🚨 Hazing Victims in Palo Alto County: You Are Not Alone. We Will Fight For You.
Palo Alto County families: If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Palo Alto County, we can help. The same fraternities that waterboarded and hospitalized a student at the University of Houston have chapters near Palo Alto County. The same negligence exists at institutions in and around Palo Alto County. And we will fight for Palo Alto County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to our current $10 million hazing lawsuit.
🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Palo Alto County
On November 21, 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for the systematic hazing of Leonel Bermudez. This wasn’t just “tradition” or “initiation.” This was torture.
What they did to our client in Houston:
- Waterboarded him with a garden hose — simulated drowning
- Forced him to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck him with wooden paddles
- Forced him to eat until he vomited, then made him continue running
- Hog-tied another pledge face-down on a table with an object in his mouth
- Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout — they kept going
The result: Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized for 3 nights and 4 days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He couldn’t walk. He couldn’t move. His muscles broke down from the abuse.
This is not hazing. This is torture. And it’s happening at universities near Palo Alto County.
⚠️ The Same Fraternities Operate Near Palo Alto County
Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America, including chapters at universities near Palo Alto County. The same national organization that allowed waterboarding in Houston oversees chapters where your child might be pledging.
Other fraternities with hazing death records also have chapters near Palo Alto County:
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) — $10 million settlement for Stone Foltz’s death
- Phi Delta Theta — $6.1 million jury verdict for Maxwell Gruver’s death
- Beta Theta Pi — $110 million settlement for Timothy Piazza’s death
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon — Multiple multi-million dollar settlements
If your child is joining Greek life near Palo Alto County, they face the same risks.
🏛️ Universities Near Palo Alto County Are Just as Liable
The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where Leonel Bermudez was tortured. They collected rent while students were waterboarded. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter — but they didn’t.
Universities near Palo Alto County have the same power — and the same liability when they fail to protect students.
In 2017, a student at UH was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen from hazing. UH knew hazing was dangerous. They had 8 years to fix their oversight. They did nothing. Now another student has been hospitalized.
The same pattern exists at universities near Palo Alto County. They know. They don’t act. And students pay the price.
💔 This Could Be Your Child
Leonel Bermudez wasn’t even a student at UH yet. He was a “ghost rush” — a prospective member expected to transfer for the next semester. The fraternity hazed him anyway.
They didn’t care that he wasn’t enrolled. They didn’t care about his safety. They didn’t care about the law.
If your child is being hazed near Palo Alto County, they could be next.
🚨 What Palo Alto County Families Need to Know About Hazing
1. It’s Not “Tradition” — It’s Illegal
Hazing is against the law in Iowa and across America. Iowa Code § 708.10 defines hazing as any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the physical or mental health of a student. Consent is not a defense.
2. It’s Not “Building Brotherhood” — It’s Abuse
Hazing isn’t about bonding. It’s about power, control, and humiliation. It’s about breaking someone down to make them feel like they have to earn their place.
This is what hazing really is:
- Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion
- Psychological torture: Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, verbal abuse
- Sexual humiliation: Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault
- Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, or non-food items until vomiting
- Servitude: Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands
3. It Can Kill
Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States. Hazing causes:
- Alcohol poisoning (the most common cause of death)
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure — like our client)
- Traumatic brain injury (from beatings or falls)
- Hypothermia or heat stroke (from exposure)
- Cardiac arrest (from extreme physical exertion)
- Suicide (from psychological trauma)
4. Universities Know — And They Don’t Stop It
Universities have the power to regulate Greek life. They can inspect fraternity houses. They can suspend or expel organizations. They can enforce anti-hazing policies.
But they don’t — until someone gets hurt or dies.
Then they issue statements about how “shocked” and “saddened” they are. They “suspend” chapters. And they wait for the outrage to die down so they can go back to business as usual.
This is institutional negligence. And Palo Alto County families can hold them accountable.
5. National Organizations Know — And They Don’t Stop It
National fraternities and sororities have millions of dollars and teams of lawyers. They have policies against hazing. They have “risk management” departments.
But they don’t enforce their own rules.
They wait until a student is hospitalized or dies. Then they “suspend” the chapter and claim they’re “shocked.” They close the chapter — and plan to reopen it later.
This is deliberate indifference. And Palo Alto County families can sue them for it.
🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing — What Palo Alto County Families Need to Watch For
Rhabdomyolysis (Like Our Client)
What it is: The breakdown of muscle tissue that releases a damaging protein into the blood. It can cause acute kidney failure and death.
Symptoms:
- Severe muscle pain
- Muscle weakness
- Dark brown or tea-colored urine
- Difficulty moving or walking
- Fatigue
- Confusion
Causes in hazing:
- Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, etc.)
