If you’re reading this in South Carolina, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, to explore new passions, and to build a foundation for their future. Instead, they were tortured. They were abused. They were subjected to rituals that break bodies and spirits, all under the guise of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.” Here at Attorney911, we’re here to help families in South Carolina fight back against the insidious danger of hazing.

We understand what you’re going through. The fear, the anger, the confusion, the betrayal—it’s overwhelming. We know because we are currently fighting this very battle for families in Texas, and we are ready to bring that fight to South Carolina. Hazing isn’t a harmless rite of passage; it’s a form of assault that leaves lasting scars, both physical and psychological. If your child has been subjected to this brutality, we want you to know that you are not alone, and you have powerful legal rights. We will stand with you, every step of the way, to secure justice and ensure that the institutions and individuals responsible are held accountable.

Your nightmare just became real, and we are here to help turn that pain into powerful action.

The Bermudez Case: A Warning and a Promise to South Carolina Families

What happened to Leonel Bermudez in Houston, Texas, just weeks ago in November 2025, serves as both a stark warning and a solemn promise. It’s a warning that the dark underbelly of hazing can surface anywhere, even at universities your children from South Carolina might attend. And it’s our promise that we will pursue justice for South Carolina families with the same fierce dedication and data-driven aggression.

This isn’t a hypothetical example. This is a real, ongoing $10 million lawsuit led by our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members. This case demonstrates exactly what Attorney911 stands for: aggressive representation of hazing victims, data-driven litigation strategy, and unrelenting pursuit of accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries and deaths.

This happened in Houston. But the same hazing methods are used at universities near South Carolina. The same national fraternities operate chapters throughout South Carolina. The same negligence exists at South Carolina institutions. And we will fight for South Carolina families with the same intensity we’re bringing to this case.

The Story of Leonel Bermudez: Torture Disguised as Brotherhood

Leonel Bermudez was a young man with dreams of transferring to the University of Houston for the spring semester of 2026. He was, what is known in Greek life as, a “ghost rush”—a prospective member who hadn’t even officially enrolled at the university yet. He simply wanted to join a brotherhood, to find a sense of belonging. What he found instead was weeks of systematic abuse, humiliation, and physical torture during the Fall 2025 pledge process for the Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi.

Our lawsuit alleges: They did this to someone who wasn’t even their student.

The hazing inflicted upon Leonel was nothing short of horrific. It included:

Waterboarding: Pledges were subjected to simulated waterboarding with a garden hose, sprayed in the face while performing calisthenics. They were forced to run repeatedly under the implied threat of being waterboarded again. This is torture—a war crime when done to enemy combatants—and it was inflicted on college students.
Extreme Physical Punishment: Leonel was forced to perform over 100 pushups, 500 squats, and other grueling exercises like high-volume “suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He had to recite the fraternity creed under threat of immediate expulsion, enduring these physical demands until he was so exhausted he couldn’t stand without help. The lawsuit also alleges pledges were struck with wooden paddles.
Forced Consumption to Vomiting: Pledges were forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited, then made to continue running sprints while clearly in physical distress, often lying in vomit-soaked grass.
Psychological Torture: 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. Another pledge was even hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Threats of physical punishment and expulsion hung constantly over their heads.
Sleep Deprivation: He was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, causing severe exhaustion, which further affected his mental and physical state.

These aren’t college pranks. This is systematic, calculated abuse that broke Leonel’s body. After a particularly brutal session on November 3, 2025, where he was punished for missing an event, Leonel collapsed. He crawled home, too sore to move the next day. His condition worsened, and on November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital when he began passing brown urine—a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown.

The Devastating Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

At the hospital, Leonel was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis is a life-threatening condition where damaged muscle tissue releases toxic proteins, like myoglobin, into the bloodstream, which then clog and destroy the kidneys. He spent three nights and four days hospitalized, receiving intensive medical treatment, and faces the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This is the exact medical condition Attorney911 has previously litigated. Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases. We know the devastating impact, and we know how to connect it directly to the heinous acts of hazing.

Institutional Responses: Guilt and Damage Control

The reaction from the defendants speaks volumes:

Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters: On November 6, after Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi National suspended the UH chapter. By November 14—a full seven days before our lawsuit was filed—they officially closed the Beta Nu Chapter, stating it was “following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” Their statement also included, chillingly, “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This is not remorse; it is damage control and a clear indication they fully intend to resume operations once the heat dies down. They knew what was coming.
University of Houston: A UH spokesperson stated, “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards… Any individual found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges.” While appearing concerned, they are largely reacting to the exposure, scrambling to minimize liability.

Translation: They’re admitting they didn’t stop it, and now they’re trying to limit their legal exposure. They closed the chapter before the lawsuit was filed because they knew what was coming. They are already planning their comeback while our client is still recovering.

