The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits & Accountability for South Houston, Texas Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You’re Not Alone—And We Can Help

For parents in South Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, and across Harris County, the call no one wants to receive often starts with confusion: “Mom, something happened at the fraternity house.” Or worse—a hospital calls about your child suffering from kidney failure after a “workout,” or showing signs of traumatic injury with vague explanations. Right now, just miles from your South Houston home at the University of Houston, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a UH student who nearly died from rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after brutal hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days. And his story—documented in a $10 million lawsuit—proves that severe, life-threatening hazing is happening right here in our community.

This comprehensive guide explains what South Houston families need to know about hazing in 2025: what it really looks like, Texas law, national patterns, and what happens at universities where your children attend—UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, and others. If you’re reading this because you suspect hazing, trust that instinct. We’ve helped families like yours navigate this crisis, and we’re here to explain your options.

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 for South Houston Students

For South Houston parents whose college experience might have been different, modern hazing has evolved beyond stereotypes. It’s not just “boys being boys” or harmless initiation. Today’s hazing is systematic, often digitally coordinated, and deliberately hidden from adults and authorities. At its core, 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.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common—and deadliest—form. It includes forced chugging, “lineup” drinking games where pledges drink in succession, “Big/Little” nights where new members are given handles of liquor, and games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mean drinking. The Pi Kappa Phi case at UH involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed immediately by sprints.

2. Physical Hazing
This ranges from “smokings” (extreme calisthenics) to actual beatings. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, pledges endured:

100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion
Sprints, bear crawls, and wheelbarrow races until collapse
Cold-weather exposure in underwear
Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”
Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour

3. Psychological and Humiliating Hazing
This includes sleep deprivation, verbal abuse, isolation, and public shaming. The “pledge fanny pack” rule in the UH case forced pledges to carry condoms, a sex toy, nicotine devices, and other humiliating items 24/7. Failure meant punishment or expulsion.

4. Sexualized Hazing
Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions), and sexually degrading rituals. At Texas A&M, a Corps of Cadets lawsuit alleged a cadet was bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth.

5. Digital Hazing
The newest frontier: 24/7 group chat monitoring, location tracking via apps, forced social media posts, and recording of humiliating acts for sharing in private groups. Messages are often deleted after reading to avoid evidence.

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

While fraternities get most attention, hazing occurs across campus organizations:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural groups)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC at Texas A&M and other military-style programs
Athletic Teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheerleading)
Spirit and Tradition Organizations (Texas Cowboys, Wranglers, etc.)
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Academic and Service Organizations

For South Houston families, this means your child doesn’t have to join Greek life to be at risk. Any organization with power imbalances, tradition, and secrecy can harbor hazing.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What South Houston Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Legal Foundation

Under Texas law—which governs cases involving South Houston students—hazing is specifically defined and criminalized. Texas Education Code §37.151 defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization

Key provisions for South Houston families:

§37.152 Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing without serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

§37.153 Organizational Liability:
Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it.

§37.155 Critical Protection: Consent is NOT a Defense
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Texas law explicitly states this does not make it legal. Courts recognize that consent under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion isn’t true voluntary consent.

§37.154 Good-Faith Reporting Immunity
Students who report hazing or call 911 in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability. This is crucial for overcoming the “code of silence.”

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding Both Paths

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (Harris County District Attorney for UH cases, Brazos County for Texas A&M, etc.)

Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)

Typical charges: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or families (like the Bermudez lawsuit)

Aim: Compensation and accountability

Focus: negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress

These cases can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required for a civil case, and vice versa. Many families pursue both to achieve full accountability.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing transparently, strengthen prevention, and maintain public hazing data by 2026. This will help South Houston families research organizations before their children join.

Title IX:
When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. Universities must investigate and address these cases properly.

Clery Act:
Requires reporting of certain crimes on campus. Hazing incidents involving assault, alcohol crimes, or sexual offenses often overlap with Clery reporting requirements.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a South Houston Hazing Case?

1. Individual Students

The ones who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, 13 individual fraternity leaders/members are named, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and risk manager.

2. Local Chapter / Organization

The fraternity/sorority itself if it’s a legal entity. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation is a defendant in our UH case.

