If you’re reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, to explore new horizons, and find their path. Instead, they were tortured. They were hazed. And now, you’re searching for help, for answers, and for a way to fight back. We understand what you’re going through. We are here to help families in Campbell County, Virginia, fight back against the insidious culture of hazing that continues to plague our colleges and universities.

We are Attorney911, and we represent hazing victims and their families in Campbell County and across the nation. While our firm is based in Texas, the fight against hazing knows no state lines. We are actively engaged in a $10 million lawsuit right now against a national fraternity and a major university for the horrific hazing of a young man, and we bring that same aggressive, data-driven approach to every family we represent, including yours in Campbell County. Hazing is not just “boys being boys”; it’s a dangerous, often criminal, act that leaves lasting physical and psychological scars, or worse, can lead to death. We are on the front lines of this battle, and we are ready to fight for your child.

The Hazing Crisis: Why Campbell County Families Need Us

The notion that hazing is a harmless rite of passage is a dangerous myth. For too many families in Campbell County and beyond, it has become a nightmare. Across America, students are subjected to physical abuse, psychological torture, forced consumption of alcohol and other dangerous substances, and degrading rituals, all under the guise of “building brotherhood” or “tradition.” The statistics are chilling:

• 55% of students involved in Greek life experience hazing.
• 40% of student athletes report being hazed.
• Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every year in the United States.
• A staggering 95% of students who are hazed do not report it, often due to fear of retaliation, shame, or loyalty to their organization.

These are not isolated incidents; they are symptoms of a systemic problem that universities and national organizations have largely failed to address. They have the power and the responsibility to protect students, yet time and again, they choose to prioritize reputation and tradition over safety. This is an institutional failure, and it has devastating consequences for students from Campbell County who leave home expecting a safe college experience.

Hazing is not confined to any single type of organization. We see it in fraternities and sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and various other student groups at institutions ranging from large state universities to smaller private colleges and even community colleges. For students from Campbell County attending institutions like Liberty University, Lynchburg University, Hampden-Sydney College, or the University of Virginia, the risks are real and present. These are not just distant problems; they are happening in communities nearby, within organizations that recruit students just like yours.

The Landmark Case: Attorney911 vs. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston (2025)

We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re actively fighting it right now in court. The Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. lawsuit, filed in November 2025 in Harris County Civil District Court, is the clearest evidence of our aggressive representation, data-driven litigation strategy, and relentless pursuit of accountability for hazing victims. This is a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity, a major university, and 13 individual fraternity members, and it represents everything we stand for.

Campbell County families: This case happened in Houston, Texas, but the same horrific hazing happens at universities your children might attend. The same national fraternities operate in Virginia and nationwide. The same negligence exists at institutions charged with protecting students. We are bringing the full force of our experience and resources to bear in this fight, and we will bring that same aggression to fight for your child in Campbell County.

Media Coverage: They Can’t Hide

This case has already garnered significant media attention, demonstrating the public’s demand for accountability:

• ABC13 Houston (KTRK) published its report on November 21, 2025: “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges“
• KHOU 11 published coverage on November 21, 2025: “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations“
• Houston Chronicle covered the lawsuit on November 22, 2025: “UH fraternity hazing lawsuit“
• Houston Public Media reported on November 24, 2025: “University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing“

Even Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters issued their own statement on November 21, 2025: “Pi Kappa Phi Closes Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston“, which inadvertently provides further admissions against interest.

The Victim: Leonel Bermudez

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was a “ghost rush” – a prospective member who wasn’t even enrolled as a University of Houston student yet. He was planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. They subjected someone who wasn’t even officially their student to weeks of horrifying abuse.

Leonel accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. What followed was a systematic campaign of torture and hazing that left him hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

As Ralph Manginello told 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.”

Lupe Pena added, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Our firm is committed to doing exactly that, for Leonel and for every other victim.

