Hazing Victims in Palmyra Atoll: Your Legal Rights and How We Can Help
Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — Neither Does Justice
If you or your child has been a victim of hazing in Palmyra Atoll or anywhere in the U.S. Outlying Islands, you’re not alone. The same fraternities, sororities, and student organizations that have caused national scandals operate across the Pacific. We are currently fighting this battle in court — and we’re ready to fight for Palmyra Atoll families too.
At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t just a case — it’s a movement to stop the abuse, hold institutions accountable, and protect students like yours. The same legal strategies, the same aggressive representation, and the same commitment to justice are available to Palmyra Atoll families.
What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Palmyra Atoll
Our client, Leonel Bermudez, wasn’t even a student at the University of Houston yet. He was a “ghost rush” — someone the fraternity recruited before he enrolled. Over weeks, he was subjected to:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
- Forced to perform 500 squats and 100+ pushups — until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then forced to continue running
- Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth (another pledge, same fraternity)
- Another pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a workout — no one stopped
He ended up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, spending three nights and four days fighting for his life.
This isn’t “tradition.” This isn’t “brotherhood.” This is abuse. And it happens in Palmyra Atoll too.
Why Palmyra Atoll Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
We filed a $10 million lawsuit on November 21, 2025. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight, and we know how to win. Palmyra Atoll families get the same aggressive representation.
2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense
Fraternities will argue: “He agreed to participate. He could have left.” Texas law says consent is NOT a defense to hazing. We’ll make sure the court hears that loud and clear.
3. We Go After EVERYONE Responsible
In our current case, we’re suing:
- The local chapter
- The national organization
- The university (they owned the fraternity house)
- The individual members who participated
- The former members and their spouses who hosted hazing
We don’t just sue broke college kids. We go after the institutions with deep pockets.
4. We Understand the Medical Consequences
Our client suffered rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from forced exercise. Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, including a previous case involving a Kappa Sigma chapter at Texas A&M. We know how to document and prove these injuries.
5. We’ve Won Millions for Hazing Victims
We’ve handled hazing cases involving:
- Rhabdomyolysis injuries
- Wrongful death from hazing
- Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation
- Texas A&M University hazing incidents
We know what these cases are worth — and we know how to win them.
6. We Serve Palmyra Atoll Families — No Matter the Distance
While we’re based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Palmyra Atoll. We offer:
- Video consultations — meet with us remotely
- Travel commitment — we come to Palmyra Atoll for depositions, meetings, and trials
- Federal court authority — we can pursue your case in federal jurisdiction
- Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York
Distance is not a barrier to justice.
7. $0 Upfront — We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Do
We understand that cost is a concern. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency. You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
Palmyra Atoll families pay $0 out of pocket. We take the risk — you take the justice.
What Counts as Hazing in Palmyra Atoll?
Hazing isn’t just physical abuse. Under the law, hazing includes any activity that:
✅ Endangers mental or physical health
- Forced alcohol consumption
- Extreme physical exercise (pushups, squats, “suicides”)
- Sleep deprivation
- Exposure to extreme heat or cold
✅ Involves humiliation or degradation
- Forced nudity or partial nudity
- Carrying embarrassing objects
- Verbal abuse or threats
- Being forced to lie in vomit
✅ Involves servitude or control
- Forced to clean or do chores for members
- Forced to drive members at all hours
- Enforced dress codes or study hours
- Weekly “interviews” with members
✅ Involves physical brutality
- Being struck with paddles, belts, or other objects
- Being branded or burned
- Being waterboarded or subjected to simulated drowning
- Being hog-tied or restrained
If you or your child experienced any of these, you may have a case.
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Palmyra Atoll?
Hazing doesn’t just involve the people directly participating. We pursue everyone who allowed it to happen:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about “hazing crisis” |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; may own fraternity property |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Housing Corporations | Owned property where hazing occurred |
We don’t just sue the abusers. We sue the institutions that enabled them.
What Can You Recover?
Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages
- Medical bills (past, present, and future)
- Lost wages (if unable to work during recovery)
- Lost academic opportunities (tuition, scholarships)
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Humiliation and degradation
Punitive Damages
If the conduct was particularly egregious, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future hazing.
Precedent shows these cases can be worth MILLIONS:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million (estimated) |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential settlement |
Our $10 million demand is in line with these precedents — and our case has even more egregious facts.
What Should You Do If You or Your Child Was Hazed in Palmyra Atoll?
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can develop over time. Get checked by a doctor and document everything.
Step 2: Preserve ALL Evidence
✅ Photos/Videos — of injuries, hazing activities, locations
✅ Texts/Messages — GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp
✅ Social Media — screenshots of posts about hazing
✅ Documents — pledge manuals, schedules, rules
✅ Witnesses — names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. Even if it’s embarrassing, it could be crucial evidence.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do not speak to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
- Do not sign anything from the organization
- Do not give statements to university administrators alone
- Do not post about the incident on social media
Anything you say can be used against you. Let us handle all communication.
Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately
Hazing cases have statutes of limitations — typically 2 years from the date of injury. The clock is ticking.
Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com for a free consultation.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait
Evidence Disappears
- Texts get deleted
- Social media posts get removed
- Witnesses forget details
- Organizations destroy records
Your Rights Expire
- 2-year statute of limitations in most states
- If you wait, you may lose your right to sue forever
Other Victims May Come Forward
- Hazing is rarely an isolated incident
- Other pledges may have suffered similar abuse
- Multiple victims strengthen the case
Universities and Fraternities Will Try to Silence You
- They may offer settlements to keep you quiet
- They may pressure you to sign away your rights
- They may threaten retaliation
You need an attorney to protect your interests.
We Will Travel to Palmyra Atoll for Your Case
We understand that Palmyra Atoll is remote. That’s why we make it easy for you:
✅ Video Consultations — Meet with us from your home
✅ Travel Commitment — We come to Palmyra Atoll for depositions, meetings, and trials
✅ Federal Court Authority — We can pursue your case in federal jurisdiction
✅ Bilingual Staff — Se habla español
Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will fight for Palmyra Atoll families as aggressively as we fight for Houston families.
The Time to Act Is Now
Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded. He was forced to do 500 squats until he couldn’t stand. He ended up in the hospital with kidney failure.
This could have been your child.
This could be your child next semester.
Don’t let them get away with it.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com for a free consultation.
$0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you do. We fight for justice — no matter where you are.
Palmyra Atoll Families: You Are Not Alone
We know the pain, the fear, and the frustration you’re feeling. We know you trusted these institutions to keep your child safe. We know that trust was betrayed.
But you don’t have to face this alone. We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are coming for the people who hurt your child.
Call us today. Let’s hold them accountable — together.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Justice doesn’t stop at state lines. Neither do we.
