The Complete Guide to Hazing & Fraternity Abuse for Families in Colbert County, Alabama

If Your Child Was Hazed at an Alabama or Southeastern University, You’re Not Alone

We understand the heart-stopping moment when you realize something has gone terribly wrong with your child’s college experience. For parents in Colbert County—from Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals to Leighton and Cherokee—the dream of your child thriving at an Alabama campus like the University of North Alabama, or traveling to universities across the Southeast, can turn into a nightmare when hazing enters the picture.

Right now, as you read this, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and numerous individual members. The details are harrowing: forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; extreme physical workouts leading to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure that hospitalized him for four days. This case, covered by Click2Houston and ABC13, represents exactly the kind of institutional failure and brutal hazing that happens everywhere—including at schools where Colbert County families send their children.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Colbert County, Alabama who need to understand what hazing looks like today, how the law protects (or fails to protect) students, what’s happening at Southeastern universities, and what legal options exist when tradition turns into trauma.

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

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For Colbert County families who may be unfamiliar with modern Greek life dynamics, hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypes of “harmless pranks” or “tradition.” Today’s hazing is often systematized, digitally coordinated, and psychologically sophisticated.

The Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. Alabama law, like Texas law where we’re actively litigating the Bermudez case, recognizes that consent given under duress isn’t real consent.

Main Categories of Hazing Affecting Students Today

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadliest form. It includes forced or coerced drinking during “lineups,” chugging challenges, games that require rapid consumption, and being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances. In the Bermudez case at University of Houston, forced consumption led directly to life-threatening medical conditions.

Physical Hazing
This goes beyond traditional paddling to include extreme calisthenics or “workouts” far beyond normal conditioning, sleep deprivation, food/water deprivation, and exposure to extreme environments. The University of Houston case involved 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in a single session—a clear example of physical hazing disguised as “conditioning.”

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. These practices particularly affect students from Colbert County who may be encountering such behaviors for the first time at larger universities.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, social isolation, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming—often conducted in group chat environments that follow students back to their dorms and family homes in Colbert County.

Digital/Online Hazing
The newest frontier includes group chat dares, “challenges” shared via Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, and pressure to create or share compromising images/videos. This means the hazing doesn’t stop when your child leaves the fraternity house—it follows them on their smartphones back to their dorm rooms and even when they visit home in Colbert County.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

Contrary to popular belief, hazing isn’t limited to “frat boys.” Colbert County students encounter hazing risks in:

Fraternities and sororities (including IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC Divine Nine, and multicultural organizations)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC / military-style groups (prominent at many Southern universities)
Spirit squads and tradition clubs
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer—particularly relevant in SEC country)
Marching bands and performance groups
Some service, cultural, and academic organizations

The common threads across all these groups are social status, tradition, and secrecy—dynamics that keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Law & Liability Framework: Alabama, Texas, and Federal Protections

Understanding the legal landscape is crucial for Colbert County families navigating a hazing crisis. While we are Texas-based attorneys, the principles of hazing liability and institutional accountability apply nationwide, and we frequently work with local counsel in Alabama and other states.

Alabama Hazing Law Basics

Alabama has its own anti-hazing statutes that provide both criminal penalties and civil liability. The Alabama Code defines hazing broadly and makes it a crime to engage in or permit hazing activities. Like Texas, Alabama law generally recognizes that “consent” is not a defense when there’s power imbalance and coercion.

For Colbert County families, this means that hazing incidents at Alabama schools like the University of North Alabama, Auburn University, or the University of Alabama fall under state jurisdiction, with potential criminal charges through local prosecutors and civil claims in Alabama courts.

