The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits & Campus Accountability for Athens, Texas Families

If you are a parent in Athens, Henderson County, your worst nightmare may be receiving that call. Your college student, full of promise, is now in the hospital. The story emerges in fragments—forced drinking, extreme workouts, humiliating rituals—all framed as “tradition” by a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or athletic team. You feel anger, confusion, and a desperate need for answers. Who is responsible? What are your child’s rights? And how can you ensure this never happens to another family?

Right now, in Texas, we are fighting exactly this battle. Our firm, Attorney911, represents Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations are graphic: a “pledge fanny pack” with degrading items, enforced servitude, and physical hazing that included being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and extreme workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park that led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days. The chapter has been shut down.

This is not an isolated incident. It is a pattern. And it happens closer to home than Athens families might think.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Athens, Henderson County, and across East Texas. We will explain what hazing really looks like today, the Texas laws designed to protect students, the national cases that set the precedent, and what has been occurring on campuses where your children study—from nearby regional universities to major statewide hubs. Our goal is to arm you with knowledge and show you that experienced, dedicated legal help is available.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
  • Call 911 for medical emergencies.
  • Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.
• In the first 48 hours:
  • Get medical attention immediately.
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted: screenshot group chats, photograph injuries, save physical items.
  • Write down everything (who, what, when, where).
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the organization.
    • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
    • Post details on public social media.
    • Let messages be deleted.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney. Evidence disappears fast. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypical “prank.” It is a calculated system of coercion, humiliation, and abuse designed to test loyalty through power imbalance. For Athens families, understanding its modern forms is the first step in recognizing danger.

A Modern, Dangerous Definition

Texas law defines hazing broadly, but in plain terms, it is: Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in any group. Crucially, a student’s “consent” is not a defense. The power dynamics and fear of social exclusion mean true, voluntary consent is often impossible.

The Categories of Abuse

Today’s hazing falls into escalating tiers, all of which are illegal and harmful.

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing & Digital Control
This establishes power imbalance and sets the stage for worse. It includes:

• Mandatory Servitude: Acting as a 24/7 designated driver, cleaning members’ rooms, or running personal errands.
• Social Isolation: Being cut off from non-member friends or requiring permission to socialize.
• “Assignment” Deception: Being told to lie to parents, RAs, or university officials about activities.
• Digital Monitoring: Required 24/7 responsiveness in GroupMe or WhatsApp chats; forced location sharing via Snapchat Maps or Find My Friends; social media policing.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing
This causes measurable emotional or physical discomfort.

• Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory 3 AM wake-up calls, all-night “study sessions,” or multi-day events with minimal rest.
• Verbal Abuse & Degradation: Yelling, screaming, insulting “roasts,” and being given a derogatory nickname.
• Forced Consumption: Eating excessive amounts of bland food (like gallons of milk or dozens of hot dogs) or unpleasant substances (hot sauce, raw onions, etc.).
• Strenuous “Workouts”: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits until collapse, or punitive runs framed as “conditioning.”

Tier 3: Violent & Life-Threatening Hazing
This has a high potential for permanent injury or death—exactly what we see in cases like Leonel Bermudez’s.

• Forced Alcohol Consumption: The leading cause of hazing deaths. This includes “family tree” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, lineups, and funneling.
• Physical Beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking, or “tackling” rituals like the “glass ceiling” that killed Chun Deng.
• Dangerous Environments: Exposure to extreme cold in underwear, being locked in confined spaces, or dangerous driving tasks.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, or sexual assault.
• Chemical Abuse: As seen in a Texas A&M SAE case, where pledges were doused in industrial cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just “Fraternities”

While Greek life is a focal point, hazing pervades many group cultures:

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural).
• Corps of Cadets & ROTC Units.
• Athletic Teams (from football and basketball to cheerleading and soccer).
• Spirit & Tradition Organizations (like Texas A&M’s Corps or spirit groups).
• Marching Bands and Performing Arts Groups.
• Academic Clubs and Honor Societies.

The common thread is a culture of secrecy, tradition, and misplaced loyalty that prioritizes group status over individual safety.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas Statutes & Federal Overlay

For an Athens family navigating a crisis, the legal landscape can seem daunting. Here is a clear breakdown of the laws that protect your child and hold institutions accountable.

