If you’re reading this, your family in Minnesota may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went to college with hopes of making friends and finding a community. Instead, they were subjected to abuse, humiliation, and outright torture. We’re here to help families in Minnesota fight back when the institutions they trusted betray that trust.

The heartbreaking reality is that hazing is not a relic of the past; it’s a pervasive crisis deeply embedded in the culture of many fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and other student organizations across America, including right here in Minnesota. What starts as a desire for belonging can quickly devolve into a nightmare of physical and psychological abuse, leaving lifelong scars or, tragically, claiming lives. We’ve seen it happen countless times, and we’re actively fighting it right now.

Attorney911 is Actively Fighting the Hazing Crisis: The $10 Million Battle for Justice in Houston

We aren’t just legal theorists; we are in the trenches, fighting for hazing victims. Right now, our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are aggressively litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members in Harris County, Texas. This case, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al., filed in November 2025, perfectly encapsulates everything we stand for: relentless pursuit of accountability for hazing injuries, data-driven litigation strategy, and aggressive representation for victims.

Minnesota Families: This is what modern hazing looks like. This is what we are doing about it.

This landmark case stands as a stark warning to parents across Minnesota. While the incident occurred in Houston, the perpetrators, the national organizations, and the institutional failures that allowed it to happen are alarmingly similar to those found at colleges and universities right here in Minnesota. The same fraternities that operate across Texas—and indeed, across the nation—have chapters on campuses throughout Minnesota. The “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston are the same dangerous practices that terrorize students in Minnesota. The institutional negligence that put University of Houston in our crosshairs is often mirrored by colleges and universities right in your backyard.

We are bringing the same level of aggression, expertise, and unwavering commitment to accountability to families in Minnesota that we are demonstrating in the Houston courts.

As Seen in the News: The Bermudez Case Making Headlines

The severity and implications of the Bermudez case have garnered significant media attention, serving as a public exposé of the brutal realities of hazing today. These news reports highlight the egregious nature of the abuse and our firm’s immediate and decisive legal action.

• ABC13 Houston reported on November 21, 2025, detailing the lawsuit’s allegations of severe abuse and hazing leading to hospitalization. You can read their coverage here: Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges
• KHOU 11 also covered the story on November 21, 2025, announcing the $10 million lawsuit against UH and the fraternity: $10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations
• The Houston Chronicle followed up on November 22, 2025, providing further details on the disturbing allegations: UH fraternity hazing lawsuit
• Houston Public Media on November 24, 2025, confirmed the $10 million figure and elucidated the victim’s “ghost rush” status: University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing

Even Pi Kappa Phi’s national organization responded, issuing a statement on their website: Pi Kappa Phi Closes Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston. This statement, analyzed later, provides critical admissions that bolster our case.

Meet Leonel Bermudez: The Face of Today’s Hazing Crisis

Leonel Bermudez was not even enrolled at the University of Houston yet. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective transfer student who had accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025. What followed was a horrifying period of weeks-long systematic abuse, psychological torment, and forced physical exertion that ultimately landed him in the hospital for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

This young man’s story is a chilling reminder of how quickly the promise of college camaraderie can transform into sadistic cruelty. It could be your child, your neighbor’s child, or a student at the University of Minnesota, Hamline University, St. Cloud State, or any other institution in Minnesota.

Mr. Manginello articulated the terror of the ordeal to ABC13: “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.”

And Mr. Peña underscored the broader mission: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

A Timeline of Torture: What Happened to Leonel Bermudez

The detailed account below is not an isolated incident; it’s a pattern we see replicated in hazing incidents nationwide, including potentially in Minnesota.

