If you’re reading this in City of Suffolk, Virginia, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went to college with hopes of making friends, building a future, and finding their place. Instead, they were subjected to abuse, humiliation, or even torture, all under the guise of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.” That trust was shattered, and now you’re left with unimaginable pain, anger, and countless questions. You are scared, and you are searching for help. We are here to help families in City of Suffolk fight back.

We are Attorney911, and we are actively fighting this battle right now in a Harris County Civil District Court in Texas. Just weeks ago, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university because a young man was waterboarded, hog-tied, and forced to exercise until his kidneys failed. This is not a hypothetical scenario; this is what hazing looks like today, right in America, at universities your children might attend—including those in or near City of Suffolk. We stand with families in City of Suffolk and across the nation, relentlessly pursuing justice and holding every responsible party accountable.

The Haunting Echoes of Abuse: What Happened to Leonel Bermudez

The story of Leonel Bermudez is not just an isolated incident; it’s a stark warning to every parent in City of Suffolk whose child is considering Greek life or any student organization. What happened to Leonel in Houston is a horrifying testament to the dark reality of hazing, and we are fighting for him with every resource we have. This case is the centerpiece of everything we stand for: aggressive representation of hazing victims, data-driven litigation strategy, and unwavering accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries and deaths.

Leonel Bermudez was not even a University of Houston student when he accepted a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member planning to transfer to the university the following semester. Despite not being officially enrolled, the fraternity subjected him to weeks of systematic abuse, psychological torture, and extreme physical demands that ultimately landed him in the hospital for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. They did this to someone who was not even their student.

The nightmare Leonel endured included:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose: He was sprayed in the face with water while doing calisthenics, simulating drowning—a recognized form of torture.
• Hog-tying: Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• Forced eating until vomiting: Leonel was made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, then forced to continue running sprints while covered in his own vomit.
• Extreme physical punishment: He was forced to do over 100 push-ups, 500 squats, bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and repeated 100-yard crawls. This forced exertion, sustained until he could no longer stand without help, led to his muscles breaking down.
• Being struck with wooden paddles: Yes, the archaic and brutal practice of paddling was used.
• Psychological torture and humiliation: He was forced to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature, stripped to his underwear in cold weather, and subjected to constant threats of physical punishment or expulsion if he didn’t comply.
• Sleep deprivation: He was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, contributing to his exhaustion.

When Leonel finally made it home on November 3, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was so sore he couldn’t move. The day after, his condition worsened. On November 6, his terrified mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was passing brown urine, a tell-tale sign of muscle breakdown. The diagnosis was severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent four critical days hospitalized, and he still faces the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Within weeks of this incident being reported, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at the University of Houston was suspended. The members voted to surrender their charter, and the chapter was permanently closed. Criminal referrals were initiated. Our firm, Attorney911, aggressively filed a $10 million lawsuit naming the university, the national fraternity, the housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the president, pledgemaster, and those who facilitated the hazing at their private residence—even a former member’s spouse.

News organizations like Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline quickly picked up the story, highlighting the egregious nature of the hazing and the severity of Leonel’s injuries. You can find their reports at:

• Click2Houston (KPRC 2)
• ABC13 (KTRK)
• Hoodline

As Attorney Lupe Peña eloquently 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.” Attorney Ralph Manginello added, “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.”

This case is current. It is ongoing. It is a raw example of the insidious nature of hazing. For parents in City of Suffolk, it’s a terrifying look at what goes on behind closed doors at institutions across the country, even when your child isn’t officially enrolled. Attorney911 is the firm that fights back, bringing the same aggressive, data-driven approach to hazing victims in City of Suffolk as we are to this landmark case in Houston.

What Hazing Truly Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

When you think of hazing, you might picture harmless pranks or mild inconveniences. But the reality, as exemplified by Leonel Bermudez’s case, is far more sinister. Hazing today is rarely about building character; it’s about breaking individuals down through systematic abuse, humiliation, and often, life-threatening acts. It’s an issue that impacts students at universities and colleges across Virginia and the entire nation, not just in large metropolitan areas or specific types of institutions. Students from City of Suffolk, whether they attend Christopher Newport University, Old Dominion University, Tidewater Community College, Virginia Wesleyan University, or other institutions in the Commonwealth, may encounter these same dangers.

