If you’re reading this in Nevada, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college. Instead, they were tortured. We’re here to help families in Nevada fight back. We are Attorney911, and we represent victims of fraternity and sorority hazing across America, including right here in Nevada.

This isn’t just a theoretical problem we discuss. We are actively fighting this battle right now. Just weeks ago, in November 2025, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against the national fraternity Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members after a student was waterboarded, hog-tied, forced to eat until he vomited, and pushed to physical extremity until his kidneys failed. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, wasn’t even a student at the university yet; he was a “ghost rush” waiting to transfer. If this could happen to Leonel in Houston, it can happen to your child at any university in Nevada.

We understand the fear, anger, and utter helplessness you might be feeling. When your child goes off to college, whether it’s the University of Nevada, Reno, UNLV, or even out of state at institutions like Arizona State or USC where many Nevada students attend, you expect them to be safe, to learn, and to grow. The last thing any parent imagines is receiving a call that their child has been hospitalized, traumatized, or worse, due to hazing. These aren’t just pranks or “boys being boys”—this is systematic abuse, and it’s a deep betrayal of trust.

We know what you’re going through, and we know how to fight back. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, bring decades of combined experience, including invaluable insights gained from working against insurance companies. We leverage this insider knowledge to aggressively represent victims and their families, ensuring that every responsible party is held accountable. From our headquarters in Houston, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including families right here in Nevada. Distance is not a barrier to justice. We offer remote consultations, and our commitment means we travel to Nevada for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary.

The Haunting Reality: What Happened to Leonel Bermudez in Houston, and Why It Matters to Nevada Families

The case of Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is not just another lawsuit; it is the cornerstone of our firm’s mission to end hazing. It is a stark warning to every family, especially those in Nevada, about the brutal reality of hazing today. And it’s proof that Attorney911 is relentless in pursuing justice for victims.

This is what happened in a university town, like Reno or Las Vegas, just weeks ago:

In September 2025, Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member who wasn’t even enrolled at the university yet, planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. What followed were weeks of systematic abuse, physical torture, and psychological torment that culminated in his hospitalization for severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days in the hospital, fighting for his life.

“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,” explained our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, to ABC13 Houston.

The allegations in our $10 million lawsuit paint a picture of depravity that goes far beyond any notion of “tradition” or “bonding.” Among the harrowing acts Leonel and other pledges endured were:

• Waterboarding: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” sprayed in the face while performing calisthenics, and forced to run repeatedly under the constant threat of having this torture inflicted upon him. As Houston Public Media noted, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.”
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges were compelled to consume large quantities of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited, and then, horrifyingly, forced to continue exerting themselves, sprinting while clearly in physical distress and even commanded to lie in their vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: Hazing sessions involved relentless physical exertion, including over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), “bear crawls,” “wheelbarrows,” “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. Leonel was forced to recite the fraternity creed while enduring these exercises, pushed to such exhaustion that he could not stand without help. The lawsuit also alleges pledges were “struck with wooden paddles.”
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack containing “objects of a sexual nature” at all times. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. These acts were accompanied by threats of physical punishment or immediate expulsion for non-compliance, creating an environment of terror and control.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, disrupting their sleep and contributing to dangerous fatigue.

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough,” stated Attorney Lupe Peña to ABC13. This sentiment embodies our firm’s dedication to every client, including families in Nevada.

Why the Bermudez Case is a Dire Warning for Nevada Families:

• Same Fraternities, Same Dangers: Pi Kappa Phi is a national fraternity with 150+ chapters across America. The same national organizations that operate at universities like UNR and UNLV, and other colleges where Nevada students enroll, are often implicated in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide. The “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez are not unique to Houston; they are prevalent in Greek life across the country, including in Nevada.
• Institutional Negligence is Widespread: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place, yet allegedly failed to prevent it despite a prior hazing hospitalization on campus in 2017. Similarly, institutions of higher learning throughout Nevada and across the country often know about hazing risks but fail to implement adequate safeguards.
• Victims Are Supposed to Be Protected: Leonel was a prospective student, trusting in the university environment. Your child’s safety is implicitly promised by universities and national organizations when they join Greek life. When that trust is betrayed, accountability must follow.
• Nevada Families Deserve Aggressive Representation: What happened to Leonel is a blueprint for what Attorney911 does: aggressive, thorough, data-driven litigation that pursues every responsible entity. Families in Nevada experiencing this nightmare deserve nothing less.

