Hazing at Texas Universities: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for Ackerly Families

If Your Child Was Hazed Anywhere in Texas, Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911

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

Understanding Your Child’s Texas Hazing Nightmare

Imagine this scenario: your child, a promising student from Ackerly, arrives at an off-campus fraternity house for what they believe is a “pledge family dinner.” Instead, they’re handed a thick milkshake and told they must finish it before anyone can eat. The milkshake isn’t just chocolate—it’s laced with hot sauce, peppercorns, and other substances. They’re forced to drink it while older members laugh and film on their phones. When they inevitably vomit, they’re told to do sprints “to work it off.” This continues for hours, with forced drinking, humiliation, and physical punishment, all captured on social media. When your child finally collapses, passing brown urine from muscle breakdown, the members argue about whether to call 911—worried more about getting the chapter in trouble than saving a life.

This isn’t hypothetical fiction. For families in Ackerly, Dawson County, and across West Texas, this exact pattern of abuse is happening right now at Texas universities. In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a UH student who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after brutal hazing that included forced consumption of milk and hot dogs, being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” lying in vomit-soaked grass, and enduring hundreds of squats and push-ups until his kidneys failed.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for families in Ackerly and across Texas who need to understand:

1. What modern hazing really looks like in 2025
2. How Texas and federal law treat hazing
3. What major national cases reveal about patterns that affect Texas families
4. What’s happening at University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, and other Texas schools
5. What legal options victims and families in Ackerly and throughout West Texas may have

Even if your child attends school far from Ackerly, Texas hazing law and experienced Texas counsel can help. This article provides general information—not specific legal advice. The Manginello Law Firm can evaluate individual cases based on their specific facts. We serve families throughout Texas, including those here in Dawson County and Ackerly.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in West Texas

Beyond the Stereotypes: Modern Hazing Tactics

For families in Ackerly sending children to Texas universities, understanding contemporary hazing means recognizing that traditional stereotypes—paddling, silly pranks—have been replaced by sophisticated, often digitally-enabled abuse. Today’s hazing frequently occurs in what we call the “three Ds”: Digital, Disguised, and Dangerous.

Digital Hazing has become particularly prevalent. Fraternities and sororities now use GroupMe, WhatsApp, and private Instagram groups to maintain 24/7 control over pledges. Ackerly parents might notice their child constantly checking their phone, responding instantly to messages at all hours—this could be digital hazing. Pledges are often required to:

• Share their live location via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
• Respond to messages within minutes, regardless of time
• Post humiliating content on social media as “challenges”
• Participate in group chats where older members issue degrading commands

Disguised Hazing masks abuse as legitimate activities. Instead of obvious beatings, Ackerly students might report “extreme fitness challenges,” “team building retreats,” or “wellness programs” that are actually:

• Forced calisthenics until collapse (framed as “conditioning”)
• Sleep deprivation called “bonding nights”
• Off-campus “retreats” at Airbnbs where the worst abuse occurs
• Food and water restriction disguised as “discipline”

Dangerous Evolution means today’s hazing often involves multiple abuse types simultaneously. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH illustrates this perfectly: physical abuse (sprints, push-ups), psychological abuse (threats of waterboarding, humiliation), and forced consumption (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns) all combined to cause life-threatening kidney failure.

The West Texas Context: What Ackerly Families Should Know

Ackerly families sending students to Texas universities face unique challenges. Our rural communities value trust, tradition, and tight-knit relationships—qualities that can make it harder to believe prestigious universities would allow such abuse, or that organizations promising “brotherhood” or “sisterhood” would engage in life-threatening rituals. This disconnect between West Texas values and campus reality means Ackerly parents often dismiss early warning signs, thinking “my child would tell me” or “that school would never allow that.”

Additionally, geographical distance creates vulnerability. When your child is hours away in College Station, Austin, or Houston, you can’t see the physical changes, the exhaustion, or the fear. You rely on phone calls that may be monitored or coached. You see social media posts that show only the carefully curated “fun” side of Greek life, not the 3 AM “workouts” at Yellowstone Park or the vomit-soaked initiation nights.

