If you’re reading this in Westmoreland County, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college. They were supposed to find a community, build character, and grow into the person they were meant to be. Instead, they were tortured. They were abused. They were hazed. And now, you’re searching for answers, for justice, wondering how to fight back against the institutions that betrayed your trust. We are here to help families in Westmoreland County fight back.

We understand what you’re going through. The fear, the anger, the confusion – it’s overwhelming. But you are not alone. And you are not powerless. We are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit right now against a major national fraternity and a large university for hazing that hospitalized a student. This isn’t theoretical; this is real, ongoing litigation where we are actively pursuing accountability for egregious hazing that led to kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis. We bring that same aggressive, data-driven, and relentless pursuit of justice to every case we handle, including those for families in Westmoreland County.

Hazing is not a rite of passage; it is abuse, plain and simple. It transcends harmless pranks and crosses into criminal activity, leaving indelible scars, both physical and psychological. In Westmoreland County, just like everywhere else, parents send their children off to college with dreams of a bright future, not nightmares of humiliation, injury, or even death. When those dreams are shattered by the depraved actions of a fraternity, a sorority, a sports team, or any other organization, we believe that every responsible party must be held accountable. Every entity, from the individual perpetrators to the national organizations and the universities that provide them a platform, must answer for the suffering they inflict.

We are Attorney911, and our firm is dedicated to representing victims of hazing. Our founding partner, Ralph Manginello, and our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, bring decades of combined experience, including invaluable insider knowledge from their time as former insurance defense attorneys. They know how the other side thinks, how they strategize, and how they attempt to minimize claims. Now, they use that knowledge to dismantle those defenses and secure maximum compensation for hazing victims. We serve families nationwide, and our commitment to justice extends to every corner of the country, including Westmoreland County. We offer remote consultations and are always prepared to travel wherever necessary to passionately represent our clients. Our mission is to ensure that what happened to your child never happens to another.

The Landmark Case: Attorney911 Fights Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston for $10 Million

The horrific events that unfolded at the University of Houston are not isolated. Hazing practices that maim and kill students have permeated Greek life across the nation, and the same national fraternities that operate on campuses in Virginia extend their reach to universities near Westmoreland County. What happened in Houston to Leonel Bermudez could just as easily happen to a student from Westmoreland County attending a local university or any college across the country. This is why our ongoing $10 million lawsuit, Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al., is so vital. It is a live, active battle that demonstrates exactly what kind of firm Attorney911 is: aggressive, thorough, data-driven, and relentless in pursuing accountability for hazing victims.

Leonel Bermudez was not even enrolled at the University of Houston yet. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective transfer student planning to officially join the Cougar community in the spring. Yet, this didn’t stop the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter from subjecting him to weeks of systematic abuse, torture, and hazing after he accepted a bid on September 16, 2025. What followed was a nightmare that culminated in his hospitalization for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

We filed a $10 million lawsuit on November 21, 2025, in Harris County Civil District Court, naming not only the Pi Kappa Phi national organization and the local chapter, but also the University of Houston, the UH Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and even a former member and his spouse who hosted hazing activities at their home. This case isn’t just about pursuing compensation; it’s about shining a harsh spotlight on the depraved culture of hazing and sending an unequivocal message to every fraternity, university, and individual nationwide: no one is above the law, and there is a heavy price to pay for inflicting such suffering.

What Happened to Leonel Bermudez

The details of Leonel’s ordeal are deeply disturbing, revealing a pattern of abuse that went far beyond typical college pranks. This was systematic torture designed to break a young man down, both physically and psychologically.

Here’s a timeline of the horrors he endured and our firm’s immediate response:

