🚨 Hazing Victims in Lavaca County, Texas: Your Rights, Your Voice, Your Justice

If your child was hazed in Lavaca County, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to stay silent.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. A young man was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, and hospitalized with kidney failure — all in the name of “tradition.”

The same fraternities operate in Lavaca County. The same hazing happens here. And we will fight for Lavaca County families with the same fury we’re bringing to Houston.

🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Lavaca County

The Reality of Hazing in Lavaca County

Lavaca County is home to strong communities, hardworking families, and students who deserve to be safe when they go to college. But the truth is:

• The same national fraternities that waterboarded our client operate at universities near Lavaca County
• The same “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez exist in Lavaca County Greek organizations
• The same negligence that allowed hazing at UH exists at Lavaca County institutions
• The same fear of speaking out keeps Lavaca County victims silent

This isn’t just happening in big cities. It’s happening right here in Texas — in communities just like yours.

Universities Near Lavaca County With Active Greek Life

While Lavaca County itself doesn’t have a major university, students from Lavaca County attend — and are hazed at — institutions across Texas. These are the schools where your children may be at risk:

If your child attends — or plans to attend — any of these schools, they face the same hazing risks that hospitalized our client.

⚠️ What Lavaca County Parents Need to Know About Hazing

1. Hazing Is Not “Boys Being Boys” — It’s Abuse

The fraternity that waterboarded our client called it “tradition.” They called it “building brotherhood.” They called it “just part of the process.”

But let’s call it what it really is:

• Torture — Waterboarding is considered torture when done to enemy combatants. It’s no different when done to college students.
• Assault — Being struck with wooden paddles is physical assault.
• Battery — Forced consumption of food or alcohol is battery.
• Reckless endangerment — Forcing someone to do 500 squats until their muscles break down is reckless endangerment.
• Sometimes manslaughter — When hazing kills, it’s often treated as manslaughter.

This is not tradition. This is not brotherhood. This is abuse — and it’s illegal.

2. The Same Fraternities Are in Lavaca County

The fraternity that waterboarded our client — Pi Kappa Phi — has 150+ chapters across America, including at universities near Lavaca County.

Other fraternities with documented hazing histories near Lavaca County:

These aren’t just names on a list. These are the same organizations that have killed and injured students — and they have active chapters near Lavaca County.

3. Universities Near Lavaca County Are Complicit

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was waterboarded. They collected rent while students were being tortured. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter — but they didn’t.

The same institutional negligence exists at universities near Lavaca County:

• Texas A&M — Has had multiple hazing incidents, including deaths
• University of Texas — Currently facing wrongful death lawsuit for hazing (Nov 2025)
• Texas State — Known for hazing culture in Greek life
• Baylor — Strong Greek system with documented hazing risks
• Sam Houston State — Growing Greek life with oversight challenges

Universities have a DUTY to protect students. When they fail, they must be held accountable.

4. Hazing Causes Permanent Damage

Our client survived — but his injuries are serious:

• Rhabdomyolysis — Muscle breakdown that can cause permanent kidney damage
• Acute kidney failure — Life-threatening condition requiring hospitalization
• PTSD, anxiety, and depression — From the psychological trauma of waterboarding and abuse
• Fear of retribution — He’s afraid to speak out because of threats

Other hazing injuries we’ve seen in our cases:

• Traumatic brain injury from beatings
• Broken bones from physical abuse
• Alcohol poisoning from forced drinking
• Hypothermia from cold-weather exposure
• Heat stroke from extreme physical exertion
• Permanent scarring from branding or burns
• Sexual assault and humiliation
• Death

Hazing doesn’t just hurt in the moment. It can affect victims for the rest of their lives.

5. Lavaca County Victims Have Legal Rights

If your child was hazed in Lavaca County — or at any university — you have legal options:

✅ Civil Lawsuit — Sue the fraternity, national organization, university, and individuals for damages
✅ Criminal Complaint — Hazing is a crime in Texas (up to State Jail Felony for death)
✅ University Reporting — File formal complaints with the university’s Greek life office
✅ Title IX Complaint — If sexual assault or gender-based hazing occurred
✅ Media Exposure — Bring public attention to the issue and force change

You don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to help.

