If you’re reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to find friendship and community in college, but instead, they were exposed to abuse, humiliation, and potentially life-threatening dangers. We understand the fear, the anger, and the desperation that parents in rural areas like Accomack County feel when their child is hurt miles away at college, seemingly beyond their protection.

At Attorney911, we are here to help families in Accomack County fight back. We are not just another law firm; we are legal emergency lawyers. We move first, fast, and decisively when your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing. Our firm is currently in the thick of a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university for horrific hazing that mirrored torture. This isn’t theory; this is our daily fight in the courtroom, and we bring that relentless advocacy to every family we represent, including yours in Accomack County.

We understand that you might feel isolated, far from major legal centers. Perhaps your child attends one of the many esteemed universities throughout Virginia, such as the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, or James Madison University in Harrisonburg. Or maybe they ventured further out, to schools in neighboring states or even across the country. Regardless of where the incident occurred, the same national fraternities and university accountability issues that we confront in Houston are present at these institutions. Hazing is a national crisis, and while our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our reach extends nationwide. We regularly represent families in Accomack County and beyond, leveraging federal court authority, dual-state bar licenses, and a deep commitment to traveling wherever justice demands.

The Landmark Case: A Warning and a Promise from Attorney911

We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re actively fighting it right now in Harris County, Texas. This case, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al., filed in November 2025, is the centerpiece of everything we stand for. It is a stark warning to fraternities, universities, and national organizations that endanger students, and a powerful promise to families in Accomack County that we will relentlessly pursue justice.

Leonel Bermudez was just a young man planning to transfer to the University of Houston, a “ghost rush” as they called him, not even officially enrolled yet. He had accepted a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025. What followed was an agonizing seven weeks of systematic abuse, physical torture, and psychological torment that culminated in his hospitalization for severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

The hazing activities he endured were nothing short of barbaric:

• Waterboarding: He was subjected to simulated waterboarding with a garden hose, sprayed directly in his face during calisthenics. This is torture, a violation of human rights when perpetrated against combatants, yet it was inflicted upon a college student seeking brotherhood. As Houston Public Media reported, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.”
• Forced Consumption: He was made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Then, in a horrific display of depravity, he was forced to continue running sprints while clearly in physical distress and lie in his own vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: He was forced to endure over 100 push-ups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was struck with wooden paddles. This relentless exertion continued until he could not stand without help, causing his muscles to break down to a dangerous degree. One pledge even lost consciousness during a similar workout just weeks before Leonel’s incident.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: Leonel was made to carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. He was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and threatened with expulsion if he failed to comply with any of these brutal demands.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, contributing to severe exhaustion.

When Leonel finally made it home on November 3, 2025, after one of these brutal sessions, he crawled up the stairs and into bed. The next day, he was incredibly sore and could barely move. The day after that, his condition worsened, compelling his mother to rush him to the hospital. There, doctors found he was passing brown urine—a classic sign of muscle breakdown—and diagnosed him with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days hospitalized, facing the very real risk of permanent kidney damage.

This is what hazing looks like today. It’s not the harmless pranks of movies; it’s a terrifying reality for students like Leonel, and it’s happening at institutions across the country, including those that students from Accomack County attend.

The response from the institutions involved was telling. Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters suspended, and then permanently closed, the Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston. Their own website stated the closure was “effective November 14, 2025, following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” This closure occurred just seven days before our $10 million lawsuit was filed, a clear sign that they knew serious legal action was imminent. They publicly thanked the University of Houston for its “collaboration,” hinting at a coordinated effort to manage the fallout. Even more disturbingly, their statement expressed a desire to “look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” demonstrating a profound lack of remorse or understanding of the gravity of their actions.

The University of Houston spokesperson acknowledged the “deeply disturbing” nature of the events, calling them a “clear violation of our community standards” and mentioning “potential criminal charges.” This admission from the university, which owned the very fraternity house where some of these torturous acts occurred, underscores their institutional liability and failure to protect students.

