If you’re reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college. Instead, they were tortured. We’re here to help families in Taylor County, Georgia fight back.

We understand the fear and confusion that follows a hazing incident. Perhaps your child, who left Taylor County to pursue their education, has come home a shadow of their former self, or worse, has been hospitalized with severe injuries. The stories you’ve heard about college hazing likely don’t capture the brutal reality of what goes on behind closed doors, often with the full knowledge of institutions that are supposed to protect our children. We want to be clear: what happened to your child was not a prank, it was a crime. And we, Attorney 911, powered by Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are here to hold every single person and institution responsible.

We are not just a law firm that talks about hazing; we are actively fighting it right now. Our firm has filed a landmark $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the University of Houston in Harris County, Texas, on behalf of a young man named Leonel Bermudez. This case is new, it’s ongoing, and it showcases our aggressive, thorough, and data-driven approach to hazing litigation. What happened to Leonel can happen, and is happening, at universities near Taylor County, Georgia. It happens in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and clubs across America. We want families in Butler, Reynolds, Mauk, and throughout Taylor County to know that when tragedy strikes, you have powerful advocates who will fight for justice.

The Bermudez Case: A Warning to Taylor County Families

This is not a hypothetical scenario. This is what hazing looks like today. This is the story of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who, like many students from Taylor County, wanted to make new connections at college. He was a “ghost rush,” meaning he wasn’t even formally enrolled at the University of Houston yet, but was planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. He accepted a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025. What followed was an horrific ordeal of systematic abuse and torture that landed him in the hospital for four days, fighting for his life.

Leonel was subjected to unthinkable acts:

• Waterboarding: He was sprayed with a garden hose in the face, simulating drowning, while doing calisthenics, a method of torture the U.S. government condemns for enemy combatants.
• Forced Eating: He was compelled to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Then, still in physical distress and lying in his own vomit, he was forced to continue running sprints.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: He endured hundreds of pushups and 500 squats, along with brutal “suicide” running drills, bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and repeated 100-yard crawls. He was struck with wooden paddles. He was forced to continue until his body broke down and he could no longer stand without help.
• Psychological Torture: He was made to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times, threatened with physical punishment or expulsion if he didn’t comply. He witnessed other pledges being hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in their mouth.

The relentless physical exertion, combined with the lack of rest and forced consumption, pushed Leonel’s body to its breaking point. On November 3, 2025, after an especially brutal session, he collapsed, unable to move. Days later, his mother rushed him to the hospital when he began passing brown urine—a classic sign of muscle breakdown. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring three nights and four days of intensive hospitalization. The long-term risks of permanent kidney damage still loom over him.

Within weeks of this incident, and days before we filed our lawsuit, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters closed its Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston, effective November 14, 2025. In their public statement, they admitted to “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” The University of Houston also called the events “deeply disturbing” and initiated its own investigation, mentioning “potential criminal charges.”

We filed our $10 million lawsuit on November 21, 2025, naming not only the local chapter, but also the national Pi Kappa Phi organization, their housing corporation, the University of Houston, the UH Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the president, pledgemaster, and even a former member and his spouse who allowed hazing at their residence. This entire case is covered extensively by Houston’s major news outlets, including ABC13, KHOU 11, the Houston Chronicle, and Houston Public Media. We encourage families in Taylor County to read these reports; they are linked below in this article.

This case is the centerpiece of Attorney 911 because it represents everything we stand for: aggressive representation, data-driven litigation, and unwavering pursuit of accountability. Families in Taylor County, Georgia need to understand that this level of abuse is not an anomaly. It is a systemic problem that permeates Greek life and other student organizations across the nation, including at colleges and universities where your children may attend, such as Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, Columbus State University, or even major state universities like the University of Georgia or Georgia Tech. We will fight for Taylor County families with the same fury and dedication we are bringing to Leonel’s case in Houston.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in Taylor County might have an outdated idea of what hazing entails – perhaps some mild embarrassment or silly tasks. We need to reset that perception entirely. Modern hazing, as tragically illustrated by Leonel Bermudez’s case, is far more insidious and dangerous. It is systematic abuse designed to break down a pledge’s will, often leading to severe physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death.

This is not “boys being boys.” This is not “tradition.” It is orchestrated torture. It is criminal assault. And it results in real-world consequences like kidney failure, brain damage, and tragically, fatalities.

