Hazing Lawyer in Tensas Parish: Protecting Students from Abuse in Louisiana Fraternities and Sororities

If your child has been a victim of hazing in Tensas Parish, you are not alone—and you have legal rights.

Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “brotherhood.” It is abuse, and it can cause life-altering injuries—or even death. At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university for hazing that hospitalized a student with kidney failure. This same fraternity—Pi Kappa Phi—has active chapters at universities across Louisiana, including near Tensas Parish.

If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization in Tensas Parish, we can help. Call us now for a free, confidential consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Why Tensas Parish Families Trust Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now—And Winning

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. The fraternity waterboarded our client, forced him to do 500 squats until he collapsed, and struck him with wooden paddles. He was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.

This same fraternity has chapters at Louisiana universities near Tensas Parish. If they did this in Houston, they could be doing it in Louisiana.

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
— Lupe Pena, Attorney 911

2. We Know How to Sue Fraternities, Sororities, and Universities

Hazing cases are complex. Universities and national Greek organizations have teams of lawyers and insurance companies fighting to minimize claims. But we know their tactics—because we used to work for the other side.

Both Ralph and Lupe are former insurance defense attorneys. We know how these organizations try to deny claims, shift blame, and intimidate victims. Now, we use that knowledge to fight for students and families in Tensas Parish and across Louisiana.

3. We Can Represent Tensas Parish Victims—No Matter Where You Are

While we are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Tensas Parish. We have:
✅ Federal court authority—we can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Dual-state bar licenses—Texas and New York
✅ Willingness to travel—we will come to Tensas Parish for depositions, trials, and client meetings
✅ Remote consultations—video calls available for Tensas Parish families

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

4. We Work on Contingency—$0 Upfront for Tensas Parish Families

We understand that Tensas Parish families may be hesitant to take on powerful institutions like fraternities and universities. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency:

💰 You pay nothing upfront
💰 We only get paid if we win your case
💰 No hidden fees

If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

5. We Speak Spanish—Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims in Tensas Parish come from Spanish-speaking families. Our staff is bilingual, so we can communicate with you in Spanish at every stage of your case.

“Tensas Parish families deserve the same aggressive representation we provide in Houston. No matter where the hazing happened, we will fight for you.”
— Ralph Manginello, Attorney 911

What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Louisiana)

Hazing is any activity that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, membership, or maintaining status in an organization. It is illegal in Louisiana under La. R.S. 17:1801, and consent is not a defense.

Common Hazing Activities in Tensas Parish Fraternities & Sororities

Hazing can take many forms, including:

Medical Consequences of Hazing

Hazing can cause serious, permanent injuries, including:

🚑 Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
🚑 Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal)
🚑 Traumatic brain injuries (from beatings or falls)
🚑 Broken bones (from physical abuse)
🚑 Hypothermia or heatstroke (from exposure)
🚑 Sexual assault injuries
🚑 PTSD, anxiety, and depression
🚑 Suicide (hazing is a leading cause of college student suicides)

Our client was hospitalized for four days with kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats. This is not “tradition”—it’s torture.

Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Tensas Parish?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible. In our current case, we are suing:

✅ The local fraternity/sorority chapter (directly organized the hazing)
✅ The national organization (failed to supervise despite knowing about hazing)
✅ The university (failed to protect students despite prior incidents)
✅ Individual members (participated in or allowed the abuse)
✅ Chapter officers (leaders who directed the hazing)
✅ Alumni (if hazing occurred at their homes)
✅ Insurance companies (policies covering the organization)

Example: In our $10 million lawsuit, we are suing:

• Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters
• The Beta Nu Chapter at UH
• The University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
• The fraternity president and pledgemaster
• Current and former members
• A former member and his spouse (hazing occurred at their home)

If your child was hazed in Tensas Parish, we will identify every responsible party and hold them accountable.

What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Tensas Parish

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

Even if your child says they’re “fine,” some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t appear right away. Go to the emergency room or see a doctor as soon as possible. Medical records are critical evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do not delete anything. Save:
📱 Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshots + originals)
📸 Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
📝 Any documents given to your child (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
📞 Names and contact info of witnesses (other pledges, bystanders)
💳 Medical bills and records

Do NOT:
❌ Talk to the fraternity/sorority without a lawyer
❌ Post about the incident on social media
❌ Sign anything from the organization
❌ Confront the chapter alone

Step 3: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

Hazing cases have strict deadlines (usually 2 years in Louisiana). The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
💻 Schedule a free video consultation

Step 4: Report the Hazing to Authorities

Consider filing:
🚔 A police report (hazing is a crime in Louisiana)
🏫 A Title IX complaint (if the university failed to protect your child)
📝 A report to the university’s Greek life office

We can help you navigate these reports safely.

How Much Is a Hazing Lawsuit Worth in Tensas Parish?

Hazing lawsuits can result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, depending on:

Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts

Tensas Parish families deserve the same justice. If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:
✔ Medical bills (past and future)
✔ Lost wages (if they missed work or internships)
✔ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✔ Punitive damages (to punish the organization and prevent future hazing)

Common Defenses in Hazing Cases (And Why They Fail)

Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to blame the victim. Common defenses include:

1. “They Consented to the Hazing”

Our Response: Consent is not a defense under Louisiana law. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says they cannot consent to abuse.

