If you’re reading this in Wythe County, Virginia, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went off to college, hoping to make friends and build a future. Instead, they were tortured. They were abused. They were hazed. We’re here to help families in Wythe County fight back, just as we are actively fighting right now for a client in a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university.

The nightmare of hazing isn’t confined to faraway campuses or lurid headlines in other states. It happens at colleges and universities across America, including those where students from Wythe County choose to pursue their education. Whether your child attends Virginia Tech, Radford University, Emory & Henry College, or one of the many other excellent institutions in Virginia and beyond, the threat of hazing from fraternities, sororities, sports teams, clubs, and even military organizations is real. When that trust is betrayed, and your child comes home injured, traumatized, or worse, you need someone who understands exactly how to hold every responsible party accountable. We are Attorney 911, and we are ready to stand with Wythe County families.

The Landmark Case That Shows Wythe County Families Why We Fight: Leonel Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi

Just weeks ago, in November 2025, our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, filed a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County, Texas, that embodies everything we stand for. This is not just another case; it is a live, ongoing battle against a national fraternity, a major university, and a dozen individuals who thought they could get away with torturing a young man. The victim is Leonel Bermudez, a prospective student, a “ghost rush,” who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet. They did this to someone who was not even their student.

Leonel believed he was joining a brotherhood. What he experienced instead were weeks of systematic abuse that left him hospitalized for nearly four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He was waterboarded with a garden hose, hog-tied, forced to eat until he vomited, and subjected to psychological torture and extreme physical exertion until his body simply broke down.

This case is a stark warning to parents in Wythe County: this is what hazing looks like today. This is the brutality your children could face. And this is the firm that fights back, aggressively, thoroughly, and relentlessly.

A Timeline of Abuse and Accountability

• September 16, 2025: Leonel Bermudez accepts a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston.
• September 16 – November 3, 2025: Weeks of relentless and inhumane hazing rituals begin. Leonel is forced to endure a terrifying array of physical and psychological abuse.
  • He is made to carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times.
  • He faces threats of physical punishment and expulsion for non-compliance.
  • He’s driven to exhaustion, being forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours.
  • On October 13, 2025, another pledge is hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
  • Just two days later, on October 15, 2025, a pledge loses consciousness and collapses during a forced workout. Other pledges have to elevate his legs until he recovers.
  • Leonel is repeatedly waterboarded with a garden hose, simulating drowning. This is torture.
  • He is forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomits, then made to continue running sprints while physically distressed.
  • He is subjected to extreme physical exertion: 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He is even struck with wooden paddles.
• November 3, 2025: After missing an event, Leonel is severely punished, forced to exercise until he cannot stand without help. He crawls up the stairs to his bed.
• November 4-5, 2025: Leonel’s condition rapidly deteriorates. He is too sore to move, and the pain intensifies.
• November 6, 2025: His mother rushes him to the hospital after he begins passing brown urine – a classic symptom of severe muscle breakdown. He is diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Pi Kappa Phi National suspends the chapter the same day.
• November 6-10, 2025: Leonel is hospitalized for three nights and four days, undergoing intensive medical treatment.
• November 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National officially closes its Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston. This occurs a full week before our lawsuit is filed, showing they knew what was coming.
• November 21, 2025: Attorney 911 files a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court, naming Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, the UH Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity members. News outlets like ABC13, KHOU 11, and the Houston Chronicle immediately cover the story given its severity and our firm’s aggressive approach.
• November 24, 2025: Houston Public Media confirms the $10 million figure and details the university’s response.

The True Cost of “Brotherhood”: Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis is a terrifying medical condition where damaged muscle tissue releases a harmful protein, myoglobin, into the bloodstream. This protein can clog the kidneys, leading to acute kidney failure and potentially death. Leonel’s symptoms—the brown urine, the severe muscle pain, and his inability to move—were all classic indicators of this life-threatening condition. The fact that Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, and has successfully litigated them before, means we understand the exact medical and legal nuances of what happened to Leonel.

