🛡️ Hazing Victims in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania: Your Legal Rights and Path to Justice

If your child has been hazed at a college, university, fraternity, or sorority near Cumberland County, PA — you are not alone. What happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston happens at institutions across Pennsylvania. And we are fighting back.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Pennsylvania: It’s Happening Near Cumberland County

Cumberland County is home to Dickinson College, and surrounded by major universities and colleges including:

• Penn State University (State College, PA) — 1.5 hours from Cumberland County
• Shippensburg University (Shippensburg, PA) — 30 minutes from Cumberland County
• Messiah University (Mechanicsburg, PA) — 15 minutes from Cumberland County
• Gettysburg College (Gettysburg, PA) — 45 minutes from Cumberland County
• Millersville University (Millersville, PA) — 1 hour from Cumberland County
• Franklin & Marshall College (Lancaster, PA) — 1 hour from Cumberland County

These institutions have active Greek life. The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, and others — have chapters at Pennsylvania universities near Cumberland County.

“This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening in Pennsylvania. It’s happening near Cumberland County. And it’s time to stop it.” — Ralph Manginello, Attorney 911

💔 What Is Hazing? It’s Not Tradition — It’s Abuse

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them — regardless of their willingness to participate.

Hazing near Cumberland County can include:

This is not “tradition.” This is not “team bonding.” This is abuse. And it’s illegal in Pennsylvania.

⚖️ Pennsylvania Hazing Law: What You Need to Know

Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law (Act 80 of 2018)

Named after Timothy Piazza, a Penn State student who died from hazing in 2017, this law makes hazing a criminal offense in Pennsylvania.

Key Provisions:

Important: Consent is not a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, it does not excuse the hazing.

Organizational Liability:

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities can be fined up to $15,000 for hazing
• Organizations can be banned from campus
• Universities must publicly report hazing incidents

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing Near Cumberland County?

If your child was hazed, multiple parties may be legally responsible:

You don’t have to sue just one person. We sue everyone responsible.

💰 What Compensation Can Cumberland County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and families may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages, including:

Pennsylvania has no cap on damages in personal injury cases. Juries can award millions for severe hazing injuries.

Recent Hazing Settlements and Verdicts:

Cumberland County families: These same results are possible for you.

🚑 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in or Near Cumberland County

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
• Medical records create critical evidence

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

✅ Photos/Videos: Injuries, fraternity house, hazing activities
✅ Texts/GroupMe/Snapchat: All communications about hazing
✅ Social Media: Screenshots of posts about pledge activities
✅ Witnesses: Names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
✅ Documents: Pledge manuals, schedules, rules

❌ Do NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to fraternity/sorority leaders without legal counsel
• 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 Pennsylvania
• Report to the university — they are required to investigate under Pennsylvania law
• Report to the national organization — they may claim ignorance, but they must respond

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

“Do not try to handle this alone. Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers working to protect them. You need a team working for you.” — Lupe Pena, Attorney 911

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Cumberland County Hazing Cases:

• We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
• We have experience with rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, and life-threatening hazing injuries
• We are former insurance defense attorneys — we know how the other side thinks
• We serve clients nationwide — including Cumberland County, PA
• We offer free consultations — no cost to discuss your case
• We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win

📞 Cumberland County Families: Call Us Now — Free Consultation

Legal Emergency Hotline: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Website: attorney911.com

We serve hazing victims in Cumberland County, PA and nationwide.

Why Act Now?

• Evidence disappears — texts get deleted, witnesses forget
• Statute of limitations — Pennsylvania law limits how long you have to sue
• Universities and fraternities will try to silence you — they want this to go away
• Other victims may exist — your case could help others

🔥 Our Message to Fraternities Near Cumberland County

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, and all other fraternities operating near Cumberland County:

We are watching. We are investigating. We are coming for you.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

If your chapter hazes students near Cumberland County, we will:

• Identify every liable party
• Pursue every available insurance policy
• Seek maximum damages
• Hold individuals personally accountable

The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH? Shut down.
The Beta Theta Pi chapter at Penn State? Shut down.
Your chapter could be next.

🏫 Our Message to Universities Near Cumberland County

To Penn State, Shippensburg, Messiah, Dickinson, Gettysburg, Millersville, and all other Pennsylvania universities:

You have a legal and moral duty to protect your students.

If you fail to stop hazing, you will be held accountable.

• You own the fraternity houses — you are responsible for what happens there.
• You approve the organizations — you have the power to revoke recognition.
• You receive tuition dollars — you must ensure student safety.

The University of Houston paid millions for failing to act.
Penn State paid over $100 million.
Your university could be next.

📚 What Cumberland County Parents Need to Know About Greek Life

The Reality of Greek Life Near Cumberland County:

• National organizations have a documented history of hazing deaths and injuries — including in Pennsylvania.
• Universities often turn a blind eye until someone gets hurt or dies.
• “Tradition” is not an excuse for abuse — waterboarding, forced drinking, and physical abuse are crimes.
• Your child may be afraid to speak up — fear of retaliation, social exclusion, or losing their membership.

How to Protect Your Child:

1. Ask questions — What happens during pledge week? What are the “traditions”?
2. Talk to other parents — Are other families concerned?
3. Monitor your child’s health — Sudden weight loss, exhaustion, or injuries may be signs of hazing.
4. Know the signs of rhabdomyolysis — Brown urine, severe muscle pain, inability to walk.
5. Report concerns immediately — To the university, police, and an attorney.

“If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Cumberland County, ask them: ‘What are they making you do?’ If they won’t tell you, that’s a red flag.” — Ralph Manginello

🎯 Why Cumberland County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

• $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
• Leonel Bermudez hospitalized with kidney failure after hazing
• Same fraternities operate near Cumberland County

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know how insurance companies minimize and deny claims
• We know how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability
• We use that knowledge to fight for you

3. We Serve Clients Nationwide

• Based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, TX
• Federal court admission — can pursue cases anywhere in the U.S.
• Video consultations available for Cumberland County families
• We travel to Cumberland County for depositions, trials, and meetings

4. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

• No cost to hire us
• No hourly fees
• You pay nothing unless we win
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

5. We Have a Proven Track Record

• Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts
• Former insurance defense experience — we know their playbook
• Google 4.9 stars, 250+ reviews — Cumberland County families trust us
• Media coverage — ABC13, KHOU, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media

📅 Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania: Don’t Wait

Pennsylvania law limits how long you have to file a lawsuit:

Do not wait until the deadline is near. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your rights expire.

🚨 Cumberland County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Powerless

Hazing is not a rite of passage. It’s not harmless fun. It’s not something your child just has to “get through.”

It is abuse. It is illegal. And it must stop.

If your child has been hazed near Cumberland County, PA:

1. Get medical help immediately.
2. Preserve all evidence.
3. Report the hazing to police and the university.
4. Call us — 1-888-ATTY-911.

We will fight for you. We will hold them accountable. And we will make sure this never happens to another Cumberland County family.

📞 Call Now — Free Consultation

1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Website: attorney911.com

Serving Cumberland County, PA and nationwide.

⚠️ Warning to Cumberland County Fraternities and Universities:

We are coming for you.

The same legal strategies that shut down chapters at UH and Penn State apply to your chapter.

The same verdicts that awarded $6 million, $10 million, $110 million apply to your organization.

If you haze students near Cumberland County, you will pay.

Enough is enough.