If you are reading this in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends, learn, and grow at college. Instead, they were subjected to abuse, humiliation, and potentially life-threatening harm – all under the guise of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.” We are here to help families like yours in Dinwiddie County fight back against the insidious culture of hazing that continues to plague our universities and organizations.

We understand what you’re going through. The fear, the anger, the confusion – it’s overwhelming. You’re searching for answers and looking for someone who will stand up for your child. We are Attorney911, and we are actively fighting this battle right now. Just weeks ago, in November 2025, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members after a prospective student was waterboarded, hog-tied, force-fed until he vomited, and pushed to the brink of kidney failure. This isn’t theoretical – this is happening in real time, and we are at the forefront of this fight.

What happened to Leonel Bermudez in Houston could happen to a student from Dinwiddie County at a university across Virginia or beyond. The same national fraternities and sororities operate here, often carrying the same dangerous “traditions.” Universities, whether local or hundreds of miles away, face the same challenges in overseeing Greek life and have a similar duty to protect their students. In Dinwiddie County, just as anywhere else, every parent deserves to know that if their child is harmed by hazing, there are powerful advocates ready to fight for justice.

The Bermudez Case: A Warning from Houston to Dinwiddie County

The story of Leonel Bermudez is a harrowing testament to the brutal reality of modern hazing. It is a stark warning to parents across Dinwiddie County that the nightmare of hazing is not confined to distant headlines; it happens in our universities, even at institutions their children might attend. This is not some decades-old fraternity prank; this is real, aggressive, and life-threatening abuse that tragically played out just weeks ago in Houston, prompting our firm to take immediate action with a $10 million lawsuit.

On September 16, 2025, Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston. What makes his story even more poignant and infuriating is that Leonel wasn’t even an enrolled University of Houston student yet. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective transfer student planning to join the university in Spring 2026. This means the fraternity subjected someone who wasn’t even officially their peer to weeks of systematic abuse, torture, and hazing – demonstrating a profound disregard for human life and dignity.

A Timeline of Terror: Leonel Bermudez’s Ordeal

The hazing began immediately after Leonel accepted his bid and continued for weeks, escalating in severity and depravity.

September 16, 2025: Leonel Bermudez accepts a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. The weeks of abuse commence shortly thereafter.
Throughout the Pledge Period (Sept. 16 – Nov. 3): Leonel and other pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, causing severe exhaustion. They were required to follow an enforced dress code, complete countless hours of study with limited sleep, and undergo weekly interviews with fraternity members and other pledges. He was forced to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature as a constant symbol of humiliation.
October 13, 2025: In a particularly chilling incident, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour, while fraternity members calmly prepared for a meeting. This level of premeditated cruelty illustrates the systematic nature of the abuse.
October 15, 2025: During a forced workout session, a pledge lost consciousness and collapsed. Other pledges had to elevate his legs until he recovered enough to continue. Even this life-threatening event failed to halt the hazing activities.
November 3, 2025 (The Breaking Point): Leonel was punished for missing an event. The punishment involved an extreme regimen of physical exertion:
- 100+ pushups
- 500 squats
- “High-volume suicides” (sprint drills)
- Bear crawls
- Wheelbarrows
- “Save-you-brother” drills
- Two-mile warmups
- Repeated 100-yard crawls
- All while reciting the fraternity creed under threat of immediate expulsion.
- He was forced to continue until he was so exhausted he could not stand without help.
November 4-5, 2025: Upon returning home, Leonel could barely move. He crawled up the stairs. His condition worsened over the next two days, his body breaking down from the extreme physical abuse.
November 6, 2025: Leonel’s mother rushed him to the hospital. He was passing brown urine, a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days in the hospital, fighting for his life, with permanent kidney damage remaining a serious risk.

The Hazing Activities: Not Pranks, But Torture

The lawsuit meticulously details the horrific acts perpetrated against Leonel Bermudez:

Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: Leonel was sprayed in the face with a garden hose while performing calisthenics, a practice described by Houston Public Media as “a form of torture.”
Forced Eating Until Vomiting: He was compelled to consume large quantities of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Then, he was forced to endure more physical exertion, even lying in his own vomit.
Extreme Physical Punishment: Beyond the grueling workouts on November 3rd, the pledges were routinely subjected to physically dangerous acts, including “being struck with wooden paddles.”
Psychological Torture and Humiliation: Forced nudity, carrying sexually suggestive objects, sleep deprivation, and the constant threat of expulsion from the fraternity created an environment of profound psychological distress.