Media Shines a Light on the Darkness

Within days of our lawsuit being filed, prominent Houston media outlets—KPRC 2 (Click2Houston), ABC13 (KTRK), KHOU 11, and Houston Public Media—were covering the story extensively, detailing the horrifying allegations and our legal fight. This media attention is a powerful tool to expose the truth and pressure institutions to change.

For South Carolina families: This is what happens when data-driven attorneys take on hazing. Attorney911 does not guess. We know. And we sue everyone responsible.

This landmark case is why we are the definitive authority on hazing litigation, and we are ready to bring that expertise and aggressive advocacy to South Carolina.

What Hazing Truly Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

When you think of hazing, you might picture harmless pranks or silly initiations. But the reality faced by students across the country, including those from South Carolina attending universities, is far more sinister. Hazing today is systematically designed to demean, control, and inflict severe physical and psychological trauma. It’s not about “boys being boys” or “building character”; it’s abuse, assault, and sometimes, outright torture.

If you’re reading this, your child wasn’t subjected to pranks. They were subjected to brutality.

Based on the horrors endured by Leonel Bermudez and countless other students, here’s what hazing really looks like in American Greek life:

The Categories of Hazing: A Modern Lexicon of Abuse

Category	Description and Examples (as seen in Bermudez case)
Physical Abuse	Systematic beatings and forced exertion: Being struck with wooden paddles; 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, repeated 100-yard crawls. This is often accompanied by sleep deprivation, pushing students to physical collapse and even organ failure, as seen with Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis.
Forced Consumption	Eating and drinking to injury: Forcing pledges to consume large amounts of items like milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomit, then making them continue physical activity in their own vomit-soaked grass. Other common examples include forced binge drinking of alcohol, which often leads to alcohol poisoning and death.
Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning	Torture technique: As alleged in Leonel’s case, being sprayed directly in the face with a garden hose while performing calisthenics, simulating drowning. This is a recognized torture tactic.
Psychological Torture & Humiliation	Deliberate mental and emotional abuse: This includes forced nudity, carrying degrading objects (like Leonel’s fanny pack with sexual items), verbal degradation, threats of physical harm or expulsion, and isolating individuals. The goal is to break down self-esteem and foster absolute obedience through fear.
Sleep Deprivation	Systematic exhaustion: Requiring pledges to complete tasks, study hours, or drive members during early morning and late-night hours, leading to severe lack of sleep. This impairs judgment, increases physical vulnerability, and breaks down psychological resilience.
Servitude & Control	Dehumanization: Enforced dress codes, mandatory study hours, weekly interviews, forced driving, errands, and cleaning. These activities strip individuals of their autonomy and personal dignity.
Exposure	Environmental harm: Forcing pledges to strip to their underwear in cold weather, or other forms of exposure to extreme temperatures, often exacerbating the effects of physical exertion and sleep deprivation.

This is not normal. This is not acceptable. And it happens in communities like yours in South Carolina.

The Horrifying Statistics: It’s Not Rare, It’s Hidden

55% of students in Greek organizations report experiencing hazing. This isn’t a fringe activity; it’s deeply ingrained.
Over 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it. This silence is born from fear, shame, loyalty, and intimidation—a cycle the perpetrators exploit.
Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States. These aren’t accidents; they are preventable tragedies.
Hazing extends beyond fraternities and sororities, occurring in sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, clubs, and other student organizations.

The Institutional Failure: Silence and Complicity

Universities and national Greek organizations often claim to have “zero-tolerance” policies. Yet, time and again, they turn a blind eye until a student is hospitalized or dies. Only then do chapters get “suspended” or “dissolved,” accompanied by hollow statements of being “shocked.” This pattern of institutional negligence is what Attorney911 fights to expose. They choose reputation over safety; they choose tradition over humanity.

For parents in South Carolina: This is not a distant problem. The same national fraternities that have caused deaths and severe injuries across the country have chapters at universities throughout South Carolina. These institutions often have the same lax oversight that allowed the nightmare Leonel Bermudez suffered. Your child, attending a university near Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, or any other South Carolina city, could face these very same dangers.

We refuse to let these institutions hide behind PR statements and legal fine print. We will bring the full force of our legal expertise to ensure that justice is served for your South Carolina family.

Who Is Responsible? Holding All Guilty Parties Accountable for Hazing in South Carolina

In hazing cases, accountability doesn’t stop with the individual students directly involved. Attorney911 operates on the principle that hazing is fostered by a culture of negligence that permeates institutions and organizations. When we take on a case in South Carolina, we meticulously investigate every potential defendant to ensure that all parties who contributed to, enabled, or failed to prevent the harm are held fully responsible.

We don’t just sue the kids; we sue the adults, the entities, and the institutions that allowed this to happen.

