If you’re reading this, your family may be facing one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Your child was supposed to make friends at college, to embrace new experiences, and to build a future. Instead, they were tortured, humiliated, or gravely injured by a fraternity or sorority that promised brotherhood or sisterhood. We understand what you’re going through. The fear, the anger, the confusion – it’s overwhelming. Here in Thomas County, like in every community across America, parents send their children off to college with hopes, not horror stories. We are here to help families in Thomas County fight back against the insidious problem of hazing.

We are Attorney911, and we are legal emergency lawyers. We pride ourselves on moving first, fast, and decisively when a legal emergency strikes. For hazing victims and their families in Thomas County, this means aggressive, expert representation designed to hold every responsible party accountable. We may be based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but our commitment to justice extends nationwide. We bring our federal court authority and our readiness to travel to Thomas County to ensure that distance is never a barrier to justice.

The Hazing Crisis: Why Thomas County Families Need Us

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It is abuse, and in too many cases, it is assault, torture, or even murder. The statistics are horrifying: over half of all students in Greek organizations report experiencing hazing, and tragically, a hazing death has occurred every year in the United United States since 2000. And what’s even more disturbing is that 95% of students who are hazed never report it. This silence allows dangerous practices to continue unchecked, putting more young lives at risk. This crisis infiltrates not just fraternities and sororities, but sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and countless other student organizations where trust is betrayed, and young people are put in harm’s way.

Families in Thomas County send their children to universities across Georgia and the Southeast, hoping they’ll thrive. Whether their child attends a major university like the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University, Florida State University just south of the border, or a smaller regional college, the risk of hazing remains profoundly real. The same national fraternities that have caused injuries and deaths across the country, including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Alpha, maintain active chapters in communities that Thomas County students call home. The unfortunate reality is that the same patterns of abuse we’ve seen elsewhere can, and do, happen to students from Thomas County.

Our Fight to End Hazing: The Landmark Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Case

We don’t just talk about hazing; we’re actively fighting it right now in court. The centerpiece of our commitment to hazing victims is the landmark case of Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. This isn’t theoretical; this is a live, ongoing $10 million lawsuit filed in November 2025 in Harris County Civil District Court, right here in Texas. This case exemplifies everything Attorney911 stands for: aggressive representation, data-driven litigation, and relentless pursuit of accountability for every entity responsible for hazing injuries. What happened to our client, Leonel Bermudez, is a horrifying and stark warning to every parent in Thomas County about the true nature of hazing today.

Leonel Bermudez was not even an enrolled University of Houston student when he accepted a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on September 16, 2025. He was a “ghost rush,” a prospective transfer student planning to join UH the following semester. Despite not being a student yet, he endured weeks of systematic abuse and torture in the fraternity pledging process that resulted in severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, landing him in the hospital for three nights and four days.

The hazing Leonel suffered was beyond horrific:

• Waterboarding: Pledges were subjected to what media reports described as “simulated waterboarding with a garden hose,” sprayed in the face during calisthenics. This is torture—the same method the U.S. government considers a war crime when inflicted upon enemy combatants.
• Extreme Physical Punishment: He was forced to perform over 100 pushups, 500 squats, and rigorous drills like “high-volume suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and “repeated 100-yard crawls” while reciting the fraternity creed. He was also allegedly struck with wooden paddles. On November 3, 2025, after missing an event, Leonel was forced to perform these exercises until he literally collapsed, unable to stand without assistance. Other pledges had reportedly lost consciousness during similar workouts earlier in the pledge period.
• Forced Consumption: Leonel was made to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and even peppercorns until he vomited, only to be forced to continue running sprints while in physical distress and lying in his own vomit.
• Psychological Torture: He endured humiliation, such as being forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather and carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. Threats of physical punishment or expulsion were constant.
• Sleep Deprivation: He was forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours, leading to dangerous exhaustion.

When Leonel finally made it home on November 3, he could barely move. His condition worsened over the next two days, and his mother rushed him to the hospital on November 6. He was passing brown urine, a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown. Diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, he spent four critical days in the hospital. The effects of rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of muscle tissue releasing harmful proteins into the bloodstream) can lead to permanent kidney damage or even death. Our firm has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases, and we are leveraging that to fight for Leonel.

