The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Resource for Payne Springs Families

If you are a parent in Payne Springs, Texas, and your child has been or could be impacted by hazing, this guide is for you. We’re writing to you, our neighbors in Henderson County and across the Piney Woods region, because the reality of dangerous initiation rituals is not confined to far-off campuses. It is happening right now at Texas universities.

Consider this scenario, which unfolds each semester: A promising student from a Texas family accepts a bid to join a fraternity, sorority, Corps of Cadets unit, or athletic team. What begins as exciting quickly twists under the weight of “tradition.” The student is stripped of autonomy, handed a degrading “pledge fanny pack” to carry at all times, and subjected to relentless, coordinated humiliation and physical abuse. Nights are spent chauffeur-driving older members, days are interrupted by mandatory “study sessions” that are actually interrogations. The breaking point comes during an off-campus “workout”: forced through hundreds of squats and push-ups under threat of expulsion, then made to consume impossible quantities of food until vomiting. In the days that follow, the student’s urine turns brown—a terrifying sign of severe muscle breakdown. He is rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, facing the risk of permanent organ damage.

This is not a hypothetical. This is the exact sequence of events alleged in the ongoing $10 million hazing lawsuit filed by our client, Leonel Bermudez, against the University of Houston (UH), the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 individual members. We at Attorney911 represent Leonel. This case, unfolding just a few hours from Payne Springs in Harris County, is proof that the most severe forms of hazing are active, present dangers in Texas. They can and do happen to students from communities like ours.

If this sounds familiar or you fear your child is in a similar situation, you are not alone. This comprehensive guide is designed for parents and families in Payne Springs and across Texas. We will demystify what hazing looks like today, explain your legal rights under Texas law, expose the national patterns behind local incidents, and provide a clear path toward accountability and recovery. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge and show how our firm, with deep roots in Texas litigation, fights for families like yours.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

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

In the first 48 hours, you MUST:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” seek a professional evaluation. Internal injuries like rhabdomyolysis may not be immediately apparent.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted:
   • Screenshot all relevant group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, and social media DMs.
   • Photograph any visible injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save physical items (torn clothing, paddles, receipts for forced purchases).
3. Document Everything: Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, and specific acts—while their memory is fresh.
4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence disappears rapidly. Universities and fraternities move quickly to control the narrative. We can help secure evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, immediate consultation.

What NOT to Do:

• Do NOT confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
• Do NOT sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
• Do NOT post details on public social media.
• Do NOT let your child delete messages or “clean up” their phone.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like on Texas Campuses

For families in Payne Springs, the term “hazing” might conjure images of outdated panty raids or silly scavenger hunts. The reality in 2025 is far more sinister, systematic, and digitally enabled. Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of joining, affiliating with, or maintaining membership in a group.

Modern hazing falls into three escalating tiers:

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing & Psychological Control
This establishes power imbalance and normalizes compliance. It includes forced servitude (24/7 designated driving, cleaning members’ rooms), social isolation from non-members, sleep deprivation via late-night “mandatory” meetings, and carrying humiliating items (like the “pledge fanny pack” in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, which contained condoms, sex toys, and nicotine devices). Digitally, it manifests as 24/7 monitoring via group chats, required location sharing, and social media policing.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing
This causes measurable emotional or physical distress. It includes verbal abuse and threats, forced consumption of unpalatable substances (spoiled food, excessive milk/hot dogs), extreme and punitive calisthenics (“smokings”), and public humiliation. A hallmark is disguising abuse as “team building” or “wellness challenges.”

Tier 3: Violent & Life-Threatening Hazing
This has high potential for catastrophic injury or death. It encompasses the forced alcohol consumption that led to deaths like Timothy Piazza’s at Penn State, physical beatings and paddling, dangerous “rituals” like the blindfolded tackling that killed Chun Deng, sexualized hazing, and exposure to extreme elements. The rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure suffered by Leonel Bermudez at UH is a direct result of this tier of violent physical hazing.

Where Hazing Happens:
While fraternities and sororities are often the focus, hazing is a systemic cultural problem across campus organizations:

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural councils)
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Corps of Cadets and ROTC units
• Marching Bands and performance groups
• Spirit & Tradition Organizations (like Texas A&M’s Corps or UT’s spirit groups)
• Academic and Service Clubs

The common threads are power imbalance, secrecy, and the warped justification of “tradition.”