Within weeks of Leonel’s hospitalization, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at the University of Houston was suspended, its members voted to surrender their charter, and the chapter was permanently closed. Criminal referrals were initiated. Our firm then filed the $10 million lawsuit naming the university, the national fraternity, its housing corporation, and 13 individual members – including a former member and his spouse who allowed hazing to occur at their residence. This is not some theoretical legal strategy; this is actively fighting right now in Harris County Civil District Court, and this is the aggressive representation we bring to every hazing case, no matter where it occurs, including in Nevada.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes in Nevada

When parents in Nevada hear the word “hazing,” many still imagine harmless pranks or mild inconveniences. Perhaps a few pushups as part of an initiation, or being made to scrub a floor. The devastating reality, as shown by the Bermudez case and countless others across the country, is far more sinister. Hazing today, whether in fraternities and sororities, on sports teams, in ROTC programs, or other student organizations at institutions like the University of Nevada, Reno, or UNLV, is often systematic abuse that borders on torture.

This is not about “building character” or “team bonding.” It is about power, control, and the deliberate degradation of individuals, often with severe and life-threatening consequences. We’ve seen, firsthand, that what fraternities and other groups consider “tradition” can lead directly to hospitalization, permanent injury, or even death.

Let’s be clear about what hazing truly entails, using examples from the Bermudez case and other documented incidents that can and do happen in Nevada:

• Physical Abuse: This goes beyond simple calisthenics. It involves forced physical exertion to the point of collapse, dehydration, and serious medical conditions like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), as seen with Leonel Bermudez. It can include beatings with paddles, belts, or other objects; forced starvation or sleep deprivation; branding; burning; and exposure to extreme temperatures. Imagine your child at a university in Nevada being forced to endure these acts.
• Forced Consumption: This is one of the deadliest forms of hazing and unfortunately common in Greek life on campuses throughout Nevada. It involves compelling pledges to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol, leading to alcohol poisoning (a leading cause of hazing deaths), or forcing them to eat non-food items, rotten food, or overwhelming quantities of food until they vomit. This was a central part of Leonel’s ordeal.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: This aspect of hazing can leave invisible, yet profound, scars. It includes verbal abuse, threats, forced servitude, humiliation tactics (like carrying degrading objects or stripping), social isolation, and forced public embarrassment. The psychological impact can be long-lasting, leading to PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, and distrust, often requiring extensive therapy. The fear of retribution, as expressed by Leonel Bermudez, is a form of ongoing psychological torment.
• Simulated Drowning or Waterboarding: As documented in the Bermudez case, this involves spraying pledges with water to simulate drowning. As Houston Public Media accurately stated, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.”
• Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: Hazing may involve forced nudity, sexual degradation, or even sexual assault. This is a horrific violation that leaves deep and lasting trauma.

The Medical Nightmares of Hazing:

The physical demands of hazing can push the body past its limits, often leading to severe medical emergencies. Leonel Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid breakdown of muscle fibers, releasing harmful proteins into the bloodstream that can overwhelm and destroy the kidneys. Symptoms often include severe muscle pain, weakness, and turning urine brown (a sign of muscle protein in the urine). The need for hospitalization for intense IV fluid treatment to prevent permanent kidney damage or even death is critical.

Other common medical outcomes from hazing include:

• Alcohol Poisoning: The most frequent cause of hazing deaths, leading to respiratory arrest and brain damage.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): From falls, beatings, or violent shaking.
• Hypothermia or Heatstroke: From forced exposure to extreme weather.
• Internal Injuries: From beatings, forced falls, or internal damage from forced consumption.
• Fractures and Sprains: From forced exercises or physical assaults.
• Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance: From extreme exertion without adequate fluids.

These incidents are not “accidents” in the casual sense. They are the foreseeable consequences of reckless actions carried out under the guise of “initiation.” Parents in Nevada must understand that when we talk about hazing, we are talking about life-altering or life-ending abuse. This is why we fight for aggressive accountability.

