If you’re reading this in Bedford County, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went off to college, expecting to make friends, build a future, and gain independence. Instead, they were hurt, humiliated, and traumatized by the very people and institutions they were supposed to trust. We are here to help families in Bedford County fight back against the insidious culture of hazing that continues to plague our universities and devastate our communities.

At Attorney911, we understand what you’re going through. The fear, the anger, the overwhelming sense of helplessness – these are common emotions for parents whose child has been subjected to hazing. We want you to know that you are not alone, and that strong, aggressive legal representation is available right here in Virginia, from our firm headquartered in Texas. We may be based in Houston, but our reach and expertise extend nationwide, including right here to Bedford County. We are currently engaged in a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university for hazing that hospitalized a young man with kidney failure, and we bring that same level of dedication and expertise to every family we represent, including yours in Bedford County.

The Hazing Crisis: Why Bedford County Families Need Us

The hazing crisis is not a distant problem; it is a pervasive issue affecting college campuses across America, including those where students from Bedford County attend. Whether your child is at a major university known for its Greek life, a smaller private college, or any institution with student organizations, they are at risk. Hazing is often cloaked in tradition, but make no mistake, it is abuse, plain and simple.

We continuously see cases where individuals and institutions prioritize antiquated “traditions” and reputation over the safety and well-being of young people. This is a betrayal of trust, and it has devastating consequences. For parents in Bedford County, the physical and emotional distance when your child is away at college can amplify feelings of helplessness, but we want you to know that legal action is a powerful way to reclaim control and demand accountability.

The Landmark Case: Our $10 Million Fight Right Now

We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re actively fighting it in court right now. The centerpiece of our work, and a stark warning for Bedford County families, is the ongoing case of Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. This is a $10 million lawsuit we filed in November 2025 against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members. This is not a hypothetical scenario; this is a live battle being fought in Harris County Civil District Court, and it demonstrates exactly what kind of firm Attorney911 is: aggressive, thorough, data-driven, and relentless in pursuing accountability for hazing victims.

This case shows Bedford County families what hazing looks like today, and what we do about it.

The victim, Leonel Bermudez, was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet. He was planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. Yet, the fraternity subjected him to weeks of systematic abuse that included horrifying acts:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose: He was sprayed in the face with a hose while doing calisthenics, a terrifying simulation of drowning that is internationally recognized as torture.
• Hog-tying: Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• Forced eating until vomiting: He was made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, then forced to continue running sprints in his own vomit.
• Extreme physical punishment: He endured over 100 push-ups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls – all while being forced to recite the fraternity creed under threat of expulsion. He was even physically struck with wooden paddles.
• Sleep deprivation and psychological torture: He was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather, carry a fanny pack with sexually explicit objects, and subjected to early morning driving duties that led to exhaustion.

The relentless abuse culminated on November 3, 2025, when Leonel was forced to perform extreme exercises until he could not stand without help. Days later, his mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, a classic sign of muscle breakdown, and spent four days hospitalized. Even now, he faces the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. His fear of retribution is so profound that he is fearful of doing interviews, even though his attorneys are pursuing justice for him.

Within weeks of Leonel’s hospitalization, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended, then permanently closed, with members voting to surrender their charter. Criminal referrals were initiated. But this wasn’t enough. Our firm filed the $10 million lawsuit, naming the university, the national fraternity, the housing corporation, and 13 individual members, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and even a former member and his spouse who allowed hazing to occur at their residence.

This case is the proof that Attorney911 is not theoretical. We are actively fighting right now in Harris County Civil District Court. Leonel’s story is a stark reminder to parents in Bedford County that hazing can occur anywhere, even to students who aren’t officially enrolled. But it also shows that Attorney911 is the firm that fights back, aggressively and relentlessly. We represent Bedford County families with the same fury and dedication we bring to Leonel’s case.

What Hazing Really Looks Like

When families in Bedford County think of hazing, they might envision harmless pranks or mild inconveniences. The reality is far more sinister. Hazing today is often systematic, brutal, and borders on torture. It is a calculated pattern of abuse designed to break down a victim physically, mentally, and emotionally, all under the guise of “building brotherhood” or “tradition.”

