If you’re reading this, your family in Louisa County may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college. Instead, they were tortured. We’re here to help families in your area fight back against the pervasive and dangerous culture of hazing within fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations. This isn’t just a Texas problem; it’s a national crisis, and universities and national organizations in and around Louisa County are just as susceptible.

We are Attorney911, and we are currently leading the charge against hazing. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are not theoretical legal experts; we are actively fighting for justice right now in Harris County Civil District Court. This isn’t a vague promise or a hypothetical scenario. We have filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members, laying bare the horrific abuse our client endured. What happened in Houston could happen to your child at an institution near Louisa County, and we are ready to bring the same aggressive, data-driven, and relentless representation to your family.

The Case That Shows Louisa County Families Why We Fight

Just weeks ago, on November 21, 2025, our firm, Attorney911, filed a landmark $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court, targeting Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, the University of Houston, its Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity members. This is not just another case; it is the centerpiece of everything we stand for: aggressive representation of hazing victims, a data-driven litigation strategy, and uncompromising accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries.

The victim in our case is Leonel Bermudez, a “ghost rush” who was merely a prospective member—not even officially enrolled at the University of Houston at the time. He was planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. They did this to someone who wasn’t even their student. For weeks after accepting a bid to Pi Kappa Phi, Leonel was subjected to a systematic campaign of abuse, torture, and hazing that led to him being hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

Louisa County families need to understand that this isn’t an isolated incident. Pi Kappa Phi has over 150 chapters across America, including at universities that students from Louisa County might attend such as the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, or James Madison University in Harrisonburg. The same dangerous “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen at fraternities nationwide. Universities near Louisa County face the same liability failures as the University of Houston when they fail to protect their students. If your child is being hazed in Louisa County, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting for Leonel in Houston.

As Ralph Manginello told ABC13, describing Leonel’s condition after the hazing: “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.” Our very own Lupe Peña underscored our firm’s mission, stating, “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 Happened: The Horrific Details

Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join the Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston on September 16, 2025. What followed was a weeks-long ordeal of systemic abuse that shocks the conscience.

The Hazing Timeline:

• September 16, 2025: Leonel accepts a bid to Pi Kappa Phi.
• September 16 – November 3: Weeks of systematic hazing, abuse, and torture begin.
• 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 even Leonel, showing a pattern of extreme behavior within the chapter.
• October 15, 2025: A pledge tragically loses consciousness and collapses during a forced workout. Other pledges are forced to elevate his legs until he recovers. This chilling incident should have been a stark warning, yet the hazing continued.
• November 3, 2025 (The Incident): Leonel is brutally punished for missing an event. He is forced to endure over 100 pushups, 500 squats, and numerous other exercises while being made to recite the fraternity creed. He is threatened with immediate expulsion if he stops. His body gives out, and he becomes so exhausted he cannot stand without help.
• November 4-5, 2025: Leonel’s condition rapidly worsens. He is severely sore and unable to move.
• November 6, 2025: Leonel’s mother rushes him to the hospital. He is passing brown urine, a critical sign of severe muscle breakdown. He is diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• November 6-10, 2025: Leonel spends three nights and four days in the hospital, undergoing intensive medical treatment.
• November 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters officially closes the Beta Nu Chapter, according to their own website statement.
• November 21, 2025: Our firm, Attorney911, files the $10 million lawsuit in Harris County. News outlets like ABC13 and KHOU 11 immediately cover the story.
• November 22, 2025: The Houston Chronicle covers the unfolding legal battle.
• November 24, 2025: Houston Public Media provides additional details, confirming the $10 million figure and the “ghost rush” status of our client.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in Louisa County might think of hazing as harmless pranks or silly initiations. Leonel Bermudez’s story, and indeed countless others across the country, reveals a far darker reality. Hazing today is often about systematic torture, designed to break down a pledge’s will and instill absolute loyalty through fear and abuse.

