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Bryan County (Earth/North America/United States/Oklahoma/Bryan County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 24, 2026 18 min read
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Hazing Lawyers Serving Bryan County, Oklahoma – Attorney 911

Bryan County Families: Your Child Deserves Justice

If your son or daughter has been hazed at a college near Bryan County, Oklahoma, you are not alone. And you don’t have to fight this battle by yourself.

At Attorney 911, we are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston—a case that has made national headlines for exposing the brutal, life-threatening abuse disguised as “tradition.” This same fraternity, and others like it, operate at universities across Oklahoma, including near Bryan County. The same culture of secrecy, intimidation, and physical torture exists here. And we will fight for Bryan County families with the same relentless determination.

This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening in Oklahoma. It’s happening near Bryan County. And it’s happening to your child.

The Hazing Crisis in Bryan County, Oklahoma

What Hazing Really Looks Like – The Case That Should Alarm Every Bryan County Parent

On November 21, 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized for severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to weeks of torture by the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston.

This is what hazing looks like in 2025:

Waterboarding with a garden hose – Simulated drowning, a technique considered torture under international law.
Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups – Until his muscles broke down and he couldn’t stand.
Struck with wooden paddles – Physical assault with weapons.
Forced to eat until vomiting – Then made to keep running through his own vomit.
Another pledge lost consciousness – Yet the hazing continued.
Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth – A pledge was restrained for over an hour while fraternity members prepared for a meeting.
Stripped to underwear in cold weather – Humiliation and exposure.
Carrying a fanny pack with sexual objects – Psychological abuse.
Threatened with expulsion if he didn’t comply – Coercion and intimidation.

Leonel Bermudez wasn’t even a student at the University of Houston yet. He was a “ghost rush”—a prospective member expected to transfer. They hazed him before he even enrolled.

This isn’t “tradition.” This isn’t “brotherhood.” This is abuse. This is assault. This is torture.

And it’s happening at universities near Bryan County, Oklahoma, right now.

Hazing in Oklahoma: The Hidden Epidemic Near Bryan County

Universities Near Bryan County Where Hazing Occurs

Bryan County is home to Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SOSU) in Durant, and is within driving distance of major universities where Greek life thrives, including:

  • University of Oklahoma (Norman) – One of the largest Greek systems in the country.
  • Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) – Home to multiple fraternities with documented hazing histories.
  • University of Central Oklahoma (Edmond) – Active Greek life with known hazing risks.
  • Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) – Just across the state line, with a massive Greek presence.
  • University of North Texas (Denton, TX) – Another major Greek life hub near Oklahoma.

These are not isolated incidents. Hazing is widespread, institutionalized, and often deadly—but it’s kept hidden until it’s too late.

The Truth About Hazing in Oklahoma

  • 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing.
  • 40% of student athletes report hazing.
  • Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S.
  • 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it—out of fear, shame, or loyalty to the organization.
  • In Oklahoma, hazing is a crime—but universities and fraternities routinely cover it up.

The same national fraternities involved in Leonel Bermudez’s case—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi—have active chapters at universities near Bryan County. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Oklahoma, they face the same risks.

Why Bryan County Families Need a Hazing Lawyer

1. Universities and Fraternities Will Not Protect Your Child

When hazing happens, universities and fraternities do not act to protect victims—they act to protect themselves.

  • They minimize the abuse.
  • They blame the victim.
  • They destroy evidence.
  • They threaten retaliation against anyone who speaks out.
  • They settle quietly to avoid bad publicity.

Leonel Bermudez’s case proves this:

  • Pi Kappa Phi closed their UH chapter immediately after he was hospitalized—but only to limit their liability.
  • The University of Houston knew about hazing on their campus—a student was hospitalized in 2017 from a different fraternity—but did nothing to prevent it from happening again.
  • The fraternity’s national organization knew about a “hazing crisis” but failed to enforce their own anti-hazing policies.

They don’t care about your child. They care about their reputation. And they will fight to silence you.

2. Criminal Charges Are Rare – Civil Lawsuits Are the Only Way to Hold Them Accountable

In Oklahoma, hazing is a crime—but prosecutions are rare. Even when charges are filed, the penalties are often slaps on the wrist—probation, fines, or short jail sentences.