Here’s a clear breakdown of the types of hazing activities and their devastating impacts, echoing what Leonel and countless other students have endured:

• Physical Abuse: This goes beyond simple calisthenics. It involves forced extreme exercise to the point of muscle breakdown, as in Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis. It includes beatings with paddles or other objects, branding, burning, and forced exposure to harsh elements. Imagine your child from Taylor County, Georgia being forced to strip to their underwear in freezing temperatures, or beaten until they can barely move.
• Forced Consumption: This is a hallmark of dangerous hazing. It means compelling students to rapidly drink dangerous amounts of alcohol, leading to alcohol poisoning and sometimes death. It includes forced eating of nauseating foods or non-food items until vomiting occurs, often followed by further physical exertion as seen in Leonel’s case.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often intentionally deprived of sleep, forced into late-night or early-morning activities, running errands for older members, or enduring prolonged periods of discomfort. This can lead to impaired judgment, exhaustion, and increased vulnerability to accidents.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: This is deeply damaging. It involves constant verbal abuse, isolation, intimidation, forced degradation, public humiliation, and threats. Making a student carry sexually explicit objects, as Leonel was forced to do, or hog-tying them, reduces them to an object without dignity. These tactics are designed to break a person mentally and emotionally, leaving lasting scars.
• Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: Hazing too often crosses into sexual violence, including forced nudity, inappropriate touching, and sexual assault. This is an abhorrent and illegal aspect of hazing that leaves victims with profound trauma.
• Simulated Drowning/Water Torture: As in Leonel’s waterboarding with a garden hose, this is a horrific act that causes extreme fear, suffocation, and a profound sense of helplessness. It is, by definition, torture.

The Medical Realities:
The physical tolls are severe. Rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, as diagnosed in Leonel, can lead to permanent organ damage or even be fatal. Alcohol poisoning is a leading cause of hazing deaths. Traumatic brain injuries can result from forceful blows or falls. Victims often sustain broken bones, burns, and other critical injuries.

The Psychological Scars:
Even when physical injuries heal, the psychological wounds can last a lifetime. Many hazing victims suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. They may struggle with trust issues, academic decline, social withdrawal, and even substance abuse as a coping mechanism. Leonel Bermudez himself is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution,” a testament to the lasting psychological impact of what he endured.

For families across Taylor County, Georgia, from the vibrant community gathering spots to the quiet rural roads, it is crucial to recognize that hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It is a dangerous, pervasive problem that can irrevocably alter the course of a young person’s life. We refuse to let these institutions continue to hide behind vague “traditions”.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Party Accountable

When hazing leaves a student injured or dead, as in Leonel Bermudez’s case, it’s never just the actions of a few individuals. The negligence and complicity often extend far beyond the immediate perpetrators, reaching up to the highest levels of the national fraternity organization and the university itself. In Taylor County, Georgia, just as in Houston, we ensure that every entity that contributed to the harm is held accountable.

Here are the parties we target in hazing litigation, and why they bear responsibility:

1. The Local Fraternity Chapter: This is usually the most direct actor. The chapter organizes the events, directs the pledges, and is the immediate setting for the hazing acts. Their leadership—the president, pledgemaster, and other officers—are directly responsible for the activities they plan and supervise. The individual members who participate in, encourage, or fail to report hazing are also liable for their actions.
2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization: National organizations exert significant control over their local chapters, establish anti-hazing policies, and are responsible for enforcing those policies. They collect dues, provide training, and grant charters. When a chapter engages in severe hazing, it demonstrates a failure on the national organization’s part to properly supervise, monitor, and intervene.
   • In Leonel’s case, Pi Kappa Phi National: They immediately suspended and dissolved the UH chapter after Leonel’s hospitalization. This action, while appearing decisive, is also an admission that the chapter violated their policies and that the national organization had to step in. Furthermore, the fact that a Pi Kappa Phi pledge, Andrew Coffey, died in 2017 from hazing at Florida State, proves the national body had actual knowledge of a deadly hazing culture in their organization and failed to prevent it from happening again. Their statement mentioning “working with Universities on more than 150 campuses across America” only highlights the wide reach of their potential liability.
3. The College or University: Universities have a non-delegable duty to protect their students. They control the Greek life system, often own fraternity houses (as the University of Houston did in Leonel’s case), and have the power to regulate, sanction, or ban organizations from campus. When a university fails to properly supervise Greek life, ignores hazing reports, or creates an environment where hazing can flourish, they become directly liable for the harm caused.
   • In Leonel’s case, the University of Houston: They owned and controlled the Pi Kappa Phi house where much of the hazing took place. Crucially, the University of Houston had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving another fraternity, meaning they had clear notice that hazing was a problem on their campus and failed to implement effective safeguards. Their spokesperson’s statement acknowledging “deeply disturbing” events and “a clear violation of our community standards” is a direct admission of institutional failure.
4. The Housing Corporation: Many fraternities operate through separate housing corporations that own or manage the actual fraternity houses. These entities have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment and ensure that illegal activities like hazing do not occur on their property.
5. Individual Perpetrators: Beyond the chapter leadership, every individual actively involved in hazing—whether initiating, participating, or facilitating—can be held personally liable for assault, battery, and other torts. In Leonel’s case, this includes 13 individual fraternity members, and even a former member and his spouse for allowing hazing to occur at their private residence. The Stone Foltz case precedent, where the chapter president was held personally liable for $6.5 million, underscores the severe personal consequences for those directly involved.
6. Insurance Carriers: These are often the “deep pockets” from which compensation is actually paid. National fraternities, universities, and even homeowners have liability insurance policies designed to cover such incidents. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, both former insurance defense lawyers, possess invaluable insider knowledge of how these companies operate, strategize, and try to minimize payouts. This allows us to anticipate their moves and aggressively pursue maximum recovery.

For families in Taylor County, facing institutions like Mercer University or Columbus State, understanding that liability extends to so many levels is key. This is not about blaming a few college kids; it’s about holding powerful organizations accountable for systemic failures.

What These Cases Win: Justice Measured in Millions

When a child from Taylor County is subjected to hazing, the damage is immense – physical, emotional, and often financial. We want families to know that justice in these cases is often measured in millions of dollars. These significant verdicts and settlements serve not only as compensation for victims but also as a powerful deterrent, sending an unmistakable message to fraternities and universities across the nation.

Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an arbitrary figure. It is firmly rooted in the substantial awards seen in similar hazing cases nationwide, where universities, national organizations, and individual perpetrators have been forced to pay millions.

Let’s look at some landmark cases that set the precedent for what is possible:

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Totaling $10.1 Million+
  • What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at BGSU, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during an initiation event. He died from acute alcohol poisoning.
  • The Outcome: The university settled for $2.9 million, and Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity along with individual members, settled for an additional $7.2 million. This was the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. Most recently, in December 2024, a judgment was issued against Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, for an additional $6.5 million, emphasizing personal accountability.
  • Relevance to Taylor County Families: This case directly supports our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez. It shows that both universities and national fraternities pay multi-million dollar sums. It also tragically resulted in “Collin’s Law,” strengthening Ohio’s anti-hazing legislation.
• Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): $6.1 Million Verdict
  • What Happened: In September 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old LSU freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 after being forced to drink excessive alcohol during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” hazing event.
  • The Outcome: A jury awarded his family $6.1 million in a civil lawsuit. Matthew Naquin, a fraternity member, was convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced to prison.
  • Relevance to Taylor County Families: This jury verdict demonstrates that hazing cases resonate deeply with juries, leading to substantial awards. It also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana, showing the power of these cases to drive legislative change.
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): $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 “gauntlet” hazing ritual. He fell repeatedly down basement stairs, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911. He died two days later. Security cameras captured the entire horrific event.
  • The Outcome: While the exact settlement amount remains confidential, it is estimated to be over $110 million, reflecting the extreme negligence and egregious conduct. 18 fraternity members were charged, and several were convicted of involuntary manslaughter, hazing, and other crimes.
  • Relevance to Taylor County Families: This case highlights that when evidence is strong and the conduct is severely egregious, settlements can reach staggering amounts. It also resulted in Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.”
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Confidential Settlement
  • What Happened: On November 3, 2017, Andrew Coffey, a Pi Kappa Phi pledge at FSU, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a “Big Brother Night” ritual.
  • The Outcome: Nine fraternity members were charged with hazing, and the FSU chapter was permanently closed. The family reached a confidential settlement.
  • Relevance to Taylor County Families: This case is particularly crucial because it involves the same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez. The fact that a pledge died in a Pi Kappa Phi hazing incident in 2017, just eight years before Leonel’s hospitalization, is irrefutable evidence of the national organization’s pattern of negligence and failure to address a deadly culture within its chapters. It demolishes any claim by Pi Kappa Phi that they were unaware of the risks.
• Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): $4 Million+ Settlement
  • What Happened: In February 2021, Adam Oakes, a VCU freshman, died of alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi hazing event at which he was forced to drink a liter of Jameson Irish whiskey.
  • The Outcome: His family filed a $28 million lawsuit, which settled for over $4 million in October 2024. Six fraternity members pleaded guilty to hazing charges.
  • Relevance to Taylor County Families: Another recent, multi-million dollar settlement showcasing substantial recovery for hazing victims. This one also led to “Adam’s Law” in Virginia.

