Hazing Lawsuits & Legal Help for City of Barry Families: A Complete Texas Guide

Where City of Barry Meets University Hazing Crisis: Your Complete Texas Guide

For parents and families in City of Barry, Navarro County, the thought of your child facing hazing at a Texas university can be terrifying. You sent them to college to learn, grow, and build a future—not to be subjected to dangerous, humiliating rituals. Right now, just a few hours away in Houston, we’re actively fighting a case that shows exactly how serious hazing has become in Texas. Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, nearly died from kidney failure after Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter allegedly subjected him to extreme physical abuse, forced consumption rituals, and waterboarding-like hose spraying. We represent Bermudez in this $10 million lawsuit, and what happened to him could happen to any Texas student.

This comprehensive guide explains everything City of Barry families need to know about hazing in 2025: what it really looks like, Texas laws that protect students, documented incidents at universities where Barry students attend, and your legal options when hazing crosses the line from “tradition” to torture. Whether your child attends a local college or one of Texas’s major universities, you have rights—and powerful institutions can be held accountable.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR BARRY FAMILIES: 48-HOUR CRISIS RESPONSE

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

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24-48 hours:

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

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond Stereotypes

For Barry families unfamiliar with modern Greek life or campus traditions, hazing has evolved far beyond simple pranks. Today’s hazing often combines digital control, psychological manipulation, and dangerous physical elements that can cause permanent injury or death.

Modern Hazing Categories Every Barry Parent Should Recognize

Alcohol and Substance Hazing

The most common—and most deadly—form involves forced or coerced consumption:

“Big/Little” nights where pledges must drink entire bottles of alcohol
“Lineup” drinking games with wrong answers triggering mandatory shots
Pressure to consume unknown substances (pills, drugs, toxic combinations)
Texas A&M SAE case: Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner causing chemical burns requiring skin grafts

Physical Hazing and Endurance Rituals

What happened to Leonel Bermudez at UH illustrates this category’s danger:

Extreme calisthenics (100+ push-ups, 500 squats in single sessions)
“Smokings” or punitive workouts until collapse or vomiting
Sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions” or 3 AM wake-up calls
Food/water manipulation: forced overconsumption until vomiting, followed by immediate exercise
Exposure rituals: stripped to underwear in cold weather, lying in vomit-soaked grass

Psychological and Digital Hazing

Modern technology enables 24/7 control:

Group chat monitoring requiring immediate responses at all hours
Social media humiliation through forced TikTok challenges or embarrassing posts
Geo-tracking demands via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
Social isolation from non-members and family
Public degradation through demeaning nicknames or forced confessions

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

Some of the most traumatic forms include:

Forced nudity or partial nudity during rituals
Simulated sexual acts like the “roasted pig” binding reported in Texas A&M Corps cases
Sexually degrading positions or role-playing
Racist, sexist, or homophobic slurs integrated into traditions

Texas Hazing Law: What City of Barry Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws protecting students from hazing, whether they’re at a Navarro County college or a major university hours from home. Understanding these laws helps Barry families recognize when lines have been crossed from “tradition” to criminal conduct.

Texas Education Code §37.151: The Legal Definition

Under Texas law—which governs any hazing case involving Barry students attending Texas schools—hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

Endangers mental or physical health or safety, AND
Occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any student organization

Critical points for Barry families:

Location doesn’t matter: Hazing at off-campus houses, Airbnbs, or retreats still violates Texas law
“Consent” is NOT a defense: Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing under §37.155
Mental harm counts: Psychological trauma, humiliation, and emotional distress qualify
“Reckless” is enough: They don’t need malicious intent—just reckless disregard for safety

Criminal Penalties That Protect Texas Students

If hazing occurs involving your Barry student at any Texas campus:

Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death
Additional charges: Furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, sexual assault, manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Liability: Holding Organizations Accountable

Beyond criminal charges, Barry families may pursue civil lawsuits seeking compensation and accountability from:

Individual students who planned or participated
Local chapters as organizational entities
National fraternities/sororities that failed to supervise adequately
Universities that knew or should have known about hazing risks
Property owners of houses or venues where hazing occurred
Alcohol providers under Texas dram shop laws

The Leonel Bermudez Case: Proof That Texas Hazing Litigation Works

Right now, we’re actively litigating one of Texas’s most serious hazing cases—showing exactly what Barry families can expect when taking on powerful institutions.

