The Ultimate Guide to Hazing Laws & Lawsuits for Families in Canyon and Across Texas

1. Hook + Overview: A Message to Canyon Parents About Campus Safety

For parents in Canyon and across Randall County, sending a child to college is a moment of immense pride and natural worry. You’ve worked hard to give them this opportunity, instilled good values, and trusted that the university environment will nurture their growth. But what happens when that trust is shattered by a call in the night? A call where your child’s voice is trembling, describing events that sound less like college bonding and more like abuse. Perhaps they mention late-night “workouts” at Buffalo Stadium, being forced into humiliating acts, or pressure to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol at an off-campus house. Your mind races: Is this normal? Is my child safe? Who can I trust to get answers?

Right now, in Houston, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who was brutally hazed by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter in fall 2025. The allegations are horrifying: forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion; and carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. This culminated in rhabdomyolysis—severe muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. We filed a $10 million lawsuit against the university, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, its housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The chapter has been shut down. This is not a historical case from another state. This is happening right now in Texas, and it shows exactly what families are up against.

This guide is written specifically for parents and families in Canyon, Amarillo, and across the Texas Panhandle. Whether your child attends West Texas A&M University right here in Canyon, has ventured to Texas A&M in College Station, UT in Austin, or any other Texas campus, you deserve to know the truth about hazing, your legal rights, and how to protect your child. We will explain what modern hazing really looks like, break down Texas and federal law, connect national patterns to local risks, and provide actionable steps if you suspect abuse. While this article offers comprehensive information, it is not legal advice for your specific situation. Every case is unique, and we encourage you to contact our firm for a confidential consultation about your circumstances.

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, even if the student insists they are “fine.”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, and 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, or team directly.
  • Sign anything from the university or an 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. Universities move quickly to control the narrative. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, free consultation.

2. Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like on Texas Campuses

For Canyon families, hazing might conjure images of outdated movie stereotypes. The reality in 2025 is more insidious, digitally enabled, and often disguised as “tradition” or “team building.” Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group. Crucially, under Texas law, “consent” is not a defense. The power imbalance between new members and older members, coupled with the desire to belong, creates coercion, not true choice.

The Modern Taxonomy of Abuse

Hazing has evolved into tiered categories of escalating harm:

Subtle Hazing: Behaviors that emphasize power imbalance and set the stage for worse. This includes forced servitude (being an on-call driver, cleaning members’ homes), social isolation, being given a derogatory nickname, “mandatory” meetings that interfere with sleep or academics, and deceptive scavenger hunts. In the digital age, this extends to 24/7 group chat monitoring, requiring instant responses at all hours, and coercive location-sharing via apps like Find My Friends.

Harassment Hazing: Acts that cause clear emotional or physical discomfort. This encompasses:

• Sleep Deprivation: 3 AM wake-up calls for “meetings,” multi-day events with minimal rest.
• Forced Consumption: Eating excessive amounts of bland food (milk, bread, hot dogs) or disgusting substances until ill.
• Extreme Physical “Workouts”: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits until collapse, punitive runs—often framed as “conditioning.”
• Public Humiliation: Forced to wear degrading costumes, perform embarrassing acts in public, or endure verbal “roasts.”
• Digital Shaming: Being forced to post humiliating content on TikTok or Instagram, or being mocked in memes shared in private group chats.

Violent Hazing: Activities with a high potential for severe injury, sexual assault, or death. This is what we see in cases like Leonel Bermudez’s:

• Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, drinking games like “Bible Study” where wrong answers mean drinking, lineups, keg stands.
• Physical Beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking, “branding” with burns.
• Dangerous “Tests”: Blindfolded tackle rituals (“glass ceiling”), forced fights, swimming while intoxicated.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault.
• Kidnapping & Restraint: Being taken to remote locations blindfolded, tied up, or bound.
• Exposure to Extremes: Locked in freezing rooms, left outside in severe weather.

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond the Frat House

While fraternities and sororities are often the focus, hazing permeates many campus groups:

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural councils).
• Athletic Teams (from football and basketball to cheerleading and swimming).
• Corps of Cadets & ROTC Programs (with military-style traditions that can cross into abuse).
• Spirit & Tradition Organizations (like Texas A&M’s Corps or certain UT spirit groups).
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups.
• Academic Clubs and Honor Societies.

