If you’re reading this in North Dakota, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went off to college, perhaps to one of North Dakota’s esteemed institutions like the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota State University in Fargo, or Minot State University in Minot. You expected them to make friends, learn, and grow. Instead, they were tortured. They were abused. They were brought to the brink of death or even had their lives tragically cut short. We understand what you’re going through. We’re here to help families in North Dakota fight back against the pervasive and dangerous culture of hazing that continues to plague campuses nationwide.

We are Attorney 911, and we don’t just talk about hazing; we’re actively fighting it in court right now. Our firm, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university for the horrific hazing of a young man. The same aggression, data-driven strategy, and relentless pursuit of justice that we’re bringing to this landmark case, we will bring to your family’s hazing case in North Dakota.

The Horrifying Reality: What Happened in Houston Could Happen in North Dakota

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. This is not some abstract legal fight; this is a live, ongoing case that showcases exactly what modern hazing looks like and how aggressively we combat it. We want families in North Dakota to understand this case, because the same national fraternities operate in your state, the same university negligence can exist there, and the same terrifying incidents can happen to your children whether they attend school in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, or elsewhere in North Dakota.

Leonel Bermudez’s Story: A Warning for North Dakota Families

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was a “ghost rush” for the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston. He wasn’t even an enrolled student yet, planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. Yet, he was subjected to weeks of systematic abuse and torture that landed him in the hospital for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

Imagine your child, excited about joining a fraternity or sorority at one of North Dakota’s campuses, being subjected to this:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose: Leonel was sprayed repeatedly in the face with a hose, simulating drowning. This is a form of torture, a war crime when done to enemy combatants. It was inflicted upon a young man trying to find brotherhood.
• Hog-tied and humiliated: Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. This wasn’t an isolated incident; it was part of a pattern of degradation.
• Forced eating until he vomited: He was made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Then, he was forced to continue running sprints while clearly in distress, lying in his own vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme physical punishment: He endured 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and 100-yard crawls. He was made to recite the fraternity creed under threat of immediate expulsion. It continued until he was so exhausted he could not stand without help. These torturous workouts led to his muscles breaking down.
• Being struck with wooden paddles: Yes, physical beatings with wooden paddles were part of the abuse.
• Psychological torture and sleep deprivation: Forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather, carrying sexually explicit items in a fanny pack, and driving fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to exhaustion.

When Leonel finally made it home, he crawled upstairs to bed. The next day, he was too sore to move. The next day was worse. His mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was passing brown urine—a classic sign of muscle breakdown. He was diagnosed with acute kidney failure.

This happened in Houston, a vibrant, diverse city in Texas. But the same national fraternities, the same dangerous “traditions,” and the same institutional failures exist on college campuses across North Dakota. The risk is real, and the consequences can be devastating.

The Institutional Response: A Pattern of Minimization

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, the national Pi Kappa Phi organization suspended the University of Houston chapter. A week later, they permanently closed it, stating “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” While they claim to take hazing seriously, their statement on their website incredibly adds, “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time and continuing our partnership with the University of Houston in the years ahead.”

This is not remorse. This is a promise to return to a campus where a student was tortured to the point of kidney failure. This is why aggressive legal action is so crucial. They believe this will blow over, and they can continue business as usual. We refuse to let that happen.

The University of Houston’s spokesperson called the events “deeply disturbing” and a “clear violation of our community standards,” noting an ongoing investigation and “potential criminal charges.” These statements, while outwardly condemning the actions, also highlight the systemic failures that allowed such egregious hazing to occur in the first place within an institution that should be protecting its students.

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

Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, echoed our firm’s 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.”

This case is a stark warning. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority anywhere in North Dakota—whether at a major university or a smaller college—they face these same life-altering risks. We are here to fight for North Dakota families with the same tenacity and expertise we are demonstrating in the Bermudez case.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in North Dakota might imagine hazing as simple pranks or harmless rituals, a misguided but ultimately benign part of college life. The reality couldn’t be further from the truth. What Leonel Bermudez endured, and what countless others suffer across the country, is systematic abuse, physical torture, and psychological manipulation.

This isn’t just “boys being boys.” This isn’t “tradition.” This isn’t “building brotherhood.”

