🛡️ Armstrong County Hazing Victim Representation — Attorney 911
Hazing Happens in Armstrong County. We Fight Back.
Armstrong County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities and Greek organizations to provide positive experiences. That trust is being broken.
Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “building brotherhood.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s torture. And it’s happening right here in Armstrong County.
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will bring that same aggressive representation to Armstrong County hazing victims.
If your child has been hazed in Armstrong County, you are not alone. We will fight for you.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Armstrong County
Hazing is Closer Than You Think
Armstrong County is home to Kittanning, Ford City, Leechburg, and surrounding communities. Families here send their children to colleges and universities across Pennsylvania and beyond — including Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Slippery Rock, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and more.
At these institutions, national fraternities and sororities operate chapters. The same organizations that have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide have active chapters where your Armstrong County children might be pledging.
The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at Armstrong County-area universities.
What Hazing Looks Like in Armstrong County
Hazing isn’t just harmless pranks. In Armstrong County-area schools, hazing can include:
| Category | Examples | Armstrong County Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, burning | Documented at Pennsylvania universities |
| Forced Consumption | Alcohol (binge drinking), food (eating until vomiting), non-food substances | Common in Armstrong County-area Greek life |
| Extreme Exercise | Hundreds of pushups, squats, bear crawls, “suicides” | Led to rhabdomyolysis in our Houston case |
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning with hoses or other methods | Documented in our current lawsuit |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced late nights, early mornings, disrupted sleep | Common in Armstrong County hazing |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, threats | Creates long-term trauma |
| Sexual Abuse | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects | Reported at Pennsylvania universities |
| Servitude | Forced cleaning, driving, errands for members | Common in Armstrong County-area chapters |
This isn’t just happening elsewhere. It’s happening where Armstrong County students go to school.
⚠️ The Landmark Case: Why Armstrong County Families Need to Pay Attention
We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now — And We’ll Fight for Armstrong County
On November 21, 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after weeks of systematic hazing.
This case is a warning to Armstrong County families.
What Happened to Leonel Bermudez
Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. What followed was weeks of torture disguised as “tradition”:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning
- Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups — until he couldn’t stand
- Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault
- Forced to eat until vomiting — then forced to continue exercising
- Forced to strip to underwear in cold weather — exposure
- Carry a fanny pack with sexual objects — humiliation
- Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour — torture
On November 3, 2025, after being forced to exercise past the point of physical exhaustion, Bermudez collapsed. 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 four days in the hospital fighting for his life.
This happened in Houston. It could happen in Armstrong County.
Why This Case Matters to Armstrong County Families
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Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide — including near Armstrong County.
- The same national organization that waterboarded Bermudez operates at universities where Armstrong County students attend.
- If they did this in Houston, they’re doing it elsewhere.
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Universities near Armstrong County face the same liability failures as UH.
- UH owned the fraternity house. They had the power to stop the hazing. They didn’t.
- Armstrong County-area universities have the same power — and the same responsibility.
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The same “traditions” exist in Armstrong County.
- Forced drinking, extreme exercise, paddling, humiliation — these are not limited to Texas.
- Armstrong County students are being subjected to the same abuse.
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Armstrong County families deserve the same aggressive representation.
- We are fighting this case right now. We will fight for Armstrong County victims with the same fury.
💰 Precedent Cases: Armstrong County Victims CAN Win
Hazing lawsuits result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. These cases prove that Armstrong County victims can and do win big.
Recent Hazing Verdicts & Settlements
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Settlement | $4+ million |
Armstrong County families: These results are possible for Armstrong County victims too. The same legal strategies apply.
⚖️ Legal Framework: Armstrong County Victims’ Rights
Pennsylvania Hazing Law
Pennsylvania has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to Armstrong County students:
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2802-2809 — Hazing
Definition of Hazing:
Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization.
Criminal Penalties:
| Offense Level | Conduct | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor of the Third Degree | Hazing | Up to 1 year in jail; $2,500 fine |
| Felony of the Third Degree | Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death | Up to 7 years in prison; $15,000 fine |
Organizational Penalties:
- Fines up to $5,000
- Loss of recognition by educational institution
Consent is NOT a Defense:
“It is not a defense that the victim consented to the hazing.”
Institutional Reporting Requirements:
- Universities must report hazing incidents to law enforcement within 72 hours.
Civil Liability for Hazing in Armstrong County
Armstrong County victims can sue for:
| Legal Theory | What It Means | Armstrong County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Negligence | Duty → Breach → Causation → Damages | Universities and fraternities owe a duty of care to Armstrong County students |
| Premises Liability | Property owner responsibility | If hazing occurs in a fraternity house owned by the university |
| Negligent Supervision | Failure to monitor | National fraternities and universities failing to supervise Armstrong County chapters |
| Assault & Battery | Intentional harmful contact | Physical abuse like paddling, waterboarding, forced exercise |
| Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress | Outrageous conduct causing severe distress | Psychological torture, humiliation, threats |
| Vicarious Liability | Organization responsible for member conduct | National fraternities liable for Armstrong County chapter actions |
🏢 Who We Sue for Armstrong County Hazing Victims
When hazing happens in Armstrong County, we pursue every liable party:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Armstrong County Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Armstrong County-area chapters engage in same conduct |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities | Armstrong County chapter leaders face personal liability |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing | Armstrong County members can be sued individually |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew of hazing culture | Same nationals operate near Armstrong County |
| University | Failed to prevent hazing; premises liability | Armstrong County universities have same duty |
| Housing Corporation | Owned property where hazing occurred | Armstrong County fraternity houses may be owned by corporations |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes | Armstrong County alumni may facilitate hazing |
Armstrong County families: We don’t just sue broke college students. We go after the institutions with deep pockets — the national fraternities, the universities, the housing corporations.
