🚨 Hazing Victims in Pitt County, North Carolina: Your Rights and How to Fight Back

This Happened in Houston. It Could Happen in Pitt County.

Pitt County parents, students, and families: we need to talk about a crisis that’s happening right here in North Carolina – one that could affect your child, your neighbor, or someone you love.

Just weeks ago, a young man named Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized after being subjected to extreme hazing at a fraternity at the University of Houston. He wasn’t even a student there yet – he was a “ghost rush,” someone being recruited to transfer. Over several weeks, he was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, struck with wooden paddles, and made to eat until he vomited – all as part of “pledge activities.”

He ended up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, spending three nights and four days fighting for his life.

This wasn’t an isolated incident. This was systematic abuse – and it’s happening at universities across America, including right here in Pitt County.

The Hazing Crisis in Pitt County

Pitt County is home to East Carolina University (ECU), one of North Carolina’s largest universities with a vibrant Greek life community. ECU has fraternities and sororities from the same national organizations involved in the Houston case:

• Pi Kappa Phi (the fraternity involved in the Houston case)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) (has paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) (responsible for multiple hazing deaths)
• Phi Delta Theta (involved in the $6.1 million Maxwell Gruver case)
• And many others

These aren’t just names on a list. These are real organizations with active chapters at ECU and other universities near Pitt County. The same “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez exist in Greek organizations right here in Eastern North Carolina.

What Pitt County Parents Need to Know About Hazing

Hazing Isn’t What You Think It Is

Most parents imagine hazing as harmless pranks – maybe some silly challenges or mild embarrassment. That’s not what’s happening today.

Modern hazing includes:

• Physical torture: Waterboarding, extreme exercise to the point of organ failure, beatings with paddles
• Forced consumption: Alcohol poisoning, forced eating until vomiting, consuming dangerous substances
• Psychological abuse: Sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats of violence or expulsion
• Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault
• Dangerous stunts: Activities that risk serious injury or death

It’s Not Just Fraternities

While fraternities are most commonly associated with hazing, it happens in:

• Sororities (including at ECU)
• Sports teams (both varsity and club)
• Marching bands
• ROTC programs
• Honor societies
• Student clubs and organizations

The Medical Consequences Are Real

The hazing that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez caused:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure)
• Acute kidney failure (life-threatening condition)
• Permanent kidney damage (potential need for dialysis or transplant)
• PTSD, anxiety, and depression (long-term psychological trauma)

Other common medical consequences of hazing include:

• Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal)
• Traumatic brain injuries (from beatings or falls)
• Hypothermia or heat stroke (from exposure)
• Cardiac arrest (from extreme physical exertion)
• Death (at least one hazing death every year in America since 2000)

Pitt County’s Legal Protections Against Hazing

North Carolina has strong laws against hazing, and victims have powerful legal options:

North Carolina Hazing Law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-35)

• Hazing is a Class 2 misdemeanor (up to 60 days in jail)
• If serious injury or death results, it becomes a Class 1 misdemeanor (up to 120 days in jail)
• Organizations can be held civilly liable for damages
• Consent is not a defense – even if the victim “agreed” to participate

Civil Lawsuits for Hazing Victims

Pitt County hazing victims can sue for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages (if unable to work)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
• Wrongful death (if the hazing results in death)

Who Can Be Held Liable in Pitt County?

In hazing cases, we pursue every responsible party:

• The local chapter (the ECU fraternity/sorority that conducted the hazing)
• The national organization (they have deep pockets and insurance)
• The university (ECU has a duty to protect its students)
• Individual members (those who participated or allowed it to happen)
• Alumni (if hazing occurred at their homes or they facilitated it)
• Property owners (if hazing occurred at off-campus locations)

The Multi-Million Dollar Precedents That Apply to Pitt County

The Houston case isn’t an isolated incident. Hazing cases across America have resulted in massive settlements and verdicts – and these same outcomes are available for Pitt County victims:

These cases prove that hazing victims win big. The same legal strategies that won millions in these cases apply to Pitt County victims.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Pitt County

If your child has been hazed at ECU or any institution in Pitt County, time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly, and there are strict deadlines for taking legal action.

Step 1: Ensure Safety and Medical Attention

• Remove your child from the situation immediately
• Seek medical attention – even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
• Document all injuries with photos and medical records

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

DO NOT:

• Delete any text messages, social media posts, or emails about the hazing
• Talk to the fraternity/sorority or university without legal counsel
• Post about the incident on social media
• Sign anything from the organization

DO:

• Take screenshots of all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.)
• Save all photos and videos from the incident
• Write down names and contact information of witnesses
• Keep all medical records and bills
• Document any impact on school or work

Step 3: Contact an Attorney Immediately

Hazing cases are complex and require specialized legal expertise. At Attorney 911, we:

• Handle hazing cases nationwide, including Pitt County
• Have former insurance defense attorneys who know how the other side thinks
• Are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi
• Will travel to Pitt County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• Offer free consultations – no upfront cost to you

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com

Why Pitt County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical for us – we’re in the fight right now. Pitt County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to this case.

2. We Know How to Win Against Powerful Institutions

Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize your claim. We know their playbook because we used to work on their side:

• Ralph Manginello is a former insurance defense attorney – he knows exactly how insurance companies try to deny claims
• Lupe Pena worked at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national insurance defense firm – he knows how big institutions protect themselves
• Together, they’ve recovered millions for victims against powerful defendants

3. We Have Federal Court Authority

We’re admitted to U.S. District Court, which means we can pursue Pitt County hazing cases in federal jurisdiction when appropriate.

