If you are reading this in Wilkinson County, Georgia, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, build leadership skills, and prepare for a bright future. Instead, they were tortured. They were abused. They were brought to the brink of physical and psychological collapse by a fraternity or other organization, and now you are searching for answers, for justice, and for help.

We understand what you’re going through. We are Attorney911, and we are here to help families in Wilkinson County fight back against the insidious problem of hazing. Our firm, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is actively battling this crisis right now, leading a landmark $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university for the severe hazing of our client. We bring the same aggressive, data-driven, and relentless representation to hazing victims and their families in Wilkinson County, Georgia, and nationwide.

The Hazing Crisis: Why Wilkinson County, Georgia, Families Need Us

Hazing is not a Texas-only problem, nor is it confined to the headlines of major metropolitan areas. It is a crisis that impacts students and families across America, including those in Wilkinson County, Georgia. Your children, whether they attend schools like Washington County High School or Wilkinson County High School, often go on to colleges and universities across Georgia and beyond, where they face the very real threat of hazing. It happens at large state universities, smaller private colleges, and even local community colleges. The deceptive allure of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood” often masks a dangerous culture of abuse that can lead to lifelong trauma, severe injury, or even death.

From Wilkinson County, Georgia, students often attend institutions that have a prominent Greek life presence, such as the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia Tech in Atlanta, or Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. Even smaller nearby institutions like Middle Georgia State University in Cochran or Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville can have active fraternity and sorority chapters, sports teams, or other student organizations where hazing can occur. Parents in Wilkinson County often send their children to these schools expecting them to be safe and nurtured, but the reality is that the same national fraternities and hazing traditions that hospitalized our client in Houston are actively recruiting and operating at these very institutions.

Beyond fraternities and sororities, hazing pervades a disturbing range of student activities. It occurs in sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and professional organizations. No matter the group, the underlying dynamics of power imbalances, secrecy, and the misguided pursuit of “belonging” create fertile ground for abuse. For families in Wilkinson County, understanding that this danger is not distant, but a pervasive aspect of modern campus life, is the first step toward seeking justice. We are here to clarify those dangers and show you how to fight back.

The Landmark Case: Attorney911 vs. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston (2025)

The case that defines our firm’s commitment to fighting hazing is Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. This isn’t just a legal filing; it’s a testament to our aggressive, thorough, and data-driven approach to hazing litigation. This $10 million lawsuit, filed on November 21, 2025, in Harris County Civil District Court, targets not only the local fraternity chapter and its individual members but also the national organization and the University of Houston itself. This case stands as a stark warning to fraternities, universities, and Greek life organizations operating near Wilkinson County, Georgia, and across the nation: we will hold everyone responsible accountable.

Wilkinson County, Georgia, Families: This Is What Hazing Looks Like. This Is What We Do About It.

This horrific incident happened in Houston, but its lessons are vital for every family in Wilkinson County. The same hazing cults can happen at universities your children attend, the same fraternities are active in Georgia, the same negligence thrives at institutions everywhere. We will fight for Wilkinson County families with the same aggression and dedication we are bringing to this critical case.

Leonel Bermudez: A Victim’s Story

Leonel Bermudez was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member who had not even officially enrolled at the University of Houston. He was planning to transfer for the upcoming semester, eager to become part of the university community. He accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025. What followed was an agonizing ordeal of weeks of systematic abuse, physical torture, and psychological torment that ultimately led to his hospitalization for severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days fighting for his health in a hospital bed.

As Attorney Manginello recounted to ABC13, “When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.” This vivid description paints a picture of the silent suffering many hazing victims endure before their situations become critical.

Attorney Peña emphasized our firm’s broader mission 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 sentiment drives every action we take for our clients, including those in Wilkinson County, Georgia.

