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Berrien County Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M Pike Settlements | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

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

If you’re reading this in Berrien 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, forge lifelong bonds, and build a brighter future. Instead, they were tortured, abused, and perhaps gravely injured by the very people and institutions they trusted. We understand the fear, the anger, and the desperation that grips parents in Berrien County when this nightmare becomes their reality. We’re here to help families in Berrien County fight back.

We are Attorney911, and we are actively fighting hazing across America, including for families right here in Berrien County. We are not just talking about hazing; we are in the courtroom right now, aggressively representing a hazing victim against a major national fraternity and a prominent university. This is not a theoretical fight for us; it is a live, ongoing battle for justice on behalf of a student whose life was irrevocably altered by senseless brutality. We bring this same unwavering commitment, this same deep expertise, and this same relentless pursuit of accountability to every single hazing case we take on, whether it’s in Houston, or for families like yours across Berrien County.

The Land of Opportunity for Our Children: Berrien County, Georgia

Berrien County, nestled in the heart of South Georgia, is a community where family values and a strong sense of community are paramount. Parents here work hard, raise their children with care, and dream of a bright future for them. Many Berrien County students aspire to attend colleges and universities throughout Georgia, such as Valdosta State University just to our south, Georgia Southern University to the east, or the larger University of Georgia and Georgia Institute of Technology. Others may venture further, to institutions across the Southeast, or even across the nation.

When our children leave Berrien County for college, we send them with hopes of growth, learning, and safety. We expect them to return home for holidays and summers, a little wiser, a little more independent, and with new friends and experiences. What no parent in Berrien County ever expects is for their child to return broken, traumatized, or critically ill because of the very campus organizations that promised brotherhood or sisterhood. Yet, hazing is a silent epidemic that touches every corner of our nation, including institutions where Berrien County students enroll. The story of what happened to one young man in Texas is a stark warning that the same dangers lurk wherever Greek life and student organizations thrive – even for our children from Berrien County.

The Landmark Case: Attorney911 Fights Back Against Hazing at University of Houston

Berrien County families, what you are about to read is not just a news story; it is a warning. This happened in our home state of Texas, mere weeks ago, and it could happen at institutions where students from Berrien County attend. It is why we fight, and it is how we fight.

We are currently locked in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members for the horrific hazing of Leonel Bermudez. This case, filed on November 21, 2025, in Harris County Civil District Court, is the clearest possible demonstration of our firm’s aggressive, thorough, and relentless approach to hazing litigation.

Meet Leonel Bermudez: A “Ghost Rush” Tortured

Leonel Bermudez was not even a University of Houston student when he accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective transfer student planning to enroll at UH in Spring 2026. This means the fraternity subjected someone who wasn’t even formally affiliated with the university to weeks of sadistic hazing. They did this to a young man who simply wanted to belong.

From September 16 to November 3, 2025, Leonel endured systematic abuse that culminated in a harrowing four-day hospitalization for severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

Attorney Ralph Manginello, speaking to ABC13 Houston, described Leonel’s terrifying ordeal:

“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.”

Attorney Lupe Pena, also speaking to ABC13, articulated our mission:

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Our goal in this $10 million lawsuit is not merely to secure justice for Leonel but to send an unequivocal message that will resonate across every campus where students from Berrien County enroll: hazing will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be held accountable.

The Horrors Leonel Endured: A Glimpse into Modern Hazing

The lawsuit details a litany of abuses that sound more like a prisoner-of-war camp than a college fraternity pledge process:

  • Waterboarding with a Garden Hose: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” sprayed directly in the face while performing calisthenics. This is a form of torture, precisely as Houston Public Media described it: “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.”
  • Forced Eating Until Vomiting: He was made to consume “large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns” until he vomited. Then, he was “forced to continue running sprints while clearly in physical distress” and made to “lie in vomit-soaked grass after vomiting.”
  • Extreme Physical Punishment: This included “100+ pushups, 500 squats,” and other grueling exercises like high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and “save-you-brother” drills. He was forced to recite the fraternity creed while exercising past the point of collapse, with threats of expulsion if he stopped. The Houston Chronicle also reported that pledges were “struck with wooden paddles.”
  • Psychological Torture and Humiliation: Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack containing “objects of a sexual nature” at all times. In a separate incident on October 13, another pledge was “hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.”
  • Sleep Deprivation and Exhaustion: He was frequently forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to severe exhaustion.

