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, to grow, to thrive. Instead, they were tortured, humiliated, and seriously injured by a fraternity they hoped to join. Here in Tift County, Georgia, parents send their children off to universities across the state and beyond, trusting that those institutions will protect them. But when that trust is betrayed, and your child is a victim of hazing, we’re here to help families in your area fight back.

We are Attorney911, and we understand that when your child is harmed by hazing, it’s not just a legal emergency—it’s a family emergency. We are not just lawyers; we are advocates deeply committed to securing justice for victims like yours. Our firm is currently embroiled in a significant battle in Harris County Civil District Court, a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university that represents everything we stand for: aggressive representation of hazing victims, data-driven litigation strategy, and relentless pursuit of accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries. The fight for your family in Tift County starts here.

The Landmark Case: Attorney911 Fights for Leonel Bermudez in a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

Just weeks ago, here in Texas, a horrifying incident unfolded that lays bare the brutal reality of modern hazing. This isn’t ancient history; this is what is happening today at colleges and universities that students from Tift County might attend. We are actively fighting this battle right now, and the same aggressive approach we are taking in this case is precisely what we will bring to your family’s fight in Tift County.

On November 21, 2025, Attorney911 filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the national Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, its housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity members. This is not just another case; it is the centerpiece of our firm’s commitment to ending hazing abuse.

Leonel Bermudez was not even a student yet at the University of Houston. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member planning to transfer for the upcoming Spring 2026 semester. Yet, this “brotherhood” subjected him to weeks of systematic abuse, which culminated in a horrific hazing incident that left him hospitalized for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

What Happened to Leonel: A Timeline of Torture

September 16, 2025: Leonel Bermudez accepts a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston. This should have been a moment of excitement for him, a step toward making new friends and finding a community. Instead, it was the beginning of a nightmare.
September 16 – November 3, 2025: Over the next seven weeks, Leonel endured relentless hazing and abuse. He was forced to carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times. He was subjected to degrading dress codes, mandatory study hours, weekly interviews, and coerced into driving fraternity members during the early morning hours, leading to severe exhaustion. Non-compliance was met with threats of physical punishment and expulsion.
October 13, 2025: Disquieting signs emerged. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour, just weeks before Leonel’s own injury. This was not an isolated incident; it was a pervasive culture.
October 15, 2025: The warning signs escalated dramatically. A pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout. Other pledges had to elevate his legs until he recovered. This wasn’t a secret; this was a known pattern of extreme physical exertion leading to collapse that the fraternity leadership ignored.
Throughout the Pledge Period: Leonel was subjected to simulated waterboarding with a garden hose – a tactic recognized internationally as torture. He was forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, only to be forced to continue running sprints while covered in his own vomit, lying in the vomit-soaked grass. He was physically abused, including being struck with wooden paddles, and exposed to cold weather, stripped to his underwear.
November 3, 2025: After missing an event, Leonel was brutally punished. He was forced to perform more than 100 pushups, over 500 squats, high-volume “suicide” running drills, bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls, all while reciting the fraternity creed. He became so exhausted that he could not stand without help, crawling upstairs to bed.
November 4 – 5, 2025: Leonel’s condition rapidly deteriorated. He was “really sore and couldn’t really move” on November 4, and “the next day was worse,” as his attorney Ralph Manginello recounted to ABC13.
November 6, 2025: Leonel’s mother, witnessing his alarming state and the tell-tale sign of brown urine – indicative of severe muscle breakdown – rushed him to the hospital.
November 6 – 10, 2025: Leonel spent three nights and four days hospitalized, diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. This life-threatening condition, caused by muscle tissue breakdown and the release of damaging proteins into the bloodstream, was a direct result of the extreme physical hazing. He now faces the risk of permanent kidney damage.
November 14, 2025: Just days after Leonel’s hospitalization, the national Pi Kappa Phi organization officially closed its Beta Nu Chapter, as confirmed on their website. They knew what was coming.
November 21, 2025: Attorney911 filed the $10 million lawsuit, quickly making headlines across Houston and beyond.

