Hazing at Texas Universities: A Complete Legal Guide for City of San Augustine & East Texas Families
1. A Message to Families in City of San Augustine, Groveton, Broaddus, and Across San Augustine County
The Phone Call No Parent Wants to Receive
Imagine you’re at home in our tight-knit community of San Augustine, and your phone rings late on a Wednesday night. It’s your child, a student at a Texas university—maybe Stephen F. Austin State University just up the road in Nacogdoches, Texas A&M in College Station, or the University of Houston. Their voice is shaky, distant. They talk about “mandatory” events, exhaustion that goes beyond finals week, or an unexplained injury they brush off as “just part of the process.” You hear anxiety you’ve never heard before, a fear of disappointing their new “brothers” or “sisters.” The vibrant, hopeful student you dropped off at campus has been replaced by someone who sounds isolated and afraid.
This is the reality for Texas families right now. Hazing—the forced, coercive, or dangerous rituals tied to joining campus groups—isn’t a relic of the past. It’s a present and active crisis, hidden behind traditions, loyalty, and fear. And it’s happening closer to home than you might think.
A Recent, Local Case That Shows the Stark Reality
As we speak, our firm is actively fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge who suffered catastrophic injuries in late 2025.
According to a detailed Click2Houston report and ABC13 coverage, Bermudez’s fall pledge period involved systemic abuse: a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” rule, forced chauffeuring, sleep deprivation, and extreme physical hazing. This culminated in a November 3rd “workout” where he was forced to do over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. In the days that followed, Bermudez’s health collapsed. He was hospitalized for four days after being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. His urine was brown, a telltale sign of the life-threatening condition.
This $10 million lawsuit names not just the individual fraternity members, but the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, and the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters. The chapter is now shut down, but the medical and psychological harm to Bermudez is ongoing. This case is not an anomaly. It is a glaring example of the institutional failures and brutal traditions that put students from San Augustine County and all across Texas at risk every semester.
What This Guide Offers You
If you are a parent in San Augustine, Pineland, or anywhere in East Texas, this comprehensive guide is for you. We will dismantle the myths about hazing and show you what it really looks like in 2025. We will explain the Texas laws designed to protect your child, the national patterns of abuse that repeat on our campuses, and the specific landscapes at universities where your children are most likely to be: University of Houston, Texas A&M University, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor. We will also provide a clear, step-by-step roadmap of your legal rights and options.
This is general educational information, not specific legal advice. But knowledge is the first step to protection. If the worst has happened, you are not alone. Our firm is here to help families in San Augustine and across Texas find answers, achieve accountability, and secure the future their child deserves.
IMMEDIATE HELP FOR A HAZING EMERGENCY
If your child is in danger or has been seriously injured, act now.
- Call 911 for any medical emergency.
- Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason—we provide immediate help.
- In the first 48 hours:
- Get medical attention, even if your child resists.
- Preserve evidence: Take screenshots of all group chats (GroupMe, texts, Instagram DMs). Photograph injuries from multiple angles. Save any physical items.
- Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations.
- DO NOT: Confront the fraternity/sorority, sign anything from the university, or post details on social media.
- Contact an experienced hazing lawyer within 24-48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
2. Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas
Hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypical “prank.” It is a calculated system of control, humiliation, and endangerment that exploits a young person’s desire to belong. For students from close communities like ours in San Augustine, the pressure to fit into a new campus “family” can be overwhelming, making them vulnerable targets.
The Modern Definition: Coercion, Not Consent
Legally and morally, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or gaining status within a group, where that act endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
The critical point for parents is this: “My child agreed to it” is not a defense. True consent cannot exist when there is a profound power imbalance, intense peer pressure, and the implicit threat of social exile. Texas law recognizes this reality.
The Four Categories of Modern Hazing
1. Substance Hazing (The Most Common & Deadly)
This remains the leading cause of hazing deaths nationwide. It’s not “just drinking.”
- Forced/Coerced Consumption: “Lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, “Bible study” or trivia games where wrong answers mean shots.
- Drug Use: Being pressured to consume drugs to “prove loyalty” or “bond.”
- The Reality in Texas: The national tragedies of Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha) and Max Gruver (Phi Delta Theta) started exactly this way. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Bermudez was forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then forced to sprint.
2. Physical Hazing (Beyond “Hard Workouts”)
Disguised as “conditioning” or “tradition,” this is often assault.
- Violent Exercise: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups/squats until collapse (as in the UH case), bear crawls, wheelbarrow races.
- Paddling & Beatings: Still prevalent, especially in certain traditions, causing bruising, hematomas, and broken skin.
