If you’re reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, build a community, and shape their future. Instead, they were tortured. They were abused. They were hazed. We understand the fear, the anger, and the profound sense of betrayal you must be feeling. We’re here to help families in Virginia fight back.

At Attorney911, we are not just legal advocates; we are a dedicated team of legal emergency lawyers who have seen firsthand the devastating impact of hazing. We believe that no student in Virginia, or anywhere else, should endure such brutality under the guise of “tradition” or “brotherhood.” We are actively engaged in the fight against hazing right now, representing a client in a landmark $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university. This isn’t just a mission for us; it’s an ongoing battle in the courtroom, and we bring that same aggressive, data-driven, and relentless pursuit of justice to every hazing case we handle, including those here in Virginia.

We know that for parents in Virginia, sending a child off to college is a moment of hope and pride. You trust that institutions like the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, George Mason, James Madison University, or William & Mary will protect your children. You never imagine they might face abuse that could alter their lives forever. Our goal with this comprehensive guide is to empower you with knowledge, offer clear guidance, and assure you that you have a powerful advocate in your corner. We are here to help turn your pain into accountability and ensure that those responsible for your child’s suffering face the full consequences of their actions.

The Haunting Glimpse of Hazing: What Happened in Houston, And What Can Happen in Virginia

The nightmare of hazing is not confined to any one state or university. What happened recently in Houston serves as a stark warning to families in Virginia about the insidious reality of hazing on college campuses today. Our firm, Attorney911, is currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the national fraternity of Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity members for the horrific hazing of our client, Leonel Bermudez. This case is not just a legal battle; it’s a testament to the aggressive and thorough representation we provide, showing Virginia families exactly what kind of fight we bring to the table.

Leonel Bermudez’s Story: A Warning for Virginia Families

Leonel Bermudez was not even an enrolled student at the University of Houston when he accepted a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity in September 2025. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective transfer student planning to enroll the following semester. Despite not fully being a part of the university community yet, he was subjected to an escalating campaign of systematic abuse and torture that landed him in the hospital for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

The hazing Leonel endured was not some harmless prank. It was pure brutality:

• Waterboarding with a Garden Hose: Leonel was sprayed in the face with a hose while doing calisthenics, a terrifying simulation of drowning, a recognized form of torture.
• Hog-Tying: Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. This wasn’t isolated; it was part of a culture of degradation.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: He was forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, then made to continue running sprints while in physical distress, finally lying in vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: Weeks of grueling, high-intensity exercises, including over 100 pushups, 500 squats, “high-volume suicides,” bear crawls, and repeated 100-yard crawls. This forced exertion continued until he could not stand without help, pushing his body past its breaking point.
• Physical Beatings: The lawsuit alleges pledges, including Leonel, were struck with wooden paddles.
• Psychological Torture: Forced to carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times, threatening constant humiliation and the terrifying prospect of physical punishment or expulsion if he failed to comply.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges were forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, causing severe exhaustion that impacted their daily functioning.

This systematic abuse left Leonel Bermudez passing brown urine—a critical sign of muscle breakdown—and suffering acute kidney failure, a life-threatening condition. He underwent intensive medical treatment during his four-day hospitalization. He faces ongoing risks of permanent kidney damage.

The Institutional Response (and Lack Thereof)

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters suspended the University of Houston chapter. On November 14, 2025 – a full week before our lawsuit was filed – the national organization officially closed the Beta Nu Chapter. This seemingly swift action, however, highlights their awareness and culpability. They knew something egregious enough to warrant immediate closure had occurred, long before our legal action brought it to public light.

The University of Houston, despite owning the fraternity house where some of these horrific acts took place, initially offered a boilerplate statement acknowledging “deeply disturbing” events and “clear violation of our community standards,” mentioning “potential criminal charges.” This kind of institutional language often masks a deeper failure to protect students.

As Attorney Ralph Manginello stated to ABC13, describing Leonel’s terrifying ordeal: “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.” Attorney Lupe Pena emphasized our broader goal: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Why This Houston Case Resonates in Virginia

For families across Virginia, from the rolling hills of Charlottesville to the bustling campuses of Richmond and Blacksburg, the Bermudez case is a crucial warning.

• Same Fraternities, Same Dangers: Pi Kappa Phi has over 150 chapters across America, including those near Virginia’s colleges and universities like the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, or George Mason University in Fairfax. The “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez can exist in any of these chapters.
• Universities Must Be Accountable: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where some hazing occurred, yet failed to prevent it. Universities in Virginia, whether public like James Madison University or private like the University of Richmond, have a legal and moral obligation to protect their students, and they can be held liable when they fail.
• Systemic Failure: This case exposes the systemic issues within Greek life and institutional oversight that allow hazing to flourish. Whether your child attends a large state school or a smaller private college in Virginia, they face similar risks if these institutions don’t take a proactive stance against hazing.
• A Call to Action: The Bermudez lawsuit is proof that aggressive legal action can hold powerful organizations accountable. If your child has been hazed at a university in Virginia, we are ready to bring the same level of fight to your case.

