Texas Hazing Lawsuits: A Complete Guide for Talco & Titus County Families

The Unthinkable Call: When Your Child’s College Experience Turns Dangerous

The phone rings late at night. Your child, who left Talco for college just months ago, is on the line. Their voice is strained, hesitant. They talk about “mandatory events” that keep them out until 3 AM. They mention feeling exhausted, humiliated, pressured to drink things they don’t want. You notice bruises they can’t explain, or a personality that’s become anxious and withdrawn since joining that fraternity, sorority, or campus group. As a parent in Talco, Titus County, your instinct screams that something is wrong—but you don’t have the words for what’s happening.

What you’re witnessing may be hazing: systematic abuse disguised as tradition, bonding, or initiation. This isn’t just “boys will be boys” or “sorority sisterhood.” It’s a dangerous, often illegal pattern that has hospitalized and killed Texas college students.

Right now, in Harris County, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after alleged hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to the lawsuit, he was forced through extreme workouts, made to lie in vomit-soaked grass, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and required to carry a “pledge fanny pack” containing humiliating items. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing kidney damage. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter has been shut down, and we’re pursuing a $10 million lawsuit against the university, national fraternity, housing corporation, and individual members.

This is happening at a major Texas university just hours from Talco. If it can happen there, it can happen at any campus where Titus County students enroll.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR TALCO FAMILIES FACING HAZING

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

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

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24-48 hours:

• Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed evidence, coached witnesses)
• Universities move quickly to control the narrative
• We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

How Modern Hazing Targets Talco Students in 2025

Hazing in 2025 isn’t just paddling and drinking games. It’s evolved into sophisticated, digitally-enabled abuse designed to evade detection while maximizing control over new members.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – Often dismissed as “harmless tradition” but creates psychological control:

• Mandatory servitude (acting as 24/7 designated drivers, cleaning members’ rooms)
• “Pledge fanny packs” with humiliating contents (like in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case)
• Social isolation from non-members, family back in Talco
• Constant group chat monitoring with instant response demands
• Geographic tracking via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – Causes measurable physical or psychological harm:

• Sleep deprivation with 3 AM wake-up calls for “mandatory meetings”
• Forced consumption of disgusting foods or excessive amounts (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns)
• Extreme “workouts” far beyond normal conditioning
• Public humiliation on social media or in group settings
• Verbal abuse and degradation during “interviews” or “grilling sessions”

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – High potential for serious injury or death:

• Forced alcohol consumption during “Big/Little” nights or drinking games
• Physical beatings, paddling, or “gladiator” fights
• Sexualized hazing including forced nudity or simulated acts
• Dangerous physical tests like blindfolded tackles or extreme exposure
• Chemical hazing (like the Texas A&M SAE case where industrial cleaner caused severe burns)

Where Talco Students Encounter Hazing

Talco families should understand that hazing extends beyond fraternity houses:

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural chapters)
• Corps of Cadets & ROTC Programs (particularly at Texas A&M)
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Spirit & Tradition Organizations (like Texas Cowboys, Aggie Bonfire crews)
• Marching Bands & Performance Groups
• Academic & Honor Societies

The common thread? Power imbalance, secrecy, and tradition used to justify abuse.

Texas Hazing Law: What Titus County Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes in the Education Code (Chapter 37, Subchapter F) that protect your child, whether they’re at a campus in Houston or hours from Talco.

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

1. Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
2. Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment
3. State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

Critical Texas Law Provisions:

• § 37.155: Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing
• § 37.154: Good-faith reporter immunity – Protects those who call for help
• Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and banned from campus
• Failure to report hazing by members/officers is itself a crime

Civil Liability Beyond Criminal Charges

While prosecutors decide on criminal charges, your family can pursue civil action for:

• Medical expenses (emergency care, hospitalization, ongoing treatment)
• Future care costs for permanent injuries like kidney damage or PTSD
• Lost educational opportunities (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages if tragedy occurs

Federal Laws That Protect Your Student

1. Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention (phased in by 2026)
2. Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility
3. Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes occurring on or near campus

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Hazing Case?

When we investigate hazing involving Talco students, we look at every entity that failed in their duty:

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, participated in, or covered up hazing
2. Chapter Officers: Presidents, risk managers, pledge educators who enabled or ignored abuse
3. Local Chapter: The fraternity/sorority chapter as an organization
4. National Headquarters: Organizations like Pi Kappa Phi that collect dues, set policies, and oversee chapters
5. University/College: For negligent supervision, failure to investigate prior complaints, or deliberate indifference
6. Housing Corporations: Entities that own chapter houses where hazing occurs
7. Property Owners/Landlords: Of off-campus houses or Airbnbs used for hazing
8. Alumni Advisors & Boards: Who should provide oversight

The Leonel Bermudez case demonstrates this comprehensive approach: we’re suing 13 individual members, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, the national Pi Kappa Phi headquarters, the chapter housing corporation, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: How We Investigate for Talco Families

Most families start from zero when hazing happens. We start with 1,423 tracked Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros and a proprietary database built from public records, IRS filings, and institutional data.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Connected to Talco Families

If your child from Talco is hazed at a Texas university, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek letters. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine maintains records on hundreds of organizations that may hold insurance coverage and liability.

