If you’re reading this, your family in Colorado 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 hazed. They were hurt, physically and emotionally, by the very people and institutions they trusted. We understand the fear, the anger, and the frustration that comes with realizing your child has been subjected to such abuse. We’re here to help families in Colorado fight back. We bring aggressive, data-driven legal action against every entity responsible for hazing injuries and deaths, whether it happened in Houston, at a university near Colorado, or anywhere else across America.

The national crisis of hazing has left an indelible mark on countless families, and Colorado is not immune. What might start as a desire for belonging in college life at the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, or even smaller institutions like the University of Northern Colorado or Colorado Mesa University, too often devolves into brutal abuse. Parents send their children off to institutions of higher learning, expecting them to grow, to learn, and to be safe. Yet, behind the closed doors of fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and other student organizations, a dangerous culture of hazing thrives, leaving a trail of physical injuries, psychological trauma, and, tragically, sometimes death.

We are Attorney911, and we are actively fighting this battle. Our firm is currently litigating a groundbreaking $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, its national headquarters, the University of Houston, and numerous individuals for the horrific hazing of our client, Leonel Bermudez. This isn’t a theoretical fight; it’s happening right now in a courtroom in Harris County, Texas. We consider this a landmark case, and the same aggressive, thorough, and data-driven approach we are applying to this case is exactly what we bring to every hazing victim we represent, including families in Colorado.

The case of Leonel Bermudez serves as a stark warning to parents in Colorado about the realities of modern hazing. Leonel was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet, but was expected to transfer for the upcoming semester. He accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. What followed was an agonizing seven weeks of systematic torture and abuse, culminating in his hospitalization for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He was so broken down that he could not stand without help, and his mother rushed him to the hospital after he began passing brown urine, a terrifying sign of muscle tissue breakdown damaging his kidneys.

Leonel’s experience is not an isolated incident; it is a manifestation of a deeply entrenched and dangerous culture that puts young lives at risk nationwide. From simulated waterboarding with a garden hose to forced eating until vomiting, extreme physical punishments like 500 squats and being struck with wooden paddles, and psychological torture such as being forced to carry sexually explicit objects, the abuse he endured was relentless. These aren’t the pranks of yesteryear; this is calculated brutality. This lawsuit underscores our unwavering commitment to holding every responsible party accountable, from the individual members who inflicted the abuse to the national fraternity organization and the university that allowed it to happen on its watch. For Colorado families, this means we have the experience and dedication to pursue justice for your child, no matter how powerful the institutions involved may seem.

We Are Attorney911: Your First Responders to a Legal Emergency in Colorado

At Attorney911, we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We move first, fast, and decisively when legal emergencies strike, and hazing is a legal emergency for families in Colorado. While our primary offices are located in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach extends nationwide. We are fully equipped to represent hazing victims and their families across Colorado. Our federal court admissions allow us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, and our dual-state bar licenses in Texas and New York provide us with a strategic advantage when taking on national fraternities and sororities that operate across state lines. We are always willing to travel to Colorado for depositions, meetings, and trials when necessary, and we offer convenient remote consultations so Colorado families can connect with us from the comfort of their homes.

When you choose Attorney911, you’re not just hiring lawyers; you’re gaining advocates with over 25 years of courtroom experience, battle-tested in high-stakes litigation. Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. This insider knowledge gives us an unparalleled advantage: we know exactly how insurance companies and large institutions strategize to minimize or deny claims because we’ve been on the other side. Now, we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients, including hazing victims in Colorado.

Our firm is committed to providing compassionate, aggressive, and effective legal representation. We understand that Colorado families facing the aftermath of hazing are experiencing one of the most difficult times of their lives. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us absolutely nothing upfront. We don’t get paid unless and until you get paid. Our financial interests are directly aligned with yours: we win when you win. This removes any financial barrier to seeking justice, allowing Colorado families to focus on healing while we handle the legal fight.

We also pride ourselves on our client-focused approach. Our staff is bilingual, and we proudly offer services in Spanish (“Se habla español”) for Hispanic families in Colorado who may face additional communication challenges during difficult times. We treat every client like family, offering consistent communication and unwavering support throughout the legal process. Our 4.9-star rating on Google My Business, with over 250 reviews, reflects our dedication to client satisfaction and successful outcomes.

This firm stands for accountability for those who seek to harm students through hazing. We are not afraid to take on powerful university systems, national fraternities with deep pockets, or individuals who believe their actions have no consequences. We are currently demonstrating this resolve in real-time with the Bermudez case, and we are ready to bring that same fight and determination to hazing victims and their families in Colorado.

The Problem: Hazing in Colorado and Across America

Hazing is often dismissed as harmless tradition, “boys being boys,” or a necessary rite of passage. But the reality, as proven by countless tragic incidents, including our client Leonel Bermudez’s severe injuries, is far more sinister. Hazing is abuse, pure and simple. It’s about power, control, and intimidation, often escalating to physical and psychological torture. This dangerous culture permeates colleges and universities across the nation, and institutions in Colorado, from the largest state schools to smaller private colleges, are not immune.

The statistics paint a grim picture:

• Over 55% of students involved in fraternities and sororities experience hazing.
• More than 40% of student athletes report being hazed.
• Since the year 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every single year in the United States.
• Alarmingly, 95% of students who are hazed do not report it, often due to fear, shame, or loyalty to their organizations.