Texas Hazing Law (Where We’re Fighting Now)

While we include this as a point of comparison and to demonstrate our active litigation experience, Texas law under Education Code Chapter 37 provides a strong framework that has influenced national hazing legislation. In the Bermudez case we’re currently litigating, Texas law allows for:

Criminal penalties ranging from misdemeanors to state jail felonies for serious injury or death
Organizational liability for fraternities and universities that authorize or encourage hazing
Explicit rejection of the “consent” defense
Immunity for good-faith reporting of hazing incidents

These principles are increasingly reflected in laws across the country, including in Alabama and other Southeastern states.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases

Brought by the state (prosecutor)
Aim: punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical hazing-related charges can include hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, or even manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: monetary compensation and accountability
Focus on negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring/supervision, and emotional distress

Both types can run side-by-side, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. In fact, many families pursue civil claims even when prosecutors decline to press charges, as civil discovery can uncover evidence that criminal investigations miss.

Federal Overlay: National Protections

Several federal laws create additional layers of protection and liability:

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen prevention programs, and maintain public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)
Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered, creating additional liability for universities
Clery Act: Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing incidents often overlap with assault or alcohol/drug crimes that must be reported

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

For Colbert County families considering legal action, understanding potential defendants is crucial:

Individual students who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up
Local chapter/organization (if it’s a legal entity)
National fraternity/sorority headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
Universities or governing boards under negligence or civil-rights theories
Third parties including landlords, property owners, bars, or security companies

The specific defendants in any case depend on the facts, but our experience in the Bermudez lawsuit—where we’re suing the university, national fraternity, housing corporation, and 13 individual members—demonstrates the comprehensive approach needed for true accountability.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Colbert County Families

The heartbreaking cases that make national headlines aren’t abstract tragedies—they’re blueprints for understanding what’s happening on campuses today, including those where Colbert County students enroll. These cases establish legal precedents and demonstrate patterns that repeat across state lines.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
A bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking led to severe falls captured on chapter cameras, delayed medical help, dozens of criminal charges, and new Pennsylvania anti-hazing legislation. For Colbert County families, the takeaway is clear: extreme intoxication combined with a culture of silence creates legally devastating scenarios.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
A “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking resulted in death and the Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony in Louisiana. This demonstrates how legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing—a pattern relevant as Alabama continues to strengthen its own laws.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
A pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey died from alcohol poisoning, leading to multiple criminal convictions and a $3 million settlement with the university alone. This case shows that universities face significant financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
A blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a fraternity retreat caused fatal head injuries, with delayed medical help leading to multiple convictions and the fraternity being banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. For Colbert County families, this underscores that off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as parties, with national organizations facing serious sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Allegations of sexualized, racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald, and confidential settlements. This demonstrates that hazing extends beyond Greek life into big-money athletic programs—particularly relevant in SEC country where Colbert County students may participate in or support major athletic programs.

What These Cases Mean for Alabama Families

These national cases establish crucial patterns that Colbert County families should recognize:

Forced drinking remains the most common fatal hazing method
Delayed medical care dramatically worsens outcomes and increases liability
Cover-up attempts often create additional legal exposure
National organizations face significant liability when chapters repeat conduct seen in prior incidents
Universities increasingly face multi-million dollar settlements even when they claim “we didn’t know”

Most importantly, these cases prove that accountability is possible—through criminal prosecution, civil litigation, legislative reform, or all three.

Southeastern University Focus: Where Colbert County Students Encounter Hazing

Colbert County families send their children to universities across Alabama and the Southeast, each with its own Greek life culture and hazing history. Understanding these campus environments is crucial for prevention and response.

University of North Alabama (Local for Colbert County)

Campus & Culture Snapshot
As the local university for many Colbert County students, UNA hosts active Greek life with fraternities and sororities that attract both local and regional students. The campus culture blends traditional Southern Greek life with commuter student dynamics.

Hazing Policy & Reporting
UNA maintains anti-hazing policies aligned with Alabama state law, with reporting channels through the Dean of Students and campus police. Like many universities, they emphasize education but face challenges in enforcement.

