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. Instead, they were tortured. We’re here to help families in Pulaski County, Georgia, fight back.

We understand the isolation and fear that can grip a family when hazing shatters their peace. Pulaski County, Georgia, with its close-knit communities and shared values, sends its young people to colleges and universities across the state and beyond, expecting them to find education and opportunity, not abuse and trauma. Whether your child attends a smaller regional institution, one of Georgia’s major universities like the University of Georgia or Georgia Tech, or travels out of state, the risks of hazing are unfortunately present. The news is filled with stories that prove this isn’t just an urban problem or something unique to certain types of schools; hazing is a nationwide crisis, reaching students from every background imaginable.

We see this nightmare unfolding in Texas right now, in a landmark case we are actively litigating in Houston: the $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This case isn’t just about one victim; it’s a stark warning to every parent and a call to action for every institution. It demonstrates exactly what kind of firm we are: aggressive, thorough, data-driven, and relentless in pursuing accountability for hazing victims. What happened in Houston could happen to a child from Hawkinsville, from Cochran, or from any community in Pulaski County, Georgia, who leaves home for college. We are here to ensure that when it does, families have a powerful champion on their side.

The Haunting Echoes in Pulaski County, Georgia: Why This Crisis Hits Close to Home

The hazing crisis sweeping the nation isn’t confined to distant cities or large universities. It’s a pervasive issue that can affect any student who joins an organization, including those from Pulaski County, Georgia. Families across our region send their children to institutions like Middle Georgia State University, Georgia College & State University, or even larger state universities like the University of Georgia in Athens or Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, with hopes for a bright future. They trust that these institutions, and the organizations within them, will nurture, not harm, their young adults.

Yet, hazing deeply betrays this trust. It’s a hidden danger, often shrouded in secrecy and fear, that can lead to severe physical injuries, profound psychological trauma, and, tragically, even death. When a child from Pulaski County—a place where community ties run deep and neighbors look out for one another—experiences such a violation, the impact reverberates through families and across the entire community.

We are actively involved in fighting this battle through our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This case serves as a critical example of the extreme dangers students face today and how aggressively we combat these injustices. The same national fraternities and similar organizational cultures that allowed abuse to flourish in Houston have chapters at universities many Pulaski County students attend. The institutional failures that permitted such atrocities at a major university in Texas are mirrored at campuses across the country, where young people from our own Georgia communities are at risk.

Your child may be attending a university where the Greek life system operates with the same national guidance and oversight (or lack thereof) that failed Leonel Bermudez in Texas. The local chapters in Georgia, whether they are in Milledgeville, Macon, or even further afield, are often part of larger national structures, meaning the patterns of behavior and the systemic issues found in one state can easily manifest in another. We want Pulaski County families to understand that while our fight is centered in Houston, the tactics, the defendants, and the pursuit of justice are applicable wherever hazing occurs. We bring our full expertise, refined in the crucible of active litigation, directly to your doorstep in Pulaski County, Georgia, offering the same fierce advocacy.

The Landmark Case in Houston: Our $10 Million Fight for Justice

The case of Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. is not just a legal battle; it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to holding hazing perpetrators and complacent institutions accountable. Filed in Harris County Civil District Court on November 21, 2025, this $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and numerous individuals, including the fraternity’s leadership and the property owners where some of the hazing took place, serves as the centerpiece of everything Attorney911 stands for.

This is not a hypothetical fight; it’s a real, ongoing battle that positions Attorney911 on the front lines against hazing.

Pulaski County Families: This is what modern hazing looks like, and this is what we do about it. The same types of incidents, the same national fraternities, and the same institutional negligence can be found at universities across Georgia and the entire country.

Leonel Bermudez’s Story: A Warning from Houston

Leonel Bermudez was not even officially a student at the University of Houston when his nightmare began. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective transfer student who had accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025, months before he would enroll. What followed were weeks of systematic abuse, physical torture, and psychological torment that culminated in his hospitalization for severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

During their “pledge” process, Leonel was subjected to horrific acts, including:

Simulated Waterboarding: He was sprayed in the face with a garden hose while performing calisthenics, a dehumanizing act that mimics drowning.
Extreme Physical Exertion: Punished for missing an event, he was forced to perform over 100 push-ups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother drills,” two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls, all while reciting the fraternity creed under threat of immediate expulsion. This relentless exertion pushed his body past its limits.
Forced Consumption and Humiliation: He was made to eat large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Then, in a sickening display of sadism, he was forced to continue running sprints through his own vomit, and lie in vomit-soaked grass.
Physical Beatings: The lawsuit alleges he was struck with wooden paddles, a stark reminder that hazing is often outright assault.
Psychological Torture: He was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times, designed solely to humiliate and degrade him.
Witnessed Abuse: He witnessed other pledges being subjected to similar horrors, including one who was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour, and another who lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout in mid-October, requiring other pledges to keep his legs elevated until he revived.

