🚨 Hazing Victims in Winston County, Mississippi: You Are Not Alone. We Are Fighting For You.
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization near Winston County, Mississippi — we can help.
At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the torture and hospitalization of a student. This same hazing happens at Mississippi institutions near Winston County. The same fraternities operate near Winston County. The same negligence exists at universities near Winston County.
You have legal rights. You have the right to justice. You have the right to compensation.
📞 CALL NOW: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Free, confidential consultation. Available 24/7 for Winston County families.
🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Winston County
The Case That Shows Winston County Families Why We Fight
What Happened to Leonel Bermudez in Houston — And What Could Happen to Your Child in Winston County
On September 16, 2025, Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston. He wasn’t even a student yet — he was a “ghost rush”, expected to transfer for the upcoming semester.
What followed was seven weeks of 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 Could Be Happening Near Winston County Right Now:
| Hazing Activity | What Happened to Leonel | This Happens Near Winston County Too |
|---|---|---|
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning with a garden hose while doing calisthenics | Fraternities near Winston County use the same “traditions” |
| Forced Eating | Large amounts of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns consumed until vomiting | Forced alcohol consumption is common at Winston County-area Greek organizations |
| Extreme Physical Punishment | 500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, “suicides” | Forced exercise is a standard hazing practice near Winston County |
| Wooden Paddles | Struck with wooden paddles | Paddling is still used in hazing rituals at some Mississippi institutions |
| Psychological Torture | Forced to carry a fanny pack with sexual objects; hog-tied on a table for over an hour | Humiliation and degradation are common in hazing near Winston County |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced to drive members during early morning hours, leading to exhaustion | Sleep deprivation is a standard hazing tactic in Mississippi Greek life |
| Threats & Intimidation | Threatened with expulsion if he didn’t comply | Winston County students face the same threats and peer pressure |
The Medical Consequences — What Could Happen to Your Child:
- Rhabdomyolysis — Muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure
- Acute kidney failure — Life-threatening condition requiring hospitalization
- Traumatic brain injury — From beatings or falls
- Alcohol poisoning — From forced drinking
- PTSD, anxiety, depression — Long-term psychological damage
- Death — Hazing kills students every year in America
Leonel Bermudez survived. Others don’t.
🏛️ Who Is Responsible? The Same Institutions Near Winston County
The Defendants We’re Suing in Houston — And Who Could Be Liable Near Winston County
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable in Houston | Who’s Liable Near Winston County |
|---|---|---|
| National Fraternity | Knew about “hazing crisis” but failed to enforce anti-hazing policies | The same national fraternities (Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Sigma Chi, etc.) operate near Winston County |
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted the hazing | Local chapters at Mississippi universities engage in the same hazing |
| University | Owned the fraternity house; failed to prevent hazing despite 2017 prior incident | Universities near Winston County own fraternity houses and fail to supervise Greek life |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated the hazing | Individual members at Winston County-area chapters do the same |
| Alumni | Hazing occurred at their residence | Alumni near Winston County often host hazing events off-campus |
In Houston, we’re suing all of them. If your child was hazed near Winston County, we’ll do the same for you.
💰 Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions — Winston County Families Can Too
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | What This Means for Winston County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | $10.1 Million | Our $10 million demand is supported by precedent |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | $6.1 Million Jury Verdict | Juries award millions for hazing injuries |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | $110+ Million | Strong evidence leads to massive settlements |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement (confidential) | Same fraternity as our Houston case — pattern of negligence |
| Adam Oakes (2021) | Delta Chi | Virginia Commonwealth | $4+ Million | Recent case shows hazing lawsuits win |
Winston County families: These same results are possible for you. The same legal strategies apply.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Winston County Hazing Victim
Mississippi Hazing Laws Protect You
Mississippi has strong anti-hazing laws that make hazing a crime. Under Mississippi Code § 97-3-105, hazing is a misdemeanor, and if it causes serious injury or death, it can be a felony.
Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent does not matter.
Who Can Be Sued Near Winston County?
- The local fraternity/sorority chapter — They organized the hazing
- The national organization — They failed to supervise and enforce anti-hazing policies
- The university — They failed to protect students, especially if they own the fraternity house
- Individual members — Those who participated in or facilitated the hazing
- Alumni — If hazing occurred at their residence
- Insurance companies — The deep pockets that will pay the settlement
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed Near Winston County
Step-by-Step Action Guide for Winston County Families
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Get Medical Attention | Take your child to the ER or a doctor immediately | Document injuries; protect health |
| 2. Preserve Evidence | Save all texts, photos, videos, social media posts about the hazing | This is critical for your case |
| 3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization | Do not confront the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal counsel | They will try to control the narrative |
| 4. Do NOT Post on Social Media | Avoid posting about the incident or your child’s condition | Anything you post can be used against you |
| 5. Contact an Attorney | Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation | Know your rights and legal options |
| 6. Report to Authorities | Consider filing a police report or Title IX complaint | Creates official record |
| 7. Keep All Records | Save medical bills, therapy records, academic records showing impact | These document your damages |
⚠️ Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. The statute of limitations is short.
🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Winston County Hazing Case?
