The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits & Campus Accountability for Families in Buda, Texas

If your child is heading to college in Texas—whether to Texas State University just down the road in San Marcos, to the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, or any campus across the state—you’ve likely had conversations about safety. You’ve discussed studying hard, making good friends, and maybe even avoiding excessive partying. But there’s a specific, dangerous threat that often operates in the shadows of campus tradition and social life: hazing.

For parents in Buda, Hays County, and across Central Texas, the reality of modern hazing hit home in late 2025 with a shocking lawsuit out of the University of Houston. A young man named Leonel Bermudez, represented by our firm, filed a $10 million lawsuit alleging he was systematically abused as a pledge of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, suffering rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being forced through extreme workouts, humiliating rituals, and dangerous coercion. The details—from a degrading “pledge fanny pack” to being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”—are a stark reminder that this isn’t about harmless pranks. This is about serious injury, institutional failure, and the fight for accountability.

This comprehensive guide is written for you—parents and families in Buda, Kyle, San Marcos, and throughout Hays County—who need to understand what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, and what legal options exist when tradition turns to trauma. We’ll connect national hazing tragedies to the campuses where your children study, unpack the complex web of liability, and explain how experienced legal counsel can help your family seek justice and prevent this from happening to another student.

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. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Texas Students

Hazing is no longer just the stereotypical “hell week” of paddling and push-ups. It has evolved into a sophisticated, often digitally-enabled system of coercion that can be difficult for parents to recognize. For Buda families sending students to Texas State University, UT Austin, or other campuses, understanding these modern tactics is the first step in protection.

A Clear, Modern 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 safe or legal under Texas law when there is peer pressure and power imbalance.

Main Categories of Hazing Today

Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadly form. It includes forced “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, and trivia games where wrong answers mean dangerous consumption. The goal is often rapid intoxication to the point of illness or unconsciousness.

Physical Hazing: This goes beyond calisthenics. We’re talking about “smokings” involving hundreds of push-ups or squats until collapse (as alleged in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case), paddling with wooden boards, exposure to extreme cold, sleep deprivation lasting days, and forced consumption of vile food combinations until vomiting.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positions), wearing degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. These inflict deep psychological trauma.

Psychological Hazing: Verbal abuse, threats of expulsion from the group, isolation from non-member friends, forced confessions, and public shaming in meetings or on social media.

Digital/Online Hazing: This is the 2025 evolution. Pledges are subjected to GroupMe or Discord chat dares, forced to post humiliating TikToks or Instagram stories, required to share live location 24/7 via apps like Find My Friends, and face constant harassment if they don’t respond instantly to messages, even at 3 AM.

Where Hazing Happens

It’s not just fraternities and sororities. Hazing persists in:

Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs.
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer).
Spirit and tradition organizations (like the Texas Cowboys at UT).
Marching bands and performance groups.
Some service, cultural, and academic clubs.

The common thread is a power imbalance between new and existing members, wrapped in the excuse of “tradition” or “building brotherhood/sisterhood.”

Texas Law & Liability Framework: What Buda Families Need to Know

When hazing injures a student from Hays County, multiple layers of law come into play. Understanding this framework is essential for knowing your rights.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas has specific, strong statutes against hazing. Key provisions include:

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health or safety for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a student organization.

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail).
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment.
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death.

§ 37.155 Consent is NOT a Defense: This is critical. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it doesn’t matter under Texas law if the activity meets the definition of hazing.

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability: Fraternities, sororities, and clubs themselves can be criminally prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Individuals who report hazing to university or law enforcement in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability. Many Texas universities also have medical amnesty policies to encourage calling 911 in alcohol emergencies.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim is punishment—fines, probation, or jail time. Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, or even manslaughter in fatal cases. The recent UH Pi Kappa Phi case is under criminal investigation.

Civil Cases: Brought by victims or their families. Aim is compensation for damages and institutional accountability. These cases focus on negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, and emotional distress. A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case; they are separate paths.

Federal Law Overlay

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and maintain public hazing data by 2026.

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered, creating additional liability for universities.

Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes; hazing incidents often overlap with assault or alcohol crimes that must be disclosed.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Individual Students: Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up.
Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity/sorority itself as a legal entity, and its officers.
National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: Often the deepest pocket. Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents at other chapters.
University or Governing Board: Universities can be sued for negligence, deliberate indifference, or violation of duty to protect students. Public universities (like Texas State, UT, Texas A&M) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist.
Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol (under Texas dram shop law), security companies, or event organizers.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Tragic Scripts That Repeat

The hazing that injured Leonel Bermudez at UH isn’t an isolated incident. It follows patterns seen in devastating cases across the country. These “anchor stories” show how predictable and preventable these tragedies are.

The Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): A bid-acceptance night with extreme drinking led to fatal falls. Security camera footage showed brothers delaying medical help for hours. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, civil settlements, and Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Gruver died with a 0.495% BAC. Result: Felony hazing convictions and Louisiana’s “Max Gruver Act.”

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A “Big/Little” night where the pledge was told to drink a bottle of whiskey. He died from alcohol poisoning. Result: $10 million in total settlements ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU).

Takeaway for Buda Families: The “Big/Little” event, the drinking game, the handle of liquor—these are repeating scripts. When you hear about a “pledge reveal” or “family tree night,” understand these have been deadly before.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): A “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat involved blindfolded pledges being tackled while weighted down. Deng suffered fatal head injuries; help was delayed. Result: National fraternity criminally convicted, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” are often chosen precisely to hide violent hazing from university oversight. The location doesn’t eliminate liability.

The Athletic Program Hazing Pattern

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): Former players alleged systemic, sexualized hazing within the program. Result: Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired, confidential settlements. This proves hazing isn’t limited to Greek life.

What These Cases Mean for Texas

The same national fraternities involved in these tragedies—Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon—have active chapters at Texas universities. The patterns are known, the risks are foreseeable, and the legal precedents for holding nationals accountable are established.

Texas University Focus: Where Buda Students Attend & What Happens There

Buda parents frequently send students to nearby Texas State University in San Marcos, as well as flagship institutions like UT Austin and Texas A&M. Each campus has its own Greek ecosystem, history of incidents, and disciplinary approach.

Texas State University (San Marcos) – Minutes from Buda

For Buda families, Texas State is often the closest major university. Its proximity means many local students live at home or commute, but they are still exposed to campus organization risks.

Campus Snapshot: A large public university with active Greek life, including Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, and multicultural groups. The university maintains a student organization conduct process.

What Buda Parents Should Know: Incidents at Texas State often mirror national patterns—alcohol hazing, forced physical activity, humiliation. The university’s conduct outcomes are not always publicly listed with the detail of UT Austin’s hazing log, making independent investigation crucial if an incident occurs. Hazing cases here would typically involve the San Marcos Police Department and Hays County courts.

Action Steps for Texas State Families:

Report hazing to the Texas State Office of Student Conduct immediately.
Document everything; San Marcos PD has jurisdiction for off-campus incidents.
Understand that the university’s internal process is separate from civil liability.

University of Texas at Austin

Campus Snapshot: UT has one of the most transparent hazing reporting systems in the country via its public Hazing Violations webpage. This lists organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions.

Documented Incidents (Examples from UT’s Log):

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation and mandatory hazing-prevention education.
Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
Various fraternities and sororities appear for alcohol misconduct, sleep deprivation, and degrading activities.

Why This Matters: UT’s public log is a goldmine for establishing pattern evidence. If your child is hazed by a group with prior violations on this log, it dramatically strengthens a civil case by showing the university and national organization had notice of risky behavior.

Legal Venue: Cases would involve Austin Police Department and Travis County courts.

Texas A&M University

Campus Snapshot: Home to a massive Greek system and the storied Corps of Cadets, both with hazing histories.

Recent Significant Cases:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (~2021): Pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended; lawsuits sought over $1 million.
Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages.

Takeaway for Buda Families: The combination of traditional Greek life and the military-style Corps creates multiple high-risk environments. A&M’s rigorous tradition culture can sometimes enable abuse under the guise of “building discipline.”

University of Houston – The Flagship Case

The Leonel Bermudez / Pi Kappa Phi Case: This active, $10 million lawsuit embodies the worst modern hazing. Bermudez, a transfer student, endured:

A “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms, a sex toy, and humiliating items he had to carry 24/7.
Extreme physical abuse: Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, “save-your-brother” drills in cold weather, lying in vomit-soaked grass.
Simulated waterboarding: Being sprayed in the face with a hose.
Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.
The Nov. 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

The Medical Catastrophe: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi national suspended the Beta Nu chapter on Nov. 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on Nov. 14, shutting the chapter down. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement.