The Hazing Activities Exposed in Our Lawsuit

The hazing Leonel endured was not a series of innocent pranks. It was systematic, calculated abuse that falls squarely within the definition of torture. The lawsuit details harrowing incidents:

• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: Leonel was subjected to “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose.” Pledges were sprayed directly in the face with a hose while performing calisthenics, and threatened with repeated waterboarding. This is a technique condemned internationally as torture, yet it was inflicted upon a college student seeking belonging.
• Forced Eating Until Vomiting: Pledges like Leonel were compelled to consume large quantities of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomited. Following this, they were “forced to continue running sprints while clearly in physical distress” and made to lie in their own vomit-soaked grass.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: The abuse involved grueling physical demands, including “100+ pushups, 500 squats, and other exercises like ‘high-volume suicides,’ bear crawls, wheelbarrows, ‘save-you-brother’ drills,” and “repeated 100-yard crawls.” These exercises were forced until Leonel could not stand without assistance. The lawsuit also alleges pledges were “struck with wooden paddles.”
• Psychological Torture & Humiliation: Leonel was made to carry a fanny pack containing “objects of a sexual nature at all times.” Another pledge was “hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.” Pledges were forced to strip to their underwear in cold weather and endured threats of physical punishment or expulsion for non-compliance.
• Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion: Forced early-morning drives for fraternity members contributed to severe exhaustion, impacting his physical and mental state.

The Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Failure

This extreme abuse took a severe toll on Leonel’s body. His mother rushed him to the hospital when he began “passing brown urine,” a classic indicator of rhabdomyolysis. This condition, characterized by the breakdown of muscle tissue and the release of damaging proteins into the bloodstream, is life-threatening. Leonel’s diagnosis included severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, necessitating three nights and four days of intensive hospitalization. The long-term implications of such an injury can include chronic kidney disease and the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Institutional Responses: A Coordinated Effort to Evade Accountability

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters suspended the UH chapter, effective November 14, 2025 – a full week before our $10 million lawsuit was filed. Their public statement, while claiming to “take all allegations of hazing seriously,” concluded with an intention to “look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.” This reveals a disturbing lack of genuine remorse and a calculated effort to manage public perception while planning their return, rather than actively addressing the root cause of the violence.

The University of Houston spokesperson acknowledged the events as “deeply disturbing” and representative of “a clear violation of our community standards,” noting “potential criminal charges.” This statement, however, also highlighted their “coordination with law enforcement and with the cooperation of the fraternity and its national leadership,” suggesting a unified front in managing the fallout rather than prioritizing victim advocacy. The fact that UH owned the fraternity house where much of this torture occurred further implicates the institution in its failure to ensure student safety.

Why This Case Matters to Wilkinson County, Georgia, Families

1. Proof That “Tradition” Is Torture: The details of Leonel’s hazing demonstrate that this is not innocent bonding but systematic abuse. This type of abuse can and does happen at colleges and universities where Wilkinson County students attend.
2. Universities Are Complicit: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where some of the hazing took place. Universities like the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, or Middle Georgia State University have the same power to stop hazing within their systems, and the same liability when they fail to do so.
3. National Organizations Know: Pi Kappa Phi’s national leadership suspended and ultimately dissolved the chapter, confirming their knowledge of severe wrongdoing. The same national fraternities and sororities with chapters near Wilkinson County bear this same national responsibility.
4. Victims Are Afraid: Leonel’s fear of retribution is sadly common among hazing victims. We protect our clients and provide a safe avenue to seek justice.
5. One Brave Victim Can Protect Wilkinson County Students: By aggressively pursuing justice for Leonel, we send a powerful message. Your Wilkinson County case could similarly save lives.
6. $10 Million Sends a Message: This substantial lawsuit demonstrates the high cost of allowing torture and abuse. Wilkinson County families have the right to demand similar accountability for such devastating harm.

What Hazing Really Looks Like

The popular perception of hazing is often outdated, conjuring images of silly pranks or benign rituals. The reality is far more sinister. Hazing today, as evidenced by Leonel Bermudez’s case, is a calculated form of psychological and physical torment designed to break down individuals, instill fear, and enforce absolute obedience. It is not about “building brotherhood”; it is about power, control, and degradation.

It is assault, battery, torture, and often reckless endangerment, sometimes escalating to manslaughter or murder. This is not an exaggeration for parents in Wilkinson County. This is the grim reality.