What hazing is not: It is not a test of character or a bonding experience. It is not something a student “signs up for” or can “consent” to.

What hazing is:

• Physical Abuse: This includes beatings, paddling, branding, forced calisthenics to exhaustion (like Leonel’s 500 squats), sleep deprivation, and extreme exposure to the elements. Physical hazing can lead to broken bones, internal injuries, severe dehydration, and conditions like rhabdomyolysis.
• Forced Consumption: Forcing pledges to rapidly consume alcohol, food, or even non-food items to the point of illness or unconsciousness is common. This can result in alcohol poisoning, choking, and severe gastrointestinal distress, as it did with Leonel.
• Psychological Torture: Humiliation, degradation, isolation, verbal abuse, and threats are hallmarks of psychological hazing. Leonel’s experience with the fanny pack containing sexual objects or witnessing another pledge hog-tied demonstrates this. This type of abuse can leave lasting scars, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
• Waterboarding and Simulated Drowning: As seen in Leonel’s case, this is a particularly egregious form of abuse, internationally recognized as torture. It involves exposing victims to the terrifying sensation of drowning.
• Sexual Harassment and Abuse: Forced nudity, sexually explicit acts, or handling sexual objects are, unfortunately, also tactics used in hazing rituals.
• Reckless Endangerment: Fraternities force pledges into situations where their lives are at risk, whether through excessive alcohol, lack of sleep, or dangerous tasks.

The consequences for students can be immediate and life-threatening – from cardiac arrest due to overexertion, to brain injury, to alcohol poisoning, and even death. The long-term effects, like Leonel’s potential permanent kidney damage and the psychological trauma, can impact a student’s life for years. This isn’t just “boys being boys”; this is criminal behavior that destroys lives.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Everyone Accountable

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can, and should, be held accountable. Our strategy involves identifying and pursuing every entity that contributed to the incident or failed in their duty to prevent it. We don’t just target the individual perpetrators; we go after the “deep pockets” who knew or should have known better.

In Leonel’s case, we are pursuing:

1. The Local Chapter: The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston directly organized and conducted these hazing activities. The chapter officers, including the president and pledgemaster, bear direct responsibility for directing and allowing the abuse. Individual members who participated in or failed to stop the hazing are also liable.
2. The National Fraternity Organization: Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters is a powerful entity with many resources. Despite knowing about Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017 due to hazing at another of their chapters, and alleged knowledge of a “hazing crisis” within their organization, they failed to implement effective policies or supervision to prevent Leonel’s injuries. National organizations often have substantial assets and insurance policies.
3. The University and Its Board of Regents: The University of Houston owned the very fraternity house where some of the hazing took place. Universities have a fundamental duty to protect their students, enforce anti-hazing policies, and provide adequate oversight of student organizations. The University of Houston had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving another fraternity, yet failed to prevent Leonel’s injuries. This demonstrates a pattern of institutional negligence.
4. The Housing Corporation: These entities often own or manage the fraternity houses. They have a responsibility to ensure a safe environment on their properties and can be held liable for allowing dangerous activities.
5. Individual Perpetrators and Facilitators: This includes current and former fraternity members who actively participated in the hazing, as well as alumni or others who may have hosted hazing events off-campus. In Leonel’s case, we named a former member and his spouse because some major hazing sessions occurred at their residence, implicating premises liability for those who hosted and allowed the activities.

We pursue these different defendants because each plays a role in enabling hazing culture. By holding each liable, we ensure that universities and national organizations understand the financial and legal consequences of their inaction, forcing real change. For Bedford County families, this means that even if the individual students involved have limited resources, the responsible institutions often have the “deep pockets” necessary to provide meaningful compensation.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

The thought of taking on a powerful university or a national fraternity can be intimidating for families in Bedford County. However, history shows that justice prevails, and juries are increasingly holding these institutions accountable with multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. These cases, often born out of unimaginable tragedy, become precedents that drive policy change and financial accountability.