This wasn’t about “building brotherhood”; it was about breaking people.

The Medical Fallout: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

The physical torture led to devastating medical consequences. On November 3, after missing an event, Leonel was forced to perform the extreme exercises until he could not physically stand without help. He crawled home. Over the next few days, his condition worsened. On November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital. He was “passing brown urine,” a classic symptom of rhabdomyolysis.

He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis is a serious condition where damaged muscle tissue releases harmful proteins into the bloodstream, which can severely damage the kidneys and even be fatal. Leonel spent three nights and four days in the hospital, fighting for his life, and now faces the frightening potential of long-term kidney damage.

Institutional Knowledge and Blatant Disregard

Our lawsuit isn’t just targeting the individual perpetrators. We are holding the institutions accountable, institutions that often preach anti-hazing policies but fail to enforce them.

  • Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters: This is not their first incident. In 2017, Andrew Coffey died during a Pi Kappa Phi hazing ritual at Florida State University after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon. Pi Kappa Phi National had eight years to implement effective anti-hazing measures after Andrew Coffey’s death. They publicly stated they “take all allegations of hazing seriously,” yet Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized under their watch. KHOU 11 reported that the national organization failed to enforce its policies “despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” This shows a clear pattern of negligence and a conscious indifference to student safety.
  • University of Houston: This isn’t UH’s first hazing scandal either. In 2017, a University of Houston student was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen after a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing incident. UH knew hazing was a problem on their campus. Furthermore, KHOU 11 confirmed that the hazing of Leonel Bermudez occurred at a “University-owned fraternity house.” This makes the University of Houston directly liable under premises liability laws; they owned the building where torture occurred and collected rent while failing to ensure student safety. As the UH spokesperson reluctantly admitted to Houston Public Media: “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards.”

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi National suspended the chapter. By November 14, they officially closed it. Their public statement on November 21, 2025, revealed: “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This chilling lack of remorse, even as Leonel recovers, underscores the need for aggressive legal action. This is the definition of gross negligence, which our legal system must punish severely.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Parents in Berrien County, and across Georgia, may have an outdated image of hazing—perhaps harmless pranks or mild inconveniences. The reality today is far more sinister, far more violent, and directly mirrors the torture we’ve seen inflicted upon Leonel Bermudez. It isn’t just about forced calisthenics or silly tasks; it’s about systematic psychological, physical, and often sexual abuse designed to break individuals down and enforce absolute obedience.

The stories of victims like Leonel reveal the true, brutal face of modern hazing. It is not about building character; it is about destroying it. It is not about forging bonds; it is about inflicting trauma. It is not about harmless fun; it is about assault, battery, torture, reckless endangerment, and sometimes, manslaughter or murder.

Here are the disturbing forms that hazing often takes, and that students from Berrien County may encounter:

  • Physical Abuse: This goes far beyond mild discomfort. We are talking about beatings, paddling, forced physical exertion to the point of collapse (as Leonel endured), branding, burning, or being forced to hold painful positions for extended periods. The presence of wooden paddles in the Pi Kappa Phi case is a stark reminder of medieval forms of punishment.
  • Forced Consumption: A common and deadly form of hazing involves forcing pledges to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol, as evidenced by the deaths of Andrew Coffey and Max Gruver. But it also includes forced eating until vomiting, extreme spice consumption, or even ingesting non-food substances, all designed to humiliate and sicken. Leonel’s ordeal with milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns is a horrifying example.
  • Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often kept awake for days, subjected to late-night and early-morning “activities,” and denied adequate rest. This wears down psychological defenses, impairs judgment, and makes victims more susceptible to coercion and physical exhaustion, as Leonel experienced when forced to drive members during early morning hours.
  • Psychological Torture: The most insidious forms of hazing can leave invisible, yet deeply scarring, wounds. This includes humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, intentional isolation, gaslighting, and constant threats of physical punishment or social ostracism. Leonel’s forced sexual humiliation and the hog-tying incident against another pledge illustrate this perfectly.
  • Sexual Abuse and Humiliation: This terrifying aspect of hazing involves forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, the carrying of sexually explicit objects, or even actual sexual assault. These acts are designed to utterly degrade and break a person’s spirit.
  • Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: As Leonel’s case so starkly shows, some fraternities employ techniques that are internationally recognized as torture. Simulated drowning is not a prank; it is a life-threatening act that instills absolute terror.
  • Exposure: Forcing pledges outdoors in extreme weather conditions (hot or cold), denying them proper clothing, or confining them in small, dark spaces can lead to hypothermia, heatstroke, or profound psychological distress. Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear and endure cold water sprays.
  • Servitude and Isolation: Pledges are often treated as slaves, forced to perform demeaning chores, run errands for members, or act as chauffeurs, further eroding their self-worth. They are often isolated from outside contact, making it harder to seek help.