• September 16, 2025: Leonel Bermudez accepts a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston. He’s a “ghost rush,” a prospective transfer, not yet officially a UH student.
• September 16 – November 3, 2025: For nearly seven weeks, Leonel is subjected to an escalating regime of hazing rituals. This included:
  • Simulated Waterboarding: Pledges, including Leonel, were sprayed in the face with a garden hose while doing calisthenics, a dehumanizing act that mimics drowning. As Houston Public Media reported, “Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, is a form of torture.”
  • Extreme Physical Punishment: He was forced to perform grueling exercises far beyond safe limits, including over 100 pushups, 500 squats, high-volume “suicides” (sprinting drills), bear crawls, wheelbarrows, “save-you-brother” drills, two-mile warmups, and repeated 100-yard crawls. This forced exertion continued while reciting the fraternity creed, with threats of expulsion for non-compliance. He was also subjected to being struck with wooden paddles.
  • Forced Consumption until Vomiting: Leonel was made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. Then, in a truly degrading act, he was forced to continue running sprints while clearly in distress, sometimes lying in vomit-soaked grass.
  • Psychological Torture and Humiliation: Leonel was compelled to strip to his underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack containing objects of a sexual nature at all times. Another pledge was even hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour on October 13.
  • Sleep Deprivation and Exhaustion: Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours contributed to severe exhaustion.
• October 15, 2025: A chilling event occurs when another pledge loses consciousness and collapses during a forced workout, requiring other pledges to elevate his legs until he revived. This incident alone should have triggered an immediate cessation of all activities, yet the hazing continued.
• November 3, 2025: Leonel, punished for missing an event, endures the most severe physical hazing, including the 100+ pushups and 500 squats mentioned above. He becomes so exhausted he cannot stand without help and literally crawls up the stairs when he finally makes it home, according to Ralph Manginello’s statement to ABC13.
• November 4-5, 2025: Leonel’s condition rapidly deteriorates. “The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse,” Ralph Manginello recounted.
• November 6, 2025: His mother, seeing his rapidly worsening state and noticing him passing brown urine – a classic symptom of severe muscle breakdown – rushes him to the hospital. He is diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. The national Pi Kappa Phi organization, alerted to the crisis, moves quickly to suspend the chapter.
• November 6-10, 2025: Leonel spends three nights and four days hospitalized, receiving intensive medical treatment to prevent permanent kidney damage.
• November 14, 2025: With a lawsuit clearly imminent, Pi Kappa Phi National officially closes its Beta Nu Chapter, making the announcement on its website.
• November 21, 2025: We file the $10 million lawsuit in Harris County Civil District Court. News outlets like ABC13 and KHOU 11 immediately pick up the story, with additional details emerging from the Houston Chronicle and Houston Public Media in the following days.

As Lupe Pena stated to ABC13, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” This case is not just about Leonel; it’s about every student in Westmoreland County and nationwide who faces similar risks.

The Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

Leonel Bermudez’s injuries were not superficial. He suffered from rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous condition caused by the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue. This process releases a damaging protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream, which can overwhelm the kidneys and lead to acute kidney failure. Without prompt and aggressive medical intervention, rhabdomyolysis can be fatal and can cause permanent kidney damage. His passing brown urine was a critical indicator of this life-threatening condition.

This is not the first time we have litigated cases involving rhabdomyolysis from hazing. Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in handling such cases, understanding the complex medical implications and the long-term impact on victims. The high creatine kinase levels in Leonel’s blood further confirmed the severe muscle damage he endured.

Institutional Responses: A Pattern of Avoidance

The responses from both the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters after Leonel’s hospitalization are telling.

A University of Houston spokesperson told Houston Public Media: “The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards. The University is conducting its own investigation in coordination with law enforcement and with the cooperation of the fraternity and its national leadership. Pending the outcome of these investigations, any individual found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and potential criminal charges.” While this sounds reassuring, it also implies an admission that their standards were violated and that the events were severe enough to warrant criminal referrals.

Even more revealing is the statement from the Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters itself, posted on its website on November 21, 2025: “Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity closed its Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” They went on to “thank the University of Houston for its collaboration and leadership” and state, “we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time and continuing our partnership with the University of Houston in the years ahead.”

This statement, coming just seven days after they closed the chapter and on the very day our lawsuit was filed, is a powerful admission of guilt and a stark display of their priorities. They acknowledged “violations” of their own policies and standards, yet immediately pivoted to planning their return, showing a disturbing lack of remorse or genuine commitment to systemic change. KHOU 11 even reported that the national organization failed to enforce anti-hazing rules “despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” This is not an isolated incident; it’s a pattern acknowledged from within.

Why This Case Matters to Westmoreland County Families

The details of Leonel’s case are not abstract. They represent a tangible threat to any student from Westmoreland County who might attend college today.

1. “Tradition” is Torture: This case rips away the façade of “harmless fun” and exposes hazing for what it is: systematic, calculated abuse that causes severe physical and psychological harm. The same “traditions” that waterboarded Leonel Bermudez are happening in fraternities and sororities near Westmoreland County.
2. Universities are Complicit: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where much of this abuse occurred. Universities and colleges near Westmoreland County have the same power to regulate, inspect, and shut down organizations operating on their property. Their failure to do so translates directly into liability.
3. National Organizations Know: Pi Kappa Phi National quickly moved to close the chapter, demonstrating an acute awareness of the severity of the allegations. National fraternities and sororities with chapters near Westmoreland County have extensive knowledge of hazing risks and a responsibility to prevent them.
4. Victims Fear Retribution: Leonel Bermudez is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” This fear isn’t unique to him; it’s a pervasive tactic in hazing culture. We protect our clients from such retribution, fighting fiercely on their behalf. Students in Westmoreland County who come forward with hazing allegations face the same intimidations.
5. One Brave Victim Can Protect Students: As Lupe Pena emphasized, pursuing this case is about preventing harm to others. Your child’s case from Westmoreland County can send a message that resonates far beyond your immediate community, potentially saving countless lives.
6. $10 Million Sends a Message: The significant damages sought in this lawsuit are intended to hit where it hurts—the bottom line. It’s a clear declaration that the cost of torturing students is astronomically high, forcing institutions that once looked away to finally take notice and enact meaningful change.