We understand that parents in City of Suffolk send their children to college expecting them to be safe, to learn, and to grow. The community of City of Suffolk, known for its deep-rooted history and strong family values, deserves to know that hazing happens at local institutions and beyond. Whether your child attends a major university or a smaller regional college, Greek life and other student organizations carry significant risks. The strong sense of community and family values in City of Suffolk makes hazing incidents particularly devastating, as parents’ trust in these institutions is often betrayed.

Here’s what hazing really involves, as documented in cases like Leonel’s and others nationwide:

• Physical Abuse: This is not just a slap on the wrist. It includes brutal beatings, paddling with wooden objects, branding, burning, forced and excessive exercise until collapse, and even electric shocking. Leonel performing 500 squats and being struck with paddles are clear examples.
• Forced Consumption: This often involves binge drinking dangerous amounts of alcohol, leading to alcohol poisoning and death, as seen in many tragic cases. But it also includes forced eating of massive quantities of food until vomiting, or even non-food substances. Leonel was forced to eat until he vomited and then made to continue exercising in that state.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often kept awake for days on end, forced into late-night or early-morning activities, running errands, or performing tasks, leading to extreme exhaustion, impaired judgment, and accidents.
• Psychological Torture: This category is often overlooked but can leave the deepest scars. It involves systematic humiliation, verbal abuse, degradation, social isolation, threats, and fear-mongering. Forcing Leonel to carry a fanny pack with sexual objects, or hog-tying other pledges, are acts designed to strip away dignity and instill fear.
• Waterboarding or Simulated Drowning: This is an extreme form of torture, as Leonel’s case so vividly demonstrates. It involves restricting breathing or simulating drowning, causing immense terror and physical distress.
• Exposure: Pledges can be forced into harsh environmental conditions, like standing in cold weather stripped to their underwear, sprayed with hoses, or confined in small, uncomfortable spaces.
• Sexual Abuse and Humiliation: This can range from forced nudity and inappropriate touching to sexual assault. The fanny pack incident from Leonel’s case highlights the humiliating and potentially sexual nature of some hazing.
• Servitude and Demeaning Tasks: While seemingly minor, tasks like forced cleaning, driving members around at all hours, or running endless errands contribute to sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and a sense of powerlessness.

The harrowing medical consequences of such hazing can include:

• Rhabdomyolysis: The breakdown of muscle tissue, releasing harmful proteins that can damage kidneys, leading to acute kidney failure, as Leonel suffered.
• Alcohol Poisoning: The most common cause of hazing deaths, resulting from forced binge drinking.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From falls, beatings, or head trauma.
• Hypothermia or Hyperthermia: From exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Cardiac Arrest: From extreme physical exertion or pre-existing conditions exacerbated by hazing.
• Severe Psychological Trauma: Including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and long-lasting trust issues.
• Permanent Physical Disabilities: From injuries like broken bones, spinal damage, or organ failure.
• Death: The ultimate, tragic outcome that occurs far too often.

This is not “boys being boys.” It is systematic abuse, assault, battery, torture, and reckless endangerment. Sometimes, it escalates to manslaughter or even murder. The statistics are chilling: 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing, and since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States. Tragically, 95% of students who are hazed do not report it, often due to shame, fear of retaliation, or misplaced loyalty.

The institutional failure is undeniable. Universities and national organizations know hazing happens. They have the power to stop it. Yet, they often choose not to—until someone is severely injured or dies. Only then do they “suspend” or “dissolve” chapters, claiming to be “shocked” by the revelations. Our job at Attorney911 is to ensure they are held accountable for their willful blindness and deliberate indifference.

Who Is Responsible? Holding Everyone Accountable

When hazing leaves a student injured or dead, it’s not just the individual perpetrators who are to blame. A complex web of individuals and institutions often enables such atrocities, and we believe every single one of them must be held accountable. In our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez, we’ve cast a wide net, ensuring that no responsible party escapes justice. This data-driven approach means we don’t just sue the easiest targets; we identify and pursue every entity that contributed to the harm, from individuals to national organizations and the universities themselves. This same aggressive strategy applies to hazing incidents that impact families in City of Suffolk.

