If you’re reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, build a community, and grow into a young adult. Instead, they were tortured, humiliated, and left with physical or emotional scars that may last a lifetime. In Prince William County, parents send their children off to universities, nearby or far away, with the expectation that they will be safe. That trust has been shattered by the cruel reality of hazing. We understand what you’re going through, the fear, the anger, the desperate search for answers late at night. We’re here to help families in Prince William County fight back.

We are Attorney 911, and we are on the front lines of this battle. We are currently engaged in a critical $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston, representing a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after weeks of horrific hazing. This isn’t just a legal case for us; it’s a mission to bring justice to victims and send an undeniable message to every fraternity, university, and national organization that thinks hazing is acceptable. The same aggressive, data-driven, and relentless representation we bring to cases in our home base of Houston, we bring to families in Prince William County, Virginia, and across the nation.

Our deepest commitment is to our clients, ensuring that they receive the highest quality legal representation. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing unless and until we win your case. We understand that the financial burden of medical care, lost wages, and other expenses can be immense, and we don’t want legal costs to stand in the way of justice for your child.

The Unacceptable Reality: Hazing in America Hits Home in Prince William County

Hazing is a pervasive and dangerous issue that infiltrates college campuses and organizations across the nation, including those attended by students from Prince William County. It’s often dismissed as harmless “tradition” or “boys being boys,” but the truth is far more sinister. Hazing is abuse, pure and simple, causing severe physical injury, psychological trauma, and, tragically, sometimes death. We know that students from Prince William County attend universities like George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, and often venture further to institutions like the University of Virginia or Virginia Tech, where Greek life thrives and hazing risks are ever-present.

The statistics paint a grim picture: over half of all students involved in Greek organizations and 40% of student-athletes experience hazing. Since the year 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every single year in the United States. What’s even more alarming is that a staggering 95% of students who are hazed never report it. This silence allows the cycle of abuse to continue, making it incredibly difficult for institutions to intervene until it’s too late.

The problem festers because universities and national Greek organizations, despite being aware of the dangers, often fail to take adequate preventative measures. They have policies in place, but these policies are mere window dressing if not rigorously enforced. Time and again, we see institutions acting only when a student is severely injured or dies, at which point they issue condemnations, suspend chapters, and claim to be “shocked.” This reactive approach allows countless other potentially dangerous incidents to go unchecked. We believe that this systemic failure demands aggressive legal action to force real change, protecting students from Prince William County and beyond.

We Don’t Just Talk About Hazing. We’re Fighting It Right Now.

The Landmark Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Lawsuit: A Warning and a Promise from Attorney 911

The case of Leonel Bermudez against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston is not just another lawsuit; it is the living embodiment of what Attorney 911 stands for. It is proof that we aggressively pursue accountability, and that we have the data-driven strategy and relentless determination to fight for hazing victims. This flagship case, filed in November 2025 in Harris County Civil District Court, seeks $10 million in damages and represents what’s happening today in Texas and what could be happening to students from Prince William County.

Leonel Bermudez was a “ghost rush,” a bright young man planning to transfer to the University of Houston for Spring 2026. He wasn’t even an enrolled student yet. Yet, he accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025, hoping to find camaraderie and brotherhood. Instead, he endured weeks of systematic abuse, physical torture, and psychological torment that culminated in him being hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

What Happened to Leonel Bermudez: The Horrific Details

Imagine the terror and pain Leonel endured during those weeks, leading up to the final heinous incident on November 3, 2025. His story, widely covered by Houston area news outlets like ABC13, KHOU 11, and the Houston Chronicle, is a stark warning.

According to our lawsuit, Leonel was subjected to a litany of horrific hazing activities, including:

• Waterboarding with a Garden Hose: He was sprayed in the face with a garden hose while doing calisthenics, simulating drowning. This is torture, a tactic condemned by the U.S. government when used against enemy combatants. It was inflicted upon a college student.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: He was forced to perform over 100 push-ups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (sprint drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. This was done under the threat of immediate expulsion from the fraternity if he stopped, pushing his body to human limits. The Houston Chronicle specifically detailed how he was “exercised past the point of physical exhaustion.”
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: He was compelled to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Then, in a truly degrading act, he was forced to continue running sprints while clearly in physical distress and lie in vomit-soaked grass after vomiting.
• Being Struck with Wooden Paddles: The lawsuit alleges he was physically beaten.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: He was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times. In a separate incident on October 13, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• Sleep Deprivation: Leonel was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to severe exhaustion.

