If you’re reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, make memories, and build a future. Instead, they were tortured, humiliated, and injured at the hands of those they trusted. We understand the profound fear, anger, and betrayal you must be feeling. We’re here to help families in Franklin County fight back against the pervasive culture of hazing that continues to devastate young lives.

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It is abuse, plain and simple, and it has no place in our colleges, universities, or any student organization. The stories are heartbreakingly familiar: bright, promising students eager to fit in, only to be subjected to physical torment, psychological abuse, and life-threatening rituals. We see it far too often, and we are actively fighting it in courtrooms across the nation, bringing justice to victims and forcing accountability on the institutions and individuals responsible.

We are Attorney911, and we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™. While we may be headquartered in Texas, our reach extends nationwide, and we are committed to serving families in Franklin County and across America. We bring aggressive, data-driven litigation strategies and an unwavering dedication to dismantling the culture of hazing, one case at a time. We know that when a crisis like this strikes, you need immediate, expert help, and we stand ready to be your first call.

The Haunting Echoes of Injustice: A Franklin County Parent’s Nightmare

In Franklin County, parents send their children off to institutions around Virginia and beyond, trusting that they will be safe. They expect their sons and daughters to thrive, not just survive. But the heartbreaking reality is that college campuses, whether they are large state universities like the University of Virginia or Virginia Tech, or smaller private colleges such as Roanoke College or Ferrum College, are not immune to the dangers of hazing. In fact, the very same national fraternities that have caused immense harm elsewhere establish chapters at these institutions, often bringing with them dangerous, unlawful “traditions.”

These same rituals, the same systemic failures, the same devastating consequences that have played out in Houston, Texas, can just as easily occur at a campus near Franklin County. Your child, your family, deserves comprehensive protection and relentless advocacy when the unthinkable happens. This isn’t just a Texas problem; it’s a national crisis, and its shadow reaches every community, including yours in Franklin County.

The True Cost of Hazing: It’s Not Just a Black Eye

Beyond the immediate physical wounds, hazing inflicts deep, lasting scars. Victims often suffer from intense psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a profound sense of betrayal. Their academic performance can plummet, scholarships can be lost, and future career prospects can be dimmed. In the worst cases, hazing leads to permanent injury or even death, leaving families shattered and irrevocably changed.

We understand that speaking out can be terrifying. There’s fear of retaliation, social ostracization, and the immense pressure to remain silent. But for families in Franklin County and everywhere else, let our message be clear: you are not alone, and you have powerful legal rights. We will stand with you, protect you, and fight tirelessly to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

The Landmark Case for Franklin County Families: A $10 Million Fight Against Torture and Negligence

Franklin County families, we want you to understand the kind of legal battle we are prepared to wage on your behalf. We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re actively fighting it in courtrooms right now. Our firm is currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit that embodies everything we stand for: aggressive representation of hazing victims, data-driven litigation strategy, and uncompromising accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries.

This is not a hypothetical case. This is real, it’s unfolding in Harris County Civil District Court in Houston, Texas, and it involves a young man named Leonel Bermudez. His story is a chilling reminder of the horrors of modern hazing, and it serves as a stark warning to parents in Franklin County about what their children face when they pledge a fraternity or sorority.

Leonel Bermudez’s Story: A Warning from Houston to Franklin County

Leonel Bermudez was a “ghost rush,” a common term for a prospective member who was not yet officially enrolled at the University of Houston but planned to transfer for the upcoming semester. He was a young man with aspirations, seeking camaraderie and a sense of belonging. What he found instead was weeks of calculated abuse and torment at the hands of the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

Here is what happened to Leonel, according to our lawsuit and media reports:

• September 16, 2025: Leonel accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi. The nightmare began almost immediately.
• Weeks of Systematic Hazing: For nearly two months, Leonel was subjected to horrific rituals. These included being forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and then sprayed with a garden hose, simulating waterboarding. He was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth. He was forced to eat large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, and then made to continue physical exertion while lying in his own vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: He endured relentless physical abuse, including 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was even struck with wooden paddles. The physical demands were so intense that another pledge lost consciousness during a workout on October 15, and Leonel himself was forced to recite the fraternity creed under threat of expulsion while exercising past the point of collapse.
• Psychological Torture: Beyond the physical abuse, Leonel faced profound psychological torment. He was forced to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times. He was subjected to sleep deprivation, often forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, which led to debilitating exhaustion. He was constantly threatened with physical punishment or expulsion if he failed to comply.
• November 3, 2025: After one particularly grueling session, Leonel was so exhausted he could not stand without help. Attorney Ralph Manginello recounted to ABC13: “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.”
• November 6-10, 2025: Leonel was rushed to the hospital after his mother noticed him passing brown urine—a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown. He was hospitalized for three nights and four days, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. These are life-threatening conditions that can result in permanent kidney damage or even death, caused by the release of damaged muscle proteins into the bloodstream from extreme exertion and trauma.

