Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Hideaway Families

When Tradition Turns to Trauma: What Every Hideaway Parent Needs to Know About Campus Hazing

As parents in the quiet, close-knit community of Hideaway, Texas, we send our children to college with dreams of their success, growth, and safety. We imagine them studying in libraries, making lifelong friends, and building their futures at institutions like the University of Texas at Tyler just minutes away, or at major Texas universities like Texas A&M, UT Austin, or the University of Houston. What we don’t imagine—what we cannot fathom—is receiving a phone call that our child has been hospitalized after being forced to drink until they vomit, beaten with paddles until they bleed, or subjected to psychological torture disguised as “bonding.” Yet for Texas families right now, this nightmare is reality.

In November 2025, our firm filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly died after enduring systematic hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The allegations are not just disturbing—they’re criminal: forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints; 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; and the constant humiliation of a “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms, sex toys, and nicotine devices. The physical toll? Rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown), acute kidney failure, brown urine, and four days of hospitalization with ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. The institutional response? The chapter was suspended on November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. University of Houston officials called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement.

This is not an isolated incident in some distant state. This happened at a Texas public university, involving a national fraternity with chapters across our state, and it’s being litigated by our Texas-based firm right now. If this can happen at UH, it can happen at any Texas campus where Hideaway students enroll.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

Call 911 for medical emergencies
Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

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

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

This comprehensive guide explains what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects (and sometimes fails) our students, what’s happening at Texas universities where Hideaway families send their children, and what legal options exist when tradition turns to trauma. We serve families throughout Smith County and across Texas, bringing Houston-based expertise to help our neighbors in Hideaway when they need it most.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like Beyond the Stereotypes

For many Hideaway parents, “hazing” might conjure images of mild pranks or foolish college antics. The reality in 2025 is far more sinister, sophisticated, and dangerous. Modern hazing has evolved into a calculated system of coercion, psychological manipulation, and physical abuse that leaves permanent scars—both visible and invisible.

The Three-Tier System of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – The Gateway
These behaviors create power imbalances while flying under the radar:

Digital control: 24/7 group chat monitoring, required instant responses at all hours, location tracking via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
Servitude requirements: Acting as designated drivers at 3 AM, cleaning members’ rooms, running personal errands
Social isolation: Cutting off contact with non-members, requiring permission to socialize outside the group
“Optional” mandatory events: Late-night meetings during exams, weekend “retreats” that conflict with academic priorities

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – The Escalation
When subtle control isn’t enough, organizations escalate to:

Sleep deprivation: “Study sessions” that last until dawn, wake-up calls for meaningless tasks
Food/water manipulation: Forcing consumption of spoiled food, extreme quantities of bland items (gallon milk challenges), or withholding meals
Public humiliation: Forced embarrassing performances, degrading costumes, “roasting” sessions
“Smokings”: Extreme calisthenics framed as “conditioning” but designed to punish and exhaust

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – The Point of No Return
These activities have high potential for permanent injury or death:

Forced alcohol consumption: “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, drinking games where wrong answers mean dangerous consumption levels
Physical beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking – often framed as “tradition”
Dangerous physical tests: “Glass ceiling” blindfolded tackles, forced fights, swimming while intoxicated
Sexualized hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, coerced pornography viewing
Chemical exposure: Texas A&M SAE case where pledges were covered in industrial-strength cleaner causing chemical burns requiring skin grafts

Why “Consent” Is Meaningless in Hazing Situations

Hideaway parents often ask: “But didn’t my child agree to this?” The legal and psychological reality is that true consent cannot exist when:

Power imbalance favors older members who control membership status
Social pressure makes refusal equal to exclusion and shame
Systematic conditioning breaks down resistance over weeks or months
Fear of retaliation silences objections

Texas law recognizes this reality. Under Education Code §37.155, consent is not a defense to hazing. The courts understand what every parent knows: a teenager desperate for belonging, facing social extinction from their peer group, isn’t making free choices.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Protections for Hideaway Students

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37: Your Child’s Legal Shield

For Hideaway families, Texas law provides specific protections and definitions:

§37.151 Definition of Hazing:
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 organization whose members include students

Key implications for Smith County families:

Location doesn’t matter – off-campus houses, Airbnbs, remote retreats are all covered
Mental harm counts equally with physical harm
“Reckless” is enough – they don’t need to intend specific harm

§37.152 Criminal Penalties:

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

§37.155 The Consent Myth:
“It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity.” This statutory language directly addresses the most common defense fraternities use.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Different Paths to Justice