Types of Hazing Incidents: Beyond the Stereotypes

• Physical Abuse: This goes far beyond communal push-ups. It includes beatings, paddling, branding, burning, and forced exercise to the point of exhaustion and physical collapse. For Leonel, this involved 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and repeated 100-yard crawls. Another pledge was struck with wooden paddles.
• Forced Consumption: This often involves binge drinking, which tragically leads to many hazing deaths. However, it also includes forcing pledges to eat until they vomit, consuming disgusting substances, or, as in Leonel’s case, eating large quantities of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns only to later be forced to exercise through his own vomit.
• Sleep Deprivation: Pledges are often kept awake for extended periods, driving members, performing tasks at all hours, leading to severe exhaustion that impairs judgment and physical health.
• Psychological Torture: This can be the most insidious form of hazing, leaving deep, lasting scars. It includes humiliation, verbal abuse, isolation, threats, and enforced degrading rituals. Leonel was forced to carry a fanny pack with “objects of a sexual nature” and witnessed another pledge hog-tied with an object in his mouth.
• Sexual Abuse: This devastating category includes forced nudity, sexual acts, and sexual harassment. The “objects of a sexual nature” Leonel was forced to carry hint at this dark dimension of hazing.
• Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning: As Leonel’s case shows, this extreme form of torture, mimicking drowning, is now a documented hazing tactic.
• Exposure: Pledges can be subjected to extreme cold or heat, or confined in small, uncomfortable spaces, leading to hypothermia, heatstroke, or other medical emergencies.
• Servitude: Forced cleaning, driving, running errands, or performing personal services for older members.

The True Medical Consequences

The medical implications of hazing extend far beyond scrapes and bruises. Forced exertion can lead to rhabdomyolysis, as seen in Leonel’s case, which can cause acute kidney failure and permanent organ damage. Extreme alcohol consumption often results in alcohol poisoning, brain damage, or death. Beatings can cause traumatic brain injury, broken bones, or internal bleeding. Hypothermia or hyperthermia from exposure can lead to cardiac arrest. And beyond the physical, hazing almost invariably causes profound psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation. These are not minor injuries; they are life-altering or life-ending.

The Institutional Failure

These horrors persist because universities and national organizations often fail to adequately address the problem. They are fully aware that hazing takes place. They have the power and resources to prevent it, yet they frequently choose not to—until a student is hospitalized or dies, at which point they issue condemnations, suspend chapters, and claim “shock.” Our firm pushes back against this narrative, exposing the systemic failures that endanger students from Wilkinson County and across the nation.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Party Accountable

A critical aspect of hazing litigation is identifying and holding accountable every entity and individual who contributed to the harm. This comprehensive approach is what maximizes compensation for victims and truly drives institutional change. For Wilkinson County families, understanding the web of responsibility is empowering.

The Defendants in Our Lawsuit Highlight the Breadth of Liability:

• Local Chapter: The Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi directly organized and carried out the hazing. Their officers, including the president and pledgemaster, were instrumental in directing the activities. Every individual member who participated in or failed to stop the hazing bears responsibility.
• National Organization: Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity’s national headquarters bore ultimate responsibility for the oversight of its local chapters. Their failure to enforce anti-hazing policies, despite clear knowledge of dangerous hazing practices (as evidenced by the 2017 death of Andrew Coffey at another Pi Kappa Phi chapter), represents a profound institutional failure.
• University: The University of Houston, by owning and controlling the fraternity house where hazing occurred, had a direct duty to ensure student safety. Their failure to supervise Greek life, especially given a prior hazing hospitalization at UH in 2017, makes them directly liable. Universities like the University of Georgia or Georgia Southern University also have this responsibility towards students from Wilkinson County.
• Housing Corporation: Entities like the Beta Nu Housing Corporation, which own or manage fraternity property, also bear responsibility for creating and maintaining a safe environment.
• Individual Members and Their Spouses: Our lawsuit even names a former member and his spouse because some hazing sessions occurred at their private residence. This extends liability beyond the campus, emphasizing that anyone who enables or allows hazing on their property can be held accountable.

The Deep Pockets: Ensuring Meaningful Accountability

When we pursue hazing cases, we aren’t just targeting individual college students, who often have limited financial resources. We focus on the “deep pockets” – the institutions and organizations with the financial capacity to provide meaningful compensation.