The Immediate Aftermath: What Happens When We Fight Back

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization being reported, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston was suspended. On November 14, 2025, the national fraternity officially closed the chapter—just seven days before we filed our lawsuit. This swift action by the national organization, acknowledged in their own website statement, is a clear indication that they were aware of the severity of the situation and the unconscionable violations occurring within their chapter. However, this action also revealed a disturbing lack of remorse as their statement expressed a “look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” even as our client was recovering from near-fatal injuries.

Our $10 million lawsuit, filed on November 21, 2025, names not only Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, its local chapter, and housing corporation, but also the University of Houston, the UH Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and even a former member and his spouse at whose residence some of the hazing occurred.

Media Attention: Shining a Light on the Darkness

This case has garnered significant media attention from major Houston outlets, including:

• ABC13 Houston: Reported on November 21-22, 2025, detailing the “abuse and hazing that led to hospitalization.” They shared our attorneys’ powerful quotes on the victim’s journey and our commitment to preventing “harm to another person.” You can read their coverage here: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• KHOU 11: Their November 21, 2025 report confirmed the $10 million figure and revealed critical details, such as the hazing occurring at a “University-owned fraternity house” and allegations that the national organization failed to enforce anti-hazing policies “despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” Find their story here: https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/university-of-houston-hazing-lawsuit-uh-pi-kappa-phi/285-8d6916f4-23b9-456a-a484-77c916ceac71
• Houston Chronicle: Their analysis on November 22, 2025, highlighted the detailed list of physical tortures Leonel endured, including “high-volume suicides,” bear crawls, and “being struck with wooden paddles.”
• Houston Public Media: On November 24, 2025, they further illuminated the case, emphasizing Leonel’s “ghost rush” status and explicitly stating that “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.” Read their report here: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/education/2025/11/24/536961/uh-lawsuit-hazing-allegations-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/

We also have Pi Kappa Phi National’s own statement, published November 21, 2025, which, despite its neutral tone, is a crucial piece of evidence confirming their awareness and response: https://pikapp.org/pi-kappa-phi-closes-beta-nu-chapter-at-the-university-of-houston/

Why This Case Matters to Franklin County

This case is not just about Leonel Bermudez. It’s about every student, including those from Franklin County, who pledges a fraternity and is met with abuse instead of brotherhood.

• National Reach: Pi Kappa Phi has over 150 chapters across America, including near universities where Franklin County students attend. The same violent “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel are likely occurring elsewhere.
• University Accountability: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. This is a critical factor in establishing premises liability. Universities near Franklin County that also own or oversee fraternity housing must recognize their responsibility to protect students.
• Pattern of Negligence: Both Pi Kappa Phi National and the University of Houston have a documented history of hazing incidents. Pi Kappa Phi knows about the deadly hazing that occurred in their Florida State chapter in 2017 with Andrew Coffey. The University of Houston had a student hospitalized from hazing in 2017 as well. Both institutions had eight years to implement effective safeguards between these major incidents, yet they failed. This establishes a clear pattern of negligence and conscious indifference.
• Torture is Not Tradition: The fact that Leonel was waterboarded is especially egregious. As Houston Public Media correctly pointed out, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.” We will ensure that this distinction is clearly understood by any jury or negotiating party.
• Justice for All: As our attorney Lupe Pena 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.” Leonel’s courage, and our firm’s aggressive pursuit of justice, can create a safer environment for students in Franklin County and beyond.

We are bringing the full force of our experience and resources to bear in this $10 million lawsuit. We will uncover every detail, expose every lie, and hold every responsible party accountable. The fight for Leonel Bermudez is not theoretical; it’s happening right now, and the lessons learned and precedents set will be leveraged for Franklin County hazing victims.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes and “Pranks”

For many parents in Franklin County, the word “hazing” might conjure images of silly pranks or demanding tasks. Maybe a little good-natured roughhousing or inconvenient chores that build character. But the reality, as tragically demonstrated in Leonel Bermudez’s case, is far more sinister. Modern hazing rituals are often violent, degrading, and life-threatening. They are rooted in power dynamics, secrecy, and a warped sense of loyalty that can have catastrophic consequences.

