City of Salem Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M Pike Settlements | Attorney911 — The Firm That Closed Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

If you’re reading this in the City of Salem, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college. Instead, they were tortured. They were humiliated. They were injured. We’re here to help families in the City of Salem fight back against the insidious problem of hazing.

We are Attorney911, and we are legal emergency lawyers who see every hazing incident as the crisis it truly is. We know the fear, the anger, and the desperation that washes over a parent in the City of Salem when they discover their child has been put through physical or psychological torment in the name of “tradition” or “brotherhood.” We understand. And we are here to turn that pain and rage into aggressive, relentless accountability.

Our firm is currently in the trenches, fighting a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university for the horrific hazing of a young man. This isn’t theoretical; this is real, ongoing litigation in Harris County Civil District Court. We bring the same data-driven strategy, the same insider knowledge from our former insurance defense backgrounds, and the same compassionate, yet fierce, advocacy to every case we handle, no matter if our clients are in Houston, Austin, Beaumont, or right here in the City of Salem.

The Hazing Crisis: Why City of Salem Families Need Us

Hazing is far more than innocent pranks or silly initiations. It’s a brutal, underground subculture thriving in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and other student organizations across America, including at institutions where children from the City of Salem attend. The statistics paint a grim picture: over half of all students in Greek organizations experience hazing, and since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every single year in the United States. Ninety-five percent of those who are hazed never report it. This silence allows the cycle of abuse to continue, often with devastating consequences.

Parents in the City of Salem send their children off to institutions of higher learning with hopes for their future, expecting safety and intellectual growth. Instead, many find their children subjected to physical violence, psychological torture, sexual humiliation, and forced consumption that can lead to severe injury, long-term trauma, or even death. The institutions meant to protect these students—universities and national Greek organizations—too often turn a blind eye until it’s too late.

This is where Attorney911 steps in. We expose the truth, dismantle the culture of silence, and ensure that every responsible party, from individual perpetrators to national organizations and universities, is held fully accountable. Our work is driven by a deep understanding of the regulatory landscapes, cultural nuances, and consumer behavior specific to these powerful entities, allowing us to build cases that truly make a difference.

The Landmark Case: A $10 Million Fight for Justice That Could Happen Anywhere

Families in the City of Salem need to know: the nightmare of hazing is real, and it can happen close to home. Just recently, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit in Houston that serves as a stark warning to fraternities and universities nationwide. This case, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al., is a powerful illustration of exactly what modern hazing looks like and the aggressive stance Attorney911 takes to fight it.

Leonel Bermudez was not even officially enrolled at the University of Houston yet; he was a “ghost rush” planning to transfer in the spring. He simply wanted to make friends and find a community. Instead, for weeks on end, he endured a systematic campaign of physical and psychological torment at the hands of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. This isn’t just about what happened in Houston; it’s about the pervasive culture of hazing that exists at universities across the country, including those that students from the City of Salem may attend.

What Leonel Endured:

The allegations in our lawsuit paint a horrifying picture of systematic abuse:

• Waterboarding with a Garden Hose: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” mimicking drowning, a tactic recognized globally as torture.
• Extreme Physical Exertion: He was forced to perform grueling exercises like over 100 push-ups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and repeated 100-yard crawls while reciting the fraternity creed. He was pushed until he literally could not stand without help, ultimately collapsing from exhaustion.
• Forced Consumption Until Vomiting: He was made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Even then, the abuse continued, forcing him to run sprints while in clear physical distress and lie in his own vomit-soaked grass.
• Physical Beatings: The lawsuit alleges he was “struck with wooden paddles.”
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: He was forced to carry a fanny pack containing “objects of a sexual nature” at all times, stripped to his underwear in cold weather, and subjected to threats of further physical punishment or expulsion if he failed to comply.
• Witnessing Abuse: He saw another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Another pledge even lost consciousness during a forced workout in mid-October, yet the hazing continued.