Here are the categories of defendants we target, and why they bear legal responsibility:

1. The Local Fraternity or Sorority Chapter

Why They Are Liable: The chapter is the direct perpetrator. These are the students who organized, facilitated, and participated in the hazing activities. They are typically vicariously liable for the actions of their members, and their leadership (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) actively directed the illegal conduct.

South Carolina Application: Whether it’s a chapter at the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, the College of Charleston, or any other institution in South Carolina, the local chapter is the first line of direct responsibility.

2. Individual Perpetrators: Students, Former Members, and Their Associates

Why They Are Liable:

Active Members: Each student who participated directly in the hazing activities can be held personally liable for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Chapter Officers: The President, Pledgemaster, Risk Manager, and other leaders have a direct duty to ensure the safety of pledges and are uniquely responsible for the conduct they oversee. The recent $6.5 million judgment against a former chapter president in the Stone Foltz case demonstrates this personal liability.
Former Members: As seen in the Bermudez case, former members who host hazing activities at their residences are liable under premises liability and for aiding and abetting.
Spouses/Residents: If a spouse or other resident allows hazing to occur on their property, they can also be named as defendants under premises liability principles.

South Carolina Application: Every person who lays a hand on a pledge, forces consumption, or facilitates the abuse in South Carolina can face civil lawsuits and potentially criminal charges.

3. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization

Why They Are Liable: National organizations like Pi Kappa Phi claim to oversee their chapters and have “anti-hazing” policies. Yet, they often know about dangerous practices, or, as alleged in the Bermudez case, have “knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” Their liability stems from:

Failure to Supervise: Not adequately monitoring local chapters.
Failure to Enforce Policies: Not ensuring their stated anti-hazing rules are actually followed.
Pattern of Negligence: Ignoring previous incidents at other chapters (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi’s history after Andrew Coffey’s death shows they failed to learn).
Deep Pockets: These national entities possess significant assets, insurance policies, and endowments, making them a primary target for substantial damages.

South Carolina Application: The same national fraternities and sororities that operate chapters in South Carolina are the same ones with documented histories of hazing. We pursue them aggressively, regardless of whether their national headquarters are in Charlotte, Indianapolis, or elsewhere. Our dual-state bar admissions in Texas and New York give us strategic advantage in pursuing national organizations across state lines.

4. The University, College, or Educational Institution

Why They Are Liable: Universities have a fundamental duty to protect their students’ safety, especially when they exercise control over Greek life activities. Their liability arises from:

Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned property (like the Pi Kappa Phi house at UH), the university is responsible for ensuring safe conditions.
Negligent Supervision: Failing to adequately oversee Greek life organizations, ignoring warning signs, or not enforcing their own rules.
Institutional Knowledge: As seen with the University of Houston, if a university has a history of hazing incidents, they have a documented knowledge of the problem and a heightened duty to act.
Failure to Act: Despite having the power to regulate, suspend, or remove organizations, they often choose not to, prioritizing reputation or revenue over student safety.

South Carolina Application: Universities throughout South Carolina, from large public institutions like the University of South Carolina in Columbia and Clemson University, to private colleges like Furman University and smaller regional campuses, have a duty to protect their students. If they fail to do so, they will be held accountable.

5. Insurance Carriers

Why They Are Liable: Ultimately, much of the compensation for hazing victims comes from the insurance policies held by the national organizations, universities, and sometimes even individual members (homeowner’s or renter’s insurance).

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense lawyers. We understand the intricate web of commercial insurance policies and the tactics insurance companies use to deny or minimize claims. This insider knowledge is a critical advantage for our South Carolina clients. We know their playbook, and we know how to dismantle their defenses to maximize recovery.

The Deep Pockets: This is not about bankrupting college students. It’s about holding multi-million or billion-dollar entities—national fraternities, universities, and their insurers—responsible for the negligence that allowed your child to be harmed. We track their corporate structures, their EINs, their assets, and their insurance policies, leaving no stone unturned.

For South Carolina families: When we take on a hazing case, our goal is to identify and pursue every single entity and individual who bears responsibility. This comprehensive approach maximizes your chances of securing the full compensation you deserve and sends a clear message that hazing will not be tolerated.

What These Cases Win: Millions Prove Hazing Will Not Stand

The anguish of a hazing incident, whether it results in severe injury or tragic death, cannot be measured in dollars alone. However, civil lawsuits are the most powerful tool victims and their families have to demand accountability, ensure justice, and force institutions to prioritize safety. The multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements awarded in hazing cases across the country, including in Texas, demonstrate that juries and courts are increasingly unwilling to tolerate this barbarism.

Hazing costs millions. We have the receipts. These same results are possible for South Carolina victims.

