🛡️ Androscoggin County Hazing Victims: Your Legal Rights and How We Can Help

Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. Neither does justice.

If your child has been the victim of hazing at a college or university near Androscoggin County, Maine, you’re not alone. The same national fraternities that have paid millions in settlements nationwide—including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others—operate right here in Maine. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Texas exist at Maine institutions. And the same legal strategies that are winning multi-million dollar verdicts across America apply to Androscoggin County families.

At Attorney 911, we’re 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, and we’re bringing that same aggressive representation to Androscoggin County families.

🚨 What Happened in Texas Could Happen in Androscoggin County

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was a “ghost rush”—not even enrolled at the University of Houston yet—when he accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi. Over seven weeks, he was subjected to:

• Waterboarding 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 continue exercising
• Hog-tied face-down on a table (another pledge)
• Another pledge lost consciousness during forced workouts

On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event. He was forced to do extreme exercises until he couldn’t stand. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. The next day, he couldn’t move. His mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days in the hospital fighting for his life.

This is not “tradition.” This is not “brotherhood.” This is torture.

And it’s happening at colleges and universities near Androscoggin County too.

🏛️ Maine’s Hazing Problem: What Androscoggin County Families Need to Know

While Maine doesn’t have the same large Greek life presence as Southern states, hazing occurs across all types of student organizations in Androscoggin County and throughout Maine:

Where Hazing Happens in Androscoggin County:

• Fraternities and sororities at local colleges and universities
• Sports teams (varsity, club, intramural)
• Marching bands and music ensembles
• ROTC programs
• Academic clubs and honor societies
• Student government organizations
• Athletic teams and intramural sports
• Performing arts groups

Maine’s Hazing Laws: What Androscoggin County Families Should Know

Maine has strong anti-hazing statutes that apply to all student organizations:

Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A §6553: Hazing

“Hazing means any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution.”

Key Provisions:

• Criminal penalties: Hazing is a Class D crime (up to 1 year in jail, $2,000 fine)
• Institutional liability: Organizations can be fined and lose recognition
• Consent is not a defense: Even if a student “agrees” to participate, it’s still illegal
• Reporting requirements: Schools must report hazing incidents to law enforcement

Maine’s law is clear: Hazing is a crime, and institutions that allow it can be held accountable.

💰 The Legal Case: Why Androscoggin County Families Can Win

1. Who Can Be Held Liable in Androscoggin County Hazing Cases?

2. Types of Compensation Available to Androscoggin County Families

3. Recent Hazing Verdicts and Settlements (What Androscoggin County Families Can Expect)

Androscoggin County families: These verdicts prove that hazing cases win. The same legal strategies apply to Maine cases, and we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case that sets the precedent for Androscoggin County victims.

🔍 What Androscoggin County Families Should Do If Their Child Was Hazed

IMMEDIATE ACTION STEPS:

1. Seek Medical Attention

   • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
   • Document all symptoms and treatments
   • Request copies of all medical records

2. Preserve All Evidence

   • DO NOT delete any text messages, social media posts, or emails
   • Take screenshots of all communications about hazing
   • Save photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
   • Document witness names and contact information
   • Keep all physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)

3. Report to Authorities

   • File a police report with local law enforcement
   • Report to the university’s Title IX office
   • Report to the national organization (if applicable)

4. Contact an Attorney Immediately

   • DO NOT talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal counsel
   • DO NOT give recorded statements to insurance companies
   • DO NOT sign any documents from the organization
   • DO NOT post about the incident on social media

5. Document Everything

   • Keep a journal of what happened
   • Note dates, times, locations of hazing incidents
   • Describe all injuries and symptoms
   • Record how the hazing has affected your child’s life

⚖️ How Attorney 911 Can Help Androscoggin County Families

1. Our Experience: Why Choose Us for Androscoggin County Hazing Cases

2. Our Approach to Androscoggin County Hazing Cases

For Androscoggin County families, we:

• Build cases with expert witnesses (medical, Greek life culture, institutional negligence)
• Preserve evidence immediately — texts, photos, medical records, witness statements
• Negotiate from strength — we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case
• Travel to Androscoggin County for depositions, meetings, and trials when needed
• Provide remote consultations — Androscoggin County families can video chat with our attorneys
• Handle all communications — we deal with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
• Fight for maximum compensation — medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages

If a university, fraternity, or insurance company tries to silence Androscoggin County hazing victims, we take it to court.

📞 Androscoggin County Families: Take Action Now

Hazing victims in Androscoggin County deserve justice. You have legal rights. You have options. And you don’t have to fight this battle alone.