The Hazing Activities Exposed in Our Lawsuit Include:

• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” sprayed in the face while performing calisthenics, and forced to run under threats of being waterboarded. This is often described as torture; indeed, Houston Public Media explicitly stated, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.” This is not a prank; it is a crime against humanity when committed in war, and it was inflicted upon a young man seeking camaraderie.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges, including Leonel, were compelled to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and even peppercorns until they vomited. After vomiting, they were forced to continue running sprints in physical distress and lie in their own vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: The lawsuit details relentless physical hazing, including over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (sprinting drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and “save-you-brother” drills. These activities were designed to push pledges beyond their physical limits, as evidenced by another pledge who lost consciousness during a forced workout. Leonel was also “struck with wooden paddles,” a direct act of physical violence.
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack containing “objects of a sexual nature” at all times. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Threats of physical punishment or expulsion were constantly used to enforce compliance.
• Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to severe exhaustion that impacted their daily lives and academic performance.

This is not “boys being boys.” This is assault, battery, torture, and reckless endangerment, bordering on, and often resulting in, manslaughter or murder. These are the shocking realities that parents in Louisa County need to understand.

The Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

The physical torture Leonel endured culminated in a severe medical emergency: rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

What is Rhabdomyolysis? This is a serious condition where damaged muscle tissue releases its contents, particularly a protein called myoglobin, into the bloodstream. Myoglobin is toxic to the kidneys and can cause acute kidney failure, a life-threatening condition that can lead to permanent kidney damage or even death.

Leonel’s Medical Evidence Confirmed:

• Brown Urine: A classic and alarming symptom of rhabdomyolysis, indicating the presence of myoglobin in the urine.
• Very High Creatine Kinase Levels: Laboratory tests confirmed massive muscle damage.
• Acute Kidney Failure: His kidneys were failing, requiring immediate and intensive medical intervention.
• Prolonged Hospitalization: He spent three nights and four days in the hospital, highlighting the severity of his condition.
• Physical Incapacitation: He was unable to stand or walk for days after the incident, a testament to the extreme physical breakdown his body endured.

Our firm has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, and Ralph Manginello has successfully litigated similar claims before. This isn’t just a legal claim; it’s a fight for Leonel’s long-term health and well-being.

Institutional Responses: A Pattern of Minimization

The responses from both the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters reveal a clear pattern of damage control rather than genuine remorse.

The University of Houston spokesperson stated to Houston Public Media that “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards.” They went on to mention “potential criminal charges.” While appearing concerned, this statement acknowledges a failure to prevent such egregious conduct under their watch.

Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, in their own website statement on November 21, 2025, announced, “Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity closed its Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” Crucially, they closed the chapter a full seven days before our lawsuit was filed – a clear indicator that they knew it was coming and were attempting to distance themselves from the local chapter’s egregious actions. Their statement, “we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” speaks volumes about their lack of genuine concern for the victim and their focus on preserving their brand, even in the face of such severe abuse. KHOU 11 further reported that the lawsuit alleges the national organization “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'”

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Entity Accountable

When a child in Louisa County is subjected to hazing, the responsibility extends far beyond just the individual perpetrators. Our approach, as demonstrated in the Bermudez case, is to cast a wide net, ensuring that every culpable entity is held accountable. This includes:

• Local Chapter & Individual Members: The Beta Nu Chapter directly organized and conducted the hazing. The chapter president, pledgemaster, and numerous current and former members were direct participants or facilitators. We are suing 13 individuals named in our lawsuit because they actively engaged in, directed, or allowed this abuse.
• Former Members and Their Spouses: In Leonel’s case, some of the most egregious hazing occurred at the private residence of a former member and his spouse, who are both named as defendants. This highlights how premises liability can extend to private properties where hazing is allowed to transpire.
• National Fraternity/Sorority Organizations: These large, well-funded entities, like Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, are responsible for developing and enforcing anti-hazing policies, providing oversight, and ensuring the safety of their members across over 150 campuses. Their failure to do so, despite previous hazing deaths like Andrew Coffey’s in 2017 in a different Pi Kappa Phi chapter, constitutes negligence. They have deep pockets and liability insurance that must be tapped.
• Universities & Colleges: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. Universities have a fundamental duty to protect their students and maintain a safe learning environment. When they fail to regulate Greek life, ignore warning signs, or do not enforce their own policies, they become liable. This is especially true when, like UH, they have a documented history of hazing incidents on their campus.
• Insurance Carriers: Behind every responsible entity, there are insurance policies. As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña excel at navigating these complex policies to ensure maximum recovery for our clients.