Who Is Responsible for Hazing Injuries in Nevada? We Sue Everyone.

When a child in Nevada suffers from hazing, the immediate instinct might be to blame only the individual perpetrators. However, our extensive experience in hazing litigation, exemplified by the Bermudez case, demonstrates that accountability extends far beyond just the students directly involved. We believe in holding every culpable entity responsible—from the individuals on the ground to the national organizations and the universities themselves. No one who enabled, permitted, or directly participated in the abuse should escape accountability.

Here’s who we typically hold responsible in a hazing lawsuit, and why, illustrating how these principles apply to instances of hazing at institutions across Nevada:

1. The Individual Perpetrators (Chapter Officers and Members):

   • Why they are liable: These are the students who plan, direct, facilitate, or actively participate in the hazing activities. They commit assault, battery, and inflict emotional distress. Chapter leadership, such as the fraternity President and Pledgemaster, have specific responsibilities for the conduct of their members and pledges. As seen in the Bermudez case, even former members who host hazing at their residences, and their spouses who allow it, can be held liable.
   • Nevada Application: Whether it’s a student at the University of Nevada, Reno, UNLV, Nevada State University, or any other institution in the state, the individuals directly involved in hazing can face criminal charges under Nevada Revised Statutes 393.300 and 394.387, and civil lawsuits for damages. The Stone Foltz case precedent reinforces personal liability, where a single chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million.

2. The Local Chapter Entity:

   • Why they are liable: The chapter itself, as an organized group, often develops and perpetuates the hazing “traditions.” It can be held directly liable for organizing the hazing, failing to supervise its members, or creating a dangerous environment.
   • Nevada Application: The local chapter, whether a fraternity, sorority, or other student organization at a Nevada campus, is a direct target in hazing litigation for its role in enabling and perpetuating abuse.

3. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization:

   • Why they are liable: National organizations, with their vast resources and network of chapters across the country—including in Nevada—have a direct responsibility to oversee their local chapters. They are typically held liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce their own anti-hazing policies, failure to warn, and perpetuation of a dangerous culture. In the Bermudez case, KHOU 11 reported allegations that the national organization failed to enforce anti-hazing policies “despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” The Andrew Coffey death in 2017, where a Florida State Pi Kappa Phi pledge died from alcohol poisoning, constitutes actual notice that this national organization has a history of deadly hazing.
   • Nevada Application: National fraternities and sororities with chapters at universities in Nevada, such as Sigma Chi or Pi Kappa Alpha, face the same liabilities. Their substantial assets, insurance policies, and national reach make them “deep pockets”—essential targets for ensuring victims receive full compensation.

4. The Housing Corporation:

   • Why they are liable: Many fraternities and sororities operate through separate housing corporations that own or manage the chapter house. These entities can be liable for premises liability if hazing occurs on their property, or for failing to maintain a safe environment.
   • Nevada Application: Many Greek organizations at Nevada universities have housing corporations registered as non-profit entities. An example might be “Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc” (from our Texas database) or similar organizations for local Nevada chapters. These entities are directly responsible for the safety of the house. We track these entities, just as we did in the Bermudez case.

5. The University or College:

   • Why they are liable: Universities and colleges have a fundamental duty to protect their students, a duty that extends to activities within student organizations, especially those recognized and operating on campus grounds. They can be held liable for negligent supervision, failure to intervene, providing inadequate security, or even premises liability if a university-owned building (like the Pi Kappa Phi house in the Bermudez case) is where the hazing occurs. The University of Houston faced previous hazing litigation in 2017, demonstrating a pattern of institutional knowledge and failure to act.
   • Nevada Application: Universities like UNR and UNLV, by virtue of recognizing and often providing facilities or oversight for Greek life, bear a significant responsibility. Their “hands-off” or inadequate approach can lead directly to harm. When they fail to act, they are just as culpable as the students themselves.

6. Insurance Carriers:

   • Why they are liable: Behind every national organization, university, and often even individual members, there are insurance policies designed to cover such liabilities. These can include general liability, directors and officers (D&O) liability, or even homeowner’s policies.
   • Nevada Application: As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña possess invaluable insider knowledge of how these carriers evaluate, deny, and settle claims. We know how to navigate their tactics and force them to pay. We pursue every layer of coverage to maximize recovery for our clients.