4. We’re Licensed in Multiple States

We’re licensed in Texas and New York, giving us strategic advantages when suing national organizations headquartered in different states.

5. We Speak Spanish

Many hazing victims in Pitt County are from Hispanic families. We speak Spanish and can serve Spanish-speaking clients without language barriers.

6. We Work on Contingency – No Upfront Cost

We understand that Pitt County families may be concerned about legal fees. We work on contingency – you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

7. We Will Travel to Pitt County

While we’re based in Texas, we come to Pitt County for depositions, client meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

The Warning Signs of Hazing in Pitt County

Pitt County parents should watch for these red flags that may indicate your child is being hazed:

Behavioral Changes:

• Sudden withdrawal from family and friends
• Unexplained anxiety, depression, or mood swings
• Secretive behavior about activities
• Sudden loss of interest in school or activities they previously enjoyed
• Unexplained absences from class or work
• Sudden need for money (hazing often involves expensive “pledge fees”)

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation
• Weight loss or changes in appetite
• Signs of alcohol or drug use
• Difficulty walking or moving (could indicate muscle damage)

Academic Impact:

• Sudden drop in grades
• Missing classes or assignments
• Withdrawal from academic organizations
• Talk of transferring schools or dropping out

Social Media Clues:

• Deleted posts or sudden changes in social media activity
• New friends in specific groups (like Greek organizations)
• Posts about “brotherhood,” “sisterhood,” or “pledging”
• Photos or videos that seem staged or uncomfortable

Pitt County Universities and Their Greek Life

East Carolina University (ECU) – Greek Life Overview

ECU has a large Greek community with dozens of fraternities and sororities:

Fraternities at ECU:

• Interfraternity Council (IFC) Fraternities (including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, and others)
• National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Fraternities (historically African American fraternities)
• Multicultural Greek Council Fraternities

Sororities at ECU:

• Panhellenic Council Sororities (including Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Zeta, and others)
• National Pan-Hellenic Council Sororities
• Multicultural Greek Council Sororities

These organizations are governed by national headquarters – the same organizations that have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide.

Other Institutions Near Pitt County:

• Pitt Community College (Greek organizations may be present)
• North Carolina Wesleyan University (Rocky Mount, NC)
• Various private colleges in Eastern North Carolina

If there’s a university near Pitt County, there’s likely a fraternity or sorority chapter with the same hazing risks we’re fighting in Houston.

The Pitt County Community Response

Hazing doesn’t just affect the victim – it impacts entire communities. When hazing occurs in Pitt County:

• Families suffer – parents watch their children be traumatized
• Communities are divided – between those who defend “tradition” and those who demand change
• Universities face reputational damage – affecting enrollment and funding
• Future students are put at risk – if hazing isn’t stopped

The Pitt County community deserves better. Our children deserve to pursue their education without fear of torture, abuse, or life-threatening rituals.

What Pitt County Can Do to Stop Hazing

For Parents:

• Talk to your children about the risks of hazing before they go to college
• Educate them on what hazing really looks like (it’s not just “harmless fun”)
• Encourage them to speak up if they witness hazing
• Monitor their well-being – watch for signs of distress
• Know their rights – hazing is illegal, and victims have legal options

For Students:

• Trust your instincts – if something feels wrong, it probably is
• You have the right to say no – no organization should require you to do dangerous or humiliating things
• Report hazing immediately – to university officials or law enforcement
• Document everything – save texts, photos, videos
• Get help if you’re a victim – medical attention and legal counsel

For Universities:

• Implement real oversight – don’t just rely on self-reporting
• Conduct unannounced inspections of Greek houses
• Hold national organizations accountable – don’t let them hide behind “local chapter” status
• Enforce consequences – suspension or expulsion for hazing
• Educate students on the real dangers of hazing

For Legislators:

• Strengthen North Carolina hazing laws – increase penalties for egregious conduct
• Require universities to report hazing incidents publicly
• Provide resources for hazing prevention programs
• Support victims with legal protections and resources

The Message to Pitt County Fraternities and Sororities

To the fraternities and sororities operating in Pitt County:

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi – if your chapter operates in Pitt County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

Every national fraternity with chapters in Pitt County should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won.

To Greek life leadership at Pitt County institutions: The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

Pitt County Families: You Are Not Alone

If your child has been hazed in Pitt County, you are not alone. We understand the pain, the anger, and the fear you’re experiencing. We’ve seen what fraternities do to kids. We’re fighting it in court right now.

We see your child as a person – not a paycheck. And we will fight hard for Pitt County families, because we truly care.

Next Steps for Pitt County Hazing Victims

1. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 – the clock is ticking on your legal rights
2. Schedule a free consultation – we’ll evaluate your case at no cost
3. Preserve all evidence – we’ll guide you on what to save
4. Get medical attention – document all injuries
5. Don’t talk to the organization – let us handle all communications

We come to Pitt County. We fight for Pitt County families. And we won’t stop until justice is served.

Contact Attorney 911 Today

For Pitt County hazing victims and families:

📞 Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

We serve Pitt County from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we come to you.

$0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.

Let’s end the hazing crisis in Pitt County – together.