Loudoun County Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M Pike & $12.6M Kappa Sigma Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

If you’re reading this in Loudoun County, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went off to college in the hope of building friendships and finding community. Instead, they were subjected to abuse, humiliation, and potentially life-threatening harm – all under the guise of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.” Here at Attorney911, we understand what you’re going through. Your trust has been shattered, and your child has been deeply hurt. We are here to help families like yours in Loudoun County fight back, hold those responsible accountable, and seek the justice your child deserves.

We know the fear, the anger, and the desperation that parents in Loudoun County feel when a hazing incident turns their world upside down. That’s why we take these cases personally. We are not just lawyers; we are advocates for the injured, and relentless champions for families who have been betrayed by institutions they trusted.

In Loudoun County, with its vibrant communities and strong family values, the thought of hazing hitting close to home can be particularly devastating. Many Loudoun County families send their children to prestigious universities across Virginia and beyond, expecting them to be safe and nurtured. Sadly, hazing is a hidden epidemic, and it can strike anywhere – from the largest state universities to smaller private colleges, and even at local high schools. The very same national fraternities and sororities with storied histories often harbor dark secrets, allowing traditions of abuse to persist. We’re here to tell you that this isn’t just a distant problem; it’s a national crisis, and it demands aggressive, informed legal action.

The Landmark Case: We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW – The Same Fight We’ll Bring to Loudoun County

What we share with you now is not theory or speculation. It is a live, ongoing battle we are fighting in Harris County, Texas, right now. This is the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case, a $10 million lawsuit that embodies everything we stand for: aggressive representation, data-driven strategy, and unwavering accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries. This case happened in Houston, but the systematic abuse, the institutional failures, and the devastating consequences are mirrored in hazing incidents across the nation, including those that could happen at universities where Loudoun County students might enroll.

Loudoun County families: This is what hazing looks like today. And this is exactly what we do about it.

News Coverage of Our Fight

When a case is this egregious, the media takes notice. Here’s how news outlets reported on our lawsuit:

• ABC13 Houston: Published November 21-22, 2025, with the headline, “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges.” This report included direct quotes from our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, detailing the horrific abuse.
• KHOU 11: Their coverage on November 21, 2025, titled, “$10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations,” was the first to name our client, Leonel Bermudez, and revealed critical details, such as the fraternity house being “University-owned.”
• Houston Chronicle: On November 22, 2025, they published, “UH fraternity hazing lawsuit,” providing granular details of the physical hazing exercises, including the use of wooden paddles.
• Houston Public Media: On November 24, 2025, their article, “University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing,” definitively confirmed the $10 million in damages sought and included a statement from the University of Houston, describing the events as “deeply disturbing.”

Even the defendant, Pi Kappa Phi National, issued a statement on their website on November 21, 2025, “Pi Kappa Phi Closes Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston,” admitting to “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy.” This is not an organization claiming ignorance; this is an organization admitting culpability.

The $10 Million Fight for Leonel Bermudez

Our lawsuit, filed in Harris County Civil District Court, names a comprehensive list of defendants we believe are responsible for Leonel’s horrific injuries:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (University of Houston Beta Nu Chapter): The local chapter that directly orchestrated and carried out the hazing.
• Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters: The national organization that failed to supervise and enforce its anti-hazing policies despite a history of incidents.
• Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation: The entity responsible for the fraternity house where much of the abuse occurred.
• University of Houston: The university that owned and controlled the fraternity house and failed in its duty to protect students.
• UH Board of Regents: The governing body with ultimate oversight of the university’s operations and student safety.
• Fraternity President, Pledgemaster, and 13 Individual Members: Those who directly participated in, led, or failed to stop the hazing. Crucially, this includes a former member and his spouse, at whose residence some of the hazing tragically took place.

The Hazing Timeline: Weeks of Torture

Leonel Bermudez was not even an enrolled University of Houston student at the time; he was a “ghost rush” planning to transfer for the Spring 2026 semester. Yet, from September 16 to November 3, 2025, he endured weeks of systematic abuse after accepting a bid to Pi Kappa Phi.

