Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for Richland Springs Families

If you are a parent in Richland Springs, San Saba County, the call you dread most may come from your child at college. It could be a late-night message about a “tradition” gone wrong, a hospital call about alcohol poisoning, or a tearful confession about being forced to endure something degrading to belong. For families in our tight-knit Central Texas community, where values of respect and safety run deep, learning that your child has been systematically humiliated, injured, or endangered for the sake of a Greek letter or team jersey is a profound betrayal.

Right now, our firm is leading one of the most serious hazing cases in the country, right here in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a former University of Houston student whose fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter allegedly involved forced labor, psychological torment, and physical abuse so severe it caused rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, landing him in the hospital for four days. This active, $10 million lawsuit against UH, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, and individual fraternity leaders is not an isolated horror story. It is a stark example of the dangerous cultures that can exist within sanctioned campus organizations at universities across Texas, including those where students from Richland Springs and San Saba County pursue their education.

This guide is written for you—parents, grandparents, and families in Richland Springs and throughout the Texas Hill Country. We will cut through the rumors and euphemisms to explain what modern hazing really is, how Texas law holds people accountable, and what has happened at the major universities your children may attend. We will show you the patterns that lead to injury and death, arm you with practical steps to protect your student, and explain how experienced legal counsel can pursue justice and institutional change. You are not alone, and what happens in Houston, College Station, or Austin matters deeply for the well-being of our community’s young people.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

In the First 48 Hours:

• Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” a medical exam documents injuries and can detect hidden dangers like internal trauma or organ stress.
• Preserve Evidence IMMEDIATELY: Before group chats are deleted and stories are aligned.
  • Screenshot everything: GroupMe, WhatsApp, text threads, Instagram DMs. Capture full conversations with timestamps.
  • Photograph Injuries: Take clear pictures from multiple angles. Include a ruler or coin for scale.
  • Save Physical Items: Do not wash clothing that may have stains; secure any objects used (paddles, bottles, etc.).
• Write It Down: Have your child write a detailed account of what happened, including names, dates, times, and locations, while their memory is fresh.
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
  • Sign any documents from the university or an insurance company.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” their phone.

Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence disappears fast. Universities and national organizations have legal teams that move quickly to control narratives. We can help you navigate this crisis from the first moment. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, immediate, and confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or “boys being boys.” It is a calculated spectrum of abuse designed to assert power, enforce loyalty, and weed out the unwilling. For families in Richland Springs, understanding its modern forms is the first step in recognizing it.

A Modern, Damaging Definition

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or affiliating with any organization. It endangers mental or physical health or safety. Crucially, under Texas law, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

The Three Tiers of Hazing

1. Subtle Hazing: Behaviors that emphasize power imbalance, often dismissed as “tradition.”

• Servitude: Being “on call” 24/7 as a designated driver, for errands, or to clean older members’ spaces.
• Psychological Control: Being assigned a derogatory name, forbidden from speaking unless spoken to, or isolated from non-member friends.
• Digital Monitoring: Required to share live location via apps, respond instantly to all group chat messages at all hours, or have social media controlled.

2. Harassment Hazing: Behaviors that cause significant emotional or physical discomfort.

• Sleep & Deprivation: Mandatory late-night or 3 AM “meetings,” “study blocks,” or tasks.
• Forced Consumption: Eating gross combinations of food, excessive amounts of bland food (like gallons of milk), or consuming hot sauce/peppercorns until vomiting.
• Humiliation: Being forced to wear degrading costumes or carry humiliating items (like the “pledge fanny pack” in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, which held condoms and sex toys).
• Extreme Exercise: “Smokings” or punitive calisthenics—such as the alleged 100+ push-ups and 500 squats performed by Leonel Bermudez under threat of expulsion.

3. Violent Hazing: Activities with a high potential for catastrophic injury or death.

• Forced Alcohol/Drug Consumption: The #1 cause of hazing deaths. This includes “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” reveals with handles of liquor, and games where wrong answers mandate drinking.
• Physical Assault: Paddling, beatings, “tackle” rituals (like the “glass ceiling” ritual that killed Chun “Michael” Deng), or being tied up.
• Sexualized Abuse: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, or sexual assault.
• Dangerous Environments: Being locked in freezing rooms, exposed to extreme heat, or subjected to chemical burns (as alleged in a Texas A&M Sigma Alpha Epsilon case where industrial cleaner was poured on pledges).

