated complex legal landscapes, from multi-billion dollar mass torts like the BP Texas City Explosion (15 deaths, 180+ injuries) to high-stakes civil rights federal appellate cases. This experience means we are not intimidated by large universities or national organizations. The same strategies that secured justice against massive corporate defendants are precisely what we apply to Greene County hazing cases.
• Former Insurance Defense Insiders: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Eleno Peña (he/him/his) are former insurance defense attorneys. This is a critical advantage. Mr. Peña, in particular, worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm, where he learned firsthand how insurance companies value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize or deny payouts. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to dismantle their playbook and maximize recovery for our clients. We know how the other side thinks because we used to be the other side.
• Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Licenses: We are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, providing us with federal litigation authority. Furthermore, Ralph Manginello is licensed in both Texas and New York, giving us a strategic advantage when facing national fraternities and sororities often headquartered or incorporated in multiple states. This nationwide reach means that while we are headquartered in Houston, we seamlessly represent hazing victims in Greene County, Virginia, and across America, traveling for depositions, client meetings, and trials as needed.
• A Current, Active Fight: We are not theoretical. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is ongoing right now. This means Greene County families get a firm that is actively engaged in the latest hazing litigation, implementing cutting-edge strategies and staying abreast of every development. We are in the trenches fighting for a client just like your child.
• Specialized Hazing Expertise: We have direct experience with fraternity litigation, rhabdomyolysis cases (like Leonel Bermudez’s), and holding universities accountable. Our deep understanding of Greek life culture, university administrative failures, and the medical consequences of hazing is unmatched.

Our Approach to Serving Greene County Families:

• No Upfront Cost (Contingency Fees): We understand the financial strain a hazing incident can place on a family. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency. Greene County families pay $0 upfront, and we don’t get paid unless and until you do. This eliminates the financial barrier and aligns our interests directly with yours.
• Empathetic and Compassionate Representation: We know you’re scared and angry. Our tone is warm, understanding, and focused on helping your family. We treat every client like family because we know the stakes involved. Our consistent 4.9-star rating on Google from over 250 reviews reflects our commitment to client care and communication.
• Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): Our staff is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that nothing is lost in translation for Hispanic families in Greene County and beyond. We believe every family deserves to understand their legal rights without language barriers.
• Aggressive and Professional Advocacy: Ralph Manginello is described by clients as a “true Pitt Bull and fighter.” Mr. Peña’s philosophy is to “outwork, outsmart, and outfight the other side.” This is the mentality needed to take on powerful fraternities and universities that prioritize their reputation over student safety.

We Are Your Legal Emergency Lawyers™

When a legal emergency strikes—especially one as traumatic as hazing—you need immediate, decisive action. We are a firm built for emergencies. We move first, fast, and decisively to lockdown evidence, identify liable parties, and begin building a bulletproof case. For Greene County hazing victims, that means:

1. Rapid Evidence Preservation: Texts, photos, medical records, social media—we move quickly to secure everything before it disappears.
2. Expert Network: We collaborate with medical experts, Greek life culture experts, and institutional negligence specialists to build comprehensive cases.
3. Willingness to Travel: Distance is not a barrier to justice. We offer remote consultations and will travel to Greene County for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary.

We protect victims like you throughout Greene County, Virginia, and nationwide. While our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our commitment to justice for hazing victims extends far beyond. We understand the tight-knit community feel in Greene County, and the expectation that institutions around the region, such as the University of Virginia or James Madison University, will keep their students safe. When that trust is broken, we are here to fight alongside you.

What to Do Right Now if Your Child Has Been Hazed in Greene County

If you are a parent in Greene County, Virginia, whose child has been injured or traumatized by hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While panic and anger are natural responses, taking swift and deliberate action can significantly impact the strength of your legal case. Time is of the essence; evidence can disappear, memories can fade, and legal deadlines approach quickly.

Here are the immediate, actionable steps you should take:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your child’s health is the absolute priority.