This relentless abuse led to critical medical consequences, including rhabdomyolysis—a severe condition where damaged muscle tissue releases proteins into the blood, leading to potentially fatal acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, a classic sign of muscle breakdown, and had very high creatine kinase levels. For three nights and four days, he was hospitalized, fighting for his life, with permanent kidney damage remaining a serious risk. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, conveyed to ABC13 the extent of Leonel’s suffering: “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.”

The Institutional Response – And Our Aggressive Counter

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi National suspended the University of Houston chapter. By November 14, 2025, just seven days before we filed our $10 million lawsuit, the national fraternity officially closed the Beta Nu Chapter. Attorney Peña noted, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Pi Kappa Phi’s own website statement, issued the same day we filed the lawsuit, mentioned “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards” — a clear admission that their own rules were broken. Yet they callously added, “we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” demonstrating a shocking lack of remorse.

The University of Houston, despite a spokesperson telling Houston Public Media that the events were “deeply disturbing” and a “clear violation of our community standards,” also failed to prevent this. KHOU 11 reported that nationals “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” Our lawsuit against UH, its Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, the Beta Nu Housing Corporation (which UH itself owned), and 13 individual fraternity members, including the president, pledgemaster, and risk manager, demonstrates our firm’s comprehensive approach to liability. We name everyone responsible, from the individuals who inflicted the harm to the institutions that allowed it to happen.

Why This Case Resonates with Prince William County Families

This case highlights a disturbing reality that affects families in Prince William County directly:

• National Greek Life Presence: Pi Kappa Phi has over 150 chapters across America, including near universities where Prince William County students attend. The same “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel can occur anywhere.
• Institutional Complicity: Just like the University of Houston, colleges and universities near Prince William County have regulatory power over Greek life and owe a duty of care to their students. When they own property where hazing occurs or fail to supervise, they are liable.
• Foreseeable Harm: This wasn’t Pi Kappa Phi’s first serious hazing incident involving a hospitalization, or even death (Andrew Coffey, 2017). UH also had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017. Universities and national organizations have a documented history of this problem.
• Silence Feeds Abuse: Leonel feared retribution for speaking out, a common fear shared by many hazing victims, including those from Prince William County. We offer safe and confidential pathways to justice.

For Prince William County parents:

This is not an isolated incident in a faraway state. This is what hazing looks like today. This is the calculated brutality many fraternities embody. If your child attends a university in Virginia, such as George Mason University in Fairfax, Longwood University in Farmville, Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Radford University in Radford, James Madison University in Harrisonburg, or Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, the same national fraternities (including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and many others) have active chapters. These institutions face the same Greek life oversight challenges. The emotional and physical torment Leonel endured is a chilling reminder of the dangers lurking on campuses. Attorney 911 is actively fighting this battle. We will bring the same dedication and aggressive legal strategy to your family in Prince William County.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes and into the Brutality

When Prince William County parents think of hazing, they might envision harmless pranks or silly initiations. We need to shatter that misconception. Hazing today, as evidenced by cases like Leonel Bermudez’s and countless others, is a sophisticated and often criminal form of abuse designed to break down a person’s will, inflict pain, and create a false sense of loyalty through shared trauma. This isn’t “building character”; it’s torture.

The incidents our client endured provide a stark picture of the kinds of egregious acts that constitute modern hazing:

• Physical Abuse and Assault: This includes activities designed to inflict pain and physical injury, sometimes reaching levels that simulate combat or torture.
  • Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: Forcing individuals to experience the sensation of drowning, often with a garden hose to the face, is a deeply traumatic and dangerous act. As Houston Public Media stated in its coverage of our case, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.”
  • Beatings and Paddling: Intentional physical violence, including being struck with wooden paddles, is a direct assault.
  • Extreme Calisthenics and Forced Exertion: Prolonged periods of push-ups, squats, sprints (“suicides”), bear crawls, and other exercises pushed to the point of collapse. The goals are exhaustion, muscle breakdown, and kidney failure, as seen in Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis.
  • Exposure: Forcing pledges to strip to their underwear in cold weather or spraying them with water while minimally clothed induces hypothermia and further humiliation.
• Forced Consumption: This involves the coercive consumption of substances, often to dangerous levels, causing severe illness or medical emergencies.
  • Eating Until Vomiting: Forcing vast quantities of unpalatable foods or liquids like milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns is not only degrading but risks aspiration and physical distress. Our client was then forced to lie in his own vomit, demonstrating the depraved nature of the act.
  • Forced Alcohol Intake: This is one of the most common and deadly forms of hazing, leading to alcohol poisoning and death, as seen in the tragic cases of Andrew Coffey, Max Gruver, and Timothy Piazza.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: These tactics aim to degrade, control, and emotionally traumatize the victim, often leaving lasting mental scars.
  • Hog-Tying and Sexual Degradation: The incident where another pledge was hog-tied face-down with an object in his mouth, or being forced to carry sexually suggestive items in a fanny pack, are acts designed to humiliate and strip a person of dignity.
  • Sleep Deprivation: Depriving individuals of sleep for extended periods impairs judgment, amplifies physical strain, and is a common interrogation tactic.
  • Threats and Coercion: Continuously threatening physical punishment or expulsion for non-compliance creates an environment of fear and absolute control, breaking the pledge’s will.
  • Servitude: Forcing pledges to perform demeaning tasks, like driving members at all hours, takes away their autonomy and reinforces their subordinate status.

