A Guide for Bullock County Families: Understanding Hazing Lawsuits and Your Rights

If you are a parent in Bullock County, Alabama, and your child has been hurt, humiliated, or worse while trying to join a campus organization, you are facing a nightmare no family should endure. The confusion, anger, and fear are overwhelming. You’re dealing with a secretive culture, powerful institutions, and a system that often seems designed to protect its own.

Right now, in Texas, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. The detailed allegations—extreme physical workouts, forced overeating, simulated waterboarding, and humiliating “pledge fanny pack” rules—culminated in Mr. Bermudez suffering rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospitalization. This case is active proof of our deep, data-driven commitment to holding universities and national fraternities accountable.

This guide is written specifically for you—parents and families in Bullock County, Alabama. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the legal frameworks that apply, and how the expertise we are demonstrating in Texas can help your family seek justice, whether your child was hurt at a university in Alabama or elsewhere in the country.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
  • Call 911 for medical emergencies.
  • Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.
• In the first 48 hours:
  • Get medical attention immediately, even if your child insists they are “fine.”
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it disappears: screenshot group chats, photograph injuries, save physical items.
  • Write down everything while memories are fresh.
  • Do NOT: confront the organization, sign anything from the school or an insurance company, or post details on social media.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney. Evidence vanishes quickly. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

Hazing is not a relic of the past or just “boys being boys.” It is a dangerous, evolving form of abuse that exploits power imbalances and group dynamics. For Bullock County families, understanding its modern forms is the first step to recognizing it.

A Modern Definition: Hazing is any action, whether on or off campus, that is required of someone joining or maintaining membership in a group, and that intentionally or recklessly endangers their mental or physical health or safety. Crucially, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense when coercion, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion are present.

Today’s hazing often falls into clear, dangerous categories:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: The leading cause of hazing deaths. This includes forced chugging, drinking games with penalties, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, and coerced consumption of drugs or unknown substances.
• Physical Hazing: Beatings, paddling, “smokings” (extreme calisthenics), sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme elements, and dangerous physical “tests” or rituals.
• Psychological and Sexualized Hazing: Verbal abuse, threats, public humiliation, forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, and degradation tied to race, gender, or sexuality.
• Digital Hazing: 24/7 control via group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), mandatory social media posts, geo-tracking, and public shaming on platforms like Snapchat or TikTok.

Hazing happens in fraternities and sororities, but also in athletic teams, spirit groups, marching bands, Corps of Cadets programs, and other campus clubs. The common threads are secrecy, tradition used as justification, and a power dynamic that silences victims.

Law & Liability: Alabama, Federal, and Your Rights

Navigating the legal aftermath of hazing is complex, involving both criminal and civil law. While our deep expertise is in Texas law, we understand the national landscape and how to build a case wherever harm occurs.

Alabama Hazing Law: Alabama has its own statutes addressing hazing. Under Alabama Code § 16-1-23, hazing is defined as any willful act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintenance of membership in any organization connected to a school, college, or university, which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student. It is a Class C misdemeanor, but can be enhanced to a Class A misdemeanor if serious physical injury occurs. Like Texas law, Alabama statute states that consent of the victim is not a defense.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (local DA or Attorney General). The goal is punishment (fines, probation, jail) for individuals. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or even manslaughter.
• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by the victim and their family. The goal is compensation for damages and accountability. These cases target not only the individuals who committed the acts but also the organization, its national headquarters, and often the university itself for negligent supervision.

Federal Law Overlay: Federal laws create additional avenues for accountability:

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, the university has specific obligations to investigate and respond.
• The Clery Act: Requires colleges to report certain crimes, including assaults, which often accompany hazing incidents.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires increased transparency in hazing reporting and prevention by colleges that receive federal funding.

Who Can Be Held Liable? A thorough investigation seeks to identify every responsible party:

• The individual students who planned, perpetrated, or covered up the acts.
• The local chapter as an organization.
• The national fraternity or sorority headquarters that sets policies, collects dues, and often has a history of similar incidents.
• The university for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, or deliberate indifference to known risks.
• Third parties like landlords of off-campus houses or commercial alcohol providers.

National Hazing Cases: A Pattern of Tragedy and Accountability

The case we are litigating in Houston is part of a devastating national pattern. Understanding these precedents shows how courts and juries view these failures and award significant damages.

• Stone Foltz – Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State (2021): A pledge died from alcohol poisoning after a “Big/Little” event. The result was a $10 million settlement (including $3M from the university) and criminal convictions.
• Timothy Piazza – Beta Theta Pi, Penn State (2017): A bid-acceptance night with forced drinking led to fatal falls. Dozens faced criminal charges, and the case spurred Pennsylvania’ Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.’
• Max Gruver – Phi Delta Theta, LSU (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game turned fatal. The $6.1 million verdict for his family helped pass Louisiana’s ‘Max Gruver Act,’ strengthening felony hazing penalties.
• Danny Santulli – Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), University of Missouri (2021): A pledge suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. His family reached multi-million dollar settlements with 22 defendants.

These cases consistently show the elements of foreseeability, institutional failure, and the profound damages juries are willing to award. The same national organizations involved in these tragedies—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta—have chapters on campuses across Alabama and the South.

Hazing Reality for Bullock County Students: Alabama Campuses

Families in Bullock County send their children to excellent universities, many with vibrant campus life that includes Greek organizations and other clubs. It’s essential to be aware of the environment at these schools.

