Texas Hazing & Campus Abuse Guide: A Village of Buffalo Springs Resource for Texas Families
If Your Child Was Hazed, You’re Not Alone
A phone screen lights up in a dorm room near campus. For a parent in Village of Buffalo Springs, it’s the call every family dreads. Your child, a promising student, sounds distant and weary. Their explanation about “fraternity bonding” doesn’t match the bruises you notice during a weekend visit. The spark in their eyes has dimmed, replaced by anxiety and evasiveness. When you gently probe, they shut down—”It’s nothing, just tradition.” But the hospital bill that arrives weeks later tells a different story: rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, a four-day hospitalization followed by months of recovery. The university responds with carefully worded statements, while the national fraternity’s lawyers begin their defense.
This is not hypothetical. Right now in Texas, we’re representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders. His story—forced through extreme workouts, humiliation with a “pledge fanny pack,” and hazing that caused kidney failure—is happening to Texas students. For families in Village of Buffalo Springs and throughout Lubbock County, this guide explains what hazing looks like in 2025, your legal rights under Texas law, and how to protect your child when institutions fail them.
Immediate Crisis Response: First 48-Hour Checklist
If your child is in immediate danger:
- Call 911 for medical emergencies
- Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
- We provide immediate legal guidance – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Within the first 48 hours:
- Medical Priority: Get medical attention immediately, even if your child insists they’re “fine”
- Evidence Preservation: Screenshot group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage) before deletion
- Document Injuries: Photograph bruises, burns, or marks from multiple angles with a ruler for scale
- Write Everything Down: Record dates, times, locations, and names while memories are fresh
- Secure Physical Evidence: Save clothing, receipts for forced purchases, or objects used in hazing
Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity/sorority directly (they’ll destroy evidence)
- Sign anything from the university or insurance company
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” their phone
- Post details on public social media
Families in Village of Buffalo Springs and across West Texas face unique challenges when hazing occurs at distant campuses. Whether your student attends Texas Tech University in Lubbock or travels to UT Austin, Texas A&M, or other institutions, Texas law provides protections—and our firm stands ready to help you navigate this complex landscape.
What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes
The Modern Definition: Coercion Disguised as Tradition
Hazing is no longer just about “pranks” or “initiation.” Under Texas Education Code Chapter 37, hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers mental or physical health for purposes of affiliation with any student organization. This includes activities that occur both on and off campus. For Village of Buffalo Springs parents, understanding this broad definition is crucial—what might seem like “team bonding” or “tradition” could meet Texas’ legal definition of hazing.
The Four Categories of Modern Hazing
1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
The most common—and most deadly—form involves forced consumption. Unlike casual drinking, hazing involves coercion: “Big/Little” nights where pledges must finish entire bottles, “lineup” challenges where incorrect answers mean drinking, or “family tree” games with escalating penalties. In the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi case, Leonel Bermudez was forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediately required to sprint.
2. Physical Hazing
This extends beyond paddling to include:
- “Smokings” or extreme calisthenics (100+ push-ups, 500 squats in the UH case)
- Sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions” or 3 AM wake-up calls
- Exposure to extreme temperatures (forced outdoor activity in underwear during cold weather)
- Forced consumption of unpalatable substances leading to vomiting
3. Psychological and Digital Hazing
The 24/7 nature of modern connectivity enables new forms of abuse:
- Group chat monitoring with immediate response requirements
- Social media humiliation through forced TikToks or Instagram stories
- Geo-tracking demands via Find My Friends or Life360
- “Silent treatment” or social isolation from non-members
4. Sexualized and Demeaning Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, racial or gender-based humiliation, and degrading costumes or positions. At Texas A&M, a Corps of Cadets lawsuit alleged a student was bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth.
Where Hazing Happens in Texas
While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, hazing occurs across campus:
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- Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs at Texas A&M and other institutions
- Athletic teams from football to swimming (Northwestern University’s 2023 football scandal shows this isn’t just Greek life)
- Spirit and tradition organizations like Texas Cowboys or similar groups
- Marching bands and performance ensembles
- Academic and honors societies
For Village of Buffalo Springs families, this means your child could face hazing risks even if they’re not participating in traditional Greek life.
