The Complete Texas Hazing Guide for Families in Celeste, Texas: Your Rights, Resources, and Path to Accountability

If your phone rings in the middle of the night and your child’s voice is shaky, if they come home from Texas A&M University-Commerce or another Texas campus with unexplained injuries, or if they’ve suddenly become secretive and withdrawn from the family life they knew in Celeste, you may be facing every parent’s worst nightmare: your child is being hazed.

We understand the fear, confusion, and anger that follows. As hazing litigation attorneys based in Texas, we have seen how these cases unfold behind the closed doors of fraternity houses, Corps barracks, and athletic facilities across our state. Right now, our firm is leading one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in Texas history—the $10 million case against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a pledge who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after brutal hazing rituals. This case demonstrates exactly what Texas families are up against and why experienced legal representation matters.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for families in Celeste, Caddo Mills, Greenville, and throughout Hunt County who need to understand the reality of modern hazing, Texas law, and what steps to take if your child has been harmed. Whether your student attends nearby Texas A&M University-Commerce, commutes to UT Dallas, or attends any of Texas’s major universities, the information here applies to your family.

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

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For Celeste families sending children to college, it’s crucial to understand that hazing has evolved far beyond the “harmless pranks” or “team bonding” excuses often used to justify it. Modern hazing is systematic, often digitally coordinated, and designed to exploit power imbalances while avoiding detection.

The Three-Tier Reality of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (The Gateway)
These behaviors establish power dynamics and test compliance while seeming “innocent”:

• 24/7 group chat monitoring with immediate response demands
• Mandatory “study sessions” that interfere with academics
• Being on-call as a designated driver at all hours
• Required use of humiliating nicknames or identifiers
• Social isolation from non-members and family

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (The Escalation)
These acts cause measurable physical or psychological harm:

• Sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings” or 3 AM wake-up calls
• Forced consumption of unpleasant substances (spoiled food, excessive dairy, hot sauce)
• Extreme calisthenics (“smokings”) beyond safe limits
• Public humiliation through degrading costumes or performances
• Digital shaming via social media challenges or group chat mocking

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (The Danger Zone)
These activities have high potential for serious injury or death:

• Forced alcohol consumption games (“lineups,” “Big/Little” nights, “Bible study” drinking)
• Physical beatings with paddles, fists, or objects
• Dangerous physical tests (“glass ceiling” tackles, blindfolded challenges)
• Sexualized hazing (forced nudity, simulated acts, “elephant walks”)
• Exposure to extreme environments (locked in cold rooms, left outside in dangerous weather)

Digital Hazing: The 2025 Reality

Today’s hazing lives on smartphones. For Celeste families, this means your child might be experiencing:

• Constant digital surveillance: Required location sharing via Find My Friends, immediate response demands in GroupMe or WhatsApp
• Social media coercion: Forced TikTok challenges, Instagram story dares, compromising photo requirements
• Evidence destruction culture: Messages set to auto-delete, coaching on what to say (or not say) in writing
• “Unofficial” communication channels: Secondary apps and hidden groups used specifically for hazing planning

Texas Hazing Law: What Celeste Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws addressing hazing, and understanding them is crucial for Hunt County families seeking accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Definition (Plain English):
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
• Occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization with student members.

Key Points for Celeste Families:

1. Location doesn’t matter: Off-campus houses, retreats, or unofficial events still count
2. “Consent is not a defense”: Texas law explicitly states that even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing (Section 37.155)
3. Mental harm counts: Psychological abuse and humiliation qualify alongside physical injury

Criminal Penalties in Texas

• Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (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
• Additional crimes: Failing to report hazing or retaliating against reporters are separate offenses

Civil Liability: Holding Everyone Accountable

In civil lawsuits (where families seek compensation and accountability), multiple parties can be held responsible:

Individual Students:

• Those who planned, participated in, or covered up hazing
• Chapter officers who knew or should have known

The Local Chapter:

• The fraternity/sorority as an organization
• Housing corporations that own chapter properties

National Organizations:

• Fraternity/sorority headquarters that set policies and collect dues
• Organizations that had prior knowledge of similar incidents

Universities:

• Schools that knew or should have known about hazing risks
• Institutions that failed to enforce their own policies
• Note: Public universities (like Texas A&M Commerce) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist

Third Parties:

• Property owners of off-campus houses
• Alcohol providers (under dram shop laws)
• Security companies or event organizers

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases below aren’t just news stories—they’re patterns that repeat at Texas schools, including those attended by Celeste students.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

• Forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night
• Died from alcohol poisoning
• $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from university)
• Takeaway for Celeste families: The “Big/Little” tradition exists at Texas chapters too

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

• “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking
• Died with BAC of 0.495%
• Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
• Takeaway: Drinking games presented as “tradition” can be deadly

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)

• Bid acceptance night with extreme drinking
• Multiple falls captured on chapter security cameras
• Hours delayed before calling 911
• 18 members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts
• Takeaway: Delay in seeking medical help dramatically wors outcomes

The Physical Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)

• Blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual at Pennsylvania retreat
• Died from traumatic brain injury
• National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter
• Fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Takeaway: Off-campus retreats can be particularly dangerous

The Athletic Hazing Pattern

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)

• Multiple players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the program
• Head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired, then settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially
• Multiple ongoing lawsuits against university
• Takeaway: Hazing extends far beyond Greek life into major athletic programs

What These Cases Mean for Celeste Families

These national patterns matter because:

1. The same fraternities/sororities operate in Texas: Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, and others named in national cases all have Texas chapters
2. Universities learn from each other’s mistakes: Or they should—patterns of institutional response inform what we can expect from Texas schools
3. Settlement amounts set precedents: The $10M Foltz settlement demonstrates what serious cases are worth
4. Legislative changes follow tragedy: Texas may see stronger laws if high-profile cases continue

Texas Universities: Where Celeste Students Face Hazing Risks

Celeste families typically send students to nearby campuses and major Texas universities. Understanding the specific hazing landscape at these schools is crucial.

Texas A&M University-Commerce: The Local Reality

For Celeste Families:
Located just 30 minutes from Celeste in neighboring Commerce, Texas A&M University-Commerce is where many Hunt County students begin their college journeys. With active Greek life and campus organizations, hazing risks exist here just as at larger campuses.

Documented Reality:
While specific recent public incidents may not make statewide news, the patterns seen at larger campuses occur here too. As part of the Texas A&M system, the university follows system-wide anti-hazing policies but faces the same challenges of off-campus oversight and organizational secrecy.

What Celeste Parents Should Know:

1. Reporting channels: Dean of Students Office, Campus Police, online reporting forms
2. Jurisdiction: Campus police handle on-campus incidents; local Commerce PD handles off-campus
3. Civil cases: Would likely be filed in Hunt County or surrounding jurisdictions
4. Pattern evidence: National fraternity histories apply equally here

Texas A&M University (College Station): The Flagship Campus

For Celeste Families:
Many high-achieving Hunt County students attend Texas A&M, drawn by academic excellence and tradition. The Corps of Cadets and robust Greek life create multiple potential hazing environments.

Documented Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)

• Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner
• Caused severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• Pledges sued for $1 million
• Fraternity suspended by university for two years

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023)

• Cadet alleged being bound between beds in humiliating position with apple in mouth
• Sought over $1 million in damages
• University stated it handled matter under Corps regulations
• Highlights hazing risks beyond Greek life

University Response:
Texas A&M has detailed hazing policies and reporting systems but faces challenges common to large institutions: off-campus events, organizational secrecy, and tradition-bound cultures resistant to change.

University of Houston: Our Current Case Example

The Leonel Bermudez / Pi Kappa Phi Case
Right now, our firm represents Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. This case demonstrates exactly what Celeste families might face.

