If you’re reading this in Lamar County, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, build a future. Instead, they were tortured, abused, and left with physical and emotional scars that may last a lifetime. We understand what you’re going through. The fear, the anger, the feeling of helplessness – we’ve seen it, and we’re here to help families in Lamar County fight back.

Hazing is not a harmless college prank. It is systematic abuse, often bordering on criminal, that can lead to severe injury, lasting psychological trauma, and even death. When your child leaves Lamar County for college, whether it’s to a major state university or a smaller regional institution, you expect them to be safe. You expect them to be protected. When that trust is betrayed by fraternities, sororities, or any student organization, you deserve justice. We are Attorney911, and we are actively fighting hazing right now in court, and we are ready to stand with families in Lamar County.

The Haunting Echoes of Injustice: Our $10 Million Fight for Leonel Bermudez

This isn’t a hypothetical battle for us. We are currently engaged in a real, aggressive, $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members in Harris County Civil District Court. This case, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al., is the centerpiece of our firm’s commitment: relentless representation of hazing victims, a data-driven litigation strategy that uncovers every responsible party, and unapologetic accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries.

Leonel Bermudez was just like many young people from Lamar County, eager to embrace college life. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member who wasn’t even fully enrolled at the University of Houston yet, planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. He looked forward to joining a brotherhood, to finding camaraderie. Instead, he endured weeks of systematic abuse that left him hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

We want every parent in Lamar County to understand what happened to Leonel because the same horrific hazing could happen to your child at any university across America, including institutions where students from Lamar County attend.

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are leading this charge. As Ralph Manginello told ABC13, describing Leonel’s terrifying ordeal: “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.”

Lupe Pena echoed our firm’s mission, telling 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.” We believe this with every fiber of our being, and it’s the same fire we’ll bring to your family’s case in Lamar County.

You can read more about this ongoing legal battle through the extensive media coverage:

• ABC13 Houston: “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges” (https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/)
• KHOU 11: “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations” (https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/university-of-houston-hazing-lawsuit-uh-pi-kappa-phi/285-8d6916f4-23b9-456a-a484-77c916ceac71)
• Houston Chronicle: “UH fraternity hazing lawsuit” (https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/uh-fraternity-hazing-lawsuit-21201616.php)
• Houston Public Media: “University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing” (https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/education/2025/11/24/536961/uh-lawsuit-hazing-allegations-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/)

The Hazing Timeline: Weeks of Torture

Leonel’s nightmare began on September 16, 2025, when he accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi. What followed was an escalating campaign of abuse:

• October 13, 2025: Another pledge was horrifically hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• October 15, 2025: A pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout. Other pledges had to help him recover.
• November 3, 2025: This was Leonel’s breaking point. He was forced into extreme physical exertion, including over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He had to recite the fraternity creed under threat of expulsion. The abuse continued until he was so exhausted he couldn’t stand.
• November 6, 2025: Leonel’s mother rushed him to the hospital. He was passing brown urine, a critical sign of severe muscle breakdown. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• November 6-10, 2025: Leonel spent three nights and four days in the hospital, fighting for his health and grappling with potential permanent kidney damage.

Within days of this incident, Pi Kappa Phi National officially closed its Beta Nu Chapter (November 14, 2025). Just a week later, on November 21, 2025, Attorney911 filed our $10 million lawsuit.

This Is What Hazing Looks Like: Not Pranks, But Torture

The activities Leonel endured go far beyond any notion of “harmless initiation.” They are acts of physical and psychological torture:

• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: Pledges, including Leonel, were sprayed in the face with a garden hose while doing calisthenics, forced to run repeatedly under threat of “waterboarding.” As Houston Public Media rightly noted, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.”
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Leonel was made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Then, in a truly dehumanizing act, he was forced to continue running sprints across vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: Beyond the pushups and squats, the Houston Chronicle detailed “high-volume suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was struck with wooden paddles. This kind of exertion, without proper rest or hydration, directly led to his rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Leonel was stripped to his underwear in cold weather, forced to carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature, and subjected to threats. The hog-tying incident involving another pledge paints a chilling picture of the degradation inflicted.
• Sleep Deprivation: Forced early morning drives for fraternity members led to exhaustion, impacting his health and wellbeing.