Our Attorneys on the Bermudez Case:

Ralph Manginello, speaking to ABC13: “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.”
Lupe Pena, speaking to ABC13: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Why Tift County Families Should Pay Attention:

This case is not an anomaly. It is a stark warning. Tift County families who send their children to universities across Georgia – whether it’s the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern, Valdosta State, or any other institution – need to understand that the same national fraternities operate there. Pi Kappa Phi, with over 150 chapters nationwide, is likely present at universities your children might attend. The “traditions” that led to Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization are prevalent. Universities near Tift County face the same challenges of Greek life oversight and institutional negligence that allowed this to happen in Houston.

We are fighting relentlessly for Leonel Bermudez, and we will bring that same aggression, expertise, and dedication to any Tift County family whose child has been subjected to such abuse. This case proves that Attorney911 doesn’t just talk about hazing; we actively fight it in the courtroom.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

For many parents in Tift County, the idea of hazing might conjure images of harmless pranks or silly initiations from movies. But the reality, as evidenced by Leonel Bermudez’s case, is far more sinister. Hazing today is often systematic, calculated abuse that pushes students to mental, emotional, and physical breaking points. It is not about building camaraderie; it is about power, control, and often, torture.

The True Face of Hazing:

Physical Abuse: This goes far beyond a slap on the back. It includes forced extreme physical exertion leading to muscle breakdown and organ damage, like the 500 squats that caused Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis. It can involve beatings, paddling with wooden objects, branding, burning, or other forms of physical violence, as explicitly cited in the lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi.
Forced Consumption: This is where things can turn deadly. As seen in Leonel’s case, forced eating until vomiting, sometimes followed by more physical exertion, is common. More often, it involves forced binge drinking of alcohol to dangerous, even fatal, levels, which has tragically killed too many students.
Psychological Torture: This aspect of hazing can leave lasting scars. It involves humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation, and threats. Leonel was forced to carry sexually suggestive objects and endure constant threats. The hog-tying incident involving another pledge illustrates the depths of sadistic humiliation. These tactics erode a student’s self-worth and sow the seeds of long-term trauma like PTSD and anxiety.
Sleep Deprivation: Forcing pledges to stay awake for extended periods, driving members at odd hours, or conducting activities late into the night can lead to profound exhaustion, affecting physical and mental health, and academic performance.
Exposure: This can involve forced exposure to extreme cold or heat, like Leonel being stripped to his underwear and sprayed with a hose in cold weather, or confinement in small, uncomfortable spaces.
Simulated Drowning/Waterboarding: As Leonel’s case horrifically demonstrates, this is a form of torture. Forcing water into a student’s face or body to simulate drowning is a violation of human dignity and, when performed by U.S. interrogators, is considered a war crime. Yet, it happened to a college student trying to join a fraternity.

The Devastating Medical Consequences:

The injuries from hazing are often severe and life-altering. Leonel Bermudez’s diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure is a critical example. This condition, caused by rapid muscle breakdown, can lead to permanent kidney damage, dialysis, or even death. Other documented medical consequences from hazing include:

Alcohol Poisoning: The leading cause of hazing deaths, resulting from forced binge drinking.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From falls, blows to the head, or other physical assaults.
Organ Damage: Liver damage, internal bleeding, a lacerated spleen (as in a prior UH hazing case).
Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From exposure to extreme temperatures.
Cardiac Arrest: From extreme physical exertion.
Psychological Disorders: PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and long-term emotional distress.

Hazing is not a rite of passage; it is abuse, and in many cases, it is a crime. We want Tift County families to understand this reality so they can recognize the signs and know that they have powerful legal recourse if their child becomes a victim.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Liable Party Accountable

When your child is subjected to hazing, the responsibility often extends far beyond the individual students involved. Attorney911’s strategy is to identify and pursue every entity that contributed to the harm, ensuring that all liable parties with the resources to make amends are held accountable. In the Bermudez case, we are casting a wide net, and we will do the same for Tift County victims.

