If you’re reading this in Coweta County, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, build connections, and embark on a new chapter of their life. Instead, they were tortured, humiliated, and injured in a hazing incident. We understand what you’re going through – the fear, the anger, the confusion – and we’re here to help Coweta County families fight back against the fraternities, universities, and individuals responsible for these horrific acts.

We are Attorney 911, Legal Emergency Lawyers™. While our offices are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we represent hazing victims and their families in Coweta County and across the nation. We bring aggressive representation, data-driven litigation strategy, and a relentless pursuit of accountability to every hazing case we handle, ensuring that families in Coweta County receive the justice they deserve.

The Terrifying Reality of Hazing in Coweta County and Beyond

When we talk about hazing, it’s not about innocent pranks or harmless initiations. It’s about abuse, assault, battery, psychological torture, and often, life-threatening physical harm. For families in Coweta County, this isn’t just a distant news story; it’s a very real threat your children face when they leave for college, whether it’s to a local institution or a major university across the state.

Hazing is a crisis that plagues campuses nationwide, including those where students from Coweta County attend. The statistics are horrifying:

• More than half (55%) of students involved in Greek organizations experience hazing.
• Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every single year in the United States.
• A staggering 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it, often due to fear, shame, or loyalty to the group.

This means that for every incident that makes the news, dozens more go unreported, allowing a culture of abuse to fester. It happens in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student organizations. And institutions across the country, tragically, often turn a blind eye until it’s too late.

The Landmark Case: A $10 Million Fight for Justice — And a Warning for Coweta County

We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re actively fighting it right now in court. Our firm, Attorney 911, has filed a **$10 million lawsuit, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al., against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members.** This is not a hypothetical case; it’s a live, ongoing battle in Harris County Civil District Court that vividly illustrates the extreme dangers of modern hazing and exactly what kind of firm Attorney 911 is: aggressive, thorough, data-driven, and relentless in pursuing accountability for hazing victims.

Coweta County families, this case is a stark warning. What happened to Leonel Bermudez in Houston could happen to your child at any university with Greek life, including those near Coweta County like the University of Georgia, Emory University, Georgia Tech, or Mercer University. The same national fraternities that have killed and injured students across the country have chapters at universities attended by students from Coweta County. When your child leaves home for college, you expect them to be safe, not targeted for brutalization.

Here’s what you need to know about the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case:

The Victim: Leonel Bermudez
Leonel was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet. He planned to transfer for the upcoming semester. They did this to someone who was not even their student. He accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025. What followed was weeks of unimaginable abuse.

What Happened: A Timeline of Torture

• September 16, 2025: Leonel accepts a bid to Pi Kappa Phi.
• September 16 – November 3, 2025: For weeks, Leonel and other pledges endure systematic hazing, abuse, and torture. This included:
  • Simulated waterboarding with a garden hose, sprayed directly in his face while performing calisthenics (as reported by KHOU 11). Houston Public Media rightly pointed out that “waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.”
  • Forced eating of large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then being made to lie in vomit-soaked grass and continue running sprints while physically distressed.
  • Extreme physical punishment: On November 3, Leonel was forced to perform over 100 pushups, 500 squats, “suicides” (high-volume running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was made to recite fraternity creed under threat of immediate expulsion. He became so exhausted he could not stand without help.
  • Being struck with wooden paddles (reported by Houston Chronicle).
  • Psychological torture: Forced to carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature, being made to strip down to underwear in cold weather, and witnessing others subjected to equally heinous acts, such as another pledge being hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour on October 13.
  • Sleep deprivation: Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to exhaustion.
• October 15, 2025: A shocking incident where another pledge actually lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout. Other pledges had to elevate his legs until he recovered. This wasn’t an isolated event.
• November 3, 2025: After the extreme physical exertion, Leonel crawled up the stairs into his home, too sore to move.
• November 6, 2025: His mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was “passing brown urine,” a classic sign of muscle breakdown.
• November 6-10, 2025: Leonel spent three nights and four days hospitalized, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His creatine kinase levels were alarmingly high, confirming extensive muscle damage. He faces the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

The Institutional Response (and lack thereof):

• November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National suspends the UH chapter.
• November 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National officially closes Beta Nu Chapter, stating it was “following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” This closure occurred seven days before we filed our lawsuit, indicating they knew what was coming. Despite their claims of “prioritizing the well-being of our members,” a member was just hospitalized due to their chapter’s actions. Their public statement, found on pikapp.org, also notes, “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” a remark that shows a shocking lack of remorse.
• November 24, 2025: A University of Houston spokesperson told Houston Public Media that “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards. The University is conducting its own investigation in coordination with law enforcement…any individual found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges.” This statement from the university itself suggests they believe criminal conduct occurred.