For a Canyon parent, this means the risk isn’t limited to Greek letters. Any group that has an initiation process, a hierarchy, and a culture of secrecy can harbor these practices.

3. Law & Liability Framework: Texas Statutes and Federal Overlays

Understanding the legal landscape is critical for families seeking accountability. Texas has robust hazing laws, and federal statutes create additional layers of potential liability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your State Law Foundation

Texas law defines hazing broadly and takes it seriously. Key provisions include:

• §37.151 – Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed at a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student. This applies on or off campus.
• §37.152 – Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. If it causes injury requiring medical treatment, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor. If it causes serious bodily injury or death, it is a State Jail Felony. Individuals who fail to report hazing or retaliate against reporters can also face misdemeanor charges.
• §37.153 – Organizational Liability: The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, team) can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it. The university can revoke the group’s recognition.
• §37.155 – Consent is NOT a Defense: This is perhaps the most important provision for families. It doesn’t matter if your child “agreed” to participate. The law recognizes that consent under peer pressure and coercion is not valid.
• §37.154 – Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Individuals who report hazing in good faith to authorities are immune from civil or criminal liability that might stem from their own involvement. This “amnesty” provision is meant to encourage people to call for help in emergencies.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

It’s essential to understand the difference:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Randall County District Attorney, Brazos County DA). The goal is punishment—fines, probation, or jail time for individuals. Charges can range from hazing and furnishing alcohol to minors to assault, or even manslaughter in fatal cases.
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim or their family (with attorneys like us). The goal is compensation for damages and institutional accountability. We sue for negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, and other civil wrongs. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit, and the two can proceed simultaneously.

Federal Law: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, the university has obligations under Title IX to investigate and address the hostile environment.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including aggravated assault and liquor law violations, which often overlap with hazing incidents.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): A landmark federal law requiring colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs. This will bring much-needed transparency, with full implementation by 2026.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation aims to identify every responsible entity to ensure full compensation and meaningful change. Potential defendants include:

1. Individual Students: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: If it is a legal entity (many are incorporated as housing corporations).
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and having knowledge of prior incidents. In our UH Pi Kappa Phi case, the national organization is a key defendant.
4. The University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to a known risk, or Title IX violations. Public universities like Texas A&M and UT have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence.
5. Housing Corporations & Property Owners: For allowing dangerous activities on premises they own or control.
6. Third Parties: Bars or alcohol providers (under “dram shop” liability) if they overserved visibly intoxicated minors.

4. National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Keep Repeating

The tragedy in hazing is its predictability. The same dangerous scripts play out on campuses across the country, resulting in deaths, life-altering injuries, and landmark lawsuits. These national cases are not just news stories; they establish legal precedents and patterns that directly affect cases for Canyon families.

The Alcohol Poisoning Death Pattern

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): A bid-acceptance night of forced drinking led to fatal falls captured on chapter security cameras. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges and spurred Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, showing how delayed medical care dramatically increases liability.
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking. Max died with a 0.495% BAC. The case led to Louisiana’s felony Max Gruver Act. It underscores that “games” are still lethal hazing.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A “Big/Little” night where the pledge was forced to drink a bottle of liquor. He died of alcohol poisoning. The case settled for $10 million total ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU), proving universities will pay heavily for these failures.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): A pledge was blindfolded, weighted down, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat. He died of traumatic brain injury. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a rare instance of organizational criminal liability. This shows the extreme danger of off-campus “retreats.”

The Athletic Program Hazing Scandal

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Former players alleged systemic, sexualized, and racist hazing within the program. Multiple lawsuits led to the head coach’s firing and confidential settlements. This proves hazing is not a Greek-life-only issue; it infects multi-million dollar athletic departments.

What These Cases Mean for Canyon Families

These national tragedies create a roadmap. They show courts and juries what hazing looks like, how organizations try to cover it up, and what values they place on a young life. When the same patterns—forced drinking, brutal physical tests, delayed help—occur at a Texas school, these national precedents strengthen your case by establishing foreseeability. The fraternity or university cannot claim “we didn’t know this could happen.” The legal landscape has been carved by these earlier victims.