Northeast Texas & Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Entities (relevant to Talco families):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – EIN: 74-2911848 – Fort Worth, TX 76244 – Cause IQ Metro Listing
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN: 74-1380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061 – IRS B83 Filing
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – EIN: 52-1278573 – Dallas, TX 75241-4331 – Lambda Lambda Chapter – IRS B83 Filing
• Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) – Arlington, TX – National sorority headquarters in Dallas area – Cause IQ Metro Listing
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Texas Rho Corp. – Austin, TX – House corporation at University of Texas – Cause IQ Metro Listing
• Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter – Denton, TX – Chapter at Texas Woman’s University – Cause IQ Metro Listing
• Delta Kappa Epsilon – Tau Gamma House Corp. – Addison, TX – Housing corporation – Cause IQ Metro Listing

Major Texas University Entities (where Talco students often enroll):

• Pi Kappa Phi – Beta Nu Housing Corporation Inc – EIN: 46-2267515 – Frisco, TX 75035-6629 – IRS B83 Filing (Entity involved in UH case)
• Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Texas Gamma Chapter – EIN: 92-0575785 – Fort Worth, TX 76109-1149 – IRS B83 Filing
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN: 90-0293166 – College Station, TX 77843-0001 – Texas A&M University Chapter – IRS B83 Filing
• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi – EIN: 74-6047117 – Austin, TX 78705-4017 – IRS B83 Filing
• Chi Omega Fraternity – EIN: 74-0555581 – Austin, TX 78705-4018 – Chi Omega House Corporation – IRS B83 Filing
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – EIN: 74-6084905 – Houston, TX 77204-3067 – IRS B83 Filing

Texas-Wide Greek Organization Snapshot:

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – EIN: 36-4091267 – Waco, TX 76710-4154 – Xi Chi Chapter – IRS B83 Filing
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – EIN: 47-5370943 – Houston, TX 77204-7005 – Theta Delta Chapter – IRS B83 Filing
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc – EIN: 45-3325054 – Mansfield, TX 76063-0169 – IRS B83 Filing
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated – Sigma Gamma Chapter – EIN: 39-2352450 – Houston, TX 77254-0026 – IRS B83 Filing

This directory represents just a fraction of the 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations we track through IRS B83 filings, plus 129 additional organizations identified in Cause IQ metro analyses across 15 Texas metropolitan areas. When your Talco family faces a hazing crisis, we don’t start from zero—we already know how to find the organizations behind the letters.

Where Talco & Titus County Families Send Their Students

Talco students attend universities across Texas, often choosing schools within a few hours’ drive or major statewide institutions:

Northeast Texas Regional Campuses:

• Texas A&M University-Commerce (Hunt County) – Just over an hour from Talco
• University of Texas at Tyler (Smith County) – Approximately 90 minutes away
• Texas A&M University-Texarkana (Bowie County) – Within driving distance
• Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches County) – East Texas option

Major Texas Universities (Common Choices):

• University of Houston (where the Bermudez case occurred)
• Texas A&M University (College Station, with active Corps and Greek life)
• University of Texas at Austin (flagship campus with extensive Greek system)
• Baylor University (Waco, with strong Greek presence)
• Southern Methodist University (Dallas, private university with affluent Greek life)
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock)
• University of North Texas (Denton)
• Texas State University (San Marcos)

Cross-Validated National Brands Operating in Texas

Our data shows how the same national organizations appear across multiple Texas campuses and metros:

1. Pi Kappa Alpha – Appears in IRS filings (EIN: 74-6064445) and Cause IQ metro data as “Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity” in Houston
2. Sigma Gamma Rho – Multiple IRS entities (EINs: 36-4091267, 75-2609909) matched to Cause IQ listings in Houston and Beaumont metros
3. Kappa Alpha Psi – IRS filings in Prairie View, Mansfield, and Dallas matched to Cause IQ alumni chapters statewide
4. Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Eight separate IRS entities across Texas campuses matched to Cause IQ academic chapter listings

This cross-validation matters because when a national organization like Pi Kappa Phi (involved in the UH case) or Sigma Alpha Epsilon (multiple Texas incidents) has chapters across Texas, their national headquarters can’t claim “we didn’t know this could happen here.”