FREE CONSULTATION FOR ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY HAZING VICTIMS

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

We work on CONTINGENCY — $0 upfront for Androscoggin County families. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid.

What Happens When You Call:

1. Free Case Evaluation — We listen to your story and explain your rights
2. Evidence Review — We help you preserve and document all evidence
3. Legal Strategy — We outline your options and potential outcomes
4. No Pressure — You decide if you want to move forward
5. Immediate Action — We send preservation letters and begin building your case

Androscoggin County families: The clock is ticking. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations expire. Call us today.

🏆 Our Promise to Androscoggin County Families

We promise to fight for Androscoggin County hazing victims with the same aggression we’re bringing to our current $10 million case. We promise to:

✅ Treat your child like our own — with compassion and respect
✅ Pursue every liable party — from individual members to national organizations
✅ Fight for maximum compensation — medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages
✅ Protect your privacy — we handle all communications discreetly
✅ Keep you informed — regular updates on your case
✅ Travel to Androscoggin County — for depositions, trials, and client meetings
✅ Stand by you — through every step of the legal process

You are not alone. We are Attorney 911. We are your legal emergency responders.

📚 Androscoggin County Hazing Resources

Maine-Specific Resources:

1. Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA)

   • Website: mecasa.org
   • Helpline: 1-800-871-7741
   • Provides support for victims of sexual assault and harassment (common in hazing)

2. Maine Department of Education

   • Website: maine.gov/doe
   • Contact: (207) 624-6600
   • Can provide information on school reporting requirements

3. Maine Attorney General’s Office

   • Website: maine.gov/ag
   • Consumer Protection: (207) 626-8849
   • Can provide guidance on legal options

4. University of Maine System

   • Website: maine.edu
   • For students at UMaine campuses

5. Bates College, Bowdoin College, Colby College

   • Each has its own Title IX office and student conduct resources

National Hazing Prevention Resources:

1. HazingPrevention.Org

   • Website: hazingprevention.org
   • National organization dedicated to hazing prevention

2. StopHazing

   • Website: stophazing.org
   • Research and education on hazing prevention

3. Gordie Center

   • Website: gordie.org
   • Focuses on alcohol education and hazing prevention

4. Clery Center

   • Website: clerycenter.org
   • Works on campus safety and transparency

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Androscoggin County Families

1. What is considered hazing in Maine?

Maine law defines hazing as:

“Any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution.”

This includes:

• Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse (humiliation, degradation)
• Sexual abuse or harassment
• Any activity that creates unreasonable risk of harm

It does NOT matter if the student “consented.” Maine law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

2. My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?

We understand that hazing victims often feel pressure to stay silent due to:

• Fear of retaliation
• Loyalty to the organization
• Shame or embarrassment
• Fear of being ostracized
• Not recognizing it as hazing

What you can do:

• Document everything — even if your child doesn’t want to report now, evidence may be needed later
• Seek medical attention — for physical and psychological injuries
• Contact an attorney — we can explain your child’s rights without pressure
• Preserve evidence — texts, photos, social media posts
• Encourage reporting — to police, Title IX, or the university

Remember: Hazing often escalates. Reporting now could prevent more serious harm to your child or others.

3. Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

Yes. Maine’s hazing law applies to:

• On-campus activities
• Off-campus activities
• Anywhere an organization operates

Examples of off-campus hazing that can lead to lawsuits:

• Hazing at a member’s apartment
• Hazing at a rented event space
• Hazing during a retreat or trip
• Hazing at a bar or restaurant
• Hazing at an alumni’s home

Liability extends to:

• The organization that sponsored the event
• The property owner where hazing occurred
• Individual members who participated
• The national organization

4. What if my child was drinking during the hazing?

This does not prevent you from suing. Maine law states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child voluntarily consumed alcohol:

• Forced consumption is still hazing
• Peer pressure negates true consent
• Minors cannot legally consent to alcohol
• The organization is still liable for creating the dangerous situation

Insurance companies will try to blame the victim. Don’t let them. We know how to fight these tactics.

5. How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Maine?

Maine’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 6 years. However, we recommend acting immediately because:

• Evidence disappears quickly
• Witnesses forget details
• Organizations destroy records
• Criminal investigations may have shorter deadlines

For minors: The clock may not start until the victim turns 18.

Don’t wait. Contact us today to protect your rights.

