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Greensville County Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Closed Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

Earth, Greensville County, North America, United States, Virginia

If you’re reading this in Greensville 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 grow, to learn, and to prepare for a bright future. Instead, they were tortured, abused, or even worse, taken from you forever. We understand the profound shock, anger, and heartbreak that washes over families in Greensville County when the promise of higher education turns into a nightmare of hazing. We are here to help families in Greensville County fight back, just as we are fighting on behalf of other victims across the country.

We are Attorney 911, and we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™. Our mission is to aggressively represent victims of hazing and hold every responsible institution and individual accountable. We stand with families in Greensville County, ready to transform their pain into powerful action against the fraternities, sororities, universities, and individuals who allow these horrific acts to continue.

When your child suffers at the hands of hazing, it’s not just a personal tragedy; it’s an institutional failure. Whether your student attends Virginia Tech, James Madison University, Longwood University, or any other institution in or near Greensville County, or they’ve gone further afield to larger state universities like the University of Virginia or George Mason University, the risk of hazing is real. These institutions, despite their promises of safety, often fail to protect students from the very organizations they sanction. We know this because we are actively fighting these battles right now, and we apply that invaluable experience to every client we represent, including those in Greensville County.

The Landmark Case: Attorney 911 vs. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston (2025)

This case represents everything we stand for: aggressive representation, data-driven litigation strategy, and relentless pursuit of accountability for hazing victims. What happened to Leonel Bermudez in Houston is a stark warning. But it’s also a testament to what dedicated legal action can achieve. The same atrocities reported in this Houston case can, and do, occur at institutions students from Greensville County attend, whether it’s a university in Virginia or elsewhere in the country. For families in Greensville County, this is what hazing looks like, and this is what we do about it.

Within weeks of the hazing being reported, the chapter was suspended. The members voted to surrender their charter, and the chapter was permanently closed. Criminal referrals were initiated. Our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit naming the university, the national fraternity, the housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity members. This is the proof that we are not theoretical; we are actively fighting.

Media Coverage – Multiple Outlets

The hazing of Leonel Bermudez has garnered significant media attention, bringing to light the horrific details of his ordeal and the systemic failures that allowed it to happen. These reports showcase the aggressive stance we take on behalf of our clients.

Even the defendant, Pi Kappa Phi National, released a statement on November 21, 2025, titled “Pi Kappa Phi Closes Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston,” acknowledging the closure due to “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.”

The Lawsuit: $10 Million Demanded

This $10 million lawsuit, filed in Harris County Civil District Court on November 21, 2025, targets every entity responsible for Leonel Bermudez’s severe injuries. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are spearheading this aggressive legal action.

The defendants include:

  • Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (University of Houston Beta Nu Chapter)
  • Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters
  • Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation
  • The University of Houston
  • The University of Houston Board of Regents
  • The fraternity president
  • The pledgemaster
  • Multiple current and former individual fraternity members
  • A former fraternity member and his spouse, as some of the hazing occurred at their private residence.

This comprehensive list of defendants demonstrates our commitment to holding every party accountable, from individual perpetrators to the highest levels of institutional power. This approach is what Greensville County families can expect from Attorney 911.

The Victim: Leonel Bermudez, A “Ghost Rush”

Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston on September 16, 2025. What followed was an agonizing seven weeks of systematic abuse, torture, and hazing that ultimately hospitalized him for three nights and four days. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

What makes Leonel’s story even more tragic and alarming is that he was a “ghost rush.” This means he was not even an enrolled University of Houston student at the time of the hazing; he was a prospective transfer student planning to enroll for the upcoming Spring 2026 semester. The fraternity subjected someone who wasn’t even their student to such horrific abuse, showcasing a profound disregard for human life and safety.

Why Leonel’s story resonates for Greensville County families:

  • Pi Kappa Phi operates on 150+ campuses across America, including at universities that students from Greensville County may attend. The same “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel can, and do, happen in chapters near Greensville County.
  • Universities near Greensville County face the same liabilities as the University of Houston. These institutions often own or control fraternity housing and have a duty to protect their students, regardless of enrollment status.
  • If your child is hazed at any institution, we will fight for you with the same aggression and dedication we are demonstrating in the Bermudez case.

