Hazing Victims in Queen Anne’s County: Your Legal Rights and Path to Justice
🚨 Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — And Neither Do We
Queen Anne’s County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust that universities and Greek organizations will look out for their well-being. But when that trust is broken by hazing — a dangerous and often illegal tradition — the consequences can be devastating.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme physical abuse. This isn’t just happening in Texas — it’s happening at universities near Queen Anne’s County too. The same fraternities operate here. The same negligence exists. And we will fight for Queen Anne’s County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to this landmark case.
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization near Queen Anne’s County, you have legal rights. And we can help.
🏛️ The Hazing Crisis in Queen Anne’s County and Beyond
Hazing is not harmless fun. It’s not tradition. It’s not “boys being boys.” It is assault, battery, and sometimes torture. And it’s happening right here in Maryland.
What Hazing Looks Like in Queen Anne’s County
While we’re currently litigating a case in Texas, the same types of hazing occur at universities near Queen Anne’s County:
- Physical abuse: Forced exercise to exhaustion, beatings with paddles, branding
- Psychological torture: Sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats of expulsion
- Forced consumption: Binge drinking, forced eating until vomiting
- Waterboarding and simulated drowning: Yes, this is happening — and it’s torture
- Sexual humiliation: Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault
These aren’t just rumors. These are documented cases from across the country — and they’re happening right here in Maryland.
Universities Near Queen Anne’s County Where Hazing Occurs
Queen Anne’s County is home to hardworking families who send their children to colleges throughout Maryland and beyond. Many of these institutions have active Greek life programs where hazing is a known risk:
- University of Maryland, College Park: One of the largest Greek systems in the state
- Towson University: Active fraternities and sororities with documented hazing histories
- Salisbury University: Greek life presence with known hazing incidents
- Johns Hopkins University: Prestigious institution with Greek organizations
- Washington College: Small liberal arts college with Greek life
- Nearby Pennsylvania schools: Dickinson College, Millersville University, and others
The same national fraternities involved in our Texas case have chapters at these schools. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi — these organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries. And they operate right here in Maryland.
⚠️ The University of Houston Case: What Happened and Why It Matters to Queen Anne’s County
The Incident That Should Never Have Happened
In November 2025, Leonel Bermudez, a prospective member of Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston, was subjected to weeks of systematic abuse that left him hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.
What they did to him:
- Waterboarded him with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
- Forced him to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck him with wooden paddles
- Forced him to eat until he vomited, then made him lie in his own vomit
- Hog-tied another pledge with an object in his mouth for over an hour
- Exercised him past the point of physical exhaustion — he couldn’t stand without help
The result: Bermudez crawled up the stairs when he got home. The next day, he couldn’t move. His mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with kidney failure from rhabdomyolysis — a life-threatening condition caused by extreme muscle breakdown.
Why This Case Matters to Queen Anne’s County Families
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The same fraternities operate near Queen Anne’s County
- Pi Kappa Phi, the fraternity in our case, has chapters across America — including in Maryland
- If they’re waterboarding students in Texas, they’re likely doing the same in Maryland
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Universities near Queen Anne’s County have the same liability
- The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
- Maryland universities have the same power to regulate Greek life — and the same responsibility to protect students
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They knew it was dangerous — and did nothing
- Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at FSU)
- University of Houston had a student hospitalized from hazing in 2017 (Jared Munoz at Pi Kappa Alpha)
- They had 8 years to fix the problem. They didn’t.
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They’re already planning to come back
- Pi Kappa Phi’s statement: “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.”
- No remorse. No apology. Just waiting for this to blow over.
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This could happen to your child in Queen Anne’s County
- If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Queen Anne’s County, they face the same risks
- The same “traditions” exist here
- The same negligence exists here
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Queen Anne’s County Hazing Victim
If your child has been hazed, you have legal rights under Maryland law and federal law. Hazing is not just a violation of university policy — it’s often a crime, and it always gives rise to civil liability.
Maryland Hazing Laws
Maryland has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students:
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Criminal Hazing (Md. Code, Educ. § 7-416):
- Hazing is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine
- If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, it’s a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison
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Consent is NOT a defense (Md. Code, Educ. § 7-416(d)):
- Even if your child “agreed” to participate, consent does not justify hazing
- The law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing charges
Civil Liability: Who Can Be Sued in Queen Anne’s County
In our Texas case, we’re suing everyone responsible — and the same applies in Maryland:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted the hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University | Failed to protect students; premises liability if hazing occurred on campus |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing |
| Chapter Advisors | Failed to provide proper oversight |
| Housing Corporations | Owned property where hazing occurred |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing events at their homes |
Maryland universities can be held liable if they:
- Own or control property where hazing occurred
- Knew or should have known about hazing risks
- Failed to implement proper oversight of Greek organizations
Types of Damages You Can Recover in Queen Anne’s County
| Damage Type | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, doctor visits, therapy, future treatment |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work during recovery |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries |
| Emotional Distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression from the hazing |
| Loss of Enjoyment | Inability to participate in normal activities |
| Punitive Damages | Additional damages to punish egregious conduct |
Maryland has no cap on non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in personal injury cases, meaning juries can award millions for severe hazing injuries.