Where Hazing Happens

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

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural)
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Corps of Cadets and ROTC units
• Spirit & Tradition Organizations (like Texas Cowboys or Aggie Bonfire crews)
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups
• Some Academic, Service, or Cultural Clubs

The common thread is a dynamic where veterans hold power over newcomers, and “tradition” is used to justify crossing lines of safety and human dignity.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Laws

For Richland Springs families navigating a hazing crisis, understanding the legal landscape is critical. Texas has specific statutes, and federal laws create additional layers of potential liability.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas law is clear and provides a framework for both criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits.

• Definition (§37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership. This applies on or off campus.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152):
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes bodily injury.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
  • Also Illegal: Failing to report hazing or retaliating against someone who reports.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 and lose university recognition.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is paramount. Even if your child “went along with it,” the law recognizes that power imbalance and coercion negate true consent.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§37.154): Individuals who report hazing or call for medical help in an emergency are protected from liability. This is designed to save lives by removing the fear of getting in trouble.

Civil Lawsuits vs. Criminal Cases

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office) to punish wrongdoing with jail time, fines, and probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by victims and families to obtain compensation for damages and hold all responsible parties accountable. These cases are about justice, recovery, and forcing systemic change. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit.

Federal Legal Overlay

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, or creates a hostile environment based on sex, the university has investigative obligations under federal Title IX regulations.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): A new federal law requiring increased transparency in hazing reporting and prevention by universities receiving federal funds, with full implementation by 2026.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Case?

A powerful civil lawsuit identifies every entity that shares responsibility. This is where deep investigative experience matters.

1. Individual Perpetrators: The students who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As an organization, for fostering the culture and failing to control its members.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: Often the deepest pocket. They can be liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce their own policies, and having prior knowledge of dangerous patterns in their chapters nationwide.
4. The University: Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin have a duty to protect students. They can be liable for deliberate indifference to a known, dangerous pattern or for negligent oversight of recognized student organizations.
5. Third Parties: Property owners of off-campus houses, landlords, or alcohol providers.

In our UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, we named 13 individual members, the local Beta Nu chapter, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the chapter housing corporation, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents. This comprehensive approach ensures full accountability and maximizes the resources available for our client’s recovery.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts of Tragedy

The hazing that occurs at Texas schools is not unique. It follows tragic, well-documented national patterns. Understanding these cases shows that what happened to your child was foreseeable—and preventable—by the organizations involved.

The Alcohol Poisoning Script

This is the most common fatal pattern.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A 20-year-old pledge died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. The chapter was shuttered, members were criminally convicted, and the family reached a $10 million settlement with the national fraternity and university.
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Died from alcohol toxicity after a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers mandated drinking. This led to Louisiana’s felony Max Gruver Act.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Died after a “Big Brother” night where pledges were given handles of liquor. The case led to a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU.
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid acceptance night with extreme drinking, captured on chapter house security cameras. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

The Physical & Ritualized Violence Script

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Died from brain injuries after a blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a fraternity retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years, and members served jail time.
• Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from alcohol poisoning during a pledge event. His family settled with 22 defendants, highlighting the widespread liability in such cases.

The Athletic Hazing Script

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Led to multiple lawsuits alleging systemic, sexualized hazing, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements, proving hazing is not confined to Greek life.

What This Means for Richland Springs Families: These are not distant stories. The same national fraternities named above—Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi, Beta Theta Pi—have active chapters at Texas universities. When a chapter at UH or Texas A&M uses the same “Big/Little” drinking script that killed Stone Foltz, it demonstrates that the national organization knew the deadly risk and failed to prevent it. This “pattern and practice” evidence is the cornerstone of building a powerful civil case.

Texas University Focus: Where Richland Springs Students Attend

Students from San Saba County and Richland Springs attend universities across our great state. Below, we detail the hazing landscape at the major hubs, providing you with specific context that matters for your family.

University of Houston (UH)

For Families in the Region: As a major urban university driving Texas’ economy, UH attracts students from all backgrounds. The ongoing Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates the serious risks that exist even at commuter-focused schools.

• Recent Major Case – Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi: This is the flagship Texas hazing case we are litigating right now. The allegations against the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter include:
  • The degrading “pledge fanny pack” rule.
  • Forced, strenuous workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park and other locations.
  • Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”
  • Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.
  • The November 3, 2025, workout that led to Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
    The chapter was suspended by nationals on November 6 and voted to surrender its charter on November 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” Media coverage is extensive: Click2Houston report, ABC13 coverage.
• UH’s Greek Ecosystem: UH has a large, diverse Greek community under Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and Multicultural Greek Council. Major nationals with documented hazing histories—like Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Phi Delta Theta—have chapters here.
• For UH Families: If hazing occurs, jurisdiction may involve UHPD or Houston Police. Evidence collection is critical. We advise preserving all digital communication immediately and seeking legal counsel before making formal statements to university administration.