These landmark cases serve as a powerful precedent for any hazing lawsuit in South Carolina, proving that substantial financial compensation is not only possible but necessary to deter future harm.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements: Lessons for South Carolina

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

Total Payout: $10.1 Million+

What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Bowling Green State University, was forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” event. He was found unresponsive the next morning and died from acute alcohol poisoning.
The Outcome: His family received over $10.1 million in combined settlements and judgments, including $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha National and several individual members. Most notably, in December 2024, a jury issued a $6.5 million personal judgment against Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president. The fraternity was permanently expelled, and multiple criminal convictions followed.
Relevance to South Carolina: This monumental case proves that both universities and national fraternities bear immense financial liability. The $6.5 million personal judgment against a chapter leader sends a chilling message to individual students—you cannot hide behind the organization. Our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is directly in line with this precedent, and the same aggressive pursuit of institutions and individuals will apply to hazing in South Carolina.

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

Total Verdict: $6.1 Million

What Happened: In September 2017, Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman at Louisiana State University, died after a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” hazing event. Pledges were forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol for answering questions incorrectly. Gruver’s BAC was 0.495—more than six times the legal driving limit.
The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family $6.1 million. Several fraternity members faced criminal charges, with one convicted of negligent homicide. The tragedy also led to the “Max Gruver Act” in Louisiana, which made hazing a felony.
Relevance to South Carolina: This case solidified that juries deliver powerful, multi-million dollar verdicts in hazing cases, even against individual members. It set a precedent for legislative action, showing how civil lawsuits can drive state-wide change in South Carolina.

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

Total Settlement: $110 Million+ (Estimated)

What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old Penn State pledge, was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi “gauntlet” ritual. He fell repeatedly down stairs, sustaining a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911, and the entire incident was captured on security cameras.
The Outcome: The Piazza family reportedly received a confidential settlement estimated at over $110 million. Eighteen fraternity members faced criminal charges, leading to multiple convictions for involuntary manslaughter, hazing, and assault. Pennsylvania also passed the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.”
Relevance to South Carolina: This is one of the largest hazing settlements in U.S. history, demonstrating the massive liability when institutional negligence and egregious conduct are exposed with strong evidence. It proves that universities, national organizations, and individual members can all be held responsible for catastrophic damages.

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

The Same Fraternity as Bermudez: Pi Kappa Phi

What Happened: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old pledge at Florida State University, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey 101 bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night.”
The Outcome: Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges, and the chapter was permanently closed. The Coffey family reached a civil settlement, though the amount remains confidential.
Relevance to South Carolina: This case is particularly damning for Pi Kappa Phi. It proves that the national organization had actual notice of deadly hazing within its chapters in 2017. Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized in our current case. This pattern of negligence and failure to act despite having a death on their record is a critical component of our quest for significant punitive damages against Pi Kappa Phi. The national organization failed to learn, and now they must pay for the consequences in South Carolina and beyond.

Other Significant Hazing Outcomes:

Adam Oakes (VCU / Delta Chi, 2021): A tragic death from alcohol poisoning leading to a $4 million+ settlement and the “Adam’s Law” anti-hazing legislation in Virginia.
Tucker Hipps (Clemson / Sigma Phi Epsilon, 2014): Death during a hazing run, resulting in a $500,000+ settlement. This happened in South Carolina’s neighboring state, directly impacting local awareness.
University of Alabama (Sigma Alpha Epsilon, 2023): Lawsuit filed for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), confirming that very serious non-death injuries also trigger major litigation.

Hazing Driven Legislative Change:

These tragic cases have not only resulted in financial redress but have also spurred legislative action. Laws like the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania, and Collin’s Law in Ohio all significantly strengthen anti-hazing statutes, often making hazing a felony and increasing reporting requirements. This shows the increasing societal demand for accountability, which will resonate with courts and juries in South Carolina.

Why Precedent Matters for Your South Carolina Case:

Validates Our Demands: These multi-million dollar outcomes demonstrate that our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is not arbitrary; it is rooted in established legal precedent for harm suffered.
Proves Institutional Liability: They confirm that universities and national fraternities consistently share liability for hazing, especially when they show a pattern of negligence.
Encourages Settlement: Having a strong record of multi-million dollar payouts incentivizes defendants to settle rather than risk an even larger jury verdict.
Establishes Foreseeability: Prior incidents prove that these institutions knew the dangers of hazing and failed to act, making the harm to your child in South Carolina entirely foreseeable.
Supports Punitive Damages: The egregious nature of many hazing incidents, combined with institutional indifference, leads to significant punitive damage awards designed to punish and deter.