Here’s who can be held responsible in a hazing case:

• Local Chapter Members and Officers: The immediate perpetrators and orchestrators of hazing activities are always primary targets. This includes the chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager, and any members who actively participated in, encouraged, or failed to stop the hazing. Their direct involvement makes them liable for assault, battery, and negligence. In Leonel’s case, 13 individual fraternity members, including the president and pledgemaster, are named defendants.
• Alumni and Other Individuals: As we saw in Leonel’s case, hazing often occurs at off-campus properties, sometimes even at the residences of former members and their spouses. Anyone who hosts, facilitates, condones, or covers up hazing activities at their property can be held liable under premises liability and negligent supervision claims.
• National Fraternity or Sorority Organizations: These national bodies license local chapters and have a duty to oversee their activities, enforce anti-hazing policies, and provide adequate training and resources. When they fail to do so, they can be held vicariously liable for the actions of their chapters. In Leonel’s case, the Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters is a key defendant. These national organizations often have millions in assets and liability insurance, making them “deep pockets” from which significant damages can be recovered. The national organization cannot claim ignorance when they dissolve a chapter the moment hazing is exposed.
• The University or College: Universities have a non-delegable duty to protect their students, enforce campus policies, and provide a safe environment. Their liability can arise through several avenues:
  • Institutional Negligence: Failing to adequately supervise Greek life, ignoring repeated hazing complaints, or not implementing effective anti-hazing programs.
  • Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned or controlled property, like a fraternity house, the university can be liable for allowing dangerous conditions to exist. The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where much of Leonel’s hazing occurred, making them unmistakably complicit.
  • Negligent Retention/Hiring: If they knew or should have known a particular student or staff member posed a hazing risk and failed to act.
  • Breach of Contract: Universities implicitly contract with students to provide a safe educational environment.
  • In Leonel’s case, the University of Houston and the UH Board of Regents are major defendants. They collected rent while students were being tortured in their property.
• Housing Corporations: Many fraternities and sororities have separate housing corporations that own and manage chapter properties. These entities have a duty to maintain safe premises and can be held liable if hazing occurs on their property due to their negligence. The Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation is also a defendant in Leonel’s lawsuit.
• Insurance Carriers: Ultimately, the funds for significant settlements and verdicts typically come from insurance policies held by the national organizations, universities, housing corporations, and even individual members. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña know exactly how these policies are structured and how to pursue maximum recovery from them.

The families in City of Suffolk facing these tragedies might be intimidated by the power and resources of these large institutions. However, we want you to know that securing justice is not about targeting individual broke college kids. It’s about holding the powerful institutions accountable for their failures, knowing they have the insurance and assets to pay for the harm they cause. Our aggressive, data-driven approach to hazing litigation ensures we identify and diligently pursue every single entity that bears responsibility, leaving no stone unturned in the fight for justice for hazing victims in City of Suffolk.

What Hazing Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For families in City of Suffolk grappling with the aftermath of hazing, the thought of taking on powerful universities and well-funded national fraternities can feel overwhelming. You might wonder if pursuing legal action is truly worth it, or if meaningful justice is even attainable. We want you to know that it is. Hazing cases across the nation have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, sending a clear message: hazing costs millions, and accountability will be enforced. These precedent-setting cases form the bedrock of our strategy, proving that aggressive, data-driven litigation can and does achieve justice. The same legal strategies and dedication we bring to our current $10 million fight in Houston can be applied to hazing cases affecting City of Suffolk families.

Here are some of the landmark cases that demonstrate what is possible:

• STONE FOLTZ – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Total: $10.1 Million+

  • What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, an 18-year-old pledge at Bowling Green State University, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation event. He was found unresponsive the next morning and died from alcohol poisoning. The university paid $2.9 million, and the national fraternity, along with individual members, contributed to an additional $7.2 million. In a powerful move for individual accountability, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million in December 2024.
  • Relevance for City of Suffolk: This case is highly significant – our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is directly in line with this precedent. It demonstrates that both universities and national fraternities face substantial financial consequences, and individual perpetrators can be held personally liable for millions. It also led to “Collin’s Law” in Ohio, making hazing a felony.

