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Town of Talty & Dallas Metro Fraternity Hazing Wrongful Death Lawyers | SMU, UT Dallas, University of Dallas, Texas A&M & Baylor Cases | Attorney911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™ | Former Insurance Defense Attorney Knows Fraternity Insurance Tactics | Federal Court Institutional Litigation | HCCLA Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise | Multi-Million Dollar Proven Results | Free Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

February 15, 2026 28 min read
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The Definitive Guide to Hazing & College Accountability: What Every Family in Town of Talty Needs to Know

If You’re in Town of Talty and Your Child Faces Hazing, Start Here

Imagine this scenario: Your child, a freshman at a Texas university, excitedly accepts a bid to join a fraternity, sorority, or campus organization. The promise of friendship, tradition, and belonging is alluring. Then, the realities of “pledge semester” begin: mandatory group chats buzzing at all hours, demands for servitude as a personal driver, humiliating costumes or “fanny packs” filled with degrading items, followed by late-night “workouts” that cross into abuse. The situation escalates to forced consumption of alcohol or food until illness, exposure to extreme cold, or physical punishment disguised as tradition. Your child is injured—perhaps suffering kidney failure from extreme exertion, chemical burns, or a traumatic brain injury—but fears reporting it because of threats, loyalty, or shame. This is not a hypothetical. This exact pattern is unfolding right now in Texas courtrooms.

For families in Town of Talty, Kaufman County, the nightmare of campus hazing hits close to home. Our children attend the great universities of Texas—the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, and others—seeking education and community. Yet embedded within some of these campus traditions is a dangerous culture of abuse that institutions too often fail to prevent. This comprehensive guide is written specifically for Town of Talty parents and students to cut through the confusion, explain your legal rights under Texas law, and provide a clear path to accountability when hazing shatters lives.

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:

  1. Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine.”
  2. Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
    • Screenshot group chats, texts, and DMs immediately.
    • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
    • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects).
  3. Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where).
  4. DO NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity/sorority directly.
    • Sign anything from the university or insurance company.
    • Post details on public social media.
    • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like (Beyond the Stereotypes)

Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” Modern hazing is a calculated system of coercion, humiliation, and abuse designed to create loyalty through trauma. It has evolved with technology and become more insidious.

A Clear, Modern Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or gaining status within a group, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student. Critically, under Texas law, the victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing:

  1. Alcohol & Substance Hazing: The most common and deadly. This includes forced chugging, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, and coerced consumption of drugs or unpalatable substances (hot sauce, spoiled food, excessive milk). The goal is rapid intoxication leading to loss of control and illness.

  2. Physical Hazing: Brutality disguised as conditioning. This ranges from paddling and beatings to extreme, punitive calisthenics (“smokings” with hundreds of push-ups or squats), sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements (locked in cold rooms, left outside in underwear).

  3. Sexualized & Degrading Hazing: Acts designed to humiliate and violate boundaries. This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positioning), wearing humiliating costumes or props, and acts with racist, sexist, or homophobic overtones.

  4. Psychological Hazing: Systematic emotional abuse. This involves verbal berating, isolation from non-members, threats of expulsion from the group, forced confessions, and public shaming sessions often called “grillings” or “interviews.”

  5. Digital Hazing: The 21st-century evolution. This encompasses 24/7 monitoring via group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), demands for immediate response at all hours, forced posting of humiliating content on social media, geo-location tracking, and the use of digital evidence (photos, videos) to blackmail or further shame pledges.

Where Hazing Happens: While fraternities and sororities are most frequently implicated, hazing is a systemic issue across campus life. In Texas, we see severe cases in:

  • Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs (especially at Texas A&M).
  • Athletic teams, from football to swimming.
  • Spirit and tradition organizations (like Texas Cowboys, cheer teams).
  • Marching bands and performance groups.
  • Academic clubs and some cultural organizations.

