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Bellaire Hazing Wrongful Death Attorneys | University of Houston, Rice, Texas A&M, Texas Southern & UT Austin Fraternity & Sorority Cases | Attorney911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™ | Former Insurance Defense Attorney Knows National Fraternity Insurance Tactics | Federal Court Title IX & Institutional Litigation | Multi-Million Dollar Proven Results | Digital Evidence Preservation Experts | 24/7 Emergency Legal Help: 1-888-ATTY-911

February 14, 2026 28 min read
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The Ultimate Guide to Hazing for Bellaire Families: Understanding Texas Law, University Policies, and Your Path to Justice

A Parent’s Worst Nightmare in Bellaire: When “Tradition” Turns Deadly

Picture this: your child, a student at the University of Houston just minutes from your Bellaire home, accepts a bid to join a prestigious fraternity. What starts with excitement quickly turns dark—late-night calls, unexplained exhaustion, and a growing sense of secrecy. Then comes the unimaginable: a hospital call saying your child is fighting for his life, suffering from acute kidney failure after being forced through brutal workouts and dangerous hazing rituals.

This isn’t a hypothetical scenario. In November 2025, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, and 13 fraternity leaders. The details are harrowing: forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, being sprayed in the face with a hose “like waterboarding,” 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion, and a “pledge fanny pack” containing humiliating items that had to be carried 24/7. The result? Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis, passed brown urine, and was hospitalized for four days with acute kidney failure. His story, covered extensively by Click2Houston and ABC13, represents exactly what we’re fighting to stop.

For parents in Bellaire, this case hits particularly close to home. The University of Houston is just 7 miles away—part of our community—and the fraternity houses where these abuses occurred are in neighborhoods familiar to us. When hazing happens at UH, it affects Bellaire families directly.

What This Guide Offers Bellaire Families

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents, students, and families in Bellaire and across Harris County who need to understand:

  1. What modern hazing really looks like in 2025 (beyond the stereotypes)
  2. How Texas law protects—and sometimes fails—hazing victims
  3. The specific risks at universities where Bellaire students attend: University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, and others
  4. Our proven legal strategies for holding institutions accountable, using the Bermudez case as our flagship example
  5. Immediate, actionable steps to protect your child and preserve evidence

Whether your child attends school minutes away or hours from Bellaire, Texas hazing law and experienced Texas counsel can help. This article provides general information—not specific legal advice—but comes from our firm’s deep experience representing hazing victims throughout Texas.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES IN BELLAIRE

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, even if the student insists they are “fine”
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
    • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
    • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
    • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
  • Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity/sorority
    • Sign anything from the university or insurance company
    • Post details on public social media
    • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

  • Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
  • Universities move quickly to control the narrative
  • We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
  • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Part 1: Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Bellaire Students

Beyond the Stereotypes: Modern Hazing Tactics

Hazing has evolved far beyond the “Animal House” clichés. For Bellaire students at Texas universities, modern hazing often involves sophisticated psychological manipulation combined with physical dangers. We categorize hazing into three escalating tiers:

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing

  • 24/7 digital control: GroupMe chats requiring immediate response at all hours
  • Geo-tracking demands: Forced location sharing via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
  • Social isolation: Cutting off contact with non-members, requiring permission to socialize
  • Servitude requirements: Acting as designated drivers at all hours, cleaning members’ rooms, running personal errands

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing

  • Sleep deprivation: Mandatory 3 AM wake-up calls for “meetings” or tasks
  • Food/water manipulation: Forcing consumption of spoiled food, hot sauce, or excessive bland foods
  • Digital humiliation: Requiring embarrassing TikTok or Instagram posts
  • “Voluntary” coercion: Framing activities as optional but making refusal mean social exclusion

Tier 3: Violent Hazing

  • Forced alcohol consumption: “Lineup” drinking games, Big/Little nights with handles of liquor
  • Physical beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking (still prevalent despite national bans)
  • Chemical exposure: Texas A&M SAE case involved industrial cleaner causing chemical burns requiring skin grafts
  • Extreme physical “tests”: The Bermudez case involved 500+ squats leading to kidney failure
  • Sexualized abuse: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, “roasted pig” positions

Where Hazing Happens: Not Just Fraternities

Bellaire parents should understand that hazing occurs across multiple organizations:

  • Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural councils)
  • Corps of Cadets / ROTC programs at Texas A&M and other schools
  • Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
  • Spirit organizations like Texas Cowboys, Silver Spurs, and Aggie Bonfire crews
  • Marching bands and performance groups
  • Academic and service organizations

The common thread? Power imbalance, secrecy, and tradition that persists even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Part 2: Texas Hazing Law: What Bellaire Families Must Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Foundation

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code. For Bellaire families, understanding these laws is crucial:

Definition (§37.151):
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that:

  • Endangers mental or physical health or safety of a student
  • Occurs for pledging, initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership

Key Points for Bellaire Families:

  • Location doesn’t matter: On-campus, off-campus, at Bellaire homes during breaks—all covered
  • “Consent is not a defense” (§37.155): Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law
  • Mental harm counts: Psychological abuse qualifies alongside physical injuries

Criminal Penalties (§37.152)

  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing without serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

Additional Criminal Exposure:

  • Failing to report known hazing: misdemeanor
  • Retaliating against reporters: misdemeanor
  • Furnishing alcohol to minors: separate criminal charges

Civil Liability: The Real Path to Accountability

While criminal cases are pursued by prosecutors, civil lawsuits allow Bellaire families to:

  • Seek compensation for medical bills, therapy, lost educational opportunities
  • Hold multiple parties accountable: individuals, chapters, nationals, universities
  • Force institutional change through settlement conditions

Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act & Title IX

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

  • Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents
  • Mandates hazing prevention education
  • Phased implementation through 2026

Title IX Implications:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger additional university responsibilities and potential liability.

Part 3: National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Bellaire Families

Alcohol Poisoning Deaths: The Most Common Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021)

  • Pi Kappa Alpha pledge forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
  • $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
  • Lesson for Bellaire: The same fraternity that killed Foltz has chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

Max Gruver – LSU (2017)

  • Phi Delta Theta pledge died during “Bible study” drinking game
  • $6.1 million verdict against fraternity members
  • Louisiana’s “Max Gruver Act” created felony hazing statute
  • Lesson for Bellaire: Drinking games framed as “tradition” are lethal

Physical & Ritualized Hazing

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College (2013)

  • Pi Delta Psi pledge killed during blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat
  • National fraternity criminally convicted
  • Banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
  • Lesson for Bellaire: Off-campus retreats can be especially dangerous

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)

  • Systemic sexualized, racist hazing within football program
  • Multiple lawsuits, confidential settlements, head coach fired
  • Lesson for Bellaire: Hazing extends far beyond Greek life

What These Cases Mean for Bellaire

These national precedents establish patterns that Texas courts recognize:

  • Foreseeability: When a fraternity with national hazing history repeats patterns in Texas
  • Institutional knowledge: Nationals and universities can’t claim “we didn’t know”
  • Punitive damages: Particularly egregious conduct can warrant punishment beyond compensation

Part 4: Texas Universities: What Bellaire Families Face Locally

The Bellaire Connection: Where Our Students Go

Bellaire families send students to:

  • University of Houston (7 miles away) – Most local impact
  • Texas A&M University – Popular choice for Bellaire graduates
  • University of Texas at Austin – Flagship campus attracts top students
  • Southern Methodist University – Private option for many families
  • Baylor University – Religious-affiliated choice
  • Plus: Rice University, Texas State, Texas Tech, and others

4.1 University of Houston: Our Community’s Campus

Bellaire Proximity: 7 miles, 15-minute drive. When hazing happens at UH, it’s happening to our neighbors.

Hazing Policy & Reporting:

  • Prohibits hazing on and off campus
  • Reporting through Dean of Students, UHPD, online forms
  • Critical gap: Less public transparency than UT Austin

Documented Incidents:

  • 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case: Pledge suffered lacerated spleen during hazing; chapter suspended
  • 2025 Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu) case: Our firm’s Leonel Bermudez lawsuit details extreme physical and psychological hazing leading to kidney failure
  • Multiple other fraternities on disciplinary probation for hazing violations

How UH Hazing Cases Proceed:

  • Jurisdiction: Harris County courts, where our firm regularly practices
  • Investigating agencies: UHPD and Houston Police Department
  • Potential defendants: Individuals, chapter, Pi Kappa Phi national, UH System

What UH Parents in Bellaire Should Do:

  1. Report immediately to UH Dean of Students: (713) 743-5470
  2. Document everything: UH conducts internal investigations that can be slow
  3. Preserve digital evidence: GroupMe is primary communication for UH Greek life
  4. Contact local counsel: Our Houston office handles UH cases regularly

4.2 Texas A&M University: Corps Culture & Greek Life

Bellaire Connection: Many Bellaire graduates become Aggies. The 90-minute drive doesn’t prevent our involvement.