What Happened at University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi

Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter in September 2025. What followed illustrates modern hazing’s systematic brutality:

Systematic Humiliation and Control:

24/7 “pledge fanny pack” requirement containing condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices
Enforced dress codes and mandatory “study/work” blocks
Weekly interrogation-style interviews with older members
Overnight chauffeuring duties for members at all hours

Physical Abuse Leading to Medical Catastrophe:

Yellowstone Boulevard Park workouts before dawn and after midnight
Nov. 3 “workout”: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under threat of expulsion
Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, followed by sprints
“Waterboarding” simulation: Sprayed in face with hose while threats of actual waterboarding
Exposure rituals: Stripped to underwear in cold weather, lying in vomit-soaked grass
Another pledge hog-tied face-down for over an hour with object in mouth

Medical Consequences:

Developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown)
Suffered acute kidney failure
Passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help
Four-day hospitalization with critically high creatine kinase levels
Ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage

Institutional Response and Legal Action

This case demonstrates how proper litigation uncovers institutional knowledge:

Defendants include:

University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents
Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters
Beta Nu housing corporation
13 individual fraternity leaders/members (president, pledgemaster, risk manager, etc.)

Institutional actions post-discovery:

Nov. 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
Nov. 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender charter; chapter shut down
UH statement: Conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement

This active litigation shows Barry families what’s possible: holding every responsible party accountable, from individual members to national organizations to the university itself.

Where Barry Families Send Their Students: Campus Hazing Realities

Barry students attend colleges across Texas, from local Navarro County campuses to major universities statewide. Understanding each campus’s hazing history helps Barry parents recognize risks.

Local Colleges Serving Barry and Navarro County

While smaller campuses may have less publicized Greek life, hazing risks exist everywhere:

Navarro College (Corsicana, TX): Community colleges face hazing risks in athletic programs, spirit groups, and unofficial organizations
Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce, TX): Division I Greek life with national fraternity/sorority chapters
University of Texas at Tyler (Tyler, TX): Growing Greek system with traditional fraternity/sorority presence

Key insight for Barry families: Don’t assume smaller schools are safer. Hazing often thrives in less-scrutinized environments.

Major Texas Universities: Where Many Barry Students Attend

Barry families commonly send students to these major campuses, each with documented hazing histories:

University of Houston

Just hours from Barry, UH illustrates urban campus hazing risks:

Active Greek community with 50+ fraternities/sororities
Recent major case: Our active litigation for Leonel Bermudez shows systematic problems
Prior incidents: Pi Kappa Alpha chapter suspended after 2016 incident involving lacerated spleen

Texas A&M University

Many Barry students attend A&M, with its unique hazing challenges:

Corps of Cadets traditions with documented hazing incidents
Sigma Alpha Epsilon lawsuit: Pledges allegedly suffered chemical burns from industrial cleaner
Corps “roasted pig” case: Cadet allegedly bound between beds with apple in mouth
Transparent approach: A&M maintains public hazing violation records

University of Texas at Austin

UT’s size brings both opportunities and risks:

Public hazing violations log shows repeated sanctions
Pi Kappa Alpha probation (2023): New members forced to consume milk during strenuous exercise
Spirit group sanctions: Texas Wranglers and similar groups face hazing allegations
Sigma Alpha Epsilon incident: Australian exchange student lawsuit alleging assault

Southern Methodist University

Private university with strong Greek tradition:

Kappa Alpha Order suspension (2017): Paddling, forced drinking, sleep deprivation allegations
Less transparency: Private schools control information more tightly
Wealthy student body: Can mean more resources for defense in litigation

Baylor University

Religious affiliation doesn’t eliminate hazing risks:

Baseball team suspensions (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
Title IX history: Baylor’s past sexual assault scandal shows institutional accountability challenges
Greek life integration: Baylor’s Baptist identity coexists with traditional fraternity/sorority system

The Greek Ecosystem Around Barry: Public Records Reality

Many Barry parents don’t realize how many Greek organizations operate in Texas or how they’re structured. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks 1,423 fraternity/sorority organizations across 25 Texas metros—including entities that could affect your Barry student.