The Texas Legal Framework: Your Rights as an Ackerly Family

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Hazing Defined

Under Texas law—which governs cases involving Ackerly students at state universities—hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for purposes of initiation or affiliation that endangers mental or physical health or safety. Key elements for Ackerly families to understand:

Location Doesn’t Matter: Whether hazing occurs in a UH fraternity house, a College Station Airbnb, or a Houston park, it’s still illegal under Texas law.

Consent Is Not a Defense: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that a victim’s “consent” to hazing is not a legal defense. This is crucial for Ackerly families whose children might say “I agreed to it.” The law recognizes that power imbalance, fear of exclusion, and group pressure make true consent impossible.

Serious Consequences: Hazing can be:

• Class B misdemeanor: Basic hazing without serious injury
• Class A misdemeanor: Hazing causing bodily injury requiring medical treatment
• State jail felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Justice

Ackerly families facing hazing situations typically have two legal pathways:

Criminal Cases are brought by the state (prosecutor) and aim for punishment. In recent Texas hazing cases, charges have included:

• Hazing offenses
• Furnishing alcohol to minors
• Assault and battery
• Manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases are brought by victims or surviving families and aim for compensation and accountability. These cases focus on:

• Negligence and gross negligence
• Wrongful death
• Negligent supervision by universities and national organizations
• Emotional distress

The two can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required for a civil case, but evidence from criminal investigations often strengthens civil claims.

Federal Laws Overlaying Texas Cases

Several federal frameworks affect Ackerly families’ cases:

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024) requires universities receiving federal aid to:

• Report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen prevention programs
• Maintain public hazing databases (phased in by 2026)

Title IX applies when hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility. Universities that receive federal funding must respond promptly and effectively to Title IX violations.

Clery Act requires universities to report certain crimes—hazing incidents often overlap with assault, alcohol, and drug offenses that trigger Clery reporting obligations.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Ackerly Families

Alcohol Poisoning: The Deadliest Pattern

The most common fatal hazing pattern nationally directly affects Texas universities attended by Ackerly students:

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): This 20-year-old pledge was forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning. His family secured a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). For Ackerly families: Pi Kappa Alpha has multiple chapters at Texas universities, including active chapters at schools Ackerly students attend.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Piazza died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid-acceptance night involving forced drinking. Security cameras captured his falls and the hours-long delay in calling for help. The case resulted in criminal charges against 18 members and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. For Ackerly families: This case established that delayed medical care dramatically increases liability.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Gruver died during a “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking. His blood alcohol content reached 0.495%. The case led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, upgrading hazing to a felony. For Ackerly families: Phi Delta Theta has chapters at multiple Texas universities.

Physical Hazing with Lasting Injuries

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): Santulli suffered severe, permanent brain damage after being forced to drink excessive alcohol during a “pledge dad reveal” night. He cannot walk, talk, or see and requires 24/7 care. His family settled with 22 defendants. For Ackerly families: This case shows non-fatal hazing can cause lifelong catastrophic injuries requiring millions in care.

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Deng died from traumatic brain injury during a violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a Pennsylvania retreat. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a rare instance of organizational criminal liability. For Ackerland families: This proves liability extends to off-campus retreats and national organizations.

What These Cases Mean for Ackerly Families

These national patterns aren’t abstract—they’re scripts that repeat at Texas universities. When a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at a Texas school engages in forced drinking, they’re following the same playbook that killed Stone Foltz. When a fraternity delays calling 911, they’re repeating the fatal mistake from the Piazza case. These patterns establish foreseeability—the legal concept that organizations should have known the risks based on prior incidents.

Texas University Spotlight: Where Ackerly Students Face Risk

University of Houston: Current Crisis and Historical Patterns

For Ackerly Families: While UH is approximately 400 miles from Ackerly, West Texas students frequently attend Houston universities. The recent Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates the severe risks existing right now in Texas.