The Texas Legal Framework: Your Rights as a Payne Springs Family

If your child has been hazed, you are navigating both criminal and civil legal systems. Understanding this framework is crucial for protecting your rights.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

Under Texas law—which governs cases for Payne Springs families—hazing is a criminal offense. The statute is broad and powerful:

• Definition (§37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury and a STATE JAIL FELONY if it causes serious bodily injury or death—like the kidney failure in the UH case.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is critical. Even if your child “went along with it,” the law recognizes that consent under peer pressure and coercion is meaningless. This directly counteracts a fraternity’s first line of defense.
• Individual & Organizational Liability (§37.153): Both the individuals who commit the acts and the organization itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000.
• Immunity for Reporting (§37.154): Those who in good faith report hazing or call for medical help are generally protected from criminal or civil liability for their own minor involvement (like underage drinking). This “Good Samaritan” provision is meant to save lives by removing the fear of getting in trouble.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by: The State of Texas (e.g., Henderson County DA, Harris County DA).
• Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation).
• Charges: Hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to a minor, manslaughter in fatal cases.
• Your Role: Your family is a witness for the prosecution. A conviction can help a civil case but is not required.

Civil Lawsuits:

• Brought by: Your family, represented by attorneys like us.
• Goal: Compensation for damages and institutional accountability.
• Claims: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, intentional infliction of emotional distress.
• Outcome: Financial compensation for medical bills, future care, pain and suffering, and in some cases, punitive damages to punish extreme misconduct.

These cases can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction strengthens a civil case, but we can build a powerful civil lawsuit even without criminal charges.

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

Federal laws create additional duties for universities:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal funds (all Texas public schools) to report hazing incidents more transparently and maintain public hazing data by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, it triggers the university’s Title IX obligations to investigate and provide a safe environment.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults and alcohol-related arrests, which often accompany hazing incidents.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A key part of our strategy is identifying every potentially liable entity to ensure full accountability and access to insurance coverage. Targets may include:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued for creating a dangerous culture.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: They often have deep pockets, insurance policies, and can be liable for negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about a pattern of abuse. In the UH case, we sued Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters.
4. The University: Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have a duty to protect students. They can be liable for deliberate indifference to known risks. We are currently suing the University of Houston System Board of Regents.
5. Housing Corporations & Alumni Associations: These entities often own chapter houses and provide oversight. Our data engine identifies them (see below).
6. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserve alcohol, or security companies that fail to act.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Predict Texas Tragedies

The devastating hazing incident at UH did not occur in a vacuum. It follows a national playbook written in tragedy after tragedy. Understanding these patterns proves that such conduct is foreseeable—and therefore preventable.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Died after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking; help was delayed for hours. Resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania, criminal convictions, and multi-million-dollar civil settlements.
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Died during a “Bible study” drinking game. Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Forced to drink a bottle of alcohol; died. The chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally, and the family reached a $10 million total settlement with the university and national fraternity.

The Physical & Ritualized Abuse Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackling ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

The Catastrophic Injury Pattern

• Danny Santulli – Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): Suffered permanent, severe brain damage from forced drinking. His family settled with 22 defendants, illustrating the wide net of liability.

What This Means for Payne Springs Families

These national cases set legal precedents that directly benefit Texas families. They show courts and juries that:

• Hazing deaths and injuries are foreseeable results of known rituals.
• National organizations with prior incidents are on clear notice.
• Multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements are appropriate for such grievous harm.
• Universities can be held accountable for failing to curb known dangerous cultures.

The Leonel Bermudez case at UH is Texas’s current chapter in this national story. We are applying the lessons from these precedents to fight for him—and we would do the same for your family.

The Texas University Landscape: Where Payne Springs Families Send Their Kids

Students from Payne Springs and Henderson County attend a wide range of Texas institutions. Our investigation and litigation experience spans them all. The hazing risk is not uniform; it varies by campus culture and Greek life density.