On November 3, 2025, after one particularly brutal session, Leonel collapsed, unable to stand without help. He crawled home, his body in agony. The next two days, his condition worsened. On November 6, passing ominous brown urine — a classic sign of muscle breakdown — his mother rushed him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, spending three nights and four days hospitalized, facing the very real threat of permanent organ damage.

The Immediate Aftermath and Our Aggressive Response

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters suspended their University of Houston chapter. By November 14, 2025, the chapter was effectively dissolved. The University of Houston spokesperson called the events “deeply disturbing” and pledged to cooperate with law enforcement, acknowledging “potential criminal charges.” These swift reactions confirm the severity of the hazing and the undeniable culpability of those involved.

Attorney Ralph Manginello and Attorney Lupe Peña of Attorney911 moved immediately. Our $10 million lawsuit, filed on November 21, 2025, names every entity responsible: Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (national and local chapter), their Housing Corporation, the University of Houston, the UH Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the president, pledgemaster, and even a former member and his spouse at whose residence some hazing occurred.

Our legal action ensured this case wouldn’t quietly disappear. It garnered immediate media attention:

ABC13 Houston: Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges
KHOU 11: $10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations
Houston Chronicle: UH fraternity hazing lawsuit
Houston Public Media: University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing

Why the Bermudez Case Resonates with Pulaski County, Georgia

This case is not geographically isolated. It is a critical warning for parents in Pulaski County, Georgia, and a demonstration of our firm’s capabilities:

Same Fraternities, Same Dangers: Pi Kappa Phi has over 150 chapters across America, including near Pulaski County, Georgia, at institutions like the University of Georgia or Georgia Southern. The “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel are replicated nationwide.
Unwavering Institutional Culpability: Universities, whether in Houston or Georgia, often own or control fraternity property and possess the power to regulate Greek life. Their failure to act makes them liable. The University of Houston actually owned the fraternity house where some of these horrific acts occurred, highlighting a direct link to liability for premises safety.
National Organizations are Not Immune: Pi Kappa Phi National’s swift chapter closure, and their own admission of “violations,” proves they knew what was happening and their policies were inadequate. Many national Greek organizations operate similarly, with chapters near Pulaski County, Georgia; they, too, are accountable.
A Call for Justice: As Attorney Lupe Peña stated, “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 child’s case in Pulaski County, Georgia, could be the one that saves the next student.

We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re actively fighting it right now in civil district court, proving that Attorney911 is not theoretical. We are the firm that takes aggressive action, armed with data, legal expertise, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

When families in Pulaski County, Georgia, hear the word “hazing,” they might picture harmless pranks or silly initiations. But the reality, as evidenced by cases like Leonel Bermudez’s, is far more sinister. Hazing today is rarely about team-building; it’s about control, degradation, and often, severe physical and psychological abuse that can lead to lifelong trauma or death. It has nothing to do with building character or brotherhood and everything to do with power, cruelty, and violence.

This is what hazing often looks like on campuses across America, including those where students from Pulaski County, Georgia, enroll:

Physical Brutality and Reckless Endangerment:

Extreme Physical Exertion: Forced calisthenics—hundreds of push-ups, squats, sprints, bear crawls, and “suicides”—often continued until exhaustion, collapse, muscle breakdown (as with Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis), or organ failure. This can lead to heatstroke, heart attack, and severe injury.
Forced Consumption: Ingrained in many hazing rituals is the forced, rapid consumption of dangerous substances. This commonly includes alcohol to the point of blacking out, alcohol poisoning, or even death, but also extends to non-alcoholic substances like gallons of milk, hot sauces, or even non-food items, often until vomiting.
Beatings and Assault: Physical striking with paddles, belts, fists, or other objects is a direct act of assault. This can result in internal injuries, broken bones, concussions, or even permanent disabilities.
Simulated Drowning/Waterboarding: As seen in Leonel’s case, victims are sprayed with water in a way that simulates drowning, inducing terror and violating their most basic sense of safety.
Exposure to Elements: Victims may be forced to strip and stand in cold weather, or be constrained in extreme heat, leading to hypothermia, frostbite, or heatstroke.
Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often kept awake for days or forced into early morning activities that severely disrupt sleep, impairing judgment, leading to exhaustion, and increasing vulnerability.