Local Chapter and Its Members:

The frontline perpetrators of hazing are the local fraternity or sorority chapter and its members. These are the individuals who directly organize and execute the hazing activities.

Chapter Officers: The president, pledgemaster, new member educator, and other leaders are particularly culpable because they direct the activities and set the culture. They bear a heavier burden of responsibility for the events that unfold.
Individual Members: Any member who actively participates in, encourages, or fails to report illegal hazing activities can be held personally responsible. Their actions constitute assault, battery, and other torts.
Former Members and Their Spouses: As seen in the Bermudez case, hazing often occurs in off-campus residences. If former members or even their spouses permit or facilitate hazing activities on their property, they can be named as defendants under premises liability and aiding and abetting theories. This expands the pool of liable parties, often including homeowners’ insurance policies.

National Fraternity and Sorority Organizations:

This is often where the “deep pockets” lie. National organizations, despite having anti-hazing policies, frequently fail to adequately supervise, monitor, and enforce their own rules at local chapters.

Failure to Supervise: When a local chapter engages in severe hazing, the national organization can be held liable for failing in its duty to oversee its chapters and prevent harm.
Failure to Enforce Policies: Pi Kappa Phi’s own website admitted to “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards” in the Bermudez case. This is an admission against interest, indicating the national organization has rules it failed to enforce.
Pattern of Negligence: As proven by the death of Andrew Coffey at another Pi Kappa Phi chapter in 2017, the national organization often has a history of similar incidents, demonstrating a pattern of negligence and a knowing disregard for student safety. This supports claims for punitive damages.
Institutional Knowledge: In the Bermudez case, KHOU 11 reported allegations that the national organization knew of “a hazing crisis” yet failed to act. This “actual knowledge” makes them not just negligent, but potentially grossly negligent.

Universities and Colleges:

Educational institutions have a profound responsibility to protect their students, and their failure to do so can lead to significant liability.

Premises Liability: In Leonel’s case, the University of Houston owned and controlled the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. Universities, like any property owner, have a legal duty to provide a safe environment. If they permit hazing on their property, they can be held directly liable.
Failure to Supervise: Universities oversee Greek life and other student organizations. They have the power to regulate, investigate, and discipline. When they fail to adequately monitor these groups, especially after previous incidents, they are negligent. The University of Houston had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 involving another fraternity, yet failed to prevent Leonel’s ordeal eight years later.
Failure to Enforce Policies: Most universities have anti-hazing policies. If these policies are merely performative and not actively enforced, the university can be held accountable for its institutional negligence.
Foreseeability: Given the pervasive nature of hazing and past incidents on their campus, universities cannot claim ignorance. The harm to students like Leonel Bermudez was entirely foreseeable.

Insurance Carriers:

Ultimately, a significant portion of the compensation in hazing lawsuits comes from the insurance policies held by these various defendants.

National Organization’s Liability Insurance: These policies are typically substantial.
University’s Institutional Insurance: Major universities carry extensive insurance to cover various liabilities, including student safety failures.
Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance: Individual defendants, including alumni who host hazing, may have policies that can cover damages.

As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring unique insight into how insurance companies evaluate claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize payouts. This insider knowledge is a strategic advantage for Tift County families, enabling us to dismantle their defenses and maximize your recovery. We rigorously track all potential entities, their corporate structures, and their insurance coverage so we know exactly who to sue and how to collect when hazing happens.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For Tift County families contemplating legal action, it’s natural to wonder about the potential outcomes. The reality is that hazing lawsuits, particularly those involving severe injury or death, often result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. These cases send a powerful message to institutions that they cannot overlook student safety. Attorney911’s $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not a speculative figure; it is firmly rooted in a long history of precedent-setting cases.