5. Texas University Focus: Realities at Schools Canyon Families Attend

Canyon parents often see their children attend West Texas A&M University locally or head to larger flagship schools. Each campus has its own Greek life ecosystem, history of incidents, and administrative response. Here’s what you need to know about the schools most relevant to our region.

5.1 West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX)

Campus & Culture Snapshot: As the primary university in Canyon and a key part of the Texas A&M System, WTAMU serves many Panhandle families. Its Greek life, while smaller than flagship schools, is active and includes fraternities and sororities governed by university policies and national charters.

Public Records & Local Entities: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks the entities behind Greek life. For example, the Frank Heflin Foundation (EIN: 20-3507402, 9000 W Country Club Rd, Canyon, TX 79015) is a Texas-registered organization connected to Phi Delta Theta alumni support. This is just one example of the detailed directory we maintain to understand the organizational landscape.

Hazing Policy & Reporting: WTAMU prohibits hazing as defined by Texas law. Reporting channels flow through the Dean of Students’ office and Campus Police. Families should familiarize themselves with WTAMU’s specific student conduct policies.

For WTAMU Families: If an incident occurs, jurisdiction may involve the Randall County Sheriff’s Office or Canyon Police Department in addition to campus authorities. It is crucial to report to all relevant agencies to create multiple records of the event.

5.2 Texas A&M University (College Station)

Campus & Culture Snapshot: A massive campus with a deeply ingrained culture of tradition, including a powerful Greek system and the renowned Corps of Cadets. The combination of high-achieving students, intense social pressure, and historical traditions can create a high-risk environment for hazing.

Documented Incidents & Response:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Chemical Burns Lawsuit (2021): Two pledges alleged they were forced through strenuous activity and had substances including industrial-strength cleaner poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million. The university suspended the chapter.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages, highlighting that hazing extends beyond Greek life.

How a Case Might Proceed: Texas A&M is a public university with potential sovereign immunity arguments. However, cases like these show that litigation focuses on proving gross negligence or deliberate indifference. Investigations often reveal prior complaints that the university failed to adequately address.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin

Campus & Culture Snapshot: UT Austin boasts one of the largest and most transparent Greek life systems in the country, with nearly 60 chapters. Its culture is a mix of academic prestige, social ambition, and long-standing traditions.

Transparency & Documented Violations: UT maintains a public Hazing Violations website, a resource few universities provide. Recent entries include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement new education.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): An Australian exchange student alleged an assault at a party that resulted in a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractured tibia. He sued the chapter for over $1 million.

Why This Matters for Families: UT’s public log is a treasure trove for establishing pattern evidence. If a chapter has prior violations, it becomes much harder for the national organization or university to claim they had no knowledge of a risky culture.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (Dallas)

Campus & Culture Snapshot: A private, affluent university with a dominant Greek life culture where social status is often closely tied to fraternity or sorority affiliation. This pressure can exacerbate hazing dynamics.

Documented Incident:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): The chapter was suspended after reports of new members being paddled, forced to drink alcohol, and deprived of sleep. It remained under recruiting restrictions for years.

Private University Dynamics: SMU does not have the same sovereign immunity protections as public schools, which can change litigation strategy. However, as a private institution, it often controls information more tightly, making investigative discovery via subpoena critical.

5.5 Baylor University (Waco)

Campus & Culture Snapshot: A Baptist-affiliated university that has faced significant scrutiny over institutional responses to crisis, most notably the football sexual assault scandal. This history informs how the university handles all forms of misconduct.

Documented Incident:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation, with staggered suspensions impacting the team’s season. The university stated it addressed the matter per its conduct process.

For Families Considering Baylor: It is vital to look beyond public statements. An experienced attorney will seek to discover internal reports, prior complaints, and the enforcement history of Baylor’s “zero tolerance” policies to assess true institutional responsibility.

6. Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories & Local Chapters

National fraternity and sorority headquarters are not passive bystanders. They collect dues, provide (or fail to provide) training, and maintain risk management policies precisely because they know the deadly history of their own organizations. This history creates legal “foreseeability”—they knew or should have known that certain activities could lead to harm.

