🚨 Hazing Lawyers for Paulding County, Ohio Families — Attorney 911 Fights Back
Your Child Was Hazed in Paulding County. We Can Help — No Matter Where You Are.
Paulding County families: If your child has been the victim of hazing at a college, university, or Greek organization near Paulding County, Ohio, you are not alone. And you don’t have to fight this battle by yourself.
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston — a case that involves waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and systematic abuse of a young man who just wanted to join a brotherhood. The same fraternities operate near Paulding County. The same negligence exists at Ohio institutions. And we will fight for Paulding County families with the same aggression.
We serve hazing victims nationwide — including Paulding County, Ohio. While we are based in Texas, our federal court authority, dual-state bar licenses, and commitment to traveling for justice mean we can represent your family no matter where the hazing occurred. If your child was hazed near Paulding County, we will come to you.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Free, confidential consultation — available 24/7 for Paulding County families
🔥 This Is What Hazing Looks Like — And This Is What We Do About It
The Paulding County Connection: Hazing Happens Here Too
Paulding County is home to hardworking families who send their children to college expecting them to be safe, respected, and valued. But across Ohio — at Bowling Green State University, Ohio University, University of Toledo, Kent State, and other institutions near Paulding County — hazing continues to destroy lives.
The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Texas have chapters at Ohio universities near Paulding County:
- Pi Kappa Phi — active at multiple Ohio campuses
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) — multiple hazing deaths nationwide
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) — paid $10 million in Ohio hazing case
- Beta Theta Pi — responsible for $110 million hazing settlement
- Phi Delta Theta — multiple hazing deaths, including at Ohio State
These organizations have a documented history of abuse, injury, and death — and they operate right here in Ohio, near Paulding County.
If your child was hazed at a university near Paulding County, we can help.
🏥 What Happened to Our Client — And What Could Happen to Your Child in Paulding County
In November 2025, our client Leonel Bermudez — a young man who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet — was hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being hazed by Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.
This is what they did to him:
✔ Waterboarded him with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
✔ Forced him to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups — until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
✔ Struck him with wooden paddles — physical assault
✔ Forced him to eat until he vomited — then made him continue running
✔ Hog-tied another pledge for over an hour with an object in his mouth
✔ Forced him to drive members at all hours — causing sleep deprivation and exhaustion
✔ Threatened him with expulsion if he didn’t comply
He crawled up the stairs when he got home. The next day, he couldn’t move. The day after that, his mother rushed him to the hospital — where he was diagnosed with kidney failure.
This didn’t happen in a war zone. It happened at a university. And it happens at universities near Paulding County, Ohio.
💰 Why We’re Suing for $10 Million — And Why Paulding County Families Deserve the Same
We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and multiple individuals for $10 million on behalf of Leonel Bermudez.
This $10 million isn’t just compensation — it’s a message. It’s a message to every fraternity, sorority, and university near Paulding County that says: You cannot torture our children and walk away.
Paulding County families deserve the same accountability.
Multi-Million Dollar Precedents Prove Hazing Cases Win
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State (OH) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110 million+ |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Settlement | $4+ million |
These aren’t isolated incidents. This is a pattern. And Paulding County families can break that pattern by holding institutions accountable.
⚖️ Ohio Hazing Law: What Paulding County Families Need to Know
Ohio has strong anti-hazing laws, including Collin’s Law, which makes hazing a felony in certain cases.
Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 — Hazing
(A) No person shall recklessly participate in the hazing of another.
(B) No administrator, employee, faculty member, teacher, consultant, alumnus, or volunteer of any organization, including any primary, secondary, or post-secondary school or any other educational institution, public or private, shall recklessly permit the hazing of any person.
Penalties in Ohio:
- Misdemeanor of the 2nd degree for reckless hazing
- Felony of the 3rd degree if the hazing creates a substantial risk of physical harm
- Felony of the 2nd degree if the hazing results in serious physical harm
- Felony of the 1st degree if the hazing results in death
Consent is NOT a defense in Ohio. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.
Paulding County families: If your child was hazed at a university near Paulding County, criminal charges may be filed — and you can also file a civil lawsuit for compensation.
🏫 Who Is Liable for Hazing in Paulding County?
When hazing happens near Paulding County, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted the hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture; failed to enforce policies |
| University | Failed to protect students; owned or controlled property where hazing occurred |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed or allowed hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Insurance Companies | Liability insurance policies may cover damages |
In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- The local chapter
- The University of Houston (which owned the fraternity house)
- Individual members and officers
- A former member and his spouse (who hosted hazing at their home)
Paulding County families: We will pursue every liable party to maximize your recovery.
🩺 The Medical Consequences of Hazing — What Paulding County Parents Need to Know
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It causes real, life-altering injuries — including:
| Injury | What It Is | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Muscle breakdown from extreme exercise | Kidney failure, hospitalization, potential death |
| Acute Kidney Failure | Kidneys stop filtering waste | Dialysis, transplant, lifelong monitoring |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking leading to toxic BAC | Death, brain damage, organ failure |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | From beatings or falls | Permanent cognitive impairment, memory loss |
| Heat Stroke / Hypothermia | From exposure or extreme conditions | Organ damage, death |
| Sexual Assault | From forced nudity or physical abuse | PTSD, depression, long-term trauma |
| PTSD / Anxiety / Depression | Psychological trauma from abuse | Therapy, medication, lifelong impact |
Our client was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. These injuries are not minor — they are life-threatening.