📋 What Armstrong County Families Should Do
If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Armstrong County
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Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) have delayed symptoms.
- Document everything with medical records.
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Preserve All Evidence
- DO NOT DELETE any text messages, social media posts, photos, or videos.
- Take screenshots of all communications about hazing.
- Save physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing).
- Get contact information for witnesses.
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Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative.
- DO NOT give statements without legal counsel.
- DO NOT sign anything from the organization.
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Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911
- We offer free consultations for Armstrong County hazing victims.
- $0 upfront — we work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win.
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Report to Authorities
- Consider filing a police report.
- Report to the university’s Title IX office (if applicable).
🎯 Why Armstrong County Families Choose Attorney 911
We Are the Hazing Litigation Experts Armstrong County Needs
| Advantage | What It Means for Armstrong County Families |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years of Litigation Experience | Proven track record in complex cases |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know how the other side thinks — and how to beat them |
| Federal Court Authority | Can pursue Armstrong County cases in federal jurisdiction |
| Dual-State Bar Admission | Texas AND New York — strategic advantage against national fraternities |
| Nationwide Hazing Expertise | Currently litigating $10M hazing case; experience with rhabdomyolysis, Kappa Sigma, Texas A&M cases |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Armstrong County families |
| Contingency Fee Representation | $0 upfront; you pay nothing unless we win |
| Willingness to Travel | We come to Armstrong County for depositions, meetings, and trials |
| 24/7 Availability | Legal emergencies don’t wait; neither do we |
Our Approach to Armstrong County Hazing Cases
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Immediate Evidence Preservation
- Send preservation letters to all defendants
- Obtain text messages, social media, photos, videos
- Interview witnesses
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Aggressive Investigation
- Work with medical experts to document injuries
- Identify all liable parties (individuals, organizations, universities)
- Uncover pattern evidence (prior hazing incidents)
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Strategic Negotiation
- Demand policy limits from insurance carriers
- Push for early settlement when possible
- Prepare for trial if defendants refuse to pay fair compensation
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Trial Readiness
- We are not afraid to take Armstrong County cases to trial
- Juries hate hazing — they award millions when they hear the truth
- Our attorneys have decades of trial experience
💔 Types of Hazing Injuries We Handle for Armstrong County Families
| Injury Type | Examples | Armstrong County Cases We Handle |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Injuries | Broken bones, burns, lacerations, rhabdomyolysis | Hospitalization cases, permanent damage |
| Psychological Trauma | PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation | Therapy cases, emotional distress |
| Sexual Assault | Forced nudity, sexual acts, harassment | Title IX claims, criminal referrals |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced binge drinking, chugging | Coma, death, long-term health consequences |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | From beatings or falls | Cognitive impairment, memory loss |
| Wrongful Death | Hazing resulting in death | Family representation, multi-million dollar claims |
📞 Armstrong County Families: Call Now
If your child has been hazed in Armstrong County, time is critical.
- Evidence disappears — texts get deleted, witnesses forget
- Statute of limitations — Pennsylvania has strict deadlines
- Universities and fraternities will try to silence you
We are here to fight for Armstrong County families.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a Free Consultation
- Available 24/7 for Armstrong County hazing emergencies
- $0 upfront — we work on contingency
- Video consultations available for Armstrong County families
- We travel to Armstrong County for meetings and depositions
🏛️ Armstrong County-Area Universities: We Are Watching
To fraternities and universities operating near Armstrong County:
We are watching.
The same legal strategies that are securing $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.
- Pi Kappa Phi — We are suing your national organization right now.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma, Beta Theta Pi — If your Armstrong County chapters haze students, you will pay.
- Penn State, Pitt, Slippery Rock, IUP, and other Pennsylvania universities — If you own fraternity houses and fail to protect students, you are liable.
The message is clear: Hazing costs millions. We know how to make you pay.
🔥 Enough Is Enough, Armstrong County
Hazing has no place in Armstrong County. It has no place in Pennsylvania. It has no place in America.
Armstrong County families deserve better.
Armstrong County students deserve to be safe.
Armstrong County victims deserve justice.
At Attorney 911, we are fighting this battle right now. We know how to win. And we will bring that same aggressive representation to Armstrong County.
If your child has been hazed, call us. We will fight for you.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
Serving Armstrong County and all of Pennsylvania — No Distance Too Far for Justice