If you’re reading this in Toombs County, Georgia, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your lives. Your child went off to college, expecting to make friends, chase dreams, and build a future. Instead, they may have been caught in a nightmare of collegiate hazing, suffering abuse and injury that no young person should ever endure. We understand what you’re going through. The fear, the anger, the overwhelming sense of betrayal – it’s real. We are here to help families like yours fight back, offering the same aggressive, data-driven, and relentless representation we bring to our clients in Houston and across the nation.

Hazing isn’t just a distant problem. It casts a long shadow over college campuses, including those throughout Georgia, where students from Toombs County often pursue their higher education. Whether your child attends a state institution like Georgia Southern University or the University of Georgia, or private colleges across the Southeast, the risks of hazing are tragically real. These incidents are often hidden under a veil of secrecy, loyalty tests, and “tradition,” but their consequences are anything but hidden. They leave physical scars, deep emotional wounds, and, in far too many cases, lead to life-altering injuries or even death. We believe that accountability begins with those who enabled the abuse, from the individual perpetrators to the national organizations and the universities themselves.

We know it feels overwhelming. Your child is recovering, you’re grappling with medical bills, and potentially facing an institution that seems more interested in protecting its reputation than its students. That’s where we come in. At Attorney911, we are actively fighting a $10 million lawsuit against a major fraternity and a large university for severe hazing that hospitalized a young man just like your child. We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re in the trenches, seeking justice. This same commitment and expertise are available to families in Toombs County, Georgia, because distance is not a barrier to justice when your child’s future is at stake.

The Haunting Echoes of Abuse: Our Landmark $10 Million Fight Against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston

The case of Leonel Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. is not just another lawsuit; it is the embodiment of everything Attorney911 stands for. Filed in November 2025 in Harris County Civil District Court, this $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members, is a stark warning to every Greek organization and university that thinks they can get away with brutalizing young people. What happened to Leonel in Houston is a horrifying example of modern hazing, a mirror image of the dangers your children might face at colleges that students from Toombs County attend.

Media Coverage That Exposed the Truth

When we filed the lawsuit, the story quickly garnered significant attention from major news outlets, validating the severity of Leonel’s ordeal and the systemic issues it brought to light. Here are some of the reports that brought this case to the forefront:

• ABC13 Houston: On November 21-22, 2025, ABC13 extensively covered the allegations, detailing how “Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge.” You can read their full report here: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• KHOU 11: Also on November 21, 2025, KHOU 11 reported on the “10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations.” This report specifically cited Leonel Bermudez by name.
• Houston Chronicle: On November 22, 2025, the Houston Chronicle published its coverage of the “UH fraternity hazing lawsuit,” adding further details to the public understanding of the abuse.
• Houston Public Media: On November 24, 2025, they highlighted the “University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing.” This report confirmed the $10 million figure and included a statement from the University of Houston.

Even Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters, one of the defendants, acknowledged the situation on their own website on November 21, 2025: https://pikapp.org/pi-kappa-phi-closes-beta-nu-chapter-at-the-university-of-houston/ Their statement, while attempting to manage public perception, inadvertently confirmed “violations” and the closure of the chapter – telling admissions of guilt.

The Victim: Leonel Bermudez and His Unimaginable Ordeal

Leonel Bermudez’s story is a chilling reminder of how destructive hazing can be. He wasn’t even an enrolled student at the University of Houston yet; he was a “ghost rush,” planning to transfer to UH for the upcoming Spring 2026 semester. He was a prospective member, eager to find community. What he found instead was weeks of systematic abuse that left him hospitalized.

On September 16, 2025, Leonel accepted a bid from Pi Kappa Phi. What followed was a disturbing escalation of ” братство” into outright torture. As Attorney Manginello recounted to ABC13, “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.”

Hospitalized for three nights and four days, Leonel was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure – a direct result of the relentless physical abuse he endured. He was passing brown urine, a classic and alarming sign of severe muscle breakdown. The physical and psychological toll he suffered is immense, with ongoing risks of permanent kidney damage.

A Timeline of Abuse and Accountability

The rapid sequence of events after Leonel’s hospitalization demonstrates both the severity of the hazing and our firm’s aggressive response:

• Sept 16, 2025: Leonel accepts a bid to Pi Kappa Phi, University of Houston chapter.
• Sept 16 – Nov 3, 2025: Weeks of systematic hazing begin, escalating in intensity and cruelty.
• Oct 13, 2025: Another pledge is hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• Oct 15, 2025: A pledge loses consciousness and collapses during forced workout, requiring other pledges to elevate his legs to revive him.
• Nov 3, 2025: Leonel is forced to endure extreme physical punishment – over 100 pushups, 500 squats, and other exercises, until he cannot stand without help.
• Nov 6, 2025: Leonel’s mother rushes him to the hospital. He is passing brown urine and diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• Nov 6-10, 2025: Leonel spends four agonizing days hospitalized, undergoing intensive medical treatment.
• Nov 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters officially closes its Beta Nu Chapter at UH, before news of the lawsuit breaks.
• Nov 21, 2025: Attorney911 files a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court. Major news outlets immediately pick up the story.
• Nov 24, 2025: Houston Public Media confirms the $10 million figure and reports on additional hazing details.

