If you’re reading this, your family in Southampton County may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college. Instead, they were tortured. We’re here to help families in Southampton County fight back.

At Attorney911, we understand what you’re going through. Your son or daughter left Southampton County to pursue their education, trusting their university and their peers to provide a safe and enriching environment. That trust was shattered by the brutal reality of hazing, an ancient practice of abuse that continues to plague colleges and universities across Virginia and the entire nation. We are a law firm of Legal Emergency Lawyers™, and when a legal emergency hits – especially one as devastating as hazing – we move first, fast, and decisively. We serve hazing victims in Southampton County and nationwide, bringing an aggressive, data-driven approach to every case.

The Nightmare is Real: What Happened to Leonel Bermudez in Houston, and How It Could Happen to Your Child in Southampton County

Lest you believe this nightmare could never touch your family in Southampton County, consider the words of Attorney Ralph Manginello to ABC13 regarding our client, Leonel Bermudez: “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 isn’t a story from decades past or a distant land. This happened in November 2025, just weeks ago, at the University of Houston, involving the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. Leonel Bermudez, a prospective member – a “ghost rush” who wasn’t even a University of Houston student yet, planning to transfer for the upcoming semester – was subjected to weeks of systematic abuse that left him hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

We filed a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and even a former member and his spouse who hosted hazing at their residence. This case is not theoretical; it is a live, ongoing battle that represents everything Attorney911 stands for: aggressive representation of hazing victims, data-driven litigation strategy, and accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries.

The same national fraternities that operate in Houston also have chapters at universities near Southampton County, including institutions like Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University, and Virginia Tech. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Texas are just as present at fraternities and sororities throughout Virginia. The same negligence exists at institutions in Virginia. If your child is being hazed, injured, or killed at a university in or near Southampton County, we will fight for you with the same unyielding aggression we’re bringing to this case.

Attorney Lupe Pena, speaking to ABC13, articulated our mission perfectly: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” For families in Southampton County, this case is a stark warning, but also a beacon of hope. It demonstrates that when data-driven attorneys take on hazing, the institutions and individuals responsible can be held accountable.

What Hazing Truly Looks Like Today: Beyond “Pranks” to Torture

Many parents in Southampton County might remember hazing as harmless “pranks” or initiation stunts from their own college days. The reality today is far more sinister and brutal, often crossing the line into criminal assault and torture. The details of Leonel Bermudez’s hazing expose this terrifying truth:

• Waterboarding with a Garden Hose: Yes, you read that correctly. Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” sprayed in the face while doing calisthenics, and forced to run repeatedly under threat of being waterboarded again. This is a technique considered torture when used by military personnel against enemy combatants. It was inflicted upon an uninitiated college student.
• Forced Consumption Until Vomiting: Pledges were made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited. Then, horrifyingly, they were “forced to continue running sprints while clearly in physical distress” and even compelled to “lie in vomit-soaked grass.” This is not an accident; it is a deliberate act of dehumanization and physical abuse.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: Hazing sessions involved relentless physical exertion, including 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. These were not workouts for strength-building but punishment designed to induce collapse. Leonel was forced to recite fraternity creeds “while exercising under duress” and threatened with expulsion if he stopped. One pledge even “lost consciousness and collapsed” during these workouts, only to be revived and forced to continue.
• Being Struck with Wooden Paddles: The lawsuit explicitly details pledges, including Leonel, “being struck with wooden paddles.” This is outright physical assault and battery.
• Psychological Torture and 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.” In one shocking incident on October 13, another pledge was “hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour” while members prepared for a meeting. Threats of physical punishment or expulsion for non-compliance created an atmosphere of terror and submission.
• Sleep Deprivation and Exhaustion: Pledges like Leonel were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to profound exhaustion, which was then compounded by the extreme physical demands of the hazing.