Louisa County parents, understanding who can be held responsible is the first step toward getting justice. This isn’t just about punishing a few bad actors; it’s about making sure that the institutions with the power to prevent such tragedies are forced to change.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof of Accountability

The fight against hazing is winning. Families across America, devastated by injury or loss, are securing multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements that are forcing universities and national fraternities to confront their culpability. These precedents demonstrate that our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is not only justified but necessary to send a clear message. The same legal strategies and the pursuit of significant damages are available to Louisa County victims.

Remember, these are not just numbers; these are stories of immense suffering turned into powerful statements of accountability.

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

Total Payout: $10.1 Million+
Stone Foltz died in March 2021 after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing event. His family ultimately secured over $10.1 million in settlements, with Bowling Green State University paying $2.9 million and the national fraternity along with individual members contributing $7.2 million. This tragic case, leading to criminal convictions and campus expulsions, established the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio’s history. Just recently, in December 2024, a former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was ordered to pay an additional $6.5 million in personal liability. This highlights that individual perpetrators cannot hide behind their organization.

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

Total Payout: $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
In September 2017, Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 after a Phi Delta Theta hazing ritual involving forced drinking. A jury awarded his family $6.1 million, sending a powerful message about the cost of inaction. This case also led to the passage of the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana, proving that justice drives legislative change.

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

Total Payout: $110+ Million (Estimated Confidential Settlement)
Timothy Piazza consumed 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi initiation event in February 2017 and subsequently fell down a flight of stairs repeatedly. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911, and he tragically died from a traumatic brain injury. Surveillance cameras captured the horrific events. While confidential, the settlements in this case are estimated to exceed $110 million, resulting in multiple criminal convictions for involuntary manslaughter and the pioneering “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in Pennsylvania. This case demonstrates that strong evidence, such as our detailed allegations in the Bermudez case, can lead to monumental outcomes.

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

Total Payout: Confidential Settlement
Andrew Coffey died on November 3, 2017, from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” at Florida State University. This bears repeating: this was the SAME national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez eight years later. His death led to nine criminal charges against fraternity members and the chapter’s permanent closure. The fact that the same national organization had a hazing death in 2017 and then a rhabdomyolysis hospitalization in 2025 is a critical piece of pattern evidence establishing Pi Kappa Phi’s long-standing negligence and conscious indifference.

Why These Precedents Matter to Louisa County Families

• Our $10 Million Demand is Realistic: Cases like Stone Foltz’s, with comparable damages, clearly demonstrate that our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez’s severe injuries, which include hospitalization and kidney failure, is well within the realm of established legal precedent.
• Juries Punish Hazing: The $6.1 million verdict in the Gruver case proves that juries are outraged by hazing and are willing to award significant damages. The egregious conduct in Leonel Bermudez’s case – waterboarding, forced eating, wooden paddles – will undoubtedly outrage any jury.
• Institutional Accountability: These cases consistently show that universities and national fraternities are held jointly liable, even if their involvement is through negligent oversight rather than direct participation.
• Legislation as a Consequence: Hazing tragedies like these have spurred legislative action nationwide, making hazing a felony and increasing penalties. This reflects a growing societal intolerance for such behavior.
• Pi Kappa Phi’s Repeated Failures: The Andrew Coffey case is a damning indictment of Pi Kappa Phi National’s failure to address its hazing culture. They had eight years between Coffey’s death and Bermudez’s hospitalization – a clear demonstration of conscious indifference.

These multi-million dollar outcomes prove to Louisa County families that fighting back against hazing is not only possible but necessary. We bring the same knowledge of these precedents and the same aggressive litigation tactics to every case, ensuring that those responsible for harming your child face the severe consequences they deserve.

Texas Law Protects You: Consent is Not a Defense

For families in Louisa County grappling with the trauma of hazing, understanding the legal framework is crucial. While we are based in Texas, the principles of anti-hazing laws and civil liability are often replicated across states, including Virginia where Louisa County is located. More importantly, our firm’s admission to federal courts and our dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) allow us to pursue cases against national fraternities and universities no matter where they are located.

Texas Hazing Laws: A Strong Foundation

The Texas Education Code, specifically Sections 37.151 through 37.157, provides a comprehensive framework against hazing, offering protection to students and avenues for accountability.

The Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):
Texas law broadly defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off campus that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in an organization.” This includes:

1. Physical brutality: Whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing harmful substances on the body.
2. Endangering physical or mental health: Sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement, calisthenics, or any similar activity posing an “unreasonable risk of harm.”
3. Forced consumption: Food, liquids, alcohol, drugs, or other substances that pose an “unreasonable risk of harm.”
4. Criminal acts: Activities forcing students to violate the Penal Code.
5. Coerced substance consumption: Coercing a student to consume drugs or an intoxicating amount of alcohol.

Leonel Bermudez’s case explicitly meets multiple elements of this definition, including forced calisthenics to the point of kidney failure, exposure to elements, forced consumption until vomiting, and physical brutality (paddling). These actions are unequivocally hazing under Texas law.

Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152):
Texas law imposes serious criminal penalties for hazing, ranging from a Class B Misdemeanor for participating, up to a State Jail Felony if hazing causes death. In Leonel’s case, where he suffered “serious bodily injury” (rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure), individuals involved face Class A Misdemeanor charges, carrying up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The University of Houston spokesperson even publicly mentioned “potential criminal charges,” indicating the severity of the conduct.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153):
Crucially, organizations themselves can be held liable. If an organization condones, encourages, or if any member commits or assists in hazing, the organization faces fines of up to $10,000, denial of operating rights, or forfeiture of property. This means both the local Pi Kappa Phi chapter and the national organization are on the hook.

Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154):
This is perhaps the most critical aspect of Texas anti-hazing law, and one that many fraternities and universities often try to use an excuse. Texas Education Code expressly 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 means that when a fraternity argues, “He agreed to participate,” or “He could have left,” the law unequivocally shuts down that defense. Louisa County families need to know that their child cannot legally “consent” to criminal and abusive acts.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges

While criminal charges address public wrongdoing, civil lawsuits allow victims and their families to seek direct compensation for their suffering and losses. These are the core theories we utilize, regardless of whether you are in Louisa County or Timbuktu:

• Negligence: This is the most common claim, asserting that the defendants (individuals, fraternities, universities) had a duty to protect the student, breached that duty through their actions or inactions, and this breach directly caused the injuries.
• Premises Liability: When hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by a university or fraternity housing corporation (as in Leonel’s case where UH owned the fraternity house), they can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment. This applies directly to properties in or near Louisa County as well.
• Negligent Supervision: National organizations and universities often fail to adequately supervise local chapters, enforce rules, or respond to warning signs. This failure to supervise can create liability.
• Assault and Battery: Individual hazing acts often constitute criminal assault and battery. Each participant in physical hazing can be sued individually for these intentional harms.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The outrageous conduct involved in extensive hazing, particularly psychological torture like waterboarding simulations, can lead to severe emotional distress, forming a strong basis for this claim.

For Louisa County families, understanding these legal avenues means knowing that powerful legal recourse is available, regardless of whether local authorities pursue criminal charges. We will use every tool in the legal toolbox to ensure justice.

Why Attorney911: Your Champion in Louisa County and Beyond

When your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a champion. You need a legal team that understands the unique complexities of hazing litigation, that isn’t afraid to take on powerful institutions, and that has a proven track record of securing justice. For families in Louisa County, Attorney911 offers exactly that.

We understand that our headquarters are in Houston, but our reach and commitment to hazing victims are nationwide. We serve hazing victims in Louisa County and across America through our federal court authority, our dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York), our willingness to travel to Louisa County for depositions, meetings, and trials when needed, and our ability to conduct remote consultations seamlessly.

Our Unmatched Advantages for Louisa County Hazing Victims:

• 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has over two and a half decades of experience battling in courtrooms. This isn’t just theory; it’s battle-tested legal acumen that he brings to every case, including those involving hazing victims in Louisa County.
• Former Insurance Defense Insight – We Know Their Playbook: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. This unique background is an “unfair advantage” for our clients. We know exactly how insurance companies, national fraternities, and universities strategize to minimize payouts and deny claims because we used to work for them. Now, we use that insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize your recovery. Lupe Peña’s experience at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national defense firm, gives us unparalleled insight into how large organizations defend themselves.
• Federal Court Admissions: We are admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and have experience in the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. This federal authority means we can pursue hazing cases against national organizations and universities regardless of state lines, bringing our expertise directly to Louisa County residents.
• Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas AND New York): This is a strategic advantage when dealing with national fraternities and sororities, many of which are headquartered or have significant ties to states like New York. This broad licensing allows us to pursue these powerful entities wherever necessary to benefit our Louisa County clients.
• Aggressive & Immediate Action: When a legal emergency hits – whether it’s on a highway or in a fraternity house in Louisa County – we move FIRST, FAST, and DECISIVELY. Our approach is to rapidly preserve evidence, build cases with expert witnesses, and negotiate from a position of strength, always prepared to take the case to trial if justice demands.
• Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case: This is not theoretical. We are actively fighting for Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston right now. Louisa County families get the same aggressive, current, and proven representation battling a real hazing case.
• Mass Tort and Complex Litigation Experience: Ralph’s involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation, which involved 15 deaths and over 180 injuries, demonstrates our capacity to take on massive corporate defendants. This experience is directly applicable to the complex, high-stakes nature of hazing lawsuits against universities and national fraternities.
• Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): Our staff is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that Spanish-speaking families in Louisa County receive comprehensive legal guidance without language barriers.
• Contingency Fee Basis – No Upfront Cost for Louisa County Families: We understand the financial strain of medical emergencies and trauma. We take hazing cases on contingency, meaning you pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless, and until, you get paid. This eliminates financial barriers, ensuring any family in Louisa County can access top-tier legal representation. Hear more about how contingency fees work at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
• Real Emotional Investment: We don’t just see your child as a case number; we see them as a person and your family as our own. We are genuinely passionate about fighting for hazing victims because we have seen the devastating impact.
• Positive Client Testimonials: Our 4.9-star Google rating from over 250 reviews consistently praises our communication, compassion, and results. Clients like Mary F. say, “After an 18 wheeler hit me, I was hurt, scared, and didn’t know what to do. After one phone call with Ralph, I knew everything was going to be OK.” Chelsea Martinez noted, “Thank you Manginello Law Firm for the assistance with my case. I am very grateful my previous attorney handed over my case to this firm.” Our firm treats clients like family, keeping them informed every step of the way, just as “Kiwi Potato” aptly noted, “This place feels like having a family over your case. And communication with you every step of the way. That’s how you know you’re in good hands.”

We prioritize your crisis and act immediately. If a university, fraternity, or insurance company tries to silence Louisa County hazing victims, we take it to court.

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

If your child in Louisa County has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. What you do – or don’t do – can significantly impact their physical recovery and the strength of any future legal claim. Based on our extensive experience, especially with cases like Leonel Bermudez’s, we have developed clear, actionable guidance for panicked parents searching for help at 2 AM.

Step 1: Prioritize Medical Attention and Document Everything!

Your child’s health and safety are paramount.

• Seek immediate medical attention: Even if your child feels fine, or if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation is crucial. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some severe conditions, like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, may have delayed or subtle symptoms initially. Go to an emergency room or urgent care clinic. Document everything medically. As Ralph Manginello stresses in our video “Why Seeing a Doctor Right After an Accident Is Critical” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs), delays in treatment can be used by the defense to claim injuries weren’t serious.
• Document physical injuries: Take pictures and videos of all injuries – bruises, cuts, burns, swelling, and any visible signs of distress. Continue documenting the healing process over time. The “Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?” video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) highlights the importance of this.
• Preserve medical records: Keep copies of all hospital records, emergency room reports, doctor’s notes, lab results (like creatine kinase levels), and therapy records. These will be vital evidence in correlating injuries to the hazing.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence from the Incident

Hazing often involves intense communication and documentation among participants, and this information can be decisive.

• DO NOT delete anything: This is absolutely critical. Do not delete text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat conversations, Instagram DMs, emails, or any other digital communications related to the hazing. Your child’s phone contains a roadmap of what happened. Deleting information can be considered spoliation of evidence and severely harm a case, as discussed in “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY).
• Screenshot everything: Take screenshots of all relevant messages, social media posts, and conversations.
• Identify witnesses: Gather names and contact information for any other pledges, friends, or bystanders who witnessed the hazing or observed your child’s condition afterward.
• Collect documents: Preserve any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or initiation materials given to your child.
• Financial records: Keep track of all medical bills, lost wages (if any), and any tuition/fees that might be impacted.
• Academic records: If hazing affected your child’s grades, enrollment, or scholarships, preserve these records to document academic impact.

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

In the aftermath of hazing, institutions and individuals will attempt to control the narrative.