The Devastating Medical Consequences:

The ordeal left Leonel Bermudez severely injured. His mother rushed him to the hospital when he began passing brown urine, a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown. He was diagnosed with both severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days in the hospital, fighting a life-threatening condition caused solely by the fraternity’s actions. He faces ongoing risks of permanent kidney damage. His experience is a stark reminder that these “games” inflict real, lasting harm.

The Accountability We Demand:

Our $10 million lawsuit names multiple defendants, including:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (University of Houston Beta Nu Chapter)
• Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters
• Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation
• The University of Houston
• The UH Board of Regents
• The fraternity president, pledgemaster, and 13 individual fraternity members, including former members and one of their spouses who allegedly hosted hazing at their residence.

This comprehensive approach reflects our commitment to holding every single responsible entity accountable for their role in the hazing.

The Institutional Response and Our Analysis:

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi National suspended and then dissolved the Beta Nu Chapter. In their official statement, the national fraternity admitted to “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” This closure, occurring just seven days before our lawsuit was filed, demonstrates a clear consciousness of guilt and an attempt to limit liability, not genuine reform. They even publicly stated, “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” a shockingly unremorseful declaration given the severity of Leonel’s injuries.

The University of Houston spokesperson acknowledged the “deeply disturbing” nature of the events and mentioned “potential criminal charges.” This admission from the university validates the severity of the hazing and suggests that even the institutions themselves recognize the criminal nature of such acts.

We view this case as a public service. As Lupe Pena stated to ABC13, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” We believe that justice for Leonel Bermudez can help to safeguard other young people, including those from the City of Salem, from similar horrors.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in the City of Salem might have an outdated idea of hazing—maybe some uncomfortable pranks or minor rituals. The reality, as tragically demonstrated by Leonel Bermudez’s case, is far more sinister. Hazing today often involves criminal assault, physical and psychological torture, and a blatant disregard for human dignity and safety. It is not about building character; it is about breaking spirits and bodies.

Types of Hazing That We See in City of Salem-Bound Students:

• Physical Abuse: This goes far beyond a paddle. It includes beatings, forced calisthenics to the point of collapse, branding, burning, physical restraints like hog-tying, and even violent assaults. Leonel’s 500 squats and wooden paddles are prime examples.
• Forced Consumption: This is often associated with alcohol, leading to fatal alcohol poisoning, but as Leonel’s case shows, it can also involve massive amounts of food or non-food substances to induce vomiting and extreme physical distress.
• Water Torture: Simulated waterboarding, forced submersion, or being sprayed with hoses are acts of torture designed to create fear and submission. The fact that this happened to Leonel is chilling.
• Sleep Deprivation: Forcing pledges to stay awake for extended periods, perform late-night tasks, or drive fraternity members in early morning hours can severely impair judgment and health.
• Psychological Abuse: This is the constant humiliation, degradation, isolation, and threats that break down an individual’s self-esteem and create an environment of fear. Carrying sexually suggestive items, as Leonel was forced to do, falls into this category. The victim’s fear of “retribution” is a direct result of this psychological manipulation.
• Sexual Harassment and Assault: This reprehensible form of hazing can include forced nudity, sexually suggestive acts, or actual sexual assault.
• Exposure: Leaving pledges in extreme weather conditions, confined in small spaces, or forcing them into dangerous environments is another common and dangerous hazing tactic.

The Medical Realities of Hazing:

The injuries sustained from hazing are often severe and life-altering, sometimes even deadly.

• Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure: As Leonel Bermudez discovered, extreme physical exertion without proper hydration or nutrition can break down muscle fibers, releasing toxins into the bloodstream that poison the kidneys. This requires immediate medical intervention and can result in permanent organ damage or death.
• Alcohol Poisoning: Forced binge drinking can lead to coma, brain damage, and death. Maxwell Gruver and Andrew Coffey are tragic examples of this.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From falls, blows to the head, or violent assaults, TBIs can have lifelong effects on cognitive function, personality, and physical ability. Timothy Piazza’s death was a result of a TBI.
• Internal Injuries: Forced physical activities or direct violence can cause internal organ damage, internal bleeding, or broken bones. Jared Munoz, another UH hazing victim, suffered a lacerated spleen.
• Hypothermia and Heatstroke: Exposure to extreme cold or heat can cause severe injury or death.
• Psychological Trauma: Even without physical injury, hazing victims frequently suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions that require extensive therapy and support.