The culmination of this abuse on November 3, 2025, left Leonel unable to stand, crawling home, and finally rushed to the hospital by his mother. His diagnosis of severe rhabdomyolysis—a breakdown of muscle tissue releasing damaging proteins into the blood—and acute kidney failure is a direct, foreseeable consequence of such extreme physical torture. The brown urine his mother observed is a classic sign of this life-threatening condition.

This is the grim reality facing students who enter Greek life today. This is what hazing looks like, not just in Houston, but potentially at colleges and universities where young adults from Southampton County enroll. It is not building brotherhood; it is systematic abuse, and Attorney911 is committed to stopping it.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Liable Party Accountable in Hazing Cases

When hazing leaves a student in Southampton County injured or, tragically, leads to death, many parties could and should be held responsible. Our aggressive legal strategy in the Bermudez case demonstrates our comprehensive approach to identifying and suing every entity with a hand in the misconduct or a duty to prevent it. We don’t just sue the individuals; we go after the institutions that enable such behavior.

Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez names the following categories of defendants, and we would target similar parties if your child were victimized in Southampton County:

• The Local Fraternity Chapter: In Leonel’s case, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston is a primary defendant. This is the entity that directly organized and implemented the hazing activities. Any local chapter at a university near Southampton County directly engaging in hazing would be held similarly accountable.
• Chapter Officers and Individual Members: Accountability starts with those who led and participated. This includes the chapter president, pledgemaster, and any current members who engaged in or failed to stop the hazing. In a landmark case, the former president of the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at Bowling Green State University, Daylen Dunson, was ordered to pay $6.5 million in personal liability. This proves that individual chapter officers cannot hide behind the fraternity shield. Even former members who host hazing events at their residences, and their spouses who allow it, can be named as defendants under premises liability laws.
• The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization: In the Bermudez case, we are suing Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters. These national bodies issue charters, collect dues, provide training, and set policies for their hundreds of chapters across America. They have a duty to supervise and regulate their local chapters and prevent hazing. When they fail, despite knowing the risks, they are liable. As KHOU 11 reported in our case, the national organization and housing corporation allegedly “enabled the harmful environment by failing to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” These national organizations, including those with chapters near Southampton County, have deep pockets and ample liability insurance.
• The University or College: The University of Houston and its Board of Regents are codefendants in Leonel’s lawsuit. Universities have a duty to protect their students and provide a safe educational environment. This responsibility includes overseeing Greek life (especially when, as in our case, the university owns the fraternity house where the hazing occurred) and swiftly investigating and punishing hazing when it happens. If universities near Southampton County, such as Christopher Newport University, Hampden-Sydney College, or the University of Richmond, fail in their oversight and a student is harmed, they are a primary target. Their institutional negligence, failure to act on prior warnings, and inaction in the face of known hazing patterns make them complicit.
• Housing Corporations: Often, the property where hazing takes place is owned by a separate housing corporation affiliated with the fraternity. These entities, like the Beta Nu Housing Corporation in our case, have their own liabilities for allowing dangerous activities on their premises.
• Insurance Carriers: Behind every organizational and institutional defendant are insurance policies. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring crucial insider knowledge to aggressively pursue these policies and maximize recovery for our clients. We know their playbook and how to dismantle their defenses.

We go after everyone responsible – from the individual who inflicted the harm to the powerful institutions that enabled it. This is not about revenge; it’s about justice, accountability, and preventing future tragedies for families in Southampton County and beyond.

What These Cases Win: A Multi-Million Dollar Reality for Hazing Victims

Families in Southampton County often wonder if fighting large universities and national fraternities is truly possible. The answer is a resounding yes. Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an outlier; it’s a reflection of the multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements awarded in similar hazing cases across the country. These precedents send a clear message: hazing costs millions, and families like yours can and do win big.