National Hazing Patterns: What History Tells Us About Current Risks

The cases making headlines today follow patterns established through decades of hazing tragedies. When we represent Talco families, we use these patterns to prove foreseeability and negligence.

Alcohol Hazing: The Deadliest Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021): Pi Kappa Alpha pledge died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night. $10 million settlement ($7M from national Pi Kappa Alpha, ~$3M from university).

Max Gruver – LSU (2017): Phi Delta Theta pledge died during “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Blood alcohol level: 0.495%. Resulted in Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute).

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (2017): Pi Kappa Phi pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother Night.” Led to temporary suspension of all FSU Greek life.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State (2017): Beta Theta Pi pledge died after falling multiple times during bid acceptance drinking event, with fraternity brothers delaying medical help for hours. 18 members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts total.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College (2013): Pi Delta Psi pledge died from traumatic brain injury after being repeatedly tackled during blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a Pennsylvania retreat. National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Texas A&M Chemical Burns Case (2021): Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledges allegedly had industrial-strength cleaner poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. $1 million lawsuit filed against the chapter.

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over multiple years. Multiple lawsuits filed, head coach fired, university facing significant liability.

What These Patterns Mean for Talco Families

These national cases establish that:

1. National fraternities know these risks exist – They’ve paid millions in settlements
2. Universities know they need to supervise – Multiple schools have faced massive verdicts
3. The same dangerous “traditions” repeat across campuses and organizations
4. Cover-ups and delayed medical care worsen outcomes and increase liability

When your Talco student is hazed at a Texas university, we use these national patterns to show that the organization should have known this could happen and failed to prevent it.

Texas University Hazing Realities: Where Talco Students Face Risks

University of Houston: The Current Front Line

The Leonel Bermudez Case (2025): Our firm’s active litigation against UH and Pi Kappa Phi demonstrates the severe hazing risks present at Texas’s third-largest university. Key details from the lawsuit:

• Hazing occurred at multiple locations: Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• “Pledge fanny pack” rule requiring carrying condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices
• Extreme physical abuse: sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure
• Medical outcome: rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, brown urine, 4-day hospitalization
• Institutional response: Chapter suspended November 6, 2025; charter surrendered November 14, 2025
• UH statement: Conduct “deeply disturbing,” cooperating with law enforcement

UH’s Greek Ecosystem: Approximately 30+ fraternity and sorority chapters including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Lambda Chi Alpha, and multiple NPHC (Divine Nine) organizations.

Prior UH Incidents: 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case where pledge suffered lacerated spleen during hazing; chapter faced misdemeanor charges and suspension.

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture & Greek Life

Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in “roasted pig” position with apple in mouth. Sought over $1 million in damages.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. Chapter suspended, $1 million lawsuit filed.

Aggie Bonfire Tragedy (1999): While not traditional hazing, the collapse that killed 12 students highlighted risks of tradition-heavy, student-led activities with inadequate supervision. Settlements exceeded $6 million.

Texas A&M’s Dual Risk Environment: Both Corps traditions and Greek life create overlapping hazing risks. The university’s size (over 70,000 students) and traditional culture can enable abuse to continue through “that’s how it’s always been” mentality.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency & Repeated Violations

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page: UT maintains one of Texas’s most transparent hazing disclosure systems, showing patterns of repeated violations:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: probation and mandatory hazing prevention education.
• Texas Wranglers (multiple years): Spirit organization sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Australian exchange student alleged assault resulting in dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose. Lawsuit seeking over $1 million filed.

UT’s Greek Density: Over 60 fraternity and sorority chapters on a campus with strong Greek tradition and significant social pressure to join.

Southern Methodist University: Affluent Greek Culture

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended until approximately 2021.

SMU’s Greek Dominance: As a private university with affluent student body, Greek life dominates social scene, with approximately 35% of students participating. This concentration can increase pressure and secrecy around hazing.

Baylor University: Religious Identity & Athletic Hazing

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation, with staggered suspensions affecting team’s early season.

Broader Cultural Context: Baylor’s recent history with football sexual assault scandal demonstrates institutional challenges in addressing systemic abuse within high-profile programs.

For Talco Families: What These Campus Realities Mean

1. No Texas university is immune – Large public flagships, private religious schools, and everything in between have faced serious hazing incidents
2. Transparency varies widely – UT publishes violations; other schools handle matters internally
3. Athletic programs pose equal risk to Greek organizations
4. Tradition-heavy environments (Corps, spirit groups) can enable abuse to continue
5. Your child’s campus likely has prior incidents we can uncover through investigation

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Recovery for Talco Families

When hazing harms your child from Talco, building a strong case requires immediate action and strategic investigation.

