If you’re reading this in Manassas Park, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, build connections, and embark on a new chapter. Instead, they were tortured, degraded, and potentially left with life-altering injuries by a fraternity or other campus organization. We understand what you’re going through. Your fear, your anger, your sense of betrayal – these emotions are valid, and we are here to help families in Manassas Park fight back against the insidious problem of hazing.

Here at Attorney911, we are actively fighting this battle right now. Just weeks ago, in November 2025, our attorneys Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña filed a landmark $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity, a major university, and 13 individuals over a horrific hazing incident that left our client hospitalized with kidney failure. This case, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi, is not just another legal filing; it is the embodiment of everything we stand for: aggressive representation for hazing victims, data-driven litigation, and relentless pursuit of accountability for every entity responsible for these devastating injuries. This happened in Houston, a city often considered a home-away-from-home for many Manassas Park families whose children seek higher education at institutions across the country, including those in Texas or even closer to home in Virginia. The chilling reality is that the same patterns of abuse we are fighting in Houston can and do occur at universities both near Manassas Park and wherever your child may be studying.

The Landmark Case: A $10 Million Fight Happening Right Now – The Same Fight We’ll Bring to Manassas Park

For families in Manassas Park, the details of the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case serve as a vital warning and a beacon of hope. This is what hazing looks like, and this is what we do about it. The same national fraternities that operated at the University of Houston also have chapters at universities near Manassas Park, such as George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, James Madison University, and Virginia Tech. The same institutional negligence we are challenging at the University of Houston could unfortunately exist at institutions where students from Manassas Park pursue their college education. And we want families in Manassas Park to know that we will bring the same aggressive, no-holds-barred representation to their cases, regardless of location.

Our lawsuit seeking $10 million was filed on November 21, 2025, in Harris County Civil District Court. We named a comprehensive list of defendants, ensuring that every responsible party would face accountability:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (University of Houston Beta Nu Chapter): The local chapter that directly organized and conducted the hazing.
• Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters: The national organization, for its failure to supervise and enforce anti-hazing policies despite a documented history of severe incidents.
• Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation: The entity that owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred, failing to ensure a safe environment.
• University of Houston: The institution itself, for owning the fraternity house, failing to prevent hazing despite prior incidents on campus, and general neglect in supervising Greek life.
• UH Board of Regents: The governing body of the university, for its overarching institutional oversight failures.
• Individual Fraternity Members: Including the chapter president, pledgemaster, other current members who participated, former members who hosted hazing at their residence, and even the spouse of a former member who allegedly allowed hazing activities on their property.

This lawsuit is being widely reported by major media outlets, including ABC13 Houston, KHOU 11, the Houston Chronicle, and Houston Public Media. These reports confirm our allegations and underscore the severity of the hazing our client endured.

The Victim: Leonel Bermudez – A Warning for Manassas Park Families

Leonel Bermudez was a “ghost rush.” He wasn’t even an enrolled University of Houston student yet; he was planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. Yet, he accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. What followed were weeks of systematic abuse, torture, and hazing that led to him being hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

Speaking to ABC13, our managing partner Ralph Manginello described the grim aftermath: “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 associate attorney Lupe Peña emphasized 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.” This sentiment guides our work for all hazing victims, including families in Manassas Park.

Why this case matters specifically to families in Manassas Park:

• Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America, including at universities closer to home, meaning the same “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel could be happening right now.
• Universities near Manassas Park face the same liability issues as UH. Campuses like George Mason University or James Madison University have a responsibility to keep students safe, and if they fail, they are liable.
• National organizations operating near Manassas Park are on notice. They cannot claim ignorance about the dangerous hazing practices within their chapters.
• If your child is being hazed, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting in Houston, with the same aggressive, data-driven approach.