Consider these landmark cases, where families fought for justice and achieved significant compensation:

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz died after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. The total settlement reached over $10.1 million, with Bowling Green State University paying $2.9 million and Pi Kappa Alpha and individuals settling for $7.2 million. Most recently, in December 2024, a jury issued a $6.5 million personal judgment against the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson. This case directly supports our $10 million demand, showing that both universities and national fraternities pay substantial amounts for hazing deaths, and individuals face severe personal liability.
• Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol during a “Bible Study” hazing event. An 18-year-old freshman, his BAC was 0.495—six times the legal limit. A jury awarded his family a $6.1 million verdict, and the case led to the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana. This verdict proves that juries are willing to award millions for hazing deaths and injuries, pushing for legislative change.
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): Timothy Piazza died from a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after falling repeatedly down basement stairs during “the gauntlet,” a forced drinking ritual where he consumed 18 drinks in 82 minutes. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911. The settlements in this case are estimated to exceed $110 million, and it led to the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania. This case, extensively documented by security cameras, highlights that strong evidence can lead to massive outcomes.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): This case is particularly relevant because it involves the same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, that our client Leonel Bermudez was hazed by. Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during “Big Brother Night.” Nine fraternity members were charged, the chapter was permanently closed, and a civil settlement was reached (though confidential). This proves that Pi Kappa Phi National has a documented history of hazing deaths, establishing a pattern of negligence that is critical to our case against them.
• Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): Adam Oakes died due to alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi pledging event. In October 2024, his family reached a settlement exceeding $4 million, part of which established the “Love Like Adam” Foundation and spurred “Adam’s Law” in Virginia to strengthen hazing legislation. This highlights the substantial recoveries possible, even in states with different legal frameworks, and how these cases drive reform, directly impacting universities and Greek organizations near Southampton County.
• University of Houston / Pi Kappa Alpha (2017): Even before Leonel Bermudez’s case, the University of Houston had a documented hazing problem. In 2017, a student pledging Pi Kappa Alpha was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen. A $1 million lawsuit was filed against the fraternity, and a grand jury even indicted the national organization. This incident proves that the University of Houston had prior knowledge of severe hazing on its campus, yet failed to implement sufficient safeguards, making their institutional negligence undeniable in our current case.
• University of Texas at Austin / Sigma Chi (November 2025): Tragically, just as our case was filed, another hazing death lawsuit emerged in Texas, this time against Sigma Chi at UT Austin, involving “horrific abuse” leading to a freshman’s death by suicide. This underscores the pervasive and deadly nature of hazing and the ongoing need for aggressive legal action across the state.

These multi-million dollar results are not just numbers; they represent comprehensive compensation for medical expenses, lost education, psychological trauma, pain and suffering, and, in many cases, punitive damages designed to punish egregious conduct and deter future hazing. For families in Southampton County, these precedents offer powerful encouragement that justice can be achieved and that hazing organizations, universities, and individuals will be forced to pay for their actions.

Texas Law Protects You: Why “Consent” is NO Defense

When a student in Southampton County is hazed, one of the first defenses you’ll often hear from fraternities, their lawyers, or even university administrators is, “They agreed to participate,” or “They knew what they were signing up for.” This insidious framing attempts to shift blame from the perpetrators to the victim. Let us be absolutely clear: Under Texas law, and in most states, consent is NOT a defense to hazing.

Our firm, Attorney911, operates under the robust anti-hazing laws of Texas. This is critical because many national Greek organizations are headquartered across the country, and their chapters operate under the jurisdiction of state laws like those in Virginia and federal laws that govern all educational institutions. Even if the incident occurred near Southampton County, the legal principles established in Texas apply widely.