What the Institutions Said (And What They Really Meant)

University of Houston Spokesperson (Houston Public Media, Nov 24, 2025):
“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.”
Our Translation for Wythe County Families: They’re admitting they allowed deeply disturbing conduct on their campus. They failed to protect a student, and now they’re trying to distance themselves from their liability.

Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters (pikapp.org, Nov 21, 2025):
“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…”
Our Translation for Wythe County Families: They closed the chapter the moment they knew they were caught, hoping to limit their exposure before our lawsuit. They admit their own policies were violated but still talk about “returning to campus,” demonstrating a shocking lack of remorse. This national organization, which operates chapters near Wythe County institutions, has 150+ chapters across America, and its statement shows their focus is on their bottom line, not their members’ safety.

Why Leonel’s Case Resonates in Wythe County

This case happened in Houston, but its implications reach every corner of the country, including Wythe County, Virginia.

• National Reach: Pi Kappa Phi, like many other national fraternities, has chapters at universities across America, including institutions that draw students from Wythe County. The same dangerous “traditions” can surface anywhere.
• University Complicity: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. This highlights that universities near Wythe County have the power and duty to prevent such abuse on their grounds, and their failure to do so carries significant liability.
• Institutional Knowledge: Both Pi Kappa Phi National and the University of Houston had prior knowledge of severe hazing incidents. Pi Kappa Phi had a student (Andrew Coffey) die in 2017, and the University of Houston had a student hospitalized in 2017. Their failure to act decisively made Leonel’s injuries tragically foreseeable.
• The Message: A $10 million lawsuit sends an unmistakable message: you cannot torture students and get away with it. Wythe County families can use the same legal power to demand accountability and enforce change.

What Hazing Really Looks Like Today

Forget the outdated stereotypes of harmless pranks or forced subservience. Modern hazing, as seen in Leonel Bermudez’s case and countless others across the nation, is often a brutal, systematic campaign of physical, psychological, and sometimes sexual abuse. It’s not about building character; it’s about breaking it.

The descriptions from Leonel’s case paint a chilling picture for parents in Wythe County:

• Physical Torture: Waterboarding, a technique classified as torture by the U.S. government, was used. Coupled with wooden paddles and extreme forced exercises like 500 squats and 100+ pushups, this is not just abuse; it’s assault.
• Psychological Warfare: The humiliation of carrying sexually suggestive items, the threats, and the constant coercion create an environment of terror and control. This psychological trauma can leave lasting scars, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
• Forced Consumption: Making pledges eat or drink to the point of vomiting, then forcing them to continue exercising in their own vomit, is a degradation designed to strip away dignity and control.
• Sleep Deprivation: Forcing students to stay awake for extended periods or drive members during early morning hours leads to exhaustion, impaired judgment, and increased susceptibility to further abuse.
• Institutional Apathy: The tragic irony is that hazing often happens while universities and national organizations claim to have “zero-tolerance” policies. They know it’s happening, but too often, they prioritize reputation and financial interests over student safety until an injury or death forces their hand.

For Wythe County parents, understanding this reality is crucial. Whether your child is attending a university further north, down in Georgia, or any of the vibrant campuses here in Virginia like those in the Roanoke and New River valleys, these dangerous practices can infect any social or academic environment.

Who Is Responsible? We Sue Everyone Involved.

When a child in Wythe County is subjected to hazing, it’s never just one person or one group responsible. The web of liability can be complex, but our data-driven approach means we meticulously identify and pursue every entity that contributed to the harm. In Leonel Bermudez’s case, we are holding multiple parties accountable:

