Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for Briaroaks Families Whose Children Have Been Harmed

If This Just Happened: 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)

In the First 48 Hours:

Get medical attention immediately, even if your child 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 Attorney911 within 24-48 hours: Evidence disappears fast. 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 Texas: Beyond the Stereotypes

The Nightmare That Hits Too Close to Home

Picture a Thursday night in College Station, just 80 miles from Briaroaks. A Texas A&M freshman, eager to belong, attends what he’s told is a “mandatory brotherhood event” at an off-campus house. What begins as social drinking quickly escalates. He’s forced to chug a bottle of liquor while older members chant. He collapses, but instead of calling 911 immediately, members debate whether to “wait it out” or risk “getting the chapter shut down.” Meanwhile, his parents in Briaroaks sleep peacefully, unaware their child is fighting for his life just down the road.

This scenario isn’t fiction. For families in Briaroaks, Burleson, Johnson County, and across North Texas, this nightmare has become reality at campuses throughout our state. Your child could be at Baylor, Texas A&M, or one of the countless other Texas universities where Greek life and campus organizations operate.

Hazing in 2025: It’s Not What You Think

Hazing has evolved far beyond paddles and “hell week.” Today’s hazing is sophisticated, digital, and often hidden in plain sight disguised as “tradition” or “bonding.”

Modern Hazing Categories:

Alcohol and Substance Hazing

Forced consumption games: “century club” (100 shots), liquor chugging contests
Pressure to consume unknown substances or dangerous quantities
The cruel reality: alcohol poisoning remains the leading cause of hazing deaths

Physical Hazing Beyond “Workouts”

“Rhabdomyolysis risk” exercises: forced to do hundreds of push-ups, squats until muscles break down
Cold exposure rituals: left outside in underwear during winter nights
Sleep deprivation marathons: 48-72 hours of forced wakefulness
Chemical exposure: industrial cleaners, raw eggs, and other substances poured on skin

Digital and Psychological Hazing

24/7 group chat monitoring: required immediate responses at all hours
Social media humiliation: forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok, Instagram
Geo-tracking demands: sharing location via Find My Friends or Life360
Psychological manipulation: isolation from non-member friends, forced “confessions”

Sexualized and Humiliating Rituals

Forced nudity and simulated sexual acts
Degrading costumes and public humiliation
Racial, ethnic, or gender-based slurs and role-playing

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond Fraternities

Sororities (yes, they haze too)
Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
Marching bands and spirit groups
Academic and service organizations

The common thread? Power imbalance, coercion, and the dangerous myth that “tradition” justifies abuse.

The Legal Framework: Texas Hazing Law and Your Family’s Rights

Texas Education Code: Your First Line of Protection

For families in Briaroaks and across Johnson County, Texas law provides specific protections against hazing. Under Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code, hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
Occurs for purposes of initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students

Critical Texas Law Provisions:

Consent Is NOT a Defense (Section 37.155)
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, that’s legally irrelevant. Texas recognizes that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t freely given. This directly counters the #1 defense fraternities and universities try: “They volunteered.”

Criminal Penalties Rise with Harm (Section 37.152)

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

Organizational Liability (Section 37.153)
The organization itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and have its campus recognition revoked.

Good-Faith Reporting Protection (Section 37.154)
Students who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report. This includes emergency 911 calls for alcohol-related incidents.

Federal Overlay: Additional Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

Report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthen hazing prevention education
Maintain public hazing data (phasing in through 2026)

Title IX and Clery Act Protections
When hazing involves sexual harassment, discrimination, or creates a hostile environment, Title IX obligations apply. The Clery Act requires reporting of certain crimes that often overlap with hazing conduct.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (district attorney)
Aim: punishment (jail, fines, probation)
May include charges for hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost opportunities, and accountability
Can proceed even if no criminal charges are filed

Most families pursue civil litigation because:

Compensation helps with real financial burdens
Discovery process uncovers what really happened
Creates institutional change through financial accountability

Who Can Be Held Liable in Texas Hazing Cases

Our experience at Attorney911 shows that successful hazing litigation targets EVERY responsible party:

Individual Students & Officers

Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing
Chapter presidents, pledge educators, risk managers

The Local Chapter

As a legal entity (often a corporation or unincorporated association)
Chapter bank accounts, property, and assets

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters

For failure to supervise, train, or act on prior knowledge
Their deep-pocket insurance policies often provide coverage

Universities and Governing Boards

For negligent supervision, premises liability, or Title IX violations
Both public (UH, Texas A&M, UT) and private (SMU, Baylor) institutions can be liable

Third Parties

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

The University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi Case: A Texas-Specific Warning for Briaroaks Families

Your Local Case Study in Extreme Hazing

Right now, in our backyard, Attorney911 is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. The Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter lawsuit represents everything that can go wrong with Greek life oversight and why Texas families need experienced legal help.

