If you’re reading this in Ben Hill County, Georgia, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went off to college, expecting to make lasting friendships and build a future. Instead, they were subjected to abuse, humiliation, and potentially life-threatening trauma at the hands of those they thought they could trust. Here in Ben Hill County, we understand the trust you place in colleges and universities, whether it’s the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern, or even institutions further afield. When that trust is betrayed by hazing, the pain and confusion can be overwhelming. We want you to know that you are not alone, and we are here to help families like yours fight back against the insidious culture of hazing.

We are Attorney 911, and we bring a unique, aggressive approach to hazing litigation. We don’t just talk about accountability; we demand it. Our firm is currently litigating a landmark $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members over severe hazing that left a promising young man hospitalized with organ failure. This isn’t theoretical; this is happening right now, and the same tenacity and data-driven strategy we bring to that case are exactly what we offer families in Ben Hill County and across the nation.

The nightmare of hazing is real, and it touches families in every community, including here in Ben Hill County. You might think hazing is just a few innocent pranks, but the reality is far darker. It’s systematic abuse, psychological torture, and often life-threatening physical torment. We are here to shine a light on this dark truth and ensure that those responsible for harming your child, both individuals and institutions, are held fully accountable.

The Alarming Reality: Hazing in America Touches Ben Hill County

Hazing is far from a harmless rite of passage. It is a dangerous and often criminal act designed to break pledges down, humiliate them, and force submission. Across the United States, including at universities where students from Ben Hill County attend, hazing incidents are a frighteningly common occurrence. Studies show that over half of students in Greek organizations and a significant percentage of student athletes experience hazing. This isn’t limited to fraternities and sororities; it permeates sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student groups.

Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every single year in the United States. Ninety-five percent of students who are hazed do not report it, often due to fear, shame, or loyalty to the group. This silence perpetuates a harmful cycle, where universities and national organizations frequently turn a blind eye until tragedy strikes. They have the power to stop it, but too often, they choose not to act until a student is hospitalized or, worse, loses their life. Then, they issue carefully worded statements, suspend chapters, and claim to be “shocked.”

But we know better, and we fight back harder.

The Landmark Case: Attorney 911 vs. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston (2025)

Our fight against hazing is not merely rhetorical; it is active and ongoing. In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit that epitomizes our aggressive approach and commitment to justice for hazing victims. This case, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al., is a stark warning to fraternities, universities, and individuals nationwide, including those in Ben Hill County, of the severe consequences of hazing.

This is what happened in Houston. The same hazing practices occur at universities that students from Ben Hill County attend. The same national fraternities have chapters near Ben Hill County. The same institutional negligence exists at colleges across Georgia and the nation. We will fight for families in Ben Hill County with the same aggression and dedication we are bringing to this critical lawsuit.

We filed our lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court, naming numerous defendants: Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (specifically their University of Houston Beta Nu Chapter), the national headquarters of Pi Kappa Phi, its housing corporation, the University of Houston, the University of Houston Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the president, pledgemaster, and other current and former members. Notably, we also named a former member and his spouse because some of the most egregious hazing occurred at their private residence, highlighting that liability extends beyond campus boundaries.

The media response was immediate and widespread:

• ABC13 Houston reported on November 21-22, 2025, detailing how “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges.” Read the full report here.
• KHOU 11 covered the story on November 21, 2025, under the headline “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations,” and was the first to name our brave client, Leonel Bermudez.
• The Houston Chronicle followed on November 22, 2025, with their report on the “UH fraternity hazing lawsuit.”
• Houston Public Media confirmed the $10 million figure on November 24, 2025, stating, “University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing.”

Even the defendant, Pi Kappa Phi National, issued a statement on their website on November 21, 2025, titled “Pi Kappa Phi Closes Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston,” effectively admitting to the violations that led to the chapter’s dissolution just days before our lawsuit was filed.

Leonel Bermudez: The Face of Hazing Trauma

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was a “ghost rush.” This means he wasn’t even enrolled as a University of Houston student at the time, although he was planning to transfer for the upcoming Spring 2026 semester. The fraternity subjected someone who wasn’t even their student to weeks of systematic abuse after he accepted a bid on September 16, 2025.