We filed this $10 million lawsuit not just to compensate Leonel Bermudez for his horrific injuries, but to send an unequivocal message: hazing will not be tolerated. We are holding everyone accountable – the national fraternity, its housing corporation, the University of Houston, the UH Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the president, pledgemaster, and even a former member and his spouse who allowed hazing at their residence. This is data-driven, aggressive litigation, and it’s the same fight we are prepared to bring to those who harm students from Accomack County.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in Accomack County might imagine hazing as innocent pranks or mild inconveniences, perhaps glorified rituals seen in movies. But the reality is far darker. Hazing is not “boys being boys” or a harmless rite of passage; it is systematic abuse designed to break down individuals, instill fear, and enforce obedience. It is often criminal, and it happens across all types of student organizations, including fraternities, soror sports teams, marching bands, and ROTC programs. If your child is pledging any organization at any university in Virginia or elsewhere, they are potentially vulnerable to this hidden culture of abuse.

The activities endured by Leonel Bermudez are a chilling example of modern hazing. These are not isolated incidents but patterns of behavior seen nationwide, designed to strip victims of their dignity and autonomy:

• Extreme Physical Punishment: This goes beyond push-ups and sit-ups. It involves prolonged, forced physical exertion designed to cause collapse and injury, as was the case with Leonel’s 500 squats and 100-yard crawls. It mirrors military-style torture, leading to severe medical conditions like rhabdomyolysis and even cardiac arrest. The wooden paddles he endured are a clear example of physical assault.
• Forced Consumption: This often involves massive quantities of alcohol, leading to alcohol poisoning and death, as we’ve seen in countless national cases. But it also includes non-alcoholic substances, food until vomiting, or even vile concoctions, all designed to humiliate and sicken. Leonel’s forced milk, hot dog, and peppercorn consumption vividly illustrates this.
• Waterboarding: As demonstrated in Leonel’s case, simulated drowning with a garden hose or other means is a terrifying act that crosses the line into torture. It evokes extreme fear and can have severe psychological and physical repercussions.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: This is often the most insidious form of hazing. Forcing pledges to wear degrading items, subjecting them to verbal abuse, isolation, sleep deprivation, or public humiliation are tactics designed to break their will and instill absolute loyalty through fear. The fanny pack with sexual objects and the hog-tying incident are examples of deeply dehumanizing acts.
• Sleep Deprivation: Denying students adequate sleep is a common tactic, leading to exhaustion, impaired judgment, and increased susceptibility to further abuse. This can impact their academic performance and general well-being, as Leonel experienced when forced to drive members during early morning hours.
• Sexual Abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, and sexual assault are abhorrent hazing practices that are tragically more common than many parents realize. These acts leave deep, lasting scars and are unequivocally criminal.

The consistent thread through all these tactics is control and degradation. Victims are isolated from their support systems, subjected to relentless pressure, and indoctrinated into a culture where they are expected to endure suffering silently. The physical and psychological scars can last a lifetime, impacting mental health, academic success, and future relationships. It’s crucial for families in Accomack County to understand that these horrific practices are not isolated; they are part of a dangerous, nationwide pattern within Greek life and other student organizations.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Entity Accountable

When your child from Accomack County is subjected to hazing, the legal landscape for accountability is broad. We believe in pursuing every entity that contributed to the harm, ensuring that power, influence, and insurance policies are brought to bear. This typically involves a multi-defendant approach, targeting not just the individuals directly involved, but the institutions that enable such behavior.

Our lawsuit in the Bermudez case exemplifies this comprehensive strategy, and we would apply the same aggressive approach to a hazing case originating from Accomack County:

• The Local Chapter: This is usually the easiest target. The active student members who plan and participate in hazing, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and other leadership roles, bear direct responsibility. Their actions constitute assault, battery, and hazing under state law.
• The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization: These powerful national bodies oversee chapters on “more than 150 campuses across America,” including those near Accomack County. They draft anti-hazing policies, collect dues, and often have substantial insurance. They are liable when they fail to supervise their local chapters, fail to enforce their own rules, or have a documented history of hazing incidents that should have prompted stronger action. In Leonel’s case, Pi Kappa Phi National’s history, including the death of Andrew Coffey in 2017, proves they had ample notice of a deadly hazing culture but failed to fix it. As KHOU 11 reported, the national organization was alleged to have “enabled the harmful environment by failing to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'”
• The University or College: Educational institutions have a fundamental duty to provide a safe environment for their students. This duty extends to regulating student organizations and ensuring that hazing policies are strictly enforced. Universities that own fraternity houses, like the University of Houston in our case, have additional premises liability. They control the property where the abuse occurs, giving them a direct responsibility to prevent harm. Furthermore, a university’s history of prior hazing incidents, such as the 2017 hospitalization of a Pi Kappa Alpha pledge at UH, demonstrates institutional knowledge and a negligent failure to protect students.
• Housing Corporations and Alumni Boards: Many fraternities have separate housing corporations that own or manage the actual fraternity house. These entities, often comprised of alumni, can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment and for allowing hazing to occur on their property. Alumni boards often exert significant influence and financial control over local chapters, making them potential defendants if they allowed or encouraged hazing.
• Individual Perpetrators: Every person who actively participates in hazing, directs it, or allows it to happen without intervention can be held personally liable. This includes current and former members. In our Bermudez lawsuit, we named 13 individual defendants, including a former member and his spouse who hosted hazing activities at their private residence near the university, demonstrating how far liability can extend.
• Insurance Carriers: These are often the “deep pockets” in hazing litigation. National fraternities, universities, and individuals (through homeowners’ or renters’ insurance) carry liability insurance that can cover millions in damages. Our firm’s attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are former insurance defense lawyers; they know exactly how to leverage this insider knowledge to maximize settlements and verdicts.