The Unspeakable Hazing Activities We Exposed

The allegations in our lawsuit paint a horrifying picture of what modern hazing looks like, far removed from harmless pranks:

• Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” pledges were sprayed in the face with a hose while doing calisthenics, and forced to run repeatedly under threat of being waterboarded. This is torture, a war crime when done to enemy combatants. They did it to a college student.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges were forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited. Then, they were forced to continue running sprints in their own vomit, lying in it while in physical distress.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: This included over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. They were made to recite the fraternity creed while exercising until they collapsed. Leonel was “being struck with wooden paddles.”
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Pledges were forced to strip to their underwear in cold weather, carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature, and endure the hog-tying of another pledge with an object in his mouth. Threats of physical punishment or expulsion were constant.
• Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, disrupting their sleep and impacting their daily lives.

This is the reality of hazing: not harmless initiation, but calculated, prolonged abuse designed to break someone down.

The Medical Nightmare: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

Leonel’s hospitalization was not for a common illness; it was for a severe medical condition caused directly by the hazing. Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle tissue that releases harmful proteins into the bloodstream, which can lead to acute kidney failure and even death. The brown urine Leonel passed was a classic indicator of this terrifying condition. He suffered from critically high creatine kinase levels, confirming extensive muscle damage. He spent four days in the hospital, and the long-term risk of permanent kidney damage is very real.

This is the same medical condition that Attorney Manginello has successfully litigated before, giving our firm unique expertise in this type of severe hazing injury.

Institutional Responses: Admissions and Excuses

The responses from both the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters following the public exposure of the hazing were telling.

The University of Houston spokesperson stated to Houston Public Media on November 24, 2025: “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards. The University is conducting its own investigation in coordination with law enforcement and with the cooperation of the fraternity and its national leadership. Pending the outcome of these investigations, any individual found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges.” This statement, while condemning, acts as an admission that the university’s “community standards” were utterly violated under their watch. It also hints at the serious nature of the criminal referrals initiated.

Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters’ own website statement on November 21, 2025, claimed they closed the Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, “following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” This critical detail – the closure occurring seven days before our lawsuit was filed – is a clear sign that they were aware of severe misconduct and were attempting to preempt legal action. Their statement also included a chilling line: “we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This suggests a complete lack of genuine remorse, viewing the incident as a temporary setback rather than a catastrophic failure that hospitalized a young man.

Why This Case Resonates with Toombs County Families

This case matters deeply to parents and students in Toombs County for several crucial reasons:

1. “Tradition” is Torture: This case rips away the veneer of harmless initiations, revealing hazing for what it truly is: systematic abuse. The same “traditions” that put Leonel in the hospital are replicated at colleges and universities across Georgia, including institutions where your children may attend.
2. Universities are Complicit: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of this torture occurred. Like many institutions across the country, including those near Toombs County, universities often own or control Greek housing and have the power to regulate, suspend, or remove organizations. Their failure to act makes them liable.
3. National Organizations Know: Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters dissolved the chapter instantly, a tacit admission of guilt. This is not an isolated incident; national organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, with over 150 chapters across America, often have a documented history of violations. They possess knowledge of their chapters’ dangerous cultures but frequently fail to intervene effectively.
4. Victims Are Afraid: Leonel Bermudez and his family, understandably, fear retribution for speaking out. This fear is a powerful psychological weapon wielded by hazers, but it’s a fear that Attorney911 works tirelessly to overcome, providing a safe space for victims across Toombs County and beyond to come forward.
5. One Brave Victim Protects Others: As Lupe Peña stated, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Leonel’s courage, supported by our firm, is sending a powerful message that will resonate far beyond Houston, potentially saving lives in Toombs County and throughout Georgia.
6. A $10 Million Message: This significant financial demand sends an unmistakable message that torturing prospective members comes with a steep price, forcing institutions to reconsider their complicity and lax oversight. It’s a message that needs to be heard in every college town across the country.

What happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston is not an anomaly. It is a terrifying glimpse into a widespread problem that impacts students from communities like Toombs County every year. Attorney911 is fighting back, and we are ready to bring that same aggressive fight to your family when hazing strikes.

What Hazing Actually Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in Toombs County might still associate hazing with harmless pranks or silly rituals, images rooted in outdated movies or anecdotal college stories. The truth, however, is far more sinister. Hazing today is often brutal, dehumanizing, and deeply dangerous, leading to severe injuries and deaths. Our case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston reveals the grim reality: it is a calculated campaign of physical abuse, psychological torture, and forced degradation.