It is:

• Assault and Battery: Direct physical harm, beatings, paddling, forced physical exertion to injury.
• Torture: Methods that simulate drowning, induce extreme pain, or cause severe distress, designed to break an individual’s will.
• Reckless Endangerment: Actions that show a conscious disregard for the safety and well-being of others, leading to severe injury or death.
• Psychological Warfare: Humiliation, degradation, isolation, sleep deprivation, and threats that inflict profound emotional and mental trauma.
• Sometimes Manslaughter. Sometimes Murder. The ultimate tragic outcome when hazing goes too far, resulting in preventable deaths.

The statistics are chilling and apply directly to colleges and universities across North Dakota:

• A staggering 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing.
• 40% of student athletes report being hazed.
• Since the year 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every single year in the United States. These deaths are not limited to large state universities; they can happen anywhere a culture of unchecked power and secrecy is allowed to fester.
• Crucially, 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it. This silence allows the problem to persist, creating a dangerous veil over campuses.
• Hazing is not confined to fraternities; it occurs in sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, academic clubs, and virtually any student organization.

The institutional failure is undeniable:

• Universities, including those in North Dakota, know hazing happens.
• National organizations, with chapters throughout North Dakota, know hazing happens.
• They possess the financial resources, infrastructure, and authority to stop it.
• Yet, they often choose not to—until someone like Leonel Bermudez is hospitalized or, tragically, dies.
• Only then do they “suspend” or “dissolve” chapters, issue carefully worded statements claiming they are “shocked” or “deeply disturbed,” and attempt to project an image of swift action, while often planning their return.

This pattern of knowledge without effective action translates directly to liability. When a university or a national fraternity has information about the risks of hazing—whether from past incidents or general awareness—and fails to take reasonable steps to prevent harm, they can be held responsible. This means that if hazing occurs at North Dakota State University in Fargo, the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, or Minot State University in Minot, the institutions and national organizations can be held liable, just as we allege in the Bermudez case.

Types of Hazing You Must Understand

Based on the atrocities Leonel Bermudez endured and what we’ve seen in other cases, hazing takes many forms, often combining various types of abuse:

Category	Examples
Physical Abuse	Beatings, paddling (as with wooden paddles in Bermudez’s case), branding, burning, forced exercise to exhaustion (like 500 squats and 100+ pushups). This can lead to rhabdomyolysis and organ failure.
Forced Consumption	Binge drinking, chugging (a major cause of hazing deaths like Andrew Coffey and Max Gruver), forced eating until vomiting (as experienced by Leonel), or consumption of non-food substances.
Sleep Deprivation	Forced late nights, early mornings, disrupted sleep cycles, often combined with physical demands. This severely impairs judgment and physical resilience.
Psychological Torture	Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation, threats (like expulsion for non-compliance). Examples include carrying sexually explicit items or being made to lie in one’s own vomit.
Sexual Abuse	Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects, or sexual assault. This is a deeply traumatic and criminal aspect of hazing.
Waterboarding/Drowning	Simulated drowning or water torture, as seen in the Bermudez case with the garden hose. This is internationally recognized as torture.
Exposure	Forced exposure to extreme cold or heat, confinement in small spaces, or being sprayed with cold water.
Servitude	Forced cleaning, driving (as Leonel was forced to do), running errands, or performing other demeaning tasks for fraternity members.

The Medical Consequences: When hazing involves this level of abuse, the medical outcomes can be catastrophic:

• Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure: Exactly what Leonel Bermudez suffered, requiring hospitalization and posing a risk of permanent kidney damage.
• Alcohol Poisoning: The cause of death for numerous hazing victims, including Andrew Coffey and Max Gruver.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From beatings, falls (like Timothy Piazza), or other physical trauma.
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Cardiac Arrest: From extreme physical exertion or drug use.
• Long-term Psychological Damage: PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and profound difficulty trusting others.
• DEATH: The ultimate, irreversible tragedy that far too many families, including those in North Dakota, have faced.

Understanding these realities is the first step towards seeking justice. If your child in North Dakota has experienced any of these forms of hazing, even if they were not hospitalized, their suffering is real, and their case deserves immediate and aggressive legal representation.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Entity Accountable

One of the most powerful aspects of hazing litigation is our ability to hold multiple parties accountable. When your child is hazed at a university in North Dakota, countless individuals and entities bear a degree of responsibility, and we pursue every single one. This multi-defendant approach is fundamental to our strategy, as demonstrated in our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez.

We don’t just sue the individual students; we go after the institutions with the deepest pockets and the greatest power to effect change. This is typically not about suing broke college kids. It’s about holding the powerful organizations, their leaders, and the universities they operate under accountable.