Texas A&M University

For Families in the Region: Texas A&M’s strong tradition and Corps of Cadets culture are powerful draws, but they also come with specific hazing risks that extend beyond traditional Greek life.

• Corps of Cadets Litigation: In a 2023 lawsuit, a cadet alleged severe hazing including being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The case sought over $1 million, highlighting the physical and psychological abuse risks within the Corps.
• Fraternity Incidents: In 2021, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) pledges alleged they were doused with a mixture containing industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts and leading to a $1 million lawsuit and chapter suspension.
• Greek Life & The Corps: Texas A&M hosts chapters of nearly every major national fraternity with hazing histories. The university maintains conduct processes, but as with many schools, internal discipline often focuses on the institution’s reputation. Civil litigation is frequently necessary to obtain full discovery and achieve meaningful accountability.
• For Texas A&M Families: The combination of a powerful Greek system and the Corps necessitates attorneys who understand both cultures. Evidence may be found in both digital group chats and within the structured hierarchy of the Corps.

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

For Families in the Region: UT Austin’s prestige and vibrant campus life make it a top choice. It also maintains one of the most transparent hazing violation databases in the state, which can be a powerful tool for families.

• Public Hazing Violations Log: UT publishes a searchable list of organizations found responsible for hazing. Recent entries include:
  • Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation and mandatory hazing prevention education.
  • Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
  • Various other fraternities and sororities for activities constituting harassment and endangerment.
• Fraternity Incidents: The UT chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) was sued in 2024 after an Australian exchange student alleged an assault at a party left him with a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractured tibia.
• For UT Families: The public violation log is a double-edged sword. It shows UT is aware of problems, which can bolster a negligence claim if they fail to act. It also provides a roadmap for identifying patterns within specific organizations. Legal counsel can use this data to demonstrate “prior notice” in a lawsuit.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

For Families in the Region: These private, prestigious universities have their own distinct cultures and Greek life systems.

• SMU: As a private school with a affluent student body and strong Greek presence, hazing incidents often face internal pressure to remain quiet. Past incidents include the Kappa Alpha Order chapter being suspended in 2017 for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.
• Baylor: Following its high-profile athletic scandals, Baylor has been under scrutiny regarding institutional oversight. The baseball team faced a 2020 hazing investigation resulting in 14 player suspensions, indicating that problems exist beyond Greek life.
• For SMU & Baylor Families: Private universities have fewer public reporting requirements, making internal investigations less transparent. A civil lawsuit with robust discovery is often the only way to uncover the full truth about what the administration knew and when they knew it.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories and Local Chapters

The fraternity or sorority your child sought to join is almost certainly part of a national organization. These nationals are not just innocent bystanders; they are sophisticated entities with detailed risk management policies created precisely because they have long histories of hazing tragedies. This history forms the backbone of a “negligent supervision” claim.

How National Histories Create Liability

When a chapter at UH or Texas A&M repeats a hazing script—like a forced drinking “Big/Little” night—that has already killed pledges at other schools, it proves the national headquarters was on clear notice of the deadly risk. Their failure to effectively monitor, train, and intervene can make them directly liable.

Major Nationals with Documented Hazing Patterns Present at Texas Schools

Using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—which tracks over 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros—we can connect the dots between national brands and local entities. Below is a snapshot of the public records directory we maintain, showing the organizational depth behind the Greek letters at Texas schools.

Public Records: Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses
(The following are real examples from IRS and public filings. Being listed is not an accusation but demonstrates the network of entities we investigate.)

• Pi Kappa Phi Related:
  • Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035
  • Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, EIN 74-6064445, Nederland, TX 77627 (Epsilon Kappa Chapter)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Related:
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Sigma Incorporated, EIN 88-2755427, San Marcos, TX 78666
• Kappa Sigma Related:
  • Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc, EIN 13-3048786, College Station, TX 77845
  • Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Sigma Chi Related:
  • Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 74-6084905, Houston, TX 77204
• Honor Societies & Alumni Chapters (Examples):
  • Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 26-3170920, Denton, TX 76204 (Texas Woman’s University)
  • Arlington-Grand Prairie Alumni Chap of Kappa Alpha Psi Frat Inc, EIN 23-2452759, Grand Prairie, TX 75054

This directory illustrates a critical point: behind every undergraduate chapter, there are often housing corporations, alumni associations, educational foundations, and national headquarters—each potentially holding insurance policies or assets. Our investigative strategy maps this entire ecosystem to ensure no responsible party escapes accountability.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing a hazing case is a complex, multi-front effort that requires legal expertise, investigative resources, and a strategic understanding of how institutions defend themselves. This is where our firm’s distinct advantages come into play.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

Modern hazing leaves a digital and paper trail. We focus on collecting:

1. Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, iMessage, and Instagram/Snapchat threads. We use digital forensics to recover deleted messages. (Watch our video on using your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs)
2. Internal Organizational Records: Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents, emails between chapter officers and national advisors, and risk management reports.
3. University Records: Prior conduct complaints against the same organization, Clery Act reports, and internal investigation files obtained through discovery or public records requests.
4. Medical Documentation: ER records, hospitalization notes, lab results (like the critical creatine kinase levels showing rhabdomyolysis), and psychological evaluations for PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
5. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.