The Disturbing Reality of Hazing Tactics

Based on our extensive experience and documented cases like Leonel’s, here is what hazing looks like today:

• Physical Abuse and Assault: This goes far beyond light pushes or inconvenient exercises. We see beatings, brutal paddling, forced prolonged physical exertion leading to muscle breakdown, sleep deprivation, and extreme calisthenics. Pledges are often deprived of proper nutrition and forced to exercise until they collapse, as in Leonel Bermudez’s case, resulting in severe medical conditions like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. In some instances, branding, burning, or even sexual assault occurs.
• Forced Consumption: This is a tragically common hazing tactic, often involving dangerous amounts of alcohol. Binge drinking, chugging, and forced consumption of entire bottles of liquor are rampant, leading to acute alcohol poisoning and death, as seen in the tragic cases of Stone Foltz and Max Gruver. Forced eating until vomiting, as Leonel endured, or consumption of non-food substances is also disturbingly frequent.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: Hazing is designed to break down an individual’s sense of self and instill absolute obedience. This includes verbal abuse, sustained humiliation, degradation, social isolation, and manipulative mind games. Techniques like forced public nudity, carrying sexually explicit objects, or being subjected to mock interrogations and threats are used to instill fear and strip away dignity.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often kept awake for days on end, forced to perform tasks or attend mandatory events in the late hours and early mornings. This impairs judgment, increases vulnerability to accidents, and severely impacts mental and physical health.
• Exposure to Dangerous Conditions: This can range from being abandoned in remote locations to forced exposure to extreme cold or heat, or confinement in small, dark spaces. Leonel’s experience of being forced to strip in cold weather and sprayed with a hose falls into this category, putting him at risk of hypothermia.
• Simulated Drowning / Waterboarding: As seen vividly in Leonel’s case, this extreme form of torture involves restricting breathing or being sprayed with water on the face, simulating drowning. It is a terrifying, dangerous act that can cause severe psychological trauma and even physical harm.

The Medical Consequences: More Than Just “Getting Sick”

The physical toll of hazing can be immense and life-altering, far exceeding a simple hangover or minor injury.

• Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure: As Leonel Bermudez suffered, extreme physical exertion can cause muscle fibers to break down rapidly. This releases harmful proteins (myoglobin) into the bloodstream, which then clog the kidneys, leading to acute kidney failure. This condition requires immediate medical intervention and can result in lifelong complications, including permanent kidney damage, or even death.
• Alcohol Poisoning: This is the leading cause of hazing deaths. Pledges are forced to consume lethal amounts of alcohol, overwhelming their bodies and shutting down vital functions.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From falls during forced exertion, head impacts during physical assaults, or even secondary effects of oxygen deprivation.
• Internal Injuries: Such as a lacerated spleen, as tragically seen in a prior University of Houston hazing case, or other organ damage from blunt force trauma.
• Hypothermia/Heatstroke: From forced exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Psychological Trauma: PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation are common and can require years of therapy and support.
• Spinal Cord Injuries, Fractures, Burns: These are all possible outcomes depending on the nature of the physical abuse involved.

When institutions dismiss these incidents as “pranks” or “boys being boys,” they are willfully ignoring the severe, often irreversible, harm they cause. For families in Franklin County, understanding the true nature of hazing is the first step towards seeking justice.

Who Is Responsible? Holding Every Liable Party Accountable

One of the most crucial aspects of a successful hazing lawsuit is identifying every single party that bears responsibility. It’s rarely just one person; often, it’s a web of individuals and institutions whose actions or inactions directly contributed to the harm. Our data-driven litigation strategy at Attorney911 means we leave no stone unturned, ensuring every liable party is held accountable. This approach will be fully applied to hazing cases originating from Franklin County.

1. The Local Chapter and Its Members

These are often the direct perpetrators. In Leonel’s case, our lawsuit names the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its president, pledgemaster, and 13 individual fraternity members.

• Direct Perpetrators: Individual members who actively participate in the hazing rituals are directly liable for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
• Chapter Leadership: High-ranking members like the president and pledgemaster are often responsible for orchestrating or condoning the hazing. They bear responsibility for negligent supervision and direct participation.
• Aiding and Abetting: Any member who witnesses hazing and fails to intervene or report it can be held liable for aiding and abetting.
• Premises Liability (Individuals): As seen in Leonel’s case, if hazing occurs at a private residence owned by a current or former member (or their spouse), those homeowners can be held directly liable for allowing dangerous activities on their property.

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

These are often the “deep pockets” in hazing litigation, and they cannot hide behind the actions of a local chapter. In Leonel’s case, we are suing Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters.

