Hazing Lawyers Serving Columbia County, Florida – Aggressive Legal Help for Hazing Victims

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines – Neither Do We

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting one of the most egregious hazing cases in recent memory – a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from systematic abuse, including waterboarding with a garden hose. This same fraternity – and many others just like it – operates right here near Columbia County, Florida, putting students at local universities at risk.

If you or your child has been a victim of hazing in Columbia County or anywhere in Florida, we can help. We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Columbia County families, with the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to the Houston case. Our attorneys will travel to Columbia County for depositions, client meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

The Hazing Crisis in Columbia County: What Local Families Need to Know

Hazing Happens at Columbia County-Area Universities

While our current case is in Texas, the same dangerous hazing culture exists at universities near Columbia County, Florida, including:

• University of Florida (UF) – Gainesville (45 minutes from Columbia County)
• Florida State University (FSU) – Tallahassee (~1.5 hours away)
• University of North Florida (UNF) – Jacksonville (~1 hour away)
• Florida A&M University (FAMU) – Tallahassee (~1.5 hours away)
• Santa Fe College – Gainesville (within Columbia County)

The same national fraternities involved in deadly hazing incidents nationwide – Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, and others – have active chapters at these schools. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in the Columbia County area, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.

What Columbia County Parents Should Watch For

Hazing isn’t always obvious. Many victims don’t recognize it as abuse until it’s too late. Warning signs your child may be experiencing hazing in Columbia County or nearby:

✅ Physical signs:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries
• Extreme exhaustion or sleep deprivation
• Difficulty walking or moving (could indicate rhabdomyolysis, like our client)
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, passing out)
• Weight loss or malnutrition

✅ Behavioral signs:

• Sudden withdrawal from family or friends
• Fear of talking about Greek life activities
• Anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms
• Avoiding certain people or places
• Sudden academic decline
• Fear of retribution if they speak up

✅ Environmental signs:

• Forced to wear unusual clothing or carry objects
• Required to perform excessive chores or errands for members
• Sleeping in unusual places (basements, fraternity houses)
• Being dropped off or picked up at odd hours
• Sudden secrecy about where they’re going or who they’re with

If you notice these signs, your child may be in danger. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential consultation.

The UH Hazing Case: A Warning for Columbia County Families

What Happened at University of Houston Could Happen Here

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston in September 2025. Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse that included:

🔥 Waterboarding with a garden hose – Simulated drowning, a form of torture
🔥 Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups – Until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
🔥 Struck with wooden paddles – Physical assault with weapons
🔥 Forced to eat until vomiting – Then made to continue running in vomit-soaked grass
🔥 Sleep deprivation – Forced to drive fraternity members at all hours
🔥 Psychological torture – Carrying a fanny pack with sexual objects, threats of expulsion

Result: Bermudez developed severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of hospitalization. He could have died.

Why This Matters to Columbia County Families

1. The same fraternities operate near Columbia County – Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at UF, FSU, and other Florida schools.
2. Universities near Columbia County face the same liability failures – UH owned the fraternity house where the torture occurred. Florida universities have the same power to stop hazing – and the same liability when they don’t.
3. Hazing is not “tradition” – it’s abuse – What happened to Bermudez was torture, not brotherhood.
4. Victims are often afraid to speak up – Our client was “fearful of retribution.” Columbia County victims face the same fear.
5. This could happen to your child – Bermudez wasn’t even a UH student yet. He was a “ghost rush” – someone the fraternity was grooming to transfer. They hazed someone who wasn’t even enrolled.

Florida Hazing Laws: What Columbia County Victims Need to Know

Florida’s Anti-Hazing Law (Florida Statute § 1006.63)

Florida has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to all universities near Columbia County, including UF, FSU, UNF, and FAMU. Under Florida law:

📌 Hazing is a crime – It can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on severity.
📌 Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent doesn’t matter.
📌 Organizations can be held liable – Fraternities, sororities, and universities can be sued for damages.
📌 Universities can be held accountable – If a school knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be sued.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing in Florida

Note: If hazing results in death or serious injury, individuals can face felony charges, and organizations can be shut down permanently.

Civil Liability: What Columbia County Victims Can Sue For

If your child has been hazed in Columbia County or anywhere in Florida, you may be able to sue for:

💰 Medical expenses – Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment
💰 Lost wages – Time missed from work or school
💰 Pain and suffering – Physical and emotional trauma
💰 Punitive damages – Additional money to punish the defendants for egregious conduct
💰 Wrongful death – If hazing results in death, families can sue for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and more

In our UH case, we’re seeking $10 million – and we believe that number is conservative given the severity of the abuse.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Columbia County?

1. The Local Chapter (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi at UF, FSU, etc.)

• Directly organized and conducted the hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) can be personally liable
• Members who participated can be sued individually

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

• Failed to supervise the local chapter
• Knew or should have known about hazing risks
• Have deep pockets – millions in assets and insurance

Example: In our UH case, Pi Kappa Phi National is a defendant because they knew about a “hazing crisis” and failed to stop it.

3. The University (UF, FSU, UNF, FAMU, etc.)

• Have a duty to protect students from known dangers
• Often own or control fraternity/sorority houses (premises liability)
• Can be held liable for negligent supervision of Greek life

Example: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where Bermudez was waterboarded. They are now a defendant in our lawsuit.