These are not the harmless “rites of passage” that hazing apologists often claim. These are acts of violence and intimidation, and they must be met with aggressive legal action. When City of Salem students face such dangers, our firm is ready to fight with every tool at our disposal.

Who Is Responsible: Every Entity That Participated Or Allowed It

One of the most critical aspects of hazing litigation is identifying and holding every single responsible party accountable. This is not just about a few “bad apples”; it’s about systemic failures. In the City of Salem, as anywhere else, hazing cases often involve a web of culpability that extends far beyond the direct perpetrators.

Our strategy in the Bermudez case, and for every hazing case we take, is to cast a wide net, ensuring that no entity that contributed to or enabled the harm can escape responsibility.

1. The Local Chapter and Its Members:

• Direct Perpetrators: Individual fraternity or sorority members who actively participate in hazing acts are directly liable for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
• Chapter Officers: Leaders like the president, pledgemaster, or risk manager have a heightened duty to prevent hazing in their chapter. Their failure to do so, or active participation, makes them personally liable.
• Former Members and Hosts: As seen in the Bermudez case, even former members and their spouses who host hazing activities at their residences can be held liable under premises liability and for aiding and abetting the hazing.

2. The National Organization:
National fraternities and sororities, including those with chapters near the City of Salem, are powerful, multi-million dollar corporations. They often maintain tax-exempt status and hold significant assets. We hold them responsible through theories of:

• Negligent Supervision: For failing to adequately oversee their local chapters.
• Failure to Enforce Policies: Despite having anti-hazing policies, they frequently fail to enforce them until a crisis occurs. Pi Kappa Phi’s own admission of “violations” directly supports this claim.
• Pattern of Negligence: As evidenced by the Andrew Coffey tragedy, national organizations often have a history of hazing incidents across multiple chapters, demonstrating a systemic failure that makes future harm foreseeable. This is strong evidence for punitive damages.

3. The University or College:
Whether it’s Roanoke College or Virginia Tech, institutions where students from the City of Salem may attend, universities also bear significant responsibility:

• Institutional Negligence: For failing to provide a safe environment for their students, especially when they have knowledge of hazing problems on campus (as the University of Houston did with a prior 2017 hazing hospitalization).
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs in university-owned housing, as in the Bermudez case with the University of Houston owning the Pi Kappa Phi house, the university has a legal duty as a landlord to ensure safety.
• Failure to Supervise Greek Life: Universities have the power to regulate, suspend, or remove Greek organizations. Their failure to use this authority makes them complicit.
• Failure to Enforce Policy: Universities have their own anti-hazing policies, which are often violated without consequence until a student is severely injured or killed.

4. Insurance Carriers:
Behind every national organization, university, and often even individual members, are insurance policies. These policies provide the financial resources to compensate victims for their injuries. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena have invaluable insider knowledge of how these insurance companies operate, strategize to minimize payouts, and ultimately how to dismantle their defenses to maximize recovery for our clients from the City of Salem.

This multi-faceted approach ensures that we pursue every possible avenue for compensation and accountability, sending a clear message that hazing will not be tolerated.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For families in the City of Salem grappling with the aftermath of hazing, one question often arises: can justice truly be served, and can these powerful institutions be brought to account? The answer, unequivocally, is yes. Our aggressive legal strategies, supported by a deep understanding of hazing patterns and institutional negligence, have consistently led to multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for victims nationwide. These precedent cases prove that accountability is not just a dream, but a tangible reality for hazing victims.