   • Go to the Emergency Room or a Doctor: Even if your child feels “fine” or is reluctant, seek professional medical evaluation for any physical injury or symptom. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis or internal injuries might not be immediately obvious but can be life-threatening.
   • Document Everything: Ensure all injuries, symptoms, and medical visits are thoroughly documented by healthcare professionals. This creates an official record vital for your legal case. Tell doctors exactly how the injuries occurred.

2. Preserve All Evidence – Document, Document, Document!:

   • Text Messages, Group Chats, Social Media: Collect every text, Snapchat, Instagram DM, GroupMe message, or any other digital communication related to the hazing. Take screenshots immediately. Do not delete anything, even if it seems irrelevant or unpleasant. As Ralph Manginello advises in our YouTube content, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.” Using your phone to document evidence is critical.
   • Photos and Videos: Take clear photos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) at every stage of healing. If there are any photos or videos of the hazing activities themselves, save them securely. Also, document the location where the hazing occurred, if possible, including fraternity houses, off-campus residences, or remote areas.
   • Witness Information: Gather names, phone numbers, and any other contact details for anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or anyone who might have knowledge of the events. Their testimony can be invaluable.
   • Physical Items: Preserve any clothing worn during the hazing, or any objects used in the rituals, if safely possible.
   • Associated Documents: Collect pledge manuals, event schedules, any rules or codes of conduct given to pledges, and any emails or letters from the fraternity or university that might provide context.
   • Financial and Academic Records: Keep records of medical bills, any missed work or lost wages, and academic records to show the impact on your child’s studies.

3. Do NOT Communicate with the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers:

   • Say Nothing: Do not speak to fraternity members, alumni, advisors, university officials, or their attorneys without having your own legal counsel present. Anything your child says can and will be used against them.
   • Do NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the fraternity, university, or their insurance providers. These documents often include waivers of rights or confidentiality agreements designed to protect them, not your child.
   • Avoid Social Media Posts: Do not post about the hazing incident on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, or any other social media platform. Defense attorneys will scour your child’s social media for anything that can undermine their case or credibility. This includes posts about social activities, appearing “fine,” or discussing details of the incident. In our YouTube series, we detail the common client mistakes that can ruin your injury case, and social media is a big one.

4. Contact Attorney911 Immediately:

   • Free, Confidential Consultation: Call our legal emergency hotline at 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. The consultation is free, confidential, and available 24/7. We understand the urgency and will respond immediately.
   • Statute of Limitations: Most personal injury and wrongful death hazing cases in Virginia have a two-year statute of limitations. This means you have a limited window to file a lawsuit. If you wait, you could lose your right to seek justice forever. As Ralph Manginello explains in our “Texas Statutes of Limitations” video, these deadlines are firm, and evidence disappears fast.
   • We Come to You: While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, distance is not a barrier. We offer video consultations for Greene County families and will travel to Virginia for depositions, client meetings, or trial proceedings as required.

We Represent All Hazing Victims, Including Those in Greene County

The tragic reality is that hazing is not confined to one type of organization or one geographic region. We represent victims of hazing in:

• Fraternities and Sororities: At universities throughout Virginia, including the University of Virginia, James Madison University, Virginia Tech, George Mason University, and many others.
• Sports Teams: From high school to collegiate athletics.
• Marching Bands and Performing Arts Groups.
• ROTC Programs and Military Academies.
• Clubs and Student Organizations.

If your child from Greene County was subjected to abuse disguised as “initiation” in any context, we are here to fight for them.

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know Leonel Bermudez was not the only one. The reports indicate another pledge lost consciousness on October 15, and many others endured similar dehumanizing acts. If you or someone you know was part of the Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston, or any other hazing incident, we want to hear from you. You have legal rights, and we can represent you. As Lupe Peña 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 pursue justice together.

Your child’s future, and the safety of countless other students, depends on holding these institutions accountable. Don’t let fear or intimidation prevent you from seeking justice.

Greene County Families: Have you or your child been hazed? You have legal rights. We are fighting this fight right now – and we’ll fight for Greene County victims too.

Greene County Families – Call Now – Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Available 24/7 for Greene County hazing emergencies

We work on CONTINGENCY – $0 upfront for Greene County families. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid.

Attorney911 has proudly served clients nationwide for over 25 years. This content is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. For personalized legal counsel, please contact our firm directly.