If you’re reading this, your family may be navigating one of the most frightening and confusing moments of your lives. Your child, perhaps a bright student from Lunenburg County, Virginia, went off to college with dreams of friendship and new experiences. Instead, they were subjected to abuse, humiliation, and potentially life-threatening harm, all under the guise of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.” We understand the depth of your fear, your anger, and your desperate search for help. You’re not alone, and we are here to help families in Lunenburg County fight back against the insidious problem of hazing.

We are Attorney911, and our mission is to provide aggressive, compassionate representation to hazing victims and their families across Lunenburg County and the entire United States. We know the shame, the fear, and the betrayal your child may be experiencing. We know the helplessness you might feel as a parent. We are not just lawyers; we are advocates committed to turning your family’s pain into powerful action and holding every responsible institution and individual accountable.

The Haunting Echoes of Hazing: What Lunenburg County Families Need to Know

For families in Lunenburg County, Virginia, the idea that a university experience could turn into a nightmare of hazing is deeply distressing. Many of our children leave the close-knit communities of Lunenburg, seeking higher education at institutions like the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, or James Madison University, or even beyond to major state universities. They go with the expectation of safety, intellectual growth, and social connection. Yet, across America, including at colleges where students from Lunenburg County enroll, the dark secret of hazing continues to claim young lives and inflict lasting trauma.

Hazing is not a harmless prank. It’s not a bonding ritual. It is systematic abuse, often involving physical violence, psychological torture, sexual degradation, and forced alcohol consumption. It is a crime. And it is a crisis that universities and national Greek organizations have, for too long, allowed to fester in the shadows. We are here to shine a light on these activities and to ensure that when hazing occurs, the perpetrators, and those who enable them, are brought to justice.

The Unseen Battle: Why Hazing is a Silent Epidemic

The statistics surrounding hazing are chilling, and they underscore the urgency of our fight. While we may not have specific hazing incident statistics for Lunenburg County, the national data shows a pervasive problem that impacts students from every community:

• 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing. This means over half of the young men and women who join fraternities and sororities are subjected to rituals designed to degrade or harm them.
• 40% of student athletes report hazing. It’s not just Greek life; sports teams, marching bands, military organizations, and other student groups also engage in these dangerous practices.
• Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every year in the United States. These are preventable tragedies that devastate families and leave communities reeling.
• 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it. Shame, fear of retaliation, loyalty to the group, and a belief that “it’s just part of the experience” keep victims silent. This silence allows the cycle of abuse to continue.

This crisis demands aggressive intervention. Universities know it exists. National Greek organizations are fully aware of the dangers. Yet, too often, they prioritize reputation and “tradition” over student safety. They have the power to stop it, but they often choose not to, until a student is hospitalized or, tragically, dies. Only then do they scramble to “suspend” or “dissolve” chapters, claiming surprise while the lives of young people and their families are irrevocably altered.

Our Landmark Case: Fighting for Leonel Bermudez in Houston, Fighting for You in Lunenburg County

We don’t just talk about the hazing crisis; we actively fight it in court right now. The centerpiece of our firm’s commitment to ending hazing is our active, ongoing $10 million lawsuit, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al., filed in November 2025 in Harris County Civil District Court. This is not a hypothetical case study; this is a live battle where we are aggressively representing a hazing victim against a national fraternity, a major university, and multiple individual perpetrators.

What happened to Leonel Bermudez in Houston is a stark warning. But it’s also a blueprint for how we will fight for families in Lunenburg County. The same national fraternities that have chapters in Lunenburg County’s colleges operate using similar tactics. Universities where Lunenburg County students matriculate face the same liabilities. And we will bring the same data-driven, relentless approach to seeking justice for your family.

This case has already garnered significant media attention from outlets like ABC13 Houston, KHOU 11, the Houston Chronicle, and Houston Public Media. These reports vividly detail the horrors Leonel endured, the severity of his injuries, and the brazen indifference of those responsible.