Psychological Torture and Humiliation:

Degrading Rituals: Being forced to wear humiliating attire, as Leonel was with the fanny pack of sexual objects, or to perform demeaning tasks, strip naked, or lie in filth like vomit-soaked grass.
Verbal Abuse and Threats: Constant yelling, insults, threats of physical harm, social ostracization, or expulsion from the group creates an environment of fear and anxiety.
Isolation and Confinement: Being confined in small, dark spaces, or separated from friends and support networks, can induce panic and feelings of helplessness.
Forced Servitude: Pledges are often treated as slaves, forced to clean, run errands, or provide transportation for active members at all hours, further stripping them of dignity and personal time.
Sexual Harassment and Assault: Hazing can include forced nudity, sexually suggestive acts, or actual sexual assault, leaving devastating and lasting impacts.

The Medical Realities:

The consequences of hazing are not merely discomfort or temporary embarrassment. They are medically severe:

Rhabdomyolysis: The life-threatening condition Leonel Bermudez suffered, caused by extreme muscle breakdown, leading to kidney failure.
Alcohol Poisoning: A common cause of hazing deaths, leading to organ damage, coma, or fatality.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): From falls, beatings, or induced collisions.
Internal Organ Damage: Lacerated spleens, liver damage, or ruptured organs from physical force or extreme consumption.
Broken Bones: Fractures from falls, beatings, or forced physical stress.
Severe Dehydration/Heatstroke/Hypothermia: From environmental exposure or forced exertion without water.
Infections: From dirty environments, untreated wounds, or contaminated substances.
Profound Psychological Trauma: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety, clinical depression, suicidal ideation, and long-term trust issues are rampant among hazing survivors.

This is not “boys being boys.” This is not “tradition.” It is a pattern of criminal abuse, enabled by institutional indifference, that victims from Pulaski County, Georgia, and beyond have every right to fight against. We are here to help them.

Who Is Responsible? Holding Every Perpetrator Accountable

When hazing leaves a student from Pulaski County, Georgia, injured or dead, the responsibility rarely falls on just one individual or entity. Instead, a complex web of negligence, complicity, and direct action contributes to the tragedy. Our strategy is to identify and pursue every single party that bears a share of that responsibility, ensuring that no one escapes accountability. This includes individuals, local chapters, national organizations, and even the universities themselves.

In the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case, we’ve named a comprehensive list of defendants, illustrating our commitment to this multi-faceted approach. This same strategy is applicable to hazing incidents affecting students from Pulaski County, Georgia, regardless of where they attend college:

1. Individual Perpetrators:

These are the members directly involved in conducting, facilitating, or failing to stop hazing acts. They cannot hide behind the group or the fraternity’s name. In Leonel Bermudez’s case, we’ve sued 13 individual fraternity members, including:

Chapter President: For leadership negligence, direction, and oversight of hazing activities.
Pledgemaster: The individual directly responsible for organizing and implementing the pledge “education” program, which often includes hazing.
Active Members: Any individuals who participated in the physical abuse, forced consumption, psychological torture, or stood by and allowed it to happen.
Former Members: In Leonel’s case, even former members who hosted hazing activities at their private residence are liable for premises control and participation.
Spouses of Former Members: If hazing occurs on private property, property owners, including non-member spouses, can be held liable for allowing dangerous activities to occur on their premises.
Why they’re liable: Direct participation in harmful acts, assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and criminal hazing. They are almost always complicit in the intentional acts of hazing.

2. Local Chapter of the Fraternity/Sorority:

The immediate organization on campus, such as the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston, directly orchestrates and executes the hazing rituals.
Why they’re liable: As an entity, the chapter is responsible for the acts of its members, its own policies (or lack thereof), and its environment. Negligent supervision, vicarious liability for members’ actions, and creating an unsafe environment.

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Organization:

These are the large, typically well-funded, corporate entities that oversee hundreds of chapters across the country. Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters is a prime example.
Why they’re liable: This is often where the “deep pockets” are. National organizations often:

Fail to Supervise: They have a duty to oversee their local chapters and prevent hazing.
Fail to Enforce Policies: Many have anti-hazing policies, but fail to enforce them, allowing a culture of abuse to persist.
Have Actual Knowledge of Hazing: Evidence of prior incidents at other chapters (like the 2017 death of Andrew Coffey at an FSU Pi Kappa Phi chapter) proves they knew of the dangers within their organization and failed to act. This establishes a pattern of negligence.
Vicarious Liability: They can be held responsible for the actions of their agents (the local chapter and its members).

4. The University or College:

Educational institutions, such as the University of Houston, play a crucial role and often share significant liability, especially when the hazing occurs on campus property or involves registered student organizations.
Why they’re liable:

Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned property (like the Pi Kappa Phi house in Houston), the university has a duty to ensure safety. This is a critical factor in the Bermudez case.
Negligent Supervision: Universities have a responsibility to supervise Greek life and other student organizations. Failure to investigate complaints, enforce their own rules, or control known hazing activities makes them liable.
Duty to Protect Students: They create an environment where students live, learn, and socialize, and thus have a duty to protect them from foreseeable harm. The University of Houston had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017, proving that they were on notice of hazing dangers on their campus.
Failure to Act: Despite having the power to suspend, sanction, or dissolve organizations, many universities either delay action or fail to act decisively until a tragedy occurs.