The Medical Reality: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

Leonel’s injuries were not minor. Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue, releasing damaging proteins into the bloodstream that can cause acute kidney failure and be fatal. His symptoms—brown urine, extreme muscle pain, difficulty moving, and very high creatine kinase levels—are classic indicators of this life-threatening condition. He faced the very real risk of lasting kidney damage that could require lifelong monitoring, dialysis, or even a kidney transplant. Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, experience that proves invaluable in understanding and prosecuting the severity of these injuries.

Institutional Responses: A Calculated Effort to Evade Accountability

The responses from the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National speak volumes:

• University of Houston: A UH spokesperson admitted to Houston Public Media that “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards,” and mentioned “potential criminal charges.” This is an admission they recognize the severity of the conduct and its criminal implications.
• Pi Kappa Phi National: Their website statement on November 21, 2025, proudly declared the Beta Nu Chapter was closed effective November 14, 2025, before our lawsuit was filed. They cited “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards” – practically an admission of guilt. Yet, they ended with: “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This is not remorse; it is a promise to resume operations once the heat dies down.

This calculated damage control proves they knew the gravity of the situation and acted quickly to shield their national organization before facing a lawsuit. It highlights their willingness to prioritize reputation over the safety of new members like Leonel. KHOU 11 reported allegations that the national organization and housing corporation “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” They knew. They chose not to act effectively.

What This Case Means for Lamar County Families

• Lamar County students are not immune. Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America, and their presence is felt at universities where Lamar County students enroll. The same “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel can easily happen to students from Lamar County.
• Universities near Lamar County share similar liabilities. Just like the University of Houston, institutions where Lamar County students attend have oversight responsibilities. If they fail to protect their students, they are accountable.
• National organizations operate everywhere. The same national fraternities that have faced multi-million dollar lawsuits for hazing deaths and injuries have chapters near Lamar County. They operate under the same national leadership and often the same “traditions.”
• One brave victim can create a ripple effect. Leonel Bermudez took a brave step, and his case is now a warning to every Greek organization. Your child’s case from Lamar County could save lives.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in Lamar County hold a dated image of hazing: late-night chores or embarrassing dares. The reality, tragically, is far more sinister and dangerous. Hazing today is rarely about proving loyalty; it’s about control, dominance, and often, systematic abuse that mirrors actual torture.

When we talk about hazing, especially in Lamar County, we’re talking about activities that are designed to physically and psychologically break individuals. It’s not “boys being boys.” It’s not “tradition” or “team-building.” It is assault, battery, reckless endangerment, and in too many tragic cases, leads to manslaughter or murder.

Here is a glimpse of what hazing truly entails, as exposed in cases across the nation, and epitomized in the horrors Leonel Bermudez endured:

Physical Abuse

This isn’t just a slap on the wrist. It involves direct physical harm intended to inflict pain and exhaustion.

• Beatings, paddling, and branding.
• Forced calisthenics, pushups, squats, and running drills to the point of collapse, dehydration, and serious medical conditions like rhabdomyolysis.
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions, like forcing pledges to strip in cold weather and then spraying them with a hose.
• Simulated waterboarding and other forms of near-drowning.

Forced Consumption

Often involving alcohol, but extending to other substances and foods to cause illness.

• Binge drinking: Forcing pledges to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol, leading to alcohol poisoning.
• Forced eating: Making individuals consume unusual or excessive amounts of food or non-food items until they vomit, as Leonel was forced to do with milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns.
• Ingestion of harmful or undesirable substances.

Psychological Torture and Humiliation

These tactics aim to strip individuals of their dignity, control, and sense of self.

• Verbal abuse, intimidation, and threats.
• Forced public nudity or demeaning acts.
• Social isolation, sleep deprivation, and psychological manipulation that can lead to severe anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
• Carrying sexually explicit objects or participating in sexually suggestive rituals, as Leonel was forced to do.