• Sept 16, 2025: Leonel Bermudez accepts a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.
• Sept 16 – Nov 3, 2025: Weeks of systematic hazing, abuse, humiliation, and torture commence. During this period, Leonel and other pledges are subjected to:
  • Forced eating until vomiting, including large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns, followed by forced sprints in their own vomit.
  • “Simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” which involved being sprayed in the face with water during calisthenics, a form of torture.
  • Extreme physical conditioning that included “high-volume suicides” (sprinting drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. Pledges are forced to perform these until exhaustion.
  • Being struck with wooden paddles.
  • Psychological and sexual humiliation, such as being forced to strip to underwear in cold weather and carrying a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times.
  • Sleep deprivation, as pledges are forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours.
  • Threats of physical punishment or immediate expulsion for non-compliance.
  • Humiliating tasks, including an enforced dress code, mandatory study hours, and weekly interviews.
• Oct 13, 2025: In a separate, equally disturbing incident, another pledge is hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• Oct 15, 2025: Another pledge loses consciousness and collapses during a forced workout, requiring other pledges to elevate his legs until he recovers. Despite this grave warning, the hazing continues.
• Nov 3, 2025: Leonel is punished for missing an event. He is forced to endure an extreme workout regimen, including over 100 pushups, 500 squats, and other grueling exercises, all while reciting the fraternity creed under threat of expulsion. He becomes so exhausted he cannot stand without help. As Mr. Manginello recounted, he crawled home.
• Nov 4-5, 2025: Leonel’s condition worsens. He is severely sore and unable to move.
• Nov 6, 2025: His mother, witnessing his deteriorating state and the alarming symptom of passing brown urine (a classic sign of muscle breakdown), rushes him to the hospital. He is diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. The Pi Kappa Phi National organization suspends the chapter.
• Nov 6-10, 2025: Leonel spends three nights and four days hospitalized, undergoing intensive medical care to prevent permanent kidney damage. His future kidney health remains a concern.
• Nov 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National officially closes the Beta Nu Chapter (as confirmed by their own website statement).
• Nov 21, 2025: Attorney911 files a $10 MILLION LAWSUIT against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individuals in Harris County Civil District Court. News coverage immediately follows.

The Disturbing Details of Modern Hazing: Far Beyond “Pranks”

The story of Leonel Bermudez reveals the brutal reality of hazing today, a reality that deeply concerns Minnesota families. It shatters any outdated notion that hazing is merely harmless initiation rituals. What happened to Leonel was not “boys being boys.” It was systematic, calculated abuse designed to break down individuals, humiliate them, and assert dominance. This level of cruelty is unfortunately not unique to Houston; it has been documented in various forms at universities across Minnesota and the country.

• Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning: This is a technique recognized internationally as torture. To subject a prospective member to this, especially at a university-owned property, demonstrates a profound disregard for human dignity and safety.
• Forced Consumption until Vomiting: Making students consume obscene amounts of food or drink until they vomit, then forcing them to remain in the vomit-soaked environment, is a cruel and dangerous practice that has led to alcohol poisoning deaths in other cases.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: Forcing individuals to perform hundreds of pushups, squats, and grueling exercises to the point of collapse and muscle breakdown is not “building character”; it’s reckless endangerment leading to severe medical conditions like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: Degrading acts like forcing students to carry sexually explicit items, stripping them in cold weather, and subjecting them to hog-tying rituals are designed to strip away self-worth and create lasting psychological trauma.
• Sleep Deprivation: Depriving students of sleep impacts their physical and mental health, making them vulnerable to further abuse and poor judgment.

These are not isolated acts of youthful indiscretion. This is a deliberate, orchestrated pattern of abuse that has no place in any educational institution, whether in Minnesota or anywhere else. The long-lasting physical and psychological consequences can derail a student’s academic career and impact their entire life.

Who is Responsible? Everyone Who Participated, Enabled, or Failed to Act

Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members demonstrates our firm’s commitment to holding every liable party accountable. When hazing injures or kills a student in Minnesota, the web of responsibility often extends far beyond the immediate perpetrators.