• MAXWELL GRUVER – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): Total: $6.1 Million Verdict

  • What Happened: In September 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 (six times the legal limit) during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” hazing event at LSU. Pledges were forced to chug alcohol if they answered questions incorrectly. A jury later awarded his family $6.1 million.
  • Relevance for City of Suffolk: This verdict is a powerful affirmation that juries will not tolerate deadly hazing. It underscores that even young perpetrators can face criminal charges, with one member convicted of negligent homicide. The case also spurred the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana – a critical legislative response to brutal hazing.

• TIMOTHY PIAZZA – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): Total: $110 Million+ (Estimated Settlements)

  • What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a Penn State pledge, was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi event. He fell down a flight of stairs, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911, and the entire incident was captured on security cameras. He later died.
  • Relevance for City of Suffolk: This case represents one of the largest hazing settlements ever, demonstrating the immense value placed on a student’s life and suffering when clear evidence of egregious negligence exists. The comprehensive video evidence was critical. It also led to Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law,” prompting national awareness and stricter penalties.

• ANDREW COFFEY – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Same Fraternity as Bermudez!

  • What Happened: On November 3, 2017, Andrew Coffey attended a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” at Florida State University. He was forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey 101 bourbon and died from acute alcohol poisoning.
  • Relevance for City of Suffolk: This is a crucial precedent for Leonel Bermudez’s case. Andrew Coffey died in a Pi Kappa Phi hazing incident. This means Pi Kappa Phi National KNEW their chapters engaged in deadly hazing for eight years before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. This establishes a clear pattern of negligence and deliberate indifference, strengthening the case for punitive damages and demonstrating the systemic issues within this specific fraternity.

• ADAM OAKES – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): Over $4 Million Settlement

  • What Happened: In February 2021, Adam Oakes, a freshman at VCU, died from alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi hazing event. His family filed a $28 million lawsuit, which recently settled for over $4 million, including a substantial donation to the “Love Like Adam” Foundation, which works to end hazing.
  • Relevance for City of Suffolk: This case is highly relevant to Virginia families, as it occurred in their home state. It reinforces that even when a case settles for less than the initial demand, the recovery can still be significant, reflecting the severe consequences of hazing. Like other cases, it also led to new anti-hazing legislation, “Adam’s Law,” in Virginia.

• UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON (PI KAPPA ALPHA) (2017): $1 Million Lawsuit

  • What Happened: In 2017, University of Houston student Jared Munoz was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen after hazing at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He filed a $1 million lawsuit.
  • Relevance for City of Suffolk: This case proves that the University of Houston had prior knowledge of severe hazing on its campus. They knew this could happen again. Their failure to implement adequate protections for students like Leonel Bermudez directly strengthens our claim of institutional negligence and foreseeability.

These cases, with their multi-million dollar outcomes and the new anti-hazing laws they inspired (like the Max Gruver Act, Timothy J. Piazza Law, Collin’s Law, and Adam’s Law), paint a clear picture. Juries and courts across America are increasingly unwilling to tolerate hazing. They recognize the profound harm inflicted and demand accountability from all responsible parties. For City of Suffolk families, these precedents mean that significant justice and compensation are not just aspirations, but proven realities. We leverage this history to strengthen every claim we pursue, including yours.

Legal Protections for City of Suffolk Hazing Victims

For parents and students in City of Suffolk, understanding your legal rights is the first step toward seeking justice. While our firm is based in Texas, the legal principles that underpin hazing lawsuits are widely applicable across the United States. Many states, including Virginia, have robust anti-hazing laws, and federal civil rights claims often apply regardless of your specific location. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) allow us to pursue these cases nationwide, offering City of Suffolk families the same expert representation we provide in Texas.

Virginia’s Anti-Hazing Laws (Adam’s Law)

Virginia takes hazing seriously, especially following tragic incidents like the death of Adam Oakes at VCU. “Adam’s Law,” passed in 2022, is a strong legislative response designed to prevent future tragedies. While the specifics differ from Texas law, the intent is the same: to criminalize hazing and deter harmful practices.