Parents throughout Colorado send their children to institutions like the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, or the Air Force Academy, expecting a safe and enriching environment. Instead, many find themselves grappling with the devastating consequences of hazing, which can occur not only in Greek life but also in sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student organizations. These incidents are rarely isolated acts of a few bad apples; they are often the result of systemic failures and environments where hazing is implicitly or explicitly tolerated.

The institutions—universities and national organizations—often claim ignorance or express shock when these incidents come to light. Yet, they possess the power, resources, and responsibility to prevent hazing. Their failure to do so, their turning a blind eye to obvious signs of abuse, or their inadequate enforcement of anti-hazing policies, directly contributes to the perpetuation of this dangerous culture. As we’ve seen in our $10 million lawsuit, even after serious incidents, many institutions prioritize reputation over student safety, making legal action not just necessary for justice but vital for driving change.

How Our Landmark $10 Million Lawsuit is a Warning to Colorado Families and Institutions

The Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. case is more than just a lawsuit; it’s a beacon for change and a clear warning to any fraternity, university, or individual in Colorado considering tolerating or engaging in hazing. When we filed this $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court on November 21, 2025, it sent shockwaves through the university and Greek life community. This is not just a Texas case; it’s a blueprint for holding powerful entities accountable for hazing nationwide, including in Colorado.

The Defendants We Are Holding Accountable:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (University of Houston Beta Nu Chapter): The local chapter that directly orchestrated and executed the hazing.
• Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters: The national organization, whose knowledge of a “hazing crisis” and failure to enforce anti-hazing policies despite the tragic death of Andrew Coffey at their Florida State chapter in 2017, makes them a primary defendant.
• Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation: The entity owning or controlling the property where hazing occurred, indicating premises liability.
• University of Houston and UH Board of Regents: The university, which owned the fraternity house where some of the hazing took place and failed to prevent it despite a prior hazing hospitalization at UH in 2017. Their institutional negligence is central to our claim.
• 13 Individual Fraternity Members: Including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and others who directly participated in, facilitated, or allowed the hazing.

The Horrific Hazing Leonel Endured:
The details of Leonel’s hazing are deeply disturbing and exemplify the cruel realities of this “tradition”:

• Simulated Waterboarding: Pledges, including Leonel, were sprayed in the face with a garden hose during calisthenics, simulating drowning, a widely condemned torture technique.
• Forced Consumption Until Vomiting: Leonel was made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, then forced to continue physical exertions while lying in his own vomit.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: This included 100+ pushups, 500 squats, “high-volume suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was struck with wooden paddles. This relentless punishment led to his muscles breaking down to the point of rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather, carry a fanny pack with objects of sexual nature, and was threatened with physical punishment or expulsion for non-compliance. Another pledge was hog-tied with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• Sleep Deprivation: He was forced to drive fraternity members at extremely early hours, contributing to physical and mental exhaustion.

The Medical Consequences:
Leonel’s body reached a breaking point on November 3, 2025. Days later, his mother rushed him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of muscle tissue releasing myoglobin into the bloodstream) and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days hospitalized, actively passing brown urine, a clear indicator of severe muscle damage overwhelming his kidneys. The long-term implications, including potential chronic kidney disease or even the need for dialysis, remain a serious concern. Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, making him uniquely qualified for this battle.

Institutional Responses That Betray:

• Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters closed the Beta Nu chapter effective November 14, 2025, just days before our lawsuit was filed. Their public statement acknowledged “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards” but concluded with a disturbing lack of remorse: “we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This shows they knew what was coming and acted to mitigate their liability, all while planning their return as if nothing devastating had occurred.
• The University of Houston spokesperson described the events as “deeply disturbing” and a “clear violation of our community standards,” acknowledging a coordinating investigation with law enforcement and the potential for expulsion and criminal charges. However, their response only came after the damage was done.

Why This Matters to Colorado Families:

• “Same Letters, Same Danger”: Pi Kappa Phi has over 150 chapters nationwide, including at universities that draw students from Colorado. The “traditions” that severely injured Leonel can and do happen at these chapters.
• Universities are Complicit: UH owned the fraternity house where some abuse occurred. Public and private universities across Colorado, such as the University of Colorado Denver, Colorado College, or the University of Denver, have an inherent duty to protect their students. When they turn a blind eye or fail to adequately supervise Greek life and other student organizations, they become part of the problem and share legal responsibility.
• National Organizations Know: The immediate response from Pi Kappa Phi National—closing the chapter quickly—demonstrates that they possess knowledge of their chapters’ dangerous hazing practices. They also had 8 years to learn from the tragic death of Andrew Coffey at their Florida State chapter in 2017. Their failure to prevent another severe injury makes their negligence undeniable.
• Victims are Afraid, We Protect Them: Leonel’s fear of retribution for speaking out is real. We provide a safe and confidential environment for victims and their families in Colorado to come forward, ensuring their identities are protected where possible and aggressively pursuing any attempts at intimidation.
• $10 Million Sends a Message: This substantial lawsuit aims to send an unequivocal message that hazing carries a high price, forcing institutions to prioritize student safety over “tradition.” We believe the same message can be sent from Colorado courtrooms.