Here’s a horrifying glimpse into what he suffered:

• September 16, 2025: Leonel accepts a bid to Pi Kappa Phi. The nightmare begins.
• October 13, 2025: Another pledge is hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. This wasn’t an isolated incident; it was a culture of abuse.
• October 15, 2025: A pledge loses consciousness during a forced workout, collapsing from exhaustion. Other pledges had to elevate his legs. This was a clear warning, yet the hazing continued.
• November 3, 2025: Leonel is subjected to an extreme workout: over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and 100-yard crawls. He was forced to recite the fraternity creed while exercising past the point of physical exhaustion until he could not stand without help.
• November 6, 2025: After days of intense pain, his mother rushes a rapidly deteriorating Leonel to the hospital. He is passing brown urine, a critical sign of severe muscle breakdown.
• November 6-10, 2025: Leonel is hospitalized for three nights and four days, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

The Horrors Exposed: Not “Tradition,” But Torture

The hazing Leonel endured goes far beyond pranks or “boys being boys.” It was calculated, prolonged, and life-threatening assault:

• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: Leonel and other pledges were “simulated waterboarded with a garden hose,” sprayed directly in the face while performing calisthenics. This is a recognized form of torture, yet it was inflicted on college students.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: Weeks of grueling workouts, including over 100 pushups and 500 squats, “suicides,” bear crawls, and wheelbarrows, pushed Leonel’s body to its breaking point. He was even “struck with wooden paddles.”
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges were forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited, then made to continue physical exertion and lie in their own vomit.
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: He was made to carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature, threatened with expulsion, forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather, and witnessed another pledge being hog-tied.
• Sleep Deprivation: Forced early morning drives for fraternity members led to chronic exhaustion, eroding his physical and mental resilience.

The Medical Nightmare: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

Leonel’s body broke down under the strain. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a severe condition where damaged muscle tissue releases toxins into the bloodstream. This led to acute kidney failure, a life-threatening complication. Passing brown urine, a key symptom, indicated his kidneys were struggling. He spent four days hospitalized, receiving intensive medical care. The long-term implications for his kidney health remain a grave concern. This is the same medical condition for which Attorney911 has successfully litigated previous cases, demonstrating our specific expertise in this complex area.

Institutional Indifference: They Knew and Acted Too Late

Both Pi Kappa Phi National and the University of Houston issued statements acknowledging the gravity of the situation, but only after Leonel was hospitalized and our lawsuit was looming:

• University of Houston: A spokesperson stated the events were “deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards,” and vowed “disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges.” This is an admission of wrongdoing and a tacit acknowledgment of criminal behavior.
• Pi Kappa Phi National: In their own website statement, they announced they “closed its Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” Yet, in the very next breath, they declared, “we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This reveals a profound lack of remorse and a chilling commitment to business as usual, even after inflicting severe harm.

The chilling reality for Loudoun County families: This wasn’t an unforeseen tragedy. Both Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston had prior knowledge of serious hazing incidents. Pi Kappa Phi had a student, Andrew Coffey, die from alcohol poisoning during a hazing ritual in 2017. The University of Houston had another student hospitalized from hazing in a different fraternity in 2017. They both had eight years to rectify their systemic failures. They did nothing. Leonel Bermudez paid the price for their inaction.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes and Into the Horrific Reality

When Loudoun County parents envision hazing, they might think of silly pranks or embarrassing tasks. The reality, as tragically demonstrated by Leonel Bermudez’s experience, is far more sinister. Hazing today is often systematic abuse, designed to degrade, control, and physically or psychologically break down individuals. It is not “tradition”; it is ritualized violence that can lead to permanent injury, psychological trauma, and even death.