Key aspects of Virginia’s anti-hazing laws, like Adam’s Law generally involve:

• Broad Definition of Hazing: Similar to Texas, Virginia defines hazing broadly to include any act that endangers the health or safety of a student, for the purpose of initiation or membership in an organization, regardless of whether it’s on or off campus, or if the student consented.
• Criminal Penalties: Virginia’s law escalated hazing causing injury to a Class 1 misdemeanor and hazing causing serious injury or death to a Class 5 felony. These criminal provisions hold individuals accountable and often run parallel to civil lawsuits.
• Organizational Accountability: Organizations that allow or participate in hazing can face suspension, loss of privileges, or even civil fines.
• Amnesty/Immunity Provisions: Adam’s Law includes a “good Samaritan” clause, providing immunity from prosecution for individuals who call for medical assistance for a hazing victim.
• Reporting Requirements: Universities are mandated to publicly report hazing violations and maintain clear anti-hazing policies, similar to Texas.

Texas Hazing Laws: A Comprehensive Overview

Our foundation in Texas gives us deep expertise in anti-hazing laws, specifically the Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157. These statutes are among the strongest in the nation and provide a robust framework for civil and criminal liability.

Defining Hazing (§ 37.151): Texas law defines hazing very broadly, similar to Virginia’s Adam’s Law, as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of initiation, membership, etc., if it:

• Involves physical brutality (whipping, beating, striking, branding).
• Involves sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, or calisthenics that pose an unreasonable risk of harm or affect health/safety. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, endured calisthenics to exhaustion that led to kidney failure.
• Involves forced consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, or drugs.
• Induces or requires a Penal Code violation.
• Coerces consumption of drugs or excessive alcohol.

Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Individuals who engage in or fail to report hazing can face serious criminal charges, ranging from Class B misdemeanors to State Jail Felonies (if hazing causes death). In Leonel’s case, the kidney failure he suffered could lead to Class A Misdemeanor charges for the perpetrators.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations that condone or encourage hazing, or whose members commit hazing, can face fines, denial of operation rights, or forfeiture of property. This is a critical provision for holding local chapters and national organizations accountable.

Consent Is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most crucial aspect of Texas law and a critical point for City of Suffolk families to understand. The statute explicitly states: “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 means that when fraternities or universities in City of Suffolk argue “he agreed to participate” or “he knew the risks,” the law firmly states that consent—often obtained under duress or extreme peer pressure—does not excuse criminal or negligent behavior. You cannot legally consent to being a victim of a crime.

University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Universities are legally obligated to report hazing incidents to the state, and failure to do so is a criminal offense. This helps ensure transparency and reinforces institutional responsibility.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges

Even if criminal charges are not pursued or result in a conviction, civil lawsuits offer a powerful avenue for justice and compensation for hazing victims in City of Suffolk. We pursue a range of civil claims, including:

1. Negligence Claims: This is a cornerstone of personal injury law. We argue that the university, national organization, and individual members owed a duty of care to the victim (to keep them safe), breached that duty (by allowing or perpetrating hazing), causing injury, and resulting in damages. This applies in City of Suffolk and all states.
2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university or a housing corporation, these entities can be held liable for failing to prevent dangerous conditions. The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where Leonel was hazed, making this a critical claim.
3. Negligent Supervision: This applies when national organizations fail to properly supervise their chapters, or when universities fail to adequately monitor Greek life or other student organizations.
4. Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators can be sued for intentional harmful or offensive contact. Every person who participated in the waterboarding, paddling, or forced behaviors in Leonel’s case can be individually liable.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Hazing often involves conduct so extreme and outrageous that it causes severe emotional distress, PTSD, and other psychological damage. This can be a powerful claim given the psychological torture inherent in many hazing rituals.

For City of Suffolk families, these civil claims are vital because they allow for financial recovery for medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and other damages that criminal cases do not address. Our federal court authority means that even if a hazing incident crosses state lines or involves national organizations, we have the jurisdiction to pursue justice. We understand the specific regulatory frameworks and cultural nuances, such as the value of military service given City of Suffolk’s proximity to major military installations, and we tailor our arguments to resonate with local values and legal standards.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for City of Suffolk Hazing Victims

When your child has been subjected to the trauma of hazing, choosing the right legal representation is paramount. For families in City of Suffolk, the choice requires a firm that not only understands the law but also possesses the aggressive courtroom experience, insider knowledge, and deep commitment to victims that such complex cases demand. Attorney911 is that firm. While our headquarters are in Houston, our reach and expertise extend nationwide, making us fully equipped to serve hazing victims in City of Suffolk and beyond.

