If you’re reading this, 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 prepare for their future. Instead, they were tortured. They were subjected to abuse, humiliation, and physical torment that left them scarred, hospitalized, or worse. We understand what you’re going through, and we want you to know: you are not alone. We are here to help families in Missouri fight back against the insidious culture of hazing that continues to plague our universities and devastatingly impact our children.

At Attorney911, we are experts in hazing litigation, aggressively representing victims and their families across the nation, including those in Missouri. We know this crisis firsthand because we are actively fighting it right now in court. Just weeks ago, in November 2025, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members after a young man was waterboarded, hog-tied, force-fed until he vomited, and subjected to such extreme physical torment that his muscles broke down and his kidneys failed. He spent four agonizing days in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis, a condition that can cause permanent kidney damage and even death.

This case is not an anomaly. Hazing deeply impacts students in Missouri, just as it does in Texas and every other state. The same national fraternities and sororities with chapters at universities in Missouri operate under the same flawed oversight and pervasive culture of abuse. The same institutional negligence that allowed this to happen in Houston exists at campuses across Missouri. And we are here to tell you that if your child has suffered at the hands of hazing in Missouri, you have the right to fight back, and we have the expertise, the data, and the relentless determination to win that fight for you.

We know this because we’ve built an extensive database of Greek organizations and hazing incidents across the country. We don’t guess who is responsible; we already know. We track every entity, every legal name, every insurance policy, and every dollar paid in past settlements. When hazing hurts a student in Missouri, we know how to identify every liable party, from the individual members to the national organizations and the universities that allowed it to happen.

We are Attorney911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña. And we are ready to bring our data-driven, aggressive, and deeply compassionate legal power to families in Missouri whose children have been victimized by hazing.

The Crisis in Missouri: What Hazing Really Looks Like Today

For too long, hazing has been dismissed as “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” This dangerous misconception not only minimizes the profound suffering of victims but actively allows a culture of torture and abuse to flourish. In Missouri, as in every other state, students are entering college with the expectation of a safe and enriching experience, only to find themselves ensnared in brutal rituals that leave lasting physical and psychological scars.

The reality of modern hazing is far darker than most parents in Missouri can imagine. We see hazing that isn’t just about silly pranks or embarrassing tasks; it’s about systematic psychological manipulation, extreme physical abuse, sexual degradation, and life-threatening forced consumption. Imagine a child from Kansas City or St. Louis going off to the University of Missouri (Mizzou), Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, or Missouri State University – institutions known for their vibrant Greek life and student organizations – only to find themselves subjected to tactics that would be considered torture in any other context.

Missouri parents, we need to be clear: this is not about tough love or building character. This is about violent assault and emotional devastation.

Beyond the Stereotypes: The True Faces of Hazing

The hazing incidents our firm investigates and litigates involve acts like:

• Simulated Waterboarding: Pledges sprayed with a garden hose in the face while doing strenuous calisthenics, simulating drowning. This is not a prank; this is torture that can induce panic and lasting trauma.
• Extreme Physical Exertion: Forced calisthenics, such as 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, and “suicides” running drills, pushing students past safe physiological limits. This can lead to severe muscle breakdown, organ damage, and even heart failure.
• Forced Consumption: Making students rapidly consume excessive amounts of alcohol, food until vomiting, or even non-food items, often leading to alcohol poisoning, choking, and serious internal injuries.
• Psychological Torture: Humiliation rituals, sleep deprivation, verbal abuse, and threats that break down a student’s self-esteem and can lead to severe anxiety, depression, and PTSD. This includes being forced to wear degrading items, being confined, or being isolated.
• Sexual Degradation: Forced nudity, sexually suggestive acts, or carrying items of a sexual nature, creating a deeply traumatizing and violating experience.
• Physical Beatings: Being struck with paddles, fists, or other objects, resulting in bruises, broken bones, and internal injuries.

These are not isolated fictional events. These are incidents documented in real hazing cases across the country, including the one we are currently litigating. And these horrific acts are occurring at universities in Missouri just as they are elsewhere, often shielded by outdated notions of “brotherhood” and institutional inaction.