Sleep Deprivation and Exhaustion

This weakens an individual, making them more pliable and susceptible to further abuse.

• Forced late-night and early-morning activities without adequate rest.
• Demanding tasks that disrupt sleep cycles, leading to physical and mental deterioration.

Servitude and Harassment

Pledges are often treated as slaves, forced to perform demeaning tasks for fraternity members.

• Cleaning, driving, or errand-running at all hours.
• Being on-call 24/7 for members’ demands.

The True Toll of Hazing

The consequences of hazing are profound and often lasting:

• Physical Injuries: Broken bones, burns, internal organ damage, extreme muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), acute kidney failure, alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injury, and in the worst cases, wrongful death.
• Psychological Damage: PTSD, severe anxiety, crippling depression, suicidal ideation, loss of self-worth, and an inability to trust. Leonel’s own fear of retribution for speaking out highlights the deep psychological impact.
• Academic and Career Impact: Hazing can lead to academic decline, dropping out, loss of scholarships, and damage to future career prospects.

This is not the hazing of Hollywood movies, and it’s certainly not harmless fun. This is calculated abuse, and whether it happens at a university a few hours from Lamar County or across the country, it demands justice. Families in Lamar County whose children have endured this kind of trauma deserve an attorney who understands the true nature of hazing.

Who Is Responsible for Hazing Injuries? Everyone Who Participated or Allowed It

When hazing occurs, it’s natural to immediately point fingers at the individual perpetrators. However, in today’s legal landscape, accountability extends far beyond the students directly involved. Our experience, especially in the Bermudez case, proves that multiple layers of individuals and institutions can, and should, be held responsible. This means that if your child from Lamar County is hazed, we can cast a wide net to ensure accountability.

Here’s a breakdown of who we pursue:

1. The Individual Perpetrators

These are the students and alumni who directly inflict the hazing. In our $10 million lawsuit, we’ve named 13 individual fraternity members, including the President, Pledgemaster, and those who participated in the hazing. This also includes former members and even a spouse of a former member for hosting hazing activities at their residence. Every person who actively participated in, organized, or facilitated the abuse can be held personally liable for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

2. The Local Chapter of the Fraternity or Sorority

The chapter itself, as a semi-autonomous entity, is directly responsible for organizing and conducting hazing activities. These chapters often have their own local bank accounts, leadership structures, and insurance coverage. They are liable for the actions of their members, particularly when the abuse is widespread and known within the chapter.

3. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization

This is often where the “deep pockets” are found. National organizations, like Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters in our current lawsuit, have millions in assets and comprehensive liability insurance. They are responsible for:

• Failing to supervise local chapters: National organizations have a duty to ensure their chapters adhere to anti-hazing policies. When they fail, it’s direct negligence.
• Failing to enforce anti-hazing policies: As seen in the Bermudez case, Pi Kappa Phi National admitted to “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy” just weeks after the incident. Their public statement confirming knowledge of a “hazing crisis” further solidifies their responsibility.
• A “pattern of negligence”: When a national organization has a history of hazing incidents—like Pi Kappa Phi’s involvement in the 2017 death of Andrew Coffey—it demonstrates a systemic failure and makes them highly vulnerable to punitive damages.

4. The University or College

Universities have a fundamental duty to protect their students, a duty they often betray. In the Bermudez case, we sued both the University of Houston and the UH Board of Regents because:

• Premises Liability: Universities are often landlords. The Pi Kappa Phi house where Leonel was waterboarded was owned by the University of Houston. When institutions own or control the property where hazing occurs, and they fail to ensure its safety, they are directly liable.
• Negligent Supervision: Universities often have a Greek Life office and administrators tasked with overseeing student organizations. Failure to adequately supervise these groups, to investigate complaints, or to enforce anti-hazing policies constitutes negligence. The University of Houston had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017, proving they had knowledge of the issue on their campus and failed to act.
• Institutional Cover-Ups: Our discovery often reveals universities trying to downplay incidents or protect their reputation, rather than their students.