- Prolonged muscle compression
Treatment: Immediate hospitalization, IV fluids, potential dialysis
Long-term effects: Chronic kidney disease, need for dialysis or transplant
Alcohol Poisoning
What it is: A life-threatening condition from drinking too much alcohol too quickly.
Symptoms:
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Blue-tinged or pale skin
- Low body temperature
- Unconsciousness
Causes in hazing: Forced drinking games, “Bible study” rituals, “Big/Little” events
Treatment: Immediate medical attention; can be fatal without treatment
Traumatic Brain Injury
What it is: Brain damage from a blow to the head.
Symptoms:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in ears
- Nausea or vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty concentrating
Causes in hazing: Beatings, falls, being struck with objects
Long-term effects: Memory loss, cognitive impairment, personality changes, permanent disability
Psychological Trauma (PTSD, Anxiety, Depression)
What it is: Long-lasting emotional and mental health effects from abuse.
Symptoms:
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Avoidance of reminders
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Difficulty trusting others
- Social withdrawal
Causes in hazing: Waterboarding, humiliation, threats, isolation
Treatment: Therapy, medication, long-term mental health care
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Palo Alto County Hazing Victim
1. You Can Sue for Money Damages
Hazing victims near Palo Alto County can sue for:
- Medical bills (past, present, and future)
- Lost wages (time missed from work or school)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
- Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers and prevent future hazing)
Precedent cases show that hazing lawsuits win MILLIONS:
- $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
- $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
- $110 million+ — Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
2. You Can Sue Multiple Defendants
In our current case, we’re suing:
- The local fraternity chapter — for organizing the hazing
- The national fraternity organization — for failing to prevent it
- The university — for owning the property and failing to protect students
- Individual members — for participating in the hazing
Palo Alto County families can sue the same types of defendants.
3. Consent Is Not a Defense
Some fraternities argue: “He agreed to participate. He knew the risks.”
Iowa law says: CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE.
Iowa Code § 708.10 explicitly states that hazing is illegal regardless of whether the victim consented.
4. Criminal Charges May Also Apply
Hazing can lead to criminal charges, including:
- Assault (for physical abuse)
- Reckless endangerment (for creating dangerous conditions)
- Manslaughter (if hazing causes death)
Universities and prosecutors are more likely to pursue criminal charges when families take civil action.
5. You Have Time — But Not Much
Iowa has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means you must file a lawsuit within 2 years of the hazing incident.
But evidence disappears quickly:
- Text messages get deleted
- Social media posts get taken down
- Witnesses forget details
- Organizations destroy records
Palo Alto County families should contact an attorney IMMEDIATELY to preserve evidence and protect their rights.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Palo Alto County
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
-
Get medical attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can take days to appear
- Medical records are critical evidence
-
Preserve ALL evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, items used
- Save all communications — texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails
- Write down everything — dates, times, locations, names of perpetrators
- Get witness contact information — other pledges, bystanders
-
Do NOT talk to the fraternity or university without legal counsel
- They will try to control the narrative
- They will try to minimize the incident
- They may ask you to sign documents that waive your rights
- Anything you say can be used against you
-
Do NOT post on social media
- Do not post about the incident
- Do not post about being “fine” or “okay”
- Do not engage with Greek life members online
- Social media posts can be used against you
-
Contact an attorney IMMEDIATELY
- The sooner you involve a lawyer, the better
- We can send preservation letters to protect evidence
- We can handle all communications with the fraternity and university
- We can start building your case right away
WHAT WE WILL DO FOR Palo Alto County FAMILIES:
- Free consultation — We’ll evaluate your case at no cost
- Evidence preservation — We’ll send letters demanding all evidence be saved
- Medical records — We’ll obtain all medical documentation of injuries
- Investigation — We’ll gather witness statements, photos, videos, and communications
- Legal strategy — We’ll determine the best legal claims and defendants
- Negotiation — We’ll negotiate with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
- Litigation — If necessary, we’ll file a lawsuit and take your case to trial
- Justice — We’ll fight for the maximum compensation and accountability
💼 Why Palo Alto County Families Should Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. Palo Alto County families get the same aggressive representation.
