The Knox City Family’s Complete Guide to Hazing at Texas Universities: Laws, Cases, & Holding Fraternities Accountable

A Night No Texas Parent Should Imagine

Picture this: your child from Knox City, excited to start a new chapter at a major Texas university, decides to join a fraternity or sorority in hopes of finding community and building lifelong friendships. The first weeks are filled with excitement. Then, the dynamics change.

It’s “family tree” night at the off-campus fraternity house. Under the Texas sky, your child is pressured to drink far beyond safe limits, one shot after another as older members chant encouragement. The night blurs into forced calisthenics, humiliating rituals, and a creeping fear that saying “stop” means social exclusion. When someone collapses, there’s hesitation—no one wants to “get the chapter in trouble.” That hesitation could be deadly.

This isn’t just a story. For families in Knox City and across Knox County, this nightmare became reality for the family of Leonel Bermudez, a student at the University of Houston. Right now, we’re fighting his $10 million hazing lawsuit against UH and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter involving alleged forced drinking, extreme workouts, and degrading hazing that led to rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and a four-day hospitalization. As reported in extensive Click2Houston coverage, his “urine was brown” from severe muscle breakdown before he was rushed to the hospital.

If this scenario terrifies you, you’re not alone—and you’re not powerless.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

IF YOUR CHILD IS IN DANGER RIGHT NOW:

Call 911 for medical emergencies immediately
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’re “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 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 (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 This Guide Offers Knox City Families

This comprehensive guide is specifically written for parents and families in Knox City, Knox County, and throughout Texas who need to understand:

What hazing really looks like in 2025—beyond the old stereotypes
How Texas and federal law protect your child and hold organizations accountable
What we’ve learned from major national hazing deaths and how they apply right here in Texas
What’s happening at universities where Knox City students attend—from Texas A&M to Texas Tech
The full network of Greek organizations operating in Texas and how we track them
Your legal options and practical steps if hazing has impacted your family

While Knox City may be a peaceful rural community, our children attend universities across Texas where hazing persists. This guide connects our local values of safety and accountability with the complex reality of campus Greek life.

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

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or harmless tradition. Modern hazing is a calculated system of power, control, and abuse that has evolved to avoid detection while causing profound harm.

A Modern Definition Every Parent Should Know

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance.

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the deadliest form. It includes forced consumption of dangerous amounts of alcohol during “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking games, or “lineups” where pledges must drink rapidly. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Bermudez was allegedly forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediately forced to sprint.

2. Physical Hazing
Beyond paddling (which still occurs), this includes extreme calisthenics called “smokings,” sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions,” exposure to extreme temperatures, and dangerous physical tests. The UH case involved 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in a single session, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, racial or sexist slurs, and psychological manipulation designed to break self-esteem. The “pledge fanny pack” in the UH case allegedly contained condoms, a sex toy, and other humiliating items that pledges had to carry 24/7.

4. Digital Hazing
The newest frontier includes 24/7 group chat monitoring, geo-tracking demands, social media humiliation through forced TikToks or Instagram stories, and cyber-coercion where pledges must respond instantly to messages at all hours or face punishment.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While Greek organizations receive the most attention, hazing occurs in:

Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs
Athletic teams and spirit squads
Marching bands and performance groups
Some academic, service, and cultural organizations

For Knox City families, understanding this breadth is crucial because your child might be at risk in multiple campus settings.

Texas Hazing Law: What Knox County Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws designed to protect students like yours. Understanding these laws is your first step toward accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Under Texas law—which governs cases involving Knox City students—hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

Endangers mental or physical health or safety, AND
Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Key Provisions for Knox City Families:

Criminal Penalties (§37.152):

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (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 (like the UH case)

Organizational Liability (§37.153):
Fraternities, sororities, or clubs can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and lose university recognition if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it.

The Critical “Consent is Not a Defense” Rule (§37.155):
Texas law explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution that the person being hazed consented.” This means even if your child “agreed” under peer pressure, it’s still a crime.

