If you’re reading this in Vermont, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child went away to college, perhaps to one of Vermont’s esteemed institutions like the University of Vermont, Middlebury College, or Norwich University, or perhaps they ventured further afield to a larger university. They were supposed to make friends, learn, and grow. Instead, they were tortured, humiliated, and injured at the hands of a fraternity or sorority demanding “loyalty” through abuse. We’re here to help families in Vermont fight back.

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It is abuse, and in the worst cases, it is assault, battery, and even murder. The emotional and physical scars from hazing can last a lifetime, changing the trajectory of a young person’s future. For parents in Vermont, the thought that your child, whom you sent off with hopes and dreams, could be subjected to such cruelty is unimaginable. Yet, it happens every single year, at universities just like the ones your children attend, and often by the same national organizations that operate chapters right here in Vermont.

At Attorney911, we understand the fear, anger, and betrayal you feel. We are currently embroiled in a high-stakes, $10 million lawsuit against a fraternity and a major university for the horrific hazing of a young man. This is not a hypothetical fight for us; it is a battle we are waging right now in a courtroom, and it is the same aggressive, data-driven fight we will bring to your hazing case in Vermont. We see the real-world consequences of hazing, and we won’t stand idly by. We are here to bring accountability to every institution, every national organization, and every individual responsible for inflicting harm on your child.

The Landmark Case: We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now — And We’ll Bring the Same Fight to Vermont

This isn’t just a legal theory for us; it’s a lived reality. We are actively fighting a $10 million lawsuit filed in November 2025 against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members. This powerful, ongoing case illustrates precisely what modern hazing looks like and demonstrates our unwavering commitment to holding every responsible party accountable.

The victim in our current case, Leonel Bermudez, was a “ghost rush” – a prospective member who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet. He was planning to transfer for the upcoming semester. They did this to someone who was not even their student, demonstrating a shocking disregard for human dignity and university affiliation.

Here’s what happened to Leonel:

• He was waterboarded with a garden hose, a form of torture that simulates drowning.
• He was hog-tied with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• He was forced to eat until he vomited, then made to continue running sprints through his own vomit.
• He was subjected to extreme physical exertion, including 100+ pushups and 500 squats, until his muscles broke down and his kidneys failed.
• He endured psychological torture, sleep deprivation, and sustained humiliation.

Tragically, these acts of “brotherhood” left him hospitalized for four days, suffering from severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He was passing brown urine, a clear sign of severe muscle breakdown. He still faces the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. His mother found him unable to move, his body ravaged by the abuse.

Within weeks of Leonel’s hazing being reported, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at the University of Houston was suspended. Its members voted to surrender their charter, and the chapter was permanently closed. Criminal referrals were initiated. And Attorney911 filed a $10 million lawsuit, naming not only the individual perpetrators but also the national fraternity, the University of Houston, and its Board of Regents. We sent a clear message: we will come for every entity responsible.

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are relentless in their pursuit of justice. As Ralph stated 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 emphasized the broader impact, telling 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.” We believe that one brave victim can protect countless others, and Leonel’s case is doing just that.

This case is recent, it is real, and it is ongoing. It is taking place in Harris County Civil District Court, just weeks after the incident. For families in Vermont, this is proof that Attorney911 is not theoretical; we are actively fighting right now. The same national fraternities that operate in Houston have chapters across Vermont, including at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Middlebury College, and Norwich University in Northfield. The same university negligence that allowed this to happen in Texas can occur at any institution. We are ready to bring the same aggressive, thorough, and data-driven approach to hazing litigation for victims throughout Vermont.

To read more about this unfolding case, you can refer to the extensive media coverage:

• ABC13 Houston: Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge, lawsuit alleges
• KHOU 11: $10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations
• Houston Public Media: University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity sued for $10 million over alleged hazing

We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re actively fighting it.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the “Pranks”

For parents in Vermont, the word “hazing” might conjure images of silly pranks or embarrassing rituals. But the reality is far darker. As Leonel Bermudez’s case tragically illustrates, modern hazing is systematic abuse designed to break someone down, physically and psychologically. It is torture, and it often occurs with the full knowledge, or deliberate blindness, of the very institutions entrusted with our children’s safety.

This is not about “boys being boys” or “building brotherhood.” It’s about power, control, and a dangerous perversion of tradition that can lead to severe injury, lasting trauma, and even death.

