If you’re reading this, your family in Hancock County may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went off to college, hoping to find new friends, build connections, and experience growth. Instead, they encountered an environment of cruelty, abuse, and profound negligence. They were hurt, perhaps severely, by a practice that goes by many names – “initiation,” “brotherhood,” “tradition” – but which is, in reality, nothing less than torture. We understand what you’re going through. The fear, the anger, the overwhelming sense of betrayal you feel right now is real. We’re here to help families in Hancock County fight back and ensure that no other student suffers the same fate.

Hazing is not a rite of passage; it is a crime that destroys lives and families. At Attorney911, we are at the forefront of this battle, aggressively representing victims and their families across America, including right here in Hancock County. We are not just advocates; we are active participants in the fight against institutional negligence and fraternity brutality. Our ongoing $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is a testament to our unwavering commitment to justice. This isn’t theoretical – we’re in the trenches, fighting for accountability with every resource at our disposal.

The Nightmare That Hit Home: The Bermudez Case – A Warning for Hancock County Families

What happened to Leonel Bermudez in Houston just weeks ago is a stark and chilling warning for every family in Hancock County with a child in college or soon to attend. Leonel was a young man like many others, looking forward to starting his college journey. He wasn’t even an enrolled student at the University of Houston yet; he was a “ghost rush,” planning to transfer in the spring. Yet, he was targeted, systematically brutalized, and left fighting for his life.

On September 16, 2025, Leonel accepted a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity chapter at the University of Houston. What followed was an horrific seven weeks of escalating abuse, physical torment, and psychological degradation that culminated in his hospitalization for severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

The hazing Leonel endured was not harmless pranks; it was deliberate, calculated torture. He was waterboarded with a garden hose, a practice considered a war crime for its inhumanity. He was forced to eat spoiled food, milk, and peppercorns until he vomited, then made to lie in his own vomit-soaked grass and continue running sprints while in physical distress. He was subjected to extreme physical punishment, including 100-plus pushups, 500 squats, bear crawls, “suicides,” two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls, all while being struck with wooden paddles. If he faltered, he was threatened with immediate expulsion from the chapter. He was forced to drive fraternity members at all hours, leading to debilitating sleep deprivation. He was made to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature as a tool of humiliation. In one shocking incident, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. On October 15, just weeks before Leonel’s own collapse, another pledge lost consciousness during a forced workout, requiring other pledges to elevate his legs to revive him. These were not isolated incidents but part of a systematic campaign of abuse.

On November 3, 2025, after being punished for missing an event, Leonel endured yet another brutal hazing session. He was forced to perform the endless calisthenics and drills until his body broke down. He became so exhausted that he could not stand without help. As 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.” Leonel was passing brown urine, a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown, and was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days hospitalized, fighting for his young life, facing the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters suspended the University of Houston chapter. A week later, on November 14, 2025, they formally announced the chapter’s “closure” due to “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” This swift action, taken before our lawsuit was even filed, is a clear admission of guilt and an attempt to mitigate their liability. Yet, even in their statement, Pi Kappa Phi expressed a desire to “return to campus at the appropriate time,” showing a profound lack of remorse and a readiness to resume business as usual once public attention wanes. KHOU 11 reported allegations that the national organization “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'”

Meanwhile, the University of Houston’s spokesperson, in a statement to Houston Public Media, acknowledged that “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards,” and confirmed that criminal referrals were initiated. The fact that the hazing largely occurred in a university-owned fraternity house further implicates the institution, highlighting their direct premises liability and failure to protect students on their own property.

On November 21, 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court, naming Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (local chapter, national headquarters, and housing corporation), the University of Houston, the UH Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the president, pledgemaster, and former members who allowed hazing to occur at their private residence. As Lupe Pena emphasized to ABC13, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

This case is not just about Leonel Bermudez; it is about sending a clear, unequivocal message to every fraternity, every university, and every individual who believes hazing is acceptable. The same national fraternities that have chapters near Hancock County may engage in the same “traditions” that hospitalized our client. Universities in and around Hancock County face the same institutional failures and liabilities as the University of Houston. We will fight for Hancock County families with the same aggression and data-driven strategy we’re bringing to this landmark case.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

For parents in Hancock County, it’s crucial to understand that hazing today bears little resemblance to the outdated stereotypes of harmless pranks or mild inconveniences. The reality is far more sinister and dangerous. Hazing is systematic abuse, often involving physical, psychological, and even sexual torment, designed to break down a victim’s will and instill absolute loyalty through fear.

