If you’re reading this in Dooly County, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, build connections, and embark on a fulfilling future. Instead, they were tortured. They were abused. They were brought to the brink of physical and emotional collapse, all in the name of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.” We understand the fear, the anger, the overwhelming sense of betrayal you must be feeling. We are here to help families in Dooly County fight back.
Hazing is not a harmless prank; it is a dangerous epidemic that is silently inflicting physical and psychological wounds on students across our nation, including those from Dooly County attending institutions statewide or further afield. When your child leaves home for college, whether it’s the University of Georgia, Mercer University in Macon, Georgia Tech in Atlanta, or any other school in our region or beyond, you trust that the university and its student organizations will keep them safe. Sadly, that trust is too often shattered by barbaric hazing rituals.
Our firm, Attorney 911, stands at the forefront of this battle. We are aggressively representing victims of hazing and their families, much like we are doing right now in a landmark $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the University of Houston. This isn’t just a legal fight for us; it’s a moral imperative. We are committed to holding every responsible party accountable, from individual perpetrators to the national organizations and universities that enable this culture of abuse.
The Landmark Case in Our Fight: Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston
This case, filed in November 2025, is not theoretical. It is happening right now in Harris County Civil District Court, and it perfectly illustrates the kind of relentless, data-driven advocacy we bring to every hazing victim’s case. While this particular incident occurred in Houston, the patterns of abuse, institutional negligence, and national fraternity failures are universal. This story serves as a stark warning to parents in Dooly County, highlighting the very real dangers your children face and demonstrating that Attorney 911 is the firm that will stand up and fight.
The Victim: Leonel Bermudez
Leonel Bermudez was not even a University of Houston student when the hazing began. He was a “ghost rush,” planning to transfer to UH for the upcoming semester. He accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025, eager to find a community. What followed was an horrific seven-week ordeal of systematic abuse, torture, and hazing that culminated in his hospitalization for severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
His story is heart-wrenching, and it is precisely why we do what we do. From the words of our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, to ABC13 News: “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.”
What happened to Leonel is a chilling reminder that hazing is not just about silly pranks. It is a dangerous form of abuse that can lead to life-threatening injuries. As Lupe Pena, our associate attorney, powerfully stated to ABC13 News: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
You can read more about the unfolding case and our firm’s involvement through these verified news reports:
- ABC13 Houston: Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges
- KHOU 11: $10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations
- Hoodline: University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Face $10M Lawsuit Over Alleged Hazing and Abuse
The Disturbing Hazing Activities Exposed
The details of Leonel’s hazing are a horrifying testament to the depravity that can occur within these organizations:
- Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” as reported by KHOU. Pledges were sprayed in the face with a hose while performing calisthenics, under threat of being waterboarded again if they didn’t comply. This is not a prank; it is torture recognized internationally as a human rights violation.
- Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges were compelled to consume large quantities of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited, then forced to continue physical exertions while lying in their own vomit.
- Extreme Physical Punishment: This included 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (sprinting drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. Pledges were forced to recite the fraternity creed during these exercises and threatened with immediate expulsion if they stopped. Leonel was exercised to the point where he could not stand without help. The Houston Chronicle also reported that pledges were “being struck with wooden paddles.”
- Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Leonel was forced to carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Pledges were stripped to their underwear in cold weather.
- Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, contributing to severe exhaustion.
The Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure
These brutal acts led to critical medical conditions for Leonel. He was hospitalized for three nights and four days, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle tissue that releases a damaging protein into the blood, which can overwhelm the kidneys. Leonel was “passing brown urine,” a classic sign of myoglobin in the urine, indicating severe muscle breakdown. He also had “very high creatine kinase levels,” confirming the extensive muscle damage.
This is the same medical condition that Attorney 911 has successfully litigated before, showcasing Ralph Manginello’s specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases. The long-term implications for kidney health can be severe, including chronic kidney disease, the need for dialysis, or even a kidney transplant.
Institutional Responses: A Pattern of Avoidance
The response from both the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters reveals a troubling pattern:
- University of Houston: A UH spokesperson stated to Houston Public Media that “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards.” While noting disciplinary actions and potential criminal charges, this statement comes only after a student was hospitalized, not before.
- Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters: Their website announced the closure of the Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, before our lawsuit was filed. They stated “following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards,” acknowledging wrongdoing, yet also declared, “we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This not only shows a lack of genuine remorse but also indicates a disturbing pattern of prioritizing reputation management over student safety. KHOU 11 reported that the national organization was alleged to have “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'”
Why This Case Matters to Dooly County Families
The details of Leonel’s ordeal are not unique to Houston. Pi Kappa Phi, like many national fraternities, has over 150 chapters across America, including at universities that students from Dooly County might attend. The same “traditions” that led to Leonel’s hospitalization could just as easily harm your child. Universities near Dooly County, whether they are in the University System of Georgia or private institutions, face the same liabilities when they fail to protect their students.
Our $10 million lawsuit is not just about financial compensation; it’s about sending an undeniable message: hazing will not be tolerated. We will pursue accountability for every entity responsible, forcing a change in a culture that values archaic rituals over human safety.
What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes
For many parents in Dooly County, the word “hazing” might conjure images of late-night pranks or difficult challenges that build character. We are here to tell you, as experts in hazing litigation, that this is a dangerous misconception. Modern hazing, as tragically exemplified by Leonel Bermudez’s case, is often systematic torture, designed to break down individuals physically and psychologically.
This is not harmless “boys being boys” or “bonding.” This is, in fact:
- Assault and Battery: Direct physical violence, including paddling and forced physical abuse.
- Reckless Endangerment: Forcing individuals to undertake activities with known, severe health risks, like extreme exercise leading to rhabdomyolysis or excessive alcohol consumption leading to alcohol poisoning.
- Psychological Torture: Humiliation, degradation, sleep deprivation, and threats designed to create fear and compliance.
- Sexual Harassment and Abuse: As seen in the forced carrying of sexual objects, which is a form of sexual humiliation.
- Sometimes Manslaughter or Murder: When hazing directly leads to death, which tragically happens far too often across the country.
The Alarming Statistics
The scope of the hazing crisis is vast:
- Over 55% of students involved in Greek organizations experience hazing.
- Nearly 40% of student athletes report being hazed.
- Tragically, since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States.
- Despite its prevalence, 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it, often due to fear of retaliation, shame, or misplaced loyalty.
Hazing is not confined to fraternities and sororities. It plagues sports teams, ROTC programs, marching bands, and various other clubs and organizations at institutions nationwide. The common thread is a culture that uses abuse as a twisted form of initiation or “team building.”
Institutional Failure: A Choice, Not an Accident
Universities and national organizations are not ignorant of hazing. They enact policies, conduct training, and issue statements decrying it. However, until a student is severely injured or dies, their actions often fall short of genuine enforcement. They know hazing exists, but they frequently choose to prioritize institutional reputation and the popularity of Greek life over proactive student safety measures. Our lawsuit aims to change that calculus by making the financial and legal consequences so severe that passive oversight becomes an unacceptable risk.
Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Liable Party Accountable
In hazing cases, accountability extends far beyond the immediate perpetrators. We believe that everyone who participated in, condoned, or failed to prevent the abuse must be held responsible. Our strategy in the Bermudez case exemplifies this comprehensive approach, naming multiple defendants to ensure all culpable parties face justice.
We pursue claims against:
- Local Chapters: The individual fraternity or sorority chapter directly organizing and carrying out the hazing activities. This includes the chapter’s leadership, such as the President, Pledgemaster, and Risk Manager, who have a direct role in the chapter’s operations and the welfare of its members.
- Individual Members: Every student who actively participated in, perpetuated, or stood by and failed to intervene during hazing acts can be held personally liable. This also extends to former members who might host hazing activities at their residences, as seen in the Bermudez case where a former member and his spouse are named defendants for allowing hazing at their home.
- National Organizations: The national fraternity or sorority headquarters often bears significant responsibility. They create the rules, provide funding, train local chapters, and supposedly enforce anti-hazing policies. When these national bodies fail to adequately supervise their chapters, ignore warning signs, or continue a pattern of past negligence, they become directly liable. Our lawsuit highlights Pi Kappa Phi National’s knowledge of a “hazing crisis” and its failure to prevent another severe incident after the 2017 death of Andrew Coffey.
- Universities and Colleges: Educational institutions have a paramount duty to protect their students’ health and safety. This duty involves overseeing student organizations, enforcing anti-hazing policies, and intervening when hazing is known or should have been known to be occurring. In the Bermudez case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing took place, granting them direct control and premises liability. Universities cannot claim ignorance, especially when there have been prior hazing incidents on their campus, such as the 2017 hospitalization of a student at UH due to hazing. The UH Board of Regents is also named to ensure institutional accountability.