For Town of Talty families, understanding that hazing can occur in any group with a power imbalance is the first step in recognizing the danger.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas Statutes and Your Family’s Rights

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, and they provide both criminal penalties and civil recourse for victims. Understanding this framework is crucial for Town of Talty families seeking justice.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37 (The Hazing Statute)

The primary law is Texas Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Its key provisions are:

  • Definition (§37.151): Hazing is defined broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or membership.
  • Criminal Penalties (§37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a STATE JAIL FELONY if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals who fail to report hazing or who retaliate against reporters also commit crimes.
  • Organizational Liability (§37.153): The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, team) can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or knowingly allowed the hazing.
  • Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is critical. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it is not a legal defense to hazing charges. The law recognizes the coercive power of peer pressure and tradition.
  • Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§37.154): Students who call for medical help or report hazing in good faith are generally protected from university discipline and some legal liability, even if they were drinking underage.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

It’s essential to understand the dual-track system:

  • Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). The goal is punishment—fines, probation, or jail time for individuals. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, and in fatal cases, manslaughter or negligent homicide. A criminal conviction can help a civil case but is not required.
  • Civil Lawsuits: Brought by the victim or their family. The goal is compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, lost future earnings) and institutional accountability. This is where families can secure the resources needed for long-term recovery and force changes in policy.

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

  • Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs. Its transparency measures are still being implemented but will provide crucial data for families.
  • Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based discrimination, it triggers Title IX obligations, requiring the university to conduct a specific investigation and potentially exposing them to federal liability.
  • Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults and liquor law violations, which often accompany hazing incidents.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A robust civil case targets every entity with responsibility, creating maximum leverage for a fair settlement. Potential defendants include:

  1. The Individual Perpetrators: The students who planned, executed, or enabled the hazing.
  2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued for creating a dangerous environment.
  3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: Often the deepest pocket. They can be liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce their own policies, and for having prior knowledge of dangerous “traditions” within their chapters.
  4. The University: Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity, but can be sued for gross negligence, Title IX violations, or negligent supervision. Private schools (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. The key is proving the university knew or should have known about the risk and failed to act.
  5. Third Parties: Property owners of off-campus houses, landlords, bars that overserved alcohol (under Texas dram shop law), and security companies.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script Repeats Itself

Major hazing deaths and injuries follow a tragically predictable pattern. These national cases are not just news stories; they are legal precedents that establish what organizations knew and when they knew it—knowledge that is crucial for holding Texas chapters accountable.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Fatal “Traditions”

  • Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): A bid-acceptance night with a gauntlet of drinking games. Piazza suffered multiple falls captured on the frat’s own surveillance cameras. Brothers delayed calling 911 for 12 hours. He died from traumatic brain injuries. The case led to 18 criminal convictions and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. It established that delayed medical care dramatically increases liability.
  • Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A “Big/Little” night where the pledge was forced to drink a whole bottle of liquor. He died of alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from the university) and criminal convictions. It underscored the lethal predictability of Big/Little drinking rituals.
  • Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers mandated drinking. Gruver’s BAC reached a fatal 0.495%. His death spurred Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony. The case shows how games are used to disguise forced consumption.

The Physical & Ritualized Brutality Pattern

  • Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): At a retreat, Deng was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled in a “glass ceiling” ritual. He died of brain injuries. Help was delayed. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a rare instance of organizational criminal liability. The fraternity was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
  • Danny Santulli – Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): During a “pledge dad reveal,” the 18-year-old was forced to drink excessive alcohol. He suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage, leaving him unable to walk, talk, or see, requiring 24/7 care for life. His family settled with 22 defendants, illustrating the wide net of liability in severe-injury cases.

The Athletic Program Scandal Pattern

  • Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): A sweeping scandal alleged sexualized and racist hazing within the football program over years. It resulted in multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements. This proves hazing is not confined to Greek life and that multi-million dollar programs are not immune from liability.