At Attorney911, we don’t guess who to sue. We have developed sophisticated intelligence systems to identify every responsible party. When hazing happens at a university in Nevada, we are ready to take on everyone involved to ensure full accountability and justice for victims and their families.

What Hazing Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof for Nevada Victims

Families in Nevada struggling with the aftermath of a hazing incident often wonder if pursuing legal action is truly effective. The answer is a resounding yes. Hazing cases, particularly those involving severe injury or wrongful death, consistently result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts across the country. These precedents are not just numbers; they represent critical victories for families who have turned their unimaginable pain into powerful messages of accountability, forcing change and preventing future tragedies.

The $10 million lawsuit we filed in the Bermudez case in Houston is not an arbitrary figure. It is firmly rooted in a pattern of substantial awards from similar hazing incidents nationwide, sending a clear message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations that hazing will cost them dearly. The same aggressive legal strategies that secured these results apply to hazing cases in Nevada, offering hope for justice and compensation to local victims.

Here’s why these landmark cases offer powerful proof for hazing victims in Nevada:

1. Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Total Recovery $10.1 Million+

   • Incident: Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning after being left unresponsive.
   • Outcome: His family secured over $10.1 million in settlements. Bowling Green State University paid $2.9 million, and Pi Kappa Alpha National, along with individual members, contributed over $7.2 million. Most recently, in December 2024, a former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was personally ordered to pay a further $6.5 million.
   • Relevance for Nevada: This case validates our $10 million demand in the Bermudez lawsuit. It shows that both universities and national fraternities face multi-million dollar liabilities for hazing deaths, and individual perpetrators face severe personal financial consequences. Hazing incidents at Nevada institutions, or those where Nevada students attend, would be judged by similar standards.

2. Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): $6.1 Million Jury Verdict

   • Incident: 18-year-old Max Gruver died from acute alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495) after being forced to consume excessive alcohol during a hazing ritual known as “Bible Study.” Pledges were made to drink if they answered questions incorrectly.
   • Outcome: His family secured a $6.1 million jury verdict. Criminal charges led to convictions, including negligent homicide.
   • Relevance for Nevada: This verdict proves that juries are unwilling to tolerate hazing and will award millions. The egregious facts of the Bermudez case, involving waterboarding and extreme physical abuse, present an equally compelling narrative for a jury in Nevada or elsewhere.

3. Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): $110 Million+ (Estimated Settlements)

   • Incident: Timothy Piazza, 19, suffered a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after falling down stairs during forced alcohol consumption (18 drinks in 82 minutes). Fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911, and the entire incident was captured on surveillance cameras.
   • Outcome: While confidential, settlements are estimated to exceed $110 million. Multiple criminal charges led to convictions for several fraternity members.
   • Relevance for Nevada: This demonstrates the immense value cases can reach when the evidence is strong and the conduct is particularly egregious, as it is in the Bermudez case. It sets a high bar for accountability from both universities and national fraternities.

4. Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Confidential Settlement

   • Incident: Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old Pi Kappa Phi pledge, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon at a “Big Brother Night” event.
   • Outcome: Multiple criminal charges were filed, and the chapter was permanently closed. His family reached a confidential settlement.
   • Relevance for Nevada: This case is particularly crucial because it involved Pi Kappa Phi, the same national fraternity implicated in the Bermudez case. This establishes a documented history for Pi Kappa Phi of failing to control dangerous hazing, bolstering arguments for pattern evidence and punitive damages against the national organization—a pattern that would apply to Pi Kappa Phi chapters in Nevada.

5. Adam Oakes — Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): $4+ Million Settlement (October 2024)

   • Incident: Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi hazing event.
   • Outcome: His family secured a $4+ million settlement.
   • Relevance for Nevada: This is yet another recent example of multi-million dollar recoveries for hazing deaths, reaffirming the financial consequences for negligent organizations.

