The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: What Hardin Families Need to Know

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You’re Not Alone

The call no parent wants to receive comes late at night. Your child, a freshman at a Texas university, is slurring words or won’t answer questions directly. They mention “pledge events” or “mandatory brotherhood activities” but change the subject when you ask for details. Over the next few weeks, you notice injuries they can’t explain, extreme exhaustion, and a personality change—the outgoing student who left for college has become anxious, secretive, and withdrawn.

For families right here in Hardin, Texas, and across Liberty County, this nightmare scenario is unfolding at campuses throughout our state. The University of Houston is just over an hour’s drive from Hardin, but the legal protections and accountability you deserve as a Texas parent extend wherever your child attends school.

Right now, our firm is leading one of the most serious hazing cases in the country: Leonel Bermudez’s $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. In November 2025, news outlets including Click2Houston and ABC13 reported disturbing details. Bermudez, a pledge, was subjected to weeks of abuse including forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under expulsion threats, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and carrying a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. The result? Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—he passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This isn’t an isolated incident at some distant university. This is happening in our state, to Texas students from families like yours. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended and then shut down, but the physical and psychological harm to Bermudez continues. If you’re reading this as a parent in Hardin—whether your child attends UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any Texas campus—this guide will help you understand what hazing really looks like in 2025, your legal rights under Texas law, and how experienced hazing attorneys hold powerful institutions accountable.

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)
411

In the first 48 hours:

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

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:
Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses). Universities move quickly to control the narrative. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For Hardin parents who didn’t grow up with modern Greek life, today’s hazing has evolved far beyond “pranks” or “initiation rituals.” What was once physical paddling has morphed into sophisticated psychological abuse, digital coercion, and dangerous traditions disguised as bonding.

The Modern Definition of Hazing

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. Under Texas law, the “consent” defense doesn’t work—when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance, “I agreed to it” doesn’t make it legal or safe.

Five Main Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the deadliest form. It’s not just “drinking at parties”—it’s forced consumption through:

“Big/Little” nights where pledges receive handles of liquor
Drinking games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mean drinking
“Lineups” where pledges must quickly consume alcohol
Pressure to consume unknown or mixed substances

2. Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling:

Extreme calisthenics or “smokings” (100+ push-ups, 500 squats as in the UH case)
Sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions” or 3 AM wake-up calls
Food/water restriction or forced overconsumption
Exposure to extreme temperatures or dangerous environments

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

Forced nudity or partial nudity
Simulated sexual acts, degrading positions, or humiliating costumes
Acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones
Public shaming through social media or group meetings

4. Psychological Hazing

Verbal abuse, threats, and isolation from non-members
Manipulation or forced confessions of personal information
“Silence periods” where pledges cannot speak unless spoken to
Creating fear of expulsion if they don’t comply

5. Digital/Online Hazing

Group chat dares and challenges (GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord)
Pressure to create compromising TikTok or Instagram content
Location tracking through apps like Find My Friends
Public humiliation through shared photos or videos

Where Hazing Happens (It’s Not Just Fraternities)

While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, hazing occurs in:

Corps of Cadets/ROTC programs (especially at Texas A&M)
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
Spirit squads and tradition clubs (like Texas Cowboys)
Marching bands and performance groups
Some academic, service, and cultural organizations

For Hardin families, this means your child doesn’t need to join Greek life to face hazing risks. Any group with power imbalances and “tradition” can develop dangerous initiation practices.

Texas Hazing Law: Your Legal Rights and Protections

Texas has some of the nation’s most comprehensive anti-hazing laws, but navigating them requires understanding both criminal penalties and civil liability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

§ 37.151 Definition:
Hazing means 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 pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership

Key Points for Hardin Families:

Location doesn’t matter—on-campus, off-campus, at retreats, all covered
Mental OR physical harm—psychological trauma counts
Reckless is enough—they don’t need to intend harm, just disregard risk
“Consent” is not a defense (§ 37.155)—even if your child “agreed”

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death
Additional crimes: Failing to report hazing, retaliating against reporters

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability:
Organizations can be prosecuted if they:

Authorized or encouraged hazing, OR
Officers knew and failed to report

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting:
Those who report hazing in good faith to university or law enforcement are immune from civil/criminal liability. This includes medical emergency calls—Texas law and university policies often provide amnesty for underage drinking when seeking help.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

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

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or families
Aim: Compensation and accountability
Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress

Crucial Insight: A criminal conviction isn’t required to pursue a civil case. Many families obtain justice through civil litigation even when criminal charges aren’t filed or don’t result in convictions.