Here are the categories of defendants we target, and why they are responsible:

1. The Local Chapter of the Fraternity or Sorority:

• Why they’re liable: This is the most direct perpetrator. The local chapter organizes, participates in, and enforces the hazing activities. Their leadership, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and risk manager, has a direct role in creating and perpetuating the dangerous environment. In Leonel’s case, the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter directly orchestrated his torture.
• Application to North Dakota: Whether it’s a chapter at North Dakota State University, the University of North Dakota, or a smaller college in North Dakota, the local group that facilitated the hazing is a primary target.

2. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization:

• Why they’re liable: National organizations oversee hundreds of chapters across the country, including many operating in North Dakota. They collect dues, provide governance, set policies (including anti-hazing rules), and are responsible for the overall brand and culture. When hazing occurs, it’s often because the national organization failed to adequately supervise its local chapter, enforce its own rules, or respond effectively to previous incidents. Pi Kappa Phi National’s history, including the death of Andrew Coffey in 2017, proves they had ample notice of their dangerous culture yet failed to prevent Leonel’s hospitalization eight years later. This demonstrates a pattern of negligence and deliberate indifference.
• Application to North Dakota: Every national fraternity or sorority with a chapter in North Dakota knows, or should know, the risks. Their financial resources and umbrella insurance policies make them a critical defendant.

3. The University or College:

• Why they’re liable: Universities have a non-delegable duty to protect their students, especially when they recognize and permit Greek life organizations to operate on their campuses. When the hazing occurs on university property, as it did in Leonel’s case where the University of Houston owned the fraternity house, their liability is magnified. Universities are responsible for monitoring Greek life, investigating reports, and enforcing anti-hazing policies within their jurisdiction. When they fail to do so, and incidents like Leonel’s occur, they are liable. The fact that the University of Houston had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 underscores their pattern of negligence.
• Application to North Dakota: Universities and colleges throughout North Dakota, from Grand Forks to Fargo to Minot, have the power to regulate, supervise, and control Greek organizations. When they own property, permit Greek life activities, and fail to prevent hazing, they are financially and morally responsible.

4. Individual Perpetrators (Students, Alumni, and Others):

• Why they’re liable: Every individual who actively participates in, directs, or enables hazing can be held personally responsible. This includes the chapter president, pledgemaster, other chapter officers, and any members who engage in the abusive acts. In some cases, as with Leonel’s, former members and even their spouses can be held liable if hazing occurs at their private residences. These individuals commit direct acts of assault, battery, and hazing.
• Application to North Dakota: We go after every single person involved. As seen in the $6.5 million judgment against an individual chapter president in the Stone Foltz case, personal liability is very real, and it sends a powerful message.

5. Housing Corporations:

• Why they’re liable: Many fraternities and sororities have separate housing corporations that own or manage the physical fraternity houses. These entities have a responsibility to ensure premises are safe and often have liability insurance. If hazing occurs on property they own or manage, they can be held liable.
• Application to North Dakota: These corporations exist for chapters in North Dakota and are crucial targets in our comprehensive litigation strategy.

6. Insurance Carriers:

• Why they’re liable: Ultimately, much of the compensation in these cases comes from liability insurance policies held by the national organizations, universities, housing corporations, and even individual homeowners/renters insurance. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña possess invaluable insider knowledge of how these carriers operate, how they value claims, and the tactics they use to minimize payouts. We leverage this expertise to ensure maximum recovery for our clients.
• Application to North Dakota: We know how to navigate the complex web of insurance policies tied to national fraternities and universities, ensuring maximum compensation for North Dakota families.

The deep pockets of national fraternity organizations, universities, and their insurance carriers are significant. This is not about persecuting individual students, but about forcing substantial change through financial accountability. When an institution or organization in North Dakota allows hazing to flourish, we ensure they pay the price, helping to prevent future tragedies.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For families in North Dakota grappling with the trauma of hazing, one of the most pressing questions is often, “Can we really win against these powerful institutions?” The answer, unequivocally, is yes. We have a proven track record, and numerous landmark verdicts and settlements across the nation demonstrate that aggressive, data-driven litigation can yield multi-million dollar results for hazing victims and their families.

These cases send a resounding message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations: hazing costs millions. The same legal strategies, the same patterns of negligence, and the same pursuit of accountability that led to these massive payouts apply directly to hazing incidents in North Dakota.