• The Local Chapter: The Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi directly organized and conducted these horrific hazing activities, making them primarily liable. This includes the chapter’s officers, such as the president and pledgemaster, who directed the abuse, as well as individual members who participated or failed to intervene.
• The National Organization: Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters is named because they knew or should have known about the pervasive hazing culture within their chapters, both locally and nationally. Despite their claims of taking hazing seriously, their failure to adequately supervise and enforce anti-hazing policies makes them directly responsible. Their quick action to close the chapter before our lawsuit was filed is a clear admission of guilt. National fraternities are often the “deep pockets” in these cases, with substantial assets and insurance policies.
• The University: The University of Houston is a key defendant because it owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. Universities have a fundamental duty to provide a safe learning environment for their students. When they own property where torture occurs, and have the power to regulate, suspend, or remove organizations, their failure to act translates directly into liability. Universities in Minnesota, like the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State University, or St. Cloud State, bear the same responsibility to protect their students.
• The Individual Members: Every fraternity member who participated in, facilitated, or stood by during the hazing can be held personally liable for the harm caused. This includes current and former members, and even their spouses if hazing occurred at their residence with their knowledge and permission.
• Insurance Carriers: These institutions and individuals are typically covered by various insurance policies—liability insurance for the national organization, institutional coverage for the university, and homeowner’s or renter’s insurance for off-campus individuals. As former insurance defense attorneys, Mr. Manginello and Mr. Peña possess invaluable insider knowledge on how to navigate these policies to maximize recovery for victims.

This comprehensive approach ensures that all parties—from the student who inflicted harm to the multi-million dollar institutions that enabled it—face the consequences of their actions. It sends a clear message that no one is immune from accountability when a student’s life is jeopardized by hazing practices.

Multi-Million Dollar Precedents: Justice for Hazing Victims Across America

The $10 million lawsuit we have filed in Houston is not an anomaly; it is firmly rooted in a growing body of legal precedent where hazing victims and their families have received multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. These cases demonstrate that justice can—and must—be served, and these same outcomes are achievable for victims in Minnesota.

The Stone Foltz Case (Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021)

Total Recovery: $10.1 MILLION+
Stone Foltz died in March 2021 after being forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation event at Bowling Green State University. His family received over $10.1 million in settlements, with Bowling Green State University paying $2.9 million and the Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity along with individual members contributing a further $7.2 million. The most recent major hazing judgment in America, from December 2024, saw Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, held personally liable for a $6.5 million judgment. This case directly supports our $10 million demand, demonstrating that both universities and fraternities are held accountable for their roles. If this can happen in Ohio, a similar level of accountability can be achieved for hazing victims in Minnesota.

The Maxwell Gruver Case (Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta, 2017)

Jury Verdict: $6.1 MILLION
Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning in September 2017 after a Phi Delta Theta hazing event at LSU where he was forced to drink heavily. His family was awarded a $6.1 million jury verdict. Beyond the civil justice, his death spurred the creation of the “Max Gruver Act,” which made hazing a felony in Louisiana. This verdict shows that juries are outraged by hazing and are willing to deliver substantial awards to hold perpetrators accountable. The same outrage and desire for justice exist in Minnesota.

The Timothy Piazza Case (Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi, 2017)

Estimated Recovery: $110 MILLION+
Timothy Piazza died in February 2017 after a Beta Theta Pi hazing event at Penn State where he was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes, leading to a blood alcohol content of 0.36. He fell down a flight of stairs, suffered a traumatic brain injury, and fraternity members waited 12 hours to call for help. His family achieved a confidential settlement estimated to be over $110 million, and his death led to significant criminal convictions and the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in Pennsylvania. This case, with its strong video evidence and massive settlement, shows the potential scale of justice when hazing is meticulously documented. It sends a clear message to all institutions, including those in Minnesota.

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

Same Fraternity, Different Victim
Perhaps most chilling for our current lawsuit, Andrew Coffey died in November 2017 after a Pi Kappa Phi hazing event at Florida State University, where he was forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon. This is the SAME NATIONAL FRATERNITY involved in the Leonel Bermudez case. Pi Kappa Phi National had eight years since Andrew Coffey’s death to address its deadly hazing culture. Our lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez proves they failed. This establishes a clear pattern of negligence and foreseeability that dramatically strengthens our demand for accountability, for Minnesota victims as well.

Adam Oakes Case (Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi, 2021)

Settlement: $4+ Million
Adam Oakes died in February 2021 following a Delta Chi hazing event where he was pressured to drink a large amount of whiskey. His family pursued a $28 million lawsuit, which eventually resulted in a settlement of over $4 million, in addition to the establishment of the “Love Like Adam” Foundation and a new anti-hazing law in Virginia (“Adam’s Law”). This case further demonstrates that substantial recoveries are common for both death and severe injury cases.

