Hazing Victims in Harrison County, Texas: Legal Rights & How to Get Justice

Harrison County Families: Your Child Was Hazed. Now What?

If your son or daughter was hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization near Harrison County, Texas, you’re not alone. Hazing is abuse. It’s illegal. And it’s happening right here in East Texas.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities operate at universities near Harrison County. The same hazing happens here. And we will fight for Harrison County victims with the same fury.

Harrison County Hazing: What You Need to Know

1. Hazing is illegal in Texas.
Under Texas Education Code § 37.151, hazing includes:

• Physical brutality (beatings, paddling, waterboarding)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food until vomiting)
• Extreme exercise (like 500 squats causing rhabdomyolysis)
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse

2. Consent is NOT a defense.
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Texas law says consent doesn’t matter. The fraternity, sorority, or university is still liable.

3. Universities are responsible.
Many universities near Harrison County own or control fraternity/sorority houses. If hazing happened on their property, they can be sued for premises liability.

4. National organizations have deep pockets.
Fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Kappa Sigma have millions in assets and insurance. We know how to pursue them.

5. You have 2 years to act.
Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

What Counts as Hazing in Harrison County?

Hazing isn’t just “harmless fun.” In Texas, it includes:

✅ Physical abuse – Paddling, beating, branding, waterboarding
✅ Forced consumption – Alcohol, food, or substances until vomiting
✅ Extreme exercise – Pushups, squats, or drills leading to injury
✅ Sleep deprivation – Forced late-night activities or driving
✅ Psychological abuse – Humiliation, threats, or isolation
✅ Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, or carrying sexual objects

If your child experienced any of this, they were hazed. And they have legal rights.

Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Harrison County?

We pursue every responsible party, including:

🔹 The local chapter – They organized and conducted the hazing.
🔹 The national fraternity/sorority – They failed to supervise and enforce anti-hazing policies.
🔹 The university – If they owned the property or failed to stop hazing.
🔹 Individual members – Chapter officers, pledgemasters, and participants.
🔹 Alumni or property owners – If hazing occurred at their home.

In our current case, we’re suing:

• Pi Kappa Phi National
• The local UH chapter
• The University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
• Individual members who participated

What Damages Can Harrison County Victims Recover?

Hazing causes real harm—medical bills, trauma, and lost opportunities. We fight for:

💰 Medical expenses – Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment
💰 Pain and suffering – Physical and emotional trauma
💰 Lost wages – Missed work due to injuries
💰 Educational disruption – Tuition refunds, academic setbacks
💰 Punitive damages – To punish the organization for reckless conduct

Precedent cases show hazing lawsuits win millions:

• $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
• $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
• $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)

Our current case demands $10 million. Harrison County victims can demand the same.

What Should Harrison County Families Do Right Now?

🚨 If your child was hazed recently:

1. Get medical attention immediately – Even if injuries seem minor, document everything.
2. Preserve all evidence – Save texts, photos, videos, and social media posts.
3. Do NOT talk to the fraternity or university alone – They will try to silence you.
4. Call us immediately – 1-888-ATTY-911 – We offer free, confidential consultations.

📅 If your child was hazed in the past:

• Check the statute of limitations – You may still have time to file.
• Gather records – Medical bills, therapy notes, academic transcripts.
• Contact us – We’ll review your case at no cost.

Why Harrison County Families Choose Attorney 911

✅ We’re fighting this battle RIGHT NOW – Our $10 million hazing lawsuit is active.
✅ We know how to win – 25+ years of litigation experience.
✅ We’ve been on the other side – Both attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers—we know their tricks.
✅ We serve Harrison County – Based in Houston, but we fight for victims nationwide, including Harrison County.
✅ No upfront cost – We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are ready to fight for Harrison County families.

Harrison County Hazing: Real Cases, Real Justice

Case Study: The Pi Kappa Phi Lawsuit (2025)

What happened: A University of Houston pledge was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure.
What we did: Filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the university, and individual members.
Status: Ongoing—chapter shut down, lawsuit in progress.
Why it matters for Harrison County: This same fraternity has chapters near Harrison County. If it happened in Houston, it can happen here.

Case Study: Stone Foltz (2021)

What happened: A Bowling Green State student died from forced alcohol consumption.
Outcome: $10.1 million settlement—fraternity expelled, multiple convictions.
Why it matters for Harrison County: Shows that hazing deaths and injuries lead to massive payouts.

Case Study: Maxwell Gruver (2017)

What happened: An LSU student died after being forced to drink during a hazing ritual.
Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict—led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony.
Why it matters for Harrison County: Proves that juries will award millions for hazing victims.

Harrison County Universities & Greek Life: What You Should Know

Harrison County is home to multiple colleges and universities where Greek life thrives. The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide operate right here in East Texas.

