Hazing Victim Legal Support in Wicomico County, Maryland
You Are Not Alone — We Fight for Hazing Victims in Wicomico County
Wicomico County families: If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization, you have legal rights. The same national fraternities involved in deadly hazing cases across America operate at universities near Wicomico County. The same negligence exists at Wicomico County-area institutions. And we will fight for Wicomico County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to our current $10 million hazing lawsuit.
We are Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™. While based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Wicomico County, through our federal court authority, dual-state bar licenses, and commitment to traveling wherever justice demands.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Wicomico County
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s sometimes torture. And it’s happening at universities near Wicomico County.
The Reality of Hazing in America — And Why Wicomico County Families Should Be Concerned
- 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing (National Study of Student Hazing, 2008)
- 40% of student athletes report being hazed (Alfred University Study, 2000)
- Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S.
- 95% of students who are hazed do not report it — often due to fear of retaliation or not recognizing it as hazing
- Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, clubs, and other student organizations
The same national fraternities with documented hazing deaths operate near Wicomico County. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in the Wicomico County area, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
💔 Our Current Case: The $10 Million Fight Against Pi Kappa Phi
This Is What Hazing Looks Like. This Is What We Do About It.
Case: Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al.
Victim: Leonel Bermudez
University: University of Houston
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
Status: $10 million lawsuit filed November 21, 2025
What Happened to Leonel Bermudez — And Why It Matters to Wicomico County Families
Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston in September 2025. He wasn’t even a student at UH yet — he was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member expected to transfer for the spring semester.
Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse, torture, and hazing that hospitalized him for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
The Hazing Activities That Hospitalized Our Client
| Category | Hazing Activities | Medical Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Waterboarding with garden hose, struck with wooden paddles, 500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, “suicides” (running drills), wheelbarrows, 100-yard crawls | Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), acute kidney failure, inability to walk, 4-day hospitalization |
| Forced Consumption | Forced to drink large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting; forced to continue running while in physical distress | Vomiting, dehydration, risk of choking/aspiration |
| Psychological Abuse | Forced to carry fanny pack with sexual objects, hog-tying (another pledge tied face-down on table with object in mouth for over an hour), threats of physical punishment/expulsion | PTSD, anxiety, fear of retribution (our client is afraid to speak publicly) |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, late-night hazing sessions | Chronic exhaustion, impaired judgment |
| Extreme Physical Punishment | Two-mile warmups, “save-you-brother” drills, forced to recite fraternity creed while exercising | Physical collapse, inability to stand without help |
On November 3, 2025, after being punished for missing an event, Bermudez was forced to perform extreme exercises until he collapsed. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. The next day, he couldn’t move. His mother rushed him to the hospital on November 6, where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital.
⚖️ Wicomico County Families: You Have Legal Rights
Maryland and Federal Laws Protect Hazing Victims
While our firm is based in Texas, we serve Wicomico County families through:
- Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York)
- Willingness to travel for Wicomico County cases
- Remote consultations for Wicomico County families
Maryland has strong laws against hazing:
Maryland Education Article § 11-205 — Hazing Prohibited
(a) Prohibition. — A person may not recklessly or intentionally do an act or create a situation that subjects a student to the risk of serious bodily injury for the purpose of an initiation into a student organization of a school, college, or university.
(b) Penalty. — A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.
Key Points for Wicomico County Families:
- Hazing is a CRIME in Maryland — punishable by jail time and fines
- Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable
- Organizations can be held liable — fraternities, sororities, and universities can be sued for negligence
Civil Liability: Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Wicomico County?
| Defendant | Basis for Liability | Why It Matters for Wicomico County |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized/conducted hazing | The fraternity or sorority chapter near Wicomico County is responsible for the abuse |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and other nationals have paid millions in settlements — they can pay Wicomico County victims too |
| University/College | Owned property; failed to prevent hazing | Universities near Wicomico County have a duty to protect students — when they fail, they can be sued |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing | Every person involved can be held personally liable — including chapter officers |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their home | Hazing often occurs off-campus — property owners can be liable |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability | National fraternities and universities have insurance policies that cover hazing claims |
💰 Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions
Wicomico County families: These verdicts and settlements prove that hazing cases win. The same legal strategies apply to Wicomico County cases.
