# 🚨 Hazing Victim Legal Representation — Kearney County, Nebraska
## Attorney 911: Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experts Serving Kearney County Families
**📞 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline for Kearney County Hazing Victims: 1-888-ATTY-911**
**📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com**
**🏢 Headquarters: Houston, Texas | Serving Kearney County, Nebraska and Nationwide**
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## ⚠️ **Kearney County Parents & Students: Hazing Is Happening Near You — And We’re Fighting It Right Now**
**This isn’t just happening in big cities. It’s happening at colleges and universities near Kearney County, Nebraska. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student in Houston have chapters near you. The same universities that failed to protect students in Texas are failing students near Kearney County.**
**We are currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This same fight is coming to Kearney County. If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Kearney County, we will fight for you with the same aggression.**
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## 🔥 **The Hazing Crisis in Nebraska and Beyond**
### **What Kearney County Families Need to Know**
Hazing isn’t “boys being boys.” It isn’t “tradition.” It isn’t “team building.” **It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s torture. And it’s happening at colleges and universities near Kearney County, Nebraska.**
**Right now, we’re fighting a case where:**
– A student was **waterboarded with a garden hose** — the same torture technique used on enemy combatants
– He was forced to do **500 squats and 100 pushups** until his muscles broke down
– He was **struck with wooden paddles** and **forced to eat until he vomited**
– He ended up in the hospital with **kidney failure** — fighting for his life for four days
– **The fraternity knew this was happening** — they had a student die from hazing in 2017
– **The university knew this was happening** — they own the fraternity house where the torture occurred
**This same fraternity — Pi Kappa Phi — has chapters at universities near Kearney County. This same university negligence exists at institutions near Kearney County. And this same abuse is happening to students from Kearney County right now.**
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## 🏛️ **Colleges and Universities Near Kearney County with Greek Life**
While Kearney County itself is a rural area in south-central Nebraska, several major universities with active Greek life organizations are located within a reasonable distance. **These institutions serve Kearney County students and face the same hazing risks we’re fighting in Texas.**
### **Universities Near Kearney County with Greek Life Presence:**
1. **University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)**
– **Distance from Kearney County:** ~150 miles (2.5-hour drive)
– **Greek Life:** 30+ fraternities and sororities
– **Notable Fraternities:** Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, and others
– **Hazing History:** UNL has faced multiple hazing incidents over the years, including suspensions and disciplinary actions against Greek organizations
2. **University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK)**
– **Distance from Kearney County:** Located within Kearney County (Kearney, NE)
– **Greek Life:** 8 fraternities and 7 sororities
– **Notable Fraternities:** Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Tau Gamma, Phi Delta Theta, and others
– **Hazing History:** While UNK is smaller, it is not immune to hazing risks. Greek organizations at smaller universities often operate with less oversight, increasing the potential for abuse.
3. **University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO)**
– **Distance from Kearney County:** ~200 miles (3-hour drive)
– **Greek Life:** 10+ fraternities and sororities
– **Notable Fraternities:** Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, and others
4. **Creighton University (Omaha, NE)**
– **Distance from Kearney County:** ~200 miles (3-hour drive)
– **Greek Life:** 8 fraternities and 7 sororities
– **Notable Fraternities:** Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Kappa Theta, and others
– **Hazing History:** Creighton has faced hazing allegations in the past, including suspensions of Greek organizations.
5. **Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO)**
– **Distance from Kearney County:** ~350 miles (5-hour drive)
– **Greek Life:** 20+ fraternities and sororities
– **Notable Fraternities:** Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, and others
6. **University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, CO)**
– **Distance from Kearney County:** ~400 miles (6-hour drive)
– **Greek Life:** 20+ fraternities and sororities
– **Notable Fraternities:** Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, and others
– **Hazing History:** CU Boulder has faced multiple hazing incidents, including high-profile cases that resulted in chapter closures.
