Attorney 911 — Reno County Hazing Victim Legal Representation
🚨 Hazing in Reno County: When Tradition Becomes Torture
Reno County families: If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization near Reno County, you are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now in Texas — and we will fight for Reno County victims with the same fury.
Hazing isn’t “boys being boys.” It isn’t “building brotherhood.” It isn’t “just part of college.”
It’s assault. It’s battery. It’s torture. And it’s illegal.
In November 2025, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities with the same dangerous culture operate at universities near Reno County.
If your child has been hazed in Reno County, we can help.
📞 Reno County Families: Call Now for Immediate Help
1-888-ATTY-911
Available 24/7 — Free Consultation — No Upfront Costs
We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Reno County. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
🔍 What Is Hazing? Reno County Parents Need to Know
Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that:
- Humiliates, degrades, or endangers them — regardless of their willingness to participate
- Involves physical abuse (beatings, forced exercise, sleep deprivation)
- Involves forced consumption (alcohol, food, or non-food substances)
- Involves psychological abuse (threats, isolation, public shaming)
- Violates Reno County and Kansas laws
Common Hazing Activities in Reno County:
✔ Forced alcohol consumption — binge drinking, chugging, drinking games
✔ Physical punishment — pushups, sit-ups, calisthenics until exhaustion
✔ Sleep deprivation — late-night activities, forced driving, no rest
✔ Waterboarding or simulated drowning — torture disguised as “tradition”
✔ Forced eating — consuming large amounts of food or non-food items until vomiting
✔ Paddling or beating — physical assault with weapons
✔ Exposure to extreme weather — cold showers, outdoor activities in harsh conditions
✔ Sexual humiliation — forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual acts
✔ Isolation and threats — fear of expulsion, social ostracism, retaliation
These aren’t pranks. They’re crimes.
💔 Reno County Hazing: Real Cases, Real Harm
Case 1: Pi Kappa Phi — University of Houston (2025)
Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not yet enrolled at UH — “ghost rush”)
Hazing: Waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, forced to eat until vomiting
Injury: Severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure — hospitalized for 4 days
Our Lawsuit: $10 million filed against Pi Kappa Phi, UH, and individuals
“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 move. The next day was worse, and his mom rushed him to the hospital with kidney failure.”
— Ralph Manginello, Attorney 911
This happened in Houston. But the same fraternities operate near Reno County. The same culture exists. The same risks are real.
Case 2: Andrew Coffey — Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
Victim: Andrew Coffey, 20, Florida State University
Hazing: Forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon
Result: Died from alcohol poisoning
Outcome: 9 members charged; chapter closed
Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture after Andrew Coffey died. They did nothing. Now Leonel Bermudez has paid the price.
Case 3: Stone Foltz — Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Victim: Stone Foltz, 20, Bowling Green State University
Hazing: Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol
Result: Died from alcohol poisoning
Outcome: $10.1 million settlement — largest in Ohio history
Case 4: Maxwell Gruver — Phi Delta Theta (2017)
Victim: Maxwell Gruver, 18, Louisiana State University
Hazing: “Bible Study” drinking game — wrong answer = forced drink
BAC: 0.495 (6x legal limit)
Result: Died from alcohol poisoning
Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict; Max Gruver Act passed (hazing now a felony in Louisiana)
Case 5: Timothy Piazza — Beta Theta Pi (2017)
Victim: Timothy Piazza, 19, Penn State University
Hazing: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs multiple times
Result: Died from traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding
Fraternity Response: Waited 12 hours to call 911
Outcome: $110+ million settlement; Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law passed
🏛️ Who Is Liable for Reno County Hazing?
If your child was hazed in Reno County, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about prior incidents; ignored “hazing crisis” |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; knew or should have known about hazing |
| Chapter Officers | Directed hazing activities (president, pledgemaster, etc.) |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing |
| Former Members | Hosted hazing at their homes |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional and individual liability |
Reno County families: You don’t have to sue broke college students. You can pursue the deep pockets — the universities and national organizations with millions in assets and insurance.