1. The Local Chapter (Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu): These are the direct perpetrators. The university chapter, its officers (like the President and Pledgemaster), and individual members who participated in or orchestrated the hazing are all directly liable. They organized the abuse, and they carried it out.
2. The National Organization (Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc.): National fraternities are not just honorary overseers. They hold charters, issue policies, and collect dues. When they fail to adequately supervise their local chapters, when they ignore a “hazing crisis” they knew about, or when their policies are insufficient to prevent a documented pattern of abuse (like the death of Andrew Coffey in their own fraternity eight years prior), they are liable. They are the major “deep pockets” with significant assets and insurance.
3. The University (University of Houston and its Board of Regents): The university has a non-delegable duty to protect its students. In Leonel’s case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. This makes them directly liable under premises liability laws. Furthermore, the university had prior knowledge of hazing on its campus (a student hospitalized in 2017). Their failure to take effective action, enforce policies, and properly oversee Greek life makes them culpable. Universities have substantial endowments, funding bodies, and extensive insurance policies.
4. The Housing Corporation: This entity often owns the physical fraternity house. If hazing occurs on their property, and they fail to maintain a safe environment or prevent illegal activities, they share responsibility. In our case, the Beta Nu Housing Corporation is a defendant.
5. Individual Members: Every fraternity member who actively participated in the hazing, those in leadership roles who directed it, and even those who stood by and did nothing while another student was being harmed, can face personal liability. The Stone Foltz case precedent shows that individual chapter presidents can be held personally liable for millions. Former members and their spouses who host hazing activities at their private residences, as seen in Leonel’s case, are also held accountable.

For Wythe County families, this intricate web of responsibility means that even if a local chapter has limited assets, the larger national organization and university often have the financial resources to provide significant compensation for the victims. We know how to navigate this complex landscape and ensure that everyone who played a role in the abuse is brought to justice.

Attorney 911’s Texas Hazing Intelligence Database

We don’t guess who might be responsible for hazing; we know. Attorney911 maintains one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas. This includes:

• Over 125 IRS-registered Greek organizations: We meticulously track their EINs, legal names, addresses, and corporate structures. For example, our database includes:
  • Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515, Frisco, Texas)
  • Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN 371768785, Missouri City, Texas)
  • Kappa Sigma Mu Gamma Chapter Inc (EIN 133048786, College Station, Texas)
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon Texas Sigma Incorporated (EIN 882755427, San Marcos, Texas)
  • Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc Theta Delta (EIN 475370943, Houston, Texas)
  • Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Epsilon Kappa (EIN 746064445, Nederland, Texas)

When hazing happens in Wythe County, the fraternity will claim they are just college kids. But behind those Greek letters are tax-exempt corporations with EINs, bank accounts, real estate holdings, and insurance policies. Our database allows us to identify every entity behind the Greek letters, so we know exactly who to sue. The Beta Nu Housing Corporation, which we sued in the Bermudez case, was in this database long before hazing was publicly exposed.

Wythe County Area Greek Organization Oversight

While Wythe County itself might not have a large concentration of universities with extensive Greek systems, many students from this community attend colleges across Virginia and the nation where fraternities and sororities are prevalent. Our intelligence database allows us to track these organizations even when they are not physically located within Wythe County.

For example, Virginia is home to many universities with active Greek life, including Virginia Tech, Radford University, Emory & Henry College, and the University of Virginia. Students from Wythe County frequently attend these institutions, and national fraternities with documented hazing histories, such as Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Phi itself, maintain chapters at many of these campuses.

Our comprehensive data includes:

• 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 metropolitan areas in Texas alone. This shows the sheer scale of the network we track.
• Brand Overlap: We can identify national brands that appear across undergraduate chapters, alumni groups, and housing corporations, allowing us to pinpoint the corporate structure of almost any national fraternity.

The message to fraternities, universities, and their alumni organizations that recruit students from Wythe County is clear: we know who you are, we know your corporate structures, and we know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements. If you haze students, we will find every liable entity and hold them accountable. Our data-driven hazing litigation is a powerful tool to ensure justice.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof of Accountability

For Wythe County families wondering if they can truly stand up to powerful institutions, the answer is a resounding yes. Our pursuit of $10 million in the Bermudez case is rooted in a clear pattern of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in hazing cases across the country. These cases prove that aggressive legal representation can bring about substantial justice for victims.

Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Total: $10.1 Million+

Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge at Bowling Green State University, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation event. His family ultimately received over $10.1 million in settlements, with $2.9 million coming from the university and $7.2 million from the fraternity and involved individuals. In a more recent development, in December 2024, a jury personally ordered Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, to pay $6.5 million for his role in Foltz’s death. This case is a direct blueprint for why our $10 million demand is both justified and achievable.