The Chilling Timeline of Hazing

The hazing of Leonel Bermudez unfolded over approximately seven weeks, beginning shortly after he accepted his bid to Pi Kappa Phi. The timeline underscores the systematic nature of the abuse:

• Sept 16, 2025: Leonel accepts his bid.
• Sept 16 – Nov 3: Weeks of systematic hazing, abuse, and torture.
• Oct 13, 2025: Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour, while fraternity members prepared for a meeting. This shows it wasn’t an isolated incident affecting only Leonel but a systemic pattern of abuse.
• Oct 15, 2025: A pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout. Other pledges had to elevate his legs until he recovered. This clearly demonstrates the severe physical risks and lack of proper supervision.
• Nov 3, 2025: THE INCIDENT. Leonel was severely punished for missing an event. He was forced to perform 100+ pushups, 500 squats, and other extreme exercises while reciting the fraternity creed, under threat of expulsion. He became so exhausted he could not stand without help.
• Nov 4-5: Leonel could not move, and his condition worsened.
• Nov 6: His mother rushed him to the hospital, where doctors observed him “passing brown urine,” a clear sign of muscle breakdown.
• Nov 6-10: Leonel spent three nights and four days hospitalized, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• Nov 14: Pi Kappa Phi National officially closed its Beta Nu Chapter, according to their own website. This action, taken seven days before our lawsuit was filed, indicates a clear admission of severe wrongdoing and an attempt to mitigate liability.
• Nov 21: Our $10 million lawsuit was filed, leading to widespread media coverage.

What Hazing Really Looks Like Today

Forget the movies or outdated stereotypes; hazing today is often brutal, life-threatening, and insidious. It’s not about light-hearted pranks or building character; it’s about power, control, and often torture. For every Manassas Park parent, it’s critical to understand the true nature of what happens behind closed doors.

In the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case, the lawsuit and media reports reveal a horrifying catalog of hazing activities:

• Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning: Leonel and other pledges were subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose.” They were sprayed in the face with a high-pressure hose while performing calisthenics, forced to run repeatedly under threats of further waterboarding. Houston Public Media unequivocally called this practice “a form of torture.”
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges were made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and even peppercorns until they vomited. Despite their distress, they were “forced to continue running sprints” and lie in their own vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: This included 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (sprint drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. Leonel was forced to recite the fraternity creed while enduring this, to the point he couldn’t stand without help. The Houston Chronicle also reported pledges were “being struck with wooden paddles.”
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Leonel was forced to carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times. Pledges were stripped to their underwear in cold weather. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Threats of physical punishment and expulsion enforced compliance, creating an environment of fear.
• Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, disrupting their sleep and causing extreme exhaustion.

These are not isolated incidents but represent a systematic program of abuse designed to break down pledges physically and psychologically. This is what hazing looks like, and it demands accountability.

The Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

The severe physical hazing Leonel endured led to a life-threatening medical emergency: rhabdomyolysis, which progressed to acute kidney failure.

• What is Rhabdomyolysis? It’s the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue, releasing a damaging protein (myoglobin) into the bloodstream. This myoglobin can clog and damage the kidneys, leading to kidney failure and potentially death.
• Leonel’s Symptoms: When rushed to the hospital, his mother observed him “passing brown urine,” a classic indicator of myoglobin in the urine. He had “very high creatine kinase levels,” confirming severe muscle damage. He suffered “acute kidney failure” requiring intensive medical intervention.
• Hospitalization: He was hospitalized for three nights and four days, requiring extensive treatment and monitoring.
• Long-term Risks: Beyond immediate recovery, individuals suffering from rhabdomyolysis and kidney damage face ongoing risks, including chronic kidney disease, a need for dialysis, or even a kidney transplant in severe cases. This can impact their future health and quality of life indefinitely.

Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, a critical advantage in complex litigation like the Bermudez case. We understand the medical intricacies and how to connect them directly to the hazing.