Texas Hazing Law: What Village of Buffalo Springs Families Need to Know
The Texas Education Code: Your Legal Foundation
Texas has some of the nation’s clearest anti-hazing statutes under Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Here’s what matters for Lubbock County families:
§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers mental or physical health for purposes of affiliation. Location doesn’t matter—it applies on and off campus.
§ 37.152 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
§ 37.155 Critical Protection: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law.
§ 37.154 Reporter Immunity: Good-faith reporting provides protection from liability—crucial for witnesses afraid of retaliation.
Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability
Criminal Cases:
- Prosecuted by the state (Lubbock County District Attorney for local cases)
- Focus on punishment: jail, fines, probation
- Common charges: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in fatal cases
Civil Cases:
- Filed by victims or families for compensation
- Focus on damages: medical bills, pain/suffering, future care costs
- Types: negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision
These can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required for civil action—in fact, most hazing civil cases settle before criminal proceedings conclude.
Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections
Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs by 2026.
Title IX: Applies when hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination.
Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes, including some hazing-related offenses.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Texas Hazing Cases?
- Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or concealed hazing
- Chapter Leaders: Presidents, pledge educators, risk managers
- Local Chapters: As legal entities with insurance coverage
- National Organizations: For failure to supervise or enforce policies
- Universities: For negligent supervision or deliberate indifference
- Property Owners: Of houses or venues where hazing occurred
- Alcohol Providers: Under Texas dram shop laws in some cases
The Leonel Bermudez lawsuit illustrates this comprehensive approach: we’re suing 13 individual members, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the chapter’s housing corporation, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents.
National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families
The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Repeated Tragedies
Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021): Pi Kappa Alpha pledge forced to consume a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night; died from alcohol poisoning. Result: $10 million settlement ($7M from national Pike, $3M from BGSU).
Timothy Piazza – Penn State University (2017): Beta Theta Pi bid acceptance night with extreme drinking; fatal falls captured on security cameras; delayed medical care. Result: Dozens of criminal convictions and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
Max Gruver – LSU (2017): Phi Delta Theta “Bible study” drinking game; died with 0.495% BAC. Result: $6.1 million verdict and Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony.
Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (2017): Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother” night with handle of liquor; died from alcohol poisoning. Result: FSU suspended all Greek life temporarily.
Physical Hazing Patterns: Beyond Alcohol
Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College (2013): Pi Delta Psi pledge died from traumatic brain injury during blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at Pennsylvania retreat. Result: National fraternity convicted of manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
Danny Santulli – University of Missouri (2021): Phi Gamma Delta pledge suffered permanent brain damage from forced drinking during “pledge dad reveal.” Result: Settlements with 22 defendants, lifetime 24/7 care required.
Athletic Program Hazing: Not Just Greek Life
Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Allegations of sexualized, racist hazing over years. Result: Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired, confidential settlements.
What These Cases Mean for Village of Buffalo Springs Families
These national precedents establish crucial legal principles:
- Foreseeability: National organizations know these patterns exist
- Institutional Liability: Universities can be held accountable
- Substantial Damages: Juries award millions for catastrophic injuries
- Legislative Response: Tragedy often drives legal reform
When these same national fraternities operate at Texas Tech, UT Austin, or Texas A&M, they bring these known risks to our state.
Texas Campus Focus: Where Village of Buffalo Springs Students Study
Texas Tech University: Lubbock’s Academic Anchor
For Village of Buffalo Springs Families: Located just minutes away in Lubbock, Texas Tech represents both opportunity and risk for local students. With 40,000+ students and active Greek life, hazing incidents here directly affect our community.
Recent History:
- Multiple fraternity suspensions for alcohol and hazing violations
- Corps of Cadets tradition culture requiring careful monitoring
- Public disciplinary records showing ongoing compliance challenges
Jurisdiction Matters: Hazing cases involving Texas Tech students may be filed in Lubbock County courts, making local legal representation particularly valuable for Village of Buffalo Springs families.