• National Fraternity/Sorority Organizations: These entities often possess significant assets, national endowments, and comprehensive liability insurance policies that can pay multi-million dollar settlements.
• Universities: Major universities, whether public or private, typically have substantial financial resources, large endowments, and institutional insurance coverage.
• Insurance Carriers: Homeowner’s, renter’s, and commercial liability insurance policies can provide crucial financial coverage for hazing incidents, especially those that occur off-campus.

As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña possess invaluable insight into how these large organizations and their insurance carriers operate. We know their strategies, their vulnerabilities, and how to effectively penetrate their defenses to secure the maximum possible recovery for our clients, including those families in Wilkinson County, Georgia.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof

For families in Wilkinson County, Georgia, dealing with the shock and devastation of a hazing incident, it’s crucial to know that justice is attainable, and that it can be substantial. The multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in hazing cases across the country serve as powerful precedents. They demonstrate that courts and juries are increasingly holding fraternities, universities, and individuals accountable for their negligence and brutality. These are not just legal summaries; they are stories of families who fought back and won.

Landmark Verdicts & Settlements: They Will Pay

• Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State University (Pi Kappa Alpha), 2021: Total recovery exceeding $10.1 MILLION. Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol. The settlement included $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University and $7.2 million from Pi Kappa Alpha and various individuals. This case set a precedent as the largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history. A recent judgment in December 2024 further ordered the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, to pay $6.5 million personally, showing that even individual officers are not immune.
• Maxwell Gruver, Louisiana State University (Phi Delta Theta), 2017: A $6.1 MILLION jury verdict. Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning with a BAC of 0.495 after being forced to drink during a “Bible Study” hazing event. The overwhelming jury verdict sent a clear message that such conduct has severe consequences. This case also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
• Timothy Piazza, Penn State University (Beta Theta Pi), 2017: Estimated total recovery exceeding $110 MILLION. Timothy Piazza consumed 18 drinks in 82 minutes and fell down a flight of stairs multiple times, suffering a fatal traumatic brain injury. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for 12 hours. The extensive settlement amount, though confidential, highlights the enormous liability when clear evidence, such as security camera footage, exposes egregious negligence. This case spurred the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law” in Pennsylvania.
• Andrew Coffey, Florida State University (Pi Kappa Phi), 2017: This case is particularly significant, as Pi Kappa Phi is the SAME NATIONAL FRATERNITY involved in our current lawsuit. Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon. This proves that Pi Kappa Phi National’s leadership was fully aware of deadly hazing practices within its chapters for eight years before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. This pattern of negligence is crucial for establishing liability and pursuing punitive damages.
• Adam Oakes, Virginia Commonwealth University (Delta Chi), 2021: A recent settlement in October 2024 exceeded $4 MILLION following Adam Oakes’ death from alcohol poisoning during a hazing event. The family had originally sought $28 million, again demonstrating that substantial demands are being made and met in these cases.
• UT Austin Sigma Chi, 2025: Horrifically, a new hazing death lawsuit was filed in November 2025 against the Sigma Chi chapter at the University of Texas at Austin following the death by suicide of an 18-year-old freshman after “horrific abuse.” This timely, heartbreaking case underscores that this crisis continues, even across the state of Texas.

Why These Precedents Matter for Wilkinson County Cases

1. Our $10 Million Demand Is Supported by History: The multi-million dollar outcomes in similar cases, even for non-fatal injuries like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, show that our pursuit of $10 million is not only justified but often in line with what juries and settlements have awarded.
2. Juries Hate Hazing: The public outrage over hazing, especially when it involves egregious conduct like waterboarding, forced vomiting, and physical assault, translates into substantial jury awards. Juries want to send a message.
3. Institutional Negligence Is Punishable: The fact that universities and national fraternities consistently contribute millions to these settlements proves that their failures in oversight and enforcement are legally indefensible.
4. Pattern Evidence Strengthens Cases: When a fraternity like Pi Kappa Phi has a history of serious hazing incidents (Andrew Coffey in 2017 and Leonel Bermudez in 2025), it establishes a clear pattern of negligence that is difficult for them to deny. Likewise, if a university near Wilkinson County, Georgia, has any past hazing incidents, their liability increases significantly.
5. Legislative Change Follows Litigation: Many of these landmark cases have directly led to stronger anti-hazing laws. By pursuing justice for your child in Wilkinson County, you could contribute to legislative change that protects countless other students.