The True Face of Hazing

• Physical Abuse: This includes forced, extreme physical exertion (like running “suicides” until collapse), beatings (such as with wooden paddles), branding, burning, or exposure to harsh elements. The goal is often physical exhaustion or pain to assert dominance.
• Forced Consumption: Beyond binge drinking, this can involve being forced to consume massive amounts of food until vomiting, or even non-food substances. It’s about breaking a pledge’s will and inducing physical distress.
• Psychological Torture: Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation, and frightening threats are common. This can range from being forced to carry humiliating objects (like Leonel’s fanny pack) to witnessing extreme acts inflicted on others, creating a constant state of fear and anxiety.
• Sleep Deprivation: Prolonged periods without sleep, often combined with intense physical activity, severely impair cognitive function, judgment, and emotional stability, making pledges more vulnerable to manipulation and abuse.
• Simulated Drowning/Waterboarding: As Leonel’s case tragically illustrates, this is pure torture, creating the terrifying sensation of suffocating and instilling profound fear.
• Sexual Harassment/Abuse: Forced nudity, sexually degrading acts, or even sexual assault are unfortunately documented in hazing incidents.
• Servitude and Degradation: Being forced to act as personal servants, drive members, clean, or perform other demeaning tasks further strips pledges of their individuality and self-respect.

The statistics paint a grim picture: over half of all students in Greek organizations report experiencing hazing. Yet, 95% of those who are hazed never report it due to fear of retaliation, shame, or loyalty to the group. This silence allows the cycle of abuse to continue, making it an invisible crisis lurking within institutions where Loudoun County students are often sent to thrive.

The long-term consequences are devastating, encompassing not just physical injuries like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, but also profound psychological scars like PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and difficulty forming trusting relationships. These are not minor pranks; they are acts that destroy lives.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Entity Accountable for Loudoun County Hazing Injuries

When a hazing incident causes injury or death, it’s natural to point fingers at the individual perpetrators. However, the Attorney911 approach is to cast a much wider net, meticulously identifying and pursuing every individual and institution that bears responsibility. As demonstrated in the Bermudez case, this multifaceted approach ensures comprehensive accountability and maximizes the potential for justice.

The Web of Responsibility

1. The Local Chapter and Its Officers:

   • Why they’re liable: The individuals immediately involved in planning, orchestrating, and executing the hazing rituals. This includes the chapter president, pledgemaster, and other leadership roles, as well as every active member who participated, encouraged, or failed to intervene. They are directly responsible for the physical and psychological harm inflicted. In the Bermudez case, the local Pi Kappa Phi chapter leadership and members were direct defendants.

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization:

   • Why they’re liable: These are large, well-funded corporations that grant charters to local chapters, collect dues, and issue anti-hazing policies. When hazing occurs, it’s often a failure of national oversight, enforcement, and cultural control. They frequently have “deep pockets” and specific liability insurance to cover such incidents. Our lawsuit explicitly targets Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters for their systemic failures and “knowledge of a hazing crisis.” The precedent set by the 2017 death of Andrew Coffey in a Pi Kappa Phi hazing incident is a critical point of proof for their ongoing negligence.

3. The University or College:

   • Why they’re liable: Universities have a non-delegable duty to protect their students from foreseeable harm, especially on their campuses or in university-owned properties. This includes adequately supervising Greek life, enforcing anti-hazing policies, and responding promptly to reports. The University of Houston and its Board of Regents are key defendants in our case because they owned the very fraternity house where part of Leonel’s hazing occurred. They had direct control over the premises and ample prior warning from the 2017 hazing hospitalization of another student. Universities throughout Loudoun County and Virginia, and indeed nationwide, face the same responsibilities.

4. Housing Corporations:

   • Why they’re liable: Many fraternities operate through separate housing corporations that own or manage the actual residential properties. These entities can be held liable for premises liability if they allow dangerous conditions (like hazing activities) to occur on their property. The Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation is a defendant in the Bermudez case for this precise reason.

5. Individual Members Beyond the Leadership:

   • Why they’re liable: Every individual who participates in physical abuse, forced consumption, or psychological torture can be held personally responsible for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. This includes current members and, as shown in the Bermudez case, even former members who hosted hazing at their residences and their spouses who allowed such acts on their property.

6. Insurance Carriers:

   • Why they’re liable: Ultimately, the funds for significant settlements and verdicts often come from the liability insurance policies held by the national organizations, universities, and sometimes homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies of individual members. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña possess invaluable insider knowledge of how these carriers operate, allowing us to expertly navigate these complex financial structures to maximize our clients’ recovery.

