Attorney 911: Dallas County Hazing Lawyers – Holding Fraternities, Sororities, and Universities Accountable
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ✉️ ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com
🚨 Hazing in Dallas County: A Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight
Dallas County families send their children to college with trust—trust that universities will keep them safe, trust that Greek organizations will uphold values of brotherhood and sisterhood, and trust that the adults in charge will intervene when traditions cross the line into abuse.
That trust is being betrayed.
Right now, in fraternity houses and on campuses across Dallas County—from Wallace Community College to Alabama State University’s Montgomery campus—students are being subjected to brutal hazing rituals disguised as “tradition.” Waterboarding. Forced drinking until vomiting. Extreme physical punishment. Psychological torture. And sometimes, death.
This isn’t just happening elsewhere. It’s happening here in Dallas County.
And while we’re based in Houston, we represent hazing victims in Dallas County and across Alabama—because distance should never be a barrier to justice.
🔥 The Case That Proves Hazing Is Alive in Dallas County: Our $10 Million Fight Against Pi Kappa Phi
We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the University of Houston for the hospitalization of a young man who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and struck with wooden paddles—all as part of his “pledge process.”
This didn’t happen in some distant state. It happened in Texas. And the same fraternities, the same national organizations, and the same negligent universities operate right here in Dallas County.
What Happened to Leonel Bermudez Could Happen to Your Child in Dallas County
Leonel Bermudez wasn’t even a student at the University of Houston. He was a “ghost rush”—a prospective member expected to transfer for the upcoming semester. He wasn’t even enrolled, and they still hazed him.
From September to November 2025, he endured:
✅ Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✅ Forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, and bear crawls until he collapsed
✅ Struck with wooden paddles
✅ Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting—then made to keep running
✅ Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout—yet the hazing continued
✅ On November 3, 2025, he was punished with extreme exercise until he couldn’t stand
✅ He crawled up the stairs when he got home, unable to move the next day
✅ His mother rushed him to the hospital on November 6—where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
✅ He spent 3 nights and 4 days in the hospital fighting for his life
This is not “tradition.” This is not “brotherhood.” This is torture.
And here’s the worst part: Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix this culture. In 2017, Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event at Florida State University after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon. They knew their chapters were dangerous. They did nothing. And now, Leonel Bermudez is paying the price.
The same national fraternities with chapters in Dallas County have the same culture of abuse. And the same universities that turn a blind eye to hazing—just like the University of Houston—are failing your children.
🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Dallas County?
When hazing happens, everyone who allowed it is responsible. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re suing:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi National | Knew about “a hazing crisis,” failed to enforce anti-hazing policies, had 8 years to fix culture after Andrew Coffey’s death |
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Directed hazing activities, allowed abuse to continue |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing, failed to stop it |
| Former Members & Their Spouses | Hosted hazing at their home, premises liability |
| University of Houston | Owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred, had prior hazing incident in 2017, failed to supervise Greek life |
| UH Board of Regents | Institutional oversight failure |
The same liability applies in Dallas County. If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or other organization, we will pursue every responsible party—including:
- The national fraternity/sorority organization
- The local chapter
- Individual members who participated
- University administrators who failed to act
- Insurance companies covering these organizations
⚖️ Dallas County Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
Alabama Hazing Law (Alabama Code § 16-1-23)
Hazing is a Class C misdemeanor in Alabama, punishable by:
- Up to 3 months in jail
- Fines up to $500
But here’s the critical part: Consent is NOT a defense.
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal, period.
Civil Liability: You Can Sue for Millions
While criminal charges punish the individuals involved, civil lawsuits hold institutions accountable and provide financial compensation for victims.
In Dallas County, you can sue for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages (if hazing affected your child’s ability to work)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
- Punitive damages (to punish the organization for reckless conduct)
- Wrongful death (if hazing led to a fatality)
Our $10 million lawsuit in Texas proves that hazing cases can result in massive verdicts and settlements.
💰 Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions
Hazing isn’t just morally wrong—it’s legally expensive. Here’s what other victims have recovered:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement | Confidential (multi-million) |
| Adam Oakes (2021) | Delta Chi | Virginia Commonwealth | Settlement | $4+ million |
These cases prove that hazing lawsuits win. And the same results are possible for Dallas County victims.