Current Crisis – Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi:
In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit detailing systemic abuse that Ackerly families should understand as a warning pattern:

• Digital Control: Pledges required to carry “pledge fanny packs” 24/7 containing condoms, sex toys, and humiliating items
• Physical Abuse: Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, “save-your-brother” drills at Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• Extreme Rituals: Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk/hot dogs/peppercorns until vomiting
• Medical Catastrophe: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passed brown urine, hospitalized four days
• Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended chapter November 6, 2025; chapter voted to surrender charter November 14, 2025; UH called conduct “deeply disturbing”

Historical Context at UH:

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha Case: Pledge suffered lacerated spleen after being slammed during multi-day hazing event
• Multiple Chapter Suspensions: Various fraternities disciplined for alcohol hazing, physical abuse, and policy violations
• Transparency Issues: UH provides less public hazing data than UT Austin, making internal investigation crucial

What Ackerly UH Students/Parents Should Do:

1. Report immediately to UH Dean of Students and UHPD
2. Document all communications with UH administrators
3. Request prior disciplinary records for the involved organization
4. Contact Attorney911 for Houston-based legal support familiar with UH systems

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life Risks

For Ackerly Families: Texas A&M is a common destination for West Texas students, particularly those interested in engineering, agriculture, and military programs. The Corps of Cadets adds unique hazing risks.

Recent High-Profile Cases:

Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million. Texas A&M stated it handled the matter under its rules, but the case reveals systemic issues in military-style organizations.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Two pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million. The fraternity was suspended for two years.

Texas A&M’s Dual Risk Environment:

1. Greek Life: Active fraternity system with national organizations having documented hazing histories
2. Corps of Cadets: Tradition-heavy military environment with reported physical and psychological hazing
3. Athletic Programs: Sports teams with hazing allegations

What Ackerly Texas A&M Students/Parents Should Do:

1. Understand both Student Conduct procedures AND Corps regulations if applicable
2. For Corps students: document chain of command responses to complaints
3. For Greek life: check Texas A&M’s organizational discipline records
4. Contact Attorney911 for attorneys experienced with both civil litigation and military-style organization dynamics

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

For Ackerly Families: UT Austin attracts West Texas students for its academic prestige. The university’s relative transparency about hazing violations provides both warning signs and evidence opportunities.

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page (hazing.utexas.edu) reveals patterns Ackerly families should monitor:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: probation and mandatory hazing-prevention education.

Texas Wranglers (multiple years): Various sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Ongoing investigation into assault allegations involving exchange student with dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose.

Why UT’s Transparency Matters for Ackerly Families:

1. Pattern Evidence: Repeated violations by the same organizations strengthen negligence claims
2. Notice to University: Public records prove UT knew about certain organizations’ dangerous practices
3. Settlement Leverage: Organizations with multiple violations face greater pressure to settle

What Ackerly UT Students/Parents Should Do:

1. Check UT’s hazing violations page BEFORE letting your child join an organization
2. If hazing occurs, reference the organization’s prior violations in complaints
3. Use UTPD incident reports and Clery Act data in conjunction with hazing violations
4. Contact Attorney911 for attorneys experienced with UT’s systems and prior cases

Southern Methodist University: Private University Challenges

For Ackerly Families: SMU’s private status affects both transparency and liability. Wealthy defendants require experienced counsel.

Recent History:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended until 2021.
• Multiple Greek Life Investigations: Ongoing pattern of alcohol hazing and physical abuse allegations

Private University Dynamics Ackerly Families Should Understand:

1. Less Public Data: SMU discloses less hazing information publicly than public universities
2. Different Liability Standards: Sovereign immunity doesn’t apply, but internal processes favor the institution
3. Resource Disparity: SMU and its fraternities have significant legal resources

What Ackerly SMU Students/Parents Should Do:

1. Use SMU’s anonymous reporting systems (like Real Response) to create records
2. Document all communications with SMU administration
3. Understand that private settlement negotiations may be more complex
4. Contact Attorney911 for attorneys experienced with private university litigation

Baylor University: Religious Context and Systemic Challenges

For Ackerly Families: Baylor’s religious identity and prior scandals create unique challenges for hazing accountability.