Based on our current litigation and nationwide patterns, hazing activities typically include:

• Physical Abuse: This is not limited to mere pushups. It involves beatings with paddles, forced exposure to extreme temperatures, burning, branding, physically demanding exercises to the point of collapse (like the 500 squats Leonel endured), and sleep deprivation. These acts directly endanger physical health.
• Forced Consumption: This often includes excessive alcohol consumption, known as binge drinking, which has led to numerous deaths. But it also encompasses forced eating until vomiting, consuming non-food substances, or ingesting noxious liquids. Leonel’s forced eating of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, followed by continued physical exertion, is a grim example.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often deprived of sleep by forced late-night activities, early-morning call times, or assignments that interfere with rest. This severely impairs judgment, physical health, and academic performance.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: This is perhaps the most insidious form of hazing, leaving deep, lasting scars. It includes verbal abuse, degradation, social isolation, forced nudity, carrying sexually degrading objects (like Leonel’s fanny pack), threats of violence or social ostracism, and the systematic erosion of self-worth. The hog-tying incident in Leonel’s case, where a pledge was left face-down with an object in his mouth for an hour, exemplifies this extreme level of humiliation.
• Waterboarding or Simulated Drowning: As seen in Leonel’s case, this extreme form of torture involves spraying water in a victim’s face to simulate drowning. It is an act of profound cruelty that causes extreme terror and physical distress, rightly classified as torture.
• Sexual Abuse or Exploitation: This can range from forced nudity and inappropriate touching to sexual assault. The presence of “objects of a sexual nature” in Leonel’s fanny pack points to a disturbing culture of sexualization and humiliation.
• Servitude and Deprivation: Pledges are often forced to perform tasks for active members, run errands, clean, or act as personal drivers at all hours, further contributing to exhaustion and humiliation.

The medical consequences of these acts are severe and often life-threatening. Beyond death from alcohol poisoning or brain injuries, victims can suffer from rhabdomyolysis (as in Leonel’s case), acute kidney failure, hypothermia or heatstroke, severe infections, broken bones, and long-term psychological trauma like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. These are not “boys being boys”; these are acts that have real, catastrophic consequences.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Perpetrator and Enabler Accountable

When a student in Hancock County is harmed by hazing, our approach is comprehensive: we identify and pursue every single entity, institution, and individual that bears responsibility. Hazing is rarely an isolated act by a few bad actors; it is often enabled by a culture of negligence that extends from the individual members to the highest levels of national organizations and universities.

In our current $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, we have named a broad array of defendants, setting the standard for accountability that we will bring to every hazing case, including those from Hancock County:

• The Local Chapter: The specific fraternity chapter (such as the Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at UH) that directly organizes and conducts the hazing is a primary defendant. Their leadership, including the president and pledgemaster, who direct the activities, are especially liable.
• Individual Members: Every participant in the hazing, from those who planned it to those who carried out the abuse, can be held personally liable. This includes current members, as well as former members and their spouses who may have hosted hazing events at their residences, creating premises liability. As shown in the Stone Foltz case, individual officers can be held personally responsible for millions.
• The National Organization: National fraternities and sororities, like Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, are vicariously liable for the actions of their local chapters. They have a duty to supervise, to enforce anti-hazing policies, and to ensure the safety of their members. When they fail in this duty, especially with a history of past incidents like Andrew Coffey’s death, their liability is magnified. They hold vast financial resources and insurance policies that must be brought to bear.
• The University or College: Institutions of higher education, such as the University of Houston, have a fundamental duty to protect their students. This includes overseeing Greek life, investigating reports of hazing, and ensuring a safe campus environment. Our lawsuit highlights that UH owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place, creating a direct premises liability claim. Universities are often aware of a pattern of hazing and fail to take adequate preventative measures, making them deeply complicit.
• The University’s Governing Body: In the case of public institutions, the Board of Regents (like the UH Board of Regents also named in our suit) holds ultimate oversight. Their institutional negligence at the highest level can also lead to liability.
• Housing Corporations: Many fraternities operate through separate housing corporations that own or manage the chapter houses. These entities have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment and can be held liable when hazing occurs on their property.
• Insurance Carriers: Ultimately, the funds to compensate victims often come from liability insurance policies held by the national organizations, universities, and sometimes even individual members through homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña possess invaluable insider knowledge of how these carriers operate, allowing us to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients.

