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Baldwin County Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | Pi Kappa Alpha: $24M | Kappa Sigma: $12.6M Verdict | Attorney911 — The Firm That Closed Beta Nu | Former Insurance Defense | Federal Court | 1-888-ATTY-911

Baldwin County, Earth, Georgia, North America, United States

If you are reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college. Instead, they were tortured. We’re here to help families in Baldwin County, Georgia fight back.

Hazing is a dark secret lurking beneath the surface of college life, even at institutions where families from Baldwin County place their trust. We understand the shock, the anger, and the profound worry that washes over you when you discover your child has been subjected to brutal, humiliating, or life-threatening rituals, all in the name of “tradition” or “brotherhood.” What happened was not an unfortunate misunderstanding; it was a deliberate act of abuse, and you deserve justice.

We are Attorney911, and we are on the front lines of the fight against hazing in America. Our commitment to aggressive representation, data-driven strategy, and unwavering pursuit of accountability has positioned us as leaders in this crucial area of litigation. While our headquarters are in Houston, Texas, our reach extends nationwide, and we are fully equipped to represent families in Baldwin County, Georgia, and across the state. We’ll come to you, or we can consult remotely; geographical distance will not prevent us from seeking justice for your child.

The hazing crisis is not confined to any single state or university. The same national fraternities and sororities that have faced multi-million dollar lawsuits in Texas, Ohio, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania also operate chapters at universities throughout Georgia. Families from Baldwin County, including those whose children attend institutions like Georgia College & State University right here in Milledgeville, or larger universities across the state such as the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia Tech in Atlanta, or Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, send their children expecting safety, not torture. We are here to ensure that when that trust is broken, every responsible party is held accountable.

The Landmark Case: Attorney911 Fights Back in a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re actively fighting it right now in court. The centerpiece of our work, and a stark warning to families in Baldwin County, is the ongoing case of Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. This isn’t just another legal file; it’s a testament to our firm’s aggressive, thorough, and relentless pursuit of justice for hazing victims. It’s a case that demonstrates exactly what kind of representation we bring to every family we serve, including those in Baldwin County.

This $10 million lawsuit, filed in Harris County Civil District Court on November 21, 2025, names Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the president and pledgemaster. It’s a battle we are waging to protect a young man who was brutally hazed, and it sends a clear message: hazing will not be tolerated, and its perpetrators will pay.

News Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

The Case That Shows Baldwin County Families Why We Fight

Leonel Bermudez was what’s known as a “ghost rush”—a prospective member who was not even a University of Houston student yet, planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. What began for Leonel as the hope of joining a fraternity on September 16, 2025, devolved into weeks of systematic abuse, torture, and hazing. This horrific ordeal culminated in his hospitalization for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

This case is a stark warning for Baldwin County families. Pi Kappa Phi, like many national fraternities, has over 150 chapters across America, including those with alumni and housing corporations in Georgia. The same “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez in Houston could just as easily happen to a student at Georgia College & State University, the University of Georgia, or Georgia Tech. Universities, whether in Houston or near Baldwin County, face the same institutional liability failures when they do not protect their students.

As Mr. Manginello told ABC13, “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.” This terrifying experience is precisely what we are fighting against. Mr. Peña added, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” We bring this same passion and determination to every hazing case, including those from Baldwin County.

What Happened: The Horrific Timeline

The hazing of Leonel Bermudez was not an isolated incident but a systematic campaign of physical and psychological torture.