How National Patterns Apply to Texas Chapters

When a chapter at UT, A&M, or WTAMU engages in hazing, it’s rarely an isolated, novel idea. They are often following a script written by years of incidents across the country.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): The national organization has faced multiple high-profile deaths, including Stone Foltz at BGSU. When a Pike chapter engages in forced drinking rituals, the national can be held accountable for failing to eradicate a known pattern.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Once dubbed “the deadliest fraternity” by media, SAE has been involved in numerous hazing deaths and injuries nationwide, including the chemical burn case at Texas A&M and the assault lawsuit at UT. This establishes a clear national pattern of risk.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The national is currently a defendant in our Leonel Bermudez lawsuit at UH. It also was involved in the Andrew Coffey death at Florida State. This shows how patterns persist even after national organizations issue public condemnations.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The death of Max Gruver at LSU is forever tied to this organization, leading to a felony hazing law in Louisiana.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Mapping the Ecosystem

To hold these organizations accountable, you must first identify them. Our firm maintains a proprietary database built from public records to map the Greek ecosystem in Texas. For example, from IRS filings (B83 organizations), we track entities like:

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN: 13-3048786, College Station, TX 77845)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN: 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035)
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. – Sigma Gamma Chapter (EIN: 39-2352450, Houston, TX 77254)

From Cause IQ metro data, we see the scale: over 188 Greek-related organizations in the Houston metro alone, and 1,423 such entities tracked across 25 Texas metros. This isn’t guesswork. It’s data-driven investigation that allows us to identify every potential liable party—from the local house corporation to the national alumni foundation—ensuring no responsible entity hides behind corporate structures.

7. Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and Litigation Strategy

When a family from Canyon comes to us after a hazing incident, we immediately begin a meticulous, multi-phase process designed to preserve evidence, investigate fully, and build maximum leverage for accountability.

Phase 1: Critical Evidence Preservation

Digital evidence is the cornerstone of modern hazing cases. It disappears quickly. We guide families to:

1. Screenshot EVERYTHING: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram DMs, Discord servers. Capture full threads with timestamps and sender names visible.
2. Photograph Injuries: Multiple angles, with a ruler for scale, over several days to show progression.
3. Save Physical Evidence: Do not wash stained clothing. Preserve any paddles, props, or alcohol containers.
4. Document Medical Care: Go to the ER or a doctor immediately and tell them you were hazed. This links the injury to the cause in medical records. Obtain all records.
5. Identify Witnesses: List names and contact info for other pledges, roommates, or bystanders.

Our video on using your phone to document a legal case provides a practical guide for these first critical steps.

Phase 2: Comprehensive Investigation

We then deploy our resources to build an unassailable case:

• Digital Forensics: Working with experts to recover deleted messages and metadata.
• Subpoenas & Public Records Requests: To obtain university conduct files, campus police reports, chapter financial records, and national fraternity risk management files.
• Expert Network: We consult with medical experts to explain injuries like rhabdomyolysis, toxicologists on alcohol poisoning, economists to calculate lifelong damages, and psychologists to diagnose PTSD and trauma.

Phase 3: Calculating Damages

Hazing causes profound harm, and the law provides avenues for compensation:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost wages, costs of therapy, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the ultimate tragedy, families can seek funeral costs, loss of financial support, and damages for grief and loss of companionship.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of especially reckless or malicious conduct, courts can award damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Phase 4: Navigating Insurance & Institutional Defenses

This is where Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable. Fraternities and universities have deep-pocketed insurers who will argue:

• “The policy doesn’t cover intentional acts like hazing.”
• “The national organization isn’t responsible for rogue members.”
• “The university has sovereign immunity.”
  We know these arguments inside and out. We fight coverage exclusions, pursue “bad faith” claims against insurers, and use legal strategies to overcome governmental immunity hurdles. We don’t just accept the first denial; we litigate the coverage issue itself.