Criminal Cases (State brings charges):

Purpose: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter (in deaths)
Smith County relevance: Cases may be prosecuted locally or where incident occurred

Civil Cases (Family brings lawsuit):

Purpose: Compensation and accountability
Claims: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
Defendants: Individuals, local chapters, national organizations, universities, property owners
Critical for Hideaway families: Civil cases can proceed even if no criminal charges are filed

Federal Overlay: Additional Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing transparently
Public hazing data requirements phased in by 2026
Strengthens prevention education

Title IX Implications:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, additional federal protections and reporting requirements apply.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Can Learn from Tragedy

The Alcohol Poisoning Epidemic

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):
The 20-year-old pledge was forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night. He died from alcohol poisoning. The outcome? $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU), multiple criminal convictions, and strengthened Ohio anti-hazing laws.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):
Pledge forced to participate in “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Died with 0.495% BAC. Result: $6.1 million verdict, Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute), and chapter closure.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):
Bid acceptance night with extreme drinking, fatal falls captured on chapter cameras, delayed medical care. Outcome: 18 members charged with over 1,000 counts, Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania, one of largest hazing prosecutions in U.S. history.

Physical and Ritualized Violence

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):
Blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual at remote retreat. Died from traumatic brain injury. National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Athletic Program Scandals

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the program over years. Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired, confidential settlements. Proof that hazing extends far beyond Greek life.

Texas Focus: Where Hideaway Students Attend and What They Face

The University of Texas at Tyler: Our Local Institution

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Just minutes from Hideaway in Smith County, UT Tyler serves many local families. While smaller than flagship campuses, it maintains Greek life and student organizations where hazing risks exist.

Hazing Policy & Reporting:
UT Tyler prohibits hazing under University policy, with reporting through Dean of Students and campus police. The university follows UT System guidelines on hazing prevention.

What Hideaway Parents Should Know:

Proximity means faster response but also closer social networks that may pressure silence
Smaller campus can mean closer oversight but also tighter-knit groups that protect secrets
Smith County courts have jurisdiction for incidents occurring locally

Texas A&M University: Tradition and Risk

For Hideaway families with Aggie traditions:
Many Smith County students pursue Aggie dreams, entering an environment rich with tradition—some beautiful, some dangerous.

Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023):
A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. Sought over $1 million. Texas A&M stated it handled the matter under its rules.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):
Two pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million; fraternity suspended for two years.

Practical Guidance for Aggie Families:

Corps culture has unique risks alongside Greek life
Document everything during “Fish Week” and initiation periods
Understand both university conduct process and potential civil claims

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Patterns

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page:
UT maintains unprecedented transparency, listing organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions publicly.

Recent Examples from UT’s Log:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter probation and mandatory hazing-prevention education
Multiple organizations sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, punishment-based practices

How This Helps Hideaway Families:

Prior violations create “pattern evidence” for civil cases
Public records help prove universities knew or should have known about risks
Transparency pressures organizations to reform

Southern Methodist University: Affluent Environment, Same Risks

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017):
New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended until approximately 2021.

Private University Realities:

Less public transparency than state schools
Significant resources for defense teams
Social pressure to protect institutional reputation

Baylor University: Faith-Based Challenges

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020):
14 players suspended following hazing investigation, staggered suspensions during season.

Context Matters:

Religious identity creates unique dynamics around accountability
History of institutional protection in other scandals
“Zero tolerance” policies require careful enforcement

The Greek Ecosystem Serving Hideaway Families: Public Records Reality

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

If you are a parent in Hideaway, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Below are verified public records of Texas-registered Greek organizations—the entities that may hold insurance, liability, and accountability when hazing occurs.

Texas-Registered Greek Entities (IRS B83 Filings):

Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc | EIN: 133048786 | 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845 | IRS B83 filing
Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Inc | EIN: 161675890 | 115 Wild Wick Way, The Woodlands, TX 77382 | IRS B83 filing
Sigma Phi Lambda Inc | Multiple chapters registered at 4251 FM 2181 Ste 230 PMB 480, Corinth, TX 76210 | IRS B83 filing
Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity – Mu Gamma Chapter | EIN: 262025321 | 920 W Prairie St, Denton, TX 76201 | IRS B83 filing
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Arlington-Grand Prairie Alumni Chapter | EIN: 232452759 | PO Box 542901, Grand Prairie, TX 75054 | IRS B83 filing
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – University of Texas at Tyler | EIN: 352335400 | 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75799 | IRS B83 filing
Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation | EIN: 371768785 | 4102 Eastshore St, Missouri City, TX 77459 | IRS B83 filing
Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc | EIN: 462267515 | 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 | IRS B83 filing
Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter | EIN: 746084905 | 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204 | IRS B83 filing
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc | EIN: 741380362 | PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147 | IRS B83 filing

