🛡️ Hazing Victims in Crane County, Texas: Your Legal Rights & How We Can Help
If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization in Crane County, Texas — you have legal rights. And you are not alone.
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to fight these cases. We know how to win. And we will bring that same aggressive representation to Crane County families.
📞 Call us now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🚨 What Is Hazing? Crane County Parents Need to Know
Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “team bonding.” It is not “harmless fun.”
In Texas, hazing is defined by law as:
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act — on or off campus — that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in an organization.
This includes:
✅ Physical brutality — beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion
✅ Forced consumption — alcohol, food, or other substances until vomiting or collapse
✅ Psychological abuse — humiliation, degradation, threats, sleep deprivation
✅ Dangerous activities — waterboarding, extreme weather exposure, confinement
✅ Sexual abuse — forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
And here’s the critical part: In Texas, consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent does not matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of whether the victim consented.
💔 What Happens in Crane County Fraternities & Sororities
Our current case in Houston shows exactly what happens in Texas Greek organizations — and it’s happening in Crane County too.
In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being hazed at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston.
What they did to him:
🔴 Waterboarded him with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
🔴 Forced him to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, and 100-yard crawls — until he collapsed
🔴 Struck him with wooden paddles — physical beating
🔴 Forced him to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited — then made him keep running
🔴 Forced him to lie in vomit-soaked grass
🔴 Threatened him with expulsion if he stopped
🔴 Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout — they kept going
🔴 He crawled up the stairs when he got home — couldn’t move the next day
🔴 His mother rushed him to the hospital — he spent 4 days in the hospital with kidney failure
This is not an isolated incident. This is what happens in fraternities and sororities across Texas — including in Crane County.
⚠️ Crane County Parents: Your Child Is at Risk
Crane County doesn’t have a major university within its borders, but many Crane County families send their children to nearby colleges where Greek life thrives — and where hazing happens.
Universities near Crane County with active Greek organizations:
| University | Distance from Crane County | Greek Life Presence | Hazing Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odessa College | In Crane County | Yes | Moderate |
| University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB) | ~30 miles | Yes | High |
| Midland College | ~40 miles | Yes | Moderate |
| Texas Tech University | ~150 miles | Very Active | Very High |
| Angelo State University | ~160 miles | Active | High |
| University of Texas at Austin | ~350 miles | Very Active | Very High |
The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and injuries operate at universities near Crane County:
🔹 Pi Kappa Phi — same fraternity as our current lawsuit
🔹 Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) — multiple hazing deaths nationally
🔹 Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) — $10 million settlement in Ohio (Stone Foltz)
🔹 Phi Delta Theta — $6 million jury verdict in Louisiana (Max Gruver)
🔹 Beta Theta Pi — $110+ million settlement in Pennsylvania (Tim Piazza)
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Crane County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Crane County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties are responsible — and we sue them all.
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted the hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about “hazing crisis”; allowed culture to continue |
| University | Failed to protect students; had power to regulate Greek life; may own fraternity/sorority houses |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for liability |
In our current case, we are suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- The local chapter
- The housing corporation
- The University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
- The UH Board of Regents
- The fraternity president
- The pledgemaster
- Multiple current and former members
- A former member and his spouse (hazing occurred at their home)
💰 What Your Crane County Family Can Recover
Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Your Crane County family may be entitled to compensation for:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, emergency room, specialists, therapy, future treatment |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work during recovery |
| Future Earning Capacity | If injuries cause permanent limitations |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries; emotional trauma from abuse |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution |
| Loss of Enjoyment of Life | Inability to participate in normal activities |
| Punitive Damages | To punish the defendants and prevent future hazing |
Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | $4+ million |
Our current case is seeking $10 million — and we will fight for the same for Crane County families.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Crane County
If your child has been hazed — or if you suspect they have — take these steps immediately:
- Get medical attention — Even if injuries seem minor, get checked. Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately.
- Preserve all evidence — Save all text messages, social media posts, photos, videos, and witness contact information.
- Do not talk to the organization — They will try to control the narrative. Do not give statements without legal counsel.
- Do not post on social media — Anything you post can be used against you.
- Call Attorney 911 immediately — The statute of limitations is typically 2 years in Texas. Evidence disappears fast.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com
🛡️ Why Crane County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight right now. Crane County families get the same aggressive representation.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides. We know exactly how they try to minimize or deny claims — and we know how to dismantle their defenses.