Institutional Indifference and Our Fight for Accountability

Upon learning of Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters moved swiftly, not to assist the victim, but to protect their organization. The Beta Nu chapter was suspended on November 6, the same day Leonel was hospitalized, and officially closed on November 14, a mere week before our lawsuit was filed. Their public statement, while acknowledging “violations,” also coldly expressed their “look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time” – a chilling display of corporate detachment. The University of Houston, despite a previous hazing incident in 2017 involving another fraternity that resulted in a student’s hospitalization, also issued a statement describing the events as “deeply disturbing” and mentioning “potential criminal charges.”

This case is not just about Leonel Bermudez; it’s about holding every entity accountable. Our $10 million lawsuit names not only Pi Kappa Phi National (which has over 150 chapters across America, including those potentially drawing students from Dinwiddie County), the Beta Nu chapter, and its housing corporation, but also the University of Houston, the UH Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the president, pledgemaster, and those who hosted hazing at their residences.

As our attorney Ralph Manginello conveyed, “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 as Lupe Pena rightly stated, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

The media has covered this case extensively, amplifying our message of accountability:

We don’t just talk about hazing; we actively fight it. This landmark case demonstrates Attorney911’s aggressive, thorough, and data-driven approach to hazing litigation. We are dedicated to ensuring that no other student, whether from Dinwiddie County or anywhere else, suffers a similar fate.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

For parents in Dinwiddie County, the word “hazing” might conjure images of harmless pranks or foolish dares from movies. But the reality, as evidenced by Leonel Bermudez’s experience, is far more sinister. Modern hazing rituals are not about “building character” or “team bonding”; they are often acts of calculated cruelty, designed to exert power and induce conformity through physical, psychological, and sometimes sexual abuse. This is not fun and games; it is abuse, plain and simple.

The Grim Realities of Hazing Today:

Physical Abuse: This is the most visible and often most dangerous form. It includes beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to the point of collapse (like Leonel’s 500 squats and 100 pushups), sleep deprivation, and extreme exposure to cold or heat. When wooden paddles are used, as they were with Leonel, it’s not different from assault with a weapon.
Forced Consumption: This category often involves alcohol, leading to dangerous levels of intoxication and even death, as seen in many tragic cases nationwide. But it also includes forced eating of disgusting or harmful substances, or massive quantities of food and drink designed to induce vomiting, as Leonel Bermudez endured with milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns.
Psychological Torture: This can leave scars far deeper than physical wounds. It encompasses humiliation, degradation (like being forced to carry sexually explicit items), verbal abuse, isolation, and threats of retaliation or expulsion from the group. The hog-tying incident described in Leonel’s case, where another pledge was left face-down with an object in his mouth, is pure psychological torture.
Sexual Harassment and Assault: This horrific aspect of hazing is tragically common but often underreported. It includes forced nudity, sexually suggestive acts, sexually explicit language, or even outright sexual assault. The presence of sexually explicit objects in Leonel’s fanny pack is a disturbing example.
Sleep Deprivation and Exhaustion: Pledges are often intentionally deprived of sleep, forced to perform tasks or attend events at all hours of the night, leading to severe fatigue that impairs judgment and can cause accidental injuries. Leonel’s forced early-morning driving of fraternity members is a prime example.
Servitude and Humiliation: Being forced to perform demeaning or servile tasks for members, cleaning up messes, or adhering to strict, irrational rules designed to assert dominance are all forms of hazing that strip individuals of their dignity.

The Devastating Consequences:

Beyond the immediate trauma, hazing leaves lasting physical and psychological scars. For Leonel Bermudez, it resulted in:

Rhabdomyolysis: A severe and potentially fatal condition where damaged muscle tissue releases proteins into the bloodstream, which can overwhelm and destroy the kidneys. The presence of brown urine is a dire sign of this condition.
Acute Kidney Failure: His kidneys shut down, a direct result of the rhabdomyolysis. He required four days of hospitalization and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.
Psychological Trauma: Leonel is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution,” a clear indicator of the severe emotional and psychological impact of his ordeal. Many victims suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and long-term trust issues.
Academic and Social Disruption: The intense hazing demands can lead to academic decline, social isolation, and can force students to withdraw from college altogether, disrupting their future.