The Message to Nevada’s Universities and Greek Life:

These cases, totaling well over $136 million in documented awards, send an unequivocal message:

• Hazing costs millions, not just in legal fees but in the devastating loss of human life and potential.
• Juries hate hazing, and they will award significant damages for it. As Lupe Peña notes, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
• Criminal charges often follow Civil lawsuits, compounding the consequences for perpetrators and institutions.
• New laws are enacted, like the Max Gruver Act and Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, due to these tragedies, increasing criminal penalties and institutional responsibilities. Nevada families have a right to expect the same legal protection for their children.

Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez stands firmly on these precedents. We believe the egregious nature of the waterboarding, the severe physical and psychological trauma, and the clear institutional failures, when presented to a jury, will resonate as powerfully as these leading cases. For families in Nevada whose children have been victimized by hazing, these cases are proof not only that justice is possible but that it can fundamentally change the landscape of Greek life accountability.

Nevada Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights Beyond “Consent”

When hazing occurs, families in Nevada often feel overwhelmed and unsure of their legal standing. Perpetrators, and even institutions, might try to deflect blame by claiming the victim “consented” to the activities. However, Nevada law, rooted in similar principles as many states, offers robust protections for hazing victims. The law is clear: consent is not a defense to hazing. Our experience, especially with the explicit language of laws like the Texas Education Code § 37.154 in the Bermudez case, provides a strong foundation for litigation in any state, including Nevada.

Nevada’s Anti-Hazing Law: A Foundation for Legal Action

Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 393 addresses hazing specifically within the context of schools. While it primarily focuses on criminal penalties and institutional policies, it forms a crucial basis for civil liability.

NRS 393.300 – Definition and Prohibition:
Nevada defines hazing as any activity by which a person is subjected to abuse, mistreatment, degradation, humiliation, harassment, cruel amusement or vexation to initiate, admit, or otherwise affiliate a person with a student organization. This includes acts that:

• Endanger the physical or mental health of the person.
• Involve the consumption of any food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, drug or other substance, causing risk of harm.
• Involve any activity that induces, causes or requires the person to perform a duty or task which involves a violation of the Penal Code.

This definition, much like Texas’s, broadly covers the horrific acts perpetrated against Leonel Bermudez—from the physical abuse and forced consumption to the mental anguish and simulated waterboarding. If your child in Nevada has suffered similar treatment at UNR, UNLV, or any other school, these actions fall squarely within the legal definition of hazing.

NRS 394.387 – Criminal Penalties:
Nevada’s hazing statutes also carry criminal penalties. Anyone who commits hazing is guilty of a misdemeanor, and if the hazing results in substantial bodily harm or death, it can be prosecuted as a gross misdemeanor or even a felony. This overlap between criminal wrongdoing and civil liability is powerful. When law enforcement in Nevada pursues criminal charges, it significantly strengthens a civil claim for victims.

The Critical “Consent is Not a Defense” Principle:
In line with progressive anti-hazing legislation nationwide, the defense that a victim “consented” to hazing is virtually eliminated in civil and criminal proceedings. While specific language may vary by state, the legal consensus is that genuine consent cannot be given to criminal acts, violence, or activities designed to cause serious harm. This principle is explicitly enshrined in laws like Texas Education Code § 37.154, which states, “It is not a defense to prosecution…that the person…consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This means that if a fraternity member at a Nevada university argues, “He knew what he was signing up for,” or “He could have left,” these arguments are legally unsound. The inherent power imbalance, fear of retribution, and psychological coercion involved in hazing negate true consent.

Civil Liability in Nevada: Beyond Criminal Charges

While Nevada’s anti-hazing laws provide for criminal prosecution, victims and their families can also pursue civil lawsuits to recover damages. These civil claims target not only the individual perpetrators but also the organizations and institutions that allowed the hazing to occur. The theories of liability we employ in states like Texas are equally applicable in Nevada:

1. Negligence: This is the most common claim. It alleges that the defendants (individuals, chapter, national organization, university) owed a duty of care to the victim, breached that duty by allowing or causing the hazing, and that this breach directly caused the victim’s injuries and damages. This is the core of our strategy in the Bermudez case, and it would be the same for a hazing incident in Nevada.
2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university or a housing corporation (as was the case with the university-owned fraternity house in the Bermudez lawsuit), these entities can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
3. Negligent Supervision: This applies when national organizations fail to adequately oversee their chapters, or when universities fail to monitor Greek life activities on their campuses in Nevada.
4. Assault and Battery: These are intentional torts that can be brought against individuals who physically harmed the victim (e.g., striking with paddles, forced consumption leading to injury, simulated waterboarding).
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): Reserved for particularly egregious conduct that causes severe emotional suffering, such as the psychological torture Leonel endured.
6. Wrongful Death: If hazing results in a fatality at a Nevada institution, families can pursue significant damages for their loss, as seen in the Max Gruver and Stone Foltz cases.