It’s critical for Accomack County families to understand that suing these multiple parties creates the greatest leverage for securing meaningful compensation and, just as importantly, enacting real change. We gather exhaustive data on each entity, from their IRS filings to their corporate structures, ensuring we know exactly who is responsible and how to hold them accountable.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For Accomack County families reeling from a hazing incident, understanding the potential financial recovery is a crucial step towards justice. We’ve seen firsthand how severe hazing cases, even those not resulting in death, can lead to multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements that provide crucial support for victims and send an undeniable message to negligent institutions. Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an arbitrary number; it’s grounded in a strong legal framework and built upon precedents from across the country.

Consider these landmark cases, many of which our firm draws upon as direct proof of what is possible for hazing victims:

• Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021) – Over $10.1 Million: Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation event. The university settled for $2.9 million, and Pi Kappa Alpha national along with individuals paid over $7.2 million. Most recently, in December 2024, a jury ordered Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, to personally pay an additional $6.5 million. This case demonstrates that both universities and national fraternities pay millions, and individual perpetrators can face severe personal liability. It also proves our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is well within established precedent.
• Maxwell Gruver at Louisiana State University (Phi Delta Theta, 2017) – $6.1 Million Jury Verdict: Max Gruver died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 after being forced to consume excessive alcohol during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” event. The family secured a $6.1 million jury verdict, and several fraternity members faced criminal charges, with one convicted of negligent homicide. This case is a powerful reminder that juries nationwide are outraged by hazing and are willing to award substantial sums. It also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
• Timothy Piazza at Penn State University (Beta Theta Pi, 2017) – Over $110 Million (Estimated): Timothy Piazza died from a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after falling repeatedly during a Beta Theta Pi drinking ritual called “the gauntlet.” Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911, and security cameras captured the entire horrific event. While the civil settlement amount was confidential, it is widely reported to exceed $110 million. This case highlights how strong evidence, egregious conduct, and institutional cover-ups can lead to massive compensation and significant legislative reforms, such as the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in Pennsylvania.
• Andrew Coffey at Florida State University (Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Tragically, Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night,” exactly eight years before Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization at another Pi Kappa Phi chapter. This case, involving the same national fraternity we are currently suing, underscores a deadly pattern of negligence that Pi Kappa Phi has failed to address for nearly a decade. While the settlement was confidential, the incident led to criminal charges against nine fraternity members and the permanent closure of the FSU chapter.
• Adam Oakes at Virginia Commonwealth University (Delta Chi, 2021) – Over $4 Million Settlement: Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi bid initiation event. His family filed a $28 million lawsuit, which eventually settled for over $4 million, with portions going to a foundation in his name. This recent settlement reaffirms the significant financial accountability faced by fraternities and universities in hazing deaths, further highlighting the ongoing nature of this crisis and the potential for substantial recovery even in non-jury settings.

Even in cases where students survive, the long-term impact of hazing-related injuries can necessitate significant compensation:

• University of Alabama (Sigma Alpha Epsilon, 2023): A lawsuit alleging a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from hazing was filed, demonstrating that non-fatal but serious injuries also warrant multi-million dollar claims.
• University of Houston (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2017): In a case at the same university we are currently suing, former pledge Jared Munoz was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen from hazing and filed a $1 million lawsuit. This is crucial pattern evidence that the University of Houston was on notice about severe hazing on its campus long before Leonel Bermudez was injured.