Why This is Worse Than You Imagine:

Secrecy and Fear: The very nature of hazing relies on secrecy and the fear of social retribution or physical retaliation. This is why 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it.
Institutional Blindness: Universities and national organizations often claim ignorance until a tragedy occurs, despite clear patterns of abuse.
Power Dynamics: Hazing exploits inherent power imbalances, turning the desire to belong into a weapon of control and abuse.
It’s NOT Just Fraternities: While fraternities are often in the spotlight, hazing occurs across a wide spectrum of organizations, including sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student groups at colleges and universities that students from Dinwiddie County might attend.

We refuse to let anyone dismiss these acts as “tradition.” When a student from Dinwiddie County or anywhere else is waterboarded, force-fed, or beaten, it is a crime, and we will treat it as such. We are here to dismantle the romanticized myths of hazing and expose it for what it truly is: abuse that exacts a devastating toll on victims and their families.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Liable Party Accountable

When a student from Dinwiddie County suffers harm through hazing, we don’t just target the individual perpetrators. Our strategy is comprehensive, pursuing every entity responsible for contributing to or allowing the dangerous environment that enabled the abuse. As our $10 million lawsuit in the Bermudez case clearly demonstrates, we cast a wide net to ensure full accountability and maximum compensation for our clients.

1. The Local Chapter and Individual Perpetrators:

The Problem: The immediate organizing and execution of hazing rituals are often carried out by the local chapter. This includes chapter officers, such as the president and pledgemaster, who design and oversee pledge activities, and individual members who actively participate in or condone the abuse. In Leonel Bermudez’s case, we named 13 individual fraternity members, including the leadership and even some former members and their spouses who allowed hazing to occur in their private residence.
Our Argument: We sue these individuals for direct participation in assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and reckless endangerment. The Stone Foltz case proves that individual chapter presidents can be held personally liable for millions of dollars. Chapter officers have a duty to ensure the safety of pledges, and members have a responsibility not to inflict harm.

2. National Fraternity and Sorority Organizations:

The Problem: National organizations operate hundreds of chapters across America, including those near Dinwiddie County. They are responsible for setting anti-hazing policies, providing oversight, and ensuring their local chapters comply with these rules. All too often, however, they fail to adequately supervise, turning a blind eye to dangerous activities until a tragedy forces their hand.
Our Argument: We hold national organizations like Pi Kappa Phi National directly liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce their own written policies, and contributing to a dangerous culture. In Leonel’s case, Pi Kappa Phi National had actual knowledge of a “hazing crisis” within their organization, having already faced a hazing death in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at FSU). Despite this, they failed to prevent Leonel’s hospitalization, demonstrating a pattern of deliberate indifference that warrants substantial punitive damages. They possess significant assets and robust insurance policies, making them a primary target for full compensation.

3. Universities and Colleges:

The Problem: Educational institutions, including those that students from Dinwiddie County attend across Virginia and beyond, have a fundamental duty to protect their students. This includes reasonably supervising activities that occur on their campus or under their purview, especially within recognized student organizations like fraternities and sororities. Many universities, like the University of Houston, own or control the properties used by Greek organizations, placing specific premises liability on them.
Our Argument: We sue universities for negligent supervision, premises liability (if hazing occurs on university-owned or controlled property), and failure to protect students. The University of Houston had prior notice of hazing dangers, with another student hospitalized in 2017 due to hazing. Despite this, they failed to implement effective safeguards, allowing Leonel Bermudez to be waterboarded in a house they owned. Their complicity, whether through inaction or inadequate oversight, makes them a crucial defendant.

4. Housing Corporations and Alumni Boards:

The Problem: Many chapters operate under the financial and operational oversight of housing corporations or alumni boards. These entities often own the fraternity houses and provide guidance and funding, giving them significant influence over chapter activities. They often hold direct responsibility for premises where hazing occurs.
Our Argument: We name entities like the Beta Nu Housing Corporation as defendants because they either owned the property where hazing occurred or had financial and advisory control over the chapter. They often carry property and liability insurance policies that provide additional avenues for recovery.

5. Insurance Carriers:

The Problem: Behind every national organization, university, and often even individual members, are insurance policies designed to cover liability for such incidents. These insurance companies are typically the source of funds for multi-million dollar settlements.
Our Argument: As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña possess invaluable insights into how these carriers value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize payouts. We know how to navigate complex insurance structures and aggressively pursue every available policy to ensure our clients receive maximum compensation.

Holding these powerful institutions and individuals accountable is not just about financial compensation; it’s about sending a clear, unequivocal message that hazing will no longer be tolerated. We aggressively pursue every liable party, ensuring that the full force of the law is brought to bear on those who perpetuate this dangerous culture, whether the incident occurred in Dinwiddie County or anywhere else in the country.