• DO NOT discuss the incident with the fraternity/sorority or university without legal counsel: They are not on your side; they are protecting their own interests. Any statements your child or you make can be used against them.
• DO NOT sign anything: Refuse to sign any documents or waivers from the fraternity, sorority, or university. These may waive critical legal rights.
• DO NOT post about it on social media: Anything posted on social media can be used by defense attorneys to undermine your case, as highlighted in “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident.” Avoid discussing the incident online entirely until advised by your attorney.
• DO NOT give recorded statements to insurance adjusters: “Never Talk to the Insurance Company After an Accident” warns against this manipulation tactic. Let your attorney handle all communications.

Step 4: Contact Attorney911 Immediately

Time is of the essence in hazing cases.

• Call our legal emergency hotline 24/7: For Louisa County families, the quickest way to get help is to call 1-888-ATTY-911. We are available around the clock.
• Email us: You can also reach Ralph Manginello directly at ralph@atty911.com.
• Understand the Statute of Limitations: In Texas, and many other states, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases is typically two years from the date of the injury or death. Waiting too long means you lose your right to sue forever. As we explain in “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c), evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights can expire. Call us now.

Louisa County Families: Distance is not a barrier to justice. We offer video consultations and are fully prepared to travel to Louisa County for depositions, client meetings, and trials when needed. Our firm is built to handle complex hazing litigation wherever it occurs, ensuring that students at institutions like the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, or James Madison University, who hail from Louisa County, receive the aggressive representation they deserve.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline for Louisa County

If you’re reading this, your child in Louisa County has been through something no one should ever experience. The fear, the anger, and the helplessness you might be feeling are real, and we understand. But you are not alone, and you do not have to fight this battle by yourself. We are Attorney911, and we are ready to be your legal emergency responders, bringing the full force of our experience, our data, and our unwavering commitment to justice to your case in Louisa County.

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are not just talking about fighting hazing; we are doing it right now. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the brutal hazing of Leonel Bermudez proves that we are aggressive, thorough, and relentless. We know how to expose the truth, navigate complex legal systems, and hold powerful institutions accountable. We will bring that same level of dedication and expertise to families in Louisa County.

Louisa County Families, Don’t Wait. Call Us Now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

This is your direct line to immediate, aggressive, and professional help.
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We are available 24/7 for Louisa County hazing emergencies. When every moment counts, we are here.

Critical Reasons to Act Immediately:

• No Upfront Cost: We work on a contingency fee basis. For Louisa County families, this means $0 upfront. You only pay us if we win your case. There is no financial barrier to getting the justice your child deserves.
• Statute of Limitations: In many states, including Virginia, and for federal claims, you typically have a limited time (often two years) to file a lawsuit. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and your legal rights can expire. Don’t let precious time slip away.
• Evidence Preservation: The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can secure critical evidence like text messages, social media posts, photographs, and witness statements before they are deleted or lost. Your child’s digital footprint can be a powerful tool in their case.
• Institutional Cover-Ups: Universities and national fraternities will immediately launch their own investigations, often aimed at minimizing their liability. Having legal representation from day one ensures that your child’s rights are protected and that their version of events is properly documented.

We Serve Louisa County Hazing Victims — and Victims Nationwide

While our physical offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach extends far beyond. We understand that hazing knows no geographical boundaries. Whether the incident occurred at the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University, or any other institution a Louisa County student attends, we can help:

• Federal Court Authority: Our admission to federal courts allows us to pursue claims against national fraternities and universities across state lines.
• Remote Consultations: We conduct video consultations, making it easy and convenient for Louisa County families to meet with our attorneys from the comfort and privacy of their homes.
• Travel Commitment: We are prepared to travel to Louisa County for depositions, court proceedings, and client meetings when necessary. Distance will not be a barrier to securing justice for your child.

Hazing is pervasive, extending beyond Greek life to sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and various clubs and organizations. If your child has been victimized in any of these settings, we are here to fight for them.

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know Leonel Bermudez was not the only one. We know another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness. We know others were waterboarded, forced to eat until they vomited, and subjected to brutal physical abuse. To those individuals, and any others who have suffered at the hands of Pi Kappa Phi or any other organization: You have rights too. We can represent you.

As Lupe Peña so powerfully stated, “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. Louisa County families deserve to know that when injustice strikes, Attorney911 is ready to answer the call.

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