This is not “boys being boys.” It is not “building brotherhood.” It is assault, battery, psychological torture, and reckless endangerment. And in many cases, it is manslaughter or murder. Statistics confirm that hazing is rampant: 55% of students in Greek organizations and 40% of student athletes report experiencing it. Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States. And tragically, 95% of students who are hazed do not report it, often due to fear, shame, or misplaced loyalty, allowing the cycle of abuse to continue. This cycle can be broken, and we are committed to doing just that, for families in Westmoreland County and beyond.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many parents in Westmoreland County, and indeed across the nation, may still hold outdated notions of hazing—thinking it involves harmless pranks, blindfolds, or a few embarrassing rituals. The reality, as tragically demonstrated by Leonel Bermudez’s case and myriad others, is far more sinister. Hazing today is often systematic, brutal, and intentionally designed to inflict physical pain, psychological trauma, and extreme humiliation. It is not about bonding; it is about power, control, and degradation.

Here are the disturbing realities of modern hazing tactics, many of which were inflicted upon Leonel:

• Physical Abuse: This goes far beyond playful roughhousing. It includes beatings, paddling with wooden objects (as was done to Leonel), branding, burning, and forced exercise to the point of collapse or injury. The extensive workouts forced upon Leonel, including 500 squats and 100 pushups, led directly to his muscle breakdown and kidney failure.
• Forced Consumption: This often involves excessive, rapid consumption of alcohol, leading to alcohol poisoning and death (as seen in many national cases). But it can also include force-feeding large amounts of food until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns, as Leonel suffered), or even non-food substances. This is a deliberate act of physical assault designed to induce illness and humiliation.
• Waterboarding or Simulated Drowning: This horrific tactic, inflicted upon Leonel with a garden hose, is internationally recognized as a form of torture. It involves obstructing breathing or creating the sensation of drowning, inducing extreme terror and psychological trauma.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often intentionally deprived of sleep through forced late-night or early-morning activities, leading to exhaustion, impaired judgment, and increased vulnerability to abuse. Leonel was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, contributing to his extreme fatigue.
• Psychological Torture and Humiliation: This category encompasses acts designed to break down self-esteem and exert psychological control. It includes verbal abuse, threats, isolation, and degrading rituals. Forcing Leonel to carry a fanny pack with sexual objects, stripping him in cold weather, and confining another pledge hog-tied with an object in his mouth are stark examples of such abuse.
• Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: While less commonly reported due to the profound trauma and shame involved, sexual hazing can include forced nudity, sexually suggestive acts, or even sexual assault. The fanny pack incident Leonel endured has strong undertones of sexual humiliation.
• Exposure: This involves forcing pledges to endure harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme cold (like being stripped in cold weather, as Leonel was) or heat, or confinement in small, dark spaces, putting them at risk of hypothermia, heatstroke, or panic attacks.
• Servitude and Degradation: Pledges are often forced to perform demeaning or laborious tasks for older members, such as cleaning, driving, or running errands, reinforcing a rigid power hierarchy and stripping them of their personal time and dignity.

The medical ramifications of such abuse are severe and often life-altering. Beyond rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, victims can suffer traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, severe burns, internal injuries, alcoholism, and profound psychological conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Tragically, in far too many cases, hazing results in death.

When your child leaves Westmoreland County for college, you expect them to be safe. You expect the university and the Greek organizations they join to prioritize their well-being. When this trust is violated, and your child is subjected to such barbaric acts, it is a betrayal of the highest order. We are here to ensure that these acts are not dismissed as harmless “traditions,” but are confronted as criminal, harmful behaviors that demand justice and accountability.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Party Accountable

One of the most complex aspects of hazing litigation, but also one of the most powerful, is identifying and holding accountable every single entity responsible for the harm inflicted upon a victim. In hazing cases like Leonel Bermudez’s, the responsibility extends far beyond the immediate perpetrators. We cast a wide net, because true accountability demands it, and that’s what we will do for families in Westmoreland County.

Drawing from our experience in the Bermudez case, here’s who can, and should, be held liable in hazing incidents:

1. The Local Chapter (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter): This is often the most direct line of responsibility. The local chapter, as an organized entity, plans, condones, and executes the hazing activities. Their leadership—the chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager, and other officers—are directly responsible for the culture and the events that transpire. We will seek to hold the chapter itself accountable for its actions and the actions of its members.