5. Housing Corporations:

These entities often own or manage the physical structures where fraternities or sororities operate. The Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation is a defendant in our current case.
Why they’re liable: Similar to premises liability, they have a duty to maintain a safe environment and can be held responsible if hazing occurs on their property.

6. Others:

Depending on the specific circumstances, other parties might be liable, such as:

Event Vendors: If an external vendor negligently provides services (e.g., alcohol provision).
Alcohol Providers: Bars or individuals who illegally serve alcohol to minors or to the point of intoxication, especially in cases where mandatory over-consumption leads to injuries.

Families in Pulaski County, Georgia, need to understand that we meticulously investigate every potential defendant. Our experience, honed by actively litigating a major $10 million hazing case, means we know how to trace the lines of responsibility, from individual students to multi-million dollar institutions, and ensure every liable party contributes to your family’s compensation. We use powerful intelligence databases to track these organizations, as detailed in our firm infrastructure section, ensuring no potential defendant is overlooked.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof of Accountability

When a student from Pulaski County, Georgia, suffers from hazing, the financial and emotional costs can be astronomical. Medical bills, lost educational opportunities, lifelong therapy, and the immeasurable pain and suffering demand substantial compensation. The good news is that juries and institutions across the country are increasingly willing to award multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in hazing cases, sending a clear message: hazing will cost you dearly.

These landmark cases prove that justice can be achieved, and they set the precedent for cases like Leonel Bermudez’s $10 million lawsuit, and potentially for victims from Pulaski County, Georgia.

1. Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

Total Recovery: $10.1 Million+
What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Pi Kappa Alpha, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol at a hazing event at Bowling Green State University. He died from acute alcohol poisoning.
The Outcome: The Foltz family received $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha National and several individuals. Most recently, in December 2024, a jury issued a $6.5 million judgment against a former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, individually. This demonstrated that individual perpetrators cannot escape personal liability.
Relevance for Pulaski County: This case sets a direct precedent for our current $10 million demand. It shows that universities and national fraternities both pay multi-million dollar sums, and individuals are not immune from personal judgments. The same national fraternities operate at universities attended by students from Pulaski County, Georgia.

2. Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)

Jury Verdict: $6.1 Million
What Happened: In September 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman at LSU, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a Phi Delta Theta hazing ritual known as “Bible Study,” where pledges were forced to drink heavily for incorrect answers. His BAC was 0.495.
The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family $6.1 million. Several fraternity members faced criminal charges, with one receiving a negligent homicide conviction. The case also led to the passage of the “Max Gruver Act” in Louisiana, making hazing a felony.
Relevance for Pulaski County: This verdict proves that juries are outraged by hazing and will award millions. The legislative response highlights how seriously society views these crimes. This is a clear warning to any fraternity in Georgia that engages in forced alcohol consumption.

3. Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)

Estimated Settlement: $110 Million+
What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a Penn State pledge, was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event. He fell down a flight of stairs multiple times, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911, and the entire incident was captured on security cameras. He died from his injuries.
The Outcome: The Piazza family reportedly received settlements totaling over $110 million from multiple entities. Numerous fraternity members faced criminal charges, including involuntary manslaughter, and many were convicted. The tragedy spurred Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law,” one of the country’s toughest anti-hazing statutes.
Relevance for Pulaski County: This monumental settlement demonstrates that when evidence is clear and egregious, the financial consequences for hazing can be staggering. It also underscores the importance of capturing direct evidence, which we rigorously pursue in every case.

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

Outcome: Chapter closed, criminal charges against 9 members, confidential civil settlement.
What Happened: This is critically important because it involves the same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, that we are currently suing. In November 2017, Andrew Coffey, a pledge at FSU, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a “Big Brother Night” event.
The Outcome: Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges. The FSU chapter was permanently closed. A civil suit resulted in a confidential settlement.
Relevance for Pulaski County: This is a smoking gun for Pi Kappa Phi. They knew their chapters engaged in deadly hazing in 2017. Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. This pattern of negligence will be central to securing punitive damages against Pi Kappa Phi, ensuring they pay for repeat offenses. Chapters of this fraternity, and others with similar histories, exist at Georgia universities, and their national organizations have a documented record of failure to prevent hazing.

