If you’re reading this in Liberty County, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, to grow, to explore new ideas. Instead, they may have been tortured. They may have been abused. And we want you to know: we’re here to help families in Liberty County fight back.

We understand the fear, the anger, and the desperation that washes over you when your child is harmed by the very institutions and organizations you trusted to protect them. Hazing is not a harmless prank; it’s a brutal form of abuse that leaves lasting physical and psychological scars, and in far too many cases, it tragically ends in death. We are on the front lines of this fight, actively representing hazing victims and their families across America, including those in Liberty County.

The Nightmare in Houston: What Happened to Leonel Bermudez and Why It Matters to Liberty County Families

Just weeks ago, a nightmare unfolded in Houston, shaking the university community and echoing the dangers that exist at colleges and universities near Liberty County and across the nation. This isn’t a hypothetical example; it’s a real, ongoing legal battle that Attorney911 is fighting right now, and it shows Liberty County families exactly what we do when hazing turns into torture.

In November 2025, we filed a $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 commitment to aggressive representation, data-driven strategy, and relentless pursuit of accountability for hazing victims.

Leonel’s Story: A Warning for Every Family in Liberty County

Leonel Bermudez was just like many young people from Liberty County, full of anticipation for the next chapter of his life. He wasn’t even an enrolled student at the University of Houston yet; he was a “ghost rush,” planning to transfer for the upcoming semester, eager to find belonging in a fraternity. What he found instead was weeks of systematic abuse, degradation, and physical torture.

On September 16, 2025, Leonel accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi. From that moment until early November, his dream turned into a living hell. The hazing he endured included:

• Simulated Waterboarding: As reported by KHOU 11, Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” a harrowing experience that mimics drowning. Houston Public Media explicitly called waterboarding “a form of torture.”
• Extreme Physical Punishment: He was forced to perform more than 100 push-ups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. This forced exercise was so intense that he had to recite the fraternity creed while enduring it, under threat of immediate expulsion if he stopped. According to the Houston Chronicle, he was also “struck with wooden paddles.”
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Leonel and other pledges were made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited, then, according to ABC13, they were “forced to continue running sprints while clearly in physical distress” and made to “lie in vomit-soaked grass after vomiting.”
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: He was compelled to carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times, forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather, and subjected to sleep deprivation by being made to drive fraternity members during early morning hours. In one particularly disturbing incident on October 13, another pledge was “hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.”
• Severe Medical Consequences: On November 3, 2025, after an especially brutal hazing session, Leonel was so exhausted he couldn’t stand without help. As Ralph Manginello recounted to ABC13, “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.” Leonel spent three nights and four days hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis—a breakdown of muscle tissue that releases harmful proteins into the bloodstream—and acute kidney failure. He was passing brown urine, a classic sign of this life-threatening condition.

This horrifying account is not an isolated incident. It is a stark reminder of the realities of hazing today, and it proves that the same dangers facing students in Houston are present for young people from Liberty County attending colleges whether locally in Georgia, across the country in places like Texas, or anywhere else throughout the US.

The Immediate Aftermath: Accountability Begins

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization on November 6, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters suspended the chapter. By November 14, the chapter was permanently closed, members voted to surrender their charter, and criminal referrals were initiated. The University of Houston spokesperson acknowledged that “the events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards,” and confirmed that individuals found responsible could face “expulsion and potential criminal charges.”

The rapid closure of the chapter and the university’s statement are clear admissions of wrongdoing and underscore the severity of the hazing. Pi Kappa Phi, on its own website, stated the closure was “following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards,” a direct admission against its own interest. Yet, chillingly, their statement also expresses that they “look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” a stark indication of their lack of genuine remorse.

Why Leonel’s Case Resonates in Liberty County

This case is not just about a student in Houston; it’s a critical warning for every parent in Liberty County.

