If you are reading this, your family in Shenandoah County 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 the person they are meant to be. Instead, they were tortured. They were abused. They were subjected to horrific acts, all under the guise of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.” What happened to your child is not a rite of passage; it is a crime.

We understand what you’re going through. The fear, the anger, the confusion – it’s overwhelming. You might be searching for answers at 2 AM, wondering how this could have happened and what you can possibly do to fight back against the powerful institutions that allowed it. We’re here to tell you that you don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to help families in Shenandoah County fight back.

Our firm, Attorney911, is on the front lines of the battle against hazing in America. We are actively litigating a $10 million lawsuit right now against a major national fraternity and a prominent university for hazing activities that resulted in a student’s hospitalization with kidney failure. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, and we are attorneys who believe in aggressive representation, data-driven litigation strategy, and holding every responsible party accountable.

This isn’t just happening in distant places; the same fraternities and sororities that operate chapters in college towns across Virginia and the wider region also have a presence here. Your child, attending a local university or one further afield, faces these very real dangers. We are ready to bring the same relentless fight to Shenandoah County that we are waging in our home state of Texas.

The nightmare your child endured is not an isolated incident. Hazing is a pervasive and dangerous problem, and it’s time for the institutions that enable it to be held responsible. We want to be your Legal Emergency Lawyers™, ensuring that your family receives immediate, aggressive, and professional help.

The Nightmare Made Real: The Bermudez Case – Our Fight, Your Hope

This case happened just weeks ago in Houston, Texas, but it serves as a stark warning to parents in Shenandoah County about what hazing truly looks like today, and what can happen when institutions prioritize tradition over student safety. Our current fight for justice is centered on the case of Leonel Bermudez, a case that embodies everything Attorney911 stands for: aggressive representation, data-driven strategy, and unwavering accountability for hazing victims.

Meet Leonel Bermudez: A “Ghost Rush” Tortured for “Brotherhood”

Leonel Bermudez was not even a full-time student at the University of Houston yet. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on track to transfer to the university for the Spring 2026 semester. Yet, this didn’t exempt him from weeks of systematic abuse, torture, and hazing that led to him being hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. They did this to someone who wasn’t even their student.

On September 16, 2025, Leonel accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi. What followed was a playbook of degradation and physical torment that is almost unimaginable. Our lawsuit, filed on November 21, 2025, in Harris County Civil District Court, seeks $10 million in damages from Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, the local Beta Nu Chapter, the Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation, the University of Houston, the UH Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and even former members and their spouse who hosted hazing at their private residence.

This new and ongoing case is not just a statistic; it’s a testament to the fact that Attorney911 is not theoretical. We are not a firm that “hopes” to handle hazing cases; we are actively fighting for victims in the courts right now. Our work in the Bermudez case demonstrates the kind of firm we are: aggressive, thorough, data-driven, and relentless in pursuing accountability.

What Happened to Leonel: A Timeline of Torture

The abuse Leonel endured was meticulously documented in our lawsuit and corroborated by multiple media outlets including Click2Houston (KPRC 2), ABC13 (KTRK), Hoodline, and Houston Public Media. We provide links to these news sources whenever we discuss the Bermudez case in detail, offering transparent access to the verified information.

• September 16, 2025: Leonel accepts a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi.
• September 16 – November 3, 2025: Weeks of systematic hazing, abuse, and torture begin.
• October 13, 2025: Another pledge is hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. This shows the routine nature of extreme hazing.
• October 15, 2025: A different pledge actually loses consciousness and collapses during a forced workout. Other pledges had to elevate his legs until he recovered. Despite this alarming incident, the hazing continued.
• November 3, 2025 (The Incident): Leonel is severely punished for missing an event. He is forced to perform over 100 pushups, 500 squats, and other exercises, while reciting the fraternity creed, under explicit threat of immediate expulsion. He became so utterly exhausted that he could not stand without help.
• November 4-5, 2025: Leonel lies incapacitated, his condition worsening. As Attorney Manginello recounted to ABC13, “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…”
• November 6, 2025: Leonel’s mother rushes him to the hospital. He is passing brown urine, a critical sign of muscle breakdown.
• November 6-10, 2025: Leonel spends three nights and four days hospitalized, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. This is when Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters finally suspends the chapter.
• November 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters officially closes its Beta Nu Chapter, as confirmed on their website. They did this before our lawsuit was filed, demonstrating a clear knowledge of impending legal action.
• November 21, 2025: Attorney911 files the $10 million lawsuit in Harris County. News coverage immediately follows.

The Horrific Hazing Activities Exposed

The details of Leonel’s hazing are not merely allegations; they are documented facts that paint a chilling picture of calculated abuse:

• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose” (KHOU). He was sprayed in the face while doing calisthenics and forced to run repeatedly under the threat of further waterboarding. Houston Public Media explicitly stated, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.” This is a war crime when done to enemy combatants; they did it to a college student.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: He was forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Then, he was forced to continue running sprints through his vomit, “while clearly in physical distress” (ABC13). He was even made to lie in the vomit-soaked grass afterward.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: This included over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls (Houston Chronicle). He was forced to recite the fraternity creed during these exertions, enduring them “past the point of physical exhaustion” until he could not stand without help. He was also “struck with wooden paddles” (Houston Chronicle).
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack containing “objects of a sexual nature at all times” (ABC13). The incident where another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour further reveals the deeply humiliating and dehumanizing nature of the hazing.
• Sleep Deprivation & Forced Servitude: He was made to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, disrupting his sleep and affecting his daily life.

These are not harmless pranks; they are deliberate acts designed to break a person down, both physically and mentally.

The Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

The severe physical hazing Leonel endured manifested in a life-threatening condition: rhabdomyolysis. This is the breakdown of muscle tissue that releases damaging proteins (like myoglobin) into the bloodstream, which can cause acute kidney failure and even death.