What Happened: A Timeline of Torture

The hazing timeline reveals a pattern of escalating abuse:

• Sept 16, 2025: Leonel accepts a bid to Pi Kappa Phi.
• Sept 16 – Nov 3: Weeks of systematic hazing, abuse, and torture begin.
• Oct 13, 2025: Another pledge is hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. This wasn’t a one-off event.
• Oct 15, 2025: A pledge loses consciousness and collapses during forced physical exertion. Other pledges had to elevate his legs until he revived. This critical incident, just weeks before Leonel’s hospitalization, clearly demonstrates the fraternity’s reckless disregard for life and limb.
• Nov 3, 2025: Leonel, as punishment, is forced to perform over 100 pushups, 500 squats, and numerous other exercises while reciting the fraternity creed. He is pushed past his physical limits until he cannot stand without help.
• Nov 4-5, 2025: Leonel’s condition rapidly deteriorates.
• Nov 6, 2025: His mother rushes him to the hospital, where he is passing brown urine – a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown. He is diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• Nov 6-10, 2025: Leonel is hospitalized for four days, requiring intensive medical treatment.
• Nov 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National officially closes the Beta Nu Chapter.
• Nov 21, 2025: Attorney911 files a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court against all responsible parties.

The Horrific Hazing Activities Exposed

The details of Leonel’s hazing are not merely pranks; they are acts of physical and psychological torment:

• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: Leonel was sprayed in the face with a garden hose while doing calisthenics, a practice described by Houston Public Media as “simulated waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.” This is a war crime, committed against a young man seeking friendship.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: He was forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Even after vomiting, he was forced to continue running sprints while clearly in distress and made to lie in his own vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: This included performing over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was beaten with wooden paddles. This exertion led directly to his muscle breakdown and kidney failure.
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature. Threats of physical punishment and expulsion from the fraternity were constant. We know of another pledge who was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• Sleep Deprivation: He was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, disrupting his sleep and affecting his ability to function.

The Medical Fallout: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

Leonel’s injuries were severe and life-threatening. Rhabdomyolysis is a condition where damaged muscle tissue releases harmful proteins into the blood, which can lead to acute kidney failure and death. The medical evidence confirms the severity of his ordeal:

• Brown urine: A classic and alarming sign of myoglobin in the urine, indicating severe muscle breakdown.
• Very high creatine kinase levels: Laboratory tests confirmed extensive muscle damage.
• Acute kidney failure: A life-threatening complication that required immediate medical intervention.
• Four days of hospitalization: Leonel received intensive treatment to prevent further damage and stabilize his condition.
• Ongoing risk: He continues to face an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, making our firm uniquely qualified to navigate the complex medical and legal aspects of these injuries.

Institutional Responses: Admissions and Excuses

The defendants’ public statements, meant to minimize damage, actually reveal their culpability:

• University of Houston Spokesperson: Admitted the events were “deeply disturbing” and a “clear violation of our community standards,” and mentioned “potential criminal charges.” This is an admission that something seriously wrong occurred under their watch.
• Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters: Closed the Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, just seven days before our lawsuit was filed. They admitted to “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards” on their own website. Critically, their statement ends with, “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” displaying a shocking lack of remorse and a dismissive attitude toward the victim.

Their actions and words prove they knew something had gone terribly wrong and were scrambling to manage the fallout. This is not the behavior of innocent parties; it’s an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a calculated attempt to limit liability. Our lawsuit aims to ensure that accountability is delivered before they can simply plan their “return.”

Why This Case Matters to Campbell County Families

1. Proof That “Tradition” Is Torture: The horrific details of Leonel’s hazing demonstrate that this is not innocent fun but systematic abuse. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client can and do happen at fraternities at universities in or near Campbell County.
2. Universities Are Complicit: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of this hazing occurred. Universities that enroll students from Campbell County, such as Liberty University or Lynchburg University, have the same power to stop hazing and the same liability when they fail to do so.
3. National Organizations Know: Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters immediately suspended and dissolved the chapter, proving they knew the conduct was indefensible. These same national organizations have chapters near Campbell County, and they are fully aware of what happens within their ranks.
4. Victims Are Afraid: Leonel’s fear of retribution for speaking out is real. Students from Campbell County who experience hazing face the same fear. We protect our clients and fight to ensure their safety and justice.
5. One Brave Victim Can Protect Other Students: As Lupe Pena emphasized, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do.” Your case, in Campbell County, could be the catalyst that prevents another student from enduring such trauma.
6. $10 Million Sends a Message: This substantial demand is what it takes to get the attention of institutions too often immune to accountability. Campbell County families have the right to send the same powerful message.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in Campbell County may have a dated image of hazing, viewing it as harmless pranks or mild inconveniences. The reality, as tragically demonstrated in cases across the nation and in Leonel Bermudez’s experience, is far darker. Hazing is often physical and psychological torture, reckless endangerment, and constitutes assault, battery, and sometimes, manslaughter or murder.

