If you are reading this, your family in Culpeper County may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went to college with aspirations of making friends, joining a vibrant community, and building a foundation for their future. Instead, they were subjected to abuse, humiliation, and physical torment – the dark reality of hazing. We want you to know that you are not alone in Culpeper County, and we are here to help your family fight back against the institutions and individuals who allowed this nightmare to unfold.

At Attorney911, we understand the immense pain, confusion, and anger that hazing incidents inflict on victims and their loved ones. We are a team of Legal Emergency Lawyers™ dedicated to representing those who have been wronged, and we are actively fighting this battle across America. We bring this same aggressive, empathetic, and relentless advocacy to families in Culpeper County whose children have suffered due to hazing.

The Haunting Echoes of Abuse: Our $10 Million Fight for Leonel Bermudez

We want to share a recent, ongoing case that epitomizes everything we stand for and the brutal reality of hazing in today’s collegiate world. Just this past November 2025, our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, filed a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members. This case is not just a legal battle; it is a desperate plea for justice from a young man named Leonel Bermudez, whose dreams of college brotherhood turned into a waking nightmare of sheer terror and physical devastation.

Leonel Bermudez was a “ghost rush”—a promising prospective student who wasn’t even fully enrolled at the University of Houston yet, planning to transfer for the upcoming Spring 2026 semester. Yet, he accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. What followed was an egregious campaign of systematic abuse, psychological torture, and physical hazing that unfolded over weeks, culminating in his four-day hospitalization with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

To parents in Culpeper County, this is what hazing looks like. This isn’t a childish prank; it is brutal, life-threatening abuse. The same national fraternities, including Pi Kappa Phi, operate chapters at universities across Virginia, and indeed, around the nation. The horrifying “traditions” that subjected Leonel to waterboarding and kidney failure could easily be happening at a campus where a child from Culpeper County attends. Universities, like the University of Houston, often bear a heavy responsibility when they fail to protect students—or even prospective students—from such egregious acts.

Consider the words of our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, speaking to ABC13 about Leonel: “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.”

And Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, eloquently stated to ABC13: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

These statements underscore our firm’s unwavering commitment: we are in this fight to bring justice to victims and to prevent future tragedies. The fight we are waging in Houston is the same uncompromising fight we will bring for families in Culpeper County.

The Unthinkable Details: What Happened to Leonel Bermudez

Leonel’s story is a stark warning for every parent in Culpeper County with a child heading off to college. The lawsuit details a litany of abuses that are almost impossible to comprehend:

• Simulated Waterboarding: Pledges, including Leonel, were sprayed in the face with a garden hose while doing calisthenics. They were forced to run repeatedly under the agonizing threat of being waterboarded again. This is a recognized form of torture, a war crime when committed against enemy combatants, yet it was inflicted on a young student simply seeking acceptance.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Leonel was compelled to consume large quantities of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Then, in a truly dehumanizing act, he was forced to continue running sprints and was left to lie in vomit-soaked grass, exercising past the point of physical collapse.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: This included 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and repeated 100-yard crawls. Pledges were forced to recite the fraternity creed while enduring this relentless physical torment, all under the threat of immediate expulsion if they stopped. Leonel was beaten with wooden paddles. On November 3, 2025, after such a session, he became so exhausted he could not stand without help.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times. In another shocking incident on October 13, 2025, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• Sleep Deprivation: He was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, which led to chronic exhaustion.

The Devastating Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

This wasn’t just physical discomfort; it led to critical medical conditions. When Leonel’s mother rushed him to the hospital, he was “passing brown urine,” a classic indicator of muscle breakdown. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis is a dangerous condition where damaged muscle tissue releases harmful proteins into the bloodstream, which can overwhelm and destroy the kidneys. He spent three nights and four days in the hospital, and the long-term risk of permanent kidney damage remains a terrifying prospect. Our firm understands this specific injury, as Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in handling rhabdomyolysis hazing cases.