Metro-Level Greek Presence (Cause IQ Data):

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510+ Greek organizations
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188+ Greek organizations
Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154+ Greek organizations
Tyler Metro Area (Smith County): Multiple registered entities serving local campuses

Why This Directory Matters for Hideaway Families:
These aren’t just social clubs—they’re legal entities with Employer Identification Numbers, mailing addresses, and often, insurance policies. When hazing occurs, we don’t start from zero. We already know how to find the organizations behind the letters.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Patterns Come to Texas

Why National Histories Matter to Hideaway Families

When your child joins a chapter at UT Austin or Texas A&M, they’re not just joining a local group—they’re entering a national organization with a decades-long history. That history often includes:

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ):

Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green ($10M settlement)
Multiple other alcohol hazing deaths nationwide
Pattern: “Big/Little” nights with forced heavy drinking

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ):

More hazing-related deaths than any other fraternity
Texas A&M chemical burns lawsuit
UT Austin assault lawsuit involving exchange student
Nationally eliminated pledge program in 2014 due to pattern

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

Max Gruver death at LSU ($6.1M verdict)
Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act named after victim

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

Andrew Coffey death at Florida State
Current active litigation: Leonel Bermudez case at UH
Pattern: Physical endurance hazing leading to medical crises

Legal Significance of Patterns

When a Texas chapter repeats behaviors that caused deaths or injuries at other chapters:

Foreseeability Established: Nationals can’t claim “we couldn’t have known”
Negligence Strengthened: Pattern shows failure to implement effective prevention
Punitive Damages Possible: Repeated warnings ignored

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Realistic Expectations

Evidence That Wins Cases in 2025

Digital Evidence (Most Critical):

Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord screenshots
Social media: Instagram stories, TikTok videos, Snapchat saves
Deleted message recovery: Digital forensics can retrieve “disappearing” content
Location data: GPS tracking, check-ins, photo metadata

Medical Documentation:

ER records showing alcohol levels, injuries
Specialist reports documenting long-term effects
Psychological evaluations for PTSD, trauma, anxiety
Critical for Hideaway families: Get medical care immediately and mention hazing to ensure proper documentation

Institutional Records:

University conduct files (obtained via discovery)
National fraternity incident reports
Prior violation histories
Insurance policy information

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages:

Past and future medical expenses
Lost educational opportunities (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
Diminished earning capacity for permanent injuries

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, PTSD, trauma
Loss of enjoyment of life
Humiliation and damage to reputation

Wrongful Death Damages:

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship and support
Parents’ and siblings’ emotional trauma

The Insurance Battle: What Fraternities and Universities Don’t Want You to Know

National fraternities and universities carry insurance policies worth millions. Their insurers employ specific tactics:

Common Insurance Defense Strategies:

Delay tactics: Dragging out cases until families run out of resources
Lowball early settlements: Offering quick, inadequate payments before full damages known
Coverage disputes: Arguing hazing is “intentional” and therefore excluded
Divide and conquer: Settling with some defendants to isolate others

Our Insider Advantage:
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows their playbook because he used to run it. This insider knowledge helps us:

Anticipate defense tactics before they’re deployed
Navigate coverage disputes effectively
Value cases accurately based on how insurers actually assess risk
Counter lowball offers with evidence-based demands

Practical Guides & FAQs for Hideaway Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Red Flags Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Personality changes: anxiety, withdrawal, depression
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Financial requests for unexplained “fees” or purchases
Grades dropping suddenly due to “mandatory” events

How to Talk to Your Child:

Start gently: “How are things going with [organization]?”
Ask specific but non-confrontational questions: “Do they respect your time for classes and sleep?”
Listen without judgment: If they open up, don’t react with anger at them
Emphasize safety over status: “Your health matters more than any membership”

If You Discover Hazing:

Prioritize medical care if injured or intoxicated
Preserve evidence before confrontation
Document everything with dates, times, details
Contact an attorney before talking to the organization or university
Do NOT sign anything without legal review

For Students: Recognizing and Exiting Safely

Is This Hazing? Quick Self-Assessment:

Are you being pressured to do something dangerous or degrading?
Would you do this if you had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Are older members making you do things they don’t have to do?
Are you being told to keep secrets from parents or the university?
Does the activity interfere with your academics or health?