2. Individual Perpetrators: This includes every current or former fraternity member who actively participated in, organized, coerced, or stood idly by while hazing occurred. In Leonel’s case, our lawsuit names 13 individual fraternity members. We don’t just target the organization; we pursue the individuals who made the conscious choice to inflict harm. Their personal actions lead to personal liability, as tragically demonstrated in the Stone Foltz case where the former chapter president was held personally liable for millions.

3. Former Members and Their Spouses: Hazing often extends beyond the active chapter, involving alumni who “advise” or even host hazing activities at their private residences. In the Bermudez lawsuit, a former member and his spouse are named as defendants because some of the hazing occurred at their home. This opens up avenues for premises liability claims against those who own the property where hazing takes place and allow it to continue.

4. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc.): These national bodies often operate with significant budgets, vast resources, and extensive insurance policies. They typically have anti-hazing policies in place (which, as in Pi Kappa Phi’s case, are often violated). Critically, nationals have a duty to supervise their local chapters, enforce their rules, and protect their members. When they fail to do so—especially when they have a documented history of hazing incidents at other chapters (like Pi Kappa Phi did with Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017)—they become major targets for litigation. We argue that they knew, or should have known, about the pervasive hazing culture within their organization and failed to act. As KHOU 11 reported, legal complaints in the Bermudez case allege the national organization “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'”

5. The University or College (e.g., University of Houston, UH Board of Regents): Universities play a pivotal role. They provide the physical space (often owning fraternity houses, as UH did in Leonel’s case), grant recognition to Greek organizations, and have an overarching duty to protect the safety and well-being of their students. When a university knows about hazing on its campus (as UH did with a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017), provides the venue, or fails to adequately supervise Greek life, it can be held directly liable. Their board of regents, as the governing body, also shares in this institutional responsibility. Universities have extensive resources and insurance coverage, making them key defendants in hazing lawsuits.

6. Advisors and Alumni Boards: Often, chapters have faculty advisors, alumni advisors, or alumni boards that are supposed to provide guidance and oversight. When these individuals either participate in, condone, or turn a blind eye to hazing, they can also be held financially responsible.

7. Insurance Carriers: While not perpetrators themselves, the insurance companies that provide coverage to the national organizations, universities, local chapters, and even individuals (through homeowner’s or personal liability policies) are ultimately the “deep pockets” from which compensation is sought. Our attorneys, with their backgrounds in insurance defense, know exactly how to navigate these complex insurance landscapes and force maximum payouts.

For families in Westmoreland County, understanding this broad scope of accountability is crucial. Hazing is rarely the fault of just one person. It’s a systemic failure, often enabled by multiple layers of individuals and institutions. We ensure that every single party that contributed to your child’s injury or death is brought to justice. We do not stop until every responsible entity is held accountable, ensuring that their names, their reputations, and their pocketbooks are impacted.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For a family in Westmoreland County grappling with the trauma of hazing, understanding that justice can be served—and that such justice often comes with multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements—is a critical step toward healing. These aren’t just abstract legal victories; they are tangible messages sent to fraternities, universities, and national organizations that hazing will not be tolerated, and the cost of such abuse is astronomically high. We rely heavily on these precedents because they show exactly what is possible for hazing victims, including those in Westmoreland County.

Here are some of the landmark hazing cases that demonstrate the significant financial and legal consequences of institutional negligence:

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

• What Happened: In March 2021, Stone Foltz, a pledge at Bowling Green State University, was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation event. He was found unresponsive the next morning and died from alcohol poisoning.
• The Outcome: The Foltz family received over $10.1 million in settlements. This included $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity and associated individuals. Additionally, in December 2024, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was held personally liable for an additional $6.5 million in a judgment, demonstrating that individuals cannot hide behind the organization. This case represents the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio’s history.
• Significance for Westmoreland County: The Foltz case directly supports our $10 million demand in the Bermudez case. It proves that both universities and national fraternities pay multi-million dollar sums, and individuals can be held personally responsible.

2. Maxwell Gruver at Louisiana State University (Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Total: $6.1 Million Verdict

• What Happened: In September 2017, Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman pledge at LSU, died from acute alcohol poisoning (with a BAC of 0.495, over six times the legal limit) after being forced to consume excessive alcohol during a Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” hazing event, where wrong answers meant more drinking.
• The Outcome: A jury awarded the Gruver family an astounding $6.1 million verdict. Beyond the civil victory, state legislators passed the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana, and a fraternity member was convicted of negligent homicide and served prison time.
• Significance for Westmoreland County: This case shows that juries are outraged by hazing and are willing to award millions. It demonstrates that cases can result in both substantial civil damages and criminal consequences, and can drive vital legislative change.