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## ⚠️ **The Same Fraternities Are Operating Near Kearney County**
The fraternities involved in our $10 million lawsuit — **Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, and others** — have active chapters at universities near Kearney County. **These organizations have a documented history of hazing, and they are operating in your community.**
### **Fraternities with Hazing Histories Near Kearney County:**
| Fraternity | Hazing History | Chapters Near Kearney County |
|————|—————-|——————————-|
| **Pi Kappa Phi** | – **2017:** Andrew Coffey died from forced alcohol consumption at Florida State University chapter
– **2025:** Leonel Bermudez hospitalized with kidney failure at University of Houston chapter (our current $10M lawsuit) | **UNL, Colorado State, CU Boulder** |
| **Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)** | – Multiple hazing deaths and injuries nationwide, including high-profile cases at Texas A&M and other universities
– Known for “The Phoenix” hazing ritual involving extreme physical abuse | **UNL, UNO, Colorado State, CU Boulder** |
| **Sigma Chi** | – Multiple hazing-related injuries and deaths
– High-profile hazing incidents at universities across the country | **UNL, UNO, Creighton, Colorado State, CU Boulder** |
| **Beta Theta Pi** | – **2017:** Timothy Piazza died from traumatic brain injury after hazing at Penn State University
– Multiple other hazing incidents resulting in injuries and suspensions | **UNL, UNO, Creighton, CU Boulder** |
| **Phi Delta Theta** | – **2017:** Maxwell Gruver died from alcohol poisoning at Louisiana State University after hazing
– Multiple other hazing incidents nationwide | **UNL, Colorado State** |
**These are the same organizations that have killed and injured students across America. And they have active chapters at universities near Kearney County.**
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## 💔 **What Hazing Looks Like for Kearney County Students**
Hazing isn’t just “a few pushups” or “a little drinking.” **It’s systematic abuse designed to break students down physically and psychologically.** Here’s what hazing looks like for students from Kearney County:
### **Physical Abuse:**
– **Forced exercise to exhaustion:** 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, “suicides” (running drills), and other extreme physical punishments that can lead to rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure.
– **Beatings:** Struck with wooden paddles, belts, or other objects.
– **Waterboarding:** Simulated drowning with hoses or other methods — a form of torture.
– **Branding and burning:** Permanent physical scars.
– **Forced consumption:** Eating or drinking until vomiting, often followed by more forced consumption.
– **Sleep deprivation:** Forced to stay awake for days, leading to exhaustion and mental breakdowns.
### **Psychological Abuse:**
– **Humiliation:** Forced to wear embarrassing clothing, carry sexual objects, or perform degrading acts.
– **Isolation:** Cut off from friends and family, increasing dependence on the organization.
– **Threats:** Threats of physical harm, expulsion from the organization, or social ostracism if the victim speaks out.
– **Fear:** Victims are often too afraid to report hazing due to intimidation and retaliation.
### **Sexual Abuse:**
– **Forced nudity:** Victims stripped of clothing in front of others.
– **Sexualized activities:** Forced to engage in or simulate sexual acts.
– **Sexual assault:** Some hazing rituals involve actual sexual assault.
### **Medical Consequences:**
– **Rhabdomyolysis:** Muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure (as seen in our current case).
– **Alcohol poisoning:** Can be fatal (as seen in multiple hazing deaths).
– **Traumatic brain injury:** From beatings or falls.
– **Hypothermia or heatstroke:** From exposure to extreme temperatures.
– **PTSD, anxiety, and depression:** Long-term psychological trauma from the abuse.
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## 🏥 **The Medical Reality: Hazing Can Kill or Permanently Injure Kearney County Students**
Hazing isn’t just dangerous — **it’s deadly.** And even when it doesn’t kill, it can cause permanent, life-altering injuries.
### **Rhabdomyolysis: The Silent Killer in Hazing**
**What is rhabdomyolysis?**
Rhabdomyolysis occurs when muscle tissue breaks down rapidly, releasing a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream. Myoglobin can damage the kidneys and lead to acute kidney failure. If untreated, rhabdomyolysis can be fatal.
**How does hazing cause rhabdomyolysis?**
– Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, “suicides”)
– Prolonged muscle compression (e.g., being forced to hold uncomfortable positions for long periods)
– Trauma (e.g., beatings with paddles or other objects)
**Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis:**
– Severe muscle pain
– Muscle weakness or difficulty moving
– Dark, brown, or tea-colored urine (a classic sign of myoglobin in the urine)
– Fatigue
– Confusion or disorientation
– Nausea and vomiting
**Treatment:**
– Immediate hospitalization
– Aggressive IV fluid hydration to flush myoglobin from the kidneys
– Monitoring of kidney function
– Potential dialysis if kidney failure occurs
**Long-term consequences:**
– Chronic kidney disease
– Need for lifelong dialysis
– Kidney transplant
– Increased risk of future rhabdomyolysis episodes
– Cardiac issues due to electrolyte imbalances
– Permanent muscle damage
**Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case suffered rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats and other extreme exercises. This is the same risk facing Kearney County students.**
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## 📰 **Our Current Case: The $10 Million Fight That Could Protect Kearney County Students**
### **Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al.**
**Filed:** November 21, 2025
**Court:** Harris County Civil District Court
**Damages Sought:** $10,000,000
**Attorneys:** Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — Attorney 911
### **What Happened:**
Leonel Bermudez, a “ghost rush” (a prospective member not yet enrolled at the University of Houston), accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi in September 2025. Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse, including:
– **Waterboarding with a garden hose** — simulated drowning
– **Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, and other extreme exercises** until he collapsed and could not stand
– **Struck with wooden paddles**
– **Forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting**, then forced to continue running
– **Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass**
– **Another pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a workout** — the fraternity did nothing to stop the abuse
On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event. He was forced to perform extreme exercises while reciting the fraternity creed. He became so exhausted he could not stand without help. The next day, he could barely move. His condition worsened, and on November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with **severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure** and spent **four days in the hospital fighting for his life.**
### **Why This Case Matters for Kearney County:**
1. **Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including near Kearney County.** If they’re waterboarding students in Houston, they’re likely engaging in similar abuse near Kearney County.