From our recent lawsuit and other documented hazing incidents nationally, here’s a clearer picture of what hazing looks like today:

1. Physical Abuse:

• Extreme Exercise: Forced calisthenics to the point of collapse, such as 100+ pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (running drills), bear crawls, and wheelbarrows. The goal is often physical exhaustion and breakdown. Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure directly resulted from this.
• Beatings and Paddling: Being struck with wooden paddles, fists, or other objects.
• Branding and Burning: Marking pledges with hot objects or chemicals.
• Exposure: Being forced to strip to underwear in cold weather and sprayed with a garden hose, as Leonel was. Or being exposed to extreme heat, or confined in small spaces.

2. Forced Consumption:

• Alcohol Poisoning: Pledges forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol, sometimes entire bottles, leading to acute alcohol poisoning, a common cause of hazing deaths. The Maxwell Gruver case at LSU involved forced alcohol consumption for incorrect answers in a “Bible Study” quiz.
• Eating until Vomiting: Forced to consume large quantities of distasteful foods or drinks, like milk, hot dogs, or peppercorns, until they vomit, then forced to lie in it or continue physical activity. This happened to Leonel.
• Non-Food Substances: Being made to consume urine, spoiled food, or other repulsive materials.

3. Psychological Torture and Humiliation:

• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: Being sprayed in the face with a hose until they choke, simulating drowning, as Leonel Bermudez endured. Houston Public Media explicitly called waterboarding “a form of torture.”
• Humiliation and Degradation: Carrying degrading objects (like a fanny pack with sexual items, as in Leonel’s case), being forced to wear embarrassing outfits, or being subjected to verbal abuse and insults. Hog-tying another pledge with an object in his mouth, as our lawsuit describes, exemplifies extreme degradation.
• Sleep Deprivation: Forced late-night activities, early morning wake-ups, or being made to drive fraternity members for hours, leading to severe exhaustion.
• Threats and Intimidation: Constantly threatening pledges with physical punishment or expulsion from the fraternity for non-compliance, creating an environment of fear and coercion. As our lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi alleges, Leonel was threatened with immediate expulsion if he stopped exercising.
• Isolation: Limiting contact with outside friends, family, or other pledges.

4. Sexual Abuse:

• Forced Nudity: Being compelled to be nude or nearly nude in front of others.
• Sexual Acts: Being pressured or forced into sexual acts, or carrying sexually explicit objects.

The Medical Consequences are Severe:
Beyond the psychological scars, hazing can lead to devastating physical injuries. Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure are just one example. Others include:

• Acute alcohol poisoning
• Traumatic brain injury from falls or assaults
• Spinal cord injuries
• Hypothermia or heatstroke
• Serious infections from unsanitary conditions or open wounds
• Cardiac arrest from extreme exertion
• Death

For parents in Vermont, it’s vital to recognize that your child’s college experience should never involve these forms of abuse. These are not character-building activities; they are criminal acts that demand legal accountability.

Who Is Responsible: Every Entity Who Participated Or Allowed It

When senseless hazing like what Leonel Bermudez endured occurs, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, wondering how justice can ever be served. The truth is, many parties can be held legally responsible for hazing injuries and deaths. At Attorney911, we are relentless in identifying and pursuing every single entity that played a role, from the students themselves to the deepest pockets of national organizations and powerful universities. This comprehensive approach ensures that all those who contributed to the harm are held accountable, and that victims and their families in Vermont receive the maximum compensation they deserve.

Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston demonstrates this multi-pronged strategy. We are pursuing claims against:

1. The Local Chapter of the Fraternity/Sorority:
The immediate perpetrators are often the most obvious responsible parties. The local chapter is directly liable for orchestrating and carrying out the hazing activities. This includes:

• Chapter Officers: Individuals like the President, Pledgemaster, and Risk Manager, who are typically responsible for organizing and overseeing pledge activities. They have a duty to ensure safety and prevent hazing. Their direct involvement or failure to intervene makes them liable.
• Individual Members: Any active member who participated in, encouraged, or failed to report the hazing can be held personally responsible. Even those who stood by and did nothing while a fellow student was being abused can face legal consequences.
• Former Members and Spouses: In Leonel’s case, former members and their spouses were named as defendants because some major hazing sessions occurred at their private residence. This extends liability to anyone who knowingly provides a venue for hazing to take place.

2. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization:
These entities are almost always the deepest pockets in hazing litigation, and for good reason. National fraternities and sororities have extensive reach, often operating hundreds of chapters across the country, including those near Vermont’s college towns like Burlington, Middlebury, and Northfield. They are liable for:

• Failure to Supervise: Nationals have a responsibility to oversee their local chapters, enforce anti-hazing policies, and ensure member safety. When they fail to do so, they are negligent.
• Knowledge of a “Hazing Crisis”: As alleged in Leonel’s lawsuit, Pi Kappa Phi National had knowledge of a “hazing crisis” nationally and failed to enforce anti-hazing rules. The tragic death of Andrew Coffey at Pi Kappa Phi’s Florida State chapter in 2017 is undeniable proof that the national organization had acute knowledge of their chapters’ deadly hazing culture a full eight years before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. This establishes a pattern of negligence and deliberate indifference.
• Inadequate Policies and Training: If their anti-hazing policies are weak, not enforced, or their training is insufficient, the national organization is liable.
• Brand Responsibility: They benefit from the brand recognition and prestige of Greek life, and therefore must bear responsibility for the harm caused by their chapters.

3. The University or College:
Universities have a profound responsibility to protect their students, and this duty extends to overseeing Greek life, especially when it operates on campus property. Universities like the University of Vermont, Middlebury, or Norwich in Vermont can be held liable for:

• Failure to Supervise/Monitor Greek Life: Universities are responsible for ensuring student organizations, including fraternities, adhere to safety regulations and anti-hazing policies.
• Institutional Knowledge: If the university knew or should have known about hazing incidents on campus (as the University of Houston did, with a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017), their failure to act makes them liable.
• Premises Liability: Crucially in Leonel’s case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. If a university owns or controls the property where hazing occurs, they have a direct responsibility to ensure its safety and prevent illegal activities. They collected rent while students were being tortured.
• Inadequate Enforcement: If a university has anti-hazing policies but fails to enforce them, or if its response to violations is insufficient, it shares accountability.
• Failure to Warn: If the university is aware of hazing patterns and doesn’t adequately warn students or parents, it can be held negligent.

4. Insurance Carriers:
Behind every national organization, university, and often even individual members, are insurance policies. These are the pools of funds from which settlements and verdicts are paid.

• National Organization’s Liability Insurance: These policies are specifically designed to cover claims of negligence, including hazing incidents.
• University’s Institutional Insurance: Universities carry comprehensive liability insurance that can be tapped for hazing claims.
• Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance: In cases where hazing occurs off-campus at a private residence, the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy of the individual hosting the event may provide coverage.

At Attorney911, our team includes former insurance defense attorneys, like Mr. Lupe Peña, who possess invaluable insider knowledge of how insurance companies strategize, value claims, and attempt to minimize payouts. We’ve seen their playbook from the inside, and we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our clients.

The “Deep Pockets” Strategy:
It’s important to understand that hazing cases often involve pursuing organizations with “deep pockets”—those with substantial assets and insurance coverage. This is not about bankrupting college students, though individual perpetrators will face personal accountability. It’s about holding powerful institutions, which often prioritize reputation and revenue over student safety, financially responsible for their systemic failures.

When hazing leaves your child injured in Vermont, we leave no stone unturned. We track every entity, from the local chapter in Burlington or Middlebury to the national headquarters and the university administration, ensuring that everyone who contributed to your child’s trauma is brought to justice.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

Hazing has devastating consequences, but for victims and their families in Vermont, there is a path to justice and substantial compensation. The cases we present below are not just statistics; they are human stories of immense tragedy and, ultimately, of significant legal victories. These multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements send an undeniable message: hazing will not be tolerated, and the institutions that permit it will pay a heavy price. These precedents demonstrate that our demand of $10 million in the Leonel Bermudez case is not only justified but is consistent with outcomes in similar hazing incidents across the country. The same legal strategies apply to hazing cases throughout Vermont, and we are ready to bring them to bear.

