A Message to Families in Mart, Texas: Your Guide to Understanding and Confronting Campus Hazing
For parents in Mart and across McLennan County, sending your child to college is an act of profound trust and hope. You imagine lectures, new friendships, and bright futures. But for too many Texas families, that trust is shattered by a hidden reality on campus: systematic, dangerous, and often criminal hazing. When your student is the one who comes home with unexplained injuries, a withdrawn personality, or a story they’re afraid to tell, the confusion and fear can be overwhelming. You’re not just worried—you’re angry, and you need real answers, not platitudes.
Right now, in a Harris County courtroom, our firm is fighting to provide those answers. We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, and 13 of its members. The complaint alleges that during his fall 2025 pledge period, Bermudez was subjected to a regime of humiliation, forced labor, and extreme physical abuse. This included carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced to perform hundreds of push-ups and squats. The alleged hazing culminated in a life-threatening medical crisis: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine and requiring a four-day hospitalization with a risk of permanent kidney damage.
This case is not an isolated horror story from a distant campus. It is proof of what can, and does, happen here in Texas when traditions of power and secrecy go unchecked. For families in Mart, whose children may attend Baylor University right here in McLennan County or venture to other Texas campuses, this case demonstrates the catastrophic reality of modern hazing and the level of legal fight required to secure accountability.
This guide is for you. We will explain what hazing truly looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, and what has happened at campuses like Baylor, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and others. We will show you the national patterns behind the local chapters and provide you with the practical, actionable steps to take if your family is facing this crisis. Hazing thrives in silence and confusion. Our mission is to replace that with knowledge, strategy, and experienced advocacy.
Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies
If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
- Call 911 for any medical emergency.
- Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for immediate legal guidance.
In the first 48 hours, CRITICAL steps include:
- Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” seek a professional evaluation. Internal injuries or conditions like rhabdomyolysis can be delayed and deadly.
- Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted:
- Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), text messages, and social media DMs.
- Photograph any injuries from multiple angles with good lighting. Take pictures again over several days as bruises develop.
- Save physical items (torn clothing, paddles, receipts for forced purchases).
- Document Everything: Write down everything your child tells you—dates, times, locations, names of involved individuals—while memories are fresh.
- Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
- Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
- Post details about the incident on public social media.
- Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears with terrifying speed. Universities and national organizations move quickly to control the narrative. We can help you navigate this crisis from a position of strength. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025 (It’s Not Just “Party Pranks”)
Hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypical caricatures. It is a calculated system of control that uses psychological pressure, digital surveillance, and physical risk to break down individuality and enforce loyalty. For families in Mart, understanding these modern tactics is the first step in recognizing the danger.
The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing
Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – The Foundation of Control
These acts establish power imbalances and are often dismissed as “tradition” or “team building.” They include:
- Servitude: Being on-call 24/7 as a designated driver, personal chef, or cleaner for older members.
- Social Isolation: Being required to cut off contact with non-members, family, or romantic partners.
- Digital Control: Mandatory, instant responses in group chats (GroupMe, Discord); required sharing of live location data via apps like Snapchat Map or Find My Friends.
- “Mandatory Optional” Events: Activities framed as voluntary but with clear social consequences for non-participation.
Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – Escalating Abuse
This behavior causes measurable emotional or physical distress and creates a hostile environment:
- Sleep Deprivation: Late-night “study sessions,” 3 AM wake-up calls, or multi-day events with minimal rest.
- Verbal Abuse & Degradation: Yelling, insulting “roasts,” forced use of humiliating nicknames.
- Forced Consumption: Eating excessive amounts of bland food (milk, bread, hot dogs) or disgusting concoctions until vomiting.
- Strenuous Exercise as Punishment: “Smokings” involving hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits until collapse, or punitive runs.
Tier 3: Violent & Life-Threatening Hazing
These are the acts that lead to hospitalization, permanent injury, and wrongful death lawsuits:
- Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: The single most common cause of hazing deaths. This includes “family tree” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, and lineups where failure means chugging.
- Physical Assault: Paddling, beating, “tackle” rituals (like the “glass ceiling” ritual that killed Chun Deng), and forced fights.
- Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, and sexual assault.
- Extreme Environmental Exposure: Being locked in freezing rooms, left outside in extreme weather, or denied access to bathrooms.
- Kidnapping & Restraint: Being blindfolded and transported to unknown locations, or tied up for extended periods.