Here are some of the precedent cases that prove hazing victims can, and do, win big:

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

Total Recovery: $10.1 Million+

• The Tragedy: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Bowling Green State University, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” initiation event. He was found unresponsive and tragically died from alcohol poisoning.
• The Accountability: Bowling Green State University paid $2.9 million, and Pi Kappa Alpha national organization, along with individual members, settled for an additional $7.2 million. Most recently, in December 2024, a jury ordered Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, to personally pay an additional $6.5 million. This sends a clear message: individual perpetrators cannot hide behind the fraternity.
• Why this matters for North Dakota families: The $10 million demand in our ongoing Bermudez case is directly in line with these precedents. It demonstrates that serious hazing incidents, even those without a death, warrant multi-million dollar compensation. It also illustrates that universities share significant liability.

Maxwell Gruver: Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)

Total Recovery: $6.1 Million Jury Verdict

• The Tragedy: In September 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman at LSU, was forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” event. He died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC over six times the legal limit.
• The Accountability: A jury awarded the Gruver family $6.1 million, proving that juries are willing to deliver substantial verdicts in hazing cases. The case also led to the passage of the “Max Gruver Act” in Louisiana, making hazing a felony.
• Why this matters for North Dakota families: This verdict proves that juries will and do award millions, reflecting societal outrage at hazing. It also shows a clear path from tragedy to legislative change, a path we champion.

Timothy Piazza: Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)

Total Recovery: $110 Million+ (Estimated Settlement)

• The Tragedy: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a pledge at Penn State’s Beta Theta Pi fraternity, was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes. He fell down a flight of stairs, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling for help, despite his visible distress. He died days later. Crucially, security cameras captured the entire horrific ordeal.
• The Accountability: While confidential, the settlement is estimated to exceed $110 million. Multiple fraternity members faced criminal charges, with several convictions for involuntary manslaughter and hazing. Pennsylvania passed the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in his memory.
• Why this matters for North Dakota families: This case, with its strong evidence, shows the potential ceiling for hazing damages when institutional negligence and egregious conduct are undeniable. The immense financial and criminal repercussions underscore the severe legal exposure for fraternities and universities.

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

The Same Fraternity as Our Case

• The Tragedy: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey, a pledge at Florida State University’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter, died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon during a “Big Brother Night” event.
• The Accountability: Nine fraternity members were criminally charged. The FSU chapter was permanently closed. A civil lawsuit by the family resulted in a confidential settlement.
• Why this matters for North Dakota families: This is extremely significant because it involves the same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, that our firm is suing in the Bermudez case. This means Pi Kappa Phi National knew what deadly hazing looked like eight years before Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded and hospitalized. Despite this prior tragedy, they failed to implement effective safeguards, demonstrating a blatant pattern of negligence and deliberate indifference that is central to our current litigation. This history makes Leonel’s injuries entirely foreseeable and strengthens our demand for punitive damages.

Other Significant Cases:

• Adam Oakes: Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): Settled for over $4 million in October 2024 after Oakes died from forced alcohol consumption.
• Tucker Hipps: Clemson University / Sigma Phi Epsilon (2014): Settled for over $500,000 after Hipps fell to his death from a bridge during an early morning run for his fraternity.

Laws Created Because of Hazing Deaths:

The tragedies of hazing have not only reshaped civil liability but have also spurred legislative action across the country. Laws like the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” (Pennsylvania), the “Max Gruver Act” (Louisiana), and “Collin’s Law” (Ohio) have made hazing a felony, increased penalties, and provided immunity for those who report. These laws are a testament to the fact that society demands accountability and change.

For families in North Dakota, these precedents offer powerful reassurance. They prove that when hazing causes injury or death, victims and their families have a strong legal recourse to pursue justice, secure significant compensation, and potentially drive legislative change to protect future students at institutions across your state. Our firm brings this knowledge, experience, and the determination to achieve similar results for your family.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights in Hazing Cases

For families in North Dakota, understanding the legal framework surrounding hazing is crucial, even if the incident occurred outside of Texas. While our firm is based in Texas, where we’re currently litigating the Bermudez case under robust state hazing laws, similar anti-hazing statutes exist in almost every U.S. state, including North Dakota. Moreover, federal civil rights claims and general negligence claims apply regardless of geographical location, meaning our federal court authority allows us to pursue your case irrespective of where the hazing took place.

The core principle remains: hazing is illegal, and victims have strong legal rights.

Understanding Hazing in North Dakota: State Laws and Beyond

North Dakota enacted its own anti-hazing statute, mirroring the nationwide push for stronger protections. North Dakota Century Code § 12.1-17-10 outlines the prohibition of hazing, defining it broadly to include acts that endanger mental or physical health for the purpose of initiation or membership. Penalties can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the severity of the injury. This means that acts like those perpetrated against Leonel Bermudez would be illegal in North Dakota, providing a basis for criminal charges and civil claims.