These cases unequivocally demonstrate that universities, national organizations, and individual perpetrators face severe financial and legal repercussions for hazing. For families in Taylor County, Georgia, seeking justice against entities like Mercer University or other Greek organizations, these precedents confirm that your fight is not only valid but has a powerful track record of success. We will apply the lessons learned from these cases, combined with our strategic data intelligence, to maximize the compensation your family deserves.

Texas Law Protects You, and We Protect Students from Taylor County

For families in Taylor County, Georgia, whose children may be attending colleges and universities either within Georgia or across the country, understanding the legal landscape around hazing is crucial. While our firm is rooted in Texas, our expertise and federal court authority mean we can apply these strong legal frameworks wherever your child was harmed. Texas, in particular, has robust anti-hazing laws designed to hold perpetrators and institutions accountable.

Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157: The Anti-Hazing Law

This statute provides a powerful foundation for civil lawsuits and criminal charges relating to hazing. For example, the hazing Leonel Bermudez endured at the University of Houston clearly violates multiple elements of this law:

• Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): The law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization, occurring on or off campus. This definition includes:

  • Physical brutality: Like whipping, beating, striking (Leonel was struck with wooden paddles).
  • Sleep deprivation: (Leonel was forced to drive members during early morning hours, causing exhaustion).
  • Exposure to the elements: (Leonel was forced to strip to underwear in cold weather and sprayed with a hose).
  • Calisthenics or similar activity subjecting a student to unreasonable harm: (Leonel’s 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and repeated 100-yard crawls clearly fall here, leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure).
  • Forced consumption of food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, or other substance creating unreasonable risk: (Leonel was forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting).
  • Any activity violating the Penal Code: Hazing often includes acts that are also criminal assault, battery, or even kidnapping.

• Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Texas hazing law carries serious criminal consequences, from Class B Misdemeanors for simple hazing to a State Jail Felony if hazing causes death. In Leonel’s case, because he suffered serious bodily injury (rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure), the individuals involved face Class A Misdemeanor charges, carrying up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The University of Houston spokesperson even noted “potential criminal charges” in their public response.

• Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): This is critical. The law explicitly states that an organization commits an offense if it “condones or encourages hazing” or if its members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing. This means the local chapter, and potentially the national organization (Pi Kappa Phi in Leonel’s case), can be directly penalized, facing fines up to $10,000, and even denial of the right to operate on campus.

• Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is one of the most powerful provisions and a cornerstone of our legal strategy. 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.“

  • This means any argument from a fraternity or university like “he willingly participated,” or “he could have just said no,” is legally irrelevant. The state legislature recognized that true consent cannot exist in coercive hazing environments. This removes a major shield that hazers often hide behind.

• University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Universities in Texas are legally mandated to report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within 30 days. Failure to report is also a Class B Misdemeanor. This creates a paper trail and helps establish institutional knowledge if reports are found lacking or ignored.