• Identical Fraternities Operate Near Liberty County: Pi Kappa Phi has over 150 chapters nationwide. The same national organization, with the same “values” and structures, may have chapters at universities your children attend, whether they matriculate at a local Georgia institution or venture further afield.
• Repeat Offender Institution: Both Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston had prior knowledge of deadly hazing. Pi Kappa Phi had seen Andrew Coffey die from hazing in one of its Florida State chapters in 2017. The University of Houston had a student hospitalized with a lacerated spleen from hazing in another fraternity in 2017. Eight years passed, and neither institution effectively addressed this life-threatening culture. This proves gross negligence and a pattern of deliberate indifference that puts students like yours from Liberty County at risk.
• It’s NOT “Boys Will Be Boys”: What happened to Leonel was torture, not tradition. Parents in Liberty County need to understand that hazing has evolved far beyond harmless pranks. It is violent, demeaning, and medically dangerous.
• Deep Pockets Must Be Held Accountable: We don’t just sue the individuals; we go after the national organizations with their multimillion-dollar assets and insurance policies, and the universities with their vast resources. These are the entities with the power to truly change the culture, and they are the ones who must pay for their failures.

Attorney911 is fighting these powerful entities in Harris County Civil District Court for Leonel Bermudez. We will bring the same aggressive, data-driven, and client-focused approach to your family’s hazing case in Liberty County. As Lupe Pena emphasized, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes in Liberty County

When parents in Liberty County hear the word “hazing,” they might conjure images of silly rituals or mild discomfort. The reality is far more sinister. Hazing today is rarely about building character or fostering brotherhood; it is often about power, control, and brutal physical and psychological abuse. The truth of hazing is that it thrives in secrecy, preys on vulnerability, and can lead to catastrophic injury or death.

We aim to educate Liberty County families about the true nature of hazing so they can recognize the warning signs and understand the severe consequences. This isn’t just about fraternity life; hazing can occur in sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and any other student organization where a power imbalance is exploited.

The Categories of Modern Hazing: A Deep Dive for Liberty County Parents

The hazing Leonel Bermudez endured is sadly typical of the severe forms we see across the country. These activities are designed to break down a person’s resolve, instill fear, and enforce absolute obedience.

1. Physical Abuse and Torture:

   • Forced Exercise to Exhaustion: This goes beyond push-ups. We’re talking about hundreds of squats, forced running until collapse, bear crawls, and other drills that push the body to its absolute limits, leading to conditions like rhabdomyolysis, as seen in Leonel’s case. Wooden paddles or other objects are used to strike pledges.
   • Exposure to Elements: This can include being forced outside in extreme cold or heat with minimal clothing, or being sprayed with water hoses in cold temperatures, risking hypothermia.
   • Restraint and Confinement: Acts like hog-tying, as happened to a pledge in Leonel’s fraternity, or confining individuals in small, uncomfortable spaces.
   • Branding and Beatings: Some hazing rituals involve physical branding with hot objects, or severe beatings that can result in broken bones, concussions, or internal injuries.
   • Water-Based Torture: Simulated waterboarding is a stark example of how hazing can escalate to acts recognized internationally as torture.

2. Forced Consumption:

   • Binge Drinking: This is perhaps the most common and deadliest form of hazing, leading to alcohol poisoning. Pledges are forced to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol in short periods, often without being allowed to stop until they pass out or vomit.
   • Eating to Vomiting: Forcing pledges to rapidly consume large quantities of unpleasant or foul-smelling food, often to the point of induced vomiting. Leonel’s experience with milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns is a clear example.
   • Non-Food Substances: In some extreme cases, pledges are coerced into consuming non-food items, bodily fluids, or other dangerous substances.

3. Psychological and Emotional Abuse:

   • Humiliation and Degradation: This often involves public shaming, verbal abuse, forced nudity, or being made to wear degrading clothing or carry sexually explicit items, as Leonel was forced to do.
   • Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often kept awake for days at a time, forced to perform tasks or attend events at all hours, breaking down their mental and physical resilience. This impairs judgment and increases vulnerability.
   • Isolation and Intimidation: Victims may be isolated from friends and family, threatened with social repercussions if they speak out, or subjected to constant verbal abuse and threats.
   • Exploitation of Authority: Older members abuse their power over pledges, creating an environment where dissent is impossible and obedience is paramount.

4. Servitude and Personal Degradation:

   • Forced Labor: Pledges are often made to perform menial or unpleasant tasks for active members, such as cleaning, driving, or running errands, often at odd hours.
   • Constant Scrutiny: Being required to follow strict dress codes, adhere to rigid schedules, or undergo constant questioning and evaluation, adding to the psychological pressure.

The Medical and Psychological Toll: What Liberty County Families Must Understand

The visible injuries from hazing—bruises, cuts, burns, or broken bones—are often just the tip of the iceberg. The internal and long-term damages can be far more devastating.

• Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure: As Leonel’s case tragically illustrates, extreme physical overexertion can lead to muscle breakdown and acute kidney failure, a life-threatening condition that can result in permanent kidney damage, dialysis, or even death.
• Alcohol Poisoning: A leading cause of hazing deaths, resulting from forced binge drinking.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From falls, beatings, or being thrown, TBIs can cause permanent cognitive impairment, memory loss, and personality changes.
• Hypothermia/Heatstroke: Exposure to extreme weather conditions can lead to severe and life-threatening physiological crises.
• Internal Organ Damage: From physical blows or forced consumption of harmful substances.
• PTSD, Anxiety, Depression: The psychological trauma of hazing can be profound and enduring, leading to chronic mental health conditions, substance abuse, and even suicide. Leonel’s fear of retribution for speaking out highlights the deep psychological impact of such events.

The Conspiracy of Silence: How Hazing Continues

Hazing persists because of a pervasive “conspiracy of silence.” Victims are often threatened, shamed, or peer-pressured into keeping silent, fearing social ostracism, academic repercussions, or further physical retaliation. Universities and national organizations, too, often contribute to this silence. They may prioritize their reputation over student safety, attempting to downplay incidents or quietly suspend chapters rather than addressing the root causes.

But silence only protects the perpetrators and perpetuates the cycle of abuse. We urge Liberty County families to break that silence. Your courage could save another student’s life. What happened to Leonel Bermudez is not ancient history; it is a present-day reality at universities across America, including those that students from Liberty County might attend.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Everyone Accountable in Liberty County Hazing Cases

When a student from Liberty County is harmed by hazing, the responsibility extends far beyond the immediate perpetrators. We believe that everyone who enabled, condoned, or failed to prevent the abuse must be held accountable. Our strategy involves identifying and pursuing every single liable entity, ensuring that deep pockets pay for their negligence and complicity.

In Leonel Bermudez’s $10 million lawsuit, we have named a comprehensive list of defendants, illustrating our commitment to wide-ranging accountability:

1. The Local Chapter (Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu): This is the direct perpetrator, the entity that organized and carried out the hazing. The chapter officers—the President, Pledgemaster, and other leaders—are individually responsible for directing and participating in the abuse. Current members who actively took part or stood by silently are also liable. These individuals cannot hide behind the fraternity’s name; their actions have personal consequences.
2. The National Organization (Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc.): This is often the deepest pocket. National fraternities are legally distinct corporations with multimillion-dollar assets, endowments, and extensive insurance policies. They claim to oversee hundreds of chapters nationwide, setting policies, providing training, and enforcing rules. When hazing occurs, especially after a history of similar incidents like the death of Andrew Coffey at an FSU Pi Kappa Phi chapter in 2017, the national organization is liable for negligent supervision, failure to train, and failing to enforce their own anti-hazing policies despite knowing about a “hazing crisis.”
3. The Housing Corporation (Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc.): Many fraternities operate through separate housing corporations that own or manage the properties where hazing often takes place. These entities have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment. If they own or control the premises where hazing occurs, they can be held liable under premises liability laws.
4. The University (University of Houston and UH Board of Regents): Universities have a legal and moral duty to protect their students. In Leonel’s case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where some of the physical hazing took place. This is a critical factor for premises liability. Furthermore, universities have control over student organizations, including the power to recognize, regulate, suspend, or permanently remove fraternities from campus. When a university fails to act despite knowing about hazing risks (especially after a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving another fraternity on its campus, as was the case for UH), they are liable for negligent supervision and institutional negligence.
5. Individual Members Beyond Leadership: Beyond the officers, active members who participate in hazing, or even those who witness it and fail to intervene, can be held personally liable. This extends to former members who may host hazing activities at their private residences, and even their spouses if they have knowledge and allow the abuse on their property, as alleged in Leonel’s lawsuit.

The “Deep Pockets” Strategy: Why It’s Crucial for Liberty County Victims

Our firm’s approach is to target “deep pockets”—those entities with substantial assets, robust insurance coverage, and the institutional power to effect change. This strategy ensures that:

• Victims Receive Fair Compensation: The medical bills, long-term care needs, lost educational opportunities, and severe pain and suffering stemming from hazing are enormous. Only by holding powerful institutions liable can victims hope to recover the compensation they deserve.
• Accountability Drives Change: Suing individuals alone, who often have limited assets, may not deter future hazing. However, when national fraternities face multi-million-dollar payouts and universities face public scrutiny and financial consequences, they are compelled to implement meaningful reforms.
• The Insurance Angle: As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring invaluable insider knowledge to the table. They know how insurance companies analyze claims, what triggers high payouts, and how to dismantle defense strategies. This is a significant advantage when negotiating with the liability insurers of national fraternities, universities, and housing corporations. We meticulously track all policies of these entities, knowing that often multiple layers of commercial insurance coverage exist specifically to protect against such catastrophic incidents.