Within weeks of Leonel’s hospitalization, Attorney 911 filed a $10 million lawsuit naming the University of Houston, the UH Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, the Beta Nu Housing Corporation, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the president, pledgemaster, risk manager, other current members, a former member, and even his spouse (because hazing occurred at their residence).

These events in Houston are not isolated. The same fraternities operate across America, including near Coweta County, and they engage in the same dangerous “traditions.” Just like the patterns revealed here, we understand that universities and national organizations often look the other way until a tragedy forces their hand. Our fight for Leonel Bermudez is the proof that we are here to hold them accountable.

You can read more about this case from various news sources:

• ABC13 Houston
• KHOU 11
• Houston Chronicle
• Houston Public Media

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in Coweta County might associate hazing with harmless college shenanigans—perhaps a silly scavenger hunt or a late-night prank. But the modern reality, as tragically demonstrated by Leonel Bermudez’s experience, is far darker. Hazing is a calculated and often sadistic process designed to exert power, establish dominance, and force conformity through physical, psychological, and sometimes sexual abuse.

This is not “boys being boys.” This is not “building brotherhood.” This is torture and abuse.

Here are the disturbing realities of hazing we regularly encounter:

Physical Brutality:

• Forced, extreme physical exercise: Pledges compelled to endure hours of intense workouts, pushups, squats, running drills (“suicides”), bear crawls, and wheelbarrows until total exhaustion, muscle breakdown (like rhabdomyolysis), or collapse. This often occurs with verbal abuse and threats.
• Assaults: Beatings, paddling with objects like wooden boards as experienced by Leonel, branding with hot irons, or striking with hands or other implements.
• Simulated drowning: As with Leonel’s waterboarding with a garden hose, where pledges are sprayed or forced under water, creating terror and a real risk of drowning or aspiration.
• Exposure: Forced exposure to extreme cold or heat, often stripped to minimal clothing or forced into confined, uncomfortable spaces.

Forced Consumption:

• Binge drinking: Pressuring pledges to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol in short periods, often tied to games or rituals, leading to acute alcohol poisoning, brain damage, or death. This was the cause of death for Andrew Coffey (Pi Kappa Phi) and Max Gruver (Phi Delta Theta).
• Eating until vomiting: Forcing pledges to consume unusual or nauseating foods—or excessive amounts of normal foods like milk or hot dogs—until they vomit, sometimes being forced to stay in their own vomit.
• Ingestion of harmful substances: Making pledges eat or drink substances like hot sauce, urine, or other non-food items.

Psychological Torture:

• Humiliation and degradation: Forced public embarrassment, wearing humiliating attire (like a fanny pack with sexual objects), verbal abuse, constant belittling, or performing demeaning tasks.
• Sleep deprivation: Keeping pledges awake for extended periods, disrupting sleep patterns to induce disorientation and break down resistance, often combined with intense activities (like driving members during early morning hours).
• Isolation: Preventing pledges from contacting family, friends, or outside support systems.
• Threats and intimidation: Threats of physical harm, expulsion from the group, or social ostracism to ensure compliance and silence.

Sexual Hazing:

• Forced nudity: Making pledges strip, often in front of others or in cold conditions.
• Simulated sexual acts or exposure to unwanted sexual content.
• Sexual assault: In the most extreme and criminal forms, hazing can involve actual sexual assault or coerced sexual activities.

Servitude and Dehumanization:

• Required chores and errands: Making pledges perform endless tasks for actives, cleaning, running errands, or serving as personal chauffeurs.
• Constant surveillance: Pledges being under constant watch, with no personal space or free time.

This detailed, often hidden brutality is what lies beneath the seemingly innocuous Greek letters your child might encounter. For Coweta County parents, understanding this grim reality is the first step toward protecting your children and holding accountable the perpetrators and the institutions that enable them.

Who Is Responsible for Hazing Injuries? Everyone Who Participated or Allowed It

One of the most common misconceptions about hazing is that only the individual students involved are liable. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, numerous parties can, and should, be held responsible for hazing injuries and deaths. Our approach at Attorney 911 is to identify every entity that played a role – from the individual pledge to the national organizations and universities – and pursue maximum accountability. We did this in the Bermudez case, suing multiple layers of defendants.