🚨 Warning Signs of Hazing in Dallas County
Hazing doesn’t always look like the extreme cases you see in the news. Sometimes, it starts small—and escalates. Here’s what to watch for:
Physical Hazing
- Forced exercise to exhaustion (pushups, squats, running)
- Sleep deprivation (late-night activities, early-morning calls)
- Being struck with objects (paddles, belts, etc.)
- Waterboarding or other forms of simulated drowning
- Forced consumption of alcohol, food, or non-food substances
- Exposure to extreme heat or cold
- Being confined in small spaces
Psychological Hazing
- Humiliation (forced to wear embarrassing clothing, carry objects)
- Verbal abuse (yelling, name-calling, threats)
- Isolation from friends and family
- Sleep deprivation leading to exhaustion
- Being forced to perform demeaning tasks
- Threats of expulsion if they report abuse
Sexual Hazing
- Forced nudity
- Sexualized activities or games
- Being forced to carry sexual objects
- Sexual assault or harassment
If your child is experiencing any of these, it’s hazing. And it needs to stop.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Dallas County
1. Get Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked out.
- Hazing can cause rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injuries, and psychological trauma.
- Medical records are critical evidence.
2. Preserve All Evidence
- Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, and social media posts about hazing.
- Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing.
- Document everything—dates, times, locations, who was involved.
- Get witness names and contact information.
3. Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone
- Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leaders, university administrators, or their lawyers without legal representation.
- Do not sign anything from the organization.
- Do not post about the incident on social media.
4. Report the Hazing
- File a police report (hazing is a crime in Alabama).
- Report to the university’s Title IX office (if applicable).
- Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization.
5. Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately
- The statute of limitations in Alabama is 2 years—but evidence disappears quickly.
- Insurance companies and universities will try to silence you.
- We can protect your child’s rights and help them get the compensation they deserve.
🎯 Why Dallas County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Currently Fighting This Battle
While other law firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit right now. We know the strategies that work, and we’re not afraid to take on powerful institutions.
2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense
Fraternities and universities will argue, “Your child agreed to participate.” Alabama law says consent is NOT a defense. We’ll make sure the court understands that.
3. We Have Insider Knowledge
Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena—are former insurance defense attorneys. We know how insurance companies think, how they try to minimize claims, and how to beat them at their own game.
4. We’ll Travel to Dallas County
We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we serve clients nationwide. We’ll come to Dallas County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
5. We Work on Contingency—$0 Upfront
You don’t pay us unless we win your case. No hourly fees. No retainers. No risk.
6. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)
Hazing affects students from all backgrounds. If your family is more comfortable speaking Spanish, we’re here to help.
7. We’ve Won Millions for Victims
From BP Texas City explosion litigation to multi-million-dollar personal injury cases, we have a track record of holding powerful defendants accountable.
📞 Dallas County Families: Call Us Before It’s Too Late
Hazing is a ticking time bomb. The longer you wait, the harder it is to gather evidence, the more witnesses forget, and the closer you get to the 2-year statute of limitations.
If your child has been hazed in Dallas County, call us immediately.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
✉️ ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Free consultation. No upfront fees. We fight for Dallas County families.
🚫 To Fraternities and Universities in Dallas County: We Are Watching
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, and every other Greek organization with chapters in Dallas County:
We know what you’re doing. We know about the waterboarding, the forced drinking, the paddles, the psychological torture. We know about the students who collapse from exhaustion, the ones who end up in the hospital, the ones who don’t make it.
And we’re coming for you.
The $10 million lawsuit we filed is just the beginning. Every chapter in Dallas County is on notice. If you haze students, we will find out. We will sue you. And we will win.
Universities in Dallas County:
You own the fraternity houses. You collect the rent. You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous chapters. But you choose not to.
The University of Houston had a hazing hospitalization in 2017—and did nothing. Now, another student is in the hospital. How many more will it take before you act?
We will hold you accountable.
🎓 To Dallas County Parents: Your Child Deserves Better
You sent your child to college to learn, grow, and build a future—not to be tortured, humiliated, or killed.
If your child has been hazed, they are not alone. And they don’t have to suffer in silence.
We are here to fight for them. We are here to fight for you. And we will not stop until justice is served.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ✉️ ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com
Dallas County hazing victims: Enough is enough.
