Hazing at Texas Universities: A Complete Legal Guide for Families in Sabinal

If Your Child Was Hazed at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor, You’re Not Alone—And You Have Rights

Imagine this: Your child from Sabinal, excited to start college at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, or UT Austin, accepts a bid to join a fraternity or sorority. What begins as camaraderie turns into something darker. Late-night texts demand immediate responses. “Mandatory” events conflict with classes and sleep. You notice unexplained bruises during a visit home, or your once-confident student becomes withdrawn and anxious. When you ask what’s wrong, you hear: “It’s just tradition. Everyone goes through it.”

Right now, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders. Bermudez, a UH transfer student, endured months of systematic hazing that left him with rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and a four-day hospitalization. The hazing included forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, extreme physical workouts, and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” His urine turned brown from muscle breakdown—a medical emergency that nearly cost him his life.

This isn’t just happening in Houston. It’s happening at campuses across Texas where Sabinal families send their children. At Texas A&M, a cadet was allegedly bound between beds in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. At UT Austin, Pi Kappa Alpha pledges were forced to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics until they vomited. At SMU, Kappa Alpha Order members faced paddling and forced drinking. At Baylor, baseball players were suspended for hazing activities.

If you’re a parent in Sabinal, Uvalde County, or anywhere in Texas, this guide is for you. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, Texas hazing laws, your legal options, and what happens next. We’re The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), and we help Texas families navigate these crises every day.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• 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 child 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

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or harmless tradition. Under Texas law, hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or membership. What makes modern hazing particularly dangerous is how it has evolved to avoid detection while becoming more psychologically damaging.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (Often Dismissed as “Tradition”)

• Constant group chat monitoring with required immediate responses
• Mandatory “study blocks” that interfere with classes and sleep
• Forced chauffeuring of older members at all hours
• Required carrying of humiliating “pledge packs” (condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices)
• Social isolation from non-members and family

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (Creates Hostile Environment)

• Sleep deprivation through late-night meetings and early wake-up calls
• Food and water restriction or forced consumption of unpleasant substances
• Public humiliation via social media challenges or degrading costumes
• Extreme physical workouts beyond safe limits (100+ push-ups, 500 squats in one session)
• Verbal abuse and threats during weekly “interviews”

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (High Risk of Serious Injury or Death)

• Forced alcohol consumption during “Big/Little” nights or drinking games
• Physical beatings with paddles or other objects
• Cold weather exposure in minimal clothing
• Simulated waterboarding or actual restraint
• Sexualized hazing including forced nudity or simulated acts
• “Kidnapping” or transportation to remote locations

Digital Hazing: The 24/7 Pressure Cooker

Today’s hazing continues long after in-person events end. Through GroupMe, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Discord, pledges face constant pressure:

• Required location sharing via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
• Immediate response demands at all hours
• Forced posting of humiliating content on social media
• Digital “challenges” that escalate to in-person abuse
• Evidence destruction instructions after events

Where Hazing Happens Beyond Greek Life

While fraternities and sororities receive most attention, hazing occurs across campus organizations:

• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs
• Athletic teams (football, baseball, basketball, cheer)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Spirit organizations and tradition clubs
• Academic honor societies
• Cultural and service organizations

Texas Hazing Laws: What Sabinal Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws in the Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Understanding these laws is crucial for families seeking accountability.

Texas Education Code §37.151: The Hazing Definition

Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that:

1. Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
2. Occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership
3. Includes but isn’t limited to:
   • Physical brutality
   • Physical activity that adversely affects health
   • Activity that induces extreme mental stress
   • Forced consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or other substances
   • Forced physical activity that results in excessive fatigue
   • Activity that induces mental or physical discomfort

Criminal Penalties: §37.152

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

Additional charges can include:

• Furnishing alcohol to minors
• Assault and battery
• Manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide in fatal cases
• Obstruction of justice for evidence destruction

Critical Protections: §37.154 and §37.155

Good-Faith Reporting Immunity: Students who report hazing or call 911 in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from their own involvement.

Consent Is NOT a Defense: Texas law explicitly states that the victim’s consent to hazing activities does not eliminate criminal liability. This rebuts the common defense of “they wanted to do it.”

