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, build connections, and embark on a new chapter. Instead, they were tortured. We’re here to help families in City of Fairfax fight back.

Hazing is a dark and dangerous secret hidden in plain sight at universities and institutions across America, including near City of Fairfax in Virginia. What begins as a desire for belonging can quickly escalate into a nightmare of abuse, humiliation, and life-threatening injuries. When these moments hit, families in City of Fairfax need more than just sympathy; they need aggressive, expert legal representation that understands the intricate cultural, legal, and institutional landscapes of hazing litigation.

We are Attorney911, and we are actively fighting this battle right now. Our firm, led by Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, is at the forefront of hazing litigation, aggressively representing victims and their families against national fraternities, universities, and individual perpetrators. We believe that no student in City of Fairfax should ever endure what our recent client, Leonel Bermudez, suffered, and we are committed to holding every responsible party accountable.

City of Fairfax families: This is not just a theoretical fight for us. Our attorneys are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against one of the largest national fraternities and a prominent university for extreme hazing that left a student hospitalized with organ failure. The same kind of hazing that happened in Houston can happen to students from City of Fairfax attending colleges throughout Virginia and beyond. We bring that same experience, data-driven strategy, and relentless pursuit of justice to every family we represent, no matter where they are located.

The Hazing Crisis: Why City of Fairfax Families Need Us

Hazing is far from the harmless pranks often depicted in movies. It is a deeply damaging, ritualistic abuse that plagues educational institutions and student organizations nationwide. For families in City of Fairfax, understanding the true nature and prevalence of hazing is the first step toward protecting their children and seeking justice when harm occurs.

The statistics paint a grim picture:

• Over half of students (55%) involved in Greek life experience hazing. This isn’t a rare occurrence; it’s a systemic problem within these organizations.
• 40% of student athletes report being hazed, demonstrating that this isn’t confined to just fraternities and sororities.
• Disturbingly, since the year 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every single year in the United States. These are preventable tragedies that shatter families and leave indelible scars on communities.
• A staggering 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it. Fear of retaliation, shame, loyalty to the group, and a simple lack of understanding about what constitutes hazing contribute to this silent epidemic.
• Hazing extends far beyond fraternities and sororities, impacting sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, academic clubs, and other student organizations across the spectrum of college life.

For City of Fairfax parents, this means a chilling reality: if your child attends a college or university, especially one with Greek life or highly competitive student organizations, they are at risk. Universities throughout Virginia, including institutions like George Mason University, George Washington University, Marymount University, and even the larger state universities such as the University of Virginia or Virginia Tech, all host active Greek organizations and student groups where hazing can, and does, occur. The same national fraternities and sororities involved in incidents across the country have chapters at, or near, these institutions.

The emotional and physical toll of hazing can be devastating. Beyond the immediate injuries, victims often suffer from long-term psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and a profound loss of trust. These are not minor incidents; they are assaults that can forever alter a young person’s life trajectory.

At Attorney911, we believe that the institutional response to hazing has been woefully inadequate. Universities and national organizations often prioritize their reputation and perceived traditions over student safety. They implement anti-hazing policies on paper but fail to enforce them effectively. It is only when severe injuries or deaths occur that these institutions spring into action, often minimizing the incident and attempting to control the narrative. We know their playbook because we’ve seen it time and again.

We stand with City of Fairfax families who refuse to remain silent. We offer a direct pathway to justice, holding those responsible accountable and sending a clear message that hazing will not be tolerated.

The Landmark Case: Our $10M Fight Against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston

City of Fairfax families: What you are about to read is not an isolated incident from a distant past. This is a current, ongoing fight our firm is leading, a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university. This case epitomizes everything we stand for: aggressive representation, data-driven strategy, and an unwavering commitment to accountability. This incident happened mere weeks ago in Houston, and it serves as a stark warning to parents in City of Fairfax about the brutal realities of modern hazing.

The same fraternities operate chapters near City of Fairfax, extending the same kind of risk to your children. The same types of institutional negligence seen at the University of Houston can be found at colleges and universities throughout the Virginia area. We are fighting this battle right now, and we are ready to bring that same aggressive representation to hazing victims and their families in City of Fairfax.

Media Coverage: This is What the News is Reporting

Our lawsuit has already garnered significant attention from major news outlets, highlighting the severity of the hazing and the systemic failures that allowed it to happen:

• ABC13 Houston (November 21-22, 2025): Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges
• KHOU 11 (November 21, 2025): $10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations
• Houston Chronicle (November 22, 2025): UH fraternity hazing lawsuit
• Houston Public Media (November 24, 2025): University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing

Even Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, one of the defendants, issued their own statement on November 21, 2025, which can be found at Pi Kappa Phi Closes Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston. This statement, analyzed in detail below, inadvertently highlights their own awareness and complicity.