Good-Faith Reporter Protection (§37.154):
Someone who reports hazing in good faith is immune from civil or criminal liability—encouraging bystanders to call for help without fear of getting in trouble.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (district attorney)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or families (like the UH lawsuit)
Aim: Compensation and accountability
Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, institutional liability

Important: Both can proceed simultaneously, and you don’t need a criminal conviction to pursue civil justice. Many families in cases like the UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit pursue both tracks.

Federal Laws That Protect Your Child

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
Requires universities receiving federal aid (all Texas public universities) to report hazing transparently, strengthen prevention, and maintain public hazing data by 2026.

Title IX:
When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, Title IX requires universities to investigate and take appropriate action.

Clery Act:
Requires reporting of certain campus crimes—many hazing incidents involving assault or alcohol violations trigger Clery reporting requirements.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Texas Hazing Case

Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up hazing
Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity/sorority itself (if incorporated)
National Headquarters: For failing to supervise, enforce policies, or address prior incidents
Universities: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference, or policy failures
Third Parties: Property owners, alcohol providers (under dram shop laws), security companies

In the UH case, we sued 13 individual members, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, and the chapter housing corporation—demonstrating how comprehensive liability can be.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns Every Knox City Parent Should Recognize

The tragedies that made national headlines aren’t abstract—they reveal patterns that repeat at Texas universities. Understanding these cases helps prevent history from repeating.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
During a bid-acceptance night involving a drinking gauntlet, Piazza fell multiple times, suffering traumatic brain injury. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for 12 hours. His death led to the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and criminal charges against 18 members.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” night, Foltz died of alcohol poisoning. His family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pike national, $3M from BGSU). The chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
During a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking, Gruver died with a 0.495% BAC. His death led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
During a “glass ceiling” ritual at a Pennsylvania retreat, Deng was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled, suffering fatal head injuries. The national fraternity was convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

What These Cases Mean for Knox City Families:
These aren’t isolated incidents—they’re blueprints that repeat. When Texas chapters use the same “Big/Little” drinking scripts, the same physical endurance tests, or the same off-campus retreat tactics, they’re following patterns that have already proven deadly. This pattern evidence is crucial in civil lawsuits to prove foreseeability and negligence.

Texas Universities: Where Knox City Students Attend and What Families Must Know

Knox City families send children to universities across Texas. Here’s what’s happening at campuses most relevant to our community.

Regional and Statewide Universities Relevant to Knox City

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX)
Just hours from Knox City, WTAMU serves many Panhandle families. The university hosts multiple Greek organizations, including chapters with national hazing histories.

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)
A major destination for West Texas students, Texas Tech has approximately 40 Greek organizations. The campus has seen hazing incidents requiring serious legal response.

Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)
While farther from Knox City, Texas A&M attracts students from across Texas and has significant Greek life and Corps of Cadets programs with documented hazing issues.

Other Universities Knox City Students Attend:

University of Texas at Austin
University of Houston
Texas State University
Midwestern State University
Various community colleges and technical schools

Public Records: The Greek Organizations Serving Knox City Families

At Attorney911, we maintain what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive database of every Greek organization registered in Texas. This isn’t theoretical; it’s concrete public records that show the true scope of Greek life affecting Texas families.

Here’s what the data reveals about organizations connected to universities Knox City students attend:

Texas-Registered Greek Entities (IRS B83 Records):

Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc | EIN: 273662583 | Lufkin, TX 75904
Alpha Tau Omega Housing Corporation of Eta Iota Chapter | EIN: 300517788 | Nacogdoches, TX 75965
Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter | Recorded in Canyon, TX (WTAMU)
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta | Recorded in Canyon, TX (WTAMU)
Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association | EIN: 752290669 | Amarillo, TX 79118
Frank Heflin Foundation (Phi Delta Theta alumni) | EIN: 203507402 | Canyon, TX 79015
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Mu Zeta Chapter | EIN: 752609909 | Commerce, TX 75428
Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc | EIN: 133048786 | College Station, TX 77845

Metro Area Data Relevant to West Texas Families:

Amarillo Metro: 18 Greek-related organizations recorded
Lubbock Metro: 59 Greek-related organizations (Texas Tech area)
Abilene Metro: 9 Greek-related organizations
Wichita Falls Metro: 13 Greek-related organizations

Why This Matters for Knox City Families:
When your child joins a fraternity or sorority at a Texas university, they’re not just joining a campus club—they’re connecting to a statewide network of legally registered organizations with property holdings, insurance policies, and national affiliations. Our ability to track these entities means we can identify every potentially liable party in a hazing case, from local chapter corporations to national headquarters to alumni housing associations.