Landmark Verdicts and Settlements:

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Total $10.1 Million+
- Stone Foltz, a pledge at BGSU’s Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol and died from alcohol poisoning. The university paid $2.9 million, and the national fraternity, along with individuals, contributed another $7.2 million. In December 2024, a personal judgment of $6.5 million was also made against the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson. This landmark case demonstrates that our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez is well within the established range for hazing-related damages, even for a non-fatal injury with severe medical consequences.
Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): $6.1 Million Verdict
- Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” hazing event where pledges were forced to drink heavily for incorrect answers. The jury awarded his family $6.1 million, and the case led to the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana. This verdict shows that juries are outraged by hazing and are willing to award substantial compensation.
Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): $110+ Million (Estimated Confidential Settlements)
- Timothy Piazza, a Penn State freshman, died from a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after being forced to drink 18 alcoholic beverages in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi hazing ritual. Fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911 despite his deteriorating condition. Confidential settlements are estimated to exceed $110 million. The egregious nature of the hazing, combined with clear evidence (security camera footage), resulted in massive financial repercussions and the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania.
Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Settlement (Confidential)
- Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning at a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” event, the same national fraternity involved in Leonel Bermudez’s case. While the settlement amount was confidential, criminal charges were filed against nine fraternity members, and the chapter was permanently closed. This case is a critical piece of pattern evidence, proving Pi Kappa Phi National had actual knowledge of deadly hazing within its chapters years before Leonel’s hospitalization.
Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): $4+ Million Settlement (October 2024)
- Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning during a Delta Chi hazing event at VCU. His family initially sued for $28 million and recently secured a settlement exceeding $4 million, contributing significantly to a foundation in his name and the passage of “Adam’s Law” in Virginia. This case, settled in late 2024, further reinforces the multi-million dollar value of recent hazing cases.
UT Austin Death – Sigma Chi (November 2025): Lawsuit Filed
- In the very same week our firm filed the Bermudez lawsuit, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against the University of Texas at Austin and the Sigma Chi fraternity, alleging “horrific abuse” leading to an 18-year-old freshman’s death by suicide. This underscores the ongoing, tragic reality of hazing in Texas and the immediate need for aggressive legal action.

What These Precedents Mean for Tift County Victims:

High Stakes, High Accountability: These outcomes demonstrate that when hazing causes severe injury or death, the responsible parties—including national fraternities, universities, and individuals—are forced to pay substantial amounts.
Pattern Evidence is Powerful: The fact that Pi Kappa Phi has a prior hazing death (Andrew Coffey) on its record, and the University of Houston had a prior hazing hospitalization (Jared Munoz) in 2017, significantly strengthens Leonel Bermudez’s case. This establishes a pattern of knowing negligence and failure to act, making it harder for defendants to claim ignorance.
Hazing Leads to Legislation: Many of these tragedies have spurred new anti-hazing laws, like the Max Gruver Act and the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, signaling a societal shift towards zero tolerance for hazing.
Juries are Outraged: The $6.1 million jury verdict in the Gruver case, along with the personal judgment against the president in the Foltz case, demonstrates that juries view hazing as egregious misconduct warranting significant financial penalties. For Tift County families, this means that public sentiment is often on the side of the victim.
Our Current Case is a Crucible: Our active $10 million lawsuit, with its detailed allegations of waterboarding and extreme physical abuse, proves that our firm is at the forefront of this fight. We are applying the lessons learned from these precedent cases directly to our current litigation, and we are prepared to do the same for you in Tift County.

The message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations is clear: hazing costs millions. We track every one of these cases, and we leverage this knowledge to ensure Tift County victims receive the full compensation they deserve.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights as a Hazing Victim

For families in Tift County, understanding the legal framework surrounding hazing is crucial. While hazing is a crime in Georgia, we operate under Texas law, which provides robust protections for victims and holds perpetrators and institutions accountable. Our expertise in Texas law is especially relevant given the multi-state nature of national fraternities and universities.