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Data)

These are real entities registered with the IRS, showing the organizational complexity behind campus letters:

Examples from public IRS filings:

Delta Phi Upsilon Fraternity Inc. – PO Box 7334, Houston, TX 77248 (EIN 800209640)
Sigma Phi Lambda Inc. – 4251 FM 2181 Ste 230 PMB 480, Corinth, TX 76210 (EIN 201237505)
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. – 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204 (EIN 475370943)
Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc. – 1416 Sleepy Hollow Dr, Lufkin, TX 75904 (EIN 273662583)
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc. – PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (EIN 741380362)

What this means for Barry families: Behind every campus chapter stands legal entities with insurance, assets, and organizational structures. Proper litigation identifies them all.

Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Greek Organizations (Relevant to Barry Region)

Barry sits within reach of the DFW metro’s extensive Greek network:

Cause IQ metro data shows 510 Greek organizations in DFW, including:

Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – Fort Worth, TX
Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) – Arlington, TX area
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation – Fort Worth, TX
Chi Omega Educational Corporation – Fort Worth, TX
Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity – Gamma Psi Chapter – Fort Worth, TX

Why metro data matters: The same national organizations that face lawsuits in other states have Texas entities that can be held liable when Barry students are harmed.

Cross-Validated Brands: Tracking Nationals Across Texas

Our data engine identifies organizations appearing in both IRS and metro databases, proving we can track specific national brands:

Examples of cross-validated Texas organizations:

Beta Upsilon Chi: IRS EIN 742911848 matches Cause IQ “Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity” in Fort Worth
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation: IRS EIN 741380362 matches Cause IQ listing in Fort Worth
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority: Multiple IRS entities match Cause IQ chapters in Houston, Beaumont

Litigation advantage for Barry families: We don’t start from scratch. We already know how to trace national organizations through their Texas entities.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Affect Barry Students

Major national cases set precedents that Barry families can rely on in Texas courts. These patterns show how courts view hazing liability and what damages awards reflect.

Alcohol Poisoning Deaths: The Most Common Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):

Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
Died from alcohol poisoning
$10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
Barry relevance: Same fraternity (Pi Kappa Alpha) operates at Texas campuses

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):

“Bible study” drinking game, wrong answers = forced drinking
Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
Louisiana passed “Max Gruver Act” (felony hazing statute)
Barry relevance: Drinking game hazing occurs at Texas schools

David Bogenberger – Northern Illinois University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2012):

Pledge died from alcohol poisoning during fraternity event
$14 million settlement split among 44 members present
Barry relevance: Shows multiple-member liability

Physical Hazing with Catastrophic Injury

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021):

Forced excessive drinking during “pledge dad reveal”
Severe permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see)
Settlements with 22 defendants, reportedly multi-million dollar totals
Barry relevance: Non-fatal injuries can bring lifetime care claims

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):

Blindfolded, weighted down, repeatedly tackled during ritual
Died from traumatic brain injury
Fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
Barry relevance: Off-campus retreat hazing occurs in Texas

Athletic Program Hazing: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):

Alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program
Multiple lawsuits against university
Head coach fired, settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially
Barry relevance: Hazing occurs in athletic programs too

What These Cases Mean for Barry Families

Pattern evidence matters: Courts consider whether national organizations knew about risks from prior incidents
Substantial damages possible: Settlements/verdicts range $1M-$14M for deaths, $375K-multi-million for severe injuries
Individual liability exists: Chapter presidents have been ordered to pay millions personally
Institutional consequences: Universities and states ban organizations following deaths

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence Strategy for Barry Families

When hazing affects your Barry student, proper evidence collection makes the difference between accountability and cover-up. Here’s what wins cases in 2025.