This case proves that Attorney911 is not just talking about hazing; we are actively fighting it with comprehensive legal strategies, profound dedication, and a commitment to obtaining justice for victims like Leonel, and like your child in Colorado.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

For many parents in Colorado, the word “hazing” might conjure images of silly pranks or benign initiations from movies. The reality is far more brutal and psychologically damaging. Modern hazing involves deliberate, systematic abuse designed to break down individuals, instill fear, and enforce absolute conformity. It’s often hidden in plain sight, shrouded in secrecy and a perverse code of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.”

We want parents in Colorado to understand that hazing is not just harmless fun; it is:

• Assault and Battery: Physical beatings, forced contact, and extreme physical exertion are direct acts of violence.
• Torture: Simulated waterboarding, prolonged exposure, and forced deprivation mirror tactics used in interrogation.
• Reckless Endangerment: Forcing individuals to consume excessive alcohol or other substances, or denying them sleep, puts their lives at grave risk.
• Psychological Manipulation: Humiliation, degradation, isolation, and threats create deep-seated trauma that can last a lifetime.

Based on our direct experience with cases like Leonel Bermudez’s and extensive research, here’s a clearer picture of what hazing truly looks like in today’s college environment:

1. Physical Abuse:

• Beatings and Paddling: Being struck with hands, paddles, or other objects, often to the point of severe bruising or injury. Leonel Bermudez was struck with wooden paddles.
• Forced Exercise: Prolonged, strenuous, or inappropriate physical activity beyond a student’s capacity, often resulting in muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), heatstroke, or collapse. Leonel was forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he couldn’t stand.
• Branding and Burning: Using hot objects, cigarette butts, or chemicals to scar students.
• Sleep Deprivation: Requiring students to stay awake for extended periods, disrupting their academic performance and judgment. Leonel was forced to drive members during early morning hours, leading to exhaustion.
• Exposure: Forcing students into extreme cold or heat, or in unsanitary conditions, often with minimal clothing. Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and sprayed with a garden hose.

2. Forced Consumption:

• Excessive Alcohol: Binge drinking, “chugging” dangerous amounts of hard liquor, or engaging in drinking games where consumption is forced and monitored. This is a leading cause of hazing deaths.
• Food and Non-Food Substances: Forcing students to eat large quantities of unappealing food, spoiled food, or non-food items, often until they vomit. Leonel was forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited.
• Drugs: Pressuring or forcing students to consume illicit drugs or prescription medications.

3. Psychological Torture and Humiliation:

• Verbal Abuse and Degradation: Constant yelling, insults, and belittlement designed to strip away self-esteem.
• Public Humiliation: Forcing students into embarrassing situations, wearing degrading outfits, or carrying offensive objects, as Leonel was forced to carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature.
• Isolation: Separating pledges from friends, family, or the outside world to enhance control.
• Threats: Explicit or implicit threats of physical harm, social ostracization, or expulsion from the organization for non-compliance. Leonel was threatened with physical punishment and expulsion from the fraternity.

4. Sexual Hazing:

• Forced Nudity: Requiring students to be naked or partially naked.
• Sexual Acts: Pressuring or forcing students to engage in or simulate sexual acts.
• Sexually Explicit Objects: Requiring contact with sexually explicit objects.

The Medical and Psychological Aftermath:
The consequences of hazing are profound and long-lasting. Beyond the immediate physical injuries like lacerated organs, broken bones, chemical burns, or massive alcohol poisoning, victims often suffer from:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The terror of experiencing or witnessing severe abuse.
• Anxiety and Depression: Chronic mental health issues requiring long-term therapy and medication.
• Suicidal Ideation: The overwhelming despair that can follow intense psychological and physical trauma.
• Academic Decline: Inability to concentrate, attend classes, or perform academically dueol to physical injuries, exhaustion, or mental distress.
• Substance Abuse: Using drugs or alcohol to cope with the trauma.
• Permanent Physical Damage: As in Leonel’s case, organ damage like kidney failure can have lifelong implications.

Parents in Colorado should recognize that hazing is a spectrum of behaviors, all of which are harmful and unacceptable. If your child has endured any of these experiences, if they show signs of unexplained injuries, withdrawal, changes in behavior, or sudden academic difficulties, or if they have confided in you about any form of abuse, it is crucial to act immediately. What they experienced was not normal, and they deserve justice.

Who is Responsible When Hazing Occurs

When hazing leaves a student injured or dead, accountability extends far beyond the immediate perpetrators. At Attorney911, we employ a comprehensive legal strategy to identify and pursue every entity that allowed, participated in, or turned a blind eye to the abuse. Our approach, proven effectively in the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, ensures that maximum pressure is applied to financially responsible parties, ensuring that justice is served and that a message is sent to prevent future tragedies.

For families in Colorado whose child has been a victim of hazing, understanding who is potentially liable is crucial:

1. The Individual Perpetrators:

• Chapter Officers: Individuals like the chapter president, pledgemaster, or other leadership figures who organize, direct, or condone hazing activities. These individuals bear direct responsibility. In the Bermudez case, we named the fraternity president, pledgemaster, and other leaders as defendants.
• Participating Members: Any student who actively engages in hazing, even if they are simply following orders or participating in group activities. Their actions constitute assault, battery, and hazing under state laws.
• Former Members and Alumni: Alumni who maintain involvement with the chapter, advise current members, or host hazing activities at their residences. In the Bermudez case, we named a former member and his spouse as defendants because some of the hazing occurred at their private residence, demonstrating premises liability for those who enable such events.

