Hazing Victim Legal Representation in Briscoe County, Texas
Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse
If your child was hazed in Briscoe County or at a nearby university, you have legal rights. We fight for victims of fraternity and sorority abuse — no matter where the incident occurred.
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme hazing. The same fraternities operate at universities near Briscoe County, and the same culture of abuse exists.
Briscoe County families deserve the same aggressive legal representation we provide in Houston. We will fight for you.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Texas & Near Briscoe County
Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “boys being boys.” It’s abuse, assault, and sometimes torture — and it happens at universities across Texas, including those near Briscoe County.
Universities Near Briscoe County with Greek Life:
While Briscoe County itself is a rural area with no major universities, several institutions within driving distance have active Greek organizations where hazing risks exist:
- West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX) – Approximately 1.5 hours from Briscoe County
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX) – Approximately 2.5 hours from Briscoe County
- Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls, TX) – Approximately 3.5 hours from Briscoe County
- Angelo State University (San Angelo, TX) – Approximately 4 hours from Briscoe County
The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — have active chapters at these universities.
If your child attends or plans to attend college near Briscoe County, they face the same hazing risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
💔 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Briscoe County
Our Current Case: $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston
Victim: Leonel Bermudez
Injuries: Severe rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, 4-day hospitalization
Hazing Activities:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then forced to continue exercising
- Another pledge lost consciousness during forced workouts
Defendants:
✅ Pi Kappa Phi National Organization
✅ University of Houston (owned the fraternity house)
✅ Chapter officers and members
✅ Former members who hosted hazing at their home
Why This Matters for Briscoe County Families:
- Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide — including near Briscoe County.
- The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist at universities near Briscoe County.
- Universities near Briscoe County have the same duty to protect students — and the same liability when they fail.
This isn’t just happening in Houston. It’s happening everywhere — including near Briscoe County.
📜 Texas Hazing Laws: What Briscoe County Families Need to Know
Texas has strict anti-hazing laws that apply to all universities, including those near Briscoe County.
Texas Education Code § 37.151 – Definition of Hazing
Hazing includes:
✔ Physical brutality (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
✔ Sleep deprivation (late-night activities, early-morning driving)
✔ Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
✔ Exposure to the elements (stripping in cold weather, hose spraying)
✔ Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
Most importantly:
“It is not a defense that the person hazed consented.” (Texas Education Code § 37.154)
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal regardless.
Criminal Penalties for Hazing in Texas
| Offense | Punishment |
|---|---|
| Hazing (general) | Class B Misdemeanor – Up to 180 days in jail, $2,000 fine |
| Hazing causing serious bodily injury | Class A Misdemeanor – Up to 1 year in jail, $4,000 fine |
| Hazing causing death | State Jail Felony – 180 days to 2 years in jail, $10,000 fine |
Universities and fraternities can also face:
- Fines up to $10,000
- Loss of recognition on campus
- Forfeiture of property
💰 Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Briscoe County?
If your child was hazed, multiple parties can be held liable, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University | Failed to prevent hazing; owned/controlled property |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Leadership responsibility; directed activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their residence |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability |
The deep pockets are the national organizations and universities — not just the students involved.
🏆 Multi-Million Dollar Precedents: Hazing Cases Win Big
Hazing lawsuits result in massive settlements and verdicts — proving that victims and families can and do win. Here’s what juries and courts have awarded in similar cases:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | $110+ million settlement |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Confidential multi-million settlement |
These cases show that hazing victims — and their families — can recover significant compensation. The same results are possible for Briscoe County families.
🛡️ What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Briscoe County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and other hazing injuries can be life-threatening.
- Document all injuries with medical records.
- Even if your child “feels fine,” get checked — some injuries (like kidney damage) don’t show symptoms immediately.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Photos/Videos – Injuries, hazing locations, items used in hazing
✅ Texts/Group Chats – Screenshots of all communications about hazing
✅ Social Media – Posts, messages, or DMs about the incident
✅ Witness Information – Names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
✅ Medical Records – Hospital bills, doctor notes, therapy records
DO NOT:
❌ Delete any messages or posts
❌ Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without an attorney
❌ Sign anything from the organization
❌ Post about the incident on social media
Step 3: Report the Incident
- File a police report (hazing is a crime in Texas)
- Report to the university’s Title IX office
- Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization
Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately
Hazing cases have strict deadlines (usually 2 years in Texas). Evidence disappears quickly, and witnesses forget details.
Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
⚖️ Why Briscoe County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
- We know how to build these cases. We know how to win.
- Briscoe County families get the same aggressive representation.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña used to work for insurance companies defending against injury claims.
- We know exactly how they try to minimize or deny claims.
- Now, we use that knowledge to maximize compensation for victims.
3. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Briscoe County Families
- Federal court authority – We can pursue cases in federal court.
- Dual-state bar licenses – Texas and New York (strategic for national fraternity cases).
- Willingness to travel – We come to Briscoe County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
- Remote consultations – Video meetings available for Briscoe County families.
4. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront
- No fee unless we win your case.
- No hourly charges.
- No upfront costs.
- We take the risk so you don’t have to.
5. Bilingual Representation – Se Habla Español
- We provide full legal services in Spanish for Hispanic families in Briscoe County.
- No language barriers. No miscommunication.
6. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results
- BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
- $10+ million hazing case currently pending
- Hundreds of personal injury cases won
🎯 Our Message to Fraternities Near Briscoe County
“We know who you are.
We know where you are.
We know your corporate structure.
We know your national organization’s hazing death record.
We know how much they’ve paid in settlements.And when you haze students near Briscoe County, we will use every piece of this intelligence to hold you accountable.
The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.”
📞 Briscoe County Families: Call Us Now – Free Consultation
Hazing is abuse. It’s illegal. And it must stop.
If your child was hazed at a university near Briscoe County — or anywhere in Texas — we will fight for you.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
Available 24/7 for Briscoe County hazing emergencies.
We don’t get paid unless you get paid.
🔍 Frequently Asked Questions for Briscoe County Families
Q: My child was hazed, but they “consented” to participate. Can we still sue?
A: Yes. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization is still liable.
Q: The fraternity says this was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?
A: No. “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity. Assault is assault, regardless of what they call it.
Q: We’re in Briscoe County, and the hazing happened at a university far away. Can you still help us?
A: Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Briscoe County families. We offer video consultations and will travel to you.
Q: How much is a hazing case worth?
A: It depends on the severity of the injuries, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Our current case is seeking $10 million.
Q: What if the university says they didn’t know about the hazing?
A: Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to monitor Greek life or ignored prior hazing incidents, they can be held liable.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years. However, evidence disappears quickly, so contact us immediately.
🏆 Briscoe County Families: You Are Not Alone
Hazing is a national crisis, and Briscoe County families are not immune. The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Houston have chapters near Briscoe County. The same universities that failed to protect students in Houston have campuses near Briscoe County.
But you don’t have to fight this alone.
At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting this battle — and we will fight for Briscoe County families with the same determination.
Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
Enough is enough.