What This Means for Town of Talty Families: These are not isolated incidents. They form a pattern of foreseeability. When a fraternity at UH or Texas A&M uses the same “Big/Little” drinking script that killed Stone Foltz, the national headquarters cannot claim ignorance. This pattern evidence is the backbone of a powerful civil lawsuit.

Texas in the Spotlight: Hazing at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor

Focusing on the universities where Town of Talty students are most likely to enroll, we see a consistent pattern of incidents, institutional responses, and legal battles.

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

Right now, in Harris County, Attorney911 is leading one of the most serious hazing cases in the country, proving our active, frontline expertise. This case is a template for what Town of Talty families face.

The Facts: In fall 2025, transfer student Leonel Bermudez pledged the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston. What was sold as a path to brotherhood became a months-long campaign of abuse detailed in a $10 million lawsuit.

The Hazing: Bermudez was subjected to:

  • A “pledge fanny pack” rule requiring him to carry condoms, a sex toy, and humiliating items 24/7.
  • Enforced dress codes, hours-long “study blocks,” and overnight chauffeuring duties.
  • Extreme physical hazing at the chapter house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park, including:
    • Sprints, bear crawls, and “save-your-brother” drills.
    • Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”
    • Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.
    • A Nov. 3 “workout” of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.
  • Witnessing another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.

The Catastrophe: This abuse led Bermudez to develop rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, could not stand, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels. He faces a lifelong risk of permanent kidney damage.

The Defendants & Response: The lawsuit names 13 individual fraternity leaders, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents. After reports surfaced, Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter on Nov. 6, 2025. Chapter members voted to surrender their charter on Nov. 14, 2025, shutting it down. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement.

This case, covered by Click2Houston and ABC13, is not just a news story. It is active proof that Attorney911 has the expertise and determination to take on powerful universities and national fraternities. For a Town of Talty family with a child at UH or any Texas school, this case shows exactly the level of litigation we handle.

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

Texas A&M’s unique Corps of Cadets culture coexists with a large Greek system, both with hazing risks.

  • Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged severe hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth and enduring simulated sexual acts. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, highlighting the physical and degrading abuse possible within disciplined, tradition-heavy systems.
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged they were covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns that required skin graft surgeries. They sued the fraternity for $1 million. The chapter was suspended by the university.

For Town of Talty families with students in the Corps or A&M Greek life, these cases demonstrate that extreme physical hazing is a present danger, not a relic of the past.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

UT Austin maintains a public Hazing Violations page, offering more transparency than many schools. This public record becomes powerful evidence in court. Examples include:

  • Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): Sanctioned for hazing after directing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): A lawsuit alleges an Australian exchange student was assaulted at a party, suffering a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractures. The chapter was already under suspension for prior violations.

The cycle of violations and probation at UT shows that without serious financial and legal consequences, dangerous behaviors persist.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University: Private School Challenges

At private institutions like SMU and Baylor, Greek life is prominent, and internal discipline often lacks public transparency, necessitating litigation to uncover the truth.

  • SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order faced suspension after 2017 reports of paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.
  • Baylor’s Baseball Team (2020) suspended 14 players following a hazing investigation.

These incidents confirm that hazing permeates all types of campuses—large public flagships and smaller private universities alike.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

When a chapter at a Texas university hazes, it is rarely an isolated “rogue” group. Often, they are following a national playbook of dangerous traditions. This pattern evidence is legally crucial. It shows national headquarters had prior knowledge of the risks—a concept called “foreseeability”—and failed to prevent them.

National Fraternities with Documented Hazing Patterns:

  • Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): The national organization behind the Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green. Their “Big/Little” drinking tradition has been a repeated liability.
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): One of the nation’s largest fraternities, it has been involved in numerous hazing deaths and injuries, leading it to abolish the “pledge” status in 2014—a policy change that proves national awareness of the danger.
  • Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The national defendant in our UH case, it was also the fraternity involved in the alcohol-poisoning death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State in 2017.
  • Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The organization involved in the Max Gruver death at LSU.
  • Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): Frequently cited for paddling and physical hazing, including at SMU.

