Hazing at Texas Campuses: A Comprehensive Guide for City of Commerce Parents and Families

If your child attends a Texas university and you’re worried about hazing, this guide was written for you. Right now, families in City of Commerce and across Hunt County are facing what many parents describe as their worst nightmare: a phone call saying their son or daughter has been hospitalized after a fraternity, sorority, athletic team, or campus organization event. The confusion, fear, and anger that follow are real. At Attorney911, we are currently fighting one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in Texas, representing Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity after he was hospitalized with kidney failure. We serve families throughout Texas, including right here in City of Commerce and Hunt County, and we want you to know your rights, your options, and what accountability looks like.

This is more than a legal article. It’s a road map for Texas families navigating a crisis that universities and Greek organizations often try to minimize. We’ll explain what modern hazing actually involves, how Texas law protects (and sometimes fails) students, what’s happening at campuses where City of Commerce families send their children, and how experienced legal counsel can help you secure answers, justice, and compensation.

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 all group chats, texts, and direct messages 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, or organization directly.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast—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.

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

For parents in City of Commerce, the word “hazing” might conjure images of old movies—silly pranks or mild embarrassment. The reality in 2025 is dangerously different. Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of joining, affiliating with, or maintaining membership in any campus organization. It’s not just fraternities; it happens in sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups like the Texas Cowboys, marching bands, and other clubs.

Modern hazing falls into three escalating categories:

1. Subtle Hazing: Behaviors that emphasize power imbalance and create psychological harm, often dismissed as “tradition.” This includes forced servitude (acting as a 24/7 designated driver, cleaning members’ rooms), social isolation, being given derogatory nicknames, mandatory late-night meetings that interfere with academics, and deceptive “scavenger hunts.” Today, this often involves digital control: pledges required to respond instantly to GroupMe messages at all hours, share their live location via apps, or have their social media policed by older members.

2. Harassment Hazing: Acts that cause significant emotional or physical discomfort. This includes sleep deprivation from 3 AM wake-up calls, verbal abuse and humiliation, food/water restriction, being forced to consume unpleasant substances (like excessive milk or hot sauce), and “punitive workouts” involving hundreds of push-ups or sprints until collapse. Digital harassment includes being forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok or Instagram, or being mocked in group chat memes.

3. Violent Hazing: Activities with a high potential for severe injury, sexual assault, or death. This is what leads to lawsuits and headlines. It includes:

• Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, “Bible study” drinking games where wrong answers mean drinking, lineups, keg stands, and funneling.
• Physical Beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking, “branding” with burns or cuts.
• Dangerous Physical Tests: Blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackling rituals, forced fights, swimming while intoxicated.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk”), sexual assault.
• Extreme Exposure: Being locked in freezing rooms, left outside in severe weather, or subjected to chemical burns (as in a recent Texas A&M case where pledges had industrial cleaner poured on them).

The Critical Misconception: “But They Agreed to It.” This is the most common defense we hear, and it is legally and morally wrong. Texas law (Education Code § 37.155) explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” given under intense peer pressure, the desire to belong, and fear of social exclusion is not voluntary. The power dynamic between a pledge and a chapter president is inherently coercive.

2. The Texas Legal Framework: Criminal and Civil Hazing Laws

Understanding the law is your first step toward accountability. For families in City of Commerce, Texas law governs any hazing incident at a Texas public university, and its principles apply broadly.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37 (The Hazing Statute)

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers their physical or mental health for the purpose of joining, initiating, affiliating with, or maintaining membership in an organization.
• Criminal Penalties:
  • 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 that causes serious bodily injury or death.
  • It is also a crime for an officer or member to fail to report hazing they are aware of.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation.
• Immunity for Reporting: A person who, in good faith, reports hazing to university officials or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability for their own involvement. This “good faith” clause is meant to encourage people to call 911 in emergencies.

Criminal Cases vs. Civil Lawsuits

It’s crucial to understand the difference, as both can proceed simultaneously.