What These Cases Win: Precedent Settlements and Verdicts

The question every family asks when facing the unimaginable trauma of a hazing injury or death in Dinwiddie County is often, “Can we really win against these powerful organizations?” The answer, unequivocally, is yes. We don’t just fight; we win. The legal landscape is filled with multi-million dollar settlements and jury verdicts that prove hazing victims and their families can secure justice. These cases send a powerful message designed to resonate from Dinwiddie County to every campus nationwide. They are proof that when institutions fail, the legal system can deliver accountability.

Landmark Verdicts and Settlements: A National Precedent

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Total: over $10.1 Million

The Tragedy: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Bowling Green State University, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation event. He was found unresponsive the next morning and died from acute alcohol poisoning.
The Outcome: The university settled with the family for $2.9 million. The Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity and several individuals settled for an additional $7.2 million. In December 2024, a jury delivered a $6.5 million personal judgment against Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, for his role in Stone’s death. This demonstrates that individual perpetrators cannot hide behind the organization.
Relevance to Bermudez: This case sets a direct precedent for our $10 million lawsuit. It shows that even in non-death cases with severe injury (like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure), similar demands are justified and achievable. This also highlights how both the university and the national fraternity are held liable.

Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): Total: $6.1 Million Jury Verdict

The Tragedy: In September 2017, Max Gruver died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495—more than six times the legal limit—during a cruel drinking game dubbed “Bible Study” at LSU’s Phi Delta Theta chapter.
The Outcome: A jury awarded the family $6.1 million. The individual responsible for his death was convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced to prison. This case also spurred the creation of the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
Relevance to Bermudez: This jury verdict underscores that when given the opportunity, juries will deliver substantial compensation to hazing victims, sending a clear message against such brutality.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): Total: over $110 Million (Estimated)

The Tragedy: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a pledge at Penn State’s Beta Theta Pi, was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes during “the gauntlet.” Intoxicated to a near-fatal level (BAC 0.36), he fell multiple times, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited over 12 hours to call 911. He died two days later.
The Outcome: The family reached confidential settlements totaling an estimated $110 million, including significant amounts from both the university and the national fraternity. Many fraternity members faced criminal charges, with several receiving convictions and prison time. His death led to the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania.
Relevance to Bermudez: Piazza’s case demonstrates that when the evidence is strong (our case has meticulous documentation of gruesome acts), settlements can reach astronomical figures. This case also highlights the devastating criminal consequences for individuals and the institutional reform spurred by aggressive legal action.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Confidential Settlement

The Tragedy: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon at a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” at FSU.
The Outcome: Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges for hazing, and the FSU chapter was permanently closed. The family reached a confidential settlement.
Critical Relevance to Bermudez: This is the SAME national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi. Andrew Coffey’s death proves beyond a doubt that Pi Kappa Phi National knew about the deadly hazing culture within their organization. They had eight years between Andrew’s death and Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization to enact real change. They failed. This directly supports our claim of their deliberate indifference and pattern of negligence.

Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): over $4 Million Settlement

The Tragedy: In February 2021, Adam Oakes, a Delta Chi pledge at VCU, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of tequila.
The Outcome: The family filed a $28 million lawsuit and later reached a $4+ million settlement in October 2024. Six fraternity members faced criminal hazing charges, and the university implemented “Adam’s Law,” requiring mandatory anti-hazing education.
Relevance to Bermudez: This recent case, similar to Leonel’s in its devastating human impact, further demonstrates the willingness of courts to award multi-million dollar settlements, even in very recent judgments.

Recent Texas Hazing Death Lawsuit – UT Austin / Sigma Chi (November 2025)

The Tragedy: Tragically, just as our lawsuit was filed, another hazing death lawsuit emerged in Texas this November 2025. This case involves an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Texas at Austin who died following “horrific abuse” at a Sigma Chi event, eventually dying by suicide.
Relevance to Bermudez: This latest incident underscores the pervasive and deadly nature of hazing, even within our own state. It highlights the urgent need for continued aggressive litigation and public awareness, as students across Texas, including those from Dinwiddie County attending state universities, remain at risk.

Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is not arbitrary; it is rooted in these very real and tragic precedents. We know that institutions and national fraternities will deploy every legal tactic to avoid accountability. But we have a proven track record, backed by these landmark cases, that unequivocally states: they can and will be held responsible. For families in Dinwiddie County, this is not just hope; it’s a proven path to justice.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights in Dinwiddie County

For families in Dinwiddie County grappling with the trauma of hazing, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. While our firm is based in Texas, the foundational principles of hazing law and civil liability apply nationwide. Most states have anti-hazing statutes, and federal civil rights claims can often be pursued regardless of the location. These legal frameworks provide powerful tools to hold accountable the individuals and institutions responsible for your child’s injuries.