We Are the Hazing Litigation Experts — And We’re Fighting This Fight Right Now
| Why Us? | What We Offer Winston County Families |
|---|---|
| 🔥 Currently Fighting a $10M Hazing Case | We’re not just talking about hazing — we’re actively litigating a major case |
| 🏛️ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know how insurance companies think — and how to beat them |
| 💼 Federal Court Authority | We can pursue cases nationwide, including near Winston County |
| 🗣️ Bilingual Staff (Se Habla Español) | We serve Spanish-speaking families without language barriers |
| 💰 Contingency Fee — $0 Upfront | You pay nothing unless we win your case |
| 🚀 Aggressive, Relentless Representation | We don’t back down from powerful institutions |
| 📞 24/7 Availability | Hazing emergencies don’t wait — neither do we |
Our Attorneys: The Legal Team Fighting for Winston County Families
👨💼 Ralph Manginello — Managing Partner
- 25+ years of litigation experience
- Former insurance defense attorney — knows how the other side thinks
- Currently litigating the $10M UH hazing case
- Hall of Fame athlete and youth coach — understands team culture and the pressures that lead to hazing
👨💼 Lupe Peña — Associate Attorney
- Former national insurance defense attorney — insider knowledge of insurance tactics
- 12+ years of litigation experience
- Fluent in Spanish — serves Hispanic families in Winston County
- Wrongful death and catastrophic injury expertise — exactly the type of cases that arise from fatal hazing
📢 To Fraternities Near Winston County: We Are Watching
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta — if your chapter operates near Winston County, know this:
- We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for $10 million after waterboarding a student.
- We know your corporate structures, insurance policies, and national headquarters.
- We have 125+ IRS-registered Greek organizations in our database.
- We track 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 metros, including near Winston County.
- If you haze students near Winston County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will win.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.
🏆 Our Message to Winston County Families: You Deserve Justice
If your child was hazed near Winston County, you are not powerless.
- You have legal rights.
- You have the right to compensation.
- You have the right to hold these institutions accountable.
We are fighting this battle right now in Houston — and we will fight it for Winston County families too.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now
Free, confidential consultation. Available 24/7 for Winston County hazing victims.
You pay nothing unless we win your case.
🚨 Winston County Parents: Protect Your Child Before It’s Too Late
Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Houston operate near Winston County. The same universities that failed to protect students in Houston have chapters near Winston County.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Winston County, they face the same risks.
Warning Signs of Hazing Near Winston County:
✅ Sudden secrecy — “I can’t talk about it”
✅ Unexplained injuries — Bruises, cuts, limping
✅ Extreme fatigue — Sleeping all day, missing classes
✅ Personality changes — Withdrawn, anxious, depressed
✅ Wearing unusual clothing — Matching outfits, carrying odd items
✅ Avoiding social media — Deactivating accounts, changing privacy settings
✅ Sudden weight loss or gain — From forced eating or extreme exercise
✅ Talking about “traditions” — “It’s just part of the process”
If you see these signs, your child may be in danger. Call us immediately.
📜 Frequently Asked Questions for Winston County Families
1. My child was hazed near Winston County. Can I sue even if they’re not seriously injured?
Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, hazing can cause:
- PTSD, anxiety, depression
- Academic decline
- Loss of scholarships
- Social withdrawal
- Physical injuries
You can sue for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages.
2. The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Does that matter?
No. Mississippi law says consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law protects them.
3. The university near Winston County says they didn’t know about the hazing. Are they still liable?
Possibly. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight of Greek life, they can be held liable — especially if they own the fraternity house.
4. We’re not in Houston. Can Attorney 911 still help us?
Yes. While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including near Winston County. We offer:
- Video consultations for Winston County families
- Federal court authority to pursue cases anywhere
- Willingness to travel to Winston County for depositions and trials
5. How much is my Winston County hazing case worth?
Every case is different, but factors that increase value include:
- Severity of injuries (hospitalization increases value)
- Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, etc.)
- Institutional knowledge (did the university/fraternity know about prior hazing?)
- Pattern of abuse (was this a one-time incident or systemic?)
- Psychological impact (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
Recent hazing cases have settled for $4 million to $110 million.
6. How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Mississippi has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However, evidence disappears quickly, so you should act immediately.
7. Will my child have to testify?
Possibly, but not always. Many cases settle before trial. If your case does go to trial, we will prepare your child thoroughly and support them every step of the way.
8. Can the fraternity retaliate against my child?
No. Retaliation is illegal. If the fraternity or university retaliates, that creates additional legal claims and punitive damages.
9. What if my child was hazed at a high school near Winston County?
We handle college and high school hazing cases. High schools have the same duty to protect students from hazing.
10. How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery.
📞 CALL NOW: 1-888-ATTY-911
Free, confidential consultation. Available 24/7 for Winston County hazing victims.
You pay nothing unless we win your case.
🔚 Enough Is Enough. Winston County Families Deserve Better.
For too long, fraternities and universities have gotten away with hazing our children. They’ve called it “tradition.” They’ve called it “brotherhood.” They’ve called it “character-building.”
We call it what it is: Abuse. Torture. Assault. Sometimes manslaughter. Sometimes murder.
The case we’re fighting in Houston proves that hazing is not harmless. It’s not a prank. It’s not “boys being boys.” It’s a culture of violence that destroys lives.
Winston County families: Your child deserves better. Your family deserves justice.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Today
We are fighting this battle right now — and we will fight it for Winston County families too.
You are not alone. We are here for you.
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
📍 Serving Winston County, Mississippi from Houston, Austin & Beaumont
📞 1-888-288-9911 | ✉️ ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com
🚨 Immediate. Aggressive. Professional. We protect hazing victims.