Within days of Leonel’s hospitalization, Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters suspended the chapter. On November 14, just days before we filed our lawsuit, they officially closed the Beta Nu Chapter at the University of Houston. This swift action, taken before our suit was public, is a clear admission of severe wrongdoing and a desperate attempt to limit their liability. Their own statement, in which they thanked the University of Houston for its “collaboration” and boldly declared, “we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time,” speaks volumes about their lack of remorse and their immediate strategy to minimize consequences while our client recovered.

We filed a $10 million lawsuit naming not only Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters and the local chapter (which was housed in a university-owned building), but also the University of Houston, the UH Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity members, including the president, pledgemaster, and even a former member and his spouse who hosted hazing at their residence. This demonstrates our commitment to identifying and suing every single entity responsible for hazing injuries.

What Hazing Really Looks Like: Beyond the Stereotypes

For many parents in Thomas County, the word “hazing” might conjure images of silly pranks or harmless dares. However, the truth is far more sinister, as exemplified by Leonel Bermudez’s case. This isn’t “boys being boys” or “building character.” This is systematic abuse, psychological torture, and often outright assault.

Hazing today encompasses a terrifying range of actions, many of which are specifically designed to break down a person physically, emotionally, and psychologically:

• Physical Abuse: This goes far beyond a few pushups. It includes beatings, paddling, forced calisthenics to the point of collapse, sleep deprivation, and extreme exposure (such as standing in cold weather in minimal clothing). The physical exertion can lead to medical emergencies like rhabdomyolysis, as in Leonel’s case, or cardiac arrest.
• Forced Consumption: This often involves binge drinking, chugging dangerous amounts of alcohol, or consuming non-food substances. It also includes forcing pledges to eat until they vomit, then making them continue physical activity in their own vomit, as happened to Leonel. Alcohol poisoning remains a leading cause of hazing deaths.
• Psychological Torture: This can be among the most damaging forms of hazing. It involves humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, threats, isolation, and frightening scenarios designed to instill fear and subservience. The fanny pack with sexual objects, the hog-tying incident, and the constant threats in Leonel’s case are prime examples. The psychological scars can last a lifetime, manifesting as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
• Sexual Harassment and Abuse: This spectrum ranges from forced nudity and inappropriate touching to sexual assault. Allegations surrounding objects of a sexual nature used in hazing rituals reveal a deeply disturbing and dehumanizing aspect.
• Simulated Drowning/Waterboarding: As Leonel’s case tragically illustrates, some hazing rituals mimic torture techniques. The intentional act of spraying water into a student’s face while they are physically exhausted, simulating drowning, crosses a line into unimaginable cruelty.

These activities are not about “brotherhood”; they are about power, control, and degradation. They strip individuals of their dignity and autonomy, often leading to severe injuries, profound psychological trauma, and tragically, death. Thomas County families need to understand that the “traditions” some organizations claim to uphold are often thinly veiled acts of abuse.

Who Is Responsible: Holding Every Liable Party Accountable

One of the most crucial aspects of an effective hazing lawsuit for Thomas County families is identifying and pursuing every single party that bears responsibility. Hazing incidents are rarely the fault of just one person or entity. Our strategy, proven in complex litigation like the BP Texas City explosion and now in the Bermudez case, targets everyone who participated, enabled, or failed to prevent the harm.

In the Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, we are pursuing compensation from:

• The Local Chapter: The Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi directly organized and conducted the hazing activities. The chapter leaders, such as the president and pledgemaster, bear direct responsibility for directing these actions.
• Individual Fraternity Members: Every current and former member who actively participated in, condoned, or failed to intervene in the hazing can be held personally liable. This includes the 13 individual members we’ve named in the lawsuit, even a former member and his spouse who allowed hazing to occur at their residence. They cannot hide behind collective responsibility; personal accountability is paramount.
• The National Organization: Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters is a primary defendant. Our lawsuit alleges they “failed to enforce anti-hazing rules and policies despite knowledge of ‘a hazing crisis.'” The death of Andrew Coffey at their Florida State chapter in 2017 provided them with explicit notice of the deadly hazing culture within their organization. Despite having eight years to implement effective safeguards between Coffey’s death and Bermudez’s hospitalization, they demonstrably failed. This establishes a clear pattern of negligence and deliberate indifference.
• The University: The University of Houston is also a key defendant. This is because the University owned and directly controlled the fraternity house where much of the hazing took place. Furthermore, the University had a documented history of hazing incidents; a University of Houston student was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen from hazing in 2017. This means the University had actual knowledge of the risks and failed to implement adequate oversight and protections, establishing institutional negligence and premises liability. The UH Board of Regents is also a named defendant, highlighting the broad institutional failure.
• The Housing Corporation: This entity often owns or manages the fraternity house. In our case, the Beta Nu Housing Corporation is named because it owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred and failed in its duty to ensure a safe environment.
• Insurance Carriers: Behind every national organization, university, and often even individual homeowners lies substantial insurance coverage. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña possess insider knowledge of how these carriers operate. We know how to uncover these policies and leverage them to maximize recovery for victims. This is where the real money for compensation is found; these cases are not about suing broke college students but holding powerful, insured institutions accountable.