• Criminal Case: Brought by the State of Texas (e.g., Hunt County District Attorney, Travis County DA). The goal is punishment: jail time, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or even manslaughter. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit.
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and their family. The goal is compensation (damages) and accountability. We sue the individuals who committed the acts, the local chapter, the national headquarters, the university, and other responsible entities for negligence, gross negligence, and wrongful death. This is where financial recovery for medical bills, trauma, and future care is secured.

Federal Law Overlay

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and strengthen prevention programs. Public hazing data will become more available starting around 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, the university has specific federal obligations to investigate and respond.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults or alcohol crimes.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation identifies every potentially responsible party to maximize accountability and access insurance coverage.

1. Individual Students: The members who planned, carried out, or assisted in the hazing.
2. Local Chapter: The fraternity or sorority chapter as an entity (if it holds assets or insurance).
3. National Headquarters: The central organization that sets policies, collects dues, and supervises chapters. Their knowledge of prior incidents at other chapters is critical.
4. University/Board of Regents: The school can be liable for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to a known risk, or premises liability. Public universities (like Texas A&M or UT) have some “sovereign immunity” protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence.
5. Housing Corporations & Alumni Boards: Separate legal entities that own chapter houses or provide oversight.
6. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol (under dram shop laws), or security companies.

3. The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez vs. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

Right now, our firm is leading one of the most significant active hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly died after pledging the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This case is not an abstract example; it is proof of the severe, systemic abuse happening on Texas campuses and the complex fight for accountability. For families in City of Commerce, it shows exactly what we are prepared to litigate.

The Timeline of Abuse (Fall 2025):

• Leonel accepted a bid in September. The hazing began immediately with forced dress codes, hours-long “study blocks,” weekly interviews, and overnight chauffeuring duties.
• He was forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” 24/7 containing condoms, a sex toy, and nicotine devices. Failure to comply meant punishment.
• Hazing occurred at the Pi Kappa Phi chapter house, a residence on Culmore Drive, and at Yellowstone Boulevard Park for early-morning workouts.
• Specific acts included: being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” lying in vomit-soaked grass, forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, and enduring extreme cold in only his underwear.
• On November 3, he was forced through over 100 push-ups and 500 squats while reciting the fraternity creed under threat of expulsion. He could not stand without help afterward.

The Medical Catastrophe:

• In the days following, Leonel’s condition deteriorated. He began passing brown urine—a classic sign of muscle breakdown.
• His mother rushed him to the hospital on November 6. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. His creatine kinase (CK) levels were critically high.
• He was hospitalized for four days and faces an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage, along with severe physical and psychological trauma.

The Institutional Response & Lawsuit:

• After media inquiries, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters suspended the Beta Nu chapter on November 6. Members voted to surrender their charter on November 14, shutting the chapter down.
• The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary action and cooperation with law enforcement.
• In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County against 17 defendants: the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and risk manager.
• This case is ongoing. It exemplifies the multi-defendant, high-stakes litigation required to hold every responsible entity accountable. You can read the detailed media coverage in the Click2Houston report and ABC13 coverage.

4. Where City of Commerce Families Send Their Kids: A Texas Campus Overview

Parents in City of Commerce and Hunt County often have students at a mix of local institutions and major statewide universities. Understanding the Greek ecosystem and hazing history at these schools is critical.

Local & Regional Focus: Texas A&M University-Commerce

For many families in City of Commerce, the local university is literally in their backyard. Texas A&M University-Commerce is a significant institution in Hunt County with its own Greek life community. While different in scale from the massive flagship campuses, hazing risks still exist in any organization that initiates new members.

Fraternities and Sororities at Texas A&M-Commerce: The campus hosts chapters of national Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations, and sororities. These organizations are connected to the same national networks with the same histories as those at larger schools.

What City of Commerce Parents Should Know:

• Incidents at regional campuses can be under-reported but are governed by the same Texas hazing laws.
• The university’s Office of Student Engagement oversees Greek life and hazing reporting.
• A hazing case involving a TAMU-Commerce student could involve local Hunt County law enforcement and courts, as well as the university’s internal conduct process.

Major Statewide Universities

Most City of Commerce families also have children at the major Texas university systems. The patterns at these schools set the tone for the entire state.