What These Cases Mean for Hazing Victims in Minnesota

These precedents are not just statistics; they are stories of justice. They prove that:

• Universities are Liable: Institutions like the University of Minnesota, Concordia College, or Gustavus Adolphus College can be held responsible when their negligence allows hazing to flourish on their campuses.
• National Fraternities are Liable: Organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, or Sigma Chi, which maintain chapters in Minnesota, cannot evade responsibility for the actions of their members.
• Individuals are Liable: Those who orchestrate or participate in hazing face significant personal financial exposure and criminal charges.
• Civil Lawsuits Drive Change: Multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements force institutions to re-evaluate their policies, and they often lead to stronger anti-hazing legislation, benefiting students nationwide, including in Minnesota.

When your family in Minnesota faces the horror of hazing, know that these legal victories pave the way for your own pursuit of justice. The same legal strategies, evidence-based approaches, and firm resolve that secured these outcomes are precisely what we bring to every case, regardless of location.

Legal Protections for Hazing Victims in Minnesota

While our primary legal operations are based in Texas, we extend our nationwide expertise to Minnesota families by leveraging federal court authority and our dual-state bar licenses. All states, including Minnesota, have laws designed to protect students from hazing. Understanding these legal frameworks is crucial for seeking justice.

Minnesota’s Anti-Hazing Laws

Minnesota’s anti-hazing laws, while not identical to Texas’, generally share the same core principles: they aim to prohibit actions that endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or membership in an organization. Many hazing activities are also crimes under broader statutes, such as assault, battery, kidnapping, or reckless endangerment.

Key aspects of Minnesota’s laws and general legal principles relevant to hazing victims:

• Definition of Hazing: Minnesota statutes generally define hazing broadly to include any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, whether on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership in an organization, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student. This can include forced consumption of substances, physical activities causing exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and psychological abuse.
• Criminal Penalties: Individuals who engage in hazing in Minnesota can face criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the severity of the harm caused. If hazing leads to serious bodily injury, or worse, death, criminal penalties can be substantial, including imprisonment and hefty fines.
• Organizational Liability: In many jurisdictions, and certainly in civil lawsuits, organizations themselves—including fraternities, sororities, and universities—can be held directly liable for hazing if they condone it, encourage it, or if their officers or members commit or assist in hazing.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: This is a crucial point that many Minnesota families need to understand. Perpetrators often claim that victims “consented” to the hazing. However, most anti-hazing laws, like Texas Education Code § 37.154, explicitly state that it is not a defense to prosecution or civil claims that the victim consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity. The coerced environment of hazing negates true consent.
• Reporting Requirements: Educational institutions in Minnesota are typically required to have anti-hazing policies and a process for reporting hazing incidents.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Prosecution

Even if criminal charges are not pursued or do not result in a conviction, victims in Minnesota can still pursue civil lawsuits to recover damages. Civil liability allows victims to seek compensation for their injuries and losses.

• Negligence Claims: This is a primary theory of liability. We would argue that the fraternity, its members, the national organization, and the university owed a duty of care to the student, breached that duty through their actions or inactions concerning hazing, and that this breach caused the student’s injuries and damages.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurred on property owned or controlled by the university (like the Pi Kappa Phi house at UH), Minnesota colleges also have a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises. Allowing hazing to occur on their property constitutes a breach of this duty.
• Negligent Supervision: National organizations and universities can be held liable for negligent supervision if they failed to adequately oversee their chapters or student organizations, despite knowing of hazing risks or previous incidents.
• Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators can be sued for intentional torts like assault (threatening harm) and battery (causing harmful physical contact through activities like paddling or forced physical exertion).
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The outrageous and extreme nature of many hazing activities, such as simulated waterboarding or intense humiliation, can give rise to claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress, especially when it causes severe psychological harm. This is often particularly relevant for victims in Minnesota suffering from PTSD due to hazing.

