🚨 Hazing Victims in Amite County: You Are Not Alone — We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

If your child was hazed at a university, college, or Greek organization near Amite County, Mississippi, you have legal rights — and we are fighting this fight right now in Texas with a $10 million lawsuit that could set the standard for Amite County families.

At Attorney 911, we are currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, and subjected to weeks of systematic abuse at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston.

This same hazing happens at universities near Amite County. The same fraternities operate near Amite County. And the same negligence exists at Amite County institutions.

If your child was hazed in Amite County or anywhere in Mississippi, we will fight for you with the same aggression we’re bringing to this case.

🏥 What Happened to Our Client — And What Could Happen to Your Child in Amite County

Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston in September 2025. He wasn’t even enrolled at UH yet — he was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member expected to transfer for the spring semester.

Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to a campaign of physical and psychological torture that included:

• Simulated waterboarding with a garden hose — sprayed in the face while doing calisthenics
• Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups as punishment
• Struck repeatedly with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting — then forced to continue running sprints while in physical distress
• Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour (another pledge, not Bermudez)
• Forced to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times
• Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, causing exhaustion
• Threatened with physical punishment and expulsion if he didn’t comply

On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event. He was forced to perform 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, “suicides,” and 100-yard crawls — all while being threatened with expulsion if he stopped. He became so exhausted he could not stand without help.

When he got home, he crawled up the stairs. The next day, he was so sore he couldn’t move. His condition worsened over the next two days.

On November 6, 2025, his mother rushed him to the hospital. He was passing brown urine — a classic sign of muscle breakdown. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring three nights and four days in the hospital.

This is not “tradition.” This is not “brotherhood.” This is torture. And it happens at universities near Amite County every year.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as an Amite County Hazing Victim

Mississippi Hazing Laws Protect You

Mississippi has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to all colleges, universities, and student organizations — including those near Amite County:

Mississippi Code § 97-3-105 — Hazing Prohibited

Any person who hazes, or conspires to haze, another person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, or both.

Mississippi Code § 97-3-107 — Consent Not a Defense

It is not a defense to prosecution that the person hazed consented to the hazing activity.

This means: Even if your child “agreed” to participate, consent is not a defense under Mississippi law. The law explicitly says that hazing is illegal regardless of consent.

Civil Liability — Who Can Be Sued in Amite County

You can pursue civil lawsuits against multiple defendants for medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages:

Amite County families: You do not have to sue in the state where the hazing occurred. We can pursue cases in federal court and serve defendants wherever they are.

Types of Damages Available to Amite County Victims

Precedent shows hazing cases win millions. Our current case seeks $10 million — and we have the evidence to prove it.

💰 Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions — Amite County Families Can Too

Hazing lawsuits result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what other families have won:

These results are possible for Amite County families. The same legal strategies apply to your case.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Amite County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
• Medical records are critical evidence

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
• Take photos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, etc.)
• Document everything — dates, times, locations, participants
• Get names and contact information of witnesses
• Do NOT delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing

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

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative
• They may ask for statements, offer apologies, or pressure you to sign documents
• Do NOT give statements or sign anything without legal counsel

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

Call our hazing hotline: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911

• Free, confidential consultation — no obligation
• We work on contingency — you pay $0 upfront; we only get paid if you win
• We serve Amite County families — distance is not a barrier
• We travel to Amite County for depositions, meetings, and trials

🏛️ Why Amite County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight right now. Amite County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides to represent victims.

• We know how insurance companies value claims
• We know how they delay and deny cases
• We know how to dismantle their defenses
• We know where the money is — and how to get it

3. Federal Court Authority — We Can Pursue Cases Nationwide

• Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• Dual-state bar licenses: Texas AND New York
• Can pursue federal civil rights claims for Amite County victims
• Can serve defendants anywhere in America

Distance is not a barrier. If your child was hazed in Amite County, Mississippi, or anywhere in the country, we can help.

4. We Will Travel to Amite County

• For depositions
• For client meetings
• For trials
• For anything your case requires

We come to you. You don’t have to travel to Texas to get justice.

5. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Lupe Pena is fluent in Spanish. We provide bilingual legal services for Spanish-speaking Amite County families.

6. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Amite County Families

We understand that the cost of hiring an attorney can be a barrier — especially when your child is recovering from hazing injuries.