Recent Incidents:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
• Multiple Greek Life Investigations: Pattern of alcohol and physical hazing allegations

Baylor-Specific Considerations:

1. Title IX Overlap: Baylor’s history with sexual assault cases affects how it handles gender-based hazing
2. Religious Branding: May affect internal investigations and public relations responses
3. Institutional Patterns: Prior systemic failures in other areas may indicate broader oversight problems

What Ackerly Baylor Students/Parents Should Do:

1. Document whether religious context affects the hazing (prayer-based humiliation, scripture misuse, etc.)
2. Reference Baylor’s prior institutional failures in complaints to establish pattern
3. Use both Baylor internal processes and external legal options
4. Contact Attorney911 for attorneys experienced with religious institution litigation

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: What We Know About Organizations Serving Ackerly Families

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Across Texas

As part of our investigative approach, we maintain comprehensive data on Texas Greek organizations. For Ackerly families, understanding the organizational landscape is crucial. Here are examples of Texas-registered entities that may be involved in cases affecting West Texas students:

IRS B83 Registered Organizations (Sample):

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC | EIN: 133048786 | College Station, TX 77845
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC | EIN: 462267515 | Frisco, TX 75035
• PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION | EIN: 371768785 | Missouri City, TX 77459
• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER | EIN: 746084905 | Houston, TX 77204
• TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | EIN: 741380362 | Fort Worth, TX 76147

Cause IQ Metro Organizations (Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro – 510 total):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity | Fort Worth, TX
• Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) | Arlington, TX
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Texas Rho Corp. | Austin, TX
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation | Fort Worth, TX

Metro Counts Relevant to Ackerly Students:

• Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metro: 510 Greek organizations
• Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land Metro: 188 organizations
• Austin–Round Rock Metro: 154 organizations
• Lubbock Metro: 59 organizations (closest major metro to Ackerly)

National Histories That Matter for Ackerly Families

When Texas chapters repeat national patterns, liability increases significantly:

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): National history includes Stone Foltz death ($10M settlement), David Bogenberger death ($14M settlement). Texas chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, others.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Multiple deaths nationwide, traumatic brain injury lawsuit at Alabama, chemical burns case at Texas A&M, assault case at UT Austin.

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Andrew Coffey death at Florida State, currently active lawsuit at UH (Bermudez case).

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): Max Gruver death at LSU leading to Louisiana felony hazing law.

Why This Matters Legally: When national organizations fail to enact meaningful reforms after prior incidents, they demonstrate “deliberate indifference” that supports punitive damages and institutional liability claims.

Building Your Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages for Ackerly Families

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

• Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps
• Social Media: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook posts showing events
• Location Data: Find My Friends, Snapchat Maps, geotagged posts
• Deleted Messages: Digital forensics can often recover “deleted” content

Medical Documentation:

• ER records showing alcohol levels, injuries
• Hospitalization records for conditions like rhabdomyolysis
• Follow-up care for PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Expert testimony on long-term effects

Institutional Records:

• University conduct files on the organization
• National fraternity risk management reports
• Insurance policies covering the organization
• Prior incident reports and disciplinary actions

Witness Testimony:

• Other pledges experiencing similar abuse
• Former members who left due to hazing
• Roommates, friends, RAs who observed changes
• Medical professionals who treated injuries

Damages Ackerly Families Can Recover

Economic Damages:

• Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy)
• Future medical care (lifelong treatment for injuries like kidney damage)
• Lost educational costs (withdrawn semesters, transferred schools)
• Lost earning capacity (for permanent disabilities)

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering from physical injuries
• Emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Humiliation and loss of dignity
• Loss of enjoyment of college experience

Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable):

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship and support
• Emotional suffering of family members
• Loss of guidance for younger siblings

Common Defense Strategies and How We Counter Them

Defense: “The Pledge Consented”

• Our Response: Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense (§ 37.155). We demonstrate power imbalance, coercion, and fear of exclusion.

Defense: “Rogue Chapter, National Didn’t Know”

• Our Response: We subpoena national records showing prior incidents, pattern evidence from other chapters, and communications proving knowledge.

Defense: “Happened Off-Campus, Not Our Responsibility”

• Our Response: We establish sponsorship, control, and foreseeability. National organizations choose off-campus locations specifically to avoid detection.

Defense: “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”

• Our Response: We demonstrate policies were window-dressing—not enforced, with minimal consequences for violations.