For Minnesota families: Our firm’s ability to operate in federal courts and our dual bar licenses (Texas and New York) provide a strategic advantage in pursuing claims against national fraternity organizations that operate across state lines. We will travel to Minnesota for depositions, client meetings, and trials when necessary. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Litigation in Minnesota?

When your family in Minnesota faces the unthinkable trauma of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer. You need a steadfast advocate, a seasoned strategist, and a team that understands the intricate web of liability involved in these complex cases. Attorney911—Legal Emergency Lawyers™—stands ready to bring our expertise, our aggression, and our unwavering commitment to justice to your family in Minnesota.

25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Leading the Fight for Minnesota Families

Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, brings over 25 years of battle-tested courtroom experience to the table. He has successfully litigated complex, high-stakes cases against massive corporate defendants and has a proven track record. This depth of experience means Minnesota families benefit from:

• Proven Trial Skills: We are not afraid to go to trial. While many firms prefer to settle, we build every case as if it will go before a jury, ensuring maximum leverage in negotiations and readiness to fight for justice if a fair settlement isn’t offered.
• Strategic Acumen: Ralph’s experience, including involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation, demonstrates our capacity to take on and win against deeply resourced opponents. This expertise is directly transferable to hazing cases against well-funded national fraternities and universities in Minnesota.
• Federal Court Authority: Our admission to U.S. District Courts allows us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often crucial when dealing with national organizations or interstate hazing incidents impacting Minnesota.
• Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas AND New York): This unique advantage provides strategic flexibility when litigating against national fraternity and sorority organizations that may be headquartered in other states, offering Minnesota families a broader reach for accountability.

Insider Knowledge: We Know How the Other Side Thinks

Both Ralph Manginello and our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, are former insurance defense attorneys. This is a critical differentiator that provides an unparalleled advantage for hazing victims in Minnesota. They have spent years on the “other side,” learning the intricate strategies, tactics, and legal maneuvers that insurance companies and corporate defendants use to minimize or deny claims.

Lupe Peña, having worked for a national insurance defense firm, Litchfield Cavo LLP, understands firsthand how large entities value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to grind down plaintiffs. Every tactic they employed to resist payouts, he now uses to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients.

• Anticipating Defenses: We know the arguments the fraternity’s lawyers, the university’s legal team, and the insurance adjusters will deploy in a Minnesota hazing case, and we are prepared to counter them effectively.
• Maximizing Settlement Value: Their insider knowledge helps us build cases that insurance companies take seriously, leading to higher settlement offers.
• Negotiating from Strength: We speak their language, understand their playbook, and negotiate from a position of power, ensuring Minnesota families receive the compensation they deserve.

Hazing-Specific Expertise: We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are not a general personal injury firm dabbling in hazing cases. We are actively engaged in the fight against hazing, as evidenced by our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical; this is real, live, and ongoing litigation.

• Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure Cases: Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, making him uniquely qualified to represent victims like Leonel Bermudez and those in Minnesota who suffer similar life-threatening injuries.
• Institutional Accountability: We know how to expose the negligence of universities and national organizations that allow hazing to persist.
• Addressing the “Consent” Defense: We are expert in countering the perpetrator’s classic defense that the victim “consented” to the hazing, leveraging statutory prohibitions against this argument.
• Understanding Greek Life Culture: Ralph’s background as a Hall of Fame athlete and youth coach provides him with a deep understanding of team dynamics, locker room culture, and the pressures that can lead to hazing in student organizations. This contextual understanding is invaluable in building a compelling narrative for Minnesota juries.

Client-Centered Approach: Minnesota Families Are Our Priority

We understand that dealing with the aftermath of hazing is emotionally devastating. Our firm culture is built on empathy, compassion, and unwavering support for our clients.

• Warm and Empathetic: We genuinely care about the well-being of our clients. Testimonials like “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such” and “They all go above and beyond and really care about you as a person” attest to our commitment.
• Clear Communication: We keep our clients informed at every stage of their case, ensuring full transparency and answering all questions promptly.
• Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): Our fluent Spanish-speaking staff ensures that language is never a barrier to justice, especially for the diverse communities across Minnesota.
• Contingency Fee Basis: We take hazing cases on contingency, meaning you pay absolutely $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This eliminates financial barriers and allows Minnesota families to pursue justice without added stress. You can learn more about this in our video, “How Contingency Fees Work” available here.