The Texas Education Code, Sections 37.151 through 37.157, explicitly outlaws hazing and protects victims:

• Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Texas law defines hazing very broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization. The categories of prohibited acts include physical brutality (like striking or whipping), sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, calisthenics presenting unreasonable risk, forced consumption of food or drink, and any activity violating the Penal Code. As you’ve seen, Leonel Bermudez’s horrifying ordeal directly fits multiple aspects of this legal definition. Similar comprehensive anti-hazing definitions are in place in Virginia and other states.
• Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Hazing is a crime in Texas. Engaging in hazing is a Class B Misdemeanor. Hazing that causes “serious bodily injury” – like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure – is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Hazing that causes death is a State Jail Felony, with up to two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine. The University of Houston spokesperson has already mentioned “potential criminal charges” in relation to Leonel’s case, highlighting the criminal nature of these acts. Most states, including Virginia, also categorize hazing as a criminal offense, with some even classifying it as a felony for severe injuries or death, like Virginia’s “Adam’s Law.”
• Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): The law clearly states that an organization commits an offense if it “condones or encourages hazing” or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing. Penalties can include fines up to $10,000, denial of the right to operate on campus, and forfeiture of property. This is why we targeted the Pi Kappa Phi chapter and national organization in our lawsuit. Similarly, if your child from Southampton County is victimized by a Greek organization, not only the local chapter but the national body can face direct legal and financial consequences.
• University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Texas law mandates that university administrative officers report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within 30 days. Failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor. This provision is vital for transparency and accountability, and analogous requirements exist for educational institutions in Virginia.
• CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE (§ 37.154): This is the cornerstone of anti-hazing legislation and your strongest protection. The law 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 means any argument that your child “voluntarily” participated or “could have left” is legally invalid. The legislature recognized that the power dynamics, coercion, extreme peer pressure, and fear of social ostracization inherent in hazing negate true consent. This means the brutal acts inflicted upon Leonel Bermudez, or any student from Southampton County, cannot be excused by claims of consent.

Beyond explicit hazing statutes, civil lawsuits for hazing can also draw upon broader legal theories applicable in every U.S. state, including Virginia:

• Negligence Claims: This is foundational. We argue that institutions (university, national fraternity) and individuals had a duty of care to protect students, they breached that duty through their actions or inactions (allowing hazing), this breach caused injuries, and those injuries resulted in damages.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (as in our case with the University of Houston owning the Pi Kappa Phi house) or an alumni housing corporation, those entities can be held liable for creating or allowing dangerous conditions to exist.
• Negligent Supervision: When a national organization fails to adequately supervise its chapters, or a university fails to monitor its Greek life, resulting in harm, they are liable for negligent supervision.
• Assault and Battery: The physical acts of hazing—like paddling, forced water immersion, or forced exercise—constitute criminal assault and battery, and individual perpetrators can be sued civilly for these intentional torts.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The outrageous and extreme nature of hazing, deliberately causing severe emotional distress, forms the basis for this claim. This is particularly relevant for the profound psychological trauma many victims endure.

For families in Southampton County, understanding these laws is crucial. It empowers you to counter the victim-blaming narratives and realize that your child, regardless of whether they “consented,” has strong legal standing to seek justice. We will use every legal tool available to champion your rights, building on the framework established by the Texas Legislature and continually strengthened by precedents nationwide.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for Southampton County Hazing Victims

When your child from Southampton County has been victimized by hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the nuances of hazing litigation, the tactics of powerful institutions, and how to win. Attorney911, Legal Emergency Lawyers™, offers a unique set of advantages that make us the definitive authority on hazing litigation, ready to fight for your family regardless of location.

Here’s why families in Southampton County choose us:

• We’re Actively Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW: Unlike firms that might hypothetically handle hazing cases, we are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for severe hazing that led to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. This isn’t theoretical; this is real-time, aggressive litigation with real victims and real institutions. What we’re doing for Leonel Bermudez, we’re ready to do for your child in Southampton County.
• Insider Knowledge from Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. This is a game-changing advantage. Mr. Manginello honed his skills defending insurance companies, learning their strategies to deny or minimize claims from the inside. Mr. Pena worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national insurance defense firm, handling cases across multiple practice areas for corporate defendants and insurance carriers. They know exactly how university legal teams, national fraternity lawyers, and insurance adjusters think, evaluate cases, and attempt to dismantle claims. We gained firsthand knowledge of their playbooks, and now we use that intelligence to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for victims from Southampton County.
• 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Ralph Manginello brings over a quarter-century of battle-tested courtroom experience to every case. He has handled complex, high-stakes litigation, including involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion mass tort litigation. This experience against massive corporate defendants directly applies to taking on powerful universities and national fraternities. This proven capability ensures that we are ready to take your Southampton County case to trial if needed.
• Federal Court Authority: With admissions to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, we possess the authority to pursue hazing cases in federal court. This is crucial as many national fraternities and universities operate across state lines, often bringing federal jurisdiction into play. For many cases originating in Virginia, the ability to operate in federal court means we can effectively challenge larger, multi-state defendants.
• Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas AND New York): Ralph Manginello’s licensure in both Texas and New York provides a strategic advantage. New York is home to many national fraternity and sorority headquarters. This dual-state capability allows us to directly confront national organizations in their own backyard, regardless of where their chapters operate, including chapters near Southampton County.
• Deep Understanding of Hazing-Specific Injuries: Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, precisely the injury Leonel Bermudez suffered. We understand the complex medical implications, expert testimony required, and long-term costs associated with such severe injuries. Beyond physical harm, we recognize and pursue damages for the profound psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) hazing inflicts.
• Aggressive and Relentless Advocacy: Our philosophy is simple: Outwork, Outsmart, Outfight. We prepare more, investigate more thoroughly, and fight harder than the other side. Attorney Pena’s aggressive litigation philosophy perfectly embodies this commitment. We never back down from insurance company bullying tactics or institutional stonewalling.
• Data-Driven Case Building: We don’t guess who is responsible; we know. We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, tracking over 125 IRS-registered entities including EINs, legal names, addresses, house corporations, and alumni chapters. When hazing happens, we already know who to sue, their corporate structure, and their insurance coverage. This intelligent database allows us to identify every liable entity, ensuring no one escapes accountability.
• Nationwide Reach, Local Empathy: While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims in Southampton County and across America. Virginia has numerous universities, from the College of William & Mary and the University of Virginia to Old Dominion and Virginia Tech, each with Greek life present. We offer remote consultations via video and are fully prepared to travel to Southampton County for depositions, trials, and client meetings when needed. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
• Contingency Fee Basis: $0 Upfront: We understand that families grappling with the aftermath of hazing should not be burdened by legal fees. We take hazing cases on contingency, meaning you pay us absolutely nothing unless and until we win your case. This commitment ensures that access to top-tier legal representation is available to every family in Southampton County, regardless of their financial situation. We share the risk with you.
• Client Communication and Support: We believe in complete transparency. We keep our clients informed at every stage, offering straightforward explanations and regular updates. We treat families in Southampton County not as just another case, but as family, providing warm, empathetic support during a horrific time. The over 250 five-star Google reviews reflect our dedication to client care and communication.
• Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): For Spanish-speaking families in Southampton County, language is never a barrier to justice. Our bilingual staff, including Lupe Pena, ensures that clients can communicate comfortably and confidently in Spanish, from initial consultation through case resolution.

When you choose Attorney911, you’re not just hiring lawyers; you’re gaining an entire team dedicated to aggressively fighting for your child, leveraging decades of experience, insider knowledge, and unwavering resolve to hold all responsible parties accountable. We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for hazing victims in Southampton County.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Southampton County Families After Hazing

If your child in Southampton County has been targeted by hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are crucial. Panic, anger, and fear are natural responses, but quick, strategic action can make all the difference in preserving evidence and building a strong legal case. This is a legal emergency, and here’s what you need to do:

1. Prioritize Safety and Medical Attention (Immediately)

Your child’s physical and mental well-being comes first.