The Institutions’ Response: A Calculated Denial of Responsibility

Within days of the hazing being reported, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters suspended the University of Houston chapter. By November 14, 2025, the chapter was permanently closed, with members voting to surrender their charter. Criminal referrals were initiated. The University of Houston, through a spokesperson, described the events as “deeply disturbing” and a “clear violation of our community standards,” acknowledging their coordination with law enforcement.

However, these institutional statements, while appearing decisive, often mask a deeper pattern of negligence. Pi Kappa Phi’s own website stated, “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” revealing a disturbing lack of genuine remorse for the suffering inflicted on Leonel Bermudez. It signals a belief that this incident will simply blow over, a sentiment that emboldens us to fight harder. As KHOU 11 reported, the lawsuit alleges that the national organization failed to enforce anti-hazing rules “despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'”

For families in Culpeper County, this is why our firm is so crucial:

• Pi Kappa Phi has over 150 chapters across America, including near Culpeper County. The same dangerous culture could be present anywhere.
• Universities, like those near Culpeper County, share the same oversight responsibilities as the University of Houston, and thus, the same liability for failure to protect their students.
• National organizations have historically shown they will only act decisively when faced with severe legal and public pressure.

Our firm is not just filing a lawsuit; we are actively using every legal and strategic tool at our disposal to expose these practices, hold every responsible party accountable, and send an unequivocal message that hazing will not be tolerated.

What Hazing Truly Looks Like in Culpeper County Today

Many parents in Culpeper County might imagine hazing as innocent pranks or harmless initiation rites depicted in movies. However, the tragic reality painted by cases like Leonel Bermudez’s is far more sinister. Hazing today is often systematic torture, abuse, and even murder. It is a deliberate assault on a student’s dignity, physical well-being, and mental health, frequently fueled by alcohol and a perverse quest for “brotherhood” or “tradition.”

Beyond Stereotypes: The Harsh Realities of Hazing

• Physical Abuse: This is not just a slap on the wrist. It includes beatings, paddling, branding, extreme forced exercise (like the 500 squats that caused Leonel’s kidney failure), and even electrical shocking.
• Forced Consumption: This frequently involves binge drinking to the point of alcohol poisoning (a leading cause of hazing deaths), eating until vomiting, or consuming non-food items.
• Psychological Torture: Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, sleep deprivation, isolation, and threats are commonplace, leaving deep, lasting emotional scars such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
• Sexual Abuse and Humiliation: Forced nudity, carrying sexually explicit objects (as in Leonel’s case), and even sexual assault occur in hazing rituals.
• Exposure: This can involve being left outside in extreme cold or heat, or confined in small, uncomfortable spaces.
• Simulated Drowning: Waterboarding, as inflicted upon Leonel, is a horrifying example of this.

The Medical and Psychological Toll

The consequences of hazing can be catastrophic:

• Acute Kidney Failure and Rhabdomyolysis: As tragically suffered by Leonel Bermudez.
• Alcohol Poisoning: A common and often fatal outcome.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: From falls, beatings, or head trauma.
• Hypothermia or Heatstroke: From forced exposure.
• Cardiac Arrest: Due to extreme physical exertion.
• Psychological Damage: PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation are common and can last a lifetime.
• Death: Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States.

The Institutional Cover-Up: Why Hazing Persists

Universities and national Greek organizations are rarely “shocked” by hazing. They know it happens. They have risk management teams, anti-hazing policies, and codes of conduct. Yet, time and again, they fail to enforce them. They often prioritize their reputation, endowments, and alumni relations over the safety of their students. They may only act decisively after a student is severely injured or dies, leading to belated suspensions or chapter closures, often presented as proactive measures rather than damage control.

The statistics are chilling: over half of students in Greek organizations experience hazing, and 95% of those who are hazed do NOT report it, often due to fear, shame, or loyalty to their peers. This culture of silence makes it even more critical for legal professionals like us to step forward and hold everyone accountable.

Holding Everyone Accountable: Who Is Responsible for Hazing?