By targeting all these parties, we ensure that every entity contributing to the problem is held to account, leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice for Thomas County families.

What These Cases Win: Multi-Million Dollar Proof That Justice Prevails

For Thomas County families traumatized by hazing, one of the most pressing questions is often, “What can actually be done?” The answer is clear: justice can be won, and it often comes in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. These precedents send an unmistakable message to fraternities, universities, and national organizations: hazing costs millions.

Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is not an arbitrary number; it is firmly rooted in the outcomes of similar hazing cases across the country. These cases prove that aggressive legal action can secure substantial compensation for victims and their families.

Consider these landmark cases:

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Total: $10.1 Million+
  Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing event. The subsequent settlements included $2.9 million from Bowling Green State University, and another $7.2 million from the fraternity and involved individuals, for a total of over $10.1 million. In a separate, powerful judgment in December 2024, the former chapter president, Daylen Dunson, was held personally liable for an additional $6.5 million. This case directly supports our $10 million demand, and shows that both universities and national fraternities pay. It also proves that individual officers are not immune.

• Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017): Total: $6.1 Million Verdict
  Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died from acute alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495) after being forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol during a Phi Delta Theta hazing ritual. A jury awarded his family $6.1 million, and one fraternity member was convicted of negligent homicide. This verdict sent a powerful message: juries are outraged by hazing and will award millions. The case also led to the “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony in Louisiana.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017): Total: $110+ Million (Estimated)
  Timothy Piazza died from a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding after being forced to consume 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event. Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours to call 911, and security cameras captured his agonizing decline. While the exact settlement amount is confidential, it is estimated to be over $110 million, making it one of the largest hazing payouts in history. Numerous fraternity members faced criminal charges, and Pennsylvania passed the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.” This case underscores that exceptionally strong evidence and egregious conduct can lead to massive compensation.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017):
  Tragically, Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” ritual. This is the same national fraternity as in our Bermudez case. Nine members were charged criminally, and the chapter was permanently closed. Although the civil settlement amount is confidential, this case provides irrefutable proof that Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters had actual knowledge of deadly hazing within its chapters years before Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. Their failure to prevent subsequent hazing demonstrates a pattern of negligence.

• Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University / Delta Chi (2021): Total: $4+ Million Settlement
  Adam Oakes died after a Delta Chi hazing event during which he was commanded to drink a liter of Jack Daniel’s. His family initially filed a $28 million lawsuit and ultimately secured a settlement of over $4 million, with a significant amount dedicated to a foundation in his name. This case, settled in October 2024, further reinforces the substantial value of hazing cases and the dedication of families to turn tragedy into advocacy.

These cases are not isolated incidents; they represent a nationwide pattern of institutional failure and severe harm. They prove that when a victim is seriously injured or dies due to hazing, the legal system can and will provide significant compensation. Our firm uses the lessons from these cases to strategically build and litigation hazing lawsuits for Thomas County students, ensuring that the same powerful legal arguments and evidence lead to justice. Your Thomas County hazing case can achieve similar results, sending a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.

Texas Law Protects You: Understanding Your Rights in Thomas County

Families in Thomas County should know that the law, particularly in Texas, provides strong protections against hazing and offers avenues for justice. It’s crucial to understand these legal provisions, as they form the foundation of any successful lawsuit. While we are based in Texas, most states have similar anti-hazing statutes, and federal civil rights claims apply nationwide, allowing us to pursue your case wherever the hazing occurred.

In Texas, the law is clear and unambiguous: hazing is illegal, and consent is not a defense.

Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157 — The Anti-Hazing Law

• Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Texas law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization, if that act:

  • Involves physical brutality (whipping, striking, burning, branding).
  • Causes sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement, or calisthenics that subject the student to unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affect mental or physical health.
  • Involves forced consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, or other substances that pose an unreasonable risk.
  • Requires the student to perform a task that violates the Penal Code.
  • Involves coercing the student to consume drugs or excessive alcohol.