University of Houston (UH)

As detailed in our flagship case, UH has faced severe, life-threatening hazing. The university has an active Greek life with over 50 chapters. Its public hazing violations log shows a history of sanctions against fraternities and sororities for alcohol abuse, physical mistreatment, and coercive activities. UH’s urban, commuter-heavy campus doesn’t eliminate hazing; it often pushes it to off-campus houses, making oversight harder.

Texas A&M University (College Station)

The culture of tradition at Texas A&M extends to its powerful Greek life and the Corps of Cadets. This has led to some of the most publicized and severe hazing cases in Texas.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged they were covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and a lawsuit was filed.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A freshman alleged he was subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. He filed a lawsuit seeking over $1 million in damages.
  These cases demonstrate that hazing permeates both Greek and military-style traditions at A&M.

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

UT maintains one of the most transparent hazing databases in the country at hazing.utexas.edu. This public log is a powerful tool for families, as it shows patterns.

• Recent entries show sanctions against chapters like Pi Kappa Alpha for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, and other groups for forced drinking, sleep deprivation, and humiliating acts.
• The database proves the university has repeated knowledge of unsafe practices, which can strengthen a civil case by showing “foreseeability.”

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

As private institutions, SMU and Baylor have their own conduct processes and may be less transparent than public schools. Both have faced hazing scandals:

• SMU: The Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended in 2017 after reports of paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.
• Baylor: The baseball team suspended 14 players in 2020 following a hazing investigation.
  Private status does not shield these universities from liability for negligent supervision or deliberate indifference.

5. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Public Records on Greek Organizations

One of our key advantages at Attorney911 is our investigative depth. We maintain a comprehensive database built from public records to understand the true structure of Greek life in Texas. For City of Commerce families, this means we don’t start from zero when investigating a case. We already know the legal entities, their tax IDs, and their connections.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses

The following is a sample of the type of organizational data we track. These are real entities recorded in IRS filings (B83 codes for educational fraternal organizations) and commercial databases, showing the complex web of house corporations, alumni chapters, and honor societies that exist behind the Greek letters your child sees on campus.

Sample Organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Area (Relevant to City of Commerce/NE Texas Region):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – EIN 74-2911848 – 12650 N Beach St, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Cause IQ metro listing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc. – EIN 74-1380362 – PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061 (IRS B83 filing)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Lambda Lambda Chapter – EIN 52-1278573 – 3837 Simpson Stuart Rd, Dallas, TX 75241 (IRS B83 filing)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Mu Zeta Chapter – EIN 75-2609909 – 1205 Monroe St, Commerce, TX 75428 (IRS B83 filing – Local to City of Commerce)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity – Zeta Eta Chapter – EIN 75-6060974 – PO Box 1403, Commerce, TX 75429 (IRS B83 filing – Local to City of Commerce)

Sample University-Linked Housing & Educational Corporations:

• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation – EIN 37-1768785 – 4102 Eastshore St, Missouri City, TX 77459
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. – EIN 46-2267515 – 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (Defendant in our UH case)
• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi – EIN 74-6047117 – 2620 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
• Frank Heflin Foundation (Phi Delta Theta alumni) – EIN 20-3507402 – 9000 W Country Club Rd, Canyon, TX 79015

Why This Directory Matters for Your Case:
When hazing occurs, liability often extends beyond the undergraduate members. The housing corporation that owns the house, the alumni board that provides oversight, and the national headquarters that collects dues all may carry insurance or assets that can provide compensation for your child’s injuries. A common defense tactic is to claim the local chapter is a “rogue” group with no ties to deeper pockets. Our data engine helps us dismantle that myth immediately by identifying every related legal entity from the start.

6. National Patterns, Local Harm: How Fraternity Histories Fuel Liability

The same national fraternities and sororities implicated in deadly hazing cases across the country have active chapters at Texas schools. This isn’t coincidence; it’s a pattern of foreseeable risk. When a chapter at UT, A&M, or UH repeats a dangerous “tradition” that killed a student at another university, it demonstrates the national organization’s failure to effectively prevent harm.