In Texas, our home state, hazing is not just a campus policy violation; it’s a crime with serious consequences, as laid out in the Texas Education Code. This legislative power is what allows us to fight aggressively for victims like Leonel Bermudez and to extend that fight to Dinwiddie County and beyond.

Texas Hazing Laws: A Comprehensive Overview (Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157)

These statutes are critical because they define what constitutes hazing and establish criminal and organizational penalties.

1. Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):
Texas law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership in an organization, if the act:

Involves physical brutality: Such as whipping, beating, striking (like the wooden paddles in Leonel’s case), branding, or placing harmful substances on the body.
Causes unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects health/safety: This includes sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement, calisthenics (like Leonel’s 500 squats and 100 pushups that led to rhabdomyolysis), or any other activity that subjects a student to an unreasonable risk of physical or mental harm.
Involves forced consumption: Forcing a student to consume food (like the milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns in Leonel’s case), liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk of harm.
Violates the Penal Code: Any activity that requires a student to perform a duty or task that is itself a crime.
Involves coercion to consume dangerous substances: Coercing a student to consume drugs or excessive alcohol.

Dinwiddie County Application: The hazing acts suffered by Leonel Bermudez – waterboarding, forced excessive exercise, forced eating, physical beatings, sleep deprivation, psychological humiliation – directly violate multiple aspects of this comprehensive definition. Most states have similar definitions, meaning your child’s experience, even if it occurred near Dinwiddie County, is likely covered by anti-hazing statutes.

2. Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152):
Texas law imposes criminal penalties on individuals involved in hazing:

Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, soliciting or aiding hazing, or even having firsthand knowledge and failing to report it. (Up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes serious bodily injury, like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. (Up to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine).
State Jail Felony: If hazing causes death. (180 days – 2 years state jail, $10,000 fine).

Dinwiddie County Application: The University of Houston’s own spokesperson acknowledged “potential criminal charges” in Leonel’s case. This confirms that hazing is taken seriously as a criminal act. While our primary focus is civil litigation for victims, criminal charges can run concurrently, adding significant pressure on defendants and demonstrating the gravity of their actions.

3. Organizational Liability (§ 37.153):
The law also holds organizations accountable:

An organization commits an offense if it condones or encourages hazing, or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing.
Penalties can include fines up to $10,000, denial of permission to operate on campus, and forfeiture of property.

Dinwiddie County Application: This is crucial for holding fraternities, sororities, their national organizations, and even university-recognized clubs accountable. The fact that Pi Kappa Phi National closed its chapter illustrates an implicit acknowledgment of organizational liability. When an organization’s negligence directly contributes to your child’s trauma in Dinwiddie County, they can and should face these penalties.

4. Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154):
This is perhaps the most critical provision in Texas anti-hazing law:

“It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

Dinwiddie County Application: This law directly refutes the common defense used by hazers: “they agreed to it,” or “they could have left.” Texas legislators recognized that true consent is absent in hazing due to immense peer pressure, fear of ostracism, and the desire to belong. This empowers hazing victims in Dinwiddie County, ensuring their actions under duress cannot be used against them.

5. University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155):
Texas law requires the chief administrative officer of an institution to report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within 30 days. Failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor. This provision enhances transparency and provides a paper trail for accountability.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Prosecution

Even if criminal charges are not pursued or do not result in conviction, families in Dinwiddie County still have powerful civil legal avenues to pursue justice and compensation. This is where Attorney911 focuses its aggression and expertise.

Negligence Claims: We can sue the individuals, local chapter, national organization, and university for negligence – meaning they failed to exercise reasonable care, and this failure directly caused harm to your child. Their duties include adequate supervision, creating safe environments, and preventing foreseeable harm. Given the prior hazing incident at UH in 2017, the harm to Leonel was highly foreseeable.
Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (like the UH fraternity house in Leonel’s case), or a housing corporation, these entities can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
Negligent Supervision: This applies to national organizations that fail to adequately oversee their local chapters and to universities that fail to monitor Greek life activities effectively.
Assault and Battery: Individual hazers directly involved in physical acts (like waterboarding or paddling) can be held personally liable for intentional torts.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Hazing that involves outrageous conduct and causes severe emotional distress, such as the psychological torture Leonel endured, gives rise to this claim.
Wrongful Death: In the most tragic cases, where hazing results in death, families can file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for the loss of their loved one, both economic and non-economic.