It is not “boys being boys.” It’s not “building character.” It is not “tradition.”
IT IS:

• Assault and Battery: Direct physical violence, including beatings, paddling, and forced physical exertion.
• Torture: Acts like waterboarding, simulated drowning, or extreme temperatures that inflict severe physical or mental suffering.
• Reckless Endangerment: Actions that show a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of individuals, leading to serious injury.
• Sometimes Manslaughter, Sometimes Murder: When hazing leads to death, the perpetrators and institutions can face criminal charges ranging from negligent homicide to murder.

The Alarming Statistics

The scope of the hazing crisis underscores why urgent action is needed:

• 55% of students involved in Greek organizations report experiencing hazing.
• 40% of student athletes report hazing as part of their team.
• Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing-related death every year in the United States, a horrifyingly consistent pattern.
• A staggering 95% of students who are hazed do not report it, often due to fear, shame, or a misplaced sense of loyalty.
• Hazing occurs not only in fraternities and sororities but also in sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, academic clubs, and other student organizations.

The Systemic Institutional Failure

The tragic reality is that universities and national organizations are often acutely aware of the prevalence of hazing. They have policies against it, conduct occasional trainings, and receive reports. Yet, time and again, they fail to act decisively until a crisis erupts. They prioritize reputation, “chapter integrity,” and alumni donations over the safety of young people. Only when a student is hospitalized or dies do they scramble to “suspend” or “dissolve” chapters, offering hollow statements of concern, as Pi Kappa Phi did when they announced they “look forward to returning to campus.” This pattern of institutional negligence creates an environment where hazing thrives.

Common Types of Hazing

Based on our intensive litigation and expertise, hazing activities fall into several harmful categories:

• Physical Abuse: This includes actions like beatings, paddling (as suffered by Leonel), branding, burning, forced exercise to the point of collapse and rhabdomyolysis, and other forms of physical violence.
• Forced Consumption: This often involves binge drinking, chugging dangerous amounts of alcohol to the point of alcohol poisoning (a leading cause of hazing deaths), eating until vomiting (as Leonel tragically experienced), or consuming non-food substances.
• Sleep Deprivation: Requiring pledges to stay up for extended periods, perform late-night duties, or disrupt their sleep patterns, leading to exhaustion and impaired judgment.
• Psychological Torture: This category encompasses humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation, threats, and other forms of mental anguish designed to break a person down. Leonel’s experience with the fanny pack of sexual objects and being forced to drive while exhausted are examples.
• Sexual Abuse: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, carrying sexually explicit objects (as in Leonel’s case), or outright sexual assault can be part of hazing rituals.
• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: As exposed in the Bermudez case, this extreme form of torture involves spraying or pouring water over a person’s face, simulating drowning, causing immense terror and physical distress.
• Exposure: Forcing individuals to endure harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme cold (stripping pledges naked in cold weather) or heat, for prolonged periods.
• Servitude: Requiring pledges to perform menial tasks, clean, drive members, or run errands, often at odd hours and under threat.

The Devastating Medical Consequences

The direct results of severe hazing can be catastrophic and life-threatening:

• Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure: As documented in our UH case, this is a direct result of extreme physical exertion, leading to muscle breakdown, kidney damage, and potential long-term health issues.
• Alcohol Poisoning: A tragically common cause of hazing deaths, resulting from forced, rapid consumption of large quantities of alcohol.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: From beatings, falls (like Timothy Piazza’s death), or other physical violence.
• Hypothermia/Hyperthermia: From exposure to extreme cold or heat.
• Cardiac Arrest: Resulting from extreme physical exertion, especially in individuals with underlying conditions.
• PTSD, Anxiety, Depression: The long-term psychological impact of hazing can be profound, requiring extensive therapy and support.
• Death: The ultimate, irreversible consequence, leaving families like yours in Toombs County heartbroken and searching for answers.

This is why we fight so aggressively. We understand that hazing is not a game; it is a serious crime with devastating consequences, and we are dedicated to holding every responsible party accountable.

Who Is Truly Responsible: Unmasking the Liable Parties

When hazing leaves a student from Toombs County injured or dead, the initial impulse might be to blame the few individuals directly involved. However, our extensive experience in hazing litigation, powerfully demonstrated by the Bermudez case, tells us a different story. The responsibility for these tragedies rarely rests with just a few “bad apples.” Instead, it often extends to multiple entities with “deep pockets” who were either directly involved, negligently failed to prevent it, or actively fostered an environment where abuse could thrive.

In the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, we are pursuing an entire network of responsible parties. This is how we ensure maximum accountability and prevent future tragedies:

• Greek Organizations (Local Chapters and Individuals):

  • The Local Chapter: In our Pi Kappa Phi case, the Beta Nu Chapter directly organized and conducted the hazing. For students in Toombs County, this refers to the specific chapter at a local or regional university that engaged in the abuse.
  • Chapter Officers and Leaders: Individuals like the chapter president, pledgemaster, and other leaders are directly responsible for directing and overseeing the activities that constitute hazing. These individuals bear a significant burden of responsibility.
  • Individual Members: Every member who participated in, witnessed, or tacitly allowed the hazing without intervention can be held liable. Their actions, or inactions, contribute directly to the harm.
  • Former Members and Their Spouses: In the Bermudez case, even former members and their spouses who simply allowed hazing to occur at their residence are named defendants. This expands premises liability to anyone facilitating the abuse, highlighting that the responsibility doesn’t end with active students.