What Happened: A Timeline of Abuse

September 2025: Bermudez accepts a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at UH
September-October: Forced dress codes, hours-long “study blocks,” weekly interviews, overnight chauffeuring duties
The “pledge fanny pack” rule: required to carry condoms, sex toys, and humiliating items 24/7
October 13: Another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
November 3: Bermudez forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under threat of expulsion
Immediate aftermath: Unable to stand, brown urine, four-day hospitalization
Diagnosis: Rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure

The Medical Catastrophe
Bermudez’s lab tests showed critically high creatine kinase levels confirming severe muscle damage. He faced—and continues to face—ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. This wasn’t a “prank gone wrong”—this was systematic abuse that nearly killed a young man.

Institutional Response and Cover-Up Patterns

November 6: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspends the Beta Nu chapter
November 14: Chapter members vote to surrender their charter
UH calls conduct “deeply disturbing” but faces lawsuit for alleged institutional failures

Why This Case Matters to Briaroaks Families
This case is happening NOW in Texas. The same national fraternities that operate at UH also have chapters at Texas A&M, Baylor, and across the state where your children may be students. The patterns are identical: forced drinking, extreme exercise, humiliation, and institutional knowledge that gets ignored until someone nearly dies.

Texas Universities: A Risk Assessment for Briaroaks Families

Where Your Children Attend and What You Need to Know

Briaroaks families send their children to universities across Texas. Understanding the specific hazing risks and institutional responses at each campus is critical for prevention and accountability.

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

Distance from Briaroaks: Approximately 80 miles (College Station)
Relevance to Johnson County: Major destination for local students; Brazos County jurisdiction

Corps of Cadets Hazing Reality
The Corps represents both Texas tradition and significant hazing risk. Recent cases include:

2023 Corps Hazing Lawsuit: Cadet alleged being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth during “Hell Week”
Systemic Issues: Traditions often disguise abuse as “character building”
Legal Response: Texas A&M typically addresses through internal Corps regulations rather than broader university policy

Greek Life Incidents

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe burns requiring skin grafts and $1 million lawsuit
Pattern of Physical Hazing: Multiple fraternities cited for forced exercise leading to rhabdomyolysis risks

What Briaroaks Families Should Know
Texas A&M’s combination of Corps culture and active Greek life creates unique risks. The university’s response often prioritizes institutional protection over victim support. Civil litigation becomes necessary to uncover the full truth.

Baylor University: Religious Identity vs. Hazing Reality

Distance from Briaroaks: Approximately 90 miles (Waco)
Relevance: Popular choice for Johnson County students; McLennan County jurisdiction

Baseball Hazing Scandal (2020)

14 players suspended following hazing investigation
University initially downplayed severity, then implemented staggered suspensions
Pattern of athletic program hazing despite “Christian values” branding

Greek Life Dynamics
Baylor’s smaller Greek system doesn’t eliminate risk. Recent years have seen:

Social media-based humiliation rituals
Off-campus house parties with forced drinking
Pressure tactics disguised as “spiritual formation”

Institutional Response Patterns
Baylor’s history with sexual assault scandals shows a pattern of initial denial, then reactive policy changes. Families cannot rely on Baylor’s internal processes for real accountability.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency with Persistent Problems

Distance from Briaroaks: Approximately 140 miles (Austin)
Relevance: Premier public university attracting top Johnson County students

UT’s Public Hazing Violations List
UT maintains one of Texas’s most transparent hazing disclosure systems. Recent entries include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023)

Violation: New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics
Sanction: Chapter probation and mandatory hazing prevention education
Pattern: Repeated violations show policy enforcement gaps

Texas Wranglers and Spirit Groups

Multiple sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing
Pattern of “tradition” justifying dangerous behavior

What the Transparency Reveals
UT’s public list proves hazing persists despite policies. The recurrence of violations at certain organizations demonstrates institutional knowledge of problems without effective intervention.