💰 Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions
Hazing cases don’t just result in criminal charges — they result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. These cases prove that hazing victims can and do win big.
Landmark Hazing Cases and Their Outcomes
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million (estimated settlement) |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential settlement (major) |
| Our Case (2025) | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | $10 million lawsuit pending |
What this means for Queen Anne’s County families:
- $10 million is not an unreasonable demand — it’s in line with precedent
- Juries award millions when they hear about egregious hazing
- Universities and fraternities pay — they have deep pockets and insurance
- Your child’s case could save lives — these lawsuits change culture
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Queen Anne’s County
If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and statutes of limitations run out. Here’s what you should do immediately:
Step 1: Get Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked out
- Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
- Medical records are critical evidence
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs)
- Document everything — dates, times, locations, what was said
- Get witness information — other pledges, bystanders who saw what happened
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do not confront fraternity/sorority members
- Do not give statements to university administrators alone
- Do not sign anything from the organization
- Do not post on social media about the incident
Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Maryland has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases — don’t wait
- Evidence disappears fast — organizations will try to destroy it
- Insurance companies will try to lowball you — don’t talk to them without a lawyer
Step 5: Report to Authorities
- Consider filing a police report
- File a Title IX complaint with the university
- Report to Maryland’s Higher Education Commission
🏆 Why Queen Anne’s County Families Choose Attorney 911
We’re not just any law firm. We’re hazing litigation specialists with a proven track record of taking on powerful institutions — and winning.
Our Experience Fighting Hazing
✅ Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how they think and how to beat them
✅ Federal court authority — we can pursue cases nationwide, including in Maryland
✅ Dual-state bar admission (Texas and New York) — strategic advantage for national fraternity cases
✅ 25+ years of litigation experience — battle-tested in courtrooms
✅ Multi-million dollar case experience — we’ve handled cases worth hundreds of millions
✅ Se habla español — bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families
We Know How to Win Against Powerful Defendants
In our current case, we’re suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National (150+ chapters nationwide)
- University of Houston (major public university)
- Individual fraternity members (personal liability)
- Housing corporations (premises liability)
We know how to pursue every liable party — and we’ll do the same for Queen Anne’s County families.
We Come to You — Queen Anne’s County Families Deserve Justice
While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Maryland. We offer:
- Free video consultations for Queen Anne’s County families
- Willingness to travel to Maryland for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- Remote case management — distance is not a barrier
We don’t just talk about fighting hazing — we’re doing it right now. And we’ll bring that same fight to Queen Anne’s County.
📞 Queen Anne’s County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed at a university near Queen Anne’s County, you don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to help.
Call us 24/7 at: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Free Consultation — No Upfront Cost
We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Se habla español — We serve Spanish-speaking families in Queen Anne’s County.
🔥 A Message to Fraternities Near Queen Anne’s County
To the fraternities operating at universities near Queen Anne’s County:
We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Maryland, we will find every liable entity — the national organization, the housing corporation, the individual members, and the university that allowed it to happen.
Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down after our lawsuit. Your chapter could be next.
Clean up your act now — before we clean you out in court.
🎓 A Message to Universities Near Queen Anne’s County
To the administrations at University of Maryland, Towson, Salisbury, Johns Hopkins, and other Maryland institutions:
The University of Houston owned the house where a student was waterboarded.
They knew about hazing risks. They failed to act. Now they’re facing a $10 million lawsuit.
If your university owns Greek housing, regulates Greek life, or has the power to stop hazing — you have a duty to protect your students. If you fail, you will be held accountable.
Act now, or face the same accountability.
❤️ A Final Message to Queen Anne’s County Families
We understand what you’re going through. We’ve seen the pain in parents’ eyes when they realize their child was tortured in the name of “tradition.” We’ve heard the fear in victims’ voices when they talk about retribution for speaking out.
But we’ve also seen the power of justice. We’ve seen fraternities shut down. We’ve seen universities forced to change. We’ve seen families receive the compensation they deserve.
You are not powerless. Your child is not alone. And this doesn’t have to happen to another family.
Call us. Let’s fight this together.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Queen Anne’s County and Maryland hazing victims with aggressive, compassionate representation