It is NOT:

• “Boys being boys”
• “Building brotherhood”
• “Just a little fun”

It IS:

• Assault and battery
• Physical and psychological torture
• Reckless endangerment of an individual’s health and safety
• Acts that can lead to severe injury, permanent disability, or death

Common Types of Hazing

The hazing that nearly killed Leonel Bermudez involved a range of techniques, many of which are common across Greek life and other student organizations:

1. Physical Abuse: Beatings, paddlings (as Leonel experienced with wooden paddles), branding, forced exposure to extreme temperatures, sleep deprivation, and forced exercise to the point of collapse and injury (like Leonel’s 500 squats and rhabdomyolysis).
2. Forced Consumption: This often involves binge drinking, but can also include forced eating until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns, as seen in Leonel’s case), or consumption of non-food substances.
3. Psychological Torture: Humiliation, degradation (like Leonel’s fanny pack and cold-weather stripping), verbal abuse, isolation, and threats. This can inflict deep and lasting emotional scars, leading to PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
4. Simulated Drowning/Water Torture: As in Leonel’s case with waterboarding using a garden hose. This is an extreme form of torture, intended to induce fear and compliance.
5. Servitude: Forced cleaning, driving (Leonel’s forced early-morning drives), errands, or other forms of personal service.

The True Cost: Medical and Psychological Consequences

Hazing incidents frequently result in devastating medical and psychological consequences:

• Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure: Leonel’s diagnosis, requiring extensive hospitalization and posing a risk of permanent kidney damage.
• Alcohol Poisoning: A leading cause of hazing deaths.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From falls, beatings, or concussions.
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From forced exposure to extreme cold or heat.
• Cardiac Arrest: From extreme physical exertion.
• PTSD, Anxiety, Depression: Long-term psychological trauma is almost universal among hazing victims, often leading to academic struggles, social isolation, and substance abuse.
• DEATH: The ultimate, tragic outcome that far too many families have endured.

These are not trivial injuries. They can alter a student’s life trajectory, force them to withdraw from school, incur massive medical debt, and suffer emotional distress for years. For families in Campbell County, understanding the true nature of hazing is the first step towards protecting your child and seeking justice if they become a victim.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Everyone Accountable

When hazing occurs, multiple parties often share responsibility for the harm caused. Attorney911’s strategy is to identify and pursue every entity that contributed to the incident or failed in their duty to prevent it. In the Bermudez case, we have named over a dozen defendants, including:

1. The Local Chapter: The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter directly organized and conducted the hazing. The chapter president, pledgemaster, and other active members bear direct responsibility.
2. Individual Members: Each individual who participated in, facilitated, or knowingly failed to stop the hazing activities can be held personally liable for assault, battery, and other intentional torts. This extends to former members and their spouses who provided a venue for hazing at their residence, creating premises liability.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization: National organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, which has over 150 chapters across America, have an overarching duty to supervise their local chapters, enforce anti-hazing policies, and ensure a safe environment. Their failure to do so, especially when they have actual knowledge of past hazing deaths (like Andrew Coffey’s in 2017), makes them highly culpable. They are often the entities with the deepest pockets and the most comprehensive insurance coverage. As KHOU 11 reported, our lawsuit alleges “Both the national organization and local housing corporation are alleged to have enabled the harmful environment by failing to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'”
4. The University or College: Universities, especially those that own or control fraternity housing (as the University of Houston did), have a fundamental duty to protect their students, ensure a safe campus environment, and oversee Greek life organizations. Their failure to intervene, investigate, or adequately enforce anti-hazing policies, particularly when they have a history of prior hazing incidents (like UH in 2017), establishes institutional negligence. This liability extends to their governing bodies, such as the UH Board of Regents, which we have also named as a defendant.
5. Housing Corporations: These entities often own and manage fraternity properties. If hazing occurs on their property, they can be held liable under premises liability laws for allowing dangerous conditions to exist.
6. Insurance Carriers: Behind every national organization, university, and often even individual members, are insurance policies designed to cover such liabilities. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena know exactly how to navigate these complex policies to maximize recovery for victims.