Southern Methodist University: Affluent Campus, Persistent Problems

Distance from Briaroaks: Approximately 60 miles (Dallas)
Relevance: Top private university choice for North Texas families

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017)

Paddling, forced drinking, sleep deprivation
Chapter suspension through 2021
SMU’s response: Internal discipline with limited public disclosure

Private University Challenges
SMU’s status as a private institution affects:

Transparency in disciplinary proceedings
Access to internal documents through public records requests
Settlement patterns favoring confidentiality

Greek Life Dominance
SMU’s social culture revolves around Greek organizations, creating pressure to tolerate hazing as “the price of belonging.”

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: How We Track Every Responsible Party

Our Investigative Advantage for Briaroaks Families

At Attorney911, we maintain what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive directory of every Greek organization registered in Texas. For Briaroaks families, this means we don’t start from scratch when investigating hazing incidents involving your children.

Texas’s Greek Organization Landscape: The Numbers Behind the Risk

Statewide Scope:

1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros
125+ Texas-registered organizations in IRS B83 filings
96 Texas universities with Greek life presence

North Texas Context:
The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro, which Briaroaks families are part of, contains 510 Greek organizations according to Cause IQ data. This creates a dense network of potential liability when hazing occurs.

Public Records Directory: Who Stands Behind the Letters

For Briaroaks families whose children join Greek organizations, here’s what our research reveals about the entities that may bear responsibility:

Local Fraternity Housing Corporations (IRS B83 Examples):

Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515) – Frisco, TX 75035
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc (EIN 741380362) – Fort Worth, TX 76147
Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc (EIN 273662583) – Lufkin, TX 75904

Honor Societies and Professional Groups:

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (multiple Texas chapters)
Texas Beta Psi Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority Inc (EIN 746088185) – Shavano Park, TX 78249
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Inc (EIN 760221936) – Houston, TX 77277

Alumni and Support Organizations:

Frisco TX Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Incorporated (EIN 920575785) – Frisco, TX 75034
Beta Upsilon Chi (EIN 742911848) – Fort Worth, TX 76244
Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Houston, TX

Why This Directory Matters for Your Case

When your child is hazed, we already know:

The legal names and EINs of potentially liable organizations
Their Texas addresses for service of process
Their IRS status and organizational structure
How they appear in both national databases and local records

This investigatory head start is crucial because hazing organizations often:

Dissolve local chapters to avoid liability
Claim “rogue members” were responsible
Hide behind corporate structures

Our directory helps pierce these defenses by identifying every entity in the chain of responsibility.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Briaroaks Families

Why History Repeats Itself

The same fraternities that have killed and injured students across the country operate chapters at Texas universities where your children enroll. Here’s what national patterns tell us:

Fatal Alcohol Hazing: The Deadliest Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021)

Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
What Happened: Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
Outcome: $10 million settlement ($7M from national, $3M from university)
Texas Connection: Pi Kappa Alpha operates chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH

Timothy Piazza – Penn State University (2017)

Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
What Happened: Bid acceptance night with extreme drinking, delayed medical care
Outcome: 18 members charged, Pennsylvania anti-hazing law passed
Texas Connection: Beta Theta Pi chapters statewide

Max Gruver – LSU (2017)

Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
What Happened: “Bible study” drinking game with forced consumption
Outcome: Louisiana felony hazing law (Max Gruver Act)
Texas Connection: Multiple Texas chapters

Physical and Ritualized Hazing Patterns

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College (2013)

Fraternity: Pi Delta Psi
What Happened: Blindfolded tackle ritual at off-campus retreat
Outcome: National fraternity criminally convicted, banned from Pennsylvania
Texas Connection: Demonstrates off-campus location doesn’t eliminate liability

Severe Injury Cases: Living Victims, Lifelong Consequences

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri (2021)

Fraternity: Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)
What Happened: Alcohol poisoning leading to permanent brain damage
Outcome: Settlements with 22 defendants, requiring 24/7 lifelong care
Texas Connection: FIJI chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M