• National Fraternity/Sorority Organizations:

  • These entities, like the national Pi Kappa Phi organization, provide the charter, branding, rules, and often financial support to local chapters. They have a duty to supervise their chapters and ensure anti-hazing policies are enforced.
  • National organizations have historically claimed ignorance, but cases like Andrew Coffey’s death at another Pi Kappa Phi chapter in 2017, and our client’s hospitalization in 2025, demonstrate a pattern of negligence and a failure to act. When a national organization rushes to dissolve a chapter upon exposure, it’s a telling admission that they knew the conduct was wrong.
  • These are the “deepest pockets,” often possessing millions in assets, endowments, and comprehensive liability insurance that can cover significant damages.

• Universities & Colleges:

  • In the Bermudez case, the University of Houston is a primary defendant because they owned and directly controlled the Pi Kappa Phi house where much of the hazing took place. This establishes undeniable premises liability.
  • Universities have a profound duty to protect their students. This includes regulating Greek life, ensuring safe environments, and acting decisively when hazing occurs. When they fail to act, especially after prior incidents (like UH’s 2017 hazing hospitalization), they become complicit.
  • Public or private universities attended by Toombs County students have substantial institutional resources, including large endowments and extensive liability insurance, making them critical defendants in these cases.

• Insurance Carriers:

  • The vast majority of any financial recovery in a hazing lawsuit comes from insurance policies. This includes the national organization’s liability insurance, the university’s institutional insurance, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance (for off-campus hazing locations), and even personal liability coverage for individual defendants.
  • Our unique advantage at Attorney911 is that both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. They know exactly how these companies operate, how they value claims, and the tactics they use to minimize payouts. This insider knowledge is invaluable in dismantling their defenses and maximizing your family’s recovery.

We are not interested in just blaming a few students; we are interested in holding every single entity accountable that enabled, allowed, or turned a blind eye to the abuse. This comprehensive approach is how we secure justice for victims and send a powerful message that hazing will not be tolerated in Toombs County or anywhere else.

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

For families in Toombs County facing the devastating aftermath of hazing, understanding what justice can look like is critical. These aren’t minor disputes; they are battles for truth, accountability, and the future well-being of victims. The good news is that courageous families across the country are winning, securing multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements that are forcing institutions to change. These precedents provide a powerful roadmap for what is possible in your child’s hazing case, demonstrating that our aggressive $10 million demand in the Bermudez lawsuit is squarely supported by prior legal successes.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements: They Will Pay

The message is clear to fraternities, universities, and national organizations: hazing costs millions. We have the receipts, and the same legal strategies that won these cases are available to families in Toombs County.

Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

Total Recovery: Over $10.1 Million

• What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Pi Kappa Alpha, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a hazing ritual at Bowling Green State University. He died from alcohol poisoning, a tragically common outcome of forced consumption hazing.
• Outcome: His family secured a combined settlement of $10.1 million, with nearly $2.9 million coming from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha National and its individual members. This was the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. Most recently, in December 2024, a jury ordered Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, to pay an additional $6.5 million in personal liability.
• Relevance: This case directly supports our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case, showing that significant recoveries are achievable, both from institutions and individuals. Both the university and the national fraternity were held accountable.

Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)

Total Recovery: $6.1 Million Jury Verdict

• What Happened: In September 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, was forced to participate in a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” where he was made to drink excessive amounts of alcohol for every wrong answer to fraternity questions. He died from acute alcohol poisoning with a blood alcohol content of 0.495, over six times the legal limit.
• Outcome: His family secured a $6.1 million jury verdict against the fraternity and its members. This case also led to the passage of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making hazing a felony.
• Relevance: This demonstrates that juries are outraged by hazing and are willing to award multi-million dollar verdicts, especially in cases of extreme conduct and death. The shift to felony charges highlights society’s growing intolerance for hazing.

Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)

Total Recovery: Over $110 Million (Estimated Settlements)

• What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a pledge at Beta Theta Pi at Penn State, was forced to consume 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes during a hazing ritual. He fell down a flight of stairs repeatedly, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911. He later died. Security cameras captured the entire horrific event.
• Outcome: Confidential settlements, widely reported to exceed $110 million, were reached with various defendants. Numerous fraternity members faced criminal charges, with several convicted of involuntary manslaughter and hazing. The Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law was passed in Pennsylvania.
• Relevance: Piazza’s case is a testament to what happens when irrefutable evidence exposes egregious conduct. Our Bermudez case, with its meticulously documented abuse, aims for a similar level of accountability, knowing that victims need aggressive representation when facing such deliberate indifference.

Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

Total Recovery: Confidential Settlement

• What Happened: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey, a pledge at Pi Kappa Phi (the same national fraternity as Leonel Bermudez), was forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a “Big Brother Night” ritual at Florida State University. He was found unresponsive the next morning and died from acute alcohol poisoning.
• Outcome: Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges, and the chapter was permanently closed. A civil suit filed by his family resulted in a confidential settlement.
• Relevance: This case is particularly crucial to our strategy as it involves the exact same national fraternity. It proves that Pi Kappa Phi National had eight years’ notice after Coffey’s death that their chapters engaged in deadly hazing. Their failure to prevent Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization demonstrates a shocking pattern of negligence and deliberate indifference.

University of Houston / Pi Kappa Alpha (2017)

Total Recovery: $1 Million Lawsuit Filed

• What Happened: In 2017, just eight years before Leonel Bermudez, another University of Houston student, Jared Munoz, was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen due to hazing at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He filed a $1 million lawsuit.
• Relevance: This establishes that the University of Houston had prior notice of severe hazing on its campus. They knew this danger existed and, demonstrably, failed to implement sufficient safeguards to prevent a recurrence. This is powerful evidence of institutional knowledge and negligence.

Key Strategic Angles That Win Cases

These tragic cases create powerful legal precedents and strategic angles that we leverage for families in Toombs County:

1. Our $10 Million Demand Is Grounded in Precedent: Cases like Stone Foltz’s $10.1 million recovery clearly demonstrate that our demand in the Bermudez case is justified and consistent with what juries and settlements have awarded for severe hazing incidents, especially where institutional negligence is evident.
2. Pi Kappa Phi Has a Deadly History: The death of Andrew Coffey in 2017 directly implicates Pi Kappa Phi National. They knew their houses could be deathtraps. Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization eight years later proves a devastating pattern of negligence that we will exploit in court.
3. The University of Houston Knew: The 2017 Pi Kappa Alpha incident at UH, resulting in a student’s lacerated spleen, makes it clear that the University of Houston had firsthand knowledge of hazing dangers on its campus. Their failure to protect Leonel Bermudez is a clear case of institutional negligence and foreseeable harm.
4. Juries Hate Hazing: The $6.1 million verdict in the Max Gruver case, along with the sheer egregiousness of the conduct in the Bermudez lawsuit – waterboarding, forced vomiting, 500 squats – demonstrates that juries will not tolerate such abuse and are likely to award significant punitive damages to punish wrongdoers.
5. Hazing Cases Drive Legislative Change: The Max Gruver Act and the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law were direct responses to these tragedies. Our cases aim to not only secure justice for individual victims but also to contribute to a broader movement for accountability and change.

For families in Toombs County, these cases are more than just statistics; they are proof that despite the power of national fraternities and universities, justice can be won. We are prepared to bring this same proven strategy to fight for your child.

Texas Law Protects You: A Legal Shield Against Hazing

For families in Toombs County, Georgia, navigating the legal landscape after a hazing incident can feel incredibly complex. While our firm is based in Texas, where the Bermudez case is actively being litigated, understanding the robust anti-hazing laws in states like Texas provides a framework for how these cases are approached nationwide. Most states have similar statutes designed to protect students, and crucially, federal civil rights and general negligence claims apply regardless of state lines. This means our federal court authority
allows us to pursue justice for your child no matter where the hazing occurred, including anywhere in Georgia.

Texas Hazing Laws: A Model for Accountability

Texas has some of the nation’s most comprehensive anti-hazing laws, enshrined in the Texas Education Code (§ 37.151-37.157). These laws empower victims and provide clear legal avenues for accountability.

The Broad Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):

Texas law defines hazing very broadly to encompass almost any harmful act. It explicitly includes:

• Any physical brutality, like whipping, beating, striking (like the wooden paddles Leonel endured), branding, or electronic shocking.
• Sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements (like stripping Leonel in cold weather and spraying him with a hose), confinement, or calisthenics (like Leonel’s 500 squats and 100 pushups) that risk harm or adversely affect mental or physical health.
• Forced consumption of food, liquid, alcohol (like Leonel’s forced eating until vomiting), or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk.
• Any activity that violates the Penal Code.
• Coercing a student to consume drugs or alcohol to the point of intoxication.

The horrific details of Leonel Bermudez’s experience – waterboarding, forced eating, extreme calisthenics, physical beatings – directly violate multiple aspects of this robust legal definition. This comprehensive definition is typical of anti-hazing statutes across the country, meaning the acts your child endured in Toombs County likely fall under similar state laws.

Severe Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152):

Texas law doesn’t just call hazing wrong; it calls it a crime:

• Class B Misdemeanor: For engaging in hazing, soliciting it, encouraging it, or even having firsthand knowledge and failing to report it. Punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes serious bodily injury (like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure), punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
• State Jail Felony: If hazing results in death, punishable by 180 days to 2 years in state jail and a $10,000 fine.