Why They Are Liable: These individuals directly inflicted the harm. While they may not possess extensive personal wealth, holding them accountable sends a powerful message, as seen in the Stone Foltz case where a former chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million.

2. The Local Chapter of the Fraternity or Sorority:

• This is the specific student organization that carries out the hazing.
• Why They Are Liable: Chapters have their own governing structure and are responsible for the conduct of their members, especially during “pledge” or “new member” activities. They often cultivate a culture where hazing is normalized.

3. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization:

• These are the large, nationwide bodies that oversee countless chapters at universities across different states, including those near Colorado. For example, national organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, Delta Chi, Sigma Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Alpha all have chapters at various institutions within Colorado, including CU Boulder, CSU, and DU.
• Why They Are Liable: National organizations have an inherent duty to provide oversight, establish anti-hazing policies, and ensure their chapters comply with these rules. Their liability arises when they:
  • Fail to Adequately Supervise: They don’t sufficiently monitor chapter activities, allowing hazing to flourish.
  • Fail to Enforce Policies: They have anti-hazing policies on paper but don’t actively enforce them. In the Bermudez case, KHOU 11 reported that nationals “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'”
  • Possess Institutional Knowledge: They are aware of a pattern of hazing within their organization (as Pi Kappa Phi was after the death of Andrew Coffey in 2017) but fail to implement meaningful changes. This demonstrates deliberate indifference.
  • Have “Deep Pockets”: National organizations often possess significant financial assets and robust liability insurance policies, making them a crucial target for meaningful compensation.

4. The University or College:

• Institutions of higher education are increasingly being held accountable for hazing that occurs on their campuses, whether sanctioned or not. This includes universities near Colorado cities such as Denver, Fort Collins, or Colorado Springs.
• Why They Are Liable:
  • Duty of Care: Universities have a legal responsibility to protect their students from foreseeable harm, especially as many students are minors or young adults.
  • Negligent Supervision: Failure to adequately oversee Greek life or other student organizations known to engage in hazing. The University of Houston was deemed liable, in part, because a prior hazing incident in 2017 should have put them on notice.
  • Premises Liability: When hazing occurs on university-owned property (like the Pi Kappa Phi house in the Bermudez case), the university has a responsibility as a property owner to ensure safety.
  • Failure to Act: Ignoring reports of hazing, failing to properly investigate, or implementing weak disciplinary actions.

5. The Housing Corporation:

• Many fraternities and sororities have separate “housing corporations” that own and manage the physical chapter houses.
• Why They Are Liable: As property owners, they have premises liability for incidents occurring on their property. They also may have a duty to ensure the property is not used for illegal activities like hazing. We named Pi Kappa Phi’s Housing Corporation as a defendant in the Bermudez case.

6. Insurance Carriers:

• Behind every major organization and institution are insurance policies. These are often the “deep pockets” that ultimately fund settlements and verdicts.
• Why They Are Liable: Liability insurance for national organizations, institutional policies for universities, and even homeowner’s insurance for individuals can all be sources of compensation. Our firm’s experience with former insurance defense attorneys uniquely positions us to navigate these complex policies and ensure maximum recovery.

For families in Colorado, our investigations are thorough. We don’t just sue the easiest targets; we meticulously identify every individual, chapter, corporation, and institution that shares accountability. Hazing is a complex problem, and justice demands a comprehensive legal response.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof of Accountability

When a family in Colorado experiences the devastation of hazing, they often wonder if legal action can truly make a difference. The answer is a resounding yes. The substantial verdicts and settlements in hazing cases across the country demonstrate that families can, and do, win multi-million dollar recoveries that fund their child’s recovery, compensate for unimaginable pain and suffering, and most importantly, force institutions to change. These precedent-setting cases serve as clear warnings to national fraternities operating at universities near Colorado.

Here are some landmark examples that underscore what is possible, including some directly relevant to the national fraternity involved in our current lawsuit:

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

• Outcome: $10.1 Million+ in settlements and judgments. This includes $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha National and individuals. In December 2024, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million, highlighting individual accountability.
• What Happened: Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” initiation.
• Significance for Colorado: Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is directly aligned with this precedent. It demonstrates that both universities and national fraternities are willing to pay millions when hazing results in serious injury or death. This is also the highest public university hazing payout in Ohio’s history.

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

• Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family $6.1 million.
• What Happened: Gruver died of acute alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495) after being forced to consume excessive alcohol during a “Bible Study” hazing event.
• Significance for Colorado: This jury verdict proves that when hazing cases go to trial, juries are willing to award substantial sums, particularly where egregious conduct is involved. It also spurred the creation of the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana, showing the power of civil litigation to drive legislative change.

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

• Outcome: Estimated $110 Million+ in confidential settlements.
• What Happened: Piazza consumed 18 drinks in 82 minutes, fell down stairs multiple times, and sustained a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911. Security cameras captured the entire agonizing ordeal.
• Significance for Colorado: This case, fueled by undeniable video evidence, demonstrates the colossal financial liability that can arise from hazing. It led to the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania, pushing state-level changes when institutions fail.