For South Carolina families: These cases are not just statistics; they are stories of justice from families just like yours. They prove that when you choose to fight, you can win. Attorney911 is ready to bring this winning legal strategy to your hazing case in South Carolina.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights in South Carolina Hazing Cases

While Attorney911 operates primarily out of our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our expertise in hazing litigation, federal court authority, and dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) mean we can effectively serve victims and families in South Carolina. The core principles of hazing law, civil liability, and institutional responsibility often mirror or are inspired by the very Texas laws we practice under.

Under Texas law, consent is NOT a defense. Your child cannot legally consent to being hazed. This crucial legal protection often exists in South Carolina as well.

Understanding the legal framework is essential for any family pursuing a hazing case. Here’s a breakdown, with relevance to South Carolina:

Texas Hazing Laws (Education Code § 37.151-37.157) – A Model for Other States

Many states, including South Carolina, have anti-hazing laws that often share similar definitions and penalties to Texas’s robust statutes.

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):

Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging or maintaining membership in an organization, if the act:

Involves physical brutality: Such as whipping, beating, striking (like the wooden paddles in the Bermudez case), branding, electronic shocking, or placing a harmful substance on the body.
Involves risk to health or safety: Includes sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, calisthenics (like Leonel’s 500 squats that caused rhabdomyolysis), or any similar activity that subjects the student to unreasonable harm or adversely affects their mental or physical health.
Involves forced consumption: Forcing a student to consume any food, liquid (like the milk/hot dogs/peppercorns forced on Leonel), alcohol, or drugs that subjects them to unreasonable risk or affects their health.
Violates the Penal Code: Any activity that requires a student to commit a crime.
Coerces alcohol/drug consumption: Forcing a student to consume drugs or alcohol to the point of intoxication.

South Carolina Application: The hazing your child endured in South Carolina, whether physical, emotional, or involving forced consumption, almost certainly falls within the statutory definition of hazing under South Carolina’s laws, paving the way for similar legal claims.

Criminal Penalties: Justice Beyond Civil Suits

Texas law imposes significant criminal penalties for hazing, with higher stakes for more severe harm:

Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, soliciting/aiding hazing, or failing to report hazing with firsthand knowledge. (Up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
Class A Misdemeanor: For hazing causing serious bodily injury (like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure). (Up to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine).
State Jail Felony: For hazing causing death. (180 days-2 years state jail, $10,000 fine).

South Carolina Application: Many states, including South Carolina, have also increased criminal penalties for hazing, making it a felony in some instances. This means criminal proceedings may run parallel to your civil lawsuit, further strengthening your case for accountability.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Holding Groups Responsible

Texas law also holds organizations accountable:

An organization commits an offense if it condones or encourages hazing, or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing.
Penalties can include fines (up to $10,000), denial of campus operation rights, and forfeiture of property.

South Carolina Application: This legislative approach ensures that the fraternity chapters in South Carolina, for example, cannot simply claim ignorance when their members engage in hazing. They are collectively responsible.

Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): The Game Changer

This is perhaps the most critical protection for hazing victims:
“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.”

South Carolina Application: This provision directly counters the common defense used by perpetrators and institutions: “they agreed to it,” or “they could have left.” Texas law explicitly states that a victim cannot consent to being hazed, recognizing the immense power imbalance, peer pressure, and psychological manipulation inherent in hazing. Many other states have similar “no consent” clauses in their anti-hazing statutes.

Civil Liability for Hazing: Your Path to Compensation in South Carolina

Beyond criminal prosecution, civil lawsuits allow victims and their families in South Carolina to seek comprehensive financial compensation for the extensive damages suffered. Attorney911 leverages multiple civil liability theories to hold all responsible parties accountable:

Negligence Claims: This is the bedrock of many hazing lawsuits. We argue that institutions (universities, national fraternities) and individuals had a “duty of care” to protect students, they “breached” that duty by allowing hazing, and this breach “caused” the victim’s injuries and resulting “damages.” This applies universally across states, including South Carolina.
Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (like the UH fraternity house) or by individual members (as with the former member’s residence in the Bermudez case), the property owner can be held liable for maintaining unsafe conditions. This is a critical angle for incidents at fraternity houses or off-campus residences in South Carolina.
Negligent Supervision: This holds national organizations liable for failing to adequately supervise their chapters in South Carolina, and universities accountable for inadequate oversight of Greek life.
Assault and Battery: Individual hazing acts often meet the definition of intentional torts like assault (threat of harm) and battery (unwanted physical contact), allowing victims to sue perpetrators directly.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): Reserved for truly “outrageous” conduct, hazing often meets the criteria for IIED, allowing compensation for severe psychological and emotional trauma. Waterboarding, for example, is outrageous conduct.
Wrongful Death: If hazing results in death, families in South Carolina can pursue a wrongful death claim to recover damages for their profound loss, including grief, emotional distress, and lost financial support.

For South Carolina Families: Our federal court authority means we can pursue your case against national fraternities and universities in federal courts if applicable, where jurisdictional lines blur. Our dual-state bar admissions give us an edge in litigating against national organizations, whose legal teams often operate across multiple states.