Who is Responsible? Everyone Who Participated or Allowed It

Hazing may involve college students, but the responsibility extends far beyond the individual perpetrators. When hazing occurs, our strategy is to identify and pursue every entity that contributed to or allowed the abuse. We hold everyone in the chain of command accountable. In the Bermudez case, we are targeting:

• The Local Chapter (Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu): This entity directly organized and carried out the hazing. Its officers, especially the president and pledgemaster, bear direct responsibility for directing or allowing the abusive activities.
• Individual Members: Every current member who participated in, witnessed, or failed to stop the hazing can be held liable. This includes those who hosted hazing at their residences. Our lawsuit even names a former member and his spouse, who owned the property where some of the major hazing sessions occurred, demonstrating how far liability can extend.
• The National Organization (Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters): National fraternities have a duty to supervise their chapters, provide anti-hazing policies, and enforce them. In the Bermudez case, we allege that Pi Kappa Phi National failed to do so, despite “knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis'” and a tragic history, including the 2017 death of Andrew Coffey at their Florida State chapter. Their swift decision to close the UH chapter seven days before our lawsuit was filed is an admission of their own culpability and conscious wrongdoing.
• The University (University of Houston and its Board of Regents): Universities bear a significant responsibility for student safety, especially when they own the property where hazing occurs or oversee Greek life organizations. University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. They also had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving another fraternity on campus, meaning they had clear notice that severe hazing was a problem. Their failure to act decisively made them complicit in Leonel’s injuries. When a university fails to protect its students, including those like Leonel Bermudez who were prospective students, they must be held accountable.
• Insurance Carriers: Behind every national organization, university, and often individuals, there are insurance policies. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña possess insider knowledge of how these carriers evaluate claims and strategize defenses. We know how to pierce through their defenses and pursue maximum coverage.

This comprehensive approach ensures that no one responsible can hide. We sue everyone who had a part in the hazing or failed in their duty to prevent it.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For Manassas Park families, understanding the potential for significant compensation is crucial. Hazing investigations can be complex, and confronting powerful institutions can feel daunting. However, landmark verdicts and settlements across the country prove that justice is achievable and hazing costs millions. Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is firmly rooted in established precedent.

Here are just a few examples that demonstrate the financial consequences of hazing:

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a hazing ritual. The total settlements from Bowling Green State University and Pi Kappa Alpha, along with various individuals, exceeded $10.1 million. Notably, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million in December 2024. This sets a powerful precedent for individual accountability.
• Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 after being forced to drink heavily during a “Bible Study” hazing event. His family was awarded a $6.1 million jury verdict, and the case led to the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): Timothy Piazza died from a traumatic brain injury after falling repeatedly during a forced drinking ritual and being left untreated for 12 hours. The civil settlements were confidential but are estimated to be over $110 million, and the case inspired Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.
• Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning during a hazing event. His family recently reached a settlement of over $4 million in October 2024, after originally filing a $28 million lawsuit. This case also led to “Adam’s Law” in Virginia, bolstering anti-hazing efforts.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): In a directly relevant case for us, Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night.” Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges, and the chapter was permanently closed. The family reached a confidential settlement. This case proves that Pi Kappa Phi has a documented history of hazing deaths – directly supporting our claims that they knew and failed to act.

These cases send an undeniable message: hazing is not tolerated, and institutions and individuals who enable it will pay a heavy price. Our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez, who survived but faces persistent health challenges, is squarely within the range of these precedent-setting settlements and verdicts. Juries respond forcefully to the kind of egregious conduct seen in the Bermudez case, especially when it involves deliberate cruelty like simulated waterboarding.

Virginia Hazing Laws: Protecting Manassas Park Students

While our firm is based in Texas, we understand that universities in Virginia, and other states across the country, are confronting the same hazing crisis. Students from Manassas Park attend colleges and universities across the nation, and state laws are in place to protect them. Virginia, for instance, has its own anti-hazing legislation. It’s crucial for Manassas Park families to understand these protections.