Maxwell Gruver (Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Total: $6.1 Million Verdict

Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC over six times the legal limit during a Phi Delta Theta hazing ritual at LSU. His family pursued justice relentlessly, and a jury ultimately awarded them a $6.1 million verdict. This verdict underscored that juries will issue substantial awards for hazing deaths and injuries. The tragedy also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” which made hazing a felony in Louisiana, showing the power of these cases to drive legislative change.

Timothy Piazza (Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Total: $110+ Million (Estimated)

Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge at Penn State, died after a Beta Theta Pi hazing event where he was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes. He fell down a flight of stairs and fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911. The institutional cover-up and systemic failures were exposed by a civil lawsuit that is estimated to have resulted in over $110 million in settlements. This case, driven by strong evidence captured on security cameras, demonstrates the immense financial and public consequences for institutions that turn a blind eye to hazing. The “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in Pennsylvania was also a direct outcome.

Andrew Coffey (Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Same Fraternity as Bermudez

Tragically, Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old pledge at Florida State, died from alcohol poisoning in 2017 after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon at a Pi Kappa Phi event. Nine fraternity members faced charges, and the chapter was permanently closed. Civil lawsuits resulted in confidential settlements. This case is a critical piece of evidence in Leonel Bermudez’s lawsuit, as it demonstrates Pi Kappa Phi National’s long-standing knowledge of deadly hazing within its chapters and its failure to enact meaningful change. Just like in Wythe County, these national organizations have a pattern.

Adam Oakes (Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi, 2021)

Closer to Wythe County, the family of Adam Oakes, a VCU student who died from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi hazing event in 2021, recently secured a $4+ million settlement in October 2024. This case, which originally sought $28 million, again highlights the significant financial accountability handed down in hazing cases and the willingness of individuals to settle rather than face a jury.

Why Precedent Matters for Wythe County Victims

These multi-million dollar outcomes prove several crucial points for Wythe County families:

• Justice is Possible: Families can and do win significant compensation for hazing injuries and deaths.
• Institutions Pay: Universities and national organizations, with their deep pockets and insurance coverage, are held financially responsible.
• Deterrence: These massive payouts, coupled with criminal charges and new legislation, send a powerful message that hazing will no longer be tolerated.
• Your Case Has Value: The same legal strategies, built on expert reconstruction and aggressive advocacy, can be applied to your child’s hazing case in Wythe County, Virginia.

Virginia Law Protects Your Child: Consent is Not a Defense

While we are based in Texas, the core legal principles that protect hazing victims are remarkably similar across states, including here in Virginia. Understanding these laws is vital for Wythe County families seeking justice.

Virginia has its own robust anti-hazing statute, similar to Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157 that applies in Leonel’s case. Across the United States, states are recognizing the severe harm caused by hazing and enacting tougher laws.

Key Legal Principles for All Hazing Cases:

1. Consent is NOT a Defense: This is perhaps the most critical legal point. When fraternities or other organizations try to claim “he agreed to participate” or “she knew the risks,” the law stands firm. Most anti-hazing statutes, like Texas’s § 37.154, explicitly state that it is not a defense that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity. This means a student cannot legally consent to being a victim of abuse that endangers their mental or physical health.
2. Broad Definition of Hazing: Hazing is broadly defined to include any act, on or off campus, that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of initiation or membership. This covers everything from physical brutality, forced consumption, sleep deprivation, and exposure to the elements, all of which were present in Leonel Bermudez’s terrifying experience.
3. Criminal Penalties: Many states, including Virginia, have criminal penalties for hazing, ranging from misdemeanors for simple hazing to felonies for hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death. This criminal liability can be a powerful lever in civil lawsuits, as institutions are often eager to avoid criminal charges and the accompanying negative publicity.
4. Civil Liability Theories: Beyond criminal charges, civil lawsuits allow victims to pursue a wide range of claims, including:
   • Negligence: This applies to individuals who directly cause harm, and to institutions (like universities and national organizations) which have a duty to protect students but fail to do so.
   • Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university property, or in a fraternity home owned or controlled by the university, the institution can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
   • Negligent Supervision: National organizations must adequately supervise their chapters, and universities must oversee their Greek life system. Failure to do so can lead to liability.
   • Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators can be sued for intentional harmful or offensive contact.
   • Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For outrageous conduct that causes severe emotional harm.
   • Wrongful Death: When hazing leads to a fatality, families can sue for the immense losses suffered.