Unique Factors:

  • Corps of Cadets culture: Military-style discipline with hazing risks
  • Massive Greek system: Over 100 fraternities/sororities

Documented Incidents:

  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon lawsuit (2021): Pledges suffered chemical burns from industrial cleaner, required skin grafts
  • Corps of Cadets lawsuit (2023): Cadet allegedly bound in “roasted pig” position with apple in mouth
  • Multiple other fraternities suspended for hazing violations

What Texas A&M Parents Should Know:

  • Dual disciplinary systems: University conduct process AND Corps regulations
  • Bryan/College Station jurisdiction: Our firm handles cases throughout Texas
  • Pattern evidence: SAE’s national hazing history strengthens local cases

4.3 University of Texas at Austin: Transparency & Tradition

Bellaire Connection: Top Bellaire students often choose UT Austin. Our firm maintains an Austin office specifically for UT cases.

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page:

  • Most transparent Texas university
  • Lists organizations, dates, conduct, sanctions

Example Violations:

  • Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members forced to consume milk and perform extreme calisthenics
  • Texas Wranglers (2022): Spirit group sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol hazing
  • Multiple other organizations on probation

What UT Austin Parents Should Do:

  1. Check the public database: hazing.utexas.edu
  2. Report to UTPD and Dean of Students
  3. Understand Austin jurisdiction: Travis County courts handle UT cases
  4. Use transparency to your advantage: Prior violations show pattern

4.4 Southern Methodist University: Private School Challenges

Bellaire Connection: SMU attracts Bellaire students seeking private education. Dallas jurisdiction is familiar to our firm.

Documented Incidents:

  • Kappa Alpha Order (2017): Paddling, forced drinking, sleep deprivation; chapter suspended
  • Multiple other organizations under investigation

Private University Realities:

  • Less public transparency than public schools
  • Internal investigations can favor institutional reputation
  • Our approach: Use discovery to obtain internal documents hidden from public

4.5 Baylor University: Religious Identity & Accountability

Bellaire Connection: Religious families often choose Baylor. Our firm understands navigating religious institution dynamics.

Documented Incidents:

  • Baseball team hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following investigation
  • Broader context: Baylor’s history with institutional accountability challenges

What Baylor Parents Face:

  • Religious branding vs. reality: “Christian environment” doesn’t prevent hazing
  • Waco jurisdiction: McLennan County courts
  • Strategic consideration: Balancing accountability with family’s religious values

Part 5: Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Matter for Bellaire Cases

Why National Patterns Are Critical

When a Bellaire student is hazed at UH by Pi Kappa Phi, that national organization’s history matters:

Pi Kappa Phi National History:

  • Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (2017): Pledge died from alcohol poisoning during Big Brother night
    -auto- Pattern: Pi Kappa Phi has known alcohol hazing risks for years
  • Our Bermudez case: Same national organization, same dangerous patterns

Sigma Alpha Epsilon National History:

  • Multiple hazing deaths nationwide leading to elimination of pledge program
  • Traumatic brain injury lawsuit – University of Alabama (2023)
  • Chemical burns case – Texas A&M (2021)
  • Assault case – UT Austin (2024)

Pi Kappa Alpha National History:

  • Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021): $10 million settlement
  • David Bogenberger – Northern Illinois University (2012): $14 million settlement
  • Multiple chapters at Texas universities with hazing violations

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Our Investigative Advantage

For Bellaire families, our firm maintains an unparalleled database of Texas Greek organizations:

Public Records Directory Relevant to Bellaire Families:

From IRS B83 Filings – Houston Metro Area:

  • Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035
    gu- Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – EIN 475370943 – Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta chapter)
  • Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – EIN 746084905 – Houston, TX 77204
  • Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated – Sigma Gamma Chapter – EIN 392352450 – Houston, TX 77254
    -Delta Phi Upsilon Fraternity Inc – EIN 800209640 – Houston, TX 77248 (Grand Chapter)

From Cause IQ Metro Data – Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land (188 Greek organizations):

  • Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Houston, TX
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae Chapter
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Alpha Kappa Omega Graduate Chapter
  • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter at UH