What Texas Tech Parents Should Know:
- The Office of Student Conduct handles hazing reports
- Texas Tech Police Department has jurisdiction on campus
- Lubbock Police Department handles off-campus incidents
- The university’s public hazing log provides transparency
University of Houston: Current Ground Zero for Texas Hazing Litigation
The Leonel Bermudez Case: Our active $10 million lawsuit demonstrates what severe hazing looks like:
- Dates: Fall 2025 pledge period
- Locations: Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park
- Hazing Methods: “Pledge fanny pack” humiliation, forced consumption until vomiting, extreme workouts (100+ push-ups, 500 squats), hose spraying “similar to waterboarding”
- Injuries: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, brown urine, 4-day hospitalization
- Response: Chapter suspended November 6, 2025; charter surrendered November 14, 2025
UH’s Greek Ecosystem: 50+ fraternities and sororities across multiple councils:
- Interfraternity Council (17+ fraternities)
- Houston Panhellenic Council (6 sororities)
- National Pan-Hellenic Council (Divine Nine)
- Multicultural Greek Council
For Village of Buffalo Springs Families: While UH is hours away, the legal principles established in this case apply statewide. The pattern evidence we’re developing—showing national Pi Kappa Phi knew or should have known about these risks—sets precedents that protect all Texas students.
Texas A&M University: Tradition and Risk in College Station
Corps of Cadets Culture: The military-style environment has faced repeated hazing allegations, including a 2023 lawsuit alleging a cadet was bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (2021): Pledges allegedly suffered chemical burns requiring skin grafts after substances including industrial-strength cleaner were poured on them.
Greek Life Scope: 60+ fraternities and sororities serving 70,000+ students.
What Aggie Parents Should Watch For:
- Corps “Fish” year traditions that cross into hazing
- Off-campus ranch events where supervision disappears
- Alcohol poisoning risks in both Greek and Corps contexts
University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Persistent Problems
Public Hazing Log: UT maintains one of Texas’ most transparent systems at hazing.utexas.edu, showing:
- Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members forced to consume milk and perform extreme calisthenics
- Multiple spirit groups sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol hazing
- Recurring violations despite probation and education mandates
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Incident (2024): Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose.
For Village of Buffalo Springs Families: UT’s transparency provides valuable pattern evidence for lawsuits. When organizations appear repeatedly on the hazing log, it demonstrates institutional knowledge of problems.
Southern Methodist University and Baylor University
SMU’s Affluent Greek Culture: Kappa Alpha Order suspension (2017) for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation shows even prestigious private institutions face hazing challenges.
Baylor’s Athletic Hazing: Baseball team suspensions (2020) demonstrate hazing extends beyond Greek life at religious institutions.
Fraternities and Sororities: National Patterns in Texas Chapters
Why National Histories Matter for Texas Cases
When Sigma Alpha Epsilon faces hazing allegations at Texas A&M, their national organization’s history becomes relevant:
- 2014: SAE eliminated pledging nationwide after multiple alcohol deaths
- 2023: University of Alabama SAE lawsuit alleging traumatic brain injury
- Pattern: Multiple chapters suspended for alcohol hazing and physical abuse
This pattern evidence helps prove foreseeability—the national organization knew these risks existed but failed to prevent them at Texas chapters.
Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Our Investigative Advantage
We maintain a comprehensive database of Texas Greek organizations, including:
Public Records Directory: Fraternity/Sorority Entities Serving Texas Families
From IRS B83 Filings (Tax-Exempt Greek Organizations):
- KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC, EIN 133048786, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 filing)
- GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC, EIN 161675890, The Woodlands, TX 77382 (IRS B83 filing)
- ALPHA EPSILON PI FRATERNITY, EIN 262025321, Denton, TX 76201 (IRS B83 filing)
- PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION, EIN 371768785, Missouri City, TX 77459 (IRS B83 filing)
- BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing)
- ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC, EIN 475370943, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing)
- CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY, EIN 740555581, Austin, TX 78705 (IRS B83 filing)
- TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 filing)
- PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY, EIN 746064445, Nederland, TX 77627 (IRS B83 filing)
- SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER, EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing)
From Cause IQ Metro Data (Lubbock Area Organizations):
- Texas Tech Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Housing, Lubbock, TX (housing corporation)
- Kappa Alpha Order – Texas Tech (Gamma Chi), Lubbock, TX (undergraduate chapter)
- Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Lubbock, Lubbock, TX (educators’ society)
- Alpha Phi Omega – TTU Chapter, Lubbock, TX (service fraternity)
Statewide Scope: 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros, including 59 in the Lubbock metro area alone. This data helps us identify all potentially liable entities in hazing cases.