5. Alumni and Chapter Advisors

Alumni often maintain significant influence and oversight of local chapters. They may hold positions on housing corporations or advisory boards. If they knew about hazing and failed to intervene, or actively encouraged it, they too can be held liable. The fact that hazing occurred at a “former member’s residence” in the Bermudez case, leading to the former member and his spouse being named as defendants, shows how far our firm will go to find every responsible party.

6. Housing Corporations

Many fraternities and sororities operate through separate housing corporations that own or manage the actual properties where members live. These corporations, like the Beta Nu Housing Corporation in Leonel’s case, have a responsibility to ensure a safe environment.

7. Insurance Carriers

Ultimately, a significant portion of the compensation in these cases comes from the various insurance policies held by these responsible parties:

• National organization’s liability insurance.
• University’s institutional insurance.
• Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies of individuals who hosted hazing.
• Personal liability policies.

As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring invaluable insider knowledge. We know how insurance companies operate, how they value claims, and, crucially, how to dismantle their defenses to maximize recovery for our clients from Lamar County. We ensure that every potentially liable entity—and their corresponding insurance policy—is brought to the table. Our comprehensive approach means no stone is left unturned in our pursuit of justice for hazing victims.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof That Hazing Has a Steep Price Tag

For families in Lamar County seeking justice after a hazing incident, understanding the potential financial recovery is critical. These aren’t small claims; they are often multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements that send an undeniable message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations: hazing has a steep price tag. We review these precedent-setting cases because they demonstrate what is achievable for hazing victims, and the same tenacity we use with our current $10 million lawsuit is what we bring to every family from Lamar County.

Here are some landmark cases that show the real-world impact of hazing litigation:

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

• Total Recovery: Over $10.1 Million

• What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Pi Kappa Alpha, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” initiation event. He died from alcohol poisoning.

• The Outcome: Bowling Green State University settled for $2.9 million. Pi Kappa Alpha National and several individual members settled for an additional $7.2 million. Most recently, in December 2024, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was ordered to pay an additional $6.5 million in a personal judgment. The fraternity was permanently expelled, and multiple individuals faced criminal convictions. This case led to Ohio’s “Collin’s Law,” increasing hazing penalties.

• Relevance for Lamar County: This case sets a clear precedent: universities and national fraternities are both held accountable for millions. Our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez is squarely in line with this. The significant personal judgment against an individual member demonstrates that students who participate cannot hide behind the fraternity’s shield.

Maxwell Gruver: Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)

• Jury Verdict: $6.1 Million

• What Happened: In September 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, was forced to participate in a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” drinking ritual. He was made to consume massive amounts of alcohol for answering questions incorrectly. He died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC over six times the legal limit.

• The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family $6.1 million. One fraternity member was convicted of negligent homicide and served prison time. This tragedy also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.

• Relevance for Lamar County: A jury sent an unambiguous message with a multi-million dollar verdict that hazing will not be tolerated. This reinforces that when justice goes to trial, juries are willing to award substantial compensation to victims and their families.

Timothy Piazza: Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)

• Total Recovery: Over $110 Million (Estimated Settlements)

• What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a pledge at Beta Theta Pi, was forced to “run the gauntlet,” consuming 18 drinks in 82 minutes. He fell down a flight of stairs and suffered a catastrophic brain injury. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for 12 hours while he lay dying, with security cameras capturing their horrific inaction.

• The Outcome: The Piazza family secured over $110 million in confidential settlements from various parties, including the fraternity and individuals. Multiple fraternity members faced criminal charges, with several convictions for involuntary manslaughter and hazing. Pennsylvania passed the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in his honor.

• Relevance for Lamar County: This case highlights the immense value of clear evidence (like the security camera footage) and the potential for a combined, aggregated recovery from multiple defendants that can reach staggering amounts. It proves that institutional negligence, especially regarding delays in seeking medical care, severely increases liability.

Andrew Coffey: Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

• The Same Fraternity as Our Current Lawsuit.

• What Happened: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” event, where he was forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon.

• The Outcome: Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges. The FSU chapter was permanently closed. The Coffey family reached a confidential settlement in their civil suit. This case contributed to Florida’s “Andrew’s Law” against hazing.

