🚨 Hazing Victims in Merced County: You Have Rights, and We Can Help

From the same attorneys currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston

🏛️ The Hazing Crisis in Merced County

Merced County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their students. They believe Greek organizations will provide positive experiences.

That trust is being betrayed.

Hazing is happening at colleges and universities across California — including institutions near Merced County. The same national fraternities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries operate chapters at schools in and around Merced County.

And just like in Houston, universities near Merced County are failing to stop it.

🔥 What Happened in Houston — And What’s Happening Near Merced County

In November 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being hazed.

The hazing activities included:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning
• Forced to perform 500 squats, 100 pushups, and other extreme exercises until he could not stand
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Sleep deprivation — forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours
• Psychological torture — carrying objects of sexual nature, being hog-tied

Leonel Bermudez spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.

This didn’t happen in a vacuum. In 2017, a student at the University of Houston was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen from hazing at a different fraternity. The university knew hazing was dangerous. They had eight years to implement real oversight.

They did nothing.

In 2017, a student named Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event at Florida State University. He was forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon. He died from alcohol poisoning.

Pi Kappa Phi National had eight years to fix their culture.

They did nothing.

Now, Leonel Bermudez is in the hospital. The same fraternity. Eight years later.

The same negligence is happening at universities near Merced County.

📚 Greek Life at Merced County Institutions

Merced County is home to a vibrant college community, with several institutions where Greek life thrives:

• University of California, Merced (UC Merced) — A growing research university with active Greek organizations
• Merced College — A community college with student organizations that may include Greek life elements
• Nearby institutions in the Central Valley — California State University, Stanislaus; Fresno State; and others with established Greek systems

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have chapters at these schools:

These organizations have paid millions in settlements. They’ve had years to reform. And yet, the same dangerous cultures persist — including near Merced County.

⚖️ Merced County Hazing Victims: Your Legal Rights

If you or your child has been hazed at a university or college near Merced County, you have legal rights. Hazing is not just “tradition” or “boys being boys” — it is illegal, dangerous, and often criminal.

California has strong anti-hazing laws:

California Education Code § 32050-32054 — Hazing

Definition of Hazing:

Any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization which is likely to cause serious bodily injury, personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to a student.

This includes:

• Physical brutality
• Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse
• Any activity that creates a substantial risk of injury

Criminal Penalties:

• Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail, $5,000 fine
• Felony: If hazing results in death or great bodily injury

Civil Liability:

• Victims can sue for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages
• Organizations and individuals can be held jointly and severally liable
• Consent is NOT a defense — even if the victim agreed to participate, the hazers can still be held accountable

University Liability:

• Universities have a duty to protect students
• If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be held liable
• Many universities own or control fraternity houses — premises liability applies

💔 The Real Consequences of Hazing

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries. It leaves lasting scars that can affect victims for years — or a lifetime.

Physical Consequences:

• Rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure (like our client in Houston)
• Alcohol poisoning — can be fatal
• Traumatic brain injuries — from beatings or falls
• Broken bones — from physical abuse
• Internal injuries — from forced consumption or physical trauma
• Hypothermia or heat stroke — from exposure
• Death

Psychological Consequences:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — from torture-like activities
• Anxiety and depression — often requiring long-term therapy
• Suicidal ideation — hazing victims are at higher risk
• Trust issues — difficulty forming healthy relationships
• Academic decline — inability to focus on studies
• Substance abuse — self-medicating to cope with trauma

Financial Consequences:

• Medical bills — emergency room, hospitalization, specialists
• Lost wages — time missed from work during recovery
• Educational disruption — delayed graduation, lost scholarships
• Future earning capacity — if injuries cause permanent limitations

🏥 What to Do If You or Your Child Has Been Hazed in Merced County

If hazing has affected you or your family, time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly, and statutes of limitations apply.

IMMEDIATE STEPS:

1. Seek medical attention

   • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
   • Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
   • Medical records are crucial evidence

2. Preserve all evidence

   • Take photos of any injuries, hazing locations, or physical evidence
   • Save all communications — texts, emails, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, social media posts
   • Write down everything — dates, times, what happened, who was involved
   • Get witness information — names and contact info of anyone who saw what happened

3. Do NOT confront the organization

   • They will try to control the narrative
   • They may destroy evidence
   • They may intimidate witnesses

4. Do NOT post on social media

   • Anything you post can be used against you
   • Even innocent posts can be twisted to make you look “fine”

5. Contact an attorney immediately

   • We offer free consultations — call 1-888-ATTY-911
   • We can guide you through the next steps
   • We can preserve evidence and protect your rights

📞 Merced County Hazing Victims: We Are Here to Help

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. We know how to win.

And we will fight just as hard for Merced County families.