Practical Guide for Ackerly Parents and Students

For Ackerly Parents: Warning Signs and Immediate Steps

Physical Warning Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Weight changes from food/water restriction
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (even if your child doesn’t normally drink)

Behavioral Changes:

• Sudden secrecy about organization activities
• Withdrawal from family and old friends
• Constant phone monitoring for group messages
• Fearful of “letting the chapter down”
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability

Academic Red Flags:

• Grades dropping suddenly
• Missing classes or falling asleep in class
• Skipping assignments for “mandatory” events

Immediate Steps if You Suspect Hazing:

1. Medical First: If injured or intoxicated, get to ER immediately
2. Preserve Evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries, save physical items
3. Document Everything: Write down what your child tells you with dates/times
4. Contact Attorney911: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before confronting the organization
5. Report Strategically: With attorney guidance, report to campus police and Dean of Students

For Ackerly Students: Recognizing and Escaping Hazing

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

• Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
• Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would my parents/university approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
• Am I being told to keep secrets or lie?

How to Exit Safely:

1. Immediate Danger: Call 911 or campus police
2. Quitting: Send email/text to chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
3. Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
4. Document Threats: Save any retaliation messages for protective orders

Evidence Collection While It’s Happening:

1. Screenshots: Capture full conversations with timestamps
2. Photos/Videos: Injuries, locations, objects used (if safe)
3. Voice Memos: Texas is one-party consent—you can record conversations you’re part of
4. Medical Records: Tell providers you were hazed so it’s documented

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Ackerly Family’s Case

MISTAKE #1: Letting your child delete messages

• Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up, obstruction of justice, destroys strongest evidence
• Correct action: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

MISTAKE #2: Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly

• Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
• Correct action: Document everything, call Attorney911 first

MISTAKE #3: Signing university “resolution” forms

• Why it’s wrong: May waive right to sue, settlements often far below case value
• Correct action: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

MISTAKE #4: Posting on social media before talking to lawyer

• Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything, inconsistencies hurt credibility
• Correct action: Document privately, let your lawyer control public messaging

MISTAKE #5: Waiting “to see how the university handles it”

• Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
• Correct action: Preserve evidence NOW, consult lawyer immediately

MISTAKE #6: Talking to insurance adjusters without lawyer

• Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements used against you, early settlements are lowball
• Correct action: “My attorney will contact you”

MISTAKE #7: Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”

• Why it’s wrong: Pressure, intimidation, extracted statements hurt case
• Correct action: Once considering legal action, all communication through lawyer

About The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911: Why West Texas Families Choose Us

Our Texas Hazing Litigation Credentials

When your Ackerly family faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful Texas institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. Here’s why Attorney911 is uniquely qualified:

Insurance Insider Advantage (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. He understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. As he says, “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello):
Our firm is one of the few in Texas involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations and winning. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams. Our federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) means we’re comfortable in venues where these cases often end up.

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 catastrophic injuries. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force 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.

Investigative Depth for Ackerly Families:
We maintain what we call the “Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine”—tracking over 1,400 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. When we take your case, we already know:

• The EINs and legal names of organizations
• Prior incidents and disciplinary histories
• Insurance coverage patterns
• National organization track records

Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, serving Hispanic families throughout Texas who prefer consultation in Spanish.

Your Next Steps: Ackerly Families Seeking Accountability

Free Confidential Consultation Process

If hazing has affected your Ackerly family, here’s what to expect when you contact us:

1. Initial Call (1-888-ATTY-911):

• We listen to your story without judgment
• Explain immediate steps to protect evidence
• Schedule confidential consultation

2. Case Evaluation:

• Review evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
• Explain legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
• Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
• Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)

3. Investigation Phase:

• Digital forensics to recover deleted messages
• Subpoenas for university and fraternity records
• Expert consultations (medical, psychological, economic)
• Witness interviews

4. Strategic Decision:

• Settlement negotiations with insurance companies
• Litigation preparation if settlement inadequate
• Trial readiness—we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial

Contact Attorney911 Today

For Ackerly Families and All Texas Hazing Victims:

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
Spanish Services: Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com

Hablamos Español – Servicios legales en español disponibles

Whether you’re in Ackerly, Dawson County, or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The patterns we’ve seen at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor, and other Texas schools repeat because institutions prioritize reputation over student safety. We’re here to change that equation.

Call us today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll help you understand your rights, preserve critical evidence, and pursue the accountability your family deserves.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

• Click2Houston coverage: 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/
• Hoodline summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

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 Main Website: https://attorney911.com

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 specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many 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