What UNA Students & Parents Should Do

Document any concerning behaviors immediately
Utilize campus reporting channels but understand their limitations
Recognize that local proximity doesn’t guarantee university responsiveness
Contact legal counsel early if serious incidents occur

University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)

Campus & Culture Snapshot
As a flagship SEC school with massive Greek life, UA represents where many Colbert County students interested in traditional Southern Greek life may enroll. The university has faced national scrutiny over Greek life practices.

Documented Incidents & Responses
UA has experienced multiple hazing incidents over years, leading to chapter suspensions and ongoing reforms. The scale of Greek life (with some houses costing millions) creates unique challenges for oversight.

How Cases Might Proceed
Hazing cases at UA often involve complex jurisdiction issues between campus police, Tuscaloosa PD, and university conduct systems. Civil cases may be filed in Tuscaloosa County courts.

Auburn University

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Auburn’s strong Greek life tradition attracts students from Colbert County seeking traditional Southern college experiences. The university has implemented various reforms following past incidents.

What Auburn Students & Parents Should Know

Recognize that “tradition” often masks hazing behaviors
Understand reporting channels through the Office of Student Conduct
Be aware that off-campus houses present particular oversight challenges
Document everything, as institutional memory at large universities can be short

Other Southeastern Universities

Colbert County students also attend:

Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi: Strong Greek traditions with documented hazing histories
University of Tennessee, University of Georgia: SEC schools with similar Greek life challenges
Regional schools like University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Memphis: Urban campuses with different but still present Greek life dynamics

Common Patterns Across Southeastern Campuses

For Colbert County families, recognizing these regional patterns is crucial:

SEC Football Culture often intertwines with Greek life, creating additional social pressure
Historical Traditions are frequently cited to justify continuing harmful practices
Geographic Concentration of Greek houses can facilitate unsupervised activities
Alumni Influence sometimes protects problematic chapters from meaningful discipline
State Law Variations mean legal protections differ across state lines where your child may attend school

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories That Repeat in Alabama

The same national organizations involved in high-profile cases across the country also operate chapters at Alabama and Southeastern universities attended by Colbert County students. Their national histories matter because they demonstrate patterns of behavior and institutional knowledge.

Why National Histories Matter

When a chapter at the University of Alabama, Auburn, or another Southeastern school repeats the same behaviors that got chapters shut down or sued in other states, that shows foreseeability—a key legal concept supporting negligence claims against national organizations.

National headquarters often have extensive anti-hazing policies precisely because they’ve seen deaths and catastrophic injuries before. When they fail to enforce those policies effectively, they share liability for what happens to Colbert County students in Alabama chapters.

Organizations with Documented National Patterns

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ/Pike)

National Pattern: Multiple alcohol-related deaths including Stone Foltz at Bowling Green
Alabama Presence: Chapters at UA, Auburn, and other Southeastern schools
Relevance for Colbert County: The same “Big/Little” drinking rituals that killed Foltz occur in Alabama chapters

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ/SAE)

National Pattern: Multiple hazing-related deaths leading to elimination of traditional pledge process
Alabama Presence: Historic chapters throughout SEC schools
Relevance for Colbert County: SAE’s national history shows pattern recognition of alcohol hazing risks

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

National Pattern: Max Gruver death at LSU leading to felony hazing legislation
Alabama Presence: Active chapters across Alabama campuses
Relevance for Colbert County: “Bible study” drinking games exist in Alabama chapters too

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

National Pattern: Andrew Coffey death at Florida State
Alabama Presence: Chapters at multiple Alabama universities
Relevance for Colbert County: We’re currently litigating against this national organization in the Bermudez case, giving us direct insight into their operations

How National Histories Support Legal Claims

For Colbert County families pursuing justice, national patterns help establish:

Foreseeability: The national organization knew or should have known this could happen
Negligence: Failure to implement effective prevention despite prior incidents
Punitive Damages Grounds: Reckless disregard for student safety
Pattern Evidence: Multiple similar incidents strengthen each individual claim