Why Choose Attorney 911:

✅ We are fighting this battle RIGHT NOW — the same fight we’ll bring to Merced County cases
✅ 25+ years of litigation experience — battle-tested in courtrooms across Texas
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how defendants think and how to beat them
✅ Federal court admission — we can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York; strategic advantage for national cases
✅ Se habla español — bilingual staff to serve Spanish-speaking families
✅ We work on contingency — $0 upfront; we don’t get paid unless you get paid
✅ We travel to Merced County — for depositions, meetings, and trials
✅ We offer remote consultations — video chat available for Merced County families

💰 What Your Merced County Hazing Case Could Be Worth

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. The same legal strategies that apply to our Houston case apply to Merced County victims.

Recent Hazing Case Outcomes:

Your Merced County hazing case could include compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Educational disruption
• Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)

🎯 How We Will Fight for Merced County Hazing Victims

When we take on a hazing case, we don’t just file a lawsuit — we launch a comprehensive legal campaign to hold every responsible party accountable.

Our Strategy for Merced County Cases:

1. Identify ALL liable parties

   • Local chapter
   • National organization
   • University
   • Individual members and officers
   • Housing corporations
   • Insurance companies

2. Preserve ALL evidence

   • Text messages
   • Social media posts
   • Photos and videos
   • Witness statements
   • Medical records

3. Build a compelling case

   • Medical experts
   • Hazing culture experts
   • Economic experts
   • Accident reconstruction (if applicable)

4. Negotiate from strength

   • We’re currently litigating a $10 million case
   • We know what these cases are worth
   • We won’t accept lowball offers

5. Go to trial if necessary

   • We’re not afraid to take cases to trial
   • We have a proven track record in court
   • Juries understand the severity of hazing

6. Create systemic change

   • Media attention
   • Legislative advocacy
   • Pressure on universities to reform Greek life

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Merced County Families

Q: My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. What should I do?

A: Many hazing victims are afraid of retaliation or social consequences. You can still take legal action even if your child doesn’t want to report it. We can guide you through your options and protect your child’s identity if needed.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Is that a defense?

A: No. California law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the hazers can still be held liable.

Q: We’re not in Houston. Can you still help us in Merced County?

A: Absolutely. While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide. We can evaluate your Merced County case, offer remote consultations, and travel to Merced County as needed. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Q: How much will this cost? We can’t afford a lawyer.

A: You don’t need money to hire us. We work on a contingency fee basis — that means $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.

Q: The university says they’re investigating. Should we wait?

A: No. University investigations are designed to protect the institution, not you. Contact us immediately. The sooner we’re involved, the better we can protect your rights and preserve evidence.

Q: What if the hazing didn’t result in serious physical injury?

A: You may still have a case. Hazing that causes psychological trauma, emotional distress, or academic disruption can also result in significant compensation. Even if there were no hospitalizations, the impact on your child’s life may be substantial.

Q: How long do we have to take legal action?

A: California has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including hazing. However, you should not wait. Evidence disappears quickly, and the sooner we start building your case, the stronger it will be.

Q: Will this affect my child’s college career?

A: We will work to protect your child’s academic future. Many universities have policies that prevent retaliation against students who report hazing. We can help ensure your child is protected.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: Location doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on campus, at a fraternity house, or at a private residence. The key factor is whether it was part of the organization’s activities.

Q: Can we sue the national fraternity organization?

A: Yes. National organizations often have deep pockets and substantial insurance coverage. They can be held liable for failing to supervise their chapters and for allowing dangerous cultures to persist.

📢 A Message to Merced County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Merced County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. If your members haze students, we will pursue every liable entity — the chapter, the national organization, the university, and the individuals involved.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi —
If your chapter operates near Merced County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America. We have proven these cases can be won.

To the universities near Merced County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. You have a duty to protect your students. If you fail to act, you will face the same accountability.

To Greek life leadership at Merced County institutions:
The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

🏆 Our Commitment to Merced County Families

When you hire Attorney 911, you’re not just getting a law firm — you’re getting a team of advocates who will fight tirelessly for your family.

We promise:

• Compassionate representation — We understand the trauma you’ve experienced
• Aggressive advocacy — We will not back down from powerful institutions
• Clear communication — You’ll always know what’s happening with your case
• Maximum compensation — We won’t settle for less than you deserve
• Systemic change — We won’t stop until hazing culture is eradicated

📞 Merced County Hazing Victims: Call Now for a Free Consultation

1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Website: attorney911.com

Available 24/7 for Merced County hazing emergencies

We work on contingency — $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.

🔥 Enough is Enough. It’s Time for Accountability.

Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded. He was forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down. He spent four days in the hospital with kidney failure.

This happened in Houston. It’s happening near Merced County.

It’s time to stop it.

If you or your child has been hazed at a university or college near Merced County, you are not alone. We are here to help. We are here to fight. We are here to win.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.