The Medical Consequences of Hazing are Real and Deadly:
Victims of hazing suffer not only emotional and psychological wounds but also severe physical injuries. Beyond the rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure Leonel sustained, we have seen:

  • Alcohol poisoning leading to coma and death.
  • Traumatic brain injuries from falls, beatings, or violent trauma.
  • Broken bones, lacerations, burns, and organ damage.
  • Hypothermia, heatstroke, and dehydration.
  • Long-term psychological conditions such as PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, which can persist for years and even decades.
  • Death – since 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every single year in the United States, a grim statistic that continues to grow.

This is not “boys being boys.” It is criminal abuse that shatters lives and devastates families in Berrien County and everywhere else.

Who Is Responsible: A Web of Accountability

When hazing occurs, it is rarely the fault of just one individual. The responsibility often extends through a complex web of individuals and institutions, all of whom can and should be held accountable. In our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez, we are targeting every entity that played a role, directly or indirectly, in his horrifying ordeal. This same comprehensive approach applies to any hazing incident involving a student from Berrien County.

Here’s how we identify and pursue those responsible:

  • The Local Chapter: The fraternity or sorority chapter itself is directly responsible for organizing and conducting the hazing activities. This includes the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter that brutally hazed Leonel.
  • Chapter Officers: Individuals in leadership positions within the local chapter, such as the President, Pledgemaster, or Risk Manager, bear significant responsibility. They often direct the hazing, enforce compliance, and create the environment where abuse flourishes. These individuals are typically named as defendants.
  • Individual Members: Any active member who participated in, encouraged, or stood by while hazing occurred can be held personally liable. Their actions constitute assault, battery, and other intentional torts, allowing us to pierce through organizational protections. As the $6.5 million judgment against Daylen Dunson, president of the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter, in the Stone Foltz case shows, individual officers cannot hide behind the organization.
  • Former Members and Hosts: Hazing often happens off-campus, sometimes at the residences of former members. If a former member facilitates or allows hazing to occur on their property, they and even their spouse (as in Leonel’s case) can be held liable under premises liability laws. This often opens up more avenues for recovery through homeowner’s insurance.
  • The National Organization: National fraternities and sororities, like Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, often have millions of dollars in assets and extensive insurance policies. They are responsible for overseeing their local chapters, enforcing anti-hazing policies, and ensuring a safe environment. When they fail to do so, especially after previous incidents like the death of Andrew Coffey, they are grossly negligent. We leverage their financial resources and their documented history of negligence to secure substantial recoveries.
  • The University or College: Educational institutions bear a fundamental responsibility for the safety and well-being of their students. This liability intensifies when, as with the University of Houston, they own or control the property where hazing occurs. Universities have the power to regulate Greek life, investigate complaints, and intervene when hazing is suspected. Their failure to act, especially with a known history of hazing on campus (like UH’s 2017 incident), constitutes institutional negligence. We hold them accountable for their deliberate indifference.
  • The Housing Corporation: Many fraternities and sororities operate through separate housing corporations that own or manage their chapter houses. These entities have their own corporate structures, assets, and insurance, making them another target for accountability. Our lawsuit names the Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation, which plays a crucial role in enabling or overlooking unsafe conditions.
  • Insurance Carriers: Ultimately, a significant portion of the financial compensation comes from various insurance policies held by the national organization, the university, the housing corporation, and even individual members. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring an invaluable insider’s perspective, allowing us to navigate the intricate world of insurance policies and maximize our clients’ recovery.

This multi-pronged approach ensures that every responsible party – from the individual pledge master to the university president – is brought to justice, sending a powerful message that resonates far beyond the courtroom walls.

What These Cases Win: Millions for Victims and Their Families

The pain and suffering inflicted by hazing are immeasurable, but our legal system provides a path to monetary compensation that can cover medical expenses, lost opportunities, ongoing care, and the profound emotional and psychological toll. Furthermore, these multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements serve as powerful deterrents, forcing institutions to finally address their complicity in hazing culture.