The Parties Involved in Our $10 Million Lawsuit

Damages Sought: $10,000,000
Filed: Harris County Civil District Court, November 21, 2025
Attorneys: Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña – Attorney911

Our lawsuit names a comprehensive list of defendants, demonstrating our strategy to hold every responsible entity accountable:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (University of Houston Beta Nu Chapter): The local chapter that directly organized and conducted the hazing.
• Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters: The national organization, for its failure to supervise, enforce anti-hazing policies, and address a known “hazing crisis.”
• Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation: The entity responsible for the fraternity house where much of the abuse occurred.
• University of Houston: The institution itself, for its failure to prevent hazing despite owning the fraternity house and having a history of prior hazing incidents on campus.
• UH Board of Regents: The governing body of the university, for institutional oversight failures.
• The Fraternity President: The chapter leader responsible for overseeing activities and ensuring compliance.
• The Pledgemaster: The individual directly in charge of the pledge process and hazing activities.
• Current and Former Individual Fraternity Members (13 of them): All who participated in, facilitated, or allowed the hazing to take place.
• A Former Member AND His Spouse: Named defendants because specific hazing sessions were alleged to have occurred at their private off-campus residence, highlighting premises liability and complicity.

Leonel Bermudez: The Case That Shows City of Fairfax Families Why We Fight

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, accepted a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston on September 16, 2025. What followed was an approximately seven-week ordeal of systematic abuse, psychological torture, and extreme physical punishment that left him hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

Critically, Leonel was a “ghost rush” – a prospective member who was not even a University of Houston student yet. He was planning to transfer to UH for the upcoming spring semester. They subjected someone who wasn’t even enrolled at their own institution to this level of brutality, showcasing an astounding level of reckless disregard.

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 Peña emphasized the broader impact of this case: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

This particular case directly impacts City of Fairfax families because:

• Pi Kappa Phi has over 150 chapters across America, with a presence in many states, including universities in or near Virginia. The same “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel are likely present in chapters near City of Fairfax.
• Universities near City of Fairfax that host Greek life face the same institutional liability and oversight failures as the University of Houston.
• The hazing tactics employed are disturbingly common and can happen to any student from City of Fairfax exploring Greek life or other organizations.
• If your child is hazed at a university in Virginia, or anywhere else, we will bring the same aggressive, data-driven fight as we are currently waging in Houston.

The Hazing Timeline: Weeks of Systematic Abuse

The abuse Leonel endured was not a single, isolated incident but a prolonged campaign of control and humiliation:

• September 16, 2025: Leonel accepts his bid to Pi Kappa Phi. The hazing begins immediately.
• September 16 – November 3, 2025: Weeks of systematic abuse, encompassing psychological torture, extreme physical exertion, and coerced consumption.
• October 13, 2025: Another chilling incident is reported: another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour while fraternity members prepared for a meeting. This demonstrates the systemic nature and blatant disregard for humanity within the chapter.
• October 15, 2025: A pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during one of the forced workouts. Other pledges had to elevate his legs until he revived. This event alone should have triggered intervention, yet the hazing continued.
• November 3, 2025: The Incident: Leonel was subjected to extreme physical punishments, including over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was forced to recite the fraternity creed under threat of immediate expulsion. He became so exhausted that he could not stand without help.
• November 4-5, 2025: Leonel’s condition rapidly deteriorated. He crawled upstairs into bed, experiencing extreme soreness and an inability to move, which worsened significantly over these days.
• November 6, 2025: His mother rushed him to the hospital, noting he was passing brown urine – a classic symptom of severe muscle breakdown.
• November 6-10, 2025: Leonel was hospitalized for three nights and four days, where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• November 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters officially closed its Beta Nu Chapter, publicly acknowledging “violations” of their policies.
• November 21, 2025: Our $10 MILLION LAWSUIT was filed in Harris County Civil District Court, immediately drawing major media attention.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

The hazing Leonel endured provides a disturbing look into the reality of these perverse “traditions.” This is not benign revelry; it is deliberate, calculated cruelty designed to break down individuals.