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

• Outcome: Confidential settlement with the family.
• What Happened: Coffey died of acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a “Big Brother Night” initiation.
• Significance for Colorado: This is the SAME national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, that is involved in our current lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez. Andrew Coffey’s death eight years prior to Leonel’s hospitalization proves that Pi Kappa Phi National had actual knowledge of deadly hazing within its chapters but failed to implement effective changes. This “pattern of negligence” is critical for establishing punitive damages and holding the national organization liable.

5. Adam Oakes — Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021)

• Outcome: $4 Million+ settlement confirmed in October 2024. The family had originally sought $28 million.
• What Happened: Oakes died from alcohol poisoning after being directed to drink a large amount of whiskey as part of a pledge family “bid night” event.
• Significance for Colorado: Another recent, substantial settlement in a hazing death case, reinforcing the value juries and defendants place on such actions. It also led to “Adam’s Law” in Virginia highlighting the impact of family advocacy.

What These Precedents Mean for Hazing Victims in Colorado:

• Our $10 Million Demand is Realistic: The compensation sought in the Bermudez case is well-supported by prior settlements and verdicts, even though Leonel survived. The egregious nature of the waterboarding, physical torture, and resulting organ failure justifies a substantial recovery.
• Universities Face Significant Liability: Cases like Stone Foltz’s prove that universities, including those near Colorado’s Front Range such as CU Boulder or CSU, will pay millions when their negligence contributes to hazing injuries or deaths.
• National Fraternities and Sororities Cannot Hide: The pattern of hazing and its devastating consequences across multiple chapters of national organizations, including Pi Kappa Phi, demonstrates a systemic problem that makes them financially liable. The fact that the same fraternity paid a settlement in 2017 for a death and now faces a $10 million lawsuit for a severe injury is a powerful testament to their ongoing negligence, a key argument for Colorado cases.
• Punitive Damages are Crucial: When the conduct of individuals and institutions displays gross negligence or conscious indifference, punitive damages are often awarded. These are not merely compensatory; they are designed to punish the wrongdoers and deter similar behavior in the future. The details of Leonel’s hazing strongly support the need for punitive damages.

For families in Colorado, these cases offer not just hope for financial compensation, but a pathway to accountability. They demonstrate that through aggressive legal action, profound change can be forced upon institutions that have historically allowed hazing to thrive. When powerful organizations face multi-million dollar payouts, it changes their behavior and forces them to prioritize student safety. We are ready to bring this winning legal strategy to Colorado.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Victims’ Rights

For families in Colorado, understanding the legal framework surrounding hazing is crucial, even if the laws differ slightly from state to state. While our firm is based in Texas, many legal principles, especially those related to civil liability and federal regulations, apply nationwide. Furthermore, states often draw from one another’s successes in creating stronger anti-hazing legislation. The explicit Texas anti-hazing statutes provide a robust foundation for pursuing civil and criminal charges, offering powerful protections that will resonate with victims in Colorado.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code § 37.151-37.157): A Strong Model

Texas has one of the nation’s most comprehensive anti-hazing laws. Here’s a breakdown of its key provisions and why they are so important for hazing victims, even for Colorado families whose children may attend college in other states:

1. Broad Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):
Texas law defines hazing expansively as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, whether on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization, if that act:

• Involves physical brutality: Such as whipping, beating, striking (like being struck with wooden paddles in our case), branding, etc.
• Endangers mental or physical health: Including sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, or excessive calisthenics that pose an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affect health. This directly covers Leonel’s 500 squats, waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and subsequent rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
• Involves forced consumption: Covering food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk. This includes Leonel’s forced eating until vomiting.
• Violates the Penal Code: Any activity that requires a student to commit a crime.
• Involves coercion to consume drugs or excessive alcohol: Designed to lead to intoxication.

2. Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154):
This is perhaps the most critical protection for hazing victims. The law explicitly 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.”

• Significance for Colorado Families: This directly counters the common defense from fraternities and universities that “the student chose to participate” or “they knew the risks.” The law acknowledges that power imbalances and peer pressure make true consent impossible in hazing situations. This principle is increasingly recognized in state anti-hazing laws across the country.

3. Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152):
Hazing carries serious criminal consequences in Texas:

• Class B Misdemeanor for engaging in or failing to report hazing.
• Class A Misdemeanor for hazing causing serious bodily injury. This applies directly to Leonel Bermudez’s case, where he suffered “serious bodily injury” from rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Individuals involved could face up to a year in jail.
• State Jail Felony for hazing causing death. This is the charge we often see in cases like Max Gruver’s or Timothy Piazza’s.
• Significance for Colorado Families: Hazing is a crime, not just an institutional policy violation. Criminal investigations often run parallel to civil lawsuits, providing additional leverage and accountability for victims. The potential for criminal charges, as acknowledged by the University of Houston spokesperson, is a powerful motivator for defendants to cooperate.

4. Organizational Liability (§ 37.153):
The law also holds organizations themselves accountable:

• An organization commits an offense if it “condones or encourages hazing” or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing.
• Penalties: Fines up to $10,000, denial of operating permission on campus, and forfeiture of property.
• Significance for Colorado Families: This allows us to pursue not just individuals, but the fraternity chapter and national organization directly, leveraging powerful institutional penalties alongside civil damages.