Documented Incidents at Regional Universities

Texas A&M University – Corps of Cadets Hazing (2023)
A cadet alleged being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth, suffering degrading sexualized hazing. He filed a lawsuit seeking over $1 million. Texas A&M stated it handled the matter internally under its rules.

Texas A&M University – Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns (2021)
Pledges alleged being covered with industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and other substances causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and pledges sued for $1 million.

University of Texas at Austin – Public Hazing Violations
UT maintains a public hazing violations log showing multiple incidents:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics
Texas Wranglers: Multiple sanctions for alcohol-related hazing
Various fraternities and sororities sanctioned for forced workouts, sleep deprivation, and humiliation

How Cases Typically Proceed for Knox City Families:

Jurisdiction: Cases may be filed in the county where the university is located or where defendants reside
Initial Reporting: Campus police, local police, Dean of Students office
Evidence Preservation: Critical first step—see our video on using your phone to document evidence
Legal Venue: State district courts for civil cases; county or district courts for criminal cases
Practical Considerations: Knox City families may need to travel for court proceedings, but much work can be done remotely

What West Texas Students and Parents Should Do:

Know Your Campus Resources: Every Texas university has a Dean of Students office and conduct process
Document Everything Immediately: Screenshot group chats before they’re deleted
Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, document them medically
Consult Local Counsel: While we’re Houston-based, we serve families statewide and understand Texas’s unique legal landscape
Understand Statute of Limitations: Generally 2 years in Texas—watch our video on Texas statutes of limitations

Fraternities and Sororities: National Patterns That Repeat in Texas

When a Texas chapter hazes, it’s often following a national playbook. Understanding these patterns helps prove negligence and foreseeability in court.

Why National Histories Matter in Your Case

National fraternity headquarters in Charlotte, Indianapolis, or elsewhere maintain detailed records of every hazing incident at every chapter. When the same “Big/Little drinking night” script that killed Stone Foltz at Bowling Green repeats at a Texas chapter, that national organization had prior notice of the danger. This is crucial for proving:

Foreseeability: The harm was predictable based on prior incidents
Negligence: The national failed to take reasonable preventive measures
Punitive Damages: The reckless disregard for known dangers

National Organizations with Documented Hazing Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State, 2021 – alcohol poisoning death
David Bogenberger: Northern Illinois University, 2012 – alcohol poisoning death ($14M settlement)
Multiple Texas chapters on probation or suspended for hazing violations

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

Multiple hazing deaths nationwide leading to elimination of traditional pledge program in 2014
Texas A&M Chapter: Chemical burns lawsuit (2021)
UT Austin Chapter: Assault lawsuit (2024 involving exchange student)

Pi Kappa Phi

Andrew Coffey: Florida State University, 2017 – alcohol poisoning death
Leonel Bermudez: University of Houston, 2025 – rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure (our current case)

Phi Delta Theta

Max Gruver: LSU, 2017 – alcohol poisoning death
Multiple chapters disciplined for alcohol hazing nationwide

How We Use National Patterns in Texas Cases

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, we’re demonstrating that:

Pi Kappa Phi national knew about alcohol hazing dangers from the Andrew Coffey death
Their anti-hazing policies weren’t effectively enforced at the Beta Nu chapter
They failed to adequately supervise or intervene despite clear warning signs

This pattern evidence applies whether the case is in Houston, Lubbock, or anywhere in Texas where these national organizations operate.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and What Knox City Families Can Expect

Pursuing a hazing case requires systematic investigation and strategic planning. Here’s how we build cases for Texas families.