This case is new. It is ongoing. It is a testament to everything Attorney911 stands for: aggressive representation, data-driven strategy, and relentless pursuit of accountability for every single entity responsible for hazing injuries. We don’t just talk about fighting hazing; we’re doing it right now, and we’re ready to fight for your family in Virginia too.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in Virginia envision hazing as harmless pranks or foolish-yet-benign initiation rituals. The reality exposed in cases like Leonel Bermudez’s is far more sinister and dangerous. Hazing today, particularly within some fraternity and sorority cultures, has become synonymous with abuse, torture, psychological torment, and life-threatening activities. It’s not about building camaraderie; it’s about breaking individuals down, instilling blind loyalty through fear, and often, enabling criminal behavior.

For Virginia parents who might be unsure if their child’s experience constitutes hazing, understand that it encompasses a wide range of actions designed to humiliate, degrade, or endanger. These activities are often kept secret due to fear of retaliation, making it even harder for victims to speak out and for institutions to intervene.

Categories of Hazing We’ve Exposed and Fought:

1. Physical Abuse: This is direct bodily harm, often disguised as “workouts” or “discipline.”

   • Beatings and Paddling: As alleged in the Bermudez case with wooden paddles. This can include punching, kicking, or forced contact with objects.
   • Forced Exercise to Exhaustion: Pushing pledges beyond their physical limits, as Leonel’s 500 squats and 100 pushups illustrate, leading to severe injuries like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
   • Branding or Burning: Intentional infliction of burns or permanent marks on the body.
   • Extreme Calisthenics: Sustained and dangerous drills like “high-volume suicides,” bear crawls, and wheelbarrows that cause immense pain and injury risk.
   • Exposure to Elements: Forcing pledges to strip in cold weather or endure harsh environmental conditions.

2. Forced Consumption: This category often involves substances that result in serious illness, injury, or death.

   • Binge Drinking: Forcing pledges to consume excessive amounts of alcohol, often rapidly or as punishment, leading to alcohol poisoning and death, as seen in the tragic cases of Andrew Coffey, Max Gruver, and Stone Foltz.
   • Eating Until Vomiting: Compel pledges to eat enormous quantities of food, or disgusting concoctions, until they become violently ill, as Leonel Bermudez experienced with milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns.
   • Consumption of Non-Food Substances: Making individuals consume non-edible items, or liquids to induce vomiting or humiliation.

3. Psychological Torture and Humiliation: These tactics aim to break a person’s spirit, erode self-worth, and establish dominance.

   • Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: As Leonel experienced with a garden hose, this is a terrifying and traumatic act designed to induce fear of death.
   • Verbal Abuse and Degradation: Constant insults, threats, and demeaning language.
   • Sexual Humiliation: Forcing pledges to wear degrading items, perform sexual acts, or endure sexually suggestive behavior, like Leonel being made to carry a fanny pack with sexual objects.
   • Isolation and Exclusion: Deliberately ostracizing individuals to increase their dependence on the group.
   • Threats of Retaliation: Creating an atmosphere of fear where victims are terrified to report the abuse. Our client, Leonel, was “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.”

4. Sleep Deprivation and Exhaustion: Depriving individuals of sleep to impair judgment, increase vulnerability, and ensure compliance.

   • Forced Late Nights/Early Mornings: Requiring pledges to stay up for hours or drive members during early morning hours, leading to dangerous exhaustion.
   • Constant Activity: Jamming a pledge’s schedule with mandatory activities that leave no time for rest or recovery.

5. Sexual Abuse: This is a particularly heinous form of hazing that often goes unreported due to the profound trauma and shame involved.

   • Forced Nudity: Requiring individuals to be naked in front of others.
   • Sexual Assault: Any non-consensual sexual contact.

These are not “pranks” for building character. These are criminal acts that leave lasting physical and psychological scars. For parents in Virginia sending their children to schools like Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, known for its Greek life social scene, or Old Dominion University in Norfolk, where student life is vibrant, understanding the scope of real hazing is vital. These forms of abuse are designed to instill fear and control, and they demand immediate, aggressive legal intervention. We want Virginia families to know that if their child has experienced any of these acts, we are ready to fight for them.

Who Is Responsible? Holding All Enabling Institutions Accountable

When hazing occurs in Virginia, it’s rarely just one individual acting alone. The reality is that a complex web of individuals and institutions often contributes to, enables, or turns a blind eye to the abuse. At Attorney911, our strategy is aggressive and comprehensive: we pursue every single entity that bears legal responsibility, ensuring that those with the power to prevent hazing, from individual perpetrators to national organizations and universities, are held fully accountable.

Our landmark $10 million lawsuit in the Leonel Bermudez case exemplifies this approach, naming a wide array of defendants. This is the blueprint we bring to every hazing case, including those arising in Virginia.

Here are the categories of defendants we target:

1. The Local Chapter and Individual Perpetrators:

These are the hands-on participants and organizers of the hazing.