Why This Matters for Your Case:

In litigation, we don’t just look at the single incident. We subpoena national fraternity records to show:

  1. Their internal risk management files detailing prior incidents.
  2. Communications between the national office and the local chapter.
  3. Training materials that may have been ignored.
  4. A history of similar incidents at other chapters.

This evidence shatters the “rogue chapter” defense and can establish grounds for punitive damages against the national organization for reckless disregard of student safety.

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

Winning a hazing case requires a meticulous, data-driven investigation and a strategic understanding of institutional liability. This is where Attorney911’s unique approach makes the difference for Town of Talty families.

The Evidence Engine: What Wins Cases in 2025

Modern hazing leaves a digital trail. Our investigation focuses on:

1. Digital Forensics:

  • Group Chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord): The primary planning and coordination tool. We work with experts to recover deleted messages.
  • Social Media (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok): Photos/videos of hazing acts, location tags, DMs.
  • Text Messages & Emails: Direct communications between members and officers.
  • Cloud Backups & Metadata: Often contain recoverable digital evidence.

2. Institutional Records Discovery:

  • University Files: Prior conduct reports on the same organization, Clery Act reports, internal investigator notes, and emails between administrators.
  • National Fraternity Records: Obtained via subpoena, these include risk management reports, chapter advisement notes, and records of past violations nationwide.
  • Insurance Policies: Identifying all potential coverage from chapter, national, university, and individual homeowner’s policies.

3. Tangible Evidence:

  • Medical records documenting injuries (ER reports, lab tests showing rhabdomyolysis or toxicology).
  • Photographs of injuries, locations, and paraphernalia (paddles, bottles, costumes).
  • Witness statements from other pledges, former members, and bystanders.

The Damages: What Families Can Recover

A successful civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and hold defendants accountable through several categories of damages:

  • Economic Damages:

    • All past and future medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, lifelong care for catastrophic injuries).
    • Lost earnings & diminished earning capacity if injuries affect the ability to work.
    • Educational costs (lost tuition, missed semesters).
  • Non-Economic Damages:

    • Physical pain and suffering.
    • Mental anguish, trauma, PTSD, humiliation.
    • Loss of enjoyment of life.
  • Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

    • Funeral and burial costs.
    • Loss of companionship, love, and financial support.
    • Emotional suffering of the family.
  • Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness or intentional conduct, courts can award additional damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior. The pattern of prior incidents in national fraternities often supports claims for punitive damages.

Overcoming Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and counter the standard defenses:

  • “The Pledge Consented”: Texas law (§37.155) explicitly states consent is not a defense. We demonstrate the coercive power imbalance.
  • “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We use national pattern evidence to show the conduct was foreseeable and the national organization failed in its duty to supervise.
  • “It Happened Off-Campus”: Universities and nationals still have a duty of care if they sponsor or recognize the organization. Location does not absolve liability.
  • “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”: We prove policies were ignored or unenforced—a “paper policy” is meaningless without action.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Town of Talty Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed:

  • Physical: Unexplained injuries, bruises, burns; extreme fatigue; weight changes; signs of alcohol poisoning.
  • Behavioral: Sudden secrecy about group activities; withdrawal from family/friends; personality changes (anxiety, depression); defensiveness about the organization; constant phone use for group chats.
  • Academic: Grades dropping; missing classes; falling asleep in school.
  • Digital: Anxiety about phone notifications; deleting message history; being tracked via location-sharing apps.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

  1. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
  2. Talk Gently: Ask open-ended questions. “How are things with the fraternity/sorority? Is anything making you uncomfortable?”
  3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages and photograph injuries. Write down a timeline.
  4. Seek Medical Care: Get a professional evaluation, even for emotional trauma.
  5. Consult an Attorney BEFORE Reporting: Once you report to the university, their legal team takes over. Talk to us first at 1-888-ATTY-911 to protect your child’s rights and preserve evidence.