The Missouri Connection: How it Impacts Families in Your Community

Students from communities throughout Missouri – from the bustling urban centers of Kansas City and St. Louis, the college towns like Columbia and Springfield, to the close-knit communities of the Ozarks – attend colleges and universities with Greek life. They pledge fraternities and sororities, join sports teams, and participate in numerous student organizations, all under the umbrella of a system that is failing to protect them.

The University of Missouri (Mizzou) with its significant Greek system, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, Missouri State University, Northwest Missouri State University, and countless other institutions across the state, are all places where these dangers lurk. The same national fraternities that have faced multi-million dollar lawsuits for hazing deaths and injuries in other states – organizations like Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and yes, Pi Kappa Phi – all have active chapters or alumni presence in or near Missouri.

Parents in Missouri send their children to these institutions expecting them to be safe, to learn, and to thrive. Instead, the statistics are grim: over half of students in Greek organizations experience hazing, and tragically, we have seen at least one hazing-related death in the U.S. every year since 2000. And the most heartbreaking statistic of all? 95% of students who are hazed do not report it, often due to shame, fear of retaliation, or a misguided sense of loyalty.

This culture of silence and suffering is what we fight against every single day. We are here to tell Missouri parents and hazing victims that your trauma is valid, your voice matters, and you have powerful legal options.

The Landmark Case: Attorney911 vs. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston (2025)

Missouri Families, this is not just a news story; this is happening now. This case defines who we are.
This $10 million lawsuit, filed in November 2025, represents everything Attorney911 stands for: aggressive representation of hazing victims, data-driven litigation strategy, and uncompromising accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries.

The Victim: Leonel Bermudez

Leonel Bermudez was not even a University of Houston student when he accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective transfer student who planned to enroll in the spring. This detail underscores the reckless disregard of the fraternity—they subjected someone who wasn’t even formally affiliated with the university to weeks of brutal hazing.

Our lawsuit alleges that what followed was a systematic campaign of physical and psychological torture, conducted by members of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter.

The Horrors: What Leonel Endured

The hazing activities Leonel Bermudez reported are a chilling example of the extreme abuse students face:

• Waterboarding with a Garden Hose: He was sprayed in the face with a garden hose while doing calisthenics, simulating drowning. This is a tactic recognized globally as torture.
• Hog-Tying and Sexual Humiliation: Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Leonel himself was forced to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: He was made to consume large amounts of milk, hotdogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Then, he was forced to run sprints while in distress, lying in vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme Physical Torment: Leonel alleges he was forced to do over 100 push-ups and 500 squats, along with “high-volume suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and other drills until he could not stand without help. These sessions included two-mile warmups and repeated 100-yard crawls.
• Physical Beatings: The lawsuit claims he was struck with wooden paddles.
• Sleep Deprivation and Exhaustion: He was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to severe exhaustion.
• Threats and Coercion: He was constantly threatened with physical punishment or expulsion from the fraternity if he did not comply with demands.

These agonizing events culminated on November 3, 2025, when Leonel was punished for missing an event. He pushed himself past all physical limits, collapsed, and crawled home. Over the next two days, his condition worsened dramatically. On November 6, 2025, his mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was found to be passing brown urine—a classic sign of severe rhabdomyolysis.

The Devastating Medical Outcome: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis is a serious condition where damaged muscle tissue releases proteins that can overwhelm and destroy the kidneys. It is life-threatening and can lead to permanent kidney damage or even death. Our client’s medical records show very high creatine kinase levels, confirming extensive muscle damage. He faces ongoing risks of chronic kidney disease, the need for dialysis, or even a kidney transplant.

Institutional Cover-Up and Our Firm’s Swift Action

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters suspended the UH chapter. By November 14, 2025, they officially closed the Beta Nu chapter, claiming “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” This closure occurred seven days before our $10 million lawsuit was filed, demonstrating a clear consciousness of guilt and an attempt to limit liability before official legal action. The University of Houston also quickly initiated its own investigation, with a spokesperson calling the events “deeply disturbing” and violating community standards, acknowledging “potential criminal charges” for those responsible.