• Brown Urine: A classic and alarming sign of muscle breakdown, indicating myoglobin in the urine.
• Very High Creatine Kinase Levels: Lab results confirmed severe muscle damage.
• Acute Kidney Failure: A direct consequence of his body’s extreme distress, requiring intensive medical treatment.
• Hospitalization: Leonel spent four critical days in the hospital receiving care, unable to stand or walk for days.
• Ongoing Risk: He faces the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This is not the first time Attorney Manginello has handled cases involving rhabdomyolysis. He has specialized expertise in this medical condition within the context of hazing, which is a critical advantage for our clients.

Institutional Responses: A Pattern of Avoidance

The responses from the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters speak volumes:

• University of Houston Spokesperson (Houston Public Media): Admitted the events were “deeply disturbing” and a “clear violation of our community standards,” and mentioned “potential criminal charges.” This is an admission that egregious conduct occurred on their watch.
• Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters (Their Own Website): Stated they closed the chapter on November 14, 2025, “following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” They claimed to “prioritize the well-being of our members” (while a member was hospitalized due to their chapter’s actions) and incredibly expressed, “we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” Their statement reveals a clear attempt to control the narrative and minimize their culpability by dissolving the chapter before our lawsuit was filed.

As KHOU 11 reported based on our lawsuit, both the national organization and housing corporation “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” They knew, yet they failed to act.

Why This Case Matters to Shenandoah County Families

The Bermudez case is not merely a Houston story; it is a national cautionary tale with direct relevance to families in Shenandoah County, Virginia, and across the nation.

1. Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ Chapters Across America: This means the same national fraternity, the same risks, exist at universities near Shenandoah County. The Beta Nu chapter’s extreme actions are likely not isolated.
2. The Same “Traditions” Happen Everywhere: The specific tactics used against Leonel—waterboarding, forced eating, extreme exercise—are tragically common hazing rituals that occur at fraternities and sororities in Virginia and nationwide.
3. Universities Share Liability: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred, making their premises liability undeniable. Universities like James Madison University, Shenandoah University, and Virginia Tech, which are attended by students from Shenandoah County, face the same legal obligations to protect their students. They also have physical presences, including Greek housing, that must be overseen.
4. National Organizations Are Complicit: Pi Kappa Phi’s national leadership chose to prioritize its image and future return to campus over genuine remorse or accountability. This pattern of turning a blind eye until tragedy strikes is endemic to many national Greek organizations.
5. One Brave Victim Protects Others: As Mr. Peña eloquently stated to ABC13, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do.” By stepping forward, Leonel Bermudez is helping expose and dismantle a dangerous culture. A hazing lawsuit from Shenandoah County could similarly save lives.
6. $10 Million Sends a Message: This significant demand is designed to be a deterrent, to force change where appeals to morality and safety have failed. Families in Shenandoah County can send the same powerful message.

This case is the proof that Attorney911 is not theoretical; we are actively fighting. And we will bring that same fight, that same data-driven aggression, and that same relentless pursuit of accountability for your child in Shenandoah County.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

When you hear the word “hazing,” you might imagine harmless pranks or silly dares. That image is dangerously outdated and profoundly wrong. For families in Shenandoah County, it’s crucial to understand that modern hazing is far from innocent fun. It is calculated abuse, rooted in power dynamics, and designed to inflict physical and psychological torment. It is not “boys being boys”; it is often criminal.

The Chilling Reality of Modern Hazing: It’s Torture.

We have seen firsthand, through cases like Leonel Bermudez’s, that hazing today involves acts that would be considered torture if perpetrated in a military context. This is what hazing means:

• Assault
• Battery
• Torture
• Reckless endangerment
• Sometimes manslaughter
• Sometimes murder

Hazing is deliberately kept secret, often through oaths of silence and threats of retaliation. This clandestine nature ensures that by the time you learn about it, the damage has often already been done.

The Problem: A Pervasive Crisis Across All Student Organizations

Hazing is not confined to fraternities and sororities, although they are frequently in the news. It is a systemic problem found across a wide range of organizations, including:

• Fraternities and Sororities: Both social and professional Greek-letter organizations.
• Sports Teams: From high school to collegiate levels, including football, basketball, track, and more.
• Marching Bands: Competitive musical groups sometimes use hazing as a bonding ritual.
• ROTC Programs: While aiming for military discipline, these can also fall prey to abusive initiation.
• Clubs and Organizations: Any group where perceived “loyalty” is tested through debasing acts.
• Military Academies: Despite strict regulations, hazing persists.

Statistics That Paint a Grim Picture:

• 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing. This means over half of students seeking community find abuse instead.
• 40% of student athletes report hazing. It’s not just about Greek life.
• Since 2000, there has been at least ONE hazing death every year in the United States. This horrific statistic underscores the deadly reality of hazing.
• 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it. The culture of silence, fear of retaliation, and perceived “loyalty” keeps victims quiet.
• Countless injuries: For every death, there are thousands of hospitalizations and life-altering injuries, like Leonel Bermudez’s kidney failure.

Types of Hazing Incidents We See (and How They Qualify as Torture):

Our work, including the Bermudez case, exposes the sheer brutality involved:

• Physical Abuse: This goes far beyond light jogging. We’ve seen beatings, paddling, branding, burning, and forced exercise to the point of collapse and organ failure, as with Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis. The Houston Chronicle reported that Leonel was “struck with wooden paddles.”
• Forced Consumption: This is often deadly. Binge drinking, rapidly consuming large amounts of alcohol, can lead to alcohol poisoning and death (as in the Andrew Coffey case). Forced eating until vomiting, or consuming non-food substances, is designed to humiliate and sicken. Leonel was forced to eat hot dogs, milk, and peppercorns until he vomited.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often intentionally deprived of sleep through forced late nights, early mornings, and disrupted rest. This makes them physically and psychologically vulnerable to further abuse. Leonel was forced to drive members during early morning hours, disrupting his sleep and affecting his daily life.
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: This targets a student’s mental well-being. It includes verbal abuse, threats, isolation, and degradation. Leonel’s experience of being forced to carry sexually explicit objects in a fanny pack, along with another pledge being hog-tied, are textbook examples of psychological torture.
• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: As tragically demonstrated in Leonel’s case, this extreme form of torture involves spraying individuals with water to simulate drowning, invoking primal fears and inflicting severe psychological trauma.
• Exposure: Forcing students to strip in cold weather or endure extreme heat, or confined spaces, is hazardous and dehumanizing. Leonel was forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and then sprayed with a garden hose.
• Servitude: Forced cleaning, driving, or running errands for older members diminishes a student’s autonomy and reinforces a power imbalance.