• Get Immediate Medical Help: If there are any physical injuries or signs of distress (like Leonel’s brown urine, severe muscle pain, or difficulty breathing), seek emergency medical attention. Call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room in Southampton County like Southampton Memorial Hospital or Sentara Obici Hospital. Do not delay. Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked out. Adrenaline can mask pain, and conditions like rhabdomyolysis or internal injuries may not be immediately apparent. Tell medical staff exactly what happened.
• Document Everything Medically: Ensure all symptoms, injuries, and the hazing incident itself are thoroughly documented in medical records. Keep copies of all hospital records, doctor’s notes, test results (blood work, urinalysis, imaging), and bills.
• Seek Psychological Support: Hazing inflicts deep psychological scars. Seek counseling or therapy from a qualified mental health professional in Southampton County. Medical records reflecting psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) are vital evidence.

2. Preserve ALL Evidence (Crucial for Your Case)

Evidence disappears quickly. You must act fast to save everything.

• Photos and Videos: Take copious photos and videos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling) at all stages of healing. Photograph the location where the hazing occurred if safely possible (e.g., fraternity house, off-campus property). If hazing activities were documented by your child or others, save those files immediately. Our video “Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?” emphasizes, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”
• Digital Communications: This is often a treasure trove of evidence.
  • Text Messages: Screenshot and save every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat, Instagram DM, or any other digital communication related to the hazing. This includes direct messages, group chats, schedules, threats, or anything that sheds light on the activities or coercion.
  • Social Media: Screenshot any relevant posts, photos, or videos from social media platforms.
  • DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING: Deleting messages or social media posts can be considered destruction of evidence and severely harm your case. Our video “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” warns against this.
• Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or other physical documents provided by the organization. Keep receipts for tuition, fees, or anything paid to the fraternity.
• Witness Information: Gather names, phone numbers, and any contact details for other pledges, fraternity members, or bystanders who witnessed the hazing. Their testimony can be invaluable.
• Clothing/Items: If any clothing was damaged or bears evidence of the hazing, preserve it without washing or altering.

3. Avoid Critical Mistakes (Protect Your Legal Rights)

What you don’t do can be as important as what you do.

• DO NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority, University, or Their Lawyers: They are not on your side. They will try to minimize the incident, get you to sign waivers, or gather information to use against you. Refer all inquiries to your attorney. Attorney911’s video “Never Talk to the Insurance Company After an Accident” applies equally to institutions and their legal teams.
• DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents from the fraternity, university, or their representatives without having your attorney review them first. You could inadvertently waive your rights to seek compensation.
• DO NOT Post About It on Social Media: Our video “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” warns against this. Anything you post can be used by the defense to discredit your injuries or claims. Avoid discussing the incident online entirely. Limit all social media activity until your case is resolved.
• DO NOT Confront Perpetrators Directly: This can escalate the situation, lead to further harm, or jeopardize your legal case by giving them advance warning to destroy evidence or coordinate their stories.
• DO NOT Delay: There are legal deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, which typically require personal injury lawsuits to be filed within two years of the incident. In Virginia, the personal injury statute of limitations is generally two years. Evidence disappears, and memories fade. Our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” highlights the urgency. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

4. Contact Attorney911 Immediately (Your Legal Emergency Hotline)

This is the most critical step for families in Southampton County.

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911: Our Legal Emergency Hotline is available 24/7. Your initial consultation is free, confidential, and without obligation.
• Email Us: Reach us at ralph@atty911.com.
• Video Consultations: Even from Southampton County, you can connect with us directly via video consultation. Distance is not a barrier to receiving top-tier legal representation.
• We Travel to You: For critical meetings, depositions, or trial, our team is prepared to travel to Southampton County or anywhere justice demands.

We understand the fear and anger you’re feeling. But you are not alone. Let us be your champions. We are fighting this fight right now, and we’ll bring the same aggressive, relentless pursuit of justice to your child’s hazing case in Southampton County.