Organizational Liability: §37.153

Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can face:

• Criminal prosecution if they authorized or encouraged hazing
• Fines up to $10,000 per violation
• University recognition revocation and campus bans

Federal Laws Overlaying Texas Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs by 2026.

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, universities must investigate under Title IX procedures.

Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes, including hazing that involves assault, alcohol violations, or other reportable incidents.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Can Learn

The hazing crisis isn’t unique to Texas. Understanding national patterns helps Sabinal families recognize warning signs and understand what’s at stake.

Alcohol Poisoning Deaths: The Most Common Fatal Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021): Pi Kappa Alpha pledge forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night. Died from alcohol poisoning. Settlement: $10 million total ($7M from national Pi Kappa Alpha, ~$3M from BGSU).

Max Gruver – Louisiana State University (2017): Phi Delta Theta pledge forced to participate in “Bible study” drinking game. Wrong answers required drinking. Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). Result: $6.1 million verdict plus confidential settlements.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State University (2017): Beta Theta Pi pledge consumed dangerous amounts of alcohol during bid acceptance. Fell multiple times captured on chapter cameras. Help delayed for hours. Died from traumatic brain injuries. Result: Criminal convictions against 18 members, civil settlements, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Physical Hazing with Lasting Injuries

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri (2021): Phi Gamma Delta pledge forced to drink excessive alcohol during “pledge dad reveal.” Suffered permanent brain damage—cannot walk, talk, or see; requires 24/7 care. Settlement: Confidential multi-million dollar agreements with 22 defendants.

Texas A&M Chemical Burns Case (2021): Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. Lawsuit: $1 million demand.

What These Cases Mean for Sabinal Families

1. Pattern Recognition: The same fraternities with national hazing histories operate at Texas campuses.
2. Cover-Up Culture: Delayed medical care and evidence destruction worsen outcomes and increase liability.
3. Institutional Accountability: Universities and national headquarters face massive liability when they ignore warning signs.
4. Financial Recovery: Settlements and verdicts range from $1-14 million in death cases, $375,000 to multi-millions in severe injury cases.

Texas Universities: Campus-Specific Realities for Sabinal Families

Sabinal families often send students to Texas’s major universities. Each campus has unique Greek ecosystems and hazing histories.

University of Houston: The Current Crisis Campus

For Sabinal Families: Many South Texas students choose UH for its urban opportunities and diverse programs. The recent Pi Kappa Phi case shows how quickly hazing can escalate to life-threatening situations.

Campus Culture: Large commuter population with active Greek life spanning IFC fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, NPHC Divine Nine, and multicultural organizations.

Documented Incidents:

• Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi (2025): $10 million lawsuit alleging systematic hazing leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. Hazing included forced consumption of milk/hot dogs/peppercorns until vomiting, extreme workouts, simulated waterboarding, and humiliation rituals. The Beta Nu chapter was suspended November 6, 2025, and voted to surrender its charter November 14, 2025. Click2Houston coverage | ABC13 coverage
• Pi Kappa Alpha (2016): Pledge suffered lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table during hazing. Chapter faced misdemeanor charges and suspension.

Reporting Channels:

• Dean of Students Office
• UHPD (campus police) or Houston Police Department for off-campus incidents
• Online reporting forms through Student Conduct

What UH Students/Parents Should Do:

1. Medical attention first—UH is near the Texas Medical Center
2. Report to both UHPD and Dean of Students to create dual records
3. Request prior disciplinary records of the involved organization
4. Contact an attorney familiar with Houston courts and UH procedures

Texas A&M University: Tradition and Risk

For Sabinal Families: A&M’s strong tradition and Corps of Cadets attract many Texas students. The combination of Greek life and military-style organizations creates unique hazing risks.

Campus Culture: Strong Greek presence with 50+ fraternities and sororities, plus the Corps of Cadets with its own tradition hierarchy.

Documented Incidents:

• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023): Cadet alleged being bound between beds in simulated sexual position with apple in mouth during hazing. Seeking over $1 million in damages.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial cleaner causing severe burns requiring skin grafts. Chapter suspended for two years.
• Kappa Sigma Rhabdomyolysis Case (2023): Ongoing litigation involving extreme physical hazing leading to severe muscle breakdown.