As Ralph Manginello told ABC13, “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.” This visceral account highlights the extreme physical toll of hazing. Lupe Pena emphasized the firm’s broader mission, stating, “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 Horrific Hazing Timeline

  • September 16, 2025: Leonel Bermudez accepts a bid to Pi Kappa Phi.
  • September 16 – November 3: Weeks of systematic hazing, abuse, and torture begin.
  • October 13: Another pledge is hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
  • October 15: A pledge loses consciousness and collapses during a forced workout. Other pledges have to elevate his legs until he recovers. This chilling event was documented in the Houston Chronicle, yet the hazing continued.
  • November 3: Leonel Bermudez is subjected to extreme physical punishment, including over 100 pushups and 500 squats while reciting the fraternity creed. He becomes so exhausted he cannot stand without help.
  • November 4-5: Leonel cannot move, and his condition worsens.
  • November 6: His mother rushes him to the hospital. He is passing brown urine, a critical sign of severe muscle breakdown. He is diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
  • November 6-10: Leonel is hospitalized for three nights and four days, undergoing intensive medical treatment.
  • November 14: Pi Kappa Phi National officially closes the Beta Nu Chapter. This action occurred before our lawsuit was filed, demonstrating their awareness of the severity of the situation.
  • November 21: Our $10 million lawsuit is filed in Harris County, immediately garnering widespread media coverage from ABC13, KHOU 11, and the Houston Chronicle.
  • November 24: Houston Public Media reveals additional hazing details and confirms the $10 million sum.

The Hazing Activities Exposed in Our Lawsuit

The lawsuit documents a litany of cruel and dangerous hazing activities:

  • Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: Leonel was “simulated waterboarded with a garden hose,” as reported by KHOU. Pledges were sprayed in the face with a hose while doing calisthenics and forced to run under the threat of being waterboarded. This is a form of torture, a war crime when committed against enemy combatants, yet it was inflicted upon college students seeking brotherhood.
  • Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges were forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited. Even after vomiting, they were made to continue running sprints while in physical distress and lie in their own vomit-soaked grass.
  • Extreme Physical Punishment: This included over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. They were forced to recite the fraternity creed while exercising until physical collapse. This relentless exertion led directly to Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. Some pledges were even struck with wooden paddles, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
  • Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Pledges were forced to strip to their underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times. The incident of another pledge being hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour demonstrates extreme degradation. Threats of physical punishment or expulsion for non-compliance created an atmosphere of fear.
  • Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, disrupting their sleep and leading to chronic exhaustion.

The Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis

Leonel Bermudez’s medical diagnosis underscores the severe, life-threatening nature of the hazing. Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue, releasing damaging proteins into the bloodstream that can cause acute kidney failure and death.

His symptoms—passing brown urine (a classic sign of myoglobin in the urine), experiencing severe muscle pain, and being unable to walk normally—are all critical indicators of this condition. Blood tests revealed very high creatine kinase levels, confirming extensive muscle damage. Leonel required extensive medical care, spending three nights and four days hospitalized due to kidney failure. Attorney 911, and Mr. Manginello specifically, have successfully litigated rhabdomyolysis cases before, giving us deeper insight into the long-term impacts of such injuries, including the risk of permanent kidney damage.

Institutional Responses – On the Record

The responses from both the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters speak volumes:

  • University of Houston Spokesperson (Houston Public Media, Nov 24, 2025): Stated that “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards… any individual found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges.” This statement, while condemning the acts, is an admission that something went terribly wrong under their watch.
  • Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters (pikapp.org, Nov 21, 2025): Announced they “closed its Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” They also stated, “We thank the University of Houston for its collaboration and leadership… and we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” Their closure of the chapter before our lawsuit was filed, and their expressed desire to return, demonstrates an attempt at damage control rather than genuine remorse. They are already planning their comeback while our client is still recovering.

Both reactions are typical post-hazing incident strategies designed to limit liability and manage public perception. Crucially, KHOU reported allegations that the national organization and housing corporation “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” This reveals institutional awareness of a systemic problem, yet a failure to act.

Why This Case Matters to Greensville County Families

  1. Proof That “Tradition” Is Torture: The acts against Leonel Bermudez are not harmless pranks; they are systematic abuses that masquerade as “tradition.” Similar practices can occur at higher education institutions near Greensville County, whether it’s at Virginia State University, the University of Richmond, or any other college.
  2. Universities Are Complicit: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing occurred. Universities that students from Greensville County attend have the same power to stop hazing, influence Greek life, and prevent such incidents—and they share liability when they fail to do so.
  3. National Organizations Know: Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters suspended and dissolved the chapter almost immediately, signaling their knowledge of severe wrongdoing. The same national Greek organizations that operate near Greensville County often have a documented history of hazing incidents nationwide, suggesting a broader pattern of negligence.
  4. Victims Are Afraid: Leonel Bermudez fears retribution for speaking out, a common and legitimate concern among hazing victims. We protect our clients, ensuring their safety and privacy throughout the legal process.
  5. One Brave Victim Can Protect Greensville County Students: As Lupe Pena stated, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do.” By stepping forward, Leonel’s case can serve as a powerful deterrent, potentially saving other students from the same fate. Your Greensville County case, bravely pursued, could similarly protect countless other students.
  6. $10 Million Sends a Message: A substantial lawsuit demands attention and forces systemic change. This is the price for torturing our kids. Greensville County families have the power to send the same message, ensuring that organizations prioritize safety over “tradition.”