If you answered yes to any, it’s likely hazing.

Safe Exit Strategies:

Immediate danger: Call 911, then a trusted adult
Planning to leave: Tell someone outside the organization first
Formal resignation: Email/text chapter leadership: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
Avoid “one last meeting”: This is where pressure and retaliation often occur

Texas Law Protects You:

Good-faith reporting immunity for calling 911 in emergencies
Consent is not a defense to hazing charges
Retaliation against reporters is itself a crime

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence
What families think: “I don’t want my child to get in more trouble”
Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up, may be obstruction of justice, makes case nearly impossible
Better approach: Preserve everything immediately—even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Organization Directly
What families think: “I’ll give them a piece of my mind”
Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Better approach: Document everything, call attorney first

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
What universities do: Pressure quick settlements with waivers
Why it’s wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements often far below value
Better approach: “I need my attorney to review this before I sign”

4. Posting on Social Media
What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Better approach: Document privately; let attorney control public messaging

5. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”
What universities promise: “We’re investigating internally”
Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
Better approach: Preserve evidence now; consult attorney immediately

Frequently Asked Questions from Texas Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities (UT, Texas A&M, UH) have sovereign immunity protections but exceptions exist for gross negligence or intentional acts. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections. Every case depends on specific facts—call 1-888-ATTY-911 for case analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor by default, but becomes a state jail felony if serious bodily injury or death occurs. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report.

“My child ‘agreed’ to this—do we have a case?”
Yes. Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately known. In cover-up cases, the statute may be paused. Time is critical—call immediately.

“What if it happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Major cases have involved remote retreats and private houses.

“Will this be confidential?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed records and confidential settlements. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases: The Hideaway Connection

When your 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. From our Texas offices, we serve families throughout Smith County and across our state, bringing Houston-based expertise with local understanding.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):
As a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm, Mr. Peña knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims. He understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello):
Our involvement in BP Texas City explosion litigation proved we can take on billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities or university defense teams. Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) means we’re equipped for Title IX and complex civil rights cases.

Data-Driven Investigation:
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. We maintain verified public records directories so we don’t start from zero when your case begins. We know how to find the entities behind the letters—including housing corporations, alumni chapters, and national headquarters.

Proven Multi-Million Dollar Results:

Logging accident brain injury with vision loss: multi-million dollar settlement
Car accident with partial amputation: multi-million dollar settlement
Trucking wrongful death cases: millions recovered for families
BP Texas City explosion litigation: one of few Texas firms involved

Criminal + Civil Dual Capability:
Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of hazing cases. We can advise on criminal exposure while pursuing civil accountability—a critical advantage when cases involve both tracks.

How We Investigate Hazing Cases Differently

Digital Forensics Expertise:
We work with experts who recover deleted group chats, social media content, and “disappearing” messages. In 2025, the evidence is digital—and we know how to preserve and present it.

Pattern Evidence Development:
We don’t look at your case in isolation. We investigate prior incidents at the same chapter, same national organization, and same university to prove patterns and foreseeability.

Economic Damage Analysis:
We collaborate with economists, life care planners, and vocational experts to accurately value:

Lifetime medical needs for permanent injuries
Lost earning capacity over a career
Educational setbacks and their financial impact
Non-economic harm like PTSD and trauma

Institutional Knowledge Mining:
Through discovery and public records requests, we obtain:

University conduct files showing prior warnings
National fraternity incident reports
Insurance policies and coverage information
Internal emails and institutional knowledge

Your Next Steps: Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether at UT Tyler nearby or any university across our state—we want to hear from you. Families in Hideaway and throughout Smith County have the right to answers, accountability, and justice.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

We Listen Without Judgment: You’ll speak directly with an attorney, not a screening service
Case Assessment: We review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Clear Options Explained: We outline possible paths: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Realistic Timelines: No false promises—just honest assessments
Cost Transparency: Contingency fee basis—we don’t get paid unless we win
No Pressure: Take time to decide with all information
Complete Confidentiality: Everything you tell us is protected

Contact Attorney911 Today

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com

Spanish Language Services:
Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

Whether you’re in Hideaway or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions responsible for these patterns count on silence and shame. We provide the courage, expertise, and relentless advocacy to break that cycle.

Call us today. Let’s start the conversation about accountability, healing, and preventing this from happening to another Texas family.

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