• Chapter Officers: Individuals like the Fraternity President and Pledgemaster have direct leadership responsibility. They plan, direct, and oversee pledge activities, including hazing. They are often the most direct orchestrators of the abuse.
• Current Members: Any active member who actively participates in hazing activities, encourages them, or fails to intervene when they witness abuse, can be held individually liable through claims of assault, battery, or negligence.
• Former Members and Their Spouses: In the Bermudez case, former members and their spouses were named as defendants because major hazing sessions occurred at their residence. This extends liability to anyone who knowingly provides a venue for hazing or allows it to happen on their property. This principle applies in Virginia, where hazing often occurs in off-campus housing or private homes.

Why They’re Liable: They are directly responsible for the acts of abuse, assault, battery, and reckless endangerment. Their personal actions directly caused harm. The Stone Foltz case shows that individual chapter presidents can be held personally liable for millions.

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization:

These are the overarching bodies that charter, oversee, and claim to regulate their local chapters.

• Failure to Supervise: The national organization has a duty to ensure its chapters comply with anti-hazing policies and state laws. When they fail to adequately supervise, train, or discipline chapters, they are liable.
• Knowledge of Prior Incidents: As demonstrated by the Andrew Coffey tragedy in 2017 involving Pi Kappa Phi, national organizations often have a history of hazing incidents across their network. If they knew about a “hazing crisis” (as alleged in the Bermudez lawsuit) but failed to act effectively, they are grossly negligent.
• Deep Pockets: National fraternities and sororities are often multi-million dollar corporations with substantial assets, endowments, and liability insurance policies designed to cover such incidents. They represent the “deepest pockets” in hazing litigation.

Why They’re Liable: Their inaction despite widespread hazing, as evidenced by recurring incidents across chapters, demonstrates a systemic failure to protect students. They have the power, resources, and responsibility to prevent hazing within their organization.

3. The University or College:

Educational institutions have a profound responsibility to protect their students from harm on and off campus, especially when they recognize organizations like fraternities and sororities.

• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned property, such as the fraternity house in the Bermudez case, the university can be held liable as a property owner for failing to maintain a safe environment. This could apply to dorms, campus facilities, or university-recognized Greek housing at schools like Mary Washington University or Longwood University in Virginia.
• Negligent Supervision: Universities recognize Greek letter organizations, provide administrative support, and often have specific rules and regulations governing their behavior. A failure to enforce these rules, adequately supervise Greek life, or respond effectively to reports of hazing constitutes negligent supervision.
• Prior Knowledge: If a university has a history of hazing incidents (like the University of Houston did even before Leonel’s incident), it has a heightened duty to act. Its failure to implement effective preventative measures demonstrates deliberate indifference.
• Institutional Policies: Universities often have explicit anti-hazing policies. Failure to enforce these policies or providing insufficient resources to enforce them indicates systemic negligence.

Why They’re Liable: Universities collect tuition dollars under the implicit promise of a safe educational environment. They have the authority to regulate student organizations and take disciplinary action. When they fall short of this duty, they are accountable.

4. Insurance Carriers:

Behind every national organization, university, and often individuals, there are insurance policies.

• National Liability Insurance: These policies are specifically designed to cover lawsuits against national fraternities and sororities.
• Institutional Coverage: Universities carry broad liability insurance to protect against claims of negligence, premises liability, and inadequate security.
• Homeowner’s/Renter’s Insurance: For hazing that occurs at off-campus residences, these policies may provide coverage for individual defendants.
• Umbrella Policies: High-net-worth individuals or organizations may have additional umbrella policies that provide extra layers of coverage.

Why They’re Liable: Insurance companies are ultimately the source of financial recovery in many hazing cases. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena bring invaluable insider knowledge on how to navigate these policies and maximize compensation for our clients.

5. Other Potentially Liable Parties:

Depending on the specific facts of a case, other entities could also be responsible.

• Alumni Boards/Advisors: These groups often provide oversight, funding, or direct guidance to local chapters. Their negligence in allowing hazing to occur can make them liable.
• Event Organizers/Vendors: If outside parties contribute to an environment where hazing is facilitated (e.g., providing alcohol to minors), they could also be brought into a lawsuit.

We want families across Virginia who are reeling from hazing incidents to understand that we leave no stone unturned. From the individual college student who perpetrated the abuse to the sprawling national organization and the university that provided the environment, anyone who played a role in facilitating or failing to prevent hazing will face our aggressive pursuit of justice.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof That Justice Prevails

For Virginia families grappling with the aftermath of hazing, understanding the potential for significant legal recovery is crucial. These cases are not just about justice; they are also about financial compensation for devastating injuries, lost futures, and profound emotional suffering. We want you to know that multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in hazing cases are not only possible but increasingly common when aggressive legal action is taken.

The $10 million lawsuit we’ve filed in the Leonel Bermudez case is grounded in established precedents set by other families nationwide who have fought back against the horror of hazing. These landmark cases send an unmistakable message: hazing costs enormous sums, and Attorney911 is prepared to secure that compensation for victims in Virginia.