For families in Wythe County, understanding that these legal protections exist is the first step toward seeking justice. We are experts in navigating these complex laws and applying them aggressively against all responsible parties, regardless of where the incident occurred. Your child’s consent to participate in illegal and dangerous hazing is not a shield for those who harmed them.

Why Attorney 911 Is the Choice for Wythe County Families

When your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, you need a legal team with unmatched experience, insider knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Attorney 911 offers Wythe County families a unique combination of advantages that few firms can match:

1. Current Hazing Litigation Specialists: We aren’t just reading about hazing cases; we’re in the thick of it RIGHT NOW, actively litigating Leonel Bermudez’s $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical; it’s active combat for justice.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña began their careers working for the other side—defending insurance companies and corporations. This means they know the enemy’s playbook inside and out. They understand how insurance companies value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to deny or minimize payouts. Now, they use that insider knowledge to deconstruct the defense’s strategy and maximize recovery for our clients. Lupe Peña’s background at a national defense firm like Litchfield Cavo LLP is invaluable in understanding how large-scale defendants operate.
3. Battle-Tested Courtroom Experience: With over 25 years of courtroom experience, Ralph Manginello is a seasoned trial attorney. He has proven his ability to handle complex, high-stakes litigation against massive corporate defendants, as evidenced by his involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City explosion litigation. These same skills are crucial when taking on national fraternities and major universities.
4. Federal Court Authority & Dual-State Bar Admissions: Hazing cases often involve national defendants, crossing state lines and potentially federal jurisdiction. Our admission to the U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas) and Ralph’s dual bar licenses in Texas AND New York provide a strategic advantage for pursuing national fraternities, regardless of their headquarters location. This ensures we can pursue your Wythe County case wherever the defendants are located.
5. Data-Driven Litigation Strategy: We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, tracking corporate structures, EINs, and incident histories. This intelligence allows us to identify and pursue every liable entity, ensuring no one escapes accountability.
6. Unwavering Empathy and Dedication: We understand the profound trauma hazing inflicts on victims and their families. Our approach is warm, empathetic, and parent-facing. We connect with you on a human level, treating your family like our own. As Ralph, a father of three, often says, we truly care and will fight tirelessly to ensure your child receives justice. When Ralph’s three children, RJ, Maverick, and Mia, are growing up, he is acutely aware of the dangers that young people face, and this fuels his relentless dedication to victims of hazing.
7. “Se Habla Español”: Our bilingual staff understands the needs of Hispanic families who often face additional barriers in the legal system. Lupe Peña, a third-generation Texan fluent in Spanish, ensures that language is never a barrier to justice.
8. No Upfront Cost (Contingency Fee): We understand that the financial stress of hazing injuries can be overwhelming. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay us absolutely nothing upfront, and we only get paid if and when we win your case. This levels the playing field, allowing any Wythe County family to pursue justice against wealthy institutions without worrying about hourly legal fees.
9. Commitment to Travel: While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we proudly serve hazing victims in Wythe County and across America. We offer remote consultations via video, and our attorneys are prepared to travel to Wythe County and beyond for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Distance will not be a barrier to securing justice for your child.

When your child has been harmed by hazing, you are indeed facing a legal emergency. Just like the parents searching for answers at 2 AM, we are ready to answer your call. Our Google reviews, averaging 4.9 stars with over 250 testimonials, reflect our consistent communication, aggressive advocacy, and genuine compassion. We are here to fight for Wythe County families with the same ferocity we bring to every case.