Parents in Liberty County need to know that seeking justice for your child’s hazing isn’t about targeting broke college students. It’s about holding sophisticated, often tax-exempt, corporations and multi-billion dollar institutions accountable for their direct actions, their negligence, and their conscious indifference to student safety.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof for Liberty County Families

The legal fight against hazing is often difficult, but the track record of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements across the country proves that justice can be won. These precedent cases, which we study meticulously, establish the value of hazing injuries and deaths, and provide a roadmap for Liberty County families to recover substantial compensation. Parents in Liberty County need to know that these numbers aren’t theoretical; they represent real accountability and real change.

The $10 million lawsuit we filed for Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is squarely in line with these national precedents. We demand significant compensation because the harm is immense, and the negligence is undeniable.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements: Lessons for Liberty County

1. Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha ($10.1 Million+):

   • What Happened: In 2021, 20-year-old Stone Foltz was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” event at Bowling Green State University. He died from acute alcohol poisoning.
   • The Outcome: Bowling Green State University settled with the family for $2.9 million, and Pi Kappa Alpha national (along with individuals) settled for an additional $7.2 million. In December 2024, a former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was personally found liable for $6.5 million. This resulted in over $10.1 million in total recoveries for the family and stands as the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history.
   • Significance for Liberty County: This case directly supports our $10 million demand. It shows that both universities and national fraternities are held financially responsible, and even individual chapter officers can face multi-million dollar personal judgments.

2. Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta ($6.1 Million Verdict):

   • What Happened: In 2017, 18-year-old Maxwell Gruver died from acute alcohol poisoning during a Phi Delta Theta pledge event called “Bible Study” at LSU. He was forced to drink excessive alcohol for incorrect answers to fraternity questions. His BAC was 0.495—six times the legal limit.
   • The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family a $6.1 million verdict. This case also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
   • Significance for Liberty County: This jury verdict demonstrates that when a case goes to trial, juries are willing to award multi-million dollar sums for hazing deaths. The criminal conviction of an individual and the resulting legislative change underscore the severe consequences.

3. Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi ($110 Million+):

   • What Happened: In 2017, 19-year-old Timothy Piazza was forced to consume 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi event at Penn State, reaching a BAC of 0.36. He fell repeatedly down basement stairs, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911. He died two days later. Security cameras captured the harrowing events.
   • The Outcome: Although confidential, civil settlements against Penn State and the Beta Theta Pi national fraternity are estimated to exceed $110 million. The case resulted in multiple criminal convictions, including for involuntary manslaughter, and spurred the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in Pennsylvania.
   • Significance for Liberty County: This monumental settlement highlights how strong evidence, particularly video documentation, can lead to massive recoveries. It reinforces that universities and national fraternities will pay exorbitant sums for their negligence and complicity.

4. Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (Same Fraternity as Leonel’s Case):

   • What Happened: On November 3, 2017 (exactly eight years before Leonel’s extreme hazing incident), 20-year-old Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” at Florida State University. He was forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon.
   • The Outcome: Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges, and the chapter was permanently closed. The family reached a confidential civil settlement.
   • Significance for Liberty County: This case is devastating for Pi Kappa Phi. It proves the national organization had actual notice of deadly hazing practices within its chapters for eight years prior to Leonel’s hospitalization. Despite Andrew Coffey’s death, Pi Kappa Phi failed to implement effective safeguards, making Leonel’s injuries entirely foreseeable and their actions grossly negligent. This further strengthens our case for substantial punitive damages.