Here are some of the critical precedents that demonstrate the power of hazing litigation, and why your case in Virginia deserves the same level of advocacy:

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021) – Total: $10.1 Million+

• What Happened: After a “Big/Little” event in March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Bowling Green State University, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol. He was found unresponsive the next morning and died from acute alcohol poisoning.
• The Outcome: The Foltz family secured over $10.1 million in combined settlements. Bowling Green State University paid $2.9 million, and the Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity and other individuals contributed $7.2 million. Additionally, in December 2024, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally, proving that individual perpetrators cannot hide from accountability. This tragedy also led to Ohio’s “Collin’s Law,” strengthening anti-hazing statutes.
• Why It Matters for Virginia: The $10 million demand in our Bermudez lawsuit is directly aligned with this precedent. It demonstrates that when hazing causes severe injury or death, the responsible parties—including universities and national fraternities—are forced to pay millions. The personal liability judgment against the chapter president is a powerful warning to individual hazers within Virginia fraternities.

Maxwell Gruver: Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017) – Total: $6.1 Million Verdict

• What Happened: In September 2017, Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman at LSU, died from acute alcohol poisoning (BAC of 0.495) after a Phi Delta Theta hazing ritual known as “Bible Study.” Pledges were forced to drink heavily whenever they answered questions incorrectly.
• The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family a $6.1 million verdict. The case also led to the passage of Louisiana’s “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony and increasing penalties. Criminal convictions, including negligent homicide, were also secured against individual fraternity members.
• Why It Matters for Virginia: This jury verdict unequivocally shows that when hazing cases proceed to trial, juries are willing to award substantial sums to victims and their families. The egregiousness of the conduct in the Bermudez case—waterboarding, physical abuse—carries similar, if not greater, potential for an outraged jury in Virginia.

Timothy Piazza: Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017) – Total: $110 Million+ (Estimated)

• What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge at Penn State, was forced to consume 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event. He fell repeatedly down basement stairs, suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911.
• The Outcome: The Piazza family reached confidential settlements totaling an estimated $110 million+. Both criminal charges against 18 fraternity members and civil lawsuits resulted in convictions for involuntary manslaughter and other offenses. This tragedy spurred Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law,” one of the nation’s strictest.
• Why It Matters for Virginia: This case underscores the catastrophic financial, criminal, and legislative consequences when hazing is aggressively pursued. The detailed documentation and egregious nature of the conduct in the Bermudez case, while not resulting in death, parallels the severity that led to such a massive recovery in the Piazza case.

Andrew Coffey: Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017) – Same National Fraternity as Bermudez

• What Happened: In November 2017, Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning after a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” at Florida State University, where pledges were forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon.
• The Outcome: Nine fraternity members faced criminal charges, and the chapter was permanently closed. The family reached a confidential civil settlement.
• Why It Matters for Virginia: This case is alarmingly relevant because it involves the exact same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, that is a defendant in our current Bermudez case. This proves that Pi Kappa Phi National knew about deadly hazing practices within its organization as far back as 2017. Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. This establishes a clear pattern of negligence and deliberate indifference by Pi Kappa Phi National, opening the door for significant punitive damages in future cases, including those from Virginia.

Adam Oakes: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) / Delta Chi (2021) – Total: $4 Million+ Settlement

• What Happened: In February 2021, Adam Oakes, a freshman pledge at VCU in Richmond, died from alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi hazing event where he was forced to drink a large bottle of whiskey.
• The Outcome: The Oakes family recently reached a $4 million+ settlement from multiple defendants. Six fraternity members faced criminal hazing charges, and Adam’s Law was passed in Virginia, further strengthening anti-hazing legislation.
• Why It Matters for Virginia: This case directly happened at a prominent Virginia university, Virginia Commonwealth University, and directly demonstrates that substantial settlements are achieved for hazing victims in Virginia. It underscores the local applicability of these legal victories and the impact on state legislation.

UT Austin Sigma Chi: University of Texas at Austin (November 2025) – Lawsuit Filed

• What Happened: Just this November 2025, another Texas hazing wrongful death lawsuit was filed against the Sigma Chi fraternity and the University of Texas at Austin, involving an 18-year-old freshman who died following “horrific abuse” that led to suicide.
• Why It Matters for Virginia: This recent filing, coinciding with our Bermudez case, further highlights the pervasive and varied nature of hazing consequences. It shows that the legal fight against hazing is intensifying even in parallel with our own cases, underscoring the urgent need for action for Virginia families.