Texas Hazing Laws: A Model for Accountability

Because we operate out of Texas and our landmark Bermudez case is rooted in Texas law, we want North Dakota families to understand the robust protections afforded here, which often serve as a national model. The Texas Education Code, specifically Sections 37.151 through 37.157, is a comprehensive anti-hazing statute that provides strong grounds for both criminal prosecution and civil liability.

Key Provisions of Texas Hazing Law:

1. Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): This statute broadly defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off campus, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in an organization if the act endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student.”

   • This includes: Physical brutality (whipping, beating, striking, branding), sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement, calisthenics or other similar activity that creates an unreasonable risk of harm (like the 500 squats and 100+ pushups that led to Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis), forced consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances (as Leonel endured with force-feeding), and any activity that violates the Penal Code.
   • Application to North Dakota: While specific language may vary, North Dakota’s hazing laws likely cover these same egregious actions, ensuring that similar acts against students at the University of North Dakota or North Dakota State University are prosecutable and actionable in civil court.

2. Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Texas law prescribes severe criminal penalties for hazing, ranging from a Class B Misdemeanor for participating in hazing, to a Class A Misdemeanor if the hazing causes “serious bodily injury” (which certainly applies to Leonel’s kidney failure), and even a State Jail Felony if the hazing results in death.

   • Application to North Dakota: North Dakota’s laws also carry criminal consequences for hazing, emphasizing that these are not mere campus infractions but criminal offenses.

3. Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): This is a critical provision. An organization can be held liable if it “condones or encourages hazing” or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni take part in hazing. Penalties can include fines, denial of the right to operate, and forfeiture of property.

   • Application to North Dakota: This principle of organizational liability is vital in holding fraternities, sororities, and their national bodies accountable across North Dakota.

4. Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most crucial aspect of the law, directly countering the common defense used by hazers. The statute explicitly states, “It is not a defense to prosecution… that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

   • North Dakota families need to understand this: When a fraternity or university in North Dakota argues that your child “agreed to participate” or “could have left at any time,” the law, in most jurisdictions, definitively states that consent is not a defense to criminal or civil hazing. This removes a major barrier to justice for victims who often feel complicit due to immense peer pressure.

5. University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Universities are mandated to report hazing incidents. Failure to do so can result in criminal charges for university administrators.

   • Application to North Dakota: Such reporting requirements help ensure that universities take hazing seriously and that incidents are documented, providing valuable evidence for civil cases.

Civil Liability for Hazing: Beyond Criminal Charges

While criminal charges aim to punish perpetrators, civil lawsuits empower victims and families in North Dakota to seek financial compensation for their immense suffering and losses. Regardless of whether criminal charges are filed, a civil case can proceed. Here are the primary civil liability theories we pursue:

1. Negligence Claims: This is the most common path. We argue that universities, national organizations, and individuals had a “duty of care” to protect students, they “breached” that duty by allowing or participating in hazing, this breach “caused” injuries, and those injuries resulted in “damages.” This applies universally across North Dakota.
2. Premises Liability: If the hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university or a housing corporation (as in Leonel’s case, where UH owned the fraternity house), they can be held liable for creating or allowing a dangerous condition to exist on their property. This can be directly applicable to fraternity houses or other facilities on or near North Dakota campuses.
3. Negligent Supervision: This targets failures in oversight. The national organization can be sued if it negligently supervised its North Dakota chapter, and the university can be sued for negligently supervising its Greek life system.
4. Assault and Battery: These are intentional torts. Every individual who physically harms a student through waterboarding, paddling, or forced physical abuse can be sued directly for assault (threat of harm) and battery (actual physical contact causing harm).
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Hazing often involves conduct so extreme and outrageous that it causes severe emotional distress, like PTSD or long-term anxiety. Waterboarding, for example, clearly qualifies.
6. Wrongful Death Claims: If hazing tragically leads to a student’s death, families can pursue wrongful death claims to compensate for their profound loss, including future earnings, companionship, and funeral expenses.

For families in Bismarck, Grand Forks, Fargo, or any community in North Dakota, these legal avenues ensure that negligent parties are held financially accountable for the devastating consequences of hazing. Our expertise in these complex legal areas, combined with our federal court authority and willingness to travel, means we can effectively represent hazing victims across North Dakota, bringing the full force of the law against those responsible.