Landmark Victories That Pave the Way for City of Salem Families:

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): $10.1 Million+
  Stone Foltz tragically died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation event. The lawsuit against Bowling Green State University and the fraternity resulted in over $10.1 million in settlements, with the university paying $2.9 million and the national fraternity and individuals contributing $7.2 million. This landmark case demonstrates that our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is perfectly aligned with established precedent for severe hazing injuries, even when the victim survives. Furthermore, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million in a separate judgment in December 2024, proving that individual perpetrators cannot hide from accountability. This sends a powerful message that Greek letters do not offer immunity.
• Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
  Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old LSU freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning after a Phi Delta Theta hazing ritual where he was forced to drink massive amounts of alcohol. His family secured a $6.1 million jury verdict, a testament to the power of a jury to demand justice for egregious hazing. This case also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana, showing the profound impact civil litigation can have on legislative change.
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): $110 Million+ (Estimated Settlements)
  Timothy Piazza died from a traumatic brain injury after falling repeatedly during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event at Penn State, where he was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes. The fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911, and security cameras captured the entire horrific ordeal. The various settlements in this case are estimated to exceed $110 million, making it one of the largest hazing payouts in history. It led to the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in Pennsylvania, imposing stricter anti-hazing regulations. This case underscores the immense value placed on a student’s life and the severe consequences of institutional inaction when clear evidence of hazing exists.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Confidential Settlement
  Tragically, Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning after a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” at Florida State University, where he was forced to consume a bottle of bourbon. This is the same national fraternity involved in our current Bermudez case. The fact that Pi Kappa Phi has a hazing death on its record from 2017, yet failed to prevent Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization in 2025, is critical pattern evidence that supports our claims of systemic negligence and deliberate indifference, directly impacting their culpability in the City of Salem’s future cases.
• Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): $4+ Million Settlement
  Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi bid acceptance event. His family’s lawsuit resulted in a $2.5 million cash settlement, along with a significant donation to their anti-hazing foundation, totaling over $2.9 million (and the initial claim was for $28 million). This recent settlement in October 2024 further demonstrates the substantial recoveries that are being achieved for hazing victims’ families, emphasizing that universities and fraternities are being held financially accountable.

These cases send a resounding message to every fraternity, sorority, and university—including those serving students from the City of Salem: Hazing costs millions. The pain and suffering inflicted upon students, and the profound loss experienced by families, will not be met with silence or small settlements. Attorney911 is committed to achieving similar justice for our clients, ensuring that these powerful entities pay the full price for their negligence and cruelty. The same aggressive legal tactics and the same pursuit of maximum accountability will be brought to bear for any hazing incident affecting a student from the City of Salem.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights in the City of Salem

For families in the City of Salem, understanding the legal landscape of hazing is crucial. While our flagship case is rooted in Texas, it’s vital to recognize that most states, including Virginia where the City of Salem is located, have robust anti-hazing laws. These laws provide powerful tools for holding perpetrators and institutions accountable both criminally and civilly. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses mean we can pursue justice for you regardless of where the hazing occurred.

The Foundational Principle: Consent is NOT a Defense.

One of the most insidious arguments made by those who haze is that the victim “consented” to the activities or “knew what they were signing up for.” This narrative attempts to shift blame from the perpetrators to the victim. However, in Texas, and in many other states, the law explicitly rejects this defense.

Texas Education Code § 37.154 states: “It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This is a critical legal lever. It means that whether your child in the City of Salem felt pressured, feared social exclusion, or even verbally agreed to participate, they cannot legally consent to being hazed. Hazing is a crime, and you cannot consent to a crime. This principle empowers victims and dismantles one of the primary defense tactics used by fraternities and universities.

What Constitutes Hazing Under Law?