Evidence: The Foundation of Every Case

Digital Communications (Most Critical Evidence):

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage chats showing planning, coordination, and admissions
Deleted messages recovered through digital forensics
Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok content
Fraternity-specific apps and communication platforms

Photos & Videos:

Content filmed during hazing events (often ironically shared by perpetrators)
Security camera footage from houses and venues
Injury documentation over time

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, “tradition” books, initiation scripts
Risk management reports to nationals
Chapter meeting minutes and financial records

University Records (Obtained via Subpoena):

Prior conduct files and disciplinary history
Campus police incident reports
Internal investigations and Clery Act reports

Medical Documentation:

ER records, hospitalization reports, lab results (like Bermudez’s critically high CK levels)
Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety
Long-term treatment plans for permanent injuries

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

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

Non-Economic Damages:

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

Wrongful Death Damages:

Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of companionship and support
Emotional suffering of family members
Lost future earnings and contributions

Punitive Damages (When Appropriate):
Designed to punish especially reckless conduct and deter future hazing. Available when defendants show conscious disregard for known dangers.

Insurance Coverage: The Financial Reality

Fraternities, sororities, and universities carry insurance policies that may provide coverage for hazing claims. However, insurers often argue:

Hazing is an “intentional act” excluded from coverage
The policy doesn’t cover certain defendants or locations
Claims exceed policy limits

Our insider knowledge of insurance defense tactics (from Mr. Lupe Peña’s background at a national defense firm) is invaluable here. We know how insurers value claims, set reserves, and negotiate—and how to overcome coverage arguments.

The Strategic Timeline

Phase 1: Immediate Response (0-30 Days)

Evidence preservation and witness interviews
Medical documentation
Preliminary legal research and demand letters

Phase 2: Investigation (1-6 Months)

Formal discovery requests
Subpoenas for digital records and organizational documents
Expert consultations (medical, digital forensics, Greek life)

Phase 3: Litigation/Resolution (6-24 Months)

Settlement negotiations
Mediation (most cases resolve here)
Trial preparation and proceedings if necessary

Most cases settle confidentially before trial, but trial readiness is crucial for leverage. As we detail in our wrongful death practice area, being prepared to go to trial often leads to better settlements.

Practical Guides: What Knox City Families Should Do NOW

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
Constant phone monitoring for group chat messages
Financial strain from unexpected “dues” or purchases
Academic decline from missed classes or exhaustion

How to Talk to Your Child:

Ask open questions: “How are things going with your fraternity/sorority?”
Listen without judgment: They may be ashamed or afraid
Focus on safety: Emphasize that their wellbeing matters more than membership
Document what they share: Write down details while fresh

If Your Child Is Injured:

Get medical attention immediately: Even if they resist
Preserve evidence: Photograph injuries, screenshot messages
Contact an attorney within 48 hours: Evidence disappears fast
Do NOT confront the organization: This triggers evidence destruction

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would my parents or university approve if they knew?
Am I being told to keep secrets?

How to Exit Safely:

Tell someone you trust outside the organization first
Send a written resignation (email/text) to chapter leadership
Do NOT go to “one last meeting”—this is often a pressure tactic
Document any retaliation and report it to campus authorities

Your Legal Rights in Texas:

You cannot be punished for calling 911 in an emergency (good-faith immunity)
Consent is NOT a defense to hazing under Texas law
You can request no-contact orders if harassed after reporting

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

MISTAKE #1: Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence
WHY IT’S WRONG: Looks like cover-up; makes case nearly impossible
INSTEAD: Preserve everything immediately—see our evidence documentation video

MISTAKE #2: Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly
WHY IT’S WRONG: Triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching
INSTEAD: Document quietly, then let your attorney handle communication

MISTAKE #3: Signing university “resolution” forms without review
WHY IT’S WRONG: May waive your right to sue or accept inadequate settlements
INSTEAD: Have an attorney review EVERY document before signing

MISTAKE #4: Posting details on social media
WHY IT’S WRONG: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; hurts credibility
INSTEAD: Keep details private; let your lawyer control messaging

MISTAKE #5: Waiting “to see how the university handles it”
WHY IT’S WRONG: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes run
INSTEAD: Preserve evidence NOW; consult attorney immediately

For more on avoiding these pitfalls, watch our video on client mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions for Knox City Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and individual capacity lawsuits. Private universities have fewer protections. Every case is fact-specific.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case involves allegations that could support felony charges.