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters

National organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters is named in our lawsuit because they had oversight responsibility.

4. University and Governing Board

Schools may be liable under negligence or civil rights theories. The University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents are defendants because they owned/controlled the chapter house and had duty to protect students.

5. Third Parties

Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol, security companies that failed to intervene.

The reality for South Houston families: when hazing causes serious injury or death, multiple entities often share responsibility. Our investigative approach identifies every potentially liable party to ensure full accountability.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Can Learn

Alcohol Poisoning Deaths: A Repeated Script

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
Bid-acceptance night with extreme drinking. Falls captured on chapter cameras. Help delayed for hours. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, civil litigation, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
“Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking. Died with BAC of 0.495%. Result: Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony in Louisiana.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night. Result: $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU).

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
“Big Brother Night” with handles of liquor. Result: FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual at remote retreat. Help delayed. Result: National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the program over years. Result: Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired, confidential settlements.

What These Cases Mean for South Houston Families

These national precedents show that:

Forced drinking patterns repeat across campuses and organizations
Delayed medical care dramatically worsens outcomes and liability
National organizations often have prior knowledge of dangerous traditions
Multi-million-dollar settlements are achievable when institutions fail to protect students
Legislative change often follows tragedy and litigation

Texas University Focus: Where South Houston Students Attend

University of Houston: The Local Crisis

For South Houston families, UH is often the closest major university. Just 15 miles from central South Houston, UH’s urban campus hosts active Greek life where our firm is currently litigating the Leonel Bermudez case.

UH Hazing Policy & Reporting:

Prohibits hazing on and off campus
Reporting through Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, UHPD
In the Pi Kappa Phi case, UH called conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary action up to expulsion

Documented UH Incidents:

2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case: Pledge suffered lacerated spleen after being slammed onto table during initiation; chapter suspended
2025 Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu case: Bermudez hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure; chapter suspended Nov 6, 2025, then voted to surrender charter Nov 14, 2025
Multiple other fraternities have faced sanctions for alcohol violations and conduct “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort”

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds:

Jurisdiction: Harris County courts, potentially federal court
Police: UHPD and/or Houston Police Department depending on location
Medical care: Houston medical centers including Memorial Hermann, Baylor St. Luke’s
Our firm’s advantage: Houston-based with deep UH and Harris County experience

What UH Students & South Houston Parents Should Do:

Report to Dean of Students (713-743-5470) and UHPD (713-743-3333)
Preserve all digital evidence before UH investigation begins
Understand that UH internal process ≠ legal accountability
Contact us early to protect evidence and rights before university controls narrative

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

Many South Houston families send students to Texas A&M, particularly to engineering and agriculture programs. The Corps of Cadets and active Greek life present dual hazing risks.

Notable A&M Cases:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts; chapter suspended; $1 million lawsuit filed
Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023): Cadet alleged being bound between beds in degrading position with apple in mouth; sought over $1 million
Multiple fraternity suspensions for hazing violations in recent years

A&M’s Unique Challenges:

Corps traditions sometimes blur line between discipline and hazing
Strong institutional loyalty can discourage reporting
Off-campus hazing common in College Station rental houses

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Patterns

UT’s public Hazing Violations page provides unusual transparency. Recent entries show:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter probation
Texas Wranglers and other spirit groups: Sanctions for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
Multiple fraternities: Probation for “activities that could cause mental or physical discomfort”

For South Houston families with UT students:

Check UT’s public hazing log before allowing children to join organizations
Understand that even “transparent” schools have repeated violations
Austin location means Travis County jurisdiction, but Texas law still applies

Southern Methodist University and Baylor University

SMU’s affluent Greek culture has seen incidents including:

Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members paddled, forced to drink, sleep deprived; chapter suspended
Ongoing hazing prevention efforts through anonymous reporting systems

Baylor’s athletic and Greek programs face scrutiny after prior scandals:

Baseball team hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following investigation
Religious identity sometimes conflicts with accountability culture

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories That Matter to South Houston Families

Why National Patterns Matter for Your Case

When a Texas chapter repeats the same dangerous behavior that got another chapter shut down in Ohio or Louisiana, that shows foreseeability. National headquarters can’t claim “we didn’t know this could happen” when their own history shows exactly what happens.

