🛡️ Hazing Victims in Buffalo County, Nebraska Deserve Justice — Attorney 911 Fights for You
Buffalo County families: If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization near Kearney, Gibbon, or anywhere in Buffalo County, you are not alone. What happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston — waterboarding, forced exercise until kidney failure, wooden paddles — happens right here in Nebraska too.
At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we will bring that same fight to Buffalo County.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Buffalo County, Nebraska
Buffalo County is home to thriving college and university communities, including:
- University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) — Just 18 miles from the heart of Buffalo County
- Central Community College — Multiple campuses serving Buffalo County students
- Nearby institutions including Hastings College, York College, and others
These schools have active Greek life organizations — fraternities and sororities with chapters of national organizations that have documented histories of hazing nationwide.
The Same Fraternities That Hazed in Houston Operate Near Buffalo County
| Fraternity | National Hazing Record | Buffalo County/Nebraska Presence |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey death (2017); Leonel Bermudez hospitalization (2025) | Chapters at UNK, UNL, and other Nebraska universities |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple hazing deaths; $1M+ settlements | Active chapters across Nebraska |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz death (2021); $10M+ settlement | Chapters at UNL, UNO, and others |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza death (2017); $110M+ settlement | Nebraska chapters |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver death (2017); $6.1M verdict | Active in Nebraska |
Buffalo County parents: These are the same organizations your children are pledging. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at Nebraska fraternities.
⚠️ What Hazing Looks Like in Buffalo County
Hazing isn’t “boys being boys” or “harmless fun.” It is abuse, torture, and sometimes manslaughter.
Types of Hazing Reported at Nebraska Universities (Including Near Buffalo County):
| Category | Examples | Medical Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Forced Consumption | Alcohol (binge drinking), food (eating until vomiting), non-food substances | Alcohol poisoning; choking; aspiration |
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, burning | Broken bones; internal injuries; rhabdomyolysis |
| Extreme Exercise | Hundreds of squats, pushups, bear crawls, “suicides” | Rhabdomyolysis; kidney failure; cardiac arrest |
| Water Torture | Waterboarding, simulated drowning, being sprayed with hoses | Drowning; hypothermia; panic attacks |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced late nights, early mornings, driving members | Exhaustion; accidents; mental health decline |
| Psychological Abuse | Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, threats | PTSD; anxiety; depression; suicide |
| Sexual Abuse | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects | Sexual assault; long-term trauma |
| Exposure | Forced to stand outside in cold/heat, minimal clothing | Hypothermia; heat stroke; frostbite |
Medical Consequences of Hazing in Buffalo County:
| Condition | Description | Buffalo County Treatment Centers |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Muscle breakdown causing kidney failure | CHI Health Good Samaritan (Kearney); Kearney Regional Medical Center |
| Acute Kidney Failure | Life-threatening kidney shutdown | CHI Health Good Samaritan; Bryan Health (Lincoln) |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Overdose from forced drinking | Emergency rooms across Buffalo County |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | From beatings or falls | CHI Health Good Samaritan; UNMC (Omaha) |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | From exposure | Local ERs; critical care units |
| PTSD/Anxiety/Depression | Long-term psychological damage | UNK Counseling Center; private therapists in Kearney/Gibbon |
| Death | From any of the above | Tragically, this happens too often |
Buffalo County families: If your child was hazed, seek medical attention immediately — even if injuries seem minor. Then preserve all evidence and contact us.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Buffalo County Hazing Victim
Nebraska Hazing Law — What Buffalo County Families Need to Know
Nebraska has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students. Under Nebraska Revised Statute § 28-311.06, hazing is defined as:
“Any activity by which a person intentionally or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health or safety of an individual for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any organization.”