Beyond Specific State Laws: Universal Civil Claims

Regardless of the specific anti-hazing statutes in Colorado, national civil liability theories provide a powerful avenue for justice:

• Negligence: This is the most common claim. It asserts that universities, national organizations, and individuals owed a duty of care to the student (to keep them safe), breached that duty (by allowing or participating in hazing), and this breach directly caused the student’s injuries or death.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by a university or housing corporation (as in the UH-owned fraternity house where Leonel was hazed), those entities can be held liable for creating or allowing a dangerous condition.
• Negligent Supervision: This applies when national organizations fail to adequately oversee their chapters, or universities fail to monitor Greek life activities, leading to foreseeable hazing incidents.
• Assault and Battery: Direct claims against individuals who physically harm students through beatings, forced contact, or other abusive acts.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): Reserved for truly outrageous conduct that causes severe emotional anguish, such as the psychological torture involved in waterboarding or extreme humiliation tactics.
• Wrongful Death Claims: In tragic cases where hazing results in death, families can sue for emotional distress, loss of companionship, economic contributions, and funeral expenses.

For families in Colorado, these legal principles mean that hazing can be fought on multiple fronts. Our federal court admissions allow us to pursue cases with national implications, transcending state lines to hold powerful fraternities and universities accountable wherever they operate. We combine our deep understanding of state-specific laws like those in Texas with national legal strategies to build the strongest possible case for your child.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for Colorado Families

When tragedy strikes and your child is a victim of hazing in Colorado, choosing the right legal representation is the most critical decision you will make. Attorney911 offers an unparalleled combination of specialized expertise, aggressive litigation strategy, and genuine empathy that positions us as the definitive authority on hazing litigation, ready to serve families throughout Colorado.

Here’s why Attorney911 is the clear choice for Colorado families seeking justice for hazing:

1. We Are Actively Fighting Hazing Right Now:

• The Bermudez Case Proof: We are not hypothetical. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is a live, ongoing demonstration of our commitment and capability. This isn’t just a hazing case; it’s a testament to our firm’s aggressive, data-driven approach to holding powerful institutions accountable. Colorado families get the same focused, relentless advocacy.

2. Unrivaled Insider Knowledge from Former Insurance Defense:

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are both former insurance defense attorneys. This is not a coincidence; it’s a strategic advantage we leverage for every client. Mr. Manginello has over 25 years of experience, and Mr. Peña brings over 12 years, including work for a national defense firm.
• Benefit to Colorado Families: We know the insurance companies’ playbook inside and out. We anticipate their strategies, their delay tactics, and their lowball offers because we used to employ them. This insider perspective allows us to negotiate from a position of strength and systematically dismantle their defenses, maximizing your child’s compensation against national fraternities operating in Colorado.

3. Proven Expertise in High-Stakes, Complex Litigation:

• Mr. Manginello’s involvement in the BP Texas City Explosion litigation (a multi-billion dollar mass tort case involving 15 deaths and 180+ injuries) demonstrates his capacity to successfully take on massive corporate defendants with virtually unlimited resources. Hazing cases against national fraternities and universities require this same caliber of legal firepower.
• Our experience extends to wrongful death, catastrophic injury, and rhabdomyolysis cases, making us uniquely qualified to handle the severe medical and emotional consequences of hazing, which are unfortunately all too prevalent at universities across Colorado.

4. Nationwide Reach with Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Bars:

• While based in Texas, our firm is admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts and Mr. Manginello is licensed in Texas AND New York. This allows us to pursue hazing cases in federal jurisdiction and against national fraternities headquartered anywhere in the U.S.
• Benefit to Colorado Families: This means we can represent your child regardless of where the hazing occurred in Colorado (e.g., at CU Boulder, Colorado State, or the Air Force Academy) and pursue the national fraternity organization, which often has its main operations in other states. We travel to Colorado for key depositions, client meetings, and trials as needed, ensuring distance is never a barrier to justice.

5. Data-Driven Litigation Strategy – We Don’t Guess, We Know:

• We maintain comprehensive internal databases of Greek organizations across the nation, including their corporate structures, IRS filings, and documented hazing histories. This allows us to identify and target every potentially liable entity, from the local chapter to the national headquarters and their associated housing corporations, ensuring that no responsible party can hide.
• For fraternities in Colorado: This means we understand the complex corporate structure of entities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, Delta Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Alpha, with chapters at universities such as the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, and the University of Denver. We track their EINs, their legal names, their assets, and their prior incidents. We know exactly who to sue and how to find their assets.

6. Comprehensive Hazing-Specific Focus and Expertise:

• Our firm has deep experience with the unique nuances of hazing litigation, including rhabdomyolysis injuries (as in the Bermudez case), Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation, and holding universities accountable.
• We understand the specific categories of hazing (physical, psychological, forced consumption, sexual) and their distinct legal implications.

7. Unwavering Dedication and Empathy for Victims:

• We understand that behind every hazing case is a scared, hurt student and a grieving family. Our team approaches every case with genuine compassion, ensuring that you and your child in Colorado feel heard, respected, and supported.
• Ralph Manginello, a father of three and a former youth coach, is acutely aware of the pressures and vulnerabilities young people face, making him personally invested in protecting victims of hazing. Lupe Peña, a third-generation Texan and father, brings a strong sense of community and justice.
• Our 4.9-star Google rating and numerous testimonials consistently highlight our commitment to client communication, responsiveness, and treating clients like family.

