Hazing in Texas Colleges & Universities: A Complete Guide for Titus County Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

For parents in Titus County, the news of a hazing incident at a university can feel both distant and terrifyingly close. Your child may be just an hour’s drive away at a regional campus like Texas A&M University-Commerce, or they could be a few hours south at a major hub like the University of Texas at Austin or Texas A&M in College Station. The reality is that hazing—systematic abuse disguised as tradition—happens across Texas, and it can impact families from Mount Pleasant to Houston.

Right now, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered catastrophic injuries during his fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The allegations are severe: forced consumption of food until vomiting, “waterboarding” with a hose, extreme physical workouts, and a degrading “pledge fanny pack” rule. Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing health risks. This is not an isolated incident from years past; it is an active, $10 million lawsuit filed in late 2025 that led to the fraternity chapter being shut down.

This comprehensive guide is written for you—families in Titus County, Mount Pleasant, and across Northeast Texas. We will explain what modern hazing really looks like, break down Texas hazing laws, examine patterns at specific universities your children may attend, and outline the legal pathways to accountability and recovery. Our goal is to provide clarity, education, and a path forward during an incredibly difficult time.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger or has been seriously injured, time is critical.

IF THIS JUST HAPPENED:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate legal guidance.

IN THE FIRST 48 HOURS:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, seek evaluation. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) may not be immediately apparent.
2. Preserve Evidence: Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, texts), photograph injuries, and save any physical items. Do not delete anything.
3. Document Everything: Write down names, dates, locations, and what your child tells you while memories are fresh.
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or members directly.
   • Sign any documents from the university or an insurance company.
   • Allow your child to delete digital evidence or “clean up” their story.
   • Post details on public social media.

CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED HAZING ATTORNEY: Evidence disappears quickly. Universities and organizations move fast to control narratives. We can help secure evidence and protect your child’s rights from the start. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, free consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025

Hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypical “prank.” It is a calculated pattern of coercion, abuse, and psychological manipulation designed to create loyalty through trauma. For Titus County families whose children may be new to college life, understanding these modern tactics is the first step in recognition.

A Modern Definition: Coercion, Not Choice

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or gaining status within a group, where that act endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

The critical legal point, especially under Texas law, is that “consent” is not a defense. The power imbalance between new members and established members, combined with intense social pressure and fear of exclusion, means true voluntary consent rarely exists. Your child may say “I agreed to it,” but the law recognizes the coercive environment.

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol & Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadliest form. It includes forced consumption during “lineups,” “Big/Little” nights, or drinking games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mandate drinks. The goal is rapid intoxication to the point of illness, injury, or unconsciousness. It is not “just partying”; it is a directed act with foreseeable, dangerous consequences.

2. Physical Hazing
This extends beyond paddling to include:

• Extreme Calisthenics: “Smokings” or workouts involving hundreds of push-ups or squats until collapse, as allegedly seen in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case.
• Environmental Torture: Exposure to extreme cold (in underwear), heat, or filthy conditions.
• Sleep & Deprivation: Mandatory all-night sessions, early wake-up calls, withholding food or water.
• Violent Acts: Beatings, tackling rituals (like the “glass ceiling” ritual), or being restrained.

3. Psychological & Sexualized Hazing
This is designed to break down identity and instill shame:

• Humiliation: Forced nudity, degrading costumes, public “roasts,” or simulating sexual acts.
• Isolation & Control: Cutting off contact with non-members, requiring permission for basic activities, constant surveillance via group chats.
• Verbal Abuse: Systematic screaming, insults, and threats to create constant anxiety.

4. Digital Hazing
A 2025 hallmark, using technology to extend control:

• 24/7 Group Chat Demands: Pledges required to respond instantly at all hours or face punishment.
• Social Media Humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat.
• Location Tracking: Required to share live location via apps.
• Evidence Creation: Hazing is often filmed and shared in private groups, creating a digital record that can later be deleted in cover-up attempts.

