The Complete Guide for Aleutians West Families: Understanding Hazing, National Fraternity Patterns, and Your Legal Rights

As a parent in the Aleutians West Census Area, your child’s journey to higher education might mean leaving the remote, tight-knit communities of the Aleutian Islands for universities thousands of miles away. The pride of seeing them accept a bid to a fraternity, sorority, athletic team, or Corps program can quickly turn to dread if you suspect something is wrong. When the calls home become infrequent, the stories don’t add up, or you see unexplained injuries in photos, the isolation of our region can make you feel helpless.

This guide is for you. Right now, in Texas, we are leading one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in the country—the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi case. This isn’t just a news story; it’s active proof of how we fight for families. While this case is in Texas, the same national fraternities, the same dangerous rituals, and the same institutional cover-ups occur on campuses from Washington to Florida. If your child has been hazed at a university anywhere in the United States, you are not alone, and you have options.

Immediate Help for a Hazing Crisis

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate legal guidance.

In the First 48 Hours:

• Get Medical Attention: Even if your child resists, ensure they are seen by a doctor. Injuries like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) or internal trauma may not be immediately apparent.
• Preserve Evidence, NOW: Tell your child NOT to delete anything.
  • Take screenshots of all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, texts).
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
  • Save any physical items involved.
• Write Everything Down: Document who, what, when, and where while memories are fresh.
• DO NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
  • Sign any documents from the university or its insurance company.
  • Post details on social media.
  • Let your child “clean up” their phone or online profiles.

Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence disappears fast. Universities and national organizations move quickly to control the narrative. We can help you navigate this from the very first call.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025

Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or “hard traditions.” It is a systematic pattern of abuse masked as bonding. For families in the Aleutians West, where community and mutual support are vital, understanding these patterns is crucial to protecting your child.

A Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—by a person alone or with others, directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or affiliating with any organization. If the act endangers mental or physical health or safety, it is hazing. Crucially, “consent” is not a defense under the law when power imbalance and coercion are present.

Categories of Hazing: From Subtle to Violent

1. Digital Control & Psychological Hazing:

• 24/7 Group Chat Servitude: Pledges required to respond instantly to messages at all hours, leading to sleep deprivation.
• Social Media Humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat.
• Isolation & Secrecy: Cut off from non-member friends and family; sworn to secrecy with threats of expulsion.
• “Voluntary” Mandatory Events: Activities framed as optional, but refusal means social exclusion or denial of membership.

2. Harassment & Degradation:

• Forced Servitude: Acting as all-hours chauffeurs, personal cleaners, or errand-runners for older members.
• Sleep & Food Deprivation: Late-night “meetings,” wake-up calls at 3 AM, restriction of meals.
• Public Humiliation: Wearing degrading costumes, performing embarrassing acts in public, being yelled at or “grilled” in sessions.
• Extreme Calisthenics: “Smokings” or punitive workouts (e.g., hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits to collapse) framed as “conditioning.”

3. Violent & Life-Threatening Hazing (The patterns seen in national fatalities):

• Forced Alcohol Consumption: The #1 cause of hazing deaths. “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking games, lineups, keg stands, or forced chugging of hard liquor.
• Physical Assault: Paddling, beatings, punching, kicking.
• Dangerous Physical Rituals: “Glass ceiling” blindfolded tackles, “gladiator” fights, being restrained or tied up.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault.
• Exposure to Elements: Locked in freezing rooms, left outside in cold weather, denial of bathroom access.

Where Hazing Happens

It is a myth that hazing only happens in fraternities. It occurs in:

• Sororities
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Corps of Cadets, ROTC, & Military-Style Groups
• Marching Bands & Performance Groups
• Spirit Organizations & “Tradition” Clubs
• Cultural & Academic Clubs

The common thread is a hierarchy where existing members hold power over new members, and abuse is justified as “tradition” or “building character.”

The Legal Framework: Criminal Hazing vs. Civil Lawsuits

Understanding the difference between criminal prosecution and civil litigation is key. They are separate paths that can, and often do, run simultaneously.

Texas Hazing Law (Chapter 37 of the Education Code) – An Example of State Law

While your child’s university may be in a different state, Texas law serves as a strong example of modern anti-hazing statutes. Texas defines hazing broadly and imposes serious penalties:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B Misdemeanor. If it causes injury, it becomes a Class A Misdemeanor. If it causes serious bodily injury or death, it is a State Jail Felony.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: The law explicitly states that a victim’s “agreement” to be hazed is not a valid defense.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Individuals who report hazing or call for medical help in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability related to that report.

Hazing laws vary by state. The state where your child’s university is located will have its own statutes. Some, like Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act or Ohio’s Collin’s Law, have particularly strong felony provisions. A key part of our role is navigating the specific laws applicable to your case.

Civil Lawsuits for Damages & Accountability

A civil lawsuit is brought by the victim or their family to secure compensation and force institutional change. It is separate from any criminal case the state might bring.

