🛡️ James City County Hazing Victims Legal Guide

Attorney 911 — Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experts Serving James City County, Virginia

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines. Neither Does Justice.

James City County families: if your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we’re bringing that same aggressive representation to James City County.

We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it in court right now.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in James City County

James City County is home to William & Mary, one of Virginia’s most prestigious universities. With a strong Greek life presence and a vibrant student community, the same national fraternities and sororities operating in Houston — Pi Kappa Phi, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others — have active chapters in and around James City County.

The same hazing that hospitalized our client in Texas happens here in Virginia.

What James City County Parents Need to Know:

• Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s often criminal.
• Universities know it happens. They have the power to stop it — but often fail to act.
• National organizations know it happens. They’ve paid millions in settlements, yet the culture persists.
• Your child has rights. Even if they “consented,” Virginia law may still hold perpetrators accountable.
• You have options. Medical bills, psychological trauma, and lost opportunities can be compensated.

⚠️ The Bermudez Case: A Warning for James City County

In November 2025, our client Leonel Bermudez — a prospective Pi Kappa Phi pledge at the University of Houston — was hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being subjected to:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to perform 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Slept deprived and humiliated

This wasn’t an accident. It was systematic torture.

Why This Matters to James City County:

• Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near James City County, including William & Mary.
• The same national organization that failed to prevent Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017 failed to protect Leonel Bermudez in 2025.
• Universities near James City County face the same liability failures as UH.
• If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in James City County, they face the same risks.

James City County families: This could be your child.

⚖️ Virginia Hazing Laws: Your Legal Rights

Virginia Code § 18.2-56 — Hazing is a Crime

Virginia law defines hazing as:

“Any action taken or situation created, whether on or off grounds, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.”

Criminal Penalties:

• Class 1 Misdemeanor (up to 12 months in jail, $2,500 fine)
• Class 6 Felony if hazing causes serious bodily injury or death (up to 5 years in prison)

Key Legal Principle:

Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, perpetrators can still be held criminally and civilly liable.

Civil Liability: Who Can Be Sued in James City County

If your child is hazed, you can pursue compensation from:

Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH proves that deep pockets exist — and they will pay.

💰 What James City County Hazing Victims Can Recover

1. Economic Damages (Tangible Losses)

• Medical bills (ER visits, hospital stays, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (time missed from work or internships)
• Educational expenses (tuition for missed classes, transfer costs)
• Future earning capacity (if injuries cause long-term limitations)

2. Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain from hazing injuries
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and shame from abusive rituals
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in activities)
• Disfigurement (scars, burns, permanent injuries)

3. Punitive Damages (Punishing Egregious Conduct)

• Awarded when conduct is intentional, reckless, or malicious
• Designed to deter future hazing
• No cap in Virginia for most personal injury cases

Precedent Settlements & Verdicts:

James City County families: These results are possible for you too.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in James City County

Step 1: Ensure Immediate Safety

• Remove your child from the situation immediately.
• Seek medical attention — even if injuries seem minor. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening if untreated.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

✅ Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any items used in hazing.
✅ Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails).
✅ Get witness names and contact information.
✅ Document everything — dates, times, what was said, who was present.

❌ Do NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Confront the organization without legal counsel
• Sign anything from the fraternity/sorority or university
• Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Incident

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in Virginia).
• Report to the university (William & Mary, CNU, or other local institutions).
• Consider a Title IX complaint if the hazing was gender-based or created a hostile environment.

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7) or email ralph@atty911.com

Why Act Fast?

• Evidence disappears quickly (texts deleted, witnesses forget).
• Virginia has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
• Insurance companies and universities will pressure you to settle for less.

We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.

🏛️ Who We Sue for James City County Hazing Victims

1. The Local Chapter

• Direct responsibility for organizing and conducting hazing.
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) face personal liability.

2. The National Organization

• Failed to supervise the local chapter.
• Knew about prior hazing incidents (like Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017).
• Deep pockets — substantial assets and insurance coverage.

3. The University

• Premises liability — if they own or control the property where hazing occurred.
• Negligent supervision — failed to monitor Greek life despite prior incidents.
• Institutional knowledge — knew hazing was happening and didn’t stop it.

Example: In our UH case, the university owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred. James City County universities may have similar liability.

4. Individual Perpetrators

• Each member who participated in hazing can be sued personally.
• Alumni who hosted hazing at their homes.
• Spouses of members who allowed hazing on their property.

5. Insurance Companies

• National organizations and universities have liability insurance.
• Homeowners’ insurance may cover off-campus hazing incidents.

🔥 Why James City County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

• Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH.
• Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure.
• We know how to build these cases — and we know how to win.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know their playbook. Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
• We know how they try to deny claims — and how to counter them.
• We know where the money is (insurance policies, assets, deep pockets).

3. Federal Court Authority

• Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas — can pursue federal claims.
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) — strategic advantage for national cases.
• Can represent James City County victims no matter where the hazing occurred.

4. We Come to You

• James City County families don’t need to travel to Texas.
• We offer video consultations for initial case evaluations.
• We travel to James City County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

5. Contingency Fee — No Upfront Costs

• You pay nothing unless we win.
• No hourly fees, no retainers.
• We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

6. Bilingual Representation (Se Habla Español)

• Fluent Spanish-speaking staff to serve James City County’s Hispanic community.
• No language barriers — we communicate clearly and effectively.

7. Proven Track Record

• 4.9-star Google rating (250+ reviews).
• Millions recovered for personal injury victims.
• Aggressive litigators — we don’t back down from insurance companies or institutions.

🎓 Hazing at William & Mary: What James City County Parents Should Know

William & Mary has a strong Greek life presence, with chapters of major national fraternities and sororities, including:

These are the same organizations involved in nationwide hazing scandals.

William & Mary’s History with Hazing

While William & Mary has not had a high-profile hazing death in recent years, hazing incidents are underreported. Common hazing activities at Virginia universities include:

• Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, drinking games)
• Extreme physical exertion (calisthenics, running, sleep deprivation)
• Humiliation rituals (forced nudity, carrying embarrassing objects)
• Physical abuse (paddling, beatings, branding)

James City County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at William & Mary, they face the same risks as students in Texas.

📢 Message to James City County Fraternities and Sororities

To the chapters operating near James City County:

We are watching. We are documenting. We are building cases.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Alpha Epsilon — if your chapter operates near James City County, know this:

• We track your house corporations.
• We know your national organization’s hazing history.
• We know your insurance policies.
• And if you haze students, we will sue you.

The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated.

Your chapter could be next.

📞 James City County Families: Call Us Before It’s Too Late

If your child has been hazed in James City County, time is critical.

✅ Evidence disappears fast — texts, photos, witness memories.
✅ Virginia’s statute of limitations is 2 years — don’t lose your rights.
✅ Insurance companies and universities will pressure you to settle for less.

We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultation
✔ Video consultations for James City County families
✔ Contingency fee — $0 upfront
✔ Aggressive, experienced representation

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

🔒 Confidential. Compassionate. Committed.

James City County families: We understand the pain, fear, and anger you’re feeling. We’ve seen what hazing does to kids — and we’ve seen what it does to families.

You are not alone. We are here to fight for you.

Call now. Justice starts with a single step.

Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving James City County from Houston, Austin & Beaumont
1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com