6. Can we sue the university even if they didn’t know about the hazing?

Yes, and here’s why:

Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. Even if they didn’t know about specific hazing incidents, they can be liable for:

• Failure to supervise Greek life or other student organizations
• Failure to investigate reports or rumors of hazing
• Failure to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Premises liability if hazing occurred on university property
• Negligent hiring of advisors or staff who enabled hazing

In our current case:

• The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
• They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 at another fraternity
• They failed to implement effective oversight

Androscoggin County universities face the same liability.

7. What if the fraternity is already suspended or closed?

This doesn’t prevent you from suing. In fact, it may strengthen your case:

• Chapter closure is an admission that something was wrong
• National organizations still have assets and insurance
• Universities can still be held liable for allowing the culture to develop
• Individual members can still be sued personally

In our case:

• Pi Kappa Phi closed the UH chapter before the lawsuit was filed
• This shows they knew litigation was coming
• It’s an admission of liability

Don’t let them think closing the chapter ends their responsibility. It doesn’t.

8. How much is our Androscoggin County hazing case worth?

Every case is unique, but recent hazing verdicts and settlements provide guidance:

Factors that increase value:

• Egregious conduct (waterboarding, paddling, forced consumption)
• Pattern of hazing at the same organization
• University knowledge and failure to act
• Permanent injuries or disabilities
• Psychological trauma requiring long-term treatment
• Punitive damages for outrageous conduct

9. What if we can’t afford a lawyer?

You don’t need to. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:

• $0 upfront — no retainer, no hourly fees
• We only get paid if you win — from the settlement or verdict
• Typical fee is 33-40% of the recovery
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

This levels the playing field. Androscoggin County families can fight powerful institutions without financial risk.

10. Will the fraternity try to intimidate us into dropping the case?

Yes, and here’s how to handle it:

Fraternities and universities often use intimidation tactics, including:

• Threatening to sue you for defamation
• Claiming you’re “ruining lives”
• Offering quick, lowball settlements
• Pressuring you to “keep it in the family”
• Threatening academic consequences

What to do:

• Do not engage — refer all communications to your attorney
• Do not sign anything without legal review
• Document all threats — they can be used as evidence
• Stay strong — they’re trying to scare you into dropping the case

We’ve seen these tactics before. We know how to protect our clients.

🎯 The Attorney 911 Difference for Androscoggin County Families

1. We’re Not Just Lawyers — We’re Former Insiders

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. We know how insurance companies:

• Value claims
• Delay payments
• Deny liability
• Try to blame victims

We use that knowledge against them. Every tactic they taught us to use against victims, we now use to dismantle their defenses.

2. We Have Specific Hazing Experience

• Currently litigating $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH
• Experience with rhabdomyolysis cases
• Knowledge of Greek life culture and dynamics
• Experience with university liability and Title IX

3. We Fight for Androscoggin County Families Like Family

We understand what’s at stake:

• Your child’s health and future
• Your family’s financial security
• The safety of other Androscoggin County students

We treat your child like our own. We fight with the same intensity we’d use if this happened to our family.

4. We Travel to Androscoggin County

While we’re based in Texas, we:

• Offer video consultations for Androscoggin County families
• Travel to Androscoggin County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Work with local Maine attorneys when needed
• Are admitted to federal court, allowing us to pursue cases nationwide

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. We Don’t Back Down

Universities and national fraternities have:

• Teams of lawyers
• Risk management departments
• Crisis PR teams
• Insurance companies

They will fight hard to minimize your claim. We fight harder.

We don’t settle for less than you deserve. If they won’t offer a fair settlement, we take them to trial.

📅 What Happens Next for Androscoggin County Families

Step 1: Free Consultation

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com
• We listen to your story and explain your rights
• No pressure, no obligation

Step 2: Case Evaluation

• We review all evidence (medical records, texts, photos)
• We identify all liable parties
• We outline your legal options

Step 3: Evidence Preservation

• We send preservation letters to all defendants
• We help you document all injuries and damages
• We collect witness statements

Step 4: Demand and Negotiation

• We send a demand letter to all defendants
• We negotiate with insurance companies and lawyers
• We fight for a fair settlement

Step 5: Litigation (If Necessary)

• We file a lawsuit in the appropriate court
• We conduct discovery (depositions, document requests)
• We prepare for trial

Step 6: Resolution

• Settlement or verdict
• Compensation for your damages
• Closure and justice

🚨 Androscoggin County Families: Time Is Critical

Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations expire.

The fraternity and university will:

• Destroy text messages and social media posts
• Coordinate their stories
• Pressure witnesses to stay silent
• Offer lowball settlements

Don’t let them get away with it. Call us today.

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

We are Attorney 911. We are your legal emergency responders. And we’re ready to fight for Androscoggin County families.