“My child ‘agreed’ to the initiation—do we have a case?”
YES. Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t truly voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but exceptions exist. Time is critical—evidence disappears fast. Learn more in our statute of limitations video.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major cases occurred off-campus.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

Why Attorney911 for Knox City Hazing Cases

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

Our Unique Qualifications for Texas Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):

Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value (and undervalue) claims
Understands their delay tactics, coverage arguments, and settlement strategies
“We know their playbook because we used to run it.”
Learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at his attorney profile

Complex Institutional Litigation (Ralph Manginello):

One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams
“We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”
Learn more about Ralph’s credentials at his attorney profile

Current Texas Hazing Litigation:

Right now, we’re leading the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit
This $10 million case involves allegations of extreme physical hazing, forced consumption, and institutional failures
We’re actively taking on a major university and national fraternity—not just talking about it

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience:

Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases
Experience valuing lifetime care needs for catastrophic injuries
Economists, life care planners, and vocational experts on our team
See our wrongful death practice area for more

Criminal + Civil Dual Capability:

Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
Understanding of how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
Ability to advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure
Learn about our criminal defense experience

Texas-Wide Service with Local Understanding:
From our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont offices, we serve families throughout Texas, including Knox City, Knox County, and all West Texas communities. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families in small towns and big cities alike.

Our Investigation Depth

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:
We maintain a comprehensive database of Texas Greek organizations—1,423 entities across 25 metros tracked through IRS records, university rosters, and public filings. When we take your case, we’re not starting from zero.

Digital Forensics Capability:
Recovering deleted messages, analyzing metadata, and preserving social media evidence before it disappears.

Expert Network:
Medical specialists, psychologists, Greek life experts, economists, and digital forensic analysts who understand hazing’s unique dynamics.

Institutional Knowledge:
Understanding how universities, national fraternities, and insurance companies really operate—not how they claim to operate.

Empathy Meets Accountability

We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our approach balances:

Compassion for what you’re experiencing
Thoroughness in investigation and evidence collection
Tenacity in holding responsible parties accountable
Practicality in pursuing resolutions that actually help your family heal

We’re not about bravado or quick settlements. We’re about thorough investigation, real accountability, and preventing what happened to your family from happening to anyone else.

Your Next Step: Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family—whether recently or in the past—we want to hear from you.

Families in Knox City, Knox County, and throughout Texas have the right to answers and accountability. The organizations that harmed your child count on silence and inertia. We provide the alternative: experienced legal advocacy that matches their resources and determination.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

We’ll listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
Answer your questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure to hire us on the spot—take time to decide
Everything you tell us is confidential

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

Spanish Services Available:
Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

Servicios legales en español disponibles para familias hispanas.

Cost Concerns?

We work on a contingency fee basis for injury and wrongful death cases:

No upfront costs
No hourly fees
We only get paid if we recover money for you
Learn how contingency fees work in our educational video

Whether you’re in Knox City or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone.

The organizations responsible for hazing culture have deep pockets, experienced lawyers, and institutional protection. They expect families to feel overwhelmed and give up.

We offer a different path: experienced hazing attorneys who know how to investigate these cases, overcome institutional defenses, and pursue meaningful accountability. We’re currently fighting one of Texas’s most serious hazing cases right now. We know what it takes.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s discuss how we can help your family find answers, accountability, and a path forward.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

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 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 Videos:

Evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
Contingency fees explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Practice Areas:

Main website & contact: https://attorney911.com
Wrongful death practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Criminal defense practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/
Ralph Manginello profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
Lupe Peña profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

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