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Why It Matters for Wicomico County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million settlement | Our $10 million demand is directly in line with this precedent |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict | Juries award millions for hazing — Wicomico County juries will too |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million settlement | Strong evidence = massive outcome; Wicomico County cases can win big |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential settlement | Same fraternity as our case — they have a documented history of hazing deaths |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | $4+ million settlement | Recent case (2024) — shows hazing cases are still winning big |
The message to Wicomico County fraternities and universities: Hazing costs millions. We have the receipts. These same results are possible for Wicomico County victims.
🔍 What Wicomico County Families Should Do If Hazing Occurs
Immediate Steps to Protect Your Rights
-
Get Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Document everything — medical records are critical evidence
- Rhabdomyolysis and other hazing injuries may not show symptoms immediately
-
Preserve All Evidence
- Save ALL communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails)
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence
- Write down everything — names, dates, what happened, who was involved
- Get witness contact information — other pledges, bystanders, friends
-
Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do not confront fraternity/sorority leadership
- Do not give statements to university administrators without legal counsel
- Do not sign anything from the organization
-
Report to Authorities
- Consider filing a police report
- File a Title IX report with the university (if applicable)
- Report to Maryland state authorities if hazing occurred in Maryland
-
Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911
- We offer free consultations for Wicomico County hazing victims
- We work on contingency — $0 upfront; we only get paid if you win
🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Wicomico County?
Universities Near Wicomico County Face the Same Liability as UH
In our current case:
- University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
- UH had a prior hazing incident in 2017 (Pi Kappa Alpha) — they knew hazing was happening
- UH failed to implement effective oversight — they let it happen again
Universities near Wicomico County face the same liability:
- They have the power to regulate Greek life
- They have the duty to protect students
- When they fail, they can be sued
National Fraternities Have Deep Pockets
Pi Kappa Phi’s own statement:
“Pi Kappa Phi has a proud history of accomplished students and alumni from the Beta Nu Chapter, and we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.”
Translation:
- They’re not sorry
- They’re planning to come back
- They think this will blow over
Wicomico County families: It won’t blow over. We will make them pay.
National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others have:
- Millions in assets
- Liability insurance policies
- The ability to pay multi-million dollar settlements
They will pay Wicomico County victims the same way they paid in other cases.
🎯 Why Wicomico County Families Choose Attorney 911
We Are the Hazing Litigation Experts Wicomico County Families Need
| Advantage | Why It Matters for Wicomico County Families |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years of Litigation Experience | Battle-tested trial attorneys — ready to fight for Wicomico County victims |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know how insurance companies think — we use that knowledge against them |
| Federal Court Authority | Can pursue Wicomico County cases in federal court |
| Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas AND New York) | Strategic advantage for cases involving national fraternities |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Wicomico County families |
| Nationwide Hazing Expertise | Currently litigating $10M UH hazing case — same strategies for Wicomico County victims |
| Contingency Fee Representation | $0 upfront — Wicomico County families pay nothing unless we win |
We Come to Wicomico County
While we’re based in Texas, we serve Wicomico County families through:
- Video consultations — meet with us remotely
- Phone consultations — call 1-888-ATTY-911 anytime
- Travel commitment — we come to Wicomico County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
Distance is not a barrier to justice for Wicomico County families.
📞 Wicomico County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed in Wicomico County or at a university near Wicomico County, call us immediately.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We work on contingency — $0 upfront for Wicomico County families. We only get paid if you win.
🚨 Warning to Wicomico County Fraternities and Universities
To fraternities operating near Wicomico County: We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Wicomico County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America.
To universities near Wicomico County: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.
The Beta Nu chapter at UH? SHUT DOWN. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
That’s what happens when you haze near Wicomico County.
📢 Enough Is Enough — Wicomico County Families Deserve Justice
Wicomico County parents: Your child trusted these people. They trusted the fraternity. They trusted the university. That trust was betrayed.
Wicomico County students: You didn’t deserve this. What happened to you wasn’t “tradition.” It was abuse. It was assault. It may have been a crime.
We are Attorney 911. We are fighting this battle right now. And we will fight for Wicomico County families.
Call us today. Your consultation is free. Your case matters.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
Serving Wicomico County and nationwide. Legal Emergency Lawyers™ — We fight for what’s right.