These are not isolated incidents but rather systemic practices embedded within certain Greek life cultures. The institutions turn a blind eye until a tragedy forces action. For Prince William County families sending their children to Virginia institutions that host Greek life chapters, it’s imperative to understand that these harrowing scenarios are not relics of the past but a current and present danger. Hazing is a betrayal of trust, a violation of human dignity, and a crime. We at Attorney 911 are committed to exposing and stopping these practices, aggressively advocating for those who suffer from them.

Who Is Responsible? Holding Every Liable Party Accountable

One of the most crucial aspects of an effective hazing lawsuit, particularly for families in Prince William County, is identifying and holding every single responsible party accountable. Hazing is rarely the act of just one individual; it’s a systemic failure. Our approach, as demonstrated in the Bermudez case, is to cast a wide net, ensuring that no responsible entity escapes justice. We understand that behind the Greek letters and university banners are tax-exempt corporations, multi-million dollar institutions, and individuals with a duty to protect students.

In our $10 million lawsuit, we are pursuing an aggressive strategy against:

1. The Local Chapter of the Fraternity/Sorority: This is the most direct perpetrator. In Leonel Bermudez’s case, it was the Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. They directly organized, facilitated, and executed the hazing activities. Their officers, such as the president and pledgemaster, bear leadership responsibility, while members who participated or failed to intervene are also liable.
2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization: These entities, frequently based out-of-state and governing chapters across America, have ultimate oversight. They establish rules, conduct training, and have the power to suspend or revoke chapter charters. Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, for instance, has over 150 chapters nationwide. Our lawsuit alleges they “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis,'” and we know they had prior knowledge from the death of Andrew Coffey in 2017. Their failure to act, despite actual notice, makes them highly liable. Their deep pockets, substantial assets, and liability insurance make them a prime target for significant damages. Our dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) and federal court experience give us a strategic advantage in pursuing these large, often multi-state organizations, regardless of where they are headquartered or where a Prince William County student attended college.
3. The University or College: Educational institutions have a paramount duty to protect their students. In the Bermudez case, the University of Houston and its Board of Regents are key defendants.
   • Ownership of Property: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of Leonel’s hazing occurred. This creates undeniable premises liability – they were the landlord, responsible for conditions on their property. Universities near Prince William County, such as George Mason University or Virginia Commonwealth University, often have similar relationships with Greek housing, creating comparable avenues for liability.
   • Failure of Oversight: Despite a prior hazing hospitalization at UH in 2017, the university failed to implement adequate safeguards. They knew hazing was a problem on their campus and did nothing to prevent recurrence. This constitutes negligent supervision and institutional negligence.
   • Power to Regulate: Universities possess immense power to regulate, inspect, and enforce policies within Greek life. When they choose not to use this power effectively, they become complicit in the outcomes.
4. Housing Corporations: These separate legal entities often own the physical fraternity or sorority houses. In our lawsuit, the Beta Nu Housing Corporation is specifically named. These corporations, often run by alumni, are responsible for maintaining safe premises and can be held liable for conditions that facilitate hazing. They typically carry property and liability insurance that can contribute to a victim’s recovery.
5. Individual Perpetrators: Every person who took part in, encouraged, or failed to stop the hazing can be held personally responsible. In our lawsuit, 13 individual fraternity members, including the president, pledgemaster, other chapter leaders, current members, and even former members and their spouse (who permitted hazing at their residence), are named. While these individuals may have fewer assets than the institutions, their personal liability is crucial:
   • It ensures criminal accountability, as their actions often violate hazing laws.
   • It sends a powerful message that individuals cannot hide behind the collective.
   • It allows for the recovery of personal assets or coverage from homeowner’s insurance policies, as demonstrated by the $6.5 million judgment against a single individual in the Stone Foltz case.

