🚨 Hazing Lawyers in Washington County, MD – Protecting Students from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

Washington County, MD families: If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or other student organization, you have legal rights. We are Attorney 911 — the hazing litigation experts currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Washington County, MD.

🏢 Who We Are: Washington County, MD’s Hazing Litigation Experts

Attorney 911 Legal Emergency Lawyers™ is a Texas-based personal injury and hazing litigation firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. While we are headquartered in Texas, we proudly serve hazing victims across the country — including Washington County, MD — through our federal court authority and commitment to traveling wherever justice demands.

Why Washington County, MD Families Choose Attorney 911

Washington County, MD families can reach us 24/7 at:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Washington County, MD

Hazing isn’t just a problem in Texas — it’s happening right here in Washington County, MD and across Maryland. The same national fraternities and sororities that operate at the University of Houston have chapters at universities near Washington County, MD, including:

• Frostburg State University (30 minutes from Hagerstown)
• Hood College (Frederick, MD)
• Mount St. Mary’s University (Emmitsburg, MD)
• Shepherd University (Shepherdstown, WV — just across the state line)
• Shenandoah University (Winchester, VA — regional draw for Washington County, MD students)

These institutions are home to active Greek organizations including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others — the same fraternities that have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide.

Washington County, MD Hazing Statistics & Reality

While specific Washington County, MD hazing statistics may not be widely reported, national data reveals the scope of the problem:

• 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing (National Study of Student Hazing)
• 40% of student athletes report hazing (Alfred University study)
• Since 2000, at least one hazing death per year in the United States (Hank Nuwer’s research)
• 95% of hazing victims do not report it (National Collaborative for Hazing Research and Prevention)

Washington County, MD families: These numbers represent real students — your children, your neighbors’ children. The same hazing that hospitalized our client in Houston is happening at universities near Washington County, MD.

⚠️ The Landmark Case: Why Washington County, MD Families Need to Know

Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston — $10 Million Lawsuit (2025)

This case is why Washington County, MD families need Attorney 911.

What happened in Houston can — and does — happen in Washington County, MD.

The Victim: Leonel Bermudez

• A “ghost rush” — not even a University of Houston student yet; expected to transfer for Spring 2026
• Accepted bid to Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025
• Subjected to 7 weeks of systematic abuse and hazing
• Hospitalized for 4 days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to perform 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and other extreme exercises
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness on October 15, 2025 — yet the hazing continued

The result: Leonel Bermudez was rushed to the hospital with kidney failure. He spent 3 nights and 4 days fighting for his life.

Washington County, MD families: This is what hazing looks like. This is what happens when universities and fraternities fail to protect students.

The Defendants We’re Suing:

Washington County, MD families: These same defendants exist at universities near Washington County, MD. The same negligence exists here. And we will hold them accountable.

💰 Precedent Cases: Washington County, MD Victims Can Win Millions

These cases prove that hazing lawsuits result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. The same results are possible for Washington County, MD victims.

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

💰 $10.1 MILLION+ TOTAL

• $2.9M from university
• $7.2M from fraternity and individuals
• Same national fraternity that operates at universities near Washington County, MD

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

💰 $6.1 MILLION JURY VERDICT

• Led to Max Gruver Act — made hazing a felony in Louisiana

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

💰 $110 MILLION+ SETTLEMENT (estimated)

• 18 fraternity members criminally charged
• Led to Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law

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

💰 Confidential settlement

• Same fraternity as our current case
• 9 members criminally charged
• Chapter permanently closed

Washington County, MD families: These cases show that juries and courts take hazing seriously. The same legal strategies that won millions for these families apply to Washington County, MD victims.

⚖️ Washington County, MD Hazing Laws & Your Rights

Maryland Hazing Laws

Maryland has strong anti-hazing laws that protect Washington County, MD students:

Maryland Criminal Law § 3-607 — Hazing

• Hazing is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or a $500 fine
• Consent is not a defense — even if a student “agreed” to participate, it’s still illegal
• Applies to any organization — fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, clubs

Maryland Education Article § 11-205 — Institutional Policy on Hazing

• Public institutions of higher education must have anti-hazing policies
• Must provide educational programs on hazing
• Must report hazing incidents to the Maryland Higher Education Commission

Key Point for Washington County, MD Families:

Consent does NOT matter. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent is not a defense. Hazing is illegal regardless of participation.

Who Is Liable for Washington County, MD Hazing?

Washington County, MD students and families can sue multiple parties for hazing:

Washington County, MD families: We sue everyone responsible. We don’t let them hide behind organizational shields.

🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing: What Washington County, MD Families Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just “harmless tradition” — it causes serious, sometimes permanent injuries. Our client suffered rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme physical exertion. Other hazing injuries include:

Washington County, MD families: If your child has been hazed, seek medical attention immediately — even if injuries seem minor. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Washington County, MD

Immediate Action Steps for Washington County, MD Families

Evidence Preservation Checklist

✅ Medical records — Hospital visits, doctor notes, therapy records
✅ Photos/videos — Injuries at all stages; hazing activities; locations
✅ Text messages — All communications with fraternity/sorority members
✅ Social media — Screenshots of posts, messages, GroupMe chats
✅ Witness information — Names and contact info of other victims/witnesses
✅ Documents — Pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child
✅ Academic records — Impact on grades, enrollment status
✅ Financial records — Medical bills, lost wages, tuition costs

Washington County, MD families: Preserve everything. Do not delete anything. Evidence is critical to your case.

💼 Damages & Compensation for Washington County, MD Hazing Victims

Washington County, MD hazing victims can recover significant compensation for their injuries. We pursue:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

• Medical expenses — Hospital bills, rehabilitation, future treatment
• Lost wages — Time missed from work or internships
• Educational disruption — Tuition for lost semester; scholarship loss
• Future earning capacity — If injuries cause permanent limitations

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain — From injuries like rhabdomyolysis, broken bones
• Mental anguish — Trauma from waterboarding, humiliation, abuse
• Emotional distress — PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Loss of enjoyment of life — Inability to participate in normal activities
• Disfigurement — Scars from burns, branding, or injuries

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

• Awarded when conduct is grossly negligent or intentional
• Meant to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing
• Appropriate when organizations knew about risks and did nothing

Washington County, MD families: Our $10 million demand in the Pi Kappa Phi case is based on these damages. Washington County, MD victims deserve the same aggressive representation.

🎯 Why Washington County, MD Families Need Attorney 911

1. We’re Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case

• This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight RIGHT NOW
• Washington County, MD families get the same aggressive representation
• We know how to build hazing cases that win

2. We Have Insider Knowledge of How Defendants Fight Back

• Both attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers
• We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies operate
• We’ve seen their playbook — now we use it against them

3. We Sue Everyone Responsible

• National organizations
• Local chapters
• Universities
• Individual members
• Housing corporations
• We don’t let anyone hide

4. We Serve Washington County, MD Families Nationwide

• Federal court authority
• Willing to travel to Washington County, MD for depositions and trials
• Remote video consultations available
• Distance is not a barrier to justice

5. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Washington County, MD Families

• You pay nothing unless we win
• No hourly fees
• No out-of-pocket costs
• We take the risk so you can fight back

6. We Have a Proven Track Record of Fighting Powerful Institutions

• BP Texas City explosion litigation — took on massive corporate defendants
• Hundreds of personal injury cases won — including against universities and fraternities
• Google 4.9-star rating — 250+ reviews from satisfied clients
• Media coverage — ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media

📞 Washington County, MD Hazing Victims: Contact Attorney 911 Today

If your child has been hazed at a university near Washington County, MD, you have legal rights. We are the hazing litigation experts currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Washington County, MD families deserve the same aggressive representation.

How to Reach Us:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Washington County, MD hazing emergencies)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

What Happens When You Call:

1. Free consultation — We evaluate your Washington County, MD case at no cost
2. Immediate guidance — We tell you what to do (and what NOT to do) right away
3. Evidence preservation — We help you protect critical evidence
4. Case strategy — We explain your legal options and potential outcomes
5. No pressure — We let you decide if you want to move forward

Washington County, MD families: The statute of limitations is ticking. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Contact us today to protect your rights.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Washington County, MD Families

Q: What is considered hazing in Washington County, MD?

A: Maryland law defines hazing as any activity that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
• Is done for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization
• Includes physical brutality, forced consumption, sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, or other dangerous activities
• Consent is not a defense — even if a student “agrees” to participate, it’s still hazing

Examples of hazing at Washington County, MD universities:

• Forced exercise (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Forced consumption of alcohol, food, or non-food substances
• Physical beatings or paddling
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological humiliation
• Sexual acts or nudity

Q: Can we sue if our child “agreed” to participate in hazing?

A: YES. Maryland law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.

Why consent doesn’t matter:

• Coercion and peer pressure — Social exclusion, threats, and power dynamics make true consent impossible
• Lack of information — Pledges don’t know what they’re agreeing to until it happens
• Fear of retaliation — Many students fear being ostracized or losing their membership if they refuse
• Maryland law — § 3-607 explicitly eliminates consent as a defense

Washington County, MD families: You can still sue even if your child participated. The law is on your side.