This aggressive, multi-defendant strategy is crucial because it leaves no stone unturned. It forces every culpable entity – from the college kid who handed out the paddle to the national CEO who ignored the warnings – to answer for their role in the harm caused. For Loudoun County families, this means a far greater chance of securing the justice and compensation your child deserves.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof That Justice Prevails for Loudoun County Hazing Victims

When a Loudoun County family faces the unimaginable pain of a hazing injury or death, questions of justice inevitably arise. Can real accountability be achieved? Do these cases actually win? The answer, unequivocally, is yes. Families across the country have successfully pursued multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, forcing institutions to pay for their negligence and sending powerful messages that save lives. These cases prove that aggressive, data-driven litigation, like that pursued by Attorney911, can turn tragedy into a catalyst for change.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements: They Will Pay

We draw strength and strategy from a nationwide pattern of justice:

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): $10.1 Million+

  • What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at BGSU, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” initiation and died from alcohol poisoning.
  • The Outcome: The university settled for $2.9 million, and Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity along with individual members paid an additional $7.2 million. Most recently, in December 2024, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally in a civil judgment. This case is a direct parallel to our $10 million demand, demonstrating the value placed on hazing injuries.
  • Relevance for Loudoun County: This shows that both universities and national fraternities face multi-million dollar liabilities for hazing deaths, and individual perpetrators can be held personally accountable.

• Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): $6.1 Million Verdict

  • What Happened: Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman pledge at LSU, died from acute alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495) after being forced to drink massive amounts of alcohol during a hazing event known as “Bible Study.”
  • The Outcome: A civil jury delivered a $6.1 million verdict against the fraternity and individuals. Crucially, the tragedy led to the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
  • Relevance for Loudoun County: A jury verdict of this magnitude shows that when defendants refuse to settle, juries are willing to award millions to victims, especially when the conduct is egregious and leads to death.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): $110 Million+ (Estimated)

  • What Happened: Timothy Piazza, 19, died after consuming 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a “gauntlet” hazing ritual. He fell down stairs multiple times, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911. The entire incident was captured on security cameras.
  • The Outcome: An estimated $110 million+ in settlements was reached with the university, national fraternity, and individuals. Multiple fraternity members faced criminal charges, including involuntary manslaughter. This case led to the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania.
  • Relevance for Loudoun County: This monumental settlement illustrates the potential for massive recovery when evidence is strong and the institutional failures are glaring. It underscores that universities and national organizations will pay dearly to avoid public trials exposing their negligence.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Confidential Settlement

  • What Happened: Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a “Big Brother Night” initiation.
  • The Outcome: Nine fraternity members were criminally charged, and the FSU chapter was permanently closed. The family reached a confidential settlement with the fraternity.
  • Relevance for Loudoun County: This is the same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, that our client Leonel Bermudez was pledging. This unequivocally proves that Pi Kappa Phi National knew about deadly hazing within their organization eight years before Leonel’s hospitalization. Their failure to act effectively establishes a pattern of negligence and a willful disregard for student safety, which will be a powerful argument in our ongoing lawsuit.

• Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): $4 Million+ Settlement

  • What Happened: Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi hazing event. The initial lawsuit sought $28 million.
  • The Outcome: The family settled for over $4 million, which included a cash settlement and a significant donation to their “Love Like Adam” Foundation, created to fight hazing. This case also spurred “Adam’s Law” in Virginia, focusing on hazing prevention and reporting.
  • Relevance for Loudoun County: This recent Virginia case further demonstrates the high value of hazing cases and the willingness of families to push for legislative change. Loudoun County families are directly impacted by Virginia’s renewed focus on anti-hazing efforts.

Why These Precedents Matter for Every Loudoun County Family

1. Our $10 Million Demand is Realistic: The settlements in cases like Stone Foltz prove that our demand for Leonel Bermudez—who, while still living, suffered severe, life-altering injuries—is a reasonable and achievable goal.
2. Juries Hate Hazing: Cases like Max Gruver show that juries are empathetic to victims and are willing to impose multi-million dollar penalties against fraternities and individuals who engage in such egregious behavior.
3. Institutional Negligence Has a Price: Cases like Timothy Piazza illustrate that universities and national organizations, when proven negligent, will pay massive amounts to resolve hazing lawsuits.
4. Pattern of Disregard: The Andrew Coffey case is a damning indictment of Pi Kappa Phi National, showing a systemic failure that directly led to Leonel Bermudez’s suffering. This history makes our case against them even stronger.
5. Pattern of Institutional Failure: The University of Houston itself had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017, meaning they had clear notice that hazing was a problem on their campus and failed to act.