What Hazing Really Looks Like

Many parents in Greensville County might have an outdated view of hazing, imagining harmless pranks or mild inconveniences. The reality is far more sinister. Hazing today, as tragically demonstrated in the Bermudez case, involves brutal physical and psychological torture that can lead to severe injury, permanent health problems, and even death. It is not “boys being boys” or a way to “build brotherhood”; it is abuse, assault, and often criminal behavior.

The Hazing Crisis in America

  • Prevalence: Over half of students in Greek organizations report experiencing hazing. This isn’t a fringe activity; it’s deeply embedded in the culture of many fraternities and sororities.
  • Frequency: Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every single year in the United States. This chilling statistic underscores the severe, often fatal, consequences.
  • Underreporting: A staggering 95% of students who are hazed do not report it. Fear of retaliation, shame, and loyalty to the group keeps victims silent, allowing the cycle of abuse to continue.
  • Widespread Problem: Hazing extends beyond fraternities and sororities, occurring in sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, clubs, and other student organizations at institutions across the country, including those in and around Greensville County.

Institutional Failure

Universities and national organizations often claim ignorance or express shock when hazing incidents come to light. Yet, the evidence repeatedly shows they fail to implement effective preventive measures until a tragedy occurs. Then, they resort to suspensions, dissolutions, and public relations statements, all while preparing to limit their liability. As our lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi demonstrates, these institutions frequently prioritize reputation over safety.

Types of Hazing Incidents

Based on our current Pi Kappa Phi case and other documented hazing incidents nationally, these are the devastating realities of hazing today:

  • Physical Abuse: This can range from constant calisthenics (like the 500 squats and 100 pushups in Leonel’s case) to beatings, paddling with objects (like the wooden paddles used on Leonel), branding, burning, sleep deprivation, and forced exposure to extreme weather.
  • Forced Consumption: This often involves binge drinking or chugging alcohol, which can lead to alcohol poisoning. But it also includes grotesque acts like forced eating until vomiting, or consuming non-food substances, as exemplified by Leonel being forced to eat hot dogs and peppercorns until he vomited.
  • Psychological Torture: Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation, and threats are common. Leonel was forced to carry sexually explicit items and another pledge was hog-tied with an object in his mouth, clear acts of psychological abuse and extreme degradation.
  • Sexual Abuse: In the worst cases, hazing can involve forced nudity, sexual acts, or sexual assault, leaving deep and lasting trauma.
  • Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: As Leonel’s case shockingly reveals, simulated drowning techniques are being used. This is a terrifying form of torture that mimics the experience of drowning.
  • Exposure: Forcing students into cold weather with minimal clothing, or into cramped, unhygienic spaces.
  • Servitude: Forced cleaning, driving members around at all hours (contributing to sleep deprivation), or running errands.

Medical and Psychological Consequences

These acts don’t just leave bruises; they leave lasting physical and psychological scars:

  • Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure: As suffered by Leonel Bermudez, this serious condition can lead to permanent kidney damage or even death.
  • Alcohol Poisoning: A frequent and often fatal consequence of forced binge drinking, as seen in many wrongful death hazing cases.
  • Traumatic Brain Injury: Resulting from beatings, falls, or repeated head trauma.
  • Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From exposure to extreme cold or heat.
  • Cardiac Arrest: Due to extreme physical exertion or underlying conditions exacerbated by hazing.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, Depression: Long-term psychological damage is almost universal in hazing victims. The fear of retribution, as described by Leonel’s attorneys, is a real manifestation of this trauma.
  • Death: The ultimate, tragic consequence of hazing that occurs with alarming regularity.

Who Is Responsible: Every Entity and Individual

When a student from Greensville County is harmed by hazing, our approach is to identify and pursue every single party that bears responsibility. This includes not just the students who inflict the hazing, but the organizations that allow it to fester, and the institutions that fail to prevent it. As we are doing in the Pi Kappa Phi case, we cast a wide net to ensure comprehensive accountability and maximum recovery for victims and their families.