This is not about suing broke college kids. It’s about holding powerful institutions and responsible individuals accountable for their grave negligence and intentional acts of harm. These institutions choose reputation over safety, and we choose justice over their excuses.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For families in Campbell County facing the aftermath of hazing, understanding what is possible is crucial. Hazing litigation can result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, providing victims and their families with the financial resources needed for medical care, lost income, and compensation for immense pain and suffering. The following real-world precedent cases illustrate the scale of justice that can be achieved:

• Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): $10.1 Million+
  • Stone Foltz, 20, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing event. The family received over $10.1 million in settlements and judgments, including $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $6.5 million personally from the former chapter president. This case set a precedent for individual accountability and significant university liability. Ralph Manginello has handled numerous prior cases specific to rhabdomyolysis and Kappa Sigma fraternity hazing.
• Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): $6.1 Million Verdict
  • Max Gruver, 18, died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to play a drinking game called “Bible Study” at a Phi Delta Theta hazing event. A jury awarded his family $6.1 million, and a fraternity member was criminally convicted of negligent homicide. This case proved that juries will deliver substantial verdicts when presented with the truth of hazing.
• Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): $110 Million+ (Estimated)
  • Timothy Piazza, 19, died from a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after being forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event. After falling down stairs repeatedly, fraternity members delayed calling 911 for 12 hours. While the settlement amount was confidential, it is estimated to be over $110 million. Multiple fraternity members were criminally convicted, and the case led to Pennsylvania’s stringent Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law. This case demonstrates the immense liability when hazing is captured by evidence, and the potential for astronomical damages.
• Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Confidential Settlement
  • Andrew Coffey, 20, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon at a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” event. This is the same national fraternity as our current Bermudez case. Nine fraternity members were criminally charged, and the chapter was permanently closed. The family reached a confidential settlement, a reminder of Pi Kappa Phi’s documented history of deadly hazing.
• Adam Oakes — Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): $4 Million+ Settlement
  • Adam Oakes, 19, died from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi big-little reveal party. The family received over $4 million in settlement, and several members faced criminal charges. Oakes’ death led to Virginia’s “Adam’s Law,” strengthening anti-hazing legislation.
• University of Alabama / Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2023): Lawsuit Filed for Traumatic Brain Injury
  • This ongoing lawsuit highlights that even non-fatal traumatic brain injuries from hazing are being aggressively litigated by families seeking substantial compensation for lifelong damage.

These multi-million dollar awards are not theoretical; they are the proven results of aggressive legal action against negligent fraternities, universities, and individuals. They send a clear message: hazing will not be tolerated, and those responsible will pay dearly. The same legal strategies, the same patterns of evidence, and the same potential for life-changing compensation apply to hazing victims in Campbell County.

Texas Law Protects You: “Consent is NEVER a Defense”

For families in Campbell County, understanding the legal framework is crucial. While Virginia has its own anti-hazing laws, our firm’s deep expertise in Texas hazing law, where we are based, provides a powerful model for nationwide litigation. Moreover, federal civil rights claims and general negligence principles apply across state lines, allowing us to pursue justice for your child regardless of where the hazing occurred.

Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157: A Model for Accountability

Texas anti-hazing law is designed to combat this destructive practice. Key provisions relevant to Campbell County families include:

1. Broad Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Texas defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act… that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation,” including physical brutality, sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, calisthenics (like Leonel’s 500 squats causing rhabdomyolysis), or forced consumption of food, liquid, or alcohol. Leonel Bermudez’s experience meets multiple elements of this statutory definition. Most states, including Virginia, have similar comprehensive definitions that make it clear that acts like waterboarding, forced exercise to exhaustion, and psychological torment are unequivocally hazing.
2. Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Hazing is a criminal offense, ranging from a Class B Misdemeanor (for engaging in hazing) to a State Jail Felony (for hazing that causes death). Hazing that causes “serious bodily injury,” like Leonel’s acute kidney failure, is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail. This means individuals involved in hazing can face criminal charges in addition to civil lawsuits.
3. Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations themselves can be penalized, including fines up to $10,000, denial of operating privileges, and forfeiture of property. This provision ensures that not just individuals, but the entire chapter and national organization, are held accountable.
4. Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is a critical provision: “It is not a defense to prosecution… that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” This utterly demolishes the fraternity’s common defense that “he knew what he was getting into” or “he could have left.” Texas law explicitly states that a student cannot legally consent to being hazed. This legal principle is crucial for any hazing case, regardless of state.
5. University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Universities are legally required to report hazing incidents, and failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor. This creates an additional layer of accountability for institutions.