The only way to get real justice is through a civil lawsuit.

  • Force them to pay for medical bills, therapy, and pain and suffering.
  • Make them answer for their actions in court.
  • Send a message that hazing will cost them millions.

Our $10 million lawsuit is doing exactly that.

3. The Clock Is Ticking – You Have Limited Time to Act

In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.

  • Evidence disappears – Texts get deleted, witnesses forget, fraternities destroy records.
  • Universities cover their tracks – They “investigate” in ways that protect themselves, not victims.
  • Your child’s injuries worsen – Physical and psychological trauma can last a lifetime.

You cannot wait. You must act now.

What We Can Do for Bryan County Hazing Victims

1. Immediate Legal Protection

  • Send preservation letters to fraternities, universities, and individuals to stop them from destroying evidence.
  • Demand all text messages, social media posts, and internal communications related to the hazing.
  • Protect your child from retaliation—fraternities often intimidate victims into silence.
  • Handle all communications with the university and fraternity—so you don’t say anything that can be used against you.

2. Medical and Psychological Support

  • Connect you with top medical specialists to document injuries.
  • Arrange therapy for PTSD, anxiety, and depression—hazing leaves deep emotional scars.
  • Ensure all medical records are properly documented—critical for your case.

3. Building a Strong Legal Case

  • Gather evidence – Photos, videos, witness statements, fraternity documents.
  • Identify all responsible parties – The fraternity, the national organization, the university, individual members.
  • Calculate full damages – Medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, punitive damages.
  • Negotiate aggressively – Insurance companies and universities will lowball you. We won’t let them.

4. Taking the Case to Trial if Necessary

  • We are not afraid to go to court. Many law firms settle for less than you deserve. We fight for maximum compensation.
  • We have a track record of winning big verdicts—including a $10 million demand in our current hazing case.
  • We know how to expose the truth—even when fraternities and universities try to hide it.

Who We Can Sue for Bryan County Hazing Victims

Hazing cases involve multiple defendants—all of whom share liability. We pursue everyone responsible, including:

Defendant Why They’re Liable
The Local Fraternity Chapter Directly organized and conducted the hazing.
The National Fraternity Organization Failed to supervise, enforce anti-hazing policies, and prevent abuse despite knowing about prior incidents.
The University Failed to protect students, ignored prior hazing incidents, and allowed dangerous conditions to exist.
Individual Fraternity Members Participated in, directed, or failed to stop the hazing.
Fraternity Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) Leadership responsibility—knew or should have known about the abuse.
Former Members & Alumni Hosted hazing events at their homes; enabled the culture.
Insurance Companies Provide coverage for the fraternity, university, and individuals—where the real money is.

We don’t just sue broke college students. We go after the deep pockets—the national organizations, universities, and insurance companies that enable this culture.

What Hazing Victims in Bryan County Can Recover

1. Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

  • Medical bills – Hospital stays, ER visits, surgeries, therapy, future treatment.
  • Lost wages – Time missed from work due to injuries.
  • Future earning capacity – If hazing causes long-term health problems.
  • Educational losses – Tuition refunds if your child had to drop out.

2. Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

  • Physical pain – The agony of rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, burns, or other injuries.
  • Emotional distress – PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation.
  • Humiliation & shame – Being degraded, forced to do humiliating acts.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life – Inability to participate in normal activities.

3. Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

If the hazing was particularly brutal or intentional, we can seek punitive damages—additional money meant to punish the defendants and deter future hazing.

Our $10 million demand includes punitive damages because:

  • Waterboarding is torture.
  • Forcing someone to do 500 squats until they collapse is reckless.
  • Ignoring prior hazing deaths (like Andrew Coffey) is gross negligence.

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

1. Stone Foltz – $10.1 Million (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021)

  • What happened: A pledge was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol and died from alcohol poisoning.
  • Outcome: $10.1 million settlement—the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history.
  • Why it matters: Shows that universities and fraternities will pay millions when hazing turns deadly.