• Failure to Supervise: National organizations have a duty to supervise their local chapters and ensure they adhere to anti-hazing policies and laws. Leonel’s case alleges that Pi Kappa Phi National “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'”
• Foreseeability / Pattern Evidence: When a national organization has a history of hazing incidents across multiple chapters, it establishes a pattern. The death of Andrew Coffey at Pi Kappa Phi’s Florida State chapter in 2017 provided the national organization with undeniable notice of lethal hazing risks. Their failure to prevent an identical recurrence with Leonel Bermudez eight years later is a powerful argument for negligence and conscious indifference.
• Inadequate Policies and Training: Nationals are responsible for providing clear anti-hazing policies, thorough training, and mechanisms for reporting and responding to incidents. Failures in any of these areas can lead to liability.
• Vicarious Liability: Nationals can be held responsible for the actions of their agents (the local chapter) if those actions were within the scope of their authority or if the national benefited from those actions (e.g., increased membership).

3. The University or College

Universities often hold significant power over Greek life, and with that power comes responsibility. We are suing the University of Houston and the UH Board of Regents.

• Duty to Protect Students: Universities have a general duty to ensure the safety and well-being of their students, especially when they operate or endorse student organizations.
• Premises Liability: Crucially, the hazing of Leonel Bermudez occurred in part at a University-owned fraternity house. When a university owns or controls the property where hazing takes place, their liability significantly increases. They are responsible for conditions on their property and for taking action when illegal activities occur.
• Negligent Supervision and Oversight: Universities are expected to monitor Greek life activities, respond to complaints, and enforce their own anti-hazing policies. The University of Houston had prior knowledge of serious hazing on its campus (a student was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen in 2017). Their failure to prevent Leonel’s injuries eight years later demonstrates institutional negligence.
• Failure to Respond: Delays or inadequate responses to hazing reports can also lead to university liability. The University spokesperson themselves acknowledged the “deeply disturbing” acts and “clear violation of our community standards,” signaling an admission of failure in oversight.

4. Insurance Carriers

Beneath all these entities lie the insurance companies. For national fraternities and universities, these are often multi-million dollar policies designed to cover precisely these kinds of liabilities. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring invaluable insider knowledge to identifying and targeting these policies, ensuring maximum compensation for our clients.

When considering a hazing lawsuit in Franklin County, we will meticulously investigate every layer of responsibility, from the individual students to the sprawling national organizations and the universities that empower them. No one who enables or perpetrates hazing should be allowed to shirk accountability.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof That Justice Prevails

For parents in Franklin County contemplating legal action after a hazing incident, understanding the financial impact of prior cases is essential. These aren’t small claims; they are often multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements that send an unmistakable message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations: hazing will cost you dearly. Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an arbitrary figure; it is directly informed by a legacy of precedent established by other courageous victims and their families.

Landmark Verdicts and Settlements: A National Pattern of Accountability

Here are some of the most prominent multi-million dollar hazing cases that demonstrate the potential for significant recovery:

• STONE FOLTZ — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021) – Total: $10.1 MILLION+

  • What Happened: Stone Foltz was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” initiation and died of alcohol poisoning.
  • The Outcome: His family received $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha National and individuals, totaling over $10.1 million. This was the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. Critically, in December 2024, Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, was ordered to pay a personal judgment of $6.5 million, illustrating that individual officers can also be held financially liable for their actions.
  • Relevance to Franklin County: This case sets a benchmark for the level of damages awarded, even without a criminal conviction for every individual. Our $10 million demand for Leonel’s injuries (rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure), though not fatal, is aligned with the severity of harm and institutional negligence shown in the Foltz case.

• MAXWELL GRUVER — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017) – Total: $6.1 MILLION JURY VERDICT

  • What Happened: Max Gruver died from acute alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495) during a Phi Delta Theta pledge event where he was forced to drink massive amounts of alcohol for answering questions incorrectly.
  • The Outcome: A civil jury awarded his family $6.1 million. Furthermore, his case led to the passage of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making hazing a felony.
  • Relevance to Franklin County: This jury verdict unequivocally proves that juries are willing to award multi-million dollar compensation for hazing deaths, sending a powerful message about accountability.

• TIMOTHY PIAZZA — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017) – Total: $110+ MILLION (Multiple Settlements)

  • What Happened: Timothy Piazza was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes, fell down stairs, and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Fraternity brothers delayed calling 911 for 12 hours. He died from his injuries. Security cameras captured the entire agonizing incident.
  • The Outcome: While confidential, settlements are estimated to exceed $110 million. 18 fraternity members faced criminal charges, with multiple convictions for involuntary manslaughter and hazing. The Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law was passed in Pennsylvania.
  • Relevance to Franklin County: This case underscores that strong evidence (like the detailed descriptions of Leonel’s hazing) can lead to truly massive settlements and institutional change.

