🛡️ Sherman County Hazing Lawyers — Protecting Students from Greek Life Abuse
Hazing isn’t tradition. It’s torture. And it’s happening right here in Sherman County.
If your child was hazed at a fraternity or sorority near Sherman County, you’re not alone. The same national organizations that waterboarded a student at University of Houston, forced another to do 500 squats until his kidneys failed, and have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths — they operate chapters right here in Sherman County.
At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We’ve filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for what they did to our client — and we’re bringing that same fight to Sherman County families.
Sherman County parents: Your child deserves justice. Your family deserves accountability. And the fraternities near Sherman County need to know — hazing will cost them millions.
🚨 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Sherman County
On November 3, 2025, Leonel Bermudez — a young man who wasn’t even enrolled at University of Houston yet — was waterboarded with a garden hose. He was forced to do 500 squats. He was struck with wooden paddles. He was forced to eat until he vomited, then made to keep running through his own vomit.
He ended up in the hospital with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, fighting for his life for four days.
The same fraternities that did this to Leonel Bermudez have chapters near Sherman County.
They operate at universities across Kansas and the Midwest. They have the same “traditions.” The same culture of abuse. The same failure to protect students.
And just like at University of Houston, the universities near Sherman County own the houses where this happens. They collect rent while students are being tortured. They have the power to stop it. They choose not to.
This isn’t happening “somewhere else.” This is happening near Sherman County. And it could be your child next.
💔 The Reality of Hazing in Sherman County
Hazing isn’t what you think.
It’s not just “a few harmless pranks.” It’s not “boys being boys.” It’s not “building character.”
Hazing is:
- Waterboarding with garden hoses
- Forced drinking until alcohol poisoning
- Extreme physical punishment — 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls until muscles break down
- Wooden paddles striking students’ bodies
- Sleep deprivation — forced to drive fraternity members at all hours
- Humiliation — carrying sexual objects, stripping in cold weather
- Being hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in your mouth for over an hour
The medical consequences:
- Rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown that can cause kidney failure (like our client)
- Acute kidney failure — life-threatening complication
- Alcohol poisoning — can be fatal
- Traumatic brain injury — from beatings or falls
- Hypothermia or heat stroke — from exposure
- PTSD, anxiety, depression — long-term psychological damage
- Death
This isn’t happening at some distant school. This is happening at universities near Sherman County. This is happening to students from Sherman County who go to college. This could be your child.
🏛️ Who Is Responsible for Hazing in Sherman County?
When hazing happens near Sherman County, multiple parties are liable:
1. The Local Chapter
The fraternity or sorority chapter near Sherman County that directly organized and conducted the hazing.
2. The National Organization
The national fraternity or sorority headquarters that failed to supervise their Sherman County chapter. They knew about the “hazing crisis” nationally. They had prior incidents at other chapters. They did nothing to stop it from happening near Sherman County.
3. The University
The university near Sherman County that owns the fraternity house. They collect rent while students are being hazed. They have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous chapters. They choose not to.
4. Individual Members
Every member near Sherman County who participated in, witnessed, or failed to stop the hazing. Chapter presidents, pledgemasters, active members — they can all be held personally liable.
5. Alumni and Housing Corporations
Former members near Sherman County who host hazing at their homes. Housing corporations that own fraternity properties. They’re all part of the system that enables abuse.
Sherman County families: When your child is hazed, we don’t just sue one person. We sue everyone who allowed it to happen.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Sherman County Hazing Victim
Sherman County parents and students: You have powerful legal rights.
Texas and Kansas Hazing Laws
While our firm is based in Texas, we can represent hazing victims from Sherman County regardless of where the incident occurred. Most states have similar anti-hazing laws:
- Hazing is illegal — even if the victim “consented”
- Universities can be held liable for failing to protect students
- National organizations can be held liable for failing to supervise chapters
- Individuals can be held personally liable — including criminal charges
In Texas (where we’re licensed):
- Hazing that causes serious bodily injury is a Class A Misdemeanor — up to 1 year in jail
- Hazing that causes death is a State Jail Felony — up to 2 years in jail
- Consent is not a defense — Texas law explicitly says victims can’t “consent” to hazing
Civil Lawsuits Allow Sherman County Victims to Recover:
- Medical expenses — hospital bills, future treatment
- Lost wages — time missed from work or school
- Pain and suffering — physical and emotional trauma
- Punitive damages — to punish egregious conduct and prevent future hazing
- Wrongful death damages — if hazing results in death
Our current hazing case seeks $10 million. This isn’t theoretical. Sherman County families can win these amounts.