Virginia’s anti-hazing law, like many across the US, defines hazing broadly to include a range of behaviors that endanger the physical or mental health of students for initiation or membership. While we often refer to Texas law, the principles are consistent nationwide:

• Definition of Hazing: Virginia, similar to Texas, broadly defines hazing as any action taken or situation created, intentionally or recklessly, whether on or off property owned or controlled by any such institution, by an organization or any of its members, which endangers the mental or physical health of any student. This can include forced consumption, physical brutality, sleep deprivation, or humiliation. Activities like those suffered by Leonel Bermudez—waterboarding, forced consuming, extreme exercise, physical striking—would fall squarely under Virginia’s anti-hazing statutes if they occurred at a local institution.
• Criminal Penalties: Virginia law, especially strengthened by “Adam’s Law” passed in 2022, provides for criminal penalties for hazing offenses, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the severity of the harm. Adam’s Law specifically increased penalties and added new requirements for transparency and reporting by universities. For example, hazing that results in serious bodily injury can lead to felony charges.
• Institutional Accountability: Virginia universities have a duty to investigate and report hazing incidents. Adam’s Law also requires public institutions to report hazing violations and enact anti-hazing policies, similar to laws in other states. Failure to do so can contribute to institutional liability.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Just like in Texas, Virginia law makes it clear that a victim’s consent to participate in hazing is not a defense. This is a crucial point that defeats a common argument by fraternities and universities. Your child cannot legally “consent” to criminal and harmful acts of hazing.

Beyond state-specific statutes, hazing victims in Manassas Park can also pursue civil claims under common law theories applicable in every U.S. state:

• Negligence: This is the most common civil claim, asserting that the university, national organization, or individuals failed to exercise reasonable care, and that failure led to the injuries. This includes duties to supervise, warn, and protect students.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned or controlled property, or at a private residence, those property owners can be held liable for unsafe conditions they knew or should have known about.
• Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators who physically harm a student can be sued for intentional torts like assault and battery.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For extreme and outrageous hazing that causes severe mental anguish, victims can pursue claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress.
• Wrongful Death: In the tragic event of a hazing death, families in Manassas Park can file wrongful death lawsuits to recover damages for their profound loss.

Our federal court authority and dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) allow us to effectively represent families in Manassas Park and across the nation, regardless of where the specific hazing incident occurred. The core legal principles for pursuing accountability remain consistent, focusing on negligence, a lack of duty of care, and egregious conduct.

Why Attorney911 Is the Choice for Manassas Park Hazing Victims

When you’re trying to navigate the devastating aftermath of a hazing incident from Manassas Park, you need legal representation that is not only experienced but also deeply committed to justice. At Attorney911, we are more than just lawyers; we are relentless advocates for victims and their families. Our unique strengths position us as the definitive authority in hazing litigation, perfectly capable of serving families in Manassas Park regardless of the distance.

Here’s why Manassas Park families choose us:

• In-the-Trenches Hazing Litigation Experience: We are not theoretical. We are currently leading the fight against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in a live, high-stakes, $10 million hazing lawsuit. This isn’t just a resume builder; it’s proof that we apply our aggressive strategies and achieve real results against major institutions. Manassas Park families get the benefit of this ongoing, real-world expertise.
• Insider Knowledge of the Defense: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. This is our strategic advantage. We know exactly how insurance companies, universities, and national fraternities strategize, how they try to minimize claims, and the tactics they will use to avoid responsibility. Lupe Peña, in particular, worked for a nationwide insurance defense firm, giving him unparalleled insight from inside the “enemy’s war room.” We use this insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients, including those in Manassas Park.
• Federal Court Authority and Nationwide Reach: While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, hazing doesn’t respect state lines. Our admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, empowers us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often necessary when dealing with national fraternities. Furthermore, Ralph’s dual-state bar admission in Texas and New York provides a strategic advantage when litigating against national organizations often headquartered in states like New York. We offer remote consultations for families in Manassas Park and are fully prepared to travel for depositions, client meetings, and trials wherever justice demands.
• Unmatched Litigation Experience Against Giants: Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years of courtroom experience includes involvement in the multibillion-dollar mass tort litigation against BP following the Texas City explosion. This experience demonstrates our capability to take on massive corporate defendants – a skill directly applicable to litigation against large universities and national fraternities for Manassas Park hazing victims. Lupe Peña has also recovered millions for clients in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases.
• Data-Driven, Comprehensive Investigation: We do not guess who is responsible. We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas and utilize extensive public records to identify every entity behind the Greek letters, including EINs, legal names, addresses, house corporations, and alumni chapters. This intelligence allows us, when hazing happens, to know exactly who to sue and track them down, no matter how complex their corporate structure.
  • Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Database: We have identified over 125 IRS-registered Greek organizations in Texas, from undergraduate chapters to house corporations. For example, our database includes:
    • Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, Frisco, Texas. This is the same entity behind the UH chapter we sued. We knew their corporate structure before we even filed the lawsuit.
    • Kappa Sigma Mu Gamma Chapter Inc, EIN 133048786, College Station, Texas.
    • Sigma Alpha Epsilon Texas Sigma Incorporated, EIN 882755427, San Marcos, Texas.
    • Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Epsilon Kappa, EIN 746064445, Nederland, Texas.
      When your child is hazed at a university attended by students from Manassas Park, whether it’s in Virginia, Texas, or anywhere else, we don’t start from scratch. We already have the intelligence to trace every responsible corporate and individual defendant.
  • Metropolitan Watchdog: For instance, the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metro area alone, our home base for the Bermudez case, contains 188 Greek-related organizations that we track. The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington area has 510, and Austin has 154. We track these across 25 Texas metropolitan areas, a total of 1,423 Greek-related organizations. This extensive database allows us to identify and pursue every liable entity with precision.
• No Upfront Cost – Contingency Fees: We understand that the financial burden of a hazing incident can be overwhelming for Manassas Park families. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay us absolutely nothing upfront, and we only get paid if and when we win your case. This aligns our interests perfectly with yours and ensures that financial concerns never prevent you from seeking justice against powerful defendants. For more details on how this works, you can watch our video, “How Contingency Fees Work” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
• Compassionate and Bilingual Support: Our team is genuine, warm, and deeply empathetic. We understand the trauma caused by hazing. Our bilingual staff offers services in Spanish, ensuring that language is never a barrier to justice for the diverse Manassas Park community.
• Commitment to Justice for All: Ralph Manginello, a father of three boys, has a personal understanding of what’s at stake when a family’s child is harmed. Lupe Peña, a third-generation Texan, brings deep roots and values to his fierce advocacy. We are truly invested in each client’s recovery, treating Manassas Park families like our own. Just as Lupe Peña stated, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do.” We fight not only for your child but for future generations.
• Comprehensive Client Education: We believe informed clients are empowered clients. Through our “Attorney 911” podcast and extensive video library (available at https://attorney911.com/youtube/), we provide clear, accessible explanations of legal processes, common pitfalls, and what to expect. This includes critical advice on documenting evidence, avoiding common mistakes, and understanding your case value.

What to Do Right Now if Your Child Has Been Hazed

If your child in Manassas Park or anywhere else in the nation has been subjected to hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While the trauma can be overwhelming, quick and decisive action can make all the difference in protecting their rights and building a strong legal case.