• Relevance for Lamar County: This is a crucial precedent for the Bermudez case. It unequivocally proves that Pi Kappa Phi National knew about deadly hazing within their chapters. They had eight years between Andrew Coffey’s death and Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization to enact real change. Their failure to do so demonstrates a pattern of negligence and provides strong grounds for punitive damages in Leonel’s case and any similar cases in Lamar County.

These cases, and many others, demonstrate that the legal system is increasingly prepared to hold organizations and individuals accountable for hazing. If your family in Lamar County is facing the aftermath of hazing, know that there is a path to significant compensation and, more importantly, to forcing systemic change.

Texas Law Protects You: Consent is NOT a Defense

For families in Lamar County, it’s vital to understand the legal framework that protects victims of hazing. Texas hazing laws, particularly those found in the Texas Education Code, are some of the strongest in the nation, providing a robust foundation for both criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits. Our team at Attorney911 operates within this framework, leveraging every aspect of the law to seek justice for your child.

The Texas Anti-Hazing Law (Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157)

This statute defines and criminalizes hazing, making it clear that these acts are not merely “pranks” or “traditions” but serious offenses with severe consequences.

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):
Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, whether on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization, if the act:

1. Involves physical brutality: Such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, or placing harmful substances on the body. (Leonel was struck with wooden paddles and forced into extreme physical exertion.)
2. Involves sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, or calisthenics: Any activity that subjects a student to unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects mental or physical health. (Leonel suffered sleep deprivation, cold exposure, water spraying, and calisthenics that led to kidney failure.)
3. Involves forced consumption: Food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk of harm. (Leonel was forced to eat until he vomited.)
4. Involves activities violating the Penal Code: Any task that is itself a crime.
5. Involves coercing consumption of drugs or excessive alcohol: Leading to intoxication.

Leonel Bermudez’s case clearly meets multiple aspects of this legal definition, underscoring the criminal nature of the acts perpetrated against him.

Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152):
The law provides for escalating criminal penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, soliciting, aiding, or even possessing firsthand knowledge and failing to report (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes serious bodily injury (up to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine). Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure would undoubtedly qualify as serious bodily injury.
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes death (180 days to 2 years state jail, $10,000 fine).

The University of Houston’s spokesperson acknowledged “potential criminal charges,” signaling their recognition of the severe, criminal nature of the hazing.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153):
The law also holds organizations accountable, stating that an organization commits an offense if it condones or encourages hazing, or if its officers, members, or alumni engage 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 aspect of Texas anti-hazing law for families in Lamar County:
“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 directly combats the fraternity’s age-old argument that “he agreed to participate” or “he knew what he was signing up for.” Under Texas law, your child cannot legally consent to being hazed. The legislators understood that the power dynamics, peer pressure, and fear inherent in hazing negate true consent. Any attempt by defendants to use this argument will be met with the full force of this statute.

University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155)

Chief administrative officers of institutions are legally required to report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within 30 days. Failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor. This provision is vital for transparency and oversight, and it highlights the university’s active role and responsibility in addressing hazing.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges

Even if criminal charges aren’t pursued or result in lesser penalties, the civil justice system offers a powerful path for Lamar County families to seek significant monetary damages. Here are the key civil claims:

• Negligence: This is the most common claim. It argues that the responsible parties (individuals, chapter, national organization, university) owed a duty of care to protect the student, breached that duty through their actions or inactions, and this breach directly caused the injuries and damages.
• Premises Liability: If the hazing occurred on property owned or controlled by the university (as it did for Leonel at a UH-owned fraternity house) or other defendants, they can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
• Negligent Supervision: This applies to national organizations that fail to adequately oversee their chapters and to universities that fail to monitor Greek life activities.
• Assault and Battery: These are intentional torts directly applicable to physical hazing acts like hitting, beating, or waterboarding. Every individual who participated can be held personally liable.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Hazing often involves extreme and outrageous conduct that causes severe emotional harm, leading to claims for this.
• Wrongful Death: In the most tragic cases, families of students who die from hazing can file wrongful death lawsuits to recover for their immense losses.