Why Your Child’s Case in Liberty County Can Win Similar Outcomes

These cases are not anomalies; they represent a clear pattern:

• Juries Hate Hazing: When presented with the brutal realities of hazing, especially intentional acts of torture like waterboarding or forced consumption, juries often react with outrage, leading to significant verdicts for the victims.
• Institutional Accountability: The precedents clearly show that universities and national fraternities cannot claim ignorance or escape liability. They have a duty to protect students, and when they fail, they pay.
• The Value of Life and Health: While nothing can bring back a child lost to hazing, the legal system assigns value to life, health, and profound suffering. Economic damages cover medical bills and lost earnings, while non-economic damages compensate for unimaginable pain and suffering. Punitive damages, designed to punish egregious behavior, can add millions to these awards.
• Legislative Change: These cases often lead to new or stronger anti-hazing laws, like the Max Gruver Act or the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, demonstrating the public’s demand for greater protection.

For families in Liberty County, these multi-million dollar outcomes serve as a powerful message: your child’s suffering has value, and the institutions responsible can, and will, be held financially accountable. We will leverage every single one of these precedents, and every detail of our active $10 million lawsuit, to fight for the justice your family deserves.

Texas Hazing Law Protects You: A Shield for Liberty County Families

Although Liberty County is in Georgia, many students from your community pursue higher education in Texas. Furthermore, the robust anti-hazing laws in Texas, much like those passed in other states in response to tragic hazing incidents nationwide, provide a legal framework that empowers victims and ensures institutions can be held accountable, no matter where the hazing occurs. This understanding is crucial for any family from Liberty County facing the aftermath of hazing.

Here’s how Texas law acts as a powerful shield for hazing victims and their families:

The Definition of Hazing: Broader Than You Think

Texas Education Code § 37.151 explicitly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining an organization, if that act:

• Involves physical brutality: Such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, or placing harmful substances on the body. We saw this in Leonel’s case with the wooden paddles.
• Subjects the student to unreasonable risk of harm: This includes sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, or excessive calisthenics that adversely affect mental or physical health. Leonel’s 500 squats to the point of kidney failure and being sprayed with a hose in cold weather fall squarely here.
• Involves forced consumption: Forcing students to consume food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk of harm. Leonel’s forced eating until vomiting is a direct violation.
• Requires performing a task that violates the Penal Code: This covers any activity that is itself a crime.
• Involves coercing the student to consume drugs or excessive alcohol: Ensuring students cannot be pressured into dangerous levels of intoxication.

Leonel Bermudez’s experience—waterboarding, forced exercise, physical beatings, forced eating, sleep deprivation, and humiliation—satisfies multiple elements of this broad definition. It’s clear, unambiguous hazing under Texas law.

Criminal Penalties: Holding Individuals Accountable

Texas law ensures that hazing is not just a student conduct violation; it’s a crime.

• Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, soliciting, aiding hazing, or even having firsthand knowledge and failing to report it.
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes serious bodily injury. Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure undeniably constitute serious bodily injury, meaning the individuals involved in his hazing face potential jail time and significant fines.
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes death. This is a powerful deterrent, and tragically, a reality in far too many cases across the country.

The University of Houston’s own spokesperson acknowledged “potential criminal charges” in Leonel’s case, confirming the criminal gravity of the alleged acts.

Organizational Liability: Targeting the Institutions

Beyond individuals, Texas law directly targets organizations. Education Code § 37.153 states that an organization commits an offense if it “condones or encourages hazing” or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing. Penalties can include fines of up to $10,000, and perhaps more importantly, denial of permission to operate on campus and forfeiture of property. This means chapters can be shut down, and national organizations can be financially penalized.

Consent is NOT a Defense: The Law is Explicit

This is perhaps the most critical protection for victims and their families in Liberty County. Defense attorneys for fraternities and universities often argue that victims “consented” to the hazing or “knew what they were signing up for.”

Texas Education Code § 37.154 unequivocally states: “It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This is an absolute game-changer. It means that whether Leonel Bermudez or any other hazing victim “agreed” to participate is irrelevant under Texas law. The legislature understood the power dynamics, peer pressure, and coercion inherent in hazing, and wisely eliminated consent as a legal shield for perpetrators.

University Reporting Requirements: A Duty to Disclose

Educational institutions in Texas are mandated to report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within 30 days of becoming aware of them. Failure to do so is also a Class B Misdemeanor. This creates a paper trail and holds universities accountable for transparency, providing crucial evidence for civil lawsuits.

How These Laws Empower Liberty County Families

While these are Texas statutes, nearly every state has enacted similar anti-hazing laws. The principles of civil liability—negligence, premises liability, negligent supervision, assault, and battery—apply nationwide. Attorney911, with our federal court authority and dual Texas and New York bar admissions, can pursue cases in any jurisdiction where justice is needed.