A Critical Resource: The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine

Before we discuss specific schools, understand our investigative advantage. We maintain a proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public records. This isn’t theoretical; it’s a concrete directory we use to identify every liable entity in a case. For example, our engine includes:

Public Records: Fraternity, Sorority & Greek Organizations Relevant to Texas Families
From IRS filings and corporate records, we track entities like:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity – Beta Nu Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Texas Gamma Chapter, EIN 92-0575785, Fort Worth, TX 76109 (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. – Theta Delta Chapter, EIN 47-5370943, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc., EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS-Cause IQ Brand Overlap)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – University of Texas at Tyler, EIN 35-2335400, Tyler, TX 75799 (IRS B83 Filing)

This data allows us to immediately identify housing corporations, alumni chapters, and national affiliates that may share liability and carry insurance. For Payne Springs families, this means we don’t start from zero.

University of Houston (UH) – Houston, TX (Harris County)

For Payne Springs Families: UH is a major destination for East Texas students seeking a large, diverse, urban university experience. The ongoing Pi Kappa Phi case proves severe hazing happens here.

Documented Incident & Institutional Response:

• Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu): As detailed in the Click2Houston report and ABC13 coverage, the hazing included forced wearing of a humiliating “pledge fanny pack,” simulated waterboarding with a hose, forced overeating leading to vomiting, and extreme physical workouts causing rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• UH’s Response: The university called the conduct “deeply disturbing,” promised disciplinary action up to expulsion, and is cooperating with law enforcement. Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters suspended the chapter on Nov. 6, 2025, and the chapter voted to surrender its charter on Nov. 14, 2025.

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds: Jurisdiction would typically lie in Harris County. Defendants can include individuals, the local chapter, the national fraternity (Pi Kappa Phi HQ is in Charlotte, NC), the UH System Board of Regents, and the chapter’s housing corporation.

Texas A&M University – College Station, TX (Brazos County)

For Payne Springs Families: Texas A&M’s strong tradition and Corps of Cadets attract many Texas students. Its Greek life and Corps have faced significant hazing allegations.

Documented Incidents:

• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged he was subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. He sued for over $1 million.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged they were doused with a mixture containing industrial cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended, and lawsuits were filed.

How a Texas A&M Case Proceeds: Cases may be filed in Brazos County. The unique culture of the Corps means lawsuits may target both the university and specific units or “outfits.” The university’s historical handling of tradition versus abuse is often a central issue.

University of Texas at Austin (UT) – Austin, TX (Travis County)

For Payne Springs Families: UT’s prestige and vibrant Greek life make it a top choice. It is also one of the most transparent schools regarding hazing violations.

Public Accountability:

• UT maintains a public Hazing Violations page listing sanctioned organizations.
• Example: In 2023, the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter was placed on probation for hazing that included forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
• Other sanctioned groups include spirit organizations like the Texas Wranglers for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.

How a UT Case Proceeds: Travis County courts have jurisdiction. UT’s own published violation logs are powerful evidence of prior notice and pattern, strengthening claims that the university should have done more to prevent recurrence.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Dallas, TX (Dallas County)

For Payne Springs Families: SMU’s private, affluent campus has a prominent Greek life scene with a history of hazing interventions.

Documented Incident:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): The chapter was suspended for hazing that reportedly included paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation. It remained under recruitment restrictions for years.

How an SMU Case Proceeds: As a private university, SMU cannot claim state sovereign immunity. Cases would be in Dallas County. The insular nature of private school Greek life often requires aggressive discovery to uncover internal reports.

Baylor University – Waco, TX (McLennan County)

For Payne Springs Families: Baylor’s faith-based identity attracts many Texas families, but its campus organizations are not immune to hazing.

Documented Incident:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation, highlighting that abuse extends beyond Greek life to athletics.

How a Baylor Case Proceeds: Lawsuits would be filed in McLennan County. Baylor’s history with institutional scandal (the football sexual assault case) informs how it responds to allegations and how courts may view its duty to students.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories, Local Harm

Fraternities and sororities at Texas schools are chapters of national organizations. This is legally significant because a national’s history of hazing incidents across the country establishes foreseeability—they knew or should have known their rituals could cause harm.