3. Timothy Piazza at Penn State University (Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Total: $110 Million+ (Estimated)

• What Happened: In February 2017, Timothy Piazza, a pledge at Penn State, was forced to drink 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi initiation ritual, reaching a near-fatal BAC of 0.36. After suffering a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding from multiple falls down a basement staircase, fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911. He died two days later. Security cameras captured the entire horrific event.
• The Outcome: While confidential, settlements in the Piazza case are estimated to exceed $110 million. Eighteen fraternity members faced criminal charges, with multiple convictions for involuntary manslaughter, hazing, and assault. The tragedy spurred the creation of the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania, a landmark piece of legislation.
• Significance for Westmoreland County: This case, while involving a death, highlights that highly egregious conduct and strong evidence lead to truly massive settlements. It underscores that universities, when proven negligent, face enormous financial liability.

4. Andrew Coffey at Florida State University (Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Same Fraternity as Bermudez

• What Happened: On November 3, 2017, Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old pledge at FSU, died from acute alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night.”
• The Outcome: Nine fraternity members were charged with hazing, and the FSU chapter was permanently closed. The Coffey family reached a confidential settlement in their civil suit.
• Significance for Westmoreland County: This is crucial: Andrew Coffey died in a hazing incident involving the same national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez eight years later. This is unequivocal proof that Pi Kappa Phi National had actual notice of the deadly hazing culture within its organization and failed to implement effective changes. This pattern of negligence dramatically strengthens cases against the national fraternity, including ours, and future cases from Westmoreland County.

The Message to Universities and Fraternities in and around Westmoreland County

These cases send an unambiguous message: hazing costs millions. And for good reason. The suffering inflicted, the lives lost, and the futures destroyed are immeasurable. These verdicts and settlements serve as critical tools for accountability, forcing institutions to reckon with their failures and, ideally, to change their dangerous cultures.

For Westmoreland County families, these precedents are not just legal footnotes; they are proof that justice is possible. If your child has been subjected to hazing, whether at a university in Virginia, nearby institutions, or across the country, these are the types of outcomes we fight for. Leonel Bermudez’s case is not theoretical; it is our active participation in this fight. We are applying the lessons learned from these landmark cases, and leveraging the sheer weight of these multi-million dollar payouts, to ensure that the responsible parties pay dearly for their actions. The same legal strategies, the same aggressive pursuit of every liable entity, will be brought to bear on behalf of any hazing victim in Westmoreland County.

Texas Hazing Law Protects You, and the Same Principles Apply in Virginia

While our firm is rooted in Texas and the Bermudez case is filed under Texas law, the fundamental principles of anti-hazing legislation and civil liability apply across state lines. For families in Westmoreland County, understanding these laws provides a powerful foundation for seeking justice. Many states, including Virginia, have enacted robust anti-hazing statutes, often strengthened in the wake of tragic incidents.

Key Aspects of Texas Hazing Law (Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157):

1. Broad Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of initiation or membership in an organization, if the act:

   • Involves physical brutality: Such as whipping, beating, striking (like wooden paddles in Leonel’s case), branding, or placing harmful substances on the body.
   • Endangers mental or physical health: Including sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in small spaces, or calisthenics (like the 500 squats and extreme workouts Leonel endured) that create an unreasonable risk of harm or negatively impact health.
   • Involves forced consumption: Of food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances (as Leonel was forced to eat until vomiting) that pose a risk of harm.
   • Requires violation of the Penal Code: Any activity that forces a student to commit a crime.
   • Coerces consumption of drugs or excessive alcohol: Leading to intoxication.

   Application to Westmoreland County: Most states, including Virginia, have similar comprehensive definitions of hazing. If your child in Westmoreland County experienced any of these activities, it likely constitutes illegal hazing.

2. Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Individuals who engage in or aid hazing can face criminal charges ranging from Class B misdemeanors (up to 180 days in jail, $2,000 fine) to Class A misdemeanors if serious bodily injury occurs (up to 1 year in jail, $4,000 fine). If hazing results in death, it can be a State Jail Felony (up to 2 years in state jail, $10,000 fine).

   • Leonel Bermudez’s case: His rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure undoubtedly constitute “serious bodily injury,” meaning the individual perpetrators could face Class A misdemeanor charges. The University of Houston spokesperson even publicly mentioned “potential criminal charges.”

3. Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can also face penalties, including fines up to $10,000, denial of the right to operate on campus, and forfeiture of property if they condone, encourage, or allow hazing by their officers or members.

   • This is why we aggressively pursue both the local chapter and the national organization.

4. Consent Is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most crucial aspect of the law, and it is explicitly stated in Texas statutes: “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.”