As our co-counsel Ralph 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.” Leonel spent three nights and four days in the hospital diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

Lupe Pena, our other co-counsel, powerfully stated to ABC13, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

The Unthinkable Hazing Leonel Endured

The allegations laid out in our lawsuit paint a horrifying picture of modern hazing:

• Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” sprayed in the face with water during calisthenics. This is torture—a war crime when done to enemy combatants, yet inflicted upon college students.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges were forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited, then ordered to continue strenuous physical activity, including sprinting, often lying in their own vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: This included 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-your-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. Pledges were struck with wooden paddles. One pledge even lost consciousness during these workouts. Leonel was forced to continue until he couldn’t stand without help.
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Threats of physical punishment or expulsion were rampant, along with enforced dress codes, study hours, and weekly interviews designed to exert control.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to dangerous exhaustion.

The Medical Trauma: Rhabdomyolysis

Leonel’s body broke down under the incessant physical abuse. Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue, releasing damaging proteins into the blood that can cause acute kidney failure and even death. Leonel’s symptoms included brown urine, a classic sign of muscle breakdown, and very high creatine kinase levels, confirming severe muscle damage. He spent days in the hospital, his kidneys failing, facing the risk of permanent damage. This is the same severe medical condition Attorney 911 has successfully litigated before, demonstrating Ralph Manginello’s specific expertise in these rare and dangerous hazing injuries.

The Institutional Cover-Up and Our Response

The University of Houston, through a spokesperson, acknowledged the “deeply disturbing” nature of the events and “clear violation of our community standards,” hinting at “potential criminal charges.” This is an admission they knew something was terribly wrong.

Pi Kappa Phi National closed its chapter just days before our lawsuit was filed, effective November 14, 2025. Their public statement cited “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards” — a clear admission of wrongdoing. Troublingly, their statement concluded: “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This reveals a profound lack of remorse and a readiness to resume operations once the immediate scrutiny fades, underscoring the need for aggressive legal action.

This case is evidence of Attorney 911’s commitment to holding every responsible party accountable. We don’t just talk. We fight. And we will bring that same fight to hazing cases impacting students from Ben Hill County, wherever they may be attending college. If your child has suffered hazing at a university in Georgia, or anywhere else, the same legal precedents and aggressive strategies inform our representation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

For many parents in Ben Hill County, when they send their children off to college near locations like Statesboro, Macon, Atlanta, or further away, the idea of hazing might bring to mind harmless pranks. Maybe a few embarrassing tasks, some push-ups, or late nights. But the reality is far more sinister, as tragically demonstrated in Leonel Bermudez’s case. Hazing today is not about “building character” or “tradition”; it is about dominance, degradation, and sometimes, destruction.

This isn’t just “boys being boys” or innocent rituals. It is, in its core:

• Assault and Battery: Physical attacks, forced exercises, beatings, and paddlings, as Leonel suffered, are criminal acts.
• Kidnapping or False Imprisonment: Forcing someone to remain in a location against their will, such as hog-tying, as occurred in Leonel’s case, is illegal.
• Reckless Endangerment: Creating situations knowingly dangerous to a student’s health, like forced binge drinking leading to alcohol poisoning or extreme physical exertion leading to organ failure.
• Psychological Torture: The humiliation, verbal abuse, sleep deprivation, and isolation inflicted upon pledges can lead to severe and lasting mental health issues, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
• Sexual Abuse and Humiliation: Forced nudity, carrying sexually explicit items, or actual sexual assault are horrific forms of hazing that inflict profound trauma.
• Manslaughter or Murder: Tragically, many hazing incidents escalate to death, often from alcohol poisoning or preventable accidents.

Parents in Ben Hill County need to understand that the hazing activities detailed in Leonel’s lawsuit—waterboarding, forced eating until vomiting, 500 squats, wooden paddles—are not isolated incidents. These tactics are used across the country, often by the very same national fraternities that have chapters in or near your community. They hide beneath a veil of secrecy, loyalty tests, and fear, preying on young people’s desire to belong.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Party Accountable

One of the most crucial aspects of an effective hazing lawsuit, especially for families in Ben Hill County, is identifying every single party liable for the harm caused. Hazing rarely involves just a few individuals. It’s a systemic problem, and we believe that everyone who contributed to or enabled the abuse, directly or indirectly, must be held accountable. In our fight for Leonel Bermudez, we are pursuing compensation from a wide array of defendants, setting a precedent that will apply to cases originating in Ben Hill County as well.