But this isn’t enough. These institutions knew. Pi Kappa Phi National explicitly admitted to knowing about a “hazing crisis” and failed to enforce policies. The University of Houston owned the very fraternity house where some of this torture occurred and allowed a “ghost rush” to be hazed, despite a prior hazing hospitalization at another fraternity on its campus in 2017.

Attorney911 is not theoretical. We are representing Leonel Bermudez right now in Harris County Civil District Court. We are aggressively fighting for his justice, and we are ready to bring that fight to families in Missouri.

Why This Case Resonates in Missouri

The horrifying details of Leonel Bermudez’s experience serve as a powerful reality check for parents throughout Missouri.

• Same Fraternities: Pi Kappa Phi, like many other national Greek organizations notorious for hazing, has chapters at universities across Missouri, from Mizzou to Missouri State.
• Same Dangers: The “traditions” and pressures that led to Leonel’s hospitalization are not unique to Houston; they are pervasive in Greek life nationwide, including in Missouri.
• Same Institutional Failures: Universities in Missouri face the same Greek life oversight challenges and exhibit similar patterns of negligence as the University of Houston.
• Same Laws: Hazing is against the law in Missouri, and victims have the right to seek justice through civil litigation, just like in Texas.

As Lupe Peña, one of our lead attorneys on the Bermudez case, 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.” We believe that by aggressively pursuing accountability in cases like Leonel’s, we can force systemic change that protects students in Missouri and beyond.

Who is Responsible? Holding Everyone Accountable for Hazing in Missouri

When a student in Missouri is subjected to severe hazing, the responsibility extends far beyond the individual fraternity members. Our legal strategy involves identifying and holding accountable every single entity that enabled, condoned, or failed to prevent the abuse. This comprehensive approach ensures that those with the power and resources to stop hazing are forced to pay for their negligence.

The Individual Perpetrators: Members, Officers, and Alumni

The most direct responsibility falls on those who actively participated in or orchestrated the hazing. This includes the chapter president, the pledgemaster, and individual fraternity members. In our Bermudez lawsuit, we have named 13 individual fraternity members, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and risk manager. We also named former members and even the spouse of one former member, because hazing sessions occurred at their residence.

For Missouri Victims: Every person who actively engages in hazing, directs it, or allows it to happen on their property can be held personally liable. This includes:

• Chapter Officers: The president, pledgemaster, and other leadership roles within the fraternity or sorority who organize or sanction hazing activities.
• Individual Members: Any student who actively participates in, encourages, or fails to intervene in hazing.
• Alumni and Advisors: Adult members or alumni who are aware of hazing, fail to stop it, or even host activities. They often possess more assets and significant insurance policies.

The Local Chapter: The Immediate Organizational Unit

The fraternity or sorority chapter itself bears direct responsibility for the actions of its members and for fostering a culture where hazing is permissible.

For Missouri Victims: We will pursue the local chapter, establishing its liability for:

• Direct Participation: As an organization, the chapter can be found directly responsible for organizing and conducting hazing.
• Vicarious Liability: The chapter is responsible for the conduct of its members, especially when acting within the scope of fraternity activities.
• Negligent Supervision: Failure to properly supervise its members and prevent hazing.

The National Organization: The “Deep Pockets” With Systemic Issues

Behind every Greek letter organization at campuses like the University of Missouri (Mizzou) or Missouri State University are powerful national organizations. These national entities, like Pi Kappa Phi, claim to have anti-hazing policies and risk management guidelines. However, time and again, they fail to enforce them.

For Missouri Victims: National fraternities and sororities are often the “deep pockets” in hazing litigation. We hold them accountable for:

• Failure to Supervise: Negligent oversight of their local chapters, allowing hazing to persist.
• Failure to Enforce Policies: Having anti-hazing rules but failing to ensure compliance.
• Pattern of Negligence: As we’ve seen with Pi Kappa Phi, repeated incidents across multiple chapters demonstrate a systemic failure at the national level. The death of Andrew Coffey at Pi Kappa Phi in 2017, followed by Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization from the same fraternity in 2025, shows a clear pattern of organizational indifference spanning eight years.
• Financial Resources: These organizations possess substantial assets, endowments, and comprehensive liability insurance policies, making them critical targets for significant compensation.