Why Attorney 911: Your Champion in North Dakota Against Hazing

When your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, the legal battle ahead can seem overwhelming. You’re facing powerful institutions—national fraternities with seasoned legal teams, wealthy universities with deep pockets, and insurance companies whose primary goal is to minimize payouts. You need a legal team that doesn’t just understand the law, but has the experience, the resources, and the relentless drive to fight on your behalf. That team is Attorney 911.

We are not just another law firm. We are Legal Emergency Lawyers™, and when it comes to hazing, we are currently in the thick of the battle. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston isn’t theoretical; it’s a live case that perfectly illustrates our aggressive, data-driven, and victim-focused approach. For families in North Dakota, choosing Attorney 911 means choosing a firm that brings unparalleled advantages to your fight for justice.

Our Unfair Advantage: Former Insurance Defense Insiders

Both of our lead attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, worked on the inside for insurance companies before dedicating their careers to representing victims. This is not a coincidence; it’s a strategic choice.

• Ralph P. Manginello: With over 25 years of courtroom experience, Ralph has seen the defense playbook from every angle. His background representing major corporations provides invaluable insight into how insurance companies and large institutions strategize to deny or minimize claims. He knows their tactics because he used to employ them. Ralph’s experience litigating mass tort cases, such as the BP Texas City explosion, demonstrates his capability to take on massive corporate defendants – precisely the kind of fight needed against national fraternities and universities.
• Lupe Eleno Peña: As a former associate attorney at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm, Lupe spent years defending insurance companies and corporations against personal injury claims, construction lawsuits, and more. He learned firsthand how they value claims, how they build defenses, and how they attempt to wear down victims. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to deconstruct their strategies and maximize recovery for our clients.

When our team represents you, you’re not just getting lawyers; you’re getting former insiders who know exactly how the other side thinks, operates, and tries to win. This is an unfair advantage, and we put it to work for every hazing victim in North Dakota.

Unparalleled Expertise and Resources:

1. Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit: We aren’t just reading about hazing; we’re actively fighting it in court. This real-time experience ensures our strategies are cutting-edge and battle-tested. North Dakota families get this same fierce representation.
2. Federal Court Authority: Hazing often involves national organizations, making federal court a strategic venue. Our attorneys are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, allowing us to pursue cases with national implications. For hazing cases in North Dakota involving national fraternities, this federal court authority is a significant advantage.
3. Dual-State Bar Admissions (Texas and New York): Ralph Manginello’s license in both Texas and New York provides a strategic edge when dealing with national fraternities and sororities, many of which are headquartered or have significant operations in the Northeast. This broader reach allows us to leverage legal frameworks across states where these organizations operate, beneficial for any North Dakota case against a national entity.
4. Data-Driven Litigation: We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, including IRS-registered entities, EINs, and insurance structures. We don’t guess who is responsible; we know exactly who to sue. This intelligence enables us to identify every liable party, from local chapters to national headquarters, to housing corporations, to university boards. We apply this same investigative rigor to any hazing case, including those originating in North Dakota.
5. Expert Network: Hazing cases are complex, often requiring expert testimony on Greek life culture, institutional negligence, and complex medical conditions like rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure (which Ralph has specific expertise in litigating). We work with a broad network of medical professionals, Greek life consultants, and economic experts to build an irrefutable case.
6. Mass Tort Litigation Experience: Ralph’s involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City explosion litigation demonstrates our capacity to take on and succeed against the largest, most powerful corporate defendants. This experience is directly applicable to hazing cases against well-funded national fraternities and major universities in North Dakota.

Compassion and Communication: We Treat North Dakota Families Like Our Own

We understand that you’re not just facing a legal battle; you’re navigating a deeply personal and traumatic experience. Our firm is built on a foundation of empathy, warmth, and unwavering support for our clients.

• “We understand what you’re going through,” is not just a phrase; it’s our guiding principle. Our Google reviews, boasting a 4.9-star rating from over 250 clients, consistently highlight our compassionate approach. Clients often say, “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.”
• Bilingual Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that Hispanic families in North Dakota affected by hazing receive comprehensive legal support without any language barriers (“Se habla español”).
• Constant Communication: We believe informed clients are empowered clients. You will never be left in the dark. As one client put it, “Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.”

No Upfront Cost: Justice is Accessible for North Dakota Families

We know that dealing with the costs of a legal emergency after hazing can add immense stress. That’s why we take hazing cases on a CONTINGENCY FEE basis.