Here’s who can be held responsible in a hazing case:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: The students directly involved in inflicting the hazing, such as the fraternity or sorority president, pledgemaster, and other members. In Leonel’s case, we named 13 individuals, including current and former members and even the spouse of a former member who allowed hazing to occur at their residence. These individuals can face criminal charges in Georgia and civil lawsuits for assault, battery, and negligence.
2. The Local Chapter: The specific fraternity or sorority chapter that organized and conducted the hazing. The Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston is a primary defendant because they directly engaged in the illegal activities.
3. The National Organization: The national fraternity or sorority that oversees local chapters. Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters is a major target in our lawsuit. These national bodies have a duty to supervise their chapters, provide anti-hazing policies, and enforce them. When they fail, especially given a history of hazing incidents and deaths like Andrew Coffey’s case in 2017, they can and must be held liable for negligent supervision and deliberate indifference. They often have significant assets and insurance policies.
4. The Housing Corporation: Many fraternities and sororities have separate housing corporations that own or manage the chapter houses. These entities can be liable for premises liability if hazing occurs on their property and they fail to maintain a safe environment. The Beta Nu Housing Corporation is a defendant in Leonel’s case.
5. The University or College: The educational institution bears significant responsibility, particularly when hazing occurs on its campus or involves its recognized student organizations. In Leonel’s case, the University of Houston is a defendant because it owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place and failed to prevent the abuse despite a prior hazing incident in 2017 (the Pi Kappa Alpha case). Universities in Georgia, like any other state, have a duty to protect their students, enforce anti-hazing policies, and respond swiftly to reports of abuse. Their failure to act constitutes institutional negligence. This also applies to the Board of Regents or governing body of the university system.

The Strategy: Following the Money and the System

One of our firm’s key differentiators is our extensive experience from within the insurance defense industry. Our co-counsel, Lupe Pena, worked for a nationwide insurance defense firm, learning exactly how large companies and institutions strategize to minimize or deny payouts. Ralph Manginello also began his career defending insurance companies. This background gives us an “unfair advantage” when fighting for victims. We know their playbook, and we use that insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses.

We identify every potential defendant not just to cast a wide net, but because each entity represents a layer of responsibility and, crucially, a source of compensation for the victim. National organizations and universities often have deep pockets, substantial endowments, and robust insurance policies. These are the “deep pockets” necessary to ensure full compensation for lifelong injuries, psychological trauma, and, in tragic cases, wrongful death.

For families in Ben Hill County, this means that even if the individual perpetrators have limited assets, the larger institutions behind them often do not. We go after everyone, ensuring that justice is not just symbolic, but financially impactful enough to force real change.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof of Accountability

For families in Ben Hill County grappling with the aftermath of hazing, the path to justice can seem daunting. Fraternities, national organizations, and universities often seem too powerful to challenge. However, our ongoing $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an anomaly. It stands on the shoulders of monumental legal victories across the country that have sent clear messages: hazing costs millions.

These verdicts and settlements prove that hazing victims can and do win substantial compensation, and these precedents directly support our aggressive demands on behalf of families from Ben Hill County who have suffered similar trauma.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements That Have Changed the Landscape:

• Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Total $10.1 Million+
  • In 2021, Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation. His family secured over $10.1 million in settlements, including $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from the national fraternity and individual members. This is the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. Our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez is directly in line with this established precedent, even though Leonel survived his injuries. Just last year, in December 2024, a former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was personally ordered to pay a $6.5 million judgment in relation to Stone Foltz’s death, proving individuals cannot hide behind their organization.
• Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): $6.1 Million Verdict
  • Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning in 2017 after being forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” event at LSU. A jury awarded his family $6.1 million, sending a powerful message that juries will not tolerate such egregious conduct. This case also led to the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana, demonstrating how these lawsuits fuel legislative change.
• Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): $110+ Million (Estimated)
  • Timothy Piazza died in 2017 after falling down stairs multiple times during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event at Penn State, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911. While the settlement amount remains confidential, it is estimated to be over $110 million. This case, extensively documented by security cameras, resulted in multiple criminal convictions, including involuntary manslaughter, and led to Pennsylvania’s stringent Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.
• Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Same Fraternity as Our Case!
  • Tragically, Andrew Coffey died in 2017 at Florida State University after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon at a Pi Kappa Phi event. This is crucial for Leonel Bermudez’s case: Pi Kappa Phi, the very same national organization we are suing, had a death on its record just eight years prior to Leonel’s hospitalization. This establishes a profound pattern of negligence and a failure by the national organization to address its deadly hazing culture. Despite this death, Pi Kappa Phi failed to implement sufficient changes to prevent Leonel’s trauma, highlighting their conscious indifference to student safety. Criminal charges were filed against nine fraternity members, and the chapter was permanently closed.
• Adam Oakes — Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): $4+ Million Settlement
  • In October 2024, the family of Adam Oakes, who died in 2021 after a Delta Chi hazing ritual at Virginia Commonwealth University, reached a settlement for over $4 million, after originally seeking $28 million. This further underscores that hazing cases, even those settling outside of court, command multi-million dollar recoveries.

