🚨 Hazing Victims in Blount County, Tennessee: You Are Not Alone — We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization near Blount County, Tennessee — we can help.

We are Attorney 911 — the law firm currently suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for $10 million after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure from hazing.

This happened in Houston. But the same hazing happens at universities near Blount County. The same fraternities operate near Blount County. The same negligence exists at Tennessee institutions. And we will fight for Blount County families with the same fury we’re bringing to this case.

📰 This Is What Hazing Looks Like — And It’s Happening Near Blount County, Tennessee

On November 21, 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who accepted a bid to join the fraternity as a “ghost rush” — meaning he wasn’t even enrolled at the university yet.

What followed was seven weeks of torture disguised as “tradition”:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until his muscles broke down
• Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault with weapons
• Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting — then forced to keep running
• Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth (another pledge, on October 13)
• Forced to strip to underwear in cold weather — exposure and humiliation
• Carry a fanny pack with objects of sexual nature at all times — psychological abuse
• Threatened with expulsion if he didn’t comply — coercion and fear
• Another pledge lost consciousness on October 15 — they kept going

On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event. He was forced to do 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and two-mile warmups until he collapsed and couldn’t stand without help. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. The next day, he couldn’t move. His mother rushed him to the hospital on November 6 — where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days in the hospital fighting for his life.

This is not “tradition.” This is not “brotherhood.” This is torture. This is assault. This is medical negligence. And it’s happening right now at universities near Blount County, Tennessee.

⚠️ Why This Matters to Blount County, Tennessee Families

1. The Same Fraternities Are Near Blount County, Tennessee

Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America, including in Tennessee. Other national fraternities like Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, and Phi Delta Theta also have chapters at universities near Blount County.

If they’re doing this in Houston, they’re likely doing it near Blount County.

2. Universities Near Blount County Have the Same Power — and the Same Liability

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where Bermudez was waterboarded. They collected rent while students were being tortured. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut it down — but they didn’t.

Universities near Blount County have the same power. And when they fail to use it, they share liability.

3. National Organizations Know About Hazing — and Do Nothing

Pi Kappa Phi National knew about their “hazing crisis” — that’s their own language from the lawsuit. They knew Andrew Coffey died from hazing at their Florida State chapter in 2017. They had eight years to fix their culture. They did nothing.

The same nationals operate near Blount County. They know what’s happening in their chapters. They choose not to stop it.

4. Victims Are Afraid — But Your Silence Protects the Abusers

Our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” Blount County victims face the same fear. But silence only protects the abusers.

We protect our clients. We fight for justice. And we won’t let them intimidate you into silence.

5. Your Case Could Save Lives in Blount County

Lupe Pena, our attorney, said it best:

“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 Blount County case could be the one that stops hazing at your university. Your courage could save lives.

💰 What Hazing Victims Near Blount County Can Recover

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what other families have recovered:

These results are possible for Blount County victims too.

What Blount County Families Can Sue For:

• Medical bills — past, present, and future
• Lost wages — if hazing impacted ability to work
• Pain and suffering — physical and emotional trauma
• Punitive damages — to punish the organization and deter future hazing
• Educational disruption — if hazing caused academic setbacks
• Therapy costs — for PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Future medical monitoring — if injuries require ongoing care

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing Near Blount County?

When hazing happens, everyone who participated or allowed it shares liability:

In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re suing:

• Pi Kappa Phi National
• The UH chapter
• The chapter president
• The pledgemaster
• Current and former members
• A former member and his spouse (hazing occurred at their home)
• The University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
• The UH Board of Regents

We will pursue the same comprehensive liability strategy for Blount County families.

⚖️ Tennessee Hazing Laws — Your Rights as a Blount County Victim

Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-123 — Hazing

Definition of Hazing in Tennessee:

Any intentional or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in an organization.

This includes:

• Physical brutality (beatings, paddling, branding)
• Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
• Sleep deprivation
• Exposure to extreme weather
• Confinement
• Any activity that creates unreasonable risk of harm

Criminal Penalties in Tennessee:

• Class A Misdemeanor — Up to 11 months, 29 days in jail and/or $2,500 fine
• Class E Felony — If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death (1-6 years in prison)

Civil Liability:

• Victims can sue for negligence, assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress
• Consent is not a defense — even if you “agreed” to participate, you can still sue
• Universities can be sued for failing to protect students

Statute of Limitations in Tennessee:

• Personal Injury: 1 year from date of injury
• Wrongful Death: 1 year from date of death

⚠️ TIME IS CRITICAL. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your rights expire. Call us immediately if your child has been hazed near Blount County.