The Victim: Leonel Bermudez

Leonel Bermudez was not even an enrolled student at the University of Houston at the time of his hazing. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member who planned to transfer to UH for the spring 2026 semester. He was a young man from a nervous family, hoping to find friendship and belonging. Instead, he found systemic abuse and a nightmare that landed him in the hospital. As ABC13 quoted our attorney, Ralph Manginello:

“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.”

The Hazing Timeline: Weeks of Torture

Leonel accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. What followed was an agonizing period of approximately seven weeks of escalating abuse. His ordeal culminated in a single night of extreme physical punishment that led to his hospitalization.

• September 16, 2025: Leonel accepts a bid to Pi Kappa Phi.
• September 16 – November 3, 2025: Weeks of systematic hazing, including an enforced dress code, mandatory study hours, weekly interviews, and being forced to drive fraternity members during early mornings, leading to exhaustion. He was forced to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times, facing threats of physical punishment or expulsion if he refused.
• October 13, 2025: In a chilling testament to the chapter’s culture, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• October 15, 2025: More ominously, a fellow pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout, requiring other pledges to elevate his legs until he revived. This shows the fraternity knew the risks, yet continued.
• November 3, 2025: Leonel was subjected to severe punishment for missing an event. He was forced through brutal physical exercises: two-mile warmups, over 100 push-ups, 500 squats, “high-volume suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-your-brother” drills, and repeated 100-yard crawls, all while reciting the fraternity creed under threat of immediate expulsion. He was exercised to such an extreme that he could not stand without help. He was sprayed with a garden hose, simulating waterboarding, and forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. He was then made to continue exercising in his vomit-soaked clothing. The lawsuit also alleges he was struck with wooden paddles.
• November 6, 2025: After two days of worsening pain and immobility, Leonel’s mother rushed him to the hospital when he began passing brown urine—a critical sign of muscle breakdown.
• November 6-10, 2025: Leonel was hospitalized for three nights and four days, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• November 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters officially closed its Beta Nu chapter.
• November 21, 2025: Our firm, Attorney911, filed the $10 million lawsuit.

The Medical Nightmare: Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure

Leonel’s injuries were not minor. Rhabdomyolysis is a dangerous condition where damaged muscle tissue releases proteins into the bloodstream that can overwhelm and destroy the kidneys. It’s a life-threatening illness. The fact that he was passing brown urine indicated the presence of myoglobin, a direct result of extreme muscle breakdown. His very high creatine kinase levels confirmed the severe muscle damage.

Our client’s hospitalization for acute kidney failure proves the extreme and life-threatening nature of the abuse. Cases involving rhabdomyolysis from hazing are particularly egregious, and our firm has specific expertise in litigating such cases, including prior experience with rhabdomyolysis hazing cases involving similar conduct.

Institutional Indifference: Their Own Words Condemn Them

The responses from the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National reveal a shocking lack of foresight and a scramble to limit liability:

• University of Houston Spokesperson (Houston Public Media): “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 is an admission by the university that severe violations occurred and that their own students may face criminal charges.
• Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters (their own website): “Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity closed its Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards… We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time…” Note the critical timing: they closed the chapter seven days before our lawsuit was filed. They knew what was coming. And their statement, “we look forward to returning to campus,” shows a shocking lack of remorse and an intention to resume operations once the controversy dies down.

As our client’s attorney Lupe Pena stated to 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.”

What Hazing Really Looks Like Today

Forget the movies; hazing in the modern era is far more dangerous and sinister than mere pranks. What happened to Leonel Bermudez represents the grim reality faced by students from Lunenburg County and across the nation:

• Physical Abuse: Beatings with wooden paddles, forced and extreme calisthenics (push-ups, squats, sprints, crawling) to the point of collapse, sleep deprivation, exposure to harsh weather conditions (like stripping in the cold and being hosed down).
• Waterboarding: Simulated drowning is not a prank; it’s a form of torture that creates unimaginable fear and psychological terror.
• Forced Consumption: Being coerced into eating until vomiting or consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol or food, leading to medical emergencies like alcohol poisoning, choking, or extreme physical distress.
• Psychological Torture: Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation, and threats that break down a person’s mental resilience and self-worth. Leonel’s fear of retribution, a symptom of severe psychological trauma, is common among hazing victims.
• Sexual Harassment/Abuse: Being forced to wear degrading objects of a sexual nature, as Leonel was, or being subjected to other forms of sexual abuse. This is explicitly prohibited by law and university policy.