- Dangerous Exposure: Being locked in freezing rooms, left outside in extreme weather, or—as alleged at UH—sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”
- Sleep & Food Deprivation: Mandatory all-night “study” sessions, being on-call 24/7, restrictions on meals.
3. Psychological & Sexualized Hazing (The Hidden Scars)
This inflicts deep, lasting trauma that may not leave physical marks.
- Humiliation: Forced nudity, degrading costumes, “roasts,” being forced to carry humiliating items (like the “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys at UH).
- Sexualized Acts: Simulated sexual acts, “elephant walks,” coerced sexual activity. This can trigger Title IX investigations alongside hazing claims.
- Isolation & Control: Being cut off from non-member friends, having social media policed, being required to instantly respond to all group chat messages.
4. Digital Hazing (The 24/7 Pressure Cooker)
Smartphones have created a platform for relentless, documented abuse.
- Group Chat Tyranny: Constant demands, threats, and humiliation in GroupMe, WhatsApp, or Discord. Geolocation sharing is often mandatory.
- Social Media Humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing TikToks or Instagram stories; public shaming in online forums.
- Evidence & Cover-Up: These digital trails are both a record of the abuse and the first thing to be deleted when an investigation begins.
3. Texas Hazing Law & Liability: Your Legal Framework
Texas has specific statutes to combat hazing, but the legal path to justice involves both criminal and civil avenues. Understanding this framework is crucial for San Augustine families.
Texas Education Code, Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute
- Definition (Sec. 37.151): Hazing is defined broadly as reckless or intentional acts that endanger physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation or affiliation into a group.
- Criminal Penalties (Sec. 37.152):
- Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
- Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes bodily injury.
- State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
- No Consent Defense (Sec. 37.155): Crucially, the victim’s “consent” is not a defense. This means fraternities cannot claim your child “wanted to do it.”
- Immunity for Reporters (Sec. 37.154): Individuals who in good faith report hazing or call for emergency medical aid are immune from civil/criminal liability for their own minor involvement (like underage drinking). This is meant to remove the fear of calling 911.
Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability
Criminal Prosecution:
- Brought by: The State of Texas (County DA or Attorney General).
- Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation).
- Charges Can Include: Hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to a minor, manslaughter in fatal cases.
- Impact on Families: While it provides public accountability, a criminal case does not financially compensate your family for medical bills, trauma, or lost future earnings.
Civil Lawsuit:
- Brought by: The injured student or their family (with attorneys like us).
- Goal: Monetary compensation (damages) for harms suffered and to hold all responsible parties accountable.
- Legal Theories: Negligence, gross negligence, negligent supervision, wrongful death, premises liability, intentional infliction of emotional distress.
- The Key Difference: You can pursue a civil lawsuit even if no criminal charges are ever filed. The burden of proof is different (“preponderance of the evidence” vs. “beyond a reasonable doubt”).
The Web of Liability: Who Can Be Held Responsible?
A robust civil case looks beyond the individual who handed your child a bottle. We investigate and build claims against every entity that enabled the harm.
- Individual Students: The pledge educator, president, and members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
- The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued for creating a dangerous culture.
- The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: This is often where the deepest pockets and greatest accountability lie. We subpoena their records to prove foreseeability—showing they knew of the same dangerous rituals at other chapters but failed to act. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, the national organization is a named defendant.
- The University: Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence or violations of duties under laws like Title IX. They can be liable for failing to supervise recognized student organizations, ignoring prior complaints, or having inadequate policies.
- Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, alumni housing corporations, and even bars that provided alcohol.
Federal Laws Overlaying Texas Cases
- The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal funds to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs by 2026.
- Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, it triggers the university’s federal Title IX obligations for investigation and support.
- Clery Act: Requires universities to disclose campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.
4. National Hazing Patterns: The Playbook Texas Chapters Follow
The tragedies in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana are not distant news. They are a predictable playbook that repeats itself on Texas campuses. These national cases establish legal precedents and reveal the patterns we use to prove liability.
The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: A Fatal Script
- Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A “Big/Little” night ended with the 20-year-old pledge dead from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink a bottle of whiskey. Result: A $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, $3M from BGSU) and criminal convictions.
- Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant chugging. Gruver died with a 0.495% BAC. Result: The Max Gruver Act (Louisiana’s felony hazing law) and a $6.1 million verdict for his family.
- Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Died after a “Big Brother” night. His case shut down FSU Greek life temporarily and led to national scrutiny of Pi Kappa Phi—the same fraternity now involved in the UH lawsuit.