Why National Histories Matter in Your Case

When a chapter at UH or Texas A&M repeats a dangerous “tradition” that has caused death or injury elsewhere, it undermines the national organization’s defense that “this was a rogue chapter.” We use this pattern evidence to show:

1. The national had prior notice of the specific risks.
2. Its anti-hazing policies were inadequate or unenforced.
3. It may be liable for negligent supervision.

Key National Organizations with Documented Hazing Histories

(These organizations have chapters at one or more of the five Texas universities discussed)

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): National pattern of fatal alcohol hazing (Stone Foltz at BGSU, $10M settlement; David Bogenberger at NIU, $14M settlement).
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Numerous hazing deaths and injuries nationwide; faced a traumatic brain injury lawsuit at University of Alabama and the chemical burns lawsuit at Texas A&M.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Andrew Coffey’s alcohol poisoning death at Florida State University; now the subject of our active, severe injury lawsuit at UH.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): Max Gruver’s death at LSU led to felony hazing laws in Louisiana.
• Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): History of paddling and physical hazing, including the suspended chapter at SMU.

For Payne Springs families, this means if your child was hazed by a chapter of one of these nationals, we have a pre-existing roadmap of legal arguments and precedent to hold the parent organization accountable.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing a hazing case requires a methodical, evidence-driven strategy. This is where our experience as complex litigation attorneys, not just personal injury lawyers, makes the difference. We treat these cases like the institutional investigations they are.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

We aggressively pursue every category of evidence:

1. Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text threads are the modern smoking gun. We secure screenshots and, if necessary, use digital forensics to recover deleted messages. These chats show planning, coercion, and cover-up attempts.
2. Photos & Videos: Content shared by perpetrators themselves is devastating evidence. We also seek security footage from chapter houses, Airbnbs, and adjacent properties.
3. Internal Organization Documents: Through discovery, we subpoena national fraternity risk management manuals, chapter meeting minutes, pledge education materials, and correspondence between local and national officers.
4. University Records: We use public records requests and litigation discovery to obtain prior conduct reports, Clery Act logs, internal investigation files, and emails between administrators about the organization in question.
5. Medical & Psychological Records: Documentation from ER visits, hospitalizations, and follow-up care is essential to prove the extent of harm. We also work with psychologists to diagnose and document PTSD, depression, and anxiety stemming from the trauma.
6. Witness Testimony: We interview other pledges, former members, roommates, and advisors. Often, others are waiting for someone to come forward first.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered

The goal of a civil lawsuit is to make the victim whole and hold wrongdoers accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, costs of psychological counseling, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, and PTSD.
• Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and guidance for the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of especially reckless or malicious conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

In a case like Leonel Bermudez’s, damages must account for ongoing kidney monitoring, the risk of future health complications, and the severe psychological trauma of the abuse.

Navigating Insurance & Institutional Defenses

National fraternities and universities have sophisticated insurance coverage and defense lawyers. Their common defenses include:

• “The victim consented.” We counter with Texas law §37.155 and evidence of coercion.
• “This was a rogue chapter; the national didn’t know.” We use pattern evidence from other chapters to prove foreseeability.
• “Insurance doesn’t cover intentional acts like hazing.” We argue that the negligent supervision by the national or university is a covered omission.

Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an insurance defense attorney. He knows their tactics, how they value claims, and how to overcome coverage disputes. This insider knowledge is invaluable.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Payne Springs Families

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Response Plan

1. Recognize the Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation.
• Sudden personality changes: anxiety, withdrawal, irritability.
• Secrecy about group activities (“I can’t talk about it”).
• Constant, anxious phone use monitoring group chats.
• Financial changes: unexpected charges for alcohol, “fines,” or gifts for members.

2. Talk to Your Child:

• Use open-ended, non-confrontational questions: “How are things really going with the fraternity? Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
• Emphasize safety and support over judgment: “My only job is to keep you safe. We can figure this out together.”

3. Take Immediate Action if Harm Has Occurred:

• Seek medical care first. Document everything the doctor says.
• Preserve evidence. Follow our video guide on using your phone to document evidence.
• Contact an attorney before reporting. We can help you navigate reporting to the university or police in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

For Students: Your Rights & Safety

Is This Hazing?
If you feel pressured, coerced, unsafe, or humiliated to belong, it likely is. Trust your instincts.

