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Swisher County (Texas/Swisher County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | 125+ Greek Organizations Tracked with IRS Records | Attorney911 β€” The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 26, 2026 14 min read
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πŸ›‘οΈ Hazing Legal Emergency: Your Rights as a Swisher County Family

We are Attorney 911 β€” Texas’s leading hazing litigation team. We are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the hazing that hospitalized a young man with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The same fraternities operate at universities near Swisher County. The same negligence exists at Swisher County institutions. If your child has been hazed in Swisher County, we will fight for you with the same aggression.

🚨 Swisher County Parents: This Could Be Your Child

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It’s not “tradition.” It’s not “building character.”

It is:

  • Assault β€” forced physical abuse, paddling, waterboarding
  • Battery β€” intentional harmful contact
  • Torture β€” simulated drowning, extreme physical punishment
  • Reckless endangerment β€” forcing students to exercise until they collapse
  • Sometimes manslaughter β€” when hazing kills
  • Always preventable β€” when universities and fraternities choose to act

The same national fraternities that waterboarded our client in Houston have chapters at universities near Swisher County. The same institutions that failed to stop hazing in Houston are failing students in Swisher County.

Your child could be next.

πŸ“ž Swisher County Families: Call Now β€” Free Consultation

πŸ“ Serving Swisher County from Houston, Austin & Beaumont

πŸ“ž 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline)

πŸ“§ ralph@atty911.com

🌐 attorney911.com

We work on contingency β€” $0 upfront for Swisher County families. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.

πŸ›οΈ What Is Hazing in Texas?

Texas law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.

This includes:

  • Physical brutality β€” paddling, beating, forced exercise to exhaustion
  • Forced consumption β€” alcohol, food, or other substances until vomiting
  • Sleep deprivation β€” late-night activities, early morning driving
  • Psychological abuse β€” humiliation, threats, isolation
  • Waterboarding/simulated drowning β€” as seen in our Houston case
  • Any activity that creates unreasonable risk of harm β€” like 500 squats causing kidney failure

Texas law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent does not matter.

βš–οΈ Who Is Liable for Swisher County Hazing?

When hazing happens near Swisher County, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible:

Defendant Why They’re Liable Swisher County Application
Local Chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing Same fraternities operate near Swisher County
National Organization Knew or should have known about hazing culture Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike, and others have documented hazing histories
University/College Failed to prevent hazing despite oversight power Swisher County institutions have the same duty to protect students
Housing Corporation Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred Many fraternity houses near Swisher County are university-owned
Individual Members Participated in or failed to stop hazing Each person who hazes your child can be sued personally
Alumni Hosted hazing at their homes Off-campus locations are common near Swisher County
Insurance Companies Provide coverage for institutional liability Deep pockets for compensation

In our Houston case, we are suing:

  • The local chapter
  • The national fraternity
  • The university
  • The housing corporation
  • Individual members
  • Former members and their spouses

Swisher County families get the same comprehensive representation.

πŸ’° What Is Your Swisher County Hazing Case Worth?

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what juries and courts have awarded recently:

Case University Fraternity Outcome Amount
Stone Foltz Bowling Green State Pi Kappa Alpha Settlement $10.1 million
Maxwell Gruver Louisiana State Phi Delta Theta Jury Verdict $6.1 million
Timothy Piazza Penn State Beta Theta Pi Settlement $110+ million
Andrew Coffey Florida State Pi Kappa Phi Settlement Confidential (major)
Adam Oakes Virginia Commonwealth Delta Chi Settlement $4+ million

Our current case: We are seeking $10 million for our client who was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded and forced to do 500 squats.

Swisher County families can pursue the same compensation for:

  • Medical bills β€” past and future
  • Lost wages β€” from missed work or academic disruption
  • Pain and suffering β€” physical and emotional trauma
  • Punitive damages β€” to punish egregious conduct and prevent future hazing
  • Educational damages β€” if hazing disrupts your child’s college plans

Texas has no cap on pain and suffering damages in personal injury cases.

πŸ₯ Medical Consequences of Hazing Near Swisher County

Hazing causes serious, sometimes permanent injuries. Our client suffered:

  • Rhabdomyolysis β€” muscle breakdown from extreme exercise
  • Acute kidney failure β€” life-threatening complication requiring hospitalization
  • Severe muscle pain and inability to walk β€” from 500 squats and other forced activities
  • Psychological trauma β€” PTSD, anxiety, depression from waterboarding and abuse

Other common hazing injuries near Swisher County:

  • Alcohol poisoning β€” from forced binge drinking
  • Traumatic brain injury β€” from beatings or falls
  • Hypothermia/hyperthermia β€” from exposure to extreme temperatures
  • Cardiac arrest β€” from extreme physical exertion
  • Sexual assault injuries β€” from forced nudity or sexual humiliation
  • Broken bones β€” from paddling or physical abuse
  • Internal bleeding β€” from blunt force trauma

Long-term consequences for Swisher County victims:

  • Chronic kidney disease requiring lifelong monitoring
  • Need for dialysis or kidney transplant
  • Permanent disability
  • PTSD, anxiety, depression
  • Academic disruption
  • Career limitations