For families in Dinwiddie County, these detailed legal frameworks are not abstract concepts. They are the bedrock of our strategy to fight for your rights, secure financial compensation for your child’s injuries and suffering, and ensure that those responsible for hazing face the full consequences of their actions.

Why Attorney911: Your Fierce Advocates in Dinwiddie County

When your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need an immovable force. You need advocates who understand the insidious culture of abuse, the complex legal frameworks, and how to outmaneuver the powerful institutions that enable it. Our firm, Attorney911, stands ready to be that force for families in Dinwiddie County. Though our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our reach extends nationwide, and we bring a unique set of advantages to every hazing case, including those impacting Dinwiddie County families.

1. Actively Litigating a Landmark $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit:

What this means for you: We are not theoretical. We are currently in the thick of a multi-million dollar fight against Pi Kappa Phi National and the University of Houston in the Leonel Bermudez case. This isn’t just a claim we file; it’s a battle we are waging right now in a Harris County Civil District Court. This case is proof of our aggressive, data-driven, and relentless approach. Families in Dinwiddie County can be assured that we will bring the same level of intensity, dedication, and strategic insight to their case. We don’t just talk about hazing litigation; we are actively shaping it with our current casework.

2. Deep Insider Knowledge: Former Insurance Defense Attorneys:

Ralph P. Manginello: Our managing partner spent years working on the defense side, representing insurance companies. He saw their playbook firsthand – the tactics they use to delay claims, minimize payouts, and wear down victims. Now, he uses that invaluable insight to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients.
Lupe Eleno Peña: As a former attorney at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm, Lupe Peña gained extensive experience defending corporations and insurance companies across various practice areas. He understands how large institutions value claims and strategize their defenses. This battlefield intelligence from “inside the enemy’s war room” is now deployed to benefit hazing victims.
What this means for you: When you hire Attorney911 for your Dinwiddie County hazing case, you’re gaining strategic advantage. You’re not just getting lawyers; you’re getting former insiders who know exactly how national fraternities, universities, and their insurance carriers think, operate, and attempt to deny justice. This “unfair advantage” means we anticipate their moves and counter them strategically, ensuring institutions in Dinwiddie County cannot evade responsibility.

3. Extensive Courtroom Experience and Proven Track Record:

25+ Years of Litigation: Ralph Manginello brings over two decades of battle-tested experience in state and federal courtrooms. He’s handled complex, high-stakes litigation against massive corporate defendants, including the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion case involving institutional negligence and multiple deaths. This demonstrates our capacity to take on the largest defendants, a capability directly applicable to hazing cases against national fraternities and major universities.
Millions Recovered: Both Ralph and Lupe have successfully recovered millions of dollars for clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases. This track record of securing significant compensation speaks volumes about our ability to deliver results.
What this means for you: Your hazing case isn’t just another file for us; it’s a mission. Our extensive experience means we are not afraid to take your case to trial if necessary, ensuring that Dinwiddie County families receive the maximum possible compensation, not just a lowball settlement.

4. Nationwide Reach with Federal Court and Dual-State Authority:

Federal Court Admissions: Both Ralph and Lupe are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. This federal court authority allows us to pursue complex cases that involve national organizations operating across state lines, a common scenario in hazing litigation.
Dual-State Bar Admissions: Ralph is licensed in both Texas AND New York. This dual-state bar admission offers a strategic advantage when dealing with national fraternity organizations often headquartered in states like New York or with significant operations there.
What this means for you: Hazing doesn’t respect state lines. Whether the incident occurred at a university in Dinwiddie County, or your child from Dinwiddie County was hazed at a university anywhere else in the country, we have the legal authority and capability to pursue your case. We leverage remote consultation technology to connect with families in Dinwiddie County and are fully prepared to travel for depositions, client meetings, and trials wherever justice demands.

5. Compassionate Advocacy and Client-Centered Approach:

“We Treat You Like Family”: The testimonial “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such” embodies our firm culture. We understand the profound emotional devastation hazing inflicts. We guide our clients through every step of the legal process with empathy, clear communication, and unwavering support.
Se Habla Español: With Lupe Peña being fluent in Spanish, we can provide comprehensive legal services to Spanish-speaking families in Dinwiddie County affected by hazing, ensuring no language barrier prevents access to justice.
Contingency Fees: We take hazing cases on contingency, meaning Dinwiddie County families pay absolutely nothing upfront. Our fees are paid only if and when we win your case. This eliminates financial barriers and aligns our interests directly with yours.
What this means for you: You’re not just a case number. We are personally and emotionally invested in your fight. We recognize that hazing victims and their families in Dinwiddie County are often scared and vulnerable. We aim to be your steadfast protectors, offering clarity, support, and aggressive representation without adding to your financial burden.