These legal avenues provide robust protections for hazing victims and their families in Lamar County, ensuring that every responsible party can be held to account.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for Lamar County Hazing Victims

When your child has been subjected to the trauma of hazing, selecting the right legal representation is one of the most crucial decisions you will make. Attorney911 is not just another law firm; we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ with a distinct set of advantages, particularly for families in Lamar County seeking justice for hazing. Our commitment goes beyond legal theory – we are actively fighting hazing in court right now, and we’re ready to bring that same aggressive, data-driven approach to your case.

Here’s why Lamar County families choose Attorney911:

1. Actively Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

This is our most important differentiator. We are not hypothetical. We are not just “personal injury lawyers.” We are currently fighting for Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in a multi-million dollar hazing case. This isn’t just a win for our client; it’s a blueprint for how we’ll approach your child’s case in Lamar County. You don’t just get lawyers who talk about hazing; you get lawyers who are on the front lines, setting precedent.

2. Ralph Manginello: 25+ Years of Battle-Tested Experience

Ralph Manginello, our founder, brings over two decades of intense courtroom experience. His background includes:

• BP Texas City Explosion Litigation: He was involved in multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation against BP after the catastrophic refinery explosion that killed 15 workers. This experience proves his capacity to take on massive corporate defendants, a direct parallel to challenging national fraternities and universities.
• Former Insurance Defense Attorney: Ralph started his career working for insurance companies. He knows their strategies, their weaknesses, and how they attempt to minimize payouts. Now, he uses that insider knowledge against them, ensuring no insurance company can undervalue your child’s suffering.
• Federal Court Admissions & Dual-State Bar: Admitted to the U.S. District Court and licensed in both Texas and New York, Ralph has the reach to pursue national fraternity organizations, no matter where their headquarters are located or where the hazing occurred. This is a strategic advantage for Lamar County families when dealing with the national scope of Greek life.
• Journalism Background: Trained to investigate, uncover facts, and tell a compelling story, Ralph ensures no detail in your child’s hazing ordeal is overlooked.

3. Lupe Pena: The Insider Advantage

Lupe Pena is another powerful asset for hazing victims. His unique insights come from:

• Former National Insurance Defense Attorney: Lupe worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm. He spent years dissecting plaintiff’s cases for insurance companies, learning how they value, defend, and settle claims. Now, he applies that “battlefield intelligence” to benefit our clients, often dismantling their defenses before they’ve even begun.
• Wrongful Death and Dram Shop Expertise: His experience in these areas is crucial for hazing cases, which often involve alcohol poisoning and can, tragically, result in death. He knows how to hold liable establishments accountable.
• Fluent in Spanish: For Lamar County’s diverse community, Lupe’s fluency in Spanish ensures that Hispanic families and victims can communicate freely and receive comprehensive legal services without language barriers. Se habla español.

4. Data-Driven Litigation & The Texas Hazing Intelligence Database

We don’t guess. We know. Our firm maintains a comprehensive database of Greek organizations in Texas, including:

• IRS B83 Texas Organizations: We track over 125 IRS-registered Greek organizations, including house corporations and alumni chapters, complete with EINs and addresses. This means we already know the corporate structure of fraternities that families in Lamar County may be dealing with.
• Texas Universities (96 Campuses): We understand the landscape of Texas universities, from major hubs like UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin to regional colleges, connecting how students from Lamar County might encounter hazing.
• Cause IQ Metro Organizations (1,423 across 25 Metros): This data allows us to see the scale of Greek organizations. For example, the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metro area, where our firm is headquartered and where the Bermudez case is being fought, processes 188 Greek organizations. We track their presence, their corporate structures, and their national connections.
  When hazing happens, we leverage this intelligence to identify every potential defendant—from the local chapter to the national headquarters and their associated housing corporations. As we did with the Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515), the same entity we sued in the Bermudez case. This is how we effectively pierce the corporate veil and hold everyone accountable.

5. No Upfront Costs: Contingency Fees

We understand that after a hazing incident, families in Lamar County are grappling with immense emotional and financial stress. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis.