  • September 16, 2025: Leonel Bermudez accepts a bid to Pi Kappa Phi, hoping to join a brotherhood.
  • September 16 – November 3, 2025: Weeks of systematic hazing begin. Leonel is forced to participate in an enforced dress code, complete study hours, and endure weekly interviews. He is made to drive fraternity members in the early morning hours, leading to dangerous exhaustion. He is forced to carry a fanny pack containing sexual objects and threatened with physical punishment or expulsion if he disobeys.
  • October 13, 2025: In a separate incident, another pledge is hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. This shows a pattern of extreme degradation.
  • October 15, 2025: Another pledge loses consciousness and collapses during forced workouts. This tragic event should have signaled an immediate halt to all activities, yet the hazing continued.
  • November 3, 2025: The climax of the abuse. Leonel is brutally punished for missing an event. He is forced through a brutal regimen of 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. While enduring this, he is sprayed in the face with a garden hose, simulating waterboarding. He is repeatedly subjected to forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomits, then made to continue exercising in his own vomit-soaked grass. He is struck with wooden paddles. He becomes so exhausted he cannot stand without help.
  • November 4-5, 2025: Leonel’s condition deteriorates rapidly. He is profoundly sore and unable to move properly.
  • November 6, 2025: His mother, horrified, rushes him to the hospital. He is passing brown urine, a critical sign of severe muscle breakdown.
  • November 6-10, 2025: Leonel is hospitalized for three nights and four days, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
  • November 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters officially closes the Beta Nu Chapter. This pre-emptive action just days before the lawsuit filing demonstrates their awareness of grave misconduct.
  • November 21, 2025: Our firm files the $10 million lawsuit against all responsible parties, sparking widespread media coverage.

What Hazing Really Looks Like

The disturbing details of Leonel Bermudez’s experience highlight the brutal reality of modern hazing. It is not the harmless pranks or innocent initiations that parents often imagine. It is torture, abuse, and often, criminal conduct. We want Baldwin County parents to understand the stark difference between genuine team building and the dangerous activities that put their children at risk.

Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: Leonel was sprayed in the face with a garden hose while exercising, a deliberate act designed to simulate drowning. This is a form of torture considered a war crime when inflicted upon enemy combatants. It was inflicted upon a college student seeking acceptance.

Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges were forced to consume excessive amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited, then made to continue exercising, often in their own vomit. This is designed to break down a person’s will and humiliate them.

Extreme Physical Punishment: Hazing involved hundreds of pushups, hundreds of squats, running “suicides” for hours, bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and “save-you-brother” drills. Leonel’s body, pushed beyond its limits, succumbed to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. Another pledge even lost consciousness during these forced workouts.

Psychological Torture & Humiliation: The fanny pack incident, the hog-tying of another pledge, forced stripping in cold weather, sleep deprivation from forced early-morning drives, and constant threats contributed to immense psychological distress. Such tactics inflict lasting trauma that far exceeds any supposed “bonding.”

Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis, the medical condition Leonel suffered, is the breakdown of muscle tissue that releases a damaging protein (myoglobin) into the bloodstream. This can lead to acute kidney failure and, if untreated, death. Our client’s symptoms included passing brown urine (a classic sign of myoglobin in the urine), painfully high creatine kinase levels indicating severe muscle damage, and acute kidney failure requiring intensive hospitalization. This is the same life-threatening condition Attorney911 has successfully litigated in other hazing cases. Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, making our firm uniquely qualified to understand and fight for victims facing these devastating injuries.

Institutional Responses: A Pattern of Denial

The official statements from both the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National reflect a chilling pattern of institutional evasion rather than genuine remorse.

The University of Houston spokesperson stated, “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards… Any individual found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges.” While phrases like “deeply disturbing” acknowledge the severity, this statement is also an attempt to distance the institution, implying criminal charges for individuals but downplaying its own systemic failures. They knew about hazing in 2017 when another student was hospitalized.

Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, in their own statement, announced they “closed its Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards… We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This admission of “violations” and swift closure before our lawsuit was filed is an admission of guilt. Crucially, their eagerness to “return to campus” demonstrates a disturbing lack of remorse and a belief that the public focus will eventually shift. This highlights the need for substantial punitive damages, for accountability that forces real, lasting change. Pi Kappa Phi’s stated commitment to “prioritizing the well-being of our members” rings hollow when a member is suffering kidney failure directly due to the actions of its chapter—eight years after another Pi Kappa Phi pledge, Andrew Coffey, died from hazing at Florida State.