Here are some of the landmark cases that have shaped hazing litigation in America:

1. Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Total Recovery: $10.1 Million+

• What Happened: In March 2021, 20-year-old Stone Foltz, a pledge at Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) at Bowling Green State University, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during an initiation event. He was found unresponsive the next morning and died from acute alcohol poisoning.
• The Outcome: The university settled with the family for $2.9 million. The national fraternity and other individual defendants settled for $7.2 million, making the total over $10.1 million and the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. Beyond this, in December 2024, a judgment of $6.5 million was issued against Daylen Dunson, the former chapter president, personally, for his role in the hazing. The fraternity was permanently expelled, and multiple individuals faced criminal convictions.
• Relevance to Vermont Families: This case is a direct blueprint for why our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case is appropriate. It shows that universities and national fraternities both contribute significantly to settlements, and that individual perpetrators can face massive personal liability far exceeding our initial $10 million target for Leonel. The same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, has chapters in Vermont.

2. Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)
Total Recovery: $6.1 Million Jury Verdict

• What Happened: In September 2017, 18-year-old Maxwell Gruver, an LSU freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning (with a BAC of 0.495, six times the legal limit) during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” event. He was forced to chug liquor for answering questions incorrectly.
• The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family $6.1 million. Several fraternity members faced criminal charges, with one convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced to prison. The tragedy spurred the creation of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making hazing a felony offense.
• Relevance to Vermont Families: This jury verdict proves that sympathetic juries are willing to award multi-million dollar sums for hazing deaths. It highlights both civil and criminal avenues for justice, demonstrating what is possible for hazing claims arising from Vermont.

3. Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)
Total Recovery: $110 Million+ (Estimated in Multiple Settlements)

• What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old Penn State pledge, was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi “gauntlet” ritual. His BAC reached 0.36. He suffered multiple falls, including down a flight of stairs, resulting in a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911. He died two days later. Security cameras captured the entire horrific event.
• The Outcome: The Piazza family reportedly received over $110 million in settlements from multiple parties, including Penn State and the Beta Theta Pi national fraternity. Multiple fraternity members were charged with crimes, with several convicted of involuntary manslaughter, hazing, and other offenses. Pennsylvania passed the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, significantly strengthening anti-hazing penalties.
• Relevance to Vermont Families: This case demonstrates that with compelling evidence and egregious conduct, settlements can reach staggering figures. It also underscores how hazing deaths drive potent legislative change and force universities to drastically re-evaluate Greek life oversight.

4. Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
The Same National Fraternity in Our Current $10M Lawsuit

• What Happened: In November 2017, 20-year-old Andrew Coffey, a pledge at Pi Kappa Phi (the same national fraternity in our current lawsuit), was forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a “Big Brother Night.” He was found unresponsive the next morning and died from acute alcohol poisoning.
• The Outcome: Nine fraternity members faced criminal hazing charges, and the chapter was permanently closed at FSU. A civil settlement was reached with the family (amount confidential).
• Relevance to Vermont Families: This case is a damning indictment of Pi Kappa Phi National. Andrew Coffey’s death a full eight years before Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded provides irrefutable evidence that Pi Kappa Phi National knew its chapters engaged in deadly hazing. They had ample time to implement changes, but failed to do so—a critical piece of pattern evidence in our present case, showing deliberate indifference. Pi Kappa Phi, like many national fraternities, has chapters near universities in Vermont.

5. Adam Oakes — Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021)
Total Recovery: $4 Million+ Settlement

• What Happened: In February 2021, Adam Oakes, an 18-year-old VCU freshman, died from alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi fraternity bid celebration where he was forced to consume a large bottle of whiskey.
• The Outcome: The lawsuit, initially filed for $28 million, resulted in a settlement of over $4 million from various parties, including the national fraternity. Six fraternity members faced criminal hazing charges. Virginia then passed “Adam’s Law,” expanding hazing definitions and requiring prevention policies.
• Relevance to Vermont Families: This case again shows the substantial settlements achieved for hazing deaths and the power of such tragedies to spark new legislation. The initial demand of $28 million shows serious intent by the victim’s attorneys for significant compensation.

6. University of Houston / Pi Kappa Alpha (2017)
Previous Hazing Case at Our Current Defendant University

• What Happened: In 2017, just eight years before Leonel Bermudez’s hazing, another University of Houston student, Jared Munoz, was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen after hazing by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
• The Outcome: Munoz filed a $1 million lawsuit. A Harris County grand jury indicted the national Pi Kappa Alpha organization, though criminal charges were later dismissed on constitutional grounds.
• Relevance to Vermont Families: This is critical “institutional knowledge” for the University of Houston. They knew hazing was occurring on their campus and had already caused severe injury. Their failure to prevent the Leonel Bermudez incident eight years later speaks to a profound and ongoing institutional negligence directly relevant to what happened on their campus.