Major Organizations with Documented Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike):

Stone Foltz: BGSU death, $10M settlement
David Bogenberger: NIU death, $14M settlement
Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE):

Multiple hazing deaths nationwide
University of Alabama: Traumatic brain injury lawsuit
Texas A&M: Chemical burns lawsuit
Present at all five Texas universities

Pi Kappa Phi:

Andrew Coffey: FSU death
Leonel Bermudez: UH kidney failure case (our current litigation)
Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT

Phi Delta Theta:

Max Gruver: LSU death, Louisiana felony hazing law
Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

Kappa Alpha Order:

Multiple hazing suspensions including SMU chapter
Present at Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

The Legal Strategy: Connecting National to Local

In our UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, we’re alleging that:

National Pi Kappa Phi knew about dangerous hazing patterns from the FSU death
They failed to adequately supervise the Beta Nu chapter
Their policies weren’t meaningfully enforced
This foreseeability strengthens negligence claims

For South Houston families, this means an experienced hazing attorney knows how to:

Research national organization histories
Subpoena prior incident reports from other chapters
Show patterns that establish foreseeability
Hold nationals accountable for failing to prevent known risks

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Communications (Preserve IMMEDIATELY):

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord chats
Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok messages
Fraternity-specific apps and communication platforms
Key: Even deleted messages can often be recovered through digital forensics

Photos & Videos:

Content filmed during hazing events
Social media posts and stories
Security camera footage from houses and venues
In the UH case: evidence from Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts
Emails/texts about “traditions” or “what we do to pledges”
National policies and training materials

University Records:

Prior conduct files (obtained through discovery)
Incident reports to campus police
Clery Act reports

Medical Records:

ER and hospitalization records (like Bermudez’s 4-day stay)
Toxicology reports and lab results (his critically high creatine kinase levels)
Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety

Witness Testimony:

Other pledges and members
Roommates, RAs, bystanders
Former members who quit or were expelled

Damages: What South Houston Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy)
Future medical care (ongoing treatment for injuries like kidney damage)
Lost earnings and educational costs (withdrawn semesters, delayed graduation)
Lost earning capacity if injuries are permanent

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life
For wrongful death: loss of companionship, funeral costs

Punitive Damages (When Available):

To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
Available when defendants show callous indifference
In Texas: subject to statutory caps but powerful for deterrence

The Bermudez Case Damages:
We’re seeking $10 million+ for:

Four-day hospitalization and ongoing kidney treatment
Risk of permanent kidney damage
Physical pain from extreme workouts
Emotional trauma from humiliation and abuse

Insurance Coverage Battles: Why Experience Matters

Fraternities, universities, and their officers often have insurance policies, but insurers frequently argue:

“Hazing is an intentional act, so coverage is excluded”
“This policy doesn’t cover that defendant”
“The injury wasn’t foreseeable”

Our insurance insider advantage comes from Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney. He knows:

How insurers value (and undervalue) claims
Their delay tactics and coverage arguments
How to navigate exclusions and fight bad faith denials

Practical Guides & FAQs for South Houston Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Hazed:

Unexplained injuries or repeated “accidents”
Extreme exhaustion, sleep deprivation
Drastic mood changes: anxiety, withdrawal, depression
Constant secret phone use for group chats
Sudden financial needs without clear explanation
Defensiveness when asked about organization activities
Physical signs: bruises, burns, weight loss, signs of alcohol misuse

How to Talk to Your Child:

“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?”
Listen without judgment if they open up

If You Suspect Hazing:

Safety first: If injured or intoxicated, get medical help immediately
Preserve evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries, save physical items
Document everything: Write down what you’re told with dates/times
Report strategically: Consider campus reporting but understand limitations
Consult a lawyer early: Before evidence disappears or narrative is controlled

For Students: Recognizing and Escaping Hazing

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

Am I being forced or pressured to do something dangerous or humiliating?
Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this activity hidden from adults or authorities?
Are older members making me do things they don’t have to do?
Am I being told to keep secrets?