Why This Case Matters to All Texas Families: It proves that severe, life-altering hazing is happening at Texas universities right now. It shows the multi-defendant approach (suing the university, national fraternity, housing corporation, and 13 individual members) that is necessary for full accountability.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

Both private universities with significant Greek life and their own hazing histories. SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended for paddling and forced drinking. Baylor has faced hazing issues within its baseball program. Private school status affects transparency but not liability.

Fraternities & Sororities: Connecting National Histories to Texas Chapters

The fraternity that hazed Leonel Bermudez at UH—Pi Kappa Phi—is the same national organization whose chapter at Florida State University caused the death of pledge Andrew Coffey in 2017 through forced drinking. This isn’t a coincidence; it’s a pattern.

Why National Histories Matter in Court

When a Texas chapter repeats a hazing script that caused death or injury elsewhere, it demonstrates foreseeability. National headquarters cannot claim “we had no idea this could happen” when their own risk management files are filled with similar incidents. This foresight strengthens claims of negligence and can support punitive damages.

Major National Organizations with Texas Chapters

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): National history includes the Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green ($10M settlement) and the David Bogenberger death at Northern Illinois University ($14M settlement). Active at UT, Texas A&M, Texas State, and others.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): One of the most sued fraternities. Nationwide history of alcohol deaths. Its Texas A&M chapter faced the chemical burn lawsuit, and its UT chapter was sued in 2024 over an assault on an exchange student. Active across all major Texas campuses.

Beta Theta Pi: National history dominated by the Timothy Piazza death at Penn State, which led to massive criminal prosecutions and civil settlements.

Phi Delta Theta: National history includes the Max Gruver death at LSU, which spurred Louisiana’s felony hazing law.

Pi Kappa Phi: National history includes the Andrew Coffey death at Florida State. Now the subject of the active UH lawsuit we are leading.

For Buda families, this means: The organization your child is joining has a paper trail. That paper trail can become evidence.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: How We Uncover the Full Picture

At The Manginello Law Firm, we don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary data engine built from public records to map the entire Greek ecosystem in Texas. This allows us to immediately identify all potentially liable entities behind a chapter.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Entities Serving Texas Families

Our directory includes hundreds of Texas-registered organizations. A snapshot relevant to Central Texas families includes:

IRS B83 Registered Entities (Sample):

Sigma Phi Lambda Inc. – EIN 201237505 – Corinth, TX 76210 – Beta Chapter (IRS B83 filing)
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN 463831593 – Austin, TX 78723 – Texas State University Chapter (IRS B83 filing)
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. – EIN 475381060 – San Marcos, TX 78666 – Theta Iota Chapter (IRS B83 filing)
Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc. – EIN 273662583 – Lufkin, TX 75904 (IRS B83 filing)
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – EIN 746064445 – Nederland, TX 77627 – Epsilon Kappa Chapter (IRS B83 filing)
Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. – EIN 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing)

Cause IQ Metro Data – Austin-Round Rock Area (154+ Greek entities):

Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp. – Austin, TX (UT chapter house corporation)
Delta Tau Delta – Gamma Iota Chapter – Austin, TX (UT chapter house)
Beta Xi House Corp. of Kappa Kappa Gamma – Austin, TX (UT chapter house corporation)

What This Means for Your Case:
When a hazing incident occurs, we already know how to find the local housing corporation that owns the house, the alumni chapter that may provide funding, and the national headquarters’ legal identity. This data turns into subpoenas and discovery requests that leave no stone unturned.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Legal Strategy

If your family is facing a hazing crisis, understanding the legal process can reduce fear and empower action.

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Snapchat messages. We use digital forensics to recover deleted messages.
Photos & Videos: Content filmed during events, social media posts, security camera footage from houses or nearby businesses.
Internal Organization Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” lists, emails between officers, national risk management policies.
University Records: Prior conduct files, probation letters, Clery Act reports, internal investigation notes—obtained through discovery or public records requests.
Medical & Psychological Records: ER reports, hospitalization records, toxicology results, diagnoses of PTSD, depression, or anxiety from the trauma.
Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, RAs, bystanders.

Types of Damages in Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

All medical bills (ER, hospital, surgery, therapy).
Future medical care (long-term treatment for injuries like kidney damage or PTSD).
Lost wages (for student or parent who missed work).
Diminished future earning capacity (if injuries cause permanent disability).

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering.
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation.
Loss of enjoyment of life.

Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable):

Funeral and burial costs.
Loss of financial support and companionship.
Emotional suffering of the family.

Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, to punish the defendants and deter future conduct.