Why This Matters for Bellaire Families:
We don’t start from scratch. When your child is hazed, we already know:

  • Legal entity names and EINs for insurance claims
  • National organization connections
  • Prior incident patterns at Texas campuses

Part 6: Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy for Bellaire Families

Evidence Collection: The Digital Battlefield

Critical Evidence Types:

  1. Digital Communications:

    • GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord messages (the primary hazing planning tools)
    • Deleted message recovery through digital forensics
    • Social media posts, Instagram Stories, TikTok videos
  2. Medical Documentation:

    • ER records must state “hazing-related” for proper coding
    • Follow-up care proving ongoing harm
    • Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety
  3. University Records:

    • Prior conduct violations obtained through discovery
    • Internal investigation reports
    • Clery Act reports showing pattern
  4. Witness Testimony:

    • Other pledges often cooperate once litigation begins
    • Former members with guilt about participation
    • Roommates, RAs, bystanders

Our Firm’s Evidence Process:
We act within 48 hours to:

  1. Preserve digital evidence before deletion
  2. Secure medical records with proper hazing notations
  3. Identify all potential defendants: individuals, chapter, national, university, property owners
  4. Begin discovery for prior incidents showing pattern

Damages: What Bellaire Families Can Recover

Economic Damages:

  • Medical expenses: ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing therapy
  • Future care costs: For permanent injuries like kidney damage in Bermudez case
  • Lost educational opportunities: Tuition for semesters missed, lost scholarships
  • Diminished earning capacity: Permanent disabilities reducing lifetime earnings

Non-Economic Damages:

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses
  • Humiliation and loss of dignity
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages (when applicable):

  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of companionship and support
  • Emotional suffering of family members

Punitive Damages:
In cases of particularly reckless or intentional conduct, Texas law sometimes allows punitive damages to punish defendants and deter future conduct.

Navigating Insurance Coverage Battles

Why Mr. Lupe Peña’s Background Matters:
As a former insurance defense attorney, Mr. Peña knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny claims:

  1. “Intentional act” exclusions: Insurers claim hazing is intentional, not negligent
  2. “Criminal act” exclusions: Arguing hazing is criminal, therefore excluded
  3. Coverage limits games: Trying to limit payouts to minimal amounts

Our Insurance Strategy:

  • Identify all policies: Chapter, national, university, individual homeowner’s policies
  • Negotiate from strength: We know reserve-setting formulas and valuation methods
  • Bad faith claims: When insurers wrongfully deny coverage, we pursue additional damages

Part 7: Practical Guides & FAQs for Bellaire Families

7.1 For Bellaire Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Action

Warning Signs Your Bellaire Student May Be Hazed:

  • Unexplained injuries with inconsistent stories
  • Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
  • Sudden secrecy about organization activities
  • Financial demands for unexplained “fines” or purchases
  • Constant phone anxiety about missing group messages
  • Personality changes: withdrawal, anxiety, depression

How to Talk to Your Child:

  1. Ask open questions: “How are new member activities going?”
  2. Express concern without judgment: “I’m worried about how tired you seem.”
  3. Emphasize safety: “Your health matters more than any organization.”
  4. Offer unconditional support: “We’ll help you through this, no matter what.”

If Your Child is Injured:

  1. Medical care first: Go to ER even for “minor” injuries
  2. Document everything: Photos, notes of what they tell you
  3. Preserve digital evidence: Screenshot messages immediately
  4. Contact us before talking to university or organization

7.2 For Bellaire Students: Recognizing & Escaping Hazing

Is This Hazing? Questions to Ask Yourself:
-RFQ- Would I do this if I truly had a free choice (no social pressure)?

  • Am I keeping this secret from family, friends, or the university?
  • Does this activity risk physical or mental harm?
  • Are older members making me do things they don’t do themselves?