The Medical Consequences Are Real and Deadly:

The direct medical impact of hazing is severe and can be lifelong:

• Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure: Directly suffered by Leonel Bermudez, a life-threatening condition from extreme exertion.
• Alcohol Poisoning: The leading cause of hazing deaths, as seen in the Andrew Coffey and Max Gruver cases.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From beatings, falls, or uncontrolled head impacts.
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Cardiac Arrest: From extreme physical exertion or prolonged stress.
• Psychological Damage: PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and severe trust issues that can last a lifetime.
• Death: The ultimate, tragic consequence that occurs annually.

Institutional Failure: The Conspiracy of Silence

Universities and national organizations are not ignorant of hazing. They know it happens. They often have sophisticated risk management departments, anti-hazing policies, and codes of conduct. Yet, time and again, they fail to prevent these tragedies.

• University of Houston: Knew hazing was an issue. In 2017, a Pi Kappa Alpha pledge at UH was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen after hazing. Despite this, Leonel Bermudez was hazed and hospitalized just eight years later.
• Pi Kappa Phi National: Knew deadly hazing rituals were occurring. In 2017, Andrew Coffey died from forced alcohol consumption at a Pi Kappa Phi chapter. Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded and suffered kidney failure at another Pi Kappa Phi chapter.

When hazing is exposed, institutions often rush to “suspend” or “dissolve” chapters, issue carefully worded statements, and claim they are “shocked” by the behavior. Our lawsuit and the timeline in the Bermudez case show Pi Kappa Phi dissolved its chapter days before our lawsuit was filed, a clear act of damage control, not genuine remorse.

This is why Attorney911 exists. We are here to dismantle the conspiracy of silence, expose the truth, and hold every single responsible party accountable for the pain and suffering inflicted upon hazing victims and their families in Shenandoah County.

Who Is Responsible? Holding Every Enabler Accountable

When hazing happens, the perpetrators are often just college students, and it’s easy for universities and national organizations to dismiss it as “kids being kids.” At Attorney911, we know better. The vast payouts in hazing cases don’t come from individual students; they come from the institutions with deep pockets that either knew about the hazing and did nothing, actively enabled it, or created a culture where it could thrive. We pursue every possible liable party to maximize compensation for victims.

The Pyramid of Responsibility: From Individual Perpetrators to National Leaders

Our $10 million lawsuit in the Bermudez case meticulously identifies multiple layers of responsibility, demonstrating our commitment to comprehensive accountability:

1. Individual Perpetrators: These are the members who directly participated in, organized, and directed the hazing.

   • Chapter Officers: The fraternity’s president, pledgemaster, and other leaders are at the top of the chain of command within the chapter. They create the culture, establish the rules, and direct the activities. In Leonel’s case, the president and pledgemaster are specifically named.
   • Active Members: Any individual member who participated in the hazing, failed to intervene, or actively encouraged the abuse can be held accountable.
   • Former Members and Their Spouses: In Leonel’s case, former members and their spouses who owned the private residence where significant hazing occurred are defendants. This extends liability to anyone who provides a venue or enables the hazing on their property. This shows that the hazing culture often extends beyond current students and into alumni networks. These individuals often have assets or homeowner’s insurance that can contribute to compensation.

   Why they’re liable: They directly inflicted harm, conspired to inflict harm, or failed in their duty to stop it. Just like Daylen Dunson, the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter president who was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million in the Stone Foltz case, individual officers from chapters near Shenandoah County could face similar personal financial ruin.

2. The Local Chapter (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter):

   • Legal Entity: The chapter itself, typically an unincorporated association or a registered student organization, is often a legal entity that can be sued.
   • Direct Responsibility: They organized and executed the hazing program.
   • Vicarious Liability: The chapter is vicariously liable for the actions of its members, especially its officers.

3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc.): These powerful entities often claim they have “zero tolerance” for hazing, but their actions (or inactions) tell a different story.

   • Failure to Supervise: They have a duty to supervise their local chapters and ensure compliance with their national anti-hazing policies. When they fail, students get hurt. As KHOU 11 reported, Pi Kappa Phi National was alleged to have enabled the harmful environment by “failing to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'”
   • Knowledge of Prior Incidents: Pi Kappa Phi National knew about deadly hazing within its ranks. Andrew Coffey died in 2017 at their Florida State chapter from forced alcohol consumption. They had eight years to address this systemic issue before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. This establishes a clear pattern of negligence and deliberate indifference.
   • Deep Pockets: National organizations have millions in assets, endowments, and umbrella insurance policies. They are structured to protect their brand and their financial stability. Our goal is to make them pay for their failures.

4. The Housing Corporation (e.g., Beta Nu Housing Corporation):

   • Property Ownership: These corporations typically own or manage the fraternity houses.
   • Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on their property, they have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment. Their failure to do so contributes to liability.

5. The University or College (e.g., University of Houston, UH Board of Regents): Universities often try to distance themselves from fraternity hazing, claiming the organizations are “independent.” We dismantle this defense.

   • Premises Liability: In the Bermudez case, the University of Houston owned and controlled the fraternity house where significant hazing occurred. This is a crucial detail because it puts the university directly on the hook. Universities in Virginia, like any institution, have a duty to ensure the safety of students on their property.
   • Failure to Supervise/Control: Universities have incredible power over Greek life. They grant recognition, provide housing, allocate resources, and can suspend or terminate chapters. When they allow a dangerous culture to persist, especially after prior incidents, they are negligent. The University of Houston knew about a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving a Pi Kappa Alpha pledge. This history means Leonel’s injuries were entirely foreseeable, yet UH failed to implement sufficient safeguards.
   • Institutional Knowledge: They enroll students, collect tuition, and often promote Greek life as part of the “college experience.” They profit from these organizations and therefore bear responsibility for their activities. The UH Board of Regents, as the governing body, bears ultimate institutional oversight.
   • Title IX Violations: Hazing often involves sexual harassment or discrimination, which can trigger Title IX violations, bringing additional layers of university liability.