The Hazing Activities Exposed in Our Lawsuit Included:

• Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning: Leonel and other pledges were subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” sprayed in the face while doing strenuous calisthenics. They were forced to run repeatedly under the constant threat of being waterboarded. As Houston Public Media rightly pointed out, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.”
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges were compelled to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited. Following this, they were “forced to continue running sprints while clearly in physical distress” and made to “lie in vomit-soaked grass” after expelling their stomachs.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: This included 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. Leonel was forced to recite the fraternity creed while performing these exercises, continuing until he could not stand without assistance. Other pledges reported being “struck with wooden paddles.” The lawsuit also details a pledge losing consciousness during one of these forced workouts in October.
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Pledges were forced to strip to their underwear in cold weather, humiliatingly carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times, and endure threats of physical punishment or expulsion for non-compliance. These tactics are designed to strip individuals of their dignity and autonomy.
• Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, disrupting their sleep and ensuring chronic exhaustion, which can significantly impair judgment and physical resilience.
• Control and Servitude: An enforced dress code, mandatory study hours, and weekly interviews further solidified the controlling environment, leaving pledges with little personal freedom.

The Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

The extreme physical demands and torture exacted a severe toll on Leonel’s body, leading to a life-threatening medical condition: rhabdomyolysis.

What is Rhabdomyolysis? Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue that releases damaging proteins, primarily myoglobin, into the bloodstream. This protein can severely harm the kidneys, leading to acute kidney failure and, if untreated, can be fatal.

Leonel’s Symptoms and Diagnosis:

• He exhibited the classic symptom of “brown urine,” indicative of myoglobin present in his urine from severe muscle breakdown.
• Hospital tests revealed “very high creatine kinase levels,” a definitive marker of extensive muscle damage.
• Critically, he was diagnosed with acute kidney failure, a life-threatening complication of rhabdomyolysis.
• His three-night, four-day hospitalization involved intensive medical treatment to prevent further organ damage.
• For days after the incident, he was physically unable to stand or walk normally.

This is a grave injury that can have long-lasting effects, including chronic kidney disease or the potential need for dialysis or transplant in the future. Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, making our firm uniquely equipped to handle the complex medical and legal aspects of Leonel’s injury.

Institutional Responses: Admissions of Guilt and Intent to Return

The official statements from the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, while carefully worded, reveal their awareness of the severe wrongdoing and their attempts to manage the fallout.

University of Houston Spokesperson (Houston Public Media, November 24, 2025):
“The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards. The University is conducting its own investigation in coordination with law enforcement and with the cooperation of the fraternity and its national leadership. Pending the outcome of these investigations, any individual found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges.”

Our Interpretation: This statement, while seemingly condemnatory, is a calculated attempt to limit liability. The university admits the events are “deeply disturbing” and a “clear violation” of standards, implicitly acknowledging their failure to prevent such actions. The mention of “potential criminal charges” reveals their belief that serious crimes occurred. Their “coordination” with the fraternity also suggests a joint effort to control the fallout.

Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters (pikapp.org, November 21, 2025):
“Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity closed its Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards. Pi Kappa Phi takes all allegations of hazing seriously. This action reflects our commitment to upholding the Fraternity’s values and expectations while prioritizing the well-being of our members. We thank the University of Houston for its collaboration and leadership. Pi Kappa Phi has a proud history of accomplished students and alumni from the Beta Nu Chapter, and we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time and continuing our partnership with the University of Houston in the years ahead.”

Our Analysis of This Corporate PR:

• “Violations of… risk management policy”: This is an admission that their own rules were broken, and by extension, their oversight failed.
• “Prioritizing the well-being of our members”: This rings hollow when a member is hospitalized with kidney failure due to his chapter’s actions.
• Crucially, the chapter was closed effective November 14, 2025, a full SEVEN DAYS BEFORE our lawsuit was filed on November 21, 2025. This demonstrates a clear consciousness of liability and an attempt to preemptively distance the national organization and mitigate legal repercussions. They knew a lawsuit was coming and acted defensively.
• “We thank the University of Houston for its collaboration…”: This confirms a coordinated effort between the university and the national fraternity, suggesting a shared strategy to manage the crisis.
• “We look forward to returning to campus…”: This statement, made with Leonel still recovering, is particularly chilling. It reflects a profound lack of remorse and a “business as usual” mentality. It tells us that without significant punitive action, they fully intend to restart operations once the heat dies down.

Why This Case Matters to City of Fairfax Families

The terrifying details of Leonel Bermudez’s hazing experience are not unique to Houston. They represent a nationwide crisis that can impact any student from City of Fairfax attending college.