• ANDREW COFFEY — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

  • What Happened: Andrew Coffey was forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon, and died from alcohol poisoning. This was a Pi Kappa Phi incident, the same national fraternity that hazed Leonel Bermudez.
  • The Outcome: Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges, and the chapter was permanently closed at FSU. A civil settlement was reached (amount confidential).
  • Relevance to Franklin County: This case is a critical piece of pattern evidence for our against Pi Kappa Phi National. It proves they had undeniable previous knowledge of deadly hazing within their organization, yet eight years later, Leonel was hospitalized from similar abuse. This strengthens our case for gross negligence and punitive damages.

• ADAM OAKES — Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021) – Total: $4+ MILLION Settlement

  • What Happened: Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi big-little hazing event.
  • The Outcome: His family received a settlement exceeding $4 million in October 2024 (from an initial $28 million lawsuit). This case also led to “Adam’s Law” in Virginia, expanding hazing prevention and sanctions.
  • Relevance to Franklin County: This case is especially relevant for families in Franklin County, Virginia, as it occurred within your state and demonstrates the significant settlements achievable, even for cases outside Texas.

Why These Precedents Empower Franklin County Victims

1. Our Demands are Justified: Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez aligns with, and in many respects is conservative compared to, the multi-million dollar outcomes seen in other serious hazing cases, even those resulting in death.
2. Institutional Accountability: These cases consistently show that universities and national fraternities are held financially liable, not just the individual students.
3. Pattern Evidence is Powerful: The consistent thread of similar incidents across different fraternities and universities, particularly the tragic repeat of severe hazing within Pi Kappa Phi, strengthens our ability to argue for gross negligence and increased damages.
4. Juries Hate Hazing: The emotional impact of hazing stories, particularly those involving physical assault and psychological torture, often leads juries to award substantial damages, including punitive damages to punish egregious conduct.
5. Legislative Change: These cases often catalyze new state and federal anti-hazing laws, like the Max Gruver Act and Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, demonstrating the broad societal condemnation of this practice.

For families in Franklin County, these precedents are not just statistics; they are proof that justice is winning. They show that when victims and their advocates refuse to back down, accountability can be achieved, and multi-million dollar compensation is possible.

Texas Law Protects You: Franklin County’s Shield Against Hazing

For families in Franklin County, understanding the legal landscape around hazing is crucial. While Virginia has its own anti-hazing laws, our firm’s deep expertise in Texas hazing laws, particularly as applied in our current $10 million lawsuit, provides a robust framework that often mirrors legal principles nationwide. We will leverage this knowledge to protect your rights, no matter where the hazing occurred.

Texas Hazing Laws: A Model for Accountability

Texas has some of the most comprehensive anti-hazing legislation in the country, explicitly defining and penalizing hazing activities. These laws are key to our litigation strategy and offer strong protections for victims:

• Definition of Hazing (Texas Education Code § 37.151): Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining an organization, if the act:

  • Involves physical brutality (whipping, beating, striking, branding).
  • Includes sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, calisthenics, or other similar activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects mental or physical health.
  • Involves forced consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk of harm.
  • Requires a student to violate the Penal Code.
  • Involves coercing a student to consume drugs or excessive alcohol.

  Franklin County Connection: The acts committed against Leonel Bermudez—waterboarding, forced 500 squats, wooden paddles, forced eating to vomiting, sleep deprivation, cold exposure—clearly fall under multiple categories of this definition. If such acts occurred in Virginia, similar state laws would apply, and our deep understanding of the Texas statute would inform our approach.

• Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Individuals who engage in hazing can face criminal charges ranging from Class B misdemeanors (up to 180 days jail) to Class A misdemeanors (up to 1 year jail for hazing causing serious bodily injury) and even State Jail Felonies (up to 2 years for hazing causing death).

  • Franklin County Connection: Because Leonel suffered severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—which constitute “serious bodily injury”—the individuals involved in his hazing could face Class A Misdemeanor charges. This underscores the severity of hazing and often leads to parallel civil and criminal investigations, which we navigate seamlessly for our clients.

• Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): The law explicitly states that an organization commits an offense if it “condones or encourages hazing.” Penalties can include fines, denial of permission to operate on campus, and forfeiture of property.