The medical consequences are equally severe:

• Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure: Directly suffered by Leonel.
• Alcohol Poisoning: A leading cause of hazing deaths.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: Resulting from falls, beatings, or violent shaking.
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From forced exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Cardiac Arrest: From extreme physical exertion.
• PTSD, Anxiety, Depression: Long-term psychological damage requiring extensive therapy.
• Death: The ultimate, preventable tragedy that haunts families whose children were victims of hazing gone wrong.

This isn’t about “boys being boys” or harmless “tradition.” It is assault, battery, torture, reckless endangerment, and often, manslaughter or murder. And it is happening right now, at institutions where students from Lunenburg County are expected to be safe.

Who Is Responsible for Hazing Injuries in Lunenburg County?

When hazing incidents occur, especially those as egregious as what Leonel Bermudez endured, multiple parties bear responsibility. Our approach to hazing litigation involves relentlessly pursuing every entity that contributed to the harm, ensuring that accountability extends beyond just the immediate perpetrators. For families in Lunenburg County, this means we can target:

1. The Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter: This includes the specific chapter that directly organized and conducted the hazing. The chapter members, particularly leadership roles such as the president and pledgemaster, are directly liable for their actions and omissions. We sued 13 individual fraternity members in the Bermudez case.
2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization: These national bodies oversee hundreds of chapters across America, including those near Lunenburg County. They are responsible for implementing, monitoring, and enforcing anti-hazing policies. When they fail to do so, especially after previous incidents or “hazing crises” (as alleged in our Bermudez lawsuit regarding Pi Kappa Phi), they are liable for the resulting harm. These national organizations often have substantial assets and insurance policies.
3. The University/College: Educational institutions have a crucial duty to protect their students. If a university owns or controls the property where hazing occurs, has knowledge of previous hazing incidents (like the University of Houston did), or fails to adequately supervise Greek life, they can be held responsible. This includes the university administration and its governing bodies, such as the Board of Regents – both of which are defendants in our Bermudez lawsuit. Universities attract students from Lunenburg County with promises of a safe and enriching environment; they must be held accountable when that promise is broken.
4. Individual Perpetrators: Each person who actively participated in, directed, or enabled the hazing can be held personally liable. This includes the chapter president, pledgemaster, and other members. In certain cases, alumni or even their spouses (as in the Bermudez case, where hazing occurred at a former member’s residence with his spouse’s knowledge) can be named as defendants. We are not afraid to pursue individuals to ensure full justice.
5. Insurance Carriers: Many of these entities – national organizations, universities, and individuals – carry substantial liability insurance policies. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring invaluable insider knowledge of how these carriers operate, allowing us to expertly navigate their defenses and maximize our clients’ recovery.

This comprehensive approach is crucial for several reasons. First, it ensures that victims from Lunenburg County receive the maximum possible compensation for their injuries. Second, by holding multiple entities accountable, we increase the pressure on all levels of the Greek life system and university administration to take hazing seriously, and to prevent future incidents. We understand that this is not just about financial recovery; it’s about justice, accountability, and ultimately, saving lives.

What Hazing Cases Can Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

The devastation caused by hazing demands significant compensation. We want Lunenburg County families to know that there is a strong legal precedent for multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in these cases. These large awards serve not only to compensate victims for their immense suffering and losses but also to send an unequivocal message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations that hazing will no longer be tolerated. We actively track these critical cases to build the strongest possible arguments for our clients.

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

Total Payout: $10.1 Million+
Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” event. The Foltz family received nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from the national fraternity and individual members. A former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was also recently ordered to pay $6.5 million in a personal civil judgment in December 2024. This case alone provides strong validation for our $10 million demand in the Bermudez lawsuit and demonstrates that multiple entities, including universities and national fraternities, are held financially responsible.