Texas laws, similar to those in Virginia, provide a broad definition of hazing to cover the myriad forms it takes. According to Texas Education Code § 37.151, hazing includes any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s mental or physical health or safety for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization. This includes:

• Physical Brutality: Such as whipping, beating (like Leonel’s wooden paddles), striking, branding, or placing harmful substances on the body.
• Physical Exhaustion or Risk of Harm: Activities involving sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement, calisthenics (like Leonel’s 500 squats and other exercises that caused rhabdomyolysis), or any similar activity that poses an unreasonable risk of harm.
• Forced Consumption: Requiring the consumption of food, liquids, or alcohol that creates unreasonable risk or adversely affects health (as seen with Leonel’s forced eating until vomiting).
• Violation of Penal Code: Any activity that requires a student to violate criminal law (e.g., stealing, vandalism).
• Coerced Alcohol/Drug Use: Forcing a student to consume drugs or an amount of alcohol that would lead to intoxication. This is especially relevant in cases leading to alcohol poisoning.

Leonel Bermudez’s case satisfied multiple elements of this statutory definition, highlighting how comprehensive these laws are designed to be.

Criminal Penalties:
Hazing carries serious criminal penalties for individuals who engage in it, direct it, or even fail to report it when they have firsthand knowledge. Depending on the severity of the injury, charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies. In Texas, hazing causing serious bodily injury is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail, and hazing causing death is a State Jail Felony, punishable by up to two years. The University of Houston spokesperson’s mention of “potential criminal charges” in the Bermudez case underscores this reality.

Organizational Liability:
Universities and Greek organizations themselves can also face penalties. In Texas, an organization commits an offense if it “condones or encourages hazing.” Penalties can include fines and denial of the right to operate on campus. This means that powerful institutions that allow hazing to proliferate are not immune to legal repercussions.

Civil Claims: Beyond Criminal Justice:
Beyond criminal prosecution, victims and their families in the City of Salem can pursue civil lawsuits to recover damages. These civil claims often include:

• Negligence: Holding institutions like universities and national fraternities liable for failing to exercise reasonable care to protect students.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (like the UH-owned fraternity house), they can be liable for maintaining an unsafe environment.
• Negligent Supervision: For failing to adequately supervise members, chapters, or events.
• Assault and Battery: Direct claims against individual perpetrators for intentional harm.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For outrageous conduct that causes severe emotional harm, such as the psychological torture exacted upon Leonel.
• Wrongful Death: When hazing leads to a fatality, families can seek compensation for their profound loss.

It is crucial for City of Salem families to understand that these civil claims exist regardless of criminal charges. Your child’s case can proceed, and compensation can be sought, even if local authorities in the City of Salem or elsewhere choose not to pursue criminal charges against individuals or organizations. We leverage decades of experience and a deep understanding of these laws to build the strongest possible cases for our clients.

Why Attorney911: Your Champion in the Fight Against Hazing in the City of Salem

When your child in the City of Salem is harmed by hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a legal emergency team, armed with unparalleled expertise, unwavering dedication, and a proven track record of fighting powerful institutions. Attorney911 is precisely that team. We are not merely personal injury attorneys; we are specialists in hazing litigation, aggressively representing victims and their families from our Texas offices nationwide, including for affected students from the City of Salem.

Our Unmatched Credentials and Strategic Advantages for City of Salem Families:

• 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, brings over two decades of battle-tested litigation experience. He has faced down corporate giants in multi-billion dollar mass tort cases, such as the BP Texas City Explosion litigation, demonstrating his capacity to take on the largest defendants, including national fraternities and universities. This means that if you’re in the City of Salem, you benefit from the same high-level expertise that takes on the biggest cases in the country.
• Former Insurance Defense Insight: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena spent critical years working on the defense side for major insurance companies and national defense firms like Litchfield Cavo LLP. This is our “unfair advantage.” We know their playbook inside and out—how they value claims, strategize defenses, attempt to minimize payouts, and wear down victims. Now, we use that insider knowledge to dismantle their arguments and maximize recovery for our clients. For City of Salem families, this means we anticipate their tactics and are always one step ahead.
• Federal Court Authority & Dual-State Bar Admission: We are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and Ralph is licensed in both Texas and New York. This gives us the authority and flexibility to pursue hazing cases in federal courts anywhere in the country, a crucial advantage when national fraternities, often headquartered out-of-state, are involved. This ensures that a hazing incident affecting a student from the City of Salem can be pursued with maximum legal leverage.
• Aggressive, Data-Driven Approach: We don’t just guess who is responsible; we know. We maintain one of the most comprehensive private databases of Greek organizations in Texas, complete with EINs, legal names, addresses, house corporations, and insurance structures. When hazing occurs, we identify every liable entity, ensuring no one escapes accountability. This is the intelligence backbone that allowed us to target 13 individual members, the national fraternity, its housing corporation, and the University of Houston in the Bermudez lawsuit.
• Hazing-Specific Expertise: Our success in the ongoing $10 million Pi Kappa Phi case is not an anomaly. Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, such as Leonel’s, and a deep understanding of institutional negligence, wrongful death, and toxic Greek life cultures. When we take on a case for a family in the City of Salem, we’re applying this specialized knowledge and current litigation experience.
• Se Habla Español: We understand the diverse fabric of communities like the City of Salem. Our bilingual staff ensures that Spanish-speaking clients and families receive comprehensive legal services, eliminating language barriers to justice and ensuring everyone feels heard and understood.
• Compassionate Client-Centered Approach: We operate with empathy, recognizing the immense trauma hazing inflicts. “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such,” as one client testified. We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. For City of Salem families, you’ll find a supportive team genuinely invested in your well-being and dedicated to your fight for justice.
• Contingency Fee Basis: We firmly believe that no family should be denied justice due to financial constraints. We take hazing cases on contingency, meaning you pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if and when we win your case. This commitment ensures that elite legal representation is accessible to every City of Salem family facing this nightmare.
• Willingness to Travel: While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, distance is not a barrier to justice. We offer remote consultations via video and are prepared to travel to the City of Salem for depositions, client meetings, and trials as needed. We bring our expertise to you.

Choosing Attorney911 means choosing a firm that is actively fighting the hazing crisis today. It means choosing a legal team that understands the opposition’s every move, uses cutting-edge data, and is unflinchingly committed to securing maximum accountability and compensation for every victim, including those in the City of Salem.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Guidance for City of Salem Families

If your child in the City of Salem has been subjected to hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. It’s a confusing, painful, and often frightening time, but urgent action can profoundly impact the success of any legal claim. We provide clear, actionable steps for parents and victims to take, designed to preserve evidence and protect your legal rights.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention:
This is paramount. Even if injuries seem minor, or if psychological distress is the primary concern, prompt medical evaluation is crucial. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some serious conditions, like rhabdomyolysis or internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent. Mental health professionals can document psychological trauma.

• Why it matters: Medical records are the backbone of any personal injury claim. They establish the link between the hazing and the injuries, quantify the severity, and document treatment needs. If you delay, insurance companies and defense attorneys will argue your injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the hazing.

2. Preserve ALL Evidence, No Matter How Small:
Hazing often thrives in secrecy, but digital footprints and physical evidence are key to dismantling that secrecy.

• Photos and Videos: Take pictures of any physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) immediately and as they heal. Photograph the hazing location if possible, even after the fact, to show where the abuse occurred. If any photos or videos of the hazing itself exist (often shared among members), save them securely.
• Communications: This is often the smoking gun. Save every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat conversation, Instagram DM, email, or social media post related to the hazing. These can reveal planning, threats, coercion, rules, and acknowledgments of the hazing. Do NOT delete anything, even if it seems irrelevant.
• Witness Information: Collect the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or anyone who might have knowledge of the fraternity’s culture. Their testimony can be invaluable.
• Documents: Preserve pledge manuals, rules, schedules, or any other physical documents related to the organization or pledge activities.
• Financial and Academic Records: Keep records of medical bills, missed work or internship opportunities (for lost wages), and any impact on academic performance (grades, dropped courses, scholarship loss).

3. Do NOT Communicate with the Organization, University, or Their Lawyers:
Once hazing is reported or discovered, fraternities, national organizations, and universities will immediately engage their legal teams and risk management departments. Their goal is to protect themselves, not you or your child.

