🚨 Hazing Justice for Frederick County Families: How Attorney 911 Fights for Students at Virginia Universities
Frederick County Parents: Your Child Could Be Next
Hazing isn’t just happening in Texas or Florida. It’s happening right here in Virginia. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at University of Houston have chapters at universities near Frederick County. The same “traditions” that sent a student to the hospital with kidney failure exist at Virginia colleges. And the same negligence that allowed these incidents to happen in other states is present right here in our community.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for what happened to Leonel Bermudez. He was waterboarded. Forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down. Struck with wooden paddles. And hospitalized for four days with kidney failure.
This could happen to your child at a Virginia university.
The Hazing Crisis in Virginia: What Frederick County Families Need to Know
Virginia Universities Where Hazing Happens
While we can’t comment on specific incidents at Virginia institutions without verified information, we can and do know this:
Major universities near Frederick County with active Greek life include:
- James Madison University (JMU) – Harrisonburg, VA
- University of Virginia (UVA) – Charlottesville, VA
- Virginia Tech – Blacksburg, VA
- George Mason University – Fairfax, VA
- Shenandoah University – Winchester, VA
- Bridgewater College – Bridgewater, VA
The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have chapters at these Virginia schools:
- Pi Kappa Phi
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
- Beta Theta Pi
- Sigma Chi
- Kappa Sigma
- Phi Delta Theta
- And many others
Frederick County families: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at any Virginia university, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Texas.
What Hazing Really Looks Like: The Bermudez Case as a Warning for Frederick County
The Incident That Should Terrify Every Virginia Parent
Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston in September 2025. What followed was weeks of systematic abuse that nearly killed him.
Here’s what happened to him – and what could happen to your child in Virginia:
Physical Abuse:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose – simulated drowning while doing calisthenics
- Struck with wooden paddles – physical beating with weapons
- 500+ squats and 100+ pushups – forced to the point of physical collapse
- “Suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows – extreme physical punishment
- Two-mile warmups and repeated 100-yard crawls – forced past exhaustion
Forced Consumption:
- Forced to drink large amounts of milk, eat hot dogs and peppercorns until vomiting
- Then forced to continue running sprints while in physical distress
- Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass after vomiting
Psychological Torture:
- Forced to carry a fanny pack with objects of sexual nature at all times
- Another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
- Forced to strip to underwear in cold weather
- Threatened with physical punishment and expulsion if they refused
Sleep Deprivation:
- Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours
- Late-night hazing sessions causing chronic exhaustion
The Result:
After being forced to do 500 squats and other extreme exercises on November 3, 2025, Bermudez:
- Collapsed and couldn’t stand without help
- Crawled up the stairs when he got home
- Couldn’t move the next day
- Got progressively worse
- Was rushed to the hospital on November 6 with kidney failure
- Spent 4 days in the hospital with severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure
Frederick County families: This is not “boys being boys.” This is not “tradition.” This is torture. And it’s happening at universities across America – including right here in Virginia.
Why Virginia Universities Are Liable for Hazing
The Same Failures Exist in Virginia That We’re Fighting in Texas
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Universities Own or Control Fraternity Properties
- Just like University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where Bermudez was hazed, Virginia universities often own or control Greek housing.
- Premises liability means they’re responsible for what happens on their property.
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Universities Have the Power to Regulate Greek Life – But Don’t
- Universities can inspect, audit, and shut down fraternities.
- They choose not to exercise this power until someone gets hurt.
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National Fraternities Have a Pattern of Negligence
- Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at FSU).
- They had 8 years to fix their culture.
- They didn’t.
- The same nationals operate chapters at Virginia universities.
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Virginia Has Weak Oversight of Greek Life
- Unlike states like Pennsylvania and Louisiana that have passed strong anti-hazing laws after deaths, Virginia’s laws are less strict.
- This emboldens fraternities to continue dangerous practices.
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Consent Is Not a Defense in Virginia
- Just like in Texas, Virginia law states that consent is not a defense to hazing.
- When fraternities say “he agreed to participate,” the law says that doesn’t matter.
Virginia Hazing Laws: What Frederick County Families Need to Know
Virginia Code § 18.2-56 – Hazing Law
Definition of Hazing in Virginia:
“Any action taken or situation created, whether on or off grounds, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.”
Criminal Penalties in Virginia:
- Class 1 Misdemeanor – Up to 12 months in jail and/or $2,500 fine
- If death or serious bodily injury results – Class 6 Felony – Up to 5 years in prison
Organizational Liability:
- Organizations can be fined up to $5,000 for hazing
- Organizations can have their recognition revoked
Consent Is Not a Defense:
“The implied or express consent of the victim shall not be a defense in any prosecution under this section.”
Frederick County families: Virginia law is clear – hazing is illegal, and organizations can be held criminally and civilly liable.
Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Virginia
The Web of Liability That Protects Frederick County Families
When hazing happens at a Virginia university, multiple parties can be held liable:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Virginia Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Same as any Virginia fraternity chapter |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture | Same nationals operate in Virginia |
| University | Owns property; failed to prevent hazing | Virginia universities own/control many Greek houses |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility | Chapter presidents, pledgemasters at Virginia schools |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing | Any member who participated in Virginia |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing events | Alumni who allow hazing at their homes in Virginia |
| Housing Corporations | Own property where hazing occurred | Many Virginia Greek houses are owned by housing corps |
Frederick County families: When your child is hazed, we don’t just sue the individuals – we go after everyone who allowed it to happen.
The Multi-Million Dollar Precedents That Protect Frederick County Students
Hazing Cases Win Big – And Virginia Families Can Too
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Total Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 Million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 Million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ Million |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential |
| Tucker Hipps | Clemson | Sigma Phi Epsilon | Settlement | $500,000+ |
Frederick County families: These verdicts and settlements prove that hazing cases win big. The same results are possible for Virginia victims.
What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Virginia: A Frederick County Family’s Guide
Immediate Steps to Protect Your Child and Your Legal Rights
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Get Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Rhabdomyolysis (like our client suffered) can be life-threatening
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is real and requires treatment
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Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, any physical evidence
- Save all communications – texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails
- Document everything – keep a journal of what happened, when, who was involved
- Get witness information – names and contact info of other pledges, witnesses
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Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will try to control the narrative
- They will try to get you to sign away your rights
- Anything you say can be used against you
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Do NOT Post on Social Media
- Insurance companies and defense attorneys will use posts against you
- Even innocent posts can be twisted to minimize your injuries
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Report to Authorities
- Consider filing a police report
- Report to the university’s Title IX office
- Report to national fraternity headquarters
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Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately
- Frederick County families can call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911
- We offer free consultations for hazing victims
- We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win
Why Frederick County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases
We’re Not Just Lawyers – We’re Former Insurance Defense Attorneys Who Know How to Beat Them
| Advantage | Why It Matters for Frederick County Families |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years Courtroom Experience | Battle-tested trial attorneys who know how to win |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know their playbook – now we use it against them |
| Federal Court Admission | Can pursue cases in federal court for maximum leverage |
| Dual-State Bar Admission | Texas AND New York – strategic advantage against national fraternities |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families in Frederick County |
| Nationwide Hazing Expertise | Currently litigating $10M UH hazing case – same strategies for Virginia victims |
| Proven Track Record | Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases |
| Aggressive Representation | We don’t back down from powerful institutions |
Frederick County families: When you’re up against a national fraternity and a major university, you need attorneys who know how to fight and win. That’s Attorney 911.
What Frederick County Families Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit
Damages Available for Virginia Hazing Victims
| Category | What It Covers | Frederick County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, doctor visits, therapy, future treatment | Covers all medical costs from hazing injuries |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work due to injuries | For students who work or will have career impacts |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries | Covers the agony of hazing activities |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression, emotional trauma | For the psychological damage of hazing |
| Loss of Enjoyment | Inability to participate in normal activities | Impact on college experience, social life |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | For particularly outrageous hazing (like waterboarding) |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death | Funeral expenses, loss of companionship |
Frederick County families: These damages can add up to millions of dollars – especially when punitive damages are awarded for egregious conduct.
The Bermudez Case: What It Means for Frederick County
This Is What Happened at UH – And What Could Happen at Virginia Universities
The Defendants We’re Suing in the Bermudez Case:
- Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters
- University of Houston
- UH Board of Regents
- Beta Nu Chapter (local chapter)
- Fraternity President
- Pledgemaster
- Current and Former Members
- Former Member and Spouse (hazing occurred at their home)
The Hazing Activities That Hospitalized Our Client:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose
- Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then forced to continue exercising
- Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing
- Forced to carry objects of sexual nature at all times
- Forced to strip to underwear in cold weather
- Hog-tying another pledge for over an hour
The Result:
- Severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
- Acute kidney failure
- 4 days in the hospital
Frederick County families: This is the reality of hazing at American universities. This is what could happen to your child at a Virginia school.
How We’ll Fight for Frederick County Hazing Victims
Our Proven 5-Step Approach to Hazing Cases
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Immediate Evidence Preservation
- Send preservation letters to all defendants
- Demand all communications, photos, videos be preserved
- Identify and interview witnesses
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Comprehensive Investigation
- Obtain all medical records
- Gather all communications (texts, social media, emails)
- Research prior incidents at the same chapter/university
- Identify all liable parties
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Aggressive Negotiation
- Send demand letters to all defendants
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Push for maximum settlement
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Strategic Litigation
- File lawsuit against all liable parties
- Conduct depositions of chapter officers, university officials, national leaders
- File motions to compel evidence
- Prepare for trial
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Trial or Settlement
- Present case to jury if necessary
- Secure maximum compensation
- Ensure institutional changes to prevent future hazing
Frederick County families: We don’t just settle for what the insurance company offers. We fight for every dollar your child deserves.