One of the most crucial aspects of our work at Attorney911 is identifying and pursuing every single party responsible for hazing injuries and deaths. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña possess an insider’s knowledge of how large institutions and insurance companies attempt to deflect blame and minimize payouts. We use this unique insight to dismantle their defenses and relentlessly seek justice for victims. In hazing cases like Leonel Bermudez’s, the web of responsibility often extends far beyond the individual college students directly involved.

The Local Chapter and Its Members

• The Chapter Itself: The fraternity or sorority chapter (like Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston) that directly organizes and conducts the hazing activities is a primary defendant. They are liable for the actions of their members.
• Chapter Officers: Individuals like the President, Pledgemaster, or Risk Manager have leadership responsibilities. They are actively involved in directing and overseeing pledge activities, and their failure to prevent or stop hazing makes them personally liable. We have named such individuals in the Bermudez lawsuit.
• Individual Members: Any active member who participates in, encourages, or even witnesses hazing and fails to intervene can be held personally responsible. Their actions constitute assault, battery, and other intentional torts.
• Former Members and Their Associates: In the Bermudez case, a former member and his spouse are named defendants because hazing activities occurred at their private residence. This extends liability to anyone who provides a venue or facilitates the hazing. Alumni often play a significant, sometimes insidious, role in perpetuating hazing culture.

The National Organization

• National Headquarters (like Pi Kappa Phi National): These organizations have a duty to supervise their local chapters, enforce anti-hazing policies, and provide adequate training. When they fail to do so, especially with prior knowledge of hazing crises (as alleged in the Bermudez case, and tragically evidenced by the death of Andrew Coffey at another Pi Kappa Phi chapter), they bear significant liability. They are aware of problems and operate across America, including near Culpeper County, making them financially powerful targets.
• Housing Corporations: Many fraternities have separate housing corporations that own or manage the fraternity houses. These entities can be liable for premises liability if hazing occurs on their property.

The University or College

• The Educational Institution (like the University of Houston): Universities have a fundamental duty to protect their students’ safety. This duty includes overseeing Greek life, enforcing campus policies, and intervening when hazing is reported or should reasonably be known to occur. Their liability becomes even clearer when they own the property where hazing takes place (as UH owned the Pi Kappa Phi house) or have a history of prior hazing incidents on campus (as UH did in 2017).
• Board of Regents: As the governing body of a university, the Board of Regents (also named in the Bermudez lawsuit) holds ultimate institutional responsibility for oversight failures.

The “Deep Pockets”: Insurance Carriers

Ultimately, a significant portion of the compensation in these cases comes from the various insurance policies held by the responsible parties:

• National Fraternity/Sorority Liability Insurance: These policies are often multi-million dollar policies designed to protect the national organization from claims stemming from chapter activities.
• University Liability Insurance: Universities carry extensive liability insurance to cover a wide range of claims, including those arising from student safety failures.
• Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance: For hazing that occurs at off-campus residences, these policies may provide coverage for the individual defendants.

At Attorney911, we don’t just sue the easiest targets. We meticulously unearth every entity and individual connected to the hazing incident, ensuring that no responsible party escapes accountability. We know their corporate structures, their insurance policies, and their legal strategies. Our goal is to secure maximum compensation for our clients in Culpeper County and to force meaningful change in the institutions that perpetuate this dangerous culture.

Precedent-Setting Victories: Justice, Measured in Millions

Families in Culpeper County may wonder if pursuing a hazing lawsuit is worth the emotional and financial burden. We emphasize that such cases not only bring justice to victims but also exact significant financial penalties that force institutions to re-evaluate their practices. Multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in hazing cases across the nation prove that accountability is possible, and that same aggressive legal approach is available to you, should your family in Culpeper County need it.

Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez stands firmly on the shoulders of these landmark cases:

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha

Total Recovery: Over $10.1 Million
In 2021, Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge at Bowling Green State University, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation ritual. His family received a settlement exceeding $10.1 million in total. This included a $2.9 million payout from Bowling Green State University—the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio’s history—and over $7.2 million from the Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity and individual members. This case is a direct precedent for our $10 million demand, demonstrating how both universities and national fraternities are held financially liable. The then-chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million in December 2024, showing that individuals cannot hide behind the organization.