πŸ“‹ What Swisher County Families Should Do Immediately

If your child has been hazed near Swisher County, take these steps NOW:

  1. πŸš‘ Seek medical attention immediately

    • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
    • Rhabdomyolysis and other conditions may not show symptoms immediately
    • Medical records are critical evidence
  2. πŸ“Έ Preserve all evidence

    • Photos/videos β€” injuries at all stages, hazing locations, items used
    • Screenshots β€” text messages, GroupMe chats, social media posts about hazing
    • Physical items β€” paddles, clothing, any objects used in hazing
    • Witness information β€” names and contact info of other pledges and witnesses
  3. πŸ“ Document everything

    • Write down what happened, when, where, and who was involved
    • Note any threats or coercion
    • Record how hazing has affected your child’s physical and mental health
  4. 🚫 Do NOT

    • Talk to fraternity/sorority members or university officials without legal counsel
    • Post about the incident on social media
    • Delete any messages, photos, or videos
    • Sign anything from the organization
  5. πŸ“ž Call Attorney 911 immediately

    • 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
    • ralph@atty911.com
    • Free consultation for Swisher County families
    • We handle all communications with the organization and insurance companies

Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

πŸŽ“ Swisher County Universities and Greek Life: The Reality

Fraternities and sororities near Swisher County operate under the same national organizations that have paid millions in hazing settlements. Here’s what Swisher County families need to know:

Fraternities Near Swisher County with Hazing Histories:

Fraternity Hazing Incidents Swisher County Presence
Pi Kappa Phi Andrew Coffey death (2017), Leonel Bermudez hospitalization (2025) Chapters at universities near Swisher County
Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) Stone Foltz death (2021), David Bogenberger death (2012) Chapters at universities near Swisher County
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Multiple hazing deaths and injuries Chapters at universities near Swisher County
Phi Delta Theta Maxwell Gruver death (2017), $6.1M verdict Chapters at universities near Swisher County
Beta Theta Pi Timothy Piazza death (2017), $110M+ settlement Chapters at universities near Swisher County
Sigma Chi Recent lawsuit at UT Austin (2025) Chapters at universities near Swisher County

These are the same Greek letters your child may see on campus near Swisher County.

Universities Near Swisher County Face the Same Liability as UH

The University of Houston:

  • Owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
  • Had a prior hazing incident in 2017 (different fraternity)
  • Failed to implement effective oversight
  • Is now a defendant in our $10 million lawsuit

Swisher County institutions have the same power β€” and the same responsibility β€” to prevent hazing in their Greek organizations.

πŸ“’ The Message to Swisher County Fraternities and Universities

To every fraternity operating near Swisher County:

We are watching. 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 β€” if your chapter operates near Swisher County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

To every university near Swisher County:

The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.

To Greek life leadership at Swisher County institutions:

The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

πŸ” Why Swisher County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

While other firms talk about hazing, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston. Swisher County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know their playbook. We know how they try to minimize claims. We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas & New York)

This gives us strategic advantage in cases against national fraternities headquartered outside Texas.

4. Federal Court Authority

We are admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. We can pursue Swisher County cases in federal jurisdiction.

5. Proven Results in Complex Litigation

  • BP Texas City explosion litigation β€” mass tort experience
  • Multi-million dollar personal injury cases
  • Wrongful death and catastrophic injury representation
  • High-profile media cases β€” ABC13, KHOU, Houston Chronicle coverage

6. We Come to Swisher County

For depositions, client meetings, and trials, our attorneys travel to Swisher County as needed. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

7. Bilingual Services (Se Habla EspaΓ±ol)

We serve Swisher County’s Hispanic families without language barriers.

8. 25+ Years of Litigation Experience

Ralph Manginello has been a trial attorney for 25+ years. Lupe Pena brings 12+ years of litigation experience, including at a national defense firm.

9. We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Win

$0 upfront for Swisher County families. We work on contingency β€” you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

πŸ† Our Track Record of Success

Client Testimonials (4.9 Stars, 250+ Reviews):

“Attorney 911 treated me with honesty and respect from the very beginning. I was able to trust the firm to advocate for me. They worked on my case for about three years. The Manginello Law Firm got me a million-dollar settlement.” β€” Debra Cambric-Chisolm

“The Manginello Law Firm treated me with honesty and respect from the very beginning. I was able to trust the firm to advocate for me. They worked on my case for about three years.” β€” Debra Cambric-Chisolm

“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” β€” Dame Haskett

“They fought with the other party insurance and got me more of the settlement that I was expecting.” β€” Vivian Ruiz

“I was rear-ended and the team got right to work with my medical issues and the repair of my vehicle. They were available to answer any questions and concerns. Everyone was very professional and polite. I also got a very nice settlement.” β€” MONGO SLADE

πŸ“ž Swisher County Families: Call Now β€” 1-888-ATTY-911

This is a legal emergency. Your child has been hazed. Their health, their future, and their rights are at stake.

We are Attorney 911 β€” Texas’s hazing litigation experts. We are fighting this battle right now in Houston, and we will fight for Swisher County families with the same fury.

Call us 24/7:
πŸ“ž 1-888-ATTY-911
πŸ“§ ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

$0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you win. Swisher County families deserve justice.

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