The fact that Leonel suffered serious bodily injury means that individuals involved in his hazing face potential Class A Misdemeanor charges. The University of Houston’s own spokesperson acknowledged “potential criminal charges,” confirming the serious nature of the misconduct. These criminal consequences can run parallel to the civil lawsuit, bolstering the drive for accountability.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153):

Crucially, Texas law holds organizations, not just individuals, responsible. A fraternity, sorority, or any student organization commits an offense if it condones or encourages hazing, or if its officers, members, pledges, or alumni participate in it. Penalties can include fines of up to $10,000, denial of operating privileges on campus, and forfeiture of property. This is a powerful tool to hold national fraternities and local chapters accountable, as we are doing with Pi Kappa Phi.

Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): The Ultimate Weapon Against Hazers

This is perhaps the most critical component of anti-hazing legislation, and one we wield fiercely in every case, including for families from Toombs County. Texas law 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 shatters the common defense used by fraternities: “He agreed to it,” “He knew what he was signing up for,” or “He could have left.” The Texas legislature understood that true, uncoerced consent is impossible in the power dynamics of hazing. You cannot consent to being a victim of a crime. This provision ensures that perpetrators cannot shift blame onto the victim and is a cornerstone of our legal strategy.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges

While criminal penalties punish the offenders, civil lawsuits are how hazing victims and their families in Toombs County secure financial compensation for their immense suffering and losses. These civil actions can proceed regardless of whether criminal charges are filed or result in convictions.

1. Negligence Claims: This is the most common civil theory. We argue that the university, national fraternity, and local chapter had a duty to protect students, breached that duty through their actions or inactions (allowing hazing), and that this breach directly caused the victim’s injuries and damages. This applies to institutions across Georgia and nationwide.
2. Premises Liability: As seen in the Bermudez case where UH owned the fraternity house, property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe. If hazing occurs on university property, or even at an off-campus residence with the knowledge and permission of the owners (like the former member and his spouse in our case), they can be held liable.
3. Negligent Supervision: This applies when national organizations fail to adequately supervise their local chapters, or when universities fail to monitor Greek life activities effectively. The prior incidents at the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi national underscore this failure.
4. Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators who engage in direct physical contact (like paddling, forced physical exertion, or waterboarding) can be sued for intentional torts, allowing for personal liability.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Hazing acts, particularly those involving psychological torture and extreme humiliation, can inflict severe emotional distress, giving rise to this claim.
6. Wrongful Death Claims: In the most tragic cases, families can pursue wrongful death lawsuits for the loss of a loved one, seeking compensation for lost companionship, financial support, and pain and suffering.

For families in Toombs County, it’s imperative to understand that these civil claims are robust across all states. Our deep understanding of these legal theories allows us to build powerful cases wherever hazing occurs, seeking justice for college students nationwide.

Why Attorney911 Is the Choice for Toombs County Hazing Victims

When your family in Toombs County is confronting the horror of a hazing incident, you need more than just a lawyer; you need battle-tested advocates who understand the complexities of these cases, and who aren’t afraid to take on powerful institutions. Attorney911, with our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, is equipped to bring this fight to your doorstep, no matter the distance. We offer immediate, aggressive, and professional help, embodying our “Legal Emergency Lawyers™” motto.

Our Unmatched Advantages for Your Toombs County Case

We distinguish ourselves through a unique combination of experience, insight, and an unwavering commitment to our clients:

1. 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent over two decades in courtrooms across Texas and in federal courts. This isn’t just theory; it’s proven, aggressive trial experience that he brings to every hazing case, including those involving families from Toombs County.
2. Former Insurance Defense Insight: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, previously worked as insurance defense attorneys. This is our “secret weapon.” We know exactly how insurance companies, universities, and national fraternities think, strategize, and try to deny or minimize claims. They literally wrote the playbook, and we now use that insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients.
3. Federal Court Admissions: We are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, granting us the authority to litigate hazing cases in federal court. This is crucial as hazing incidents often involve federal civil rights violations and national organizations, allowing us to pursue justice for Toombs County victims anywhere in America.
4. Dual-State Bar Admissions: Ralph is licensed in both Texas and New York. This dual licensure provides a strategic advantage for cases against national fraternities and sororities, which are often headquartered outside of Texas, or whose policies are devised in different states. This means we can cross state lines to pursue justice.
5. Se Habla Español: We have bilingual staff, including Attorney Lupe Peña, who is fluent in Spanish. This ensures that Spanish-speaking families in Toombs County receive comprehensive, clear, and empathetic legal services without language barriers, a critical need in many communities.
6. Nationwide Hazing Expertise: We are not just general personal injury lawyers. We are currently knee-deep in a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical; this is active, hands-on experience in building and prosecuting complex hazing cases, a level of specialization rarely found in other firms. The same strategies and dedication we employ in this high-profile case are brought to every hazing victim we represent, wherever they may be in Toombs County or beyond.
7. Multi-Billion Dollar Case Experience: Ralph Manginello was involved in the mass tort litigation against BP following the Texas City refinery explosion that killed 15 workers and injured hundreds. This experience proves our capability to take on massive corporate defendants with vast resources – the same resources that universities and national fraternities deploy to defend against hazing claims.