What Happened (Fall 2025):

• Bermudez accepted a bid to Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter in September
• Subjected to systematic hazing including:
  • “Pledge fanny pack” rule containing condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices
  • Forced strenuous workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park
  • Simulated waterboarding with hose spraying in face
  • Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting
  • 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion
• Developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
• Hospitalized for four days, passing brown urine
• Faces risk of permanent kidney damage

Institutional Response:

• Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended chapter November 6, 2025
• Chapter voted to surrender charter November 14, 2025
• UH called conduct “deeply disturbing,” promised disciplinary action
• Media Coverage: Click2Houston report, ABC13 coverage

Why This Matters for Celeste Families:

1. Shows hazing causing permanent organ damage can happen at Texas schools
2. Demonstrates national fraternities can be held accountable
3. Illustrates the medical catastrophe hazing can cause
4. Proves universities often only act after lawsuits are filed

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Patterns

Public Hazing Violations Database:
UT Austin maintains one of Texas’s most transparent hazing reporting systems at hazing.utexas.edu. Recent entries show patterns Celeste families should recognize:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023):

• New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics
• Found to be hazing
• Chapter placed on probation with mandatory hazing prevention education

Multiple Organizations:

• Various groups sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, punishment-based practices
• Demonstrates hazing occurs across different organization types

Takeaway for Celeste Families:
UT’s transparency is unusual—most schools don’t publicize violations this openly. The patterns shown here (forced consumption, excessive exercise) occur at schools statewide.

Southern Methodist University and Baylor University

SMU Reality:
As a private university with affluent student population and strong Greek presence, SMU faces particular challenges with off-campus houses and organizational secrecy. Past incidents include Kappa Alpha Order suspensions for paddling and alcohol hazing.

Baylor Reality:
Following major Title IX scandals, Baylor has heightened scrutiny but still faces hazing incidents like the 2020 baseball team hazing that resulted in 14 player suspensions.

Common Thread for Celeste Families:
Whether public or private, large or small, Texas universities struggle with the same fundamental issues: detecting off-campus hazing, overcoming organizational secrecy, and balancing institutional reputation against student safety.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: Organizations Behind the Letters

Understanding which organizations operate in Texas—and their national histories—helps Celeste families grasp the full scope of potential liability.

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Our Investigative Advantage

Our firm maintains a comprehensive database of Texas Greek organizations compiled from public records. This isn’t just information—it’s how we identify every potentially liable entity in a hazing case.

Public Records Directory: Texas Greek Organizations Relevant to Celeste Families

The organizations below represent just a sample of the 1,423 Greek entities we track across Texas. Each represents potential insurance coverage and liability in hazing cases.

Hunt County & Northeast Texas Area Organizations:

• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas A&M University-Commerce Chapter (University-affiliated academic honor society)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Mu Zeta Chapter, Commerce, TX 75428 (National Pan-Hellenic Council sorority chapter)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity – Zeta Eta Chapter, Commerce, TX 75429 (Texas A&M University-Commerce fraternity chapter)

Major University Chapter Entities:

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc, College Station, TX 77845 (Texas A&M University fraternity housing corporation, EIN: 133048786)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, Frisco, TX 75035 (University of Houston chapter housing entity, EIN: 462267515)
• Chi Omega Fraternity – Epsilon Zeta Chapter, Nacogdoches, TX 75965 (Stephen F. Austin State University sorority chapter)
• Texas Rho Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Waco, TX 76706 (Baylor University fraternity chapter)

National Organizations with Texas Presence:

• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter, Nederland, TX 77627 (Lamar University alumni association, EIN: 746064445)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Sigma Incorporated, San Marcos, TX 78666 (Texas State University fraternity entity)
• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Christian fraternity with multiple Texas chapters, EIN: 742911848)

Why This Directory Matters for Celeste Families:
When hazing occurs, multiple organizations may share liability:

1. Local chapter where hazing occurred
2. Housing corporation that owns the property
3. Alumni association that oversees activities
4. National headquarters that sets policies
5. Insurance carriers for each entity

Our ability to immediately identify these connections gives Celeste families a significant advantage in seeking full accountability.

