Hazing Victims in Alameda County: Your Rights, Your Recourse

The Hidden Crisis on Alameda County Campuses

Hazing isn’t just a distant problem—it’s happening right here in Alameda County. At universities like UC Berkeley, Cal State East Bay, Mills College, and Holy Names University, Greek organizations, sports teams, and student clubs continue dangerous initiation rituals that put students at risk. What starts as “tradition” often escalates into physical abuse, psychological trauma, and life-threatening injuries.

If you or someone you love has been a victim of hazing in Alameda County, you’re not alone. Attorney 911 is fighting this battle nationwide—and we’re here to help Alameda County families hold those responsible accountable.

What Constitutes Hazing in Alameda County?

California law defines hazing as any method of initiation into a student organization that endangers the physical or mental health of a student, whether on or off campus. This includes:

✅ Physical abuse – Forced exercise, beatings, paddling, branding, or exposure to extreme weather
✅ Forced consumption – Binge drinking, forced drug use, or eating substances until vomiting
✅ Psychological torture – Sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats, or isolation
✅ Sexual harassment or assault – Forced nudity, sexual acts, or carrying degrading objects
✅ Dangerous stunts – Blindfolded activities, kidnapping, or simulated drowning (waterboarding)

Hazing is a crime in California—and it’s never the victim’s fault.

Real Cases, Real Consequences: What Happens When Hazing Goes Too Far

The University of Houston Case: A Warning for Alameda County

In November 2025, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure due to extreme hazing.

What happened to him?

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to run in his own vomit
• Hospitalized for 4 days with life-threatening kidney failure

The same fraternities operate at Alameda County universities. If it can happen in Houston, it can—and does—happen here.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Alameda County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:

1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority)

• Directly organizes and participates in hazing
• Leadership (president, pledge master) can be held personally liable

2. The National Organization

• Sets policies but fails to enforce anti-hazing rules
• Often has deep pockets for settlements

3. The University

• Owns or controls fraternity/sorority housing (premises liability)
• Fails to supervise Greek life despite prior hazing incidents
• Ignores reports of dangerous behavior

4. Individual Members

• Those who participated in hazing can be sued personally
• Those who witnessed and did nothing may also be liable

5. Alumni & Housing Corporations

• Allow hazing to occur on their property
• Financially support chapters despite knowing the risks

Your Legal Rights as a Hazing Victim in Alameda County

1. You Can Sue for Damages

Hazing victims in Alameda County can pursue compensation for:

• Medical bills (hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (if injuries prevent you from working)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish the organization for extreme misconduct)

2. Criminal Charges May Apply

Under California Penal Code § 245.6, hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death is a misdemeanor or felony, punishable by:

• Up to 1 year in jail (misdemeanor)
• Up to 3 years in prison (felony for serious injury or death)

3. Universities Can Be Held Accountable

If a university in Alameda County knew about hazing and failed to act, they can be sued for negligence, premises liability, and failure to protect students.

What to Do If You or Your Child Was Hazed in Alameda County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), alcohol poisoning, and head injuries can be fatal if untreated.
• Document all injuries with photos and medical records.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Save all texts, GroupMe chats, and social media messages about hazing.
• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any objects used.
• Get witness names and contact info (other pledges, bystanders).

Step 3: Do NOT Speak to the Organization or University Alone

• They will try to cover it up—don’t give them statements without a lawyer.
• Anything you say can be used against you in court.

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• We offer FREE, confidential consultations for Alameda County hazing victims.
• We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.
• We travel to Alameda County for depositions, meetings, and trials.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Alameda County Hazing Case?

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We know the tactics fraternities and universities use to avoid liability—and how to counter them.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know how insurance companies think—because we used to work for them.
• We anticipate their defenses and dismantle them before they even raise them.

3. Federal Court Authority

• We can sue national fraternities in federal court, no matter where they’re headquartered.
• We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Alameda County.

4. Bilingual Support (Se Habla Español)

• Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
• We provide full legal support in Spanish for Alameda County’s diverse community.

5. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation

• BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
• Multi-million-dollar personal injury verdicts
• Aggressive courtroom representation—we don’t back down.

Fraternities in Alameda County: We’re Watching You

The following fraternities and sororities have chapters at Alameda County universities—and they should know we’re coming for them if they haze:

If your chapter is hazing students in Alameda County, we will find out—and we will sue every liable party.

What’s Next for Alameda County Hazing Victims?

1. Free Case Evaluation

• We’ll review your situation confidentially and explain your legal options.

2. Evidence Preservation

• We’ll send legal preservation letters to prevent the organization from destroying evidence.

3. Demand Letters & Negotiation

• We’ll demand full compensation from the fraternity, university, and individuals responsible.

4. Filing a Lawsuit (If Necessary)

• If they refuse to settle, we’ll take them to court—and we don’t lose.

5. Holding Them Accountable

• Financial compensation for your injuries
• Policy changes to prevent future hazing
• Criminal referrals if the conduct was illegal

Alameda County Families: You Deserve Justice

Hazing is not tradition—it’s abuse. And abuse has consequences.

If you or your child was hazed in Alameda County, we will fight for you. We don’t just talk about justice—we win it.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com

We serve Alameda County from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont—and we will travel to you.

🚨 Don’t Wait—Your Rights Expire

• California’s statute of limitations gives you 2 years to file a lawsuit.
• Evidence disappears—texts get deleted, witnesses forget, organizations cover their tracks.
• The longer you wait, the harder it is to win.

Contact Attorney 911 today. Your fight for justice starts now.