5. Adam Oakes — Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021)

Settlement: $4 Million+
What Happened: In February 2021, Adam Oakes, an 18-year-old freshman, died from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi bid initiation event at VCU. He was forced to drink a large bottle of whiskey.
The Outcome: The Oakes family received a $4 million+ settlement and worked to pass “Adam’s Law” in Virginia. Several members faced criminal charges.
Relevance for Pulaski County: Another example of a multi-million dollar settlement for an alcohol-related hazing death, leading to both civil accountability and legislative reform.

These victories demonstrate a powerful truth for families in Pulaski County, Georgia: when hazing occurs, justice can be found, and accountability enforced. These aren’t isolated incidents, but patterns of abuse that demand aggressive, informed legal action—the kind Attorney911 delivers. Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez aligns perfectly with these precedents, proving that such demands are not only justified but achievable.

Texas Law Protects You: A Comprehensive Legal Shield

While our firm is headquartered in Houston, our expertise in hazing litigation, forged in the crucible of Texas law, provides a formidable framework for protecting victims across the nation, including those in Pulaski County, Georgia. Texas, often seen as a bellwether state, has some of the most robust anti-hazing legislation, and the foundational legal theories—negligence, assault, institutional liability—apply universally.

Pulaski County families: Do not think that because the hazing happened outside Texas, your rights are diminished. These principles apply wherever abuse occurs, and our federal court capabilities allow us to pursue justice across state lines.

Understanding Texas Anti-Hazing Laws (Education Code §§ 37.151-37.157):

Texas law explicitly defines and criminalizes hazing, providing both civil and criminal avenues for recourse. Similar statutes exist in most states, but Texas’s framework is particularly clear and powerful.

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Hazing is broadly defined as any act, on or off campus, that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization. The law specifically lists:
- Physical brutality: Whipping, beating, striking (like the wooden paddles in Leonel’s case), burning, branding.
- Extreme physical exertion: Sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, calisthenics (like Leonel’s 500 squats and 100 push-ups) that subjects a student to unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects their health.
- Forced consumption: Of food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances (like Leonel’s forced milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns).
- Activities violating the Penal Code: Any criminal act like assault or driving while intoxicated.
- Coercion to consume drugs or alcohol to intoxication.
  Application to Leonel Bermudez: His hazing directly violates multiple subsections of this definition, including physical brutality, extreme calisthenics, and forced consumption, leading to severe physical harm.
Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Texas law makes hazing a serious crime:
- Class A Misdemeanor: For hazing causing serious bodily injury (up to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine). Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure would fall under this, meaning those involved face criminal charges.
- State Jail Felony: For hazing causing death (180 days to 2 years state jail, $10,000 fine). This applies to cases like Max Gruver and Timothy Piazza.
- Class B Misdemeanor: For merely engaging in hazing, soliciting, aiding, or failing to report hazing with firsthand knowledge.
  Application: The UH spokesperson explicitly mentioned “potential criminal charges,” confirming the criminal aspect of this behavior under Texas law.
Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations themselves can be charged and face fines up to $10,000, denial of operating rights, or forfeiture of property if they condone, encourage, or allow hazing by their members.
Application: Both the local Pi Kappa Phi chapter and the national organization face this liability.
CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most crucial aspect of Texas law:
- “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.”
  Application: This unequivocally shuts down the common defense that victims “voluntarily participated” or “knew what they were signing up for.” Under Texas law, consent to hazing is legally meaningless. This is a powerful tool to protect victims from being blamed for their own abuse, a principle that, while not explicitly in every state’s statute, is often upheld in courts nationwide.
University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): University administrators are legally mandated to report hazing incidents, with failure to report constituting a Class B Misdemeanor.
Application: This creates another layer of accountability for the University of Houston, and for any university in Texas, to address hazing proactively.

General Civil Liability Theories Applied Nationally:

Beyond specific state statutes, several fundamental civil liability theories allow victims from Pulaski County, Georgia, and anywhere else, to seek compensation:

Negligence: The core of most personal injury lawsuits. This involves proving that:
- The defendant(s) owed a duty of care to the victim (e.g., a university to its students, a fraternity to its pledges).
- They breached that duty (e.g., by permitting hazing, failing to supervise).
- The breach caused the victim’s injuries.
- The victim suffered damages.
  Application: Universities and national fraternities consistently fail in their duty of care by allowing hazing to persist.
Premises Liability: Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe.
Application: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of Leonel’s hazing occurred. This creates a direct claim against UH for failing to ensure safety on its property. Similarly, private residences (like the former member’s home) where hazing takes place can draw premises liability.
Negligent Supervision: This applies when an entity with oversight authority fails to adequately supervise those under its charge, leading to harm.
Application: National fraternities are often found negligent in supervising their local chapters. Universities are negligent in supervising Greek life organizations.
Assault and Battery: Direct, intentional acts of physical harm or unwanted offensive contact.
Application: Every individual who participated in hitting Leonel, dousing him with water, or forcing him to consume substances engaged in assault and/or battery.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): When extreme and outrageous conduct intentionally or recklessly causes severe emotional suffering.
Application: Waterboarding, forced humiliation, and psychological torture clearly meet the criteria for outrageous conduct, causing severe emotional distress to Leonel.
Wrongful Death: When hazing leads to a fatality, families can bring a wrongful death claim to recover for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, loss of financial support, and pain and suffering.
Application: This is what happened in the Max Gruver, Timothy Piazza, and Stone Foltz cases, resulting in multi-million dollar awards.
Vicarious Liability: An organization (like a national fraternity or a university) can be held responsible for the negligent or wrongful acts of its agents or employees (like a local chapter or fraternity members) even if the organization itself didn’t directly participate, if those acts occurred within the scope of their relationship.

