Hazing Victims in Cleburne County: Your Rights, Your Recovery, Your Justice
This Could Happen to Any Family in Cleburne County
Hazing isn’t just a problem at big universities far from Cleburne County. It happens right here in Arkansas—at colleges near Cleburne County, in fraternities and sororities with chapters in our community, and in student organizations that many Cleburne County families trust with their children’s safety.
Right now, Attorney 911 is fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case that proves how dangerous Greek life hazing can be. A young man was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure—all because he wanted to join a fraternity. The same national fraternities operate near Cleburne County, and the same risks exist for students in our community.
If your child has been hazed in Cleburne County or at a college near Cleburne County, you are not powerless. You have legal rights. You can hold the people who hurt your child accountable. And you can get the compensation your family deserves.
Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
What Is Hazing? Cleburne County Families Need to Know
Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation” or “harmless tradition.” Under Arkansas law, hazing includes:
✅ Physical abuse – Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion, branding, or any act that endangers physical health
✅ Forced consumption – Being made to drink alcohol, eat food, or consume substances until vomiting or passing out
✅ Psychological torture – Waterboarding, humiliation, sleep deprivation, or threats of expulsion
✅ Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, or carrying sexual objects as “initiation”
✅ Dangerous stunts – Being blindfolded, confined, or exposed to extreme weather
Hazing is illegal in Arkansas. Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the people who hazed them can still be held legally responsible.
This Happened in Houston. It Can Happen in Cleburne County.
In November 2025, Leonel Bermudez, a prospective member of Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston, was subjected to extreme hazing that nearly killed him. Over several weeks, he was:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to run while in distress
- Threatened with expulsion if he refused
On November 3, 2025, after a brutal workout session, Bermudez couldn’t stand without help. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. The next day, he was so sore he couldn’t move. By November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.
This wasn’t an accident. This was torture. And it happened because Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston failed to stop it.
The Same Fraternities Operate Near Cleburne County
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other national fraternities have active chapters at universities near Cleburne County, including:
- Arkansas State University (Jonesboro, AR)
- University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR)
- University of Central Arkansas (Conway, AR)
- Harding University (Searcy, AR)
If it happened in Houston, it can happen in Cleburne County. The same “traditions” that nearly killed Leonel Bermudez exist right here in Arkansas.
Who Is Liable? Everyone Who Let It Happen.
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:
1. The Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter
- The students who planned and carried out the hazing
- The chapter president, pledgemaster, and officers who allowed it
- Members who participated or failed to stop it
2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization
- They set the policies (or failed to enforce them)
- They knew about the “hazing crisis” (per the lawsuit) and did nothing
- They have millions in assets and insurance to pay for damages
3. The University or College
- They have a duty to protect students
- If they own or control the fraternity house (like UH did), they’re liable for what happens there
- If they knew about prior hazing incidents (like UH did in 2017) and failed to act, they’re negligent
4. Individual Members and Alumni
- Even former members can be sued if hazing occurred at their homes
- Their homeowner’s insurance may cover damages
In Bermudez’s case, we’re suing all of them—and we’ll do the same for Cleburne County families.
What Can Cleburne County Families Recover?
If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:
💰 Medical bills – Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatments
💰 Lost wages – Time missed from work or internships due to injuries
💰 Pain and suffering – Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD
💰 Mental anguish – Anxiety, depression, fear of retribution
💰 Educational disruption – Tuition refunds, academic setbacks
💰 Punitive damages – Additional money to punish the defendants for egregious conduct
In the Bermudez case, we’re seeking $10 million. Similar cases have resulted in multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, including:
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021)
- $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta, 2017)
- $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi, 2017)
Your child’s case could be worth just as much—or more.
What Should Cleburne County Families Do Right Now?
If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, statutes of limitations expire, and organizations will try to cover up what happened.