For families in Berrien County wondering if fighting back is worth it, look at the proof:

  • Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021) — More than $10.1 Million: Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” initiation event. His family’s relentless pursuit of justice resulted in a $2.9 million settlement from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha National and individuals. This landmark case, including a $6.5 million personal judgment against the chapter president, established a clear precedent: hazing costs millions, and accountability extends to every level. Our $10 million demand in Leonel’s case is directly in line with this momentous 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 Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” event where pledges were forced to drink heavily for incorrect answers. A jury awarded his family a $6.1 million verdict, a resounding statement against the fraternity and its members. This case not only provided justice but spurred significant legislative change, leading to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, which made hazing a felony.
  • Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017) — Estimated $110 Million+: Timothy Piazza died from a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after falling down stairs during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event where he was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours to call 911, and security cameras captured the entire horrific ordeal. While the settlement amounts are confidential, they are estimated to exceed $110 million, marking one of the largest hazing payouts in U.S. history. This case led to numerous criminal convictions and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.
  • Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017) — Confidential Settlement: Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night.” This is the SAME national organization involved in Leonel Bermudez’s case. While the civil settlement amount is confidential, the incident led to criminal charges against nine fraternity members and the permanent closure of the FSU chapter. This starkly demonstrates that Pi Kappa Phi National had actual notice of deadly hazing within its chapters eight years before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized.
  • Adam Oakes — Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021) — Over $4 Million Settlement: Adam Oakes died of alcohol poisoning at a Delta Chi hazing event. His family recently reached over a $4 million settlement in October 2024, another powerful testament to the value juries place on victims’ lives and the accountability of negligent organizations.

These cases tell a clear, undeniable story: when hazing leads to injury or death, juries and courts are willing to award multi-million dollar damages. These represent compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, pain, suffering, and the emotional anguish that forever changes families. For students from Berrien County who fall victim to hazing, these precedents mean that aggressive legal action can provide not only justice but also the crucial financial resources needed to rebuild their lives.

Laws Created Because of Hazing Deaths

The tragic stories of these victims have fueled powerful legislative change, demonstrating a nationwide commitment to eradicate hazing. Laws initiated by grieving families include:

  • Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law (Pennsylvania, 2018): Increased penalties, including felony charges for hazing causing death, and immunity for those who report hazing.
  • Max Gruver Act (Louisiana, 2018): Made hazing a felony, significantly increasing penalties.
  • Collin’s Law (Ohio, 2021): Named after Collin Wiant, a freshman who died from hazing, it established felony hazing charges and strengthened prior laws.
  • Stop Campus Hazing Act (Pending Federal Legislation): Aims to require colleges to publicly report hazing incidents, increasing transparency and accountability nationwide.

The state of Georgia, where Berrien County resides, also has anti-hazing laws designed to protect students. While these laws provide criminal prosecution, civil lawsuits offer a different, equally vital path for victims to recover damages and hold institutions financially responsible.

Texas Law Protects You: Consent is NOT a Defense

For families in Berrien County, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. While the hazing incident your child suffered may have occurred outside of Georgia, our headquarters are in Houston, Texas, and we leverage Texas’s robust anti-hazing laws as a foundational framework for national cases. Furthermore, rest assured that similar anti-hazing laws and civil liability theories exist in most states, and our federal court authority allows us to pursue your case irrespective of location.

Here’s how statutes, particularly in Texas, provide a powerful weapon against hazing:

Texas Hazing Laws (Education Code § 37.151-37.157)

These statutes clearly define hazing, establish criminal penalties, and define who can be held responsible:

  • Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of affiliation or membership in an organization. The categories of prohibited acts directly align with Leonel Bermudez’s ordeal:
    • Physical brutality: Includes striking, whipping, beating, branding, and similar activities. Leonel was struck with wooden paddles.
    • Unreasonable risk of harm: Covers sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, calisthenics, or other similar activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects mental or physical health. Leonel’s 500 squats, 100 pushups, and other drills directly caused his rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. Waterboarding clearly subjects a student to unreasonable risk.
    • Forced consumption: Involves forcing a student to consume any substance that subjects them to unreasonable risk or adversely affects their health. Leonel was forced to eat until he vomited.
    • Violations of the Penal Code: Any activity that induces or requires a student to commit a criminal act. Assault and battery, common in hazing, are penal code violations.
  • Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Individuals who engage in hazing can face Class B Misdemeanor charges (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine). If the hazing causes serious bodily injury (like Leonel’s kidney failure), it escalates to a Class A Misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine). Hazing causing death is a State Jail Felony (180 days to 2 years, $10,000 fine). This criminal aspect adds immense pressure on defendants.
  • Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Crucially, the law states that “An organization commits an offense if the organization condones or encourages hazing or if an officer or any combination of members… commits or assists in the commission of hazing.” This means the Pi Kappa Phi chapter and Pi Kappa Phi National are directly liable under state law for Leonel’s injuries.
  • University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Universities are legally obligated to report hazing incidents, with failure to do so also constituting a Class B Misdemeanor. This provides another layer of accountability for institutions like the University of Houston.

The Most Critical Provision: Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154)

This is perhaps the most powerful legal tool in our arsenal, directly designed to dismantle the fraternities’ and universities’ most common defense:

“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.”

Think about this, Berrien County parents: Time and again, fraternities argue that pledges “consented” to the activities, “knew what they were signing up for,” or “could have left at any time.” The Texas Legislature, recognizing the inherent power imbalances, coercion, and peer pressure involved in hazing, explicitly removed consent as a valid defense. Under Texas law, you cannot legally consent to being hazed. This means the focus is squarely on the perpetrators’ actions, not the victim’s choices under duress. This principle applies in many other states as well, strengthening hazing victims’ claims nationwide.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Prosecution

Even if criminal charges are not pursued (or are dismissed on technicalities, as happened in the 2017 UH hazing case), civil lawsuits provide victims and families in Berrien County with a separate and essential avenue for justice and compensation. We can pursue multiple civil claims:

  • Negligence Claims: This is the bedrock of most personal injury cases. We establish that the university, national fraternity, and individuals had a duty of care to protect students, that they breached this duty through their actions or inactions, and that this breach directly caused the victim’s injuries and resulting damages.
  • Premises Liability: When hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (as with Leonel’s case at a University-owned fraternity house) or another entity, they are liable for creating or allowing dangerous conditions to exist.
  • Negligent Supervision: This holds organizations accountable for failing to properly supervise their members, officers, or chapters, especially when they had prior knowledge of hazing risks, like Pi Kappa Phi National did after Andrew Coffey’s death.
  • Assault and Battery: These intentional torts allow us to directly sue individuals (and often hold organizations vicariously liable) for any physical harm inflicted, such as beatings, paddling, or forced physical exertions.
  • Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): Reserved for truly egregious and outrageous conduct, IIED claims allow for significant compensation for psychological trauma. Waterboarding and severe humiliation clearly fall into this category.

For families in Berrien County, these legal principles mean that a hazing incident, even without criminal charges, can result in a powerful civil claim for substantial damages. Our expertise in navigating these complex legal frameworks is why we are the right choice for hazing victims.

Why Attorney911: Your Fierce Advocates in Berrien County

When your child has been subjected to the unimaginable trauma of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer. You need an aggressive advocate, a seasoned strategist, and a compassionate partner who understands both the legal and emotional complexities of your situation. For families in Berrien County, Attorney911 offers unmatched expertise and a proven track record in hazing litigation, ensuring that your child’s voice is heard and justice is served.

Here’s why we are the definitive choice for hazing victims and their families, even if you are countless miles away from our Houston headquarters:

  • Aggressive, Data-Driven Hazing Litigation: We aren’t just personal injury lawyers who occasionally handle hazing cases. We are at the forefront of this fight, actively litigating the $10 million Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university. This isn’t theoretical; it’s tangible proof that we are in the trenches, bringing relentless pressure on powerful institutions. We know the current tactics, the latest precedents, and the most effective strategies because we are creating them right now. This same cutting-edge, data-driven approach is what we will bring to your hazing case in Berrien County.
  • Former Insurance Defense Insiders: Our firm boasts a unique strategic advantage: both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys.
    • Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, worked on the defense side for insurance companies, learning firsthand their strategies to minimize or deny claims. He understands their entire playbook.
    • Lupe Pena honed his skills at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm, defending large corporations and insurance carriers across a multitude of practice areas. He knows exactly how they value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to lowball victims.
      This insider knowledge is invaluable. We know how the other side thinks, what their weaknesses are, and how to dismantle their defenses to maximize recovery for our clients from Berrien County. They taught our attorneys how to defend against claims; now our attorneys use that knowledge to win for you.
  • Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Bar Admissions: While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach extends nationwide, including to Berrien County.
    • Both Mr. Manginello and Mr. Pena are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, giving us crucial authority in federal court, where many hazing cases against national organizations or institutions with federal funding can be pursued.
    • Mr. Manginello holds dual-state bar licenses in both Texas AND New York. This is a strategic advantage when litigating against national fraternities and sororities, many of which are headquartered, incorporated, or have significant operations in New York, allowing us to pursue them in multiple jurisdictions.
      This means that regardless of where the hazing occurred – whether in Berrien County, elsewhere in Georgia, or any state in the nation where a national fraternity has a presence – we have the legal authority and strategic flexibility to pursue justice.
  • Experience Against Massive Corporations: Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation (2005) demonstrates our capacity to take on and win against giant corporate defendants with virtually unlimited resources. Hazing cases rarely get bigger than a national fraternity or a university, and we are proven against even larger adversaries.
  • Hazing-Specific Expertise: From rhabdomyolysis 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 aspects of hazing. We don’t just handle these cases; we specialize in them.
  • Comprehensive Hazing Intelligence Database: We don’t guess who is responsible; we know. We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, including IRS-registered entities, EINs, legal names, addresses, house corporations, alumni chapters, and detailed insurance structures.
    • Our database includes over 125 IRS-registered Greek organizations in Texas. For example, we track entities like Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc in Frisco, Texas (EIN 462267515), which is the very entity behind the UH chapter we’re suing. We know the corporate entities behind the Greek letters.
    • Across just the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metro area, where we are headquartered, there are 188 Greek-related organizations under our radar. The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metro alone has 510 organizations, and Austin–Round Rock has 154. This extensive data allows us to track national brands across various metros and campuses, ensuring we never miss a liable party.
      When a student from Berrien County is hazed, we already have deep intelligence on the Greek organization, its national structure, and its local affiliates. We know exactly who to sue.
  • Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): Texas’s diverse population, and often Berrien County’s as well, includes a significant Hispanic community. We are proud to offer comprehensive legal services in Spanish, ensuring that language is never a barrier to justice for hazing victims and their families. Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, a third-generation Texan with deep roots, are fluent in Spanish.
  • Compassionate and Client-Centered Approach: We are not a legal factory. Our Google reviews, averaging 4.9 stars across over 250 reviews, consistently praise our communication, responsiveness, and genuine care. Clients describe us as treating them “like family.” We know that Berrien County families are facing unimaginable trauma, and we are committed to providing empathetic, clear, and consistent support throughout the legal process.

Choosing Attorney911 means choosing a firm that understands the profound impact hazing has, has the proven legal muscle to fight powerful institutions, and offers the compassionate support your Berrien County family needs during this crisis. We are not just your lawyers; we are your advocates in a legal emergency.

Testimonials from Families Like Yours:

While these testimonials span various personal injury cases, they reflect the dedication and client-first approach we bring to every case, including hazing incidents for families in Berrien County:

“If you’re ever in a car accident, I highly recommend you give them a call 10/10. The staff provides great customer service and show they are a firm that cares about their clients! Attorney Manginello & Leonore were both extremely nice, helpful, and made sure I was informed throughout the entire process. They’re the best!”
— Devin Hebert

“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.”
— Chad Harris

“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.”
— Dame Haskett

“Big thank you for this law firm staff and Lupe Peña for taking good care of me. I highly recommend this law firm.”
— Greg Garcia

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Berrien County Families

If your child has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. Berrien County families, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, scared, and unsure of what to do. But acting quickly and decisively can make all the difference in preserving your child’s rights and building a strong legal case.

Here’s our expert guidance on what you should do immediately:

Step 1: Prioritize Safety and Seek Medical Attention

  • Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately. Their physical and psychological safety is paramount.
  • Seek immediate medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, get them thoroughly evaluated by a doctor or in an emergency room. Some severe conditions, like rhabdomyolysis or internal injuries, may not manifest immediately. Insist on a full and thorough medical examination. For example, Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis started with muscle soreness and escalated to kidney failure. Early medical documentation is crucial.
  • Document everything medically. Keep copies of all hospital records, doctor’s notes, diagnoses, test results (blood work, urine tests), prescriptions, and follow-up appointments. This medical evidence forms the backbone of any personal injury claim.