Here are just a few examples that demonstrate what is possible for hazing victims and their families:

• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021) – Over $10.1 Million: Stone Foltz tragically died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a hazing ritual. The university settled for $2.9 million, and the national fraternity, along with individual members, contributed to a settlement exceeding $7.2 million. Most recently, in December 2024, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was ordered to pay an additional $6.5 million in personal liability. This case proves that both institutions and individuals face massive financial consequences. Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is directly in line with this precedent.
• Maxwell Gruver (Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta, 2017) – $6.1 Million Verdict: Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 after a forced drinking game. The jury awarded his family $6.1 million, sending a powerful message that juries will not tolerate hazing. Following his death, Louisiana passed the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony offense.
• Timothy Piazza (Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi, 2017) – Over $110 Million (Estimated Settlements): Timothy Piazza died from a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after being forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes and repeatedly falling down basement stairs. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911. The settlements in this case, though confidential, are estimated to exceed $110 million. The egregious conduct, heavily documented by security cameras, led to felony charges against 18 fraternity members and prompted Pennsylvania to pass the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.”
• Andrew Coffey (Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi, 2017) – Confidential Settlement: Andrew Coffey, just two months before Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization, died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon at a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night.” Nine fraternity members were criminally charged, and the chapter was permanently closed. The family reached a confidential settlement. Critically, this is the same national fraternity involved in our current Bermudez case, demonstrating a long-standing, deadly pattern of negligence that Pi Kappa Phi has failed to address.
• Adam Oakes (Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi, 2021) – Over $4 Million Settlement: Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi bid acceptance event where he was forced to consume a large bottle of whiskey. The family, who originally sought $28 million, reached a settlement exceeding $4 million, which included a direct cash settlement and a donation to their “Love Like Adam” Foundation, which successfully advocated for “Adam’s Law” in Virginia.

These cases are not just about monetary compensation; they are about validating the immense suffering of victims, punishing egregious behavior, and forcing meaningful change. These precedents empower us to pursue maximum compensation for families in Bedford County, knowing that the courts and juries are increasingly on the side of victims.

Texas Law Protects You: Beyond the “Consent” Defense

While we are based in Texas, the core legal principles and many state-level anti-hazing laws provide strong protections for victims, including those in Bedford County. Many states, including Virginia, have similar statutes. An important legal point is that consent is NOT a defense to hazing, a crucial aspect we emphasize for Bedford County families.

In Texas, the law is clear, and it dismantles one of the most common, archaic defenses fraternities attempt to use: “He consented.”

Texas Education Code § 37.154 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 no matter what the fraternity, university, or individual members claim about a student “agreeing” to participate, the law holds that you cannot consent to be hazed. This legislative foresight is vital for protecting victims from victim-blaming.

Beyond this, Texas law, mirroring legislation in many states, clearly defines hazing and its severe penalties:

• Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of affiliation or membership in an organization, that endangers mental or physical health. This includes physical brutality (like striking, beating), sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, calisthenics (like Leonel’s forced 500 squats), forced consumption of substances (food, alcohol), and any activity that violates the Penal Code. Leonel Bermudez’s ordeal met multiple criteria under this definition.
• Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Individuals who engage in or aid hazing face criminal charges ranging from Class B Misdemeanors to State Jail Felonies. Hazing causing serious bodily injury (like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure) is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. If a hazing incident causes death, it can be a State Jail Felony, with up to two years in state jail. This means criminal charges may proceed parallel to a civil lawsuit.
• Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations that condone or encourage hazing, or whose officers or members commit hazing, can face fines up to $10,000, denial of campus operating rights, and forfeiture of property. This is why we pursue the chapter and national organizations directly.
• University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Universities are legally mandated to report hazing incidents. Failure to report is a Class B Misdemeanor. This creates a paper trail and holds institutions accountable for disclosure.

Civil Liability:
Beyond criminal charges, civil lawsuits allow victims to seek compensation for their injuries. We pursue claims based on:

1. Negligence: The failure of universities, national fraternities, and individuals to exercise reasonable care to prevent harm.
2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university or fraternity, they have a duty to maintain a safe environment.
3. Negligent Supervision: Failure of national organizations or universities to properly oversee local chapters and student activities.
4. Assault and Battery: Intentional harmful or offensive contact by individuals involved in hazing.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For outrageous conduct that causes severe emotional suffering, such as waterboarding.

