The Complete Guide for South Padre Island Families: Hazing, Accountability & Texas Law

If Your Child Was Hazed in Texas, You’re Not Alone

Imagine this: Your son or daughter, excited to join a fraternity or sorority at their Texas university, attends what they think is a standard “bid night” or “new member event.” What starts as celebration quickly turns dangerous. They’re pressured to drink far beyond their limits, forced through brutal physical tests, or subjected to degrading humiliation while older members film on their phones. When they get hurt—vomiting, collapsing, or showing signs of severe distress—no one calls for help immediately because they’re afraid of “getting the chapter in trouble.” Your child feels trapped between loyalty to their new “family” and their own safety.

This isn’t a hypothetical scenario. This exact pattern has played out at Texas universities, resulting in hospitalizations, lifelong injuries, and even deaths. Right now, in our own state, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country: the Leonel Bermudez University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit.

For families here in South Padre Island—whether your children attend local institutions or universities across Texas—understanding hazing, your legal rights, and how to protect your child is critical. This comprehensive guide provides everything South Padre Island parents need to know about hazing in 2025: what it really looks like, Texas law, national case patterns, what’s happening at major Texas universities, and how experienced legal counsel can help secure accountability and prevent future harm.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

Call 911 for medical emergencies
Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
- Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
- Photograph injuries from multiple angles
- Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity/sorority
- Sign anything from the university or insurance company
- Post details on public social media
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like Beyond the Stereotypes

Many South Padre Island parents recall hazing as “pranks” or “initiation rituals” from their own college days. Today’s hazing is more dangerous, more psychologically sophisticated, and often hidden behind digital communication and off-campus locations.

Modern Hazing Definition

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not make it legal or safe when there’s peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion.

The Four Main Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing

Forced or coerced drinking games (“lineups,” “century club,” “Big/Little nights”)
Chugging challenges with hard liquor
Pressure to consume unknown or mixed substances

2. Physical Hazing

Paddling, beatings, or “smokings” (extreme calisthenics)
Sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings” or tasks
Food/water restriction or forced consumption of disgusting substances
Exposure to extreme cold/heat or dangerous environments

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

Forced nudity or partial nudity
Simulated sexual acts (“roasted pig” positions, “elephant walk”)
Degrading costumes or role-play with racial/sexist overtones
Public shaming on social media

4. Digital/Online Hazing

Group chat dares and “challenges” requiring immediate response
Pressure to create or share compromising images/videos
Geo-tracking demands via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
Social media policing of what pledges can post

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond Fraternities

While fraternities and sororities receive the most attention, hazing occurs across campus organizations:

Corps of Cadets/ROTC/military-style groups
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
Marching bands and performance groups
Spirit squads and tradition clubs
Some service, cultural, and academic organizations

The common threads are social status, tradition, and secrecy—factors that keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What South Padre Island Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37: The Foundation

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code that protect students at both public and private institutions.

§ 37.151 Definition:
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Key Points for South Padre Island Families:

Can happen on or off campus (location doesn’t matter)
Can be mental or physical harm
“Reckless” is enough—they knew the risk and did it anyway
“Consent is not a defense” (Texas Education Code § 37.155)

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (prosecutor)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Prosecutors may be located in the county where the hazing occurred (Harris County for UH, Travis County for UT, etc.)

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
Focus on: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
Can proceed even if no criminal charges are filed

Both types can run side-by-side, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case.

Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthens hazing education and prevention
Maintains public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)

Title IX & Clery Act:

When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger
Clery requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics
Both create additional accountability layers beyond state law

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students:

Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up

2. Local Chapter/Organization:

The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if incorporated)
Officers acting in official capacity

3. National Fraternity/Sorority:

Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents

4. University or Governing Board:

Schools may be sued under negligence or civil-rights theories
Key questions: Prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference

5. Third Parties:

Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
Bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop theories)
Security companies or event organizers

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys know how to identify all potentially liable parties.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Can Learn

Major national cases have shaped today’s legal landscape and provide crucial precedents for Texas families.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):
Bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking led to severe falls captured on chapter cameras. Help was delayed for hours. Dozens of criminal charges followed, plus civil litigation and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):
Pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night. Multiple criminal convictions resulted, with BGSU settling for nearly $3 million and additional settlements from the fraternity and individuals.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):
“Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017):
“Big Brother Night” event where pledge was given a handle of liquor. FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life and overhauled policies.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):
Pledge subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat, suffering fatal head injuries. Help was delayed. Multiple members convicted, and the fraternity was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025):
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program. Multiple lawsuits led to head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s firing and confidential settlement.