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

IMMEDIATE ACTION STEPS:

1. Get Medical Attention

   • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
   • Hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be life-threatening
   • Medical records create critical evidence

2. Preserve All Evidence

   • Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing
   • Screenshot all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs about hazing
   • Save all photos and videos from pledge events
   • Document witness names and contact information
   • Keep any physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)

3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization

   • Fraternities/sororities will try to control the narrative
   • They will pressure you to stay silent
   • Do not sign anything from the organization
   • Do not give statements without legal counsel

4. Do NOT Post on Social Media

   • Anything you post can be used against you
   • Even innocent posts (“I’m fine!”) can be twisted to minimize your injuries
   • Stay off social media until your case is resolved

5. Report to Authorities

   • Consider filing a police report
   • File a Title IX complaint with the university
   • Report to the national organization (but don’t expect them to act)

6. Call an Attorney Immediately

   • 1-888-ATTY-911 — available 24/7 for Blount County families
   • We offer free consultations
   • We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win

🎯 Why Blount County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We filed the $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH
• We are actively litigating this case as you read this
• We know exactly how to build hazing cases
• We know exactly who to sue and how to win

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

• Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides
• We know how they try to minimize claims
• We know how to dismantle their defenses
• We know where the money is — insurance policies, assets, deep pockets

3. Federal Court Authority — We Can Sue Anywhere in America

• Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York)
• Can pursue national fraternity organizations no matter where they’re headquartered
• Can represent Blount County victims regardless of where the hazing occurred

4. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

• BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience
• $10 million hazing lawsuit — current case
• Millions recovered for personal injury victims
• Successful criminal defense — we know how to fight in court

5. We Will Travel to Blount County

• We come to Blount County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• We offer video consultations for Blount County families
• Distance is not a barrier to justice

6. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

• Bilingual staff available
• Can serve Spanish-speaking Blount County families without language barriers

7. Contingency Fee — $0 Upfront for Blount County Families

• You pay nothing to hire us
• We only get paid if you get paid
• We advance all case expenses
• No financial risk to you

📞 Blount County Families — Call Us Now

If your child has been hazed near Blount County, Tennessee — call us immediately.

1-888-ATTY-911

Available 24/7 for Blount County hazing emergencies

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Website: attorney911.com

We offer:

• Free, confidential consultations
• Immediate case evaluation
• Aggressive legal representation
• Protection from retaliation
• Maximum compensation for your child

🔥 A Message to Fraternities Near Blount County

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, and every fraternity with chapters near Blount County:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that are securing $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

If your Tennessee chapter harms students, we will pursue every liable entity:

• Your local chapter
• Your national organization
• Your housing corporation
• Your alumni oversight board
• Every individual member who participated

We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. Your chapter could be next.

Clean up your chapters. Enforce your policies. Protect your pledges. Or face the consequences in court.

🏛️ A Message to Universities Near Blount County

To the University of Tennessee, Carson-Newman University, Maryville College, and every university near Blount County:

You own the buildings. You collect the rent. You have the power.

When you allow hazing to happen on your property, you share liability.

When you fail to protect your students, you betray their trust.

When you know hazing is happening and do nothing, you become part of the problem.

We are coming for every institution that enables hazing culture. We will hold you accountable. We will make you pay. And we will make you change.

🎓 A Message to Blount County Students

If you’re being hazed — you are not alone.

You don’t deserve this. No one does.

You have the right to:

• Say no without fear of retaliation
• Report the abuse without shame
• Seek justice without guilt

You are not betraying your brothers or sisters. You are protecting the next pledge.

Call us. We will fight for you.

💔 A Message to Blount County Parents

You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe.

You trusted the university. You trusted the fraternity. You trusted that they would protect your child.

That trust was betrayed.

We understand the pain. We understand the rage.

We are here to turn that pain into justice.

We will fight for your child. We will hold the abusers accountable. And we will make sure this never happens to another Blount County family.

🚨 Enough Is Enough — Blount County Deserves Better

Hazing is not tradition. It’s not brotherhood. It’s not bonding.

It’s assault. It’s battery. It’s torture. It’s sometimes manslaughter. It’s always wrong.

Blount County students deserve better. Blount County parents deserve better. Blount County deserves better.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting this battle right now.

If your child has been hazed near Blount County, Tennessee — call us before it’s too late.

1-888-ATTY-911

Justice for Blount County. Accountability for the abusers. Protection for the next student.