3. Federal Court Authority — We Can Sue Anywhere
We are admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and have experience in federal litigation. We can pursue hazing cases in federal court — critical for cases involving national organizations or civil rights violations.
4. Dual-State Bar Admission — Texas & New York
We are licensed in both Texas and New York, giving us strategic advantage when suing national fraternities and sororities headquartered in other states.
5. We Travel to Crane County
We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, and we travel to Crane County for depositions, client meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
6. Se Habla Español
We have bilingual staff and can serve Spanish-speaking Crane County families without language barriers.
7. Contingency Fee — $0 Upfront
We work on contingency — Crane County families pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.
8. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation
Ralph Manginello was involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation — a multi-billion dollar mass tort case. We have the experience to take on the largest institutions.
9. We Understand Greek Life Culture
Ralph Manginello was a Hall of Fame athlete and youth coach. He understands team dynamics, locker room culture, and the pressures that lead to hazing. This insight strengthens our cases.
10. We Care About Your Family
We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. We fight hard for Crane County families because we truly care. We’ve seen what fraternities do to kids, and we won’t stop until justice is served.
🎯 Our Message to Crane County Fraternities & Sororities
To the Greek organizations operating near Crane County:
We are watching. We are building cases. We are coming for you.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Crane County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
Every national fraternity with chapters near Crane County should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won.
Universities near Crane County: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now — or face the same accountability.
📞 Crane County Families: Call Us Now
If your child has been hazed — or if you suspect they have — call us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
We work on contingency — you pay $0 unless we win your case.
We travel to Crane County. We fight for justice. We protect your family.
📚 Frequently Asked Questions for Crane County Families
Q: My child was hazed, but they don’t want to sue. Should we still call a lawyer?
A: YES. Even if your child doesn’t want to sue, you should consult with an attorney to understand your rights. Hazing often involves criminal conduct — and reporting it may be necessary to protect other students. We can advise you on all your options, including anonymous reporting and Title IX complaints.
Q: The fraternity says my child consented. Can they still be held responsible?
A: YES. Texas law explicitly says consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent does not matter. The fraternity and its members are still liable.
Q: My child attends a school outside Crane County. Can you still help?
A: YES. We represent hazing victims nationwide. We have federal court authority and can pursue cases anywhere in the country. We’ve represented clients from Texas to New York — and we will travel to your child’s campus if needed.
Q: The hazing happened off-campus. Does the university share responsibility?
A: YES. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm — even off-campus. If the university knew or should have known about hazing risks in Greek life, they can be held liable. In our current case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred — making their liability clear.
Q: How much is my child’s case worth?
Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements or verdicts. Factors that increase case value include:
- Severity of injuries
- Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced consumption, etc.)
- Pattern of prior hazing incidents at the same chapter
- Institutional knowledge and failure to act
- Whether the university owned or controlled the property
- Media attention and public pressure
Recent hazing cases have resulted in awards ranging from $4 million to over $110 million.
Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
We understand the fear of retaliation. Many hazing victims are afraid to come forward. We take every precaution to protect our clients, including:
- Confidential consultations
- Anonymous reporting options
- Legal protections against retaliation
- Aggressive representation to deter intimidation
Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We take this fear seriously and fight to protect our clients.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date of injury. For wrongful death cases, it is 2 years from the date of death.
DO NOT WAIT. Evidence disappears quickly, and witnesses forget. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.
Q: What if my child was hazed at a sports team or club, not a fraternity?
We represent hazing victims in all types of organizations, including:
- Fraternities and sororities
- Sports teams (football, basketball, baseball, etc.)
- Marching bands
- ROTC programs
- Clubs and student organizations
- Military academies
If your child was hazed in any organization, call us.
Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?
$0 upfront. We work on contingency, which means:
- You pay nothing to hire us
- We cover all case expenses upfront
- We only get paid if we win your case
- Our fee is a percentage of the recovery
If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
🔥 Final Message to Crane County Families
Hazing is not tradition. It is not bonding. It is not character-building.
It is abuse. It is assault. It is torture. And it is illegal.
If your child was hazed in Crane County or at a nearby university — you have rights. You have options. And you have powerful allies at Attorney 911.
We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to win these cases. And we will bring that same fight to Crane County.
You are not alone. We are here to help.
📞 Call now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
We serve Crane County families with the same dedication we bring to every case. We travel to you. We fight for justice. We protect your child.
Enough is enough. It’s time to hold them accountable.