National Histories That Matter in Texas Courtrooms

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ):

• Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green State ($10M settlement)
• David Bogenberger death at Northern Illinois ($14M settlement)
• Multiple Texas chapters have faced hazing allegations

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ):

• Traumatic brain injury lawsuit at University of Alabama (2023)
• Chemical burns case at Texas A&M ($1M lawsuit)
• Assault case at UT Austin (2024 lawsuit)
• One of the most frequently cited nationals in hazing cases

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

• Max Gruver death at LSU ($6.1M verdict)
• Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act named after this case
• Active at multiple Texas universities

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

• Andrew Coffey death at Florida State University
• Our current UH case with Leonel Bermudez
• Demonstrates pattern of similar conduct across chapters

Legal Significance for Celeste Families:
When we can show a national organization had prior knowledge of hazing patterns at other chapters, we establish:

• Foreseeability: They knew or should have known this could happen
• Negligence: Failure to prevent known risks
• Pattern evidence: This wasn’t an isolated “rogue chapter”
• Punitive damage potential: Willful disregard for student safety

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Realistic Expectations

For Celeste families considering legal action, understanding how cases are built helps set realistic expectations and underscores the importance of acting quickly.

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

• Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage threads showing planning, coordination, aftermath
• Social media: Instagram stories, TikTok videos, Snapchat posts from events
• Deleted message recovery: Digital forensics can often recover “disappearing” messages
• Location data: Phone GPS and social media check-ins establishing where events occurred

Medical Documentation:

• ER records showing treatment for injuries or intoxication
• Laboratory results (blood alcohol, toxicology, kidney function tests like in rhabdomyolysis cases)
• Psychological evaluations diagnosing PTSD, depression, anxiety
• Ongoing treatment records establishing long-term impact

Institutional Records:

• University conduct files on the organization
• Campus police incident reports
• National fraternity/sorority risk management files
• Prior complaints or warnings ignored

Witness Testimony:

• Other pledges who experienced similar treatment
• Former members willing to come forward
• Roommates, friends who observed changes or injuries
• Medical professionals who treated the victim

The Damages Recoverable in Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost educational opportunities (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
• Diminished earning capacity (for permanent injuries)
• Therapy and counseling costs

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective Harm):

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

Wrongful Death Damages (When Applicable):

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship, guidance, love
• Parents’ and siblings’ emotional trauma

Punitive Damages (In Egregious Cases):

• Designed to punish particularly reckless or malicious conduct
• Available when defendants showed willful disregard for safety
• Can significantly increase total recovery

Realistic Case Timelines and Outcomes

What Celeste Families Can Expect:

1. Initial investigation: 1-3 months of evidence gathering, witness interviews
2. Pre-litigation negotiation: 3-6 months of settlement discussions before filing suit
3. Litigation phase: 1-3 years if case goes to full lawsuit (most settle earlier)
4. Trial: Rare (less than 5% of cases), but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial

Settlement vs. Trial:

• Most cases settle: Confidential terms, faster resolution, guaranteed outcome
• Trials riskier: Public proceedings, uncertain outcome, but potentially higher awards
• Our approach: Prepare meticulously for trial to maximize settlement leverage

Practical Guides for Celeste Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Celeste Student May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries with inconsistent “accident” stories
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation beyond normal college stress
• Sudden secrecy about organizational activities
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
• Financial strain from unexpected “dues” or purchases
• Academic decline from missed classes or exhaustion

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally):

1. “How are things going with [organization]? Are they respectful of your time?”
2. “What kinds of activities do new members do?”
3. “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
4. “Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”
5. “Do you feel like you could leave if you wanted to?”

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize safety: If immediate danger, call 911
2. Document everything: Write down what your child tells you with dates
3. Preserve evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries
4. Seek medical care: Even if injuries seem minor
5. Consult an attorney before reporting: We can help navigate university processes
6. Avoid common mistakes: Don’t confront the organization, don’t sign university documents, don’t post on social media

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

Is This Hazing? Quick Self-Assessment:

• Are you being pressured to do something dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would you do this if there were no social consequences for refusing?
• Are older members making you do things they don’t have to do themselves?
• Are you being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?
• If yes to any: It’s likely hazing, regardless of what they call it.

