🚨 Hazing Victims in Harrison County: You Are Not Alone. We Are Fighting For You.

Harrison County families: If your child has been hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization near Harrison County, we can help. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we will bring the same aggressive representation to Harrison County victims.

🏥 This Happened in Houston. It Could Happen in Harrison County.

On November 21, 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after our client, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing. The fraternity forced him to:

• Undergo simulated waterboarding with a garden hose (a form of torture)
• Perform 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Be struck with wooden paddles
• Consume large amounts of food and milk until vomiting
• Run drills and bear crawls for hours while sleep-deprived

He spent four days in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure — a life-threatening condition caused by the breakdown of muscle tissue.

This same hazing happens at universities near Harrison County. The same fraternities operate near Harrison County. And we will fight for Harrison County families with the same determination.

⚠️ Harrison County Parents: Hazing Is Not “Tradition” — It’s Abuse

Hazing is not “boys being boys.” It’s not “building character.” It’s not “just part of joining.”

Hazing is:

• Assault — physical abuse that can cause permanent injury
• Battery — intentional harmful contact
• Torture — waterboarding, forced consumption, extreme physical punishment
• Reckless endangerment — putting students in life-threatening situations
• Sometimes manslaughter or murder — when it goes too far

In Texas, hazing is a CRIME. It can result in jail time, fines, and expulsion. And it can result in multi-million dollar lawsuits against the organizations that allow it.

💔 The Reality of Hazing in Harrison County

Hazing doesn’t just happen at big universities. It happens everywhere — including at colleges and universities near Harrison County. The same national fraternities and sororities that operate at major universities also have chapters near Harrison County. And the same culture of abuse exists.

Harrison County families need to know:

• Hazing is widespread. 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing.
• It’s not just fraternities. Sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student organizations haze.
• Victims are afraid to speak out. 95% of hazing victims do not report it because they fear retaliation or social consequences.
• It can kill. Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States.
• Universities and national organizations know it happens. They have the power to stop it — but they often choose reputation over safety.

📚 Which Harrison County-Area Universities Have Greek Life?

While we cannot comment on specific incidents at Harrison County-area institutions without verified information, we can confirm that Greek life exists at many universities near Harrison County, including:

• William Carey University (Hattiesburg, MS)
• University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, MS)
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (multiple campuses)
• Pearl River Community College (Poplarville, MS)

These same national fraternities and sororities operate at Harrison County-area universities:

• Pi Kappa Phi
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Pi Kappa Alpha
• Kappa Sigma
• Phi Delta Theta
• Sigma Chi
• Delta Chi
• And many others

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Harrison County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Harrison County Hazing Victim

1. You Can Sue for Money Damages

If you or your child has been hazed near Harrison County, you can sue for:

• Medical bills — past, present, and future
• Pain and suffering — physical and emotional trauma
• Lost wages — if hazing affected employment
• Educational disruption — if hazing impacted grades or enrollment
• Punitive damages — to punish the organization for egregious conduct

Our firm is currently seeking $10 million for our Houston client. Harrison County victims can pursue similar compensation.

2. Consent Is Not a Defense in Texas

Some fraternities and sororities will argue that the victim “consented” to hazing. Texas law explicitly says this is NOT a defense.

Texas Education Code § 37.154:

“It is not a defense to prosecution that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

Harrison County victims: You cannot “consent” to being a victim of a crime.

3. Who Can Be Sued?

In hazing cases, multiple parties can be held liable, including:

• The local chapter — for organizing and conducting hazing
• National fraternity/sorority organization — for failing to supervise and prevent hazing
• University or college — for failing to protect students, especially if they own or control the property where hazing occurred
• Individual members — for participating in or facilitating hazing
• Chapter officers — for leadership responsibility

In our Houston case, we are suing:

• Pi Kappa Phi National
• The local UH chapter
• The chapter housing corporation
• The University of Houston
• Individual fraternity members and officers

Harrison County victims: We will pursue every liable party to maximize your compensation.

4. Criminal Charges May Also Apply

Hazing is a crime in Texas. Depending on the severity, it can be charged as:

• Class B Misdemeanor — up to 180 days in jail and $2,000 fine
• Class A Misdemeanor — up to 1 year in jail and $4,000 fine (if serious bodily injury occurs)
• State Jail Felony — 180 days to 2 years in state jail and $10,000 fine (if death occurs)

Our client’s injuries (rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure) constitute “serious bodily injury” — meaning individuals involved could face Class A Misdemeanor charges.

💰 Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here are some recent examples:

These results are possible for Harrison County victims too. Our firm is currently litigating a $10 million hazing case — and we will bring that same fight to Harrison County.

📋 What Harrison County Families Should Do If Hazing Occurs

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Hazing injuries can be life-threatening, even if they don’t seem serious at first.
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can cause kidney failure — as seen in our Houston case.
• Alcohol poisoning can be fatal.
• Head injuries can have delayed symptoms.
• Psychological trauma requires professional treatment.

Harrison County families: Get medical help first. Your health is the priority.

2. Preserve All Evidence

DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. Save:

• Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs — anything related to hazing
• Photos and videos — of injuries, hazing activities, or the location
• Social media posts — from you or others about the incident
• Medical records — hospital bills, doctor’s notes, test results
• Witness information — names and contact info of anyone who saw what happened
• Physical evidence — clothing, objects used in hazing

In our Houston case, we have detailed documentation of the hazing activities. Harrison County victims should preserve evidence immediately to strengthen their case.