Pattern Evidence from National Cases:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): The national organization has faced repeated, nearly identical tragedies. Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State (2021) died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event—a $10 million settlement. David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois (2012) died from alcohol poisoning during a fraternity event—a $14 million settlement. When a Pike chapter engages in forced drinking, the national can no longer claim it was an unforeseeable “accident.”
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Dubbed the “deadliest fraternity” by some publications, SAE has been involved in numerous hazing deaths and injuries nationwide, including the chemical burn case at Texas A&M. Their national history shows a pattern of alcohol-related hazing.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver case at LSU (2017) involved a “Bible study” drinking game that led to a fatal alcohol overdose. This directly led to Louisiana’ felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”
• Pi Kappa Phi: The Andrew Coffey case at Florida State (2017) involved a “Big Brother” night with fatal alcohol poisoning. This is the same national organization we are currently suing in the University of Houston case.

How This Strengthens a Texas Case:
In civil litigation, we use these national histories to prove foreseeability and negligence. We can argue that the national headquarters had a duty to implement and enforce effective anti-hazing measures because it knew, or should have known, that its chapters were engaging in these deadly patterns. Their failure to do so—often evidenced by weak “paper policies” and lax enforcement—forms the basis for holding them accountable.

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

If your family is facing this crisis, understanding the legal process can reduce fear and empower you. A successful hazing case is built on a foundation of evidence, a clear theory of liability, and a strategic approach to damages.

Critical Evidence to Preserve

The digital age means evidence is plentiful but ephemeral. Preservation must begin immediately.

1. Digital Communications: Screenshot ALL group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord). Capture full threads with timestamps and sender names. Assume messages will be deleted.
2. Social Media: Preserve posts, stories, snaps, or TikToks that reference the event, show injuries, or involve the organization. Use screen recording for disappearing content.
3. Photos & Videos: Take clear photos of injuries over several days. If there is video of the hazing, secure it.
4. Medical Records: Go to the ER or a doctor. Tell them explicitly, “This injury was caused by hazing.” This creates a crucial link in your medical record. Obtain all records, including lab results (like CK levels for rhabdomyolysis).
5. Physical Evidence: Do not wash clothing with stains (vomit, blood, chemicals). Preserve any objects used (paddles, bottles, props).
6. Witness Information: Write down the names and contact info of other pledges, members, or bystanders.

Our video on using your cellphone to document a legal case provides practical guidance on this critical step.

Types of Damages in a Hazing Lawsuit

The law seeks to compensate victims for their losses, both economic and non-economic.

• Economic Damages: Quantifiable financial losses. This includes all past and future medical bills, lost wages, costs of therapy, and diminished future earning capacity if the injury causes a permanent disability.
• Non-Economic Damages: Subjective but very real harms. This includes compensation for physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression), humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: If hazing results in a death, surviving family members can recover funeral costs, loss of financial support, and damages for grief, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or malicious conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Overcoming Common Institutional Defenses

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

• “The Pledge Consented”: We cite Texas law where consent is not a defense and explain the coercive power dynamics.
• “This Was a Rogue Chapter”: We use our data engine and discovery to show the financial and supervisory ties between the nationals and the local chapter, and highlight the national’s prior knowledge of the same dangerous practices.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: We establish that the university and national still exercise control and that the risk was foreseeable, regardless of location.
• “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”: We demonstrate that these policies were mere “window dressing”—poorly enforced, with minimal consequences for prior violations.

Our insider knowledge is key. Mr. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for large insurance companies. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny claims, delay proceedings, and lowball settlements. We use that knowledge to counter their tactics from day one. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

8. Practical Guides & Critical FAQs for City of Commerce Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Physical: Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping), extreme exhaustion, sudden weight change, signs of alcohol or drug use.
• Behavioral: Newfound secrecy about organization activities, withdrawal from family and old friends, anxiety or depression, defensiveness when asked, constant phone checking for group messages.
• Academic: Sudden drop in grades, missing classes, falling asleep in class.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: If there is any immediate danger, call 911. Get medical attention.
2. Preserve Evidence Gently: Help your child screenshot messages and take photos of injuries. Do not let them delete anything out of shame or fear.
3. Document: Write down everything your child tells you, with dates and names.
4. Consult a Lawyer Before Reporting: Before you contact the university or police, speak with an experienced hazing attorney. We can guide you on how to report in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence. The university’s primary interest is often limiting its own liability.
5. Do Not Sign Anything: Universities or insurance companies may offer quick, low-value settlements or ask you to sign releases. Do not sign anything without an attorney’s review.