For families in Prince William County, understanding that there are multiple layers of responsibility is critical. Hazing lawyers in Prince William County and across the country must be prepared to investigate and sue every party, leaving no stone unturned. Our firm possesses the resources, the legal expertise, and the unrelenting drive to pursue every potentially liable entity, from the college student who threw the punch to the multi-million dollar national organization that turned a blind eye.

What These Cases Win: A Path to Justice for Prince William County Families

Hazing incidents, particularly those involving severe physical or psychological injury, can have devastating financial consequences for victims and their families in Prince William County. Beyond the emotional trauma, there are often overwhelming medical bills, lost educational opportunities, and long-term care needs. While no amount of money can truly compensate for such profound suffering, civil litigation exists to provide financial justice, cover damages, and, critically, send a powerful deterrent message to institutions that enable this abuse.

The legal landscape surrounding hazing has seen significant shifts, with precedent-setting verdicts and settlements reaching multi-million-dollar figures. These cases, which we closely track and leverage, demonstrate that aggressive, data-driven legal action can force accountability and secure substantial compensation. For families in Prince William County who are grappling with the aftermath of hazing, these cases offer a beacon of hope and a clear indication of what is possible.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements That Paved the Way:

1. Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Total Payout: Over $10.1 Million

   • What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at BGSU’s Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during an initiation event. He suffered acute alcohol poisoning and died.
   • The Outcome: His family received significant compensation, including $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from the national Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and several individuals. Most recently, in December 2024, Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, was ordered to pay an additional $6.5 million in personal liability. This stands as the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio’s history.
   • Relevance for Prince William County: This case directly supports our $10 million demand in the Bermudez lawsuit. It proves that both universities and national fraternities are held to account for millions, and that individuals can be personally hit with substantial judgments.

2. Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): Total Verdict: $6.1 Million

   • What Happened: In September 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495—six times the legal limit—during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” hazing event at LSU. He was forced to drink if he answered questions incorrectly.
   • The Outcome: A jury awarded his family $6.1 million. The tragedy also led to the passage of the “Max Gruver Act” in Louisiana, which upgraded hazing to a felony offense.
   • Relevance for Prince William County: This jury verdict demonstrates that when cases go to trial, juries are willing to award multi-million dollar figures to victims of egregious hazing. It also shows a clear societal and legislative rejection of hazing.

3. Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): Total Payout: Over $110 Million (Estimated)

   • What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza participated in a Beta Theta Pi bid acceptance night where pledges were forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes. He fell down stairs repeatedly, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911. He tragically died days later.
   • The Outcome: While the exact settlement is confidential, it is estimated to be over $110 million from Penn State and Beta Theta Pi. Criminal charges were filed against 18 fraternity members, leading to multiple convictions, and Pennsylvania passed the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.” Crucially, security cameras in the fraternity house captured everything, providing irrefutable evidence.
   • Relevance for Prince William County: This case illustrates the massive financial penalties institutions face when caught in severe hazing cases, especially with strong evidence. It underscores the importance of securing and preserving all relevant evidence, a core component of our strategy.

4. Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

   • What Happened: On November 3, 2017, Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” event.
   • The Outcome: Nine fraternity members were criminally charged with hazing, and the chapter was permanently closed. His family reached a confidential settlement.
   • Relevance for Prince William County: This case is critical for the Bermudez lawsuit as it involves the SAME NATIONAL FRATERNITY: PI KAPPA PHI. This proves that Pi Kappa Phi National had actual notice of deadly hazing within its chapters years before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. It establishes a clear pattern of negligence and a failure to address systemic issues, significantly bolstering our claims for accountability and punitive damages.

Why These Precedents Matter to Prince William County Families:

• Financial Resources for Recovery: These large settlements and verdicts ensure victims and their families have the resources for extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, long-term care, and compensation for devastating emotional and physical pain.
• A Clear Message to Institutions: Multi-million dollar payouts are the only language that some universities and national fraternities truly understand. They force real change in policies and oversight, potentially saving future lives, including those of students from Prince William County.
• Justification for Aggressive Demands: Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is not arbitrary; it is firmly rooted in the outcomes of similar hazing cases nationwide. We know what justice looks like in these situations.
• Legislative Change: These tragedies frequently catalyze new, stronger anti-hazing laws. The push for “Adam’s Law” in Virginia after the death of Adam Oakes at VCU underscores the statewide commitment to combatting hazing, protecting students from Prince William County who attend universities throughout the Commonwealth.