We cast a wide net because every single party that contributed to, enabled, or failed to prevent the hazing incident must be held accountable. This approach ensures maximum compensation for the victim and sends the strongest possible message that such behavior will not be tolerated.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof of Accountability

For families in Hancock County struggling with the devastating aftermath of hazing, understanding the potential financial recovery is critical for healing and rebuilding lives. Hazing lawsuits, particularly those involving severe injury or death, consistently result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements because juries and courts recognize the profound harm inflicted and the institutional failures that allow it to persist. These precedents prove that justice is attainable, and they provide a framework for the compensation we aggressively pursue for our clients, including those from Hancock County.

Consider these landmark cases, which inform our strategy in the $10 million Bermudez lawsuit:

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Total Recovery $10.1 Million+
  Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” initiation. His family received substantial settlements: $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from the Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity and individuals. In December 2024, a separate $6.5 million judgment was ordered against the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, underscoring personal accountability. This case established the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history and directly supports our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case.
• Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
  Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning (with a BAC of 0.495) during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” event where he was forced to drink if he answered questions incorrectly. His family received a $6.1 million jury verdict, and his death led to the passing of the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana. This verdict demonstrates that juries are willing to award millions for hazing deaths, and that aggressive litigation drives legislative change.
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): $110+ Million (Estimated Settlements)
  Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge, died after consuming 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi event. He fell repeatedly down stairs, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911, and the entire incident was captured by security cameras. This case resulted in 18 fraternity members being criminally charged, multiple convictions including involuntary manslaughter, and confidential settlements estimated to exceed $110 million. It also led to Pennsylvania’s landmark Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law. This case proves that with strong evidence, accountability for institutions can reach staggering figures.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Confidential Settlement
  Tragically, Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning on November 3, 2017, after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night.” Nine fraternity members were criminally charged, and the chapter was permanently closed. This incident is profoundly significant to the Bermudez case because it involved the same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi. It means Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters had actual knowledge of deadly hazing within their organization eight years before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. Their failure to prevent another severe incident makes their liability all the more compelling.
• Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): $4+ Million Settlement
  Adam Oakes, a freshman, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink a liter of whiskey during a Delta Chi initiation ritual. His family sued for $28 million and ultimately secured a settlement of over $4 million in October 2024, in addition to contributing to new hazing legislation (“Adam’s Law”) in Virginia. This case further highlights substantial recoveries in hazing wrongful death cases.
• UT Austin Sigma Chi (November 2025): Lawsuit Recently Filed
  In the very same week we filed the Bermudez lawsuit, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against Sigma Chi at the University of Texas at Austin, involving the death by suicide of an 18-year-old freshman after “horrific abuse.” This tragic case underscores the widespread and severe nature of hazing, even closer to home for Texas families, and the multifaceted ways it can destroy lives.

These precedents, totaling over $136 million in documented high-end awards in recent years, demonstrate several critical points for Hancock County families:

1. Our $10 million demand is firmly rooted in established legal outcomes. While our client Leonel survived, his life-threatening injuries and the egregious conduct involved place his case squarely in the multi-million dollar category.
2. Juries and courts are ready to punish hazing. The sheer scale of these verdicts sends an undeniable message to fraternities and universities.
3. Both universities and national organizations pay. These cases consistently show that liability extends beyond individual students to the institutions that enable hazing cultures.
4. These cases bring about legislative change. Your child’s case in Hancock County can become a catalyst for reform, protecting future generations.

We are not speculating about what might be possible; we are pursuing recoveries that are fully supported by these landmark legal victories.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights in Hancock County

For any family in Hancock County whose child has suffered from hazing, understanding the legal landscape is the first crucial step toward seeking justice. While our firm is based in Texas, the core legal principles and civil rights protections that enable these lawsuits apply nationwide, and our federal court authority allows us to represent victims regardless of state lines. However, it’s particularly important for Hancock County residents to understand the robust protections offered by Texas law.