Statute of Limitations: Why Early Action in Nevada is Crucial

In Nevada, personal injury lawsuits, including those for hazing, generally have a two-year statute of limitations (NRS 11.190). This means a lawsuit must be filed within two years from the date of the injury. For wrongful death claims, the same two-year clock begins from the date of death.

While two years may seem like ample time, it is not. Hazing cases are complex, requiring extensive investigation, evidence gathering, and expert consultation. Time is of the essence because:

• Evidence disappears: Text messages are deleted, photos are purged from social media, and physical evidence is discarded.
• Witnesses forget or disperse: Students graduate, move away, and memories fade.
• Organizations destroy records: Without a preservation letter from an attorney, fraternities and universities may delete critical documents.

Our client in the Bermudez case moved quickly, filing a lawsuit just weeks after his hospitalization. This swift action is critical to protecting your rights and maximizing your chances of a successful outcome in Nevada. We urge any Nevada family facing a hazing nightmare to contact us immediately.

Why Attorney911 is the Clear Choice for Hazing Victims in Nevada

When your child in Nevada has been traumatized by hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a legal emergency team that combines aggressive advocacy with deep expertise and unwavering commitment. Attorney911 is that team. Our track record, our unique advantages, and our personal dedication to victims set us apart, making us the unequivocal choice for families in Nevada seeking justice.

Here’s why Attorney911 is uniquely positioned to fight for hazing victims in Nevada:

1. We Are Actively Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case Right Now.

   • Nevada Benefit: This isn’t theoretical. We are currently in the trenches, aggressively pursuing a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for severe hazing. This real-time experience means we are intimately familiar with the latest tactics used by fraternities and universities, and we know how to dismantle their defenses. Our strategies are proven and current, directly transferable to any hazing incident at universities in Nevada.

2. Insider Knowledge: We Know Their Playbook.

   • Nevada Benefit: Both of our lead attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are former insurance defense lawyers. They spent years working for the other side, learning how insurance companies and large institutions value claims, strategize defenses, delay payouts, and attempt to minimize compensation. Now, they use that invaluable insider knowledge against those very same entities. For Nevada families, this means we anticipate every move the defense will make and proactively build a case to counter it, giving you a distinct advantage against powerful adversaries.

3. Nationwide Reach with Local Nevada Focus.

   • Nevada Benefit: While headquartered in Houston, our commitment to hazing victims extends across the country. Our federal court admissions allow us to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, and our dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) provide a strategic edge against national fraternities headquartered anywhere. We offer remote, video consultations for Nevada families and are prepared to travel to Nevada for depositions, mediations, and trials as necessary. Distance will never be a barrier to achieving justice for your child.

4. Experience Taking on Massive Corporations and Institutions.

   • Nevada Benefit: Ralph Manginello was deeply involved in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation, a mass tort case against one of the largest corporations in the world. This experience in high-stakes, complex litigation against massive corporate defendants is directly applicable to hazing cases, which often involve suing national fraternities, universities, and their multiple layers of insurance. For Nevada families, this means we are not intimidated by the resources or legal teams of large institutions.

5. Data-Driven Litigation Strategy: We Know Who to Sue.

   • Nevada Benefit: We don’t guess; we leverage comprehensive intelligence databases of Greek organizations, including their legal names, EINs, housing corporations, and national affiliations. When hazing occurs at a chapter in Nevada, we already know the complex corporate structure behind the Greek letters, allowing us to immediately identify and target every liable entity, ensuring no one hides from accountability.

6. Compassionate, Parent-Facing Approach.

   • Nevada Benefit: We understand that families in Nevada coming to us are in crisis. Our tone is empathetic, warm, and focused on your needs, not legal jargon. We treat every Nevada client like family, offering direct communication and a clear path forward through a frightening time. We understand the emotional toll of hazing and are here to guide you with care and support.