6. Insurance Carriers:

   • The Real Deep Pockets: Ultimately, the largest compensation in hazing cases often comes from the liability insurance policies held by national fraternities, universities, housing corporations, and even individual homeowner policies.
   • Our Advantage: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. They’ve seen the insurance company playbook from the inside. They know how insurance adjusters value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize or deny payouts. This insider knowledge gives our clients an “unfair advantage” in negotiations and litigation.

Why Every Defendant Matters for Shenandoah County Victims

For families in Shenandoah County, understanding this multi-layered responsibility is crucial. When your child is hazed at a university in Virginia – whether it’s Shenandoah University right in Winchester, James Madison University, Virginia Tech, or any other institution – it’s rarely just “one bad apple.” Often, it’s a failure of multiple systems and multiple actors.

• Maximizing Compensation: Suing multiple entities, especially those with substantial insurance, increases the likelihood of a significant recovery to cover medical bills, lost education, pain, suffering, and future damages.
• Sending a Message: Holding every responsible party accountable sends the strongest possible message – that hazing will not be tolerated, and the institutions that enable it will pay a heavy price.
• Deep Pockets: We are not simply suing broke college kids. We are going after national organizations worth millions and universities with multi-billion dollar endowments and extensive insurance coverage.

When hazing leaves a victim in Shenandoah County injured or worse, we meticulously investigate every layer of responsibility, ensuring that everyone who contributed to the harm is held fully accountable.

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

For parents in Shenandoah County who are reeling from the shock of a hazing incident, one of the most pressing questions is: Can we really fight back against these powerful fraternities and universities? The answer is a resounding YES. History, and our current litigation, proves that hazing lawsuits can and do result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. These cases are not just about compensation; they are about justice, accountability, and creating fundamental change.

The message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations is clear: Hazing costs millions. We have the receipts. And these same results are possible for victims in Shenandoah County.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements: The Price of Negligence

At Attorney911, we draw on years of precedent-setting cases to build powerful litigation strategies. These are not merely statistics; they are stories of families who fought back and won, holding negligent institutions and individuals accountable.

1. STONE FOLTZ – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

   TOTAL: $10.1 MILLION+
   Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old student at Bowling Green State University, died in March 2021 from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation event.

   • Bowling Green State University: Paid $2.9 million.
   • Pi Kappa Alpha National + Individuals: Settled for $7.2 million.
   • Individual Judgment: In December 2024, Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million in a separate judgment. This demonstrates that individual perpetrators cannot always hide behind the fraternity’s corporate veil; they too face severe financial consequences.

   Why this matters to Shenandoah County families: The Foltz case sets a direct precedent for our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case. It proves that both universities and national fraternities pay significant amounts when hazing leads to injury or death. This also shows individual accountability.

2. MAXWELL GRUVER – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)

   TOTAL: $6.1 MILLION JURY VERDICT
   Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman at LSU, died in September 2017 from acute alcohol poisoning after a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” event where pledges were forced to drink heavily for incorrect answers. His BAC was 0.495—six times the legal limit.

   • Jury Verdict: Awarded $6.1 million to the Gruver family. This was a jury, a group of ordinary citizens, making a powerful statement.
   • Criminal Outcome: Involved criminal convictions, including negligent homicide against a fraternity member.
   • Legislative Change: Led to the “Max Gruver Act,” which made hazing a felony in Louisiana, significantly increasing penalties.

   Why this matters to Shenandoah County families: This case, decided by a jury, demonstrates that when parents take on powerful institutions, the community will often side with them. The fact that it spurred a felony hazing law shows the profound impact these cases can have.

3. TIMOTHY PIAZZA – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)

   TOTAL: $110+ MILLION (Estimated in multiple complex settlements)
   Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old student, died in February 2017 after falling down a flight of stairs during a Beta Theta Pi hazing ritual involving extreme forced drinking (“the gauntlet”). Frat brothers delayed calling 911 for 12 critical hours. His BAC reached 0.36.

   • Settlement: While confidential, reports indicated multi-faceted settlements totaling well over $110 million.
   • Criminal Charges: 18 fraternity members were charged, with multiple convictions for involuntary manslaughter, hazing, and assault.
   • Legislative Change: Resulted in Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law,” another landmark piece of legislation.

   Why this matters to Shenandoah County families: Piazza’s case is a prime example of how compelling evidence (security camera footage, in his case) and egregious conduct can lead to truly massive settlements. It underscores the institutional imperative to avoid such payouts, making them more likely to settle robustly.

4. ANDREW COFFEY – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

   TOTAL: Confidential Settlement (Civil Suit)
   Andrew Coffey, also 20, died in November 2017 from acute alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” where he was forced to consume an entire bottle of bourbon.

   • Criminal Charges: Led to 9 fraternity members being charged with hazing.
   • Civil Suit: Resulted in a confidential settlement for his family.

   Why this matters to Shenandoah County families: This is the SAME national fraternity involved in our active Bermudez case! Pi Kappa Phi National knew in 2017 that its chapters were engaging in deadly hazing. Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded and hospitalized. This establishes a clear pattern of negligence and deliberate indifference by Pi Kappa Phi that is extremely damaging to their defense.

5. ADAM OAKES – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021)

   TOTAL: $4+ MILLION SETTLEMENT
   Adam Oakes, an 18-year-old freshman, died in February 2021 after a Delta Chi hazing event at VCU in Richmond, VA, involving forced alcohol consumption.