   • For Westmoreland County Families: This provision directly rebuts the common and insidious defense strategy of perpetrators, who often claim victims “consented” or “knew what they were signing up for.” Under the law, you cannot consent to being victimized by hazing practices. The law recognizes the immense power imbalance and psychological coercion inherent in hazing.

5. University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Universities are legally obligated to report hazing incidents to state authorities. Failure to do so is a Class B misdemeanor. This ensures transparency and helps track patterns of abuse that institutions might otherwise try to cover up.

Civil Liability: Your Path to Compensation

Beyond criminal charges, which punish perpetrators, civil lawsuits like the one we’ve filed allow victims and their families to seek financial compensation for their suffering. These civil claims are valid in Westmoreland County and every other state.

• Negligence Claims: We can prove that universities, national organizations, and individual members owed a duty of care to your child, breached that duty by allowing or participating in hazing, which directly caused your child’s injuries and damages.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university-owned property (as it did in the Bermudez case with the UH-owned fraternity house) or on the private property of members, property owners can be held liable for failing to provide a safe environment or for allowing dangerous activities to occur on their premises.
• Negligent Supervision: National organizations and universities have a duty to adequately supervise their chapters and Greek life. Their failure to do so, especially when they have knowledge of prior hazing incidents, constitutes negligent supervision.
• Assault and Battery: Individual hazers can be sued directly for intentional harmful physical contact (battery) or placing the victim in fear of such contact (assault), covering acts like beatings, paddling, and even simulated waterboarding.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED): The extreme and outrageous nature of hazing, which causes severe psychological distress (like PTSD, anxiety, or depression), can lead to successful IIED claims.

What this means for Westmoreland County families: Even though hazing is illegal, laws are often reactive, passing only after a tragedy. Civil litigation allows families to take proactive steps to hold powerful entities accountable and, in doing so, prevent future tragedies. Your child’s case, even if it occurred in Westmoreland County, can proceed regardless of local criminal prosecution decisions. We understand the nuances of these laws and how to apply them aggressively to secure justice for your family.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for Westmoreland County Families

When a hazing emergency strikes, families in Westmoreland County need not just any lawyer, but a specialized, relentless advocate who understands the unique complexities of these cases. Attorney911 offers an unparalleled combination of experience, insight, and dedication that sets us apart as the definitive authority on hazing litigation nationwide. Our commitment to Westmoreland County families is unwavering, bringing the same aggressive representation we deliver from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.

Here’s what makes Attorney911 the clear choice to fight for your child in Westmoreland County:

1. We Are Actively Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case Right Now: This is not theoretical. We are currently embroiled in a high-stakes lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity and the University of Houston for severe hazing that led to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. This proves our deep, current, and practical experience in tackling complex hazing cases against powerful institutions. We are in the fight, and we know how to win. Westmoreland County families get the benefit of this cutting-edge experience.

2. Insider Knowledge from Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Both Ralph P. Manginello and Lupe Eleno Peña worked on the defense side for insurance companies before dedicating their careers to representing victims.

   • Ralph Manginello’s experience means he knows exactly how insurance companies think, strategize, and attempt to minimize or deny hazing claims. He has seen their entire playbook and uses that invaluable insight to dismantle their defenses.
   • Lupe Peña’s tenure at Litchfield Cavo LLP, a nationwide insurance defense firm, gave him firsthand knowledge of how large insurance companies value claims, strategize defenses, and attempt to minimize or deny payouts. He understands their internal tactics to lowball victims and delay claims.
   • This combined insider knowledge gives our firm an unfair advantage for hazing victims in Westmoreland County against the deep pockets of national fraternities, universities, and their insurers.

3. Battle-Tested Courtroom Experience (25+ Years for Ralph, 12+ for Lupe): Ralph Manginello brings over 25 years of litigation experience, having handled multi-billion dollar mass tort cases like the BP Texas City Explosion. This demonstrates his capacity to take on massive corporate defendants, a skill directly transferable to confronting powerful national fraternities and universities. Lupe Peña adds another 12+ years of aggressive litigation, building on his defense background to represent victims effectively. Together, they offer over 37 years of combined experience.

4. Federal Court Authority and Dual-State Bar Admissions: We are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and Ralph is also admitted to practice in New York. This federal court authority allows us to pursue hazing cases nationwide, including those originating in Westmoreland County, particularly when national fraternities are involved. The dual-state bar licenses provide a strategic advantage when battling multi-state national organizations. We represent victims across America, and location will not be a barrier to seeking justice for your child in Westmoreland County.