  As illustrated by Leonel Bermudez’s case, nearly every element of the hazing he suffered fits squarely within this legal definition, from forced calisthenics leading to kidney failure, to forced consumption, to exposure to the elements through waterboarding. The hazing your Thomas County child experienced very likely violates this statute and gives rise to civil liability.

• Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): The law carries serious criminal consequences for those involved in hazing:

  • Engaging in hazing or soliciting it is a Class B Misdemeanor (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Hazing causing serious bodily injury (like Leonel’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure) is a Class A Misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine).
  • Hazing causing death is a State Jail Felony (180 days – 2 years state jail, $10,000 fine).
    These criminal penalties show the severity with which the state views hazing and lay the groundwork for civil claims.

• Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): This is crucial. Organizations themselves can be penalized, including fines up to $10,000, denial of permission to operate, and forfeiture of property, if they condone, encourage, or if their members commit hazing. This provision is why national fraternities and university chapters can be held directly responsible.

• Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.154): This is perhaps the most powerful legal shield for victims. The statute explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” This means that any argument from fraternity members or universities claiming “he agreed to participate” or “he knew the risks” is nullified by Texas law. You cannot legally consent to criminal acts, and hazing is a crime.

• University Reporting Requirements (§ 37.155): Universities are legally mandated to report hazing incidents to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor. This creates an accountability mechanism and ensures that institutions cannot simply sweep incidents under the rug.

Civil Liability: Beyond Criminal Charges, Compensation for Thomas County Victims

While the Texas anti-hazing statute provides criminal penalties, a civil lawsuit allows Thomas County victims and their families to pursue financial compensation for devastating injuries and losses. These are the claims we bring:

• Negligence Claims: We prove that universities, national organizations, and individual members had a duty of care to protect students, breached that duty through their actions or inactions concerning hazing, and that this breach directly caused the victim’s injuries and damages. This applies regardless of location.
• Premises Liability: If hazing occurs on property owned or controlled by the university (as in our Bermudez case with the University of Houston owning the fraternity house) or by a housing corporation, these entities can be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.
• Negligent Supervision: National organizations have a duty to supervise their local chapters, and universities have a duty to oversee Greek life. When they fail in these duties, allowing hazing to flourish, they are liable for negligent supervision.
• Assault and Battery: Individual perpetrators who inflict physical harm through acts like paddling, force-feeding, or waterboarding can be sued directly for assault (threat of harm) and battery (actual harmful contact).
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Hazing often involves conduct so extreme and outrageous that it causes severe emotional distress, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Legal claims can be brought for this profound psychological harm.

These legal avenues exist to ensure that despite the trauma, shame, or fear hazing victims and their families may experience, the law stands ready to provide a path to justice. Our experienced legal team is adept at navigating these complex laws to hold all responsible parties, from individual students to multi-million dollar institutions, accountable for their actions.

Why Attorney911: Your Ally in the Fight Against Hazing in Thomas County

When your child is harmed by hazing, you need more than just a lawyer; you need uncompromising advocates with the expertise, resources, and unwavering commitment to fight for justice. For Thomas County families, Attorney911 offers a unique set of advantages that positions us as the definitive choice for hazing litigation.

25+ Years of Courtroom Experience: Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, brings over 25 years of battle-tested courtroom experience to every case. He has faced down massive corporations in multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation, like the BP Texas City explosion, and has championed countless victims in personal injury and criminal defense cases. This depth of experience means he is not intimidated by large universities or well-funded national fraternities that employ high-powered legal teams. He knows how to go to trial, and win.

Former Insurance Defense Insight: Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are former insurance defense attorneys. This is perhaps our most significant strategic advantage. They have worked on the “other side,” sitting in the war rooms of insurance companies and corporate defendants. They know exactly how the defense thinks, how they strategize, how they try to minimize claims, and every tactic they use to avoid paying victims. Now, they use that invaluable insider knowledge to dismantle those defenses and maximize compensation for our clients. For Thomas County families, this means we anticipate the opposition’s moves before they make them, giving your case a critical edge.