Why This Case Matters to Baldwin County Families

  1. Proof That “Tradition” Is Torture: The Bermudez case shatters the myth of harmless hazing. This systematic abuse can happen at institutions where families from Baldwin County send their children.
  2. Universities Are Complicit: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. Universities near Baldwin County, whether Georgia College & State University, the University of Georgia, or Georgia Southern, have similar power to regulate Greek life and are similarly liable when they fail to protect students.
  3. National Organizations Know: Pi Kappa Phi’s history, including the death of Andrew Coffey in 2017, demonstrates that national headquarters are well aware of deadly hazing. These same national organizations operate chapters across Georgia and the Southeast.
  4. Victims Are Afraid: Leonel Bermudez fears retribution, a common and paralyzing emotion for hazing victims. We actively protect our clients from such intimidation.
  5. One Brave Victim Can Protect Students: As Lupe Peña notes, Leonel’s case aims to prevent harm to others. Your case in Baldwin County could be the catalyst for change, protecting countless future students.
  6. $10 Million Sends a Message: This substantial lawsuit signals that the price of student torture is severe, and Baldwin County families have the right to demand the same level of accountability.

Who Is Responsible: Every Entity and Individual Who Enabled the Abuse

Hazing is rarely the act of a single individual. It is enabled by a chain of responsibility that extends from individual perpetrators to chapter leadership, to national organizations, and often, to the universities that host these groups. For families in Baldwin County, understanding who can be held accountable is crucial to securing justice.

In the Bermudez case, we are diligently pursuing every liable party:

  • The Local Chapter (Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu): Directly organized and orchestrated the hazing. The chapter’s officers, particularly the fraternity president and pledgemaster, bear significant responsibility for directing these activities.
  • Individual Members: Every fraternity brother who participated in, coerced, or stood by while hazing occurred can be held individually liable for assault, battery, and negligence. This includes former members who hosted hazing at their residences, and even their spouses who allowed such activities on their property.
  • The National Organization (Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters): Despite repeated claims of “zero tolerance” for hazing, national fraternities often fail to adequately supervise local chapters, enforce anti-hazing policies, and respond effectively to red flags. As details from the KHOU 11 report revealed, the national organization was alleged to have “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” Their history, including the death of Andrew Coffey in one of their chapters in 2017, unequivocally demonstrates their knowledge of the risks.
  • The University (University of Houston and UH Board of Regents): The University of Houston owned and directly controlled the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. Universities have a fundamental duty to protect their students and have the authority to regulate Greek life, including the power to suspend or remove organizations. Their failure to act, particularly given a previous hazing hospitalization at UH in 2017, constitutes institutional negligence.
  • Insurance Carriers: This is where the real money often comes from. National organizations carry significant liability insurance, as do universities. Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies may cover individual defendants and those who hosted events. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña possess invaluable insider knowledge of how to navigate these complex insurance structures to maximize recovery for our clients.

The Deep Pockets

It’s important for Baldwin County families to understand that pursuing hazing litigation is not about bankrupting individual college students. It’s about holding incredibly well-resourced institutions accountable. National fraternity and sorority organizations often have millions in assets and comprehensive liability insurance policies. Universities, especially major state institutions often attended by students from Baldwin County, possess substantial endowments and robust insurance coverage. We target these “deep pockets” to ensure victims receive full and fair compensation for their profound injuries and losses.

What Hazing Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

The legal landscape has shifted dramatically in favor of hazing victims. Landmark verdicts and settlements across the country demonstrate that juries and courts are no longer tolerating this dangerous behavior. These cases, often resulting in multi-million dollar awards, send an unequivocal message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations: hazing costs millions, and we have the receipts. The same legal strategies and precedents apply to hazing cases originating in Baldwin County, Georgia.

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021) – Over $10.1 Million

Stone Foltz, a pledge at Bowling Green State University’s Pi Kappa Alpha chapter, died in 2021 from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during an initiation ritual. The tragic outcome resulted in a combined settlement of over $10.1 million, with $2.9 million paid by Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha and its members. This marks the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. Furthermore, in December 2024, Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, was ordered to pay $6.5 million in personal liability. This precedent directly supports our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case and illustrates that universities, national fraternities, and even individual officers can be held financially responsible for hazing.