• Purpose: To recover damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost educational opportunities, and, in wrongful death cases, the family’s profound loss.
• Potential Defendants:
  • Individual Students who planned, participated in, or concealed the hazing.
  • The Local Chapter as an organization.
  • The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters. This is often where significant insurance coverage exists. We can use national hazing histories to prove they knew or should have known of the risks.
  • The University. Schools can be liable for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations if the hazing is sex-based.
  • Property Owners & Third Parties (e.g., Airbnb landlords, bar owners who provided alcohol).

Federal Laws That Apply Nationwide

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, or creates a hostile environment based on sex, universities have a legal obligation to respond promptly and effectively.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including aggravated assault and hazing incidents that constitute a crime, in their annual security reports.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to improve hazing transparency, reporting, and prevention programs by 2026.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script Repeats

The tragic cases below are not anomalies; they are a playbook. The same scripts—forced drinking, physical abuse, cover-ups—repeat across the country. This “pattern evidence” is powerful in court, proving that these organizations were on notice.

The Forced Drinking & Death Pattern

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A 20-year-old pledge was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” night. He died of alcohol poisoning. His family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU).
• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Pledge died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%) after a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. This led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night.” The event led to FSU suspending all Greek life.
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid acceptance night with extreme drinking. His fall was caught on the fraternity’s own security camera for hours before help was called. The case resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.

The Physical & Ritualized Violence Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Pledge was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. He died from traumatic brain injury. The national fraternity was convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
• Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): An 18-year-old pledge suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage after being forced to drink excessive alcohol. He cannot walk, talk, or see and requires 24/7 care. His family settled with 22 defendants.

The Athletic & Program Hazing Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread allegations of sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements. It proved hazing is entrenched in big-money sports programs.
• College of Charleston, Sigma Chi (2024): A pledge alleged severe beatings and forced drug/alcohol consumption. The family received over $10 million in damages, one of the largest known hazing settlements.

What This Means for Your Family: These national precedents create a legal landscape where universities and national organizations can no longer claim ignorance. When the same fraternity (like Pi Kappa Alpha or Sigma Alpha Epsilon) is involved in a hazing incident, its national headquarters’ prior knowledge of these deadly patterns becomes a central pillar of a civil lawsuit.

Our Flagship Case: Attorney911 in Action – Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi

We are not just observers of these patterns; we are active litigators fighting one of the most severe current cases. This is what we do, and it demonstrates the level of commitment we bring to every family we represent.

The Case: In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit in Harris County, Texas, on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and pledge of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter.

The Hazing Conduct: The lawsuit details a campaign of abuse including:

• A degrading “pledge fanny pack” rule requiring him to carry condoms, a sex toy, and nicotine devices.
• Extreme physical hazing: Sprints, bear crawls, lying in vomit-soaked grass, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.
• The November 3rd “workout”: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, and creed recitation under threat of expulsion, which led directly to his catastrophic injuries.

The Medical Catastrophe: This hazing caused Bermudez to develop rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, could not stand, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels. He faces an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

The Institutional Response & Defendants: The Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025. On November 14, members voted to surrender their charter, shutting it down. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” Our lawsuit names 16 defendants, including:

• The University of Houston and the UH System Board of Regents.
• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity’s national headquarters.
• The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Housing Corporation.
• 13 individual fraternity leaders (chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager, etc.).

Why This Case Matters to You: This active, high-stakes litigation proves our firm’s depth in hazing cases. We are not just talking about the law; we are in the courtroom right now, using complex discovery, battling institutional defense teams, and fighting for full accountability. The same investigative strategies and legal arguments we use in this Texas case are directly applicable to hazing cases nationwide.

Fraternities & Sororities: Connecting National Histories to Local Chapters

The letters on a fraternity house represent a national brand with a history—and often, a hazing history. When we take a case, we immediately investigate the national organization’s track record.

Why National Histories Create Liability

National fraternities and sororities are not passive entities. They collect dues, set policies, provide (or fail to provide) training, and govern chapters. When a chapter repeats a hazing script that has caused death or injury elsewhere, it demonstrates the national organization had foreseeable notice of the risk. This can defeat defenses like “this was a rogue chapter” and can trigger insurance coverage.

Selected National Organization Patterns

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Stone Foltz death ($10M settlement); multiple other alcohol-related hazing deaths and injuries. A pattern of “Big/Little” drinking nights.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): One of the deadliest fraternities historically; multiple chapters suspended for severe hazing including at Texas A&M (chemical burns case) and UT Austin (assault case).
• Pi Kappa Phi: Andrew Coffey death (FSU); now, our active UH lawsuit. A pattern of risk management failures.
• Phi Delta Theta: Max Gruver death (LSU); led to felony hazing law.
• Sigma Chi: Multi-million dollar settlements, including the $10M+ College of Charleston case.