For Students: Is This Hazing? Your Rights and Exit Strategies

Self-Assessment: If an activity is secret, humiliating, dangerous, or something you wouldn’t do without pressure, it’s likely hazing.

Your Legal Rights in Texas:

  • You have the right to leave any organization at any time.
  • You have legal protections as a hazing victim, even if you “agreed” to participate.
  • Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reporting of hazing, especially when calling for medical help.

How to Exit Safely:

  • Tell a trusted person outside the group (parent, RA) first.
  • Communicate your resignation in writing (email/text) to the chapter president.
  • Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation could occur.
  • Document any threats or harassment immediately.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Hazing Case

  1. Deleting Evidence: Do NOT let your child clear group chats or texts. This looks like a cover-up and destroys the case. Learn how to properly document evidence here.
  2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their legal defense, leading to evidence destruction and coached witnesses.
  3. Signing University Paperwork: Do NOT sign any “resolution,” “conduct agreement,” or release from the university without an attorney’s review. It may waive your right to sue.
  4. Posting on Social Media: Public posts can be used by defense attorneys to attack credibility.
  5. Waiting Too Long: Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but evidence and witness memories fade fast. Understand the legal deadlines.

Hazing FAQs for Texas Families

Q: Can we sue a public university like UH or Texas A&M for hazing?
A: Yes, but it’s complex. Public universities have sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing employees in their individual capacity. A skilled attorney can navigate these hurdles, as seen in the Bowling Green ($3M) and LSU settlements.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Generally, two years from the date of injury in Texas. However, the “discovery rule” may apply if the full extent of harm was not immediately known. Do not wait—call us to preserve your rights.

Q: Will our case be public? Will my child’s name be in the news?
A: Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We always prioritize our clients’ privacy and can seek protective orders to seal sensitive information.

Q: How do you get paid?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and wrongful death cases. This means you pay no upfront fees. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery we secure for you. If we don’t win, you don’t pay attorney’s fees. See how contingency fees work.

Why Attorney911 Is the Right Firm for Town of Talty Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need a firm with proven experience against powerful institutions, insider knowledge of how insurance companies fight, and a deep understanding of campus culture. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) serves families across Texas, including those here in Town of Talty and throughout Kaufman County.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation:

  • Active, High-Stakes Experience: Right now, we are lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi $10 million lawsuit. We are not just theorists; we are in the courtroom fighting one of Texas’s most severe hazing cases. Read the media coverage.

  • Insurance Insider Advantage – Mr. Lupe Peña: Mr. Peña (he/him) spent years as an attorney for a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value claims, deploy delay tactics, and argue coverage exclusions. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

  • Complex Institutional Litigation – Ralph Manginello: Ralph’s experience includes being one of the few Texas firms involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, facing billion-dollar defendants. He has federal court experience and is a member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), giving us a dual civil-criminal perspective crucial for hazing cases.

  • Data-Driven Investigation: We employ a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records, to map the network of liable entities—from local housing corporations to national headquarters. We don’t start from zero.

  • Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. Se habla español. We are committed to serving all Texas families.

  • A Track Record of Results: We have secured multi-million dollar settlements in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We prepare every case for trial, which is why insurers take us seriously.

Your Path Forward: A Confidential Consultation

If hazing has injured your child or shattered your family, you are not alone, and you have rights. The path to healing often requires accountability and the resources to rebuild.

We invite you to contact The Manginello Law Firm for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. In this meeting, we will:

  • Listen to your story with empathy and without judgment.
  • Review any evidence you have gathered.
  • Explain the legal options available to you under Texas law.
  • Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect.
  • Answer all your questions about the process and our contingency fee structure.
  • Provide you with the clarity and confidence to make the best decision for your family.

Take the first step toward justice and accountability today.

Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com (Se habla Español)

Whether you’re in Town of Talty, Forney, Terrell, or anywhere across Kaufman County and Texas, we are here to help. You don’t have to face this alone.

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

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