For Loudoun County families grappling with the trauma of hazing, these outcomes offer hope and a clear path to justice. They confirm that you have powerful legal recourse, and with the right legal team, you can achieve significant accountability and compensation, just as these families have.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Loudoun County Victims’ Rights

While hazing incidents involving Loudoun County students might occur at universities within Virginia or in other states, understanding our framework in Texas reveals a robust legal model often mirrored nationwide. Moreover, our firm’s federal court authority means that we can pursue justice for Loudoun County hazing victims regardless of where the incident occurred, leveraging the principles of negligence and accountability that transcend state lines.

Defining Hazing Under Texas Law (and its National Significance)

The Texas Education Code, Sections 37.151-37.157, provides a comprehensive definition of hazing that reflects the serious nature of these activities. Most states, including Virginia, have similar anti-hazing statutes. In Texas, hazing is defined as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution… directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into… an organization if the act: (1) is any type of physical brutality…; (2) involves sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other similar activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm…; (3) involves consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage… that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm…; or (4) is any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code.”

How Leonel Bermudez’s Case Meets This Definition:

• Physical Brutality: Wooden paddles, extreme physical exertion (500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls).
• Unreasonable Risk of Harm: Calisthenics that led to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. Sleep deprivation, exposure (stripping in cold weather, being sprayed with hoses).
• Forced Consumption: Eating milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.
• Violation of Penal Code: Waterboarding (assault/torture), hog-tying (false imprisonment), physical beatings.

This detailed legal framework is crucial because it often defines the criminal actions that underpin civil lawsuits, empowering victims and their families in Loudoun County to pursue every avenue of justice.

Crucially, Texas Law states: Consent is NOT a defense (§ 37.154):

“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 a powerful statute that defeats one of the most common, and most offensive, arguments made by fraternities and universities: “they agreed to it.” In Texas, and in many other states with strong anti-hazing laws, this defense holds no legal weight. Your child cannot legally consent to being tortured or assaulted.

Criminal Penalties

Texas law also outlines criminal penalties for hazing:

• Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, or even soliciting, encouraging, or failing to report it when you have firsthand knowledge. (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 Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure would clearly fall under this category.
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes death. (180 days to 2 years state jail, $10,000 fine).

The University of Houston spokesperson’s reference to “potential criminal charges” in the Bermudez case directly aligns with these penalties. Criminal charges often run parallel to civil lawsuits, bolstering the victims’ claims for accountability.

Civil Liability: What Loudoun County Victims Can Sue For

Beyond criminal prosecution, which seeks to punish the wrongdoer, civil lawsuits allow victims and their families to seek financial compensation for their suffering and losses. This distinction is vital for Loudoun County families pursuing justice.

1. Negligence Claims (Applicable in Loudoun County and all states): This is the most common claim. We argue that institutions and individuals had a “duty of care” to protect students, they “breached” that duty through their actions or inaction, this “caused” the injuries, and resulted in “damages” (compensation).
2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurred on property owned or controlled by the university (like the UH fraternity house), the institution can be liable for failing to maintain a safe environment. Many institutions near Loudoun County own or oversee fraternity housing.
3. Negligent Supervision: This applies when national organizations or universities fail to adequately supervise local chapters or Greek life, leading to foreseeable harm.
4. Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators can be sued for intentional harmful or offensive contact (e.g., paddling, forced physical acts).
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For conduct so outrageous that it causes severe emotional distress, such as the psychological torment endured by Leonel Bermudez.
6. Wrongful Death: In tragic cases where hazing leads to death, families can sue for a range of damages, including loss of companionship, financial support, and funeral expenses.