National Brands with Texas Presence: Overlap Evidence
Cross-Validated Organizations (IRS + Cause IQ):
/1. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority: IRS EIN 364091267 (Waco, TX) + Cause IQ listings in Houston and Beaumont metros
/2. Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi: Multiple Texas IRS listings + Cause IQ campus chapters statewide
/3. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity: IRS EINs in Prairie View and Dallas + Cause IQ alumni chapters across Texas
This overlap shows how national organizations operate through multiple legal entities in Texas—all potentially liable in hazing cases.
Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages
Evidence That Wins Cases in 2025
Digital Evidence (Most Critical):
- Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage screenshots with timestamps
- Social Media: Instagram stories, TikTok videos, Snapchat memories
- Deleted Messages: Forensic recovery through digital experts
- Location Data: Geo-tags, Find My Friends history, Uber/Lyft receipts
Physical Evidence:
- Medical records showing rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, or injuries
- Photographs of bruises, burns, or marks with progression documentation
- Clothing with stains or damage from hazing activities
- Objects used in hazing (paddles, props, alcohol containers)
Institutional Records:
- University conduct files showing prior violations
- National fraternity incident reports
- Insurance policies and coverage documents
- Email correspondence between chapter and nationals
The Damages Recoverable in Texas Hazing Cases
Economic Damages (Quantifiable):
- Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation)
- Future medical care (lifetime treatment for permanent injuries)
- Lost educational costs (withdrawn semesters, transferred schools)
- Diminished earning capacity (for career-impacting injuries)
Non-Economic Damages:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, PTSD, depression, anxiety
- Humiliation and loss of dignity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Wrongful Death Damages:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of companionship and support
- Emotional suffering of family members
Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct, courts may award additional damages to punish defendants and deter future conduct.
Strategic Considerations for Texas Cases
Insurance Coverage Battles: Fraternity and university insurers often argue hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct.” Our insider knowledge from Mr. Lupe Peña’s former defense experience helps navigate these disputes.
Sovereign Immunity Challenges: Public universities like Texas Tech and UT have some immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence and Title IX violations.
Statute of Limitations: Generally two years from injury in Texas, but exceptions apply for minors, delayed discovery of injuries, or fraudulent concealment.
Practical Guides for Village of Buffalo Springs Families
For Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing
Warning Signs:
- Unexplained injuries or frequent “accidents”
- Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation
- Sudden personality changes (anxiety, withdrawal)
- Constant phone checking for group chat demands
- Financial strain from unexplained expenses
- Academic decline due to “mandatory” events
Conversation Starters:
- “How are you handling the balance between school and [organization] commitments?”
- “Have you ever felt pressured to do something that made you uncomfortable?”
- “What happens if someone says ‘no’ to an activity in your group?”
If You Suspect Hazing:
- Document Everything: Write down observations with dates
- Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages before deletion
- Medical Evaluation: Insist on medical assessment even if injuries seem minor
- Legal Consultation: Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 before confronting anyone
For Students: Your Rights and Safety Planning
Is This Hazing? Simple Test:
- Are you being pressured or coerced?
- Would you do this if you truly had a choice?
- Is it dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
- Would university officials approve if they knew?
- Are you being told to keep secrets?
Safe Exit Strategies:
- Medical Emergency: Call 911 first, worry about consequences later
- Gradual Withdrawal: Reduce participation while planning full exit
- Formal Resignation: Email chapter president with copy to university
- Support System: Tell trusted friends/family before announcing departure
Evidence Preservation:
- Screenshot Everything: Group chats, DMs, social media posts
- Photograph Injuries: Multiple angles with date verification
- Voice Recordings: Texas is a one-party consent state
- Medical Documentation: Tell providers you were hazed
Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case
1. Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” messages looks like obstruction of justice
2. Direct Confrontation: Alerts organizations to destroy evidence and prepare defenses
3. Signing University Agreements: Often include liability waivers or low settlements
4. Social Media Posts: Inconsistencies are used against you; damages privacy
5. Talking to Insurance Adjusters: Recorded statements minimize your claim
6. Waiting for “Internal Investigation”: Evidence disappears during delays
7. Returning to “One Last Meeting”: Pressure and intimidation occur
Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases
Our Unique Qualifications for Village of Buffalo Springs Families
Insurance Insider Advantage: Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers:
- Value and undervalue hazing claims
- Use Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) to reduce settlements
- Deploy delay tactics to pressure families
- Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
This insider knowledge is invaluable when facing well-funded institutional defendants.
Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Ralph Manginello’s background includes:
- BP Texas City Explosion Litigation (one of few Texas firms involved)
- Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
- 25+ years handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases
- HCCLA membership signaling elite criminal defense capability
We’ve faced billion-dollar defendants before. National fraternities and universities don’t intimidate us.
Texas-Specific Hazing Intelligence: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine includes:
- 1,423 Greek organizations tracked across 25 Texas metros
- IRS B83 data on 125+ Texas-registered Greek entities
- Campus-specific rosters for UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
- National hazing incident database with pattern evidence
When we take your case, we don’t start from zero. We already know the organizations, their structures, and their histories.
Full-Service Capability: Unlike firms that only handle civil cases, we provide:
- Criminal Defense Guidance: For witnesses or participants facing charges
- Civil Litigation: Wrongful death, negligence, Title IX claims
- Insurance Coverage Battles: Navigating complex policy disputes
- Digital Forensics: Recovering deleted messages and social media evidence
Our Approach: Thorough Investigation, Not Quick Settlements
Phase 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation
- Digital forensics to recover deleted communications
- Scene documentation and witness interviews
- Medical record collection and expert consultation
Phase 2: Institutional Investigation
- Subpoena university conduct files
- Obtain national fraternity incident reports
- Identify all potentially liable entities and insurance coverage
Phase 3: Strategic Case Development
- Economic analysis of lifetime damages
- Expert testimony preparation
- Settlement negotiations or trial readiness
Phase 4: Accountability and Prevention
- Pursue policy changes through settlement terms
- Support legislative reform efforts
- Provide closure and vindication for families
Your Next Steps: Village of Buffalo Springs-Specific Guidance
Free Confidential Consultation
If hazing has impacted your family, we offer:
- No-Cost Evaluation: We’ll review your situation without obligation
- Evidence Assessment: Help you preserve critical evidence
- Legal Options Explained: Criminal, civil, university processes
- Realistic Expectations: Timeline, challenges, potential outcomes
- Spanish Services Available: Mr. Peña habla Español
Contact Us Today
The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Legal Emergency Lawyers™
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)
Email: lupe@atty911.com (Mr. Lupe Peña – Se habla Español)
Serving Village of Buffalo Springs and All of Texas:
- Houston Office (Primary)
- Austin Office
- Beaumont Office
- Serving families statewide
What to Expect in Your Consultation
- Listening First: We’ll hear your complete story without interruption
- Evidence Review: We’ll examine any documentation you’ve preserved
- Legal Analysis: We’ll explain how Texas law applies to your situation
- Strategy Discussion: We’ll outline potential approaches and challenges
- Fee Explanation: Contingency basis – no fee unless we recover for you
- No Pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family
Additional Resources for Village of Buffalo Springs Families
Local Support:
- Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office: (806) 775-1400
- Texas Tech University Police: (806) 742-3931
- Lubbock Police Department: (806) 775-2865
National Resources:
- National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
- StopHazing.org: Research and prevention information
Educational Materials:
- Watch our evidence preservation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
- Learn about Texas statutes of limitation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
- Understand common client mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
- How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
Legal Disclaimer
This article provides general information about Texas hazing law and is not legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Hazing cases are fact-specific, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances, evidence, and applicable law. The information is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent legal developments.
If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney to discuss your specific situation. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC offers confidential consultations to Texas families, including those in Village of Buffalo Springs and throughout Lubbock County.
The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
https://attorney911.com
Plain Text Links to Key Resources
News Coverage of Active Texas Hazing Case
- Click2Houston coverage of UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing lawsuit: 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 of Leonel Bermudez’s injuries: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
Attorney911 Educational Videos
- Evidence preservation using your phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
- Texas statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
- Client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
- How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
Firm Information
- Main website and contact: https://attorney911.com
- Wrongful death practice area: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
- Ralph Manginello profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
- Lupe Peña profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/