2. “It Was Just Tradition”

Our Response: Tradition does not legalize assault. Waterboarding is torture whether it’s done to a prisoner of war or a college student.

3. “They Could Have Left at Any Time”

Our Response: Fear of social retaliation, expulsion, or humiliation prevents students from leaving. This is coercion, not consent.

4. “The University Didn’t Know”

Our Response: Universities have a duty to protect students. If they owned the fraternity house (like UH did) or had prior hazing incidents, they knew or should have known the risks.

5. “It Was Just a Few Bad Apples”

Our Response: Systemic hazing is an organizational failure. If multiple members participated, the entire chapter—and the national organization—can be held liable.

How We Build a Strong Hazing Case for Tensas Parish Families

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

We send preservation letters to the fraternity, university, and all defendants demanding they save all evidence, including:

• Text messages and social media
• Photos and videos
• Chapter documents
• Security camera footage

2. Medical Documentation

We work with medical experts to document:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
• Kidney damage
• Alcohol poisoning
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Long-term health consequences

3. Pattern Evidence

We investigate whether:

• The chapter has a history of hazing
• The university has had prior hazing incidents
• The national organization has other lawsuits or complaints

Example: In our current case, we proved that Pi Kappa Phi had a prior hazing death (Andrew Coffey, 2017) and UH had a prior hazing hospitalization (2017). This shows they knew the risks and did nothing.

4. Expert Witnesses

We use experts to:

• Explain how hazing causes injuries (medical experts)
• Show why the university failed to protect students (Greek life experts)
• Prove the national organization’s negligence (fraternity culture experts)

5. Aggressive Negotiation & Litigation

We do not accept lowball settlement offers. If the fraternity or university refuses to compensate your child fairly, we take them to trial.

What to Expect When You Hire Attorney 911

Step 1: Free Consultation

We listen to your story and evaluate your case at no cost. If we take your case, you pay nothing upfront.

Step 2: Evidence Collection

We gather:

• Medical records
• Text messages and social media
• Witness statements
• Chapter documents
• University policies

Step 3: Demand Letter

We send a demand letter to the fraternity, university, and their insurance companies outlining your damages and demanding fair compensation.

Step 4: Negotiation

We negotiate aggressively to maximize your settlement. If they refuse to pay fairly, we file a lawsuit.

Step 5: Litigation (If Necessary)

We take the case to court and fight for a jury verdict if needed.

Step 6: Resolution

We secure maximum compensation for your child’s injuries, pain, and suffering.

Tensas Parish Universities with Greek Life (And Hazing Risks)

While Tensas Parish is rural, many students from the area attend universities with active Greek life, including:

Pi Kappa Phi, the fraternity we are currently suing, has chapters at LSU, ULL, and other Louisiana schools. If they hazed a student in Houston, they could be hazing students in Louisiana.

Louisiana Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know

La. R.S. 17:1801 – Louisiana Anti-Hazing Law

Hazing is a crime in Louisiana. It is defined as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act by a person acting alone or with others that is directed against a student and that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in an organization.”

Penalties for Hazing in Louisiana

Consent Is Not a Defense

Louisiana law explicitly states:

“The implied or express consent of the victim is not a defense to an action brought under this Section.”

Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity can still be held liable.

Why Tensas Parish Families Choose Attorney 911

✅ 25+ Years of Litigation Experience

Ralph Manginello has been fighting for victims for over 25 years. He has handled multi-million-dollar cases, including the BP Texas City explosion and high-profile criminal defenses.

✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph and Lupe used to work for insurance companies. We know how they try to deny claims and minimize payouts. Now, we use that knowledge to fight for victims.

✅ We Are Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case Right Now

We don’t just talk about hazing—we are actively litigating a hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Tensas Parish families get the same aggressive representation.

✅ Federal Court Authority

We are admitted to U.S. District Court, so we can pursue hazing cases nationwide, including in Louisiana.

✅ Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas & New York)

This gives us strategic flexibility when suing national fraternities headquartered in other states.

✅ We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

Many Tensas Parish families are Spanish-speaking. We can communicate with you in Spanish at every step.

✅ We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront

You pay nothing unless we win your case.

✅ We Will Travel to Tensas Parish

We come to you for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier.

Tensas Parish Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone

Hazing is widespread in Louisiana. The same fraternities that hazed our client in Houston have chapters at LSU, ULL, Louisiana Tech, and other schools near Tensas Parish.

If your child has been hazed, you have options:
✔ Hold the fraternity accountable
✔ Hold the university accountable
✔ Hold the national organization accountable
✔ Recover compensation for medical bills, pain, and suffering
✔ Prevent this from happening to another Tensas Parish family

Tensas Parish Families: Contact Us Now

Time is critical. Louisiana has a 2-year statute of limitations for hazing cases. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
💻 Schedule a free video consultation

We are Attorney 911. We fight for Tensas Parish hazing victims—and we don’t back down.

🚨 If your child has been hazed in Tensas Parish, call us NOW before evidence disappears. 1-888-ATTY-911