The Message to Virginia: Your Case Has Immense Value

These cases demonstrate a clear trend: when families in Virginia and across the country refuse to stay silent, they secure monumental victories that bring accountability, spur legislative change, and ultimately save lives. Our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez is not an arbitrary figure; it is a calculated measure of justice, supported by these powerful precedents. If your child has suffered hazing at a university in Virginia, from the University of Lynchburg to Christopher Newport or the College of William & Mary, be assured that their case carries similar weight and demands the same aggressive pursuit of justice.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights in Hazing Cases

For families in Virginia whose children have suffered from hazing, understanding the legal framework is empowering. While our firm is based in Texas, the core principles of hazing law, particularly the civil liability theories, are widely applicable across the United States, including Virginia. Moreover, our federal court authority means we can pursue your case regardless of geographic location. This section outlines the robust protections in place, focusing on Texas law as a model that many states, including Virginia, either mirror or inform their own statutes.

The Texas Anti-Hazing Law: A Strong Foundation

Texas Education Code §§ 37.151-37.157, known as the “Hazing Statute,” provides a comprehensive legal definition of hazing and outlines clear criminal penalties and organizational liabilities. It’s a powerful tool for victim advocacy that informs our approach to hazing cases nationwide.

Key Provisions and Their Relevance to Victims in Virginia:

1. Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): This law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization, if the act endangers their mental or physical health or safety. The definition expands to include:

   • Physical Brutality: Whipping, beating, striking (like the alleged wooden paddles in Bermudez’s case), branding, placing harmful substances on the body.
   • Endangerment from Activities: Sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, calisthenics or similar activity that presents “unreasonable risk of harm” or “adversely affects mental or physical health or safety” (e.g., Leonel’s 500 squats and kidney failure).
   • Forced Consumption: Food, liquid, alcohol (like in Coffey’s and Gruver’s deaths), or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk or harm.
   • Coercion to Violate Penal Code: Forcing students to commit criminal acts.

   Virginia Application: Most states, including Virginia, have similar anti-hazing statutes that define prohibited conduct very broadly. The horrifying acts Leonel Bermudez endured, including waterboarding, forced physical exertion, and beatings, would unequivocally fall under hazing definitions in Virginia’s Code, like the “Adam’s Law” enacted after the VCU tragedy. This broad definition is crucial, as it confirms that the abusive acts your child experienced in Virginia likely constitute illegal hazing.

2. Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Texas law assigns severe criminal consequences to individuals involved in hazing:

   • Engaging in hazing or soliciting it is a Class B Misdemeanor.
   • Hazing causing serious bodily injury (like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure) is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
   • Hazing causing death is a State Jail Felony, carrying 180 days to 2 years in state jail and a $10,000 fine.

   Virginia Application: Virginia’s Adam’s Law establishes different tiers of criminal offenses for hazing, with increasing severity based on the harm caused. Felonies can result from hazing that causes injury or death. This means that individuals in Virginia who perpetrate hazing can face criminal prosecution concurrently with a civil lawsuit.

3. Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations (like local chapters and national fraternities) commit an offense if they “condone or encourage hazing” or if their officers/members commit hazing. Penalties can include fines up to $10,000, denial of permission to operate, and forfeiture of property.

   Virginia Application: Universities and national organizations operating in Virginia can face similar sanctions from authorities and will certainly be held liable in civil litigation, just as we have targeted Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.

4. Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is one of the most powerful provisions and directly counters a common defense strategy. The 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.”

   Virginia Application: Many state hazing laws, including Virginia’s, similarly strip away the “consent” defense. This is critical because perpetrators often try to deflect blame by claiming the victim “voluntarily participated” or “knew what they were getting into.” Virginia law, much like Texas law, recognizes that true consent cannot be given under duress, peer pressure, or fear of exclusion. Your child cannot legally consent to being brutalized or tortured.

5. University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Texas universities must report hazing incidents to the state coordinating board within 30 days. Failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor.

   Virginia Application: Virginia universities also have reporting requirements for hazing incidents. This creates an accountability mechanism and a paper trail that can be vital in discovery during a civil lawsuit.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges in Virginia

While criminal prosecution addresses wrongdoing by individuals against the state, civil lawsuits like those we pursue allow victims and their families in Virginia to recover compensation for their immense suffering and losses. This civil framework exists in every state and is the pathway to holding institutions financially accountable.

1. Negligence Claims: This is the bedrock of most personal injury lawsuits. We demonstrate that the defendants (individuals, fraternities, university):

   • Owed a duty of care to the student to keep them safe.
   • Breached that duty through their actions or inactions (e.g., hazing, inadequate oversight).
   • Their breach caused the student’s injuries.
   • The student suffered damages as a result.
     This applies universally across Virginia.

2. Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (like the UH fraternity house) or by individual members (as in the Bermudez case with the former member’s residence), they have a duty to ensure the premises are safe. Failing to remedy or warn about dangerous conditions (like an ongoing hazing ritual) makes them liable. This is highly relevant for fraternities with houses on or near campuses like the University of Richmond or George Mason.

3. Negligent Supervision: This applies to national fraternities and universities that fail to adequately oversee their chapters or student organizations. If they knew, or should have known, about the propensity for hazing but did nothing to prevent it, they are liable for negligent supervision.