The University or College: The Ultimate Gatekeepers

Universities and colleges in Missouri, from the largest state universities to smaller private colleges, have a fundamental duty to protect their students. They provide a platform for Greek life, often own or lease property to chapters, and have the ultimate power to regulate, sanction, or even ban these organizations.

For Missouri Victims: We pursue universities for their role in enabling hazing, holding them liable for:

• Negligent Supervision: Failure to adequately monitor Greek life activities and enforce anti-hazing policies.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned or controlled property, like the Pi Kappa Phi house where Leonel Bermudez was hazed, the university can be liable for dangerous conditions. The University of Houston, for example, owned the fraternity house where much of the torture occurred.
• Institutional Knowledge: Universities often have a history of hazing incidents on their campus. The University of Houston had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 at another fraternity. This demonstrates a clear knowledge of the risks and a failure to act.
• Failure to Act: Ignoring reports or failing to take decisive action after hazing incidents become known.
• Breach of Contract: Implicitly breaching the contract with students and parents to provide a safe educational environment.

Insurance Carriers: The Financial Lifeline

The significant compensation awarded in hazing cases largely comes from the liability insurance policies held by the national organizations, universities, and sometimes even individual members through homeowner’s or renter’s policies.

Our Advantage: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. This means they’ve seen the insurance industry’s playbook from the inside. They know exactly how insurance companies evaluate claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize payouts. This insider knowledge is a massive advantage for our clients in Missouri, allowing us to dismantle the defense’s arguments and maximize recovery.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof for Missouri Families

For families in Missouri struggling to comprehend the devastation of hazing, the financial awards secured in these cases are not just numbers; they represent comprehensive support for lifelong medical needs, ongoing psychological therapy, lost academic opportunities, and profound pain and suffering. They also represent a powerful message to institutions that their negligence will not be tolerated.

The multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements achieved in hazing cases across the country serve as critical precedent, demonstrating that significant justice is possible. These results prove that parents in Missouri can, and frequently do, achieve substantial compensation for their child’s injuries or wrongful death.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements That Send a Clear Message

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

• What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Bowling Green State University’s Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during an initiation event. He died from alcohol poisoning.
• The Outcome: The Foltz family received $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha National and several individuals, totaling over $10.1 million. Most recently, in December 2024, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally in a civil judgment.
• Missouri Relevance: This case directly supports our $10 million demand in the Bermudez lawsuit. It shows that both universities and national fraternities pay multi-million dollar settlements. The individual accountability for the chapter president is a stark warning to those in leadership positions at fraternities in Missouri.

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

• What Happened: In September 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman pledge at LSU, was forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol during a ritual called “Bible Study.” He died with a blood alcohol content of 0.495—six times the legal limit.
• The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family a $6.1 million verdict. This case also led to the passage of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making hazing a felony.
• Missouri Relevance: This verdict proves that juries are outraged by hazing and will deliver significant awards. It also shows the potential for civil cases to catalyze legislative change, strengthening anti-hazing laws in states like Missouri.

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

• What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a pledge at Penn State’s Beta Theta Pi fraternity, was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a “gauntlet” ritual. He fell down a flight of stairs multiple times, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911. He died two days later. Security cameras captured every horrifying moment.
• The Outcome: Timothy’s family reached confidential settlements estimated to be over $110 million. Eighteen fraternity members faced criminal charges, with multiple convictions for involuntary manslaughter and hazing. This case prompted Pennsylvania to pass the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.
• Missouri Relevance: The Piazza case demonstrates the immense value of cases with strong evidence—something we meticulously build. It underscores that extreme negligence and criminal behavior during hazing will result in record-breaking payouts and legislative action.