Our Approach: First, Fast, Decisive for Toombs County Hazing Victims

When a legal emergency strikes due to hazing, we move:

• First: We are immediately available for consultations, often within hours of an incident, because time is critical in preserving evidence and protecting rights.
• Fast: We aggressively build your case from day one, employing expert witnesses (medical, Greek life culture, institutional negligence), preserving crucial evidence, and anticipating the defense’s every move.
• Decisively: We negotiate from a position of strength, always prepared to take your case to court if a fair settlement is not offered. Our current $10 million lawsuit demonstrates our resolve.

We understand that you may be in Toombs County, hundreds of miles from our Texas offices. This is not a barrier to our representation. We offer remote consultations via phone and video, and our attorneys are prepared to travel to Toombs County for depositions, meetings, and trials when necessary. If a university, fraternity, or insurance company tries to silence hazing victims from Toombs County, we take it to court.

We Treat Toombs County Families Like Our Own

Our clients consistently praise our compassionate approach and unwavering commitment. As one client, Chad Harris, put it: “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.” This ethos extends to every family in Toombs County who entrusts us with their child’s case.

Payment Flexibility: No Upfront Cost for Toombs County Families

We understand the immense financial strain that medical bills and lost wages can place on a family after a hazing incident. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis.

• You pay $0 upfront.
• We don’t get paid unless and until you get paid.

This means there is absolutely no financial risk to you for seeking justice. Our interests are completely aligned with yours: we win only when you win. This policy ensures that powerful institutions cannot simply outspend and outmaneuver victims who may not have immediate access to significant funds.

What To Do Right Now: Immediate Steps for Toombs County Families

If your child in Toombs County, Georgia, has been subjected to hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, confused, or even ashamed, waiting can severely jeopardize your legal rights and the strength of your case. Hazing victims often delay reporting due to fear of retaliation, loyalty to the organization, or not recognizing the abuse for what it is. However, evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and legal deadlines rapidly approach.

Here are the crucial, immediate steps you must take to protect your child and their legal claim:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Your child’s health is paramount. Even if injuries seem minor or the full extent of psychological trauma isn’t immediately apparent, it is vital to seek professional medical evaluation.

• Go to the Emergency Room or a Doctor: Do this as soon as possible after the incident. For severe injuries like those suffered by Leonel Bermudez (rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure), emergency care is non-negotiable.
• Document Everything Medically: Ensure that all injuries, symptoms, and the suspected cause of those injuries (i.e., hazing, forced exercise, alcohol consumption) are clearly documented in medical records. Brown urine, extreme muscle pain, signs of alcohol poisoning, unexplained bruises, or emotional distress should all be noted.
• Follow All Medical Advice: Adhere to prescribed treatments, attend all follow-up appointments, and participate in any recommended therapy. Defense attorneys will scrutinize delays or non-compliance to try and argue that injuries were not severe.
• Preserve Medical Records: Keep copies of all hospital records, doctor’s notes, lab results, bills, and therapy records.

2. Preserve All Evidence – EVERYTHING

Hazing incidents often leave a digital and physical trail. This evidence is crucial.

• Digital Communications: SAVE, but do NOT delete, all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages (screenshots are vital before they disappear), Instagram DMs, emails, and any other digital conversations related to the hazing. This includes communications from fraternity members, pledges, and university officials.
• Photos and Videos: If any photos or videos exist of the hazing activities or your child’s injuries, secure them immediately. Photograph injuries at all stages of healing. If your child is incapacitated, ask friends or trusted individuals to capture images. Remember our advice: “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”
• Documents: Collect any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or other documents given to your child by the organization.
• Witness Information: Gather names, phone numbers, and email addresses of anyone who witnessed the hazing or has knowledge of it – including other pledges, active members who may have been uncomfortable, or bystanders.

3. Do NOT Communicate with the Organization, University, or Their Lawyers

Institutions and organizations will act quickly to protect themselves.

• Do NOT Talk to Fraternity/Sorority Leadership: They will attempt to control the narrative, deny allegations, or pressure your child into silence.
• Do NOT Give Statements to University Administrators Alone: While universities have a duty to investigate, any statements given can be used against your child. You have a right to legal counsel.
• Do NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any document presented by the fraternity, sorority, or university without first consulting with an attorney. You could inadvertently waive critical legal rights.
• Do NOT Accept “Apologies” or “Solutions” without Counsel: They may offer to cover some immediate costs or propose internal resolutions designed to prevent legal action. Do not agree to anything without our guidance.

4. Stay Off Social Media

This is a critical error many victims make.