Texas Hazing Law: Education Code Chapter 37

Texas has specific, robust statutes. Key provisions every Athens parent should know:

• §37.151 Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation/affiliation. Location does not matter—off-campus hazing is still illegal.
• §37.152 Criminal Penalties:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes bodily injury.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
• §37.155 Consent NOT a Defense: This is critical. Even if your child “went along with it,” the law recognizes they were under duress. It is still a crime.
• §37.153 Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 and lose university recognition.
• §37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Students who call for help in an emergency are protected from liability, even if they were drinking underage.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA or local prosecutor). Aim is punishment (jail, fines, probation). Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to a minor, assault, or manslaughter. The victim is a witness for the state.
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim and their family. Aim is compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, future care) and institutional accountability. The burden of proof is different, and a criminal conviction is not required to win. This is where families can secure resources for recovery and force systemic change.

They can proceed simultaneously, and an experienced firm like ours navigates both tracks.

Federal Laws That Strengthen Your Hand

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and maintain public data, strengthening prevention (fully phased in by 2026).
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, the university has specific, mandatory response duties.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Lawsuit?

A major advantage of experienced counsel is identifying every responsible party to ensure full accountability and locate insurance coverage.

1. Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. Chapter Officers & Leadership: The pledge educator, president, risk manager, and others who directed or allowed the conduct.
3. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued directly.
4. The National Fraternity/Sorority: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and often have deep knowledge of prior incidents at other chapters. Their failure to supervise is often a key claim.
5. The University: Schools can be liable for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or violating their own policies. Public universities like UT or Texas A&M have certain immunity defenses, but exceptions exist for gross negligence.
6. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, alcohol providers (under dram shop laws), or security companies.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Repeat

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not anomalies; they are patterns. These “scripts” repeat because the institutional dynamics are the same. Understanding them shows why what happened at UH to Leonel Bermudez was foreseeable—and preventable.

The Alcohol Poisoning Script

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A bid-acceptance night of forced drinking led to fatal falls down stairs. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, a transformed Pennsylvania hazing law, and confidential civil settlements.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A “Big/Little” night where a pledge was forced to drink a bottle of whiskey. He died of alcohol poisoning. Result: Multiple convictions, a $10 million total settlement ($7M from Pike national, ~$3M from BGSU).
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking. He died with a 0.495% BAC. Result: The Max Gruver Act (Louisiana felony hazing law) and a $6.1 million verdict for his family.

Takeaway for Athens Families: The “Big/Little” or “bid acceptance” drinking night is a deadly, repeated formula. When we see it, we know the risks and the likely defendants’ excuses.

The Physical “Ritual” Script

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): At a retreat, a pledge was blindfolded, weighted down, and repeatedly tackled in a “glass ceiling” ritual. He died of brain injuries. Result: The national fraternity was criminally convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): A “pledge dad reveal” with forced drinking led to catastrophic, permanent brain damage. He cannot walk, talk, or see. Result: Multi-million-dollar settlements with over 20 defendants.

Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” and violent physical rituals are known, extreme dangers. Nationals cannot claim ignorance.

The Athletic & Institutional Cover-Up Script

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread, sexualized hazing allegations led to fired coaches, multiple lawsuits, and confidential settlements, showing hazing is endemic in high-profile sports.
• Robert Champion (Florida A&M Marching Band, 2011): A fatal beating on a band bus led to felony hazing convictions and a $1 million settlement with the university, proving liability extends beyond Greek life.

Takeaway: Universities and athletic departments have deep pockets and powerful PR machines. Beating them requires attorneys who have faced billion-dollar defendants before—like our team, which was involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation.

Texas University Focus: Where Athens Families Send Their Kids

Athens, Henderson County families have strong ties to Texas higher education. Students attend excellent regional universities close to home and also head to major flagship institutions. Hazing risks exist across this spectrum.

For Athens Families: The Local & Regional Campus Connection

Many Athens students choose universities within a manageable distance. These schools have vibrant campus life, including Greek systems and student organizations where hazing can occur.

• Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches): Just over an hour from Athens, SFA has an active Greek community. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine shows registered Greek entities in Nacogdoches, such as the Epsilon Tau Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity (EIN 756053083) and the Chi Omega Fraternity’s Epsilon Zeta chapter (EIN 756041410). Any hazing incident here would likely involve the Nacogdoches County courts and SFA PD.
• The University of Texas at Tyler: Also within the region, UT Tyler’s growing campus includes Greek life. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi chapter is registered there (EIN 352335400).
• Texas A&M University-Commerce: In nearby Hunt County, this campus is part of the A&M system with its own Greek ecosystem.