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

• What Happened: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey, a pledge at Florida State University’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity (the same national organization as our current case), was forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon during a “Big Brother Night” event. He died from acute alcohol poisoning.
• The Outcome: Nine fraternity members were charged with hazing, and the chapter was permanently closed. The family reached a confidential settlement.
• Missouri Relevance: This case is particularly crucial to our strategy. It unequivocally proves that Pi Kappa Phi National had actual notice of deadly hazing within its chapters eight years before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. Their failure to act effectively after Andrew Coffey’s death directly contributes to our claim for punitive damages, demonstrating a pattern of knowing disregard. This means that any Pi Kappa Phi chapter at institutions in Missouri should be on notice.

Why These Precedents Matter for Missouri Victims

These cases are not isolated tragedies; they are a clear pattern of institutional failure and severe abuse. For families in Missouri, they offer a beacon of hope and a roadmap to justice:

1. Our $10 Million Demand is Realistic: The Foltz case, in particular, validates the multi-million dollar figures we are seeking, even for serious injuries that do not result in death.
2. Universities and National Fraternities Pay: These precedents consistently show that both local institutions and powerful national Greek organizations bear financial responsibility.
3. Juries Hate Hazing: Cases like Maxwell Gruver’s demonstrate that when presented with the brutal facts, juries will award significant compensation, punishing perpetrators and deterring future abuse.
4. Hazing Leads to Felony Charges: The criminal prosecutions in these cases highlight the severity of hazing and provide additional leverage for civil claims. The University of Houston itself mentioned “potential criminal charges” in Leonel Bermudez’s case.
5. Legislative Change: These lawsuits drive essential legislative reform, creating stronger anti-hazing laws designed to protect students in Missouri and nationwide.

If your child in Missouri has been victimized by hazing, whether at the University of Missouri (Mizzou), Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, Missouri State University, or any other institution, know that these powerful legal precedents apply to your situation. We have the experience and the data to ensure that the accountable parties pay.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights in Missouri Hazing Cases

While our firm is based in Texas, the fundamental legal principles that govern hazing cases in our home state—and which we apply in our landmark $10 million lawsuit—are largely consistent with laws across the nation, including Missouri. Moreover, our authority in federal courts and our dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) allow us to pursue these cases effectively regardless of state lines.

Understanding these legal foundations will empower Missouri families to recognize their child’s rights and the legal avenues available for justice and compensation.

Hazing is a Crime: Beyond Campus Disciplinary Actions

Many states, including Missouri, have statutes explicitly prohibiting hazing. These laws elevate hazing beyond a mere violation of campus policy to a criminal offense, carrying serious penalties for individuals and organizations alike. While specific penalties may vary by state, the core legal definition of hazing often mirrors Texas law, which defines it as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of membership in an organization.

Missouri Families Need to Know: This means that the physical abuse, forced consumption, psychological torment, and sleep deprivation your child endured are not just “unacceptable behavior”—they are illegal acts that can lead to criminal prosecution and severe civil liability.

Consent is NOT a Defense: A Critical Legal Truth

One of the most insidious arguments made by those who perpetrate hazing is that the victim “consented” to the activity, “knew what they were signing up for,” or “could have left at any time.” This argument is not only morally bankrupt but legally invalid.
In Texas, our anti-hazing statute, Education Code § 37.154, explicitly 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 is a critical legal truth that applies with similar force in Missouri. Society recognizes that the immense peer pressure, power imbalances, and threats of social retribution or expulsion effectively negate any true “consent” in a hazing context. You cannot consent to being assaulted, waterboarded, force-fed, or psychologically tortured. This legal principle fundamentally weakens any defense attempting to shift blame onto the victim.

Civil Liability: Pursuing Compensation for Your Child’s Suffering

Beyond criminal charges, civil lawsuits offer the pathway for victims and families in Missouri to seek substantial financial compensation for the extensive damages caused by hazing. Our firm leverages multiple legal theories to hold all responsible parties accountable:

1. Negligence Claims: The cornerstone of most personal injury cases. We must prove that the defendants (fraternity, national organization, university) owed a duty of care to your child, breached that duty through their actions or inactions (by hazing or failing to prevent it), and that this breach directly caused your child’s injuries and damages. This theory applies whether the hazing occurred at the University of Missouri, Saint Louis University, or any other public or private institution in Missouri.
2. Premises Liability: If the hazing occurred on property owned or controlled by the fraternity, national organization, or university – such as a fraternity house at Missouri State University or Washington University in St. Louis – we can pursue claims based on premises liability. Property owners have a legal duty to maintain a safe environment, and allowing hazing to occur on their property constitutes a dangerous condition. The University of Houston, for example, owned the very house where our client was hazed, strengthening this claim significantly.
3. Negligent Supervision: This theory targets the failures of those in authority. We argue that the national fraternity failed to adequately supervise its local chapter, and the university failed to adequately supervise Greek life, allowing hazing to flourish under their watch.
4. Assault and Battery: These are intentional torts directly applicable to physical hazing acts like beatings, paddling, or even simulated waterboarding. Individual perpetrators can be sued personally for these egregious acts.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Hazing involves outrageous and extreme conduct designed to cause severe emotional distress. This claim accounts for the lasting psychological trauma, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, that many Missouri hazing victims endure.
6. Wrongful Death: Tragically, some hazing incidents result in death. In such heartbreaking cases, families in Missouri can pursue wrongful death claims to recover damages for loss of companionship, financial support, funeral expenses, and the immense grief caused by the preventable loss of their child.

The Power of Federal Law: Expanding Our Reach for Missouri Victims

Our attorneys are admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts and possess dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York). This enables us to litigate hazing cases against national fraternities and universities in federal court, offering powerful advantages for Missouri families:

• Jurisdictional Reach: Many national fraternities are headquartered outside of Missouri. Federal jurisdiction allows us to pursue these nationwide organizations more effectively.
• Federal Civil Rights: In certain cases, particularly those involving institutional cover-ups or retaliation against victims, federal civil rights claims can be brought, expanding the scope of accountability.
• National Precedent: Federal court rulings can establish national precedents that benefit hazing victims across the country, including in Missouri.

For families in Missouri, this means we can bring Missouri hazing cases, such as those occurring at major institutions like the University of Missouri-Columbia or the University of Central Missouri, into effective litigation even if the defendant institutions are powerful and well-resourced. We are not limited by state boundaries; our fight for justice for hazing victims extends nationwide.

Why Attorney911: Your Missouri Hazing Litigation Experts

When your child has been subjected to the trauma of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the unique complexities of these cases, possesses an insider’s knowledge of how institutions fight back, and has an unwavering commitment to securing justice. For families in Missouri, Attorney911 offers unparalleled expertise, a proven track record, and a strategic advantage that few firms can match.

Our Aggressive Stance: Leading the Fight in the Bermudez Lawsuit

We are not simply experts on hazing in theory; we are actively fighting it right now. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is a living testament to our aggressive, data-driven approach. We are deep in the trenches, representing a victim who endured waterboarding and kidney failure at a fraternity. This is our firm’s flagship case, and it demonstrates exactly the level of intensity and expertise we bring to every hazing victim’s case, including yours in Missouri.

Insider Knowledge: Former Insurance Defense Attorneys on Your Side

Both of our lead attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are former insurance defense lawyers. This is not a coincidence; it’s a strategic advantage we leverage for every client in Missouri.

• Ralph Manginello spent years defending insurance companies, giving him firsthand insight into their tactics, their valuation methods, and their strategies for denying claims. Now, he uses that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for victims.
• Lupe Peña worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm. He learned their internal playbook—the tactics they use to lowball victims, delay claims, and wear down plaintiffs. Now, he uses that battle-hardened intelligence to outwork, outsmart, and outfight the other side on behalf of hazing victims in Missouri.

This means when we take on a university or a national fraternity in Missouri, we already know how their insurance carriers and legal teams will respond. We anticipate their moves, counter their arguments, and force them to pay fair compensation. It’s an unfair advantage for the victim, and it’s exactly what you need.