Key Provisions of the Texas Anti-Hazing Law (Education Code §§ 37.151-37.157):

• Broad Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Texas law defines hazing broadly, encompassing almost every form of abuse Leonel Bermudez endured. It includes any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of affiliation or membership, if it:
  • Involves physical brutality like striking, beating (Leonel was struck with wooden paddles, forced to extreme physical exhaustion).
  • Involves sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, calisthenics, or other similar activity that subjects a student to unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects mental/physical health (Leonel’s forced workouts leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, forced stripping in cold weather, sleep deprivation fall squarely under this).
  • Involves consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that subject a student to unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affect mental/physical health (Leonel’s forced eating until vomiting).
  • Involves coercing a student to consume drugs or excessive alcohol.
  • Involves any activity that induces a student to violate the Penal Code (e.g., assault, public intoxication).
  • It’s important to note that waterboarding, while not explicitly listed, would undoubtedly fall under physical brutality and activities causing unreasonable risk of harm.
• Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Individuals who engage in hazing, solicit or aid in it, or have firsthand knowledge but fail to report it can face criminal charges ranging from Class B misdemeanors to State Jail Felonies. Hazing that causes serious bodily injury (like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure) is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. If death results, it’s a State Jail Felony, with penalties up to two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine. The University of Houston spokesperson has already mentioned “potential criminal charges” in Leonel’s case, confirming the criminal nature of such acts.
• Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can also be held criminally liable if they condone or encourage hazing, or if their officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing. Penalties can include fines up to $10,000, denial of operating privileges, and forfeiture of property.
• CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most critical provision for Hancock County families to understand. Texas law explicitly states: “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 means that even if a student “voluntarily” participates, or feels pressured to agree, the legality of the hazing itself is not excused. This provision directly combats the insidious defense often employed by fraternities and universities, confirming that a student cannot consent to being victimized by a crime.
• University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Educational institutions in Texas are legally mandated to report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within 30 days of becoming aware of them. Failure to do so is a Class B misdemeanor, highlighting the serious obligation universities have to acknowledge and address hazing.

Beyond Criminal Laws: Civil Liability Under Texas and Federal Law

Even if criminal charges are not pursued or result in a conviction, victims in Hancock County can pursue justice through civil lawsuits. These lawsuits allow victims to recover substantial financial compensation for their injuries and suffering. Our firm leverages various civil liability theories applicable in Texas and federal courts:

• Negligence Claims: This is the most common basis for hazing lawsuits. We argue that the university, national fraternity, local chapter, and individual members owed a duty of care to the student (to ensure their safety and prevent harm), breached that duty through their actions or inactions (allowing hazing), which directly caused the student’s injuries, resulting in damages.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (like the UH-owned fraternity house in Leonel’s case) or an individual (like the former member’s residence), those property owners have a duty to maintain a safe environment and prevent dangerous conditions. Their failure to do so can lead to liability.
• Negligent Supervision: Universities and national organizations have a duty to supervise their Greek life chapters and ensure compliance with anti-hazing policies. Failure to adequately supervise, monitor, or respond to known risks constitutes negligent supervision.
• Assault and Battery: Individual fraternity members who physically inflict harm (like striking with wooden paddles or waterboarding) can be sued directly for intentional assault and battery.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The outrageous and extreme nature of many hazing acts, such as torture or extreme humiliation, can lead to claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress, especially when it results in severe psychological trauma.
• Conspiracy/Aiding and Abetting: Those who planned, encouraged, or facilitated the hazing, even if not directly participating in every act, can be held liable under theories of conspiracy or aiding and abetting.

By understanding these legal avenues, Hancock County families can gain confidence that powerful defendants—from individual students to multi-million dollar national fraternities and universities—can and will be held to account.

Why Attorney911 is the Clear Choice for Hancock County Hazing Victims

For Hancock County families navigating the trauma of a hazing incident, choosing the right legal representation can feel overwhelming. Attorney911 stands apart as the definitive choice, not just because of our unwavering commitment to hazing victims, but because of a unique set of credentials, experience, and an aggressive, data-driven approach that consistently yields results. We are not a local firm in Hancock County; we are hazing litigation experts headquartered in Houston, Texas, with the federal court authority and willingness to travel anywhere to fight for justice, including right here in Hancock County.

Here’s why Hancock County families choose Attorney911:

• We’re Actively Fighting Hazing Right Now: Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is not hypothetical; it’s a live, ongoing battle in Harris County Civil District Court. This demonstrates our immediate, hands-on expertise in hazing litigation against major institutional defendants. When we fight for a Hancock County family, we bring this same intensity and current knowledge.
• Unmatched Insider Knowledge: Ralph Manginello & Lupe Peña are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: This is our “secret weapon.” Both Ralph and Lupe spent years working for the very insurance companies and corporate defendants we now sue. They know the defense playbook inside and out: how they value claims, their delay tactics, their strategies to minimize payouts, and the pressure points that make them settle. This insider perspective gives Hancock County clients an unfair advantage. As the “Legal Emergency Lawyers™,” we know how to shut down their defenses.
• 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Ralph Manginello brings over two and a half decades of battle-tested litigation experience. He has successfully taken on massive corporate defendants in complex mass tort cases, including the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation that killed 15 and injured 180+. This experience directly translates to hazing cases against large universities and national fraternities.
• Hazing-Specific Expertise and Focus: Ralph Manginello has direct experience with fraternity litigation, rhabdomyolysis cases (the exact injury Leonel Bermudez suffered), and holding universities accountable. This specialized knowledge is critical for understanding the medical, cultural, and legal nuances of hazing cases.
• Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Bar Admissions: Our admission to U.S. District Courts and our dual-state bar licenses in Texas and New York give us significant strategic advantages. It means we can pursue complex cases against national fraternities headquartered in other states and leverage federal jurisdiction where applicable, extending our reach Far beyond Hancock County’s local courts.
• “Se Habla Español”: Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that language is never a barrier to justice for any Hispanic family in Hancock County. Our bilingual staff provides comprehensive support and ensures clear communication at every step.
• Aggressive, Data-Driven Approach: We don’t guess who to sue; we know. Our proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine keeps detailed records on over 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metropolitan areas, including legal names, EINs, housing corporations, and alumni chapters. For example, our database includes:
  • Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX) – the very entity behind the UH chapter we sued.
  • Kappa Sigma Mu Gamma Chapter Inc (EIN 133048786, College Station, TX) – a common target in hazing cases.
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon Texas Sigma Incorporated (EIN 882755427, San Marcos, TX).
    We can track national brands across campuses and metros, giving us an immediate, comprehensive understanding of potential defendants and their corporate structures. When hazing happens to a child from Hancock County, we already know who to sue and how to find them.
• Compassionate, Client-Centered Representation: We understand the profound emotional toll hazing takes on victims and their families. Our approach is empathetic, warm, and parent-facing. We treat Hancock County families like our own, ensuring they are heard, informed, and supported. As our client testimonial states, “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.”
• Contingency Fee Basis: No Upfront Cost for Hancock County Families: We remove financial barriers to justice. You pay nothing upfront. We cover all litigation costs, and we only get paid if we win your case. This means Hancock County families can challenge powerful institutions without worrying about hourly fees. We only get paid when you do.
• Willingness to Travel and Provide Remote Consultations: While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we are committed to serving hazing victims nationwide, including those in Hancock County. We offer convenient video consultations and will travel to Hancock County for depositions, client meetings, and trials when necessary. Distance is never a barrier to pursuing justice for your child.

When your child is harmed by hazing, you need attorneys who are not afraid to relentlessly pursue accountability against national organizations, universities, and individual perpetrators. You need a team with proven results, insider knowledge, and a deep understanding of hazing law. You need Attorney911.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Hancock County Families

If your child in Hancock County has been the victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While emotional distress and confusion are natural, acting swiftly and strategically can make all the difference in preserving evidence, protecting your child’s rights, and building a strong legal case.