Texas Hazing Laws: More Than Just Institutional Policy

The Texas Education Code, specifically Sections 37.151 to 37.157, provides a comprehensive legal foundation for defining, prosecuting, and penalizing hazing. These laws make it clear that hazing is not merely a violation of university rules; it is a serious criminal offense.

Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Texas law broadly defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off campus that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in an organization.” This definition is expansive and covers various activities, including physical brutality (like striking, beating), sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, calisthenics that pose an unreasonable risk of harm, and forced consumption of substances leading to harm. Leonel Bermudez’s experience directly meets multiple criteria for this definition: the wooden paddles, the 500 squats and other calisthenics, forced eating until vomiting, sleep deprivation, and exposure to cold while being sprayed with a hose.
Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Hazing is a criminal offense in Texas, with penalties that escalate based on severity:
- Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in, soliciting, encouraging, aiding hazing, or failing to report it with firsthand knowledge (up to 180 days in jail, $2,000 fine).
- Class A Misdemeanor: For hazing that causes serious bodily injury (up to 1 year in jail, $4,000 fine). Leonel Bermudez’s severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure undoubtedly constitutes serious bodily injury, meaning the individuals involved face this higher criminal charge.
- State Jail Felony: For hazing that causes death (180 days to 2 years in state jail, $10,000 fine). This means if Leonel had died, the individuals responsible could have faced felony charges. The University of Houston spokesperson even acknowledged “potential criminal charges” in their statement to Houston Public Media.
Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations themselves can be penalized if they condone or encourage hazing, or if their officers, members, pledges, or alumni commit or assist in hazing. Penalties can include fines up to $10,000, denial of campus operation, and forfeiture of property. This is vital for holding responsible the local Pi Kappa Phi chapter and the national organization.
Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is one of the most powerful aspects of Texas’s anti-hazing law. It 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 directly counters the common defense used by fraternities and universities—that the victim willingly participated. For Tift County victims, this means that even if peer pressure or a desire to belong led to participation, it does not absolve the perpetrators of legal responsibility.
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 of becoming aware of them. Failure to do so is a Class B misdemeanor. This requirement ensures that institutions cannot quietly sweep hazing under the rug.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Prosecution

While criminal charges address the wrongdoing against the state, civil lawsuits—which is our focus—address the harm done directly to the victim. For Tift County families, this means seeking financial compensation for all the injuries and damages suffered.

Negligence Claims: This is a cornerstone of personal injury law. We will establish that the university, national fraternity, and individual members had a duty of care to protect the student (e.g., duty to provide a safe environment, duty to supervise). Their hazing behavior or failure to act constituted a breach of that duty, directly causing the student’s injuries and resulting in quantifiable damages.
Premises Liability: As the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of Leonel’s hazing occurred, they face direct liability. Property owners, whether it’s a university or an alumnus’s home, have a legal responsibility to ensure their premises are safe. If hazing occurs on their property and they knew or should have known about the dangerous activities, they can be held liable.
Negligent Supervision: This applies to both universities and national fraternities. When they fail to adequately supervise chapters, monitor activities, or enforce anti-hazing policies, they are negligently supervising an environment ripe for abuse. The University of Houston’s prior hazing incident in 2017 highlights their negligent supervision.
Assault and Battery: Any direct physical harm, such as being struck with wooden paddles, sprayed with a hose, or intentionally subjected to extreme physical strain, can be legally classified as assault and battery. The individuals committing these acts can be sued directly.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): The extreme and outrageous nature of hazing, like waterboarding, forced humiliation, and psychological torment, can lead to severe emotional distress, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Texas law allows victims to seek compensation for IIED.

For Tift County hazing victims, these civil claims provide a powerful avenue for justice and compensation, regardless of whether criminal charges are also filed. Our firm, with its deep understanding of Texas hazing law and broad experience in civil litigation, is uniquely positioned to leverage these legal tools on your behalf.

Why Attorney911: Your Fierce Advocates in the Fight Against Hazing

Choosing the right legal representation after a hazing incident is critical. For Tift County families, Attorney911 offers a unique blend of aggressive advocacy, insider knowledge, and deep compassion that sets us apart. We are not just another law firm; we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ committed to shutting down your emergency—including hazing emergencies—with every tool at our disposal.