How to Exit Safely:

• Your physical safety comes first. If in danger, call 911.
• You have the right to quit anytime. Send a brief text or email to the chapter president: “I resign my membership/pledgeship, effective immediately.”
• Do NOT go to a “final meeting” where you could be pressured or threatened.
• Tell a trusted adult (parent, RA, professor) what is happening.

Preserve Evidence:

• Screenshot EVERYTHING—group chats, DMs, texts—before they are deleted.
• Take photos of injuries and locations.
• Save any physical items used in hazing.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Hazing Case

We detail this in our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case. Key errors include:

1. Deleting Digital Evidence: This looks like a cover-up and destroys your strongest proof.
2. Confronting the Fraternity First: This triggers their defense lawyers and evidence destruction.
3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: These often waive your right to sue for fair compensation.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense investigators monitor everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the Texas statute of limitations (generally 2 years) can expire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we sue a university in Texas for hazing?
A: Yes. While public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, exceptions exist for gross negligence or when suing individuals in their personal capacity. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity barriers. Our lawsuit against the University of Houston System is actively testing these boundaries.

Q: Is hazing a felony in Texas?
A: It can be. Under Texas Education Code §37.152, hazing that causes “serious bodily injury” (like kidney failure or traumatic brain injury) or death is a state jail felony.

Q: What if it happened off-campus at a rented house?
A: Location does not matter. Texas law applies to on- and off-campus conduct. Furthermore, nationals and universities can still be liable for activities they sponsor or know about, regardless of location.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees or costs. We only get paid if we win your case, through a percentage of the recovery. Learn more in our video explaining how contingency fees work.

Q: Will my child’s name be dragged through the media?
A: We prioritize our clients’ privacy. Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We can seek protective orders from the court to seal sensitive records. Your family’s well-being is our foremost concern.

Why Payne Springs Families Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

When your family is facing the trauma of hazing, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the playbook of powerful institutions and have the resources to rewrite it. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), we bring a unique combination of experience, tenacity, and Texas-specific insight to every hazing case.

Our Proven Advantage:

1. We Are Currently Fighting a Major Texas Hazing Case: We are not theoreticians. Right now, we are lead counsel in Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi, a $10 million lawsuit alleging some of the most severe hazing conduct in recent memory. We know firsthand how these cases unfold against universities and national fraternities.

2. Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t start from scratch. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from IRS records, corporate filings, and campus data—allows us to immediately identify all potentially liable entities, from housing corporations in Frisco to national headquarters across the country. For Payne Springs families, this means a faster, more comprehensive path to accountability.

3. Insider Knowledge of Insurance Defense: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, is a former insurance defense lawyer for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and undervalue your claim. We use their own tactics against them.

4. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Founding partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by deep-pocketed, sophisticated opponents like national fraternities and university systems. We’ve faced them before.

5. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal side of hazing investigations. This is crucial for advising families when criminal charges are possible and for navigating interactions with law enforcement.

6. A Full-Service Texas Personal Injury Firm: Hazing cases involve complex damages: lifelong medical care, psychological trauma, lost educational opportunity. Our extensive experience in wrongful death and catastrophic injury means we know how to work with economists and life-care planners to build a compelling case for full and fair compensation.

7. Spanish-Language Services Available: Hablamos Español. Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish and can provide compassionate, clear legal counsel to Spanish-speaking families.

We believe that holding these institutions accountable does more than secure compensation for one family; it forces change that can save lives and prevent the next tragedy. That is our mission.

Your Next Step: A Confidential Consultation

If you are a parent in Payne Springs, Henderson County, or anywhere in Texas, and you believe your child has been victimized by hazing, we urge you to take action. The window for preserving evidence and protecting your rights is short.

Contact Attorney911 today for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.

In your consultation, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal options under Texas and federal law.
• Discuss the realistic timeline and process.
• Answer all your questions about how we work, including our contingency fee structure.
• Help you decide on the best path forward for your family.

You do not have to navigate this crisis alone. Let us use our experience, resources, and determination to fight for your child’s future and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Texas from offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | For Spanish: lupe@atty911.com

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston (KPRC 2) Investigation: 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 (KTRK) Detailed Timeline: 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 Your Phone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website & Practice Areas:

• Main Website & Contact: https://attorney911.com
• Wrongful Death Practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/

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