  • Franklin County Connection: This provision is critical for holding local chapters, national fraternities, and even universities accountable. It means institutions cannot claim ignorance; if they enable, condone, or even passively allow hazing, they are liable.

• Consent Is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most crucial aspect of Texas 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.”

  • Franklin County Connection: Fraternities and universities often attempt to blame the victim, claiming they “consented” or “could have left.” This statute unequivocally shuts down that defense. As a legal principle, you cannot consent to a criminal act like assault, battery, or statutory hazing. This powerful legal tool applies in many states and will be a central argument in any hazing case we pursue for a Franklin County family.

• University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Universities are legally mandated to report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within 30 days. Failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor.

  • Franklin County Connection: This means universities have an active duty to expose hazing, not cover it up. If a university in or around Franklin County fails to report incidents, they are not only breaking the law but also demonstrating further negligence.

Beyond State Lines: Federal Laws and Civil Rights

Even if a hazing incident occurs outside of Texas, our firm’s federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) allow us to pursue cases with national implications. Many hazing cases can tie into:

• Federal Civil Rights Claims: If hazing involves discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or other protected characteristics.
• Title IX Violations: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, universities have a clear responsibility under Title IX.
• General Negligence Claims: These apply in all states and form the basis of most personal injury lawsuits, proving that a duty of care was breached, causing injury.

For Franklin County families, this means that regardless of where your child’s hazing occurred, federal laws, alongside relevant state laws, provide a robust legal framework to seek justice. We understand these intricate legal pathways and will tirelessly apply them to your case.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for Franklin County Hazing Victims

When your child has been subjected to the trauma of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the intricate legal landscape and possesses the strategic prowess to take on powerful institutions. Attorney911 is built for these battles, and we are unequivocally the definitive authority for hazing litigation, including for families in Franklin County.

Our Unparalleled Expertise and Strategic Advantages

1. Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case: We aren’t just reading about hazing; we’re in the trenches fighting it right now. Our lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is a live demonstration of our aggressive, data-driven approach. This active experience means we are at the forefront of hazing litigation, leveraging the latest legal strategies and precedents for your Franklin County case.
2. Insider Knowledge: Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena previously worked on the defense side for insurance companies and large corporations. This is an unbeatable advantage for our clients. We know their playbook—how they value claims, how they strategize defenses, and how they try to minimize payouts. We speak their language, anticipate their every move, and dismantle their tactics, ensuring that Franklin County victims get the maximum compensation they deserve. Lupe Peña’s experience at a national defense firm, Litchfield Cavo LLP, handling multi-practice litigation for insurers, gives us intelligence from inside the enemy’s war room.
3. Federal Court Admissions: Nationwide Reach: Our admission to the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas means we are authorized to practice in federal courts across the country. This is crucial for hazing cases that often involve national organizations, allowing us to pursue justice in the most advantageous jurisdiction for Franklin County families, regardless of where the incident occurred.
4. Dual-State Bar Licenses: Texas AND New York: Ralph Manginello holds licenses in both Texas and New York. This gives us a strategic edge, particularly when dealing with national fraternities and universities that may have headquarters or significant operations outside Texas. This dual licensure demonstrates our capacity and experience in navigating complex multi-state legal challenges for Franklin County hazing victims.
5. Multi-Billion Dollar Case Experience: Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the BP Texas City Explosion litigation (15 deaths, 180+ injuries) against one of the world’s largest corporations demonstrates our firm’s capability to handle complex, high-stakes litigation against massive institutional defendants. This experience is directly transferable to hazing cases involving powerful national fraternities and well-funded universities.
6. Hazing-Specific Expertise and Focus: We have direct experience with fraternity litigation, rhabdomyolysis cases (like Leonel Bermudez’s), and holding universities accountable. This isn’t a peripheral practice area for us; it’s a central passion fueled by a commitment to ending this dangerous practice.
7. Journalism Background: Ralph Manginello’s degree in journalism equips him with a unique skill set: to investigate, uncover hidden facts, and tell compelling stories that resonate with juries. In hazing cases, where institutions often attempt to conceal or minimize the truth, this ability to unearth and articulate the narrative is invaluable for Franklin County victims.
8. Personal Investment and Empathy: Ralph is a father of three. Lupe is a third-generation Texan and a family man. We understand, on a deeply personal level, the nightmare that Franklin County families face when their child is harmed by hazing. We treat your child as a person, not a paycheck, and we are genuinely passionate about turning pain into accountability.
9. Bilingual Staff: Se Habla Español: We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Franklin County and beyond. Our fluent Spanish-speaking staff ensures that Hispanic families impacted by hazing can access justice without language barriers, providing seamless communication and eliminating fear of misunderstanding.
10. Unshakeable Authority: Our Hazing Intelligence Database: We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, complete with IRS-registered EINs, legal names, addresses, and corporate structures. When hazing happens, we don’t guess who is responsible; we already know every liable entity, from the local chapter to the national house corporations and alumni oversight boards. This data-driven approach allows us to aggressively pursue every “deep pocket” involved.

