Everything Castroville Families Need to Know About Fraternity Hazing in Texas

Navigating the Unthinkable: When Your Child Faces Hazing at a Texas University

Picture this scenario, one that has become a devastating reality for too many families in Castroville and across Medina County:

Your son or daughter came to you excited about joining a fraternity or sorority at their Texas university—a chance for friendship, leadership, and campus connection. But over recent weeks, you’ve noticed alarming changes. The constant, anxious monitoring of group chats at all hours. Unexplained bruises or burns they dismiss as “just workouts.” An overwhelming exhaustion that goes beyond normal college stress. A secretiveness about their activities, coupled with a new fear of disappointing their “brothers” or “sisters.” Then comes the late-night call: your child is in the emergency room, suffering from acute kidney failure after being forced through hundreds of push-ups and squats, or dangerously intoxicated from coerced drinking games, or psychologically shattered from systematic humiliation.

Right now, in Houston, we’re actively litigating this exact scenario. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, endured what federal court filings describe as months of degrading, dangerous hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to the [$10 million lawsuit](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/), Bermudez was subjected to forced physical exertion, psychological abuse, sleep deprivation, and humiliation—including carrying a “pledge fanny pack” with condoms and sex toys—culminating in rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure that required four days of hospitalization. The fraternity chapter has been shut down, but the physical and emotional damage to this young man continues.

If this scenario feels frighteningly close to what your family in Castroville might be experiencing—whether at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any Texas campus—you are not alone, and you have rights. This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Castroville, Medina County, and across Texas who need to understand the harsh reality of modern hazing, the legal landscape in our state, and how to protect your child when institutions fail them.

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, 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.
• We cannot stress this enough: 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 an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Texas Students

For families in Castroville, the stereotype of hazing might involve outdated images of silly pranks or “boys will be boys” roughhousing. The reality in 2025 is far more sinister, sophisticated, and dangerous. Modern hazing is a calculated system of control, degradation, and risk-taking designed to test loyalty through suffering.

A Modern, Expanded Definition

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, maintaining membership in, or gaining status within a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Critically, “I agreed to it” or “I wanted to fit in” is not a legal defense under Texas law when power imbalance, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion are at play.

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadliest form. It’s not “just drinking.” It’s coerced consumption through:

   • “Lineup” drinking games where pledges drink in rapid succession.
   • “Big/Little” or “Bible Study” nights where incorrect answers mean forced shots.
   • Pressure to consume unknown concoctions or dangerous amounts of hard liquor.
   • Forced drug use as an initiation ritual.

2. Physical and “Performance” Hazing: Often disguised as “conditioning” or “team building,” this includes:

   • Extreme calisthenics (“smokings”): Being forced to do hundreds of push-ups, squats, or wall sits until collapse—exactly what led to Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis at UH.
   • Paddling, beatings, or physical assaults.
   • Sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions” or 3 AM wake-up calls.
   • Food/water restriction or forced consumption of disgusting substances (spoiled milk, raw eggs, hot sauce).

3. Psychological and Humiliating Hazing: Designed to break down identity and enforce submission.

   • Verbal abuse, yelling, and degradation in “interview” sessions.
   • Public shaming through embarrassing costumes or acts.
   • Sexualized hazing, including forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, or degrading positions.
   • Social isolation from non-members and family.

4. Digital Hazing: The 21st-century evolution, making hazing inescapable.

   • 24/7 group chat monitoring with demands for immediate responses at all hours.
   • Forced social media posts or TikTok challenges designed to humiliate.
   • Location tracking via apps like Find My Friends.
   • Cyberbullying and threats if the pledge considers quitting.

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond the Frat House

While fraternities and sororities are frequent offenders, Castroville families should be aware that hazing permeates many groups:

• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs (with notorious history at Texas A&M).
• Athletic teams, from football to cheerleading.
• Spirit and tradition organizations (like the Texas Cowboys).
• Marching bands and performance groups.
• Academic clubs and honor societies.

The common thread is a hierarchical structure, a culture of “tradition,” and a powerful code of silence.