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

Jury Verdict: $6.1 Million
Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died with a blood alcohol content of 0.495 after being forced to consume massive amounts of alcohol during a Phi Delta Theta pledge event called “Bible Study.” A jury awarded his family $6.1 million. This verdict is critical because it shows that when cases go to trial, juries are willing to deliver substantial compensation for the egregious conduct involved in hazing. This case also led to the passage of the “Max Gruver Act” in Louisiana, making hazing a felony.

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

Estimated Payout: $110 Million+
Timothy Piazza consumed 18 drinks in 82 minutes as part of a Beta Theta Pi hazing ritual. He subsequently fell down a flight of stairs multiple times, suffering a catastrophic brain injury. Fraternity members watched him for 12 hours before calling for help, and he later died. The Piazza family secured confidential settlements estimated to be over $110 million from Penn State and the national fraternity. This case, extensively documented by security cameras, demonstrates the immense value of clear evidence and the willingness of institutions to pay massive sums to resolve these cases. It also led to Pennsylvania’s stringent “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.”

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

Same Fraternity as Our Bermudez Case
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. Nine fraternity members were criminally charged, and the chapter was permanently closed. While the settlement amount was confidential, this tragedy serves as critical pattern evidence, proving that Pi Kappa Phi National knew about the deadly risks of hazing within its chapters years before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. They had eight years to implement change, and they failed.

These landmark cases send an undeniable message:

• Hazing is not ignored. Victims and their families are fighting back.
• Juries and courts are holding institutions accountable. These are not small, quiet pay-outs.
• The compensation is substantial. Millions of dollars are being awarded to reflect the profound damage caused.
• Hazing cases inspire legislative change. Tragedies transform into laws designed to protect future students.

For families in Lunenburg County, these precedents are more than just stories; they are proof that justice is attainable, and that their fight for accountability can lead to similar significant outcomes. Our firm is dedicated to applying these lessons and strategies to every hazing case we undertake, no matter where it occurs.

Texas Law Protects Hazing Victims in Lunenburg County

While the Bermudez case is rooted in Texas law, it’s crucial for families in Lunenburg County, Virginia, to understand that strong anti-hazing laws, similar legal protections, and civil recourse exist in most states. The core principles of accountability apply universally. In Texas, our firm leverages specific statutes to aggressively pursue justice, and we are well-versed in how these legal frameworks translate nationwide.

Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157: A Comprehensive Anti-Hazing Law

Texas has robust anti-hazing laws that criminalize hazing and specify institutional responsibilities. These laws underpin our ability to aggressively litigate cases like Leonel Bermudez’s.

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): The law broadly defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution… directed against a student for the purpose of pledging… if the act: (1) is any type of physical brutality… (2) involves sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other similar activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm… (3) involves consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage… (4) is any activity that induces… the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code…”

Why This Matters for Leonel Bermudez and Lunenburg County: Leonel’s experience satisfies multiple elements of this definition: the wooden paddles are “physical brutality,” the 500 squats and related exercises fall under “calisthenics” causing “unreasonable risk of harm,” and the forced eating until vomiting clearly meets the “consumption of a food” clause. The waterboarding, though not explicitly listed, is a form of physical brutality and assault. Most states, including Virginia, have similar expansive definitions, meaning the hazing your Lunenburg County child experienced would likely be illegal there as well.

Critical: Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most powerful aspect of Texas hazing law, stating unequivocally: “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 refutes the common fraternity defense that “he agreed to participate” or “he could have left.” Texas law, and increasingly the law in other states, recognizes the immense peer pressure and coercion involved in hazing, effectively negating any claim of consent.

Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Hazing is a crime in Texas, with penalties ranging from Class B misdemeanors (up to 180 days jail) to State Jail Felonies for hazing that causes death (180 days to 2 years in state jail). Because Leonel Bermudez suffered “serious bodily injury” (rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure), individual perpetrators could face Class A misdemeanor charges, carrying up to a year in jail. As the University of Houston spokesperson noted, “potential criminal charges” are being considered.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations can also be penalized, including fines up to $10,000 and denial of the right to operate on campus. This allows us to hold the chapter and national organization directly responsible under criminal law.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges

Beyond the criminal statutes, civil lawsuits allow us to pursue comprehensive compensation for victims and their families. These claims are generally applicable across states and form the basis of our multi-million dollar demands:

1. Negligence Claims: We argue that the universities, national fraternities, and local chapters had a duty of care to protect students, that they breached this duty through their actions or inactions (allowing hazing), and that this breach directly caused the victim’s injuries and damages. This is a foundational theory in almost all hazing lawsuits.
2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (as was the case with the University of Houston, which owned the Pi Kappa Phi house), or by a housing corporation or individual, that entity has a responsibility to maintain a safe environment. Failing to address dangerous conditions (i.e., known hazing activities) makes them liable.
3. Negligent Supervision: This applies when national organizations fail to properly oversee their chapters and when universities fail to adequately monitor Greek life activities. The argument is that they knew or should have known about the hazing culture but failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it.
4. Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators who physically harm a student can be sued for intentional torts like assault (placing someone in fear of harmful contact) and battery (unlawful physical contact). The wooden paddles, waterboarding, and forced exercise often constitute battery.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): The outrageous and extreme nature of hazing, especially psychological torture and humiliation, often satisfies the high bar for IIED claims, compensating victims for severe emotional distress.
6. Wrongful Death: Tragically, when hazing results in a student’s death, families can pursue wrongful death claims against all responsible parties, seeking compensation for lost companionship, emotional suffering, financial losses, and funeral expenses.

For Lunenburg County families, these legal avenues mean that even if a hazing incident doesn’t lead to criminal charges, they still have powerful civil recourse to secure justice and significant compensation. Our firm’s deep understanding of these laws—both in Texas and how they apply nationwide—positions us uniquely to fight for your child.

Why Attorney911 is the Right Choice for Lunenburg County Hazing Victims

When your family in Lunenburg County is facing the aftermath of a hazing incident, you need more than just a lawyer; you need strategic, battle-tested advocates who deeply understand the complex landscape of hazing litigation. At Attorney911, we offer a unique blend of compassion, expertise, and aggressive legal strategy that sets us apart and ensures you get the powerful representation your child deserves.

25+ Years of Courtroom Experience

Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, brings over 25 years of extensive courtroom experience to every case. He is a battle-tested trial attorney who isn’t afraid to take on formidable opponents. This depth of experience means he understands how to navigate complex legal battles, challenge aggressive defenses, and present a compelling case to a jury. For Lunenburg County families, this means you have a seasoned litigator in your corner, ready to fight for your child’s rights.

Former Insurance Defense Insight: We Know Their Playbook

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, our associate attorney, are former insurance defense lawyers. This isn’t a coincidence; it’s a strategic advantage for our clients. They spent years working on the other side, defending insurance companies and corporations against personal injury claims. This insider knowledge means they know exactly how insurance adjusters and defense attorneys think, how they value claims, what their strategies are, and how they attempt to minimize or deny payouts.

Lupe Pena’s background with Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national insurance defense firm, gave him firsthand insight into their tactics across product liability, personal injury defense, and construction law. Now, he uses that “battlefield intelligence” to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for victims. When an insurance company tries to lowball a Lunenburg County hazing victim, our attorneys know precisely how to counter their moves because they helped write the playbook.

Federal Court Admissions and Dual-State Bar Licenses

Our firm’s reach extends far beyond Texas. Ralph Manginello is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and his dual-state bar admissions in Texas AND New York provide a distinct strategic advantage. This means we can pursue complex cases against national fraternities or universities regardless of their location, including those with chapters and campuses relevant to Lunenburg County students. Distance is not a barrier when we have federal court authority and multi-state licensing. We are willing to travel to Lunenburg County for depositions, trials, and client meetings as needed, or conduct remote consultations via video to ensure you receive immediate support.