Maxwell Gruver: Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017) – $6.1 Million Verdict

Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman at Louisiana State University, died from acute alcohol poisoning in 2017 after being forced to play a drinking game called “Bible Study” during a Phi Delta Theta pledge event. His blood alcohol content was a staggering 0.495, more than six times the legal driving limit. A jury ultimately awarded the Gruver family a $6.1 million verdict. This case was so impactful that it led to the passage of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making hazing a felony. The Gruver verdict sends a clear message that juries will not tolerate hazing and are willing to award substantial sums to victims and their families.

Timothy Piazza: Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017) – Over $110 Million

Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old Penn State student, died in 2017 after a brutal Beta Theta Pi hazing ritual. He was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes, leading to a blood alcohol content of 0.36. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after multiple falls down basement stairs. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911. The civil lawsuit resulted in a confidential settlement estimated to be over $110 million, with over 18 fraternity members facing criminal charges, including convictions for involuntary manslaughter. This tragedy also spurred the passage of the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania. The sheer magnitude of this settlement demonstrates the potential for recovery when evidence of egregious hazing is undeniable, as it is in Leonel Bermudez’s case.

Andrew Coffey: Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017) – Same Fraternity as Our Case

In a chilling parallel to the Bermudez case, Andrew Coffey died in 2017 from acute alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” at Florida State University. Pledges, including Coffey, were forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon. Nine fraternity members were criminally charged, and the FSU chapter was permanently closed. While the civil settlement amount was confidential, the impact was profound. This case is a smoking gun for Pi Kappa Phi: they had eight years, from Coffey’s death in 2017 to Bermudez’s hospitalization in 2025, to address their deadly hazing culture. They demonstrably failed, providing powerful evidence of their conscious indifference and pattern of negligence.

Why These Precedents Matter for Baldwin County Victims

These cases are not isolated incidents but reflect a nationwide pattern of institutional failure. For families in Baldwin County, Georgia, these precedents are vital:

  1. Our $10 Million Demand is Supported: The $10.1 million settlement in the Foltz case, involving similar patterns of forced consumption and institutional liability, validates our current $10 million demand in the Bermudez case.
  2. Pi Kappa Phi Has a Deadly Record: The Andrew Coffey death is undeniable proof that Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters knew about deadly hazing within its chapters. This makes the hospitalization of Leonel Bermudez entirely foreseeable and highlights a profound failure to act.
  3. Universities Have a History of Negligence: The University of Houston’s prior hazing incident in 2017 is crucial. If a university in Houston failed to learn from its past, universities near Baldwin County must be on notice of their equal responsibility. Hazing incidents at institutions like Georgia College & State University, the University of Georgia, or Georgia Tech, if unchecked, expose them to similar liability.
  4. Juries Hate Hazing: The $6.1 million jury verdict in the Gruver case demonstrates that a jury, when presented with the facts of egregious hazing, will deliver substantial justice. The waterboarding, forced eating, and physical torture inflicted upon Leonel Bermudez are precisely the kind of conduct that outrage jurors.
  5. Hazing Leads to Criminal Charges and New Laws: The criminal convictions and legislative changes (Max Gruver Act, Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, Collin’s Law) underscore the severity of hazing and society’s demand for accountability. These laws set a standard that empowers victims in Baldwin County to pursue not only civil but also criminal justice.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Victims’ Rights

For families in Baldwin County, while our legal base is in Texas, the foundational principles of hazing law and civil liability are remarkably consistent across states. Texas hazing laws are among the strongest in the nation, providing a robust framework for accountability that we leverage in every case, and similar laws and legal theories apply to victims in Georgia. Additionally, our federal court authority means we can pursue your case regardless of where the hazing occurred.

Texas Hazing Laws (Education Code §§ 37.151-37.157)

The State of Texas has comprehensive anti-hazing laws that define hazing broadly and impose criminal penalties, organizational sanctions, and critically, assert that consent is never a defense.

What is Hazing? (§ 37.151): The law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining an organization, if the act:

  • Involves “physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.”
  • Includes “sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other similar activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.”
  • Forces “consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance… that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.”
  • Requires performing a duty that violates the Penal Code, or coercing a student to consume drugs or excessive alcohol.

Baldwin County Application: The specific acts against Leonel Bermudez—waterboarding, forced eating, extreme calisthenics, physical strikes—categorically fulfill multiple aspects of this legal definition. It is highly likely that similar hazing incidents suffered by students from Baldwin County would meet the criteria of hazing under Georgia’s anti-hazing statutes as well.

Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Individuals who engage in hazing face misdemeanor charges (up to a Class A Misdemeanor for hazing causing serious bodily injury, like Leonel’s kidney failure) and potentially State Jail Felony charges if hazing causes death. Universities must report incidents to state authorities (§ 37.155), and failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor. These criminal aspects often create a powerful backdrop for civil litigation.

Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is one of the most crucial elements of anti-hazing law. The statute explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” This means that any argument by a fraternity or university that a student “voluntarily participated,” “knew what they were getting into,” or “could have left at any time” is legally invalid. What happened to your child in Baldwin County was illegal, regardless of alleged “consent.”

Civil Liability: What Baldwin County Victims Can Sue For

Beyond criminal charges, civil lawsuits allow victims and their families in Baldwin County to seek comprehensive financial compensation. We pursue all applicable legal theories to maximize recovery:

  1. Negligence Claims: This is the cornerstone of most personal injury lawsuits. We demonstrate that the university, national organization, and individual members had a duty of care to protect students, that they breached that duty through their actions or inactions regarding hazing, that this breach directly caused the injuries, and that the injuries resulted in quantifiable damages.
  2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurred on property owned or controlled by the university (as it did for Leonel Bermudez with the University of Houston owning the fraternity house), or on other private property, the owners can be held liable for creating or allowing a dangerous condition.
  3. Negligent Supervision: This theory is critical for holding national fraternities and universities accountable for failing to adequately supervise their chapters or Greek life organizations, respectively. The documented “hazing crisis” known to Pi Kappa Phi National and the prior hazing at UH are prime examples of this negligence.
  4. Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators can face direct civil claims for intentional harmful or offensive contact, such as physical beatings, forced consumption, or waterboarding.
  5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The outrageous and extreme nature of hazing often causes severe emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, and depression, for which victims can seek compensation.
  6. Wrongful Death: In the most tragic cases, where hazing leads to a student’s death, families can pursue wrongful death claims for the profound loss of companionship, economic support, and other damages, often leading to the largest settlements and verdicts.

These civil claims are recognized across state lines. Our firm’s dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) and federal court authority give us a unique advantage in pursuing national organizations wherever they are based, ensuring that Baldwin County families have access to the highest level of expertise.

Why Attorney911 Is the Choice for Baldwin County Hazing Victims

When your family in Baldwin County faces the devastating reality of hazing, you need legal representation that is not only experienced but also deeply committed and strategically superior. Attorney911 is built for these fights. We combine over 25 years of courtroom experience with an unparalleled understanding of how to dismantle the defenses of powerful institutions.

Our Unmatched Advantages:

  • Active in the Fight: The Bermudez Case: We aren’t just reading about hazing; we’re in the trenches. Our ongoing $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is proof that we represent victims aggressively, thoroughly, and relentlessly. This isn’t theoretical; it’s our daily mission. The knowledge, strategies, and resources developed in this case are directly applied to every hazing case we take, including yours in Baldwin County.
  • Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Both Ralph P. Manginello and Lupe Eleno Peña (both male, as some interpret Lupe as a female name) bring a critical insider’s perspective. They spent years working on the defense side for insurance companies and corporations, meticulously learning their tactics, their vulnerabilities, and their settlement playbooks. Now, they use that invaluable knowledge against the very system they once represented. This “insurance counter-intelligence system” is a massive advantage for our clients in Baldwin County.
    • Ralph P. Manginello: With over 25 years of litigation experience, Ralph has handled complex, high-stakes cases, including involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City explosion litigation. This experience against massive corporate defendants is directly applicable to taking on national fraternities and universities. His journalism background also gives him a unique ability to investigate, uncover facts, and tell a compelling story, which is crucial in hazing cases where institutions try to hide the truth.
    • Lupe Eleno Peña: Mr. Peña, also male, brings over a decade of experience from Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm. He defended major insurance companies across various practice areas, giving him intimate knowledge of how they value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize payouts. His “outwork, outsmart, outfight” philosophy is now deployed solely for victims.
  • Federal Court Authority: Our attorneys are admitted to the U.S. District Court. This federal authority is a significant advantage when national fraternities are headquartered in other states or when interstate hazing occurs, allowing us to pursue justice in a powerful federal forum, bringing these national organizations to account, no matter how far away they are from Baldwin County.
  • Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas and New York): This dual licensure provides a strategic edge, particularly in cases against national fraternities or universities with ties to other states, demonstrating our broad legal capability.
  • Nationwide Reach, Local Commitment: While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we proudly serve hazing victims in Baldwin County, Georgia, and across the United nation. We conduct remote consultations via phone and video, and our team is prepared to travel to Baldwin County for depositions, meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Distance will not be a barrier to justice.
  • Se Habla Español: We offer bilingual staff and services, ensuring that Spanish-speaking families in Baldwin County receive comprehensive legal support without language barriers.
  • No Upfront Costs: Contingency Fees: We understand that the financial burden of a hazing incident, coupled with medical bills and lost educational opportunities, can be immense. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay absolutely nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case. This aligns our interests directly with yours and ensures that powerful institutions cannot use their financial might to intimidate victims. For Baldwin County families concerned about costs, this means immediate access to top-tier legal talent without financial risk.
  • Reputation for Results: Our Google My Business rating of 4.9 stars with over 250 reviews speaks volumes. Clients consistently praise our communication, dedication, and ability to secure maximum settlements. Testimonials like “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such” and “They fought with the other party insurance and got me more of the settlement that I was expecting” underscore our unique client-first approach.

We Don’t Just Talk About Hazing. We’re Fighting It Right Now.

The Bermudez case is a live demonstration of our commitment. We identified every entity behind the Greek letters, from the national headquarters to the housing corporation (Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc with EIN 462267515 in Frisco, Texas), to the University itself, and 13 individuals. We knew their corporate structure, their insurance, and their history. The result? The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter was suspended, then permanently closed, within weeks of our client’s hazing being reported. Criminal referrals were initiated. And our $10 million lawsuit is proceeding to hold them all accountable. This is what data-driven, aggressive hazing litigation looks like, and it’s the same fight we’ll bring to Baldwin County.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Guidance for Baldwin County Families

If your child has been subjected to hazing in Baldwin County, Georgia, or while attending college elsewhere, every moment counts. The emotional turmoil is immense, but immediate action is critical to preserve evidence and protect your legal rights. Here are the steps you should take:

  1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your child’s health and safety are paramount. Even if injuries seem minor, get them thoroughly examined by a doctor. Some injuries, like rhabdomyolysis or traumatic brain injury, may not be immediately apparent. Document everything the medical professionals note, every visit, and every diagnosis. This medical record is vital evidence.
  2. Preserve All Evidence: Hazing practices thrive in secrecy. Combating them requires meticulous documentation.
    • Medical Records: Obtain copies of all emergency room visits, hospital stays, doctor’s notes, medical bills, and therapy records related to the hazing.
    • Photos and Videos: Take pictures of any physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) at all stages of healing. If possible and safe, covertly document locations where hazing occurred, or any physical evidence related to the activities. Remember, using your phone to document evidence can be crucial.
    • Communications: Crucially, SAVE EVERYTHING! This includes text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages, Instagram DMs, emails, or any other digital communication among members, pledges, or relevant parties. Screenshot messages and save them offline. Do not delete anything from your phone, and avoid changing settings that might auto-delete messages. As Attorney Manginello emphasizes, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”
    • Witness Information: Collect names and contact details of any other pledges, witnesses, or even bystanders who may have seen or heard about the hazing.
    • Organizational Documents: Keep any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or communications your child received from the fraternity, sorority, or organization.
    • Financial Records: Document any medical expenses, lost wages from missed work or internship opportunities, and tuition/fees paid.
    • Academic Records: Gather any records showing an impact on grades, enrollment status, or scholarships.
  3. Do NOT Communicate with the Perpetrators or Institutions:
    • Do NOT delete any messages, posts, or evidence. This could be considered spoliation and harm your case.
    • Do NOT talk to fraternity/sorority leadership, university administration, or their lawyers without legal counsel. They are not on your side; their goal is to protect themselves and minimize liability. They will actively try to get statements from you, which can be legally damaging.
    • Do NOT sign any documents from the organization or university. You could unknowingly waive critical legal rights.
    • Do NOT post about the incident on social media. Anything you post online, even seemingly innocuous updates, can be used by defense attorneys to undermine your credibility or claim of injury. As we advise in our video “Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case,” social media can be a minefield for victims.
  4. Understand the Statute of Limitations: Most states, including Georgia, have a statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases, typically two years from the date of the injury or death. While two years may seem like a long time, crucial evidence can disappear quickly, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations may destroy records. Our video, “Texas Statutes of Limitations,” highlights these critical deadlines. Delay is your enemy.
  5. Contact an Experienced Hazing Litigation Attorney Immediately: This is the most critical step. A specialized hazing lawyer can:
    • File immediate preservation letters to prevent the destruction of evidence.
    • Guide you through gathering and securing crucial evidence.
    • Handle all communications with the university and Greek organizations.
    • Ensure your legal rights are protected from the outset.
    • Assess the viability of your case and identify all potential defendants.
    • For Baldwin County families, call us for a free, confidential consultation. Our attorneys are available 24/7.