The Power of Precedent:
These cases send a clear message. When a child is harmed by hazing at a university or fraternity in Vermont, the legal precedents exist to pursue justice. The collective settlements and verdicts in these cases total well over $136 million, demonstrating the immense financial and legal exposure facing negligent fraternities, national organizations, and universities. These are not one-off incidents; they represent a national pattern that demands accountability. We are equipped with this knowledge and the aggressive litigation strategies to ensure that the same level of accountability is brought to your case in Vermont.

Vermont Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights Beyond the “Consent” Myth

For families in Vermont grappling with the aftermath of hazing, it’s crucial to understand that the law is on your side, not the side of the perpetrators or the institutions that enable them. While our firm is based in Texas, the foundational legal principles that guide our aggressive pursuit of justice against hazing are universal, reinforced by specific state laws and strengthened by our federal court authority. We are prepared to apply these principles to hazing cases throughout Vermont, ensuring that your rights are protected regardless of where the incident occurred.

The Myth of Consent:
One of the most insidious arguments hazing perpetrators and their institutions often make is that the victim “consented” to the hazing. They will claim your child knew what they were “signing up for,” or that they could have “left at any time.” This is a lie, and the law explicitly rejects it.

In Texas, where our landmark $10 million lawsuit is unfolding, the law is unambiguous. Texas Education Code § 37.154 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 is a critical legal principle that guides our approach to every hazing case, including those from Vermont. Victims of hazing are often subjected to immense peer pressure, psychological manipulation, threats of social exclusion, and fear of retaliation if they don’t comply. This coercion actively negates any genuine “consent.” You cannot legally consent to be assaulted, tortured, or placed in life-threatening danger. The law recognizes this, and so do we.

Hazing Laws in Vermont (and Nationally):
While there might be nuances between state laws, anti-hazing statutes are in place across most states, providing victims with crucial protections. These laws typically define hazing broadly to include any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization. The core elements are generally similar to Texas law, which defines hazing as:

• Physical brutality: Such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, or placing harmful substances on the body. (Leonel was struck with wooden paddles and forced into extreme physical exertion.)
• Endangerment to health or safety: Including sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, or calisthenics that pose an unreasonable risk of harm. (Leonel suffered waterboarding, forced extreme exercise leading to kidney failure, and exposure to cold.)
• Forced consumption: Requiring the consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk or adversely affect health. (Leonel was forced to eat until he vomited.)
• Acts violating criminal law: Any activity that requires a student to perform a task that involves a violation of the Penal Code.

These definitions mean that the types of abuse Leonel Bermudez endured would likely meet the definition of criminal hazing in most states, including Vermont.

Criminal and Civil Liability:
Hazing can lead to both criminal charges for individual perpetrators and civil lawsuits for financial compensation for victims.

• Criminal Penalties: Many states classify hazing as a misdemeanor or even a felony, especially when it results in serious bodily injury or death. In Texas, hazing causing serious bodily injury is a Class A Misdemeanor (up to a year in jail), and hazing causing death is a State Jail Felony (up to two years in state jail). The University of Houston spokesperson has already mentioned “potential criminal charges” in Leonel’s case, confirming the criminal nature of these acts.
• Organizational Liability: Beyond individuals, organizations (both local chapters and national headquarters) can face penalties such as fines, loss of recognition, and forfeiture of property. In civil suits, organizations are held liable for condoning or encouraging hazing, or for the actions of their officers or members.
• University Reporting Requirements: Many states mandate that educational institutions report hazing incidents. Failure to do so can also carry criminal penalties for university administrators.