What These Cases Mean for South Padre Island Families

Common threads in these cases—forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups—repeat across the country. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements often follow only after tragedy and litigation. Texas families facing hazing at our state’s universities are not alone and operate in a landscape shaped by these national lessons.

Texas Focus: Where South Padre Island Families Send Their Kids

Many South Padre Island students attend universities across Texas. Understanding the specific landscape at each major institution helps families recognize risks and know their rights.

University of Houston (UH): Current Ground Zero for Texas Hazing Litigation

For South Padre Island Families: While UH is approximately 380 miles from South Padre Island, many Texas coastal students choose UH for its strong programs and urban opportunities. When hazing incidents occur here, they fall under Harris County jurisdiction.

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi
Right now, we’re actively litigating one of Texas’s most serious hazing cases. In fall 2025, UH transfer student Leonel Bermudez pledged Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter. What followed was systematic abuse:

Humiliation Tactics: The “pledge fanny pack” rule requiring 24/7 carrying of condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices, and other degrading items
Physical Abuse: Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure in underwear, lying in vomit-soaked grass
Waterboarding Simulation: Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding” with threats of actual waterboarding
Forced Consumption: Made to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediate sprints
The Final Workout: On November 3, forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion

Medical Catastrophe: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels. He faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Defendants Include: University of Houston, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025. Chapter members voted to surrender their charter on November 14, shutting it down. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement.

Why This Matters for All Texas Families: This case demonstrates that even in 2025, severe hazing continues at Texas universities, and institutions can be held accountable. Media coverage from Click2Houston and ABC13 shows these patterns exist in our state.

UH’s Greek Landscape: UH hosts multiple Greek councils with numerous fraternities and sororities, including Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Lambda Chi Alpha, and many others with national hazing histories.

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

For South Padre Island Families: Located approximately 320 miles north, Texas A&M attracts many South Texas students. Its unique Corps of Cadets culture and strong Greek life present specific hazing risks.

Recent Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. Pledges sued for $1 million; fraternity received two-year suspension.
Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. Sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled the matter internally.
Kappa Sigma Rhabdomyolysis Case (2023): Ongoing litigation involving severe muscle breakdown from extreme physical hazing.

Unique Aspects for A&M Families:

Corps of Cadets operates under separate regulations but still subject to Texas hazing law
College Station police and Brazos County courts handle local incidents
Tradition-heavy environment can normalize dangerous behaviors

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Pattern

For South Padre Island Families: Approximately 375 miles northwest, UT Austin’s prestigious programs draw students statewide. Its relatively transparent hazing violation reporting provides insight into ongoing issues.

Public Hazing Violations Page:
UT maintains one of Texas’s most transparent reporting systems at hazing.utexas.edu. Recent entries include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation
Texas Wranglers: Multiple sanctions for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
Various spirit organizations disciplined for punishment-based practices

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (January 2024):
Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted by fraternity members at a party, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. Student sued SAE chapter for over $1 million; chapter already under suspension for prior violations.

Jurisdiction for Austin Cases: UTPD and Austin Police Department share jurisdiction, with civil cases typically filed in Travis County courts.

Southern Methodist University (SMU): Private University Dynamics

For South Padre Island Families: Approximately 425 miles north, SMU’s private status and affluent student body create unique dynamics for hazing cases.

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017):
New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, and deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended with recruiting restrictions until approximately 2021.

Private University Considerations:

Less public transparency than state schools
Can still be liable under Texas hazing law
Civil suits can compel discovery of internal reports

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Scrutiny

For South Padre Island Families: Approximately 385 miles northwest, Baylor’s religious identity and past scandals create complex accountability dynamics.

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020):
14 players suspended following hazing investigation; staggered suspensions throughout early season.

Context of Prior Scandals:
Baylor’s history with football sexual assault cases demonstrates both institutional failure and eventual accountability through litigation.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: Public Records Reality

Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain comprehensive data on Greek organizations across Texas. This isn’t theoretical—it’s based on actual public records.

Texas Greek Organizations by the Numbers

Statewide Totals:

1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros
125+ Texas-registered organizations in IRS B83 filings
96 Texas university campuses with potential Greek presence

Metro Breakdowns Relevant to South Padre Island Families:

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188 Greek organizations
Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154 Greek organizations
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510 Greek organizations
College Station-Bryan Metro: 42 Greek organizations
San Antonio Metro: 86 Greek organizations

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving South Padre Island Families

Why We Share This: If you’re a parent in South Padre Island, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. These are public records—we simply organize and interpret them so families never start from zero.