Federal Laws Overlaying Texas Cases

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

Report hazing incidents transparently
Strengthen prevention education
Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)

Title IX:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger separate investigations and potential liability.

Clery Act:
Requires reporting certain crimes in campus safety statistics—hazing often overlaps with assaults or alcohol crimes.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students:
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up

2. Local Chapter/Organization:
The fraternity/sorority itself (if incorporated)
Officers and “pledge educators”

3. National Fraternity/Sorority:
Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, supervise chapters
Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents

4. University or Governing Board:
Schools may be liable under negligence or civil-rights theories
Key questions: Prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference

5. Third Parties:
Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
Bars/alcohol providers (dram shop liability)
Security companies or event organizers

Every case is fact-specific. Experienced hazing attorneys investigate all potential defendants to ensure full accountability.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases below aren’t just news stories—they’re legal precedents that show how courts hold organizations accountable. These patterns repeat at Texas campuses, making them highly relevant for Hardin families.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

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

Bid-acceptance event with extreme drinking
Severe falls captured on chapter cameras; 12-hour delay before medical help
Dozens of criminal charges against members; civil litigation; Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law”
Takeaway for Texas families: Extreme intoxication + delayed 911 calls + culture of silence = devastating liability

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

“Bible study” drinking game; wrong answers meant drinking
Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing)
Takeaway: Legislative change follows public outrage and clear evidence

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

Forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey
$10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
Takeaway: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
– Blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat
– Fatal head injuries; delayed help
– National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault/involuntary manslaughter
– Takeaway: Off-campus retreats are just as dangerous; national orgs face serious sanctions

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
– Alleged sexualized, racist hazing within program
– Multiple lawsuits; head coach fired then settled wrongful-termination confidentially
– Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs

What These Cases Mean for Hardin Families

Common threads emerge: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements often follow only after tragedy and litigation. Your family isn’t facing something unprecedented—you’re operating in a legal landscape shaped by these hard lessons.

Texas University Focus: Where Hardin Students Attend

Hardin families typically send students to universities throughout Texas. Here’s what you need to know about specific campuses.

University of Houston: The Closest Major Campus

For Hardin Families: UH is approximately 60 miles from Hardin—close enough for many Liberty County students. The recent Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates serious hazing occurs here.

Campus Culture:

Large urban campus with commuter/residential mix
Active Greek life with multiple councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, MGC)
Over 40 fraternities and sororities documented in campus rosters

Documented Incidents Beyond Pi Kappa Phi:

2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case: Pledges deprived of food, water, sleep; one suffered lacerated spleen
Multiple disciplinary actions for alcohol-related hazing, physical mistreatment
UH publishes some disciplinary info but less transparent than UT Austin

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds:
+ Jurisdiction: UHPD and/or Houston Police depending on location
+ Civil suits typically filed in Harris County courts
+ Potential defendants: Individuals, chapter, national HQ, UH, property owners

What UH Students/Parents Should Do:

Report to UH Dean of Students Office immediately
Document prior complaints if known
Contact Houston-based hazing attorneys who know local courts and procedures
Understand UH’s specific reporting channels and disciplinary processes

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

For Hardin Families: While farther from Hardin, A&M attracts many Texas students with its strong traditions and academic programs.

Unique Risk Factors:

Corps of Cadets culture: Military-style environment with reported discipline issues
Sigma Alpha Epsilon lawsuit (~2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts
Corps lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound in “roasted pig” position

A&M’s Response Systems:

Handles hazing through Student Conduct and Corps regulations
Has established reporting channels but varying transparency
Civil cases often focus on both Greek life and Corps traditions

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Patterns

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page:
One of Texas’ most transparent systems, listing organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions.

Documented Cases:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; probation + hazing-prevention education required
Multiple spirit organizations: Sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Australian exchange student alleged assault causing dislocated leg, broken nose; chapter already under suspension

Why UT’s Transparency Matters:
Prior violations on UT’s public log strongly support civil suits by showing patterns and institutional knowledge.

Southern Methodist University: Private Campus Challenges

SMU’s Profile:
Private, affluent campus with strong Greek presence but less public transparency.

Documented Incident:

Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, sleep-deprived; chapter suspended until ~2021

Considerations for Hardin Families:

Private university status affects transparency
Civil suits can compel discovery even when internal reports aren’t public
SMU has reporting systems including anonymous options (Real Response)

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Scrutiny

Recent History:

Religious identity with past scrutiny over football/Title IX issues
Baseball hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following investigation

Practical Realities:

Baylor’s policies intersect with religious branding
Prior scandals create both challenges and opportunities in hazing litigation

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Matter in Texas Cases

Local chapters at Texas universities don’t operate in isolation. Their national organizations’ histories create legal liabilities that benefit Hardin families in litigation.