5. Hazing-Specific Expertise: Our firm has a specialized focus on hazing litigation, including experience with rhabdomyolysis cases (like Leonel Bermudez’s), Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation, and cases involving University oversight. Our current lawsuit specifically targets Pi Kappa Phi, a national organization notorious for its hazing history. This dedicated focus means we understand the nuances of these cases, the patterns of abuse, and the specific legal strategies required for success.

6. “Se Habla Español”: Our bilingual staff is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that Spanish-speaking families in Westmoreland County receive comprehensive legal guidance without any language barriers. We believe justice should be accessible to everyone.

7. No Upfront Fees — We Work on Contingency: We understand that families grappling with the emotional and financial fallout of hazing may hesitate to take on powerful institutions due to cost concerns. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay absolutely $0 upfront. We only get paid if, and when, we win your case. This levels the playing field, making expert legal representation accessible to every family in Westmoreland County, regardless of their financial situation.

8. Deep Roots and Personal Investment: Ralph, a lifelong Texan, is a father of three and understands the profound impact when a family’s child is harmed. He’s also a Hall of Fame athlete and youth coach, giving him unique insight into team culture and the pressures that lead to hazing. Lupe, a third-generation Texan from Sugar Land, also has deep community ties and a finance background that enhances his ability to assess complex damages. This personal understanding fosters a deep emotional investment in our clients that transcends mere legal duty. We see your child as a person, not a paycheck.

9. Commitment to Travel and Remote Consultations: While our primary offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we proudly serve hazing victims in Westmoreland County and nationwide. We utilize remote consultation technology for initial meetings and are prepared to travel to Westmoreland County for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Distance will never be a barrier to justice.

Hear from Our Clients: Real Results, Real Care

Our 4.9-star rating from over 250 Google reviews speaks volumes about our client commitment. As clients like Kiimarii Yup. share, “Lost everything when I say everything I mean everything my car was at a total loss… 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck couldn’t have done it without you all.” Or Chad Harris, who stated, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” Even when clients move from other firms to ours, as Chelsea Martinez said, “Thank you Manginello Law Firm for the assistance with my case. I am very grateful my previous attorney handed over my case to this firm.”

These testimonials underscore our values of responsive communication, aggressive advocacy, and treating every client like family. Families in Westmoreland County can expect the same dedicated service and relentless fight for their rights.

We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re in the trenches fighting it right now. This is the firm that aggressive, data-driven, and truly cares about stopping hazing. For Westmoreland County families, this means having the best possible advocates in your corner.

What To Do Right Now: Actionable Guidance for Westmoreland County Families

If your child in Westmoreland County has been subjected to hazing, the time for action is now. We understand that this is an incredibly traumatic and confusing period, but critical steps taken immediately can significantly impact the strength and success of your legal case. Hazing victims often delay reporting due to shame, fear of retaliation, or misplaced loyalty; however, every moment counts.

Here’s what we advise every Westmoreland County family to do after a hazing incident:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention, Even for Seemingly Minor Injuries:

   • Prioritize Health: Your child’s physical and mental well-being is paramount. Even if injuries seem minor, or if they are psychological in nature, seek professional medical help immediately.
   • Document Everything: Every medical visit, diagnosis, treatment, and prescription creates a crucial paper trail. As Ralph Manginello advises in our video, “Document Everything! The Key to a Strong Injury Case.” Medical records are often the backbone of proving the extent of harm.
   • Mental Health is Critical: Hazing inflicts profound psychological trauma. Seek counseling or therapy immediately for PTSD, anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation. These records are vital evidence of non-economic damages.

2. Preserve ALL Evidence – EVERYTHING: This is an absolute cornerstone of any successful hazing case. As Ralph Manginello famously says, “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.”

   • Photos and Videos: Photograph any physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) immediately, and continue to document their healing process. Take photos or videos of the hazing location, any degrading objects, or anything else related to the incident. If the victim is incapacitated, ask a trusted friend or family member to do this.
   • Communications: Crucially, preserve every single text message, GroupMe chat, Snapchat, Instagram DM, email, or social media post related to the hazing. Hazers often use these platforms for coordination or threats. Do NOT delete anything, even if it seems irrelevant or embarrassing. Deleting evidence can ruin your case, as highlighted in our video “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case.”
   • Witness Information: Collect names, phone numbers, and any contact details for other pledges, witnesses, or anyone who might have observed the hazing or its aftermath.
   • Documents: Save pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or any other physical documents given to your child by the organization.
   • Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, lost wages (if applicable), and tuition/fees if your child’s academic standing was impacted.