1. Proof That “Tradition” is Torture: This case powerfully illustrates that modern hazing involves systematic, brutal torture, not harmless pranks. These acts can, and do, happen at fraternities and student organizations at universities throughout Virginia and across the country.
2. Universities Are Complicit: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. This is a critical detail that highlights their direct responsibility. Universities near City of Fairfax, whether they are large state systems or smaller private colleges, possess similar power to regulate student organizations and are similarly liable when they fail to protect students on their property or under their watch.
3. National Organizations Know: Pi Kappa Phi’s national leadership immediately disbanded the chapter, proving they understand the severity of the hazing. The same national organizations with their vast resources and elaborate rules operate chapters at colleges where students from City of Fairfax attend. Their claims of ignorance are often disingenuous.
4. Victims Are Afraid: Leonel’s attorneys noted he was “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” This fear is a common and powerful tactic used by hazing perpetrators to keep victims silent. We understand this fear and prioritize our clients’ safety and well-being, protecting them while aggressively pursuing their legal rights. Students from City of Fairfax who have been hazed face the same intimidation.
5. One Brave Victim Can Protect Other Students: As Lupe Peña stated, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do.” Leonel’s willingness to step forward can save lives and prevent future tragedies. Your child’s case, even from City of Fairfax, could be the one that forces real change.
6. $10 Million Sends a Message: A lawsuit of this magnitude sends an unmistakable message to fraternities, universities, and their national organizations: the price of torturing and endangering students is astronomical. City of Fairfax families, when armed with aggressive legal representation, can send the same powerful message.

What Hazing Really Looks Like

Many parents from City of Fairfax might hold outdated notions of hazing from movies or past generations — perhaps harmless pranks or mild inconveniences. The reality is far more sinister. Hazing today, as evidenced by Leonel Bermudez’s terrifying experience, is often synonymous with assault, battery, torture, reckless endangerment, and in the most tragic cases, manslaughter or murder. It is a calculated process of dehumanization and abuse designed to exert control and enforce conformity, often with devastating physical and psychological consequences.

Categories of Hazing Incidents Witnessed in Modern Cases:

• Physical Abuse: This is the most visible form and can include beatings, paddling, branding, forced calisthenics to the point of collapse (leading to conditions like rhabdomyolysis, as in Leonel’s case), prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures, sleep deprivation, or confinement in small, dark spaces. The documented use of wooden paddles and forced 500 squats are clear examples.
• Forced Consumption: This often involves alcohol, with students compelled to binge drink or “chug” dangerous amounts, leading to alcohol poisoning and sometimes death. It can also include excessive amounts of food until vomiting, or even non-food substances. Leonel’s forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns perfectly illustrates this heinous tactic.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often kept awake for days on end, forced to participate in activities that disrupt normal sleep patterns. This impairs judgment, increases vulnerability, and can lead to dangerous accidents, as seen with Leonel being forced to drive members at all hours.
• Psychological and Emotional Abuse: This category is often overlooked but can be the most damaging. It involves constant humiliation, verbal abuse, degradation, scare tactics, threats, and social isolation. The fanny pack with sexual objects, the hog-tying of another pledge, and the constant threats of expulsion are prime examples designed to break down a pledge’s self-esteem and independence.
• Sexual Harassment and Abuse: While we focus on broader hazing, many incidents involve forced nudity, sexually suggestive acts, or even outright sexual assault. The presence of sexual objects during hazing indicates a component of sexual humiliation and objectification.
• Simulated Waterboarding/Drowning: As explicitly detailed in Leonel’s case, this extreme form of torture involves spraying water in a victim’s face to simulate drowning. It is a tactic recognized globally as torture because of its profound psychological and physical trauma.

Common Medical Consequences of Hazing:

The injuries from hazing are far from minor:

• Rhabdomyolysis & Acute Kidney Failure: As suffered by Leonel, this muscle breakdown due to extreme exertion can lead to permanent kidney damage or even death.
• Alcohol Poisoning: A leading cause of hazing deaths, resulting from forced, rapid consumption of alcohol.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From falls, blows to the head, or repeated concussions during forced physical activities.
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From prolonged exposure to extreme cold or heat.
• Cardiac Arrest: Resulting from severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or extreme physical stress.
• Broken Bones, Burns, Lacerations: Directly from physical assaults or accidents during hazing.
• PTSD, Severe Anxiety, Depression: The long-term psychological toll can be devastating, requiring extensive therapy. In some cases, suicidal ideation becomes a tragic outcome.

This is the reality we fight against. For City of Fairfax families sending their children to college, knowing this reality is paramount. These are not just “kid behaviors”; these are acts that violate criminal law and, when ignored or enabled by institutions, demand civil justice.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Participant and Enabler Accountable

When a student from City of Fairfax is harmed by hazing, our strategy is clear: we pursue every individual and institution that played a role, directly or indirectly. We cast a wide net, ensuring that no responsible party can escape accountability. Our deep understanding of complex corporate structures, university policies, and individual roles allows us to build comprehensive cases against all liable entities.