Multi-Billion Dollar Case Experience: Taking on Giants

Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation following the 2005 BP Texas City Explosion (which killed 15 and injured over 180) demonstrates our capacity to handle complex, high-stakes cases against massive corporate defendants. This experience in confronting powerful entities directly translates to hazing litigation involving well-funded national fraternities and large university systems. For Lunenburg County families, this means we have the proven ability to face down institutions with vast resources and come out victorious.

Hazing Litigation Expertise: We’re in the Fight Right Now

Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is not just an example of our expertise; it is the living proof. This isn’t theoretical; this is real, active litigation against the very types of entities that cause hazing harm. We understand the specific medical conditions like rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure that can result from hazing, and we have experience litigating them. The strategies we are deploying now in Harris County are the same aggressive, data-driven strategies we will bring to your child’s case in Lunenburg County.

Bilingual Services: Se Habla Español

Understanding that Lunenburg County may have a diverse population, our staff is fully bilingual (English and Spanish). Lupe Pena is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that Spanish-speaking families affected by hazing receive comprehensive legal services without language barriers.

Compassionate, Client-Centered Approach

We recognize that families facing hazing are often in immense emotional distress. Our approach is warm, educational, and empathetic. We treat our clients like family, keeping them informed at every stage of the process. Our numerous 4.9-star Google reviews highlight our commitment to communication and client care:

“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris

“This place feels like having a family over your case. And communication with you every step of the way. That’s how you know you’re in good hands.” — Kiwi Potato

Contingency Fees: No Upfront Cost

We operate on a contingency fee basis. This means families in Lunenburg County and beyond pay us $0 upfront. We only get paid if, and when, we win your case. This removes the financial barrier to accessing top-tier legal representation and ensures that our interests are completely aligned with yours: we don’t get paid unless you do.

Dedication to Accountability

Ralph Manginello, as a father of three and a former youth coach, understands the pressures young people face and the responsibility adults bear to protect them. He and Lupe Pena are deeply committed to stopping hazing. As Lupe Pena stated in regard to the Bermudez case, “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 holding perpetrators accountable is the only way to drive change, and we are prepared to bring that passion to your family’s case.

When you choose Attorney911, you’re not just hiring lawyers; you’re gaining advocates who are actively battling the hazing crisis and bringing that expertise directly to families in Lunenburg County.

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

If your child from Lunenburg County has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While emotions run high, taking specific steps can significantly impact the strength of any future legal claim. We understand that you may be scared, angry, or confused, but acting quickly can protect your child’s rights and future.

Here’s what you should do right now:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your child’s health is the absolute priority. If there are any physical injuries, signs of illness, or mental distress, get medical care immediately. Do not delay. Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can have delayed symptoms. Ensure all medical professionals are aware that the injuries resulted from hazing activities. This creates a critical paper trail.
2. Preserve All Evidence: Hazing often occurs in secret, and perpetrators will try to destroy evidence. What you save now can be invaluable:
   • Medical Records: Get copies of all hospital records, emergency room visits, doctor’s notes, lab results (like creatine kinase for rhabdomyolysis), and any psychological counseling or therapy records.
   • Photos and Videos: Take pictures of any visible injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) immediately, and continue to document the healing process. If your child has any photos or videos of hazing activities, or even images of the location where it occurred, save them. If your child is hospitalized or incapacitated, ask a trusted friend or family member to take photos.
   • Communications: Crucially, save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages, Instagram DMs, emails, and any other digital communications related to the hazing. Screenshots are essential because messages can be deleted. This includes messages from other pledges, fraternity/sorority members, or university officials.
   • Witness Information: Collect the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, current or former members, or anyone with knowledge of the organization’s activities.
   • Documents: Keep any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or other documents given to your child by the organization.
   • Financial Records: Document any medical bills incurred, lost wages (if your child missed work or internships), or academic fees (if they had to withdraw or modify their enrollment).
3. Do NOT Communicate with the Organization or University Without Legal Counsel:
   • Do NOT Delete Anything: Do not delete messages, social media posts, or any other digital evidence, even if it seems irrelevant. This can be considered spoliation of evidence and harm your case.
   • Do NOT Talk to Fraternity/Sorority Leadership or Members: They will likely try to coordinate stories, influence your child, or minimize the incident.
   • Do NOT Speak to University Administrators Alone: University officials are primarily concerned with protecting the institution’s reputation and legal standing. Any statements your child makes could be used against them.
   • Do NOT Sign Anything: Do not sign any documents from the fraternity/sorority or the university without first consulting an attorney. These documents may waive your child’s legal rights.
   • Do NOT Post on Social Media: Anything your child posts about the incident, or even general posts showing them “doing well” or enjoying themselves, can be used by the defense to argue their injuries or trauma are not as severe as claimed.
4. Contact an Attorney Immediately: Time is of the essence.
   • Statute of Limitations: In Texas, and many other states including Virginia, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases (including hazing) is generally two years from the date of injury or, in wrongful death cases, two years from the date of death. If you miss this deadline, your family forfeits the right to sue forever. Evidence also disappears quickly, and witnesses’ memories fade.
   • Expert Guidance: Our firm offers free consultations. The sooner you call, the sooner we can begin preserving evidence, advising your family, and building a strong case. We can guide you through the process, answer your questions, and ensure your child’s rights are protected.