   • Settlement: A lawsuit originally seeking $28 million recently settled for over $4 million in October 2024, split between his parents and a foundation dedicated to anti-hazing efforts.
   • Criminal: 6 members pleaded guilty or no contest to hazing charges.
   • Legislation: Sparked Virginia’s “Adam’s Law,” enhancing hazing penalties, a law that would directly affect fraternities and universities attended by students from Shenandoah County.

   Why this matters to Shenandoah County families: This case is particularly relevant due to its proximity in Virginia. It shows that students from Virginia are directly affected by hazing, and that substantial settlements are achieved in the state. It also demonstrates how hazing justice can drive legislative reform right here in Virginia.

Legislative Change Born from Tragedy:

These heartbreaking cases have not only resulted in financial compensation but have also galvanized legislative action across the country.

• Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law (Pennsylvania, 2018): Increased hazing penalties, made hazing causing death a felony, and provided immunity for reporting.
• Max Gruver Act (Louisiana, 2018): Made hazing a felony offense.
• Collin’s Law (Ohio, 2021): Named after Collin Wiant, another hazing victim, also introduced felony hazing charges.
• Adam’s Law (Virginia, 2022): Named for Adam Oakes, this law expanded the definition of hazing and increased penalties in Virginia.
• Texas Hazing Law: Our home state has robust anti-hazing laws with criminal penalties and the crucial provision that consent is NOT a defense.

Our Strategy for Shenandoah County: Building on Precedent

Knowing these precedents, Attorney911 approaches hazing litigation for Shenandoah County victims with a powerful strategy:

1. Our $10 Million Demand is Supported: The multi-million dollar payouts in similar hazing cases make our current $10 million demand not only reasonable but expected for the egregious behavior and severe injuries in the Bermudez case. We aim for similar results for our clients in Shenandoah County, regardless of whether the hazing occurs at a local high school, community college, or a major university.
2. Pattern of Negligence: Pi Kappa Phi National’s history, from Andrew Coffey’s death to Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization, proves a systemic failure. The University of Houston’s prior incident in 2017 highlights their institutional negligence. This pattern will be central to our arguments for punitive damages against both national fraternities and universities.
3. Juries Hate Hazing: Jurors, like the community members in Shenandoah County, are outraged by these senseless acts of abuse. Describing “waterboarding,” “forced eating until vomiting,” and “500 squats” to a jury elicits a strong desire for justice and punishment.
4. Criminal and Civil Accountability: Hazing is a crime. Our civil lawsuits run parallel to criminal investigations, often providing crucial evidence for both. We seek not only financial compensation but also to ensure that individual perpetrators face the consequences of their actions.

These powerful precedents offer hope and a clear path to justice for families in Shenandoah County. They demonstrate the unwavering commitment of our legal system to protect students and punish those who harm them under the guise of “tradition.” We are ready to use this knowledge and experience to fight for your child.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights

For families in Shenandoah County dealing with the aftermath of hazing, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. While our firm is based in Texas, where we are actively litigating the groundbreaking Bermudez case, the fundamental legal principles and the severity of hazing laws resonate far beyond state lines. Many states, including Virginia, have robust anti-hazing statutes, and federal civil rights claims apply nationwide. This means our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses allow us to pursue your case, no matter where the hazing occurred.

The Foundation: Texas Hazing Laws (Education Code § 37.151-37.157)

Texas has some of the most comprehensive anti-hazing laws in the nation, providing a strong blueprint for accountability that mirrors legislation in many other states, including Virginia’s “Adam’s Law.”

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): What Counts?

Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, whether on or off campus, that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of joining, initiating into, or maintaining membership in an organization, if the act:

1. Involves physical brutality: Such as whipping, beating, striking (like the wooden paddles in Bermudez’s case), branding, or placing harmful substances on the body.
2. Involves sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, or calisthenics: These activities must subject the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affect their mental or physical health. Leonel’s 500 squats, bear crawls, and repeated physical exertion leading to kidney failure perfectly fit this definition. Being forced to strip in cold weather and sprayed with a hose falls under “exposure to the elements.”
3. Involves forced consumption: Of food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances, creating an unreasonable risk of harm or affecting health. This directly applies to Leonel being forced to eat until he vomited.
4. Requires performing a task that violates the Penal Code: This covers any criminal act forced upon a student.
5. Involves coercing consumption of drugs or excessive alcohol: Specifically targeting things like binge drinking.

Shenandoah County Application: The hazing your child experienced in Shenandoah County likely falls squarely within these definitions. Virginia’s Adam’s Law also has expansive definitions that cover similar behaviors, giving victims strong legal ground.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing (§ 37.152):

Hazing is not just a policy violation; it’s a crime.

• Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, soliciting, encouraging, aiding, or even possessing firsthand knowledge and failing to report it. This carries up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
• Class A Misdemeanor: For hazing that causes serious bodily injury. This applies directly to Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, carrying up to 1 year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
• State Jail Felony: For hazing that causes death. This carries 180 days to 2 years in state jail and up to a $10,000 fine.

Shenandoah County Application: The University of Houston spokesperson mentioned “potential criminal charges” in connection with the Bermudez case. This means the individual perpetrators of hazing in Shenandoah County could similarly face serious criminal charges under Virginia law, while civil lawsuits pursue compensation for the victim.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153):

The organization itself can be held accountable when it “condones or encourages hazing” or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing.

• Penalties: Fines up to $10,000, denial of permission to operate on campus, and forfeiture of property.

Shenandoah County Application: This ensures that the local chapter, and often the national organization, faces direct institutional consequences beyond just individual members.

CRITICAL: Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154):

This is perhaps the most powerful and important aspect of Texas hazing law, directly applicable to any hazing incident. The statute explicitly 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.”

Shenandoah County Application: This provision dismantles the most common defense used by fraternities and universities: “He agreed to be there,” or “He knew what he was signing up for.” The law recognizes that true consent cannot exist in an environment of peer pressure, coercion, and fear of social retribution. No one, especially a young pledge eager to belong, can truly consent to being waterboarded or systematically tortured. Virginia’s Adam’s Law similarly includes explicit statements against using implied consent as a defense.