Why National Histories Create Liability

National fraternity/sorority headquarters:

Have anti-hazing manuals because they’ve seen deaths and injuries
Know the patterns: forced drinking nights, paddling traditions, humiliating rituals
Receive dues, provide training, and maintain supervisory relationships

When a Texas chapter repeats patterns that caused tragedies elsewhere, that shows foreseeability—a key element in negligence claims against national entities.

Organization-Specific Patterns Relevant to Texas Campuses

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike):

National pattern: Alcohol hazing deaths (Stone Foltz, David Bogenberger)
Texas presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, Baylor, SMU
Legal significance: National HQ had prior notice of “Big/Little” drinking dangers

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE):

National pattern: Multiple hazing deaths; traumatic brain injury lawsuit (Alabama)
Texas incidents: Chemical burns case (Texas A&M), assault case (UT Austin)
Legal significance: Pattern of dangerous physical hazing establishes foreseeability

Pi Kappa Phi:

National pattern: Andrew Coffey death (Florida State)
Current Texas case: Leonel Bermudez lawsuit at UH
Legal significance: National knew “pledge education” risks but inadequate supervision

Phi Delta Theta:

National pattern: Max Gruver death (LSU)
Texas presence: Multiple campuses
Legal significance: “Bible study” drinking games known danger

How This Benefits Your Case

Pattern evidence helps prove:

Foreseeability: Nationals knew or should have known the risks
Negligence: Inadequate supervision/training despite known dangers
Punitive damages: Reckless disregard for safety

When we investigate hazing cases for Hardin families, we subpoena national organizations’ internal records showing prior incidents, warnings, and policy enforcement (lack thereof). This evidence often proves decisive in settlement negotiations and trials.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Serious hazing litigation requires sophisticated investigation. Here’s what experienced attorneys do for Texas families.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (Most Important):

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps
Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok
Recovery possible: Even deleted messages often recoverable through digital forensics

Photos & Videos:

Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
Security camera/doorbell footage at houses/venues
Social media posts/stories documenting activities

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists
Emails/texts about “what we’ll do to pledges”
National policies and training materials

University Records:

Prior conduct files, probation/suspension letters
Incident reports to campus police/student conduct
Clery Act reports and similar disclosures

Medical/Psychological Records:

ER/hospitalization records
Surgery/rehab notes, toxicology reports
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)

Witness Testimony:

Pledges, members, roommates, RAs, bystanders
Former members who quit or were expelled

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical bills (past and future)
Lost earnings/educational impact
Therapy/counseling costs
Life care plans for permanent injuries

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages:

Funeral/burial costs
Loss of companionship and support
Emotional harm to parents/siblings

Punitive Damages (When Available):

Punish especially reckless/willful conduct
Deter future hazing
Available in Texas for gross negligence or intentional acts

The Insurance Coverage Battle

National fraternities and universities have insurance policies that often become battlegrounds:

Common Insurer Tactics:

Claim hazing is “intentional act” excluded from coverage
Argue policy doesn’t cover certain defendants
Delay processing to pressure families

Our Counter-Strategy:

Identify ALL potential coverage sources (multiple policies often apply)
Navigate exclusion arguments (negligent supervision often covered even if hazing intentional)
Pursue bad faith claims against insurers who wrongfully deny coverage

Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable here—he knows exactly how insurers fight these claims and how to counter their tactics.

Practical Guides for Hardin Families

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Hazed:

Unexplained injuries or repeated “accidents”
Extreme exhaustion/sleep deprivation
Drastic mood changes, anxiety, withdrawal
Constant secret phone use for group chats
Fear of missing “mandatory” events

How to Talk to Your Child:

Ask open questions: “How are the new member activities going?”
Avoid judgment: “I’m concerned about your safety, not judging your choices”
Emphasize safety over status
Assure them you’ll support whatever decision they make

If Your Child Is Hurt:

Get medical attention IMMEDIATELY
Document everything (photos, texts, their account)
Save names, dates, locations
Preserve clothing/objects from incident

Dealing with the University:

Document all communications
Ask specifically about prior incidents involving same organization
Note what the school did/didn’t do in response
Remember: University’s interest ≠ Your family’s interest

When to Contact a Lawyer:

Significant physical/psychological harm
University/organization minimizing or hiding facts
Insurance company contacting you
Before speaking to police or giving statements

For Students: Protecting Yourself

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

Do I feel unsafe, humiliated, or coerced?
Am I forced to drink or endure pain?
Is the activity hidden from outsiders?
Would I do this without social consequences?