For families in Pulaski County, Georgia, this robust legal framework means powerful avenues exist to seek justice. We understand how these laws interact, how to apply them to the facts of your case, and how to build an undeniable argument for accountability.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for Pulaski County, Georgia, Families

When your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, choosing the right legal representation is one of the most critical decisions you will make. This is not a time for general practice lawyers; this is a time for battle-tested experts. Attorney911 is built for this fight, offering unparalleled expertise and a dedicated team ready to serve families in Pulaski County, Georgia, and nationwide with the same aggressive advocacy we bring to our $10 million lawsuit.

Here’s why we are the obvious choice:

1. Active Litigation on the Front Lines: We’re Fighting RIGHT NOW

The Bermudez Case Proof: We aren’t just reading about hazing; we are making headlines with our active, $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theory; it’s proof that we are in the trenches, aggressively pursuing justice for hazing victims. This allows us to apply real-time knowledge and strategy to your Pulaski County case.
A Law Firm, Not a Referral Service: We handle these cases ourselves. You are not being referred to another firm. When you call, you get our team.

2. Former Insurance Defense Insiders: We Know Their Playbook

Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are BOTH Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: This is a rare and powerful advantage. Mr. Manginello honed his skills fighting for insurance companies before dedicating his career to victims. Mr. Peña worked for a national defense firm, Litchfield Cavo LLP, where he learned the exact tactics, valuation methods, and delay strategies insurance companies use to minimize or deny claims.
Unfair Advantage for You: We know how the other side thinks because we were the other side. This insider knowledge allows us to anticipate their moves, dismantle their defenses, and leverage maximum pressure to secure a higher settlement for your Pulaski County family.

3. Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Bar Admissions: Nationwide Reach

Federal Court Admission: We are admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, which means we can litigate cases in federal court, essential when dealing with national fraternities and universities that operate across state lines. This gives us the authority to represent victims from Pulaski County, Georgia, even though our headquarters are in Houston.
Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas and New York): Ralph Manginello holds licenses in both Texas and New York. This is a strategic advantage when confronting national fraternity organizations often headquartered in states like New York or with significant operations there. It demonstrates our capacity to challenge these entities wherever they operate.
We Travel to You: While headquartered in Houston, we regularly conduct video consultations for families in Pulaski County, Georgia, and are prepared to travel to Georgia for depositions, expert meetings, and trials as needed. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

4. Battle-Tested Experience Against Corporate Giants:

25+ Years of Courtroom Experience (Ralph Manginello): Our managing partner is a seasoned trial attorney.
BP Texas City Explosion Litigation: Ralph Manginello was involved in this multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation against one of the world’s largest corporations. This experience proves our capacity to take on massive corporate defendants, a crucial skill when litigating against well-resourced national fraternities and universities.
Successful Track Record: Our firm has recovered millions for clients in complex personal injury cases, including those involving wrongful death and catastrophic injuries.

5. Data-Driven Litigation & Intelligence Database: No Guesswork

Texas Hazing Intelligence Database: We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, including IRS-registered entities, EINs, legal names, and insurance structures. We literally don’t guess who to sue; we know.
Metro-Level Tracking: For families in Pulaski County, Georgia, this means that we analyze the Greek ecosystem at institutions wherever your child may have attended, even if they aren’t in Texas. The same types of national fraternities operate there, and our intelligence on their national structure helps us identify the right targets.
Knowing the “Deep Pockets”: This data-driven approach allows us to pinpoint every single entity, from the obscure housing corporations to the national leadership, ensuring we target those with the assets and insurance to compensate victims fully.

6. Compassionate, Bilingual, Client-Centered Approach: We Treat You Like Family

“We Treat You Like Family”: This isn’t just a slogan; it’s the consistent feedback from our 4.9-star Google reviews. We understand the enormous emotional burden hazing places on families. We handle the legal complexities so you can focus on healing.
Se Habla Español: Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, and our staff is bilingual. This allows us to serve the Hispanic community in Pulaski County, Georgia, ensuring no language barrier stands in the way of justice.
Contingency Fee Basis: We take hazing cases on contingency. This means families in Pulaski County, Georgia, pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless and until we win your case. This removes the financial burden, allowing anyone to seek justice, regardless of their economic situation.