Civil Liability: Your Right to Sue for Damages
Beyond criminal charges, Texas law, and similar laws nationwide, allows hazing victims and their families to pursue civil lawsuits to recover financial compensation. We build these cases using several legal theories:

1. Negligence: This is perhaps the broadest claim. It argues that the responsible parties (individuals, chapter, national, university) had a “duty of care” to protect the student, they “breached” that duty by engaging in or allowing hazing, and this breach “caused” the student’s injuries, resulting in “damages.”
2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (as in Leonel’s case where UH owned the fraternity house) or a housing corporation, these entities have a responsibility to keep the premises safe. Failing to prevent or stop hazing on their property constitutes premises liability.
3. Negligent Supervision: This applies when national organizations fail to adequately supervise their local chapters, or when universities fail to oversee Greek life activities. Their failure to enforce rules or intervene despite knowing about hazing risks makes them liable.
4. Assault and Battery: These are intentional torts that can be brought directly against the individual perpetrators. Waterboarding, paddling, and forced physical exertion all constitute assault and battery.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): This claim addresses the severe psychological trauma of hazing. It applies when the conduct is “extreme and outrageous” and causes severe emotional distress, such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression. Waterboarding, for example, is undoubtedly extreme and outrageous.

Protecting Taylor County Students, Wherever They Go
The specific laws in Georgia may differ slightly from Texas, but the principles of negligence, premises liability, and the illegality of assault remain universal. Our federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) provide us with the authority and flexibility to pursue these cases across state lines. If your child from Taylor County, Georgia is hazed at a university in Georgia, Texas, or anywhere else in the country, we have the legal framework and the expertise to fight for them.

Why Attorney 911: Your Unfair Advantage in Hazing Litigation

When your child is harmed by hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a legal emergency team. For families in Taylor County, Georgia, navigating the unimaginable aftermath of a hazing incident, Attorney 911 offers a distinct and powerful advantage. We are not just advocates; we are strategists, leveraging decades of experience and insider knowledge to ensure accountability from even the most powerful institutions.

Here’s why Attorney 911 is the clear choice for Taylor County families dealing with the trauma of hazing:

1. We Are Actively Fighting Hazing, Right Now: We aren’t just theoretically prepared for hazing cases; we are in the trenches today. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez is live, ongoing, and generating significant media attention. This is concrete proof that we know how to build these complex cases, take on major defendants, and drive them towards accountability. Families in Taylor County can trust that the strategies and commitment we apply to Leonel’s case will be brought directly to yours.
2. Insider Knowledge: We Know Their Playbook: Both of our lead attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, worked as former insurance defense lawyers. This isn’t a coincidence; it’s a strategic advantage. They spent years representing the very types of entities we now sue – insurance companies, corporations, and institutions. They know how the defense thinks, how they value claims, their delay tactics, and their strategies to minimize payouts. Now, they use that invaluable insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients. For Taylor County families, this means we anticipate their moves before they make them, turning their own strategies against them.
3. Battle-Tested Experience: Over 37 Years Combined: Ralph Manginello brings over 25 years of courtroom experience, including his involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion litigation, demonstrating his capacity to take on massive corporate defendants. Lupe Peña adds another 12+ years of litigation expertise, honed at a national defense firm. This depth of experience is critical in the high-stakes world of hazing litigation, where you’re up against well-funded legal teams from national fraternities and universities.
4. Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Licenses: While we are headquartered in Houston, our reach and authority extend nationwide. Our attorneys are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, providing us with federal litigation authority. Furthermore, Ralph Manginello is licensed in both Texas AND New York. This dual-state admission offers a strategic advantage when pursuing national fraternities and sororities, many of which are headquartered or have significant operations outside of Texas. We can take your Taylor County case to federal court if it offers a strategic advantage.
5. Data-Driven Litigation: We Don’t Guess, We Know: We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, including IRS B83 data with EINs, legal names, addresses, house corporations, and alumni chapters. We track their corporate structures and national hazing histories. We don’t just talk about who might be responsible; we know exactly who to sue. This intelligence allows us to move with unparalleled speed and precision, as demonstrated in the Bermudez case where we identified every liable entity from day one.
6. Hazing-Specific Expertise: Ralph Manginello has direct experience with fraternity litigation, rhabdomyolysis cases like Leonel’s, and institutional accountability. This specialized focus means we understand the nuances of these cases, the medical implications, and the cultural dynamics involved in Greek life and other student organizations.
7. “Se Habla Español”: Eliminating Language Barriers: With Lupe Peña being fluent in Spanish, we can seamlessly serve Hispanic families in Taylor County and across America, ensuring that language is never a barrier to justice. We offer consultations, communication, and legal explanations in Spanish, providing comfort and clarity during incredibly difficult times.
8. Compassionate, Client-Centered Approach: We understand that Taylor County families facing hazing are experiencing one of the worst traumas imaginable. We approach every case with empathy, warmth, and a fierce dedication to our clients. We never see your child as just “a case,” but as a person deserving of every fight we can give. Our numerous 5-star Google reviews often highlight our consistent communication and the genuine care we provide.
   • “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris
   • “I never felt like ‘just another case’ they were working on.” — Ambur Hamilton
9. No Upfront Cost: Contingency Fee Basis: We recognize that the burden of medical bills and lost productivity after a hazing incident can be overwhelming. Therefore, we take all hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means Taylor County families pay absolutely nothing upfront. We cover all the litigation costs, and we only get paid if we win your case. This aligns our interests directly with yours and ensures that financial concerns never prevent you from seeking justice.