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond Fraternities

While fraternities and sororities are frequent offenders, hazing permeates many groups:

• Corps of Cadets and military-style organizations (notable at Texas A&M).
• Athletic Teams, from football to cheerleading.
• Spirit & Tradition Groups like marching bands or campus service organizations.
• Cultural & Academic Clubs.

The common thread is a hierarchy where existing members wield power over new members under the guise of “tradition,” “team building,” or “character building.”

Texas Hazing Law & Legal Liability: A Framework for Families

Understanding the legal landscape is crucial for Titus County families considering their options. Texas has specific statutes, and federal laws add another layer of potential accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Core Anti-Hazing Law

Texas law defines hazing broadly and treats it seriously. Key provisions include:

• §37.151 – Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership. This applies on or off campus.
• §37.152 – Criminal Penalties:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Base hazing offense (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
  • It is also a crime to fail to report hazing or to retaliate against someone who reports.
• §37.155 – Consent is NOT a Defense: This is paramount. A student’s “agreement” to participate is legally irrelevant given the coercive environment.
• §37.153 – Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation.
• §37.154 – Reporter Immunity: Individuals who report hazing in good faith are generally immune from civil or criminal liability for their own minor involvement (like underage drinking). This encourages calling for help.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

It’s important to distinguish between these parallel legal tracks:

• Criminal Case: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Goal is punishment (jail, fines, probation). Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to a minor, or manslaughter in a death. A criminal conviction can help a civil case but is not required for it.
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and their family. Goal is financial compensation (damages) and institutional accountability. This is where we help families recover costs for medical bills, therapy, lost future earnings, and the immense pain and suffering caused.

Federal Law Overlays: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based discrimination, federally-funded universities have a duty to investigate and address it.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults and arrests related to hazing incidents.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): A new federal law requiring increased transparency. By 2026, universities must publish more detailed annual hazing incident reports, which will provide families with crucial pattern data.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A strategic lawsuit looks at every entity that failed in its duty:

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. Local Chapter Officers: The president, pledge educator, risk manager, etc., who had direct control.
3. The Local Chapter Itself: As a legal entity (often a housing corporation).
4. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: They often have deep pockets, insurance, and a history of prior incidents. They can be liable for negligent supervision and failure to enforce their own policies.
5. The University: Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have a duty to protect students. They can be liable if they were deliberately indifferent to a known, substantial risk. Private schools like SMU and Baylor have similar duties.
6. Third Parties: Property owners of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol (under dram shop laws).

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases below are not just news stories; they are legal blueprints that show how hazing operates and how institutions fail to stop it. The same patterns we see nationally are occurring at Texas schools.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Foreseeable and Fatal

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A bid-acceptance night with forced drinking led to fatal falls. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in massive criminal charges and spurred Pennsylvania’s “Timothy’s Law.”
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died after a “Bible study” drinking game. His death led to Louisiana’s felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Pledge died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. His family secured a $10 million settlement ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university).
• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died after a “Big Brother” night with a handle of liquor, leading to FSU suspending all Greek life.

Takeaway for Texas Families: The “Big/Little” or “bid acceptance” drinking night is a predictable, deadly script. Nationals and universities know this, yet it persists.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at an off-campus retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. His family settled with 22 defendants, illustrating the web of liability.

Takeaway: Off-campus locations don’t absolve liability. Extreme physical rituals are known dangers.

Athletic & Institutional Hazing

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Allegations of widespread, sexualized hazing led to lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements, proving hazing is not limited to Greek life.

These national precedents matter because they establish what is “foreseeable.” When a Texas chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, or Phi Delta Theta engages in the same conduct that killed students elsewhere, the argument that “we didn’t know this could happen” collapses in court.

Texas University Focus: Where Titus County Students Attend

Titus County families often send students to strong regional universities and major statewide hubs. Hazing is a risk at all of them. Here is what you need to know about campuses relevant to our community.