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Your child’s health is the absolute priority. Even if injuries seem minor, get them thoroughly examined by a doctor or in an emergency room. Some injuries, like rhabdomyolysis or concussions, may have delayed symptoms. Crucially, this creates an official medical record, which is vital evidence. If your child is struggling with psychological trauma, seek mental health support as well. Ensure all medical bills, records, and notes are preserved.
2. Preserve All Evidence – Document Everything: Hazing incidents are often deliberately hidden, so gathering evidence is paramount.
   • Photos and Videos: Take pictures of any physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) at all stages of healing. If possible, document the hazing location, any related physical items (alcohol containers, degrading items), or conditions. If your child is hospitalized or unable, family or trusted friends should take these photos. Watch our video, “Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs for detailed guidance.
   • Digital Communications: Save every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat conversation, Instagram DM, email, or social media post related to the hazing. DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING, even if it seems irrelevant or embarrassing. Digital trails are often crucial proof.
   • Witness Information: Collect names, phone numbers, and any other contact details for anyone who witnessed the hazing or has knowledge of it – including other pledges, current members, or bystanders.
   • Documents: Preserve any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or instructions your child received.
   • Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, therapy costs, and any lost wages or income.
   • Academic Records: Note any impact on grades, enrollment status, or scholarships.
3. DO NOT Communicate with the Perpetrators or Institutions:
   • Do NOT talk to fraternity/sorority leadership, university officials (including Greek Life or Title IX without counsel), or their lawyers. They are not on your side; they are protecting the institution. Any statement your child gives can be used to minimize their claims.
   • Do NOT sign anything from the organization or university without legal review. You could unknowingly waive your rights.
4. Stay Off Social Media: Instruct your child to immediately cease posting or interacting on social media about the incident. Anything they post, or even old posts, can be used by the defense to discredit their claims or suggest their injuries are less severe. Watch our short video, “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” for more insights.
5. Report to Authorities (Optional, but consult counsel first): Depending on the severity and nature of the hazing, you might consider reporting it to:
   • Campus Police/Local Law Enforcement: Hazing is a criminal offense in Virginia and many other states.
   • University Title IX Office: If the hazing had a sexual component or involved gender-based harassment.
6. Contact an Attorney Immediately: Time is of the essence. Most states, including Virginia, have a statute of limitations for personal injury claims, typically two years from the date of injury or death. This means you have a limited window to file a lawsuit. Evidence can disappear, witness memories fade, and organizations may destroy records if you wait. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was hospitalized November 6, and our lawsuit was filed within weeks – this is how you protect your rights. For more on time limits, see our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.

Manassas Park Families: You Are Not Alone. We Are Here.

If your child in Manassas Park has been hazed, whether at a university in Virginia, a school in Manassas Park, or anywhere across the country, you have legal rights. The pain, humiliation, and physical harm they endured are unacceptable. We are fighting this fight right now, and we will bring the same aggressive, empathetic, and data-driven representation to your family.

Our lawyers, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are currently representing a hazing victim against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in a $10 million lawsuit. We know how to build these cases, dismantle institutional defenses, and hold perpetrators accountable. We understand that this is likely one of the most difficult times in your family’s life, and we are here to shoulder the legal burden, allowing you to focus on your child’s recovery.

Manassas Park Families – Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation

The consultation is free. We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case. We can offer video consultations for Manassas Park families, and we will travel to you for depositions or trial when necessary. Distance will not be a barrier to justice.

Call our Legal Emergency Hotline, available 24/7:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We Serve Manassas Park Hazing Victims – And Hazing Victims Nationwide

Hazing is not confined to Texas. We represent victims of hazing in a variety of organizations, including:

• Fraternities and sororities at universities near Manassas Park (e.g., George Mason University, James Madison University, Virginia Tech).
• Manassas Park sports teams and athletic programs.
• Marching bands or fine arts organizations at Manassas Park schools.
• ROTC programs.
• Clubs and student organizations.
• Military academies.

If abuse is used as “initiation” into any group, we can help.

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know there are others. Leonel Bermudez was not the only one subjected to this torment. Another pledge collapsed unconscious, pledges were hog-tied, and many endured the waterboarding, forced eating, and physical abuse. If you or your child were also victimized by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston, you have rights too. We can represent you and hold all responsible parties accountable.

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.