Why Attorney911 Is Your Essential Partner in South Carolina Hazing Litigation

When your child’s life is shattered by hazing in South Carolina, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a strategic partner who understands not only the law but also the complex dynamics of Greek life, the institutional defenses of universities, and the tactics of insurance companies. Attorney911 offers a unique, aggressive, and deeply experienced approach that sets us apart, making us the undisputed choice for hazing victims and their families in South Carolina.

We are not just attorneys; we are legal emergency lawyers. And for hazing victims in South Carolina, it is always a legal emergency.

Here’s why South Carolina families choose Attorney911:

1. We Are Battling Hazing RIGHT NOW – The Bermudez Case is Our Proof

We aren’t a firm that hopes to handle hazing cases someday. We are actively fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit right now against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical; it’s real, live litigation that showcases our:

Aggressive Stance: We filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit within weeks of the incident.
Data-Driven Approach: We identified, named, and are pursuing every liable entity, from the national fraternity and the university to the individual students and even a former member’s spouse who hosted the hazing.
Unwavering Commitment: We are leveraging prior hazing incidents (like Pi Kappa Phi’s 2017 death and UH’s 2017 hospitalization) to prove a pattern of systemic negligence.

For South Carolina families: We bring this same battle-tested strategy directly to your case. The very legal team you’re considering has their hands dirty fighting this exact fight today.

2. Former Insurance Defense Insiders – We Know Their Playbook

Both our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, and our associate attorney, Lupe Pena, began their careers working for insurance companies and large corporate defendants. This isn’t incidental; it’s a strategic advantage we wield for our clients.

Ralph Manginello gained invaluable insights into how insurance companies think, strategize, and attempt to minimize or deny claims. He’s seen their playbook from the inside.
Lupe Pena honed his skills at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a national insurance defense firm, defending companies against everything from product liability to personal injury. He learned firsthand how large insurance companies value claims, strategize defenses, and often lowball payouts.

For South Carolina families: This means we approach your case with an unparalleled understanding of the opposition. We anticipate their moves, dismantle their defenses, and leverage our insider knowledge to maximize your compensation. We don’t just know the law; we know how the other side will try to twist it.

3. Federal Court Authority & Dual-State Bar Admissions – Nationwide Reach

While proudly based in Texas, our capabilities extend far beyond state lines, crucial for challenging national fraternities and institutions:

Federal Court Admissions: We are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, empowering us to pursue complex hazing cases in federal jurisdiction, which can often be advantageous against multi-state organizations.
Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello is licensed in Texas AND New York. This dual licensure provides a strategic advantage for hazing cases involving national fraternities or universities that operate across multiple states.
Willingness to Travel: Whether your case demands depositions in Columbia, client meetings near Clemson, or even a trial in Charleston, we will travel to South Carolina to secure justice. Distance is not a barrier to our commitment.
Remote Consultation: We efficiently serve South Carolina families through video consultations and phone calls, ensuring immediate access to expert legal advice regardless of your location.

4. Deep Expertise in Hazing & Catastrophic Injury Litigation

Our track record speaks for itself:

Rhabdomyolysis Expertise: Ralph Manginello has specific experience in cases involving rhabdomyolysis, the exact condition Leonel Bermudez suffered due to intense hazing.
Wrongful Death: Lupe Pena brings extensive experience in wrongful death cases, crucial for families who have lost loved ones to hazing.
BP Texas City Explosion: Ralph’s involvement in this multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation against BP demonstrates our capacity to take on massive corporate defendants, applying the same aggressive tactics to national fraternities and universities.
Challenging Evidence: Ralph’s history of exposing flawed evidence in hundreds of DUI/DWI cases translates directly to hazing investigations, where institutions often attempt to hide, destroy, or minimize evidence.

5. Contingency Fee Basis – No Upfront Cost for South Carolina Families

We understand that the financial burden of a hazing incident can be overwhelming. That’s why we take hazing cases on CONTINGENCY.

You pay us $0 upfront.
We don’t get paid unless and until you get paid.
This removes the financial barrier, allowing South Carolina families to fight powerful institutions without worrying about hourly legal fees.

6. Empathetic, Bilingual, and Family-Focused Support

Our firm culture prioritizes compassion and clear communication:

Se Habla Español: We have bilingual staff; Lupe Pena is fluent in Spanish, ensuring we can serve South Carolina’s Hispanic families without language barriers.
“They Treat You Like Family”: Our client testimonials consistently highlight our empathetic approach, confirming that we genuinely care about your well-being, not just your case. We treat South Carolina families like our own.
Dedicated Communication: We keep you informed at every step of your case, ensuring you’re never left in the dark.