- Housing Corporations: Many fraternities and sororities operate through separate housing corporations that own or manage the chapter houses. These entities can be liable under premises liability laws if hazing occurs on their property and they fail to ensure its safety.
- Insurance Carriers: While not direct perpetrators, insurance companies play a crucial role. National fraternities, universities, and housing corporations typically carry substantial liability insurance policies designed to cover such incidents. Our experience as former insurance defense attorneys gives us unique insight into how to maximize claims against these “deep pockets.”
This multi-faceted approach ensures that we leave no stone unturned in seeking justice. This is not about bankrupting college students; it is about forcing powerful, well-funded institutions and organizations to fundamentally change their dangerous practices.
What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof of Accountability
The fight against hazing is difficult, but history shows it is winnable, and the outcomes can be substantial. For families in Dooly County who may feel powerless against large universities and national fraternities, these multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements offer hope and a clear path to justice. They prove that when we fight aggressively, accountability follows.
Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Total: $10.1 Million+
- The Incident: 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 died of alcohol poisoning.
- The Accountability: Bowling Green State University settled for $2.9 million, and Pi Kappa Alpha national, along with individuals, settled for $7.2 million. More recently, in December 2024, a Ohio court issued a $6.5 million judgment specifically against Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, for his personal liability.
- Lesson for Dooly County: This case shows that our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is directly in line with precedents for comparable harm. It also highlights that individuals, even college students, can face multi-million dollar personal judgments for their roles in hazing.
Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)
Total: $6.1 Million Verdict
- The Incident: Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495) after being forced to drink excessive alcohol during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” hazing event at LSU.
- The Accountability: A jury delivered a $6.1 million verdict to the Gruver family. Criminal convictions for negligent homicide even led to prison time for some individuals. The tragedy also spurred the creation of the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
- Lesson for Dooly County: Juries are outraged by hazing and will award millions. Criminal prosecution can run concurrently with civil lawsuits, reinforcing the severity of the acts.
Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)
Total: $110+ Million (Multiple Settlements)
- The Incident: Timothy Piazza was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event, reaching a near-fatal BAC of 0.36. He then suffered multiple falls down basement stairs, sustaining severe injuries. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911, capturing everything on security cameras. He died from a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding.
- The Accountability: Though confidential, settlements are estimated to exceed $110 million. Multiple fraternity members faced criminal charges, including involuntary manslaughter. Pennsylvania passed the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law as a direct result.
- Lesson for Dooly County: When evidence is strong and the conduct is egregious, as in Leonel’s case, settlements can reach astronomical figures. Full documentation, like the strong evidence we’re building, is critical.
Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
Significance: SAME FRATERNITY as Bermudez Case
- The Incident: Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” hazing event at FSU.
- The Accountability: Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges. The chapter was permanently closed. A civil suit resulted in a confidential settlement.
- Lesson for Dooly County: This is damning evidence against Pi Kappa Phi. It proves the national organization had full knowledge of their deadly hazing culture a full eight years before Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded. Their failure to act makes them unequivocally liable for a pattern of negligence and deliberate indifference.
Why Precedents are Critical for Dooly County Victims
These outcomes, while often the result of profound tragedy, offer a blueprint for justice. They demonstrate:
- Hazing Cases Are Winnable: These are not impossible cases; strong legal strategies yield results.
- Multi-Million Dollar Recoveries Are Possible: The financial impact of hazing is acknowledged and compensated at the highest levels.
- Universities and National Organizations Pay: The “deep pockets” are held accountable alongside individuals.
- Punitive Damages Punish Extremes: Egregious conduct like waterboarding makes juries eager to impose severe financial penalties.
- Legislative Change Follows Litigation: Our fights contribute to better laws protecting future students.
The message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations is clear: hazing costs millions. We are ready to bring the same level of legal expertise and aggressive representation to Dooly County families seeking justice.
Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Dooly County Child’s Rights
For Dooly County families, understanding the legal framework related to hazing is crucial. While hazing incidents can involve victims from Dooly County attending any university worldwide, Texas law, where our firm is based and currently fighting the Pi Kappa Phi case, provides a robust example of how legal systems can protect victims. Many states across the country have similar, if not stronger, anti-hazing statutes. Additionally, federal civil rights claims and general negligence principles apply regardless of state lines, giving us the ability to pursue cases for Dooly County victims anywhere in the nation.