The Lesson for Texas Parents: The “Big/Little” event, the drinking game, the handle of liquor—these are not spontaneous parties. They are planned, traditional, and deadly. When we see them in Texas, we know nationals like Pi Kappa Alpha and Pi Kappa Phi were already on notice.
The Physical Torture Pattern: Beyond “Hard Workouts”
- Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Pledge died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. Result: The national fraternity was criminally convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
- Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): Forced drinking left the 18-year-old with permanent, catastrophic brain damage. He cannot walk, talk, or see. Result: Settlements with 22 defendants, showcasing the wide net of liability.
The Lesson for Texas Parents: Hazing that seems like “just a tough workout” can cause rhabdomyolysis (like Bermudez) or brain damage. Moving abuse to off-campus retreats (like Deng) is a common tactic to avoid university oversight, but it does not absolve liability.
The Institutional Failure Pattern: When the System Itself is Broken
- Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): His death from falls after forced drinking, captured on chapter house video, exposed a culture of delay and cover-up. Result: The Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and dozens of criminal charges.
- Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): A massive scandal alleging sexualized and racist hazing across the athletic program. Result: Head coach fired, confidential settlements, and proof that hazing pervades athletics, not just Greek life.
The Lesson for Texas Parents: Universities and national organizations often have policies on paper but fail at enforcement. A pattern of ignored warnings or lax punishment for prior violations is powerful evidence of negligent supervision.
5. The Texas Campus Landscape: Where San Augustine Students Are at Risk
Families in San Augustine County send their students to universities across the state. The following campuses have significant Greek life, athletic programs, and tradition-based groups where hazing risks are present. We maintain detailed intelligence on the organizational ecosystems at each.
A. Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, TX)
For San Augustine Families: Located just 40 miles from San Augustine, SFA is a primary destination for local students. Its Greek community is active, and families should be as vigilant here as at larger schools.
Documented Greek Life Presence (From Public Records): Public IRS filings show active Greek organizations based in Nacogdoches, including:
- Chi Omega Fraternity – Epsilon Zeta Chapter (EIN: 756041410), Nacogdoches, TX 75965.
- Epsilon Tau Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity (EIN: 756053083), Nacogdoches, TX 75961.
- Alpha Tau Omega Housing Corporation of Eta Iota Chapter (EIN: 300517788), Nacogdoches, TX 75965.
What Parents Should Know: SFA, like all Texas public universities, is subject to Education Code Chapter 37. Hazing incidents here would fall under the jurisdiction of Nacogdoches County courts. The proximity means families can be on-site quickly if a crisis occurs.
B. University of Houston – The Flagship Case in Our Backyard
The Active Litigation: The Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case is the current paradigm. It alleges UH failed in its duty to protect a student from known dangers within a recognized student organization.
UH’s Greek Ecosystem: UH hosts a large, diverse Greek community. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter was part of the Interfraternity Council (IFC), which also includes chapters of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others with national hazing histories.
Public Records Context: The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro area, according to our data, contains 188 Greek-related organizations. The entities behind UH chapters are often legally distinct. For example, the Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. (EIN: 462267515) is registered in Frisco, TX. Unraveling this corporate web is essential to locating all sources of insurance and liability.
For San Augustine Families: A student at UH is hours from home, which can increase feelings of isolation if hazing begins. Understanding that help from a Texas-based firm is available can be critical.
C. Texas A&M University & The Corps of Cadets
A Unique Risk Environment: Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets and its robust Greek life create overlapping hazing risks. Traditions run deep, and the line between “tough training” and illegal hazing can be deliberately blurred.
Documented Incidents:
- Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (~2021): Pledges alleged being doused with an industrial-strength cleaner among other substances, causing severe burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended.
Public Records Context: The College Station-Bryan metro has 42 Greek organizations. A&M-related entities in IRS files include the Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc. (EIN: 133048786) and the Eta Alpha House Corporation of Kappa Delta Sorority (EIN: 742930349).
D. University of Texas at Austin
Transparency & Persistent Problems: UT Austin maintains a public “Hazing Violations” log, one of the more transparent in the state. This very log proves hazing is ongoing.
Recent Violations (From UT’s Log):
- Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume excessive milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Ongoing): Facing a lawsuit from an Australian exchange student who alleged a brutal assault at a party, resulting in a broken nose, fractured tibia, and dislocated leg.
Public Records Context: The Austin-Round Rock metro contains 154 Greek organizations. IRS records show entities like the Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi (EIN: 746047117) and Chi Omega House Corporation (EIN: 740555581), both in Austin.