These cases unequivocally demonstrate that fighting back against hazing is not only possible but necessary. The financial and legal precedents are firmly in place, and we are armed with this invaluable insight for every family we represent in Wilkinson County, Georgia.

Texas Law Protects You: Wilkinson County Victims’ Rights

For Wilkinson County families, understanding the legal landscape is crucial, even if the incident occurred outside of Georgia. While our firm is based in Texas, one of the states with the nation’s toughest anti-hazing laws, federal civil rights claims and general negligence principles apply regardless of location. Our federal court admissions and dual state bar licenses (Texas and New York) position us uniquely to handle hazing cases across the country, including anywhere in Georgia.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code § 37.151-37.157): A Model for Accountability

Texas law explicitly defines and criminalizes hazing, providing a strong legal foundation for both criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits.

• Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of affiliation or membership in an organization. The categories of prohibited acts directly align with what Leonel Bermudez endured: “physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking,” “sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics,” and “consumption of a food, liquid… that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm.” The waterboarding, forced eating, extreme exercise, and paddling Leonel suffered fall squarely within this legal definition.
• Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Texas law establishes clear criminal penalties for hazing, ranging from a Class B Misdemeanor (for engaging in hazing or failing to report it) to a Class A Misdemeanor for hazing causing serious bodily injury, and a State Jail Felony for hazing that results in death. Given Leonel Bermudez’s severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, the perpetrators potentially face Class A Misdemeanor charges carrying up to one year in jail. The University of Houston spokesperson even acknowledged “potential criminal charges.”
• Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Critically, Texas law ensures that organizations themselves can be penalized, including fines up to $10,000 and the denial of the right to operate on campus. This means the fraternity chapter and the national organization can be held legally responsible as entities, not just individuals.
• Consent Is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most powerful aspect of Texas anti-hazing law. The statute explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution… that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” This directly refutes the common defense used by fraternities and universities that “pledges knew the risks” or “voluntarily participated.” The law recognizes the coercive environment inherent in hazing.

Civil Liability for Hazing: Beyond Criminal Charges

While criminal charges aim to punish perpetrators, civil lawsuits provide compensation for victims and their families. For Wilkinson County families, a civil claim is the path to recover financial damages for medical bills, lost income, pain, and suffering. These claims generally include:

• Negligence Claims: This is the most common path. It argues that the defendants (fraternity, university, national organization, individuals) owed a duty of care to the student, breached that duty by allowing or participating in hazing, and this breach directly caused the student’s injuries and damages.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on university property, or in a venue controlled by the fraternity or specific individuals, the property owners can be held liable for creating an unsafe environment. This is a key aspect of our lawsuit against the University of Houston, which owned the fraternity house.
• Negligent Supervision: National organizations and universities have a duty to adequately supervise their chapters and student organizations. If they fail to do so, knowing the risks, they can be held liable.
• Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators who physically inflict harm (like paddling or simulated waterboarding) can be sued directly for intentional torts, regardless of organizational liability.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The extreme and outrageous nature of hazing often causes such severe emotional and psychological distress that victims can pursue claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

These legal avenues provide a comprehensive framework to pursue justice for Wilkinson County families, ensuring that every responsible party, from the individual pledgemaster to the national governing body and the university, faces accountability.

Why Attorney911: Your Advocates in Wilkinson County, Georgia

When a hazing emergency strikes a family in Wilkinson County, Georgia, you need immediate, aggressive, and expert legal representation. This isn’t a typical personal injury case. It demands specialized knowledge, a deep understanding of institutional dynamics, and a fearless approach to confronting powerful defendants. That’s why Attorney911 is the clear choice.