Texas Hazing Law: The Legal Framework Protecting Your Child

For families in Castroville navigating a hazing crisis, understanding the legal landscape is your first step toward accountability. Texas has specific laws, and federal statutes provide additional layers of protection.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Primary Shield

The Texas hazing statute is found in the Education Code, and it’s broader than many realize. It defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, OR
• Involves brutality, degradation, or extreme mental stress.

Key Provisions for Castroville Families:

• §37.151: “Consent is NOT a defense.” It doesn’t matter if your child “agreed” to participate. The law recognizes the coercive power of peer pressure.
• §37.152: Criminal penalties escalate with harm.
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death (like the kidney failure in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case).
• §37.153: Organizations can be held criminally liable if they authorized or encouraged the hazing, punishable by fines up to $10,000.
• §37.154: Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting. Those who report hazing or call for medical help in good faith are protected from liability.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Justice

It’s crucial to understand the dual legal tracks:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim is punishment (jail, fines, probation). For your family, this means seeing individuals held accountable, but it does not provide financial compensation for medical bills, trauma, or future care.
• Civil Cases: Brought by victims and their families. Aim is compensation and accountability. This is where you can recover damages for:
  • Medical expenses (past and future).
  • Lost educational opportunities.
  • Pain and suffering.
  • Emotional distress and psychological trauma.
  • Wrongful death damages (funeral costs, loss of companionship).

These cases can—and often do—run simultaneously. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit.

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

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault (common in sexualized hazing rituals), your child’s school has a legal obligation to investigate and address it under federal Title IX regulations.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults that occur during hazing. Failure to report can lead to federal fines.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law will soon require colleges to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs, increasing transparency for families nationwide.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

One of our key roles is identifying every potentially liable party to ensure full accountability and access to insurance coverage. Targets can include:

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued directly.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: Often where the deepest pockets and insurance policies reside. We use national hazing histories to prove they knew or should have known about the risks.
4. The University: Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin have a duty to protect students. They can be liable for negligent supervision, especially if they had prior knowledge of hazing within a chapter.
5. Housing Corporations & Property Owners: Entities that own the house where hazing occurred may bear responsibility under premises liability laws.
6. Third Parties: Bars that overserved minors, security companies that failed to act, or alumni advisors who turned a blind eye.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Tragic Script That Repeats

The hazing incident affecting your child in Texas is not an isolated event. It follows a tragic, predictable national script. Understanding these patterns is crucial, as they form the basis for proving “foreseeability” and “negligence” in court.

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. The case resulted in felony convictions, a massive civil settlement, and Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking. Gruver died with a BAC of 0.495%. The case led to the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making hazing a felony.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A pledge was forced to drink a nearly entire bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. He died of alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU).

For Castroville Families: The “Big/Little” night, bid acceptance party, or drinking game is a recurring, deadly ritual. National fraternities have been on notice for decades.

The Physical Torture and Ritual Pattern

• 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 from traumatic brain injury. In a landmark ruling, the national fraternity was convicted of felony assault and manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
• Collin Wiant – Ohio University, Sigma Pi (2018): A freshman died after collapsing at an off-campus house following hazing that involved nitrous oxide and abuse. His death led to “Collin’s Law” in Ohio, strengthening anti-hazing penalties.

The Athletic Program Scandal Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Former players alleged systemic, sexualized hazing within the program. The scandal led to the head coach’s firing, multiple lawsuits, and a confidential settlement, proving hazing is not confined to Greek life.

What These Cases Mean for Castroville

These national precedents are not just history; they are your legal leverage. They prove that:

• The methods used against your child were foreseeable and preventable.
• National organizations have prior notice of these dangers.
• Universities have seen the devastating consequences of looking the other way.
• Juries across America are willing to award multi-million dollar verdicts to hold organizations accountable.

Texas University Focus: Where Castroville Students Attend

Castroville families often send their children to major universities across Texas. Each campus has its own Greek life ecosystem, history of incidents, and administrative response. Here’s what you need to know about the schools your child may attend.

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

For Castroville Families: While Austin is a drive from Medina County, UT attracts students from across Texas. Its size and prestige come with a complex Greek life scene.