Here’s why Attorney911 is uniquely positioned to fight for your family in City of Suffolk:

• Active, Hands-On Hazing Litigation Experience: We aren’t just theoretically experienced in hazing law. We are currently prosecuting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This real-time, high-stakes battle means we are intimately familiar with the latest tactics, defenses, and strategies employed by national fraternities and major universities. We gained this experience right in our backyard, handling one of America’s most egregious hazing cases involving waterboarding and kidney failure. City of Suffolk families get the benefit of this active, front-line experience.

• Decades of Courtroom Battle-Tested Experience: Our managing partner, Ralph P. Manginello, brings over 25 years of courtroom experience. He is a seasoned trial attorney who is not afraid to take on formidable opponents. This aggressive approach is critical when facing well-funded national organizations and powerful universities. His experience battling corporate giants, including his involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation, proves his capacity to handle complex, high-stakes cases like hazing. You wouldn’t send a trainee to fight a war, and Ralph is a general in the legal arena.

• Insider Knowledge from Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Eleno Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. They spent years working on the “other side,” learning the intricate strategies, valuation methods, and delay tactics employed by insurance companies and corporate defendants. Lupe, in particular, worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm, defending against products liability, personal injury, and construction claims. This insider perspective gives us an unparalleled advantage in dismantling the defense’s arguments and maximizing recovery for our clients. We know their playbook because we helped write it.

• Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Bar Admissions: Hazing cases often involve national fraternities and universities that operate across state lines. Our admission to U.S. District Courts and our dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) give us the flexibility and authority to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, an advantage many local firms in City of Suffolk may not possess. This is crucial for holding national organizations headquartered outside Virginia accountable.

• Deep Hazing-Specific Expertise: From understanding the medical intricacies of rhabdomyolysis (as seen in Leonel’s case) to navigating the complex cultural dynamics of Greek life, we possess specialized knowledge unique to hazing litigation. We’ve handled cases involving Kappa Sigma, Texas A&M, and various other institutions, giving us a focused expertise that translates directly to your case in City of Suffolk.

• Bilingual Representation (Se Habla Español): Lupe Eleno Peña is fluent in Spanish, allowing us to provide comprehensive legal services to Hispanic families in City of Suffolk, a community with growing diversity. We ensure that language barriers never prevent access to justice.

• Strategic Investigator’s Mindset: Ralph Manginello’s background in journalism trained him to investigate, uncover facts, and tell compelling stories. This is invaluable in hazing cases where institutions actively work to suppress information and hide the truth. His aggressive evidence-gathering tactics, honed through hundreds of DUI/DWI defense cases where he exposed flawed evidence and inconsistent police reports, are crucial for dismantling the narratives put forth by fraternities and universities.

• Empathy and Relatability: Ralph is a father of three, which fuels his passion for protecting young people from the dangers of hazing. Both he and Lupe understand the emotional toll these incidents take on families. We treat our City of Suffolk clients like family, providing compassionate guidance through every step of the legal process.

• Contingency Fee Basis: No Upfront Cost for City of Suffolk Families: We understand that dealing with medical bills, emotional trauma, and academic disruption after a hazing incident is already a massive financial burden. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay absolutely nothing upfront, and we only get paid if and when we win your case. This levels the playing field, allowing any family in City of Suffolk to access top-tier legal representation regardless of their financial situation. For more details, watch our video: How Contingency Fees Work.

• Local Connection and Unwavering Commitment: We might be headquartered in Houston, but our commitment to justice knows no geographic boundaries. We serve hazing victims nationwide, including those in City of Suffolk. We offer remote consultations via video and are fully prepared to travel to City of Suffolk for depositions, client meetings, and trials when necessary. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

For families in City of Suffolk, choosing Attorney911 means choosing a legal team that is not just knowledgeable and aggressive, but deeply invested in your child’s recovery and future. We are actively in the trenches fighting this fight, and we will bring that same ferocity, expertise, and commitment to your hazing case.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for City of Suffolk Families

The moments immediately following a hazing incident are critical. For families in City of Suffolk, Virginia, experiencing this trauma, it can be disorienting and terrifying. You may feel paralyzed by fear, confusion, or anger. However, quick and decisive action is essential to protect your child’s health, preserve crucial evidence, and secure their legal rights. Here’s a clear, actionable guide on what you should do right now:

Step 1: Prioritize Health and Safety

Your child’s physical and mental well-being must always come first.