Civil Lawsuits: Your Path to Compensation:
Regardless of criminal charges, civil lawsuits allow victims in Vermont to pursue comprehensive financial compensation for:

1. Negligence Claims: This is a broad legal theory applicable in all states, including Vermont. It asserts that the college, fraternity, or individuals had a duty to protect students, breached that duty through their actions or inactions, and that this breach directly caused your child’s injuries and damages.
2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurred on property owned or controlled by the university (as in Leonel’s case, where UH owned the fraternity house) or by the fraternity’s housing corporation, these entities can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
3. Negligent Supervision: This applies when national fraternities fail to adequately supervise their local chapters, or when universities fail to properly monitor Greek life activities.
4. Assault and Battery: These are intentional torts, meaning they involve deliberate harmful or offensive contact. Every individual who participated in physical hazing (like paddling or waterboarding) can be sued individually.
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): This claim arises from extreme and outrageous conduct that causes severe emotional suffering. The psychological torture and humiliation common in hazing often meet the high threshold for IIED.
6. Wrongful Death: In the most tragic cases, when hazing leads to a student’s death, families can file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages for their profound loss, including the loss of future income, companionship, and emotional support.

These legal avenues exist to ensure that victims in Vermont have the opportunity to hold all responsible parties—individuals, local fraternity chapters, national organizations, and universities—accountable for the harm caused by hazing. With Attorney911, your family gains a powerful advocate who understands these laws and knows how to build a winning case.

Why Attorney911: Your Trusted Legal Emergency A-Team, Ready for Vermont Hazing Cases

When your child is harmed by hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a legal emergency team that understands the gravity of your situation and knows how to fight powerful institutions. Attorney911, Legal Emergency Lawyers™, is that team. Headquartered in Texas, with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we proudly serve hazing victims and their families in Vermont and nationwide. We leverage state-of-the-art technology for remote consultations and are fully prepared to travel to Vermont for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever justice demands.

Here’s why families in Vermont, facing the nightmare of hazing, choose Attorney911:

1. We Are Actively Fighting Hazing, Right Now:
Many firms talk about hazing, but we are in the courtroom actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t a theoretical exercise for us; it’s a live, ongoing battle. This means:

• Current Expertise: We are deeply immersed in the latest hazing litigation strategies, evidence collection, and defendant tactics.
• Proven Aggression: Our actions in court speak louder than words. We named 13 individuals, the local chapter, the national fraternity, and the university in our lawsuit, demonstrating our willingness to pursue everyone responsible.
• Real-World Results: Our rapid filing of this lawsuit just weeks after the incident ensures critical evidence is preserved and justice is pursued swiftly. For Vermont families, this means you get a legal team already engaged in the fight you need.

2. Decades of Battle-Tested Trial Experience:
Our lead attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, bring a combined 37+ years of intensive courtroom experience. This isn’t just about knowing the law; it’s about knowing how to win:

• Ralph P. Manginello (Male): With over 25 years in litigation, Ralph is a seasoned trial attorney whose experience includes multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation against corporate giants like BP following the Texas City refinery explosion. He understands how to take on massive defendants and win. His journalism background makes him an expert investigator and storyteller, crucial for exposing hidden hazing truths. He has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, directly relevant to Leonel Bermudez’s injuries. As a Hall of Fame athlete and youth coach, he understands team dynamics and the environments where hazing sometimes thrives.
• Lupe Eleno Peña (Male): Lupe brings over 12 years of litigation experience, including extensive experience in wrongful death, dram shop liability (relevant to forced alcohol hazing), and catastrophic injury cases. His meticulous approach and deep understanding of complex litigation make him a formidable advocate.

3. Insider Knowledge of Insurance Defense Tactics:
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. This is an unparalleled advantage for our clients in Vermont:

• They know the playbook: They understand exactly how insurance companies and corporate legal teams strategize to minimize payouts, delay claims, and discredit victims.
• They anticipate defenses: Having worked on the other side, they can predict and neutralize defense arguments before they are even made.
• Maximum Leverage: This insider perspective allows us to negotiate from a position of strength, ensuring you receive the maximum compensation possible. As Lupe puts it, you get an attorney “willing to outwork, outsmart, and outfight the other side.”

4. Nationwide Reach with Federal Authority and Dual-State Licensing:
Hazing by national fraternities is a national problem. While you may be in Vermont, these organizations operate across state lines. Our firm is uniquely positioned to pursue justice for you:

• Federal Court Admissions: We are admitted to the U.S. District Courts, granting us the authority to litigate cases in federal jurisdiction, which is often crucial when dealing with national organizations.
• Dual-State Bar Admissions: Ralph Manginello is licensed in both Texas AND New York. This dual licensing provides a strategic advantage, especially when dealing with national fraternities headquartered in states like New York, allowing us to pursue legal avenues in multiple jurisdictions.
• We Travel to Vermont: We regularly handle cases across America. Distance is not a barrier to justice. We offer video consultations for convenience and will travel to Vermont for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary.