E. Southern Methodist University & Baylor University
Private University Dynamics: As private institutions, SMU and Baylor have different legal exposures but no less serious hazing problems. Their religious affiliations (particularly Baylor’s) do not insulate them from liability.
Documented Issues:
- SMU – Kappa Alpha Order: The chapter was suspended for several years after allegations of paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.
- Baylor Baseball (2020): 14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation, showing the problem extends to athletics.
The Common Thread: Whether in Dallas or Waco, the national organizations on these campuses—Kappa Sigma, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta—are the same ones implicated in deaths and injuries nationwide. Their national histories are directly relevant to local chapter conduct.
6. The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter
When a Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter at Texas A&M pours cleaner on pledges, it’s not an isolated event. It’s part of SAE’s national history of chemical burns, traumatic brain injury lawsuits, and alcohol deaths. This pattern evidence is legally critical. It proves national headquarters were on notice that their chapters engaged in specific, dangerous behaviors but failed to take adequate steps to prevent them.
How We Use National History to Build Your Texas Case
- Foreseeability: We subpoena a national fraternity’s internal records to show they received complaints about “Big/Little” alcohol hazing at other chapters before it hurt a Texas student. This makes them liable.
- Negligent Supervision: If their solution to prior violations was a mere “warning letter” or brief probation, we argue that was grossly inadequate—a policy on paper only.
- Punitive Damages: Showing a national organization knowingly tolerated a dangerous “tradition” can justify punitive damages meant to punish and deter.
Example: Pi Kappa Phi’s National Pattern. Before the UH case, Pi Kappa Phi was already nationally known for the Andrew Coffey alcohol poisoning death at FSU. This prior tragedy makes it harder for their national headquarters to claim the UH chapter’s conduct was unforeseeable or rogue. We use this overlap to establish their knowledge and duty.
7. Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages
If hazing has injured your child, taking swift, deliberate action is paramount. The defense—the fraternity, the university, their insurers—will move quickly to limit liability. Our approach is built on thorough investigation and aggressive advocacy.
Step 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation (The 48-Hour Protocol)
Digital evidence is fragile. We guide families to:
- Screenshot ALL Group Chats: Capture full threads in GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, showing names and timestamps.
- Save Social Media: Preserve Instagram Stories, Snapchat memories (if possible), TikTok posts, and Facebook messages related to the events.
- Photograph Everything: Injuries (with a ruler for scale), the scene of the incident, any props or alcohol containers.
- Medical Documentation: Go to the ER or a doctor immediately. Ensure the medical record states the injuries are “due to hazing” or “following a fraternity event.”
- Write a Narrative: Have the victim write down a detailed timeline of everything that happened, with names, while memory is fresh.
Step 2: The Investigative Phase – Uncovering the Full Story
We go far beyond the initial incident:
- Digital Forensics: Work with experts to recover deleted messages and metadata.
- Subpoena University Records: Obtain prior conduct files on the involved organization, emails between administrators, and Clery Act reports.
- Subpoena National Fraternity Records: Access their “risk management” files, incident reports from other chapters, and communication with the local chapter.
- Identify All Entities: Using resources like our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we identify every legally liable organization—the local chapter corporation, the alumni housing board, the national headquarters—each of which may carry separate insurance.
Step 3: Proving Damages – What Your Family Can Recover
A civil lawsuit seeks to make your family whole and deter future conduct. Recoverable damages include:
Economic Damages (Calculable Losses):
- All past and future medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medications).
- Lost wages for a parent who had to miss work.
- Loss of future earning capacity if the injuries cause a permanent disability.
- Educational costs (lost tuition, delayed graduation).
Non-Economic Damages (The Human Cost):
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Mental anguish, trauma, humiliation, and PTSD.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- For wrongful death cases: funeral costs and the family’s loss of companionship, love, and support.
Our Strategic Advantages in Hazing Litigation
- Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense lawyer for national firms. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We know their playbook.
- Complex Institutional Litigation: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. Facing billion-dollar defendants with armies of lawyers is what we do. Universities and national fraternities do not intimidate us.
- Dual Civil/Criminal Insight: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal hazing process, which often runs parallel to a civil case. We can advise clients navigating both systems.
8. Practical Guides & Critical FAQs for San Augustine Families
For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps
Your child may be being hazed if they:
- Come home with unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
- Are constantly exhausted, more than academics would explain.
- Become secretive about their organization’s activities.
- Show sudden personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
- Are financially drained by unexplained “fines” or mandatory purchases.