8. Contingency Fee Basis – No Upfront Cost to Colorado Families:

• We firmly believe that financial hardship should never prevent a hazing victim from seeking justice. We work exclusively on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case. This allows you to pursue powerful institutions without worrying about hourly legal fees or upfront costs.

9. Bilingual Services Available (Se Habla Español):

• We recognize the diverse communities in Colorado and are proud to offer legal services in Spanish. Our bilingual staff ensures that language barriers do not impede access to justice for Hispanic families affected by hazing.

Choosing Attorney911 means partnering with an experienced, aggressive, and compassionate legal team that understands the gravity of hazing and is equipped to fight for comprehensive justice for your child in Colorado. We have demonstrated our ability to take on the most powerful defendants and win, and we are prepared to bring that same level of commitment and expertise to your family.

What to Do Right Now if Your Child Has Been Hazed in Colorado

If your child has been the victim of hazing—whether at a university near Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, or any other institution in Colorado, or if they were hazed while away at college—the moments immediately following the incident are critical. It can be an overwhelming and confusing time, filled with fear, anger, and uncertainty. However, swift and decisive action can profoundly impact the success of any legal claim.

Here is actionable guidance for parents in Colorado, designed to help you protect your child, preserve crucial evidence, and lay the groundwork for seeking justice:

1. Prioritize Your Child’s Immediate Safety and Well-being:

• Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Even if injuries seem minor, or if your child is reluctant, insist on a full medical evaluation. Hazing injuries, like rhabdomyolysis, can have delayed or hidden symptoms. Document everything with medical professionals. This creates an official record of the injuries and their potential link to the hazing.
• Remove Your Child from the Harmful Environment: If they are still in the hazing situation or fear for their safety, ensure they are in a safe place away from the perpetrators. This might mean bringing them home from college or arranging for alternative housing.
• Seek Mental Health Support: Hazing inflicts severe psychological trauma. Connect your child with counselors, therapists, or support groups specializing in trauma. Documenting their mental health journey is as important as documenting physical injuries.

2. Preserve All Evidence — “Document Everything!”:
Hazing often relies on secrecy. Your ability to gather and preserve evidence can make all the difference. It provides concrete proof against claims of “he said, she said.”

• Electronic Communications:
  • Text Messages, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs: Screenshot and save every message, photo, and video related to the hazing or the organization (even if it seems innocuous). These often contain direct evidence of instruction, threats, or coordination.
  • Emails: Save all emails from the organization or individuals.
  • Do NOT delete anything. Deleting communications can be seen as spoliation of evidence and severely damage a case.
• Photos and Videos:
  • Injuries: Take clear, well-lit photos of all physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling) at all stages of healing. If your child was hospitalized, photos of them in the hospital bed, IVs, or medical equipment are vital.
  • Hazing Locations: If safe to do so, document the locations where hazing occurred (fraternity house, off-campus residence, specific areas on campus).
  • Materials/Objects: Photograph any objects used in the hazing.
• Witness Information:
  • Identify Other Pledges/Members: Obtain names and contact information of other students who witnessed or participated in the hazing. They may be fearful, but sympathetic witnesses are powerful.
  • Bystanders: If hazing occurred in a public or semi-public place, were there any non-members who saw what happened?
• Documents from the Organization:
  • Keep any pledge manuals, schedules, “rules” distributed by the fraternity or sorority.
  • Save receipts for any money spent on “dues,” “fees,” or items related to the organization.
• Financial and Academic Records:
  • Medical Bills: Keep all bills, statements, and records from hospitals, doctors, therapists, and pharmacies.
  • Lost Wages: Document any time your child missed from work due to injury or recovery.
  • Academic Impact: Gather transcripts or correspondence showing any impact on grades, enrollment status, or scholarships.

3. Avoid Common Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case:

• Do NOT Speak to the Organization or University Alone: Do not give statements (written or verbal) to fraternity leadership, national organization representatives, or university administrators without legal counsel. They are protecting their own interests, not your child’s.
• Do NOT Sign Anything: Never sign documents from the fraternity, national organization, or university that may ask you to waive rights, release liability, or accept a settlement. Consult with us first.
• Do NOT Post on Social Media: Anything your child or family posts on social media can and will be used against you by the defense. This includes posts minimizing injuries, showing your child engaging in activities, or even general complaints. Simply disengage from social media regarding the incident.
• Do NOT Confront Perpetrators: While understandable, direct confrontation can escalate tensions and damage potential legal action.

4. Understand the Critical Importance of Timelines:

• Statute of Limitations: In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases (including hazing) and wrongful death is two years from the date of injury or death. Other states, including Colorado, may have similar or different deadlines. This means you have a limited window to file a lawsuit.
• Evidence Disappears: The longer you wait, the more likely physical evidence is cleaned up, electronic evidence is deleted, and witness memories fade or are influenced.
• DO NOT WAIT. Hazing victims often delay reporting due to shame, fear, loyalty, or not fully understanding they were victims. But every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights.