Federal Court Authority & Dual-State Bar Admission:

• Federal Court Admissions: Both Ralph and Lupe are admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. This federal court authority extends our reach beyond state lines, allowing us to pursue national fraternities and other entities in federal jurisdiction, regardless of their location.
• Dual-State Bar Licenses: Ralph Manginello is licensed in both Texas AND New York. This dual licensure is a strategic asset for interstate hazing cases, particularly when national fraternities are headquartered outside of Texas or operate extensive networks across different states, including those relevant to Thomas County students. It allows us to seamlessly navigate multi-jurisdictional legal complexities.

Aggressive, Data-Driven Approach: We don’t guess who is responsible; we know. We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in Texas, complete with EINs, legal names, addresses, and insurance structures. For hazing cases, this means:

• Knowing who to sue: When hazing happens, we already know every liable entity—from local chapters to national headquarters, housing corporations, and individual officers. For example, our database includes organizations like Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc with EIN 462267515 in Frisco, Texas, which corresponds to the very chapter we took on at UH.
• Tracking the system: We track over 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 metropolitan areas in Texas alone, providing unparalleled insight into their structures and interconnections.
• Identifying “Deep Pockets”: We identify every potentially responsible party with assets and insurance, ensuring maximum recovery.

Unwavering Dedication to Hazing Victims: This isn’t just another practice area for us; it’s a mission. 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. We see the profound suffering hazing inflicts, and we are committed to turning that pain into accountability. We are passionate about taking on these institutions that betray the trust of students and parents.

Thomas County Families are Not Just a Case Number: Our Google My Business rating of 4.9 stars across 250+ reviews speaks to our commitment to client care. Testimonials repeatedly highlight our excellent communication, responsiveness, and genuine empathy. Clients describe us as treating them like “family.” For Thomas County families dealing with the emotional and physical aftermath of hazing, this compassionate yet assertive approach is invaluable. We handle every interaction with warmth and understanding, while aggressively pursuing justice.

Payment Flexibility – Contingency Fees: We understand that the financial burden of a hazing crisis can be immense. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency. This means Thomas County victims and their families pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This eliminates financial barriers and allows you to focus on healing, knowing that we are fully invested in your success.

Bilingual Services – Se Habla Español: Lupe Peña, fluent in Spanish, ensures that language is never a barrier to justice. We proudly serve Spanish-speaking clients throughout Thomas County and beyond, offering consultations and case management in their native language.

Willingness to Travel & Remote Consultations: While our offices are in major Texas cities, we serve clients in Thomas County and nationwide. We offer remote video consultations, allowing Thomas County families immediate access to our legal expertise without having to travel. Furthermore, we are prepared to travel to Thomas County for depositions, client meetings, and trials whenever necessary. Distance is not a barrier to aggressive representation when justice is on the line.

When you choose Attorney911 for your hazing case, you’re not just hiring lawyers; you’re gaining a team of legal strategists with a proven track record against powerful defendants, and a steadfast commitment to justice for every hazing victim. We are the firm that fights back, fiercely and effectively.

What to Do Right Now: Actionable Steps for Thomas County Families

If your child has been the victim of hazing in Thomas County or anywhere across the country, the moments immediately following the incident are critical. While it may feel overwhelming, taking swift and deliberate action can significantly impact the strength of your case. We understand the emotional turmoil you’re experiencing, but please know that acting quickly to preserve evidence and protect your legal rights is paramount. Our team is available 24/7 to guide you through these urgent steps.

Here’s what Thomas County families and hazing victims should do immediately:

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Your child’s health and safety are the top priority. If they are injured, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room or clinic without delay. Even if injuries seem minor, or if the primary harm is psychological, a medical evaluation is crucial. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries, like rhabdomyolysis or internal damage, may not be immediately apparent.

   • WHY: Medical records create a vital contemporaneous record of the injuries. Any delay in seeking treatment can be used by the defense to argue the injuries were not severe or not related to the hazing. Ensure all symptoms, even seemingly minor ones, are thoroughly documented by medical professionals.