These cases collectively represent over $136 million in documented high-end hazing awards. The message is clear: hazing costs millions. These precedents empower us to confidently pursue a $10 million claim for Leonel Bermudez and provide a strong foundation for any Accomack County family seeking justice. We are not just seeking retribution; we are seeking to hold accountable all those who allowed these preventable tragedies to occur.

Texas Law Protects You: Beyond Consent

For families in Accomack County, understanding the legal landscape is crucial, particularly how the law can protect your child even if they initially “consented” to participate in hazing activities. While our firm is based in Texas, the core legal principles and tactics we employ are applicable nationwide. Many states have strong anti-hazing laws, and for civil litigation, federal civil rights claims and general negligence principles apply regardless of state lines. This is why our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) give us a strategic advantage in pursuing cases against national organizations wherever they operate.

In Texas, our anti-hazing laws are particularly robust, codified in the Texas Education Code, Sections 37.151-37.157. These statutes define hazing broadly and establish severe penalties. For example, Section 37.151 broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of affiliation or membership in an organization, that endangers their mental or physical health or safety. The list of prohibited activities includes physical brutality like whipping and striking, sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, calisthenics presenting an unreasonable risk of harm, and forced consumption of food or liquids to the point of intoxication or harm. The brutal acts committed against Leonel Bermudez—waterboarding, forced eating, extreme calisthenics, and physical beatings—clearly fall under multiple provisions of this definition.

Critically, for Accomack County families, Texas law unequivocally states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Section 37.154 of the Texas Education Code explicitly says: “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 is a game-changer in hazing litigation, as fraternities and universities often try to deflect blame by claiming the victim “voluntarily participated” or “knew what they were getting into.” Texas law, and increasingly laws in other states, strips them of this fallacious defense. You cannot consent to be abused or assaulted. Your child from Accomack County cannot legally consent to being waterboarded or suffering kidney failure.

Beyond specific anti-hazing statutes, civil lawsuits against the responsible parties can be built on several legal theories, including:

• Negligence: This is typically the primary claim, arguing that the university, national fraternity, and individuals had a duty to protect the student, breached that duty through their actions or inactions, and this breach directly caused the injuries and damages.
• Premises Liability: If the hazing occurred on property owned or controlled by the university or a housing corporation, they can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
• Negligent Supervision: This applies when national organizations fail to adequately supervise their local chapters, or when universities fail to properly oversee Greek life on their campus.
• Assault and Battery: Individual participants who inflict physical harm can be sued directly for intentional harmful or offensive contact.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: This claim applies to conduct so extreme and outrageous that it causes severe emotional suffering, such as the psychological torture inherent in waterboarding or prolonged humiliation.

It’s important to remember that these civil remedies exist regardless of whether criminal charges are filed. While criminal proceedings focus on punishment for breaking the law (and can result in fines or jail time), a civil lawsuit focuses on compensating the victim for their injuries and losses. Many states also have felony anti-hazing laws, often named after hazing victims like the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana or the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania, reflecting a national trend toward more severe criminal penalties.

For Accomack County families, these legal frameworks provide a powerful avenue to pursue justice and obtain compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and sometimes punitive damages designed to punish egregious behavior. Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are intimately familiar with these laws and how to apply them aggressively in court.

Why Attorney911: Your Relentless Advocates in Accomack County

When your child from Accomack County is subjected to hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a legal emergency team. You need someone who understands the unique complexities of hazing litigation, someone who isn’t afraid to take on massive institutions, and someone who treats your family’s trauma with the compassion and dedication it deserves. This is why families across the nation, including those in Accomack County, choose Attorney911.

We are not general personal injury attorneys dabbling in hazing; we are leading the fight. The Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case is not just a case study for us; it’s our ongoing battle, waged daily in the Harris County Civil District Court. This live, $10 million lawsuit proves that we are aggressive, thorough, data-driven, and relentless in pursuing accountability. We bring the same unwavering commitment to justice for every family, regardless of where they are located.