For Liberty County families, these laws mean:

• Your Child is Not to Blame: If your child was hazed, the law explicitly states they could not have legally consented to abuse.
• Powerful Targets for Lawsuits: The criminal and civil frameworks allow us to pursue individuals, local chapters, national organizations, and universities.
• A Clear Path to Justice: These laws provide unambiguous grounds for legal action, ensuring that hazing victims from Liberty County have the same legal protections as any student in Texas.

We refuse to let anyone hide behind “tradition” or “consent.” The law is clear: hazing is illegal, dangerous, and carries severe consequences. We will use every legal tool at our disposal to enforce these protections for your family.

Why Attorney911 is Your Unrivaled Choice in Liberty County Hazing Cases

When your child’s life is shattered by hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the unique complexities of hazing litigation. For Liberty County families seeking justice, Attorney911 offers a distinct and powerful advantage rooted in decades of experience, insider knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to victims. We may be based in Texas, but our reach and expertise extend nationwide, and we are ready to fight for your family in Liberty County.

1. Actively Litigating a Landmark $10 Million Hazing Case Right Now

This isn’t theoretical expertise. We are currently embroiled in a high-stakes $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the horrific hazing of Leonel Bermudez. This firsthand, ongoing experience means:

• Current Battle-Tested Strategy: We are writing the playbook for hazing litigation as we speak, applying the latest legal theories and investigative techniques.
• Deep Understanding of Modern Hazing: Leonel’s case, involving waterboarding, rhabdomyolysis, and kidney failure, provides an up-to-the-minute understanding of the extreme nature of hazing today.
• No Learning Curve: We don’t need to research how to approach these cases; we are actively doing it.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: We Know Their Playbook

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña built their careers on the “other side” of the courtroom, defending large corporations and insurance companies. This unique perspective is invaluable:

• Ralph Manginello: Our managing partner, Ralph, spent years defending clients against personal injury claims. He understands how defense lawyers think, how they value cases, and what tactics they use to minimize payouts. He now uses this intimate knowledge to dismantle their strategies.
• Lupe Peña: Lupe’s experience at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national insurance defense firm, gives him unparalleled insight. He saw firsthand how insurance companies value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize or deny payouts. Now, he uses that battlefield intelligence to maximize recovery for our clients.

For Liberty County families, this means we anticipate every move the national fraternity, university, and their insurance carriers will make. We know their weaknesses, and we exploit them to your advantage. This is an unfair advantage for victims, and we leverage it every day.

3. Federal Court Authority & Dual-State Bar Admissions

• Federal Court: Our attorneys are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, granting us the authority to pursue cases in federal courts nationwide. Many hazing cases involve multi-state defendants (national fraternities, multi-campus universities), making federal jurisdiction a powerful tool. This means we can represent Liberty County victims regardless of where the hazing occurred in America.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas & New York): Ralph Manginello is licensed in both Texas and New York. This gives us strategic flexibility, especially when dealing with national organizations often headquartered or incorporated in other states. This is a critical advantage for families from Liberty County.

4. Experience Taking on Corporate Giants (Like BP)

Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation (which killed 15 workers and injured over 180) demonstrates our capacity and fearlessness in taking on massive corporate defendants. The organizational negligence, complex liability, and mass tort strategies employed in such a monumental case directly apply to hazing litigation involving powerful national fraternities and universities. We are not intimidated by the resources of the other side.

5. Data-Driven Litigation Strategy: Our Hazing Intelligence Database

We don’t guess; we know. We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, including IRS-registered entities, EINs, legal names, and insurance structures. This intelligence allows us to:

• Identify Every Liable Entity: We know precisely who owns the property, who the national officers are, and what insurance policies are in play. In Leonel’s case, this meant identifying not only the university and national fraternity but also the housing corporation and 13 individual members, including a former member and his spouse for hazing that occurred at their residence.
• Track Patterns of Negligence: By cross-referencing IRS data, Cause IQ metro organization lists, and national incident databases, we can identify fraternities with a documented history of hazing. This “Pattern Evidence” is crucial for establishing foresight, gross negligence, and demanding punitive damages.

6. Compassionate, Bilingual, and Client-Focused Representation

We offer a warm, empathetic approach combined with aggressive legal action.