These cases send a resounding message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations: Hazing is a costly, dangerous enterprise. Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is not arbitrary; it is a calculated response grounded in legal precedent and the severity of the trauma inflicted. For Ben Hill County families, these precedents mean that the same justice, the same accountability, and the same multi-million dollar recoveries are absolutely possible for your child.

Georgia Law and Your Rights Against Hazing: Protection for Ben Hill County Students

While our firm is based in Texas, the principles of justice and the legal theories we apply in hazing cases extend nationally. Georgia, like Texas, has strong anti-hazing laws designed to protect students. Understanding these laws is crucial for any Ben Hill County family whose child has been impacted by hazing.

Georgia’s Anti-Hazing Statute (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61):

Georgia law strictly defines hazing and outlines severe penalties for those who engage in it. The law states that hazing is defined as:

• “Any pastime or amusement engaged in by students or other persons attending any public or private school, college, university, or other educational institution within this state or by members or other persons attending or associated with any fraternity, sorority, or other organization operating in connection with any such public or private school, college, university, or other educational institution within this state which consists of any activity which causes or is likely to cause bodily injury to any pupil, student, or other person attending any public or private school, college, university, or other educational institution within this state.”

This definition directly covers the types of physical and psychological abuse Leonel Bermudez endured and that any student from Ben Hill County could face. Activities like forced calisthenics, waterboarding, forced excessive consumption, and paddlings clearly fall under acts “likely to cause bodily injury.”

Criminal Penalties in Georgia:

• Misdemeanor High and Aggravated Nature: Hazing that results in bodily injury is classified as a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. This typically carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to 12 months, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
• Felony Hazing: If the hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, it can be prosecuted as a felony, carrying much more severe penalties, including longer prison sentences and higher fines.

Consent is NOT a Defense in Georgia:

Just as in Texas, Georgia law explicitly states that a victim’s consent to hazing activities is not a defense. The statute says:

• “The defense of consent is not available to any defendant in a prosecution under this Code section.”

This is a critical protection for Ben Hill County students. Fraternities and universities often try to claim that the victim “agreed” to participate or “knew what they were signing up for.” Georgia law, like Texas law, unequivocally rejects this argument. Young people, especially pledges seeking acceptance, are often under immense psychological pressure and coercion; their “consent” in such circumstances is not truly voluntary. Our legal team will aggressively argue against any attempt by defendants to use consent as a shield for their abhorrent actions.

Civil Liability: Seeking Justice and Compensation for Ben Hill County Families

Beyond criminal charges, families in Ben Hill County can pursue civil lawsuits against all responsible parties to recover compensation for the immense physical, emotional, and financial damages caused by hazing.

1. Negligence: This is the most common claim. We argue that the university, national fraternity, and local chapter had a duty of care to protect your child, they breached that duty by allowing hazing, and this breach directly caused your child’s injuries.
2. Premises Liability: If the hazing occurred on property owned or controlled by the university or fraternity housing corporation, they can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment. This was a key factor in our case against the University of Houston, which owned the Pi Kappa Phi house.
3. Negligent Supervision: This applies when institutions (like national fraternities or universities) fail to adequately oversee their chapters or student organizations, leading to preventable harm.
4. Assault and Battery: Individual hazers can be sued directly for intentional harmful or offensive contact.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The outrageous and extreme nature of hazing, especially waterboarding or severe humiliation, often warrants claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress, addressing the profound psychological trauma inflicted.

For Ben Hill County students and their families, it’s crucial to understand that these civil claims exist regardless of whether criminal charges are filed or successful. Our firm pursues both civil justice and, when appropriate, works with law enforcement to encourage criminal prosecution. The goal is full accountability.

Why Attorney 911 Is the Obvious Choice for Ben Hill County Hazing Victims

When a hazing emergency strikes a family in Ben Hill County, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the unique complexities of these cases and is equipped to take on powerful institutions. Attorney 911 stands ready to be that advocate. We recognize that distance can be a concern, but our firm is structured to serve hazing victims nationwide, bringing our full force to bear on cases originating in Ben Hill County, across Georgia, and anywhere else.