7. Strategic Pressure and Publicity

We know how to leverage media attention and legal strategies to create unbearable pressure on defendants:

Media Engagement: We proactively engage with local and national press to expose hazing incidents and force institutional accountability. The extensive coverage of the Bermudez case is a testament to this.
Public Records & Discovery: We relentlessly pursue public records and conduct aggressive discovery to uncover the truth, as outlined in our Bermudez case strategy.
Legislative Advocacy: Hazing lawsuits often lead to new protective legislation. We are committed to contributing to this vital change.

For South Carolina families: We offer not just legal representation, but a comprehensive strategy to fight for your child’s dignity, protect other students, and reshape the future of Greek life. Choose Attorney911, and let us bring our proven expertise and unwavering dedication to your hazing case.

What to Do Right Now: Your Urgent Action Plan After a Hazing Incident in South Carolina

In the immediate aftermath of a hazing incident in South Carolina, every moment counts. The actions you take—or fail to take—can significantly impact the strength of your legal case. We know this is a traumatic and confusing time, but acting swiftly and decisively is crucial to protecting your child’s rights and future.

If you or your child has been a victim of hazing in South Carolina, follow these critical steps:

Step 1: Prioritize Immediate Safety and Medical Attention

Your child’s health and safety are paramount.

Remove from Danger: Immediately remove yourself or your child from the hazing environment. If they are still in a dangerous situation, involve campus police or local law enforcement.
Seek Medical Care: Even if injuries seem minor or only psychological, seek medical attention immediately.
- Call 911 for any life-threatening injuries, severe intoxication, unconsciousness, or collapse (like Leonel Bermudez).
- Go to an Emergency Room: For any physical injuries, suspected rhabdomyolysis (muscle pain, dark urine), head trauma, or acute psychological distress.
- See a Doctor: Follow up with primary care doctors, specialists (like nephrologists for kidney issues), and mental health professionals for evaluation and ongoing treatment.

Why this matters: Medical records are the bedrock of any personal injury claim. They establish the extent and cause of injuries, directly linking them to the hazing. Delays in seeking treatment can be used by defense attorneys to argue that injuries weren’t severe or were unrelated to the incident.

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

This is perhaps the most critical step you can take after seeking medical attention. Hazing perpetrators and institutions will often attempt to destroy or hide evidence.

Take Photos and Videos:
- Injuries: Photograph every visible injury (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling) from multiple angles, at various stages of healing. If there’s persistent pain but no visible injury, document that in a diary (see below).
- Hazing Environment: If safe to do so, photograph the location where hazing occurred (fraternity house, off-campus residence, park, etc.).
- Physical Evidence: Any related physical items—clothing that was damaged, objects used in hazing (even symbolic ones), or alcohol containers.
Preserve Communications:
- DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. This includes text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages, Instagram DMs, emails, or any other digital communications related to the hazing, the fraternity/sorority, or the victim’s involvement. Take screenshots of everything.
- These communications often contain direct instructions, threats, evidence of planning, and even admissions.
Identify Witnesses:
- Write down the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or people who have knowledge of the fraternity/sorority’s activities. Their testimony can be invaluable.
Keep All Documents:
- Any “pledge manuals,” schedules, rules, or agreements given to the victim.
- Financial records related to the hazing (dues, fees, event costs).
- Medical bills, insurance statements, and reports from all healthcare providers.
- Academic records if hazing impacted grades or enrollment status.
Start a Journal/Diary: Document the incident(s) in detail, including dates, times, locations, who was involved, what happened, and how the victim is feeling (physically and emotionally) each day. This provides a running record of pain, suffering, and recovery.

Why this matters: This evidence is your direct link to holding the perpetrators accountable. Without it, it becomes a “he said, she said” scenario that advantages the powerful institutions. Our video, “Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?”, emphasizes saving everything.

Step 3: Do NOT Communicate with the Perpetrators or Institutions

This is crucial for preserving the integrity of your case.

No Contact with Perpetrators: Do not speak to any fraternity or sorority members, officers, or alumni about the incident without legal counsel. They will try to get you to minimize the events or recant your story.
No Contact with University/National Organizations: Do not give any statements, recorded or otherwise, to university administrators, Greek life advisors, or representatives from the national fraternity/sorority without your attorney present. They are not on your side; their primary goal is to protect the institution, not you. They will twist your words.
Do NOT Sign Anything: Do not sign any documents provided by the fraternity, the university, or their insurance companies. These may waive your rights and compromise your ability to seek justice.
Stay Off Social Media: Refrain from posting anything about the incident, your feelings, or any activities on social media. Everything you post can and will be used against you by defense attorneys. Even seemingly innocent photos can be taken out of context. Our video, “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident,” outlines these risks.