2. Preserve All Evidence: Hazing cases often depend on digital evidence and witness accounts. Do not delete anything.

   • Text Messages & Group Chats: Save every message from GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, standard texts, or any other messaging app. This includes messages from fraternity members, pledges, friends, or family. Screenshots are essential, as messages can be deleted by others.
   • Photos & Videos: Any images or videos of the hazing, the location where it occurred, or your child’s injuries (at all stages of healing) are invaluable. Remember Ralph Manginello’s advice: “Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take more pictures than you think you need to.” If your child is hospitalized or has visible injuries like bruises, cuts, or burns, document them daily.
   • Social Media: Take screenshots of relevant social media posts, stories, or profiles related to the fraternity, its members, or the hazing incident. Critically, your child should immediately STOP posting on social media themselves. Anything they post, even seemingly innocent photos, can be twisted by defense attorneys to imply they were fine, active, or participating voluntarily. Avoid engaging with the fraternity or its members online.
   • Witness Information: Collect names and contact details of anyone who witnessed the hazing, other pledges, or anyone who can corroborate your child’s story. Their testimony can be crucial.
   • Documents: Retain any pledge manuals, schedules, rules, emails, consent forms (which are legally invalid for hazing), or other documents provided by the organization or university.
   • Financial Records: Keep track of all medical bills, therapy costs, lost wages due to missed work, or any other expenses incurred as a direct result of the hazing.

3. DO NOT Communicate with the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers: Once hazing is suspected or reported, fraternities, national organizations, and universities will activate their legal and public relations teams. Their goal is to protect themselves, not your child.

   • Refuse to Give Recorded Statements: Never agree to a recorded statement without legal counsel present – even to your own insurance company.
   • Do Not Sign Anything: Do not sign any documents from the fraternity, the university, or their insurance companies. These documents often include waivers of liability or settlement offers that are far below what your child deserves.
   • Avoid Discussion: Do not discuss the incident with fraternity members, university administrators, or anyone associated with the organization without consulting an attorney first. They are trained to gather information that can damage your case.

4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately: Time is of the essence. In most states, including Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases is two years from the date of the injury or death. Missing this deadline means permanently losing your right to sue.

   • Why Immediate Action? Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations may destroy or conceal records. The sooner you engage legal counsel, the sooner we can issue preservation letters, secure crucial evidence, and begin building a robust case. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case acted immediately—hospitalized November 6, lawsuit filed within weeks. This immediate action is how you protect your rights effectively.
   • Free, Confidential Consultation: We offer free, no-obligation consultations for Thomas County families. You can reach us 24/7. This initial call allows us to evaluate your situation, understand the facts, and advise you on the best course of action without any financial commitment from you.

By following these steps, Thomas County families can take control of a devastating situation and begin the necessary fight for justice and accountability.

Contact Us: Your Legal Emergency Hotline in Thomas County

If your child has been subjected to hazing in Thomas County or at any university across America, you are facing a legal emergency. Do not confront this alone. We are Attorney911, and we are here to help. Our legal emergency hotline is available 24/7 because we know that these crises don’t keep business hours.

Thomas County Families: Have you or your child been severely injured, humiliated, or psychologically traumatized by hazing? You have legal rights, and we are ready to fight for you.

We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for severe hazing injuries. We bring the same aggressive, data-driven approach, and unwavering commitment to Thomas County families seeking justice. We are equipped with the expertise, the resources, and the track record to stand against the most powerful institutions.

🚨 Thomas County Families: Call now for a FREE, confidential consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Why Contact Us Now?

• No Upfront Cost: We take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means Thomas County families pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid. This ensures that financial concerns do not prevent you from pursuing justice. Learn more about how contingency fees work at How Contingency Fees Work.
• Time is Critical: There are strict legal deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, that govern how long you have to file a lawsuit. In Texas, this is generally two years from the date of injury. Evidence disappears quickly, and memories fade. The sooner we are involved, the stronger your case. Discover more about crucial deadlines at Texas Statutes of Limitations.
• Protect Your Rights: Don’t let the fraternity, the university, or their insurance companies take advantage of you. We will handle all communications, ensuring your rights are protected and you avoid common mistakes that can ruin your case. (Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case).
• Nationwide Reach: While our firm is based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our federal court authority and dual-state bar admissions (Texas and New York) allow us to represent hazing victims in Thomas County and across the United States. We offer convenient video consultations and are prepared to travel to Thomas County for critical meetings, depositions, and trials.

We help victims of hazing in all recognized organizations, including:

• Fraternities and sororities near Thomas County.
• Thomas County sports teams.
• Marching bands and other student organizations.
• ROTC programs and military academies.

Thomas County students and families: Your courage to come forward can prevent others from suffering the same fate. As our attorney Lupe Peña stated regarding the Bermudez case, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Call us. Let us tell your story. Let us fight for the justice your family deserves.

Attorney911
Headquarters in Houston serving Thomas County
1177 W Loop S Suite 1600
Houston, TX 77027
Phone: (713) 528-9070
Website: attorney911.com

Your Legal Emergency is Our Priority. Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911