Our Commitment to Franklin County: Distance Is Not a Barrier

While our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we proudly serve Franklin County and clients nationwide.

• We Travel to You: For critical depositions, client meetings, or trials, our attorneys are prepared to travel to Franklin County to represent your interests directly.
• Remote Consultations: We offer convenient and confidential video consultations, allowing Franklin County families to meet with our experienced hazing lawyers from the comfort of their homes.
• Aggressive Representation from Day One: We move FIRST, FAST, and DECISIVELY. When a legal emergency like hazing strikes, we immediately begin preserving evidence, building your case, and negotiating from a position of strength.

When you choose Attorney911 for your Franklin County hazing case, you are choosing a team with the experience, the insider knowledge, the resources, and the unwavering commitment to fight for justice and ensure that what happened to your child never happens to another.

What to Do Right Now: An Immediate Action Plan for Franklin County Hazing Victims and Families

If your child in Franklin County has been subjected to hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While shock, fear, and emotional turmoil are natural, taking swift, decisive action can make all the difference in preserving evidence and protecting your legal rights. We are here to guide you through this terrifying time with clear, actionable steps.

Step 1: Prioritize Immediate Safety and Medical Attention

• Remove Your Child From Harm: The first priority is to ensure your child is safe and removed from the hazing environment. This may mean taking them out of the fraternity house, off campus, or even home to Franklin County.
• Seek Medical Care Immediately: Even if injuries seem minor, or your child resists, it is vital to get a thorough medical examination. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis (as Leonel suffered) or internal injuries may not be immediately apparent. Adrenaline can mask pain.
  • Go to the Emergency Room: If there’s any doubt about the severity of injuries, go to the nearest ER. This creates an immediate, official medical record.
  • Follow Up with Doctors: Ensure all recommended follow-up appointments, specialist visits, and physical therapy sessions are attended. Compliance with medical advice strengthens your claim by demonstrating the seriousness of the injuries and your commitment to recovery.
• Document Everything Medical: Obtain copies of all medical records, including hospital charts, ER reports, doctor’s notes, test results (like Leonel’s creatine kinase levels), and billing statements. These are foundational to proving damages.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence—The Key to Your Case

Hazing cases often come down to concrete proof against claims of “he agreed” or “it was just horseplay.” Every piece of information, no matter how small, can be vital.

• Digital Communications: SAVE EVERYTHING.
  • Text Messages: All texts, especially those referencing dates, times, locations, activities, threats (physical or social), or expressions of fear/distress.
  • GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, TikTok, Facebook Messenger: These platforms are often used for hazing communications. Take screenshots of all relevant chats, photos, or videos. If your child was forced to join private groups, preserve those.
  • Emails: Any emails from the fraternity, university, or individual members related to pledge activities.
• Photos and Videos:
  • Injuries: Photograph all physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling) as they appear, and as they heal over time. Date and watermark these if possible.
  • Hazing Environment: If safe to do so, document the locations where hazing occurred (fraternity house, off-campus residence, park, remote area).
  • Hazing Activities: If any photos or videos of the actual hazing exist (even from other members), try to obtain and secure them discreetly.
• Witness Information: Collect names and contact information for anyone who may have witnessed parts of the hazing, felt similar abuse, or has knowledge of patterns of hazing within the organization (e.g., other pledges, former members, bystanders).
• Fraternity/University Documents:
  • Pledge Manuals/Schedules: Any documents provided by the fraternity outlining the pledge process, schedules, rules, or alleged “traditions.”
  • University Policies: Copies of the university’s anti-hazing policies, codes of conduct, and Greek life guidelines.
• Financial Records: Keep track of all expenses incurred due to the hazing: medical bills, medication costs, therapy sessions, lost wages if your child missed work, and any academic costs if enrollment was impacted.
• Academic Records: Document any impact on your child’s grades, withdrawal from classes, or lost scholarship opportunities due to the hazing trauma.