Our Unmatched Advantages for Wilkinson County Hazing Victims:

1. Active Litigation in a Landmark Hazing Case: We are not just talking about hazing; we are fighting it in court right now. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is proof of our commitment and expertise. Wilkinson County families get the benefit of a legal team actively engaged in this challenging and evolving area of law.
2. 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Ralph Manginello is a battle-tested trial attorney with over two decades of experience. This means your case will be built for the courtroom, not just for settlement negotiations, giving you maximum leverage.
3. Former Insurance Defense Insight: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. This unique background provides an invaluable “unfair advantage.” We know exactly how insurance companies and corporate defendants (like universities and national fraternities) think, strategize, and try to deny or minimize claims. We’ve seen their playbook from the inside and use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for our hazing victims in Wilkinson County.
4. Federal Court Admissions & Dual-State Bar Licenses: Our admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and our dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) give us the authority to pursue complex hazing cases in federal courts anywhere in the country, including those involving national organizations that span state lines. This is a strategic advantage for Wilkinson County families whose child may have been hazed out-of-state.
5. Experience Against Massive Corporate Defendants: Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the BP Texas City Explosion litigation, a multi-billion dollar mass tort case, demonstrates our capacity to take on and win against giant corporate adversaries. The same aggressive strategies apply when confronting powerful national fraternities and universities.
6. Hazing-Specific Expertise and Data-Driven Approach: We have direct experience with rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, fraternity litigation (including Kappa Sigma and Texas A&M cases), and university accountability issues. We maintain a comprehensive Texas Hazing Intelligence Database which meticulously tracks over 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 metropolitan areas in Texas alone, including their EINs, legal names, and corporate structures. This intelligence allows us to identify every responsible entity without guessing, giving us an unparalleled advantage in building your case.
7. Client-Focused Communication and Compassion: We understand the trauma that hazing inflicts on victims and their families. Our approach is empathetic, warm, and parent-facing. We maintain consistent communication, treating Wilkinson County families like our own, ensuring you are informed and supported at every stage of the process. Testimonials like one from a client who said, “You are NOT a pest to them… You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such,” exemplify our commitment.
8. Contingency Fee Representation: No Upfront Cost to Wilkinson County Families: We take hazing cases on contingency. This means you pay $0 upfront to hire us. We cover all litigation costs, and we only get paid if and when we win your case. This eliminates the financial barrier, ensuring that every Wilkinson County family affected by hazing has access to expert legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
9. Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español): Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, allowing us to provide comprehensive legal services to Spanish-speaking families in Wilkinson County, ensuring no language barrier impedes access to justice.
10. Nationwide Reach and Localized Service: While our headquarters are in Houston, we serve hazing victims in Wilkinson County, Georgia, and across America. We offer video consultations for convenience and are committed to traveling to Wilkinson County for depositions, meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Distance is not a barrier to justice when your child has been subjected to such egregious harm.

We are not just lawyers; we are advocates, strategists, and relentless fighters. We are Attorney911, and we are ready to stand with Wilkinson County families against hazing.

What to Do Right Now: Your Immediate Steps in Wilkinson County, Georgia

If your child has been the victim of hazing in Wilkinson County, Georgia, or while away at college, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While shock, fear, and confusion are natural reactions, acting quickly and strategically can profoundly impact the success of your legal claim.

1. Prioritize Medical Attention, Document Everything:

• Seek Immediate Medical Care: Even if injuries seem minor or symptoms are delayed, get immediate medical attention. For hazing like Leonel’s, conditions like rhabdomyolysis can be life-threatening and require urgent hospitalization. For psychological trauma, seek professional counseling. Ensure that you clearly state how the injuries occurred (e.g., “I was forced to exercise until I collapsed during a fraternity event”).
• Preserve All Medical Records: Keep meticulous records of all doctor’s visits, hospital stays, diagnoses, treatments, medications, and therapy sessions. These documents are fundamental evidence of the harm suffered.

2. Preserve Crucial Evidence: Do Not Delete Anything!

• Photos and Videos: Use your cellphone to document everything. Take photos of physical injuries at various stages of healing (bruises, cuts, swelling). If you have images or videos of the hazing activities themselves, save them securely. If hazing occurred in a specific location, photograph or video its conditions.
• Digital Communications: This is paramount for hazing cases. DO NOT DELETE ANY TEXT MESSAGES, GROUP CHAT MESSAGES (GroupMe, WhatsApp), SNAPCHATS, INSTAGRAM DMs, EMAILS, OR ANY OTHER DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS. These often contain evidence of instructions, threats, coercion, or discussions about the hazing itself. Screenshot everything and store it securely.
• Witness Information: Collect names, phone numbers, and any contact details for other pledges, witnesses to the hazing, or even bystanders. Their testimony can be invaluable.
• Documents: Save any formal documents given to your child, such as pledge manuals, schedules, rules, or codes of conduct.
• Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, receipts for any related expenses, and documentation of lost wages or academic fees.