Why this matters: Any statements you make or documents you sign can be used against you to undermine your claim, minimize damages, or shift blame.

Step 4: Contact Attorney911 IMMEDIATELY – Time is NOT on Your Side

This is the most important step after ensuring safety and preserving evidence.

Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

We are available 24/7 for South Carolina hazing emergencies. The consultation is free.
Do Not Delay:
- Statute of Limitations: In most states, including Texas, personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits have a strict 2-year statute of limitations from the date of injury or death. This means you must file your lawsuit within this timeframe, or you lose your right to sue FOREVER. South Carolina has its own deadlines, and we will advise you on those.
- Evidence Disappears: The longer you wait, the harder it is to gather crucial evidence. Text messages get deleted, witnesses’ memories fade, and surveillance footage is often overwritten.
- Witness Intimidation: Victims may face pressure to stay silent if they don’t have legal protection.

Why this matters: An experienced hazing attorney can immediately send letters to preserve evidence, protect you from predatory tactics by defendants, and begin building a strong legal case before critical evidence is lost. Our video, “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?”, highlights the urgency.

Step 5: Understand Our Commitment to South Carolina Families

Contingency Fee: We take your case with $0 upfront cost. You only pay us if we win your case.
Remote Access: We offer video consultations for South Carolina families, making expert legal advice accessible regardless of distance.
Willingness to Travel: Our attorneys will travel to South Carolina for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary.
Hazing Victim Focus: Our entire firm is dedicated to aggressively pursuing justice for hazing victims. We are fighting this battle every day.

South Carolina families: You did not ask for this nightmare, but you have the power to fight back. Contact Attorney911 now. Let us be your advocate, your protector, and your voice for justice.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline for Hazing Victims in South Carolina

When hazing shatters a life in South Carolina, the choice of legal representation is pivotal. You need a team that understands the trauma, respects your family’s needs, and possesses the legal firepower to take on powerful institutions. Attorney911 is that team. We are not just lawyers; we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ committed to turning your crisis into an opportunity for justice and accountability.

We are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston right now. We are seasoned, aggressive, and ready to bring that fight to South Carolina victims.

South Carolina Families – CALL NOW for a Free, Confidential Consultation

Your child’s future, and the safety of countless other students in South Carolina, depends on taking action. Don’t let fear or confusion delay you. The clock on your legal rights is ticking.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

We are available 24/7 to answer your call.
Email Us: ralph@atty911.com
Visit Our Website: attorney911.com

Why Contacting Attorney911 is the Smartest First Step:

Immediate Response: We understand the urgency of hazing incidents. Our team is ready to provide immediate legal guidance to protect your rights from day one.
Zero Upfront Cost: We work on a contingency fee basis. This means South Carolina families pay nothing out-of-pocket for our legal services. We only get paid if we win your case.
Expert Hazing Knowledge: We specialize in hazing litigation, unlike general personal injury law firms. We know the laws, the precedents, the defense tactics, and how to build a winning case against fraternities, universities, and individuals.
Nationwide Reach: While headquartered in Houston, our federal court authority and dual-state bar admissions allow us to represent hazing victims across America, including throughout South Carolina. We offer remote consultations and are prepared to travel to South Carolina for key aspects of your case.
Protection from Institutions: As soon as you retain us, we handle all communications with the fraternity, the university, and their legal teams. This shields you from tactics designed to minimize your claim or coerce you into silence.
Comprehensive Investigation: We immediately begin preserving evidence, identifying all liable parties, and building an irrefutable case using our extensive resources and intelligence.

We Serve All Hazing Victims in South Carolina

Hazing is not confined to one type of organization. If you or your child has been a victim of hazing in South Carolina in any of the following groups, we can help:

Fraternities and Sororities: At any college or university in South Carolina, including the University of South Carolina in Columbia, Clemson University, College of Charleston, Coastal Carolina University, Furman University, Wofford College, Presbyterian College, and more.
Sports Teams: High school, college, or club sports teams.
Marching Bands and Other Performance Groups: Often overlooked, these groups can also be venues for dangerous hazing.
ROTC Programs: Military-affiliated organizations are not immune to hazing.
Clubs and Organizations: Any student group in South Carolina where peer pressure leads to abuse.

For Witnesses or Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know Leonel Bermudez was not alone. The lawsuit alleges another pledge collapsed, others were waterboarded, and many faced the same abuse. If you were involved in the Pi Kappa Phi hazing incident at the University of Houston, or witnessed it, you have rights. Your testimony could be vital to bringing everyone involved to justice. Lupe Pena’s words resonate: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” We can help you explore your options confidentially.

South Carolina families: Do not suffer in silence. Do not let these institutions dismiss what happened to your child. Choose an experienced, aggressive legal team who is ready to fight with you, for you.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Let us provide the immediate, aggressive, and professional help you deserve.