Overcoming Institutional Defenses

Universities and national fraternities have sophisticated defense playbooks. Our experience allows us to counter them effectively:

• Defense: “The Pledge Consented.”
  • Our Counter: Texas law (§37.155) explicitly states consent is not a defense. We demonstrate the coercive power imbalance and social pressure that negates true consent.
• Defense: “This Was a Rogue Chapter; National Didn’t Know.”
  • Our Counter: We subpoena the national’s records to show prior incident reports from other chapters, proving they were on notice of the dangerous pattern. The national’s own anti-hazing policies admit the foreseeable risk.
• Defense: “It Happened Off-Campus, Not Our Responsibility.”
  • Our Counter: Courts consistently hold that universities and nationals have a duty of care based on their sponsorship and control of the organization, regardless of location. The Pi Delta Psi conviction for an off-campus retreat death sets a clear precedent.
• Defense: “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts Like Hazing.”
  • Our Counter: This is where Associate Attorney Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable. We argue that the negligent supervision by the national or university—their failure to prevent the intentional acts—is a covered occurrence. We know the tactics insurers use to deny claims and how to fight them.

Recoverable Damages

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and punish reckless behavior. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost educational costs (tuition, scholarships), and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of love, companionship, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct or cover-ups, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Richland Springs Families

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: If there’s any sign of injury or intoxication, seek medical care immediately.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot all relevant group chats, photograph injuries, and secure physical items. Do not let them delete anything.
3. Document: Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, specific acts.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Contact us before reporting to the university or police. We can guide you on how to report in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence. (Avoid common mistakes: watch our video on client errors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY)
5. Understand the University’s Role: The school’s primary interest is limiting its own liability. Be cautious in all communications with administrators.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• Is This Hazing? If you feel pressured, unsafe, humiliated, or forced to do something you wouldn’t otherwise do to belong, it likely is.
• You Have a Right to Leave: You can quit anytime. Your safety is more important than any organization.
• Report Safely: You can report anonymously through campus hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reports.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots, photos, and notes for yourself.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

• Deleting digital evidence.
• Confronting the organization before consulting a lawyer.
• Signing university settlement offers without legal review.
• Posting details on social media.
• Waiting too long. Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury, but evidence erodes daily. (Learn more about statutes of limitation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can we sue the university? Yes, depending on the facts. Public universities have some immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence. Private universities like SMU and Baylor can also be sued.
• What if my child “agreed” to it? Under Texas law, consent is not a legal defense to hazing.
• How much does a lawyer cost? We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we win your case through a settlement or verdict. (See how contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc)
• Will this be public? Most cases settle confidentially. We prioritize your family’s privacy while aggressively pursuing accountability.

Why Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case

When your family in Richland Springs faces the trauma of hazing, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need a firm with proven experience taking on powerful institutions, a deep understanding of the unique dynamics of campus organizations, and the investigative firepower to win.

We are that firm. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) is built for complex, high-stakes litigation.

• Insider Knowledge Against Insurance Companies: Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney for national firms. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and minimize your claim. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
• Proven Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by the deep pockets and aggressive defense teams of national fraternities and major universities. We’ve faced them before.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can effectively advise clients and navigate both legal tracks.
• A Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t start from scratch. We use tools like our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine and national case databases to immediately identify patterns, prior incidents, and the full universe of liable entities—from the local chapter president to the national headquarters’ insurance carrier.
• Compassionate, Victim-Centered Advocacy: We understand the profound emotional and physical toll hazing takes on students and families. Our mission is to secure the compensation you need for recovery while forcing the institutional changes that will protect future students from harm.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you do not have to navigate this alone. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including those in Richland Springs, San Saba County, and throughout the Hill Country.

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to listen to your story, review any evidence you have, and explain your legal options clearly and honestly. We will help you understand the path forward.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 Today:

• Call: 1 -888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Spanish Services Available: Se habla español. Contact Mr. Lupe Peña directly.

Let us help you turn this crisis into a catalyst for accountability, healing, and change.

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