Our Attorneys: Champions for the Injured

Ralph P. Manginello — Managing Partner

Ralph Manginello is not just an attorney; he is a tireless advocate for justice. With over 25 years of experience, his career has been defined by taking on powerful defendants and winning. From his early days in insurance defense, he learned the tactics of the opposition, now using that knowledge to benefit victims. His involvement in the BP Texas City Explosion litigation demonstrates his capacity for high-stakes, mass tort cases—experience directly transferable to multi-defendant hazing lawsuits. Ralph’s background as an athlete and youth coach also gives him unique insight into the pressures and dynamics within team-oriented environments where hazing often thrives. Licensed in both Texas and New York, and admitted to federal courts, Ralph has the reach and authority to pursue justice for Wythe County families wherever it leads.

Lupe Eleno Peña — Associate Attorney

Lupe Peña brings invaluable insider perspective to Attorney 911. As a former attorney with Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national insurance defense firm, he spent years understanding how large corporations and insurance carriers strategize to avoid liability. Now, he uses that “battlefield intelligence” to fight for victims. Lupe’s extensive experience across diverse areas like products liability, construction law, and commercial litigation equips him with a broad legal toolkit to tackle the complex layers of a hazing case. As a third-generation Texan and a fluent Spanish speaker, Lupe is deeply rooted in Texas values and is committed to ensuring all families from Wythe County, including Hispanic families, have access to justice without language barriers. His philosophy of “outwork, outsmart, and outfight” perfectly encapsulates the aggressive representation hazing victims need.

Together, Ralph and Lupe form a formidable team, armed with a combined 37+ years of expertise. They are not just lawyers; they are Legal Emergency Lawyers™, ready to respond immediately and aggressively when your family faces the crisis of hazing.

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

If you are a parent in Wythe County and your child has been the victim of hazing, whether it occurred right here in Virginia or at a university across the country, your immediate actions are critical. We understand you are scared, angry, and confused. Our primary goal is to empower you with clear, actionable steps that can protect your child’s rights and strengthen any future legal claim.

Ten Critical Steps for Wythe County Families:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your child’s health is the absolute priority. If they are injured, traumatized, or showing any signs of physical or psychological distress, get them to a doctor, emergency room, or mental health professional immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, medical documentation creates a vital record.
   • Remember: Adrenaline can mask pain. Trauma can manifest later. Medical records are critical evidence.
   • Our video, “Why Seeing a Doctor Right After an Accident Is Critical,” emphasizes this point for all injury cases.
2. Preserve ALL Evidence: This cannot be stressed enough. Hazing often occurs in secret, and evidence vanishes quickly.
   • Texts, Group Chats, Social Media: Screenshot and save every message, photo, or post related to the hazing. This includes GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, even seemingly innocuous conversations. Do NOT delete anything, as this constitutes spoliation of evidence.
   • Photos/Videos: Take pictures of any injuries your child sustained, at all stages of healing. If there are any photos or videos of the hazing itself (even if taken by others), preserve them immediately.
   • Documents: Save pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or any other physical documents given to pledges.
   • Witness Information: Collect names and contact information for other pledges, witnesses, or anyone who might have knowledge of the hazing.
   • Our video, “Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?”, provides essential guidance on this. Ralph states, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to. And what’s surprising is even though everyone seems like everyone has a phone with a camera on it, not everyone takes pictures. Um and so it’s super important to document everything.”
3. Do NOT Communicate with the Fraternity/Sorority: Do not meet with their leadership, talk to their members, or sign any documents they present. They are not on your side and will likely try to control the narrative or obtain information that can be used against you.
4. Do NOT Communicate with University Officials Alone: If the university requests a meeting, politely inform them that you wish to have legal counsel present. Universities have their own legal teams whose primary loyalty is to the institution, not your child. Any statements made to them can be twisted or used against you.
5. Do NOT Post on Social Media: Anything you or your child posts on social media can and will be used by the defense to undermine your case. This includes posts about the incident, but also any posts that could imply your child is “fine” or enjoying themselves after the hazing. Our video, “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident,” outlines this critical mistake.
6. Report to Law Enforcement (Consider): Depending on the severity of the hazing, you may consider filing a police report. Under Virginia law, hazing can be a criminal offense. This initiates a separate investigation that can uncover valuable evidence for your civil case.
7. Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately: Time is of the essence. In Virginia, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and defendants begin to coordinate their stories. The sooner you involve an experienced hazing attorney, the better your chances of a successful outcome. Our video, “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?”, clearly explains these crucial deadlines.
   • Attorney 911 offers FREE, confidential consultations 24/7.
   • We understand you’re searching online at all hours. Our legal emergency hotline is always open.
8. Keep a Detailed Journal: Document everything related to the hazing: dates, times, locations, names of individuals involved, specific activities, and how your child felt physically and emotionally after each incident. Also, keep track of all medical appointments, therapy sessions, and how the trauma impacts daily life, academic performance, and relationships.
9. Understand Your Rights Regarding Consent: Remember, under the law, your child cannot “consent” to criminal acts or activities that endanger their health and safety. The defense will likely try to argue consent, but the law in Virginia and other states is clear that this is not a valid defense to hazing.
10. Do NOT Accept Early Settlement Offers: Insurance companies, fraternities, and universities may try to offer a quick, lowball settlement in exchange for your silence. NEVER accept or sign anything without consulting an attorney. You could be waiving your right to full and fair compensation. Our videos, “Should I Fight the Insurance Company or Accept Their Settlement Offer?” and “How to Negotiate a Car Accident Settlement,” provide critical warnings about these tactics.