How to Exit Safely:

1. Immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police
2. Planning to quit: Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, trusted friend)
3. Formal resignation: Send email/text to chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
4. Safety planning: If fear retaliation, report that fear to Dean of Students and police
5. Legal protection: Texas law prohibits retaliation against those who report hazing

Evidence Preservation Checklist:

• Screenshot ALL group chats (show full threads with timestamps)
• Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
• Save voicemails, emails, any written communications
• Write down names and contact info of witnesses
• DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING, even if embarrassing

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

What Celeste Families Must Avoid:

1. Letting evidence be destroyed: “Cleaning up” messages or photos looks like cover-up and removes crucial proof
2. Confronting the organization directly: Triggers immediate evidence destruction and witness coaching
3. Signing university “resolution” forms: Often include waivers of your right to sue
4. Posting details on social media: Defense attorneys monitor everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
5. Letting your child attend “one last meeting”: Opportunity for pressure, intimidation, or extracting damaging statements
6. Waiting for university internal process: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitation run
7. Talking to insurance adjusters without counsel: Recorded statements are used against you; early settlements are lowball offers

Why Attorney911 for Celeste Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how universities and national organizations fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Texas Hazing Litigation Credentials

The Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:
Right now, we’re leading one of Texas’s most significant hazing lawsuits—the $10 million case against University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. This isn’t historical; it’s active, current litigation demonstrating our frontline experience with exactly the institutions Celeste families may face.

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña):
Mr. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

• Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Use delay tactics to pressure families
• Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
• Prepare their defense strategies
  Translation for Celeste families: We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Institutional Litigation (Ralph Manginello):
Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—a case against a billion-dollar corporation with unlimited legal resources. This experience translates directly to taking on national fraternities and universities.

Dual Civil/Criminal Capability:
With Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), we understand both sides of hazing cases. We can:

• Advise on criminal exposure for involved students
• Navigate interactions between civil lawsuits and criminal investigations
• Protect witnesses and former members with dual concerns

Texas-Specific Geographic Mastery:
While based in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas, including Celeste and Hunt County. We understand:

• Texas hazing law (Chapter 37) and how courts interpret it
• University systems across the state
• Local jurisdictions where cases might be filed
• The cultural dynamics of Texas Greek life and tradition-bound organizations

Our Investigative Approach: The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine

What sets us apart is our systematic investigation method. For Celeste families, this means:

Immediate Evidence Preservation:

• Digital forensics to recover deleted messages
• Systematic documentation of all communications
• Witness interviews before memories fade or stories align

Comprehensive Entity Identification:
Using our database of 1,423 Texas Greek organizations, we identify every potentially liable entity:

• Local chapters
• Housing corporations
• Alumni associations
• National headquarters
• Insurance carriers

Pattern Evidence Development:
We establish what organizations knew and when:

• Prior incidents at same chapter
• Similar incidents at other chapters nationally
• Warning signs ignored
• Policy enforcement failures

Expert Collaboration:
We work with specialists who understand hazing’s full impact:

• Medical experts (for injuries like rhabdomyolysis, TBI, PTSD)
• Economists (for lifetime care costs and lost earning capacity)
• Greek life culture experts
• Digital forensics specialists

What to Expect When You Work With Us

Free Initial Consultation:
We listen to your story, review any evidence you have, and provide honest assessment of your legal options. No pressure, no obligation.

Clear Communication:
We explain the process in plain English, provide regular updates, and ensure you understand every decision point.

Thorough Investigation:
We treat every case as if it’s going to trial, because that thoroughness is what forces fair settlements.

Contingency Fee Basis:
We don’t get paid unless we recover compensation for you. This aligns our interests with yours and removes financial barriers for families.

Spanish Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish and can consult with Spanish-speaking families directly.

Your Next Steps: Contact Attorney911 Today

If hazing has impacted your family in Celeste, you don’t have to navigate this alone. The window for preserving evidence and protecting your rights is short, but the path to accountability exists.

Call us now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

What we’ll discuss:

1. The specific facts of your situation
2. The evidence that needs immediate preservation
3. Your legal options under Texas law
4. Realistic timelines and expectations
5. How we can help protect your child and hold the right parties accountable

Our promise:
We’ll listen without judgment, explain your options clearly, and help you make informed decisions about your family’s future. We understand this is one of the hardest things a family can face, and we’re here to help you through it with empathy, expertise, and determination.

Contact Information:

• 24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Office: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)
• Spanish Services: Se habla Español – contact Lupe Peña directly

Serving Celeste, Hunt County, and all of Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.

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/
• 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 YouTube Videos:

• Using phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas statutes of limitations: 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:

• 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