Reporting Channels:

• Student Conduct Office
• Corps of Cadets Commandant’s Office
• Texas A&M University Police Department
• Anonymous reporting through EthicsPoint

What A&M Students/Parents Should Do:

1. Document everything—A&M’s tradition culture can normalize abnormal behavior
2. Seek medical care at St. Joseph Health or College Station Medical Center
3. Understand both university disciplinary and potential criminal processes
4. Preserve Corps-specific evidence (training manuals, tradition documents)

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Patterns

For Sabinal Families: UT’s size and prestige draw students from across Texas. Their public hazing violations database provides unique transparency but also reveals ongoing problems.

Campus Culture: 60+ Greek organizations with strong party culture and competitive recruitment.

Public Hazing Violations (Sample):

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation and required education.
• Texas Wranglers (2022): Alcohol-related hazing during initiation events. Sanction: Suspension.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Ongoing investigation into assault allegations involving exchange student with serious injuries.

Reporting Channels:

• Office of the Dean of Students
• UTPD (campus police)
• Title IX Office for gender-based hazing
• Public hazing violations database: hazing.utexas.edu

What UT Students/Parents Should Do:

1. Check the public violations database for organization history
2. Report to both UTPD and Austin Police if off-campus
3. Use UT’s relative transparency to build pattern evidence
4. Seek medical care at UT Health Austin or nearby emergency centers

Southern Methodist University: Private Campus Challenges

For Sabinal Families: SMU’s private status and affluent student body create different dynamics, but hazing risks remain similar.

Campus Culture: Strong Greek presence with smaller total organizations but high participation rates.

Documented Incidents:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended until 2021.
• Multiple anonymous reports through SMU’s Real Response system indicating ongoing concerns.

Reporting Channels:

• Office of Student Affairs
• SMU Police Department
• Anonymous Real Response reporting system
• Title IX Coordinator

What SMU Students/Parents Should Do:

1. Understand that private university disciplinary processes differ from public
2. Document carefully—less public reporting means more reliance on victim evidence
3. Seek medical care at Texas Health Presbyterian or Baylor Scott & White
4. Consider both campus disciplinary and potential civil action

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Accountability

For Sabinal Families: Baylor’s religious context doesn’t eliminate hazing risks, as evidenced by athletic program incidents.

Campus Culture: Strong Greek life alongside faith-based organizations.

Documented Incidents:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation.
• Multiple anonymous reports of Greek life initiation issues.

Reporting Channels:

• Student Conduct Administration
• Baylor University Police Department
• Title IX Office
• Anonymous EthicsPoint reporting

What Baylor Students/Parents Should Do:

1. Document everything—religious context can complicate reporting
2. Seek medical care at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center
3. Understand Baylor’s unique faith-based disciplinary approach
4. Preserve evidence carefully as with any institution

Public Records: Texas Greek Organizations Sabinal Families Should Know

Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracking 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. This data-driven approach helps us identify all potentially liable entities in hazing cases. Below are examples of Texas-registered organizations that might be involved in cases affecting Sabinal students.

IRS B83 Registered Texas Greek Organizations (Sample)

University of Houston Area:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc – Sigma Gamma Chapter, EIN 392352450, Houston, TX 77254

Texas A&M Area:

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc, EIN 133048786, College Station, TX 77845
• Eta Alpha House Corporation of Kappa Delta Sorority, EIN 742930349, College Station, TX 77840
• Gentlemen of Aggie Tradition, EIN 880537463, College Station, TX 77845

UT Austin Area:

• Chi Omega Fraternity, EIN 740555581, Austin, TX 78705 (Chi Omega House Corporation)
• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, EIN 746047117, Austin, TX 78705
• Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Inc, EIN 741130606, Austin, TX 78705 (Alpha Mu Chapter)

Statewide Organizations:

• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, multiple chapters statewide including Texas A&M (EIN 900293166), UT Tyler (EIN 352335400), Texas Tech Health Sciences (EIN 820644459)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, multiple chapters including Waco (EIN 364091267), Commerce (EIN 752609909), Austin (EIN 746084912)

This directory represents just 125 of the 1,423 Greek organizations we track across Texas. When your child is hazed, we already know how to find the housing corporations, alumni chapters, and national entities that may share liability.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Meet Texas Chapters

The same national organizations with hazing histories in other states operate chapters at Texas universities. This pattern evidence is crucial for establishing foreseeability and negligence.