Here’s a breakdown of who can be held responsible in a hazing lawsuit:

1. The Individual Perpetrators (Chapter Members and Leaders):

   • Who they are: Any student who actively participated in, organized, encouraged, or failed to stop the hazing. This includes the chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager, and all active members involved. Our lawsuit names 13 individual fraternity members.
   • Why they are liable: They committed direct acts of assault, battery, false imprisonment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. They are personally responsible under the law for their actions. As seen in the Stone Foltz case, individuals can be held personally liable for millions of dollars.
   • What we pursue: Financial compensation for direct harm, and often punitive damages due to their malicious or grossly negligent actions.

2. The Local Chapter:

   • Who they are: The specific fraternity or sorority chapter (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter at UH).
   • Why they are liable: The chapter, as an organized entity, directly planned, sanctioned, and executed the hazing activities. They fostered the environment in which the abuse occurred.
   • What we pursue: Holding the chapter responsible as an organization, often leading to its dissolution or permanent removal from campus, as happened with the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH.

3. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization:

   • Who they are: The overarching national body that charters and supposedly oversees local chapters (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., national headquarters).
   • Why they are liable: National organizations often have comprehensive anti-hazing policies, but frequently fail to enforce them. They are liable for:
     • Negligent supervision: Failing to adequately train, monitor, or discipline local chapters.
     • Failure to warn: Not adequately informing students and parents of hazing risks, especially when they
       have a history of incidents.
     • Vicarious liability: Being held responsible for the actions of their agents (the local chapter)
       who they oversee.
     • Knowing disregard: As demonstrated by the Andrew Coffey case where a Pi Kappa Phi pledge died in 2017, nationals often have actual knowledge of deadly hazing but fail to make meaningful changes. Our lawsuit alleges Pi Kappa Phi knew of “a hazing crisis.”
   • What we pursue: These are often the “deep pockets” in hazing litigation, with significant assets and comprehensive insurance policies designed for liability claims.

4. The University or College:

   • Who they are: The educational institution (e.g., University of Houston, the UH Board of Regents).
   • Why they are liable: Universities have a non-delegable duty to protect their students, especially when they control the environment. Their liability can stem from:
     • Negligent supervision: Failing to adequately supervise Greek life or other student organizations.
     • Premises liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned property (like the Pi Kappa Phi house at UH), the university, as the property owner, has a duty to ensure safety.
     • Failure to enforce policies: Having anti-hazing policies but failing to implement or enforce them effectively.
     • Foreseeability: Knowing (or having reason to know) that hazing is a problem on their campus, especially if there have been prior incidents, and failing to act. The University of Houston had a student hospitalized from hazing in 2017; they had ample warning.
   • What we pursue: Universities often have substantial endowments and institutional insurance. They have a vested interest in protecting their reputation, which can be leveraged for significant settlements.

5. Housing Corporations and Alumni Boards:

   • Who they are: Separate entities that own or manage fraternity houses and often provide oversight or funding to local chapters (e.g., Beta Nu Housing Corporation).
   • Why they are liable: As property owners or influential bodies, they can be held responsible for:
     • Premises liability: Failing to maintain a safe environment on properties they own or control.
     • Negligent funding or oversight: Providing financial or logistical support to chapters known for hazing.
   • What we pursue: Many housing corporations hold significant assets and insurance.

6. Spouses or Other Individuals (for off-campus hazing):

   • Who they are: Any person who allowed hazing to occur on their property or facilitated it, even if not a direct participant. Our lawsuit names the spouse of a former fraternity member because hazing occurred at their residence.
   • Why they are liable: Premises liability, aiding and abetting tortious conduct, or even direct participation.
   • What we pursue: Often, their homeowner’s insurance policy can provide coverage.

At Attorney 911, we believe in a top-down, bottom-up approach to accountability. We meticulously investigate every detail to identify all potentially liable parties because when a child in Coweta County is brutalized by hazing, justice demands that everyone responsible be held fully accountable.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof for Coweta County Families

The pain and suffering caused by hazing are immeasurable, but severe injuries and wrongful deaths from hazing routinely result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. These precedent-setting cases send a clear message: hazing costs millions, and institutions and individuals who enable it will pay. For families in Coweta County grappling with the aftermath of hazing, these cases offer hope and a roadmap for justice.