3. DO NOT Communicate with the Organization, University, or Their Representatives Alone:

   • Silence is Golden: Do NOT talk to the fraternity or sorority leadership, their alumni, other members, university administrators, or their lawyers without legal counsel present. As our videos emphasize, “Never Talk to the Insurance Company After an Accident.” This applies tenfold to fraternities and universities.
   • DO NOT Give Statements: Refuse to give any recorded statements. Anything you say can and will be used against you to minimize your claim.
   • DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the organization or university. You could inadvertently waive your legal rights.
   • They Are Not on Your Side: Remember, these institutions are primarily concerned with protecting their own reputation and limiting their liability. They are not looking out for your child’s best interests.

4. STAY OFF Social Media:

   • Crucial Warning: Do NOT post about the incident on any social media platform. Do not post about feeling “fine” or attending parties. Anything you share can be taken out of context and used by the defense to undermine your credibility or claim of injury. As our video “Don’t Post on Social Media After an Accident” warns, silence is key.

5. Immediately Contact an Experienced Hazing Litigation Attorney:

   • Time is Critical: There is a statute of limitations (typically two years from the date of injury or death in personal injury and wrongful death cases in Texas and many other states, including Virginia). If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue forever. Evidence also disappears rapidly, and memories fade. Our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” highlights this urgency.
   • Free Consultation: We offer free, confidential consultations to Westmoreland County families. There is no cost or obligation to discuss your case and understand your legal options.
   • Level the Playing Field: Universities and national fraternities have dedicated legal teams, crisis PR, and insurance adjusters whose job is to minimize their payouts. You need experienced legal representation to fight back effectively.

The most powerful action you can take right now for your child in Westmoreland County is to reach out to us. We will guide you through every step, protect your family, and fight relentlessly for the justice your child deserves.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Starts Here

If you’re a parent or a hazing victim in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and you’re reading this, your child may have just endured unimaginable trauma. Your family is facing a legal emergency, and you need immediate, aggressive, and expert help. We are Attorney911, and we are ready to respond.

We are actively fighting hazing right now in Texas, battling one of the largest national fraternities and a major public university in a $10 million lawsuit. This is not a theoretical battle; it’s a live, ongoing fight for justice, and we bring that same intensity, expertise, and commitment to every hazing victim we represent, including those in Westmoreland County.

Westmoreland County Families: Call Now for a FREE Consultation

Your nightmare just became real, and we are here to help turn your pain into accountability. We understand the fear, the anger, and the uncertainty you’re feeling. Our team is empathetic, warm, and deeply committed to fighting for you.

🚨 IMMEDIATE HELP FOR Westmoreland County HAZING VICTIMS: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911

We are available 24/7. Your call is confidential, and the consultation is completely FREE. You have nothing to lose by understanding your legal rights.

• Email Us Directly: ralph@atty911.com
• Visit Our Website: attorney911.com

Here’s Why Westmoreland County Families Should Contact Us Immediately:

1. No Upfront Cost, No Risk: We operate on a contingency fee basis for hazing cases. This means you pay absolutely $0 upfront for our services. We only get paid if, and when, we secure compensation for you. This commitment ensures that financial concerns never stand between your family and justice.
2. Nationwide Reach, Local Impact: While our offices are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our legal authority extends nationwide. We regularly represent victims across state lines, utilizing our federal court admissions and willingness to travel for depositions, hearings, and trials in Westmoreland County or anywhere else your case demands. Video consultations are readily available, making expert legal advice accessible to any family in Westmoreland County.
3. Hazing-Specific Expertise: Our firm specializes in hazing litigation. We know the laws, the tactics used by fraternities and universities, and the strategies required to win. Leonel Bermudez’s case is proof of our active engagement and deep understanding of this complex area of law.
4. Insider Knowledge: Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are former insurance defense lawyers. They have seen the defense playbook from the inside and use that intimate knowledge to anticipate opposing counsel’s moves and ensure maximum recovery for our clients.
5. Time is Critical: The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases is often just two years in many states, including Virginia. Crucial evidence disappears quickly, witnesses’ memories fade, and perpetrators may cover their tracks. Do not delay. Call us now.

We Represent All Hazing Victims in Westmoreland County

Hazing is not confined to Greek life alone. We represent victims of abuse in:

• Fraternities and sororities at universities near Westmoreland County and nationwide.
• Sports teams, from high school to college, both within Westmoreland County and elsewhere.
• Marching bands, ROTC programs, and other student organizations at colleges.
• Military academies and other institutional settings.
• Any group where abuse is disguised as “initiation” or “tradition.”

To Any Other Victims of the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi Hazing:

We know Leonel Bermudez was not the only one. Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout. Others faced waterboarding, forced eating, and physical abuse. If you or someone you know was part of the Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston, or any other institution, please reach out. We can represent you and include your experience in the fight for justice.

Your Legal Emergency Starts Here. We Shut It Down.

Call us 24/7: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email us: ralph@atty911.com

Westmoreland County families, your fight for justice begins with a single call. Let us be your first responder.