2. **The same fraternities operating near Kearney County have killed students before.** Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017 — and they did nothing to prevent it from happening again.
3. **Universities near Kearney County are just as negligent as the University of Houston.** They own fraternity houses, they have oversight responsibility, and they fail to protect students.
4. **This could happen to your child.** If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Kearney County, they face the same risks Leonel Bermudez faced.
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## ⚖️ **Legal Rights for Kearney County Hazing Victims**
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Kearney County, you have legal rights. **Hazing is illegal in Nebraska and across the country, and victims can pursue compensation for their injuries.**
### **Nebraska Hazing Laws**
Nebraska has strict anti-hazing laws designed to protect students. Under **Nebraska Revised Statute § 28-311.06**, hazing is defined as:
> *”Any activity by which a person intentionally or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health or safety of an individual for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any organization.”*
**Key Provisions:**
– **Hazing is a Class II misdemeanor**, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
– **If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, it is a Class IV felony**, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
– **Consent is not a defense.** Even if a student “agrees” to participate in hazing, the perpetrators can still be held criminally and civilly liable.
– **Organizations can be held liable.** Fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations can face fines, loss of recognition, and civil lawsuits.
**Nebraska universities are also required to report hazing incidents under state law.**
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### **Civil Liability: What Kearney County Families Can Sue For**
In addition to criminal charges, hazing victims and their families can pursue **civil lawsuits** to recover compensation for their injuries. **Civil lawsuits allow victims to hold institutions and individuals financially accountable for the harm they’ve caused.**
#### **Who Can Be Sued?**
Hazing cases often involve **multiple defendants**, each of whom may share liability for the victim’s injuries:
| Defendant | Basis for Liability |
|———–|———————|
| **Local Chapter** | Directly organized and conducted the hazing activities. |
| **National Fraternity/Sorority Organization** | Failed to supervise the local chapter; knew or should have known about hazing risks; failed to enforce anti-hazing policies. |
| **University/College** | Owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred; failed to prevent hazing despite prior knowledge; failed to supervise Greek life. |
| **Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.)** | Leadership responsibility; directed or allowed hazing to occur. |
| **Individual Members** | Participated in hazing activities; failed to stop the abuse. |
| **Alumni** | Hosted hazing activities at their homes; premises liability. |
| **Housing Corporations** | Owned or controlled fraternity/sorority property where hazing occurred. |
#### **What Can Kearney County Families Recover?**
Hazing victims can pursue compensation for a wide range of damages, including:
| Category | Examples |
|———-|———-|
| **Medical Expenses** | Hospital bills, ER visits, doctor appointments, medications, physical therapy, mental health treatment, future medical costs. |
| **Lost Wages** | Time missed from work due to injuries or recovery. |
| **Lost Earning Capacity** | If injuries affect the victim’s ability to work in the future. |
| **Pain and Suffering** | Physical pain and emotional distress caused by the hazing. |
| **Mental Anguish** | PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other psychological trauma. |
| **Loss of Enjoyment of Life** | Inability to participate in activities the victim once enjoyed. |
| **Disfigurement** | Permanent scars or physical changes resulting from hazing. |
| **Punitive Damages** | Additional compensation to punish the defendants for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, torture, reckless endangerment). |
**In our current case, we are seeking $10 million for Leonel Bermudez’s injuries. This same level of compensation is available to Kearney County families.**
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## 📋 **What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed Near Kearney County**
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Kearney County, **time is critical.** Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire. **Follow these steps immediately:**
### **Step 1: Ensure Your Child’s Safety**
– **Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately.** If they are in immediate physical danger, call 911.
– **Seek medical attention.** Even if your child says they’re “fine,” hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis may not show symptoms immediately. **Go to the emergency room or urgent care right away.**
– **Document all injuries.** Take photos of any bruises, cuts, burns, or other physical injuries. Continue taking photos as injuries heal.