• You pay $0 upfront.
• We don’t get paid unless (and until) you get paid.
  This model aligns our interests entirely with yours – we are fully invested in securing maximum compensation for your child.

6. Nationwide Reach & Local Commitment

While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, hazing knows no geographical boundaries. We serve hazing victims in Lamar County and across the nation through:

• Federal Court Authority: Admitted to U.S. District Courts and with appellate experience, we can pursue claims against national organizations in federal jurisdiction if needed.
• Willingness to Travel: Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will travel to Lamar County for depositions, meetings, or trial when your case demands it.
• Remote Consultations: Initial consultations with Lamar County families can be conducted conveniently via video or phone, ensuring immediate access to expert legal help.

7. Compassionate, Ethical, and Aggressive Advocacy

Our firm is built on empathy and a deep commitment to our clients. Our 4.9-star rating on Google from over 250 reviews reflects this dedication:

• “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris
• “Nothing but amazing communication, and they helped me understand the whole process.” — Ruben Garza
• “What seemed to be a crisis for my family and I with no way out on how to fight or solve our case, Atty. Manginello stepped in and absolutely fought for us. A true PITT BULL and fighter. He don’t play!” — Chad Harris

Whether your child attends a university in Lamar County, a college in Georgia, or any institution across the country, Attorney911 is here to provide the unwavering support and fierce advocacy needed to combat hazing. We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re actively fighting it in court right now, and we’re ready to fight for you.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Lamar County Families

If your child from Lamar County has been subjected to hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While the emotional turmoil can be overwhelming, quick and strategic action can significantly impact the success of any future legal claim. Here’s what you need to do right now:

1. Prioritize Medical Attention and Document Everything

• Seek immediate medical care: Even if injuries seem minor, or if there’s only psychological distress. Hazing injuries, like rhabdomyolysis or internal organ damage, can have delayed or subtle symptoms. Always go to the emergency room or a doctor as soon as possible.
• Be explicit with medical providers: Clearly state that the injuries resulted from a hazing incident. This is crucial for medical records.
• Document EVERYTHING: Keep every medical record, doctor’s note, hospital bill, prescription, and therapy receipt. Photograph all physical injuries (bruising, cuts, burns, swelling) as they appear and as they heal. Record dates and times. Any delay in seeking medical treatment can be used by the defense to argue your child wasn’t seriously injured.

2. Preserve All Evidence – Digital and Physical

Hazing often operates in secret, using modern communication tools. Your child’s phone is a treasure trove of evidence.

• SAVE ALL COMMUNICATIONS: This is paramount. Screenshot every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat conversation (even disappearing messages if possible), Instagram DM, email, or any other digital communication relevant to the hazing. Do not delete ANYTHING, even if it seems irrelevant or embarrassing. The defense will seek to discredit your child if information is missing or altered.
• Photos and Videos: Carefully save any photos or videos taken by your child, or sent to them, that depict the hazing activities, the location of hazing, or any injuries.
• Documents: Preserve pledge manuals, schedules, rules, fraternity handbooks, or any official or unofficial documents given to your child.
• Witness Information: Collect the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or any person who might have relevant information. Their testimony can be invaluable.
• Medical Records (Digital): If your child used any health monitoring apps (like fitness trackers), the data could show patterns of extreme exertion and sleep deprivation.

As Ralph Manginello emphasizes, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to. And what’s surprising is even though everyone seems like everyone has a phone with a camera on it, not everyone takes pictures. Pictures are going to tell the story. Help your lawyer tell your story.” You can watch our video, “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence,” for more guidance.

3. Do NOT Communicate Without Legal Counsel

This cannot be stressed enough:

• Do NOT talk to the fraternity/sorority: Do not contact current members, alumni, or national leadership. They will try to control the narrative, gather information to use against you, or pressure your child into silence.
• Do NOT talk to university administrators or their lawyers: University officials are primarily concerned with protecting the institution. Any statements your child makes can be used against them. Do not provide a statement or sign any documents without an attorney present.
• Do NOT post on social media: Anything your child posts, or anything friends post about them, can be twisted and used by the defense to undermine your child’s claims. Even old, seemingly unrelated posts can be misinterpreted. Just stay off social media relating to the incident entirely. We recommend watching our video “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” for more details.
• Do NOT give recorded statements: Insurance adjusters are trained to manipulate victims into saying things that minimize their injuries or imply fault. Direct all communication with insurance companies to your attorney.