2. Maxwell Gruver – $6.1 Million Jury Verdict (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017)

  • What happened: A pledge was forced to drink during a “Bible Study” hazing ritual and died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495—6x the legal limit).
  • Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict + Max Gruver Act (made hazing a felony in Louisiana).
  • Why it matters: Juries hate hazing and will award millions for egregious conduct.

3. Timothy Piazza – $110+ Million (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017)

  • What happened: A pledge was forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes, fell down stairs multiple times, and fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911.
  • Outcome: Confidential settlement estimated at $110+ million + Timothy Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania.
  • Why it matters: Shows that when evidence is strong, settlements reach nine figures.

4. Andrew Coffey – Pi Kappa Phi (FSU, 2017)

  • What happened: A pledge was forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon and died from alcohol poisoning.
  • Outcome: Chapter permanently closed; 9 members criminally charged.
  • Why it matters: The same fraternity that killed Andrew Coffey hospitalized Leonel Bermudez in 2025. They had 8 years to fix their culture—and did nothing.

These cases prove one thing: Hazing victims and their families win big when they fight back. And we will fight for Bryan County families just as hard.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Bryan County, Oklahoma

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

  • Go to the ER or urgent care—even if injuries seem minor.
  • Document everything—photos of injuries, medical records, hospital bills.
  • Mental health matters—hazing causes PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Seek therapy.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

  • Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs—any communication about hazing.
  • Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any evidence left behind.
  • Write down everything—dates, times, names of people involved, what was said.
  • Get witness names and contact info—other pledges, bystanders, anyone who saw what happened.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer

  • They will try to manipulate you—insurance adjusters, fraternity leaders, and university officials are trained to minimize your claim.
  • They will destroy evidence—fraternities often delete messages and hide records once they know a lawsuit is coming.
  • They will offer you a lowball settlement—the first offer is always too low.

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

Call us 24/7 at: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Free Consultation – No Upfront Cost

We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

Why Bryan County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

  • We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
  • We know exactly how these cases work—because we’re in the middle of one.
  • We have media coverage (ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle) to pressure defendants.

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

  • We know how insurance companies think—because we used to work for them.
  • We know their tricks—how they lowball victims, delay claims, and deny liability.
  • We use that knowledge against them to maximize your recovery.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority

  • We can pursue cases in federal court—critical for lawsuits against national fraternities.
  • We are licensed in Texas and New York—giving us strategic advantages in litigation.

4. We Travel to Bryan County

  • We come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials.
  • We offer video consultations for Bryan County families who can’t travel.
  • Distance is not a barrier—we represent hazing victims nationwide.

5. We Speak Spanish

  • Se habla español—our bilingual staff can serve Spanish-speaking families without language barriers.

6. We Care About Your Child

  • We see your child as a person—not a paycheck.
  • We understand the emotional toll hazing takes on families.
  • We will fight for justice as if it were our own child.

The Message to Fraternities Near Bryan County

To the fraternities operating near Bryan County, Oklahoma:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts in Texas apply to your chapter. The same national organizations that paid $110 million in settlements are your headquarters.

If you haze students in Bryan County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue you, your national organization, and the university. And we will win.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi—if your chapter operates near Bryan County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America. We shut down the UH chapter. Your chapter could be next.

The Message to Universities Near Bryan County

To Southeastern Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and every other institution near Bryan County:

You own the problem.

You own the fraternity houses where hazing happens. You collect the rent while students are tortured. You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous chapters—but you choose not to.

The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded. They knew about hazing in 2017 and did nothing. Now they’re being sued for $10 million.

If your university ignores hazing, you will face the same accountability.

Bryan County Families: This Is Your Wake-Up Call

Hazing is not “boys being boys.” It’s not “tradition.” It’s not “building character.”

It is assault. It is battery. It is torture. And it is illegal.

If your child has been hazed at a university near Bryan County, Oklahoma, you have the right to fight back. You have the right to justice. And you have the right to compensation.

But you cannot wait. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. And the clock is ticking.

Call us now at 📞 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

We don’t get paid unless you do.

🚨 Bryan County Hazing Victims: Call Now – 1-888-ATTY-911 🚨

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Serving Bryan County, Oklahoma and Nationwide

You are not alone. We are fighting for you.

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