Here’s why Attorney911 stands apart as the definitive choice for Accomack County families facing a hazing crisis:

• Unmatched Hazing Litigation Expertise: We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit, and we have a deep understanding of rhabdomyolysis and other hazing-related injuries. This isn’t theoretical knowledge; it’s being forged in the crucible of active, high-stakes litigation right now. We leverage every detail, every precedent, and every piece of our intelligence to build unassailable cases.
• Insider Knowledge from Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Both our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, and our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, began their careers defending insurance companies and corporations. Ralph has over 25 years of experience, and Lupe brings over 12 years, including defending cases for a national firm, Litchfield Cavo LLP. This means they know the defense’s playbook inside and out—their strategies, their loopholes, and how they attempt to minimize payouts. We use this invaluable insider knowledge to dismantle their arguments and maximize recovery for our clients. It’s an unfair advantage for you.
• Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Bar Licenses: While we are proud to be Texas-based, our capabilities extend far beyond. Ralph is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and is both Texas and New York bar-licensed. This federal court authority, combined with our ability to represent clients in other states as needed, is a strategic advantage when dealing with national fraternities often headquartered out-of-state. We can pursue justice for Accomack County students harmed at any university in America.
• Experience Against Massive Corporate Defendants: Ralph’s involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City explosion litigation demonstrates our capacity to confront and defeat even the largest corporate defendants with limitless resources. This is the same level of aggressive representation we bring when facing national fraternities and major universities that hide behind their wealth and legal teams.
• Data-Driven Litigation Strategy: We maintain an extensive “Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine,” a proprietary database of over 1,400 Greek-related organizations, including IRS-registered entities, housing corporations, and alumni chapters across 25 Texas metropolitan areas. This means we don’t guess who is responsible; we know exactly who to sue and have their corporate structures mapped out before we even file a complaint. We tracked Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi’s housing corporation by its EIN—the same entity we are now suing. We bring this same investigative rigor to every case.
• “Consent is NOT a Defense” Expertise: We are experts in challenging the defense’s primary argument that victims consented to hazing. We know how to argue the nuances of coercion, peer pressure, and duress, and we understand that under Texas law, explicit statutory language already eliminates consent as a defense to hazing.
• Compassionate, Parent-Facing Approach: We understand the profound emotional toll hazing takes on families. While we are fierce in the courtroom, we approach our clients with empathy, warmth, and clear communication. Our numerous 5-star Google reviews (4.9 stars with 250+ reviews) highlight our dedication to treating every client like family. We pride ourselves on consistent communication, responsiveness, and genuine care. As one client, Chad Harris, said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.”
• Financial Accessibility with Contingency Fees: We believe that access to justice should not be dictated by your ability to pay upfront. We take all hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means Accomack County families pay absolutely nothing out-of-pocket for our services. We only get paid if and when we win your case. This levels the playing field against wealthy national organizations and universities.
• Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, allowing us to provide comprehensive and comfortable legal services to Hispanic families in Accomack County and nationwide, removing language barriers to justice.
• Willingness to Travel: While our offices are primarily in Texas, we are committed to serving hazing victims wherever they are. We utilize video consultations extensively and are prepared to travel to Accomack County for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Distance is not a barrier to justice when your child has been subjected to such egregious harm.

We know that a worried parent in Accomack County, searching for help at 2 AM, needs to know they have powerful, experienced allies. Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are those allies. We are not theoretical; we are actively fighting. We are not just lawyers; we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ ready to shut down your emergency.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Guidance for Accomack County Families

If your child in Accomack County or away at college has been hazed, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While the emotional shock can be overwhelming, quick, decisive action can make all the difference in preserving evidence and building a strong legal case.

We understand that reaching out in such a traumatic time can be difficult, but please know that our team is here for you 24/7. Here are the immediate steps we urge Accomack County families to take:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention, Even if the Injuries Seem Minor:

   • Prioritize Health: Your child’s physical and mental well-being is paramount. Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked by a medical professional immediately. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some severe conditions, like rhabdomyolysis or internal injuries, may have delayed symptoms.
   • Document Everything: Ensure all injuries, symptoms (physical and psychological), and the alleged cause (hazing) are clearly documented in medical records. This creates a crucial paper trail linking the hazing to the harm. Keep copies of all medical bills, emergency room reports, doctor’s notes, and therapy records.
   • Mental Health Support: Hazing often leaves deep psychological scars. Seek professional counseling or therapy if your child is experiencing PTSD, anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation. Documenting these impacts is vital for their recovery and for your legal case.