Our Unmatched Experience and Expertise:

Active Hazing Litigation: We are not theoretical. We are currently leading the charge in a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t just a resume builder; it’s a living, breathing case that showcases our expertise and commitment to hazing victims. For Tift County families, this means you get attorneys who are actively battling the same types of institutions and defendants your family may face. We are in the fight right now.
25+ Years of Courtroom Experience (Ralph Manginello): Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent over two decades in the courtroom. He is a battle-tested trial attorney who knows how to present a compelling case to a jury. This extensive experience is crucial when facing well-funded university and national fraternity defense teams.
Former Insurance Defense Attorneys (Ralph Manginello & Lupe Peña): This is our “unfair advantage.” Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña began their careers defending insurance companies and corporations. They learned the opposition’s playbook from the inside—how they value claims, strategize defenses, delay payouts, and minimize compensation. Now, they use that insider knowledge to dismantle those very defenses and maximize recovery for our clients. Lupe Peña’s experience at a national defense firm, Litchfield Cavo LLP, gives him an unparalleled understanding of how large corporate defendants handle these complex cases.
Federal Court Authority: We are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and have experience in federal civil rights litigation. This federal court authority allows us to pursue cases against national organizations and universities, regardless of where the hazing occurred, ensuring that distance is never a barrier to justice for Tift County families.
Dual-State Bar Admissions (Texas & New York): Ralph Manginello is licensed in both Texas and New York. This dual licensure is a strategic advantage when taking on national fraternities and sororities, which are often headquartered or have significant operations in multiple states. It allows us to pursue them efficiently wherever necessary.
Mass Tort & Catastrophic Injury Experience: Ralph’s involvement in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City Explosion Litigation demonstrates his capability in taking on massive corporate defendants over catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths. This experience is directly applicable to complex hazing cases involving institutional negligence and severe harm. Both attorneys also have extensive experience with wrongful death cases and catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and rhabdomyolysis—precisely the types of injuries or outcomes from hazing.
Rhabdomyolysis Expertise: We have direct experience litigating cases involving rhabdomyolysis, the exact condition that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez. This specialized medical-legal knowledge is invaluable in proving causation and securing appropriate damages.
Data-Driven Litigation Strategy: We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, including IRS B83 data on over 125 tax-exempt entities, Cause IQ metro organization data, and national hazing incident records. This allows us to track corporate structures, identify every liable entity, demonstrate patterns of negligence, and target the right defendants from day one. We don’t guess; we know.
Bilingual Staff (Se Habla Español): We understand that Tift County is part of a diverse state, and legal emergencies should not be compounded by language barriers. Our fluent Spanish-speaking staff ensures that Hispanic families in Tift County receive clear, compassionate, and comprehensive legal services in their native language.

Our Approach to Serving Tift County Families:

We Come to You: While our main offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we are committed to serving hazing victims nationwide, including Tift County. For depositions, client meetings, and trials, our attorneys will travel to Tift County as needed. Distance will not be a barrier to securing justice.
Remote Consultations: We offer convenient video consultations, allowing Tift County families to meet with us virtually from the comfort and privacy of their homes.
Contingency Fees – No Upfront Cost: We understand that dealing with the trauma of hazing is financially and emotionally exhausting. We take hazing cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay us $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This ensures that every family in Tift County, regardless of their financial situation, can access aggressive, expert legal representation.

What Sets Us Apart for Tift County Hazing Victims:

We know Tift County families have choices. What makes us different is our real, emotional investment in hazing victims. We’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact fraternities can have on young lives. Attorney Manginello, a father of three and a youth sports coach, understands the team dynamics and pressures that can lead to hazing. We see your child as a person, a member of your family – not just a case file. And we will fight for Tift County families with that same unwavering dedication, turning your pain into potent legal action.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Hazing Victims and Families

If you or your child in Tift County has been targeted by hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While emotions run high, taking immediate, decisive action can significantly impact the strength and success of your legal claim. Delay can jeopardize your rights and allow crucial evidence to disappear. We understand that this is an overwhelming time, but we urge you to follow these steps to protect yourself and your family.