Paulding County families: If your child was hazed, seek medical attention immediately — even if they seem “fine.” Many injuries, like rhabdomyolysis, have delayed symptoms.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed Near Paulding County
Step 1: Ensure Safety
- Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately.
- If they need medical attention, go to the emergency room now.
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
- Take photos of any injuries, even if they seem minor.
- Screenshot all communications — texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs.
- Write down everything — dates, times, locations, what happened, who was there.
- Get witness information — other pledges, bystanders, anyone who saw what happened.
- Save all physical evidence — clothing, objects used in hazing.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do not confront the fraternity/sorority or university without legal counsel.
- Do not sign anything from the organization or their lawyers.
- Do not give statements to university administrators or Greek life leaders.
- Do not post on social media about the incident.
Step 4: Report to Authorities
- File a police report — hazing is a crime in Ohio.
- Report to the university’s Title IX office — hazing is a violation of campus safety policies.
- Report to the national organization — they may claim they didn’t know, but they should.
Step 5: Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911.
- We offer free, confidential consultations for Paulding County families.
- We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
- We will travel to Paulding County to meet with you.
🚫 Common Mistakes That Destroy Hazing Cases — Paulding County Families, Avoid These!
| Mistake | Why It Hurts Your Case | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting to act | Evidence disappears; witnesses forget; statute of limitations expires | Call an attorney immediately |
| Deleting messages or posts | Looks like destruction of evidence; could lead to sanctions | Preserve everything |
| Talking to the fraternity/sorority | They’ll coordinate their story; intimidate witnesses | Let your attorney handle all communication |
| Posting on social media | Defense will use posts to claim you weren’t really hurt | Stay off social media |
| Not seeking medical attention | Defense will claim you weren’t injured | See a doctor immediately |
| Assuming “it’s just tradition” | Hazing is illegal and causes real harm | It’s not tradition — it’s abuse |
💼 Why Paulding County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case — Right Now
- We don’t just talk about hazing — we’re in the courtroom fighting it.
- Our client was waterboarded, hospitalized, and nearly killed.
- We know how to build these cases — and we know how to win.
2. We Have Insider Knowledge — Because We Used to Defend Insurance Companies
- Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys.
- We know how insurance companies value claims, delay cases, and try to deny liability.
- We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery.
3. We Serve Hazing Victims Nationwide — Including Paulding County
- Federal court authority — we can pursue your case in federal jurisdiction.
- Dual-state bar licenses — Texas and New York.
- We travel to Paulding County — for depositions, client meetings, and trials.
- Video consultations available — if you can’t travel, we’ll meet you remotely.
4. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Paulding County Families
- You pay nothing to hire us.
- We only get paid if we win your case.
- Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict — you keep the rest.
5. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results
- $10+ million in our current hazing case
- Millions recovered in wrongful death, catastrophic injury, and personal injury cases
- Former BP Texas City explosion litigation — experience with complex, high-stakes cases
- 4.9-star Google rating — 250+ reviews from satisfied clients
6. We Understand the Culture — Because We’ve Been There
- Ralph Manginello is a former athlete and youth coach.
- He understands team dynamics, locker room culture, and the pressures young people face.
- We know how Greek life operates — and we know how to hold them accountable.
7. We Protect Our Clients — Including from Retaliation
- Our client is fearful of retribution for speaking out.
- We understand the intimidation culture of hazing.
- We will protect your child’s identity and fight for their safety.
8. We Fight for More Than Money — We Fight for Change
- Our goal isn’t just compensation — it’s stopping the next hazing death.
- Lupe Pena: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do.”
- We work with legislators to strengthen anti-hazing laws.
- We expose dangerous organizations so no other Paulding County family has to go through this.
🎓 We Represent Hazing Victims in All Organizations — Not Just Greek Life
Hazing happens in many organizations near Paulding County, including:
- Fraternities and sororities (most common)
- Sports teams (football, basketball, soccer, wrestling, etc.)
- Marching bands
- ROTC and military organizations
- Honor societies and academic clubs
- Performing arts groups
- Student government
- Religious organizations
If your child was hazed in any organization near Paulding County, we can help.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Free consultation for Paulding County families — available 24/7
Or email: ralph@atty911.com
We will travel to Paulding County to meet with you.
🔥 The Message to Fraternities Near Paulding County: We Are Coming for You
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, and every other fraternity operating near Paulding County:
We know who you are.
We know your corporate structures.
We know your insurance policies.
We know your history of hazing deaths and injuries.
And we are coming for you.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. The same $110 million settlements are possible in Ohio. The same criminal charges can be filed against your members.
We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at University of Houston. Your chapter could be next.
Stop the hazing. Clean up your culture. Or we will clean you out in court.
🏛️ The Message to Universities Near Paulding County: You Are Responsible
To Bowling Green State University, Ohio University, University of Toledo, Kent State University, and every other institution near Paulding County:
You own the buildings.
You collect the rent.
You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous organizations.
And you choose not to.
The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was waterboarded. They knew about prior hazing incidents and did nothing to stop it. Now they’re facing a $10 million lawsuit.
The same liability applies to you.
Protect your students. Or we will hold you accountable.
📢 Paulding County Families: Your Voice Can Save Lives
This isn’t just about your child. It’s about the next student. And the one after that.
Every time a hazing victim speaks out, lives are saved. Every time a family holds an institution accountable, culture changes. Every time a jury awards millions, fraternities think twice before hazing again.
Your child’s case can prevent the next hazing death in Paulding County.
Call us. Let’s fight back together.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
Paulding County families: We are Attorney 911. We fight for hazing victims. And we don’t back down.