Decades of Trial-Tested Experience: Ralph Manginello’s Background

Ralph Manginello brings over 25 years of courtroom experience to every case. His career highlights demonstrate his capacity to take on powerful defendants and secure major results:

• BP Texas City Explosion Litigation (2005): Ralph was involved in this multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation against BP following a catastrophic refinery explosion that killed 15 workers and injured hundreds. This experience proves his capability to handle complex, high-stakes litigation against massive corporate defendants—the same skills directly applicable to hazing cases against large universities and national fraternities.
• Federal Court Authority: Admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and with experience in the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, Ralph can pursue hazing cases in federal jurisdiction. This is crucial for claims against national organizations and institutions that may operate beyond Missouri’s state lines.
• Journalism Background: Ralph holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. This background has honed his ability to investigate, uncover facts, and tell compelling stories, which is invaluable in exposing the hidden truths of hazing to a jury.
• Hall of Fame Athlete & Youth Coach: As a Cheshire Academy Hall of Famer and youth coach, Ralph understands team dynamics, the pressures young people face, and how “brotherhood” can be twisted into abuse. This gives him unique insight into the culture of Greek life and other student organizations in Missouri.

Strategic Depth: Lupe Peña’s Comprehensive Litigation Skills

Lupe Peña, with over 12 years of experience, complements Ralph’s expertise with a broad litigation background and a deep understanding of corporate and financial structures:

• Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Expertise: Lupe has extensive experience representing families who have lost loved ones due to negligence and has handled cases involving catastrophic injuries. This directly applies to the most severe hazing cases, including wrongful death and life-altering injuries like those suffered by Leonel Bermudez.
• Dram Shop Liability: His experience in holding establishments accountable for alcohol-related injuries is directly relevant to hazing incidents involving forced alcohol consumption, a common and deadly hazing tactic.
• Finance Background: Before law school, Lupe worked in finance, giving him a keen understanding of financial damages, future earnings calculations, and business acumen essential for dealing with corporate defendants like national fraternities.
• Bilingual (Spanish): Fluent in Spanish, Lupe ensures that Hispanic families in Missouri affected by hazing have full access to justice, without language barriers.

Nationwide Reach with Local Service

While headquartered in Houston with offices in Austin and Beaumont, Attorney911 serves hazing victims nationwide, including all communities within Missouri. This means that whether your child attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri State University in Springfield, or a smaller college in rural Missouri, we can provide aggressive and effective representation.

• Remote Consultations: We offer video consultations for families in Missouri, allowing you to connect with our legal team from the comfort of your home.
• Travel Commitment: We travel to Missouri for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Distance is never a barrier to pursuing justice for our clients.
• Dual-State Bar Admissions: Our Texas and New York bar admissions provide a strategic advantage when dealing with national fraternities and sororities that operate in multiple states, including Missouri.

No Upfront Cost: We Work on Contingency

We understand that the financial strain of medical bills, therapy, and academic disruption adds immense pressure to Missouri families dealing with hazing. That’s why we take all hazing cases on a contingency fee basis.

• $0 Upfront: You pay nothing to hire us.
• We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Win: Our fees are a percentage of the compensation we successfully recover for you through a settlement or verdict.
• We Take the Risk: This aligns our interests directly with yours; we are invested in maximizing your recovery.

You can focus on your child’s recovery and well-being, knowing that the financial burden of legal representation is handled.

We Are More Than Lawyers: We Are Legal Emergency Lawyers™

We started Attorney911 to make sure people suffering from a legal emergency received immediate, aggressive, and professional help from someone they could trust. A hazing incident is a legal emergency. We move first, fast, and decisively. We see your child as a person, not a paycheck, and we will fight hard to ensure no other family in Missouri has to endure what yours has.

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

If your child has been a victim of hazing at a university or organization in Missouri, you are likely feeling overwhelmed, angry, and scared. It’s crucial to act quickly and strategically to protect your child’s rights and secure the evidence needed for a strong legal case. The institutions responsible for hazing will immediately begin to protect themselves, and you must do the same.

Here are the critical steps you should take right now:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention and Document Everything

Your child’s health and safety are paramount.