2. Preserve ALL Evidence – EVERYTHING:

   • Digital Communications (CRITICAL): Do NOT delete text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages, Instagram DMs, emails, or any other digital communications related to the hazing. These are often the “smoking gun” that proves who, what, when, and where. Screenshot everything, including timestamps and participant names.
   • Photos and Videos: If any photos or videos of the hazing activities exist—even if someone else took them—secure copies. Photograph your child’s injuries at all stages of healing. Document the location where the hazing occurred if possible.
   • Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, written rules, or official communications from the fraternity, sorority, or university related to the pledge process.
   • Witness Information: Gather the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or anyone who might have knowledge of the events. Their testimony can be invaluable.
   • Physical Items: If any physical items were involved in the hazing (e.g., specific clothing, items forced to be carried, etc.), safely secure them.
   • Financial Records: Keep track of any expenses incurred due to the hazing, such as medical bills, lost wages from missed work or internship opportunities, and even tuition fees if academic performance was severely impacted.

3. DO NOT Communicate with the Perpetrators or Institutions Without Legal Counsel:

   • Fraternity/Sorority Leadership and Members: Do NOT speak with active members, leaders, or alumni of the organization about the incident. They will likely try to coordinate their story, minimize their actions, or even pressure your child to remain silent.
   • University Administration: Do NOT give official statements to university officials, Title IX coordinators, or campus police without first consulting with an attorney. While reporting may be necessary, your attorney can advise you on how to do so safely without compromising your legal rights. Universities prioritize their own reputation and liability.
   • Sign Nothing: Do NOT sign any documents from the fraternity, sorority, or university that might waive your child’s rights or limit their ability to seek justice.
   • Social Media Silence: Do NOT post anything about the hazing incident on social media. Anything your child or family posts can and will be used against you by defense attorneys to discredit your claims. Avoid posting about activities that might imply your child is “fine” or “over it.”

4. Contact Attorney911 IMMEDIATELY:

   • Time is of the Essence: There is a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases in Texas, and similar strict deadlines exist in other states. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations can destroy records. Do not wait.
   • Free, Confidential Consultation: Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911. Your initial consultation is absolutely free and confidential. We can usually tell you within minutes if we can help.
   • Remote Accessibility for Accomack County Families: We offer video consultations, making it easy for families in Accomack County to speak directly with our attorneys from the comfort and privacy of their home.
   • Nationwide Reach: While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims across the country. Our federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses allow us to pursue justice regardless of where the hazing occurred. We will travel to Accomack County if necessary for depositions, client meetings, or trials.

Your child didn’t deserve this. What happened was not their fault, and it was not a voluntary “choice.” Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Let us show you how we can hold the responsible parties accountable and fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline in Accomack County

If you are a parent in Accomack County whose child has been hazed, don’t face this nightmare alone. You need aggressive, experienced, and compassionate legal representation that understands the unique complexities of hazing litigation. You need a team that is actively fighting this battle right now, not just talking about it.

We are Attorney911. We are your legal emergency lawyers, and we are here to help your family in Accomack County.

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are currently representing a hazing victim against the national Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston in a landmark $10 million lawsuit. This is not theoretical; this is our daily fight. We bring this same level of dedication, expertise, and relentless advocacy to every family we represent, including yours in Accomack County, Virginia.

Your child deserves justice. You deserve answers. We are ready to fight for you.

Accomack County Families, Call Us Now for a Free Consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

• Available 24/7: Hazing emergencies don’t keep business hours, and neither do we. Call anytime—day or night.
• Email Us: ralph@atty911.com
• Visit Our Website: attorney911.com
• No Upfront Cost: We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we charge absolutely $0 upfront. You pay us nothing unless and until we win your case. This allows Accomack County families to pursue justice without added financial burden.
• Remote & Accessible: We offer secure video consultations, so you can speak with our expert attorneys from your home in Accomack County without needing to travel.
• We Come to You: For critical aspects of your case, such as depositions or court proceedings, our attorneys are prepared to travel to Accomack County to represent your interests directly. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Hazing is a national crisis that impacts students from every community, including those in Accomack County. While your child may have gone to college expecting to make friends and build a future, they may have instead encountered abuse and trauma. We understand the unique challenges faced by rural communities, including the distance from specialized legal services. Rest assured, our nationwide reach, federal court authority, and commitment to client care mean that families in Accomack County receive the same top-tier representation as those in major metropolitan areas.

Your child’s courage in speaking out can not only secure their own justice but also protect future students from suffering the same fate. As our attorney Lupe Peña said regarding 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.”

Do not let fear, shame, or the intimidation tactics of powerful institutions silence you. We will be your voice. We will be your strength. We will hold them accountable.

Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Your legal emergency is our call to action.