Regional & Nearby Campuses for Titus County

Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce, TX)

• Campus Snapshot: A growing regional university with active Greek life and student organizations.
• Hazing Policy: Prohibits hazing as defined by Texas law, with reporting through the Dean of Students and University Police.
• Local Greek Ecosystem (From Public Records): The Greek community is supported by entities like the Sigma Chi Fraternity Zeta Eta (PO Box 1403, Commerce, TX 75429, EIN 756060974 – IRS B83 filing) operating in the area.
• For Families: Incidents here would typically involve the Commerce PD and campus police. Civil suits could be filed in Hunt County courts. Evidence preservation is critical, as groups may use off-campus houses in the area.

University of Texas at Tyler (Tyler, TX)

• Campus Snapshot: Part of the prestigious UT System, with nursing, engineering, and a traditional campus life.
• Hazing Policy: Follows UT System guidelines, prohibiting hazing and requiring reporting. The campus has an active chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75799, EIN 352335400 – IRS B83 filing).
• For Families: Tyler is a major legal hub for East Texas. The Smith County court system is experienced with complex litigation. The proximity to Titus County makes legal coordination more feasible for families.

Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, TX)

• Campus Snapshot: A traditional residential campus with a strong Greek presence.
• Public Records Insight: IRS data shows multiple Greek housing corporations based in Nacogdoches, such as the Alpha Tau Omega Housing Corporation of Eta Iota Chapter (316 E Lakewood St, Nacogdoches, TX 75965, EIN 300517788) and the Epsilon Tau Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity (321 Old Tyler Rd, Nacogdoches, TX 75961, EIN 756053083). This demonstrates the formal, incorporated structure behind campus chapters.
• For Families: SFA has its own police department and a student conduct process. The depth of Greek infrastructure means there are often multiple liable entities (chapter, housing corp, alumni board) to investigate.

Major Statewide Hubs for Titus County Students

Many Titus County students also attend Texas’s flagship institutions, where Greek life is large and complex.

University of Houston (UH) & The Leonel Bermudez Case
Our ongoing litigation against UH and Pi Kappa Phi serves as a current, severe example of what can happen.

• The Case: Leonel Bermudez, a UH student, pledged Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu chapter) in fall 2025. Hazing included forced “study blocks,” overnight driving duties, a humiliating “pledge fanny pack,” and extreme physical abuse at the chapter house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park. On November 3, 2025, he was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats. He later developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine and requiring a four-day hospitalization.
• Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi national suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on November 14, 2025, shutting it down. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary action.
• The Lawsuit: We filed a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County against UH, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, the chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual members. This case is active proof of our firm’s commitment to holding every responsible party accountable.
• Houston’s Greek Landscape: The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro has 188 Greek-related organizations according to Cause IQ data. This includes entities like the Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (Houston, TX – from Cause IQ metro listing) and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae chapter. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks these organizations so we don’t start from scratch when investigating.

Texas A&M University (College Station)

• Unique Factor: The Corps of Cadets. Alongside a massive Greek system, the Corps has faced hazing allegations, including a 2023 lawsuit alleging cadets were bound in “roasted pig” positions.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case: In a recent case, SAE pledges alleged they were doused with industrial cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts, resulting in a lawsuit and chapter suspension.
• Data-Driven Insight: The College Station-Bryan metro has 42 Greek organizations. IRS records show entities like Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845, EIN 133048786). When a hazing incident occurs, we identify all related entities—house corporations, alumni groups, national headquarters—to maximize accountability and insurance coverage.