• Do NOT give any statements, recorded or unrecorded.
• Do NOT sign any documents.
• Do NOT confront fraternity members or leadership.
• Do NOT make statements to university administrators without legal counsel. They are not on your side and will use your statements to protect the institution.
• Do NOT post about the incident on social media. Anything you post can and will be used against you to discredit your claims.

4. Contact Attorney911 Immediately:
Hazing claims are complex and time-sensitive. The sooner you involve experienced legal counsel, the better equipped you will be to navigate the process and protect your rights.

• Time is Critical: In most states, including Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims is often just two years from the date of injury or death. This may seem like a long time, but evidence disappears, memories fade, and the window to file a claim closes. Our team needs to act fast to secure evidence and build a strong case.
• Free Consultation: We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation. There is no risk in speaking with us, and you’ll gain clarity on your legal options.
• We Come to You: While headquartered in Houston, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including families in the City of Salem. We offer remote consultations and are prepared to travel for depositions, meetings, and trials as necessary.

5. Listen to Your Child, Trust Your Gut:
If your child from the City of Salem hints at disturbing activities or exhibits sudden changes in behavior, mood, or physical health, take it seriously. Hazing is often hidden in plain sight, and victims are pressured into silence. A parent’s intuition can be lifesaving.

By taking these immediate steps, City of Salem families can lay a strong foundation for a successful legal claim, ensuring that those responsible for hazing are held accountable and that justice is served.

Call Us: Your Legal Emergency Team for Hazing In The City of Salem

If your child in the City of Salem has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, you are facing a legal emergency, and you need immediate action. Attorney911 is your first responder. We are actively fighting the battle against hazing right now, and we extend that same aggressive, compassionate, and expert representation to families nationwide, including those in the City of Salem.

We understand that you are likely scared, angry, and uncertain about what to do next. We want you to know that you are not alone, and you have powerful legal rights. We are not just lawyers; we are advocates for the injured, champions for justice, and relentless opponents of the institutions that harbor hazing.

Your Legal Emergency Starts Here: Call 1-888-ATTY-911

We are available 24/7 to answer your call. There is no cost for an initial consultation, and speaking with us is the first step toward understanding your options and taking back control.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email your concerns directly to our managing partner:
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Visit our website for more information:
🌐 attorney911.com

What to Expect When You Contact Us:

1. Immediate, Free, and Confidential Consultation: We will listen to your story, assess your situation, and provide clear guidance on your legal rights and options without any upfront cost or obligation. We understand the sensitive nature of these incidents and ensure complete confidentiality.
2. No Upfront Fees – We Work on Contingency: We firmly believe that justice should not be a luxury. We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing out-of-pocket for our legal services. We only get paid if and when we win your case. This removes the financial burden and allows you to focus on your child’s recovery.
3. Nationwide Reach, Local Commitment: While our primary offices are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our federal court authority, dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York), and commitment to travel mean we can effectively represent clients in the City of Salem, Virginia, and across the country. We provide remote consultations via video conference for your convenience and will travel to your location for significant case events such as depositions or trials.
4. A Powerful Legal Team on Your Side: You will have access to a team with over 25 years of courtroom experience, invaluable insider knowledge from former insurance defense work, and current, cutting-edge litigation experience in prominent hazing cases like the $10 million Bermudez lawsuit.

To Any Other Victims of Hazing (Including Those in the City of Salem):

If you have been a victim of hazing, either alongside Leonel Bermudez in the Pi Kappa Phi incident or in any other fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in the City of Salem or beyond, we urge you to come forward. We understand the fear of retribution, the loyalty to a group, or the shame that might keep you silent. But as Lupe Pena stated, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Your courage can not only secure justice for yourself but can also prevent further harm to countless others.

Do not let these institutions silence you. Do not let them get away with their abuses. Whether your child attends Roanoke College, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, or any other institution near the City of Salem, they deserve to be safe. We are ready to bring our proven strategies and unwavering dedication to your fight.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. Your call is the first step toward getting the justice and accountability your family deserves.