The Greek Organizations (Local Chapters)

The local chapter is often the most direct perpetrator of hazing. In the Bermudez case, the University of Houston’s Beta Nu chapter directly organized and conducted the hazing activities. The chapter officers, such as the president and pledgemaster, often direct these activities, making them individually liable. Other individual members who participate actively or passively enable the abuse also bear responsibility. We also include former members who may host hazing events at their residences, as we have done in the Bermudez case. This allows us to pursue vicarious liability for member conduct, negligent supervision, and even premises liability if the hazing occurs at a chapter house or other property they control.

The National Fraternity/Sorority Organizations

These are the “deep pockets” that often have vast resources, insurance policies, and legal departments. Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, for instance, immediately suspended and dissolved the UH chapter once the hazing exposure became public. This swift action, taken before the lawsuit was filed, demonstrates that they knew the conduct was wrong and severe. They cannot claim ignorance when they act so decisively to mitigate public relations damage.

National organizations have a duty to:

  • Adequately supervise their local chapters.
  • Enforce their own anti-hazing policies (which they often claim to have).
  • Investigate and respond to known hazing risks.
    When they fail in these duties, as evidence suggests Pi Kappa Phi National did despite having had a hazing death in 2017, they become directly liable. Their significant assets and insurance policies are crucial for providing meaningful compensation to victims.

The Universities & Colleges

Universities are often the most powerful and well-funded defendants. In the Bermudez case, the University of Houston owned and directly controlled the Pi Kappa Phi house where much of the hazing took place. This is a critical factor for premises liability.

Universities have:

  • The power to regulate, suspend, or remove Greek organizations.
  • A duty to protect their students from foreseeable harm.
  • Deep institutional resources and insurance coverage.
    When a university owns the property where hazing occurs, or when they have prior knowledge of hazing problems on their campus (as UH did with a 2017 incident), their failure to act makes them liable. They simply cannot claim they were unaware of the dangers within their own sanctioned organizations. Universities in Virginia, such as the University of Richmond or William & Mary, are expected to uphold similar standards of care.

Individual Perpetrators

Every person who actively participated in, directed, or enabled the hazing can be held personally liable. This includes the chapter president, pledgemaster, and other active members. In Leonel’s case, we extended this to a former member and his spouse, who allowed hazing to occur at their residence. This ensures that personal responsibility is not evaded by hiding behind the organization. Individual actions, such as waterboarding or striking with wooden paddles, directly fall under assault and battery.

Insurance Carriers

Behind every one of these organizational and individual defendants are insurance policies designed to cover such liabilities. These include:

  • National organization’s liability insurance.
  • University’s institutional insurance.
  • Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance for off-campus hazing locations.
  • Personal liability policies.
    As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring invaluable insider knowledge to the table. They know exactly how these insurance companies think, strategize, and try to minimize payouts. This allows us to aggressively pursue every available policy and maximize recovery for our clients in Greensville County.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For families in Greensville County grappling with the aftermath of hazing, the financial burden can be immense—medical bills, therapy, lost academic time, and the profound costs of pain and suffering. But beyond financial recovery, these lawsuits achieve something crucial: accountability and deterrence. Landmark verdicts and settlements across the country prove that justice can be won, and the message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations is clear: hazing costs millions. The same strategies that secured these results are available for Greensville County hazing victims.

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

Total: Over $10.1 Million
Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old student, died in March 2021 after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation event at Bowling Green State University. He was found unresponsive and died from alcohol poisoning. The tragic outcome led to a comprehensive settlement:

  • Bowling Green State University paid $2.9 million.
  • The national Pi Kappa Alpha organization and individual members settled for $7.2 million.
  • In December 2024, Daylen Dunson, the chapter president during the Foltz hazing, was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

Relevance to Our Case: This case, totaling over $10.1 million in public settlements, sets a clear precedent. Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is well-supported by this tragic outcome. It also shows that universities bear significant responsibility and that individual officers like the president can be held personally liable for millions.

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

Total: $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
In September 2017, Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman at LSU, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a Phi Delta Theta pledge event called “Bible Study.” Pledges were forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol for incorrect answers to fraternity questions. His BAC was 0.495, more than six times the legal limit. A jury later awarded his family $6.1 million.

Relevance to Our Case: This case proves that juries are willing to award multi-million dollar verdicts to hazing victims. It also inspired the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana, underscoring the legislative impact these cases can have.

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

Total: Estimated $110+ Million (Multiple Settlements)
Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge, died in February 2017 after a Beta Theta Pi bid acceptance night involving forced alcohol consumption (“the gauntlet”). Piazza consumed 18 drinks in 82 minutes, fell down stairs, and suffered a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911. Security cameras captured the entire horrific event. The confidential settlements were estimated to exceed $110 million.