5. Contact Attorney911 Immediately for a Free Consultation:

• Time is of the essence. The sooner we are involved, the quicker we can send preservation letters, begin our investigation, and protect your child’s legal rights.
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911, 24/7: Our emergency hotline is always open for Colorado families facing a hazing crisis.
• Email us at ralph@atty911.com: Send us a confidential email describing your situation.
• Free, Confidential Consultation: We offer free consultations to all hazing victims and their families in Colorado. There is no obligation, only information and expert guidance. We will explain your rights, assess your case, and outline the best path forward.
• We Work on Contingency: You pay absolutely nothing upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win your case. This ensures that expert legal representation is accessible to every family in Colorado regardless of financial means.

Remember, what happened to your child was wrong. You did not deserve this. Let us help you turn your pain into a powerful fight for accountability and justice. Attorney911 is ready to bring the same aggressive, data-driven legal battle we are fighting in the Bermudez case to the institutions and individuals responsible for hazing in Colorado.

Call to Action for Colorado Families: Your Child Deserves Justice

🚨 Colorado Families: Has Your Child Been Hazed? You Have Legal Rights. We Are Fighting This Fight Right Now—and We’ll Fight for Colorado Victims Too.

The nightmare of hazing is a reality that parents across Colorado, from Boulder to Colorado Springs, from Fort Collins to Denver, must confront. Your son or daughter left for college—perhaps to the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, the University of Northern Colorado, or even a school out of state—with the hope of building a bright future. Instead, they encountered brutality disguised as “tradition,” leaving them with physical injuries, deep emotional scars, or, in the most tragic cases, taking their lives.

At Attorney911, we want you to know that you are not alone. We are actively—and aggressively—litigating the landmark $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in Texas right now. This is a real, ongoing battle against powerful institutions, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to holding those responsible for hazing accountable. The same legal strategies, the same dedication, and the same relentless pursuit of justice that we bring to the Bermudez case, we promise to bring to your family in Colorado.

Your child didn’t deserve this. You and your family deserve answers and justice.

Colorado Families, Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Connect with us directly at: ralph@atty911.com

Our Legal Emergency Hotline is available 24/7 for Colorado hazing emergencies. You will speak directly with a legal professional who understands the urgency and sensitivity of your situation.

We work on a Contingency Fee Basis: This means there are $0 upfront costs for Colorado families. We believe access to justice should not be limited by financial concerns. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid. This aligns our interests directly with yours, ensuring we are fully invested in securing the maximum possible compensation for your child.

If You or Your Child Has Been a Victim of Hazing in Colorado, Here’s Why You Should Contact Attorney911 Immediately:

• You’re Not Just Another Case: We are deeply invested in fighting hazing. For us, every victim is a person, not a file number. We understand the personal trauma and family devastation hazing causes.
• Insider Advantage: Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are former insurance defense lawyers. They know the tactics and strategies of universities, national fraternities, and their powerful insurance companies from the inside. We use this invaluable insight to build stronger cases and secure better outcomes for our clients in Colorado.
• Nationwide Reach: While based in Texas, our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) allow us to represent hazing victims across Colorado and nationwide. We offer convenient video consultations and are fully prepared to travel to Colorado for key proceedings, eliminating geographical barriers to justice.
• Data-Driven, Aggressive Litigation: We maintain one of the most comprehensive private databases of Greek organizations. We identify every corporate entity responsible—from local chapters to national headquarters with their EINs and asset structures—so we know exactly who to target. We leave no stone unturned.
• Proven Results: Our current $10 million lawsuit is just one example. We have a track record of winning multi-million dollar recoveries for victims of severe personal injury, including cases involving institutional negligence and wrongful death. The families in the Stone Foltz, Max Gruver, and Timothy Piazza cases achieved multi-million dollar outcomes, and we use those precedents to fight for you.
• Bilingual Support (Se Habla Español): We are committed to serving all communities in Colorado. Our bilingual team ensures that Spanish-speaking families can communicate freely and receive the legal support they need without language barriers.

We Serve Hazing Victims in All Forms and Locations, Including Throughout Colorado:

Hazing is not limited to fraternities and sororities. We represent victims of hazing in:

• Fraternities and Sororities at the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, University of Denver, and other colleges across Colorado.
• Sports Teams and Athletics at high schools, colleges, and amateur clubs in Colorado.
• Marching Bands and Performing Arts Groups at Colorado universities and schools.
• ROTC Programs and Military Academies with a presence in Colorado.
• Clubs and Organizations at any educational institution in Colorado.
• Any group that uses abuse, humiliation, or forced rituals as an initiation or condition of membership.

To the parents in Colorado: Your trust was betrayed. Your child was harmed. Let us help you navigate this devastating time. By stepping forward, you can not only secure justice for your child but also play a critical role in preventing future tragedies for other Colorado families.

To any other victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing: We know you are out there. Our client Leonel Bermudez was not the only one physically and psychologically brutalized. Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout, others were hog-tied, and many endured the same waterboarding and violent rituals. We are ready to represent you as well. 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.”

Don’t wait. The time to act is now. Evidence can disappear, memories can fade, and legal deadlines can pass.

Contact Attorney911 today for your free, confidential consultation. Let us fight for the justice your child deserves, and send a clear message to every institution in Colorado that hazing will no longer be tolerated.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com