Texas Hazing Laws: A Detailed Reference
The Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157 is known as the Anti-Hazing Law. This statute clearly defines what constitutes hazing and outlines criminal penalties and organizational liability.
Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): The law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of affiliation or membership in an organization, if the act:
- Involves physical brutality: whipping, striking, branding, shocking, or similar activity.
- Endangers health or safety: sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, forced calisthenics, or other activities causing unreasonable risk of harm or affecting mental/physical health.
- Involves forced consumption: excessive food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances.
- Requires criminal acts: any activity that causes or requires the student to violate the Penal Code.
- Coercion to consume drugs or alcohol: in amounts leading to intoxication.
Application to Leonel Bermudez’s Case: Every act committed against Leonel—from waterboarding, wooden paddles, 500 squats, sleep deprivation, and forced eating—falls squarely within multiple categories of this legal definition. His injuries (rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure) directly resulted from activities creating an “unreasonable risk of harm.”
Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Texas law imposes criminal penalties for hazing:
- Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, soliciting, aiding, or failing to report hazing with actual knowledge (up to 180 days in jail, $2,000 fine).
- Class A Misdemeanor: For hazing causing serious bodily injury (up to 1 year in jail, $4,000 fine).
- State Jail Felony: For hazing causing death (180 days to 2 years in state jail, $10,000 fine).
Leonel’s severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure would undoubtedly qualify as “serious bodily injury,” meaning those involved could face Class A Misdemeanor charges. The University of Houston spokesperson has already alluded to “potential criminal charges.”
Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations themselves can be held liable if they condone or encourage hazing, or if their officers/members commit or assist in hazing. Penalties can include fines, denial of permission to operate, and forfeiture of property. This means both the local chapter and the national organization can be held legally accountable.
The Most Critical Aspect: Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154)
This particular provision of Texas law is paramount for Dooly County families:
“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.”
This shatters the common, insidious defense that victims “volunteered” or “knew what they were getting into.” The law recognizes that the power dynamics and coercive nature of hazing negate true consent. Fraternity members cannot claim a student “agreed” to be waterboarded or exercised to kidney failure. This legal clarity strengthens every victim’s case.
Civil Liability Beyond Criminal Charges
Beyond criminal penalties, civil lawsuits allow Dooly County victims to pursue damages for a wider range of harms:
- Negligence Claims: We prove that institutions (universities, nationals) and individuals had a duty of care, they breached that duty through hazing, their breach caused the injuries, and those injuries resulted in damages. This applies across all states.
- Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (as in Leonel’s case, where UH owned the fraternity house), the institution can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
- Negligent Supervision: This applies when national organizations fail to properly supervise local chapters, or when universities fail to oversee Greek life activities on their campuses.
- Assault and Battery: Individual participants can be sued directly for intentional harmful or offensive contact.
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For conduct so outrageous that it causes severe emotional distress, such as the psychological torture Leonel endured.
- Federal Civil Rights Claims: In some instances, hazing can violate federal laws, such as Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education.
It is important for Dooly County families to know that these civil claims often provide the most direct and comprehensive path to financial compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, and immense pain and suffering.
Why Attorney 911 Is the Obvious Choice for Dooly County Hazing Victims
When your family in Dooly County is facing the aftermath of a hazing incident, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the nuances of hazing litigation, the tactics of powerful institutions, and the emotional toll on victims. Attorney 911 offers unmatched experience and a unique set of advantages that make us the definitive authority in this specialized field.
Proven Hazing Litigation Expertise
We are not theoretical. We are fighting this fight right now. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is a live demonstration of our commitment and capability. We are actively engaging with media, uncovering evidence, and building a powerful case that sets a new standard for accountability. Dooly County families get the benefit of this active, cutting-edge legal experience.
Unique Insight from Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both of our firm’s principal attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense lawyers. This “insider knowledge” is an unfair advantage for our clients. We understand how insurance companies think, how they strategize, and precisely how they attempt to minimize or deny claims. We’ve seen their playbook from the inside, and now we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for hazing victims. Lupe Pena’s experience at a national defense firm, Litchfield Cavo LLP, where he defended insurance companies across multiple practice areas, gives us unparalleled insight into the strategies the other side will employ.