Relevance to Our Case: The Piazza case demonstrates the immense value placed on cases with clear, undeniable evidence of egregious conduct. While our case does not involve death, the documented physical and psychological torture against Leonel Bermudez, including simulated waterboarding, provides similar leverage for substantial damages. This case also led to Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.

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

Significance: SAME FRATERNITY as our current case
Andrew Coffey died on November 3, 2017, from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” at Florida State University. Nine fraternity members were charged, the chapter was permanently closed, and a civil settlement was reached (confidential amount).

Relevance to Our Case: This is the most crucial precedent for the Bermudez lawsuit. It proves that Pi Kappa Phi National had actual knowledge of deadly hazing within its chapters as far back as 2017. They had eight years since Coffey’s death to fix their culture. The fact that Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized under strikingly similar circumstances in 2025 demonstrates a profound, conscious indifference to student safety by Pi Kappa Phi National—a powerful argument for punitive damages.

Additional Cases:

  • University of Alabama / Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2023): A lawsuit filed involving a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from hazing, seeking significant damages. This proves that severe non-fatal injuries also warrant major legal action.
  • University of Houston / Pi Kappa Alpha (2017-2019): A former UH pledge, Jared Munoz, filed a $1 million lawsuit after suffering a lacerated spleen from hazing. This confirms that the University of Houston had prior knowledge of severe hazing on its campus, strengthening the argument for institutional negligence in the Bermudez case.
  • UT Austin / Sigma Chi (November 2025): Tragically, a wrongful death lawsuit was just filed this week in Texas against Sigma Chi at the University of Texas at Austin following a death by suicide of an 18-year-old freshman linked to “horrific abuse.” This underscores the ongoing, dangerous hazing culture in Texas and the immediate need for aggressive legal intervention.

Legislative Change

Many of these high-profile cases have directly led to the passage of new anti-hazing laws, such as the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania, and Collin’s Law in Ohio. Our efforts in the Bermudez case, whether in settlement or verdict, will similarly contribute to holding institutions accountable and hopefully inspiring stricter regulations.

Why Precedents Matter for Greensville County Cases

These cases demonstrate that:

  1. Our $10 million demand is supported by clear legal precedent, comparable to settlements for both deaths and severe injuries caused by hazing.
  2. Pi Kappa Phi has a documented history of hazing deaths, establishing a pattern of negligence that strengthens our case for punitive damages.
  3. The University of Houston had prior hazing incidents, highlighting systemic institutional failures.
  4. Juries hate hazing, especially when faced with egregious conduct like waterboarding and forced physical exertion.
  5. Criminal charges often accompany civil action, further emphasizing the severity of the offense.
    For families in Greensville County, these landmark victories offer hope and a roadmap for holding accountable the fraternities, universities, and individuals who allow hazing to persist.

Texas Law Protects You

For families in Greensville County, whether your child is attending college in Virginia, Texas, or anywhere else in the nation, understanding the legal framework surrounding hazing is crucial. While our firm is based in Texas, the principles of anti-hazing laws and civil liability for negligence extend across the country. We are well-versed in these laws and can apply our federal court authority to protect your Greensville County family, no matter where the hazing occurred.

Texas Hazing Laws: Education Code §§ 37.151-37.157

Texas has some of the most comprehensive anti-hazing laws in the nation, providing a strong foundation for both criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits.

  • Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining an organization, if the act:

    • Involves physical brutality (whipping, beating, striking, branding, etc.). In Leonel’s case, he was struck with wooden paddles.
    • Involves sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement, or calisthenics (like the 500 squats and 100 pushups) that subject a student to unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affect mental or physical health. Leonel suffered rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure directly from these activities and was exposed to the elements.
    • Involves forced consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk. Leonel was forced to eat until he vomited.
    • Involves acts that violate the Penal Code, such as assault or criminal mischief.
    • Involves coercing consumption of drugs or excessive alcohol.

    The facts of the Bermudez case clearly meet multiple elements of this statutory definition, strengthening our ability to pursue both civil and criminal avenues.

  • Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Individuals who engage in hazing can face Class B or Class A misdemeanors, carrying jail time and significant fines. If hazing causes serious bodily injury (which Leonel’s kidney failure qualifies as), it’s a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. If hazing causes death, it becomes a State Jail Felony, with penalties of up to two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine. The University of Houston spokesperson even mentioned “potential criminal charges,” indicating the seriousness of the situation.

  • Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Crucially, the law states that an organization commits an offense if it “condones or encourages hazing or if an officer or any combination of members, pledges, or alumni… commits or assists in the commission of hazing.” This means the Pi Kappa Phi chapter and the national organization can face fines, denial of operation rights, and forfeiture of property. This is a powerful tool to hold the broader entities accountable.

  • Consent Is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most critical aspect of Texas anti-hazing law. The statute explicitly states, “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 directly counters the common defense argument that victims “voluntarily participated” or “knew what they were signing up for.” Texas law recognizes that the power dynamics and coercive nature of hazing negate true consent. This means that Greensville County students cannot legally consent to being hazed.

  • University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Texas universities 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, creating a further layer of accountability for institutions that try to hide such incidents.

Civil Liability for Hazing: Your Right to Sue for Damages

Beyond criminal charges, civil lawsuits offer a way for Greensville County victims and their families to recover comprehensive compensation for their injuries and suffering.

  1. Negligence Claims: We can sue for negligence by proving that the fraternity, national organization, or university owed a duty of care to the student, breached that duty through their hazing or failure to act, and that this breach directly caused the student’s injuries and damages. This applies regardless of the specific location of the hazing.
  2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university or a fraternity housing corporation (as was the case with the University of Houston), we can pursue premises liability claims. Property owners have a legal duty to maintain a safe environment and prevent dangerous conditions.
  3. Negligent Supervision: This theory holds national organizations and universities liable for failing to adequately supervise their chapters or Greek life programs, especially when they knew or should have known about hazing risks.
  4. Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators who physically harm students—through hitting, forced physical exertion, or waterboarding—can be sued directly for assault and battery.
  5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The extreme and outrageous conduct typical of hazing often causes severe emotional distress, enabling us to pursue claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress, particularly for conditions like PTSD.

These civil claims exist in virtually every state, providing a robust legal framework for hazing victims. For Greensville County families, this means the legal channels for seeking justice are open, regardless of whether criminal charges are ultimately filed or where the incident occurred. Your civil case provides a direct path to compensation and accountability that is separate from criminal proceedings.

Why Attorney 911: Your Advocates in Greensville County

For families in Greensville County grappling with the trauma of hazing, choosing the right legal representation is one of the most critical decisions you will make. You need more than just a lawyer; you need empathetic, aggressive, and experienced advocates battle-tested against powerful institutions. We are Attorney 911, and we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™. While our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we proudly serve hazing victims in Greensville County and nationwide, bringing our full resources and expertise to your fight.

Our Unmatched Advantages for Greensville County Families

We understand that you have choices, but our firm offers distinctive advantages that set us apart:

  • 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Ralph Manginello, our founder, has over two decades of experience fighting complex legal battles in courtrooms across Texas and in federal courts. This battle-tested expertise means we are not afraid to go to trial if that’s what it takes to secure justice for your child. Just as we did in the high-stakes BP Texas City explosion litigation, we are prepared to take on massive corporate and institutional defendants on behalf of Greensville County families.
  • Former Insurance Defense Insight: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. This is a strategic advantage for you. We’ve seen the other side’s playbook from the inside. We know exactly how insurance companies and corporate legal teams strategize to minimize or deny claims. We leverage this insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize your recovery. Mr. Peña’s experience at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national defense firm, gives us unparalleled insight into how large organizations will try to fight your case. This means we know how defendants in Greensville County will fight back, and we know how to counteract their tactics.
  • Federal Court Admissions: We are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and have experience at the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. This federal authority means we can pursue cases in federal courts, which is often crucial when dealing with national fraternities and universities that operate across state lines. This allows us to represent Greensville County cases in federal jurisdiction, giving us a powerful advantage.
  • Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas AND New York): Ralph Manginello holds licenses in both Texas and New York. This dual licensure provides a significant strategic advantage when litigating against national fraternities and sororities, many of which are headquartered or incorporated outside of Texas. It allows us to understand the legal nuances that can arise in cases involving multi-state organizations, ensuring that we can pursue accountability regardless of where the national organization is based.
  • Se Habla Español: We have bilingual staff, including Lupe Pena who is fluent in Spanish, ready to serve Spanish-speaking clients. We ensure no language barrier prevents any Greensville County family from accessing expert legal representation.
  • Nationwide Hazing Expertise: We are not just talking about hazing; we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston right now. This is real-time, in-the-trenches experience. The same aggressive strategies we are employing in this landmark case are available and will be applied to Greensville County victims.

Our Approach to Serving Greensville County Hazing Victims

When a legal emergency strikes your family in Greensville County, we move first, fast, and decisively.