⚖️ Reno County Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
Kansas Hazing Law (K.S.A. 21-5417)
In Kansas, hazing is a criminal offense. It is defined as:
Any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, or endangers them, regardless of willingness to participate.
Penalties in Kansas:
- Class B misdemeanor — up to 6 months in jail and $1,000 fine
- Class A misdemeanor — up to 1 year in jail and $2,500 fine (if serious bodily harm occurs)
- Felony — if death occurs
Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.
Civil Liability in Reno County
In addition to criminal charges, Reno County hazing victims can sue for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and PTSD
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
Statute of Limitations:
- 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit in Kansas
- Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.
💰 What Is Your Reno County Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing cases can result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. The value depends on:
| Factor | Impact on Case Value |
|---|---|
| Severity of injuries | Hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage = higher value |
| Psychological trauma | PTSD, anxiety, depression, therapy records = higher value |
| Egregious conduct | Waterboarding, paddling, forced consumption = higher punitive damages |
| Pattern of abuse | Multiple incidents, prior complaints = higher value |
| Institutional knowledge | University/fraternity knew about prior hazing = higher value |
| Cover-up attempts | Destroying evidence, intimidating witnesses = higher punitive damages |
| Wrongful death | Death = highest value cases |
Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts:
- $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
- $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
- $4+ million — Adam Oakes (VCU, Delta Chi)
Reno County families: If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Reno County
Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening
- Medical records are critical evidence
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, emails)
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, any physical evidence
- Get witness names and contact information
- Do NOT delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing or irrelevant
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or University Alone
- Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative
- They may offer settlements that don’t cover your child’s full damages
- Do NOT sign anything without legal counsel
Step 4: Do NOT Post on Social Media
- Anything you post can be used against you
- Avoid discussing the incident online
- Avoid posting photos that could be misinterpreted
Step 5: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
- We offer video consultations for Reno County families
- We will travel to Reno County for depositions and meetings
- No upfront costs — we only get paid if you win
🛡️ Why Reno County Families Choose Attorney 911
✅ Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experience
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases and win.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know their playbook — and we use it against them.
✅ Federal Court Authority
We are admitted to U.S. District Court, allowing us to pursue Reno County hazing cases in federal jurisdiction when necessary.
✅ Dual-State Bar Licenses
Licensed in Texas and New York — strategic advantage for cases against national fraternities headquartered anywhere in the U.S.
✅ Aggressive, Compassionate Representation
We treat Reno County families like family. Your child’s well-being is our priority.
✅ No Upfront Costs for Reno County Families
We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
✅ We Come to Reno County
For depositions, client meetings, and trials, our attorneys travel to Reno County as needed. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
📞 Reno County Hazing Victims: Call Now for Justice
1-888-ATTY-911
Available 24/7 — Free Consultation — No Upfront Costs
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We serve Reno County and all of Kansas. If your child was hazed, we will fight for you.
🎯 Our Message to Reno County Fraternities and Universities
To the fraternities operating near Reno County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Reno County, we will find every liable entity — the local chapter, the national organization, the university, and every individual who participated.To the universities near Reno County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now — or face the same accountability.To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and all national fraternities with chapters near Reno County:
Know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America. We have proven these cases can be won. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.
🏆 Our Track Record: We Get Results
- $10 million hazing lawsuit — Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston (pending)
- Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
- Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how to dismantle their defenses
- Federal court authority — we can pursue Reno County cases nationwide
- Dual-state bar licenses — strategic advantage against national organizations
📢 Reno County Families: You Are Not Alone
Hazing victims often feel:
- Shame — “I should have known better”
- Fear — “If I speak up, I’ll be retaliated against”
- Loyalty — “I don’t want to get my friends in trouble”
- Hopelessness — “Nothing will change”
We understand. And we are here to help.
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
— Lupe Pena, Attorney 911
Reno County families: Your child deserves justice. Your family deserves accountability. Call us today.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Reno County Hazing Victims — We Are Your Legal Emergency Response Team.