• Do NOT Post About the Incident: Anything you post can and will be used by the defense to undermine your credibility or claim your injuries aren’t severe.
• Do NOT Post “Happy” or “Normal” Photos: Photos of your child at parties, smiling, or engaging in activities could be presented as evidence that they are not suffering, contradicting claims of injury or emotional distress.
• Do NOT Delete Old Posts: This can be seen as destruction of evidence. Just pause all activity related to the incident and think before posting anything.

5. Contact Attorney911 Immediately – Time is Critical!

The statute of limitations in most personal injury and wrongful death cases in Texas is two years from the date of injury or death. While this may seem like a long time, building a comprehensive hazing case requires extensive investigation and evidence gathering that takes time. Delaying can result in:

• Lost Evidence: Digital evidence disappears, videos are overwritten, and physical evidence is discarded.
• Fading Memories: Witnesses’ recollections become less precise over time.
• Expired Rights: Missing the statute of limitations means losing your right to sue forever.

Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case acted immediately – Lee was hospitalized on November 6th, and we filed the lawsuit within weeks. This immediate action protects legal rights and secures evidence.

Toombs County Families, Call Us Now for a Free Consultation.

Distance is not a barrier. We offer remote consultations via phone or video to families in Toombs County, Georgia, and across the nation. We will travel to Georgia for depositions, meetings, and trials when necessary. Your child’s case will receive the same aggressive, expert attention as our clients here in Texas.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now. The Consultation is Free.

Let us fight for your child. Let us secure justice for your family.

Contact Us: Your First Call in a Legal Emergency

If your child in Toombs County, Georgia, or any other community, has been a victim of hazing, severe injury, or wrongful death, you are facing a legal emergency. We understand that this is likely one of the most difficult times your family has ever endured. You need immediate, aggressive, and professional help. Attorney911 is here, 24/7, to answer that call.

Toombs County Families: We Are Ready to Fight for You

Our firm, Attorney911 Legal Emergency Lawyers™, stands ready to assist hazing victims and their families in Toombs County, Georgia, and across the United States. While our main offices are located in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our commitment to justice knows no geographical boundaries. We bring our federal court authority, dual-state bar licenses, and willingness to travel directly to your case, ensuring that every family, regardless of location, has access to expert legal representation.

Immediate and Free Consultation

Don’t wait. Every moment that passes can jeopardize your case.

• Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline:
  

  📞 1-888-ATTY-911

  This line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for families dealing with the aftermath of hazing. Our compassionate, bilingual staff is ready to listen and connect you with an attorney immediately.

• Email Us Directly:
  You can also reach our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, directly at ralph@atty911.com.
• Visit Our Website:
  For more information and to learn about our services, please visit attorney911.com.

Your initial consultation is absolutely FREE. This is an opportunity for you to speak confidentially with an experienced hazing litigation attorney about your child’s situation, understand your legal options, and learn how we can help – all without any financial obligation.

Our No-Fee Promise: Contingency for Toombs County Victims

We operate on a contingency fee basis. What does this mean for your family in Toombs County?

• You pay $0 upfront. You will not owe us any attorney fees to start your case.
• We don’t get paid unless and until YOU get paid. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing for our legal fees.

This commitment removes the financial barrier to challenging powerful universities and national fraternities. We invest our resources, time, and expertise into your case, aligning our success directly with yours.

Distance is Not a Barrier to Justice

Even if you reside in Toombs County, Georgia, or your child attends a university outside of Texas, our nationwide service capabilities ensure you receive top-tier representation:

• Remote Consultations: We can meet with you virtually via video conference, making it convenient for families in Toombs County to consult with our attorneys from the comfort of their home.
• Federal Court Authority: Our admission to U.S. District Court allows us to pursue hazing cases in federal jurisdiction nationwide, essential when dealing with national organizations that operate across state lines.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: With attorneys licensed in both Texas and New York, we possess a strategic advantage in litigating against national fraternities and sororities, many of which have ties to these states.
• We Come to You: For critical depositions, client meetings, or trial proceedings, our attorneys are prepared to travel to Toombs County and other locations as needed. Your location will not prevent us from aggressively pursuing your case.

Who We Represent

Hazing is not exclusive to fraternities and sororities. We represent victims of hazing in:

• Fraternities and sororities at institutions throughout Georgia and across America.
• Sports teams at high schools, colleges, and universities.
• Marching bands and other performance groups.
• ROTC programs and military academies.
• Any club, organization, or group that uses abuse, coercion, or humiliation as an “initiation ritual.”

To Other Victims of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing: “Enough is Enough”

To any other individuals who were subjected to hazing by the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter, we know you are out there. Lee Bermudez was not the only victim. The accounts detail another pledge collapsing unconscious and others enduring the same waterboarding, forced eating, and physical torment. You have rights, and we can help you come forward.

As Attorney Lupe Peña bravely stated, “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 can not only secure justice for you but also protect countless others.

Call us today. Let’s bring them ALL to justice.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Website: attorney911.com

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR TOOMBS COUNTY HAZING VICTIMS. AGGRESSIVE REPRESENTATION. RESULTS.