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention: If your child has visible injuries, is experiencing pain, confusion, extreme exhaustion, memory loss, or any concerning symptoms (like the brown urine and muscle pain Leonel Bermudez suffered), get them to an emergency room or doctor immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions like rhabdomyolysis or internal injuries may not be immediately apparent. Delays in seeking medical care can not only harm their health but also be used by the defense to argue that injuries weren’t severe.
• Alert Medical Staff to Hazing: Clearly tell doctors and nurses that the injuries are a result of hazing. This ensures proper documentation in medical records, which is critical evidence.
• Prioritize Mental Health: Hazing leaves deep psychological scars. Seek mental health professionals (therapists, counselors) who specialize in trauma. Documentation of psychological harm is as important as physical injuries.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence—Immediately

Evidence can disappear quickly, whether intentionally or accidentally.

• Take Photos and Videos:
  • Injuries: Photograph all physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling) as soon as possible, and continue to photograph them as they heal and evolve.
  • Hazing Locations: If safe to do so, document the locations where hazing occurred.
  • Physical Evidence: Any related objects, costumes, or paraphernalia.
• Save All Digital Communications:
  • Text Messages: Crucially important. Save and screenshot all texts, both individual and group chats (e.g., GroupMe, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, etc.). These messages often contain direct evidence of hazing instructions, threats, pressure, and descriptions of activities.
  • Social Media: Take screenshots of any relevant social media posts, stories, or profiles that mention the organization, its members, or hazing practices.
  • Emails: Preserve all emails related to pledge activities, events, or official communications.
• Identify and Document Witnesses: Write down the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or anyone who might have knowledge of the organization’s practices. Even if they are afraid to come forward now, this information is vital.
• Collect Documents: Save pledge manuals, schedules, rules, recruitment materials, or any other paperwork given to your child by the organization or university.

Critical: DO NOT Delete ANYTHING. Deleting messages, posts, or other digital records can be construed as destruction of evidence, severely harming your case and potentially exposing you to legal consequences.

Step 3: Cut Off Communication with the Organization and University

The fraternity, its national organization, and the university will immediately initiate damage control.

• Do NOT Speak to Them Alone: Do not give any statements, recorded or otherwise, to fraternity members, alumni, national representatives, university administrators, or their lawyers without legal counsel present. They are not on your side; their priority is to protect their institution, not your child. Anything your child says can and will be used against them.
• Do NOT Sign Anything: Do not sign any documents related to the incident, waivers, or confidentiality agreements from the fraternity or university without consulting an attorney. You could inadvertently waive your legal rights.
• Do NOT Post on Social Media: Refrain from posting anything about the incident or your well-being on social media. Defense attorneys will scour these platforms, and anything your child posts can be twisted and used against your case.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Litigation Attorney Immediately

Time is of the essence.

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911: The sooner you involve an attorney, the sooner we can secure evidence, send preservation letters to defendants (legally compelling them not to destroy evidence), and protect your child’s rights.
• Understand the Statute of Limitations: In Virginia, as in many states, there is generally a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. For wrongful death claims, the same deadline often applies. This means you typically have only two years from the date of the injury or death to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you forfeit your right to seek compensation forever. While this may sound like a long time, building a comprehensive hazing case is complex and requires extensive investigation.
  • For more information on legal deadlines, watch our video: Texas Statutes of Limitations.
• Free and Confidential Consultation: We offer free, confidential consultations to families in City of Suffolk. There is no obligation, and it’s an opportunity to understand your legal options and how we can help. We can conduct these consultations over the phone or via video conference for your convenience.

Step 5: Document Everything Related to Damages

Start a detailed record of all financial and emotional impacts.

• Medical Bills: Keep track of every single medical bill, co-pay, and expense related to the hazing injury.
• Lost Wages/Academic Costs: Document any missed work, lost income (for student jobs or internships), or academic costs such as lost tuition or scholarships due to the hazing.
• Pain and Suffering Journal: Encourage your child to keep a journal detailing their physical pain, emotional distress, daily challenges, and how the incident has impacted their life. This personal testimony is invaluable for non-economic damages.