Our work on the Bermudez case against Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters gives us particular insight into how national organizations operate, what records they maintain, and how they respond (or fail to respond) to warning signs.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Recovery

For Colbert County families facing the aftermath of hazing, understanding how cases are built and pursued is crucial. Our approach combines decades of complex litigation experience with specific insights from our active hazing docket.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord conversations
Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok content
Even deleted messages recoverable through digital forensics

Photos & Videos

Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
Security camera footage from houses and venues
Social media posts documenting activities

Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, tradition documents
Emails and texts planning events
National policies and training materials

University Records

Prior conduct files and disciplinary history
Incident reports and Clery Act disclosures
Internal emails about the organization

Medical Documentation

Emergency room and hospitalization records
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
Toxicologist reports in alcohol-related cases

Witness Testimony

Other pledges, members, roommates, RAs
Former members who left the organization
Bystanders and peripheral participants

Our video on using your cellphone to document a legal case provides practical guidance on evidence preservation that’s crucial in the first 48 hours after an incident.

Damages and Recovery Framework

Hazing cases can recover multiple categories of damages:

Economic Damages

Medical bills (immediate and long-term)
Future care costs for permanent injuries
Lost educational opportunities and earning capacity
Therapy and psychological treatment costs

Non-Economic Damages

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life
Damage to reputation and relationships

Wrongful Death Damages (for families)

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship and support
Emotional harm to parents and siblings
Lost financial support

Each case is evaluated individually, but national precedents like the $10 million settlement in the Stone Foltz case and the $6.1 million verdict in the Max Gruver case demonstrate the substantial value of serious hazing claims.

Strategic Considerations for Colbert County Families

Jurisdiction Issues

Cases may be filed in Alabama where the injury occurred
Alternatively, cases against national organizations may be filed where they’re headquartered
We frequently collaborate with local Alabama counsel while bringing our national hazing expertise

Statute of Limitations

Generally 2 years from injury date in Alabama, but exceptions apply
The “discovery rule” may extend time if harm wasn’t immediately apparent
Time is critical—evidence disappears and memories fade

Insurance Coverage Complexities

National fraternities and universities carry insurance
Insurers often argue hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct”
Our experience as former insurance defense attorneys (Mr. Peña spent years at a national defense firm) gives us unique insight into overcoming these arguments

Practical Guides & FAQs for Colbert County Families

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Unexplained injuries or repeated “accidents”
Sudden exhaustion or sleep deprivation
Drastic mood changes, anxiety, withdrawal
Constant secret phone use for group chats
Financial strain from unexpected “fines” or purchases

How to Talk to Your Child

Ask open questions without judgment: “How are things really going with your group?”
Emphasize safety over status: “Your health matters more than any organization”
Listen without interrupting: “I’m here to help, not to get you in trouble”

If Your Child Is Hurt

Get medical attention immediately
Document everything (photos, screenshots, notes)
Preserve physical evidence (clothing, objects)
Write down names, dates, locations while fresh
Contact an attorney before talking to the university or organization

Dealing with Universities

Document all communications
Ask specific questions about prior incidents
Request copies of all policies and procedures
Don’t sign anything without legal review
Understand that universities often prioritize institutional protection over individual justice

For Students: Protecting Yourself and Your Friends

Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?
Ask yourself:

Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would my parents approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
Am I being told to keep secrets?

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

Exiting Safely

Tell someone outside the organization first
Send written notice of resignation
Don’t go to “one last meeting” where pressure may occur
Report retaliation immediately to campus authorities

Evidence Preservation

Screenshot everything before it’s deleted
Use your phone’s recording function (Alabama is a one-party consent state)
Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
Save all communications, even embarrassing ones

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Based on our experience handling hazing cases nationwide, these errors can severely compromise claims:

Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” messages looks like a cover-up and destroys your case
Confronting the Organization: Gives them time to lawyer up, destroy evidence, and prepare defenses
Signing University Documents: May waive your right to sue or accept inadequate settlements
Social Media Posts: Defense lawyers monitor everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Delaying Legal Consultation: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes run

Our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case covers these pitfalls in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue an Alabama university for hazing?”
Yes, under various legal theories including negligence, Title IX violations, and constitutional claims. Public universities have some immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence and deliberate indifference.

