Hazing Lawyers in Caddo Parish – Justice for Victims of Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

Caddo Parish Families: Your Child Was Hazed. You Have Rights. We Can Help.

If your son or daughter was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or other student organization in Caddo Parish or anywhere in Louisiana, you are not alone. The same national fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston—causing kidney failure—operate at universities near Caddo Parish. The same negligence that led to a $10 million lawsuit in Texas exists right here in Louisiana. And the same legal team that’s fighting for justice in Houston is ready to fight for Caddo Parish families.

At Attorney 911, we are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million 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 know how to win.

If your child was hazed in Caddo Parish, we will bring the same aggressive representation to your family.

The Hazing Crisis in Caddo Parish – It’s Happening Here

Caddo Parish Is Not Immune to Hazing

Hazing is not just a problem in Texas. It happens right here in Caddo Parish and across Louisiana. The same national fraternities involved in deadly hazing incidents nationwide—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, and others—have active chapters at universities near Caddo Parish.

These organizations operate under the same culture of secrecy and abuse that hospitalized our client in Houston. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Caddo Parish, they face the same risks.

Universities Near Caddo Parish Have Hazing Problems

While we can’t comment on specific incidents at Caddo Parish institutions without verified evidence, we know this to be true:

• National fraternities with hazing histories operate at universities near Caddo Parish.
• Louisiana has seen multiple hazing deaths in recent years, including the tragic case of Maxwell Gruver at LSU, which resulted in a $6.1 million jury verdict and the passage of Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act—making hazing a felony.
• Universities in Louisiana, like those nationwide, often fail to adequately supervise Greek life, allowing dangerous traditions to continue unchecked.
• The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client—waterboarding, forced exercise, physical abuse—exist at Caddo Parish-area fraternities and sororities.

Caddo Parish parents deserve to know: Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. And neither does our ability to fight it.

The Landmark Case That Shows What’s Possible for Caddo Parish Families

Our Attorneys Are Fighting This Battle Right Now – And We’ll Fight for Caddo Parish Victims Too

Case: Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al.
Location: University of Houston
Filing Date: November 21, 2025
Damages Sought: $10,000,000

What Happened:
Leonel Bermudez, a young man who accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston, was subjected to weeks of systematic abuse that hospitalized him with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days in the hospital fighting for his life.

The Hazing Activities:

• Waterboarding – Simulated drowning with a garden hose
• Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout – fraternity members did nothing
• Sleep deprivation – forced to drive members during early morning hours
• Psychological torture – carried a fanny pack with sexual objects, stripped in cold weather

The Result:
On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event. He was forced to perform extreme physical exercises until he could not 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, where he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis—a life-threatening condition caused by muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure.

The Defendants We’re Suing:

• Pi Kappa Phi National Organization – Failed to supervise despite knowing about a “hazing crisis”
• Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter – Directly organized and conducted the hazing
• University of Houston – Owned the fraternity house where the torture occurred
• Individual fraternity members – Participated in and facilitated the abuse

Why This Case Matters to Caddo Parish Families:

1. Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including near Caddo Parish. The same culture that led to Bermudez’s hospitalization exists in Louisiana.
2. The University of Houston owned the fraternity house—just like universities near Caddo Parish own or control Greek housing. They have a duty to protect students.
3. This isn’t the first time Pi Kappa Phi has been involved in hazing. In 2017, Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event at Florida State University from forced alcohol consumption. The national organization had 8 years to fix their culture—they did nothing.
4. The University of Houston had a prior hazing incident in 2017 when a student was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen at another fraternity. They knew hazing was a problem—they did nothing to stop it.
5. This case proves that hazing victims can win big. We are seeking $10 million—and precedent cases show that juries and institutions will pay when hazing causes serious harm.

Caddo Parish families: This is what hazing looks like. This is what we do about it.

What Is Hazing? Louisiana Law Explained

Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act: Hazing Is a Felony

In 2018, Louisiana passed the Max Gruver Act, named after an LSU student who died from hazing in 2017. The law makes hazing a felony in Louisiana, with penalties including:

• Up to 5 years in prison for hazing that causes serious bodily injury
• Up to 30 years in prison for hazing that causes death
• Fines up to $10,000

Under Louisiana law, hazing includes:

• Physical brutality (beating, paddling, branding)
• Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse or humiliation
• Any activity that creates a substantial risk of harm

Important: Consent is not a defense. Even if a student “agrees” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.

Civil Liability: You Can Sue for Hazing in Louisiana

In addition to criminal penalties, hazing victims and their families can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)

Who Can Be Sued?