💰 Multi-Million Dollar Precedents — Hazing Cases Win Big
Sherman County families: Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. The same results are possible for Sherman County victims.
Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Total: $10.1 MILLION+
- $2.9 million from the university
- $7.2 million from the fraternity and individuals
- Our $10 million demand is directly in line with this precedent
Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)
Total: $6.1 MILLION JURY VERDICT
- Led to the Max Gruver Act — made hazing a felony in Louisiana
Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)
Total: $110+ MILLION (estimated)
- 18 fraternity members criminally charged
- Led to the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania
Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
Same fraternity as our current case
- 9 fraternity members criminally charged
- Chapter permanently closed
- 8 years later, another Pi Kappa Phi chapter hospitalized our client
What These Cases Prove for Sherman County Families:
- Juries award millions for hazing injuries and deaths
- Universities pay millions when they fail to protect students
- National organizations pay millions when they fail to supervise chapters
- Individuals can be held personally liable — chapter presidents have been ordered to pay $6.5 million personally
- These cases drive legislative change — new laws to prevent hazing
Sherman County families: If your child was hazed, you can win. You can hold them accountable. You can prevent this from happening to another Sherman County family.
🔥 The Pi Kappa Phi Case — What Happened Near Sherman County Could Happen Here
We are fighting this battle RIGHT NOW.
On November 21, 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for what they did to our client, Leonel Bermudez.
What happened to Leonel Bermudez shows what’s happening at universities near Sherman County:
- He was waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning
- He was forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls — until he couldn’t stand
- He was struck with wooden paddles
- He was forced to eat until he vomited, then made to keep running through his own vomit
- He was hog-tied — another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
- He was sprayed with a hose while minimally clothed in cold weather
- He was forced to carry a fanny pack with sexual objects at all times
- He was threatened with expulsion if he didn’t comply
The result?
- Severe rhabdomyolysis — his muscles broke down
- Acute kidney failure — life-threatening complication
- Four days in the hospital fighting for his life
The same fraternity — Pi Kappa Phi — has chapters near Sherman County.
The same national organization that failed to stop this despite knowing about “a hazing crisis” operates near Sherman County.
The same university failures that allowed this to happen at UH exist at universities near Sherman County.
Sherman County families: This could be your child.
⚠️ Why Universities Near Sherman County Are Complicit
The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded.
They collected rent while students were being tortured. They had the power to inspect at any time. They had the power to shut it down.
They chose not to act.
And here’s the worst part: UH had a student hospitalized from hazing in 2017 at a different fraternity. They knew hazing was dangerous. They knew students could be hurt. They had 8 years to implement real oversight.
They did nothing. And Leonel Bermudez paid the price.
The same thing is happening at universities near Sherman County.
- They own the fraternity houses
- They collect the rent
- They have the power to inspect
- They have the power to shut down dangerous chapters
- They choose not to act until someone gets hurt
Sherman County parents: Your child’s university is complicit. And they need to be held accountable.
🎯 What Makes Our Firm Different for Sherman County Families
Why choose Attorney 911 for your Sherman County hazing case?
1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
We’ve already filed a $10 million hazing lawsuit. We’re not theoretical. We’re in the fight. Sherman County families get the same aggressive representation.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know their playbook. We know how they try to minimize claims. We know how to dismantle their defenses.
3. Federal Court Authority
We’re admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. This means we can pursue Sherman County cases in federal court when appropriate — giving us more leverage against national organizations.
4. Dual-State Licensed — Texas AND New York
This is strategic for hazing cases. Many national fraternities and sororities are headquartered in New York. Our New York license gives us more leverage when dealing with these organizations.
5. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
Many hazing victims and families are Spanish-speaking. We communicate in Spanish — no language barriers to justice.
6. We Travel to Sherman County
We will come to Sherman County for depositions, client meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
7. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront
Sherman County families pay nothing upfront. We don’t get paid unless you get paid. This levels the playing field against powerful institutions.
8. Proven Track Record of Winning Big
- $10 million hazing lawsuit currently pending
- Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
- Hundreds of cases won against insurance companies
- Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how to beat them
9. We Understand Greek Life Culture
Ralph Manginello is a former athlete and coach. He understands team dynamics, locker room culture, and the pressures that lead to hazing. We know the environment where this happens.
10. We Care About Sherman County Families
We’re not just fighting for money. We’re fighting to stop this from happening to another Sherman County family. We see your child as a person, not a paycheck.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed Near Sherman County
If your child is hazed at a fraternity or sorority near Sherman County, take these steps immediately:
1. Get Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Document everything medically
- Keep all medical records and bills
2. Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing
- Save all communications — texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, Instagram DMs, emails
- Write down everything your child remembers — dates, times, locations, what happened, who was there
- Get witness names and contact information — other pledges, bystanders
- Document everything — clothing worn, items used in hazing, physical evidence
3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do not confront the fraternity or sorority
- Do not give statements to university administrators alone
- Do not sign anything from the organization
- Anything you say can be used against you
4. Do NOT Post on Social Media
- Do not post about the incident
- Do not post about being “fine” or “okay”
- Do not engage with Greek life members online
- Social media posts can destroy your case
5. Contact an Attorney Immediately
- The statute of limitations is typically 2 years — don’t wait
- Evidence disappears quickly
- Witnesses forget
- Organizations destroy records
- Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation
6. Consider Reporting to Authorities
- Hazing is a crime in most states
- Consider filing a police report
- Universities are required to report hazing incidents
📞 Sherman County Families — Call Us Now
If your child was hazed at a fraternity or sorority near Sherman County, call us immediately.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Available 24/7 for Sherman County hazing emergencies
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Free Consultation — $0 Upfront — We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Get Paid
We will travel to Sherman County for your case.
🎯 What We Will Do for Your Sherman County Family:
- Free Case Evaluation — We’ll review your situation and explain your rights
- Immediate Evidence Preservation — We’ll send preservation letters to all defendants
- Medical Documentation — We’ll work with medical experts to document injuries
- Identify All Liable Parties — We’ll find everyone responsible for what happened
- Aggressive Negotiation — We’ll fight for maximum compensation
- Litigation if Necessary — We’ll take your case to trial if that’s what it takes
- Protect Your Privacy — We’ll shield you from harassment and intimidation
- Prevent Future Hazing — Your case can help stop this from happening to others
⚠️ Why You Can’t Wait
- Evidence disappears — organizations destroy records, witnesses forget
- Statute of limitations — typically 2 years; if you miss it, you lose your rights forever
- Medical complications — some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) can have long-term effects
- Other victims — your case can help identify and protect others
Sherman County families: Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights.
🔥 To Fraternities and Sororities Near Sherman County:
We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon — if your chapter operates near Sherman County, know this:
- We track your house corporations
- We know your corporate structures
- We know your insurance policies
- We know your documented history of hazing deaths and injuries
If you haze students near Sherman County, we will pursue every liable entity.
We already shut down the Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston. Your chapter could be next.
🏛️ To Universities Near Sherman County:
You own the torture chambers.
You collect rent while students are being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles.
You have the power to inspect. You have the power to regulate. You have the power to shut down dangerous chapters.
You choose not to act until someone gets hurt.
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.
Act now or face the same accountability.
🎓 To Sherman County Parents:
You send your children to college expecting them to be safe.
You trust the universities. You trust the Greek organizations.
That trust is being betrayed.
But you have power.
You have the power to hold them accountable.
You have the power to demand change.
You have the power to prevent this from happening to another Sherman County family.
Call us. We’ll fight for your child. We’ll fight for your family. We’ll fight for Sherman County.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Sherman County hazing victims deserve justice. We’re the lawyers who deliver it.