We understand that reaching out for help can be daunting, especially when dealing with the trauma of hazing. However, delaying action can severely compromise your family’s ability to seek justice and compensation. We are here to help, with compassion and unwavering dedication, for every family in Lunenburg County grappling with the nightmare of hazing.

Lunenburg County, VA: Call Us Now – Your Legal Emergency Hotline

If you are a family in Lunenburg County, Virginia, whose child has suffered due to hazing, the time to act is now. The trauma of hazing leaves indelible scars, physical and emotional. The institutions responsible will attempt to delay, deflect, and diminish your claims. You need aggressive, experienced legal representation that knows how to cut through these tactics and fight for your child’s future.

We are Attorney911, and we are handling the $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston right now. This isn’t theoretical; this is real-world litigation, and we bring that same level of expertise and dedication to every hazing victim we represent, no matter where they are.

Lunenburg County Families — Call Now for a Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Our legal emergency hotline is available 24/7 for Lunenburg County families dealing with hazing incidents. Don’t hesitate. The consultation is free, confidential, and can provide the clarity and direction you desperately need.

Lunenburg County: Distance is Not a Barrier to Justice

While our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we proudly serve hazing victims nationwide, including those in Lunenburg County, Virginia. Hazing is a national problem, and we have the authority and commitment to represent victims wherever they are:

• Federal Court Authority: Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court, allowing us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, often against national organizations.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: With Ralph’s licenses in both Texas and New York, we are strategically positioned to take on national fraternities and universities across the country.
• Video Consultations: For families in Lunenburg County who cannot easily travel, we offer secure and convenient video consultations to discuss your case and provide expert advice.
• Willingness to Travel: We are fully prepared to travel to Lunenburg County for depositions, witness interviews, meetings, and trials as needed. Your case will receive our full, on-site attention when required.

We Represent Victims of Hazing Across All Organizations in Lunenburg County and Beyond

Hazing is unfortunately not limited to fraternities and sororities. If your child from Lunenburg County has been subjected to abuse within any institutional or organizational setting, we can help:

• Fraternities and sororities at universities or colleges where Lunenburg County students attend.
• Lunenburg County-area sports teams, from high school to college.
• Marching bands or other performance groups.
• ROTC programs.
• Clubs and student organizations.
• Military academies or other training programs.

We Are Here for All Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing

To any other individuals who were subjected to hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston: we know you are out there. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was not the only one. We know another pledge lost consciousness. We know others endured the waterboarding, the forced eating, the physical abuse.

You have rights too. We can evaluate your case and fight for the justice you deserve. As Lupe Pena expressed, “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 work together to hold everyone responsible accountable and ensure no other student faces such an ordeal.

Your child’s courage in coming forward, coupled with our aggressive legal action, can be the catalyst for change. Contact Attorney911 today.

https://attorney911.com