Q: How much can we recover for hazing in Washington County, MD?

A: Every case is unique, but Washington County, MD hazing victims can recover:

• Medical expenses — Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment
• Lost wages — Time missed from work or internships
• Educational disruption — Tuition for lost semester, scholarship loss
• Pain and suffering — Physical pain, emotional trauma
• Punitive damages — When conduct is egregious (like waterboarding)

Precedent cases show recoveries in the millions:

• $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (BGSU/Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (LSU/Phi Delta Theta)
• $110 million+ — Timothy Piazza (Penn State/Beta Theta Pi)

Washington County, MD families: We evaluate each case individually and pursue maximum compensation.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Washington County, MD?

A: Maryland has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including hazing. However, you should not wait.

Why act immediately:

• Evidence disappears (texts deleted, social media removed, witnesses forget)
• Organizations destroy records
• Your rights expire after 3 years
• The sooner we start, the stronger your case

Washington County, MD families: Contact us today. Don’t let the statute of limitations run out on your case.

Q: What if the hazing happened at a university outside Washington County, MD?

A: We can still help. While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Washington County, MD families whose children were hazed at universities across the country.

How we handle out-of-state cases:

• Federal court authority — Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Travel commitment — We come to Washington County, MD for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Remote consultations — Video meetings for Washington County, MD families
• Local partnerships — Co-counsel with local attorneys when needed

Washington County, MD families: Wherever the hazing happened, we can fight for you.

Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

A: We understand. Many hazing victims fear retribution for speaking out. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution” (ABC13).

How we protect Washington County, MD clients:

• Confidentiality — We keep your identity and case details private
• Legal protections — Retaliation is illegal; we can sue for it
• Evidence preservation — We document everything to build your case
• Support — We connect you with resources for emotional and psychological support

Washington County, MD families: You don’t have to face this alone. We protect our clients.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

A: $0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case.

How it works:

• No retainer — You don’t pay us anything to start
• No hourly fees — We don’t bill by the hour
• We take the risk — If we don’t win, you owe us nothing
• Percentage fee — If we win, we take a percentage of the recovery

Washington County, MD families: This means you can fight back against powerful institutions without financial risk.

Q: What makes Attorney 911 different from other law firms?

A: We’re not just hazing lawyers — we’re hazing litigation experts with a proven track record of taking on powerful institutions.

What sets us apart for Washington County, MD families:

1. We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case — we’re in the fight right now
2. Both attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers — we know how the other side thinks
3. We sue everyone responsible — national organizations, universities, individuals
4. We have federal court authority — can pursue Washington County, MD cases nationwide
5. We work on contingency — $0 upfront for Washington County, MD families
6. We have a proven track record against massive institutions — BP Texas City explosion, universities, fraternities
7. We have media coverage — ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media
8. We have a 4.9-star Google rating — 250+ reviews from satisfied clients

Washington County, MD families: When you hire Attorney 911, you’re hiring a team that knows how to win against powerful defendants.

🏛️ Washington County, MD Universities & Greek Life: We Are Watching

To fraternities and sororities operating at universities near Washington County, MD:

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. We are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized our client with kidney failure.

We know your chapters exist at universities near Washington County, MD, including:

• Frostburg State University
• Hood College
• Mount St. Mary’s University
• Shepherd University
• Shenandoah University

We know the same national organizations that failed to stop hazing in Houston operate here.

We know the same “traditions” that led to waterboarding, 500 squats, and wooden paddles exist in your chapters.

We are watching. We are documenting. And when you haze students in Washington County, MD, we will hold you accountable — just like we’re doing in Houston.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Washington County, MD, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.

Your chapter could be next.

📢 A Message to Washington County, MD Parents

Washington County, MD parents: You send your children to college expecting them to be safe.

You trust the university. You trust the fraternity or sorority. You trust that these institutions will protect your child.

That trust is being betrayed.

Your child is being waterboarded. Forced to do 500 squats until their muscles break down. Struck with wooden paddles. Humiliated. Hospitalized. Or worse — taken from you forever.

We’ve seen it happen. We’re fighting it in court right now.

We are Attorney 911. We are the hazing litigation experts. And we are here to protect Washington County, MD families.

If your child has been hazed, call us. We will fight for you. We will hold them accountable. And we will make sure this never happens to another Washington County, MD family.

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

Washington County, MD families: Enough is enough.