Hockley County Hazing Lawyer – Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Attorney

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines. Neither Do We.

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization in or near Hockley County, Texas, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to fight this battle by yourself.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme physical abuse, waterboarding, and forced consumption. The same fraternities and sororities operate at universities near Hockley County. The same negligence exists at Hockley County institutions. And we will fight for Hockley County families with the same aggression.

We don’t just talk about hazing—we’re fighting it in court right now.

🚨 What Is Hazing? It’s Not “Tradition”—It’s Abuse.

Hazing is any intentional, reckless, or negligent act that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group.

In our current case, hazing included:
✔ Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✔ Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until muscles broke down
✔ Struck with wooden paddles
✔ Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to keep exercising
✔ Another pledge collapsed unconscious—yet they kept going

This isn’t “boys being boys.” It’s not “building brotherhood.” It’s torture.

And it happens at universities near Hockley County, Texas—just like it happened at UH.

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Hockley County?

When hazing causes serious injury or death, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible, including:

1. The Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter

• The students who directly participated in hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager)
• Members who witnessed and failed to stop the abuse

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

• Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, and others have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide.
• They set the culture, enforce (or fail to enforce) anti-hazing policies, and often know about problems but do nothing—just like Pi Kappa Phi did after Andrew Coffey died in 2017.
• They have deep pockets and insurance policies—meaning they can pay substantial settlements.

3. The University or College

• If the university owns or controls the fraternity/sorority house (like UH did), they have premises liability.
• If they knew or should have known about hazing risks (like UH did after a 2017 hazing hospitalization) and failed to act, they share responsibility.
• They have substantial insurance coverage and endowments.

4. Individual Perpetrators & Their Parents

• Students who participated in hazing can be personally sued.
• If they’re under 18 or financially dependent, their parents may also be liable.
• Homeowners’ insurance may cover some damages.

5. Housing Corporations & Property Owners

• If hazing occurred at an off-campus house, the property owner (and their insurance) may be liable.
• In our UH case, a former member and their spouse are named defendants for allowing hazing at their home.

💰 What Can Hockley County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing cases can result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, including compensation for:

📈 Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (Proof It’s Possible)

Hockley County families: These same results are possible for you.

⚖️ Texas Hazing Laws – What Hockley County Victims Need to Know

1. Hazing Is a Crime in Texas

Under Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157, hazing is a criminal offense with penalties including:

⚠️ Important: “Consent is NOT a defense.” Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the law says consent doesn’t matter.

2. Universities & Fraternities Can Be Fined & Shut Down

• Organizations can be fined up to $10,000.
• They can be denied permission to operate on campus.
• Their property can be forfeited.

3. Civil Lawsuits Allow Victims to Recover Money

Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, victims and families can sue for:

• Negligence (failure to prevent hazing)
• Assault & Battery (physical abuse)
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (psychological torture)
• Premises Liability (if hazing occurred on university-owned property)
• Wrongful Death (if hazing results in death)

🚑 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Hockley County

✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis from extreme exercise) may not show symptoms right away.
• Document everything—hospital records are critical evidence.
• If your child has dark brown urine, severe muscle pain, or difficulty walking, go to the ER immediately—these are signs of kidney failure.

✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos of injuries, hazing locations, and any items used (e.g., paddles, hoses).
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
• Write down names of witnesses, participants, and anyone who knew about the hazing.
• Do NOT delete anything—even if it’s embarrassing or seems minor.

✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone

• They will try to control the narrative.
• They may pressure your child to sign something or “take responsibility.”
• They may destroy evidence or coordinate stories.
• Anything your child says can be used against them.

✅ Step 4: Contact a Hockley County Hazing Lawyer Immediately

• Statute of limitations: You typically have 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit.
• Evidence disappears fast—witnesses forget, messages get deleted, organizations cover their tracks.
• The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.

We offer FREE, confidential consultations. Call us 24/7:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

🏆 Why Hockley County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting a Hazing Case RIGHT NOW

• We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We know exactly how these cases work—because we’re in the trenches right now.
• Hockley County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
• We know how they try to deny or minimize claims.
• We use their own tactics against them to maximize your settlement.

3. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Hockley County & Beyond

• Based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont) but serve hazing victims nationwide.
• Federal court authority (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas).
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York).
• We travel to Hockley County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

4. No Upfront Costs – We Work on Contingency

• You pay $0 unless we win your case.
• We cover all case expenses upfront.
• If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing.