Step 1: Prioritize Immediate Safety and Medical Care

Your physical and mental well-being are paramount.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention: If you or your child has been injured – whether physically or psychologically – see a doctor immediately. Do not delay, even if injuries seem minor or you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some serious conditions, like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis, may have delayed symptoms or can quickly worsen. Insurers often use delays in medical treatment to argue that injuries were not serious or not caused by the incident.
- Document Everything Medical: Ensure all injuries, symptoms (including mental anguish), and the circumstances of the injury are clearly documented in your medical records. Mention the hazing activities to your healthcare providers directly. Keep copies of all hospital records, doctor’s notes, diagnostic tests, prescriptions, and therapy records.
Get Out of the Dangerous Situation: If the hazing environment is ongoing, ensure the victim is removed from that situation immediately and is in a safe place.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Hazing cases often rely heavily on documented evidence, which perpetrators may try to destroy.

Digital Communications (CRITICAL): Do NOT delete anything! This includes text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages, Instagram DMs, emails, and any other digital communication platforms. These messages often contain direct evidence of the hazing, instructions, threats, and coercion. Screenshots are vital.
- NEVER Delete Social Media Posts: Do not delete your own past social media posts or any posts by others related to the fraternity/sorority. Defense attorneys will scour your social media for anything that can be used against you, so avoid saying anything that could contradict your claims of injury or distress.
Photos and Videos: Take photos and videos of any physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) immediately, and continue to document the healing process over time. If safe to do so, document the location where hazing occurred, any items used in hazing (e.g., alcohol containers, paddles, restraints), or any visible effects of the hazing environment.
Witness Information: Collect names, phone numbers, and email addresses of anyone who witnessed the hazing, assisted the victim, or has knowledge of the events. This could include other pledges, fraternity members, bystanders, or even faculty/staff.
Documents: Preserve any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, “expectations,” or other documents provided by the organization. These can show structured hazing. Keep records of tuition, fees, and any lost wages.

Step 3: Avoid Communication with Responsible Parties

Do not speak with any of the involved organizations or their representatives without legal counsel.

No Contact with Fraternity/Sorority Leadership: Do not discuss the incident with current or former fraternity/sorority members or leadership. They will often try to coordinate stories, influence you, or otherwise minimize the incident.
No Contact with University Administration Alone: While you may need to report the hazing to the university (e.g., Title IX office), do not give a detailed statement or sign any documents without consulting with your attorney first. University administrators are primarily concerned with protecting the institution, not necessarily your individual rights.
Absolutely NO Recorded Statements to Insurance Companies: If an insurance adjuster contacts you, refuse to give any recorded statements. Their job is to minimize payouts. Let your attorney handle all communication with insurance companies.
Do Not Sign Anything: Do not sign any documents from the fraternity, university, or their legal/insurance representatives without first having your attorney review them. You could unknowingly waive critical legal rights.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney IMMEDIATELY

Time is of the essence.

Know the Statute of Limitations: In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases (including hazing) is typically two years from the date of injury. For wrongful death, it’s two years from the date of death. Federal claims can have different deadlines. Delaying can mean losing your right to sue forever.
Evidence Disappears: With each passing day, crucial evidence can be destroyed or forgotten. Digital evidence can vanish, memories fade, and witnesses become harder to locate.
Free Consultation: At Attorney911, we offer a free, no-obligation consultation. This allows us to evaluate your case, explain your rights, and outline your options without any financial commitment from you. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.

Step 5: Protect Your Digital Footprint

Avoid Social Media: Do not post about the incident, your injuries, or your thoughts on social media platforms. Anything you post can and will be used against you by the defense. It is best to remain completely silent about the case online.
Review Your Privacy Settings: Ensure your social media accounts are set to private.