A Note for Athens Parents: An incident at a regional school may feel more “local,” but the legal principles and the involved national organizations (Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, etc.) are identical to those at the big flagship schools. Our approach to investigation and litigation is the same.

The Major Texas Hubs: Where Many Athens Students Aspire To

Athens families also proudly send students to the state’s most prestigious universities. These schools have larger Greek systems and more complex institutional bureaucracies.

University of Houston (UH) & The Flagship Case

The Leonel Bermudez case is your local, real-time example of how serious hazing litigation works in Texas.

• The Case in Detail: As reported by Click2Houston and ABC13, Bermudez’s pledging involved a degrading “fanny pack” rule, overnight driving duties, and physical torture culminating in a Nov. 3 workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats that caused rhabdomyolysis. He was sprayed with a hose “like waterboarding” and forced to eat until he vomited. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter is now closed.
• UH’s Greek Landscape: UH hosts chapters of nationals with severe hazing histories, including Pi Kappa Alpha (Stone Foltz), Sigma Alpha Epsilon (multiple injury cases), and Phi Delta Theta (Max Gruver).
• For Athens Families: A case at UH would involve Harris County courts. The university’s response—labeling conduct “deeply disturbing” while promising cooperation—is a common institutional posture. We know how to investigate beyond the press release.

Texas A&M University & The Corps of Cadets

The culture of tradition at A&M can sometimes mask abuse.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges were allegedly doused in industrial cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe burns requiring skin-graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged being bound between beds in a degrading, simulated sexual position as part of hazing. The case sought over $1 million.
• The Data Behind the Letters: Our engine tracks entities like the Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc. in College Station (EIN 133048786) and the Beta Upsilon Chi national foundation in Fort Worth (EIN 742911848), illustrating the network of organizations behind campus letters.

The University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin is relatively transparent, publishing an online hazing violations log—a tool we use to establish pattern evidence.

• Public Violations: The log shows sanctions for groups like Pi Kappa Alpha (2023, forced milk consumption and calisthenics) and various spirit organizations for forced workouts and alcohol hazing.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024): An Australian exchange student allegedly suffered a broken nose, dislocated leg, and fractured tibia at an SAE party, leading to a lawsuit.
• Austin’s Greek Infrastructure: IRS records show entities like the Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi (EIN 746047117) and the Chi Omega House Corporation (EIN 740555581) are based in Austin, representing the property-holding arms of these groups.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

These private, prominent schools have their own Greek life challenges and historical institutional pressures.

• SMU – Kappa Alpha Order Suspension: The chapter was suspended for reported paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.
• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation, showing it permeates athletics.

The Common Thread for Athens: Whether your child is at SFA, UT, or A&M, the playbook for hazing groups and the defense tactics of universities are remarkably similar. Our firm’s experience is built for this uniformity.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus Presence Meets National History

Why do we invest in a “Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine”? Because to hold organizations accountable, you must first identify them all. The letters on a house represent a web of legal entities: the undergraduate chapter, the alumni housing corporation, the educational foundation, and the national headquarters. Each may carry insurance and liability.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: A Snapshot from Public Records

For Athens families, here is a sample of the verified, public-record data we maintain and use in building cases. This is not an accusation but a demonstration of the complex landscape.

Greek Organizations Registered with the IRS in Texas (B83 Filings):

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc., EIN 133048786, 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 filing)
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation, EIN 371768785, 4102 Eastshore St, Missouri City, TX 77459 (IRS B83 filing – housing corp)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 462267515, 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing – the housing corp for the UH chapter)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 746084905, 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 900293166, 114 Henderson Hall 4233 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 (IRS B83 filing – academic honor society)

Major Metro Concentration (from Cause IQ Data):

• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510+ Greek-related organizations.
• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188+ Greek-related organizations.
• Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154+ Greek-related organizations.

National Brands with Texas Presence (IRS & Cause IQ Overlap): Brands like Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi appear in both IRS files and metro databases, showing their entrenched, multi-entity presence across the state.