Here are some of the landmark hazing cases that demonstrate what is possible, and why our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not just a demand, but a justified expectation:

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

• Total Recovery: $10.1 Million+
• What happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at BGSU, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation ritual. He was found unresponsive the next morning and died from acute alcohol poisoning.
• The Outcome: The Foltz family received $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University (the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio’s history) and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity and other individuals. Additionally, in December 2024, a jury issued a $6.5 million judgment against Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, for his role in the death.
• Significance for Coweta County: This case directly supports our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case. It demonstrates that universities and national fraternities are willing to pay millions, and individual perpetrators can be held personally liable for substantial amounts.

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

• Total Recovery: $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
• What happened: In September 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman at LSU, died from acute alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495) after being forced to consume excessive alcohol during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” hazing event. Pledges were forced to drink if they answered questions incorrectly.
• The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family $6.1 million in a wrongful death verdict. Multiple fraternity members were criminally charged, and Matthew Naquin, a fraternity member, was convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced to prison. The tragedy led to the passage of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making hazing a felony.
• Significance for Coweta County: This jury verdict underlines that juries are outraged by hazing and will award millions. It also shows how these cases drive crucial legislative change.

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

• Total Recovery: $110 Million+ (Estimated Confidential Settlement)
• What happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge, was forced to drink 18 alcoholic beverages in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi initiation ritual. He fell repeatedly down a flight of stairs, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911, during which time they assaulted him and tried to revive him without medical help. Security cameras captured the entire horrific event. He died two days later.
• The Outcome: The Piazza family reached a confidential settlement estimated to be over $110 million. 18 fraternity members faced criminal charges, with multiple convictions for involuntary manslaughter and hazing. This case also led to the passage of Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.
• Significance for Coweta County: This case, with its strong evidence captured on video, shows the immense financial and legal consequences when institutions are found liable. It demonstrates that when evidence is clear and the conduct is egregious, the settlements can be astronomical.

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

• Total Recovery: Confidential Settlement
• What happened: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey, a Pi Kappa Phi pledge at FSU, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon during a “Big Brother Night” hazing event.
• The Outcome: Nine fraternity members were charged with hazing, and FSU permanently closed the Pi Kappa Phi chapter. The Coffey family reached a confidential settlement.
• Significance for Coweta County: This is critical: Andrew Coffey died in 2017 at a Pi Kappa Phi event. This proves that Pi Kappa Phi National knew their chapters were engaging in deadly hazing practices. Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized at another Pi Kappa Phi chapter. This establishes a clear pattern of negligence and conscious indifference by the national organization, which will be a key factor in our lawsuit and any hazing case handled for a Coweta County family.

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

• Total Recovery: $4 Million+ Settlement
• What happened: In February 2021, Adam Oakes, a freshman at VCU, died from acute alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi hazing event where he was forced to consume a large bottle of whiskey.
• The Outcome: The Oakes family reached a settlement of over $4 million. Six fraternity members pleaded guilty or no contest to hazing charges. The family worked with Virginia’s governor to pass “Adam’s Law,” strengthening anti-hazing legislation.
• Significance for Coweta County: Another recent multi-million dollar settlement emphasizing the value of hazing cases and their impact on legislative change.

For Coweta County families, these precedents are not just numbers; they are the stories of families who fought for justice and won. Our firm has specific expertise in hazing cases and rhabdomyolysis injuries, as demonstrated by the Bermudez case and previous litigation. The same aggressive legal strategies that secured these results are what we bring to every case, proving that accountability is possible, whether the hazing occurs in Coweta County or across the country.

Texas Law Protects You: What Coweta County Families Need to Know

While our main offices are in Texas, and we’ve filed the landmark Bermudez case there, hazing laws exist in virtually every state, including Georgia, where Coweta County is located. Furthermore, federal civil rights claims and negligence claims apply nationwide, allowing us to pursue justice for your family no matter where the hazing occurred. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) strategically position us to handle cases against national fraternities and universities across the country.