In Leonel Bermudez’s case, we are pursuing an extensive list of defendants, illustrating the multi-faceted liability inherent in hazing incidents:

1. The Local Chapter (Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu):

   • Why they are liable: The chapter itself, as an organized entity, directly planned, executed, and condoned the hazing activities. They are vicariously liable for the actions of their members.
   • Application to City of Fairfax: Local chapters of fraternities and sororities at universities near City of Fairfax that engage in hazing are directly responsible for the harm caused.

2. Chapter Officers and Individual Members (Including the President, Pledgemaster, and 13 individuals):

   • Why they are liable: The President and Pledgemaster hold leadership roles and are directly responsible for the conduct of the chapter and its pledge program. Other individual members who participated in, facilitated, or failed to intervene when hazing occurred are also directly liable for assault, battery, and negligence. Our firm specifically names 13 individual members to ensure personal accountability.
   • Application to City of Fairfax: Any student from City of Fairfax involved in hazing, from orchestrators to participants, can face individual liability. The recent $6.5 million judgment against a former chapter president in the Stone Foltz case demonstrates the serious personal financial consequences individuals face.

3. Former Members and Their Spouses:

   • Why they are liable: In our current lawsuit, a former member and his spouse are named because some of the “major hazing sessions” allegedly occurred at their private, off-campus residence. By allowing illegal and dangerous activities on their property, they opened themselves up to premises liability and potential direct participation or aiding and abetting.
   • Application to City of Fairfax: Hazing often extends to off-campus locations. Property owners, even if not official members, can be held liable if they knowingly permit hazing to occur on their premises.

4. The National Fraternity Organization (Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters):

   • Why they are liable: National organizations hold significant power and responsibility over their local chapters. They are expected to set and enforce anti-hazing policies, provide training, and supervise chapter conduct. In Leonel’s case, we allege the national organization “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” The death of Andrew Coffey at another Pi Kappa Phi chapter in 2017 provides undeniable evidence that the national body had actual knowledge of deadly hazing within its ranks. Their failure to prevent another severe incident 8 years later demonstrates deliberate indifference and gross negligence.
   • Application to City of Fairfax: The same national fraternities (including Pi Kappa Phi) operate at colleges and universities frequented by students from City of Fairfax. Their national leadership, policies, and insurance coverage make them “deep-pocket” defendants critical for significant recovery.

5. The University (University of Houston and its Board of Regents):

   • Why they are liable: Universities have a non-delegable duty to protect their students from foreseeable harm. In Leonel’s case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where significant hazing took place, making them directly liable under premises liability laws. Furthermore, the university had a compelling history of hazing on its campus, including a student hospitalized from a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing incident in 2017. This prior event gave UH actual knowledge of dangerous hazing on its campus. Their failure to implement effective safeguards in the intervening 8 years amounts to institutional negligence and deliberate indifference.
   • Application to City of Fairfax: Educational institutions like George Mason University, Marymount University, or any university attended by students from City of Fairfax have a responsibility to ensure a safe environment. Their ability to regulate student organizations, enforce policies, and provide oversight makes them key defendants when hazing occurs. They cannot claim ignorance when hazing becomes a known problem in Greek life.

6. Insurance Carriers:

   • Why they are liable: Behind every national fraternity, university, housing corporation, and often individual member, are insurance policies designed to cover such liabilities. These policies can include general liability, D&O (Directors & Officers) coverage, and homeowner’s insurance. These insurance carriers ultimately pay out the multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts.
   • Application to City of Fairfax: Identifying and leveraging these insurance policies is critical for maximizing compensation for City of Fairfax victims. Our firm’s background, with both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña being former insurance defense attorneys, gives us invaluable insider knowledge into how these carriers value, strategize, and attempt to minimize claims. We know their playbook, and we use it to our clients’ advantage.

Our approach is comprehensive. We send a clear message: every individual who participated, every alumni who enabled, every national leader who failed to act, and every university administrator who chose indifference over intervention will be held accountable. This is how we fight for justice for City of Fairfax families.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

The devastation caused by hazing is immeasurable, but the legal system offers a pathway to financial compensation and, crucially, to holding powerful institutions accountable. Families in City of Fairfax who have endured the nightmare of hazing often wonder if it’s truly possible to fight against well-funded fraternities and universities. The answer, proven time and again by landmark verdicts and settlements across the country, is a resounding yes.

Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an outlier; it is rooted in precedents where hazing victims and their families have recovered millions, fundamentally altering how these organizations operate and inspiring new anti-hazing laws. These are not just statistics; they are hard-won battles that demonstrate the power of aggressive legal representation. For City of Fairfax families, these cases offer hope and a benchmark for the justice we pursue.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements: They Will Pay

1. Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

Total Recovery: $10.1 Million+

• What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Bowling Green State University, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation ritual. He was found unresponsive the next morning and died from alcohol poisoning.
• The Outcome: This tragic case resulted in a $2.9 million settlement from Bowling Green State University and a $7.2 million settlement from Pi Kappa Alpha National Fraternity and individual members, totaling over $10.1 million. This was the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. Beyond this, in December 2024, a jury issued a $6.5 million judgment against Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, holding him personally liable.
• Relevance to City of Fairfax: This case sets a clear precedent for multi-million dollar recoveries against both universities and national fraternities. Our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez, who suffered severe organ failure, is squarely in line with this type of compensation for hazing-related injuries. It proves that even for non-fatal, but devastating, injuries, substantial justice can be achieved.

2. Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)

Total Recovery: $6.1 Million Jury Verdict

• What Happened: In September 2017, Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman at LSU, was forced to participate in a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” where he had to drink excessive amounts of alcohol for every wrong answer. He died with a blood alcohol content of 0.495, more than six times the legal limit.
• The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family an astounding $6.1 million verdict. This case also led to the passage of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making hazing a felony offense. A fraternity member was convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced to prison.
• Relevance to City of Fairfax: This powerful jury verdict demonstrates that when cases go to trial, juries are willing to send a strong message with multi-million dollar awards. The fact that criminal convictions and new legislation followed highlights the societal outrage hazing ignites, which works in favor of victims seeking justice.

3. Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)

Total Recovery: $110+ Million (Multiple Settlements)

• What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a pledge at Penn State, was forced to consume 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes as part of a Beta Theta Pi ritual. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after falling down stairs, but fraternity members waited 12 hours before seeking medical help. He died two days later. Security cameras inside the house captured the entire horrific event.
• The Outcome: This resulted in a confidential settlement, widely estimated to be over $110 million, marking one of the largest hazing payouts in U.S. history. Multiple fraternity members faced criminal charges, with some convicted of involuntary manslaughter, hazing, and assault. This case also led to Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.
• Relevance to City of Fairfax: The Piazza case underlines the immense value of strong, undeniable evidence (like the detailed allegations in Leonel’s case). It proves that even the largest universities and national fraternities can be compelled to pay astronomical sums when faced with egregious, documented wrongdoing.

4. Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

Total Recovery: Confidential Settlement (Same Fraternity as Our Case)

• What Happened: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey, a pledge at Florida State University, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night.”
• The Outcome: This incident led to criminal charges against nine fraternity members and the permanent closure of the FSU chapter. The Coffey family reached a confidential settlement with the fraternity and other parties.
• Critical Relevance to City of Fairfax: This case is devastating for Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters because it concerns the SAME NATIONAL FRATERNITY involved in our current lawsuit. Andrew Coffey died in 2017. Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized with organ failure at another Pi Kappa Phi chapter. This establishes a clear pattern of negligence and a systemic failure by the national organization to address deadly hazing within its ranks, despite having actual notice. This history significantly strengthens our demand for punitive damages and accountability.

Bills and Laws Born from Hazing Tragedies:

These multi-million dollar cases are not just about monetary compensation; they are powerful drivers of legislative change. Families like the Gruvers, Piazzas, and Foltzes have turned their profound grief into meaningful anti-hazing laws:

• Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law (Pennsylvania, 2018): Introduced felony charges for hazing causing death and granted immunity for those who report hazing incidents.
• Max Gruver Act (Louisiana, 2018): Made hazing a felony offense and dramatically increased penalties.
• Collin’s Law (Ohio, 2021): Named after Collin Wiant, another hazing victim, this law similarly increased penalties and expanded the definition of hazing.
• Adam’s Law (Virginia, 2024): Named after Adam Oakes (whose family recently settled for $4M+), this law strengthens anti-hazing measures in Virginia.
• Texas Hazing Law: Our home state already has strong anti-hazing laws, with criminal penalties and the critical provision that consent is NOT a defense.

Why These Precedents Matter for City of Fairfax Families

1. Our $10 Million Demand is Supported by Precedent: Cases like Stone Foltz’s, where a family received over $10 million for a hazing death, demonstrate the justifiable scale of our demands, even for a client like Leonel Bermudez who, thankfully, survived but suffered severe, life-altering injuries.
2. Pi Kappa Phi Has a Deadly History: The Andrew Coffey case is undeniable proof that Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters had direct knowledge of lethal hazing within its chapters years ago. Their failure to prevent Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization eight years later speaks to a profound and deliberate indifference.
3. Universities are Not Immune: The University of Houston’s history, with a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017, combined with their ownership of the fraternity house where Leonel was hazed, further solidifies their institutional negligence. This serves as a warning to other universities near City of Fairfax that similar failures will lead to similar accountability.
4. Juries Hate Hazing: The $6.1 million verdict in the Gruver case, and the $6.5 million judgment against an individual in the Foltz case, underscore that juries are willing to award substantial damages, including punitive damages, when presented with egregious hazing conduct. The details of Leonel’s waterboarding, forced eating, and extreme physical abuse are precisely the kind of facts that outrage a jury.
5. Criminal Charges Often Follow: The fact that numerous hazing cases have led to criminal charges and convictions highlights the severe illegality of these acts.