“What if the hazing happened at an out-of-state school?”
We regularly handle cases across state lines, either serving as co-counsel with local attorneys or handling cases with multi-state defendants. The same national organizations and insurance companies operate everywhere.

“How long do we have to take action?”
Generally 2 years in Alabama, but exceptions and tolling provisions may apply. More importantly, evidence preservation needs to happen immediately—not in two years.

“Will this be public or confidential?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

“What about criminal charges?”
We can refer you to criminal counsel and help coordinate civil and criminal proceedings. Our attorney Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association gives us particular insight into this intersection.

“How much does this cost?”
We work on contingency—no fee unless we recover compensation. Watch our video explaining how contingency fees work for complete details.

Why Attorney911 for Colbert County Hazing Cases

We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

While many lawyers talk about hazing in theoretical terms, we’re actively litigating one of the most significant hazing cases in the country. Our representation of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi isn’t historical—it’s current, ongoing, and demonstrates our commitment to holding powerful institutions accountable.

Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, deploy delay tactics, and argue coverage exclusions. As he says, “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience
Our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—one of the few Texas firms selected—proves our capability against billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. National fraternities and major universities employ the same defense tactics we’ve overcome before.

Multi-Million Dollar Results
We’ve recovered millions for clients in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, working with economists, life care planners, and medical experts to build cases that force serious settlements or prevail at trial.

Dual Civil/Criminal Expertise
Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) gives us unique insight into how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation—crucial when cases involve potential criminal exposure for participants.

National Perspective with Local Collaboration
While based in Texas, we regularly collaborate with local counsel in Alabama and other states. We understand that the same national fraternities operating in Texas also have chapters at Alabama universities attended by Colbert County students. Their playbooks don’t change at state lines.

Our Approach: Thorough Investigation, Not Quick Settlements

We investigate hazing cases with the depth they deserve:

Digital forensics to recover deleted messages and social media content
Subpoenas for national fraternity records showing prior incidents
Discovery requesting university conduct files and internal communications
Expert collaboration with medical professionals, psychologists, and economists
Strategic consideration of all defendants: individuals, chapters, nationals, universities

We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force real accountability and create deterrent effects that protect future students from Colbert County and beyond.

Serving Colbert County and Beyond

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we serve families across the country—including right here in Colbert County, Alabama. We understand that hazing doesn’t respect state boundaries, and neither should quality legal representation.

For Colbert County families, this means:

Accessibility through phone, video consultation, and when necessary, in-person meetings
Understanding of Southeastern university cultures and Greek life dynamics
Collaboration with local Alabama counsel when appropriate
Sensitivity to the particular concerns of families in our tight-knit communities

Your Next Steps: Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether your child attends the University of North Alabama right here in our region, an SEC school elsewhere in Alabama, or any university nationwide, we can help.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

We Listen Without Judgment: Tell us what happened in complete confidence
Evidence Review: We’ll examine any documentation you have
Legal Options Explained: We’ll outline potential paths forward
Realistic Assessment: No false promises—just honest evaluation
No Pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family

Contact Us 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 (Ralph Manginello) or lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)

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

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

For easy reference, here are critical resources mentioned in this guide:

News Coverage of Current Attorney911 Hazing Case:

Click2Houston coverage of Leonel Bermudez UH Pi Kappa Phi case: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
ABC13 coverage of the $10M UH hazing lawsuit: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Using your cellphone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of limitations on your case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes that can ruin your case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Firm Information:

Main website and contact: https://attorney911.com
Wrongful death practice area: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Criminal defense capability: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/

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 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