For Loudoun County families, understanding these legal avenues is the first step toward reclaiming power and pursuing justice. While state laws may vary, the fundamental principles of negligence, accountability, and the right to compensation for harm are universal. Our firm is equipped to navigate these complexities, no matter where your child’s hazing incident occurred.

Why Attorney911: Your Loudoun County Hazing Litigation Experts

When your child is harmed by hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the intricate legal landscape, the hidden tactics of powerful institutions, and the profound emotional toll this takes on your family. Attorney911 stands as the definitive choice for Loudoun County families because of our unique blend of expertise, our proven commitment to hazing victims, and our unwavering dedication to justice.

The Attorney911 Difference: Built for Battle

Here’s why Loudoun County families choose us to fight their hazing battles:

1. We Are Actively Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit RIGHT NOW: This isn’t theoretical. The Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case is our flagship fight, demonstrating in real-time our aggressive, data-driven approach to holding every responsible entity – from individuals to national organizations and universities – accountable. When you hire us, you gain a team that is literally in the trenches of a major hazing case, applying fresh insights and cutting-edge strategy to your unique situation. We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re fighting it.
2. Unparalleled Insider Knowledge: Two Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Both our managing partner, Ralph P. Manginello, and associate attorney, Lupe Eleno Peña, began their careers defending insurance companies and large corporations. This means they’ve seen the playbook from the other side. They know how insurance adjusters value claims, how defense lawyers strategize, and how institutions attempt to minimize payouts. This insider perspective is an unfair advantage for our Loudoun County clients, allowing us to anticipate defenses and dismantle them effectively.
   • Ralph P. Manginello: With over 25 years of experience, Ralph is a battle-tested trial attorney with a journalism background, trained to investigate, uncover facts, and tell a compelling story. His experience includes intricate mass tort litigation like the BP Texas City Explosion, demonstrating his capacity to take on massive corporate defendants – a skill directly applicable to challenging national fraternities and universities.
   • Lupe Eleno Peña: As a former attorney for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm, Lupe spent years dissecting and defending against plaintiff claims. His expertise spans product liability, personal injury defense, and commercial litigation, giving him deep insight into corporate structures and defense tactics. Fluent in Spanish, he ensures that language is never a barrier to justice for Loudoun County’s diverse families.
3. Federal Court Authority & Dual-State Bar Admissions: While based in Texas, our attorneys are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and possess dual-state bar licenses in Texas AND New York. This is a strategic advantage when pursuing national fraternities and sororities, many of which are domiciled in states like New York or operate across state lines. It means we have the reach and authority to pursue your Loudoun County hazing case in federal courts, where powerful national organizations often reside.
4. Data-Driven Litigation: Our Texas 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, legal names, EINs, and addresses of house corporations and alumni chapters. This intelligence allows us to quickly identify every entity behind the Greek letters, ensuring we sue everyone responsible. While this database is Texas-focused, the same national organizations operate across the country, allowing us to track their corporate structures and patterns of behavior wherever hazing occurs, including near Loudoun County.
   • For example, our database tracks organizations like “Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation” with EIN 371768785 in Missouri City, Texas, and “Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc” with EIN 462267515 in Frisco, Texas—the same housing corporation involved in our live lawsuit. This granular data ensures no stone is left unturned.
5. A Proven Track Record Against Powerful Defendants: From going head-to-head with BP in multi-billion dollar litigation to winning multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for countless personal injury victims, we have a history of achieving justice against well-resourced opponents. This capacity for aggressive litigation translates directly to hazing cases, where the defendants are often vast university systems and national Greek organizations.
6. Specialized Hazing Expertise: Our experience isn’t limited to general personal injury. Ralph Manginello specifically focuses on rhabdomyolysis injury recovery and litigation, Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation, and university hazing cases. This direct, up-to-date experience with the specific medical and legal complexities of hazing is invaluable.
7. Empathetic, Parent-Facing Approach: We understand that every Loudoun County family calling us is likely in crisis. Our team is bilingual (Se Habla Español), warm, responsive, and genuinely compassionate. We treat you like family, ensuring you are informed, supported, and never alone in your fight for justice. Our 4.9-star Google rating with over 250 reviews speaks volumes about our client commitment.
8. Contingency Fee Representation: $0 Upfront for Loudoun County Families: We eliminate the financial barrier to justice. You pay us absolutely nothing unless and until we win your case. This means Loudoun County families can secure top-tier legal representation without worrying about hourly fees or upfront costs, allowing you to focus on your child’s recovery.
9. Willingness to Travel: While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Loudoun County. Distance is not a barrier to justice. We offer remote consultations via phone and video, and our attorneys are prepared to travel to Loudoun County for depositions, client meetings, and trials when necessary.