Major Alabama Universities with Greek Life:

• Auburn University: A major SEC school with a large and active Greek system. National fraternities and sororities with documented hazing histories have chapters here.
• Troy University: Closer to Bullock County, Troy has its own Greek community. Incidents of hazing at schools of all sizes underscore that it is not a problem exclusive to large institutions.
• University of Alabama: Another major Greek life hub in the SEC. The scale and social importance of these organizations can sometimes increase pressure and secrecy.
• Other In-State Schools: Universities like Alabama State, Jacksonville State, and the University of South Alabama also host Greek chapters and campus organizations.

The pattern is clear: where there are institutions built on initiation, tradition, and hierarchy, the risk of hazing exists. National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Kappa Sigma—all of which we have litigated against or studied in depth—operate chapters in Alabama. Their national playbooks, risk-management failures, and insurance strategies are consistent, whether the chapter is in Texas or Alabama.

Why a Texas-Based Firm Like Attorney911 Can Help Your Alabama Family

You may wonder why a Texas firm is the right choice for an Alabama family. Our value is not in being down the street, but in bringing a specific, proven set of skills to fight the same powerful opponents you face.

1. We Are Fighting a Major Hazing Case Right Now.
Our active representation of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi is not just a credential; it is our daily reality. We are in the trenches with evidence, depositions, and strategy against a national fraternity and a large public university. This is not theoretical knowledge—it is current, active expertise.

2. Insider Knowledge of How Insurance Companies Fight.
Associate Attorney Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance defense firm. He knows precisely how insurance companies for fraternities and universities evaluate claims, deploy delay tactics, and argue coverage exclusions. This insider perspective is invaluable when negotiating a settlement or preparing for trial.

3. Experience Against Massive Institutional Defendants.
Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced billion-dollar corporations with endless legal resources. Universities and national fraternities operate the same way. We are not intimidated; we are prepared.

4. A Data-Driven Investigative Approach.
We maintain a proprietary intelligence engine, tracking thousands of Greek organizations. We know how to find the hidden entities—housing corporations, alumni associations, shadow organizations—that often hold insurance policies and liability. This investigative depth means we don’t start from scratch; we start with maps.

5. Nationally Relevant Through Co-Counsel and Consultation.
While we serve as lead counsel on Texas cases, we regularly work as co-counsel with local attorneys in other states, including Alabama. This model combines our specialized hazing and institutional litigation experience with a local attorney’s knowledge of Alabama court procedures. We also provide comprehensive case evaluation and strategy consultation for families anywhere in the U.S.

For a Bullock County family, this means you get a team that understands the unique agony of a hazing case and has the specific tools to dismantle the defenses you will face.

Building a Strong Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Winning a hazing case requires converting trauma into a compelling legal narrative built on evidence. Here’s what matters:

Critical Evidence:

• Digital Evidence: Group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), social media posts, videos, and photos. These often show planning, boasting, and cover-up attempts.
• Medical Records: Documentation of injuries, ER visits, toxicology reports, and psychological diagnoses like PTSD are foundational.
• Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.
• Institutional Records: Prior complaints against the chapter, internal university investigations, and the national fraternity’s disciplinary history.

Recoverable Damages: A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim and family whole, which can include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost wages, costs of therapy, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the ultimate tragedy, families can seek funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship, love, and guidance.

Practical Guide for Bullock County Parents and Students

For Parents – Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight changes.
• Secrecy about organization activities, fear of phone notifications.
• Personality shifts: new anxiety, depression, or withdrawal from family and old friends.
• Sudden academic decline or requests for large sums of money.

What to Do Immediately:

1. Prioritize Safety and Health: Get medical care.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot everything—do not delete. Photograph injuries. Save physical items.
3. Document: Write a detailed timeline with names, dates, and locations.
4. Seek Legal Counsel: Contact us before reporting to the university or speaking to insurance adjusters. We can help you navigate those conversations strategically.

For Students – Your Rights:

• You have the right to be safe. “Tradition” is not an excuse for abuse.
• In Alabama, your “consent” is not a legal defense for those who hazed you.
• You can report anonymously through campus channels or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-668-4293).
• Good Samaritan/Amnesty Policies: Most universities have policies protecting those who call for help in an emergency from minor policy violations (like underage drinking).

Why Choose The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who combine empathy with unwavering tenacity and specialized skill. We are not a high-volume personal injury mill; we are a complex litigation firm that chooses to take on the difficult cases against powerful opponents.

We understand the culture of secrecy and brotherhood that protects hazing. We know how to investigate it, how to litigate against it, and how to value the true, lifelong cost of these injuries. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across the country who are fighting for answers and accountability.

Our mission in the Bermudez case is the same we offer every family: to uncover the truth, secure justice for the victim, and force changes that prevent this from happening to another student.

Contact Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your child and your family in Bullock County, you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved will have legal teams working from day one. You deserve the same advantage.

We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation to listen to your story, review any evidence you have, and explain your legal options. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs, and we only get paid if we recover money for you.

Call us anytime, 24/7, at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). You can also reach out directly:

• Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Mr. Lupe Peña: lupe@atty911.com | Se habla Español.

Let us help you take the first step toward accountability and recovery.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC. Hazing laws and university policies can change. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and evidence.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney who can review your specific situation and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Website: https://attorney911.com