Sample Organizations from IRS B83 Filings (Texas-Registered):

Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation – EIN 371768785 – Missouri City, TX 77459
Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035
Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – EIN 746084905 – Houston, TX 77204
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc (Theta Delta) – EIN 475370943 – Houston, TX 77204
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (Epsilon Kappa Chapter) – EIN 746064445 – Nederland, TX 77627

Honor Societies & Academic Groups:

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (University of Texas at Tyler) – EIN 352335400 – Tyler, TX 75799
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (Texas A&M University) – EIN 900293166 – College Station, TX 77843
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (University of Houston Victoria) – EIN 900293167 – Victoria, TX 77901

Multicultural & NPHC Organizations:

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (Xi Chi) – EIN 364091267 – Waco, TX 76710
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (Mu Zeta) – EIN 752609909 – Commerce, TX 75428
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (Zeta Beta Chapter) – EIN 237098953 – Prairie View, TX 77446

These records matter because: They show the legal entities behind campus chapters—the organizations that may hold insurance, own property, and bear ultimate responsibility when hazing occurs. We already know their names, EINs, and addresses.

National Patterns Meet Texas Campuses

The same national organizations involved in high-profile cases elsewhere also operate at Texas universities:

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike):

National: Stone Foltz death at BGSU ($10M settlement)
Texas: Multiple chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing risks

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE):

National: Multiple deaths including Carson Starkey at Cal Poly
Texas: Chapters at all five major universities with repeated violations
Pattern: Alcohol poisoning, physical abuse

Pi Kappa Phi:

National: Andrew Coffey death at FSU
Texas: Current UH lawsuit demonstrates ongoing issues
Pattern: Bid night/alcohol rituals

Phi Delta Theta:

National: Max Gruver death at LSU
Texas: Chapters across major campuses
Pattern: Drinking game hazing

Why National Histories Matter: When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that got another chapter shut down or sued in another state, that shows foreseeability—the national organization knew or should have known this could happen. This strengthens negligence claims and supports punitive damage arguments.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Realistic Expectations

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

Modern hazing leaves digital trails that skilled attorneys know how to preserve and present:

1. Digital Communications:

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord messages
Deleted texts and chats (recoverable through forensics)
Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok comments
Fraternity-specific apps and communication platforms

2. Photos & Videos:

Content filmed by members during events
Security camera or doorbell footage at houses
Social media posts/stories showing events

3. Internal Documents:

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, tradition lists
Emails/texts from officers about activities
National policies and training materials

4. University Records:

Prior conduct files and disciplinary history
Incident reports to campus police
Clery Act reports and disclosures

5. Medical Documentation:

ER records showing intoxication levels or injuries
Hospitalization records for serious cases
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
Long-term treatment plans for permanent injuries

6. Witness Testimony:

Other pledges and members
Roommates, RAs, bystanders
Former members who quit due to hazing

We explain proper evidence preservation in our video Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?.

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical bills (past and future)
Lost earnings/educational impact
Therapy and rehabilitation costs
Life care plans for catastrophic injuries

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life
Damage to reputation and relationships

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship and support
Emotional harm to parents and siblings
Loss of future earnings and contributions

Punitive Damages (when applicable):

Designed to punish especially reckless conduct
Available when defendants show willful disregard for safety
Texas has statutory caps with certain exceptions

Insurance Coverage Complexities

Fraternity and university insurers often fight coverage using arguments like:

“Hazing is an intentional act excluded from coverage”
“The policy doesn’t cover these defendants”
“Notice wasn’t given properly”

This is where Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney proves invaluable. He knows exactly how these companies operate and how to overcome their tactics.

Timeline and Process

Immediate Response (0-48 hours): Evidence preservation, medical care, initial consultation
Investigation Phase (1-4 months): Gathering records, interviewing witnesses, sending preservation letters
Pre-Litigation (2-6 months): Demand packages, negotiations with insurers
Litigation (6 months-2+ years): Filing suit, discovery, depositions, expert reports
Resolution: Settlement or trial

Texas generally has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, but timing varies based on specific facts. We explain this in our video Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?.

Practical Guides for South Padre Island Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Weight changes from food/water restriction
Sleep deprivation (constant late nights, 3 AM calls)
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and non-Greek friends
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Defensiveness when asked about the organization
Academic decline from missing classes/assignments
Financial red flags (unexpected large expenses)

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally):

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
“Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to?”
“Are they asking you to keep secrets?”