If You Need to Exit Safely:

Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
Send written resignation to chapter leadership
Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where you might be pressured or threatened
If fearing retaliation, report that fear to campus police and Dean of Students

Good-Faith Reporting Protections:
Texas law and most university policies protect students who report hazing or call 911 in emergencies, even if they were drinking underage or involved.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

MISTAKE #1: Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up, can be obstruction of justice
What to do instead: 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
What to do instead: Document everything, then call a lawyer before any confrontation

MISTAKE #3: Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms

Why it’s wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often far below value
What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

MISTAKE #4: Posting details on social media

Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
What to do instead: 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
What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Frequently Asked Questions from South Houston Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. The Bermudez case involving rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure would likely qualify.

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to it?”
Yes. Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately known. In cover-up cases, the statute may be tolled. Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“What if hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case involved off-campus locations (Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Park).

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records. We prioritize family privacy while pursuing accountability.

Why Attorney911 for South Houston Hazing Cases

Our Local Advantage for Harris County Families

When your South Houston family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand Texas universities, Houston courts, and how powerful institutions fight back. As the firm currently litigating the major UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we bring unmatched local experience.

Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):

Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims
Understands their delay tactics, coverage arguments, and settlement strategies
“We know their playbook because we used to run it”

Complex Institutional Litigation (Ralph Manginello):

One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
Not intimidated by national fraternities or university defense teams
“We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”

Multi-Million Dollar Catastrophic Injury Experience:

Proven wrongful death and catastrophic injury results
Economist collaboration for lifetime care valuation
Experience with kidney damage, brain injury, and permanent disability cases
“We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:

Ralph’s HCCLA membership signals elite criminal defense capability
Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Investigative Depth:

Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
Experience obtaining hidden evidence (group chats, chapter records, university files)
Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine with 1,423 Greek organizations tracked
“We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Our Investigative Advantage

While handling the Bermudez case, we built a comprehensive database of Texas Greek organizations. For South Houston families, this means we already know:

Harris County & Houston Metro Greek Landscape:

188+ Greek-related organizations in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro
Local entities like the Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation in Missouri City
National organizations with Houston presence

Texas Public Records Directory (Sample for South Houston Reference):

Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 46-2267515) – Frisco, TX 75035
Sigma Phi Epsilon New York Chi Alumni Association Inc (EIN 26-2710856) – Houston, TX 77007
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc – Sigma Gamma Chapter (EIN 39-2352450) – Houston, TX 77254
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc (EIN 47-5370943) – Houston, TX 77204
Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN 74-6084905) – Houston, TX 77204

This investigative depth means we don’t start from zero. We know how to identify every potentially liable entity behind Greek organizations at Texas universities.

Our Approach: Empathy Meets Aggressive Advocacy

We understand this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our approach balances:

For the Family:

Compassionate guidance through crisis
Clear communication about options and expectations
Protection of privacy and dignity
Support for healing and recovery

For the Case:

Aggressive evidence preservation and investigation
Strategic identification of all liable parties
Expert-backed damage valuation
Trial-ready preparation that forces fair settlements

Our goal: Get your family answers, hold the right people accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another South Houston student.

Call to Action for South Houston Families

Your Next Steps

If hazing has impacted your family—whether at UH, Texas A&M, UT, or any Texas campus—we want to hear from you. South Houston families in Harris County have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation:

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com
Spanish Services: Hablamos Español – Mr. Lupe Peña provides consultations in Spanish

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

We’ll listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
Answer questions about costs (contingency fee – we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure to hire us on the spot
Everything confidential – protected by attorney-client privilege

Why Time is Critical

Evidence disappears: Group chats deleted, witnesses coached, physical evidence destroyed
Statute of limitations: Texas generally allows 2 years from injury, but earlier is better
University control: Schools quickly work to manage narratives and minimize liability
Healing delayed: Legal resolution can provide closure needed for recovery

We Serve All Texas from Our Houston Base

While based in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas, including:

Harris County: South Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, Baytown, Katy, The Woodlands
Greater Houston Area: All surrounding counties and communities
Statewide: Through our Austin and Beaumont offices
National: Co-counsel arrangements for out-of-state cases with Texas connections

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi Case Coverage:

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
Contingency fees explained: 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