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): National Pattern of Alcohol Hazing

National History:

• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, 2021): Alcohol poisoning death, $10 million settlement
• David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois, 2012): Alcohol poisoning death, $14 million settlement

Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
Texas Incidents: UH 2016 spleen injury case, UT Austin 2023 milk/calisthenics hazing

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Chemical and Physical Abuse Pattern

National History:

• Multiple chapter suspensions nationwide for hazing
• Traumatic brain injury lawsuit at University of Alabama (2023)
• Chemical burns cases at multiple universities

Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
Texas Incidents: Texas A&M chemical burns case (2021), UT Austin assault investigation (2024)

Pi Kappa Phi: Recent Texas Crisis

National History:

• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, 2017): Alcohol poisoning death during “Big Brother” night

Texas Presence: Chapter at UH (Beta Nu now closed)
Texas Incident: Leonel Bermudez case (2025) with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

Why National Histories Matter for Sabinal Families

When a Texas chapter repeats behaviors that caused deaths or injuries elsewhere:

1. Foreseeability Established: National headquarters knew or should have known the risks
2. Pattern Evidence: Shows systemic failure rather than “rogue individuals”
3. Punitive Damages Potential: Repeated ignoring of known dangers can justify punitive awards
4. Insurance Coverage Arguments: Pattern evidence can overcome “intentional act” exclusions

Building Your Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Critical Evidence That Wins Hazing Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord conversations with timestamps intact
• Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok posts and messages (screenshot before they disappear)
• Location data from Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
• Deleted message recovery through digital forensics

Physical Evidence:

• Photographs of injuries from multiple angles (include ruler for scale)
• Medical records documenting treatment and diagnoses
• Clothing with stains or damage from hazing events
• Paddles, props, or other objects used in hazing

Institutional Records:

• University disciplinary history of the organization
• National fraternity/sorority risk management files
• Prior incident reports and insurance claims
• Training materials and policy manuals

Witness Information:

• Names and contact information of other pledges
• Roommates or friends who observed changes
• Former members who left due to hazing concerns

Types of Damages in Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

• Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy)
• Future medical care (ongoing treatment, medications)
• Lost educational expenses (withdrawn semesters, transfer costs)
• Lost earning capacity (if injuries affect career prospects)

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective but Real):

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
• Humiliation and loss of dignity
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and guidance
• Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (When Appropriate):

• To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
• To deter future hazing
• Available when defendants knew dangers and ignored them

The Insurance Battle: Why Experience Matters

Fraternities, sororities, and universities carry insurance, but insurers often argue:

• “Hazing is an intentional act, so coverage doesn’t apply”
• “The policy excludes criminal acts”
• “That defendant isn’t covered under this policy”

Our insurance insider knowledge (from Mr. Lupe Peña’s defense background) helps us:

• Identify all potential insurance policies (chapter, national, university, individual)
• Negotiate coverage disputes from a position of strength
• Pursue bad faith claims when insurers wrongfully deny coverage
• Structure settlements to maximize recovery within policy limits

Practical Guides for Sabinal Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Red Flags Your Child May Be Hazed:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries
• Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities
• Withdrawal from family and non-member friends
• Constant phone anxiety (checking group chats)
• Financial pressure (unexplained expenses, requests for money)
• Academic decline (missing classes, dropping grades)

How to Talk to Your Child:

1. Choose a private, calm setting
2. Use open-ended questions: “How are things with your organization?”
3. Express concern without judgment: “I noticed you seem stressed about group messages.”
4. Emphasize safety: “Your health matters more than any membership.”
5. Offer unconditional support: “You can always come home, no questions asked.”

If Your Child Confirms Hazing:

1. Prioritize medical care immediately
2. Document everything they tell you (dates, names, locations)
3. Help them screenshot digital evidence BEFORE deletion
4. Contact an attorney BEFORE reporting to the university
5. Develop a safety plan if they fear retaliation

For Students: Is This Hazing? What Are My Rights?

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Am I being pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
• Would I do this if there were no social consequences for refusing?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Am I being told to keep secrets from university officials or my family?
• Are older members making me do things they don’t have to do?