University of Texas at Austin

• Transparency Leader: UT Austin publicly posts hazing violations on a dedicated website, listing organizations, dates, and sanctions.
• Example Incidents: Past sanctions include Pi Kappa Alpha for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, and other groups for alcohol-related hazing and forced workouts.
• Austin’s Greek Infrastructure: The Austin-Round Rock metro has 154 Greek organizations. Public records show cross-validated brands, like Beta Upsilon Chi which appears in both IRS data (EIN 742911848, Fort Worth) and Cause IQ’s DFW metro listings. This ability to track national brands across data sources is a key investigative advantage.

Other Notable Texas Universities

• Southern Methodist University (SMU): A private university with a historically strong Greek presence. Past incidents include the Kappa Alpha Order chapter being suspended for paddling and forced drinking.
• Baylor University: Has faced hazing issues within its athletic programs, including a 2020 baseball team hazing incident that led to multiple player suspensions.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Brands with Local Chapters

The fraternity or sorority name on your child’s campus is part of a national network. That national history is directly relevant to your case.

Why the National Organization’s History Matters in Court

National headquarters create policies, collect dues, train members, and oversee chapters. When a local chapter repeats a hazing method that has caused death or injury elsewhere, it demonstrates the national organization had foreseeable knowledge of the risk but failed to prevent it. This is a core element of negligence.

A Sample of National Patterns Relevant to Texas

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): National pattern of fatal alcohol hazing (Stone Foltz at BGSU). When a Texas Pike chapter engages in forced drinking, the national’s prior knowledge is a liability issue.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): One of the largest fraternities, with a long history of hazing deaths and injuries nationwide, including the Texas A&M chemical burn case.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The national organization is a defendant in our Leonel Bermudez case. It also had a chapter involved in the fatal hazing of Andrew Coffey at Florida State in 2017.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The death of Max Gruver at LSU is part of its national history.
• Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): Has faced repeated suspensions for physical hazing, including at SMU.

Our Investigative Approach: We don’t just sue the local students. We use our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from IRS data, university rosters, and Cause IQ metro records—to map the entire organizational structure behind a chapter. This includes finding the housing corporation (like the Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc in Frisco, TX, EIN 462267515), alumni chapters, and national headquarters. Each is a potential source of accountability and insurance coverage.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing a hazing case requires a meticulous, strategic approach from the very beginning. This is where our experience in complex institutional litigation is paramount.

Critical Evidence: The Digital Trail is Everything

Modern hazing is documented in real-time. Preserving this evidence is the top priority.

1. Group Chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage): These show planning, coercion, real-time hazing, and cover-up discussions. Screenshot entire threads with timestamps visible.
2. Social Media (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok): Photos/videos of injuries, humiliating acts, or party scenes. Stories disappear—act fast.
3. Texts/DMs Between Individuals: Conversations with members or other pledges.
4. Medical Records: Document everything. Tell doctors the injuries are from hazing so it’s in the record. Get records from the ER, hospital stays, and follow-ups.
5. Physical Evidence: Clothing, paddles, receipts for alcohol purchases.
6. University & National Records: Obtained through discovery or public records requests, these can show prior incidents and knowledge.

The Damages a Hazing Case Can Address

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim and family whole and deter future conduct. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages:
  • All past and future medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medications).
  • Lost wages (for the student or a parent who missed work).
  • Lost future earning capacity if injuries cause permanent disability.
  • Educational costs (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships).
• Non-Economic Damages:
  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Mental anguish, emotional distress, PTSD, humiliation.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable):
  • Funeral and burial costs.
  • Loss of companionship, guidance, and financial support for the family.
  • The family’s own emotional suffering.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of especially reckless or malicious conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter others.

Overcoming Common Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and counter the standard defenses:

• “They Consented”: Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. We demonstrate the coercive environment.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We subpoena national records to show patterns of prior incidents and inadequate supervision.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability is based on duty and control, not just location. Nationals and universities that sponsor groups retain responsibility.
• “We Have an Anti-Hazing Policy”: We show the gap between the paper policy and its enforcement, proving negligent supervision.