Step 3: Crucial “Do Not’s” to Protect Your Rights

The institutions and individuals responsible for hazing will immediately try to minimize their liability. Avoid these common pitfalls:

• DO NOT Delete Anything: Never delete text messages, emails, social media posts, or photos. Even if something seems incriminating for your child, deleting it can be seen as destruction of evidence.
• DO NOT Speak with the Organization or University Without Counsel: Do not give statements to fraternity/sorority leadership, university officials (including Title IX officers or student affairs), or their attorneys without legal representation. They are not on your side and will use your words against you.
• DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents from the fraternity, university, or their insurance companies. These documents often include waivers of liability or confidentiality agreements that can strip you of your legal rights.
• DO NOT Post on Social Media: Refrain from posting about the incident, your injuries, or your emotional state on any social media platform. Anything you post can and will be scrutinized by defense attorneys and used to undermine your case.
• DO NOT Confront Perpetrators: While understandable, direct confrontation can escalate tensions, lead to further harm, or compromise evidence.
• DO NOT Delay: The statute of limitations (typically a 2-year deadline in Texas and many other states) means you have a limited time to file a lawsuit. Evidence disappears, and memories fade. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Step 4: Contact Attorney911 Immediately

This is the most critical step. We offer a free, confidential consultation to Franklin County families.

• Call Us 24/7: Our Legal Emergency Hotline is available around the clock: 1-888-ATTY-911.
• Email Us: You can also reach us at ralph@atty911.com.
• Video Consultation: We understand that distance can be a concern for Franklin County families. We provide secure and convenient video consultations to discuss your case remotely.

When you contact us, we will immediately begin working to:

• Preserve Evidence: We’ll send legal preservation letters to all relevant parties, preventing the destruction of crucial evidence.
• Protect Your Rights: We’ll handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies, ensuring your words are not twisted.
• Build Your Case: We’ll initiate a thorough investigation, leveraging our hazing intelligence database and our expertise.

You and your child did not deserve this. Let us help you fight back.

Contact Us: Your Franklin County Legal Emergency Hotline

If you are a parent or a victim of hazing in Franklin County, the time to act is now. The thought of taking on a national fraternity, a powerful university, or a group of individuals can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. Attorney911 is your dedicated partner in this fight for justice and accountability.

Franklin County Families: Your Call to Action is Clear.

We are actively working on a $10 million lawsuit for a hazing victim right now. We are demonstrating a relentless, data-driven approach in Harris County Civil District Court that has already led to the closure of a fraternity chapter and widespread media attention. The same aggressive, expert representation is available for your family in Franklin County.

Reach Out for a Free, Confidential Consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

This Legal Emergency Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you call, you will speak with compassionate, knowledgeable professionals who understand the urgency and sensitivity of your situation.

• Email: Prefer to write? Reach us at ralph@atty911.com.
• Website: Learn more about our firm and our commitment to justice at attorney911.com.

No Upfront Costs: We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Do

We understand that the financial burden of a hazing incident, coupled with concerns about legal fees, can be daunting for Franklin County families. That’s why we take all hazing cases on a contingency fee basis.

• $0 Upfront: You pay nothing out-of-pocket to hire us.
• We Take the Risk: We cover all initial case expenses.
• Aligned Interests: We only get paid if we win your case, through a settlement or a verdict. Our success is directly tied to yours.

Why You Can Trust Attorney911 to Fight for Franklin County

• Unmatched Experience: With over 25 years of courtroom experience, including high-stakes, multi-billion dollar litigation, our team knows how to win against powerful defendants.
• Insider Advantage: Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense lawyers. They’ve seen the insurance companies’ entire playbook and use that knowledge to maximize victim compensation.
• Nationwide Reach: While based in Texas, our federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) enable us to represent hazing victims across America, including those in Franklin County, wherever the incident occurred. We conduct remote consultations and travel as needed for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): We ensure that language is never a barrier to justice, offering comprehensive legal assistance in Spanish.
• Deep Personal Commitment: We are parents and community members who are passionately committed to ending the cycle of hazing and protecting students. Your family’s well-being is our top priority.

To Other Victims of Hazing: You Are Not Alone

If you or someone you know has been subjected to hazing, whether at a large state university, a local Virginia college, a sports team, a marching band, ROTC, or any student organization, remember Leonel Bermudez’s story. Remember the courage it took for him and his family to stand up. As Lupe Pena bravely 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.”

We know other pledges at Pi Kappa Phi were subjected to horrific abuse alongside Leonel. Other students nationwide are suffering in silence. Whether you’re in Franklin County or anywhere else, your story matters. Your courage can prevent future tragedies.

Don’t let shame, fear, or loyalty prevent you from seeking justice. Don’t let the institutions that failed you dictate your future. Call us. Let’s fight back together.

1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com