5. Comprehensive Approach to Accountability:
When we take a hazing case in Vermont, we leave no stone unturned in identifying and pursuing all liable parties:

• Individual Perpetrators: Holding students responsible for their direct actions.
• Local Chapters: For their role in orchestrating and allowing abuse.
• National Organizations: For their systemic failures, negligence, and deliberate indifference.
• Universities: For their failure to supervise, protect students, and prevent hazing on their campuses or properties.
• Housing Corporations: For premises liability where hazing occurred.

6. Client-Centered Philosophy with Contingency Fees:
We understand the trauma and financial stress hazing can inflict.

• Contingency Fees: Vermont families pay $0 upfront. We cover all litigation costs, and you only pay us if we win your case. This levels the playing field against well-funded institutions. As Ralph is fond of saying, “Your lawyer doesn’t get paid until you get paid.” (See our video explaining “How Contingency Fees Work” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc).
• Compassionate Support: Our team is bilingual (Se Habla Español), empathetic, and genuinely dedicated to our clients. We keep you informed at every step, providing clarity and support during a difficult time. As one client, Chad Harris, said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.”
• Social Proof: Our 4.9-star rating on Google with over 250 reviews reflects our commitment to client satisfaction and results, earning us the trust of families across Texas and beyond.

Hazing is a legal emergency. Just like an ambulance rushes to a medical emergency, Attorney911 rushes to your legal emergency. We move FIRST, FAST, and DECISIVELY. If a university, fraternity, or insurance company tries to silence hazing victims in Vermont, we will take them to court. Your child’s safety and future are worth fighting for, and we are prepared to fight aggressively for you.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Guidance for Vermont Families

If your child in Vermont has been a victim of hazing, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. What you do (or don’t do) can significantly impact your ability to seek justice and recover compensation. It’s often a time of shock, confusion, and fear, but swift, decisive action is paramount. Here is essential, actionable guidance to protect your child’s health, preserve evidence, and safeguard your legal rights.

1. Prioritize Your Child’s Health and Safety:

• Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Even if injuries seem minor, or if psychological distress is the primary concern, get professional medical help. Adrenaline can mask pain, and the full extent of injuries (like Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis symptoms) may not appear for days. Insist on a thorough examination and ensure everything is documented. If offered an ambulance, take it. Do not delay treatment.
• Document Everything Medically: Ensure doctors and emergency room staff document how injuries occurred and where. Keep copies of all medical records, hospital visits, doctor’s notes, test results, and therapy records. This creates an indisputable record linking the injuries to the hazing. Delaying treatment gives the defense grounds to argue the injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by hazing.

2. Preserve All Evidence – Everything is Crucial:
Hazing often occurs in secrecy, but digital footprints and physical evidence can reveal the truth.

• Take Photos and Videos: If safe to do so, capture photos and videos of:
  • Any injuries at all stages of healing (bruises, marks, swelling).
  • The hazing location, if possible (fraternity house, off-campus residence, specific room).
  • Any physical evidence related to the hazing (clothing, objects used, alcohol containers, vomit).
  • Even if your child is hospitalized or unable, if friends or witnesses can do this, it is invaluable.
• Save All Communications: Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat stories, Instagram DMs, emails, and any other digital communications are often treasure troves of evidence. These can show instructions, threats, coercion, discussions about hazing, or even admissions of guilt. DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. Deleting messages can be considered spoliation of evidence, which can harm your case. (Watch our video “Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs).
• Identify Witnesses: Gather names and contact information for anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, fraternity members who might be willing to speak out, or even bystanders.
• Document Fraternity/University Documents: Save any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, “expectations” documents, or emails/communications from the fraternity/sorority or university related to pledge activities. These may contradict official anti-hazing policies.
• Keep Financial Records: Track all medical bills, therapy costs, expenses related to missed school or work, and any other financial losses incurred due to the hazing.