The “New” Face of Hazing: Digital, Disguised, and Off-Campus
To avoid detection, organizations have adapted:
- The Digital Paper Trail: Hazing is planned and celebrated in group chats, but evidence is often deleted or used on encrypted apps. Humiliation is broadcast via TikTok challenges or Instagram stories.
- The “Wellness” Disguise: Extreme, dangerous physical ordeals are rebranded as “fitness challenges,” “team building,” or “mental toughness drills.”
- The Off-Campus Retreat: The most violent hazing is moved to Airbnbs, rural properties, or members’ family homes to escape campus security cameras and jurisdiction.
For a parent, the warning signs can be subtle: a child who is suddenly exhausted, secretive about their phone, withdrawn from family, or making excuses for unexplained bruises or financial needs. Trust your instincts.
Texas Hazing Law & Liability: The Legal Framework for Accountability
Texas has specific laws designed to combat hazing and provide avenues for justice. Understanding this framework is crucial for families in Mart considering their options.
Texas Education Code, Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute
The law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student. Key provisions include:
- Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a State Jail Felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing or retaliating against those who do.
- Consent is NOT a Defense (Section 37.155): This is critical. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law recognizes that consent under peer pressure and power imbalance is not valid. Defendants cannot claim “they wanted to do it.”
- Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Individuals who report hazing or call for medical help in an emergency are protected from civil or criminal liability that might stem from their own involvement (like underage drinking).
- Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
Criminal Cases vs. Civil Lawsuits: Two Paths to Justice
It is essential to understand the distinct roles of these parallel legal tracks:
- Criminal Case: Brought by the State of Texas (e.g., McLennan County District Attorney). The goal is punishment—fines, probation, or jail time for individuals. Charges can range from hazing and furnishing alcohol to minors to assault or, in fatal cases, manslaughter. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit.
- Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and their family. The goal is compensation for harms suffered and institutional accountability. This is where we help families recover damages for medical bills, ongoing care, pain and suffering, and lost educational opportunities. A civil case can target a wider range of responsible parties.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Case?
A thorough investigation aims to identify every entity that shares responsibility:
- Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or concealed the hazing.
- Chapter Officers & Leadership: The president, pledge educator, risk manager, and others who had a duty to know and stop the conduct.
- The Local Chapter: As a functioning organization that enabled the behavior.
- The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: They often have the deepest pockets and the greatest legal duty. We argue they had “constructive notice” of hazing risks based on their own history of incidents across the country and failed in their duty to supervise and enforce their own policies.
- The University: Schools like Baylor, Texas A&M, or UT can be liable for negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about a pattern of hazardous behavior and failed to act. Public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence.
- Third Parties: Property owners of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol (under Texas dram shop law), or security companies that failed in their duties.
National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script That Keeps Repeating
The tragedy in Texas is that it follows a national script. The same fraternities, the same rituals, and the same catastrophic outcomes have played out for years. These are not “rogue” incidents; they are predictable patterns. For Mart families, this national history is critical—it shows that the organizations involved have been on notice for decades.
The Forced Drinking Death Pattern
- Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case led to sweeping criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
- Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died of alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers mandated drinking. His death spurred Louisiana’s felony hazing statute, the Max Gruver Act.
- Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. His family secured a $10 million settlement ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university).
The Physical & Ritualized Violence Pattern
- Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from brain injuries after a blindfolded, brutal “glass ceiling” tackling ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania.
- Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage after extreme forced drinking. His family has settled with 22 defendants, highlighting the multi-party liability in severe injury cases.
What This Means for Your Texas Case
These national precedents are not just history; they are legal ammunition. They establish foreseeability—proving that national fraternities like Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Phi Delta Theta have known for years that their chapters engage in specific, deadly behaviors. When a Texas chapter repeats this script, we can argue the national organization is directly liable for failing to prevent it.
Texas Universities Under the Microscope: A Guide for Mart Families
Parents in Mart and McLennan County most commonly send their students to universities within a manageable distance or to major statewide hubs. This means Baylor University, right here in Waco, is often the first campus of concern. However, students from our community also attend flagship schools across Texas, each with its own Greek ecosystem and hazing history.
Baylor University (Waco, McLennan County)
For Mart families, Baylor is in our backyard. Its campus culture and how it handles hazing directly impact our community.
Campus Snapshot & Greek Life: Baylor is a private Baptist university with a significant Greek system, active athletic programs, and numerous student organizations. The tension between its religious mission and documented institutional failures in other areas (like the 2016 sexual assault scandal) creates a complex environment for accountability.