7. Investigative Acumen and Media Savvy:

Journalism Background (Ralph Manginello): Ralph’s undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin means he is trained to investigate, uncover hidden facts, and tell compelling stories — skills vital for exposing hazing in civil court and for garnering crucial media attention.
High-Profile Case Experience: Our firm handled the Ryan Mitchell Smith case (ABC13 media coverage), demonstrating our ability to manage sensitive, high-visibility cases, an invaluable asset in often-newsworthy hazing incidents.

We stand ready to bring this formidable combination of expertise, aggression, and compassion to every family in Pulaski County, Georgia, whose child has been impacted by hazing. We understand that behind every hazing incident is a real person and a real family seeking answers and accountability. We are your legal emergency first responders, and we are here to help.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Pulaski County, Georgia, Families

If your child has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. What you do—and what you avoid doing—can have a profound impact on the success of any future legal claim. The emotional weight of the situation can be overwhelming, but taking these concrete steps can help preserve crucial evidence and protect your child’s rights.

Remember, you are not alone. Our attorneys are ready to provide guidance, especially for families in Pulaski County, Georgia, who may feel isolated from legal support.

Step 1: Prioritize Safety and Medical Attention

Remove Your Child from Danger: First and foremost, ensure your child is physically safe and separated from the hazing environment.
Seek Immediate Medical Care: Even if injuries seem minor, or if psychological distress is the primary concern, seek medical attention immediately.
- Go to the ER or Urgent Care: For physical injuries, concussion symptoms, severe pain (like muscle soreness that doesn’t subside), difficulty with mobility, or any signs of internal injury. Leonel Bermudez’s quick medical attention for brown urine allowed for his rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure diagnosis.
- Document Everything: Ensure all injuries, symptoms, and the cause (explicitly state “hazing incident”) are thoroughly documented in medical records.
- Mental Health Support: If your child is experiencing severe anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or PTSD symptoms, seek professional mental health support. Ensure these sessions are also documented.
Why This Matters: Medical records are paramount. They provide objective evidence of injuries, the timeline of discovery, and the link between the hazing and the harm. Delays in seeking medical care can be used by defense attorneys to argue that injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by hazing.

Step 2: Preserve ALL Evidence — “Document Everything!”

Hazing organizations and institutions have a vested interest in covering up incidents. Your proactive preservation of evidence is key.

Digital Communications:
- DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING: Messages, photos, or videos related to the hazing. Defense teams will look for deletion.
- Screenshot Everything: Take screenshots of all relevant text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat stories, Instagram DMs, TikTok videos, emails, Facebook posts, or any digital communication related to the hazing. Include sender/recipient names, dates, and times. Look for coercive messages, instructions, evidence of consumption, “rules,” or discussions among members.
- Download or Save: If possible, save full chat histories or media directly to a computer or secure cloud storage.
Photos and Videos of Injuries: Take clear, well-lit photos of any physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling) as soon as they appear. Continue to photograph the healing process over time. If your child was hospitalized, document that.
Physical Evidence:
- Keep Clothing: Any clothing worn during the hazing that might be stained or damaged.
- Relevant Objects: If any objects were used in the hazing (e.g., paddles, fanny packs), and available, preserve them.
Documents: Save any “pledge manuals,” schedules, rules, recruitment materials, or codes of conduct provided by the organization or university.
Witness Information: Collect names, phone numbers, and any other contact information for anyone who witnessed the hazing, participated in it, or was also hazed. Confidentiality is paramount here, as witnesses may fear retaliation.
Academic and Financial Records: Keep records of tuition payments, medical bills, missed work due to injury (lost wages), or any academic penalties incurred.
Why This Matters: This digital and physical trail helps us build an undeniable narrative, connecting specific acts to specific individuals and institutions. As Ralph Manginello emphasizes, “pictures, pictures, pictures are super important.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Step 3: Avoid Critical Mistakes

Students and families, particularly those in Pulaski County, Georgia, who may be unfamiliar with how legal battles against powerful institutions work, often make innocent mistakes that can severely damage a case.