For City of Fairfax families, these cases are a powerful affirmation: you are not alone, you are not helpless, and the legal system can deliver profound justice and hold the most powerful institutions accountable.

Legal Framework: City of Fairfax Victims’ Rights Under the Law

When the unimaginable happens, and your child in City of Fairfax becomes a victim of hazing, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. While our firm is based in Texas, where we are actively litigating the Bermudez case, the fundamental legal principles that govern hazing liability are broadly applicable across the United States, including Virginia. This means that whether your child attends a university in Virginia or another state, a robust legal framework exists to protect their rights and hold perpetrators and institutions accountable.

We approach every hazing case, including those from City of Fairfax, with an understanding of both state-specific statutes and broader civil liability theories, ensuring we build the strongest possible case for our clients.

Understanding Anti-Hazing Laws: Texas and Nationwide

Many states, like Texas, have specific anti-hazing statutes that define hazing, outline criminal penalties, establish organizational liability, and, critically, state that a victim’s consent is not a defense. Virginia also has its own anti-hazing laws, most notably Adam’s Law, enacted in 2024 following the death of Adam Oakes at Virginia Commonwealth University. This law strengthens anti-hazing provisions across the Commonwealth, emphasizing education and enforcement.

These state laws are invaluable because they:

• Define Hazing Explicitly: Most state definitions align with Texas Education Code § 37.151, which broadly covers acts that endanger mental or physical health for the purpose of joining an organization. This includes physical brutality, sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, calisthenics causing unreasonable risk, and forced consumption of substances. Leonel Bermudez’s experience directly violated multiple facets of this definition, illustrating the severity of the acts.
• Establish Criminal Penalties: Hazing is not just a university policy violation; it’s a crime. Penalties range from misdemeanors for participation to felony charges for hazing causing serious bodily injury or death. The University of Houston spokesperson’s mention of “potential criminal charges” in the Bermudez case signals this dual criminal and civil liability.
• Affirm Organizational Liability: Organizations themselves can face fines, loss of privileges, or even permanent dissolution for condoning or participating in hazing.
• Undermine the “Consent” Defense: This is a cornerstone of effective anti-hazing legislation. Texas Education Code § 37.154 explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution that the person hazed consented to the hazing.” This means that the argument “he knew what he was signing up for” or “he could have left” is legally invalid. This critical provision largely renders the common defense tactic of blaming the victim powerless. Many other states have similar “consent is not a defense” clauses.

Civil Liability for Hazing: What City of Fairfax Victims Can Sue For

Beyond criminal charges, civil lawsuits allow victims to seek monetary compensation for their injuries and suffering. Our firm leverages a variety of legal theories to build compelling civil cases, regardless of whether a criminal prosecution is pursued:

1. Negligence Claims: This is a broad but powerful claim asserting that the defendants failed to exercise reasonable care, leading to harm.

   • Duty of Care: Universities and fraternities owe a duty of care to their students and pledges to provide a safe environment.
   • Breach of Duty: Allowing hazing, failing to supervise, or not enforcing anti-hazing policies constitutes a breach of this duty.
   • Causation: The breach directly caused the injuries.
   • Damages: The victim suffered measurable harm (medical bills, pain, etc.).
   • Application to City of Fairfax: This core principle of negligence applies universally. Any university or student organization near City of Fairfax that fails in its duty to protect students can be held liable.

2. Premises Liability: This applies when injuries occur on property owned or controlled by a defendant.

   • Application to City of Fairfax: In Leonel’s case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place, making this a central aspect of their liability. If hazing occurs in a fraternity house, dorm, or other facility owned or controlled by a university or housing corporation near City of Fairfax, those entities can be held liable for creating or allowing dangerous conditions. This also extends to private residences where hazing may have occurred, involving individual homeowners (such as the former member and his spouse in our lawsuit).

3. Negligent Supervision/Retention: This applies when an institution or organization fails to properly oversee its members or employees, leading to harm.

   • Application to City of Fairfax: National fraternities are liable for negligently supervising their chapters, especially when they have knowledge of a “hazing crisis” (as alleged against Pi Kappa Phi National). Universities are similarly liable for negligent supervision of Greek life or other student organizations if they know or should know of hazing risks and fail to intervene.