Documented Incidents & Response:
- Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): Fourteen players were suspended following an internal investigation into hazing allegations, with staggered suspensions affecting the team’s early season.
- Pattern of Secrecy: Baylor, as a private institution, has less transparency than public universities. Disciplinary outcomes are rarely publicized, making it difficult for families to know an organization’s prior record without legal discovery.
How a Baylor Hazing Case Proceeds: A case would likely be filed in McLennan County courts. Evidence gathering would focus on Baylor’s internal conduct records, communications between the university and the national organization, and the specific history of the involved chapter. Baylor’s status as a private university means it cannot claim sovereign immunity like a public school, but it also controls its internal records tightly.
What Baylor Families in Mart Should Do:
- Report immediately to Baylor’s Office of Student Conduct and, if crimes are suspected, to the Waco Police Department.
- Understand that Baylor’s internal process is not designed for victim compensation or full public accountability. It is a disciplinary system for students.
- Consult with an attorney who can navigate both the university’s private processes and the civil court system to secure all available evidence and pursue true accountability.
Texas A&M University (College Station, Brazos County)
Many Central Texas families choose Texas A&M, renowned for its Corps of Cadets and massive Greek life.
Documented Incidents & Response:
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Lawsuit (2021): Pledges alleged they were doused with a mixture containing industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns that required skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million. The chapter was suspended by the university.
- Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages.
Key Takeaway for Parents: Hazing at A&M is not confined to fraternities. The Corps of Cadets and athletic teams have deep-seated traditions that can cross the line into abuse. Investigations must be prepared to tackle both Greek and military-style institutional cultures.
University of Texas at Austin (Travis County)
UT Austin sets a standard for transparency that other Texas schools often avoid.
Public Hazing Violations Log: UT maintains a public website listing organizations found responsible for hazing, their sanctions, and the general nature of the violations. This log is a treasure trove for showing pattern evidence.
- Example: Pi Kappa Alpha (2023) was placed on probation after new members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
- This public record means we can often demonstrate that UT and a fraternity had prior knowledge of risky behaviors before a new victim was injured.
University of Houston (Harris County) & The Flagship Case
The ongoing Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case is the clearest, most current example of severe hazing litigation in Texas. It alleges a systemic pattern of abuse that the university and national fraternity failed to stop. For any Texas family, this case proves that:
- The most extreme hazing is happening here and now.
- Universities and nationals will suspend chapters after the fact (Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter was closed), but that is not justice for the victim.
- Only a aggressive, multi-defendant civil lawsuit can uncover the full truth, secure compensation for lifelong injuries, and force institutional change.
Southern Methodist University (Dallas County)
As a private, affluent university, SMU’s Greek life is prominent. Its response to hazing often relies on internal, non-public discipline. Civil litigation is frequently necessary to pierce this veil of privacy and obtain the full scope of records regarding what the university and national organizations knew.
The Greek Ecosystem in Texas: A Web of Liability
Behind every fraternity or sorority chapter on a Texas campus lies a network of legal and financial entities. Our firm maintains the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, a proprietary database built from public records that maps this ecosystem. This is not theoretical—it’s how we find every potentially liable party and their insurance coverage.
Public Records: Fraternity, Sorority & Greek Organizations in Texas
IRS and other public filings reveal the backbone of Greek life in our state. For example, just a sample of the over 125 Texas-registered Greek organizations includes:
- Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc – EIN 133048786 – 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 Filing)
- Sigma Phi Lambda Inc – EIN 201237505 – 4251 FM 2181 Ste 230 PMB 480, Corinth, TX 76210 (IRS B83 Filing)
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc – Sigma Gamma Chapter – EIN 392352450 – PO Box 540026, Houston, TX 77254 (IRS B83 Filing)
- Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 462267515 – 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 Filing)
- Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN 463831593 – 2307 Vanderbilt Cir, Austin, TX 78723 (IRS B83 Filing – Texas State University Chapter)
Major Metro Concentration: Data shows the scale of the system families are up against:
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510+ Greek-related organizations.
- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188+ organizations.
- Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154+ organizations.
- Waco Metro (including Baylor): 27+ organizations.
This directory is more than a list—it’s an investigative roadmap. When a hazing incident occurs at Baylor’s Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) chapter, for instance, we don’t just look at the students. We identify the national headquarters, the local housing corporation (if one exists), alumni advisory boards, and any related foundations. Each entity may carry insurance or assets that can provide compensation for the victim.