Maxwell Gruver: Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta

Total Jury Verdict: $6.1 Million
In September 2017, 18-year-old Maxwell Gruver died from acute alcohol poisoning at an LSU Phi Delta Theta event dubbed “Bible Study.” Pledges were forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol for answering questions incorrectly. His blood alcohol content was a staggering 0.495. A jury awarded his family $6.1 million, sending a clear message about judicial attitudes toward hazing. This case led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.

Timothy Piazza: Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi

Total Settlement: Over $110 Million (Estimated)
In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old Penn State pledge, sustained a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after being forced to consume 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi ritual. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911 while he suffered and fell down stairs multiple times. He died days later. The civil settlements, though confidential, are estimated to be well over $110 million. This horrific incident was captured on security cameras, showcasing how clear evidence can drive massive payouts. The case led to Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law,” a comprehensive anti-hazing statute.

Andrew Coffey: Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi

Same National Fraternity as Leonel Bermudez
In November 2017, 20-year-old Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” at Florida State University. This is the same national fraternity as in Leonel Bermudez’s case. Nine fraternity members were criminally charged, and the chapter was permanently closed. While the civil settlement amount was confidential, this case establishes a direct pattern of deadly hazing within Pi Kappa Phi, providing powerful evidence of the national organization’s failure to address its dangerous culture over eight years.

Adam Oakes: Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi

Settlement: Over $4 Million
In 2021, 19-year-old Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi pledging event at VCU. His family initially sought $28 million and settled in October 2024 for over $4 million, with a significant portion going to their “Love Like Adam” Foundation. This case led to “Adam’s Law” in Virginia, further strengthening anti-hazing legislation.

These cases unequivocally demonstrate that hazing is not just a moral failing, but a profound legal and financial liability for those involved. The amounts awarded reflect society’s increasing intolerance for this barbaric practice. For families in Culpeper County who face the unimaginable pain of a hazing injury or death, these precedents empower us to demand justice, knowing that such substantial recoveries are not just possible, but repeatedly achieved.

Strong Protection Under the Law: Your Rights as a Hazing Victim

For families in Culpeper County grappling with the aftermath of hazing, understanding your legal rights is paramount. While our firm is headquartered in Texas, many of the protective laws and civil liability theories are universally applicable, or have strong parallels in Virginia. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) allow us to pursue cases in various jurisdictions, bringing our experience to Culpeper County victims.

Virginia’s Anti-Hazing Law and the Legal Landscape

Like many states, Virginia has its own specific anti-hazing laws. Notably, the Adam’s Law passed in Virginia in 2022 was a direct result of the tragic death of Adam Oakes at VCU. This law strengthens requirements for public universities relating to financial consequences for hazing violations, enhances transparency for violations, and establishes a public database for reports of hazing incidents.

Even beyond state-specific statutes, the actions constituting hazing almost invariably violate broader legal principles of assault, battery, negligence, and often criminal laws. Under Virginia law, as in Texas, the core principle is that actions constituting hazing are often illegal regardless of whether the victim “consented.”

Key Legal Principles Applicable to Hazing Cases:

1. Consent is NOT a Defense: This is a crucial point that many fraternities and universities attempt to use against victims. They may claim that a student “willingly participated” or “could have left at any time.” However, legal precedent and many state statutes (like Texas Education Code § 37.154) explicitly state that consent to hazing is not a defense. The power imbalance, coercion, and peer pressure inherent in hazing negate true consent. Furthermore, you cannot legally consent to be a victim of a crime, and hazing often involves criminal acts like assault.
2. Negligence Claims: This is a cornerstone of civil litigation. We can establish that various parties (individuals, chapter, national organization, university) owed a “duty of care” to the victim, that they “breached” that duty through their actions or inactions (e.g., failing to prevent hazing, failing to supervise), and that this breach “caused” the victim’s “damages” (injuries, medical bills, pain and suffering).
3. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university or a housing corporation (as in the Bermudez case with UH owning the fraternity house), they can be held liable for creating or allowing a dangerous condition to exist on their premises.
4. Negligent Supervision: Universities and national organizations have a duty to adequately supervise their chapters and ensure a safe environment. Failure to do so, especially when they know or should know of a hazing problem, constitutes negligent supervision.
5. Assault and Battery: Any direct physical contact or threat of harmful contact (like the waterboarding, paddling, or forced exercise in the Bermudez case) can be considered civil assault and battery. Each individual perpetrator can be held personally liable.
6. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The outrageous and extreme nature of many hazing rituals can cause severe emotional distress, trauma, and psychological harm, leading to claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress.
7. Wrongful Death Claims: In the tragic event of a hazing-related fatality, families in Culpeper County can pursue wrongful death claims to recover damages for their profound loss, including grief, loss of companionship, and financial support.

Criminal vs. Civil Liability

It’s important to understand that a civil lawsuit is separate from any criminal charges that may arise. Even if criminal charges are not filed, or if individuals are acquitted, civil liability can still be established. Our focus is on the civil process, which aims to compensate victims for their suffering and financial losses, while also sending a powerful message through significant financial judgments.

When you contact Attorney911 from Culpeper County, we will meticulously review the specifics of your case, applicable Virginia laws, and relevant federal statutes to build the strongest possible legal strategy. Our in-depth knowledge of Greek life structures, university policies, and prior hazing litigation makes us uniquely equipped to navigate these complex waters on your behalf.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case in Culpeper County?

When your child falls victim to hazing, the legal challenges can feel overwhelming. You need an advocate who understands the nuances of hazing litigation, the tactics of powerful institutions, and the profound impact these incidents have on families like yours in Culpeper County. At Attorney911, we offer a distinct blend of expertise, empathy, and aggressive advocacy that sets us apart. We believe justice should not be a geographic lottery, and we are committed to serving hazing victims nationwide, bringing our unmatched capabilities right to your doorstep in Culpeper County.

Our Unmatched Expertise and Strategic Advantages:

1. Actively Fighting Hazing Right Now: We aren’t just theoretically discussing hazing. Our firm is currently litigating the $10 million Leonel Bermudez case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in Harris County Civil District Court. This isn’t theoretical expertise; it’s real-time, in-the-trenches experience that we bring to every client, including those in Culpeper County.
2. Former Insurance Defense Insight: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña have a unique background: they previously worked on the defense side for insurance companies and national firms. This means they know exactly how the opposition thinks, strategizes, and attempts to suppress claims. This insider knowledge is an “unfair advantage” we leverage to dismantle their defenses and maximize your recovery. Mr. Peña’s experience with a national defense firm, Litchfield Cavo LLP, covering everything from products liability to construction law, gives him a comprehensive understanding of corporate defendant strategies.
3. Extensive Courtroom Experience: With over 25 years of combined courtroom experience, our attorneys are battle-tested and prepared to take your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached. We are not afraid to face large universities or national organizations.
4. Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Licenses: Our admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and dual bar licenses in Texas and New York, provide us with the jurisdictional reach necessary to pursue national fraternities and universities, regardless of where they are headquartered. This means we can represent your child in Culpeper County even if the national fraternity is based elsewhere.
5. Experience with Catastrophic Cases: Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation demonstrates our capacity to handle complex, high-stakes cases against massive corporate defendants. This experience is directly applicable to hazing cases involving institutional negligence and wrongful death, ensuring families in Culpeper County have sophisticated representation.
6. Hazing-Specific Focus: We have direct experience with fraternity litigation, including specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis cases like Leonel’s. We understand the medical complexities, the psychological impact, and the systemic failures inherent in hazing. We cover a range of hazing incidents, from specific fraternities like Kappa Sigma to cases at major universities like Texas A&M.
7. Deep-Rooted Empathy and Client-Centered Approach: We understand the fear, anger, and heartbreak that families in Culpeper County experience. Our testimonials speak to our staff’s bilingual, friendly, and genuinely passionate approach to treating clients like family. As a father of three, Ralph Manginello knows what is at stake when a child is harmed by hazing.
8. No Upfront Costs – Contingency Fee Basis: We take hazing cases on contingency, meaning you pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless and until you win your case. This eliminates the financial barrier to justice and aligns our interests completely with yours. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
9. Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): Lupe Peña’s fluency in Spanish ensures that Hispanic families in Culpeper County affected by hazing receive comprehensive legal services without language barriers, from initial consultations to courtroom proceedings. This is crucial for ensuring all families have equal access to justice.
10. Willingness to Travel and Remote Consultations: While headquartered in Houston, we proudly serve hazing victims in Culpeper County and nationwide. We offer video consultations for convenience and will travel to Culpeper County for depositions, client meetings, or trials when necessary. Distance will never be a barrier to our pursuit of justice for your family.
11. Data-Driven Litigation Strategy: We maintain extensive data on Greek organizations, including IRS filings, housing corporations, and incident histories. This allows us to cut through the noise, identify every liable entity, and build an unassailable case. We don’t guess; we know exactly who is responsible and who to sue.