• Notable Incident & Policy Transparency: UT is relatively transparent, publicly posting hazing violations. For example, their public log shows the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter was placed on probation in 2023 after new members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics—a classic physical hazing tactic. This public record is invaluable evidence for building a case, showing the university had contemporaneous knowledge of hazardous behavior within specific chapters.
• Recent Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Case (2024): An Australian exchange student allegedly suffered a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose at a UT SAE party. He sued the chapter for over $1 million, noting the chapter was already under suspension for prior violations—a classic pattern of recidivism.
• Legal Pathway: Cases may involve UTPD and Austin police. Civil suits typically go through Travis County courts. UT’s public hazing log can be used powerfully to show a pattern of knowledge and inadequate response.

Texas A&M University (College Station)

For Castroville Families: Texas A&M’s culture of tradition is powerful, extending from its massive Greek system to its renowned Corps of Cadets.

• Corps of Cadets Litigation: In a 2023 lawsuit, a cadet alleged severe hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages. This case highlights that hazing danger exists far beyond social fraternities.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Two pledges alleged they were forced through strenuous activity and had substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million. The chapter was suspended for two years.
• Legal Pathway: A&M’s size and status as a public university add layers of complexity (sovereign immunity issues). Investigations often involve multiple agencies, from A&M PD to Brazos County authorities. The combination of Greek and Corps hazing creates a unique, high-risk environment.

University of Houston (UH)

For Castroville Families: As our firm’s home city and the site of our flagship active case, UH represents the frontline of hazing litigation in Texas today.

• The Active Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi: This is not a historical reference; this is a live, $10 million lawsuit we are litigating right now in Harris County. The details, as reported by Click2Houston and ABC13, are critical for every Texas parent to understand:
  • Hazing Methods: “Pledge fanny pack” humiliation, enforced dress codes, overnight driving duties, extreme workouts (sprints, bear crawls), cold-weather exposure, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk/hot dogs/peppercorns until vomiting.
  • Medical Catastrophe: The Nov 3, 2025, workout (100+ push-ups, 500 squats) led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Bermudez passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing kidney damage risk.
  • Defendants: UH, UH Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.
  • Outcome: The chapter was suspended Nov 6 and voted to surrender its charter Nov 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”
• Legal Pathway: As this active case demonstrates, hazing litigation in Houston involves Harris County courts, UHPD, and HPD. The targeting of both the individuals and every layer of the institution (chapter, nationals, university) is a model for comprehensive accountability.

Baylor University (Waco) & Southern Methodist University (Dallas)

• Baylor: As a private university, Baylor has faced scrutiny over institutional response to crisis. While less transparent than public schools, hazing incidents occur within its Greek system and athletic teams (e.g., a 2020 baseball hazing incident that led to multiple player suspensions).
• SMU: This private Dallas university with a strong Greek presence has faced its own incidents, such as a 2017 Kappa Alpha Order chapter suspension for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.

For Students at Other Texas Campuses

Castroville students also attend schools like Texas State University (San Marcos), University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), or Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Hazing risks exist on every campus with organized student groups. The legal principles remain the same: Texas hazing law applies statewide, and our investigative approach—tracing liability from individuals to nationals—is universally applicable.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: A Web of Liable Entities

When hazing occurs, the individuals in the room are only the first layer of liability. Our job is to map the entire organizational and financial structure behind the fraternity or sorority—a capability powered by what we call our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine.

Why National Histories Matter in Your Texas Case

If your child was hazed by a chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, or Pi Kappa Phi, you are dealing with national organizations that have settled multi-million dollar lawsuits and seen chapters shut down nationwide for identical conduct. This history is not anecdote; it is legal evidence of foreseeability and prior notice. It helps prove that the national headquarters knew the deadly risks of certain rituals yet failed to implement effective oversight.

Public Records Directory: The Organizations Behind the Letters

To show Castroville families the depth of our investigative capability, consider this: in Texas alone, there are over 1,423 fraternity and sorority organizations tracked across 25 metros. These aren’t just social clubs; they are legal entities with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), mailing addresses, and often, insurance policies.