4. Assault and Battery: Individual hazers directly involved in physical abuse (like the wooden paddles or waterboarding) can be sued for intentional assault and battery.

5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For highly egregious and outrageous hazing acts, victims can pursue claims for the severe emotional trauma and psychological harm they endure. This is particularly relevant given the psychological torture aspect of many hazing incidents.

6. Wrongful Death: When hazing leads to a student’s death, families can pursue wrongful death claims to recover for their profound loss, including funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

For families in Virginia, these civil claims are the path to financial recovery and a powerful way to force institutional change. Our deep expertise in combining the strengths of state anti-hazing laws with these fundamental civil liability theories allows us to build an impenetrable case, no matter which university or fraternity in Virginia is involved. We demystify the legal process, ensuring that parents understand their rights and the powerful tools available to seek justice.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for Virginia Hazing Victims

When your child has been subjected to the horror of hazing at a university in Virginia, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a legal commando team. You need strategists who know the enemy’s playbook, litigators who are fearless in court, and advocates who are deeply invested in your fight for justice. Attorney911 is that team.

While our headquarters are in Houston, our reach and expertise extend nationwide, making us the premier choice for hazing victims in Virginia. We’ve built our reputation on aggressive advocacy, an unparalleled understanding of hazing litigation, and a proven track record of fighting powerful institutions. Here’s why Virginia families choose us:

1. We Are Actively Fighting This Battle Right Now

We aren’t just theoretically prepared for hazing cases; we are actively litigating a landmark $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi National and the University of Houston for severe hazing that resulted in kidney failure. This ongoing battle proves our firm is not afraid to take on:

• National Greek organizations with deep pockets and aggressive defense teams.
• Major universities that prioritize reputation over student safety.
• Individual perpetrators who hide behind the fraternity letters.

For Virginia families, this means you’re getting attorneys who are battle-tested in hazing litigation, applying real-time strategies to current cases, and bringing that direct experience to your doorstep in Virginia.

2. Unparalleled Insider Knowledge: Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph P. Manginello and Lupe Eleno Peña bring a critical, almost unfair, advantage to our clients: they are former insurance defense attorneys.

• Ralph Manginello spent years working on the defense side for insurance companies. He learned their tactics, their strategies for minimizing payouts, and their playbook for denying claims. Now, he uses that intimate knowledge against them.
• Lupe Peña worked for Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm, handling cases across products liability, commercial litigation, and personal injury defense. He saw firsthand how large insurance companies value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize or deny payouts.

This experience means we understand how insurance companies and institutional defense teams will try to discredit your child, downplay their injuries, and escape accountability for hazing in Virginia. We know their weaknesses because we used to be them. This insider knowledge translates into higher leverage for your claim and a more effective strategy for securing maximum compensation.

3. Federal Court Authority & Dual-State Bar Licenses: National Reach

Hazing cases often involve national fraternities and universities that operate across state lines. Our firm is uniquely positioned to handle these complex multi-state legal battles:

• Federal Court Admissions: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. This federal court authority allows us to pursue hazing cases, including those from Virginia, in federal jurisdiction, which can be crucial when dealing with national organizations.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello holds active law licenses in both Texas AND New York. This dual-state admission provides a strategic advantage when litigating against national fraternities and sororities, many of which are headquartered or have significant operations in states beyond Texas. This gives us immense flexibility and authority to pursue legal action wherever necessary for our Virginia clients, circumventing geographical limitations that might hinder local Virginia firms.

This national legal reach ensures that no matter where the national fraternity, its assets, or its leadership team is located, we have the legal standing and expertise to pursue them aggressively wherever they may hide from their responsibilities in Virginia.

4. Experience in High-Stakes, Complex Litigation: We Take on Giants

Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the BP Texas City Explosion Litigation (2005), a multi-billion dollar mass tort case involving 15 deaths and 180+ injuries against a corporate behemoth, showcases our capacity for handling massive, complex cases against formidable defendants. This aggressive experience in holding large corporations accountable directly translates to our strategy against powerful national fraternities and well-funded universities in Virginia hazing cases. We are experienced in unraveling intricate corporate structures, coordinating with numerous experts, and managing a vast amount of evidence – precisely what’s needed for a successful hazing lawsuit.

5. Data-Driven Hazing Intelligence: We Know Who They Are

We don’t guess; we know. Attorney911 maintains one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations across Texas, including their IRS-registered legal names, EINs, addresses, house corporations, alumni chapters, and insurance structures. This intelligence database allows us to immediately identify every entity behind the Greek letters, proving that when hazing happens, we already know exactly who to sue. This same approach to exhaustive research and defendant mapping will be applied to any hazing incident we investigate in Virginia.

6. Compassionate, Client-Centered Approach: Your Family is Our Priority

Despite our aggressive litigation style, our firm culture is built on empathy and a genuine commitment to our clients. We understand that Virginia families are enduring immense trauma. Our staff is bilingual, friendly, and truly passionate. We treat every Virginia family like our own, ensuring transparent communication, consistent updates, and a supportive environment. We fight for your child not as a case number, but as a person who deserves justice. Our 4.9-star rating on Google with over 250 reviews is a testament to this commitment. Testimonials often highlight how we treat clients “like family” and provide “amazing communication.”