💡 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Lavaca County

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• If your child shows signs of physical injury (pain, swelling, dark urine, difficulty walking), take them to the emergency room.
• Rhabdomyolysis and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening. Don’t wait.
• Document everything. Save medical records, photos of injuries, and any evidence of what happened.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. This includes:

• Text messages — GroupMe, iMessage, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram DMs
• Social media posts — Screenshots of any posts about hazing
• Photos and videos — From pledge events, hazing activities, injuries
• Emails — From the fraternity, university, or other members
• Physical evidence — Clothing worn during hazing, objects used in hazing
• Witness information — Names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses

Why this matters: Evidence disappears quickly. Fraternities often delete messages and destroy documents once they know a lawsuit is coming. Act fast to preserve what you have.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without Legal Counsel

• Fraternities and universities have teams of lawyers whose job is to protect the institution — not your child.
• They will try to get your child to sign documents or make statements that hurt their case.
• They may offer a quick settlement — which will almost certainly be far less than your child deserves.
• Anything your child says can be used against them.

Let us handle all communication. We know their tactics — because we used to work on their side.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

Call Attorney 911 immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.

We offer:

• Free, confidential consultations — No obligation, no pressure
• $0 upfront cost — We work on contingency; we don’t get paid unless you win
• Nationwide representation — We can help Lavaca County victims no matter where the hazing occurred
• Video consultations — Meet with us remotely from Lavaca County
• Travel to Lavaca County — For depositions, meetings, and trials

We’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing case. We know how to win.

Step 5: Report the Incident

• File a police report — Hazing is a crime in Texas
• File a university complaint — With the Greek life office or Title IX coordinator
• File a Title IX complaint — If sexual assault or gender-based hazing occurred

We can guide you through this process and make sure your reports are properly documented.

📋 What Lavaca County Families Can Sue For

If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

• Medical bills — Hospital stays, ER visits, specialists, medications, future treatment
• Lost wages — Time missed from work during recovery
• Future lost earning capacity — If injuries affect career opportunities
• Educational expenses — Tuition, fees, lost scholarships if your child had to withdraw
• Travel expenses — For medical treatment or legal proceedings

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain — From injuries, medical treatment, and recovery
• Mental anguish — PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution
• Emotional distress — Humiliation, shame, loss of trust
• Loss of enjoyment of life — Inability to participate in normal activities
• Disfigurement — Permanent scars or injuries

Punitive Damages (To Punish the Defendants)

• For egregious conduct — Like waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles
• For institutional negligence — When universities and nationals knew and did nothing
• To send a message — So this never happens to another Lavaca County family

Texas has no cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases. Juries can — and do — award millions for hazing victims.

⚖️ Texas Hazing Laws: What Lavaca County Families Need to Know

1. Hazing Is a Crime in Texas

Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157 defines hazing and sets criminal penalties:

Important: Organizations can also be penalized with fines up to $10,000 and loss of recognition.

2. Consent Is Not a Defense

“It is not a defense to prosecution that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”
— Texas Education Code § 37.154

What this means for Lavaca County victims:

• The fraternity cannot argue that your child “agreed” to be hazed
• The fraternity cannot argue that your child “knew what they were signing up for”
• Consent does not matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of whether the victim “participated.”

3. Universities Have a Duty to Protect Students

Under Texas law, universities have a duty of care to protect students from foreseeable harm. This includes:

• Premises liability — If the university owns or controls the property where hazing occurs
• Negligent supervision — If the university fails to monitor Greek organizations
• Failure to act on prior incidents — If the university knew hazing was happening and did nothing

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was waterboarded. They are being sued for millions. Universities near Lavaca County face the same liability.

4. You Have 2 Years to File a Lawsuit

The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Texas is 2 years from the date of injury.

This means:

• If your child was hazed on November 1, 2023, you have until November 1, 2025 to file a lawsuit
• If you miss the deadline, you lose your right to sue forever

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

💰 Precedent Cases: What Lavaca County Families Can Expect

These cases prove that hazing lawsuits win — and win big.

What this means for Lavaca County families:

• $10 million is not an unreasonable demand — Stone Foltz family received $10.1 million
• Juries award millions — Max Gruver family received $6.1 million verdict
• Universities and fraternities pay — Both entities are held accountable
• Punitive damages are awarded — When conduct is egregious, juries punish defendants

🏛️ Who We Sue for Lavaca County Hazing Victims

When your child is hazed, everyone who participated or allowed it to happen can be held accountable. In our current case, we’re suing:

The deeper the pockets, the more we can recover. National organizations and universities have millions in assets and insurance — and we know how to access them.

