🚨 Brunswick County Hazing Lawyer: Protecting Students & Holding Fraternities Accountable

Serving Brunswick County, Virginia and Surrounding Communities — Nationwide Representation Available

Brunswick County Families: You Are Not Alone

If your child has been the victim of hazing at a college, university, or Greek organization near Brunswick County, Virginia, you need to know: this is not “tradition.” This is not “building character.” This is abuse. And you have legal rights.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — a case involving waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and systematic torture of a student. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we will bring that same aggressive representation to Brunswick County families.

We serve Brunswick County from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont — and we will travel to Brunswick County for your case.

📞 Brunswick County Hazing Victims: Call Now for Free Consultation

24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com

We work on contingency — $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.

The Hazing Crisis in Brunswick County: What Families Need to Know

Hazing Happens at Brunswick County-Area Schools

Brunswick County is home to a strong community with deep family values. But when Brunswick County students go off to college, they face the same risks as students everywhere — including hazing at fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and other student organizations.

Universities near Brunswick County with active Greek life include:

• Longwood University (Farmville, VA)
• Virginia State University (Petersburg, VA)
• Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA)
• University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)
• College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, VA)
• James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA)

The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have chapters at these schools — including:

• Pi Kappa Phi
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
• Sigma Chi
• Kappa Sigma
• Phi Delta Theta
• Beta Theta Pi

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Brunswick County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

🚨 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Brunswick County

Our Current $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit: The Reality of Hazing

In November 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 was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to extreme hazing.

What they did to him:

• Waterboarded him with a garden hose — simulated drowning
• Forced him to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, and other extreme exercises until he collapsed
• Struck him with wooden paddles
• Forced him to eat until he vomited, then made him continue exercising
• Made him drive fraternity members during early morning hours, causing exhaustion
• Threatened him with expulsion if he didn’t comply

The result:

• He couldn’t stand without help
• He crawled up the stairs when he got home
• His mother rushed him to the hospital with kidney failure
• He spent 4 days in the hospital fighting for his life

The same fraternity that did this has chapters at universities near Brunswick County.

The same universities that failed to stop this have campuses near Brunswick County.

This could happen to your child in Brunswick County.

📰 Media Coverage of Our Hazing Lawsuit

Our case has been featured in major media outlets, putting pressure on institutions to take hazing seriously:

From Ralph Manginello to 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.”

From Lupe Pena 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.”

🔥 Why Brunswick County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

While other firms talk about hazing, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit. We know the defendants. We know their playbook. And we know how to win.

2. We Have Hazing-Specific Expertise

• Ralph Manginello has experience with Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation and rhabdomyolysis injury cases
• We understand the culture of Greek life and how to dismantle hazing defenses
• We know the medical consequences of hazing — from alcohol poisoning to kidney failure

3. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know how they think. We know how they try to deny claims. And we know how to beat them.

4. We Serve Brunswick County — No Matter Where You Are

While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Brunswick County:

• Federal court authority — we can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York
• Video consultations — meet with us remotely
• Travel commitment — we come to Brunswick County for depositions and trials

5. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

We understand that Brunswick County families may be concerned about the cost of hiring an attorney. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency:

• No upfront fees
• No hourly billing
• We only get paid if you win
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

6. We Speak Spanish — Serving Brunswick County’s Hispanic Community

Many hazing victims in Brunswick County come from Hispanic families. We have bilingual staff and can serve Spanish-speaking clients without language barriers.

Se habla español. Podemos ayudarle en español sin barreras de idioma.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Brunswick County Hazing Victim

Virginia Hazing Laws: What Brunswick County Families Need to Know

Virginia has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students. Under Virginia Code § 18.2-56, hazing is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

What counts as hazing in Virginia?

• Physical brutality (beating, paddling, branding)
• Forced consumption of alcohol, food, or other substances
• Sleep deprivation
• Exposure to extreme weather
• Confinement in small spaces
• Any activity that creates a risk of injury

Important for Brunswick County families:

• Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter
• Organizations can be held liable — fraternities, sororities, and universities can be sued
• You have 2 years to file a lawsuit — don’t wait; evidence disappears

Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Brunswick County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held responsible:

In our Houston case, we are suing:

• Pi Kappa Phi National
• The local chapter
• The housing corporation
• The University of Houston
• Individual members and officers
• A former member and his spouse (for hosting hazing)

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

💰 What Brunswick County Hazing Victims Can Recover

Hazing can cause physical injuries, psychological trauma, and financial losses. Brunswick County families can pursue compensation for:

Economic Damages

• Medical bills — hospital stays, ER visits, specialists, therapy
• Future medical care — ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, potential dialysis
• Lost wages — time missed from work during recovery
• Educational losses — tuition, scholarships, academic disruption

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering — the agony of hazing injuries
• Mental anguish — trauma from waterboarding, beatings, humiliation
• Emotional distress — PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution
• Loss of enjoyment of life — impact on college experience, social life

Punitive Damages

In cases of egregious conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing.

Our Houston case involves:

• Waterboarding — torture
• 500 squats causing kidney failure — reckless endangerment
• Wooden paddles — physical assault
• Forced eating until vomiting — abuse

These facts support punitive damages for Brunswick County victims as well.