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

Prioritize Safety: If in immediate danger, call 911
Document Everything: Write down dates, times, details
Preserve Evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries
Get Medical Care: Even if they insist they’re “fine”
Consult an Attorney: Before talking to university or organization
Report Strategically: With attorney guidance, not independently

For Students: Self-Assessment and Safety

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would my parents/university approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this?

How to Exit Safely:

Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
Send a clear resignation message (email/text for documentation)
Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
If fearing retaliation, report those fears to Dean of Students and police

Evidence Preservation for Students:

Screenshot all group chats with timestamps visible
Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
Save all digital communications (don’t delete anything)
If recording conversations, remember Texas is a one-party consent state
Tell medical providers you were hazed so it’s documented

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

Based on our experience, these common errors can seriously damage hazing claims:

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages
What happens: Evidence disappears, looks like cover-up, case becomes nearly impossible
What to do: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly
What happens: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
What to do: Document everything, call attorney before any confrontation

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
What happens: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often lowball
What to do: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

4. Posting Details on Social Media
What happens: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
What to do: Document privately; let attorney control public messaging

5. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”
What happens: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
What to do: Preserve evidence NOW; consult attorney immediately

We detail these mistakes in our video Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case.

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

When your South Padre Island family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims, understands their delay tactics and coverage exclusion arguments, and knows their settlement strategies. As he puts it: “We know their playbook because we used to run it.” You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello):
Our firm was one of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation. We’ve faced billion-dollar defendants and won. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams. Our federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) prepares us for the complex litigation these cases often involve. Ralph’s complete credentials are detailed at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience:
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to value lifetime care needs for brain injuries and permanent disabilities. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force real accountability.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:
Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure, and we know how to navigate both tracks simultaneously.

Investigative Depth with Expert Networks:
We maintain relationships with medical experts, digital forensics specialists, economists, and psychologists. We know how to obtain hidden evidence—group chats, chapter records, university files—that other firms might miss.

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:
Unlike firms starting from zero, we maintain comprehensive data on 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. We know the entities behind campus chapters before we even begin your case.

Our Approach to Hazing Cases

We Listen First:
We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our initial consultation focuses on understanding what happened, your child’s wellbeing, and your family’s needs.

We Investigate Thoroughly:
We pursue every lead—digital evidence, witness testimony, prior incidents, institutional knowledge. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it, because it does.

We Fight Strategically:
We identify all potentially liable parties: individuals, chapters, nationals, universities, property owners. We understand insurance coverage complexities and how to maximize recovery.

We Prioritize Your Family:
While pursuing accountability, we protect your privacy, manage communication with institutions, and help your child access necessary medical and psychological care.

We Focus on Prevention:
Beyond compensation, we seek institutional reforms that prevent future harm. Many settlements include policy changes, training requirements, and oversight mechanisms.

Call to Action for South Padre Island Families

If your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether here in our coastal community or at universities across the state—we want to hear from you. Families in South Padre Island, Port Isabel, Laguna Vista, and throughout Cameron County have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a Confidential Consultation

We offer confidential, no-obligation consultations to South Padre Island families affected by hazing. Here’s what to expect:

In Your Free Consultation, We Will:

Listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options clearly
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
Answer questions about costs (we work on contingency—no fee unless we win)
No pressure to hire us immediately—take time to decide
Everything you tell us is confidential

Clear Contact Information:

24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Office: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com

Spanish-Language Services Available:
Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles para familias hispanohablantes.

Understanding Contingency Fees

We work on a contingency fee basis for hazing cases: you pay nothing upfront, and we only receive a fee if we recover compensation for you. We explain this clearly in our video How Do Contingency Fees Work?.

Final Message to South Padre Island Families

Whether your child attends UTRGV in Edinburgh, Texas A&M in College Station, UT in Austin, or any Texas campus, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The patterns we’ve seen—in the Bermudez case at UH, at Texas A&M, at UT Austin, and across the country—show that institutions often prioritize reputation over safety until families demand accountability through experienced legal counsel.

Your child’s safety and wellbeing matter. Traditions that endanger students must end. Compensation can help with medical bills and trauma, but true accountability changes systems to protect future students.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s discuss what happened, understand your rights under Texas law, and explore how we can help your family move forward while holding the right people accountable.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Using cellphone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of limitations explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes that ruin cases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Website & Profiles:

Main website: https://attorney911.com
Ralph Manginello profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
Lupe Peña profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/
Wrongful death practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Criminal defense practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com