• You pay us absolutely nothing upfront.
• We don’t get paid unless and until you get paid.
• This arrangement ensures that access to top-tier legal representation is not limited by your financial situation. We take on the financial risk, allowing you to focus on your family’s healing.

We Come to North Dakota: Distance is Not a Barrier to Justice

While our headquarters are in Houston, our commitment to justice extends nationwide. We regularly represent clients across state lines, including North Dakota.

• We use video consultations to connect with North Dakota families remotely, making the initial process convenient and accessible.
• Our attorneys will travel to North Dakota for depositions, critical meetings, and trials when necessary.
• Our dual-state bar licenses and federal court admissions ensure we have the legal authority to pursue your case effectively, regardless of where the hazing incident occurred in North Dakota.

For families in North Dakota, whether your child attends the University of North Dakota, North Dakota State, Minot State, or another institution, you deserve the same aggressive, expert representation that we provide in Texas. We see your child as a person—not a paycheck—and we will fight relentlessly to achieve accountability and justice for them.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for North Dakota Families

If your child has been a victim of hazing in North Dakota, the immediate aftermath can be chaotic and overwhelming. You’re likely experiencing a flood of emotions—fear, anger, confusion, and a desperate need for answers. Fraternities, universities, and their legal teams are often quick to control the narrative and minimize liability. This is why immediate, decisive action on your part is critical.

We understand this terrifying time, and we’re here to guide you. Here are the crucial steps you should take right now to protect your child’s rights and build a strong legal case:

STEP 1: Prioritize Immediate Safety and Medical Attention

• Remove Your Child from Harm’s Way: If your child is still in a dangerous hazing situation, extract them immediately. Their safety is paramount.
• Seek Medical Care: Even if injuries seem minor at first, or if your child is reluctant, psychological assessment is as important as physical.
  • Call 911 or visit the ER: For any immediate physical injuries, severe pain, loss of consciousness, signs of alcohol poisoning, dehydration, or psychological distress. Leonel Bermudez’s mother saved his life by rushing him to the hospital when he was passing brown urine.
  • Document EVERYTHING: Ensure all medical personnel know the injuries are hazing-related. Get copies of all medical records, doctor’s notes, test results (like blood work for rhabdomyolysis or BAC levels), and billing statements.
  • Consult a Mental Health Professional: Hazing inflicting profound psychological trauma. PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common. Seek therapy or counseling, and ensure records are kept.

STEP 2: Preserve All Evidence—DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING

This step is critical for building a strong case. Evidence can disappear quickly, whether accidentally or intentionally.

• Texts and Messaging Apps: Save every single message from GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, regular text messages, WhatsApp, Discord, or any other platform. This includes conversations with fraternity/sorority members, other pledges, and friends. Even seemingly innocent messages can provide crucial context or witness names.
• Photos and Videos:
  • Injuries: Take clear, well-lit photos of all injuries at various stages of healing (bruises, cuts, burns, rashes, swelling). Continue to document the healing process over time. If your child was hospitalized, document that environment.
  • Hazing Activities: If any photos or videos of the actual hazing activities exist (even short, blurry clips), preserve them immediately.
  • Scene: Photograph locations where hazing occurred (fraternity house, off-campus residences, parks, basements).
• Documents:
  • Pledge Manuals/Schedules: Any official or unofficial documents given to pledges, schedules of events, rules, or requirements.
  • Fraternity/Sorority Communications: Emails, letters, or social media posts from the organization.
  • University Documents: Handbooks, Greek life policies, anti-hazing waivers, or codes of conduct.
• Witness Information: Gather names, phone numbers, and contact information for anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges who experienced it, or friends your child confided in.

STEP 3: DO NOT Communicate with the Perpetrators or Institutions Alone

This cannot be stressed enough. Any communication you have without legal representation can be used against you.

• DO NOT Speak to Fraternity/Sorority Members or Alumni: They may try to coerce your child into silence, intimidate them, or offer gifts in exchange for dropping the issue.
• DO NOT Speak to University Administrators or Greek Life Officials Alone: They are primarily concerned with protecting the university’s reputation and limiting its liability. Anything your child or you say can be misinterpreted or used to undermine a future claim. If you must interact with them, have an attorney present or record the conversation if state law permits (North Dakota is a one-party consent state for recording, meaning you can record a conversation as long as one party, you, consents).
• DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the fraternity, university, or their representatives without having an attorney review them. These documents often waive your rights.
• DO NOT Post on Social Media: Anything posted by your child, friends, or family about the incident can and will be scrutinized by the defense. Avoid posting about the hazing, your child’s injuries, or any activities that might imply they are “fine” or “over it.”