For Bedford County families, these legal frameworks provide a pathway to justice, allowing us to pursue powerful institutions and individuals who enabled or participated in hazing. We explain these complex laws clearly, so you understand your child’s rights and the legal avenues available.

Why Attorney911: Your Champion Against Hazing

Choosing the right legal representation after a hazing incident in Bedford County is one of the most critical decisions you will make. You need a legal team that not only understands the law but also shares your fierce commitment to justice and accountability. Attorney911 offers unparalleled advantages that make us the definitive choice for hazing victims and their families, regardless of whether the incident occurred in Bedford County or globally.

Our Core Strengths & How They Benefit Bedford County Families:

1. Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit: We aren’t just experts; we are practitioners actively engaged in the biggest hazing fight in America right now. The Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case is tangible proof of our aggressive, data-driven approach. When you choose Attorney911 for your Bedford County case, you get attorneys who are battle-tested and up-to-date on the latest hazing litigation strategies.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña began their careers defending insurance companies and corporations. This “insider knowledge” is invaluable. Mr. Manginello, with over 25 years of experience, and Mr. Peña, with 12+ years, know exactly how the other side strategizes to minimize payouts, delay claims, and discredit victims. They’ve seen the playbook from the inside and now use that knowledge to dismantle defense tactics and maximize compensation for Bedford County families.
3. Federal Court Authority & Dual-State Bar Admissions: Hazing lawsuits often involve national fraternities or universities with operations across state lines. Our admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and Mr. Manginello’s dual licenses in Texas and New York, give us the authority and flexibility to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction and against entities anywhere in the U.S. This is a strategic advantage when fighting national organizations in Bedford County cases.
4. Extensive Experience Against Massive Corporate Defendants: Mr. Manginello’s involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, a multi-billion-dollar mass tort case, demonstrates his capability to take on and win against the largest corporate defendants. This complex litigation experience is directly applicable when challenging well-funded universities and national fraternities in Bedford County.
5. Hazing-Specific Expertise: From rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure cases (like Leonel Bermudez’s) to Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation and Texas A&M hazing incidents, we have direct, specialized experience with the unique medical, cultural, and legal complexities of hazing cases.
6. “Watchdog” Data-Driven Approach: We don’t just wait for hazing victims to call; we actively track thousands of Greek organizations. Our intelligence database, built from IRS B83 filings and Cause IQ data, identifies every entity behind the Greek letters—including EINs, legal names, and addresses of house corporations, alumni chapters, and national headquarters. This means when hazing happens in Bedford County, we already know who to sue and how their corporate structure operates.
   • For example, we track over 125 IRS-registered Greek organizations in Texas alone. We know that Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc has EIN 4622267515 in Frisco, Texas, the same entity behind the UH chapter we are suing.
   • In the Richmond metropolitan area, for instance, which serves as a hub for many students and families in Bedford County, there are numerous Greek-related organizations. Our database details entities such as undergraduate chapters, house corporations managing properties, alumni groups, and professional fraternities. We track institutions like the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, and James Madison University in Harrisonburg–all places where students from Bedford County attend and Greek life is prevalent.
   • We also track national brands that appear across these different types of organizations, allowing us to connect dots that others miss.
7. Unwavering Dedication & Compassion: We are parents ourselves. We understand what’s at stake. Our firm treats every Bedford County family like our own. Our focus is not just on winning, but on making sure victims are heard, validated, and receive the justice they deserve. Our bilingual staff ensures that Spanish-speaking families in Bedford County receive comprehensive support without language barriers.
8. Contingency Fee Basis: We recognize that facing a legal battle while dealing with the trauma of hazing can be financially burdensome. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis – you pay absolutely $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless, and until, we win your case. This levels the playing field, allowing every Bedford County family to access top-tier legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
9. Willingness to Travel & Remote Consultations: While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, distance is not a barrier to justice. We regularly conduct remote consultations via video conference for Bedford County families. And for depositions, critical meetings, or trials, our team is prepared to travel to Bedford County or wherever your case demands.

Client testimonials consistently praise our firm’s communication, aggressiveness, and genuine care. As Chad Harris, a client, said, “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” This is the dedication we offer every traumatized family from Bedford County.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Bedford County Families

If your child in Bedford County has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are crucial. Taking the right steps can significantly impact the strength of your case and your ability to secure justice.