For Tift County Families:

Whether your child attends a university close to home or across the country, the principles of immediate action, evidence preservation, and early legal consultation remain the same. We understand communicating from a distance can be challenging, which is why we offer video consultations and are prepared to travel to Tift County and beyond for depositions, meetings, and trials when justice demands it.

If your child has been subjected to hazing, you didn’t ask for this tragedy. Now, you need to take every step to protect your child’s future and hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact Attorney911 today.

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

If your family in Tift County has been impacted by hazing, you are facing a terrifying reality. Your child was supposed to make friends, learn, and grow, but instead, they were subjected to abuse that left them injured, traumatized, or worse. You don’t have to face this alone. We are Attorney911, Legal Emergency Lawyers™, and we are ready to bring our aggressive, data-driven, and compassionate representation to your family in Tift County.

Our commitment is clear: We are actively pursuing justice for hazing victims. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for what happened to Leonel Bermudez proves we don’t just talk about hazing; we fight it in court right now. We understand that this same kind of horrifying abuse can happen at universities where students from Tift County go to college, whether they are in Georgia, Florida, or anywhere else nationwide. We are here to help.

Tift County Families: Don’t Wait. Call Us Now.

The time to act is now. Memories fade, evidence disappears, and crucial legal deadlines (like the two-year statute of limitations in most personal injury and wrongful death hazing cases) can pass. Delaying contacting an attorney can severely jeopardize your case.

Our 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline for Tift County Hazing Victims:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We are available around the clock to provide free, confidential consultations for Tift County families directly impacted by hazing.

Why Contact Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case in Tift County?

No Upfront Costs (Contingency Fee): We understand that the financial strain of medical bills and lost wages can be immense. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely $0 upfront for our legal services. We only get paid if we win compensation for you. This allows you to focus on your child’s recovery without the added burden of legal fees.
- Learn how contingency fees work
Expert Hazing Litigation Experience: We are actively litigating a major $10 million hazing case against a national fraternity and a major university. This isn’t theoretical; this is real-world, current experience that directly benefits your case. We know the tactics these institutions use, and we know how to counter them.
Nationwide Reach, Local Commitment: While our offices are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we proudly serve hazing victims in Tift County and across America. Our federal court admissions and dual-state bar licenses allow us to pursue national organizations and universities regardless of their location. For Tift County clients, we offer video consultations and are prepared to travel for depositions, trials, and client meetings when necessary.
Insider Knowledge of Defense Tactics: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. They know exactly how corporations, insurance companies, and universities strategize to deny or minimize claims. This insider perspective gives us a powerful advantage in advocating for your family.
- Read Ralph Manginello’s bio
- Read Lupe Peña’s bio
Aggressive and Relentless Advocacy: We pride ourselves on being fierce advocates who are not afraid to take on powerful institutions. We will conduct thorough investigations, preserve all evidence, and build a strong, data-driven case designed to secure maximum compensation for your child.

What to Expect When You Call Us:

When you contact 1-888-ATTY-911, you will speak with a compassionate team member who understands the urgency and sensitivity of your situation. We will listen to your story, gather initial details, and connect you with one of our experienced hazing attorneys for a free consultation. During this consultation, we will:

Evaluate the facts of your case and assess its legal viability.
Explain your legal rights and the potential avenues for compensation.
Outline the legal process in clear, understandable terms.
Discuss how our firm can help you, answering all your questions honestly.

We Are Here For Tift County. Let Us Fight For You.

If your child has been a victim of hazing by a fraternity, sorority, sports team, club, or any student organization, you deserve answers, justice, and accountability. The institutions and individuals who allowed this to happen must be held responsible.

Don’t let them get away with it.
Don’t let your child’s pain be ignored.
Call Attorney911 today. Let us be your legal emergency lawyers and bring our battle-tested expertise to secure justice for your family in Tift County.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
ralph@atty911.com
attorney911.com