For any family in Prince William County experiencing the nightmare of hazing, these cases prove that while the fight is long, justice and significant compensation are achievable. We have seen these wins, and we are fiercely dedicated to replicating that success for every client we represent.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights as a Hazing Victim

For families in Prince William County, Virginia, facing a hazing incident, it’s crucial to understand the comprehensive legal framework designed to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable. While our firm is rooted in Texas, our expertise in hazing litigation directly applies to the challenges faced by families everywhere, including Virginia. Virginia, like many states, has robust anti-hazing laws. Moreover, federal civil rights claims and general negligence claims provide avenues for justice regardless of geographic boundaries, allowing us to pursue your case in federal courts.

Texas Hazing Laws: A Model for Accountability

Texas has some of the nation’s most explicit and stringent anti-hazing laws, enshrined in the Texas Education Code (§ 37.151-37.157). These statutes serve as a powerful tool in civil litigation and inform our strategy for any hazing case nationwide.

1. Broad Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Texas law defines hazing broadly to include any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off-campus that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization. The definition explicitly covers:

   • Physical brutality: Whipping, beating, striking (like the wooden paddles in the Bermudez case), branding, electronic shocking, or similar activities.
   • Dangerous physical activities: Sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements (like stripping in cold weather), confinement, calisthenics (like Leonel’s 500 squats and 100 pushups leading to rhabdomyolysis), or other activities that pose an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affect health.
   • Forced Consumption: Compelling a student to consume food, liquid, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or other substances that create an unreasonable risk of harm (like Leonel’s forced eating until vomiting, or the forced alcohol that killed Andrew Coffey).
   • Criminal Acts: Any activity that forces a student to violate the Penal Code.
   • Coercion to Consume Substances: Specifically targeting forcing drugs or alcohol to the point of intoxication.
   • Relevance to Prince William County: Virginia’s anti-hazing laws, such as “Adam’s Law” (Virginia Code § 18.2-56), similarly prohibit acts that injure, degrade, or disgrace students and often carry criminal penalties. Our comprehensive understanding of Texas law is highly transferable to legal frameworks across the country.

2. Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most critical provision. Texas law unequivocally states, “It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.“

   • Why this matters to Prince William County parents: Fraternities, universities, and their lawyers will invariably try to argue, “He knew what he was signing up for,” or “He could have left.” Texas law explicitly shuts down this unethical and legally unfounded defense. No one can legally consent to being brutalized, tortured, or endangered. This legal principle is foundational in hazing litigation across the U.S.

3. Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Texas law imposes significant criminal penalties, ranging from a Class B Misdemeanor for engaging in hazing to a State Jail Felony for hazing that causes death. Hazing causing serious bodily injury, like Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

   • Relevance: The University of Houston spokesperson acknowledged “potential criminal charges” in Leonel’s case. Criminal proceedings often run parallel to civil lawsuits, bolstering the evidence of wrongdoing.

4. Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations can be held liable if they condone or encourage hazing, or if their officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing. Penalties include fines up to $10,000, denial of permission to operate, and forfeiture of property.

   • Relevance: This is crucial for holding local chapters and national organizations (like Pi Kappa Phi National in our lawsuit) accountable.

5. University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Universities must report hazing incidents within 30 days to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor.

   • Relevance: These reporting requirements create a paper trail that can be critical in discovery, revealing how universities track—or fail to track—hazing on their campuses.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges

Beyond the specific anti-hazing statutes, several broad civil liability theories allow victims from Prince William County to pursue substantial compensation:

1. Negligence: The most common claim. It alleges that the defendants (fraternity, university, individuals) owed a duty of care to the victim, breached that duty through their actions or inaction (e.g., hazing, failure to supervise, lack of policy enforcement), and this breach directly caused the victim’s injuries and damages. This applies regardless of the specific state anti-hazing statute.
2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (like the University of Houston in our case) or a housing corporation, these entities can be held liable for allowing dangerous conditions to exist.
3. Negligent Supervision: National fraternities and universities have a duty to adequately supervise their chapters and Greek life programs. Failure to do so, especially with knowledge of prior incidents (like Pi Kappa Phi’s history or UH’s prior hazing case), constitutes negligent supervision.
4. Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators who inflict physical harm can be sued directly for intentional torts like assault (threat of harm) and battery (unwanted harmful contact, e.g., paddling, waterboarding).
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): This claim applies where the hazing involves extreme and outrageous conduct that intentionally or recklessly causes severe emotional distress. The psychological torture endured by victims, including manifestations like PTSD, anxiety, and depression, falls under this category.
6. Wrongful Death: In tragic cases involving a hazing death, families can pursue wrongful death lawsuits, seeking compensation for the loss of their loved one, funeral expenses, lost future earnings, and emotional suffering.