Your Legal Rights in Texas:
农 Consent is NOT a defense to hazing charges
农 You cannot be punished for calling 911 in good faith for medical emergencies
农 You have the right to leave an organization at any time
农 You have the right to report hazing without retaliation
农 You may have grounds for a civil lawsuit even if no criminal charges are filed

Safe Exit Strategy:

1. Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, trusted friend)
2. Send written resignation (email/text) to chapter president for documentation
3. Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
4. Report any threats or harassment to campus police immediately
5. Seek counseling through university health services

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” group chats or photos looks like obstruction and eliminates crucial evidence. Preserve everything.

2. Confronting the Organization: Direct confrontation alerts them to destroy evidence and prepare defenses. Let your attorney handle communications.

3. Signing University Agreements: Universities may offer quick “resolutions” that waive your right to sue. Never sign without attorney review.

4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys monitor social media for inconsistencies. Keep details private until your case resolves.

5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, memories fade. Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations generally, but earlier action preserves evidence.

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters: Recorded statements get used against you. Refer all insurance contacts to your attorney.

7. Assuming the University Will Handle It: University investigations prioritize institutional protection. Parallel legal action ensures accountability.

Why The Manginello Law Firm for Sabinal Hazing Cases

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

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

• Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Use delay tactics to pressure families
• Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
• Set reserves and negotiate settlements

We know their playbook because we used to run it. This insider knowledge is invaluable when fighting for Sabinal families against well-funded opponents.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello):

• One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation against billion-dollar defendants
• Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• 25+ years handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases
• HCCLA membership demonstrating elite criminal defense capability

We’ve taken on massive corporations and won. National fraternities and universities with unlimited legal budgets don’t intimidate us.

Data-Driven Investigation Approach:
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. When we take your case, we already know:

• The housing corporations and alumni chapters behind local chapters
• National organization hazing histories and prior incidents
• Insurance carriers and policy limits
• University disciplinary patterns

We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

Proven Results in Similar Cases:

• Multi-million dollar settlements in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases
• Experience with rhabdomyolysis and kidney injury cases (critical for hazing workouts)
• Digital evidence preservation and recovery expertise
• Economist collaboration for lifetime care and earning capacity calculations

Our Process for Sabinal Families

1. Immediate Response: When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, we listen without judgment and provide crisis guidance.

2. Evidence Preservation: We help you secure digital evidence, medical records, and witness information before it disappears.

3. Comprehensive Investigation: We identify all potentially liable parties—individual members, local chapters, national headquarters, universities, property owners.

4. Strategic Planning: We explain your options: criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither. No pressure, just clear information.

5. Aggressive Representation: We negotiate from strength, prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to achieve justice.

6. Privacy Protection: We shield your family from publicity while pursuing accountability.

Call to Action for Sabinal Families

If you suspect your child has been hazed at any Texas university, time is your most valuable—and disappearing—resource. Evidence gets deleted. Witnesses get coached. Universities control narratives.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

1. We Listen: You tell your story without interruption or judgment.
2. We Review: We examine any evidence you’ve preserved (photos, texts, medical records).
3. We Explain: We outline your legal options in plain English.
4. We Answer: We address your questions about process, timeline, and costs.
5. You Decide: No pressure to hire us. Take time to make the right choice for your family.

Contact Information:

Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com

Spanish Services Available:
Hablamos Español. Contacte a Lupe Peña en lupe@atty911.com para una consulta confidencial en español.

No Fee Unless We Win:

We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family. This makes justice accessible to every Sabinal family, regardless of financial situation.

Whether your child attends UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any Texas campus, you don’t have to face this crisis alone. The same organizations that hazed Leonel Bermudez at UH operate across our state. The same institutional defenses that protect them can be overcome. The same justice that other families have achieved is possible for yours.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. Let us help you protect your child, preserve evidence, and pursue accountability. Because every Texas student deserves safety, and every Texas family deserves answers.

Plain Text Resource Links

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez Case:

• Click2Houston investigation: 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: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Educational Videos:

• Using your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client mistakes that ruin cases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Firm Information:

• Main website: https://attorney911.com
• Wrongful death practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
• Criminal defense practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/
• Ralph Manginello profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
• Lupe Peña profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

Legal Disclaimer

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

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

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

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