🚨 Hazing Victims in Custer County: You Are Not Alone
If your child has been hazed at a college near Custer County, we can help.
At Attorney 911, we are currently representing a young man who was hospitalized after being waterboarded, forced to perform extreme physical exercises, and subjected to other forms of abuse during fraternity hazing at the University of Houston. This isn’t just happening in Texas—it happens at universities near Custer County too. The same fraternities, the same culture of abuse, the same institutional failures.
We fight for hazing victims nationwide, including in Custer County.
The Hazing Crisis in Custer County and Beyond
Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It isn’t “building brotherhood.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s sometimes torture. And it’s happening right now at colleges and universities near Custer County.
The statistics are shocking:
- 55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing
- Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States
- 95% of students who experience hazing don’t report it
- Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student organizations
In Custer County, parents send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But universities near Custer County have failed to protect students from hazing. National fraternities with chapters near Custer County have failed to enforce anti-hazing policies. And individual members have engaged in dangerous, sometimes deadly, hazing rituals.
What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Custer County
Our client, Leonel Bermudez, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston. Over the course of several weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse that included:
- Waterboarding — simulated drowning with a garden hose
- Extreme physical punishment — 100+ pushups, 500 squats, bear crawls, and other exercises until he collapsed
- Forced eating — large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
- Wooden paddles — being struck with wooden paddles
- Sleep deprivation — forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours
- Psychological torture — carrying a fanny pack with sexual objects, being hog-tied, threats of expulsion
On November 3, 2025, after being forced to perform extreme exercises as punishment, Bermudez collapsed. He couldn’t stand without help. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. The next day, he was so sore he couldn’t move. His condition worsened over the following days. On November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—a life-threatening condition caused by the breakdown of muscle tissue. He spent three nights and four days in the hospital.
This didn’t happen in some distant state. This happened at a major university. It could happen at a university near Custer County.
Universities Near Custer County Are Failing Students
The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where this abuse occurred. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter. But they failed to act. Universities near Custer County have the same power—and the same responsibility—to protect students from hazing.
Pi Kappa Phi’s national organization immediately suspended and dissolved the UH chapter after Bermudez was hospitalized. But in their public statement, they wrote:
“We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time and continuing our partnership with the University of Houston in the years ahead.”
No apology. No remorse. Just planning their comeback.
This is the reality of hazing culture: institutions prioritize reputation over safety, tradition over humanity, and their own interests over the well-being of students.
The Same Fraternities Operate Near Custer County
Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America, including near Custer County. If their UH chapter was waterboarding students, how many other chapters are engaging in the same abuse?
Other major fraternities with chapters near Custer County have similar histories:
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) — paid $10.1 million after the death of Stone Foltz
- Phi Delta Theta — paid $6.1 million in a jury verdict after the death of Maxwell Gruver
- Beta Theta Pi — paid an estimated $110 million after the death of Timothy Piazza
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon — multiple hazing incidents and lawsuits
These organizations know the risks. They know hazing can kill. And yet, they continue to allow it.
Custer County Families: You Have Legal Rights
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Custer County, you have legal rights. You can hold the individuals, the local chapter, the national organization, and the university accountable.
Under the law, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Academic disruption
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
In Texas, consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal, and the people who engage in it are liable for the harm they cause.
We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical—we’re in the fight right now. And we’re prepared to fight just as hard for hazing victims in Custer County.
Our attorneys have:
- 25+ years of litigation experience — battle-tested in courtrooms across Texas
- Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how the other side thinks and fights
- Federal court authority — we can pursue cases nationwide, including in Custer County
- Dual-state bar licenses — Texas and New York, giving us strategic advantage
- Proven track record — we’ve won millions for personal injury victims
- Hazing-specific expertise — we understand Greek life culture and the dynamics of hazing
What Custer County Families Should Do Now
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Custer County, time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations expire.
Here’s what you should do immediately:
- Get medical attention — Even if injuries seem minor, get checked. Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately.
- Preserve all evidence — Take photos of injuries. Save all text messages, social media posts, and communications about the hazing. Write down everything you remember.
- Do NOT talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal counsel — They will try to control the narrative and minimize their liability.
- Do NOT post about the incident on social media — Anything you post can be used against you.
- Contact an attorney immediately — Call us for a free consultation. We can help you understand your rights and preserve evidence.
We Serve Hazing Victims Nationwide, Including Custer County
While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Custer County. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
We offer:
- Free consultations — no obligation, no upfront cost
- Video consultations — meet with us remotely
- Travel to Custer County — for depositions, meetings, and trials
- Contingency fee representation — you pay nothing unless we win your case
The Time to Act Is Now
Hazing victims often delay reporting due to shame, fear of retaliation, or loyalty to the organization. But every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights.
Custer County families: You are not alone. We are here to help.
Call us 24/7 for a free consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
We will fight for your child. We will hold the perpetrators accountable. And we will make sure this never happens to another Custer County family.
Frequently Asked Questions for Custer County Families
Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?
A: We understand that hazing victims often feel conflicted. They may fear retaliation, social ostracism, or academic consequences. But it’s important to know that hazing is illegal, and the people who engage in it are breaking the law. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to preserve evidence and protect your rights. Even if your child doesn’t want to pursue legal action now, we can help you document what happened and preserve evidence for the future.
Q: The university says they’re investigating. Shouldn’t we wait for their report?
A: Universities often conduct internal investigations, but their primary goal is to protect the institution—not your child. Their report may downplay the severity of the hazing or shift blame onto the victim. You need your own legal representation to protect your child’s interests. We can guide you through the process and ensure that your child’s rights are protected.
Q: We’re worried about the cost of hiring an attorney. Can we afford this?
A: You can’t afford not to. Most personal injury attorneys, including Attorney 911, work on a contingency fee basis. This means:
- You pay nothing upfront
- We only get paid if we win your case
- Our fee is a percentage of the recovery
- If we don’t win, you owe us nothing
This levels the playing field. Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers. You deserve to have experienced legal representation too.
Q: What if the fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing?
A: Consent is not a defense to hazing in most states, including Texas. The law explicitly states that even if a student “agrees” to participate, the hazing is still illegal. The people who engage in hazing are still liable for any harm they cause. This is because hazing often involves coercion, peer pressure, and power dynamics that negate true consent.
Q: How much is my child’s case worth?
A: Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Factors that affect the value of a case include:
- The severity of the physical and psychological injuries
- The egregiousness of the hazing conduct
- Whether the university or national organization knew about prior hazing incidents
- The strength of the evidence
- The assets and insurance coverage of the defendants
In recent years, hazing cases have resulted in settlements and verdicts ranging from $4 million to over $100 million. Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is in line with these precedents.
Q: My child is an international student. Will this affect their visa status?
A: No. Pursuing a legal claim will not negatively impact your child’s visa status. We have experience representing international students and can guide you through the process while protecting your child’s immigration status.
Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal whether it occurs on or off campus. If the hazing was part of a fraternity, sorority, or other student organization’s activities, the organization and its members can still be held liable.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Time is critical. Most states, including Texas, have a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, there are exceptions, and the clock may start running at different times depending on the circumstances. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better.
Custer County Families: You Deserve Justice
Hazing is not a rite of passage. It’s not tradition. It’s abuse. And it has no place in Custer County or anywhere else.
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Custer County, you have the power to hold the perpetrators accountable. You have the power to send a message that this behavior will not be tolerated. And you have the power to protect the next generation of students.
We are here to help you do that.
Call us today for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Custer County families: You are not alone. We will fight for you.