Civil Liability: Seeking Justice Beyond Criminal Charges

Even if criminal charges are not filed or result in acquittal, victims in Campbell County can still pursue a civil lawsuit to recover damages. Our firm utilizes multiple civil liability theories to hold all responsible parties accountable:

• Negligence: This is the most common claim, asserting that the defendants (individuals, chapters, national organizations, universities) owed a duty of care to the student, breached that duty through hazing or inaction, causing injury and damages.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university or a housing corporation (as in Leonel’s case, where UH owned the fraternity house), they can be held liable for allowing a dangerous condition to exist.
• Negligent Supervision: This holds national organizations and universities responsible for failing to adequately supervise their local chapters and Greek life, respectively, especially when they have knowledge of prior hazing incidents.
• Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators can be sued for intentional harmful or offensive contact, such as beatings, paddling, or waterboarding.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For extreme and outrageous conduct that causes severe emotional and psychological harm, such as the systematic torture witnessed in Leonel’s case.
• Wrongful Death: If hazing results in a fatality, families can pursue significant damages for their profound loss.

These civil claims are available to victims regardless of where they live or where the hazing occurred. Our federal court authority and experience mean we can pursue cases in federal courts, which often have broader jurisdiction across state lines, further strengthening our ability to fight for Campbell County families.

Why Attorney911: Your Advocates in Campbell County

For families in Campbell County, choosing the right legal representation after a hazing incident is one of the most critical decisions you will make. You need a legal team with not only deep expertise in hazing litigation but also the aggression, resources, and unwavering commitment to fight for your child against powerful institutions. Attorney911 is that firm.

Your Local Connection: Serving Campbell County from Texas

While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach extends nationwide. We regularly represent clients across America, including Campbell County, through our federal court authority and a commitment to traveling wherever justice demands.
“We have clients all over America, and we can help Campbell County hazing victims no matter where the incident occurred,” assures Ralph Manginello. We employ the latest communication technologies for remote consultations, client meetings, and the exchange of evidence and documents. When it comes to depositions, mediations, or trials, our team is prepared to travel anywhere in the country to represent your child’s best interests.

Our Unfair Advantage: Former Insurance Defense Insiders

Both of our firm’s principal attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense attorneys. This isn’t a coincidence; it’s a strategic advantage we leverage for every client. We know the other side’s playbook because we helped write it.

• Ralph Manginello, Managing Partner: With over 25 years of courtroom experience, Ralph has fought against some of the largest corporations in the nation, including his involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City explosion litigation. His dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) and federal court authority give us broad reach. His background in investigating complex cases, coupled with specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, makes him a formidable opponent. Ralph also has a journalism background, which means he’s trained to investigate, uncover hidden facts, and tell compelling stories – essential for exposing what fraternities and universities want to hide.
• Lupe Pena, Associate Attorney: Lupe worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm, where he defended insurance companies and corporate clients across a multitude of practice areas. He understands how these multi-million dollar entities evaluate claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize or deny payouts. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our hazing victims. His “outwork, outsmart, outfight” philosophy ensures that Campbell County clients receive relentless advocacy.

Together, their combined 37+ years of legal experience, forged on both sides of the courtroom, gives us unparalleled insight into how to anticipate and counter the tactics of national fraternities, universities, and their insurance companies.

Why Campbell County Families Trust Attorney911:

1. Active Hazing Litigation: We aren’t just theoretical; we are fighting the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case right now, a $10 million lawsuit that demonstrates our aggressive, data-driven approach. We apply the same strategies and insights to every hazing case, including yours in Campbell County.
2. Proven Track Record: Ralph Manginello’s history includes multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, and experience fighting corporate giants in mass tort litigation. Lupe Pena has recovered millions for clients since switching from defense to victim advocacy. This aggressive, battle-tested approach is precisely what Campbell County families need.
3. Nationwide Reach: Hazing is a national problem, and we offer a national solution. Our federal court admissions mean we can pursue powerful institutions across the country, not just in Texas.
4. Bilingual Support (Se Habla Español): For Campbell County’s Hispanic families, our bilingual team ensures that language is never a barrier to justice.
5. Contingency Fee Basis: We understand the financial strain that hazing incidents can place on families. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency basis. You pay absolutely nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This levels the playing field, allowing any Campbell County family to access elite legal representation without financial risk.
6. Unwavering Empathy: Our firm is built on a foundation of empathy and a genuine passion for justice. We know what you’re going through, and we see your child as a person, not a case number. We are parents ourselves, and we will fight fiercely for your family as if it were our own. Our 4.9-star rating on Google with over 250 reviews attests to our consistent client satisfaction and compassionate approach.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Campbell County Families