Digital Evidence: The 2025 Game Changer

Group Chats and Messaging Apps:

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage groups: Screenshot entire threads with timestamps
Discord servers, Slack workspaces: Capture rules, instructions, planning discussions
Fraternity-specific apps: Preserve any organizational communication

Social Media Evidence:

Instagram Stories/Snapchat: Screenshot before 24-hour disappearance
TikTok challenges: Record videos showing coerced participation
Facebook events/ Messenger: Document planning and aftermath
Location tags and hashtags: Prove where and when hazing occurred

Proper Documentation Protocol:

Capture full context (messages before/after)
Ensure sender names and timestamps are visible
Back up immediately to cloud storage
Never delete anything—even if embarrassing

Medical Documentation: Proving Harm

Immediate Medical Care:

ER visits: State clearly “I was hazed” for medical record documentation
Lab results: Blood alcohol levels, kidney function tests (creatine kinase for rhabdomyolysis)
Imaging: X-rays, CT scans for physical injuries
Psychological evaluation: PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses

Ongoing Treatment Documentation:

Specialist referrals: Nephrologists for kidney damage, neurologists for head injuries
Therapy records: Document psychological trauma
Medication logs: Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications
Life care plans: For catastrophic injuries requiring lifelong care

Physical Evidence Preservation

Items to Secure:

Clothing worn during hazing (don’t wash—preserve stains)
Paddles, props, bottles used in rituals
Receipts for forced purchases (alcohol, costumes, gifts)
Pledge packets, manuals with rules/requirements

Photographic Documentation:

Injuries: Multiple angles, include ruler/coin for scale, photograph over several days
Locations: Houses, rooms, parks where hazing occurred
Objects: Alcohol bottles, cleaning supplies, restraints

Witness Identification and Interview Strategy

Potential Witnesses:

Other pledges (often scared but may cooperate if approached properly)
Former members who quit (frequently willing to testify)
Roommates, RAs, hall mates who observed changes
Emergency responders, hospital staff
Bartenders, venue staff for off-campus events

Documentation Protocol:

Full names, contact information, relationship to events
What each person saw/heard/knows
Dates and times of observations
Any documentation they possess

Damages Recovery: What Barry Families Can Seek

When hazing harms your child, Texas law allows recovery for both economic losses and non-economic harm. Understanding damages categories helps Barry families recognize case value.

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Financial Losses)

Medical Expenses:

Past medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery)
Future medical needs (ongoing therapy, medications, specialists)
Life care plans for catastrophic injuries (like Danny Santulli’s brain damage case)

Educational and Income Losses:

Lost tuition for semesters withdrawn
Diminished earning capacity for permanent injuries
Lost scholarships (academic, athletic, Greek-based)

Other Financial Losses:

Property damage (destroyed phones, clothing, items)
Relocation costs to transfer schools
Funeral/burial expenses in wrongful death cases

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective but Compensable)

Physical Pain and Suffering:

Pain from injuries (broken bones, burns, internal damage)
Ongoing discomfort from permanent conditions
Loss of physical abilities (sports, activities, mobility)

Emotional Distress and Psychological Harm:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Major Depressive Disorder, anxiety disorders
Humiliation, shame, loss of dignity
Fear, nightmares, flashbacks
Loss of trust in institutions

Loss of Enjoyment of Life:

Can’t participate in former activities
Withdrawal from college experience
Relationship damage (friendships, romantic relationships)
Loss of educational experience they came to college for

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

When hazing results in death, surviving family members can recover:

Economic Losses:

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support deceased would have provided
Lost inheritance

Non-Economic Losses:

Loss of love, companionship, society
Grief and emotional suffering
Loss of guidance for younger siblings
Parents’ and siblings’ mental health treatment

Punitive Damages (When Conduct is Egregious)

Available when defendants show:

Prior warnings ignored
Particularly cruel or degrading conduct
Attempted cover-ups or lies under oath
Callous indifference to known risks

Texas caps: Statutory limits apply except in certain intentional tort cases

Practical Guide for Barry Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Barry Student May Be Hazed

Physical Signs:

Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts (especially with inconsistent explanations)
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Weight changes from food/water manipulation
Sleep deprivation (constant late nights, 3 AM calls)
Injuries to hands, back, legs from paddling/exercise
Chemical burns, rashes, skin damage
Signs of alcohol poisoning (even if your child doesn’t normally drink)

Behavioral and Emotional Changes:

Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family, old friends, non-Greek activities
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Defensiveness when asked about the organization
Fear of “getting in trouble” or “letting the chapter down”
Obsession with pleasing older members
Talking about “just getting through this”

Academic Red Flags:

Grades dropping suddenly
Missing classes or falling asleep in class
Skipping exams/assignments for “mandatory” events
Losing scholarships or academic standing

Financial Red Flags:

Unexpected large expenses (forced purchases, “fines”)
Buying excessive alcohol or items for older members
Overdrafts, maxed cards, unexplained money requests

Digital/Social Behavior:

Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Anxiety when phone buzzes or pings
Deleting messages or clearing browser history obsessively
Receiving calls/texts at all hours demanding immediate response
Social media posts showing concerning activities
Geo-location tracking apps newly installed

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally)

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
“Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to, or would there be consequences?”
“Are they asking you to keep secrets from me or the university?”