3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization or Their Lawyers

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities have legal teams whose job is to minimize liability.
• They will try to get you to sign documents that waive your rights.
• They will try to get you to give statements that can be used against you.
• They will offer lowball settlements before you know the full extent of your injuries.

Harrison County families: Do not speak to anyone from the organization without an attorney present.

4. Contact an Attorney Immediately

• Statute of limitations: In Texas, you have 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. If you wait, you may lose your rights.
• Evidence disappears: Texts get deleted, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records.
• The sooner you act, the stronger your case.

Our firm offers FREE consultations for Harrison County hazing victims. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

5. Report to Authorities

• File a police report — hazing is a crime in Texas.
• Report to the university — they are required to investigate.
• Report to the national organization — they may take disciplinary action.

Harrison County families: Reporting creates an official record that can be used in your case.

🏆 Why Harrison County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case

• We know how to build hazing cases.
• We know how to hold institutions accountable.
• We know how to win.

Harrison County families: You get the same aggressive representation we’re providing in Houston.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides.
• We know how they think, how they strategize, and how they try to deny claims.
• We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. Nationwide Representation for Harrison County Victims

• While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Harrison County.
• We have federal court authority and can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction.
• We travel to Harrison County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will fight for Harrison County families no matter where the hazing occurred.

4. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

• You pay NOTHING unless we win your case.
• No hourly fees, no retainers, no upfront costs.
• We take the risk so you can focus on healing.

Harrison County families: Cost should never prevent you from seeking justice.

5. Bilingual Representation (Se Habla Español)

• Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
• We provide comprehensive legal services in Spanish for Spanish-speaking clients.
• No language barriers to justice.

6. Compassionate, Client-Focused Representation

• We treat Harrison County families like family.
• We keep you informed at every step.
• We fight for you like we would fight for our own children.

Harrison County families: You are not just a case to us. You are a person who deserves justice.

🎯 Our Message to Harrison County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Harrison County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. If you haze students in Harrison County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue your national organization, your local chapter, your housing corporation, and your individual members.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi — if your chapter operates near Harrison County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

To the universities near Harrison County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. If you own fraternity houses, if you have Greek life, if you have the power to regulate student organizations — you have a duty to protect your students. Act now or face the same accountability.

📞 Harrison County Families: Contact Us Today

If you or your child has been hazed near Harrison County, you have legal rights. We can help.

Call us 24/7 at:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email us at:
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Visit our website:
🌐 attorney911.com

Free consultation. No obligation. No upfront cost.

We don’t get paid unless you get paid.

💬 What Harrison County Families Are Saying About Attorney 911

“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett

“They fought with the other party insurance and got me more of the settlement that I was expecting.” — Vivian Ruiz

“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris

“The Manginello Law Firm treated me with honesty and respect from the very beginning. I was able to trust the firm to advocate for me.” — Debra Cambric-Chisolm

Harrison County families: We will fight for you like family.

🏛️ Our Offices Serving Harrison County

While we are based in Texas, we serve Harrison County families through:

Houston Office (Headquarters)

1177 W Loop S Suite 1600
Houston, TX 77027
📞 (713) 528-9070

Austin Office

📞 (713) 528-9070

Beaumont Office

📞 (713) 528-9070

We come to Harrison County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Harrison County Families

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911 for a hazing case?

A: $0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict, so you never pay out of pocket.

Q: What if we can’t afford medical bills from hazing injuries?

A: We can help. Many medical providers will wait for payment until your case is resolved. We can also negotiate with hospitals and doctors to reduce your bills.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: You can still sue. Hazing that occurs off-campus is still illegal and still gives rise to liability for the organization and individuals involved.

Q: What if my child was pressured into participating?

A: Consent is not a defense in Texas. Even if your child felt pressured to participate, the law does not allow organizations to use coercion or peer pressure as an excuse for hazing.

Q: What if the fraternity or sorority tries to intimidate us?

A: We protect our clients. If you experience intimidation or retaliation, we will take legal action to stop it and hold the organization accountable.

Q: How long will a hazing lawsuit take?

A: Every case is different. Some hazing cases settle within months, while others may take years if they go to trial. We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing your compensation.

Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened at a community college near Harrison County?

A: Yes. Hazing laws apply to all educational institutions, including community colleges. You have the same legal rights regardless of where the hazing occurred.

Q: What if my child is afraid to speak out because they want to stay in the fraternity/sorority?

A: We understand the fear of social consequences. We can explore legal strategies that protect your child’s identity and future while still holding the organization accountable.

Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened in another state but our child attends school near Harrison County?

A: Yes. We can evaluate your case regardless of where the hazing occurred. Our federal court authority and nationwide experience allow us to represent hazing victims across America.

Q: What if the university says they didn’t know about the hazing?

A: Universities have a duty to supervise student organizations. If they own or control fraternity/sorority property, they have a duty to inspect and regulate activities. Ignorance is not a defense.

🔥 Harrison County Families: This Is Your Moment

Hazing has gone on for too long. It has destroyed lives. It has killed students. It has traumatized families.

But now, things are changing.

• Juries are awarding millions to hazing victims.
• States are passing felony hazing laws.
• Universities are being held accountable.
• National fraternities are being forced to reform.

Harrison County families: You can be part of this change. You can protect your child. You can prevent the next victim.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s fight for justice together.

Enough is enough. The time for change is now.

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