Choosing Attorney911 means choosing a legal partner who understands your pain, knows the opponent’s playbook, and has the proven track record and resources to win. For families in Culpeper County, this is not just about a lawsuit; it’s about reclaiming your future and holding those accountable who jeopardized your child’s life.

Your Immediate Steps After a Hazing Incident in Culpeper County

If your child in Culpeper County has been the victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. Taking the right steps can significantly impact the strength of any future legal action. We understand this is a deeply traumatic time, but acting decisively now can protect your child’s rights and secure justice.

1. Prioritize Medical Attention and Document Injuries

• Seek Medical Care Immediately: Your child’s health is paramount. Get prompt medical attention, even if injuries seem minor. Some severe conditions like rhabdomyolysis can have delayed or subtle symptoms. Rushing to an emergency room or doctor establishes a critical medical record. Ensure medical professionals note that the injuries resulted from a hazing incident.
• Keep All Medical Records: Collect every hospital record, doctor’s note, diagnostic report, and bill. Record all treatments, medications, and physical therapy sessions. These documents are vital evidence of the harm suffered.
• Photograph Everything: Take clear, well-lit photos of all injuries—bruises, cuts, swelling, or any physical manifestations of pain. Document these injuries at every stage of healing. If your child is hospitalized, have someone photograph them in the hospital bed, with casts, or undergoing treatment. This applies to psychological injuries as well; if your child is seeking therapy, ensure those records are kept. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

2. Preserve All Evidence – Digital and Physical

• DO NOT Delete Anything: In today’s digital world, communication is key. Preserve every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat conversation, Instagram DM, email, or any other digital communication related to the hazing. Your child’s phone is a treasure trove of evidence. Do not alter, delete, or obscure any data. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Screenshots and Timestamps: Take screenshots of relevant conversations, social media posts (even if later deleted), and any content that provides insight into the hazing. Note dates and times.
• Identify Witnesses: Collect the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, fraternity/sorority members, or even bystanders. Their testimony can be invaluable.
• Collect Communications/Documents: Gather any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or written materials provided by the organization.
• Financial Records: Keep track of all expenses incurred, including medical bills, lost wages from missing work, tuition/fees for any disrupted academic period, and travel costs related to treatment.

3. Avoid Common Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

• DO NOT Speak to the Organization or University Alone: Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leadership, advisors, or university administrators without first consulting with an attorney. They are typically focused on protecting the institution, not your child. Statements made to them can be used against your child.
• DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the fraternity/sorority, university, or their legal representatives without legal review. These documents may waive your child’s rights.
• DO NOT Post on Social Media: Refrain from posting about the incident on social media. Even innocent posts can be twisted and used by the defense to undermine your child’s claims (e.g., photos showing your child “looking fine” despite internal injuries). Stay completely silent on social media about the incident until your case is resolved.
• DO NOT Delete Past Posts: Even if your child has previously posted content related to the fraternity or their social life, do not delete it. This could be construed as spoliation of evidence. Your attorney can advise on what is relevant.
• DO NOT Let Fear or Shame Dictate Action: Hazing victims often feel ashamed, embarrassed, or fear retaliation. While these emotions are valid, waiting too long allows crucial evidence to disappear and witnesses’ memories to fade. The statute of limitations (typically two years) also means rights can expire if action isn’t taken promptly.