Dual-State Bar Admissions and Federal Court Authority
With admissions to the U.S. District Court (including the Southern District of Texas) and bar licenses in both Texas and New York, our firm possesses the jurisdictional reach necessary to tackle nationwide hazing cases. National fraternities and sororities operate across state lines, and their headquarters may be located far from Dooly County. Our dual admissions provide a strategic advantage in pursuing these national organizations, no matter where they are incorporated.
Extensive Courtroom and High-Stakes Litigation Experience
Ralph Manginello brings over 25 years of courtroom experience, including involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation. This experience against massive corporate defendants is directly applicable to taking on large national fraternities and universities. His journalism background also means he knows how to investigate, uncover facts, and tell a compelling story, which is crucial in hazing cases where institutions often try to obscure the truth. Lupe Pena’s 12+ years of litigation experience in complex commercial and construction law further bolsters our firm’s capacity for intricate legal battles.
Se Habla Español: Bilingual Services for Dooly County’s Diverse Communities
We understand that Dooly County is part of a diverse state, which means many families may prefer to communicate in Spanish. Our team is fluent in Spanish, offering comprehensive legal services to Hispanic families affected by hazing, ensuring no language barrier stands in the way of justice.
No Upfront Costs: Contingency Fees for Dooly County Families
We believe that no family should be denied justice due to financial constraints. Hazing cases are taken on a contingency fee basis. This means:
- You pay $0 upfront.
- We don’t get paid unless and until you get paid.
- We cover all legal expenses, and these are reimbursed only if we win your case.
This payment structure aligns our interests directly with yours and allows Dooly County families to challenge powerful institutions without financial risk. You can learn more about how this works by watching our video titled “How Contingency Fees Work” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
A Focus on Compassion and Communication
We pride ourselves on our empathetic, parent-facing approach. We know this is one of the hardest times in your family’s life. Our 4.9-star rating with over 250 Google reviews reflects our commitment to client care. Testimonials repeatedly praise our communication, responsiveness, and how we treat clients “like family.” We will keep you informed at every stage of your case, ensuring you understand the process and feel supported.
We don’t just talk about hazing; we actively fight it. Our emotional investment in hazing victims stems from seeing firsthand the devastation these acts cause. We see your child as a person, not a paycheck, and we will fight fiercely for Dooly County families because we truly care.
What to Do Right Now: Your Immediate Steps After Hazing
If you are a parent or a student in Dooly County who has experienced hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While the emotional toll might make it difficult to think clearly, taking swift action is essential to protect your legal rights and gather crucial evidence. Time is often against you, as evidence can disappear quickly, and memories fade.
Your Hazing Incident First Response Protocol:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health and safety are paramount. Go to the nearest emergency room or consult a doctor immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Some severe conditions, like rhabdomyolysis or internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent. Ensure everything is thoroughly documented by medical professionals. This creates an official record of your injuries.
- Preserve All Evidence: This cannot be stressed enough. Think of your phone as your most powerful tool.
- Photos and Videos: Take pictures of any visible injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling, burns) as they appear and as they heal. If safe, photograph the location where the hazing occurred, any objects used in the hazing, or any relevant details.
- Communications: DO NOT DELETE ANY TEXT MESSAGES, GroupMe chats, Snapchat conversations, Instagram DMs, emails, or any other digital communications related to the hazing. Screenshots are invaluable. These communications often contain direct evidence of coercion, threats, and descriptions of activities.
- Documents: Keep any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or other physical documents you received from the organization.
- Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, therapy invoices, and records of lost wages if the hazing caused you to miss work.
- Academic Records: Document any impact the hazing had on your grades, enrollment status, or scholarships.
We encourage you to watch our video “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzMogTs for more details on this crucial step.
- Identify Witnesses: If there were other pledges or individuals who witnessed the hazing, try to discreetly obtain their names and contact information. Their testimony can be vital.
- Do NOT Communicate with the Organization or University Alone: Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leaders, alumni, university administrators, or their attorneys without consulting your own legal counsel first. Anything you say can be used against you. They will try to control the narrative or minimize the incident.
- Do NOT Post on Social Media: Refrain from posting anything about the hazing incident on social media. Even seemingly innocent posts can be twisted by the defense to undermine your case. Avoid deleting old posts, as this can be seen as destruction of evidence. Our video “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” provides a crucial warning.