• “They Treat You Like Family”: Our 4.9-star Google rating with over 250 reviews reflects consistent client satisfaction, with many testimonials highlighting our communication and genuine care. As client Chad Harris said, “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.”
• Se Habla Español: Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that Hispanic families in Liberty County affected by hazing receive comprehensive legal services without language barriers.
• Contingency Fees: We take hazing cases on contingency. This means you pay $0 upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case. This removes financial barriers for Liberty County families facing immense medical bills and emotional distress.

7. Committed to Travel & Remote Consultations

While our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we are fully committed to serving Liberty County families. Distance is not a barrier to justice:

• Video Consultations: We offer convenient and confidential video consultations, allowing Liberty County families to meet with our attorneys from the comfort of their homes.
• Travel for Your Case: We will travel to Liberty County for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary to build and present the strongest possible case.

We understand that choosing a hazing lawyer in Liberty County is a deeply personal and critical decision. Our aggressive, data-driven, and compassionate approach, combined with our proven track record against powerful defendants, makes Attorney911 the definitive choice for your family. We are not just lawyers; we are advocates on a mission to stop hazing and hold every responsible party accountable.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Liberty County Families After a Hazing Incident

The shock, anger, and betrayal you feel when your child is injured by hazing can be overwhelming. But taking immediate, decisive steps is crucial to protecting your child’s rights and building a strong legal case. The clock starts ticking the moment a hazing incident occurs, and crucial evidence can disappear quickly. We urge families in Liberty County to follow this guidance immediately.

Step 1: Prioritize Medical Attention and Document Injuries

Your child’s health is the absolute top priority. Even if they initially resist or downplay their injuries, insist on professional medical evaluation.

1. Seek Immediate Care:
   • Emergency Room: If there are severe physical injuries, signs of alcohol poisoning, unconsciousness, or any life-threatening symptoms (like Leonel Bermudez’s brown urine and inability to walk), call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room in Liberty County immediately.
   • Primary Care Doctor or Urgent Care: For less severe but still concerning injuries, see a doctor in Liberty County as soon as possible.
2. Be Explicit About the Cause: It is critical that your child or you clearly tell medical staff that the injuries were caused by hazing. Do not let them simply record “fall” or “alcohol poisoning” without context. This links the injuries directly to the hazing.
3. Document Everything:
   • Medical Records: Obtain copies of all hospital records, doctor’s notes, lab results (like Leonel’s creatine kinase levels), imaging scans, and bills. This is the cornerstone of your case.
   • Photographs: Take clear, timestamped photos of all visible injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling) at every stage of healing. If your child is hospitalized, have someone take pictures in the hospital bed. Continue photographing the healing process.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence (The Digital Trail is Critical)

In hazing cases, digital communications are often the smoking gun. Do not delete ANYTHING. As Ralph Manginello emphasizes, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”

1. Secure All Digital Communications:
   • Text Messages & Group Chats: Take screenshots of every text message, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DM, Facebook Messenger chat, or any other digital communication related to the hazing. This includes threats, instructions, plans, discussions about hazing, and any attempts to silence or intimidate.
   • Social Media: Preserve screenshots of any social media posts related to the organization, the event, or any comments that might later be deleted by the perpetrators.
   • Emails: Save all emails from the fraternity/sorority, university, or individual members.
2. Identify Witnesses: Write down the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, including other pledges, active members, or bystanders. Their testimony can be invaluable.
3. Collect Documents: Gather any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or communications given to your child by the organization.
4. Financial Records: Keep track of any medical bills, lost wages due to missed work or school, and any tuition or fees that were impacted.

Step 3: Avoid Direct Communication, Protect Your Privacy

The organizations and institutions involved will immediately go into damage control mode. It is vital to limit communication.

1. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority: Do not allow your child or yourself to speak with fraternity leadership, alumni, or individual members without legal counsel. They will try to get your child to sign documents, downplay the incident, or coordinate their story.
2. Do NOT Talk to the University Administration Alone: Universities have a vested interest in protecting their reputation. Any statement your child makes can be used against them. If you must communicate with the university (e.g., to report hazing or initiate disciplinary action), inform them that you are represented by counsel.
3. Do NOT Post on Social Media: The defense team will scour every social media platform for anything that can be used against your child, such as photos of them looking “happy” after the incident or pictures that contradict claims of mental distress. Abide by our advice: STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA.
4. Do NOT Sign Anything: Do not sign any documents from the fraternity, the university, or their representatives without an attorney reviewing them first. You could inadvertently waive your rights or jeopardize your claim.
5. Refuse Recorded Statements: As advised in our videos, never give a recorded statement to an insurance company or any opposing party without your attorney present.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Litigation Attorney Immediately

This is perhaps the most crucial step. The legal process is complex, and time is of the essence.

1. Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline: Our phone lines are open 24/7. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. As we always say, “We come to you.” We can conduct video consultations for Liberty County families and will travel for depositions, meetings, and trials as needed.
2. Understand Your Rights: Even if you think your child might have been “partially at fault” or “consented,” Texas law (and similar laws nationwide) explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. We will explain all your legal options and how comparative negligence rules might apply.
3. We Work on Contingency: Financial concerns should not stop you from seeking justice. There are $0 upfront costs to Liberty County families. We only get paid if we win your case.
4. Statute of Limitations: In most states, including Texas, you have a limited time (typically two years) from the date of injury or death to file a lawsuit. Evidence disappears, and memories fade. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

For Liberty County families, watching your child suffer from hazing is an unbearable nightmare. But you don’t have to face it alone. We are ready to bring our aggressive, experienced, and compassionate advocacy to your aid, just as we are for Leonel Bermudez and countless other victims across the country. Let us help you turn pain into power, and demand accountability for those who harmed your child. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline in Liberty County

If you’re reading this, your family in Liberty County may be facing a nightmare. Your child was supposed to make friends, build character, and thrive at college. Instead, they were hurt, humiliated, or even hospitalized. The institutions and organizations you trusted have betrayed that trust.

You have legal rights, and we are here to ensure those rights are fiercely protected.

Our attorneys at Attorney911 are in the fight right now, aggressively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t just a job for us; it’s a mission to hold powerful institutions accountable and to bring light to the dark reality of hazing. We understand that Leonel Bermudez’s story—the waterboarding, the kidney failure, the utter disregard for human dignity—could be your child’s story. We will bring the same level of dedication, expertise, and relentless pursuit of justice to your family in Liberty County.

Liberty County Families, Don’t Wait. Time is Critical.

• Evidence disappears.
• Witnesses forget.
• Organizations strategize to cover their tracks.
• Crucial deadlines loom.

If your child has been subjected to hazing in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, ROTC, or any other organization:

📞 CALL OUR LEGAL EMERGENCY HOTLINE: 1-888-ATTY-911

We are available 24/7 for Liberty County hazing emergencies. Speak directly with an experienced attorney who understands the gravity of your situation.

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Website: attorney911.com

What You Can Expect When You Contact Attorney911:

• Free, Confidential Consultation: Your first conversation with us is always free. We’ll listen to your story with compassion, assess the details of your child’s hazing incident, and discuss your legal options without any obligation.
• No Upfront Fees: We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means families in Liberty County pay $0 upfront for our legal services. We only get paid if and when we win your case. Our financial interests are directly aligned with yours.
• Nationwide Reach, Local Commitment: While our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our federal court authority and willingness to travel mean we can effectively represent families in Liberty County and across the country. We offer video consultations for your convenience and will travel to Liberty County for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
• Experienced Advocates: You’ll have attorneys like Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, who have collectively spent over 37 years battling against powerful defendants, including their prior experience defending the very insurance companies we now fight. We know their tactics, and we anticipate their every move.
• Support for All Types of Hazing: Whether your child suffered physical injuries, severe psychological trauma, or tragically, death, we have the experience and resources to pursue every type of hazing claim, including those involving rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injury, sexual abuse, and wrongful death.
• Bilingual Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that Spanish-speaking families in Liberty County receive comprehensive legal guidance and support.

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

If you or your child were also part of the Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston—if you witnessed or experienced these brutal acts, saw another pledge collapse, or were also waterboarded—we want to hear from you. Leonel was not the only victim. Your voice, your story, and your courage are critical to holding all responsible parties fully accountable. Contact us immediately.

To the local chapters, national fraternities, and universities operating near Liberty County: Know this. We track your corporate structures, your national policies, and your documented history of hazing. We know what happened in Houston, and we know it can happen anywhere, including in Greek life organizations at institutions that students from Liberty County attend. If you put students in danger, we will find you, we will expose your negligence, and we will make you pay.

Don’t let them get away with it. Contact Attorney911 today.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Web: attorney911.com

Your fight for justice begins today. We are ready to fight for you.