STEP 4: Contact Attorney 911 IMMEDIATELY

Time is of the essence in hazing cases.

• The Statute of Limitations: Most states, including North Dakota, have a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases like hazing. This means you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit, or you lose your right to sue forever. For wrongful death cases, it’s typically two years from the date of death.
• Evidence Disappears: The longer you wait, the more likely physical evidence will be cleaned up, electronic communications will be deleted, and witnesses’ memories will fade.
• Early Intervention is Key: The sooner we are involved, the sooner we can send preservation letters to all potential defendants, demanding that they retain all relevant evidence, including security footage, internal communications, and historical hazing reports. This prevents intentional destruction of evidence (spoliation).
• Free, Confidential Consultation: Call us at any time. Your initial consultation is completely free and confidential. We will listen to your story, evaluate your child’s case, and explain your legal options without any obligation. We offer video consultations for North Dakota families, and we will travel to North Dakota for depositions, client meetings, and trials as needed.

North Dakota families, if your child or a loved one has been a victim of hazing, you are not alone, and you do not have to fight this battle alone. We are ready to bring our aggressive, experienced, and compassionate representation to your side. Call us now. Enough is enough.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Team is Ready for North Dakota

If you’re a parent in North Dakota whose child has been catastrophically impacted by hazing, or if you are a student who has experienced the terror of fraternity or sorority abuse, you are facing a legal emergency. This is not a moment for hesitation. The institutions involved — the local chapter, the national organization, the university, and the individual perpetrators — are already strategizing their defense. You need experienced, aggressive legal representation now.

We are Attorney 911, and our mission is to provide immediate, aggressive, and professional help for legal emergencies. While our primary offices are located in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach and our commitment to justice extend nationwide, including to every community and university in North Dakota.

North Dakota Families: Don’t Wait. Call Us Now.

The decision to pursue legal action against powerful Greek organizations and universities can be daunting. But letting the perpetrators escape accountability allows the cycle of abuse to continue. Your fight could be the one that saves another student from enduring the same pain.

Here’s how Attorney 911 stands ready to help families in North Dakota:

• 24/7 Availability: Hazing emergencies don’t adhere to business hours. Our phone lines are open around the clock. Your call will connect you directly with a team ready to listen and act.
  • Legal Emergency Hotline for North Dakota Hazing Victims:
    

    📞 1-888-ATTY-911

• Free, Confidential Consultation: We offer a completely free initial consultation. There’s no obligation, and everything you share is confidential. This is your opportunity to understand your legal rights and options without any financial commitment.
• Contingency Fee Basis: We understand that the financial strain of a hazing incident can be immense. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency. You pay absolutely $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This ensures that expert legal representation is accessible to all North Dakota families, regardless of their financial situation.
• Remote & On-Site Support for North Dakota:
  • Video Consultations: For your convenience and privacy, we can conduct initial consultations and ongoing case discussions via secure video conference, connecting with you wherever you are in North Dakota.
  • We Travel to North Dakota: When necessary, our attorneys will travel to North Dakota for depositions, key meetings, and trial proceedings. Distance will not be a barrier to justice in your case.
• Experienced and Aggressive Advocacy: Our team, led by Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, brings decades of combined experience, including invaluable insider knowledge from their time defending insurance companies. This unique perspective gives us an “unfair advantage” in anticipating the defense’s tactics and building an unassailable case for your family in North Dakota.
• Proven Track Record: Our ongoing $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is proof of our active, aggressive approach. We are already in the fight, and we’re ready to bring that same dedication to your case.

Connect With Us Today:

Whether your child was hazed at a university in Fargo or Grand Forks, a college in Bismarck, Minot, or anywhere else in North Dakota, we can help. The same national Greek organizations operate within your state, and the same institutional negligence can occur. You don’t have to navigate this complex legal landscape alone.

• Call Us Anytime: 1-888-ATTY-911
• Email Us: ralph@atty911.com
• Visit Our Website: attorney911.com

To other victims of the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi hazing, or any hazing incident in North Dakota: We know Leonel Bermudez was not the only one. Other pledges were subjected to the same abuse. Another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness. You were there, you witnessed it, or you endured it. You have rights too, and we can represent you. As Lupe Peña said, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Let’s bring them all to justice.

North Dakota families, your legal emergency awaits its clear resolution. Contact Attorney 911 today. We are your champion.