8. Practical Guides & FAQs for Canyon Families

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Red Flags Your Child May Be Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy about group activities (“I can’t talk about it”).
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
• Constant phone anxiety, jumping to respond to group chats.
• Financial stress from unexplained “fines” or demands to buy alcohol.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly & Listen: Ask open-ended questions without judgment. “What does a typical week look like for your pledge process?” “Has anything made you uncomfortable?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages and photograph injuries.
4. Seek Medical Care: A medical record is critical evidence.
5. Consult a Lawyer BEFORE Reporting: We can advise on how to report to maximize protection and evidence preservation. Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

For Students: Your Rights & Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition is worth your health or life.
• “Consent” is Not a Defense: You cannot truly consent to being abused.
• How to Exit Safely: Send a clear, written resignation to the chapter president. Inform a trusted adult (parent, RA, dean) first. Do not attend “one last meeting.”
• Where to Report: Campus Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, Campus Police. The National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE) allows anonymous reporting.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case

We’ve detailed common errors in our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case. Key takeaways:

• DO NOT delete texts or group chats.
• DO NOT confront the chapter directly—it triggers evidence destruction.
• DO NOT sign any university settlement or waiver without an attorney.
• DO NOT post about the incident on social media.
• DO NOT wait to see how the university “handles it.” Evidence disappears daily.

FAQ: Answers for Canyon Families

Q: Can we sue a Texas university for hazing?
A: Yes, but it’s complex. Public universities have sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing employees personally. Private universities like SMU have fewer barriers. The specific facts of your case determine the strategy.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, rules about when the “clock starts” can vary, especially with covered-up incidents. Do not wait. Call us immediately to protect your rights. Learn more in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

Q: What if it happened off-campus at a rental house?
A: Location does not eliminate liability. The university and national organization can still be responsible based on their supervision and knowledge. National fraternities have been held liable for deaths at remote retreats (Pi Delta Psi) and unofficial houses (Collin Wiant, Sigma Pi).

Q: How much does a hazing lawyer cost?
A: Our firm works on a contingency fee basis for civil cases. This means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we win a settlement or verdict for you. This makes expert legal representation accessible to all families. We explain this in our video on how contingency fees work.

9. About The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911

To families in Canyon and across the Texas Panhandle facing the nightmare of hazing, you need more than a lawyer. You need advocates who understand the powerful institutions you’re up against and have the proven experience to hold them accountable.

Why Our Texas-Based Firm Is Uniquely Equipped for Your Hazing Case:

• We Are Fighting a Major Texas Hazing Case Right Now: We are lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. This isn’t theoretical experience. We are actively in the trenches, taking on a major state university and a national fraternity. We know the current tactics, defenses, and courtroom strategies in Texas hazing litigation.

• Insider Insurance Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney for national firms. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, deploy delay tactics, and argue coverage exclusions. We know their playbook because we used to run it. This insight is priceless when negotiating settlements or arguing to a jury.

• Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced some of the largest, best-funded institutional defendants in the world. A national fraternity or university legal team does not intimidate us. We have the resources, expert network, and federal court experience to match them at every stage.

• Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) signals elite criminal defense capability. Hazing often involves parallel criminal investigations. We can advise on the interaction between civil and criminal cases, protect witnesses, and navigate complex situations where students may have exposure.

• Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t start from scratch. We use our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from thousands of public records on Greek organizations—to immediately identify all potentially liable entities, from local housing corps to national alumni foundations. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it, because it does.

• Compassionate, Family-Centered Advocacy: We are parents ourselves. We understand the fear, anger, and confusion you are feeling. Our mission is to get you answers, secure the resources your child needs to heal, and force the changes necessary to prevent this from happening to another family. We fight not just for compensation, but for accountability and reform.

Your Call to Action: Contact Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends West Texas A&M here in Canyon, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any college across the country—you do not have to navigate this crisis alone.

We serve families throughout Texas, including Canyon, Amarillo, and the entire Panhandle region. Distance is no barrier. We will come to you or meet virtually.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

• Call our 24/7 Legal Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com

Hablamos Español. Mr. Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal services.

In your confidential consultation, we will:

1. Listen carefully to your story.
2. Review any evidence you have gathered.
3. Explain your family’s legal rights and options in plain English.
4. Outline a potential strategy for investigation and action.
5. Answer all your questions about the process, timelines, and costs.

There is no pressure to hire us. Our goal is to ensure you have the information needed to make the best decision for your family. Time is critical—evidence fades, witnesses scatter, and institutions circle the wagons. Don’t wait.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. Let us help you fight for answers, healing, and justice.

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

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

• Click2Houston Report: 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 Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Using Your Phone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: 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:

• https://attorney911.com