For Prince William County families, the key takeaway is that an entire legal framework exists to support your pursuit of justice. Our experienced hazing lawyers understand these laws thoroughly and know how to apply them to maximize your compensation and hold every responsible party accountable, whether the incident occurred in Virginia or another state. The law is on your side, and we are here to ensure it is enforced.

Why Attorney 911? Your Trusted Legal Emergency Lawyers for Prince William County Hazing Victims

When tragedy strikes and your child is a victim of hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a relentless advocate who understands the depths of this issue, who is not afraid to take on powerful institutions, and who genuinely cares about your family. Attorney 911, Legal Emergency Lawyers™, stands as that unwavering advocate for families in Prince William County and across the nation. While our home offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our commitment to hazing victims knows no geographical bounds. We bring our proven track record, unique advantages, and compassionate approach directly to you.

Our Unparalleled Advantages for Prince William County Families:

1. 25+ Years of Battle-Tested Courtroom Experience: Ralph P. Manginello, our managing partner, brings over two decades of aggressive litigation experience. He is a seasoned trial attorney who has navigated complex, high-stakes cases, including multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation against corporate giants like BP following the Texas City refinery explosion. This experience directly translates to your hazing case, demonstrating our capability to stand against massive university and national fraternity defendants. For Prince William County families looking for a hazing lawyer in Virginia, you gain access to this national-level expertise.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Eleno Peña, Attorney 911’s associate attorney, previously worked for insurance defense firms. Lupe, in particular, honed his skills at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm. This is an unparalleled advantage: they’ve seen how insurance companies value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize or deny payouts – they’ve been on the other side. Now, they use that insider knowledge to dismantle the opposition’s defenses and maximize recovery for our hazing victims. When insurance adjusters try to lowball a family in Prince William County, our team knows exactly how to fight back because we trained their counterparts.
3. Federal Court Admissions & Dual-State Bar Licenses: Our team is admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts and holds bar licenses in both Texas and New York. This dual-state admission provides a strategic advantage for hazing cases involving national fraternities headquartered anywhere in America. We have the legal authority and experience to pursue your Prince William County hazing case in federal jurisdiction, which is often necessary when dealing with multi-state defendants like national Greek organizations.
4. Hazing-Specific Expertise & Ongoing Litigation: We aren’t just personal injury lawyers who occasionally handle hazing cases. We are actively fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi, right now. This is not theoretical; we are in the trenches, aggressively bringing to light the horrors of modern hazing. This direct, real-time experience means we are intimately familiar with the tactics employed by defendants and the most effective counter-strategies. We handle cases involving rhabdomyolysis, institutional negligence, and wrongful death stemming from hazing. Our expertise in Prince William County hazing lawsuits comes from proactive engagement.
5. Nationwide Reach, Localized Service: While our offices are physically located in Texas, we proudly serve hazing victims in Prince William County, Virginia, and across the entire nation. We leverage technology for remote consultations and are fully prepared to travel to Prince William County for depositions, client meetings, and trials when justice demands it. Distance is never a barrier to justice when you have a child who has been harmed by hazing.
6. Se Habla Español – Bilingual Legal Services: Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, born and raised in Sugar Land, Texas, with deep roots in the state. This enables us to provide comprehensive legal services to Spanish-speaking families in Prince William County, ensuring clear communication and eliminating language barriers to justice.
7. Client-Centered Approach & Compassionate Advocacy: We understand the immense trauma hazing inflicts. Our staff is warm, friendly, and genuinely passionate about helping victims. We treat every client like family, offering consistent communication and guidance through every step of a complex legal process. As attested by numerous client testimonials (4.9 stars with 250+ Google reviews), we are known for our responsiveness and dedication. “You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such,” as one client put it. We know that behind every hazing lawyer query in Prince William County is a worried parent.
8. “Unfair Advantage” of Dual Former Defense Attorneys: It’s rare to find a firm where both lead attorneys possess extensive prior experience defending deep-pocketed defendants. Ralph and Lupe have combined for over 37 years of legal experience, much of it seeing how the other side strategizes. This “insurance counter-intelligence system” is a powerful tool we deploy on behalf of our clients.

Beyond the Law: Our Commitment as Fathers and Community Members

Ralph Manginello is a dedicated father of three and actively involved in youth sports. He understands the environments where hazing often occurs and the trust placed in institutions to protect young people. This personal connection fuels our firm’s deep emotional investment in hazing victims. We see your child as a person, not a case file. For families in Prince William County, entrusting your case to Attorney 911 means partnering with legal professionals who bring not only unmatched legal skill but also profound empathy and a true commitment to seeing justice served.