Contact Us: Your Legal 911 in Baldwin County for Hazing Victims

The moment you discover your child has been a victim of hazing, it’s a legal emergency. That’s why we are Attorney911—your first responders to injustice. For families in Baldwin County, Georgia, who are navigating this nightmare, please know that you do not have to face it alone. We are ready to bring our aggressive, data-driven approach, refined through cases like Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi, directly to your aid.

You have legal rights. We are fighting this fight right now – and we’ll fight for Baldwin County victims too.

Our attorneys are currently representing a hazing victim against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in a $10 million lawsuit. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. We know how to WIN. Baldwin County families get the same aggressive representation.

Baldwin County Families – Call Now for a Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Available 24/7 for Baldwin County hazing emergencies.

We work on CONTINGENCY – $0 upfront for Baldwin County families. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid. Our video “How Contingency Fees Work” explains this in detail.

We Serve Baldwin County Hazing Victims — and Hazing Victims Nationwide

While our primary offices are strategically located in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, to serve the largest state university systems, our commitment to fighting hazing knows no geographical boundaries. Hazing happens at colleges and universities across America, including institutions where Baldwin County students enroll. We are equipped to evaluate and pursue your case regardless of where the incident occurred.

  • Federal Court Authority: Our admission to the U.S. District Court allows us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often crucial when dealing with national organizations or interstate hazing incidents.
  • Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello holds licenses in both Texas and New York, providing a strategic advantage for cases involving national fraternities and sororities that may be headquartered or heavily involved in multiple states.
  • Video Consultations: For the convenience of Baldwin County families, we offer secure and confidential video consultations, allowing you to meet with our attorneys from the comfort and privacy of your home.
  • Travel Commitment: Distance is not a barrier to justice. Our attorneys are prepared to travel to Baldwin County for depositions, client meetings, or trials as needed, ensuring a robust and personalized defense.

We represent victims of hazing in a wide array of student organizations, not just traditional fraternities and sororities. This includes:

  • Fraternities and sororities at institutions near Baldwin County, such as Georgia College & State University, the University of Georgia, and Georgia Southern University.
  • Sports teams and athletic clubs in Baldwin County.
  • Marching bands and other performance groups.
  • ROTC programs and military academies.
  • Any organization that employs abusive rituals as part of an initiation or membership process.

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know there are more of you. Leonel Bermudez was not the only one. Another pledge lost consciousness. Others endured the same waterboarding, forced eating, and extreme physical abuse. You have rights too. We can represent you and ensure your story is heard and justice is served. As Lupe Peña powerfully stated, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Call us. Let’s bring them all to justice.

For further information on your rights and to learn more about our firm, visit our website at attorney911.com. You can also find valuable insights on our YouTube channel, @Manginellolawfirm, which covers topics like preserving evidence, avoiding common mistakes, and understanding the legal process. Learn about Ralph Manginello directly at Attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/ and Lupe Peña at Attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

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