National Histories Matter: Connecting Texas Chapters to National Scandals
The fraternities on Texas campuses are chapters of national brands with long, documented histories of hazing deaths and injuries. This pattern evidence is central to proving negligence.
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): National history includes the Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green ($10M settlement) and the David Bogenberger death at NIU ($14M settlement). When a Texas Pike chapter engages in forced drinking, we argue the national organization was on clear notice of the exact risk.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): One of the deadliest fraternities historically, SAE has been involved in numerous alcohol-poisoning deaths. Its presence at Texas A&M (chemical burns case) and UT Austin shows the national pattern manifesting here.
- Phi Delta Theta: The death of Max Gruver at LSU is permanently tied to this fraternity.
- Pi Kappa Phi: The death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State and the catastrophic injury to Leonel Bermudez at UH form a devastating pattern.
In court, we use this history to dismantle the defense that an incident was “unforeseeable” or the act of “rogue individuals.” We show it was a predictable, repeat occurrence that the national organization had a duty to eradicate.
Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages
If your family is facing this crisis, you deserve to know how a serious law firm builds a case for maximum accountability. It is a methodical, resource-intensive process that leaves no stone unturned.
The Evidence That Wins Cases
- Digital Forensics: The #1 source of evidence. We work with experts to recover deleted group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), text messages, social media posts, and location data. These messages often show planning, bragging, and cover-up attempts.
- Internal Organization Records: Through legal discovery, we obtain the national fraternity’s risk management files, prior incident reports for the chapter, pledge education manuals, and communications between local officers and headquarters.
- University Records: We subpoena the school’s conduct files on the organization, which may show a history of prior violations, warnings, and ineffective sanctions. We also seek Clery Act reports and internal emails among administrators.
- Medical Documentation: Comprehensive records are vital. This includes ER reports, hospitalization notes, lab results (like creatine kinase levels for rhabdomyolysis), and ongoing treatment plans from specialists and mental health professionals diagnosing PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
- Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members who left, roommates, and bystanders can provide critical accounts. We often find that others are desperate to come forward but fear retaliation until afforded the protection of a formal legal process.
Types of Damages in a Hazing Case
A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and hold defendants accountable through financial compensation for:
- Economic Damages: Past and future medical expenses, costs of psychological therapy, lost wages (for a parent who must miss work), and lost future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
- Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, mental anguish, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship, love, and guidance for the surviving family.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly egregious or reckless conduct, Texas law may allow damages intended to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.
Overcoming Institutional Defenses
We anticipate and dismantle the standard defenses:
- “They Consented”: We cite Texas law where consent is no defense, and use evidence of peer pressure and coercion.
- “Rogue Individuals, Not the Fraternity”: We use pattern evidence from the national organization’s history and local chapter records to prove systemic failure.
- “It Was Off-Campus”: We argue liability based on sponsorship, control, and foreseeability, citing cases like Pi Delta Psi where nationals were convicted for off-campus retreat hazing.
- Insurance Coverage Fights: This is where Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable. We know how insurers try to deny claims under “intentional act” exclusions and how to fight for coverage.
Practical Guide & FAQs for Mart, TX Parents and Students
For Parents: Recognizing the Signs and Taking Action
Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:
- Physical: Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping), extreme fatigue, drastic weight change, appearing ill or hungover when not a drinker.
- Behavioral: Sudden secrecy about group activities, withdrawal from family and old friends, defensiveness about the organization, intense anxiety around their phone/group chats, personality changes (new anger, depression, or anxiety).
- Financial: Unexpected requests for money, maxed-out cards, or large withdrawals with vague explanations.
- Academic: Plummeting grades, missing classes, losing scholarships.
What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:
- Talk Calmly & Supportively: Ask open-ended questions. “I’ve noticed you seem really exhausted/stressed about the fraternity. Is everything okay with the new member process?”
- Prioritize Safety & Medical Care: If there is any immediate danger or injury, get medical help first.
- Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot everything before it’s deleted. Take photos of injuries. Write down a timeline.
- Report Strategically: You can report to the university’s Dean of Students and campus police. However, be aware that the university’s primary interest is limiting its own liability. Consult an attorney before making detailed statements.
- Contact a Hazing Attorney Early: Do not wait for the university to “complete its investigation.” Evidence disappears daily. An attorney can send preservation letters, advise on interactions with the school, and begin building your case.
For Students: Your Safety and Rights
Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:
- Would I do this if I truly felt I could say no without consequences?
- Is this activity secret? Would the organization be embarrassed if the school or my parents knew?