  • Expert Witness Network: We build our cases with a robust network of expert witnesses, including medical professionals (like those who can testify to the severity of rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure), Greek life culture experts, and institutional negligence specialists.
  • Immediate Evidence Preservation: We instruct our clients to immediately preserve all evidence—texts, photos, medical records, witness statements. Our YouTube content, like “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs), emphasizes this critical step.
  • Negotiating from Strength: Our live $10 million hazing lawsuit demonstrates our commitment and capacity for serious litigation. This strength provides significant leverage in negotiations.
  • Dedicated Travel for Justice: While we leverage remote technologies, we are prepared to travel to Greensville County for depositions, meetings, and trials when necessary. Distance is never a barrier to pursuing justice for our clients.
  • Remote Consultations: Families in Greensville County can easily connect with our attorneys through video consultations, ensuring immediate access to expert legal advice.

Why Greensville County Families Choose Us

We know that Greensville County families have many options, but our firm brings a unique blend of empathy and aggressive legal action to hazing cases. We genuinely care about hazing victims. We’ve seen the profound damage fraternities and universities inflict. We are fighting it in court right now, and we see your child as a person, not a paycheck.

  • Client Testimonials: Our 4.9-star rating on Google My Business from over 250 reviews reflects our deep commitment to our clients. Testimonials from individuals like Chad Harris, who stated, “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such,” and numerous others who praise our communication and dedication, highlight the personal touch we bring to every case. We prioritize building “family” relationships with our clients, ensuring you are supported through one of the hardest times of your life.
  • Contingency Fees: We understand the financial strain that a hazing incident can place on a family. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency. This means Greensville County hazing victims pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless and until you get paid. This ensures that expert legal representation is accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. Our video “How Contingency Fees Work” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc) further explains this critical policy.

Our combined 37+ years of experience, our tactical advantage as former insurance defense attorneys, and our unwavering commitment to victims makes Attorney 911 the clear choice for any Greensville County family seeking justice for hazing.

What to Do Right Now

If your child in Greensville County has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. What you do—or don’t do—can significantly impact your ability to seek justice and recover compensation. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, scared, or angry, but acting quickly and strategically is paramount.

Immediate Action for Greensville County Hazing Victims:

  1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately: This is the absolute priority. Even if injuries seem minor or hidden, a medical professional must assess and document them. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis or internal injuries may not be immediately apparent. Any delay in seeking treatment can be used by defense attorneys to argue that the injuries were not severe or not related to the hazing. Document every diagnosis, every treatment, and every conversation with medical staff. For our client Leonel Bermudez, his mother rushing him to the hospital saved him from potentially fatal kidney damage.

  2. Preserve All Evidence: Hazing often leaves a trail, but that trail can disappear quickly.

    • Medical Records: Gather all emergency room reports, hospital admission and discharge summaries, doctor’s notes, medical bills, and therapy records.
    • Photos and Videos: Take pictures of any visible injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling) at all stages of healing. If possible and safe, photograph the location where hazing occurred, any items used in hazing (like the garden hose or wooden paddles), and any physical materials like contaminated clothing. Screenshots of messages showing hazing activities, coordination, or threats are invaluable. Our video “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) provides crucial guidance on this.
    • Communications: Save every text message, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DM, email, or social media post related to the hazing. This includes conversations before, during, and after the incident, even if they seem innocuous. These communications often reveal internal knowledge, coercion, or admissions of guilt.
    • Witness Information: Collect names, phone numbers, and any other contact details for anyone who witnessed the hazing, including other pledges, fraternity members who did not participate, or bystanders. Their testimony can be crucial.
    • Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or codes of conduct given to your child.
    • Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, receipts for medications, travel to appointments, and any lost wages due to missed work.
    • Academic Records: Document any impact on grades, enrollment status, or scholarship eligibility.

  3. DO NOT Communicate with the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers: Once hazing is reported, the involved organizations and institutions will activate their legal and public relations teams. They are not on your side. They will try to minimize liability, gather information to use against you, and potentially offer lowball settlements.

    • Do NOT delete any messages or posts, as this could be considered evidence spoliation.
    • Do NOT speak with fraternity leadership, national representatives, university administrators, or their attorneys without legal counsel present.
    • Do NOT sign any documents from the organization or university, as these may waive your rights.
    • Do NOT post about the incident on social media. Insurance adjusters and defense lawyers actively monitor social media for posts that can undermine your claim, as detailed in our video “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY).

  4. Call Attorney 911 Immediately: The statute of limitations, typically two years in most states for personal injury and wrongful death cases (as explained in our “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c), means time is of the essence. However, evidence disappears quickly, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations can destroy or alter records. The sooner you contact us, the faster we can begin preserving evidence, investigating your claim, and protecting your legal rights. We offer free consultations 24/7.