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

• Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps
• Social media: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok videos, Facebook posts
• Deleted message recovery: Digital forensics can often retrieve “disappearing” messages
• Location data: Geo-tags, Snapchat maps, Find My Friends history

Documentation Evidence:

• Medical records: ER reports, hospitalization records, lab results (like the critically high creatine kinase levels in the Bermudez case)
• University records: Prior conduct violations, probation letters, incident reports
• Organization documents: Pledge manuals, ritual scripts, meeting minutes
• Photographic evidence: Injuries, hazing locations, objects used

Witness Testimony:

• Other pledges experiencing same treatment
• Former members who quit over hazing concerns
• Roommates, friends, RAs who observed changes
• Medical personnel who treated injuries

Damages: What Talco Families Can Recover

Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost educational costs (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
• Future earning capacity reduction (for permanent injuries)
• Therapy and counseling costs

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Humiliation and reputational harm

Wrongful Death Damages (if tragedy occurs):

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship and support
• Emotional suffering of family
• Parents’ and siblings’ mental health treatment

Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or intentional conduct, courts may award additional damages to punish defendants and deter future hazing.

Case Strategy: Overcoming Common Defenses

When we represent Talco families, we anticipate and counter these common defense tactics:

1. “They Consented” Defense: Texas law § 37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. We demonstrate the power imbalance and coercion.

2. “Rogue Chapter” Defense: We show national organizations knew or should have known about risks based on their own history and prior incidents.

3. “Off-Campus” Defense: Location doesn’t eliminate liability when organizations sponsor, fund, or oversee activities.

4. “We Had Policies” Defense: We prove policies were window-dressing, not meaningfully enforced.

5. Insurance Coverage Fights: Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable here—he knows exactly how insurers try to deny hazing claims.

Practical Guide for Talco Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Steps

Red Flags Your Child May Be Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
• Secretive about organization activities
• Constant phone monitoring for group chat demands
• Financial pressure (unexplained expenses, requests for money)
• Academic decline or missed classes for “mandatory events”

Immediate Action Checklist:

1. Medical First: If injured or intoxicated, get to ER immediately
2. Document Everything: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries, save physical evidence
3. Write Detailed Notes: Who, what, when, where while memory is fresh
4. Contact Attorney911: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 within 24-48 hours before evidence disappears
5. Do NOT Confront: The organization directly—they’ll destroy evidence and lawyer up

Working with the University:

• Document all communications
• Ask specifically about prior incidents involving the same organization
• Don’t sign any settlement or release without legal review
• Remember: university interests may not align with your family’s need for accountability

For Students: Rights, Reporting & Safety

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

• Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
• Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would my parents in Talco approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
• Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?

Your Legal Rights in Texas:

• You cannot be punished for calling 911 in a medical emergency (good-faith reporter immunity)
• Consent is NOT a defense to hazing under Texas law
• You can request no-contact orders if facing retaliation
• You have the right to quit an organization at any time, regardless of what you’ve been told

Safe Reporting Options:

• Campus police or Dean of Students office
• Anonymous reporting hotlines (many universities have them)
• National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE
• Through an attorney who can protect your identity

Critical Mistakes That Destroy Hazing Cases

MISTAKE #1: Deleting evidence to “protect” your child

• Reality: Looks like a cover-up; may be obstruction of justice
• Solution: Preserve EVERYTHING immediately

MISTAKE #2: Confronting the organization directly

• Reality: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
• Solution: Document quietly, then call an attorney first

MISTAKE #3: Signing university settlement offers without review

• Reality: Early settlements are often lowball; you may waive important rights
• Solution: “I need to have my attorney review this before I sign anything”

MISTAKE #4: Posting details on social media

• Reality: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
• Solution: Keep documentation private; let your lawyer control messaging

MISTAKE #5: Waiting “to see how the university handles it”

• Reality: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitations run
• Solution: Preserve evidence NOW; consult attorney immediately

Why Talco Families Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

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

Our Competitive Advantages for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña):

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

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello):

• One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
• Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• Not intimidated by national fraternities or university legal teams
• “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Results:

• Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases
• Experience collaborating with economists on lifetime care needs
• We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force real accountability

Dual Criminal/Civil Hazing Expertise:

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

Investigative Depth & Data Advantage:

• Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: 1,423 Greek organizations tracked across 25 metros
• Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
• Experience obtaining hidden evidence through discovery
• “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does”

Spanish-Language Services:

• Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish
• Servicios legales disponibles en Español para familias hispanas

Our Active Texas Hazing Litigation

Right now, we’re leading the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi case—a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit that has already shut down a fraternity chapter and is holding multiple entities accountable. This isn’t theoretical experience; it’s active, current litigation demonstrating our commitment to hazing victims.

When we take your Talco family’s case, we bring:

• Immediate evidence preservation (before group