- Is it degrading, dangerous, or involving alcohol/drugs?
- Am I being treated differently because I’m a new member?
How to Exit Safely:
- Your physical safety comes first. In an emergency, call 911. Texas law provides protections for those seeking medical help.
- If you want to quit, send a clear, written resignation to the chapter president (email or text for a record). Tell a trusted friend or family member first.
- You have the legal right to leave. Any threats or retaliation for quitting are illegal and should be reported immediately to campus police and an attorney.
Critical Mistakes That Can Harm Your Case
- Deleting Digital Evidence: This is the single biggest error. Those embarrassing or frightening messages are your most powerful proof.
- Confronting the Organization Directly: This prompts them to lawyer up, destroy evidence, and coach witnesses.
- Signing University Settlement Offers Without Counsel: Universities may offer a quick, low-value resolution in exchange for waiving your right to sue.
- Posting on Social Media: Defense investigators monitor everything. Inconsistencies or emotional posts can be used against you.
- Waiting Too Long: Statutes of limitations apply, witnesses graduate, memories fade. Time is not on your side.
Hazing FAQ for Texas Families
Q: Can we sue Baylor (or another Texas university) for hazing?
A: Yes. While public universities have certain immunity defenses, they can be sued for gross negligence or deliberate indifference. Private universities like Baylor and SMU can be sued for negligent supervision. The specific facts of what the university knew and when are critical.
Q: Is hazing a felony in Texas?
A: It can be. Under Texas Education Code Sec. 37.152, hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death is a state jail felony.
Q: My child “agreed” to participate. Do we still have a case?
A: Yes. Texas law (Sec. 37.155) explicitly states that the victim’s consent is not a defense to hazing. The law recognizes the inherent coercion in these situations.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, complex rules regarding discovery of harm and tolling for minors can apply. Do not wait. Consult an attorney immediately to preserve all deadlines.
Q: Will our name be all over the news?
A: Most civil cases settle confidentially before trial. We always prioritize our clients’ privacy and can often negotiate settlements with strict confidentiality clauses. Our goal is to secure justice for you, not create a media spectacle.
Why Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case
When your family is in a legal emergency caused by hazing, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need a firm with the specific expertise, resources, and tenacity to take on powerful universities and national fraternities. Here’s why families across Texas, including here in Mart, turn to us:
**1. We Are Currently Fighting a Major Texas Hazing Case. We are lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. We are not theorizing about hazing litigation; we are actively in the trenches, facing the same institutional defendants and defense firms you will.
**2. Insider Insurance Knowledge for Maximum Recovery. Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value claims, deny coverage, and drag out cases. We use this insider knowledge to anticipate their tactics and fight for every dollar of compensation you deserve. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.
**3. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Institutions. Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced corporations with unlimited legal budgets and won. We are not intimidated by national fraternities or university regents. We know how to conduct the deep discovery needed to prove institutional negligence.
**4. A Data-Driven Investigative Advantage. We built and maintain the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary database of over 1,400 Greek organizations in Texas, built from IRS filings, university records, and public data. When we take your case, we don’t start from zero. We already have a map of the organizational entities behind the letters, which helps us identify all liable parties and their insurance coverage.
**5. Full-Spectrum Civil & Criminal Understanding. Ralph Manginello is a member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA). We understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil lawsuits. We can effectively advise clients, witnesses, or co-defendants who may be navigating dual exposures, ensuring a coordinated legal strategy.
**6. Compassionate, Client-Centered Advocacy. We know this is the most difficult time your family may ever face. We treat you with the empathy and respect you deserve. We keep you informed at every step, fight to protect your privacy, and never lose sight of the human story at the heart of your case.
If Hazing Has Impacted Your Family in Mart, TX, We Are Here to Help
You do not have to navigate this crisis alone. The path to accountability begins with a conversation.
Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We serve families throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.
In your free consultation, we will:
- Listen carefully to your story.
- Review any evidence or documentation you have.
- Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
- Outline the potential paths forward, including investigations, negotiations, or litigation.
- Answer all your questions about the process, timelines, and costs.
We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. This means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you.
Call us today. Let us help you fight for answers, for accountability, and for your family’s future.
Immediate Contact:
- 24/7 Helpline: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
- Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
- Email: ralph@atty911.com
- Firm Website: https://attorney911.com
Se habla Español. Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for assistance in Spanish.
Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding your specific situation, please consult directly with an attorney. The information is current as of late 2025.