7. Contingency Fee Basis: No Upfront Cost for Nevada Families.

   • Nevada Benefit: We know that pursuing legal action against powerful organizations can be financially daunting. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency. This means you pay absolutely nothing upfront. We only get paid if and when we win your case. This removes financial barriers and allows any Nevada family, regardless of their economic situation, to access top-tier legal representation.

8. Dual Language Support: Se Habla Español.

   • Nevada Benefit: For Spanish-speaking families in Nevada, our bilingual staff, including Lupe Peña, ensures seamless communication and understanding throughout the entire legal process. We believe language should never be a barrier to seeking justice.

9. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results.

   • Nevada Benefit: Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for clients in various personal injury cases, and Ralph Manginello’s active experience in hazing cases involving rhabdomyolysis gives us unique insight into the specific medical and legal complexities involved. We fight for maximum compensation, covering medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

The Attorney911 Difference for Nevada Families:

“We truly work with clients all over America, and can help Nevada hazing victims no matter where the incident occurred. Call or email anytime with questions,” says the Attorney911 team.

When your child’s future, health, or life has been taken by senseless hazing, you need a team that won’t back down. You need attorneys who have seen the inside of the defense playbook and know how to use it against them. You need a firm that is actively fighting for hazing victims right now, not just talking about it. Attorney911 is that firm. We bring immediate, aggressive, and professional help to your legal emergency in Nevada.

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

The moment you discover your child has been a victim of hazing, whether at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, UNR or any collegiate institution in Nevada, it initiates a legal emergency. The actions you take in the immediate aftermath can be critical to preserving evidence, protecting your child’s rights, and building a strong legal case. We understand this is a terrifying and confusing time for families in Nevada, but acting swiftly and strategically is paramount.

Here are the crucial steps you should take right now:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention:

   • Your child’s health and safety are the absolute top priority. Even if injuries seem minor, or if psychological trauma is the primary concern, get them to a doctor, emergency room, or mental health professional immediately.
   • Why it’s critical: Medical records are the bedrock of any personal injury claim. They document the extent of the harm, the type of injuries (like rhabdomyolysis or alcohol poisoning), and connect them directly to the hazing incident. Delays in seeking treatment can be used by the defense to argue your child wasn’t seriously harmed.

2. Preserve All Evidence — Document Everything:

   • This is the single most important action. Hazing organizations notorious for destroying evidence once an incident comes to light.
   • Photographs and Videos: Take pictures of all physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling), the hazing location (if safe to do so), any objects used in the hazing, and any clothing or items related to the incident. Continue photographing the healing process. Our attorneys emphasize, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”
   • Communications: Crucially, save every single text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat, Instagram DM, email, or any other digital communication related to the hazing. This includes messages from fraternity members, pledges, or witnesses. Do NOT delete anything.
   • Witness Information: Accurately record the names and contact information of any other pledges, fraternity members, witnesses, or even bystanders who might have observed the hazing or its aftermath.
   • Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or other documents given to your child by the organization or university.
   • Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, therapy costs, and any lost wages or academic expenses incurred.

3. Do NOT Communicate with the Organization or University Alone:

   • Fraternities, sororatories, and universities have legal teams, risk management departments, and public relations firms whose primary goal is to protect their institution, not your child.
   • Avoid Statements: Do not give any statements (written, recorded, or verbal) to fraternity leadership, university administrators, or their attorneys without legal representation. They will try to get your child to say things that can be used against them.
   • Social Media: Absolutely do NOT post anything about the hazing incident on social media. Anything posted can and will be used by the defense to undermine your child’s credibility or claim of injury. As our firm advises, “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident.”
   • Sign Nothing: Do not sign any documents from the fraternity, university, or related organizations without first consulting an attorney. You could inadvertently waive your child’s legal rights.

4. Contact Attorney911 Immediately:

   • The urgency: The statute of limitations in Nevada for personal injury is typically two years, but evidence disappears rapidly. The sooner we are involved, the stronger your case will be. Our client in the Bermudez case filed his lawsuit within weeks of his hospitalization, demonstrating the speed required.
   • Free Consultation: Your first consultation with us is free and confidential. We will review your child’s situation, assess the viability of a case, and provide clear guidance on the next steps. There is no obligation, only information and support.
   • We Protect You: Once you hire us, we handle all communications with the involved parties. This shields your child and your family from further harassment or manipulation by the institution’s legal teams.