4. Contact Attorney911 Immediately

• Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline: The most critical step you can take after ensuring your child’s medical safety is to contact an experienced hazing litigation attorney. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911. We offer free, confidential consultations for families in Culpeper County.
• Time is of the Essence: Evidence disappears, memories fade, and the statute of limitations is ticking. The sooner we are involved, the better we can preserve evidence, investigate the incident, and build a strong case.
• Remote Consultations and Travel: Even if you are in Culpeper County, we can conduct video consultations to discuss your case thoroughly. We will travel to Culpeper County for depositions, client meetings, and trials as needed.

By taking these immediate and careful steps, families in Culpeper County can ensure they are well-positioned to seek justice and hold every responsible party accountable for the devastating impact of hazing.

We Are Your Voice for Justice in Culpeper County: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now

To the worried parents, the traumatized students, and the heartbroken families in Culpeper County grappling with the unspeakable pain of hazing: You deserved better. Your child deserved a safe college experience, a genuine brotherhood, and institutions that protected them. That trust was shattered, and the resulting trauma is profound.

At Attorney911, we are more than just lawyers; we are relentless advocates, truth-seekers, and first responders to your legal emergency. We are currently embroiled in a high-stakes $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the waterboarding and kidney failure of Leonel Bermudez. This isn’t just a case statistic for us; it is a live, ongoing fight against the very abuse your family may have endured. We bring this unwavering commitment and a proven track record to every family we represent, including yours in Culpeper County.

Why Delay Justice Another Moment?

• Time is Critical: Precious evidence can disappear, witness memories can fade, and crucial legal deadlines (like the two-year statute of limitations in many states) can pass. Every moment counts.
• We Are Actively Fighting This Fight: We understand the nuances of hazing litigation because we are doing it right now. Our strategies are sharpened, our resolve is firm, and our knowledge of the defense’s tactics is current thanks to our internal work on cases like Leonel Bermudez’s.
• No Financial Barrier to Justice: We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means clients in Culpeper County pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This allows you to focus on your family’s recovery, not on legal fees. You pay nothing unless YOU get paid. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
• We Will Come To You: Though our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our commitment to justice extends nationwide. We regularly conduct remote consultations via phone and video for families in Culpeper County, and our attorneys are prepared to travel to Culpeper County for depositions, critical meetings, or court proceedings if your case requires it. Distance is never an obstacle to our pursuit of justice.
• You Have a Team of Insiders: With both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña bringing their experience as former insurance defense attorneys, we know the opponent’s playbook inside and out. This unique insight is invaluable for families in Culpeper County seeking maximum compensation and accountability from powerful national fraternities, universities, and their insurers.

If you or your child in Culpeper County has been a victim of hazing, whether in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, ROTC, or any other student organization, we urge you to reach out. Don’t let fear, shame, or the intimidating power of institutions silence your voice.

Your Call is Our Priority. Your Case is Our Fight.

📞 Legal Emergency Hotline for Culpeper County Hazing Victims: 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We are available 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation. Let us bring our aggressive, experienced, and compassionate advocacy to your family in Culpeper County. Your child’s future, and the safety of countless other students, depends on it.

To any other victims of the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi hazing: We know Leonel Bermudez was not alone. Another pledge collapsed on October 15; others endured the same brutal waterboarding and abuse. If you were a victim or witnessed this hazing, please contact us. Your voice is crucial. As Lupe Peña said, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Call us. Let’s make them pay. Let’s bring them ALL to justice.