Do NOT Talk to the Organization or University Alone: Do not give statements to fraternity/sorority leadership, university administrators, or their attorneys without legal counsel. Their primary goal is to protect the institution, not your child. Anything your child says can be used against them.
Do NOT Post on Social Media: Refrain from posting any details about the hazing incident, your injuries, or even your general well-being on any social media platform. Defense attorneys will scour these accounts for anything that can undermine your claim (e.g., pictures showing you in a social setting, suggesting you’ve “recovered”).
Do NOT Delete Anything (Even Old Posts): Deleting evidence can lead to accusations of spoliation (destroying evidence), which can severely harm a case. If you’re concerned about old posts, discuss them with your attorney.
Do NOT Sign Any Documents: Do not sign any waivers, confidentiality agreements, or disciplinary forms from the fraternity/sorority or university without having an attorney review them first.
Do NOT Confront Perpetrators: While understandable, confronting those who hazed your child can escalate the situation, potentially jeopardize evidence, and may negatively impact the legal strategy.
Why This Matters: As we explain in our video “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY, these actions can destroy case viability.

Step 4: Contact Attorney911 Immediately

Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline: The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can act. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and the statute of limitations is ticking. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911.
Free Consultation: Your initial consultation is completely free and confidential. We’ll listen to your story, evaluate your case, and explain your options without any obligation.
Time is Critical: In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases is two years from the date of injury or death. While laws vary by state, the principle is the same: delays can be fatal to a claim. For Pulaski County, Georgia, cases, similar time constraints apply. Our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c explains this urgency.
Remote Consultations: For families in Pulaski County, Georgia, we offer convenient video consultations to discuss your case without requiring immediate travel. We will travel to Georgia for depositions, meetings, and trials when necessary.
Why This Matters: We act immediately to secure evidence, send legal preservation letters, and begin building your case. Our prompt action in the Leonel Bermudez case, filing suit within weeks of his hospitalization, exemplifies this urgency. We can protect your rights in Pulaski County, Georgia, against powerful universities and national fraternities.

Your family deserves justice. By following these steps and contacting Attorney911, you take the first powerful step towards accountability and healing.

Contact Attorney911 Today: Your First Responder to a Hazing Emergency

If your child in Pulaski County, Georgia, has been hurt by hazing, or if you’ve lost a loved one to this senseless violence, you are experiencing a legal emergency. In these darkest hours, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a first responder – aggressive, experienced, and deeply committed to fighting for you. That’s who we are at Attorney911.

We understand the fear, anger, and betrayal that families in Pulaski County, Georgia, feel when their child is abused in an environment that promised safety and community. This is not what you expected when you sent your child to college, whether it’s Middle Georgia State University, Georgia College & State University, or any institution across the nation. We are here to help you transform that pain into powerful action against those responsible.

Our attorneys are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in civil court right now. We know firsthand what it takes to build these cases, to confront powerful institutions, and to secure the justice and compensation your family deserves. We are ready to bring that same fight and dedication to your family in Pulaski County, Georgia.

Pulaski County, Georgia Families: Don’t Wait. Act Now.

Every moment matters. Evidence can disappear, witness memories can fade, and crucial legal deadlines are ticking. The same institutions that protect perpetrators of hazing often work quickly to control the narrative and minimize their liability. You need an advocate who will move faster and fight harder.

Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline – Available 24/7 for Pulaski County, Georgia:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

This is more than just a phone number; it’s a direct line to experienced legal help when you need it most. Our compassionate team is ready to listen, offer guidance, and explain your options.

Email Us Directly:

📩 ralph@atty911.com

For direct inquiries, you can reach out to Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, via email.

Visit Our Website:

🌐 attorney911.com

Explore our resources, learn more about our firm, and understand why we are the right choice for your family.

Our Commitment to Pulaski County, Georgia, Families:

Free, Confidential Consultation: Your first conversation with us is always free. There’s no obligation, and everything you share is kept confidential. We’ll assess your case and provide clear, honest advice.
No Upfront Fees – We Work on Contingency: We understand that the financial burden of hazing can be immense. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case and secure compensation for your family. This allows you to pursue justice without added financial stress.
Nationwide Reach with Local Sensitivity: While our headquarters are in Houston, our federal court authority and dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) allow us to represent hazing victims across the country, including those from Pulaski County, Georgia. We conduct convenient video consultations and are fully prepared to travel to Georgia for depositions, expert meetings, and trials as your case demands.
Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Pulaski County, Georgia, with fluent Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff, ensuring effective communication and culturally sensitive representation.
Comprehensive Representation: We represent victims of hazing in all forms, whether it involves fraternities or sororities at institutions near Pulaski County, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, or other student organizations. If your child has been subjected to abuse, we are here to help.

The courage of Leonel Bermudez and his family, standing up against a powerful fraternity and university, is a testament to the power of fighting back. As Attorney Lupe Peña said, “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 child’s story, your family’s fight, can be the turning point that saves others. Let us be your voice. Let us be your strength. Let us be your legal emergency first responders.

Contact Attorney911 today. We are ready to fight for your family in Pulaski County, Georgia.