When you choose Attorney 911, you are choosing an experienced, aggressive, and deeply committed legal team that knows how to take on powerful institutions and win. We don’t just talk about hazing; we fight it, we dismantle it, and we hold every responsible party accountable.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Guidance for Taylor County Families

If your child, friend, or loved one in Taylor County, Georgia has been targeted by hazing, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, angry, and scared. But this is exactly when swift, decisive action is most critical. The actions you take in the immediate aftermath can significantly impact the strength and success of a future legal claim. Time is of the essence, as evidence can disappear, memories can fade, and legal deadlines approach.

Here is essential, actionable advice on what to do right now:

Step 1: Prioritize Immediate Safety and Medical Attention

• Remove Your Child from the Situation: Get them away from the hazing environment immediately, without communication with the perpetrators or organization if possible.
• Seek Medical Care: Even if injuries seem minor, or if they are psychological, seek professional medical attention right away.
  • Go to the Emergency Room: If there are physical injuries, suspected alcohol poisoning, rhabdomyolysis symptoms (like muscle pain, dark urine), or any signs of collapse or unconsciousness, go to the nearest emergency room in Taylor County, perhaps Taylor Regional Hospital, or larger medical centers in Macon or Columbus.
  • Document Everything: Ensure all medical professionals are aware the injuries resulted from hazing. Get detailed reports, diagnoses, and medical bills. This creates an invaluable paper trail.
  • Mental Health Support: Hazing inflicts severe psychological trauma. Seek counseling or therapy immediately for PTSD, anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation. Document these sessions and diagnoses.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence – Now
Hazing perpetrators and institutions will try to cover their tracks. Your job, and ours, is to secure every piece of evidence before it vanishes.

• Photos and Videos:
  • Injuries: Photograph all physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling) as they appear, and continue to photograph them throughout the healing process.
  • Hazing Locations: If safe, discreetly photograph or video the locations where hazing occurred (fraternity house, specific rooms, parks, basements).
  • Physical Evidence: Capture images of any objects used in hazing (paddles, specific clothing, excessive alcohol containers).
• Digital Communications: SAVE, SCREENSHOT, and ARCHIVE everything.
  • Text Messages: Group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), direct messages, emails related to the hazing. These are often the most damning evidence of coercion and specific instructions.
  • Social Media: Any posts, DMs, or mentions related to the organization or hazing.
  • Pledge Materials: Any manuals, schedules, rules, or itineraries provided to pledges.
  • DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. Even if it seems harmless or embarrassing, it could be crucial. Deleting evidence can harm your case.
• Witness Information: Get the names, phone numbers, and any identifying information for other pledges, members who observed the hazing, or even bystanders who may have witnessed activities. Their testimony can be invaluable.
• Financial Records: Keep meticulous records of all medical bills, therapy costs, lost wages (if your child missed work or internships), and any academic fees impacted by withdrawal or poor performance.