If your child was hazed in Coweta County, or at a university where students from Coweta County attend, here’s a look at the legal framework designed to protect them:

Understanding Hazing Laws:
Most states have anti-hazing laws, often similar in scope to Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157, which broadly defines hazing as:

Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of affiliation if the act involves:

• Physical brutality: Whipping, beating, striking (like the wooden paddles Leonel Bermudez endured), branding, or placing a harmful substance on the body.
• Sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, calisthenics (like 500 squats), or other activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects their mental or physical health (which clearly covers Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure).
• Forced consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that subjects the student to unreasonable risk of harm (like Leonel being forced to eat until vomiting).
• Any activity that forces the student to violate the Penal Code.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing:
Many states classify hazing as a criminal offense, with penalties varying based on the severity of the harm. In Texas, hazing can be a Class B Misdemeanor, escalating to a Class A Misdemeanor if it causes serious bodily injury (like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure), and even a State Jail Felony if it causes death. The University of Houston spokesperson herself mentioned “potential criminal charges” in relation to the Bermudez case, underscoring the severity.

Consent Is NOT a Defense:
This is perhaps the most crucial legal protection for victims and families in Coweta County. Fraternities and universities often try to argue that “the student consented,” or “they knew what they were signing up for.” However, laws in Texas and many other states explicitly reject this defense.

Texas Education Code § 37.154 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 even if a student superficially “agrees” to participate due to peer pressure, coercion, or fear of social ostracism, the law recognizes that true consent is absent in a hazing context. You cannot consent to be assaulted, tortured, or subjected to life-threatening abuse.

Civil Liability — Beyond Criminal Charges:
Beyond criminal prosecution, hazing incidents give rise to robust civil claims, allowing victims and their families to seek substantial financial compensation for their suffering. These include:

• Negligence Claims: The core of most personal injury lawsuits. We prove that the defendants (individuals, chapters, national organizations, universities) owed a duty of care, breached that duty through their actions or inaction, and this breach directly caused the injuries and damages.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (like the UH-owned fraternity house where Leonel was hazed) or a housing corporation, these entities have a responsibility to ensure safety.
• Negligent Supervision: Arguing that national organizations failed to adequately supervise their chapters, or universities failed to monitor Greek life activities on their campus.
• Assault and Battery: Direct claims against individual perpetrators for intentional harmful or offensive contact (e.g., paddling, forced physical exertion, waterboarding).
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): Reserved for “extreme and outrageous” conduct that causes severe emotional distress, perfectly fitting the psychological torture experienced in many hazing cases.
• Wrongful Death: If hazing leads to a fatality, surviving family members can pursue substantial damages for their profound loss.

For Coweta County families, understanding these legal avenues is empowering. Whether the incident occurred in Texas or another state with similar anti-hazing statutes, the ability to pursue justice exists. Our deep knowledge of hazing law, combined with our federal litigation experience, means we can effectively advocate for you.

Why Attorney 911 Is the Obvious Choice for Coweta County Hazing Victims

When your child has been subjected to brutal hazing, you need legal representation that is not only competent but exceptionally aggressive, deeply experienced, and genuinely committed to justice. For Coweta County families seeking to hold fraternities, universities, and individuals accountable, Attorney 911 offers unmatched advantages:

1. Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit: We aren’t just reading about these cases; we’re in the trenches right now. Our Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates our active, data-driven approach to tackling hazing head-on. This isn’t theoretical – we are actively fighting a major national fraternity and a large public university for a victim of hazing, seeking $10 million in damages caused by waterboarding, forced extreme exercise, and other brutal acts that led to kidney failure. The same aggressive, proven strategies we’re using in Houston are available for your Coweta County case.

2. Unparalleled Insider Knowledge — Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Both Ralph P. Manginello and Lupe Eleno Peña worked on the defense side for insurance companies and corporations before founding Attorney 911. This means we have seen their playbooks, understood their strategies to minimize payouts, and learned their tactics from the inside. Now, we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for victims.

   • Ralph P. Manginello: With over 25 years of courtroom experience, Ralph has handled high-stakes litigation like the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion case (15 deaths, 180+ injuries). This experience is directly applicable to complex hazing cases involving institutional negligence and wrongful death. He has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases.
   • Lupe Eleno Peña: As a former attorney with Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national insurance defense firm, Lupe defended insurance companies across a wide array of practice areas. His insider perspective on how large entities value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to deny or lowball payouts is an “unfair advantage” for our clients. He knows what makes them settle.

3. National Reach with Federal Court Authority: While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, hazing knows no state lines. We are admitted to the U.S. District Courts and have dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York). This allows us to strategically pursue cases against national fraternity and sorority organizations anywhere in the country. For Coweta County families, this means we can represent you effectively, regardless of where the hazing incident occurred.

