🚨 Hazing Victims in Abbeville County: You Are Not Alone
Abbeville County families: If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization near Abbeville County, you have legal rights. And you have powerful allies in the fight for justice.
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we know how to hold institutions accountable — no matter where in South Carolina or the United States the hazing occurred.
⚠️ This Happened in Houston. It Happens in Abbeville County Too.
In November 2025, our client Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to weeks of systematic abuse at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. The fraternity forced him to:
- Undergo simulated waterboarding with a garden hose — a form of torture
- Perform 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
- Be struck with wooden paddles
- Endure sleep deprivation and extreme physical punishment
He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.
This is not “tradition.” This is not “brotherhood.” This is abuse. And it happens at universities near Abbeville County too.
The same fraternities that operate at UH — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others — have active chapters at universities across South Carolina. If your child attends college near Abbeville County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.
🏛️ The Legal Rights of Abbeville County Hazing Victims
South Carolina law protects students from hazing. You have the right to seek justice and compensation for:
- Medical expenses — hospital bills, rehabilitation, ongoing treatment
- Pain and suffering — physical agony and emotional trauma
- Psychological harm — PTSD, anxiety, depression
- Educational disruption — missed classes, delayed graduation
- Punitive damages — to punish the organization and prevent future abuse
Important: In South Carolina, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
💰 Multi-Million Dollar Precedents — These Cases Win
Hazing lawsuits result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Recent examples:
- $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million jury verdict — Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
- $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
These same results are possible for Abbeville County victims. Our firm is currently pursuing a $10 million claim in the Bermudez case — proving that hazing victims can and do win big.
🛡️ Why Abbeville County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
While other firms talk about hazing, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing case in Texas. Abbeville County families get the same aggressive representation we provide locally.
2. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Abbeville County and Beyond
We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in South Carolina. Our attorneys are admitted to federal court and can pursue your case no matter where the hazing occurred.
3. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — previously worked for insurance companies and national defense firms. We know their playbook. We know how they try to deny claims. And we know how to beat them.
4. $0 Upfront Cost — Contingency Fee Representation
We understand that Abbeville County families may be concerned about legal costs. We take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.
5. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
Many hazing victims and their families are Spanish-speaking. Our bilingual staff ensures that language is never a barrier to justice.
6. We Come to Abbeville County
For depositions, client meetings, and trials, our attorneys will travel to Abbeville County. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
📞 What Abbeville County Families Should Do Right Now
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization near Abbeville County, take these steps immediately:
- Seek Medical Attention — Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening if untreated.
- Preserve All Evidence — Save all texts, social media messages, photos, videos, and witness contact information.
- Do NOT Sign Anything — Universities and fraternities may try to get you to sign waivers or settlement offers. Consult an attorney first.
- Do NOT Talk to the Organization — Anything you say can be used against you.
- Contact Attorney 911 — Call our 24/7 legal emergency hotline for a free, confidential consultation.
📢 To Fraternities and Sororities Near Abbeville County: We Are Watching
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Abbeville County, know this:
We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for $10 million over what they did to Leonel Bermudez. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.
If you haze students in Abbeville County, we will find every liable entity. We will pursue every insurance policy. We will hold every individual accountable.
The Beta Nu chapter at UH learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.
📚 What Abbeville County Parents Need to Know About Hazing
Hazing is More Common — and More Dangerous — Than You Think
- 55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, and Greek organizations experience hazing.
- Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States.
- 95% of hazing victims do not report it — often due to fear, shame, or loyalty to the organization.
- Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, clubs, and other student organizations.