7. Contingency Fees: No Upfront Cost for Virginia Families

We understand that the financial stress after a hazing incident can be overwhelming. Therefore, we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means:

• You pay $0 upfront.
• You don’t pay us unless and until you get paid.
• Our fees are a percentage of your final settlement or verdict, aligning our interests directly with yours.

This removes financial barriers, ensuring that every family in Virginia, regardless of their economic situation, has access to premier legal representation to take on powerful fraternities and universities.

8. Will Travel to Virginia: Distance Is Not a Barrier to Justice

While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we are committed to serving hazing victims across the nation. For hazing cases in Virginia, we offer:

• Remote Video Consultations: Easily connect with our attorneys from your home in Virginia.
• Willingness to Travel: Our team will travel to Virginia for critical depositions, client meetings, and trial proceedings as needed. We are committed to being physically present when it matters most for your case.

When you choose Attorney911, you’re not just hiring lawyers; you’re gaining advocates who are determined to rewrite the story of hazing accountability across America. From our base in Texas to your community in Virginia, we are ready to bring our full arsenal of knowledge, experience, and dedication to your fight for justice.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Virginia Hazing Victims

The moments immediately following a hazing incident can be chaotic, confusing, and terrifying. For families in Virginia dealing with this unimaginable crisis, swift action can be critical to preserving evidence, protecting your child’s rights, and building a strong legal case. You are not alone, and we are here to guide you through every step.

This section provides clear, actionable advice that any Virginia parent or hazing victim can implement immediately, reflecting the same urgent, evidence-focused approach we take in cases like Leonel Bermudez’s.

Step 1: Prioritize Immediate Safety and Medical Attention

Your child’s physical and mental well-being is paramount.

• Remove Your Child from the Situation: If they are still in an environment where hazing is occurring or might recur, ensure they are safely removed. This might mean bringing them home from college in Charlottesville or Blacksburg, or removing them from a shared living situation.
• Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor or “just bumps and bruises,” or if your child is reluctant, it is crucial to see a doctor or go to the emergency room as soon as possible. Hazing injuries, like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure in Leonel Bermudez’s case, can have delayed or hidden symptoms.
  • Document Everything: Ensure every injury, symptom, and complaint is documented in medical records. Tell the medical staff explicitly that the injuries resulted from hazing.
  • Keep Records: Obtain copies of all hospital records, doctor’s notes, lab results (like creatine kinase levels for rhabdomyolysis), imaging scans, and bills. These records are the backbone of your legal case.
• Address Psychological Trauma: Hazing inflicts deep emotional wounds. Seek psychological counseling or therapy for your child. Ensure these sessions are also documented.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence, Immediately and Systematically

The digital age leaves a trail of evidence that can be crucial in hazing cases. The defense will do everything to discredit your claim; strong evidence is your shield.

• SAVE All Digital Communications:
  • Text Messages: Any messages related to pledge activities, hazing instructions, threats, or discussions among members. This includes standard SMS, iMessage, GroupMe, WhatsApp, and any other messaging apps.
  • Social Media: Direct messages (DMs) on Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, TikTok. Screenshots of posts, stories, or comments that relate to the fraternity/sorority, pledge activities, or hazing expectations.
  • Photos and Videos: Any pictures or videos taken by your child, other pledges, or even fraternity members that show hazing activities, injuries, or the environment where hazing occurred. This also includes photos of their injuries throughout the healing process.
  • Emails: Any emails from the fraternity/sorority, university, or individual members regarding pledge activities, rules, or disciplinary actions.
• DO NOT Delete Anything: Never delete messages, photos, or social media accounts. This can be seen as spoliation of evidence and severely harm your case. Even if a message seems irrelevant or embarrassing, preserve it.
• Document Physical Evidence:
  • Take Photos: If safe and possible, photograph the locations where hazing occurred (fraternity house, off-campus residence, specific room, etc.), and any items used in hazing (e.g., alcohol containers, paddles, degrading items).
  • Preserve Clothing: If clothing was damaged or soiled during hazing, do not clean or dispose of it. Store it safely.
• Identify Witnesses:
  • Other Pledges: Note the names and contact information of other pledges who witnessed or endured similar hazing. Their testimony can corroborate your child’s story.
  • Bystanders: Anyone who might have seen something.
  • Fraternity Members: Identify active members, chapter officers, and alumni who were involved.

Step 3: Avoid Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

In these critical early stages, missteps can severely jeopardize your ability to seek justice.