4. Individual Members and Officers

• Can be sued personally for their role in hazing
• May have homeowner’s insurance that covers liability
• Face criminal charges in addition to civil lawsuits

Example: In the Stone Foltz case (Ohio), the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally for his role in the hazing death.

5. Alumni and Housing Corporations

• May own or control fraternity/sorority property
• Can be held liable for premises liability
• May have insurance coverage for hazing incidents

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Columbia County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Hazing injuries can be life-threatening (rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injury)
• Document everything – Get copies of all medical records
• Take photos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

📱 Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs – Screenshot everything before it’s deleted
📸 Photos/videos – From hazing events, injuries, or fraternity activities
📝 Documents – Pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child
👥 Witness information – Names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses

⚠️ DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without a lawyer
• Sign anything from the organization
• Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Hazing

• File a police report – Hazing is a crime in Florida
• Report to the university – UF, FSU, UNF, and FAMU all have reporting systems
• Report to the national organization – If it’s a fraternity/sorority, file a complaint with their national headquarters

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer

• Do NOT speak to insurance companies or university lawyers without representation
• Do NOT accept a settlement without consulting an attorney
• Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation

Why Columbia County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
• We know how to build these cases from the ground up
• We understand the unique challenges of hazing litigation

2. We Have Insider Knowledge of How Fraternities Operate

• Both of our attorneys (Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena) are former insurance defense lawyers
• We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to avoid liability
• We use that knowledge to maximize your compensation

3. We Serve Columbia County Families Nationwide

• Headquartered in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, but we represent hazing victims across America
• Federal court authority – Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Willing to travel to Columbia County for depositions, client meetings, and trials
• Remote consultations available for Columbia County families

4. We Work on Contingency – No Upfront Costs

• $0 upfront – You pay nothing to hire us
• We don’t get paid unless you win – Our fee comes from your settlement or verdict
• No financial risk – If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

5. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

• $10 million lawsuit currently pending in the UH hazing case
• Millions recovered for personal injury victims in car accidents, trucking accidents, and wrongful death cases
• Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how to dismantle their defenses
• Federal court admission – Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction

Hazing Cases We Handle for Columbia County Families

We represent victims of hazing in all types of organizations, including:

🔹 Fraternities and sororities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, etc.)
🔹 Sports teams (football, baseball, soccer, etc.)
🔹 Marching bands
🔹 ROTC programs
🔹 Honor societies
🔹 Academic clubs
🔹 Military academies
🔹 Any organization that uses abuse as “initiation”

If your child was hazed in Columbia County or anywhere in Florida, we can help.

Hazing Precedents: Multi-Million Dollar Results

Hazing cases win big when victims have strong legal representation. Here are some recent precedents:

These results prove that hazing cases have real value – and that Columbia County families can win.

Frequently Asked Questions for Columbia County Families

1. My child was hazed, but they don’t want to sue. Can I still pursue a case?

Yes. Even if your child is reluctant to come forward, you may still have legal options, especially if:

• They were physically injured (hospitalization, surgery, etc.)
• They suffered psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• The hazing was criminal (assault, battery, forced consumption)

Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 to discuss your options.

2. The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Does that matter?

No. Florida law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that doesn’t excuse the abuse.

3. The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be sued?

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students from known dangers. If they:

• Owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred
• Had prior knowledge of hazing at their fraternities
• Failed to supervise Greek life properly

…they can be held liable for negligent supervision.

4. How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Florida?

Florida has a 4-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including hazing. However, you should act immediately because:

• Evidence disappears (texts, photos, witnesses forget)
• Fraternities and universities may destroy records
• Criminal investigations may be ongoing

The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

5. My child was hazed at UF/FSU/UNF/FAMU. Can you help even though you’re in Texas?

Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Columbia County and across Florida. We:

• Offer video consultations for Florida families
• Travel to Florida for depositions, client meetings, and trials
• Have federal court authority to pursue cases in any state
• Work with local experts to build the strongest possible case

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

6. What if the hazing didn’t cause serious physical injury?

Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may still have a case for:

• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and degradation
• Lost academic opportunities
• Pain and suffering

Contact us for a free case evaluation.

7. How much is my hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but factors that increase value include:
✅ Severity of injuries (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
✅ Egregious conduct (waterboarding, paddling, forced consumption)
✅ Pattern of abuse (not a one-time incident)
✅ University/fraternity knowledge (did they know it was happening?)
✅ Criminal charges (if individuals were arrested)

In our UH case, we’re seeking $10 million – and we believe that number is conservative given the severity of the abuse.

Columbia County Hazing Victims: Your Next Steps

If your child has been hazed in Columbia County or anywhere in Florida, here’s what to do right now:

1. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
2. Do NOT speak to the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal representation
3. Preserve all evidence (texts, photos, videos, witness info)
4. Seek medical attention if your child has any injuries
5. Report the hazing to police and the university

We will handle everything else. We’ll:

• Investigate the incident
• Preserve evidence
• Deal with insurance companies
• Negotiate with the university and fraternity
• Fight for the maximum compensation possible

You don’t have to fight this alone. We’re here to help.

Columbia County Families: Contact Us Today

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Website: attorney911.com

Available 24/7 for Columbia County hazing emergencies

We work on contingency – $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you win.

🚨 Don’t Wait – Evidence Disappears Fast

Hazing cases are time-sensitive. Texts get deleted. Photos disappear. Witnesses forget. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free, confidential consultation.