For example, in the San Antonio metro area (which encompasses Medina County), public filings reveal numerous Greek organizations, such as:

• Sigma Phi Lambda Inc., EIN 83-4848484, Corinth, TX 76210 (IRS B83 filing)
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. – Iota Beta Chapter, San Antonio, TX 78228 (Cause IQ metro listing)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas State University Chapter, Austin, TX 78723 (IRS B83 filing)

Statewide, we track entities tied to every major campus:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing) – the same corporate entity connected to the active UH lawsuit.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc., EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 & Cause IQ overlap).
• Numerous house corporations, alumni chapters, and educational foundations for organizations like Kappa Alpha Psi, Sigma Gamma Rho, Chi Omega, and Phi Kappa Phi.

Why does this directory matter to you? Because when we take your case, we don’t start from zero. We already know how to locate the housing corporation that owns the property, the alumni fund that may have liability, and the national headquarters’ insurance carriers. This data turns into leverage during settlement negotiations and ensures we sue every entity that shares responsibility.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

If your family is considering legal action, understanding the process can empower you during a frightening time. At Attorney911, we approach hazing cases with a systematic, evidence-driven strategy honed through decades of complex litigation.

Critical Evidence We Pursue

Modern hazing leaves a digital and paper trail. Our investigation immediately focuses on preserving and obtaining:

1. Digital Communications (The #1 Evidence Source):

   • Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps. We use digital forensics to recover deleted messages.
   • Social Media: Instagram stories, Snapchat saves, TikTok videos, Facebook posts/events. These often contain boasts, photos, or videos of the hazing.
   • Emails & Texts: Between pledges, active members, and officers planning events.

2. University Records (Obtained via Subpoena):

   • Prior conduct reports and disciplinary history of the chapter.
   • Campus police incident reports.
   • Internal emails between administrators discussing the group or prior incidents.
   • Clery Act reports and Title IX filings.

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Records:

   • Risk management files and incident reports from other chapters.
   • Communications between the local chapter and national advisors.
   • Anti-hazing training materials and policy manuals (to show the gap between policy and practice).

4. Medical & Psychological Records:

   • Documentation of physical injuries (ER reports, lab results like the critical CK levels showing rhabdomyolysis).
   • Diagnoses of PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other psychological trauma from a qualified mental health professional.

5. Witness Testimony:

   • Other pledges who endured the same treatment.
   • Former members who left due to hazing.
   • Roommates, RAs, or bystanders who saw changes or heard details.

As we explain in our video on using your phone to document evidence, families should start preserving this information immediately.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered

A civil lawsuit seeks to make your family whole and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages:
  • All past and future medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medications).
  • Lost wages (for parents who miss work) and lost future earning capacity if the injury causes permanent disability.
  • Educational costs (semesters withdrawn, lost scholarships, tutoring).
• Non-Economic Damages:
  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Emotional distress, psychological trauma, humiliation.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (if tragedy strikes):
  • Funeral and burial costs.
  • Loss of companionship, guidance, and financial support for the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or malicious conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Overcoming Common Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and dismantle the standard defenses used by fraternities and universities:

• “The Pledge Consented”: Texas law §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense. We demonstrate the coercive environment.
• “Rogue Individuals, Not the Organization”: We use pattern evidence from other chapters to show the national knew this was a systemic problem.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability isn’t determined by zip code. If the organization sponsored or knew about the event, they can be responsible.
• “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”: We show the gap between paper policies and actual enforcement, or how training was perfunctory.

Our insider knowledge is key here. Mr. Lupe Peña, our Associate Attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny or minimize claims. We use that knowledge to counter their tactics from day one.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Castroville Families

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: Get immediate medical attention for any injury or intoxication. Physical health comes first.
2. Preserve Evidence Gently: Help your child screenshot group chats and photos of injuries. Do not let them delete anything out of shame or fear. Write down everything they tell you with dates and names.
3. Secure Legal Counsel BEFORE Reporting: Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We can guide you on how to report to the university or police in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence. Do not sign any university resolution forms without an attorney’s review.
4. Document All Communications: Keep a log of every call and email with the university, fraternity, or insurance companies.
5. Avoid Social Media: Do not post details online. Defense attorneys monitor social media for inconsistencies or statements they can use against you.
6. Focus on Your Child’s Well-being: Ensure they receive psychological support. Trauma from hazing is real and often requires professional care.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You Have the Right to Leave: You can quit the pledging process or the organization at any time, for any reason. No tradition is worth your health or life.
• You Have the Right to Report Anonymously: Most campuses have anonymous hazing hotlines. You can also report to the Dean of Students or campus police.
• Texas Law Protects Good-Faith Reporters: If you call 911 for a medical emergency, you and the victim are generally protected from minor disciplinary action (like underage drinking) under “medical amnesty” policies.
• “Consent” is Not a Legal Defense: Even if you went along with it, what happened to you may still be a crime and a civil wrong.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