### **Step 2: Preserve Evidence**
Hazing cases are won or lost based on evidence. **Preserve everything:**
| Evidence Type | What to Do |
|—————|————|
| **Medical Records** | Request copies of all medical records from hospital visits, doctor appointments, and therapy sessions. |
| **Photos/Videos** | Take photos of any injuries, hazing locations, or items used in hazing (e.g., paddles, hoses, alcohol bottles). Save any photos or videos your child took during hazing activities. |
| **Text Messages/Group Chats** | Take screenshots of all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, WhatsApp messages, or other communications about hazing. **Do not delete anything.** |
| **Social Media** | Save screenshots of any social media posts about hazing, including posts from fraternity/sorority members bragging about hazing activities. |
| **Witness Information** | Get the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, including other pledges, bystanders, or friends. |
| **Documents** | Save any documents related to the hazing, such as pledge manuals, schedules, or rules given to your child. |
| **Financial Records** | Save receipts for medical bills, therapy costs, and any other expenses related to the hazing. |
**DO NOT:**
– Delete any messages, photos, or videos.
– Talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal counsel.
– Sign any documents from the organization.
– Post about the incident on social media.
– Give statements to the university or fraternity without an attorney present.
### **Step 3: Report the Hazing**
– **File a police report.** Hazing is a crime in Nebraska. Contact local law enforcement to file a report.
– **Report to the university.** Notify the university’s Greek life office, student affairs department, or Title IX office. **Do not do this alone — have an attorney present.**
– **Report to the national organization.** If the hazing occurred at a fraternity or sorority, report it to the national headquarters.
### **Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately**
**Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.** We will:
– Evaluate your case and explain your legal rights.
– Help you preserve evidence and avoid common mistakes that can hurt your case.
– Handle all communications with the fraternity, sorority, university, and their lawyers.
– Fight for the compensation your child deserves.
**We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.**
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## 🎯 **Why Kearney County Families Choose Attorney 911**
### **1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now**
We are currently litigating a **$10 million hazing lawsuit** against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. **This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight, and we know how to win.** Kearney County families get the same aggressive representation.
### **2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook**
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. **We know exactly how insurance companies think, strategize, and try to minimize or deny claims.** We’ve seen their playbook from the inside — and now we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients.
### **3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Kearney County Families**
While we are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims **nationwide**, including Kearney County. We can evaluate your case regardless of where the hazing occurred through:
– **Federal court authority** — We are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction.
– **Dual-state bar licenses** — Ralph Manginello is licensed in Texas and New York; Lupe Pena is licensed in Texas.
– **Video consultations** — Kearney County families can meet with us remotely.
– **Travel commitment** — We will travel to Kearney County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
### **4. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español**
Many Kearney County families speak Spanish as their primary language. **We have bilingual staff and attorneys who can communicate with you in Spanish, ensuring no language barriers to justice.**
### **5. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Kearney County Families**
We understand that cost can be a barrier to justice. **We take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing upfront.** We only get paid if we win your case.
### **6. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results**
We have recovered **millions of dollars** for personal injury victims, including:
– **$10+ million** in our current hazing case (pending)
– **Multi-million dollar settlements** in wrongful death, trucking accident, and premises liability cases
– **Hundreds of cases won** by exposing flawed evidence and holding institutions accountable
### **7. We Understand the Kearney County Community**
While we are based in Texas, we understand the values and concerns of rural and small-town communities like Kearney County. **We know that families in Kearney County send their children to college expecting them to be safe, and we fight to hold institutions accountable when they betray that trust.**
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## 🚨 **Kearney County: The Time to Act Is Now**
**If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Kearney County, you have legal rights — but those rights expire quickly.**
– **Nebraska’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 4 years**, but evidence disappears much faster.
– **Witnesses forget details**, fraternities destroy records, and universities erase evidence.
– **The longer you wait, the harder it is to build a strong case.**
**Call Attorney 911 today for a free, confidential consultation. We will:**
✅ Evaluate your case and explain your legal rights
✅ Help you preserve evidence and avoid common mistakes
✅ Handle all communications with the fraternity, sorority, university, and their lawyers
✅ Fight for the compensation your child deserves
**📞 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline for Kearney County Hazing Victims: 1-888-ATTY-911**
**📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com**
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## 🏆 **Our Promise to Kearney County Families**
**We see your child as a person — not a paycheck.** We understand the pain and fear you’re experiencing, and we’re here to help. **We will fight for your child with the same fury we’re bringing to our current $10 million hazing case.**
**You are not alone. We are Attorney 911 — and we’re here to help.**
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## 📞 **Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911**
**Serving Kearney County, Nebraska and Nationwide**