• DO NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority: Do not communicate directly with the local chapter leadership, national organization representatives, or their lawyers without your attorney’s guidance. They are not on your side and will use your statements against you.
• DO NOT Talk to University Administration Alone: University administrators, including Greek Life advisors or Title IX coordinators, are primarily concerned with protecting the institution’s interests. While reporting to the university might be necessary (and you should do so with legal guidance), do not provide detailed statements or sign anything without consulting with your attorney first.
• DO NOT Post on Social Media: Anything you or your child posts on social media can be discovered and used by the defense to discredit your claim. Even posts showing your child “looking fine” or engaging in normal activities can be twisted to suggest their injuries or trauma are exaggerated. STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA until your case is resolved.
• DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents from the fraternity, university, or their insurance companies without a thorough review by your attorney. You could inadvertently waive your rights or accept a lowball settlement.
• DO NOT Delay: The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Virginia is typically two years from the date of injury. While this sounds like a long time, evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and memories fade. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Litigation Attorney Immediately

This is the most crucial step.

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911: Our Legal Emergency Hotline is available 24/7. Your initial consultation is free and confidential.
• Video Consultations Available: For Virginia families, we offer convenient video consultations so you can speak with our experienced attorneys from the comfort of your home.
• No Upfront Fees: We take hazing cases on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. This removes any financial barrier to obtaining top-tier legal representation.
• We Handle Everything: Once retained, we will immediately send preservation letters to all potential defendants, halting the destruction of evidence. We will handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies, protecting you from their tactics. We will launch a comprehensive investigation, gather evidence, and build your case.

For parents sending their children to Virginia institutions like Radford University, Bridgewater College, or Washington and Lee University, these actions are vital. You have a powerful voice, and with Attorney911 by your side, you can ensure that your child receives the justice and compensation they deserve, and help prevent another student in Virginia from enduring the same fate.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Team for Hazing in Virginia

If your child has been subjected to the horrors of hazing at a university, college, or any organization in Virginia, you are facing a legal emergency. This is not a moment for hesitation or uncertainty. You need immediate, aggressive, and expert legal help. Attorney911 is your dedicated legal emergency team, ready to fight for your child and your family in Virginia with the same relentless determination we bring to every case, including our landmark $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez.

Your Call to Action is Now:

Virginia Families: Have you, or has your child, been hazed?

You have legal rights. We are fighting this fight right now – and we will fight just as hard for victims in Virginia.

We understand the isolation, fear, and anger you might be feeling. Perhaps your child attends George Mason University in Fairfax, or Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, or the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, or Virginia Military Institute. No matter the campus, the threat of hazing is real, and the need for accountability is universal.

Don’t wait. Don’t let precious time and critical evidence slip away. The window of opportunity to build a strong case can close quickly.

📞 Virginia Families: Call Our Legal Emergency Hotline NOW for a FREE Consultation

1-888-ATTY-911

Available 24/7 for Virginia Hazing Emergencies.

Email us directly: ralph@atty911.com

Visit our website: attorney911.com

What You Can Expect When You Contact Us:

• Immediate Response: Our team is ready to respond to your call or email any time, day or night. We know legal emergencies don’t keep business hours.
• Free, Confidential Consultation: Your initial conversation with us is completely free and strictly confidential. We will listen to your story with empathy, assess your situation, and provide clear next steps without any financial obligation from your side.
• No Upfront Cost: We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing out-of-pocket for our legal services. Our firm only gets paid if we successfully secure compensation for you. This ensures that expert legal representation is accessible to every Virginia family, regardless of your financial situation.
• Expert Guidance: We will guide you through every stage of the legal process, from evidence preservation and investigation to negotiation and, if necessary, aggressive litigation. Our goal is to make a complex journey as manageable as possible for your family.
• Nationwide Reach, Local Focus for Virginia: Although our offices are in Texas, our federal court authority, dual-state bar licenses in Texas and New York, and commitment to travel mean we can represent clients across the country, including all of Virginia. We offer secure video consultations to seamlessly connect with families in Richmond, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Arlington, or wherever you are in the Commonwealth.

We Serve Virginia Hazing Victims – And Hazing Victims Nationwide:

Hazing transcends Greek letters and university affiliations. We represent victims of hazing in a wide array of environments throughout Virginia, including:

• Fraternities and sororities at institutions like Christopher Newport University, James Madison University, or William & Mary.
• Virginia sports teams – collegiate, high school, and club sports.
• Marching bands and other performing arts organizations.
• ROTC programs and military academies.
• Clubs, student organizations, and academic societies.
• Any group that uses abuse, degradation, or endangerment as a form of “initiation” or “team-building.”

To Other Victims of Hazing in Virginia:

Perhaps you’ve witnessed hazing at your school, maybe at Old Dominion University in Norfolk or Radford University. Or perhaps you were hazed yourself but were afraid to speak out. We know there are more victims in Virginia who are suffering in silence. In the Leonel Bermudez case, another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness during forced workouts, and others endured waterboarding and physical abuse.

You have rights too. We can represent you. Your courage to speak out can prevent the same trauma from afflicting another student. As Attorney Lupe Pena said, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Call us, Virginia. Let’s shine a light on this darkness and bring those responsible to justice.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Your Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for Hazing Victims in Virginia.