5. Understand “Consent is Not a Defense”:

   • When confronted, hazing perpetrators often argue that your child “consented” to the activities. Be aware that this is a common, but legally weak, defense. As Texas law, and similar legal principles across states, clearly establish: you cannot consent to being a victim of a crime, nor can consent be truly given under duress, coercion, or extreme peer pressure.

Nevada Families: We are here for you. The emotional, physical, and financial toll of hazing can be immense. You don’t have to face this alone. Our team at Attorney911 is ready to fight with the same aggressive, data-driven approach we are using in the $10 million Bermudez lawsuit. We want to ensure that those responsible for harming your child—whether in Nevada or elsewhere—are held fully accountable.

Nevada Families: Have You or Your Child Been Hazed? Call Now.

If your family in Nevada is grappling with the devastating aftermath of a hazing incident, you are experiencing a legal emergency. The fear, the anger, the confusion – we understand. Your child went to college with hopes and dreams, not to be subjected to abuse and trauma that could alter their life forever. We want you to know that you are not alone, and you have powerful legal rights that can and should be exercised.

Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the horrific hazing of Leonel Bermudez is proof of our unwavering commitment to victims. We are fighting this fight RIGHT NOW to bring accountability to those who enable and perpetuate hazing. We bring this same aggressive, data-driven, and relentless pursuit of justice to families throughout Nevada and across the country.

Nevada Families — Call Now — Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Available 24/7 for Nevada hazing emergencies. When you call, you’ll speak directly with a team that has deep expertise in these complex cases. We are here to listen, to understand your situation, and to provide clear, actionable advice.

We Work on Contingency: Your Financial Situation Is Not a Barrier to Justice

We understand that you may be concerned about the cost of legal representation, especially when facing medical bills and emotional distress. This is why we handle hazing cases on a contingency fee basis.

What this means for Nevada families:

• $0 Upfront: You pay absolutely nothing out-of-pocket to hire us.
• We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Get Paid: Our fees are a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing for our legal services.
• Risk-Free Representation: We bear the financial risk of litigation, allowing you to focus on your child’s recovery without added financial burden.

We Serve Nevada Hazing Victims, No Matter Where the Incident Occurred

While our offices are based in Texas, don’t let geography deter you. Hazing is a national crisis, and our legal reach is nationwide. We regularly assist families outside of Texas, including those in Nevada.

How we serve Nevada families:

• Federal Court Authority: Our attorneys are admitted to federal courts, allowing us to pursue cases in federal jurisdictions across the country.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello holds licenses in both Texas and New York, providing strategic advantages for cases against national fraternities headquartered in various states.
• Remote Consultations: We can conduct comprehensive video and phone consultations, allowing your family in Nevada to connect with our legal team from the comfort and privacy of your home.
• Commitment to Travel: When necessary for depositions, expert witness meetings, mediations, or trials, our team will travel to Nevada to represent your interests directly.

Hazing happens in many forms and in many organizations, not just Greek life. We represent victims of hazing in:

• Fraternities and sororities at universities like the University of Nevada, Reno, UNLV, and other colleges in and outside of Nevada.
• Nevada sports teams, from high school to collegiate levels.
• Marching bands and other performing arts organizations.
• ROTC programs.
• Clubs and other student organizations.
• Military academies or any organization that uses abuse as “initiation.”

To Other Victims of Hazing: You Are Not Alone.

If you are a student in Nevada who has been hazed, or if you witnessed hazing, know that you have the power to make a difference. Leonel Bermudez was one brave victim, and our lawsuit is making powerful waves. In every hazing case, there are usually multiple victims who suffer in silence.

Lupe Peña’s words resonate for all: “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 to come forward can prevent others from enduring the same nightmare. Your experiences are critical pieces of the puzzle that help us build irrefutable cases.

If you or your child has been a victim of hazing in Nevada, or anywhere in the country, don’t wait. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation. Let Attorney911 convert your pain into powerful action and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

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