Understanding Your Legal Rights and Potential Recovery

When your child is hazed in Greensville County, you are entitled to comprehensive compensation for the damages they have suffered.

  • Economic Damages: These are quantifiable financial losses.
    • Medical Expenses: Past and future costs for hospital stays, emergency care, specialist visits, medications, physical therapy, and mental health counseling. For severe injuries like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, these costs can be substantial and lifelong.
    • Lost Wages/Academic Investment: Compensation for any earnings lost due to recovery or if the injuries impact future earning capacity. This also covers lost tuition, scholarship funds, or academic delays.
    • Rehabilitation Costs: Costs associated with speech therapy, occupational therapy, or other long-term rehabilitation needs.
  • Non-Economic Damages: These are for intangible losses that profoundly impact your child’s well-being.
    • Physical Pain and Suffering: The agony endured during the hazing itself, during hospitalization, and throughout recovery.
    • Mental Anguish and Emotional Distress: The profound psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, humiliation, and the long-term impact on mental health. Leonel’s fear of retribution is a clear example of this.
    • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in activities, social isolation, and the diminished quality of life caused by the hazing.
    • Disfigurement: For any permanent scars, burns, or physical alterations resulting from the hazing.
  • Punitive Damages: These are awarded not to compensate the victim, but to punish the wrongdoer for particularly egregious, reckless, or malicious conduct, and to deter similar acts in the future. Hazing, with its intentional cruelty and conscious disregard for safety, often qualifies for significant punitive damages, especially when there’s a pattern of abuse or institutional knowledge of the problem.

Wrongful Death Cases

If a family in Greensville County has tragically lost a child due to hazing, we pursue wrongful death claims. These cases seek compensation for the immense grief, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the projected future earnings and contributions the child would have made. Such cases often result in the highest verdicts because juries empathize with the preventable loss of a young life, sending a clear message that such recklessness will not be tolerated.

Contact Us: Your Greensville County Hazing Legal Emergency Hotline

If you or your child in Greensville County has been a victim of hazing, you are not alone, and you do not have to endure this trauma in silence. We are here to help. At Attorney 911, we are fighting this fight right now – for Leonel Bermudez in Houston, and aggressively for hazing victims across the country, including your family in Greensville County. We know how to build these cases, how to hold institutions accountable, and how to win.

Greensville County Families – Call Now for a Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Our legal emergency hotline is available 24/7. We understand that legal emergencies do not adhere to business hours, especially when you are dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic hazing incident.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning Greensville County families pay $0 upfront. Our firm only gets paid if and when we secure compensation for you. This commitment ensures that financial concerns never stand in the way of justice.

We Serve Greensville County Hazing Victims — and Hazing Victims Nationwide

While our physical offices are located in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach extends far beyond state lines. Hazing is a national crisis, affecting colleges and universities in Greensville County, across Virginia, and throughout America. We are fully equipped to evaluate and represent your Greensville County case, regardless of its specific location, through:

  • Federal Court Authority: Our attorneys are admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts. This means we can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often essential when national organizations or their chapters operate across state lines.
  • Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello is licensed in both Texas and New York, providing a strategic advantage when litigating against national fraternities and sororities that may be headquartered or incorporated in various states.
  • Video Consultations: For the convenience and peace of mind of Greensville County families, we offer secure and confidential video consultations. You can consult with our expert attorneys remotely, from the comfort and privacy of your home.
  • Travel Commitment: We are committed to traveling wherever justice demands. For depositions, client meetings, and trials, our attorneys will come to Greensville County as needed. Distance will never be a barrier to our aggressive representation.

Hazing is not confined to fraternities and sororities. We represent victims of hazing in many types of organizations:

  • Fraternities and sororities at institutions near Greensville County.
  • Greensville County sports teams, from high school to college level.
  • Marching bands and other performance groups at Greensville County-area universities.
  • ROTC programs and other military organizations.
  • Clubs and student organizations at any educational institution.
  • Any group that uses harmful initiation rituals.

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know there are others. Leonel Bermudez was not the only one subjected to this abuse. The lawsuit mentions another pledge who was hog-tied, and another who lost consciousness during forced workouts. If you were a victim or witnessed hazing in the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi chapter, you have rights too. We can represent you, and your testimony can be crucial in holding all responsible parties accountable.

As Lupe Pena shared with 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.” We believe that collectively, we can force change.

Call us today. Let’s bring them all to justice.

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