For a family in the Aleutians West, this means if your child was hazed by a chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha at a university in Washington or Oregon, the national organization’s responsibility is informed by the Stone Foltz case in Ohio and our Bermudez case in Texas. Their pattern is national, and so is their liability.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

If you pursue a civil case, here is what the process entails and why experienced counsel is non-negotiable.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

1. Digital Communications: The #1 source of evidence. We use forensic tools to recover deleted GroupMe, WhatsApp, text, and social media messages that show planning, coercion, and boasting.
2. Photos & Videos: Content shot by members themselves, often shared in group chats.
3. Internal Organization Records: Obtained through subpoena: pledge manuals, risk management reports, emails between chapter and nationals, prior incident reports.
4. University Records: Prior disciplinary files on the same organization, Clery Act reports, internal investigation notes (obtained through discovery or public records requests).
5. Medical & Psychological Records: Documenting the full extent of physical injury and diagnoses like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
6. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.

Types of Damages in a Civil Hazing Case

• Economic Damages: Past and future medical bills, lost wages, lost educational investment (tuition, lost scholarships), diminished future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, and trauma.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the immeasurable loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or malicious conduct, damages intended to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

The Role of Insurance & Institutional Defense

National fraternities and universities have large insurance policies and experienced defense firms. They often argue:

• “The victim consented.”
• “This was a rogue chapter; the national didn’t know.”
• “The insurance policy doesn’t cover ‘intentional acts’ like hazing.”
• “The university has sovereign immunity.”

Our Advantage: Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows their exact playbook—how they value claims, use delay tactics, and fight coverage. We use this insider knowledge to anticipate and counter their strategies from day one.

Practical Guide for Aleutians West Families & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Steps to Take

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme exhaustion and sleep deprivation.
• Drastic personality changes: new anxiety, depression, or secrecy.
• Being constantly on their phone, anxious about group chat messages.
• Sudden financial needs or unexplained purchases (for alcohol, gifts for older members).
• Withdrawing from old friends and family.

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “How are things really going with the group? Is anything making you uncomfortable?”
2. Prioritize Safety & Evidence: If they disclose hazing, follow the “First 48 Hours” checklist above.
3. Report Carefully: You can report to the university’s Dean of Students or campus police, but understand they may prioritize protecting the institution. Consult with an attorney first to strategize.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential evaluation before making any formal statements or signing anything.

For Students: Your Rights and How to Exit Safely

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition justifies abuse.
• “Consent” is Not a Defense in Court: You cannot legally agree to be assaulted or endangered.
• How to Exit: Send a simple email/text: “I am resigning my membership/pledgeship effective immediately.” Tell a trusted friend or parent first. Do not attend a “final meeting.”
• If You Are Injured: Go to the ER or campus clinic. Tell the doctor you were hazed. This creates a crucial medical record.
• Preserve Evidence: Screenshot everything. Do not delete messages, even embarrassing ones.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

• Deleting digital evidence.
• Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly (they will lawyer up and destroy evidence).
• Signing a university “resolution agreement” without an attorney reviewing it.
• Posting about the incident on social media.
• Waiting too long to act, allowing evidence to disappear and witnesses to scatter.

Why Attorney911 for Your Family’s Hazing Case

We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911 – the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. While our physical offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we serve hazing victims and their families nationwide. For families in the Aleutians West Census Area and across Alaska, we provide critical support through:

• Co-Counsel Representation: We partner with qualified local attorneys in your state to handle hazing cases, bringing our specialized national expertise to your team.
• Comprehensive Case Evaluation & Strategy: We provide detailed consultations to analyze your case, identify all liable parties (including national organizations), and map out a legal strategy.
• Lead Counsel for Texas-Connected Cases: If your case has connections to Texas (e.g., a national fraternity headquartered here, a child attending a Texas school, Texas-based insurance), we can serve as lead counsel.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

1. Active, High-Stakes Hazing Litigators:
Our leadership of the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi $10M lawsuit is not past history—it’s our current reality. We are in federal court right now, fighting the exact same institutions (universities, national fraternities) that families nationwide face.

2. Insurance Insider Knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña):
Mr. Peña is a former insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows how fraternity and university insurers think, how they devalue claims, and how to overcome their “intentional act” exclusions. This insider edge is invaluable.

3. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Institutions (Ralph Manginello):
Ralph was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced corporations with unlimited legal budgets and won. We are not intimidated by national fraternities or major universities.

4. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise:
Ralph is a member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA). We understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to advise clients comprehensively.

5. Investigative Depth & National Network:
We know how to find the evidence that others miss. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages, subpoena national fraternity records, and utilize medical and economic experts to build unassailable cases.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your child and your family, the path forward can feel overwhelming. You do not have to navigate it alone.

We offer a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation to every family that contacts us. In this conversation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Explain the legal landscape and your potential options.
• Discuss the investigation process and what we can do.
• Answer your questions about timelines, costs, and what to expect.
• We work on a contingency fee basis for civil cases—you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.

Contact Attorney911 Today:

• Call our 24/7 line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Se habla Español: Mr. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish-language services.

For families in the Aleutians West Census Area and across the United States, geographical distance does not prevent justice. The same national organizations operate everywhere. The same legal principles of accountability apply. Let us use our expertise, gained in courtrooms across the country, to help you seek answers, secure care for your child, and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. The law is complex and varies by state. Every case is fact-specific. We strongly urge you to consult with a qualified attorney about your particular situation. The outcome of any case depends on the specific facts and applicable law. Contacting us does not obligate you to hire our firm.