Your Call to Action, Southampton County Families: Enough Is Enough.

If your child in Southampton County has suffered the unimaginable trauma of hazing, whether physical injury, emotional distress, or even tragic death, you have legal rights. You have the right to seek justice, to demand compensation, and to hold every responsible party accountable. We are Attorney911, and we are fighting this battle right now in a $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, we know how to dismantle institutional defenses, and we know how to win. Families in Southampton County deserve nothing less than this same aggressive representation.

Southampton County Families: Call Now to Begin Your Fight for Justice

The time for silence is over. The time for fear is past. The time for accountability is now.

📞 Dial Our Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911

• Available 24/7: A legal emergency can strike at any hour, and so can our response.
• Email Us: For direct inquiries, reach out to ralph@atty911.com.
• Free Consultation: Your initial consultation is absolutely free and confidential. There is no obligation, only a conversation about your legal options.
• Contingency Fee Basis: You pay us $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless and until you get paid. This ensures that expert legal representation is accessible to every family in Southampton County, regardless of their financial circumstances. Watch our video “How Contingency Fees Work” for a full explanation.

Immediate Next Steps for Southampton County Hazing Victims:

1. Seek Medical Care Without Delay: If your child has been injured, physically or psychologically, ensuring they receive immediate and thorough medical attention in Southampton County is paramount. Every medical record, every doctor’s note, every therapy session is vital evidence.
2. Preserve Every Piece of Evidence: This cannot be stressed enough. Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat interactions, social media posts, photos, videos, pledge manuals, and witness contact information. Watch our video “Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?” for detailed guidance.
3. Do NOT Communicate with the Perpetrators or Institutions: Do not speak with the fraternity, university, their lawyers, or insurance adjusters without our counsel. They are not on your side and will attempt to minimize or deny your claim. Our video “Never Talk to the Insurance Company After an Accident” is a critical watch.
4. Avoid Social Media: Refrain from posting about the incident or your well-being on any social media platform. Anything you share can be taken out of context and used against your case. This is a critical mistake, as explained in our “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” video.
5. Contact Us Immediately: Time is of the essence. Statutes of limitations – typically two years from the date of injury or death – dictate how long you have to file a lawsuit. Evidence can disappear, and memories can fade. The sooner we are involved, the stronger your case will be. Watch our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” for more on critical deadlines.

Our Commitment to Southampton County and Beyond

While our headquarters are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our reach extends to hazing victims in Southampton County, across Virginia, and nationwide. Hazing is a national emergency. We leverage our:

• Federal Court Authority: Allowing us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is common in complex hazing cases against national organizations and multi-state universities.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas AND New York): Providing a strategic advantage against national fraternities often headquartered or operating through networks in other states.
• Video Consultation Technology: Allowing families in Southampton County to meet with us remotely, comfortably, and confidentially, bridging any geographical distance.
• Willingness to Travel: We will travel to Southampton County for depositions, critical meetings, and trials when the pursuit of justice demands it.

We represent victims of hazing in all contexts: in fraternities and sororities at institutions like Old Dominion University, James Madison University, and George Mason University, on sports teams, in marching bands, ROTC programs, and other student organizations throughout Virginia. The pain and injustice of hazing are universal, and so is our commitment to fighting for victims.

To Other Victims of Hazing: You Are Not Alone.

Perhaps you were a pledge in the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, like Leonel, and witnessed or endured similar abuse. Perhaps you were the other pledge who collapsed on October 15, or the one hog-tied on October 13. We know there are others. Lupe Pena’s words resonate: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” You have rights too. Join Leonel in making a stand.

Call us. Let’s bring them all to justice. It’s time to send a message that resonates from the fraternity houses of Virginia to the national headquarters of every Greek organization: Hazing will not be tolerated, and those who perpetrate or enable it will be held accountable.

** Attorney911 | Your Legal Emergency Lawyers™**
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