Overcoming Common Defense Tactics

Fraternities, nationals, and universities have sophisticated defenses. We know how to counter them:

“The Pledge Consented”: Texas law § 37.155 says consent is not a defense. We show coercion through group chats and power dynamics.
“This Was a Rogue Chapter”: We subpoena national records to show prior incidents and inadequate supervision.
“It Happened Off-Campus”: We argue foreseeability and show the university or national still exercised control.
“Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”: We fight coverage arguments and may sue insurers for bad faith denial.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Buda Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Steps

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed:

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

What to Do Immediately:

Prioritize Safety/Medical Care: If injured or intoxicated, go to the ER.
Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot ALL group chats and messages. Photograph injuries. Save any physical objects (paddles, costumes).
Write a Timeline: Document everything your child tells you with dates, times, and names.
Consult a Lawyer BEFORE Reporting: We can guide you on how to report to maximize protection and evidence preservation.
Do NOT confront the organization, sign university forms, or post on social media.

For Students: Is This Hazing?

If you answer YES to any of these, it’s likely hazing:

Am I being pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would I do this if there were no social consequences for refusing?
Am I being told to keep secrets from the university or my parents?

Your Rights in Texas:

You cannot be punished for calling 911 in a medical emergency (good-faith reporter immunity).
You have the right to leave the organization at any time.
“Consent” is not a legal defense for hazing.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Hazing Case

Deleting Messages: This looks like a cover-up and destroys evidence. Preserve everything.
Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
Signing University “Resolution” Forms: These often contain waivers of your right to sue.
Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys will scour your posts for inconsistencies.
Waiting for the University to “Handle It”: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitation run.

Short FAQ for Texas Families

Q: Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?
A: Yes, under circumstances. Public universities have some sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence or Title IX violations. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections. Every case is fact-specific.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but exceptions exist. Time is critical—call a lawyer immediately.

Q: Will my child’s name be public?
A: Most cases settle confidentially. We prioritize your family’s privacy and can request sealed court records.

Q: What if the hazing happened at an off-campus house?
A: Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship and knowledge.

Q: How much does a hazing lawyer cost?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for civil cases. You pay no upfront fees; we only get paid if we recover money for you.

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

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions—national fraternities, university systems, insurance companies—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 claims, deploy delay tactics, and argue coverage exclusions. We know their playbook because we used to run it. His Spanish-language fluency also ensures we can serve Hispanic families throughout Texas with clarity and comfort.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions – Ralph Manginello:
Our firm was one of the few in Texas involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, facing billion-dollar defendants. That same experience—federal court strategy, complex discovery, expert coordination—applies directly to taking on national fraternities and university systems. We are not intimidated by deep-pocketed defendants.

Dual Civil & Criminal Hazing Expertise – Ralph’s HCCLA Membership:
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) signals elite criminal defense capability. This is critical because hazing cases often unfold on two tracks: criminal charges (brought by the state) and civil lawsuits (brought by your family). We understand how they interact and can advise on both.

Investigative Depth & Data-Driven Strategy:
We don’t start from zero. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from IRS records, university data, and public filings—gives us an immediate map of the organizational landscape. We have a network of experts: digital forensics specialists to recover deleted messages, medical experts to explain injuries like rhabdomyolysis, economists to calculate lifelong damages, and psychologists to document trauma.

A Record of Results in Catastrophic Cases:
We have recovered multi-million dollar settlements for clients with brain injuries, amputations, and wrongful death. We understand how to build the full value of a life-altering injury, not just settle for immediate medical bills.

We Serve Families Throughout Texas, Including Buda and Hays County

From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas. We understand the specific dynamics of Central Texas campuses like Texas State University in San Marcos and the heartbreak when a child is harmed miles from home. Whether your student was hazed at a university in our backyard or across the state, we have the expertise and resources to help.

Your Next Step: Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved will have teams of lawyers working against you from day one. You deserve advocates who work just as hard for you.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.

In your consultation, we will:

Listen to your story with empathy and without judgment.
Review any evidence you have gathered.
Explain your legal options clearly: potential criminal reports, civil lawsuits, or other paths.
Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect.
Answer all your questions about the process and our contingency fee structure.

There is no pressure to hire us on the spot. Our goal is to ensure you have the information needed to make the best decision for your family.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | For Spanish: lupe@atty911.com

We are here to help you seek answers, secure accountability, and prevent this from happening to another family in Buda or anywhere else.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

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

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Using your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Texas statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes that can ruin a case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Main Website & Contact:

The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911: 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 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