How to Exit Safely:

  1. Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, trusted friend)
  2. Send written resignation (email/text to chapter president)
  3. Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where pressure may occur
  4. Report retaliation immediately to campus police and Dean of Students

Good-Faith Reporting Protections:

  • Texas law and most universities offer amnesty for those reporting emergencies
  • Calling 911 for alcohol poisoning typically won’t result in underage drinking charges
  • Your safety comes first—never delay medical care

7.3 Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

MISTAKES BELLAIRE FAMILIES MUST AVOID:

  1. Letting evidence be deleted – Group chats disappear in 24 hours
  2. Confronting the organization directly – Triggers evidence destruction
  3. Signing university “resolution” forms – Often includes waiver of legal rights
  4. Posting on social media – Defense attorneys screenshot everything
  5. Waiting for “internal investigation” – Statute of limitations continues ticking
  6. Talking to insurance adjusters – Recorded statements used against you
  7. Letting your child return to “explain” – Coaching and intimidation result

7.4 Frequently Asked Questions from Bellaire Families

“Can we sue a Texas public university like UH or Texas A&M?”
Yes, but with complexities. Public universities have sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. We navigate these complexities regularly.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Basic hazing is a misdemeanor, but hazing causing serious bodily injury or death is a state jail felony. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report.

“What if it happened off-campus at a Bellaire house?”
Location doesn’t matter. Texas hazing law applies regardless of where it occurs. Property owners may also have liability.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the injury date, but the discovery rule may extend this. Evidence preservation is time-sensitive—call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially. We prioritize your family’s privacy throughout the process.

“What will this cost us?”
We work on contingency—no fee unless we recover compensation. Initial consultations are always free.

Part 8: Why Attorney911 for Bellaire Hazing Cases

Our Unique Qualifications for Bellaire Families

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):

  • Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
  • Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value (and undervalue) claims
  • Understands their delay tactics, coverage arguments, and settlement strategies
  • “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello):

  • One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
  • Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
  • Not intimidated by national fraternities or university legal teams
  • “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”

Proven Hazing Litigation Results:

  • Active $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez against UH and Pi Kappa Phi
  • Multi-million dollar wrongful death and catastrophic injury experience
  • Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists

Local Bellaire & Houston Understanding:

  • Based in Houston, serving Bellaire families directly
  • Familiar with Harris County courts, UH administrators, Houston-area Greek life
  • Understand the specific dynamics of Bellaire students at Texas universities

Our Investigative Process for Bellaire Cases

Within 48 Hours of Contact:

  1. Evidence preservation order for digital communications
  2. Medical record acquisition with proper hazing documentation
  3. Defendant identification using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
  4. Strategic planning session with your family

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine Includes:

  • 1,423 Greek organizations tracked across 25 Texas metros
  • IRS B83 data on 125+ Texas-registered Greek entities
  • Cause IQ metro organization data for Houston and other regions
  • Cross-referenced brand data showing national-local connections

For the Bermudez Case, This Meant:

  • Identifying 13 individual defendants plus organizational entities
  • Tracing Pi Kappa Phi’s national hazing history
  • Documenting UH’s knowledge and response (or lack thereof)
  • Building a comprehensive case that forced chapter closure and national attention

Our Commitment to Bellaire Families

We Understand This Isn’t Just About Money:

  • We pursue institutional accountability to prevent future harm
  • We respect your family’s privacy and emotional needs
  • We provide regular communication (every 2-3 weeks minimum)
  • We’re available 24/7 for emergencies—that’s why we’re Attorney911

Call to Action for Bellaire Families

If Hazing Has Impacted Your Family

You’re Not Alone. The Leonel Bermudez case shows hazing happens here in our community, to students from families like yours. But it also shows that accountability is possible.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

  1. We listen to your story without judgment
  2. We review any evidence you’ve preserved
  3. We explain your legal options clearly
  4. We discuss realistic timelines and expectations
  5. We answer all your questions about costs and process
  6. No pressure to hire us immediately

How to Contact Us:

Bellaire-Specific Considerations:

  • We’re based in Houston, minutes from Bellaire
  • We understand Harris County courts and procedures
  • We’ve represented Bellaire families in hazing cases
  • We know the specific challenges at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor

Educational Resources for Bellaire Families

Our YouTube Channel for Further Learning:
This video explains how to properly document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

This video covers common client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

This video explains contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Other Resources (Not Affiliated With Our Firm):

  • National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (anonymous reporting)
  • StopHazing.org: Research and prevention information

Final Message to Bellaire Families

Hazing thrives in secrecy and shame. By speaking up, you’re not just seeking justice for your child—you’re protecting future Bellaire students from enduring the same pain.

The University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi case proves that when families have the right legal team, they can hold even the most powerful institutions accountable. That chapter is now closed. The university is facing scrutiny. And our client is on a path to recovery while preventing future harm.

Your family can be part of that change. Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you navigate this difficult time with experience, compassion, and proven results.

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

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