Step 3: What NOT to Do – Protect Your Case
These common mistakes can severely undermine a hazing lawsuit:

• DO NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority: Do not communicate with chapter members, officers, alumni, or advisors without our guidance. They will try to control the narrative, minimize the incident, or pressure your child into silence.
• DO NOT Talk to the University Administration Alone: Universities have risk management and legal departments whose primary goal is to protect the institution, not your child. Do not give any statements or sign any documents without legal counsel.
• DO NOT Post on Social Media: Anything your child posts—even seemingly innocuous pictures of them “looking fine” months later—can be used by the defense to argue they weren’t truly harmed, or to portray them as reckless. Stay silent on all social media platforms about the incident and their recovery.
• DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any waivers, releases, or confidentiality agreements presented by the fraternity, national organization, or university. These documents are designed to strip away your legal rights.
• DO NOT Delay Seeking Legal Advice: The statute of limitations in most states, including Georgia, is two years from the date of injury or death for personal injury and wrongful death cases. While this may seem like ample time, the process of gathering evidence, consulting experts, and building a strong case takes time. Crucial evidence disappears quickly. Call us immediately.

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• The Clock is Ticking: Our involvement early on allows us to send preservation letters to all potential defendants, legally compelling them to retain evidence like text messages and security footage that they might otherwise delete.
• Free, Confidential Consultation: We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to Taylor County families. This is a safe space to discuss what happened, understand your rights, and determine the best course of action.
• Remote Consultations and Travel: Although our main office is in Houston, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including those from Taylor County, Georgia. We can conduct video and phone consultations, ensuring you can access expert legal advice from the comfort and privacy of your home. We will travel for depositions, court appearances, and client meetings as needed.

Your child’s future, and your family’s peace of mind, depend on aggressive action. Let us be your first call, your immediate response team in this legal emergency. We are here to help turn your pain into powerful advocacy.

Contact Us: Your First Call in a Legal Emergency

If your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing, whether they are a student from Taylor County, attending a university in Georgia, or anywhere across the nation, you are facing a legal emergency. We understand the profound fear, anger, and devastation your family must be experiencing. Our mission at Attorney 911 is to provide immediate, aggressive, and professional help to victims like yours. We are ready to stand with Taylor County families and fight for the justice your child deserves.

Do not wait. Time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and legal deadlines (like the two-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death in most states) can expire, leaving you without legal recourse. Let us be your first call, your first line of defense against the powerful institutions that enabled this abuse.

📞 Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline Now

We are available 24/7 to take your call. Nights, weekends, holidays – whenever you need help, we are here.

1-888-ATTY-911

📧 Email Us Directly

You can also reach our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, directly via email:
ralph@atty911.com

💻 Visit Our Website

Learn more about our firm and our commitment to justice:
attorney911.com

Why Call Us Right Now?

• Free, Confidential Consultation: Your initial consultation with us is absolutely free and completely confidential. There’s no obligation, just an opportunity for you to speak with experienced hazing litigation attorneys who can provide clarity, answer your questions, and outline your legal options.
• No Upfront Fees – We Work on Contingency: For Taylor County families, the financial burden of a hazing incident can be immense. We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay $0 upfront. We cover all the costs of litigation, and we only get paid if we win your case. Our success is directly tied to yours.
• We Come To You (Virtually or In-Person): While our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we proudly serve hazing victims nationwide, including those in Taylor County, Georgia. We offer convenient video and phone consultations so you can speak with our team from the comfort of your home. If needed, we are prepared to travel to Taylor County for depositions, significant meetings, and trials. Distance will not be a barrier to justice.
• Unmatched Expertise and Aggression: We are not just general personal injury attorneys; we are specialists in hazing litigation, with a landmark $10 million lawsuit currently ongoing against a national fraternity and a major university. This is proof of our capabilities and commitment. Our unique insights as former insurance defense attorneys, coupled with our rigorous data-driven approach, give you an unfair advantage.

Don’t Let Them Win Twice.

The institutions responsible for your child’s harm rely on victims being too scared, too ashamed, or too uninformed to fight back. They count on you giving up. They hope you’ll accept meager settlements or simply walk away. We have seen the tactics they employ to silence victims, deflect blame, and protect their reputations.

We refuse to let them succeed.

As Lupe Peña stated in the media coverage of the Bermudez case: “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 courage to come forward doesn’t just secure justice for your family; it helps prevent future tragedies. It sends a powerful message that hazing will not be tolerated, and institutions will be held accountable.

If your child left Taylor County with dreams of learning and growing, only to return broken by senseless brutality, we are here to help pick up the pieces and fight for their future.

Reach out to Attorney 911 today. Let our legal emergency team be your first responders to justice.