5. We’ve Won Millions for Victims Like You

• BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience).
• Multi-million-dollar settlements in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
• Proven track record against large institutions and insurance companies.

6. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

• Hazing affects all communities, including Hispanic students.
• We provide bilingual legal services—no language barriers.

🔍 Common Hazing Injuries in Hockley County

Hazing can cause serious, life-altering injuries, including:

If your child suffered any of these, they may be entitled to significant compensation.

🏛️ Greek Organizations Near Hockley County with Hazing Histories

The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide operate at universities near Hockley County, Texas. Some have documented hazing incidents:

If your child was hazed by any of these organizations, we can help.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits in Hockley County

1. “My child agreed to participate—can we still sue?”

YES. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to hazing activities, the fraternity, sorority, and university can still be held liable.

2. “The fraternity says it was just ‘tradition’—is that an excuse?”

NO. “Tradition” does not justify torture, assault, or reckless endangerment. Waterboarding, forced exercise to exhaustion, and beating with paddles are not traditions—they’re crimes.

3. “The university says they didn’t know—are they still responsible?”

YES, if they should have known. Universities have a legal duty to protect students. If they:

• Own the fraternity house (like UH did),
• Had prior hazing incidents (like UH did in 2017),
• Or failed to properly supervise Greek life,

they can be held liable.

4. “The fraternity is trying to settle quietly—should we accept?”

Not without talking to a lawyer first. Fraternities and universities often offer lowball settlements to make the case go away. Once you accept, you lose your right to pursue more compensation—even if your child’s injuries get worse.

We negotiate from strength—we won’t let them take advantage of your family.

5. “What if the hazing happened off-campus?”

You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it occurred at a private residence, the homeowner and their insurance may also be liable.

6. “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”

In Texas, you typically have 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. However, evidence disappears fast, so contact us immediately to preserve your rights.

7. “What if we can’t afford a lawyer?”

You don’t need money upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning we only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing.

8. “Will this affect my child’s future in Greek life or at the university?”

No. Retaliation against hazing victims is illegal. If the fraternity, sorority, or university retaliates, they can face additional legal consequences.

🎯 Our Promise to Hockley County Families

1. We Will Listen Without Judgment

• We understand the shame, fear, and confusion hazing victims and families face.
• We won’t blame your child or pressure you into silence.
• Your story matters.

2. We Will Investigate Thoroughly

• We’ll gather all evidence—texts, photos, witness statements, medical records.
• We’ll track down every responsible party—not just the students, but the institutions that enabled them.
• We’ll build a case that can’t be ignored.

3. We Will Fight Aggressively

• We’ll negotiate from strength—we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing case.
• If they won’t settle fairly, we’ll take them to trial.
• We won’t back down from powerful institutions.

4. We Will Protect Your Privacy

• We’ll handle your case discreetly and professionally.
• We’ll shield your child from retaliation.
• We’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

5. We Will Seek Justice, Not Just Money

• Yes, we fight for maximum compensation—but we also fight to prevent this from happening to another family.
• Lupe Peña said it best: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

📞 Hockley County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now

Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Your rights expire.

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization in Hockley County, Lubbock, Levelland, Littlefield, or anywhere in West Texas, we can help.

🚨 24/7 Emergency Legal Hotline for Hockley County Hazing Victims:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

🏢 Our Offices (Serving Hockley County from Houston, Austin & Beaumont):

Houston Headquarters:
1177 W Loop S Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77027

Austin Office:
[Address available upon request]

Beaumont Office:
[Address available upon request]

📍 We travel to Hockley County for client meetings, depositions, and trials.

🔥 The Message to Hockley County Fraternities & Universities: We Are Watching.

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Hockley County:

We know who you are. We know your national organizations. We know your insurance policies. We know your hazing histories.

If you haze students in Hockley County, we will:
✔ Sue your chapter.
✔ Sue your national organization.
✔ Sue the university if they knew and did nothing.
✔ Sue the individuals who participated.
✔ Pursue every penny of your insurance coverage.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña. And we are coming for every institution that thinks they can torture our kids and walk away.

💙 To Hockley County Families: You Are Not Alone.

We see the pain in your eyes. We hear the fear in your voice. We know the anger in your heart.

This wasn’t your child’s fault. It wasn’t your fault.

But it is their fault—the fraternity that waterboarded, the university that looked the other way, the national organization that failed to stop it.

We will make them pay. We will make them change. And we will make sure no other Hockley County family has to go through this.

Call us now. The fight starts today.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Hockley County hazing victims: We don’t just talk about justice—we fight for it.