Here’s what families in Bedford County should do right now:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your child’s health is the absolute priority. Even if injuries seem minor or are primarily psychological, get them to a doctor, emergency room, or mental health professional immediately. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis can have delayed symptoms but severe consequences. Document everything with medical professionals, and make sure they note that the injuries are hazing-related.
   • Keep all medical records: Hospital paperwork, doctor’s notes, lab results (like creatine kinase levels for rhabdomyolysis), therapy records, and all bills.
2. Preserve All Evidence: Hazing incidents often leave a digital trail.
   • Text Messages: Save every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat, Instagram DM, or any other digital communication related to the hazing. These are often invaluable for showing coercion, threats, or specific hazing tasks.
   • Photos/Videos: Save any photos or videos – of injuries (at all stages of healing), the hazing activities themselves, the location where it happened, or even social media posts by the fraternity members. Screenshots are vital.
   • Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, “expectations,” or other physical documents provided by the fraternity or organization.
   • Witness Information: Identify and securely record the names and contact information of any other pledges, witnesses, or bystanders who may have information about the hazing.
   • Financial Records: Keep track of medical bills, any lost wages if your child missed work, and any tuition or fees for semesters disrupted.
   • Academic Records: Document any impact on grades, enrollment status, or scholarships.
   • DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. Deleting evidence can severely harm your case.
3. DO NOT Engage with the Perpetrators or Institutions Without Legal Counsel:
   • Do NOT talk to fraternity/sorority leadership or members: They will deny, deflect, or try to intimidate.
   • Do NOT talk to university administrators or their lawyers alone: Their priority is protecting the institution, not your child. Any statement given without legal advice can be used against you.
   • Do NOT sign anything: Do not sign any documents, waivers, or agreements from the organization or university without your attorney reviewing them.
   • Do NOT post on social media: Anything posted can and will be scrutinized by the defense. Avoid discussing the incident online.
4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately: Time is absolutely critical. In Texas, and in many states including Virginia, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases is typically two years from the date of the incident or death.
   • Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations are quick to destroy or conceal records.
   • The sooner you involve us, the faster we can send preservation letters to all potentially liable parties, ensuring crucial evidence isn’t “disappeared.”
   • We offer immediate, free consultations for Bedford County families. Don’t wait; protect your rights.

Hazing is a legal emergency. We are Attorney911, and we are ready to respond to your child’s legal emergency in Bedford County.

Contact Us: Your Fight Starts Now

If you’re reading this, your child has suffered enough. It’s time to turn your pain into action and hold those responsible accountable. Whether your child was hazed in Bedford County, at a university near Bedford County, or anywhere in the country, Attorney911 is here to fight for your family. The same national fraternities that caused Leonel Bermudez’s severe injuries operate in Virginia, and local universities have the same responsibilities.

Bedford County families: You have legal rights, and we are fighting this fight right now – for Leonel, and for you.

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are representing a hazing victim right now 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. And we know how to WIN. Bedford County families will receive the same aggressive representation.

Bedford County Families – Call Now for a Free Consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We are available 24/7 for Bedford County hazing emergencies. You don’t pay us unless and until YOU get paid. This is our contingency fee promise: $0 upfront for Bedford County families.

We serve families in Bedford County and hazing victims nationwide. While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, hazing knows no geographical boundaries. We can pursue your Bedford County case regardless of location through our federal court authority, dual-state bar licenses, and willingness to travel for depositions and trials. Remote video consultations are readily available for your convenience.

Hazing is not limited to fraternities and sororities. We represent victims of hazing in:

• Fraternities and sororities at universities like the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, and other institutions where students from Bedford County attend.
• Sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and clubs at various colleges.
• Any organization that uses abuse as “initiation.”

If your child goes to college, whether in Virginia or beyond, they deserve to be safe. When that trust is betrayed by hazing, we stand ready to fight for their rights and ensure that justice is served.

As Lupe Peña said in the Bermudez case: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Let our fight for Leonel Bermudez be your call to action. We will fight to ensure that no other Bedford County family has to endure this nightmare. Call us today.