Why Immediate Action Matters for City of Suffolk Families:

• Evidence is Fleeting: Digital evidence can be deleted, memories fade, and witnesses might be pressured into silence.
• Organizations Act Quickly: Fraternities, national organizations, and universities will immediately mobilize their legal teams and PR experts to protect themselves. You need an equally aggressive team on your side.
• Your Rights Depend on It: Acting quickly ensures you don’t miss crucial legal deadlines and can fully leverage your legal options.

For City of Suffolk families, the journey to justice may seem daunting, but you don’t have to face it alone. Attorney911 is here to guide you, fight for you, and ensure that every responsible party is held accountable.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline in City of Suffolk

If you’re reading this, your child has suffered, and your family is in crisis. The pain, frustration, and fear you’re experiencing are real, and you deserve immediate and aggressive legal help. Attorney911 is your legal emergency hotline, ready to respond 24/7. We are actively fighting the battle against hazing right now, representing a victim in a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university. We will bring that same ferocity and dedication to your hazing case in City of Suffolk.

City of Suffolk families: You have legal rights, and we are here to help you exercise them.

Your Direct Line to Justice:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Website: attorney911.com

Don’t delay. Every moment counts.

Why Call Us Now?

• Free, Confidential Consultation: Your first conversation with us is always free and without obligation. We’ll listen to your story, evaluate your case, and explain your legal options clearly and compassionately.
• No Upfront Fees (Contingency Basis): We understand that financial stress is immense during such a difficult time. We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay absolutely nothing upfront. Our fees are only paid if and when we successfully recover compensation for you. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid. For more detailed information, watch our video: How Contingency Fees Work.
• Distance is Not a Barrier: While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including those in City of Suffolk, Virginia.
  • Video Consultations: We offer convenient video consultations so you can discuss your case with us from the comfort and privacy of your home in City of Suffolk.
  • Travel Commitment: Our attorneys are prepared to travel to City of Suffolk for depositions, client meetings, and trials as needed. Justice knows no geographic boundaries.
  • Federal Court Authority: Our admission to U.S. District Courts and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) provide us with the jurisdiction to pursue cases involving national organizations, regardless of where they are headquartered.

What Happens When You Call Attorney911?

1. Immediate Response: Our team is available 24/7. When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you’ll reach legal professionals ready to listen and guide you.
2. Case Evaluation: We’ll conduct a thorough, free review of your situation, explaining the legal merits of your case and the potential avenues for compensation.
3. Evidence Preservation: If we take your case, our first step will be to send preservation letters to all relevant parties, legally compelling them to retain all evidence—texts, photos, documents, and video footage.
4. No More Harassment: Once you retain us, all communication from the fraternity, national organization, university, or their insurance companies will be directed to us. You and your child can focus on healing, knowing we are protecting your rights.
5. Aggressive Advocacy: We will immediately launch a comprehensive investigation, leveraging our expertise as former insurance defense attorneys to anticipate and counter the defense’s tactics. We will build a powerful case designed to secure the maximum compensation your family deserves.

Who We Fight For in City of Suffolk:

Hazing is not confined to fraternities and sororities. We represent victims of hazing in a wide range of organizations at various educational institutions, including those in or near City of Suffolk:

• Fraternities and sororities at universities like Christopher Newport University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Wesleyan University, and other nearby colleges.
• Sports teams at high schools, colleges, and community clubs.
• Marching bands and musical ensembles.
• ROTC programs.
• Clubs, student organizations, and academic societies.
• Any group that uses abuse, humiliation, or dangerous rituals for initiation or membership.

To Other Victims of Hazing:

If you or someone you know in City of Suffolk has experienced hazing, whether recently or years ago, we urge you to come forward. Leonel Bermudez’s case is proof of the systemic nature of this crisis. In our $10 million lawsuit, we know Leonel was not the only one subjected to abuse; another pledge lost consciousness, and others endured the same torture. You have rights, and your story can contribute to bringing about meaningful change and preventing further harm. As Lupe Peña said, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Let us fight for your child’s justice, and together, let’s hold every responsible party accountable for the devastating impact of hazing. Our team is ready to listen, advise, and act on your behalf, turning your pain into powerful advocacy.