When your child is harmed by hazing, the battle is against a formidable alliance of fraternity members, local chapters, national organizations, and universities – all backed by legal teams and insurance companies. You need the strategic advantage that Attorney911 provides: insider knowledge, aggressive litigation, specialized expertise, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference. We are ready to bring the same fight and the same relentless pursuit of accountability to Loudoun County that we’re bringing to Harris County right now.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Loudoun County Hazing Victims and Families

If your child in Loudoun County has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While the emotional toll is immense, taking swift, decisive action can make all the difference in preserving evidence, protecting your child’s rights, and building a strong legal case. You are not alone, and we are here to guide you through this terrifying time.

Step 1: Prioritize Safety and Seek Immediate Medical Attention

This is the most crucial step. Your child’s health and safety are paramount.

• Remove Your Child from Harm’s Way: If the hazing is ongoing or your child feels unsafe, remove them from the environment immediately.
• Seek Medical Care: Even if injuries seem minor, or if psychological trauma is the primary concern, consult a doctor or seek emergency medical attention without delay. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries (like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis) may have delayed or subtle symptoms.
  • Document Everything Medically: Ensure all symptoms, injuries, and the alleged cause (hazing) are explicitly noted in medical records. This creates an objective, third-party record vital for your case.
  • Follow All Medical Advice: Strictly adhere to treatment plans, attend all follow-up appointments, and seek recommended therapies (physical therapy, counseling). Inconsistent medical care can severely weaken a legal claim.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence – “Document Everything!”

The digital age means there’s a wealth of potential evidence. Gather it quickly before it disappears or is deleted. As Ralph Manginello often advises, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”

• Photographs and Videos:
  • Injuries: Capture detailed photos of any bruises, cuts, swelling, marks, or other physical injuries as soon as possible, and continue to photograph them throughout the healing process.
  • Hazing Environment: If safe to do so, discreetly photograph or video the location where hazing occurred (fraternity house, off-campus residence, specific room or area), and any objects used in the hazing.
  • If your child is incapacitated, ask a trusted friend or family member to take photos, ideally from varying angles, to help tell the story.
• Digital Communications: THIS IS CRITICAL FOR HAZING CASES.
  • Screenshots, Screenshots, Screenshots: Immediately take screenshots of all relevant text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat conversations, Instagram DMs, Facebook messages, emails, or any other digital communication. Look for:
    • Instructions or demands related to hazing activities.
    • Threats for non-compliance.
    • Discussions of events among members.
    • Evidence of cover-up attempts.
    • Any acknowledgement of hazing.
  • Do NOT Delete Anything: Never delete messages, photos, or social media posts related to the incident, even if they seem incriminating for your child. Deleting evidence (spoliation) can severely harm your case. Future deletions could lead to motions for spoliation sanctions against those who destroy evidence.
• Witness Information: Collect names, phone numbers, and any contact information for other pledges, fraternity/sorority members, or bystanders who witnessed the hazing. Their testimony can be invaluable.
• Documents: Secure copies of any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, “big/little” pairing lists, or codes of conduct provided by the organization or university.
• Financial Records: Keep meticulous records of all medical bills, therapy invoices, and any lost wages or academic costs resulting from the hazing.

Step 3: Crucial “DO NOTs” to Protect Your Case

The hazing organization and university will act quickly to protect themselves. Do not make any statements that can be used against your child.