Key Provisions:
- Hazing is a CRIME — Class I misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine)
- Consent is NOT a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it doesn’t matter
- Organizations can be held liable — Fraternities, sororities, universities
- Individuals can be sued — Chapter officers, members, alumni
Civil Liability — Who Buffalo County Families Can Sue
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Buffalo County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | UNK, Hastings College, or other Buffalo County chapter |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike, etc. — same nationals as Houston case |
| University/College | Failed to prevent hazing; negligent oversight | UNK, Central CC, or other Buffalo County institution |
| Individual Members | Participated in or allowed hazing | Chapter officers, pledgemaster, active members |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their property | Off-campus houses where hazing occurred |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional and individual liability | Deep pockets for compensation |
Buffalo County parents: You have the right to sue every person and entity that allowed your child to be hazed. We will pursue them all.
💰 What Buffalo County Hazing Victims Can Recover
Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. The same legal strategies we’re using in our $10 million Houston case apply to Buffalo County victims.
Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 Million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 Million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ Million |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Pending | $10 Million |
Buffalo County families: These results are not limited to Texas. Nebraska courts award similar damages for hazing injuries and deaths.
Types of Compensation Available to Buffalo County Victims:
| Category | Description | Buffalo County Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER, specialists, therapy | CHI Health Good Samaritan; Kearney Regional |
| Future Medical | Ongoing treatment, rehabilitation | Kidney monitoring; PTSD therapy |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships | Summer jobs; part-time employment |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical and emotional trauma | Waterboarding; 500 squats; paddling |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression | Therapy at UNK Counseling Center |
| Punitive Damages | To punish egregious conduct | Waterboarding = torture; forced alcohol poisoning |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death | Funeral expenses; loss of companionship |
Buffalo County parents: You do not need to pay anything upfront to pursue your case. We work on contingency — we only get paid if you win.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Buffalo County
Immediate Action Steps for Buffalo County Families:
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ensure Safety | Remove your child from the dangerous situation | Prevent further harm |
| 2. Seek Medical Attention | Go to ER or urgent care immediately | Document injuries; prevent complications |
| 3. Preserve Evidence | Save all texts, photos, videos, social media | Critical for your case |
| 4. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity | They will try to control the narrative | Protect your rights |
| 5. Do NOT Post on Social Media | Anything you post can be used against you | Avoid defense traps |
| 6. Report to Authorities | File police report; report to university | Create official record |
| 7. Contact Attorney 911 | Free consultation — 1-888-ATTY-911 | Know your legal options |
Evidence Preservation Checklist for Buffalo County Victims:
✅ Medical Records — ER, hospital, doctor, therapy
✅ Photos/Videos — Injuries, hazing activities, locations
✅ Text Messages — GroupMe, iMessage, WhatsApp, Snapchat
✅ Social Media — Screenshots of posts about hazing
✅ Witness Information — Names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders
✅ Documents — Pledge manuals, schedules, rules
✅ Financial Records — Medical bills, lost wages, tuition impact
✅ Academic Records — Impact on grades, scholarships, enrollment
Buffalo County families: Every piece of evidence strengthens your case. Do not delete anything.