When you choose Attorney 911, you’re not just hiring lawyers; you’re gaining a team that is unyielding in their pursuit of accountability, sophisticated in their legal strategy, and compassionate in their client care. For hazing victims and their families in Prince William County, we are your legal emergency contact, ready to act First, Fast, and Decisively.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Prince William County Hazing Victims and Families

If your child in Prince William County has been or is currently being hazed, we understand that you are likely feeling overwhelmed, scared, angry, and perhaps even confused about what happened. In these critical moments, swift and informed action is paramount to protecting your child’s health, preserving crucial evidence, and securing their legal rights. The window for action can be short, and delays can severely impact the strength of a potential lawsuit.

Here are the immediate steps you should take. Remember, you do not have to navigate this crisis alone. We are here to help.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention and Document Everything:

   • Prioritize Health: Your child’s physical and mental well-being is the absolute first priority. If there are physical injuries, severe pain, signs of alcohol poisoning, dehydration, or any suspicion of rhabdomyolysis or kidney issues (like dark urine, extreme muscle pain), call 911 or get to an emergency room immediately.
   • Comprehensive Care: Continue with all recommended medical evaluations, treatments, and follow-ups with specialists. This includes therapy or counseling for psychological trauma such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
   • Medical Records: Crucially, ensure that medical professionals document the suspected cause of injuries (e.g., “injuries consistent with hazing activity”). Keep detailed records of every doctor’s visit, diagnosis, treatment, medication, and the severity of symptoms. Documenting injuries early is critical, as Ralph Manginello emphasizes, “Why Seeing a Doctor Right After an Accident Is Critical.” Without prompt medical records, defense attorneys will argue your child wasn’t really hurt.

2. Preserve ALL Evidence – IMMEDIATELY: This cannot be stressed enough. Evidence disappears quickly, and anything can be valuable.

   • Digital Communications: Do NOT delete any text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat conversations, Instagram DMs, emails, or any other digital communication linked to the fraternity, sorority, or hazing incident. These often contain direct evidence of coercion, threats, and illegal activities. Screenshots are vital.
   • Photos and Videos: Take photos of any physical injuries at all stages of healing (bruises, cuts, swelling). If safe to do so, document the location where hazing occurred. Any photos or videos of hazing activities themselves, even if not directly involving your child, are invaluable. Our firm utilizes modern AI tools for evidence preservation, so gather everything. “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to,” as Ralph Manginello advises in our video, “Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?”
   • Documents: Save any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or other documents provided by the organization.
   • Witness Information: Collect the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or people who have knowledge of the organization’s activities. Their willingness to testify can be crucial.
   • Social Media: Do NOT post anything about the incident on social media. Avoid posting photos of your child appearing “fine” or engaging in activities that might contradict their injuries. As our video “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” warns, anything posted can and will be used against your case.

3. Do NOT Communicate with the Organization, University, or Their Representatives Without Legal Counsel:

   • Silence is Golden: Do not speak to anyone from the fraternity/sorority, university administration, or their lawyers/insurance adjusters. These individuals are NOT looking out for your child’s best interests. They are trained to minimize liability and will try to get your child to admit fault or provide statements that can be used against them. As our video “Never Talk to the Insurance Company After an Accident” stresses, let your lawyer handle all communications.
   • Do NOT Sign Anything: Do not sign any documents, releases, or agreements provided by the organization or university without first having them reviewed by an independent attorney. These documents often waive your legal rights.
   • Do NOT Accept Offers: As our video “Should I Fight the Insurance Company or Accept Their Settlement Offer?” highlights, initial offers are almost always lowball attempts.

4. Understand Your Child’s Academic Status:

   • Enrollment: Note your child’s enrollment status, especially if they are a “ghost rush” like Leonel Bermudez (i.e., not yet officially enrolled). This doesn’t negate the hazing, but it affects the university’s direct duty of care.
   • Impact on Academics: Document any decline in grades, missed classes, or withdrawal from courses due to the hazing trauma and recovery.

5. Act Immediately – Contact Attorney 911:

   • Time is Critical: Hazing cases, particularly those involving physical injury or trauma, are subject to strict legal deadlines, known as the Statute of Limitations. In Texas, for instance, it’s typically two years from the date of injury or death. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to sue forever. As our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” emphatically states, “If you miss the deadline, you lose your right to sue forever.”
   • Evidence Disappears: The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to gather evidence. Witnesses forget details, digital evidence is deleted, and physical evidence is destroyed or cleaned up.
   • Free, Confidential Consultation: Call us immediately. Our initial consultation is entirely free and confidential. We will review the details of your child’s case, assess its viability, and discuss your legal options. There is no obligation, and you will leave with clear guidance.