If your child has been a victim of hazing in Campbell County or anywhere else, the immediate aftermath can be overwhelming. You may feel scared, angry, and uncertain about what to do next. But taking swift, decisive action is critical to protecting your child’s rights and building a strong legal case.

Here are the immediate steps you should take:

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately (If Not Already Done): This is paramount. Even if injuries seem minor, or if they are psychological, medical documentation is crucial. Get your child evaluated by doctors, therapists, or specialists. Ensure all injuries, pain, and psychological symptoms are thoroughly documented in medical records. Leonel Bermudez’s medical records for rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure are central to his case. Do not delay medical treatment; the defense will use any delay to argue the injuries were not severe or not caused by hazing.
2. Preserve All Evidence – Leave Nothing to Chance: This is the bedrock of any successful hazing claim.
   • Photos and Videos: Take pictures of any physical injuries (bruises, marks, burns, swelling) as they appear and as they heal. If any photos or videos of the hazing itself exist (pledges in questionable attire, forced activities, locations), save them.
   • Communications: This is VITAL. Screenshot and save every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat message, Instagram DM, email, or social media post related to the hazing. This includes communications from fraternity members, other pledges, or conversations your child had discussing the hazing. Do not delete anything. As Ralph Manginello often advises, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”
   • Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or communications received from the fraternity/sorority or university related to the pledge process.
   • Witness Information: Gather the names and contact information of any other pledges, witnesses, or even bystanders who may have observed the hazing or its effects.
   • Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, therapy costs, and any lost wages if your child missed work.
   • Academic Records: Document any impact on grades, enrollment status, or scholarships.
3. DO NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers: Once hazing is reported, the institution’s primary goal becomes damage control and limiting liability. They are not on your side. Do not give any statements, sign any documents, or agree to any interviews without legal counsel present. Anything your child says can and will be used against them. Do not confront fraternity leadership or individual members directly.
4. DO NOT Post About the Incident on Social Media: Social media is a minefield for personal injury cases. Anything your child posts, or is tagged in, can be twisted and used by the defense to discredit their claims or minimize their injuries. Advise your child to stay completely off social media concerning the incident until advised otherwise.
5. Call Attorney911 IMMEDIATELY: Time is of the essence. In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury, and for wrongful death, two years from the date of death. Other states, including Virginia, have similar deadlines. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and delaying can severely jeopardize your case. We are available 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation. As soon as you call, we can begin protecting your child’s rights and gathering crucial evidence.
6. Understand Your Rights as a Campbell County Family: Distance is not a barrier to justice. We offer video consultations for Campbell County families who cannot travel to our offices. We have federal court authority, enabling us to pursue cases across states, and we are committed to traveling to Campbell County for depositions, meetings, and trials when necessary.

Call Now: Your Fight for Justice Starts Today

The anguish and fear that hazing imposes on students and their families is unimaginable. But you don’t have to face this nightmare alone. Our attorneys are actively fighting in court this very moment for a hazing victim who suffered severe physical and psychological trauma. We know how to build these complex cases, how to expose institutional negligence, and how to hold every responsible party accountable. We are ready to bring that same fight to Campbell County for your child.

Your call to us is absolutely free, and completely confidential. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will pay $0 upfront for our services. We only get paid if we win your case. This commitment ensures that financial concerns do not stand in the way of justice for your child.

For Campbell County families, whether your child attended a university in Virginia, Texas, or anywhere else, the time to act is now. Let us be your legal first responders in this crisis.

Campbell County Families: If your child has been hazed, do not wait. Take control of the situation. Call us today for your free and confidential consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We are available 24/7. Your child’s fight for justice is our fight. Enough is enough.