• No upfront fees
• No hourly billing
• We only get paid if you win
• You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you

🎯 How We Win for Amite County Hazing Victims

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to all defendants
• Demand all communications, photos, videos, and documents be preserved
• Prevent destruction of evidence

2. Comprehensive Investigation

• Interview witnesses and other victims
• Obtain medical records, academic records, financial records
• Work with hazing culture experts to explain the dynamics
• Use private investigators if needed

3. Aggressive Negotiation

• Demand policy limits from insurance companies
• Negotiate from a position of strength
• Refuse lowball settlement offers

4. Trial-Ready Litigation

• If defendants won’t settle, we take them to court
• We have decades of trial experience
• We don’t back down from powerful institutions

5. Accountability Beyond Money

• Work with media to expose the truth
• Push for criminal charges where appropriate
• Support legislative reform to prevent future hazing
• Demand institutional change at universities and national organizations

⚠️ Common Defenses in Hazing Cases — And How We Defeat Them

Defense 1: “He Consented to Participate”

Our Response:

• Mississippi law explicitly says consent is not a defense (Mississippi Code § 97-3-107)
• Coercion and peer pressure negate true consent — no one “consents” to torture
• Fear of social ostracism, expulsion, or retaliation means consent is not voluntary

Defense 2: “It Was Just Tradition — Everyone Goes Through It”

Our Response:

• “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity — assault is assault
• Universities and national organizations have policies against hazing — they’re required to enforce them
• Pattern evidence (prior incidents) shows they knew it was happening and failed to stop it

Defense 3: “We Didn’t Know It Was Happening”

Our Response:

• Universities have a duty to supervise Greek life — they can’t claim ignorance
• National organizations have oversight responsibility — they audit chapters
• Prior incidents (like our Pi Kappa Phi case) show they had actual knowledge

Defense 4: “The Victim Was Drinking Voluntarily”

Our Response:

• Forced consumption ≠ voluntary — peer pressure is coercion
• Alcohol was provided by the organization — they’re responsible for monitoring
• Intoxication impairs judgment — the organization took advantage of that

🏆 Our Track Record: Fighting for Victims Like You

1. $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit — Pi Kappa Phi / University of Houston (2025)

• Currently litigating Leonel Bermudez’s case — waterboarding, 500 squats, kidney failure
• Media coverage: ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media
• Defendants: Pi Kappa Phi National, UH, individual members, housing corporation
• Status: Lawsuit filed; discovery underway

2. BP Texas City Explosion Litigation (2005)

• Represented victims in multi-billion dollar mass tort against BP
• 15 workers killed; 180+ injured
• Proved institutional negligence against massive corporate defendant
• Result: Significant settlements for victims

3. Ryan Mitchell Smith Case (2022) — ABC13 Media Coverage

• High-profile criminal defense case with media attention
• Demonstrated compassionate advocacy in emotionally charged case
• Result: Positive public narrative for client

4. Assault Family Member — Trial Dismissal (2019)

• Cause Number: 2215356
• Court: Harris County Criminal Court at Law Number 12
• Result: Secured trial setting dismissal — charges dropped before trial

5. Civil Rights Litigation — Federal Appellate Experience

• Represented clients in federal civil rights cases
• Experience in U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals
• Federal constitutional litigation expertise transferable to hazing cases

📞 Amite County Families: Call Now — Free Consultation

If your child was hazed at a university, college, or Greek organization near Amite County, Mississippi, you have legal rights — and we are here to fight for you.

Call Our Hazing Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911

• Available 24/7 for Amite County families
• Free, confidential consultation
• No obligation — just answers
• We work on contingency — $0 upfront

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Website: attorney911.com

🌍 We Serve Hazing Victims Nationwide — Including Amite County, Mississippi

While we are based in Texas, hazing happens at colleges and universities across America — including near Amite County. We represent hazing victims regardless of location through:

• Federal court authority — pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Video consultations — meet with us remotely
• Travel commitment — we come to Amite County for your case
• Nationwide service — we’ve won cases from coast to coast

Don’t let distance stop you from seeking justice. If your child was hazed in Amite County, we will fight for you.

🔥 To Amite County Fraternities and Universities: We Are Coming

To the fraternities operating near Amite County:

We are tracking your chapters. We are documenting your hazing culture. We know the same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at your Amite County chapters.

To the universities near Amite County:

You own the buildings. You have the power to stop this. You choose reputation over safety. You will be held accountable.

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and all other nationals:

If your chapter operates near Amite County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America. The $10 million fight we’re in now is just the beginning.

The message is clear: Hazing costs millions. We have the receipts. And we are coming for every institution that allows it to continue.

📅 Act Now — Mississippi Statute of Limitations Applies

Mississippi has a strict statute of limitations for personal injury claims. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.

• Personal Injury: 3 years from date of injury (Mississippi Code § 15-1-49)
• Wrongful Death: 3 years from date of death (Mississippi Code § 15-1-51)

Do not wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your rights expire.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free consultation.

🎓 To Amite County Parents: Your Child Deserves Better

You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. You trusted the university. You trusted the Greek organization.

That trust was betrayed.

Your child was tortured. Abused. Hospitalized. Or worse — taken from you forever.

We understand the pain Amite County families are feeling. We understand the rage.

We are here to turn that pain and rage into accountability, compensation, and change.

Your child deserves better. Amite County deserves better. The next generation deserves better.

Call us. Let’s fight for them together.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com

Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Amite County, Mississippi and Nationwide