- Are constantly glued to their phone, anxious about group chat messages.
What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:
- Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “What does a typical week look for you in the fraternity?” “Has anything made you feel uncomfortable?”
- Prioritize Safety: If they are injured or severely intoxicated, seek medical care immediately.
- Preserve, Don’t Confront: Document what you learn, but do not confront the organization. This triggers evidence destruction.
- Seek Legal Counsel: Contact a hazing attorney before reporting to the university. We can help you navigate the process to protect your child’s rights and maximize evidence preservation.
For Students: Is This Hazing? How to Get Out Safely.
- The Simple Test: Would you do this activity if you truly had a free choice, with no social pressure or fear of being kicked out? If the answer is no, it’s likely hazing.
- Your Rights in Texas:
- You can leave any organization at any time.
- You have legal protections as a hazing victim.
- Texas law provides immunity for those who call 911 in a medical emergency related to hazing.
- Exiting Safely: Tell a trusted friend or family member first. Then, send a clear, written resignation to the chapter president (email or text). Do not agree to attend “one last meeting.”
Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Potential Case
- Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” group chats is often construed as obstruction of justice.
- Confronting the Fraternity Directly: This gives them a head start to lawyer up, destroy evidence, and coach witnesses.
- Signing University Resolution Forms: Universities may offer quick “internal resolutions” that require you to waive your right to sue.
- Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys scour social media for inconsistencies or statements that can be used against you.
- Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the Texas two-year statute of limitations continues to tick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can we sue the university?
A: Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities are not completely immune, especially in cases of gross negligence or violating duties under laws like Title IX. Private universities like SMU and Baylor can also be sued. The viability depends entirely on the facts of your case.
Q: What if it happened off-campus at a house the university doesn’t own?
A: Location does not eliminate liability. National fraternities and universities can still be liable based on their sponsorship and control of the organization. The Pi Delta Psi case (Michael Deng) happened at a remote retreat and still resulted in convictions.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Texas, the general statute of limitations for personal injury, including hazing injury, is two years from the date of the incident. However, exceptions and complexities exist. Do not wait. Consult an attorney immediately to protect your rights.
Q: Will this be public? Will my child’s name be in the news?
A: Most civil cases settle confidentially before trial. We always prioritize our clients’ privacy and can often negotiate for sealed records and confidential settlement terms. The initial UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit became public because of media reporting on the filed complaint.
9. Why The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case
When your family faces the trauma of hazing, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the depth of the institutional fight ahead. We are not a high-volume personal injury mill. We are a Texas complex litigation firm that chooses to take on the difficult cases against powerful opponents.
Our Proven Advantage in Hazing Litigation
- We Are Currently in the Fight: We are lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. We are not theorizing about hazing law; we are actively litigating one of the most serious cases in the state. We know the current tactics of university and fraternity defense teams.
- Insider Knowledge of Insurance Defense: Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable. We know how insurers will try to deny coverage, undervalue your claim, and drag out the process. We build cases to counter these tactics from day one.
- Experience Against Goliaths: Our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation proved our capability against defendants with unlimited resources. National fraternities and major universities use the same playbook.
- A Deep, Data-Driven Investigation: We maintain the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, a proprietary database of Greek organizations, their corporate structures, and their histories. We don’t start from zero; we start with intelligence.
- Compassionate, Client-Centered Advocacy: We understand the profound emotional toll on your family. We are here to carry the legal burden so you can focus on healing. We communicate clearly and regularly, ensuring you are empowered and informed at every step.
A Free, Confidential Consultation for San Augustine Families
If you suspect your child has been hazed at any Texas university—whether it’s SFA, Texas A&M, UH, or anywhere else—we urge you to contact us. Your first step costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
In your free consultation, we will:
- Listen carefully to your story.
- Review any evidence you have gathered.
- Explain your legal rights and options in clear, straightforward terms.
- Discuss how we investigate hazing cases and our fee structure (we work on a contingency basis—no fee unless we win).
- Help you plan the next steps, whether that involves us or not.
You don’t have to navigate this crisis alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers. You deserve dedicated, experienced advocates on your side.
Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) Today
Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com
Se habla Español. Mr. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal services.
We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. If hazing has impacted your family in San Augustine, San Augustine County, or anywhere in Texas, we are here to help you seek justice, accountability, and a safer future for all students.
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. The facts of each case are unique, and the law is constantly evolving. If you believe you or your child has been a victim of hazing, you should immediately consult with a qualified attorney to discuss the specific details of your situation and your legal rights.
The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) | Houston, Austin, & Beaumont, Texas