• Get to a Doctor: Even if injuries seem minor, or if they are primarily psychological, seek professional medical care immediately. Adrenaline can mask pain, and the full extent of injuries like rhabdomyolysis or concussions may not be immediately apparent. For psychological trauma, consult with a therapist or mental health professional.
• Document Everything Medical: Ensure all injuries, symptoms, and medical visits are thoroughly documented. Keep copies of:
  • Emergency room records
  • Hospitalization records (like Leonel Bermudez’s four-day stay)
  • Doctor’s notes and diagnoses
  • Test results (blood work, urinalysis, imaging scans)
  • Prescriptions and medication costs
  • Physical therapy or counseling records
  • Any follow-up appointments
  • Make sure medical staff know the injuries were due to hazing.

2. Preserve All Evidence — Immediately

Time is of the essence. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories can fade, and institutions may attempt to destroy or hide information.

• Take Photos and Videos: Use your cellphone to document everything.
  • Injuries: Take clear photos of any bruises, cuts, burns, or other physical injuries at different stages of healing. If you have rhabdomyolysis symptoms, document discolored urine if medically appropriate.
  • Location: Photograph the scene of the hazing if possible—fraternity house, off-campus residence, park, remote location, etc.
  • Physical Evidence: If any objects were used in the hazing (like paddles, unusual costumes, specific containers for forced consumption), photograph them.
• Save All Communications: Digital communications are often the clearest evidence of hazing, showing coordination, threats, and instructions.
  • Text Messages: Screenshot and save all text messages, especially group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, Snapchat). Do not delete them.
  • Social Media: Take screenshots of relevant posts, direct messages, or group chats from platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or X.
  • Emails: Preserve all emails related to the organization or hazing.
• Identify Witnesses: Write down the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or any individuals who might have knowledge of the events.
• Keep Documents: Save any “pledge manuals,” schedules, rules, or other documents provided by the organization.
• Financial Records: Keep track of all expenses related to the hazing: medical bills, lost wages from missed work, tuition fees for any academic disruption, and therapist invoices.
• Academic Records: Document how the hazing impacted your child’s academic performance, enrollment status, or scholarships.

3. DO NOT Communicate with the Responsible Parties Alone

Protect your child from manipulation and attempts to minimize the incident.

• Do Not Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority: Do not discuss the incident with chapter members, alumni, or national leadership without legal counsel. They may try to pressure your child to sign documents, accept token apologies, or downplay the severity of the hazing.
• Do Not Talk to University Administrators Alone: While you should report the hazing to the university, do so only after consulting with an attorney. University officials often prioritize protecting the institution’s reputation over the victim’s rights. Your child’s statements can be used against them.
• Do Not Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the fraternity, national organization, or university without a lawyer reviewing them first. You could inadvertently waive critical legal rights.
• Do Not Post on Social Media: Anything posted on social media can and will be used against your child to discredit their claims or minimize their suffering. Avoid discussing the incident online entirely until your case is resolved.

4. Contact Attorney911 Immediately: Your Missouri Hazing Lawyers

Time is a critical factor in personal injury claims. In Missouri, like in Texas, there are statutes of limitations that dictate how long you have to file a lawsuit (typically two years from the date of injury or death). Waiting too long can mean losing your right to seek justice.

• Immediate Response: The sooner we are involved, the sooner we can send preservation letters to all involved parties, preventing the destruction of crucial evidence.
• Free, Confidential Consultation: Call us 24/7. Your first consultation is absolutely free and completely confidential. We will listen to your story, evaluate your case, and explain your legal options without any obligation.
• Expert Guidance: We will guide you through every step of the process, from dealing with law enforcement and university officials to negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, taking your case to court.
• Relentless Advocacy: We will stand by you and your child, ensuring that every responsible party—from the individual members to the national organizations and the universities in Missouri—is held fully accountable.

Missouri Families: Don’t Face This Crisis Alone

Whether your child attends the University of Missouri, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, Missouri State University, Northwest Missouri State University, or any other institution in Missouri, the threat of hazing is real, and the consequences can be devastating.

Just as we are fighting aggressively for Leonel Bermudez in Houston, we are prepared to bring that same data-driven, relentless advocacy to your family in Missouri. We understand the pain, the anger, and the fear. We are here to turn that into action and ensure that justice is served.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now. No Upfront Cost. We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Do.