For Students: Is This Hazing and How to Get Out Safely

Ask yourself: Am I being pressured? Would I do this if there were no social consequences? Is it dangerous or degrading? Would my parents or the university approve if they knew?
If you answer yes, it is hazing.

How to Exit Safely:

• In Immediate Danger: Call 911. Texas law provides protections for those who call for help in good faith.
• To Quit/De-pledge: Tell a trusted person outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend). Send a brief, written resignation to the chapter president (email or text is best). Do not attend a “final meeting” where you could be pressured or intimidated.
• If You Fear Retaliation: Document any threats. Report them to the Dean of Students and campus police. Retaliation is a separate offense.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Hazing Case

We urge families to watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case. Key errors include:

1. Deleting evidence (messages, photos) because it’s embarrassing.
2. Confronting the organization directly, which triggers their defense lawyers and evidence destruction.
3. Signing university settlement offers without legal advice, often for a fraction of the case’s value.
4. Posting details on social media, which defense attorneys will mine for inconsistencies.
5. Waiting too long. The Texas statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years, but evidence and witness memories fade fast. Act now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we sue a university in Texas for hazing?
A: Yes. While public universities have some sovereign immunity, they can be sued for gross negligence, deliberate indifference, or under certain federal laws like Title IX. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity barriers. The specific strategy depends on the facts.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death, it’s typically two years from the date of death. However, complex rules around “discovery” and fraudulent concealment can affect this. Do not wait. Consult a lawyer immediately to understand your deadlines. Learn more in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

Q: How much does a hazing lawyer cost?
A: At Attorney911, we work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and hazing cases. This means you pay no upfront fees or hourly rates. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you through a settlement or court verdict. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, agreed upon in advance. This makes legal representation accessible to families when they need it most. See our explanation of how contingency fees work.

Q: Will my child’s name be publicly exposed?
A: Most civil cases settle confidentially before trial, which often includes agreements to keep the terms and identities private. While lawsuits are public records, we take every possible step to protect our clients’ privacy and can seek protective orders from the court.

9. Why Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who are not intimidated by powerful institutions, who understand the complex landscape of Greek life and university politics, and who have a proven track record of success in the most serious injury cases. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) was built for this exact kind of legal emergency.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation:

• Active, High-Stakes Litigation Experience: We are not theorists. We are currently leading the multi-million-dollar lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi on behalf of Leonel Bermudez. We are in the fight right now.
• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney for national firms. He knows the exact tactics insurance companies for fraternities and universities will use to deny or minimize your claim. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
• Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced down the deepest pockets and most aggressive defense teams. National fraternities and large universities do not scare us. Learn about Ralph’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.
• Complex Investigative and Data Resources: We deploy the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—our proprietary database of Greek organizations built from IRS, university, and public records. We don’t start your case from scratch; we start with a map of the entities we need to investigate.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Capability: Mr. Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand criminal hazing charges, which often run parallel to civil cases. We can advise on the interplay between the two and protect your child’s interests comprehensively.
• A Network of Experts: We work with medical specialists, toxicologists, psychologists, economists, and digital forensics experts to build an unassailable case about the cause, extent, and value of your child’s injuries.
• Spanish-Language Services Available: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. Se habla Español. Contact him directly at lupe@atty911.com.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. If your child has been hazed at Texas A&M-Commerce, University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other Texas campus, we are here to help you navigate this difficult path toward healing, answers, and accountability.

Contact Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation

You don’t have to face this alone. The first step is a conversation. We will listen to your story with compassion, explain your legal options clearly, and help you make informed decisions for your family’s future.

Call Attorney911 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).

You can also contact us directly:

• Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com | (713) 528-9070
• Lupe Peña: lupe@atty911.com | Se habla Español.

Visit our website: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. We encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney about your specific situation. The information is current as of late 2025.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving City of Commerce, Hunt County, and Families Across Texas.