- Contact an Experienced Hazing Litigation Attorney Immediately: This is the most important step. Hazing cases are complex, involving multiple defendants and often aggressive defense tactics. The Statute of Limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases in most states (including, for instance, Texas) is two years from the date of injury or death. This may seem like a long time, but evidence disappears, memories fade, and strong cases are built from timely action. An attorney can send immediate preservation letters to all defendants, preventing the destruction of evidence. We offer free consultations, and distance is not a barrier; we can arrange remote consultations for Dooly County families. Our attorneys will also explain common “Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” as detailed in one of our videos at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY.
Dooly County Families: Your Child’s Immigration Status Does Not Prevent Justice
We understand that some students in Dooly County or attending universities may be international students or come from immigrant families. It is critical to know:
- Your immigration status does NOT affect your legal right to pursue compensation for hazing injuries.
- We can assist with any language barriers, with fluent Spanish-speaking staff ready to help.
- We will protect your privacy and ensure pursuing legal action does not negatively impact your visa status.
- We are here to help you navigate a legal system that might be unfamiliar, ensuring you receive the same aggressive representation as any other victim.
Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline in Dooly County
If your child has been subjected to hazing, the time to act is now. The silence that surrounds hazing protects the perpetrators, not the victims. It’s time to break that cycle and demand accountability. We are Attorney 911, and we are ready to fight for your family in Dooly County.
Dooly County Families: Call Our 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline for a FREE Consultation
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
No matter where your child attends college, if they have been subjected to hazing, we can help. We serve hazing victims nationwide, including families in Dooly County. While our headquarters are in Houston, our dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) and federal court authority allow us to pursue justice across the country. We can conduct video consultations, and our attorneys are prepared to travel to Dooly County for depositions, meetings, or trial if necessary. Distance will not be a barrier to seeking justice for your child.
Remember, we work on a contingency fee basis – you pay absolutely nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This removes any financial burden, allowing you to focus on your child’s recovery while we relentlessly pursue accountability.
We Don’t Just Talk About Hazing. We’re Fighting It Right Now.
Our involvement in the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston $10 million lawsuit is not just a case; it’s a mission. It demonstrates our expertise, our aggressive stance, and our commitment to bringing about real change.
We used our Texas Hazing Intelligence Database, with detailed information on over 125 IRS-registered Greek organizations in Texas (including EINs, legal names, and addresses), to identify every entity behind the Greek letters in that case. For example, our database includes organizations like Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc with EIN 462267515, which is based in Frisco, Texas, and represents the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at the University of Houston. This meticulous data collection allowed us to name the university, the national fraternity, its housing corporation, and 13 individual members, including the president, pledgemaster, and risk manager.
The immediate impact of our lawsuit was significant: the chapter was suspended within days of the hazing reports, the members voted to surrender their charter, and the chapter was permanently closed. Criminal referrals were initiated, and the university called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” This is what happens when data-driven attorneys take on hazing. We don’t guess; we know. And we sue everyone responsible.
This same rigorous, evidence-based approach is exactly what we will bring to your hazing case in Dooly County, regardless of whether your child attends college here in Georgia at the University of Georgia, Kennesaw State University, Georgia Southern University, Augusta University, or any institution further afield. The same national fraternities that have paid multi-million dollar settlements, like Pi Kappa Alpha with over $24 million in national hazing death settlements (including a $6.5 million judgment against a former chapter president in December 2024), Sigma Chi with over $10 million in a single hazing case, and Kappa Sigma with a $12.6 million jury verdict, operate chapters across the state and country. We are putting every national fraternity and university with chapters near Dooly County on notice: we are watching, and the same legal strategies that secured these verdicts and settlements apply to your chapters and institutions.
To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:
We know Leonel Bermudez was not the only one hazed. Other pledges collapsed, were hog-tied, and subjected to the same brutal rituals. If you or someone you know was also victimized by the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at the University of Houston, you also have rights. We can represent you, and together, we can maximize the pressure for justice and institutional change.
Lupe Pena’s words serve as our guiding principle: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Call us. Let’s make sure no other family in Dooly County or anywhere else has to endure this nightmare.
Call Attorney 911 today. We are your legal emergency lawyers, and we are here to help.
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