We understand you’re scared and angry. Here are the immediate, actionable steps we advise every Hancock County family to take:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: This is paramount. Even if injuries seem minor or your child insists they are fine, get them a thorough medical evaluation immediately. Hazing injuries, like Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, can have delayed or hidden symptoms that worsen rapidly. A doctor’s visit creates immediate, official documentation of their injuries, linking them directly to the hazing incident. If paramedics offer transport, accept it. If you suspect psychological harm, seek mental health support as well.
   • Link: Watch our video “Why Seeing a Doctor Right After an Accident Is Critical” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=(Channel Video)]
2. Preserve ALL Evidence – Document Everything! This cannot be stressed enough. Evidence disappears quickly, and fraternities and universities often work to conceal or downplay incidents.
   • Text Messages & Digital Communications: Haze often occurs via GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, and other messaging apps. Screenshot and preserve every single message, photo, and video related to the hazing, including those from other pledges, active members, and any communication about pledge activities. Do not delete anything from any device.
   • Photos & Videos: Take photos of any physical injuries your child has, at every stage of healing. If possible and safe, document the locations where hazing occurred, any physical paraphernalia, or conditions.
   • Physical Evidence: Keep any items used in the hazing, clothing worn, or anything else that might serve as evidence.
   • Witness Information: Gather the names and contact information of other pledges, current members, campus staff, or anyone who may have witnessed the hazing or had knowledge of it.
   • Medical Records: Obtain copies of all hospital records, doctor’s notes, therapist’s notes, medical bills, and prescriptions.
   • Academic Records: Document any impact on your child’s grades, class attendance, scholarships, or enrollment status.
   • Financial Records: Keep track of medical bills, lost wages (if applicable), and any other out-of-pocket expenses.
   • Link: See our video “Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs] and “Document Everything! The Key to a Strong Injury Case” (Short)
3. DO NOT Communicate with the Fraternity, University, or Their Counsel: Do not give any statements, sign any documents, or agree to any interviews with fraternity leadership, university administrators, their internal investigators, or their lawyers without consulting your own attorney first. They are not on your side; their priority is to protect the institution, not your child. Anything your child says can be used against them.
   • Link: Watch “Never Talk to the Insurance Company After an Accident” (Short) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=(Channel Video)]
4. STOP All Social Media Activity Related to the Incident: Instruct your child to immediately cease posting anything about the hazing incident or their injuries on any social media platform. Defense attorneys actively scour social media for anything that can be used to discredit a victim, like posts showing them attending parties or appearing “fine.” Do not delete past posts, but restrict new activity.
   • Link: Watch “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” (Short) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=(Channel Video)]
5. Contact an Attorney Immediately: Time is of the essence. In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases is generally two years from the date of injury or death. This may seem like a long time, but evidence vanishes, memories fade, and the legal process is complex. The sooner we are involved, the better we can secure critical evidence, interview witnesses, and file necessary injunctions to prevent the destruction of evidence (like surveillance footage or digital records).
   • Link: See “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c]

We understand that confronting these powerful institutions can be daunting for Hancock County families. But you do not have to do it alone. We offer a free, confidential consultation to discuss your child’s case, explain your rights, and outline the path to justice.

Call Us Now: Your Legal Emergency Hotline in Hancock County

If your child in Hancock County has been subjected to hazing, whether at a local university, a school out of state, or an institution anywhere across the nation, you are facing a legal emergency. This is why we are Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We are ready to respond immediately, aggressively, and decisively.

Our attorneys are currently fighting the Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston hazing lawsuit right now – a $10 million demand built on aggressive representation, data-driven strategy, and a relentless pursuit of accountability. This isn’t just a case; it’s a testament to what we stand for. We bring that same level of commitment, expertise, and fierce advocacy to every family we represent, including yours in Hancock County.

Hancock County Families: Have you or your child been hazed? You have legal rights.

Call us for a FREE, no-obligation consultation. We are available 24/7 because hazing is a crisis that doesn’t keep business hours.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Website: attorney911.com

We Work on Contingency: $0 Upfront, We Don’t Get Paid Unless YOU Get Paid.
We understand that financial concerns should never be a barrier to justice. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means:

• You pay absolutely $0 upfront to hire us.
• We cover all litigation costs and expenses throughout the case.
• We only get paid if we win your case – through a settlement or a jury verdict.
• Our fees are then a percentage of the compensation we secure for you.

This commitment aligns our interests directly with yours: your victory is our victory.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Hancock County Hazing Case?

• Proven Aggression: We are not afraid to take on national fraternities, major universities, and their deep-pocketed insurance companies. We have a track record of winning multi-million dollar recoveries.
• Insider Knowledge: Our team comprises former insurance defense attorneys who know exactly how the other side strategizes to deny or minimize claims.
• Nationwide Reach: While proudly based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), our federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) allow us to represent hazing victims across the country, including those in Hancock County.
• Cultural Sensitivity: We serve diverse communities with bilingual staff (Se habla español) and compassionately address the unique needs of every family.
• Personal Commitment: We are driven by a genuine passion to stop hazing and prevent future tragedies. When you choose Attorney911, you become part of a family dedicated to achieving justice. We will meet with you in person in Hancock County for depositions, client meetings, and trials as needed, and we offer convenient video consultations for families who cannot travel.

Whether the hazing occurred at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, ROTC program, or any other student organization associated with a college or university near Hancock County or anywhere else, we are here to help. Hazing is a pervasive problem, and its victims deserve relentless advocacy.

For other victims who suffered during the UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing, we know you’re out there. Leonel was not the only one. Another pledge collapsed unconscious, others were subjected to the same waterboarding and brutality. Your voice matters, and your case can contribute to the larger fight for accountability. Call us. Let’s bring them all to justice.

Don’t wait. The clock is ticking on your legal rights. Contact Attorney911 today.

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