3. Crucial “Don’ts” – Protect Your Case:
What you don’t do is as important as what you do.

• DO NOT Talk to Fraternity/Sorority Leadership or University Administration Alone: They are not on your side. Their priority is to protect the institution. They may try to get you to sign waivers, make statements, or agree to solutions that undermine your legal rights. All communication should go through your attorney.
• DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the fraternity, the university, or their representatives without legal counsel review. You could be waiving crucial rights.
• DO NOT Post on Social Media: Anything posted on social media – photos, comments, emotional reactions, or even pictures showing your child “doing fine” – can be used by the defense to discredit claims of injury or suffering. Instruct your child to immediately stop all social media activity related to the incident and their recovery. (Watch our video “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” for more details).
• DO NOT Give Recorded Statements: Insurance adjusters and university representatives may request recorded statements. They are trained to elicit information that can be used against you. Politely decline and refer them to your attorney.
• DO NOT Delay: The statute of limitations (the legal deadline to file a lawsuit) for personal injury claims in most states, including Vermont, is typically two years from the date of the injury. For wrongful death, it’s two years from the date of death. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and opportunities for justice close quickly. Our firm acted within weeks in the Bermudez case – that’s the urgency needed. (See our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c).

4. Contact Attorney911 Immediately:
As soon as your child’s safety and immediate medical needs are addressed, your next step should be to call us.

• Free Consultation: We offer a free, confidential consultation to families in Vermont. There’s no obligation, just an opportunity to understand your options.
• Nationwide Service: Regardless of whether the hazing occurred at the University of Vermont, Middlebury College, Norwich University, or any other institution, our nationwide reach, federal court experience, and willingness to travel mean we can help you.
• Experience Matters: We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit. This direct, recent experience means we know the complexities and strategies required to win.

We understand that taking these steps can be overwhelming when you’re deeply worried about your child. But remember, the perpetrators and institutions you’re up against have legal teams ready to protect them. You need one too. Let us be that team for you.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Team is Ready for Vermont Hazing Cases

If your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing at a fraternity in Vermont, a sorority in a neighboring state, or any student organization across the country, you are facing a legal emergency. This is not a moment for hesitation or quiet suffering. This is a moment to act decisively, to seek justice, and to hold every responsible party accountable.

At Attorney911, we are your Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit on behalf of a victim just like your child. We know what hazing looks like, what it does, and how to make the perpetrators and negligent institutions pay for the damage they inflict. We are ready to bring that relentless fight to your case in Vermont.

Vermont Parents: You are not alone. And you do not have to fight this battle by yourselves.

Call Us Now – The Consultation is FREE.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

This hotline is available 24/7. Day or night, when a legal emergency impacts your family in Vermont, we are here to listen and to act.

Email Us Anytime:
ralph@atty911.com
We respond promptly to all inquiries, understanding the urgency of your situation.

Visit Our Website:
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Find more resources, attorney profiles, and client testimonials.

We Work on Contingency – No Upfront Costs for Vermont Families:
We understand that the last thing you need right now is another financial burden. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis.

• You pay $0 upfront to hire our firm.
• We cover all litigation costs and expenses.
• You only pay us if we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing. This ensures that expert legal representation is accessible to every family in Vermont, regardless of their financial situation. (Watch our video explaining “How Contingency Fees Work” for more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc).

Nationwide Reach, Dedicated to Vermont Families:
While our headquarters are in Houston, Texas, our commitment to hazing victims extends across the United States, including Vermont. Hazing is a national crisis, and we bring a national-level response.

• Remote Consultations: We offer convenient and confidential video consultations, allowing families throughout Vermont to connect with our experienced attorneys from the comfort of their homes.
• We Travel to Vermont: For critical stages of your case, such as depositions, witness interviews, or court proceedings, our attorneys are prepared to travel to Vermont. Distance will not be a barrier to securing justice for your child.
• Federal Court Authority: Our admission to U.S. District Courts and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) provide us with the jurisdictional reach necessary to pursue national fraternities and universities, wherever they may be headquartered or operate chapters.

Don’t let shame, fear, or loyalty prevent you from seeking justice. The people who harmed your child, and the institutions that enabled them, count on your silence. We believe Leonel Bermudez’s case will send a powerful message nationwide, including to every university and fraternity in Vermont. Your case can amplify that message and protect future generations.

If your family in Vermont has been impacted by hazing, reach out to us today. Let us be your voice, your shield, and your sword in the fight for accountability and healing.

Attorney911: IMMEDIATE HELP FOR VERMONT HAZING VICTIMS. AGGRESSIVE REPRESENTATION. LIFE-CHANGING RESULTS.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.