Warning Signs Your Child May Be Hazed
- Sudden change in behavior — withdrawal, anxiety, depression
- Unexplained injuries — bruises, sprains, cuts
- Avoiding certain people or places
- Sudden drop in academic performance
- Sleep deprivation or exhaustion
- Secretive behavior about organization activities
- Physical symptoms — nausea, headaches, muscle pain
Common Hazing Activities Near Abbeville County
Hazing takes many forms. Some of the most dangerous activities include:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, excessive exercise |
| Forced Consumption | Alcohol, food, non-food substances (until vomiting) |
| Sleep Deprivation | Late-night activities, early-morning demands |
| Psychological Abuse | Humiliation, degradation, threats, isolation |
| Sexual Abuse | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects |
| Waterboarding/Drowning | Simulated drowning, water torture |
| Exposure | Cold weather, heat exposure, confined spaces |
If your child has experienced any of these, they may be a victim of hazing.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Abbeville County Families
Q: My child was hazed, but they “agreed” to participate. Can we still sue?
A: YES. In South Carolina, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable for the harm caused.
Q: The hazing didn’t happen on campus. Can we still sue the university?
A: YES. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm, even off-campus. If the university knew or should have known about hazing risks in Greek life, they may be liable.
Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. How can we protect them?
A: We understand. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We take these concerns seriously. We will:
- Advise your child on how to document evidence safely
- Coordinate with university officials to ensure protection
- Pursue legal action against anyone who retaliates
- Keep your family’s information confidential
Q: We can’t afford a lawyer. How much does this cost?
A: $0 upfront. We take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win. Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict, not your pocket.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Typically 2-3 years from the date of injury, depending on the state. However, evidence disappears quickly, and witnesses forget. Contact us immediately to preserve your rights.
Q: The fraternity says this was an “isolated incident.” How can we prove it wasn’t?
A: Discovery is key. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are pursuing:
- Internal fraternity communications
- Prior hazing reports at the same chapter
- Hazing incidents at other chapters of the same fraternity
- Training and oversight failures by the national organization
We will uncover the pattern.
Q: What if the fraternity tries to cover it up?
A: We anticipate that. In the Pi Kappa Phi case, the chapter was closed 7 days before the lawsuit was filed — they knew litigation was coming. We are prepared to:
- Send immediate preservation letters demanding evidence protection
- Subpoena text messages, emails, and social media
- Depose fraternity officers, members, and university officials
- Pursue spoliation sanctions if evidence is destroyed
Q: Can we sue the national fraternity, or just the local chapter?
A: Both. National fraternities have deep pockets and insurance policies. They are often more liable than local chapters because they:
- Set hazing policies (or fail to enforce them)
- Train local chapters (or fail to train them)
- Have knowledge of prior hazing incidents
- Can revoke charters (but often don’t)
In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing both the local chapter and the national organization.
📞 Abbeville County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization near Abbeville County, contact Attorney 911 immediately.
📞 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We offer:
- Free, confidential consultations
- $0 upfront cost — contingency fee representation
- Video consultations for Abbeville County families
- Travel to Abbeville County for depositions and meetings
- Aggressive, experienced legal representation
🔥 Our Message to Abbeville County Fraternities and Sororities
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — and every Greek organization with chapters near Abbeville County:
We are watching. We are documenting. We are building cases.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts in other hazing cases apply to your chapters.
If you haze students in Abbeville County, we will:
- Sue your local chapter
- Sue your national organization
- Sue your housing corporation
- Sue your alumni
- Sue your individual members
- Pursue every insurance policy
- Demand punitive damages
- Expose your culture of abuse
The Beta Nu chapter at UH is now shut down. Your chapter could be next.
🏆 Our Commitment to Abbeville County Hazing Victims
At Attorney 911, we don’t just represent clients — we fight for change.
Our goals for every hazing case:
- Justice for the victim — full compensation for injuries
- Accountability for the organization — financial and institutional consequences
- Prevention for future students — systemic change to stop hazing culture
We have seen what fraternities do to kids. We are fighting it in court right now. And we will fight for Abbeville County families with the same determination.
📢 Final Message to Abbeville County Parents
Your child trusted these organizations. They trusted the fraternity. They trusted the university. They trusted that these institutions would keep them safe.
That trust was betrayed.
But you have the power to hold them accountable. You have the power to demand justice. You have the power to protect the next student.
Call us. We will fight for you.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Protecting Abbeville County families. Fighting for justice nationwide.