Reaching Across States: We Serve Minnesota Victims

While our headquarters are in Houston, our reach is national. We represent hazing victims across America, including Minnesota.

• Remote Consultations: We offer convenient video consultations for Minnesota families who cannot travel to our offices.
• Willingness to Travel: Our attorneys will travel to Minnesota for depositions, client meetings, and trials when necessary, ensuring active local representation. Distance will not be a barrier to justice for your family.
• Unwavering Dedication: We are devoted to protecting students from organizations that threaten their safety and well-being. We will bring the same aggressive, results-driven advocacy to your Minnesota hazing case.

When your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing at a college or university in Minnesota, you need a law firm that combines deep legal expertise with a passionate commitment to justice. You need Attorney911. We are ready to listen, we are ready to fight, and we are ready to win on behalf of your family.

What to Do Right Now if Your Child Has Been Hazed in Minnesota

The moments immediately following the discovery of a hazing incident can be chaotic and overwhelming for families in Minnesota. However, the actions you take in these early stages are crucial for protecting your child’s health and preserving their legal rights. Hazing victims and their families in Minnesota often feel overwhelmed, embarrassed, or even pressured to stay silent. We understand. But acting quickly and strategically is paramount.

Immediate Steps to Protect Your Child and Their Case:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your child’s health is the absolute priority. If they have sustained any physical injuries, signs of illness (like the brown urine Leonel Bermudez exhibited), or severe psychological distress, get them to a doctor, urgent care, or emergency room in Minnesota immediately. Ensure all injuries and symptoms are thoroughly documented by medical professionals. Even if injuries seem minor, medical records are critical evidence. Delaying treatment can be used by defense attorneys to claim the injuries weren’t severe. Our video “Why Seeing a Doctor Right After an Accident Is Critical” offers further insight.

2. Preserve All Evidence – Do NOT Delete Anything: This is perhaps the most critical step. Hazing often occurs in secret, but modern communication leaves a digital trail.

   • Keep all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat conversations, Instagram DMs, emails, and any other digital communications. These often contain direct evidence of the hazing directives, threats, coercion, and discussions among perpetrators.
   • Take screenshots or download copies. Do not delete anything, even if it seems irrelevant or unpleasant. Deleting evidence can severely damage a case.
   • Photograph and video everything. If your child has visible injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, rashes), take clear, dated photos and videos at every stage of healing. Document the scene if safe to do so. Our video “Using Your Phone to Document Evidence” available here provides essential guidance on this.
   • Identify Witnesses: Collect names and contact information for any other pledges, witnesses, or even bystanders who may have observed the hazing. Their testimony can be invaluable.
   • Save Documents: Keep any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or communications received from the fraternity, sorority, or organization.
   • Retain Financial Records: Track all medical bills, lost wages from missed work, or tuition/fees related to academic disruption.
   • Document Academic Impact: Note any decline in grades, missed classes, or changes in enrollment due to the hazing.

3. Do NOT Communicate with the Fraternity / University / Their Lawyers Alone:

   • Resist pressure to give statements. Fraternities, national organizations, and universities all have legal teams whose primary goal is to protect their institution’s interests, not your child’s. Any statements given without legal counsel can be twisted and used against your child.
   • Do NOT sign anything. Never sign waivers, non-disclosure agreements, or any other documents presented by the organization or university without first having an attorney review them.
   • Avoid Social Media Discussions: Do not post about the incident on social media, nor should your child. Defense attorneys will scour social media for anything that can undermine the case. Our video “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” provides a stark warning.

4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Litigation Attorney Immediately: Time is of the essence. In Minnesota, as in most states, there is a statute of limitations (typically two years) for filing personal injury lawsuits. If you wait too long, you could lose your legal right to pursue compensation entirely.

   • Evidence disappears: Digital trails can be erased, and memories fade.
   • Witnesses become unavailable: People move on, or are pressured to stay silent.
   • Your rights expire: Missing the filing deadline means no justice.
   • Our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” available here emphasizes this urgency.