• The fraternity or sorority chapter (local and national)
• Individual members who participated in or facilitated hazing
• The university if they knew or should have known about the hazing
• Alumni or former members who allowed hazing at their homes
• Insurance companies that cover the fraternity or university

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

These Cases Prove That Caddo Parish Families Can Win

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. These are not just numbers—they represent justice for families and a deterrent for institutions that allow hazing to continue.

Why These Cases Matter to Caddo Parish Families:

1. Hazing cases win big. Juries and institutions will pay when hazing causes serious harm.
2. Universities are liable. In the Stone Foltz case, Bowling Green State University paid $2.9 million. Universities near Caddo Parish face the same liability.
3. National fraternities pay. Pi Kappa Alpha paid $7.2 million in the Stone Foltz case. The same organizations operate near Caddo Parish.
4. Individuals can be held personally liable. In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.
5. These cases drive change. The Gruver case led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony. Your case could protect future Caddo Parish students.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Caddo Parish

Step-by-Step Guide for Caddo Parish Families

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or other student organization in Caddo Parish or anywhere in Louisiana, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and statutes of limitations expire. Here’s what you should do immediately:

1. Seek Medical Attention

• Go to the emergency room or urgent care immediately, even if injuries seem minor.
• Hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, or internal trauma may not show symptoms right away.
• Get a full medical evaluation and keep all records.
• If your child was forced to drink, alcohol poisoning can be fatal—do not wait.

2. Preserve All Evidence

Hazing cases are won or lost based on evidence. Preserve everything:

Do NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to fraternity/sorority members without legal counsel
• Sign anything from the organization or university
• Post about the incident on social media

3. Report to Authorities

• File a police report. Hazing is a felony in Louisiana under the Max Gruver Act.
• Report to the university. File a formal complaint with the university’s Title IX office or student conduct office.
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority. They may claim they didn’t know, but reporting creates a paper trail.

4. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone

• They will try to control the narrative. Their goal is to minimize liability, not protect your child.
• They may offer a quick settlement. These offers are always lowball and may prevent you from seeking full compensation later.
• They may pressure your child to “drop it.” This is a tactic to avoid accountability.

5. Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer Immediately

• Do not wait. Louisiana has a 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims (though some exceptions apply).
• Do not try to handle this alone. Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize your claim.
• We offer free consultations. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 to discuss your case.

Why Caddo Parish Families Choose Attorney 911

We Are Not Just Lawyers – We Are Fighters for Hazing Victims

When your child is hazed, you’re not just fighting a fraternity or sorority—you’re fighting powerful institutions with deep pockets and teams of lawyers. You need a legal team that:

✅ Has real hazing litigation experience – We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
✅ Knows how to win – Our attorneys have decades of litigation experience, including multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts.
✅ Understands Greek life culture – We know how fraternities and sororities operate, and we know how to expose their secrets.
✅ Will travel to Caddo Parish – While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Louisiana. We will come to Caddo Parish for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
✅ Works on contingency – You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
✅ Speaks Spanish (Se habla español) – We serve Spanish-speaking families in Caddo Parish without language barriers.
✅ Has former insurance defense insight – Both of our attorneys worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know their playbook—and we use it against them.

Meet Your Caddo Parish Hazing Lawyers

Ralph P. Manginello – Managing Partner

• 25+ years of litigation experience
• Former insurance defense attorney – Knows how insurance companies try to deny claims
• Currently litigating the $10 million Pi Kappa Phi hazing case
• Dual-state bar admission (Texas and New York) – Can pursue national fraternities anywhere
• Federal court authority – Can file lawsuits in federal court
• Father of three – Understands what’s at stake when a child is harmed

Ralph’s Message to Caddo Parish Families:

“When I saw what happened to our client—waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his kidneys failed—I knew we had to fight. This isn’t hazing. This is torture. And it’s happening at universities near Caddo Parish right now. We will hold these institutions accountable, and we will make sure this never happens to another family in Caddo Parish.”

Lupe Eleno Peña – Associate Attorney

• 12+ years of litigation experience
• Former national defense firm attorney – Worked at Litchfield Cavo LLP, defending insurance companies
• Wrongful death and catastrophic injury expertise – Knows how to pursue maximum compensation
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) – Can serve Spanish-speaking families in Caddo Parish
• Finance background – Understands how to calculate economic damages

Lupe’s Message to Caddo Parish Families:

“Fraternities and universities will tell you that what happened to your child was just ‘tradition.’ It’s not. It’s abuse. And when they try to lowball you with a quick settlement, we will be there to fight for what your family truly deserves. We don’t just take cases—we take on institutions.”