✅ DO:
✔ Seek medical attention immediately – Even if injuries seem minor, get them documented
✔ Preserve all evidence – Texts, photos, videos, social media posts, witness names
✔ Write down everything – Dates, times, locations, what was said, who was involved
✔ Contact an attorney – Before talking to the fraternity, university, or insurance companies
❌ DON’T:
✖ Talk to the fraternity or university without legal counsel – They will try to control the narrative
✖ Post about the incident on social media – Anything you say can be used against you
✖ Sign anything from the organization – You may unknowingly waive your rights
✖ Wait to take action – Evidence disappears fast, and Arkansas has a 2-year statute of limitations
Why Cleburne County Families Choose Attorney 911
We’re not just any law firm. We’re hazing litigation experts with a proven track record of holding institutions accountable.
🔥 We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
- We’re currently litigating the $10 million Pi Kappa Phi hazing case in Houston
- We’ve already forced the chapter to shut down
- We’re going after the national organization, the university, and individual members
🏆 We Have the Experience to Win
- 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
- Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how the other side will fight
- Federal court admission – We can pursue your case in federal court
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York) – We can take on national fraternities anywhere
💬 We Speak Your Language
- Se habla español – We serve Spanish-speaking families in Cleburne County
- We travel to you – We’ll come to Cleburne County for meetings, depositions, and trials
- Video consultations available – Get legal help without leaving home
💰 No Upfront Costs for Cleburne County Families
We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case.
If we don’t get you paid, you owe us nothing.
The Hazing Crisis in Arkansas: What Cleburne County Families Need to Know
Hazing isn’t just a problem at big schools like the University of Arkansas or Arkansas State. It happens in smaller colleges, community colleges, and even high schools near Cleburne County.
🚨 Arkansas Hazing Laws
Arkansas has strong anti-hazing laws (Arkansas Code § 6-5-201 to 6-5-207), which make hazing a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail) or felony if it causes serious injury or death.
Key facts for Cleburne County families:
- Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to hazing, the perpetrators can still be held liable
- Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 for condoning hazing
- Universities can lose funding if they fail to report hazing
🏛️ Colleges Near Cleburne County with Greek Life
Many universities near Cleburne County have active Greek systems where hazing occurs, including:
| University | Location | Greek Organizations Present |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, others |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | Multiple fraternities & sororities |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | Active Greek system |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | Social clubs with hazing risks |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | Fraternities & sororities |
If your child attends or plans to attend any of these schools, they could be at risk.
What Happens If You Don’t Act? More Victims Will Suffer.
Hazing doesn’t stop unless someone stands up. Every time a hazing case is ignored, another student gets hurt.
- Andrew Coffey died in 2017 at Pi Kappa Phi (FSU). Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized at the same fraternity at UH.
- Max Gruver died in 2017 at Phi Delta Theta (LSU). His family’s lawsuit led to the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
- Tim Piazza died in 2017 at Beta Theta Pi (Penn State). His family’s lawsuit resulted in a $110+ million settlement and new anti-hazing laws.
Your child’s case could save lives. By holding the people who hazed them accountable, you could prevent another family from going through what you’re experiencing.
Cleburne County Families: You Are Not Alone.
Hazing victims often feel shame, fear, and isolation. They worry about retaliation, social backlash, or being labeled a “snitch.” But you don’t have to stay silent.
We’ve seen what happens when families stand up:
- Fraternities shut down
- Universities implement real reforms
- Juries award millions in compensation
- New laws are passed to protect students
You have the power to make a difference. And we have the legal firepower to help you do it.
📞 Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Free, confidential consultation for Cleburne County hazing victims and families.
What Happens When You Call?
- We listen – You tell us what happened to your child.
- We evaluate – We determine if you have a strong legal case.
- We act fast – We preserve evidence, file claims, and start building your case.
- We fight for you – We negotiate with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies.
- We go to trial if needed – If they won’t settle fairly, we take them to court.
No upfront costs. No risk. Just justice.
🚨 Cleburne County Hazing Victims: The Clock Is Ticking
Arkansas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to sue forever.
Don’t let the people who hurt your child get away with it. Call Attorney 911 now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We serve Cleburne County families with the same aggressive representation we’re using in the $10 million Pi Kappa Phi case. Your child deserves justice. Your family deserves compensation. Let’s make it happen.