Your Child’s Immigration Status and Hazing

For immigrant families in Prince William County, concerns about immigration status may add another layer of fear or reluctance to report hazing. It is vital to understand: Your child’s immigration status does NOT affect their right to seek justice and compensation as a hazing victim. We handle cases for individuals regardless of their immigration status, and our fluent Spanish-speaking attorney, Lupe Peña, can communicate directly with Spanish-speaking families. We will protect your privacy and your legal rights diligently.

For Prince William County families, taking these immediate steps can make all the difference in building a strong case and holding accountable those who harmed your child. We are ready to listen, advise, and fight for you.

Prince William County Legal Emergency: Call Us Now.

If your family in Prince William County, Virginia, is grappling with the horrific aftermath of a hazing incident, you are experiencing a legal emergency. A call to Attorney 911 is your first step towards justice, accountability, and healing. We understand the fear, the anger, and the desperation that sets in when you discover your child has been subjected to such severe abuse. We are here, ready to listen, advise, and act with the urgency and expertise your situation demands.

Don’t Wait. Your Rights and Your Child’s Future Depend On It.

The window to act in hazing cases is critically short. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and legal deadlines close. In many states, including Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases is typically two years. This may seem like ample time, but between medical treatments, emotional recovery, and the complexities of investigations, two years can pass quickly. We urge families in Prince William County to contact us immediately.

Here’s why acting now is crucial:

• Preservation of Evidence: The longer you wait, the more likely critical evidence – text messages, social media posts, witness accounts, and even physical conditions at the hazing site – will be lost or destroyed.
• Witness Availability: Witnesses, especially other students, may graduate, move, or be pressured into silence. Securing their testimony early is vital.
• Institutional Accountability: Prompt legal action sends an immediate message to the fraternity, its national organization, and the university that their actions will not go unchallenged. It forces them to preserve records and begin to take the incident seriously.
• Your Child’s Healing: Pursuing legal action can be an empowering step in your child’s healing process, validating their experience and securing the resources needed for comprehensive medical and psychological recovery.

Your Direct Line to Justice: Attorney 911

We are actively fighting hazing right now, most notably in our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the severe hazing of Leonel Bermudez. That means we are not just experts in theory; we are experts in practice. The same aggressive and detailed approach we apply in that high-profile case is what we will bring to your family in Prince William County.

CALL NOW FOR A FREE, CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email Us Anytime: ralph@atty911.com

Visit Our Website: attorney911.com

Our legal emergency hotline is available 24/7 for families in Prince William County and across the nation.

No Upfront Costs: Our Contingency Fee Promise

We understand that pursuing legal action, especially against powerful institutions, can seem daunting and expensive. We remove that barrier. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis for hazing cases. This means:

• You pay absolutely $0 upfront.
• You owe us nothing unless and until we win your case.
• Our fees are paid as a percentage of the compensation we secure for you.

This commitment ensures that families in Prince William County, regardless of their financial situation, can access top-tier legal representation from attorneys who are directly invested in the success of their case.

Nationwide Service for Prince William County Families

While our physical offices are located in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach and commitment to hazing victims extend far beyond state lines. We actively serve clients nationwide, and geography is not a barrier to justice.

• Remote Consultations: We offer convenient and confidential video consultations, allowing families in Prince William County to connect with our attorneys from the comfort and privacy of their homes.
• Federal Court Authority: Our admission to U.S. District Courts and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) provide us with the authority and expertise to pursue cases against national organizations in federal jurisdiction, regardless of their physical headquarters.
• Willingness to Travel: For critical depositions, client meetings, or trial proceedings, our attorneys are prepared to travel to Prince William County, Virginia, ensuring we maintain a strong local presence for your case.

Hazing is a national crisis that demands a national response. Whether your child was hazed at a university in Prince William County, elsewhere in Virginia, or across the country, we have the capabilities and dedication to help.

To Other Victims of Hazing:

If you are reading this as another victim of hazing – perhaps even one of the other students subjected to the abuse at Pi Kappa Phi or another fraternity – please know that you are not alone. Our client Leonel Bermudez’s case is a brave step, and we know there are more victims who have suffered similar trauma. Lupe Peña’s words resonate with deep truth: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Your voice, your story, and your pursuit of justice can make a profound difference. It can hold perpetrators accountable, change dangerous organizational cultures, and protect future students from the very nightmare you endured. Call us. Let us help you bring them all to justice.

Your legal emergency is our call to action. Contact Attorney 911 today.