4. Willingness to Travel and Remote Consultation: Distance is not a barrier to justice. We offer video consultations for Coweta County families who cannot easily travel. Furthermore, our attorneys are fully prepared to travel to Coweta County for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Your case will receive the dedicated, in-person attention it needs.

5. Contingency Fees — No Upfront Cost for Coweta County Families: We understand that the financial stress of dealing with a hazing incident is immense. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing upfront. We only get paid if, and when, we win your case. This aligns our interests directly with yours and ensures that financial concerns never prevent a Coweta County family from seeking justice.

6. Deep Knowledge of Hazing Dynamics and Medical Consequences: We have immersed ourselves in understanding not only the legal aspects of hazing but also the cultural dynamics of Greek life and the specific medical injuries that result. Our experience with rhabdomyolysis cases, like Leonel Bermudez’s, means we understand the complex medical evidence needed to prove damages.

7. Empathetic, Responsive, and Bilingual Team: We recognize the trauma and emotional toll hazing takes. Our team is dedicated to providing warm, empathetic support, answering your questions promptly, and keeping you informed every step of the way. We treat our clients like family. Our staff is bilingual, offering “Se Habla Español” services for Spanish-speaking families in Coweta County.

8. Proven Track Record: Our firm’s Google My Business rating is a stellar 4.9 stars with over 250 reviews, reflecting consistent client satisfaction and powerful results across personal injury and criminal defense cases. Clients repeatedly praise our aggressive advocacy, consistent communication, and commitment to fighting for maximum settlements. As Attorney Manginello noted when securing a highly favorable outcome for one client, “What seemed to be a crisis for my family and I with no way out on how to fight or solve our case, Atty. Manginello stepped in and absolutely fought for us. A true PITT BULL and fighter. He don’t play!”

When your child’s future, health, or life has been shattered by hazing, you need a firm that has already proven its ability to take on the biggest defendants and win. Attorney 911 is that firm, and we are ready to fight for families in Coweta County.

What to Do Right Now if Your Child Has Been Hazed

If your child in Coweta County has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While emotional distress and confusion are natural, swift and decisive action can make all the difference in preserving evidence and building a strong legal case. Here’s actionable guidance:

Step 1: Prioritize Immediate Safety and Medical Attention.

• Remove your child from the dangerous environment immediately. Ensure they are in a safe place, away from perpetrators and any ongoing hazing activities.
• Seek immediate medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, or if your child is reluctant, a medical examination is crucial. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some serious conditions (like rhabdomyolysis, as with Leonel Bermudez) may have delayed symptoms. Explain what happened fully to medical professionals. This creates an official record of the injuries and their cause. Document every single medical visit, diagnosis, and treatment.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence — Document Everything!
This is perhaps the most vital step. The defense will try to minimize, discredit, or destroy evidence. You must act quickly.

• Take Photos and Videos: Photograph any visible injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling) on your child. Document the hazing location if possible (e.g., fraternity house, fields, rooms). Take screenshots of any digital evidence.
• Collect Communications: This is critical. Gather all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat conversations, Instagram DMs, emails, or any other digital communications related to the hazing. These often contain direct evidence of explicit instructions, threats, humiliating tasks, and discussions among perpetrators.
• Identify Witnesses: Note down the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or any individuals who might have knowledge of the events.
• Save Physical Items: Preserve any items involved in the hazing (e.g., clothing, fanny packs, alcohol bottles).
• Keep Documents: Retain any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or agreements provided by the organization.
• Track Costs: Keep meticulous records of all medical bills, therapy costs, lost wages (if any), tuition fees from missed academic time, and any other financial burdens incurred due to the hazing.
• Academic Records: Gather information on how the hazing impacted your child’s grades, enrollment status, or scholarships.

Step 3: Do NOT Communicate with the Perpetrators or Institutions Without Legal Counsel.

• Do NOT talk to the fraternity/sorority members, officers, alumni, or advisors. They will attempt to control the narrative, coerce silence, or gather information to use against you.
• Do NOT give statements to university administrators, campus police, or Title IX officers alone. While reporting to the university is important, do so only with legal counsel present. Their primary loyalty is to the institution, not your child.
• Do NOT sign anything from the organization or university. This could waive your child’s legal rights.
• Do NOT post about the incident on social media. Anything posted can and will be used against your child by the defense to undermine their credibility or claim their injuries are not severe. Conversely, do not delete old posts, as this can be seen as destruction of evidence. As Attorney 911 advises in our video “Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY)”, social media is a minefield.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Litigation Attorney Immediately.