Why National History Creates Legal Liability

When a chapter at UT or A&M hazes, its national headquarters cannot credibly claim “we had no idea this could happen.” The legal concept is foreseeability. We use national incident databases to prove that the national organization was on notice.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): National history includes the Stone Foltz death (2021) and the David Bogenberger death (2012, $14M settlement). Their “Big/Little” drinking tradition is a known killer.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): One of the deadliest fraternities historically. We’ve litigated against them for chemical burns at Texas A&M and assault at UT. Their national risk management problems are well-documented.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The Max Gruver death (2017) led to felony hazing laws. Their “Bible study” drinking game is a known risk.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The Andrew Coffey death (2017) at Florida State. Now, our client Leonel Bermudez at UH.

In court, we argue: “You knew this script. You provided policy manuals because you knew the risk. Yet you failed to supervise, enforce, and prevent its repetition at this chapter.” This pattern evidence is crucial for defeating defenses and securing punitive damages.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

If your family is facing this crisis, you need to know what a thorough, professional legal response entails. This is not about sending a demand letter; it’s about building an unassailable fact pattern for negotiation or trial.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

We act with urgency because evidence vanishes.

1. Digital Forensics: The #1 source of proof. We preserve and recover:
   • Group Chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage): Planning, boasting, and cover-up discussions. We work with experts to recover deleted messages.
   • Social Media (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok): Photos/videos of the hazing, location tags, and reactions.
   • Emails & Internal Org Documents: Pledge manuals, chapter communications, national policies.
     Watch our video on using your phone to document evidence for best practices.
2. Institutional Records: Via subpoena and public records requests, we obtain:
   • University conduct files on the chapter’s prior violations.
   • Campus police reports.
   • National fraternity incident reports and risk management files.
   • Insurance policies from all entities.
3. Medical & Psychological Documentation: Records that directly link injuries to the event. For rhabdomyolysis (like Bermudez), this means kidney function tests and creatine kinase levels. For trauma, it means psychiatric evaluations diagnosing PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
4. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders. We often find that others are desperate to come forward but fear retaliation.

Our Legal Strategy: Overcoming Institutional Defenses

Universities and nationals have sophisticated defense playbooks. We know them intimately, especially thanks to Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as an insurance defense attorney. We anticipate and counter their moves:

• Defense: “The Pledge Consented.”
  • Our Counter: Texas law §37.155 states consent is not a defense. We use evidence of peer pressure, power imbalance, and threats of expulsion to prove coercion.
• Defense: “This Was a Rogue Chapter; National Didn’t Know.”
  • Our Counter: We introduce the national’s own history of identical incidents at other chapters (foreseeability) and show their lack of meaningful supervision or enforcement of policies.
• Defense: “It Happened Off-Campus, Not Our Responsibility.”
  • Our Counter: Courts consistently hold that affiliation, sponsorship, and control create duty. The Pi Delta Psi national was convicted for a death at a remote retreat.
• Defense: “University Sovereign Immunity.”
  • Our Counter: We argue exceptions for gross negligence or sue individual employees in their personal capacity. As the $3M BGSU settlement shows, public universities often settle to avoid exposure.

Understanding Damages: What Recovery Can Provide

A civil lawsuit seeks compensation to make the victim whole and hold defendants accountable. Damages fall into key categories:

1. Economic Damages:

   • All Medical Expenses: Past and future ER care, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medications, and lifelong care for catastrophic injuries.
   • Lost Earnings & Capacity: If injuries affect the ability to complete school or work. We work with economists to project lifetime impacts.
   • Other Costs: Tutoring, transferred tuition, therapy for family members.

2. Non-Economic Damages:

   • Pain and Suffering: Physical pain from injuries.
   • Emotional Distress & Trauma: For PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.

3. Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

   • Funeral/burial costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of love, companionship, and guidance.

4. Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct or cover-ups, these are intended to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Settlements in severe hazing cases range into the millions, with verdicts like the $12.6M award in the Chad Meredith (Kappa Sigma) case and the $10M+ settlement in the Stone Foltz case. These amounts reflect the life-altering nature of the harm.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Athens Parents & Students

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Recognize the Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, weight changes.
• Secrecy about group activities, sudden personality changes (anxiety, withdrawal).
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Requests for large amounts of money for unexplained “fines” or “dues.”