Universities Near Harrison County with Greek Life:

🎓 East Texas Baptist University (Marshall, TX) – Active Greek system
🎓 Wiley College (Marshall, TX) – Historically Black college with Greek organizations
🎓 Texas A&M University-Texarkana (Texarkana, TX) – Large Greek presence
🎓 University of Texas at Tyler (Tyler, TX) – Multiple fraternities and sororities
🎓 Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, TX) – Strong Greek culture

These schools have the same risks as universities in Houston, Austin, and Dallas. If hazing happened at UH, it can—and does—happen in Harrison County.

Fraternities Near Harrison County with Hazing Histories

The same national fraternities that have paid millions in hazing settlements have chapters near Harrison County:

If your child is pledging any of these fraternities in Harrison County, they face the same risks.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Harrison County

Step 1: Ensure Safety

• Remove your child from the dangerous situation.
• Seek medical attention immediately—even if injuries seem minor.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Save all communications – Texts, emails, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs.
• Take photos/videos – Injuries, hazing locations, physical evidence.
• Document everything – Dates, times, names of perpetrators, witnesses.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization Alone

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to silence you, destroy evidence, or pressure you into silence.
• Do not sign anything without legal counsel.
• Do not give statements to administrators, insurance companies, or Greek officials.

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 – Available 24/7 for Harrison County families.
• Free consultation – We’ll review your case at no cost.
• No upfront fees – We only get paid if we win.

Harrison County Hazing Lawyer: Why Choose Us?

✅ We’re Already Fighting This Battle

While other firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit. We know the defendants, their strategies, and how to win.

✅ We Know the Defendants’ Playbook

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to minimize claims. We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery.

✅ We Have a Proven Track Record

• $10+ million in hazing case experience
• Multi-million dollar personal injury verdicts
• Former BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
• Federal court admission – Can pursue cases nationwide

✅ We Serve Harrison County

While based in Houston, we represent hazing victims across Texas, including Harrison County. We offer:

• Video consultations for Harrison County families
• Willingness to travel to Harrison County for depositions and meetings
• Remote case management – No need to come to Houston

✅ No Upfront Cost for Harrison County Families

We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

Harrison County Hazing: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My child was hazed, but they don’t want to sue. Should we still contact a lawyer?

A: Yes. Even if your child doesn’t want to sue, consulting a lawyer protects their rights. We can:

• Advise on medical documentation
• Help with Title IX or university disciplinary processes
• Ensure evidence is preserved
• Explain legal options without pressure

Q: The fraternity says my child consented. Does that matter?

A: No. Texas law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization is still liable.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal on or off campus. If it happened at a fraternity house, hotel, or private residence, you can still sue.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

A: In Texas, you have 2 years from the date of injury. However, evidence disappears quickly. The sooner you act, the stronger your case.

Q: Can we sue the university if they didn’t know about the hazing?

A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight, they can be held liable for negligent supervision.

Q: What if my child was hazed at a small college in Harrison County?

A: It doesn’t matter. Hazing laws apply to all educational institutions—large universities, small colleges, community colleges, and even high schools.

Q: How much is my child’s hazing case worth?

A: Every case is different. Factors include:

• Severity of injuries
• Medical expenses
• Psychological trauma
• Impact on education/career
• Whether the university or national organization knew about prior hazing

Precedent cases show hazing lawsuits can recover millions.

Harrison County Hazing: Warning Signs for Parents

Hazing is often hidden, but there are red flags:

🚩 Sudden secrecy – Your child stops talking about fraternity/sorority activities.
🚩 Unexplained injuries – Bruises, cuts, or exhaustion without explanation.
🚩 Sleep deprivation – Staying up all night, extreme fatigue.
🚩 Changes in behavior – Anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
🚩 Missing money – Sudden requests for cash (for “events” or “fees”).
🚩 Physical evidence – Strange objects, clothing, or messages on your child’s phone.

If you notice these signs, ask questions. And if your child admits to hazing, call us immediately.

Harrison County Hazing: The Time to Act is Now

Hazing doesn’t stop on its own. Universities and fraternities will continue to protect their reputations over student safety—unless forced to change.

You have the power to hold them accountable. You have the power to protect the next student.

Harrison County Families: Call Attorney 911 Today

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Free, confidential consultation. No upfront cost. We fight for Harrison County victims.

Harrison County Hazing: Our Promise to You

We promise:
✔ Aggressive representation – We don’t back down from powerful institutions.
✔ Compassionate advocacy – We treat your family with respect and care.
✔ Maximum compensation – We fight for every dollar you deserve.
✔ No upfront fees – You pay nothing unless we win.
✔ Nationwide reach – We serve Harrison County and all of Texas.

Hazing is abuse. It’s illegal. And it ends with your case.

Call us today. Let’s fight for justice together.