Why You Need Attorney911 for Your Minnesota Hazing Case

Hazing cases are complex, emotionally charged, and require a legal team with specialized knowledge and resources. Minnesota families need a firm that:

• Understands the Multi-Defendant Landscape: We know how to identify and pursue every liable party, from individual perpetrators to national organizations and universities.
• Navigates Institutional Resistance: Universities and national fraternities have vast resources and legal teams dedicated to minimizing their liability. Our former insurance defense attorneys know their strategies and how to counter them effectively.
• Leverages Precedent-Setting Cases: Our deep knowledge of major hazing lawsuits, coupled with our active litigation in the $10 million Bermudez case, provides a powerful framework for your pursuit of justice.
• Offers Nationwide Reach: Although based in Texas, our federal court authority, dual-state bar licenses, and commitment to remote consultations and travel ensure that Minnesota families receive the highest level of legal representation.

Minnesota Families: Don’t Face This Alone.

The fear, anger, and betrayal you feel are valid. We are here to listen, to validate your child’s experience, and to turn your pain into powerful legal action. We will fight to ensure your child receives full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and most importantly, we will seek to hold every responsible party accountable, sending a clear message that hazing will not be tolerated in Minnesota or anywhere else.

Call us immediately for a free, confidential consultation. We are available 24/7 for hazing emergencies in Minnesota.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline in Minnesota

If you’re a parent, a student, or a family member in Minnesota grappling with the devastating aftermath of hazing, please know that you do not have to endure this alone. We are Attorney911, and we are your Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We are fighting this fight right now on behalf of victims just like your child, and we are ready to bring that battle to Minnesota.

Minnesota Families, Your Call for Justice Starts Here:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

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

We are available 24/7 for hazing emergencies, offering FREE consultations for Minnesota families.

No Upfront Costs: Our Contingency Fee Promise to Minnesota Victims

We understand that the financial burden of legal action can seem daunting, especially when coupled with medical expenses and emotional distress. That’s why we take all hazing cases on a contingency fee basis.

What this means for your family in Minnesota:

• $0 Upfront Payment: You pay absolutely nothing to hire us to take on your hazing case.
• We Only Get Paid If You Get Paid: Our fees are contingent upon us securing compensation for your child. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us any legal fees.
• Leveling the Playing Field: This allows individuals and families in Minnesota to take on powerful institutions like national fraternities and universities, eliminating financial barriers to justice. You can learn more about how this works by watching our video: “How Contingency Fees Work” available here.

How We Serve Hazing Victims in Minnesota from Our Texas Headquarters

While our physical offices are located in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our dedication to hazing victims extends nationwide. We regularly assist families beyond our home state, ensuring that geographical distance is never a barrier to justice.

• Remote Consultations: We offer flexible video and phone consultations, allowing Minnesota families to connect with our experienced attorneys from the comfort and privacy of their homes.
• Nationwide Reach & Federal Court Authority: Our attorneys are admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts, enabling us to pursue appropriate hazing cases in the federal jurisdiction, which can be critical when dealing with national organizations. Our dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) further provide strategic flexibility in national-level litigation.
• Willingness to Travel: When necessary for depositions, client meetings, mediations, or trials, our team will travel to Minnesota to ensure hands-on representation for your case.
• Comprehensive Support: From evidence preservation to expert witness recruitment, we deploy all necessary resources to build a powerful case, regardless of location.

To the Students and Parents of Minnesota:

You didn’t deserve this. What happened was an act of abuse, betrayal, and often, a crime. You might feel isolated, ashamed, or afraid of retaliation. You might be loyal to the organization. But remember this: Consent is not a defense for hazing in Minnesota or anywhere else.

Choosing to speak up and seek legal recourse is not just about your child’s personal justice; it’s about protecting future generations of students in Minnesota. As Lupe Peña said regarding the Bermudez case, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Your courage can initiate accountability and save lives. We are here to help you take that courageous step.

Don’t wait. The clock is ticking on your legal rights. Call Attorney911 today.

Attorneys: Ralph P. Manginello & Lupe Eleno Peña
Firm: Attorney911 Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Firm Address: 1177 W Loop S Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77027
Phone for Minnesota Hazing Victims: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com