• DO NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority: Do not engage directly with chapter officers, national representatives, or alumni. They are not your child’s friends, and anything said can be twisted or used against the case.
• DO NOT Talk to University Administration Alone: Universities have a vested interest in protecting their reputation. If you must interact with them, state that you have retained legal counsel and all communication should go through your attorney.
• DO NOT Give Recorded Statements: Neither the university, the national organization, nor their insurance companies are on your side. They will try to get your child to give a recorded statement. Politely decline and refer them to your attorney.
• DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the fraternity, university, or their representatives without first having an attorney review them. You could inadvertently waive your child’s legal rights.
• DO NOT Post on Social Media: Anything your child posts online, even seemingly innocuous updates, can be used by the defense to argue they were not as injured or traumatized as claimed. Stay completely silent on the incident on all platforms. As our video “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” warns, social media can ruin your case.

Step 4: Contact Attorney911 Immediately – Time is Critical!

Hazing victims often delay reporting due to shame, fear of retaliation, or loyalty. However, every moment counts.

• Speak with an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Call Attorney911 as soon as possible. Our experienced team will provide a free, confidential consultation to assess your case without obligation. We can offer remote consultations for Loudoun County families via phone or video.
• Statute of Limitations: Most states, including Virginia, have a strict statute of limitations (typically two years from the date of injury or discovery of injury) for personal injury claims. For wrongful death, it’s two years from the date of death. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue forever. Don’t let precious time slip away. As our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” makes clear, deadlines matter.
• We Come to You: While our main offices are in Texas, we are prepared to travel to Loudoun County for depositions, trials, and client meetings when necessary. We represent victims nationwide.

By following these steps, Loudoun County families can take powerful action against the perpetrators of hazing and begin the journey toward healing and justice.

Calls to Action for Loudoun County Hazing Victims

🚨 Loudoun 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 Loudoun County victims too.

Our attorneys are currently representing a hazing victim against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in a landmark $10 million lawsuit. We know how to build these cases, how to hold powerful institutions accountable, and how to win. Loudoun County families, you deserve the same aggressive, uncompromising representation.

Loudoun County Families – Call Now for a FREE, Confidential Consultation.

• 📞 Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
• 📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
• 🌐 Visit Us: attorney911.com

We are available 24/7 for Loudoun County hazing emergencies.

We work on CONTINGENCY – meaning $0 upfront for Loudoun County families. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid.

What Loudoun County Hazing Victims Should Do RIGHT NOW:

1. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION: Prioritize your child’s health. Document everything with doctors, even for psychological trauma.
2. PRESERVE ALL EVIDENCE: Texts, photos, videos, GroupMe chats, Snapchat, social media messages – take screenshots of everything.
3. DO NOT TALK to the fraternity/sorority, university, or their lawyers without legal counsel present. Refer all calls to us.
4. DO NOT POST about the incident on social media. Anything online can be used against you.
5. CALL US IMMEDIATELY: The clock is ticking. The statute of limitations for personal injury is typically two years. Evidence disappears fast. Your rights expire.

We Serve Loudoun County Hazing Victims – And Hazing Victims Nationwide

While our offices are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, hazing knows no geographic boundaries. We are equipped and ready to represent victims of hazing in Loudoun County and across America.

How we reach Loudoun County and beyond:

• Federal Court Authority: Our attorneys are admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts, enabling us to pursue hazing cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often essential when dealing with national organizations.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: With licenses in Texas AND New York, we possess a strategic advantage in litigating against national fraternities and sororities, many of which are headquartered or have significant operations in New York.
• Video Consultations: For the convenience and peace of mind of Loudoun County families, we offer secure, confidential video consultations, allowing you to meet with our attorneys remotely.
• Travel Commitment: We commit to traveling to Loudoun County for depositions, crucial meetings, and trials when necessary. Distance will never be a barrier to achieving justice for your child.

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

• Fraternities and sororities at universities throughout Virginia and across the nation, where Loudoun County students attend.
• Sports teams, including high school, collegiate, and club sports.
• Marching bands and other performing arts ensembles.
• ROTC programs and military academies.
• Clubs, honor societies, and other student organizations.
• Any organization that uses abusive practices as a condition for membership.

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know there are more of you.

Leonel Bermudez was not the only one subjected to this horrific abuse. Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout, and others endured the same waterboarding, forced eating, and physical torment.

You have rights too. We can represent you.

As Lupe Pena said, “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.

📞 Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 Website: attorney911.com