Civil Liability: What Shenandoah County Victims Can Sue For

Beyond criminal charges and organizational penalties, civil lawsuits allow victims to seek monetary compensation for their severe injuries and emotional trauma. These civil claims are universal and exist in every state, regardless of the nuances of local hazing statutes.

1. Negligence Claims: The cornerstone of personal injury lawsuits. We prove that the defendants (university, national fraternity, individuals) had a duty of care to the student, they breached that duty through their actions or inactions, that breach directly caused the injuries, and the injuries resulted in quantifiable damages.
2. Premises Liability: If the hazing occurred on property owned or controlled by the university (as with the University of Houston in the Bermudez case) or the fraternity housing corporation, they have a legal responsibility to maintain safe premises. Allowing dangerous hazing to occur on their property constitutes a breach of this duty.
3. Negligent Supervision: This applies when national organizations fail to adequately supervise their chapters, and when universities fail to properly oversee Greek life on their campuses. Their failure to monitor or intervene, especially after prior incidents, makes them liable.
4. Assault and Battery: Every act of physical abuse—the paddling, the forced physical exertions, the waterboarding—can be pursued as civil assault and battery claims against the individual perpetrators.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): This claim addresses the severe psychological trauma inflicted by hazing. The conduct must be “extreme and outrageous,” going beyond the bounds of what a civilized society would tolerate, and must cause severe emotional distress. Waterboarding, hog-tying, and forced humiliation are textbook examples.
6. Vicarious Liability: This legal principle holds one party responsible for the actions of another. For example, a national fraternity can be vicariously liable for the actions of its local chapter members, and a university can be held responsible for the actions of its recognized student organizations.
7. Wrongful Death: If hazing tragically leads to a student’s death, families can pursue wrongful death claims for their immense losses, including loss of companionship, future earnings, and funeral expenses, often with punitive damages. Our current lawsuit is not a wrongful death case, but our firm has extensive experience with these devastating actions, as Mr. Peña’s prior experience in wrongful death cases demonstrates.

Shenandoah County Families: These legal theories are robust and designed to protect victims. Regardless of where in Virginia your child attends college—whether it’s James Madison, Shenandoah University, Bridgewater College, or Virginia Tech—we can build a powerful case using these established legal principles. Our firm’s deep knowledge of these legal frameworks, combined with our federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses, allows us to pursue justice for your family anywhere in the country, fighting against the same national fraternities and universities that operate nationwide.

Why Attorney911: Your Fierce Advocates for Hazing Justice in Shenandoah County

If your family in Shenandoah County is grappling with the devastating consequences of hazing, you need a legal team that understands your pain, shares your outrage, and possesses the unparalleled expertise to fight back effectively. You need Legal Emergency Lawyers™ who are not afraid to take on the most powerful institutions. You need Attorney911.

We are not just a law firm; we are a force dedicated to holding negligent fraternities, universities, and individuals accountable. Our credentials, our track record, and our current, active litigation in a $10 million hazing lawsuit demonstrate that we are the definitive authority in hazing litigation.

Our Unmatched Expertise: Built for Battle on Your Behalf

1. 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Battle-Tested for Shenandoah County: Ralph Manginello brings over two decades of intense courtroom experience, including major, high-stakes litigation against massive corporate defendants. This battle-tested expertise means we know how to navigate complex legal battles, whether it’s in a courthouse in Houston or a federal court acting on behalf of a victim in Shenandoah County.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: We Know Their Playbook: This is our most significant strategic advantage. Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña began their careers defending insurance companies and large corporations. Lupe, in particular, worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national insurance defense firm. They were trained by the very entities we now fight.
   • What this means for your Shenandoah County family: We understand exactly how the opposition—the university’s legal team, the national fraternity’s lawyers, and the insurance adjusters—thinks, strategizes, and attempts to minimize or deny claims. We’ve seen their internal playbooks. We know their weaknesses. This insider knowledge allows us to anticipate their moves, dismantle their defenses, and maximize recovery for our clients. No local firm in Shenandoah County will have this level of insight into the national insurance defense strategy.
3. Federal Court Admissions: Nationwide Reach for Shenandoah County: We are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and have experience in federal appellate courts. This grants us the authority to pursue hazing cases in federal jurisdiction nationwide.
   • What this means for your Shenandoah County family: Hazing cases often involve national fraternities and multi-state universities. Our federal court admissions ensure that distance is not a barrier. We can pursue justice for your child regardless of whether the hazing occurred at Shenandoah University, James Madison University, or any other institution in the country.
4. Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas AND New York): Strategic Advantage for National Cases: Ralph is licensed in both Texas and New York. This is a unique and strategic advantage for hazing cases that frequently involve national fraternities headquartered outside of Texas, some of which may have significant operations or legal ties in New York.
   • What this means for your Shenandoah County family: We have enhanced jurisdiction and legal flexibility when pursuing national Greek organizations that operate everywhere, not just in Virginia.
5. Multi-Billion Dollar Mass Tort Litigation Experience (BP Texas City Explosion): Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, which killed 15 and injured over 180, demonstrates our capability to take on massive corporate defendants in complex, high-stakes cases.
   • What this means for your Shenandoah County family: The same aggressive, meticulous approach required to fight a global oil giant is precisely what we bring to challenging wealthy national fraternities and multi-billion dollar universities. Our experience proves we can handle the scale and complexity of these institutional defendants.
6. Rhabdomyolysis Hazing Specific Expertise: Our active $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez involves severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure due to hazing. Ralph Manginello has specialized expertise in this precise medical condition within the context of hazing.
   • What this means for your Shenandoah County family: If your child suffered from extreme physical exertion, forced calisthenics, or other physical abuse resulting in rhabdomyolysis or similar severe medical conditions, we understand the medical complexities and the long-term impact, and we know how to litigate those damages effectively.
7. Se Habla Español: Bilingual Services for Shenandoah County Families: We have bilingual staff fluent in Spanish, ensuring that language is never a barrier to justice. Lupe Peña, in particular, is fluent in Spanish.
   • What this means for your Shenandoah County family: If Spanish is your primary language, or your child’s, we can communicate seamlessly and clearly throughout the entire legal process, from initial consultation to resolution. This is vital for many families in Shenandoah County.
8. Media Presence & Thought Leadership: Our “Attorney 911” podcast and published articles empower victims with legal knowledge. Our current case is covered by major news outlets like ABC13, KHOU 11, and Houston Public Media.
   • What this means for your Shenandoah County family: We understand how to leverage media attention to build public pressure on defendants, which can often accelerate settlements and force accountability. We believe in transparency and educating the public.