We’ve detailed this in our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case, but it bears repeating:

• Deleting Digital Evidence: This is the single biggest error. It looks like a cover-up and destroys your most powerful proof.
• Confronting the Fraternity Directly: This gives them a heads-up to destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and lawyer up.
• Signing University Settlement Offers: Universities often offer quick, low-dollar resolutions that require you to waive your right to sue. These almost never reflect the true value of a case.
• Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and memories fade. Texas has a statute of limitations (generally two years from the injury), but the practical clock starts ticking the moment the hazing ends.

FAQ: Your Pressing Questions Answered

“Can we sue the university in Texas?”
Yes. While public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing employees in their personal capacity. Overcoming immunity is complex, which is why you need an attorney with experience against institutional defendants—like our firm, which has litigated against entities as large as BP.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally, two years from the date of injury or death in Texas. However, the “discovery rule” or fraudulent concealment by the defendants can sometimes extend this. Do not wait. As we explain in our video on Texas statutes of limitations, time is your enemy as evidence vanishes.

“Will this be public? I don’t want my child’s name in the news.”
Most civil cases settle confidentially before trial. We can negotiate for sealed court records and private settlement terms. Our priority is your family’s privacy while we seek accountability.

“How much will this cost? We can’t afford a big law firm.”
We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we win your case, receiving a percentage of the recovery. This makes justice accessible to every family. Learn more in our video explaining how contingency fees work.

Why Attorney911 for Your Family’s Hazing Case

When your family in Castroville faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury attorney. You need a team with proven experience taking on powerful institutions, insider knowledge of how insurance companies fight, and a deep understanding of Texas university and Greek life culture.

We are that team. Here’s why:

• We Are Litigating a Major Texas Hazing Case Right Now: We don’t just talk about hazing law; we are actively fighting in court for Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. This isn’t theoretical—it’s our current caseload, and it gives us unparalleled, up-to-the-moment insight into how these cases are defended and how to win them.

• Insider Insurance Knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña’s Experience): Mr. Peña spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance defense firm. He knows the exact tactics fraternity and university insurers use to delay, deny, and lowball claims. We use this insider playbook to counter them at every turn, ensuring they cannot take advantage of your family during a vulnerable time.

• Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants (Ralph Manginello’s Background): Our Managing Partner, Ralph Manginello, was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. Taking on a global oil giant taught us how to investigate complex institutional failures, manage massive document discovery, and stand toe-to-toe with unlimited defense budgets. National fraternities and major universities use the same playbook—and we know how to beat it.

• Texas-Wide Investigative Engine: We maintain the proprietary data system referenced earlier, tracking the corporate and insurance structures of Greek organizations across Texas. When we take your case, we immediately know which entities to target, where to find their insurance, and how to uncover their prior violation history.

• Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: With Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can advise families navigate both systems, protect witnesses, and ensure one process supports the other.

• A Commitment to Your Family’s Well-being: We know this is one of the most traumatic experiences a family can endure. We are not just litigators; we are advocates who will guide you through this process with empathy, clear communication, and a relentless focus on securing the justice and resources your child needs to heal.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If hazing has impacted your child at any Texas university, we want to help you understand your options.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, confidential consultation.

During this conversation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain the legal avenues available to you (criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither).
• Discuss realistic timelines, potential outcomes, and our investigative plan.
• Answer all your questions about the process and our contingency fee structure.

You are not alone. Families in Castroville and across Texas have the right to answers and accountability. Let us use our experience, data, and determination to fight for yours.

Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Hablamos Español: Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish.
Website: https://attorney911.com

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 (KTRK) coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational 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 your case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website & Contact:

• Main Website: https://attorney911.com

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 | Spanish: lupe@atty911.com