Step 2: Preserve ALL Evidence – Digital and Physical
This is perhaps the most critical step, especially in today’s digital age. Evidence can disappear quickly as organizations scramble to cover their tracks.

  • Save all communications. This includes every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat, Instagram DM, email, or any other digital communication related to the hazing. Take screenshots of everything. Do not delete anything, even if it seems irrelevant or benign. As we often advise, “Take pictures, take pictures, take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.” This applies to screenshots too.
  • Photograph injuries and hazing locations. If possible and safe, take photos or videos of your child’s injuries at all stages of healing (bruises, cuts, burns). If you can document hazing locations (the fraternity house, basement, off-campus residence, fields where activities occurred), do so.
  • Identify witnesses. Collect the names and contact information of any other pledges, fraternity members who might be sympathetic, or bystanders who witnessed the hazing. Their testimony can be invaluable.
  • Gather official documents. Save any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or communications your child received from the organization.
  • Retain financial records. Keep track of all medical bills, receipts for medication, and documentation of any lost wages if your child missed work or internships due to their injuries.

Step 3: Strictly Limit Communication with the Involved Parties
This is a trap many families fall into, often with good intentions, but it can severely compromise a legal case.

  • DO NOT talk to fraternity/sorority leadership or their representatives. They are not on your side. They will attempt to control the narrative, deny wrongdoing, and may even try to pressure your child into silence or signing away their rights.
  • DO NOT talk to university administrators or their lawyers without legal counsel. Universities, like national fraternities, are institutions primarily concerned with protecting their reputation and limiting liability. Any statement you give can be used against you.
  • DO NOT sign anything from the fraternity, sorority, or university without having it reviewed by an attorney. This includes waivers, agreements, or disciplinary forms.
  • DO NOT post about the incident on social media. Anything you or your child posts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok can be found by defense attorneys and used against your case to claim that your child is not as injured or traumatized as you say. Once your child is a plaintiff in a lawsuit, their social media becomes a powerful tool for the defense to minimize compensation. We strongly advise against posting anything about the incident, discussions with attorneys, or even seemingly innocent photos of your child appearing “fine.”

Step 4: Contact Attorney911 Immediately for a Free, Confidential Consultation

  • Time is critical. Most states, including Georgia, have a statute of limitations of two years for personal injury and wrongful death cases. This means you have a limited window to file a lawsuit before you lose your right to sue forever. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations may destroy records if you wait. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case acted immediately – getting hospitalized on November 6 and his lawsuit filed within weeks. This immediate action is vital.
  • Call our Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911. We are available 24/7 for families in Berrien County facing hazing emergencies.
  • Email us directly: ralph@atty911.com.
  • Video Consultations Available: For Berrien County families, distance is not a barrier. We offer video consultations, allowing you to meet with our attorneys remotely and confidentially from the comfort of your home.
  • We work on a contingency fee basis. This means $0 upfront for Berrien County families. You do not pay us a single penny unless and until we win your case. This ensures that expert legal representation against powerful institutions is accessible to every family, regardless of their financial situation.

For Berrien County Students and Families: Enough is Enough.

If your child attends or plans to attend a university such as Valdosta State University, Georgia Southern University, the University of Georgia, or Georgia Institute of Technology, or any institution across the nation with active Greek life, they face the same hazing risks that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez. National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Alpha have chapters across the country, often with similar initiation rituals that can turn deadly.

Berrien County families, do not let fear, shame, or loyalty prevent you from seeking justice. Your child deserved safety, dignity, and respect, not torture. We are Attorney911, and we are coming for every institution, every national organization, and every individual who thinks they can torture our kids and walk away. The Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi learned this the hard way at the University of Houston—they are shut down, and our $10 million lawsuit is moving forward. Your chapter in Berrien County, or wherever your child attends college, could be next.

Call us. Let’s send a message that resonates far beyond Berrien County: Hazing ends now.

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know there are others. Leonel Bermudez was not an isolated victim. Another pledge collapsed unconscious on October 15. Others were subjected to waterboarding, forced eating, and extreme physical exertion. If you were a victim, or know someone who was, you have rights too. We can represent you, protect your identity, and ensure all responsible parties are held accountable. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.

Your Legal Emergency Hotline for Berrien County Hazing Victims Is Standing By:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Ralph Manginello & Lupe Peña – Attorney911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com