3. Avoid These Common Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case:

• DO NOT Communicate with the Fraternity/Sorority: Do not speak with any members, officers, alumni, or advisors of the organization involved without consulting your attorney first. They are not on your side, and anything you say can be used against you.
• DO NOT Post on Social Media: Refrain from posting anything about the incident on any social media platform. Anything you post can be twisted and used by the defense to undermine your claim. This includes seemingly innocuous posts that might suggest you are fine when you are not, or photos that might be misinterpreted.
• DO NOT Sign Anything: Never sign any documents presented by the fraternity, university, or their representatives without your attorney’s review. These documents may contain waivers of liability or other clauses that could severely compromise your legal rights.
• DO NOT Give Recorded Statements: If contacted by insurance adjusters or university officials, politely refuse to give any recorded statements until you have consulted with your attorney. Their job is to minimize their liability, not to help you.
• DO NOT Delay: The longer you wait, the more evidence can disappear, memories can fade, and the harder it becomes to build a strong case.

4. Contact Us Immediately: The Clock Is Ticking

Most states, including Georgia (where many Wilkinson County students attend college), have a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims. This means you typically have only two years from the date of the injury or death to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you forfeit your right to seek legal compensation forever.

This is why calling us the moment you suspect hazing is critical. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was hospitalized on November 6th, and we filed the lawsuit within weeks. This swift action is how you protect your rights and ensure justice.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Team in Wilkinson County, Georgia

When a hazing incident shatters the peace of your family in Wilkinson County, Georgia, you are facing a legal emergency. You need immediate, aggressive, and professional help. We are Attorney911, and we are ready to respond.

We understand the fear, the anger, and the desperation that families in Wilkinson County feel when their child is betrayed by the very institutions meant to protect them. We are actively fighting these battles in court right now, and we bring that same relentless advocacy to your case, no matter where in Wilkinson County, Georgia, or the nation, the hazing occurred.

Wilkinson County, Georgia, Families – Call Now for a Free Consultation

Don’t face this nightmare alone. The consultation is free, confidential, and available 24/7. There is no obligation, just answers and a clear path forward.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email Us 24/7: ralph@atty911.com

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We work on a contingency fee basis: This means you pay absolutely $0 upfront to hire our firm. We cover all the litigation costs, and we only get paid if and when we win your case. Our interests are completely aligned with yours. You have nothing to lose by calling.

We Serve Wilkinson County, Georgia, Hazing Victims – And Hazing Victims Nationwide

While our physical offices are located in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, our reach extends far beyond state lines, including to Wilkinson County, Georgia. We harness our specialized expertise and resources to help hazing victims and their families across America through:

• Federal Court Authority: Our admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, allows us to pursue complex hazing cases in federal jurisdictions, giving us flexibility to litigate against national organizations wherever they operate.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello holds bar licenses in both Texas and New York, providing a strategic advantage when confronting national fraternities and universities headquartered in various states.
• Video Consultations: For your convenience in Wilkinson County, Georgia, we offer secure and confidential video consultations, allowing you to meet with our legal team remotely from the comfort and privacy of your home.
• Commitment to Travel: We are prepared to travel to Wilkinson County, Georgia, for critical depositions, client meetings, and trial proceedings to aggressively represent your interests. Distance is never a barrier to justice.

Hazing is not limited to specific types of organizations. We represent victims of hazing in:

• Fraternities and sororities at universities and colleges throughout Georgia and the Southeast.
• Sports teams, from high school to collegiate levels.
• Marching bands, ROTC programs, and other campus clubs and organizations.
• Any group that uses abuse, degradation, or dangerous rituals as a condition of membership.

To other victims of the Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston: We know Leonel was not the only one. We understand you may be afraid to come forward. But as Lupe Peña stated, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” You have rights, and we can protect your identity and your case. Call us. Let us bring everyone responsible to justice.

Your Legal Emergency Team is standing by, 24/7, for Wilkinson County, Georgia.

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