What National Cases Prove for Texas Families

Patterns Are Predictable: The same fraternities repeat the same dangerous behaviors
Nationals Know the Risks: Their anti-hazing policies exist because they’ve caused deaths
Cover-Ups Are Standard: Delayed medical care and destroyed evidence are common
Only Litigation Forces Change: Settlements and verdicts drive real reform

How We Build a Winning Hazing Case for Briaroaks Families

Evidence Collection: The Digital Battlefield

In 2025, hazing evidence lives on phones and servers. Our approach includes:

Group Chat Forensics

GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, iMessage recovery
Deleted message retrieval through digital forensics
Timestamp analysis showing planning vs. cover-up

Social Media Evidence

Instagram Stories, TikTok videos, Snapchat content
Geo-tags proving location
Hashtags and comments showing organizational knowledge

Internal Documents

Pledge manuals and “tradition” documents
National fraternity risk management files
University disciplinary records obtained through discovery

Damages Analysis: The Full Picture of Harm

For Briaroaks families, we calculate every dimension of loss:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing care)
Future medical needs (projected through life care plans)
Lost educational opportunities (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
Diminished earning capacity (for permanent injuries)

Non-Economic Damages (Substantial but Real Harm)

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnosis required)
Loss of enjoyment of life (can’t participate in college experience)
Humiliation and reputational harm

Wrongful Death Damages (When Tragedy Strikes)

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support
Loss of companionship and guidance for family
Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (When Conduct Warrants Punishment)

Available when defendants show gross negligence or willful disregard
Particularly relevant when organizations had prior knowledge
Texas has statutory caps but exceptions exist for egregious conduct

Insurance Coverage Strategy: Finding the Deep Pockets

Our unique advantage: Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney gives us insider knowledge of how fraternity and university insurers operate.

We know:

How insurers value (and undervalue) hazing claims
Their delay tactics and lowball settlement strategies
How to counter “intentional act” exclusions they try to invoke
Which policies may provide coverage (national, local, umbrella, homeowner’s)

For Briaroaks families, this means we don’t get outmaneuvered by insurance defense tactics that overwhelm most plaintiffs’ attorneys.

Practical Guide for Briaroaks Parents: Recognizing, Responding, and Recovering

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Physical Red Flags:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Weight loss or gain from food/water manipulation
Injuries to hands, back, or legs from paddling or forced exercise
Chemical burns or skin damage
Signs of alcohol poisoning (even if your child doesn’t normally drink)

Behavioral and Emotional Changes:

Sudden secrecy about organizational activities
Withdrawal from family and non-member friends
Personality shifts: anxiety, depression, irritability, anger
Defensive when asked about the organization
Fear of “getting the chapter in trouble”
Obsession with pleasing older members
Talking about “just getting through” a period

Academic and Financial Warning Signs:

Grades dropping suddenly
Missing classes or sleeping through them
Unexplained large expenses (forced purchases, excessive dues)
Requests for money without clear explanation

Digital Behavior Patterns:

Constant phone monitoring of group chats
Anxiety when phone buzzes
Deleting messages or clearing history obsessively
Receiving texts/calls at all hours demanding immediate response
New location-sharing apps installed (at organization’s demand)

How to Talk to Your Child About Hazing

If You Suspect Something:

Ask open questions: “How are things going with [organization]? Are they respectful of your time?”
Listen without judgment: If they open up, don’t interrupt with anger toward the organization
Ask about specifics: “What do they ask new members to do? Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
Discuss safety: “Do you ever feel unsafe? Would you tell me if you did?”

If Your Child Confirms Hazing:

Prioritize safety: Remove them from dangerous situations immediately
Get medical care: Even if they insist they’re “fine”
Document everything: With their permission, screenshot messages, photograph injuries
Contact an attorney: Before reporting to the university or confronting the organization

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Mistake #1: Letting Evidence Disappear

Fraternity Tactic: “Delete the group chat so we don’t get in trouble”
Why It’s Wrong: Looks like obstruction of justice; makes case impossible to prove
Right Move: Preserve everything immediately. Take screenshots, back up to cloud storage

Mistake #2: Confronting the Organization Directly

Parent Instinct: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
Why It’s Wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Right Move: Document everything, then call an attorney. All communication goes through counsel.