How We Serve Shenandoah County Hazing Victims: Distance is NOT a Barrier

While our headquarters are in Houston, with additional offices in Austin and Beaumont, we proudly serve hazing victims and their families in Shenandoah County and nationwide.

• Travel to Shenandoah County: Our attorneys are willing to travel to Shenandoah County for depositions, important client meetings, and trials when necessary.
• Remote Consultations: We offer convenient and confidential video consultations, allowing Shenandoah County families to connect with our expert team from the comfort and privacy of their homes.
• Contingency Fees: $0 Upfront for Shenandoah County Families: We understand that dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma is enough of a burden without worrying about legal fees. We take hazing cases on contingency.
  • What this means for your Shenandoah County family: You pay absolutely nothing upfront. We don’t get paid unless and until you get paid. This ensures that expert legal representation is accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation, evening the playing field against powerful, well-funded adversaries.

Our Approach: First, Fast, Decisive

When a legal emergency strikes—especially a hazing emergency that can shatter a family’s life—we move with urgency:

• Immediate Evidence Preservation: We instruct clients to preserve every text, photo, video, and communication, understanding that evidence can disappear quickly. We send immediate preservation letters to all potential defendants.
• Expert Network: We build our cases with a network of expert witnesses, including medical professionals, Greek life culture specialists, institutional negligence experts, and economists to calculate the true impact of hazing on a student’s life.
• Aggressive Negotiation: We negotiate from a position of strength, armed with the knowledge of past multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, and the ability to take the case to trial if needed.
• Relentless Pursuit of Accountability: We will sue everyone responsible: the local chapter, the national organization, the housing corporation, the university, its board of regents, and every individual perpetrator. As our current lawsuit demonstrates, we leave no stone unturned.

We Are Parents Too: Your Child’s Well-being is Our Priority

Ralph Manginello is a father of three children. Lupe Peña is a proud Third-Generation Texan with deep family roots. We know firsthand what it means to send a child off to college with dreams and expectations. When hazing shatters those dreams, it is a personal affront to us. We genuinely care about the victims and families we represent, treating them not just as clients, but as family. This emotional investment fuels our aggressive advocacy.

Shenandoah County families are treated like family.

Don’t let the distance or the perceived power of these institutions intimidate you. Attorney911 is here to be your unwavering advocate, bringing our unparalleled expertise and fierce dedication to secure justice for your child in Shenandoah County.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Shenandoah County Families After Hazing

The moments immediately following a hazing incident are critical. For families in Shenandoah County, the shock and confusion can be paralyzing. However, immediate and decisive action can dramatically impact the strength and success of your legal case. This is your first responder’s guide to protecting your child’s rights and building a path to justice.

1. Prioritize Medical Attention – Your Child’s Health Comes First

• Seek Immediate Medical Care: If your child has not already received medical attention, get them to an emergency room, urgent care facility, or their primary care physician immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, or if symptoms appear days later (like Leonel Bermudez’s kidney failure a few days after extreme exercise), they must be documented professionally. Adrenaline can mask pain, so don’t delay. Tell the medical staff exactly how the injuries occurred.
• Document Everything (Medical Records): This is paramount. Get copies of all medical records, including:
  • Emergency Room reports
  • Hospital admission and discharge summaries (like Leonel’s 3 nights, 4 days)
  • Doctor’s notes, diagnoses, and treatment plans
  • Lab results (e.g., blood tests for Creatine Kinase, urinalysis for myoglobin in rhabdomyolysis cases)
  • Receipts for prescriptions, therapy sessions, and all medical expenses
  • Any referrals to specialists (e.g., nephrologists for kidney issues, therapists for psychological trauma).
  • Watch our video on why seeing a doctor right after an accident is critical to your case and Using Your Phone to Document Evidence.

2. Preserve All Evidence – Do Not Delete Anything!

This is where many cases are won or lost. College students communicate almost exclusively through digital channels. Every digital interaction is potential evidence.

• Text Messages & Group Chats: Save every text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat conversation, WhatsApp chat, Instagram DM, or any other digital communication relevant to the hazing. This includes messages from pledges, fraternity members, or anyone involved. Do not delete anything, even if it seems irrelevant or embarrassing. We frequently find crucial evidence in these conversations.
• Photos & Videos: Collect any and all photos or videos taken by your child, other pledges, or fraternity members during the hazing period. Document any physical injuries (bruises, burns, cuts, swelling) at all stages of healing. If your child is hospitalized, have someone take pictures of them in the hospital bed, any medical equipment, casts, or visible symptoms.
• Social Media: STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA. Do NOT post about the incident. Do NOT post about how you are feeling. Do NOT delete old posts (this can be seen as destruction of evidence). The defense will scour social media for anything that can be used against your child. Learn more about client mistakes that can ruin your injury case and why not to post on social media after an accident.
• Witness Information: Collect names, phone numbers, and any contact information for other pledges, witnesses, or bystanders who saw or were aware of the hazing. Their testimony can be crucial.
• Fraternity/University Documents: Keep any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, emails, or other documents provided by the fraternity or university regarding the pledge process.
• Academic/Financial Records: Document any impact on grades, enrollment status, lost scholarships, lost wages from missed work or internship opportunities, and any tuition/fees paid for disrupted semesters.