Exiting Safely:

Tell someone outside the org first (parent, RA, friend)
Send email/text to chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting”
Report retaliation threats to Dean of Students and campus police

Evidence Collection:

Screenshot group chats WITH timestamps and participant names
Photograph injuries immediately (use coin/ruler for scale)
Record conversations if safe (Texas is one-party consent state)
Save everything digital—DO NOT DELETE

Critical Mistakes That Destroy Hazing Cases

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages
What seems like protecting privacy looks like cover-up. Preserve everything immediately.

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly
They’ll lawyer up, destroy evidence, and coach witnesses. Let your attorney handle communication.

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
These often waive your right to sue or accept inadequate settlements. Never sign without attorney review.

4. Posting Details on Social Media
Defense attorneys screenshot everything. Inconsistencies hurt credibility. Let your lawyer control messaging.

5. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”
Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes run. University process ≠ real accountability.

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer
Recorded statements are used against you. Early settlements are lowball. “My attorney will contact you.”

Watch our video on common client mistakes for more guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals personally. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity 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. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to it?”
Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize “consent” under peer pressure isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if harm/cause wasn’t immediately known. In cover-up cases, the statute may be tolled. Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“What if hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. 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 Texas Hazing Cases

When your Hardin 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 Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):

Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
Knows exactly how fraternity/university insurers value (and undervalue) hazing claims
Understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies
“We know their playbook because we used to run it”

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (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.”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience:

Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases
Experience valuing lifetime care needs (brain injury, permanent disability)
Economist collaboration for comprehensive damages analysis
“We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:

Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Investigative Depth:

Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
Experience obtaining hidden evidence (group chats, chapter records, university files)
Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine with 1,423 Greek organizations tracked
“We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Our Data Advantage

While investigating the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we built a comprehensive database of Texas Greek organizations. This isn’t theoretical—it’s concrete data we use for cases:

Houston Metro Area (Where UH is Located):

188 Greek-related organizations documented
Including housing corporations, alumni chapters, honor societies
Examples from public records:
- Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (Houston)
- Alpha Phi Omega – Bayou City Alumni (Houston)
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae (Houston)
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter (Houston)

Full Texas Scope:

125 Texas-registered organizations in IRS B83 filings
96 Texas university campuses tracked
1,423 fraternities/sororities across 25 Texas metros
Brand overlaps showing national organizations’ Texas presence

This means when we take your case, we don’t start from zero. We already know the organizational structures, insurance entities, and prior patterns that matter for your claim.

How We Investigate Hazing Cases Differently

Digital Forensics First:
We work with experts to recover deleted messages, social media content, and digital communications before they’re permanently lost.

Organizational Mapping:
We identify ALL potentially liable parties: individuals, local chapters, national headquarters, housing corporations, alumni associations, universities, third-party vendors.

Pattern Evidence Development:
We subpoena national organizations’ prior incident reports showing they knew the risks but didn’t adequately prevent them.

Expert Collaboration:
Medical experts document injuries, psychologists assess trauma, economists calculate damages, Greek life experts explain organizational dynamics.

Our Commitment to Hardin Families

We understand the unique position of Hardin families:

Your child may attend universities throughout Texas
You need attorneys who understand Texas-specific laws and procedures
You deserve local counsel who can meet in person when needed
You want accountability, not just a quick settlement

From our Houston office (just over an hour from Hardin), we serve families throughout Texas. We’ve represented clients from small towns and big cities, with cases at every major Texas university.

Your Next Step: Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers—you deserve experienced advocates on your side.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

We Listen First: Tell us what happened without interruption or judgment
Evidence Review: We’ll examine any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Legal Options Explained: We’ll outline criminal reporting, civil lawsuits, or other paths
Realistic Expectations: We discuss timelines, potential outcomes, and challenges
Cost Transparency: Contingency fee explained—you pay nothing unless we win
No Pressure: Take time to decide. We never pressure immediate hiring

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 Available:
Hablamos Español – Mr. Lupe Peña provides consultations in Spanish

Serving All of Texas from Multiple Offices

Houston Office: Primary location for hazing litigation
Austin Office: Serving Central Texas families
Beaumont Office: Serving East Texas regions

Whether you’re in Hardin, Liberty County, or anywhere in Texas, we’re here to help. The call is free, the consultation is confidential, and the decision to move forward is entirely yours.

Don’t let powerful institutions silence your family. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

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

Attorney911 Main Website: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com