2. We Have the Experience to Win
- 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
- Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how they think and how to beat them
- Federal court admission — we can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) — strategic advantage for national fraternity cases
- Multi-million dollar case experience — including BP Texas City explosion litigation
3. We Understand Hazing
- Specific expertise in fraternity litigation
- Experience with rhabdomyolysis cases (like our current client)
- Knowledge of Greek life culture and dynamics
- Understanding of university administrative processes
4. We Will Travel to Palo Alto County
While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims nationwide. We will:
- Offer video consultations for Palo Alto County families
- Travel to Palo Alto County for depositions, client meetings, and trials
- Handle all communications remotely so you don’t have to travel
5. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront
We understand that Palo Alto County families may be concerned about the cost of legal representation. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency:
- $0 upfront costs
- No hourly fees
- We only get paid if we win your case
- Our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict
Palo Alto County families pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
6. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
Many hazing victims and their families are Spanish-speaking. We have bilingual staff who can:
- Conduct consultations in Spanish
- Communicate with you in Spanish throughout your case
- Translate documents
- Eliminate language barriers to justice
7. We Have a Proven Track Record
- 4.9-star Google rating with 250+ reviews
- Millions recovered for clients across personal injury cases
- Hundreds of cases won — from car accidents to wrongful death
- Media coverage — ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media
Client testimonials:
“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett
“One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello and they said that they would take it. And in the next few months, I got a call to pick up this handsome check.” — Donald Wilcox
“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris
📞 Palo Alto County Families: Call Us Now — Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed at a university near Palo Alto County, we can help.
Call our legal emergency hotline 24/7:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We offer:
- Free, confidential consultation
- Immediate case evaluation
- No obligation to hire
- $0 upfront costs
We will fight for your Palo Alto County family with the same fury we’re bringing to our current $10 million hazing case.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Palo Alto County Families
Q: My child was hazed, but they “consented” to the activities. Can we still sue?
A: YES. Iowa law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.
Q: The fraternity says this was just “tradition” and not hazing. Is that true?
A: NO. Hazing is defined by law as any activity that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation. Waterboarding, forced exercise to exhaustion, and paddling are not “tradition” — they are illegal hazing.
Q: My child wasn’t seriously injured. Is it still worth contacting a lawyer?
A: YES. Even “minor” hazing can cause long-term psychological trauma. Additionally, what seems minor now could develop into more serious issues later. It’s important to document everything and understand your rights.
Q: We’re worried about retaliation if we speak out. How can you protect us?
A: We take retaliation concerns very seriously.
- We can send legal letters demanding no contact or retaliation
- We can file restraining orders if necessary
- We can represent you in any disciplinary proceedings
- We can pursue additional claims for retaliation
Many hazing victims fear speaking out. Our client in the Houston case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We will protect your family.
Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?
A: $0 upfront. We take hazing cases on contingency, which means:
- You pay nothing to hire us
- You pay nothing while the case is ongoing
- We only get paid if we win your case
- Our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict
Q: How long does a hazing lawsuit take?
A: It depends on the complexity of the case. Some cases settle within months. Others may take years, especially if they go to trial. We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing your compensation.
Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: YES. Iowa’s hazing law applies on or off campus. Many hazing incidents occur at off-campus locations like fraternity houses, apartments, or fields. We can pursue claims regardless of where the hazing occurred.
Q: What if the fraternity has already suspended or closed the chapter?
A: It doesn’t matter. Closing a chapter is an attempt to limit liability. We can still pursue claims against:
- The national fraternity organization
- The university
- Individual members
- The housing corporation
- Insurance carriers
Q: My child is an international student. Can we still pursue legal action?
A: YES. Your child’s immigration status does not affect their right to compensation. We have experience representing international students and can guide you through the process while protecting your status.
Q: What if we don’t live in Texas? Can you still represent us?
A: YES. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Palo Alto County. We offer:
- Video consultations
- Remote case management
- Travel to Palo Alto County for critical meetings and depositions
- Federal court jurisdiction for cases involving national organizations
🎯 Our Message to Fraternities Near Palo Alto County
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and every other fraternity with chapters near Palo Alto County:
We are watching. We are coming. And we will hold you accountable.
The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your history of hazing deaths and injuries.
If you haze students near Palo Alto County, we will find every liable entity.
The UH chapter of Pi Kappa Phi? Shut down. The fraternity president? Personally liable for $6.5 million. The national organization? On notice.
Your chapter could be next.
🏛️ Our Message to Universities Near Palo Alto County
To the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and every other institution near Palo Alto County:
You own the buildings. You collect the rent. You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous chapters.
When you fail to act, when you look the other way, when you prioritize reputation over safety — you are liable.
The University of Houston owned the house where a student was waterboarded. They knew about a hazing hospitalization in 2017. They did nothing. Now they’re being sued for $10 million.
If hazing happens at your university, we will hold you accountable.
🔥 Enough Is Enough — The Time to Act Is Now
Palo Alto County families: Hazing is not harmless. It’s not tradition. It’s not building character.
It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s sometimes manslaughter. And it has to stop.
If your child has been hazed, you have rights. You have options. And you have allies.
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting for justice for hazing victims — in Houston, in Palo Alto County, and across America.
Call us now. The consultation is free. The advice is confidential. And the fight for justice starts today.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Palo Alto County families: You are not alone. We will fight for you.