Here’s why families in Ben Hill County choose Attorney 911:

• We Are Actively Fighting Right Now: We aren’t a firm theorizing about hazing litigation; we are in the trenches today. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for severe hazing demonstrates our real-world, aggressive expertise. This isn’t just a practice area for us; it’s a mission. The same deep knowledge and strategic approach we use in our landmark cases will be applied to protect your child from Ben Hill County.
• Decades of Courtroom Experience: With over 25 years of battle-tested courtroom experience, Ralph Manginello leads our firm with a proven track record. This level of experience is invaluable when confronting well-funded university legal teams and national fraternity defense lawyers. We have navigated complex, high-stakes litigation, including mass tort cases like the BP Texas City explosion, demonstrating our capacity to take on enormous corporate defendants.
• Insider Knowledge from Former Insurance Defense: Attorney 911 is unique in that both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. We know the enemy’s playbook because we helped write it. Lupe’s experience at a national defense firm means he understands exactly how insurance companies value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize payouts. This insider knowledge is an “unfair advantage” that we leverage to maximize recovery for our clients in Ben Hill County.
• Federal Court Authority & Dual-State Bar Licenses: Our attorneys are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, providing federal litigation authority. Ralph Manginello is also licensed in both Texas and New York. This dual licensure and federal court experience offer a strategic advantage when pursuing national fraternities and sororities, which often have headquarters or significant operations in multiple states, including those relevant to students from Ben Hill County attending colleges throughout the Southeast.
• Specialized Hazing Expertise: Ralph Manginello possesses specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis cases, like Leonel Bermudez’s. We understand the rare medical and physiological injuries that often result from extreme hazing, enabling us to build a robust medical damages claim.
• Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): We understand the diverse fabric of communities like Ben Hill County. Our bilingual staff, including Lupe Pena who is fluent in Spanish, ensures that Spanish-speaking families can communicate effectively and confidently, removing language barriers to justice.
• Compassionate, Parent-Facing Approach: We speak directly to parents and victims. We understand the emotional devastation that hazing inflicts. Our testimonials consistently highlight our empathetic, family-like approach, treating each client with the care and respect they deserve during their most difficult times. We don’t see your child as a case number; we see them as a person who needs our help.
• Contingency Fees: No Upfront Cost for Ben Hill County Families: We operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing upfront for our legal services. We only get paid if and when we win your case. This eliminates financial barriers, allowing every family in Ben Hill County, regardless of their economic situation, to access top-tier legal representation against powerful institutions. Find out more about how this works in our video: How Contingency Fees Work.
• Nationwide Reach, Local Commitment: While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we proudly serve hazing victims in Ben Hill County and across America. We utilize video consultations for convenience and are prepared to travel to Ben Hill County for depositions, meetings, and trials whenever justice demands it. Distance is not a barrier to securing accountability for your family.

When you choose Attorney 911, you’re not just hiring lawyers; you’re gaining a team that’s proven its ability to confront the hazing crisis head-on. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, and we are coming for every institution, every national organization, and every individual that thinks they can torture our kids and walk away.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Ben Hill County Families

If your child in Ben Hill County, or anywhere they attend college, has been subjected to hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, but prompt, decisive action can make all the difference in protecting your child’s health and preserving their legal rights.

Here are the essential steps you should take:

1. Prioritize Immediate Medical Attention: Your child’s health and safety are paramount. Even if injuries seem minor, or if psychological trauma is the primary concern, seek medical evaluation immediately. Hazing injuries, like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, can have delayed or hidden symptoms. A medical professional can assess the extent of the harm and ensure proper documentation of their condition. Tell medical staff exactly how the injuries occurred – “hazing” – and what activities were involved. Delays in medical treatment can be used by defense attorneys to argue that the injuries were not severe or not related to the hazing.
2. Preserve ALL Evidence – Without Exception: Hazing cases often depend on digital evidence. This means saving everything.
   • Medical Records: Obtain copies of all hospital records, emergency room visits, doctor’s notes, medical bills, and therapy records.
   • Photos/Videos: Take clear, well-lit photographs of any physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) at all stages of healing. If you have any photos or videos of hazing activities, preserve them securely.
   • Digital Communications: THIS IS CRITICAL. Your child’s phone is a treasure trove of evidence. Screenshot every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat conversation, Instagram DM, email, or social media post related to the hazing. This includes messages from fraternity members, pledges, or witnesses. Do NOT delete anything, even if it seems irrelevant or embarrassing. The defense will argue spoliation of evidence if data is missing.
   • Witness Information: Collect the names and contact information of any other pledges, witnesses, or individuals who may have seen or been aware of the hazing. Their testimony can be invaluable.
   • Physical Evidence: If any physical items were involved (e.g., paddles, specialized containers for forced consumption, clothing damaged during hazing), preserve them.
   • Documents: Save any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or communications provided by the fraternity/sorority or university related to the pledge process.
   • Financial & Academic Records: Keep records of any medical bills, lost wages due to injury, tuition or fees associated with a semester disrupted by hazing, or any impact on scholarships or academic standing.
3. Do NOT Communicate with the Perpetrators or Institutions Without Legal Counsel:
   • Do NOT delete any messages, photos, or social media posts related to the incident or the individuals involved.
   • Do NOT speak with or confront fraternity/sorority leadership, university administration, or their lawyers without an attorney present. They are not on your side; their priority is protecting the institution. Any statements you make can be used against you.
   • Do NOT sign any documents, waivers, or agreements provided by the organization or the university. You may unknowingly forfeit your legal rights.
   • Do NOT post details about the incident on social media. Everything your child posts can and will be scrutinized by the defense.
   • Do NOT allow your child to speak to law enforcement or university investigators without consulting with an attorney first.
4. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately: The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Georgia, like in Texas, is generally two years from the date of injury, and for wrongful death cases, it’s two years from the date of death. This means waiting can jeopardize your case. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations can destroy records. Our legal team will act swiftly to send preservation letters, notify all responsible parties, and begin building your case.
   • Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911.
   • Email us at ralph@atty911.com.
   • We offer free, no-obligation consultations for families in Ben Hill County. Distance is not a barrier; we can conduct video consultations and are prepared to travel for your case.

A Message to Other Victims of Hazing: You Are Not Alone

If you are another student from Ben Hill County who was hazed alongside Leonel Bermudez, or if you suffered similar abuse at another institution, please know that you are not alone. Our firm is aware that hazing rarely affects just one individual. Other pledges often endure parallel trauma. We know how difficult it can be to come forward, especially with the fear of retribution from those who hazed you. We protect our clients, ensuring their privacy and well-being throughout the process.

As Lupe Pena 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.” Your decision to come forward can prevent future harm to countless other students. Let your courage become a catalyst for change.

We protect victims like your child throughout Ben Hill County, Georgia, and nationwide. Our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont serve families needing our help, and we will travel for your hazing case. Call or email us anytime; your consultation is free, confidential, and can be the first step toward justice.

Call to Action: Your Legal Emergency is Our Priority

For parents in Ben Hill County, the moment you realize your child has been subjected to hazing is a legal emergency. We are Attorney 911, and we are ready to respond aggressively, professionally, and decisively.

If your child from Ben Hill County has been involved in a hazing incident, you have legal rights, and we are here to fight for them.

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, how to hold institutions accountable, and how to WIN. Families in Ben Hill County deserve the same aggressive representation.

Ben Hill County Families – Call Now for a FREE Consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Our Legal Emergency Hotline is available 24/7 for Ben Hill County hazing emergencies.

Remember: We work on a CONTINGENCY basis. This means $0 upfront for families in Ben Hill County. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid. This ensures that no family is denied justice due to financial constraints.

We Serve Ben Hill County Hazing Victims – And Hazing Victims Nationwide

While our headquarters are in Houston, Texas, with additional offices in Austin and Beaumont, our commitment to fighting hazing extends to Ben Hill County, Georgia, and across the entire nation. Hazing is a pervasive problem, not confined by state lines or university districts. We represent victims of hazing in:

• Fraternities and sororities at universities throughout Georgia, including the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University, Georgia State University, and other institutions where Ben Hill County students attend.
• Sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and other student organizations in Ben Hill County and beyond.
• Military academies and any organization that uses abuse as an “initiation” rite.

Our nationwide capability means we can evaluate and pursue your Ben Hill County case regardless of location through:

• Federal Court Authority: Our attorneys are admitted to the U.S. District Court, giving us the ability to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction nationwide.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello is licensed in both Texas and New York, providing a strategic advantage when confronting national fraternities and sororities with complex, multi-state operations.
• Video Consultations: We offer convenient video consultations so families in Ben Hill County can meet with our attorneys remotely and safely, wherever you are.
• Commitment to Travel: We are prepared to travel to Ben Hill County for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary to zealously represent your case. Distance is never a barrier to justice for hazing victims.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR BEN HILL COUNTY HAZING VICTIMS. AGGRESSIVE REPRESENTATION. REAL RESULTS.

Your child deserved safety and respect, not abuse. Let us fight for the justice they deserve.

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