If you are following these steps from Wythe County, Virginia, know that our firm is ready to help you every step of the way. We can conduct comprehensive virtual consultations, and when necessary, our team will travel to Wythe County for depositions, client meetings, and trials. We are committed to securing justice for your child.

Contact Attorney 911 Today: Your Legal Emergency Responders

If you’re reading this, you’re likely a parent in Wythe County whose child has been deeply scarred by hazing. The fear, the anger, the feeling of helplessness—we understand. You need immediate, aggressive, and professional help. You need someone who will fight for your child’s future with the same relentless determination we’re showing in the $10 million Leonel Bermudez case.

Wythe County Families: You Are Not Alone. We Are Here to Fight.

🚨 IMMEDIATE HELP FOR WYTHE COUNTY HAZING VICTIMS:

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now!

Our Legal Emergency Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Email: ralph@atty911.com
• Website: attorney911.com

We offer FREE, confidential consultations. There is no obligation, and you pay absolutely nothing upfront. Our contingency fee model means we don’t get paid unless we win your case. This allows Wythe County families to pursue justice against powerful institutions without any financial risk.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Wythe County Hazing Case?

• Active Litigation Experts: We’re not just theoretical; we’re actively fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit right now. We know the current landscape of hazing litigation.
• Insider Knowledge: Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are former insurance defense lawyers. They know exactly how universities, national fraternities, and their insurance companies will try to deny your claim, and they use that insight to expose the truth and maximize your compensation.
• Nationwide Reach: Hazing is a national problem, and we are national solution providers. With federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York), we can effectively represent Wythe County victims whose hazing occurred anywhere in the country.
• Compassionate but Aggressive: We offer the warmth and empathy your family needs during this traumatic time, but we combine it with unyielding aggression in the courtroom to achieve justice.
• No Hidden Costs: We take cases on contingency. You pay $0 upfront. We cover all litigation costs, and we only get paid if we secure a settlement or verdict for you.
• “Se Habla Español”: Our bilingual staff is ready to assist Wythe County’s Spanish-speaking families, ensuring no language barrier stands in the way of legal representation.

We Serve Wythe County Hazing Victims, and We Serve Them Everywhere Hazing Occurs.

Whether your child attends a university with prominent Greek life, participates in a sports team, or joins any other organization that promotes abusive initiation rituals, we are ready to help. Hazing is not limited to fraternities and sororities. It plagues marching bands, ROTC programs, honor societies, and other student groups. If abuse is disguised as “tradition,” we will expose it and hold the perpetrators accountable.

Wythe County families, look no further. Let us be your champions. Let us leverage our expertise, our resources, and our unwavering commitment to put an end to the cycle of hazing. Don’t let fear or confusion prevent you from seeking the justice your child deserves.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Together, we can make a difference.