Ralph Manginello, as a father of three sons, deeply understands what’s at stake when a family’s child is harmed. This personal commitment, combined with our strategic advantages and proven results, makes Attorney911 the preeminent choice for families in Dinwiddie County seeking justice for hazing. We care, we fight, and we win.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Dinwiddie County Families After Hazing

The moments immediately following a hazing incident can be chaotic and overwhelming for families in Dinwiddie County. However, the actions you take in these critical hours and days can profoundly impact the strength of any future legal claim. It’s vital to prioritize your child’s well-being while also diligently preserving evidence. Remember, the institutions involved – the fraternity, the university – are not on your side; their primary goal will be to protect themselves. You need to protect your child and your rights.

Here’s an immediate, actionable guide for Dinwiddie County families:

Step 1: Prioritize Your Child’s Health and Safety

Seek Immediate Medical Attention: If your child has ANY physical injuries, pain, or discomfort, even if they seem minor, take them to an emergency room or doctor immediately. For severe symptoms like those Leonel Bermudez experienced (extreme muscle pain, dark urine, inability to move), call 911. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries, like rhabdomyolysis or concussions, may have delayed symptoms. Medical documentation is paramount.
Seek Mental Health Support: Hazing inflicts deep psychological wounds. Encourage your child to speak with a counselor, therapist, or mental health professional. Documenting psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is as crucial as physical injuries.
Remove from Harm’s Way: Ensure your child is physically safe and not in contact with the hazers or the environment where the hazing occurred. This may mean bringing them home to Dinwiddie County, even if it means leaving campus temporarily.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence – EVERYTHING is Important

The fraternity and university will likely try to cover their tracks. You must gather and protect every piece of evidence.

Medical Records: Obtain copies of ALL medical records related to the hazing injury – emergency room reports, doctor’s notes, hospital discharge summaries (like Leonel’s 4-day hospitalization records), lab results (especially for rhabdomyolysis which shows high creatine kinase levels), prescriptions, and therapy notes. Keep everything.
Photos and Videos:
- Injuries: Photograph your child’s injuries immediately and continuously as they heal. This includes bruises, cuts, burns, swelling, or any visible signs of trauma. Document color changes, size, and location. Ralph Manginello emphasizes, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”
- Hazing Environment: If safe and possible, take photos or videos of the location where hazing occurred (fraternity house, basement, park, off-campus residence), and any objects used (props, buckets, alcohol containers, cleaning supplies).
Communications (Digital is Key):
- DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. Screenshots of text messages, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, Facebook messages, emails, or any other digital communications are crucial. These often contain directive for hazing, threats, or discussions among members. This is the “smoking gun” in many hazing cases.
- Save entire chat threads, not just individual messages.
Witness Information: Collect names, phone numbers, and contact information for anyone who witnessed the hazing or has knowledge of it – other pledges, former members, bystanders. Even sympathetic fraternity members might be willing to talk with legal protections.
Written Documents: Any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, “to-do” lists, or communication from the fraternity/sorority related to pledge activities.
Financial Records: Keep track of all expenses related to the hazing: medical bills, travel for treatment, missed work, tuition adjustments, or any other financial losses.
Academic Records: If the hazing impacted your child’s academic performance, gather grades, attendance records, and any communications with professors or academic advisors.

Step 3: Crucial “DO NOTS”

These are critical to avoid undermining your child’s case:

DO NOT Delete Anything: As warned in our video “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case,” deleting digital communications can be perceived as spoliation of evidence.
DO NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority Leadership without Legal Counsel: They will try to control the narrative, coerce your child, or convince them to sign away rights. They are not your child’s friends.
DO NOT Give Statements to University Administration Alone: Universities have a vested interest in protecting their reputation. Any statement your child gives could be used against them later. Insist on legal representation if giving a statement to disciplinary committees or Title IX offices.
DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any document from the fraternity, university, or their representatives without your attorney reviewing it first. You could be waiving crucial legal rights.
DO NOT Post on Social Media: Our video “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” applies directly here. Any post – even one claiming your child is “fine” or pictures showing them at a party – can be used by the defense to argue injuries were exaggerated or not serious. Stay offline regarding the incident.