Practical Guide for Titus County Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Steps to Take

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy about group activities.
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Requests for unusual amounts of money (for “fines,” alcohol, gifts).

What to Do:

1. Talk Openly: Ask non-judgmental questions. “I’m concerned about your safety. Is anything making you uncomfortable in your [fraternity/sorority/team]?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If they are in danger, get them out. Their wellbeing is more important than membership.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help them screenshot, photograph, and document. Write down what they tell you.
4. Seek Medical Care: Even for seemingly minor issues, get a professional evaluation.
5. Consult a Lawyer Before Reporting: An attorney can guide you on how to report to the university or police without compromising your legal position.

For Students: Your Rights & Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition is worth your life or health.
• You Can Leave: You have the legal right to quit at any time. Send a clear text/email and tell a trusted outsider.
• How to Report Safely: You can report to the Dean of Students, campus police, or use anonymous hotlines (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law offers protections for good-faith reporters.
• Evidence is Your Power: Screenshot everything. You are not “snitching”; you are documenting a crime and protecting yourself and others.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence: It may feel embarrassing, but deleted messages look like a cover-up and destroy your case.
2. Confronting the Organization First: This triggers their defense lawyers and leads to evidence destruction.
3. Signing University Settlement Papers: Universities may offer quick, low-value resolutions that waive your right to sue. Do not sign without legal advice.
4. Posting on Social Media: Public posts can be used against you. Keep details private.
5. Waiting Too Long: Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury, but evidence and witness memories fade fast. Act promptly.

Why Choose The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case

When your family is facing a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need Texas-based attorneys with specific expertise in taking on powerful institutions, deep investigative resources, and a track record of success in catastrophic injury cases.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

1. Active, High-Stakes Texas Hazing Litigation
We are not theorizing about hazing law; we are practicing it at the highest level right now. Our lead attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña (he/him), are currently litigating the $10 million Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case. This gives us immediate, up-to-date insight into how national fraternities and Texas universities defend these cases.

2. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
We operate from a position of knowledge, not guesswork. We maintain a proprietary database built from public records—including IRS B83 filings for over 125 Texas Greek organizations, campus rosters, and metro-level entity lists—that allows us to immediately identify every potentially liable organization behind a chapter. For Titus County families, this means we can quickly map the entities connected to a chapter at Texas A&M-Commerce, UT Tyler, or any other Texas school.

3. Insider Insurance Knowledge
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. This insider perspective is invaluable when negotiating settlements or arguing coverage issues in court.

4. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Institutions
Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff’s attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, facing down one of the world’s largest corporations. We are not intimidated by the deep-pocketed defense teams hired by national fraternities and major universities. We know how to conduct the complex discovery and expert-driven litigation these cases require.

5. Dual Civil & Criminal Capability
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal side of hazing cases. We can adeptly advise families and witnesses on navigating parallel criminal investigations and proceedings, an area where many civil-only firms struggle.

6. Spanish-Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. We are committed to serving the diverse families of Texas with compassion and clear communication in their preferred language.

Our Promise to Titus County Families

We approach every hazing case with a dual mission: to secure maximum recovery for the profound harm your family has suffered, and to force institutional accountability that prevents this from happening to another student. We investigate thoroughly, fight aggressively, and treat you with the empathy and respect you deserve during this challenging time.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If you suspect your child has been hazed at any Texas college or university, we urge you to contact us. The path to accountability begins with information.

During your free consultation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline our investigative strategy for your specific case.
• Answer your questions about the process, timeline, and costs.
• We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.

You do not have to navigate this alone. Let us use our experience, resources, and dedication to help your family find justice and closure.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 Today

Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)

Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781

Email: ralph@atty911.com | For Spanish: lupe@atty911.com

Website: https://attorney911.com

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:

• Click2Houston Report: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Using Your Phone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. The information herein is current as of late 2025. If you need legal assistance, please contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, or another qualified attorney for a consultation regarding your individual situation.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for Immediate Help.