🎯 Why Buffalo County Families Choose Attorney 911
We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now — And We’ll Fight for Buffalo County Too
Current Case: Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. — $10 Million Lawsuit
What We’re Litigating:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose
- Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups until collapse
- Striking with wooden paddles
- Forced eating until vomiting
- Severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
- 4 days hospitalized
Why This Matters to Buffalo County:
- The same fraternities operate at UNK and across Nebraska
- The same hazing “traditions” exist in Buffalo County
- The same negligence allows abuse to continue
- We will bring the same fight to Nebraska
Our Advantages for Buffalo County Families:
| Advantage | How It Helps Buffalo County Victims |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years of Litigation Experience | Battle-tested in courtrooms across America |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | Know how insurers undervalue claims — use that against them |
| Federal Court Authority | Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction |
| Dual-State Bar Admission | Texas AND New York — strategic for national fraternities |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Buffalo County families |
| Nationwide Hazing Expertise | Currently litigating $10M hazing case; same strategies for Nebraska |
| Will Travel to Buffalo County | For depositions, meetings, and trials — distance is not a barrier |
| Contingency Fee | $0 upfront — we only get paid if you win |
| Aggressive Philosophy | “Outwork, outsmart, outfight” — exactly what Buffalo County victims need |
What Buffalo County Families Say About Us:
“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett
“They fought with the other party insurance and got me more of the settlement that I was expecting.” — Vivian Ruiz
“They treated me with honesty and respect from the very beginning. I was able to trust the firm to advocate for me.” — Debra Cambric-Chisolm
🏛️ Universities Near Buffalo County Must Be Held Accountable
University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) — 18 Miles from Buffalo County
UNK has a responsibility to protect its students. If hazing occurs at UNK fraternities or organizations:
- UNK can be held liable for negligent supervision
- UNK can be held liable for premises liability if hazing occurs on campus property
- UNK has a duty to investigate and prevent hazing
Buffalo County parents: If UNK knew or should have known about hazing and failed to act, they share liability.
Central Community College — Serving Buffalo County Students
Central Community College serves students from Buffalo County at multiple campuses. Greek life and student organizations exist here too. The same hazing risks apply.
Other Nearby Institutions:
- Hastings College — Active Greek life; 30 miles from Buffalo County
- York College — 50 miles from Buffalo County; student organizations
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) — Major Greek life; students from Buffalo County attend
Buffalo County families: Regardless of where the hazing occurred, we can help. We serve victims nationwide.
🗺️ We Serve Buffalo County Hazing Victims — No Matter Where the Abuse Occurred
While we are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Buffalo County, Nebraska.
How We Serve Buffalo County Families:
- Federal court authority — Pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
- Video consultations — Meet with us remotely from Kearney, Gibbon, or anywhere in Buffalo County
- Travel commitment — We come to Buffalo County for depositions, meetings, and trials
- Nationwide network — Local investigators, medical experts, and resources
- 24/7 availability — 1-888-ATTY-911 — we’re here when you need us
Buffalo County hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. Neither do we.
📢 To Fraternities Operating Near Buffalo County: We Are Watching
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta — and every other fraternity with chapters near Buffalo County:
We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi for hazing that hospitalized our client. The same legal strategies we’re using in Texas apply to your Nebraska chapters.
If you haze students in Buffalo County, we will:
- Sue your chapter
- Sue your national organization
- Sue your university
- Sue your individual members
- Pursue every liable entity
- Demand maximum compensation
- Expose your culture of abuse
The Stone Foltz family won $10.1 million. The Maxwell Gruver family won $6.1 million. The Timothy Piazza family won $110+ million. Your chapter could be next.
Clean up your act. Or we will clean it up in court.
📞 Buffalo County Hazing Victims — Contact Us Immediately
If your child was hazed in Buffalo County, Nebraska — or anywhere in America — contact us NOW for a free, confidential consultation.
How Buffalo County Families Can Reach Us:
📞 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
📍 Video Consultation: Available for Buffalo County families who cannot travel
We offer:
✅ Free case evaluation — Know your rights
✅ Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront; we only get paid if you win
✅ Confidential consultation — Your privacy is protected
✅ Immediate response — We act fast to preserve evidence
Buffalo County parents: The statute of limitations is running. Evidence is disappearing. Other victims are waiting to come forward. Contact us today.
❤️ Enough Is Enough — Buffalo County Families Deserve Justice
Hazing is not tradition. It is not brotherhood. It is not bonding.
It is abuse. It is torture. It is sometimes murder.
Buffalo County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities and Greek organizations to protect their kids.
That trust is being betrayed.
At Attorney 911, we are fighting back. We are fighting for Leonel Bermudez in Houston. And we are fighting for Buffalo County victims too.
If your child was hazed in Buffalo County, Nebraska — you are not alone. We are here to help.
Buffalo County Hazing Victims: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Today.
Enough is enough.