🔍 How We Prove Your Lavaca County Hazing Case

1. Medical Records

• Hospital records showing injuries
• Doctor’s notes describing treatment
• Photos of injuries at all stages of healing
• Therapy records for PTSD, anxiety, depression

2. Communications

• Text messages about hazing (GroupMe, iMessage, WhatsApp)
• Social media posts about pledge activities
• Emails from fraternity leadership
• Pledge manuals or schedules

3. Witness Testimony

• Other pledges who experienced the same hazing
• Active members who participated
• Bystanders who witnessed hazing
• Friends/family who noticed changes in your child

4. Pattern Evidence

• Prior hazing incidents at the same chapter
• Hazing incidents at other chapters of the same fraternity
• University knowledge of prior hazing
• National organization’s history of hazing

5. Physical Evidence

• Photos/videos of hazing activities
• Objects used in hazing (paddles, hoses, etc.)
• Clothing worn during hazing
• Security camera footage

6. Expert Testimony

• Medical experts — To explain injuries and long-term impact
• Greek life experts — To explain hazing culture and institutional failure
• Economic experts — To calculate future medical costs and lost earning capacity
• Psychological experts — To explain PTSD, anxiety, and emotional distress

🎯 Why Lavaca County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We’re 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. Lavaca County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. We Used to Work for the Other Side

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — are former insurance defense lawyers. We know exactly how insurance companies and institutions try to minimize or deny claims. We’ve seen their playbook — and now we use it against them.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority

We’re admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, which means we can pursue hazing cases in federal court — a strategic advantage when suing national organizations.

4. We’re Dual-State Licensed

We’re licensed in Texas AND New York, which gives us strategic leverage when pursuing national fraternities headquartered outside Texas.

5. We Speak Spanish

Many Lavaca County families are Spanish-speaking. Se habla español. We can communicate with you in your preferred language, eliminating language barriers to justice.

6. We Travel to Lavaca County

While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we come to Lavaca County for depositions, meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

7. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

We understand that cost can be a barrier. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We don’t get paid unless and until you get paid.

8. We Treat You Like Family

We’re not just your attorneys — we’re your advocates. We’ve seen what hazing does to families, and we’re committed to fighting for Lavaca County victims with compassion and fury.

📞 Lavaca County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now

If your child was hazed in Lavaca County — or at any university — we can help.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Free consultation. No obligation. No upfront cost. We don’t get paid unless you win.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions from Lavaca County Families

1. “My child doesn’t want to get anyone in trouble. Should we still pursue a case?”

Yes. Hazing thrives on silence. By speaking out, you’re not just helping your child — you’re protecting the next Lavaca County student. Many victims feel guilty, but remember: the people who hurt your child broke the law. They deserve to be held accountable.

2. “The fraternity said my child consented. Is that a valid defense?”

No. Under Texas law, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. Fraternities use this argument to intimidate victims — don’t let them.

3. “We’re worried about retaliation. What can we do?”

We understand the fear of retaliation. That’s why we:

• Handle all communication with the fraternity and university
• Protect your identity when possible
• Seek court orders to prevent retaliation
• Document any threats or intimidation

Retaliation is illegal — and we will hold them accountable for it.

4. “My child was hazed at a university outside Lavaca County. Can you still help?”

Yes. While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide. We can evaluate your case regardless of where the hazing occurred. We offer video consultations and travel to meet with clients.

5. “How much does it cost to hire you?”

$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 comes out of the settlement or verdict

This levels the playing field. Now you can fight against institutions with deep pockets.

6. “How long does a hazing lawsuit take?”

Every case is different, but most hazing cases take 12-24 months to resolve. Some factors that can affect the timeline:

• Severity of injuries
• Number of defendants
• Willingness of defendants to settle
• Whether the case goes to trial

We work as quickly as possible to get you the compensation you deserve.

7. “What if the fraternity offers a quick settlement?”

Do not accept any settlement without consulting an attorney. Insurance companies and fraternities offer quick, lowball settlements to make the case go away. These offers are almost always far less than your case is worth.