📋 What Brunswick County Families Should Do If Hazing Occurs

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and legal deadlines approach. Here’s what to do:

1. Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries can be life-threatening
• Medical records are crucial evidence

2. Preserve All Evidence

• Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
• Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing
• Document everything — dates, times, what happened, who was involved
• Get witness names and contact information

3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without Legal Counsel

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative
• They may ask for statements, apologies, or signed agreements — DON’T SIGN ANYTHING
• Anything you say can be used against you

4. Do NOT Post on Social Media

• Avoid posting about the incident
• Avoid posting photos that could be misinterpreted (e.g., party photos)
• Do not delete old posts — that’s destruction of evidence

5. Report to Authorities

• Consider filing a police report
• Report to the university’s Title IX office (if applicable)
• Report to Virginia’s hazing hotline (if available)

6. Contact an Attorney Immediately

• Brunswick County families: Call 1-888-ATTY-911
• We will guide you through the process
• We will handle all communication with the organization
• We will preserve evidence and build your case

⏳ Brunswick County: Don’t Wait — Statute of Limitations Applies

In Virginia, you have 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.

Why Brunswick County families should act now:

• Evidence disappears (texts deleted, memories fade)
• Witnesses move away or become harder to locate
• Organizations destroy records
• Your legal rights expire

Our client in Houston acted immediately — hospitalized November 6, lawsuit filed November 21. This is how you protect your rights.

🏛️ Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Can and Do Win

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Here are some examples that show what’s possible for Brunswick County victims:

These cases prove:

• Juries award millions for hazing injuries
• Universities and fraternities both pay
• Criminal charges can accompany civil lawsuits
• Cases drive legislative change (e.g., Max Gruver Act, Timothy Piazza Law)

Brunswick County families: Your case can win too.

🎯 How We Win Hazing Cases for Brunswick County Families

1. We Prove the Hazing Happened

• Gather text messages, social media, photos, videos
• Interview witnesses
• Obtain fraternity records, pledge manuals, schedules
• Document medical evidence

2. We Prove the Organization Knew or Should Have Known

• Show prior hazing incidents at the same chapter
• Show national organization’s knowledge of “hazing crisis”
• Show university’s failure to supervise

3. We Prove the Injuries and Damages

• Medical records
• Expert testimony on long-term health consequences
• Economic expert reports on lost wages and future medical costs
• Psychological evaluations for PTSD, anxiety, depression

4. We Overcome the “Consent” Defense

• Virginia law says consent is not a defense
• Show coercion, peer pressure, threats of expulsion
• Show victim didn’t understand true risks

5. We Maximize Recovery

• Pursue all liable parties (chapter, nationals, university, individuals)
• Target insurance policies
• Seek punitive damages for egregious conduct

📢 Warning to Fraternities Near Brunswick County

To the fraternities operating at Longwood, Virginia State, Virginia Tech, UVA, William & Mary, and James Madison:

We are watching. We are coming for you.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million in our Houston case apply to your chapters.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Brunswick County, know this:

• We track your national organizations, housing corporations, and insurance policies
• We know your hazing histories — including deaths and hospitalizations at other chapters
• We will pursue every liable entity — including individual members
• We will travel to Brunswick County for depositions, trials, and client meetings

The UH chapter that hospitalized our client? They’re now SHUT DOWN. Your chapter could be next.

📞 Brunswick County Hazing Victims: Call Now

If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Brunswick County, we can help.

24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com

We offer:

• Free consultation — no obligation
• Video consultations — meet with us remotely
• Contingency representation — $0 upfront
• Aggressive advocacy — we fight for maximum compensation
• Nationwide service — we serve Brunswick County families

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Your rights expire. Call now.

🏆 About Attorney 911 — Brunswick County’s Hazing Litigation Experts

Ralph P. Manginello — Managing Partner

• 25+ years of litigation experience
• Former insurance defense attorney — knows how to beat insurance companies
• Federal court admission — can pursue Brunswick County cases in federal jurisdiction
• Dual-state bar license — Texas AND New York
• Hazing-specific expertise — currently litigating $10M hazing lawsuit
• Father of three — understands what’s at stake for Brunswick County families

Lupe Eleno Peña — Associate Attorney

• 12+ years of litigation experience
• Former national insurance defense attorney — worked at Litchfield Cavo LLP
• Federal court admission — U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• Fluent in Spanish — serves Brunswick County’s Hispanic community
• Wrongful death and catastrophic injury experience

Why Brunswick County Families Trust Us

• We are fighting this battle RIGHT NOW — not theoretical; active litigation
• We know the defendants’ playbook — former insurance defense attorneys
• We travel to Brunswick County — for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• We work on contingency — $0 upfront for Brunswick County families
• We care — we see your child as a person, not a paycheck

📍 Serving Brunswick County, Virginia and Beyond

While based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Brunswick County and surrounding areas:

• Brunswick County, VA
• Lawrenceville, VA
• Alberta, VA
• Ebony, VA
• Brodnax, VA
• South Hill, VA
• Emporia, VA
• Petersburg, VA
• Richmond, VA
• And all communities across Virginia and the United States

Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will fight for Brunswick County families no matter where the hazing occurred.

🚨 Brunswick County: Hazing Is Not Tradition — It’s Torture

Waterboarding is torture when done to enemy combatants. It’s still torture when done to college students.

500 squats causing kidney failure is not “building character.” It’s abuse.

Forced drinking until vomiting is not “brotherhood.” It’s assault.

Brunswick County families: Your child deserves better. Your child deserves justice.

Attorney 911 is here to fight for you.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Brunswick County hazing victims — you are not alone. We are here to help.