• Time is of the essence. The statute of limitations in most states for personal injury and wrongful death cases is two years from the date of injury or death. (Watch our video on Texas Statutes of Limitations (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c) for more insight.) Evidence disappears quickly, memories fade, and perpetrators coordinate stories.
• Free Consultation: Many firms, including Attorney 911, offer free, confidential consultations. We can assess the viability of your case, explain your legal options, and outline the best path forward.
• We Work on Contingency: You don’t pay us unless we win. This removes financial barriers for Coweta County families. Watch our video on “How Contingency Fees Work” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc) to learn more.
• We Will Protect You: Our legal team will handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and their legal representatives, shielding your child from further harassment or intimidation. Our bilingual staff (“Se habla español”) is ready to assist Spanish-speaking families in Coweta County.

For Coweta County families, taking these steps can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. We are here to guide you through every stage, drawing on our experience with complex hazing litigation like the Bermudez case. Your child endured enough; let us fight for their justice.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Starts Here for Coweta County Hazing Victims

If you’re a parent in Coweta County whose child has been hazed, or if you are a student victim yourself, you are in a legal emergency. The clock is ticking, and every moment counts in preserving evidence and protecting your rights. We understand the fear, the anger, and the desperation that brought you to this page. We are here to tell you that you are not alone, and help is available.

We are Attorney 911, and we are ready to respond.

Our attorneys are currently representing a hazing victim against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in a $10 million lawsuit, aggressively pursuing accountability for horrifying acts of waterboarding, forced physical exertion, and other abuses that led to kidney failure. We know how to build these complex cases against powerful institutions, and we know how to win. We will bring that same relentless advocacy and expertise to your case in Coweta County.

Coweta County families: Do not wait. Legal deadlines are critical, and evidence vanishes quickly.

Immediate Action: Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline Now

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

This hotline is available 24/7 for Coweta County hazing emergencies. When you call, you’ll speak directly with our team who understands the urgency and sensitivity of your situation.

Email: You can also reach Attorney Ralph Manginello directly at ralph@atty911.com.

Website: Visit our homepage for more information: attorney911.com

What You Can Expect When You Contact Us:

• Free, Confidential Consultation: Your initial conversation with us is always free and completely confidential. There is no obligation, only an opportunity to understand your rights and options.
• No Upfront Fees: We take hazing cases on a contingency basis, which means you pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if, and when, we secure compensation for you. This allows any Coweta County family, regardless of financial means, to pursue justice. Learn more about how we work on our “How Contingency Fees Work” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
• We Come to You (or Meet Remotely): While our offices are primarily in Texas, we regularly handle cases across the nation. We offer video consultations for Coweta County families, making it convenient to connect with our legal team. For depositions, client meetings, and trials, our attorneys travel to Coweta County as needed. Distance is not a barrier to justice for hazing victims.
• Aggressive Advocacy: From the moment you hire us, we take over all communications with the fraternity, university, and their legal teams, shielding you from further harassment and intimidation. We know their tactics, and we don’t back down.
• Comprehensive Investigation: We immediately get to work investigating every aspect of the hazing incident, gathering crucial evidence, identifying all liable parties, and building the strongest possible case.

Why Call Now?

• Statute of Limitations: In many states, including Georgia, you typically have a limited time (often two years) to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Missing this deadline means losing your right to seek compensation forever.
• Evidence Preservation: The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to gather critical evidence (text messages get deleted, witnesses forget, security footage is overwritten). We can send immediate preservation letters to all involved parties to prevent evidence destruction.
• Protect Your Child: Your child deserves a legal team that understands the unique complexities and sensitivities of hazing cases. We will advocate fiercely for their physical and psychological well-being.
• Send a Message: Your decision to pursue legal action through Attorney 911 not only secures justice for your family but sends a powerful message that hazing will not be tolerated. As our attorney Lupe Peña stated, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Whether the hazing occurred at a university like the University of Georgia, Emory, Georgia Tech, or Mercer, or at any college, club, or organization where students from Coweta County attend, we are here to support you.

Your legal emergency is our call to action. Contact Attorney 911 today. Let us help you turn pain into accountability. We will fight for your Coweta County family with the same unwavering commitment we bring to every case.