Hazing Victim Legal Support for DeSoto County, Florida Families
🚨 You Are Not Alone: Hazing Happens Here Too
DeSoto County, Florida, is home to hardworking families, strong community values, and young people with bright futures. But like many communities across America, our local colleges and universities—including those in nearby Sarasota, Bradenton, and Tampa—have Greek organizations with dangerous hazing cultures. The same fraternities that hospitalized our client in Houston operate right here in Florida. The same negligence that led to a $10 million lawsuit exists at institutions near DeSoto County.
If your child was hazed at a college or university near DeSoto County—whether at State College of Florida (SCF), University of South Florida (USF), New College of Florida, or any other institution—you have legal rights. Attorney 911 is fighting this battle right now, and we will bring the same aggressive representation to DeSoto County families.
💔 What Hazing Really Looks Like: The Case That Should Alarm DeSoto County Parents
📰 The University of Houston Hazing Scandal (2025) – This Could Happen Near DeSoto County
In November 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to extreme hazing.
What happened to Leonel should never happen to any student—including those near DeSoto County.
🔥 The Hazing Activities That Hospitalized Our Client:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue running
- Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout—fraternity members did nothing
- Hog-tied another pledge with an object in his mouth for over an hour
- Carried a fanny pack with sexual objects as humiliation
- Stripped to underwear in cold weather and sprayed with a hose
- Threatened with expulsion if he refused to participate
Result: Leonel was hospitalized for 3 nights and 4 days with kidney failure caused by rhabdomyolysis—a life-threatening condition where muscle breakdown poisons the kidneys.
📌 Why This Matters for DeSoto County Families:
- Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near DeSoto County, including USF in Tampa.
- The same national fraternity that did this in Houston operates in Florida.
- Universities near DeSoto County have the same duty to protect students—but many fail to act.
- If your child was hazed, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting for Leonel.
🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in DeSoto County?
Hazing is not just the fault of a few “bad apples.” Multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | DeSoto County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Chapters at USF, SCF, and other Florida schools |
| National Fraternity/Sorority | Failed to supervise, enforce anti-hazing policies | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others operate near DeSoto County |
| University/College | Owns fraternity houses, failed to prevent hazing | USF, SCF, New College, and others have Greek life oversight responsibilities |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing | Students who carried out the abuse |
| Alumni & Advisors | Allowed hazing at their homes, failed to report | Alumni who host events or turn a blind eye |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for institutional liability | Fraternities and universities have insurance policies that may cover damages |
⚠️ Important for DeSoto County Families:
Many fraternities and universities will try to blame the victim by saying:
- “He consented to participate.”
- “He knew the risks.”
- “He could have left at any time.”
Florida law says: CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE TO HAZING. If your child was coerced, threatened, or pressured into participating, they did not truly “consent.”
💰 What Is Your Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation for victims and their families. We are currently seeking $10 million for our client in Houston—and DeSoto County families can pursue similar justice.
Types of Damages You Can Recover:
| Damage Type | What It Covers | DeSoto County Example |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment | ER visits, kidney treatment, mental health counseling |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work due to injuries | Summer job, internship, or part-time work missed |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain from injuries | Rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, burns, forced exercise |
| Emotional Distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression | Fear of retribution, humiliation, trauma |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | Waterboarding, forced consumption, physical abuse |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death | Funeral costs, loss of companionship |
📊 Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (Why $10M Is Realistic for DeSoto County Families):
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (multi-million) |
| Adam Oakes (2021) | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Settlement | $4+ million |
📌 Key Takeaway for DeSoto County Families:
- Juries and courts award MILLIONS for hazing cases.
- The more egregious the conduct (waterboarding, forced exercise, paddling), the higher the damages.
- Universities and fraternities have deep pockets and insurance policies to pay these claims.
🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in DeSoto County
If your child was hazed at a college or university near DeSoto County, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire.
✅ Immediate Steps to Protect Your Rights:
-
🏥 Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening.
- Medical records are crucial evidence.
-
📱 Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any objects used.
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs).
- Document witness names (other pledges, bystanders).
- Keep all medical records (hospital bills, doctor notes).
-
🚫 Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without Legal Counsel
- They will try to control the narrative, destroy evidence, and intimidate witnesses.
- Anything you say can be used against you.
-
📞 Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Free consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
- We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.
- We will travel to DeSoto County for your case.
-
📋 Report the Incident (Optional but Recommended)
- File a police report (hazing is a crime in Florida).
- Report to the university’s Title IX office.
- Report to the national fraternity (though they may cover it up).
⚖️ Florida Hazing Laws: What DeSoto County Families Need to Know
📜 Florida Statute 1006.63 – Hazing is a Crime
Florida law defines hazing as:
“Any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for initiation into, affiliation with, or maintenance of membership in any organization.”
Penalties for Hazing in Florida:
| Offense | Criminal Charge | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| Hazing (no injury) | Misdemeanor (1st degree) | Up to 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine |
| Hazing causing serious injury | Felony (3rd degree) | Up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fine |
| Hazing causing death | Felony (2nd degree) | Up to 15 years in prison |
📌 Important for DeSoto County Families:
- Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the hazers can still be criminally liable.
- Organizations can be held liable. Fraternities, sororities, and universities can face fines and loss of recognition.
- You can sue civilly even if no criminal charges are filed.
🏆 Why DeSoto County Families Choose Attorney 911
✅ We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
- We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
- We know how to build these cases, negotiate with insurance companies, and take them to trial if necessary.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching to represent victims.
- We know how they try to minimize claims—so we can fight back.
✅ Aggressive, Nationwide Representation for DeSoto County Families
- We will travel to DeSoto County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
- We offer remote consultations for DeSoto County families who cannot travel.
- We have federal court authority, meaning we can pursue cases against national fraternities anywhere in the U.S.
✅ No Upfront Costs – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
- Contingency fee basis: We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
- No hourly fees, no retainers.
- We front all case expenses (medical records, expert witnesses, court fees).
✅ Se Habla Español – We Serve DeSoto County’s Hispanic Community
- Hazing affects students of all backgrounds.
- We provide bilingual legal support for Spanish-speaking families.
📞 DeSoto County Families: Call Us Today
If your child was hazed at a college or university near DeSoto County, you have legal rights—and we can help.
🚨 Free, Confidential Consultation
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We will fight for you like we’re fighting for Leonel Bermudez. You are not alone.
🔥 A Message to Fraternities Near DeSoto County
To the fraternities operating at USF, SCF, New College of Florida, and other schools near DeSoto County:
We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi—if your chapter operates near DeSoto County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
We already shut down the Beta Nu chapter at UH. Your chapter could be next.
📢 A Message to Universities Near DeSoto County
To USF, State College of Florida, New College of Florida, and other institutions:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.
You own the fraternity houses. You have the power to regulate. You have the duty to protect students.
Act now—or face the same accountability.
💙 For DeSoto County Families: This Ends Now
Hazing is not tradition. It is not brotherhood. It is not “boys being boys.”
It is abuse. It is assault. It is sometimes manslaughter.
DeSoto County families deserve better. Your children deserve to be safe.
If your child was hazed, call us today.
1-888-ATTY-911
We will fight for you.