2. If You Suspect Hazing:

• Talk calmly and supportively. Ask open-ended questions: “I’ve noticed you’re exhausted. Is your fraternity/sorority respecting your time for sleep and class?”
• Prioritize Safety & Evidence. If there’s immediate danger, call 911. Then help document: screenshot messages, photograph injuries, write down what they tell you.
• Contact an Attorney BEFORE Reporting. We can guide you on how to report to the university or police in a way that protects your child from retaliation and preserves legal claims. Do not sign any university resolution agreements without legal review.

3. Critical Mistakes to Avoid:

• Letting your child delete messages (this destroys the case).
• Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly (they will lawyer up and destroy evidence).
• Posting about the incident on social media (defense attorneys will mine it for inconsistencies).
• Waiting for the university to “handle it” internally (the clock is ticking on evidence and statutes of limitation).

For Students: Your Rights & Safety

Is This Hazing?
If you feel pressured, unsafe, humiliated, or are forced to do something you wouldn’t otherwise do to belong, it likely is. Trust your gut.

How to Exit Safely:

• Your physical safety comes first. In a medical emergency, call 911. Texas law and most school policies protect those who call for help in good faith.
• To quit, send a clear email/text to the chapter president: “I resign my membership/pledgeship effective immediately.” Tell a trusted adult (parent, RA) first.
• If you fear retaliation, report it immediately to campus police and the Dean of Students. You may be entitled to a no-contact order.

Preserve Evidence:
Take screenshots of all relevant chats and posts. Save everything. Do not go to “one last meeting” where you could be pressured.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue the university in Texas?”
Yes, under specific legal theories. Public universities have some immunity, but it is not absolute. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer barriers. The strategy depends on the facts.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally, two years from the date of injury in Texas. However, rules about when the clock starts can be complex. Do not wait. Evidence disappears and memories fade. Watch our video on Texas statutes of limitations for more, but call us for case-specific advice.

“What will this cost our family?”
We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. This means you pay no upfront attorney fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you. This makes justice accessible. Learn more in our video on how contingency fees work.

“Will our name be all over the news?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy and will seek protective orders and sealed settlements whenever possible.

About Attorney911 & Your Next Step

At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), we are not just personal injury lawyers. We are complex litigation specialists who choose to take on the most difficult institutional cases. Hazing litigation demands this specific expertise.

Why Choose Us for Your Athens Family’s Hazing Case?

1. We Are Fighting This Fight Right Now in Texas.
We lead the litigation in the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case. This isn’t theoretical. We are currently in the trenches against a major university and a national fraternity, fighting for accountability for catastrophic injuries. We know the current tactics, judges, and defense firms.

2. Insider Insurance Knowledge.
Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We know their playbook because we used to run it. You can learn about his background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

3. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants.
Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced corporations with unlimited legal budgets and won. Universities and national fraternities use the same defensive strategies. We are not intimidated. Learn more about Ralph’s career at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

4. A Data-Driven Investigative Advantage.
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from IRS data, university rosters, and metro records—means we don’t start from zero. We already understand the organizational landscape behind the Greek letters. We know how to find the entities that hold liability and insurance.

5. Comprehensive Compassionate Representation.
We handle the full spectrum: evidence preservation, dealing with university administration, navigating concurrent criminal proceedings, working with medical and economic experts, and pursuing civil litigation to its conclusion. We keep you informed and supported at every step.

A Confidential Call Can Change Everything

If you are a parent in Athens, Henderson County, or anywhere in Texas, and you believe your child has been hazed, time is the enemy of evidence. The group chats are being deleted. Witnesses are being coached. The university is beginning its internal process.

You do not have to navigate this alone.

We offer a free, completely confidential consultation. In that call, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Explain the legal landscape and your options in plain English.
• Discuss the critical next steps for evidence preservation.
• Outline how our firm can help, with no obligation.

There is no risk to call. We are here to help you protect your child and pursue the accountability that can prevent this from happening to another family.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) Today

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Se Habla Español: Mr. Peña provides fluent Spanish-language services.

For families in Athens and across East Texas, from Stephen F. Austin State to the University of Texas, your path to answers and accountability starts with a single, confidential call.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:

• Click2Houston (KPRC 2) Coverage: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Eyewitness News (KTRK) Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos:

• Using Your Cellphone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website & Attorney Profiles:

• Main Website & Contact: https://attorney911.com
• Ralph Manginello Profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
• Lupe Peña Profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com