Frederick County Universities: The Warning Signs of Hazing
What to Watch For If Your Child Joins Greek Life
| Warning Sign | What It Might Mean |
|---|---|
| Sudden secrecy | “We can’t tell you what happens in the fraternity” |
| Excessive time commitments | Missing class, late nights, early mornings |
| Physical exhaustion | Always tired, dark circles under eyes, weight loss |
| Unexplained injuries | Bruises, cuts, limping, soreness |
| Emotional changes | Anxiety, depression, withdrawal, mood swings |
| Financial demands | Paying for things they can’t explain |
| Strange rituals | Carrying odd objects, wearing specific clothing |
| Sleep deprivation | Up all night, falling asleep in class |
| Alcohol abuse | Drinking more than usual, blacking out |
| Fear of retaliation | “If I tell you, I’ll get in trouble” |
Frederick County parents: If you notice any of these warning signs, act immediately. Hazing often escalates quickly.
Virginia Hazing Hotline for Frederick County Families
If Your Child Is Being Hazed, Call Us Immediately
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Available 24/7 for Frederick County hazing emergencies
What to expect when you call:
- Immediate case evaluation – We’ll assess your situation
- Evidence preservation guidance – We’ll tell you what to save
- Next steps – We’ll outline your legal options
- No obligation – Free consultation for Frederick County families
Frederick County families: Time is critical. Evidence disappears, and statutes of limitations apply. Call us today.
Frederick County Parents: The Questions You Need to Ask Your Child
Start the Conversation About Hazing
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“Have you ever been asked to do anything that made you uncomfortable as part of joining your organization?”
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“Have you ever been pressured to drink alcohol or take drugs as part of any group activities?”
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“Have you ever been physically punished or forced to do extreme physical activities?”
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“Have you ever been humiliated, degraded, or made to feel less than human as part of any group?”
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“Have you ever been afraid to say no to something because you were worried about the consequences?”
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“Have you ever seen or heard about dangerous activities happening in your organization?”
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“Do you feel like you can report concerns without fear of retaliation?”
Frederick County parents: These conversations can be difficult, but they could save your child’s life.
The Message to Virginia Fraternities: We’re Coming for You
A Warning to Greek Organizations at Virginia Universities
To the fraternities operating at Virginia universities:
We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured multi-million dollar verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma – if your chapter operates near Frederick County, know this:
- We track your national organization’s hazing death record – and we know what you’ve paid in settlements.
- We know your corporate structure – your housing corporations, your alumni chapters, your insurance policies.
- We know your pattern of negligence – Andrew Coffey died at Pi Kappa Phi in 2017. Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized in 2025. You had 8 years to fix your culture. You didn’t.
- We know Virginia law – and we know how to use it against you.
- We will pursue every liable entity – the university, the national organization, the housing corporation, the alumni, and each individual member.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
That’s what happens when you haze in Virginia. That’s what happens when you haze anywhere.
Clean up your chapters. Enforce your policies. Protect your pledges. Because if you don’t, we will.
The Message to Virginia Universities: You Are Liable
A Warning to Administrators at Virginia Colleges
To the universities near Frederick County:
You own the problem.
- You own the fraternity houses where hazing occurs.
- You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous chapters.
- You have the duty to protect your students.
- When you fail, you are liable.
University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded. They collected rent while students were tortured. They had the power to stop it. They didn’t.
Virginia universities: You have the same power. You have the same duty. When hazing happens on your watch, you will answer for it.
Act now:
- Conduct independent hazing audits of all Greek organizations
- Implement real oversight – not just paper policies
- Hold chapters accountable when violations occur
- Protect your students – before it’s too late
Because if you don’t, we will hold you accountable in court.
Frederick County Families: You Are Not Alone
We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now – And We’ll Fight for You Too
To the parents of Frederick County:
We know what you’re feeling. We know the fear. We know the anger. We know the helplessness.
Your child trusted these people. They trusted the fraternity. They trusted the university. They trusted that they would be safe.
That trust was betrayed.
But you are not powerless.
At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We’re in the courtroom. We’re in the media. We’re holding institutions accountable.
And we’re ready to fight for Frederick County families.
If your child has been hazed at a Virginia university, call us today.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
We don’t just represent victims. We fight for change. We fight for justice. We fight for Frederick County.
Frederick County Hazing Resources
Organizations That Can Help
| Organization | Contact | Services |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney 911 | 1-888-ATTY-911 | Free legal consultations for hazing victims |
| Clery Center | clerycenter.org | Campus safety resources |
| HazingPrevention.Org | hazingprevention.org | Hazing prevention education |
| StopHazing | stophazing.org | Research and prevention resources |
| Gordie Center | gordie.org | Alcohol education and hazing prevention |
| Virginia Department of Education | doe.virginia.gov | Report school safety concerns |
| Virginia State Police | vsp.virginia.gov | Report criminal hazing activity |
Frederick County: The Time to Act Is Now
Hazing isn’t just happening in other states. It’s happening right here in Virginia. At universities near Frederick County. To students from our community.
But we can stop it.
We can hold the perpetrators accountable. We can make the institutions change. We can protect the next generation of Frederick County students.
If your child has been hazed, call us today.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Free consultation. No upfront cost. We don’t get paid unless we win.
Frederick County families: Your child’s life and future are worth fighting for. Let us fight for you.