4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney IMMEDIATELY

Time is of the essence in hazing cases.

• Preservation of Evidence: The sooner an attorney is involved, the faster we can send preservation letters to all potential defendants, legally obligating them to retain all relevant records, including text messages, internal communications, and video surveillance footage, before it can be destroyed.
• Statute of Limitations: In Texas, personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits generally have a 2-year statute of limitations. While this seems like a long time, crucial evidence disappears quickly. For example, some university surveillance footage may only be retained for a short period. Waiting can severely compromise your child’s case. Watch our video “Texas Statutes of Limitations” for a full explanation.
• Interview Witnesses: Memories fade. Witnesses graduate. It’s crucial to gather testimonies while details are fresh.
• Expert Medical Review: An attorney can help connect your child with specialists who understand hazing-related injuries and can properly assess long-term impacts.

5. Lamar County Families: Call Attorney911 Now for a Free Consultation

Even if you’re in Lamar County, hundreds of miles from our Houston headquarters, expert legal help is accessible. We offer video consultations, and our federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) allow us to pursue national organizations wherever they are. We will travel to Lamar County for depositions and client meetings when needed.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs to you. We don’t get paid unless we win your case. This allows families in Lamar County to pursue justice against powerful institutions without financial burden.

Your child didn’t ask for this, and they don’t have to face this alone. We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. We understand the unique challenges faced by victims of hazing—both the immediate trauma and the long-term struggle for healing and justice. Whether your child attends a university near Lamar County, a major state school, or an institution across the country, we are equipped and committed to fighting for what’s right.

Call us 24/7. Let us be your first responder to this legal emergency.

🚨 Lamar County Families: Have You or Your Child Been Hazed?

You have legal rights. We are fighting this fight right now – and we’ll fight for Lamar County victims too.

Our attorneys are currently representing a hazing victim against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in a $10 MILLION lawsuit. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. We know how to WIN. Lamar County families get the same aggressive representation.

Lamar County Families — Call Now — Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Available 24/7 for Lamar County hazing emergencies

We work on CONTINGENCY — $0 upfront for Lamar County families. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid.

What Lamar County Hazing Victims Should Do Right Now:

1. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION if you haven’t already — document everything.
2. PRESERVE ALL EVIDENCE — texts, photos, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, witness names.
3. DO NOT talk to the fraternity/sorority, university, or their lawyers without legal counsel.
4. DO NOT post on social media about the incident.
5. CALL US IMMEDIATELY — 2-year statute of limitations in most states, evidence disappears fast.
6. Lamar County FAMILIES: Distance is not a barrier — we offer video consultations and travel to Lamar County for cases.

We Serve Lamar County Hazing Victims — And Hazing Victims Nationwide

While we are based in Texas, hazing happens at colleges and universities across every state, including Georgia. We can evaluate your Lamar County case regardless of location through:

• Federal court authority — pursue cases in federal jurisdiction.
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas and New York allow flexibility across national fraternity jurisdictions.
• Video consultations — Lamar County families can meet with us remotely.
• Travel commitment — we come to Lamar County for depositions and trials when your case demands it.

Hazing is not limited to Greek life in Lamar County. We represent victims of hazing in:

• Fraternities and sororities near Lamar County, at institutions like Gordon State College, the University of Georgia, or Georgia Tech.
• Lamar County sports teams.
• Marching bands at local and regional universities.
• ROTC programs.
• Clubs and organizations at Lamar County schools.
• Military academies.
• Any organization that uses abuse as “initiation.”

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know there are more of you. Our client was not the only one hazed. Another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness on October 15. Others were subjected to the same waterboarding, forced eating, and physical abuse.

You have rights too. We can represent you.

Lupe Pena said it best: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Call us. Let’s bring them ALL to justice.

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