Step 4: Contact an Attorney IMMEDIATELY

Time is of the Essence: There is often a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases in most states, including Texas. Waiting too long means you could lose your right to sue forever. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the defense builds its case in the interim. Our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” drives this point home.
Free Consultation: Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We can assess your child’s case, explain their rights, and begin the critical process of evidence preservation and case building.
We Work on Contingency: Financial concerns should not deter you. We take hazing cases on contingency, meaning you pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if you win.
Remote Accessibility: For families in Dinwiddie County, we offer video consultations and can handle many aspects of the initial case remotely, demonstrating our commitment to serving victims nationwide.

Your child’s future, their physical health, and their emotional well-being are paramount. Taking these immediate, decisive steps will build the strongest possible foundation for their pursuit of justice. Do not let fear or intimidation silence you. “Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Call Attorney911 today.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline in Dinwiddie County

If your child in Dinwiddie County has endured the nightmare of hazing, whether at a local university or miles away, you are facing a legal emergency. We are Attorney911, and our mission is to provide immediate, aggressive, and professional help to families like yours. We don’t just understand your pain; we are actively fighting similar battles right now, with our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston serving as a testament to our unwavering commitment.

Dinwiddie County Families, Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline Now:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

This hotline is available 24/7. Your initial consultation is absolutely FREE, and everything you share with us is confidential.

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

Why Contacting Us Immediately is Critical for Dinwiddie County Victims:

Time is Running Out: In most states, including Texas, there’s a **serious deadline known as the “statute of limitations,” typically two years from the date of the injury or death. If you miss this window, you lose your right to pursue a lawsuit forever. Hazing victims often delay reporting due to fear or shame, but every day that passes makes collecting evidence harder.
Evidence Disappears Rapidly: Fraternities, universities, and individual hazers will quickly move to destroy or conceal evidence. Digital communications, witness memories, and physical signs can vanish if not secured promptly. We will immediately send preservation letters to all involved parties to protect crucial information.
The Institutions Are Protecting Themselves: From the moment hazing is reported, the fraternity’s national office, the university, and their legal teams are working to protect their own interests, not your child’s. They may try to get your child to make statements that undermine their case or sign documents that waive their rights. Do not talk to them without an attorney.
No Upfront Cost for Dinwiddie County Families: We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely $0 upfront to hire us. We only get paid if and when we win your case. This allows any family in Dinwiddie County, regardless of financial means, to access top-tier legal representation against powerful institutions.

We Serve Dinwiddie County and Hazing Victims Nationwide:

While our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our ability to represent hazing victims extends far beyond state lines. We bring our expertise to Dinwiddie County and across America through:

Federal Court Authority: Our admission to federal courts allows us to pursue cases against national organizations in federal jurisdiction, an avenue often crucial for hazing litigation.
Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello is licensed in both Texas and New York, providing a strategic advantage when dealing with national fraternities and sororities often headquartered or significantly operating in other states.
Remote Consultations: For families in Dinwiddie County who may be at a distance, we offer secure video and phone consultations, ensuring you can connect with our experienced legal team quickly and conveniently.
Commitment to Travel: When necessary for depositions, client meetings, or trials, our attorneys are prepared to travel to Dinwiddie County or any other location where your child’s case demands our presence. Distance is never a barrier to justice.

Hazing is not confined to Greek life. We represent victims of hazing in a wide range of organizations, including:

Fraternities and sororities at universities near Dinwiddie County.
Sports teams in Dinwiddie County schools and colleges.
Marching bands, clubs, and other student organizations.
Military preparation programs (ROTC, JROTC).
Any group that uses initiation rites involving abuse or risk of harm.

To Other Victims of Hazing: You Are Not Alone. We Can Help.

The Leonel Bermudez case clearly shows that our client was not the only one harmed. Other pledges collapsed, were hog-tied, and endured weeks of the same waterboarding, forced excessive exercise, and psychological abuse. If you are another victim of the Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston, or any hazing incident in Dinwiddie County or elsewhere, please know:

You have rights too.
We can represent you.
Your bravery can lead to justice and prevent future harm. As Lupe Pena emphasized, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Dinwiddie County families, let us be your first call in this legal emergency. We will fight aggressively to hold those responsible accountable and secure the compensation and justice your child deserves.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR DINWIDDIE COUNTY HAZING VICTIMS. AGGRESSIVE REPRESENTATION. RESULTS.