🚨 Hazing Victims in Atlantic County: You Are Not Alone. We Are Fighting This Battle.

This is happening at universities near Atlantic County. The same fraternities operate near Atlantic County. The same negligence exists at Atlantic County institutions. And we will fight for Atlantic County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to this case.

🏢 Who We Are: Atlantic County’s Hazing Litigation Experts

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving we know how to win these cases. While based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Atlantic County, New Jersey.

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense lawyers—we know exactly how the other side thinks and fights. We use that insider knowledge to maximize compensation for hazing victims and their families.

Why Atlantic County Families Choose Attorney 911:

✅ 25+ Years of Litigation Experience – Battle-tested in courtrooms across Texas and federal courts
✅ Former Insurance Defense Insight – We know how to dismantle their playbook
✅ Federal Court Authority – Can pursue Atlantic County cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Dual-State Bar Admission – Licensed in Texas and New York
✅ Hazing-Specific Expertise – Currently litigating a $10M hazing case; experience with rhabdomyolysis, fraternity abuse, and university negligence
✅ Nationwide Reach – We travel to Atlantic County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
✅ Se Habla Español – Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families
✅ Contingency Fee – $0 upfront for Atlantic County families. We don’t get paid unless we win.

Atlantic County families deserve the same aggressive representation we provide in Texas.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis: What Atlantic County Families Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It’s abuse, torture, and sometimes manslaughter. And it’s happening at universities near Atlantic County.

This is what hazing looks like in Atlantic County:

• Waterboarding – Simulated drowning with hoses
• Forced drinking – Until vomiting or passing out
• Extreme physical punishment – 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls until collapse
• Psychological torture – Humiliation, threats, sleep deprivation
• Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects
• Sleep deprivation – Forced to drive members at all hours
• Wooden paddles – Physical beatings

This isn’t “tradition.” This is a crime.

⚠️ The Landmark Case: What Happened at University of Houston Could Happen in Atlantic County

Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi – $10 Million Lawsuit (2025)

What Happened:
Leonel Bermudez, a “ghost rush” (not even enrolled at UH yet), accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. Over 7 weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse that hospitalized him for 4 days with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.

The Hazing Activities:

• 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 lie in vomit-soaked grass
• Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout—fraternity did nothing
• Forced to carry a fanny pack with sexual objects at all times
• Threatened with expulsion if he didn’t comply

The Result:

• November 3, 2025: Bermudez collapsed after extreme hazing
• November 6, 2025: Hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• 3 nights, 4 days in the hospital fighting for his life
• November 21, 2025: $10 million lawsuit filed by Attorney 911

The Same Hazing Happens in Atlantic County.

Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide—including near Atlantic County. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist at Atlantic County fraternities. The same negligence exists at Atlantic County universities.

This could happen to your child in Atlantic County.

💰 Precedent Cases: Atlantic County Families CAN Win Big

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. These same results are possible for Atlantic County victims.

Stone Foltz – Pi Kappa Alpha (2021) – $10.1 Million

• Victim: Stone Foltz, 20, Bowling Green State University
• Hazing: Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol
• Result: Died from alcohol poisoning
• Outcome: $10.1 million settlement (university + fraternity paid)

Maxwell Gruver – Phi Delta Theta (2017) – $6.1 Million Jury Verdict

• Victim: Maxwell Gruver, 18, Louisiana State University
• Hazing: Forced drinking game (“Bible Study”) – wrong answer = drink more
• Result: Died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495 – 6x legal limit)
• Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict; Max Gruver Act (hazing now a felony in Louisiana)

Timothy Piazza – Beta Theta Pi (2017) – $110+ Million

• Victim: Timothy Piazza, 19, Penn State University
• Hazing: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes (BAC 0.36)
• Result: Fell down stairs repeatedly; fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911; died from traumatic brain injury
• Outcome: $110+ million settlement; Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law

⚖️ Atlantic County Victims’ Legal Rights

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Atlantic County?

New Jersey Hazing Laws

New Jersey has strict anti-hazing laws (N.J.S.A. 2C:40-3):

• Hazing is a crime – Up to 5 years in prison for serious bodily injury
• Consent is NOT a defense – Even if the victim “agreed” to participate
• Organizations can be fined – Up to $15,000 for hazing violations
• Universities must report hazing – Failure to report is a crime

Atlantic County families can sue for:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Lost wages
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)

📋 What Atlantic County Families Should Do If Their Child Is Hazed

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries can be life-threatening
• Document everything – Hospital records are critical evidence

Step 2: Preserve ALL Evidence

• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any items used
• Save all communications – Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs
• Get witness contact info – Other pledges, bystanders
• Do NOT delete anything – Even if it seems embarrassing

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

• They will try to control the narrative
• They will destroy evidence
• They will intimidate witnesses

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
• Email: ralph@atty911.com
• Free consultation – We’ll evaluate your case at no cost

We work on contingency—Atlantic County families pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win.

🎯 Why Atlantic County Families Need Attorney 911

1. We Are Currently Fighting This Battle

• We’re litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit RIGHT NOW
• We know how to defeat the “consent” defense
• We know how to prove institutional negligence

2. We Have Insider Knowledge

• Both attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers
• We know how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability
• We know how to dismantle their defenses

3. We Travel to Atlantic County

• Federal court authority – Can pursue Atlantic County cases in federal jurisdiction
• Willingness to travel – For depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Remote consultations – Atlantic County families can meet with us via video

4. We Get Results

• $10+ million in current hazing case
• Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
• Proven track record against powerful institutions

5. We Protect Atlantic County Families

• We handle ALL communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
• We preserve evidence before it disappears
• We fight for maximum compensation – medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages

📢 Message to Atlantic County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Atlantic County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi—if your chapter operates near Atlantic County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America.

To Atlantic County universities:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.

The Bermudez case is a warning. Your chapter could be next.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Atlantic County Families

Q: My child was hazed, but they “consented.” Can we still sue?

A: YES. New Jersey law says consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity and university are still liable.

Q: We’re in Atlantic County. Can Attorney 911 help us?

A: ABSOLUTELY. We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Atlantic County. We offer video consultations and travel to Atlantic County for your case.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

A: $0 upfront. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict.

Q: What if the fraternity says it was “just tradition”?

A: Tradition is not an excuse for abuse. Hazing is illegal in New Jersey. If it causes injury, the fraternity, university, and individuals can be held liable.

Q: How much is my child’s hazing case worth?

A: Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements. Factors include:

• Severity of injuries
• Medical bills (past and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• University/fraternity’s prior knowledge of hazing
• Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, etc.)

Our current hazing case is seeking $10 million.

Q: What should I do if my child is afraid to come forward?

A: Many hazing victims fear retaliation or social ostracism. We can:

• Protect their identity during initial consultations
• File anonymously in some cases
• Secure restraining orders if needed
• Connect them with mental health resources

You are not alone. We will protect your child.

🏆 Our Commitment to Atlantic County Families

At Attorney 911, we see your child as a person—not a paycheck. We fight hard for Atlantic County families because we truly care.

We will:
✔ Fight aggressively for maximum compensation
✔ Protect your child from retaliation
✔ Hold every liable party accountable—fraternity, university, individuals
✔ Travel to Atlantic County for your case
✔ Work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win

📞 Atlantic County Families: Contact Us Now

Hazing is a legal emergency. Time is critical.

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

Free consultation. No upfront cost. We fight for Atlantic County families.

We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it RIGHT NOW—and we’ll fight for Atlantic County families too.

Enough is enough.