Listening strategy: If your child opens up, listen without judgment. If they shut down, don’t force it—but monitor closely and stay ready to intervene.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing

Immediate Safety:

If your child is in physical danger (intoxicated, injured, threatened), call 911
Get medical attention immediately—health trumps “getting in trouble”

Document Everything:

Write down dates, times, and what your child tells you
Screenshot texts, group chats, or photos shown to you
Photograph visible injuries
Save physical items (damaged clothing, receipts, props if available)

Reporting Options:

Campus authorities: Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, campus police
Local police: City/county PD for criminal acts (assault, furnishing alcohol to minor)
University hotlines: Many have anonymous reporting
National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (anonymous, 24/7)

Legal Consultation:

Contact a hazing-experienced lawyer early, even if unsure about lawsuit
We help preserve evidence before destruction
Navigate university processes (often adversarial)
Advise on criminal vs civil options
Protect from pressure or retaliation

Critical Mistakes That Destroy Hazing Cases

MISTAKES BARRY FAMILIES MUST AVOID:

Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence
- What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
- Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice; makes case nearly impossible
- Instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content
Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly
- What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
- Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
- Instead: Document everything, call a lawyer before any confrontation
Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms
- What universities do: Pressure families to sign waivers or “internal resolution” agreements
- Why it’s wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements often below true value
- Instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review
Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer
- What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
- Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
- Instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging
Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”
- What fraternities say: “Come talk to us before you do anything drastic”
- Why it’s wrong: They pressure, intimidate, extract harmful statements
- Instead: Once considering legal action, all communication goes through your lawyer
Waiting “to see how the university handles it”
- What universities promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally”
- Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
- Instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately
Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer
- What adjusters say: “We just need your statement to process the claim”
- Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements are used against you; early settlements are lowball
- Instead: Politely decline: “My attorney will contact you”

Why Attorney911 for Barry Hazing Cases

When your Barry family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. That’s why we built Attorney911 specifically for complex cases against well-funded opponents.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña’s Defense Background):

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

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello):

One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams
“We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience:

Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases with economist collaboration

Experience valuing lifetime care needs (brain injury, permanent disability)
“We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability”

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:

Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Investigative Depth:

Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
Experience obtaining hidden evidence (group chats, chapter records, university files)
“We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does”

Spanish-Language Services:

Lupe Peña speaks fluent Spanish
Full consultation and representation available in Spanish for Hispanic Barry families
Cultural understanding of Texas Hispanic community concerns

How We Approach Barry Hazing Cases Differently

We Don’t Start from Scratch:
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine already tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across Texas. When you call about a Barry student hazed at a Texas campus, we already know:

Which national organizations operate there
Their Texas-registered entities and EINs
Prior incidents at that campus or similar chapters
Insurance carriers commonly used by those organizations

We Think Like the Defense (Because We Were the Defense):
Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will:

Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
Use Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) to minimize injuries
Drag out cases hoping financial pressure forces low settlements
Attack victim credibility through social media mining

We’re Not Afraid of Trial (Which Changes Everything):
Most personal injury firms settle 99% of cases. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, which means:

More thorough investigation and evidence collection
Better expert preparation
Stronger settlement positions
Actual trial experience when insurers won’t negotiate fairly

We Understand Texas Universities’ Unique Defenses:
Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin have sovereign immunity arguments. We know how to:

Navigate exceptions for gross negligence
Sue individual employees in personal capacity
Use Title IX to waive immunity in sexual harassment cases
Force settlements despite immunity claims (like BGSU’s $3M Stone Foltz settlement)

Call to Action for Barry Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether here in Navarro County or at a university hours from Barry—we want to hear from you. Families in Barry and throughout the surrounding region have the right to answers and accountability.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911:

We’ll listen to your story without judgment:

No pressure to hire us on the spot
Everything you tell us is confidential
We understand this is one of the hardest things a family can face

**We