We know how to negotiate with insurance companies and institutions — and we won’t settle for less than you deserve.

8. “Can we sue the university even if they didn’t directly participate in the hazing?”

Yes. Universities can be held liable for:

• Premises liability — If they own the property where hazing occurred
• Negligent supervision — If they failed to monitor Greek organizations
• Institutional negligence — If they knew hazing was happening and did nothing

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was waterboarded. They are being sued for millions. Universities near Lavaca County face the same liability.

9. “What if my child was hazed years ago? Is it too late to sue?”

The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Texas is 2 years from the date of injury. However, there are exceptions:

• If the victim was a minor at the time, the clock may not start until they turn 18
• If the injury was not immediately apparent (like PTSD), the clock may start when it was discovered
• If the university or fraternity concealed evidence, the clock may be extended

Don’t assume it’s too late. Contact us for a free consultation.

10. “Will this affect my child’s academic or athletic career?”

We understand your concerns. We work to:

• Protect your child’s privacy
• Minimize academic disruption
• Seek accommodations from the university if needed
• Pursue justice without jeopardizing your child’s future

Many universities have policies to protect victims of hazing. We can help navigate those processes.

🚫 What NOT to Do After Hazing in Lavaca County

Do NOT:

❌ Delete any messages or posts — This is destruction of evidence
❌ Talk to the fraternity or university without an attorney — They will use your words against you
❌ Sign anything from the organization — You may be waiving your rights
❌ Post about the incident on social media — Anything you post can be used against you
❌ Confront the fraternity members — This can escalate retaliation risks
❌ Assume you don’t have a case — Many victims don’t realize their rights
❌ Wait too long to act — Evidence disappears, and your rights expire

Do:

✅ Get medical attention immediately
✅ Preserve all evidence (texts, photos, videos, witness info)
✅ Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911
✅ Report the incident to police and the university
✅ Document everything (injuries, conversations, expenses)

🎓 A Message to Lavaca County Students

If you’re being hazed — or if you’ve been hazed — this is not your fault.

You joined a fraternity or sorority to make friends, to build community, to be part of something bigger. You trusted the people around you. You trusted the institution.

That trust was betrayed.

You don’t deserve to be waterboarded. You don’t deserve to be forced to do 500 squats until you collapse. You don’t deserve to be struck with wooden paddles. You don’t deserve to be humiliated, degraded, or abused.

This isn’t tradition. This isn’t brotherhood. This is abuse — and it’s illegal.

You have the right to speak out. You have the right to seek justice. You have the right to hold the people who hurt you accountable.

You are not alone. We believe you. And we will fight for you.

🏡 A Message to Lavaca County Parents

You sent your child to college to learn, to grow, to be safe.

You didn’t send them to be tortured. You didn’t send them to be abused. You didn’t send them to be hospitalized with kidney failure.

But that’s what happened.

We understand the pain you’re feeling. We understand the rage. We understand the helplessness.

You are not helpless. You have power.

You have the power to hold the fraternity accountable. You have the power to hold the university accountable. You have the power to protect the next Lavaca County family from going through what you’re going through.

We’re here to help you use that power.

📢 A Warning to Lavaca County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Lavaca County: We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. We track your house corporations, your alumni chapters, your national insurance structures.

If your chapter harms students in Lavaca County, we will pursue every liable entity. We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. Your chapter could be next.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma — if your chapter operates near Lavaca County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America.

To the universities near Lavaca County: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.

Texas A&M, University of Texas, Baylor, Texas State — you own the fraternity houses. You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous chapters. If you fail to act, you will be held accountable.

The message is clear: Hazing will not be tolerated. The era of silence is over.

🔥 Enough Is Enough, Lavaca County

For too long, hazing has been dismissed as “tradition.” For too long, victims have been told to “toughen up.” For too long, fraternities and universities have gotten away with abuse.

That ends now.

With every lawsuit, every verdict, every piece of legislation, we’re sending a message: This cannot stand.

If your child was hazed in Lavaca County — or at any university — we can help. Call us today.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Free consultation. No obligation. No upfront cost. We don’t get paid unless you win.

Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Houston | Austin | Beaumont | Serving Lavaca County and Nationwide

“When a legal emergency hits, we move FIRST, FAST, and DECISIVELY.”