4. Assault and Battery: These are intentional torts directly applicable to hazing incidents involving physical contact.

   • Assault: Occurs when an individual intentionally places another in reasonable apprehension of harmful or offensive contact (e.g., threatening physical punishment).
   • Battery: Occurs when an individual intentionally causes harmful or offensive physical contact (e.g., paddling, forced pushups, waterboarding).
   • Application to City of Fairfax: Every individual who physically participated in hazing can be sued for assault and battery, regardless of their status as a fraternity member or student.

5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): This claim addresses severe psychological harm caused by outrageous conduct.

   • Application to City of Fairfax: Hazing practices like waterboarding, extreme humiliation, and psychological torture clearly constitute “extreme and outrageous” conduct, which can inflict profound and lasting emotional trauma, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Such claims are critical for victims who suffer significant unquantifiable harm.

6. Vicarious Liability: This legal doctrine holds one party responsible for the actions of another (e.g., an employer for an employee, or a principal for an agent).

   • Application to City of Fairfax: National fraternities can be vicariously liable for the actions of their local chapters and members, especially if the chapter is considered an “agent” of the national organization. Universities might also face vicarious liability for the actions of student organization leaders who are acting within the scope of their university-recognized roles.

Our firm’s experience with federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) means we are not confined by state borders in our pursuit of justice. We can leverage federal civil rights claims or bring cases in states where national fraternities are headquartered, giving City of Fairfax families a powerful legal ally, no matter where the hazing occurred or where the responsible institutions are located. We understand that distance should never be a barrier to justice.

The Power of “Consent is Not a Defense”

This is a critical legal shield for hazing victims. The pervasive myth that victims “consented” to hazing, or “knew what they were getting into,” is often perpetuated by those looking to evade responsibility. However, the law explicitly states that a person cannot consent to criminal acts or to activities that threaten their physical or mental health. This directly refutes the primary defense tactic often used by fraternities and universities, shifting the legal focus squarely onto the perpetrators’ actions and the institutions’ failures. For City of Fairfax students, this ensures that no one can legally justify their brutalization under the guise of an ill-informed “choice.”

Why Attorney911: The Lawyers Fighting for City of Fairfax Hazing Victims

When tragedy strikes and your child from City of Fairfax becomes a victim of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need an expert, an aggressive advocate, and a firm with proven results in this highly specialized area of law. You need Attorney911. We are not just another personal injury firm; we are uniquely positioned to take on the complex, multi-defendant hazing cases that powerful universities and national fraternities try desperately to keep quiet.

Our headquarters are in Houston, Texas, with additional offices in Austin and Beaumont, but our reach and capabilities extend nationwide. We understand that hazing can affect students from City of Fairfax at any college, anywhere. Distance is not a barrier to the aggressive, professional help you need.

Our Core Strengths: What Sets Us Apart for City of Fairfax Families

1. Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit: We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re actively fighting it. Our lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for Leonel Bermudez’s severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure is not yet another case study; it is unfolding right now. This means we have up-to-the-minute experience with the tactics of national fraternities and universities, making us an unparalleled resource for City of Fairfax families. We bring the full force of this live litigation experience to your case.

2. Former Insurance Defense Insight (Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña): This is our “unfair advantage.” Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña spent years on the other side, defending insurance companies and corporations. They know exactly how these powerful entities think, strategize, and attempt to minimize or deny claims. This insider knowledge allows us to anticipate their moves, dismantle their defenses, and maximize the compensation our City of Fairfax clients receive. We have seen their playbook, and we use it against them.

3. Federal Court Admissions & Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas & New York): Hazing cases often involve national fraternities or universities located in different states. Our admission to U.S. District Courts and licenses in both Texas and New York give us a strategic advantage. We can pursue national organizations wherever they are headquartered and litigate in federal courts across the country, ensuring City of Fairfax victims are not limited by state lines.

4. Nationwide Hazing Expertise with a Hyperlocal Focus: While our flagship case is in Texas, the hazing crisis is a national one. We apply our deep understanding of hazing patterns, institutional liability, and legal precedents to cases across America, including those originating from City of Fairfax. We are adept at connecting national trends to local incidents, making each case compelling and powerful.

5. 25+ Years of Courtroom Battle-Tested Experience: Ralph Manginello’s extensive career includes high-stakes mass tort litigation, such as the BP Texas City Explosion, where he took on massive corporate defendants. This experience in complex, multi-party litigation is directly applicable to hazing cases involving powerful national organizations and universities. Our courtroom prowess signals to defendants that we are prepared to go to trial if a fair settlement is not offered.

6. Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Expertise: We have a proven track record of fighting for families who have suffered unimaginable losses, often resulting from negligence. This experience, including cases involving rhabdomyolysis, brain injuries, and wrongful death, directly informs our