3. Do NOT Engage Without Legal Counsel

This is a critical rule:

• Do NOT talk to the fraternity/sorority leadership, national organization representatives, or university administration about the hazing incident without speaking to an attorney first. They are NOT on your side; they are protecting their institution and will try to get information from you that can be used against your case.
• Do NOT give any recorded statements to anyone. Not to the university, not to the fraternity, not to insurance adjusters (even your own). Learn why you should never talk to the insurance company after an accident.
• Do NOT sign anything: Do NOT sign any documents from the fraternity, the university, or their insurance companies without legal review. You could unknowingly waive your rights.
• Be Wary of Early Offers: If you receive an offer from an insurance company or institution, remember that early offers are almost always lowball attempts to make the problem go away cheaply. Learn why you should never accept the first settlement offer.

4. Contact Attorney911 Immediately – Time is Critical

• Call Us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911: This is a legal emergency. Do not delay. Call our hotline any time, day or night. The initial consultation is always free and confidential.
• Statute of Limitations: In most states, including Virginia (and Texas), there is a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including hazing. For wrongful death cases, the clock also typically starts from the date of death. If you miss this deadline, you forfeit your right to seek justice. Watch our video on the Texas Statute of Limitations for personal injury cases.
• Evidence Disappears: The longer you wait, the more likely physical evidence will be cleaned up, digital evidence deleted, and witnesses’ memories fade or they become unreachable. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case acted immediately, so did we.
• Level the Playing Field: Universities and national fraternities have massive legal teams and resources. You need your own experienced legal team from the start to protect your rights.

We Come to Shenandoah County (Virtually or In-Person)

Distance is not a barrier to justice. Although our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims in Shenandoah County and across the country.

• Video Consultations: We offer secure and confidential video consultations so you can speak directly with our attorneys from anywhere in Shenandoah County, ensuring immediate legal guidance.
• Travel Commitment: For critical depositions, client meetings, or trial appearances, our attorneys will travel to Shenandoah County to ensure your case receives the in-person attention it deserves.

Your Child Deserves Justice. You Deserve Help.

What happened to your child was not their fault, and they didn’t deserve it. You, as a parent, deserve to fight back and hold every responsible party accountable. Let us be your champions. Call Attorney911 today. Learn why you need a lawyer for mediation and more about client mistakes that can ruin your injury case.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for Hazing Victims in Shenandoah County

If your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, whether at a high school in Woodstock, a college preparatory school in Front Royal, or a university in nearby Harrisonburg or Winchester, you are facing a legal emergency. Do not endure this crisis alone. Your family in Shenandoah County deserves immediate, aggressive, and professional help. Attorney911 is here to answer that critical call.

Shenandoah County Families: You Have Legal Rights. We Are Fighting This Fight Right Now.

Our firm is not just talking about hazing; we are actively engaged in powerful litigation against a major national fraternity and a prominent university in a $10 million lawsuit. This isn’t a theoretical battle; it’s a real fight for justice for a student who was waterboarded and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same dedication, the same aggressive tactics, and the same relentless pursuit of accountability that we bring to this landmark case, we will bring to your child’s case in Shenandoah County.

Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline 24/7:

There is no time to wait. The clock is ticking on crucial evidence and legal deadlines.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email Us Anytime: ralph@atty911.com

Visit Our Website for More Information: attorney911.com

Free Consultation for Shenandoah County Hazing Victims:

We understand the financial strain and emotional distress you’re under. That’s why we offer a free, no-obligation consultation for all hazing victims and their families in Shenandoah County. There is absolutely no cost to speak with our experienced attorneys about your situation.

Contingency Fees: You Pay $0 Upfront. We Don’t Get Paid Unless YOU Get Paid.

The fear of legal costs should never prevent a family from seeking justice. We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis.

• No upfront fees: You will not pay us a single dollar out of your pocket to hire our firm.
• We take the risk: We invest our time and resources into your case.
• We only get paid if we win: Our legal fees are a percentage of the compensation we recover for you, whether through settlement or verdict. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.

This commitment levels the playing field, ensuring that your Shenandoah County family can take on powerful national fraternities, universities, and their insurance companies without financial burden.

We Serve Shenandoah County—and Hazing Victims Nationwide

While our headquarters are in Houston, Texas, with additional offices in Austin and Beaumont, our reach extends far beyond. We are fully equipped to represent hazing victims across America, including right here in Shenandoah County, Virginia.

• Federal Court Authority: Our attorneys are admitted to the U.S. District Court, granting us the ability to pursue cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often necessary when dealing with national organizations.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello holds licenses in both Texas and New York, providing strategic advantages when litigating against national fraternities that may have legal ties in multiple states.
• Video Consultations: For your convenience and privacy, we offer secure video consultations. You can meet with our attorneys and begin your case from the comfort of your home in Woodstock, Front Royal, New Market, or anywhere else in Shenandoah County.
• Willingness to Travel: Distance is not a barrier to justice for us. For critical depositions, court appearances, or client meetings, our attorneys will travel to Shenandoah County to provide the dedicated representation your family deserves.

Hazing Knows No Boundaries – Neither Do We

Hazing is not limited to Greek life at major state universities. It can occur in any group that uses abusive initiation rituals. We represent victims of hazing in:

• Fraternities and sororities at universities near Shenandoah County, such as Shenandoah University, James Madison University, or Virginia Tech.
• High school and collegiate sports teams in the Shenandoah Valley.
• Marching bands and other student organizations.
• ROTC programs and military academies.
• Any group that masquerades abuse as “tradition.”

Our commitment is to all victims, regardless of the organization or location in Shenandoah County.

If You Were a Victim of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know that Leonel Bermudez was not the only one. Our lawsuit describes another pledge hog-tied and a different pledge collapsing during a forced workout. If you or someone you know was also subjected to the hazing at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter, we urge you to contact us. You have rights, and we can represent you to ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice.

As Lupe Peña expressed, “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 Call is the First Step Towards Justice.

Do not let fear, shame, or loyalty hold you back. The institutions involved will try to silence you, but we will amplify your voice. Let us be your advocates, your Legal Emergency Lawyers™, fighting tirelessly for your child and for a future where no other Shenandoah County family has to endure this nightmare.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Your free consultation awaits.