Mistake #3: Signing University “Resolution” Forms

University Tactic: Pressure families to sign internal resolution agreements
Why It’s Wrong: You may waive your right to sue; settlements are often grossly inadequate
Right Move: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review. Universities protect themselves first.

Mistake #4: Posting on Social Media

Family Emotion: “I want people to know what happened”
Why It’s Wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Right Move: Document privately. Let your attorney control public messaging.

Mistake #5: Waiting for University “Investigation”

University Promise: “We’re handling this internally”
Why It’s Wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs, university controls narrative
Right Move: Preserve evidence NOW. University process ≠ real accountability.

Frequently Asked Questions from Texas Families

“Can we sue a Texas university for hazing?”
Yes. While public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and certain other claims. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity barriers. Every case is fact-specific—call 1-888-ATTY-911 for analysis.

“What if it happened off-campus at a rental house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major hazing cases (like Pi Delta Psi’s retreat) occurred off-campus and still resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—call us immediately.

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

“What will this cost us?”
We work on contingency—we don’t get paid unless we win. You pay no upfront fees. Our payment comes from a percentage of the recovery. This aligns our interests with yours and makes justice accessible to all families.

Why Attorney911 is Different: Our Texas Hazing Litigation Advantage for Briaroaks Families

Insurance Insider Knowledge: We Know Their Playbook

Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national defense firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
Use Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) to reduce settlements
Deploy delay tactics to pressure families
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”

For Briaroaks families, this means we don’t get outmaneuvered by insurance defense tactics that overwhelm most plaintiffs’ firms. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience

BP Texas City Explosion Litigation Credential
Our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion cases proves we can take on billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. Universities and national fraternities use the same tactics:

Delay and deny
Blame “rogue individuals”
Claim policies were “violated”
Argue prior incidents were “unforeseeable”

We’ve faced these arguments before and know how to counter them with evidence and strategy.

Federal Court and Title IX Experience

Ralph Manginello is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. This federal experience matters because:

Title IX claims often proceed in federal court
Complex institutional cases benefit from federal procedural rules
National fraternities headquartered out-of-state can create federal jurisdiction

Dual Criminal/Civil Capability

Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) signals elite criminal defense capability. This is critical because hazing cases often involve:

Parallel criminal investigations
Witnesses with criminal exposure
Navigating cooperation agreements
Understanding how criminal findings affect civil cases

For Briaroaks families, this means one firm can handle both tracks, ensuring coordinated strategy and protecting against conflicts.

Spanish-Language Services for Texas Families

Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. For Hispanic families in Briaroaks and across Texas, this eliminates language barriers during what’s already a traumatic experience. We believe every family deserves access to justice in their preferred language.

Our Evidence Collection Methodology

Unlike general personal injury firms, we specialize in hazing’s unique evidence challenges:

Digital Forensics Partnerships
We work with experts who can recover deleted group chats, reconstruct timelines, and authenticate social media evidence that organizations try to destroy.

University Records Expertise
We know how to obtain hidden documents through:

Public Information Act requests (for public universities)
Discovery demands in litigation
Subpoenas to national fraternity headquarters

Medical and Economic Analysis
We collaborate with:

Medical experts on rhabdomyolysis, traumatic brain injury, PTSD
Economists on lifetime care costs and lost earning capacity
Life care planners for catastrophic injury cases

Call to Action: Your Next Step as a Briaroaks Family

We Serve Families Throughout Texas

From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas—including Briaroaks, Johnson County, and the entire North Texas region. Distance doesn’t matter; our commitment to Texas families does.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you’ll speak directly with our team, not a intake specialist. We’ll:

Listen Without Judgment: Tell us what happened in confidence
Review Your Evidence: Photos, messages, medical records—whatever you have
Explain Your Options: Criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Discuss Realistic Timelines: What to expect in the coming months
Answer Cost Questions: Contingency fee explanation—no fee unless we win
No Pressure: Take time to decide if we’re right for your family

Contact Attorney911 Today

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 (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)

Spanish Services: Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña para consulta en español

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

UH Pi Kappa Phi Case Coverage:

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

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Evidence Preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client Mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
Contingency Fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Firm Information:

Main Website: https://attorney911.com
Wrongful Death Practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Criminal Defense: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/

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