What Caddo Parish Families Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit

Hazing causes physical, emotional, and financial harm. A lawsuit can help your family recover compensation for:

1. Medical Expenses

• Emergency room visits
• Hospital stays (our client spent 4 days in the hospital)
• Surgeries or specialist visits
• Medications
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Mental health treatment (therapy for PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Future medical care (if injuries cause long-term complications)

2. Pain and Suffering

• Physical pain from injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, internal injuries)
• Emotional distress (humiliation, fear, trauma from hazing)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)

3. Lost Wages and Earning Capacity

• Time missed from work during recovery
• Lost academic opportunities (scholarships, internships, career advancement)
• Future earning potential if injuries cause permanent limitations

4. Punitive Damages

• To punish the wrongdoers for egregious conduct (waterboarding, forced exercise, physical abuse)
• To send a message that hazing will not be tolerated
• Louisiana allows punitive damages in cases of gross negligence or intentional harm

5. Wrongful Death Damages (If Applicable)

If hazing results in death, families can recover:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering of the deceased

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Caddo Parish?

Hazing cases often involve multiple defendants, all of whom can be held liable. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing:

Caddo Parish families: We will identify every liable party and pursue them aggressively.

Common Hazing Activities That Lead to Lawsuits

Hazing takes many forms, but all of them can cause serious harm. If your child experienced any of the following, they may have a case:

Medical Consequences of Hazing:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) – Can cause kidney failure (as seen in our case)
• Alcohol poisoning – Can be fatal
• Traumatic brain injury – From beatings or falls
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia – From exposure
• Cardiac arrest – From extreme physical exertion
• PTSD, anxiety, depression – Long-term psychological damage
• Death

Fraternities Near Caddo Parish with Hazing Histories

While we cannot comment on specific incidents at Caddo Parish institutions without verified evidence, we can confirm that the following fraternities—all of which have hazing histories nationwide—have chapters at universities near Caddo Parish:

Caddo Parish parents: If your child is pledging any of these fraternities, they face the same risks that led to multi-million dollar lawsuits and criminal charges nationwide.

Frequently Asked Questions for Caddo Parish Families

1. Can we sue even if our child “consented” to hazing?

Yes. Under Louisiana law, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.

2. What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it occurs on or off campus. If it happened at a fraternity house, private residence, or any other location, the organization and individuals involved can still be held liable.

3. How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Louisiana?

Louisiana has a 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, some exceptions may apply (e.g., if the victim was a minor or if the injury was discovered later). Do not wait—contact us immediately.

4. Can we sue the university even if they didn’t know about the hazing?

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to adequately supervise Greek life or ignored signs of hazing, they can be held liable for negligent supervision.

5. What if the fraternity claims they didn’t know about the hazing?

That’s not a defense. National fraternities have detailed policies and oversight mechanisms. If they failed to enforce their own rules, they can be held liable for negligent supervision.

6. Can we sue individual fraternity members?

Yes. Every person who participated in or facilitated hazing can be held personally liable. In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

7. How much is our case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements or verdicts. Factors that increase case value include:

• Severity of injuries (hospitalization, long-term damage)
• Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, physical abuse)
• Pattern of hazing (prior incidents at the same chapter)
• University’s knowledge (did they know and fail to act?)
• National organization’s involvement (deep pockets)

8. Will we have to go to court?

Most cases settle out of court, but we are prepared to go to trial if necessary. Our goal is to maximize your compensation, whether through settlement or verdict.

9. How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:

• You pay nothing to hire us.
• We only get paid if we win your case.
• Our fee is a percentage of the recovery (typically 33-40%).

10. Can you represent us even though we’re in Caddo Parish and you’re in Texas?

Absolutely. While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Louisiana. We offer:

• Video consultations for Caddo Parish families
• Travel to Caddo Parish for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Federal court authority to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Dual-state bar admission (Texas and New York) to handle national fraternity litigation

Caddo Parish Hazing Victims: We Are Here to Fight for You

The Time to Act Is Now

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

It is abuse. It is assault. And it is illegal.

If your child was hazed in Caddo Parish, you have rights. You have options. And you have a legal team that will fight for you.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are ready to fight for Caddo Parish families.

Call Us Today for a Free, Confidential Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Available 24/7 for Caddo Parish hazing emergencies.

We don’t get paid unless you get paid. No upfront costs. No fees unless we win.

To the Fraternities Operating Near Caddo Parish:

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Caddo Parish, we will find every liable entity. We will sue you. We will win. And we will make sure you never do this again.

The Beta Nu chapter at UH learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.

To Caddo Parish Parents:

Your child trusted these people. They trusted the fraternity. They trusted the university. They trusted that they would be safe.

That trust was betrayed.

We understand the pain you’re feeling. We understand the rage. And we are here to turn that pain and rage into justice.

Call us. Let’s talk. Let’s fight.

Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Caddo Parish and Nationwide
1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com

Justice for Hazing Victims. Accountability for Institutions. Change for the Future.