Hazing, Fraternities & Campus Abuse in Texas: A Complete Legal Guide for Dickinson Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Need Answers and Accountability—Right Here in Dickinson

It begins with a text message at 1:30 AM: “House meeting. Now. Don’t be late.” Your son, a freshman at the University of Houston just 30 minutes from home here in Dickinson, drags himself from bed. He’s exhausted—he’s been getting these calls for weeks. At the fraternity house near campus, he’s lined up with other pledges. They’re forced to drink until they vomit, then do sprints in the parking lot. Someone films it on their phone. When he collapses, coughing up brown liquid, the brothers hesitate to call 911. “We can’t get shut down,” someone says. He’s carried to a back room instead of an emergency room.

This is not a hypothetical nightmare. It’s exactly what happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter in fall 2025—a case our firm, Attorney911, is litigating right now. And it’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide for families in Dickinson, Galveston County, and across Texas who find themselves facing the unimaginable: their child has been hazed, abused, or injured by a campus organization.

If this just happened to your family: Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911. We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, and we provide immediate help for hazing crises. Evidence disappears within hours—group chats get deleted, witnesses get coached, universities move to control the narrative. We can help you preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights from the first crucial moments.

What This Guide Offers Dickinson Families

This is not a generic legal article. This is a Dickinson-specific, Texas-focused resource written by attorneys who are currently litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in the country right here in our region. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi—a case that has garnered national attention from Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline.

We created this guide because Dickinson families deserve to know:

What hazing really looks like in 2025—beyond the stereotypes, including the digital coercion and psychological manipulation happening right now at Texas schools
Exactly how Texas hazing law works and what legal options your family actually has
What’s happening at universities where Dickinson students attend—University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, and others
The national patterns that show how fraternities and sororities repeat the same dangerous behaviors across the country
How to build a strong case when evidence seems to disappear overnight
Practical, actionable steps for parents, students, and witnesses

Whether your child attends school here in the Houston metro area or at a campus hours from Dickinson, Texas law and experienced Texas counsel can help. We serve families throughout Texas from our Houston office, including those right here in Dickinson and Galveston County.

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

The Modern Definition: Coercion Disguised as Tradition

Hazing in 2025 isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless initiation.” It’s any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or gaining status within any organization. The key element Dickinson parents must understand: “Consent” is not a defense in Texas. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law recognizes that power imbalance, social pressure, and fear of exclusion create coercive environments where true voluntary consent is impossible.

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing

This remains the deadliest form. It includes:

Forced consumption games: “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking, lineups where pledges must finish bottles
Coerced rapid consumption: Chugging contests, keg stands under pressure, funneling unknowns
Substance coercion: Being pressured to consume drugs, unknown mixtures, or dangerous combinations

2. Physical and Endurance Hazing

Beyond traditional paddling:

Extreme calisthenics: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups/squats until collapse (like the Nov 3 workout in the Bermudez case)
Environmental exposure: Being left outside in cold weather in underwear, lying in vomit-soaked grass
Sleep/food deprivation: Multi-day events with minimal rest, forced fasting or consumption of unpleasant foods
Dangerous “tests”: Blindfolded tackles, “glass ceiling” rituals, forced swimming while intoxicated

3. Psychological and Digital Hazing

The most insidious modern forms:

24/7 digital control: Mandatory GroupMe responses at all hours, location tracking via Find My Friends
Social media humiliation: Forced TikTok challenges, embarrassing Instagram stories, coordinated online shaming
Psychological manipulation: Isolation from non-members, degradation sessions, forced confessions
“Optional” coercion: Activities framed as voluntary but with clear social consequences for non-participation

4. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

Often the most traumatic:

Forced nudity or partial nudity during events
Simulated sexual acts: “Elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positions
Degrading costumes or roles with sexist/racist overtones
Coerced sexual activity under guise of “tradition”

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While Greek organizations dominate headlines, hazing occurs in:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural chapters)
Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs (particularly at Texas A&M)
Athletic Teams (from football to cheer squads)
Spirit and Tradition Organizations (Texas Cowboys, song leaders, etc.)
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Academic and Service Organizations

The common thread: social status, tradition, and secrecy perpetuate these practices even when everyone “knows” they’re illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What Dickinson Families Must Know

The Texas Education Code Framework

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in Chapter 37, Subchapter F of the Education Code. Here’s what Dickinson parents need to understand:

Definition (§37.151): Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization that:

Endangers the student’s mental or physical health or safety
Can occur on or off campus (location doesn’t matter)

Criminal Penalties (§37.152):

Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death
Additional charges for failing to report hazing or retaliating against reporters

Critical Protection (§37.154): Good-faith reporters who seek medical help or report hazing are generally immune from civil or criminal liability. This means your child won’t get in trouble for calling 911 in a hazing emergency, even if they were drinking underage.

The Most Important Rule (§37.155): Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still hazing under Texas law.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (prosecutor)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Important: A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Compensation and accountability
Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
Can proceed even without criminal charges

Most serious hazing cases involve both tracks simultaneously, which is why having attorneys with both civil and criminal experience—like our firm—is crucial.

Federal Laws That Overlay Texas Cases

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

Report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthen hazing education and prevention
Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger additional reporting requirements and potential liability.

Clery Act: Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing incidents often overlap with reportable crimes like assault or alcohol violations.

Who Can Be Liable in a Texas Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students

Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
Can face both criminal charges and civil liability

2. Local Chapter/Organization

The fraternity/sorority itself (if incorporated)
Officers acting in official capacity

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters

Can be liable based on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents
Often have the deepest insurance pockets

4. University or Governing Board

Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections
Private schools (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections
Liability hinges on prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference

5. Third Parties

Landlords/owners of properties where hazing occurred
Bars or alcohol providers (under Texas dram shop law)
Security companies or event organizers

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys know how to identify all potentially liable parties early.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Cases Build Upon

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Repeated Tragedies

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

Forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night
Died from alcohol poisoning
$10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
Takeaway for Dickinson families: The same “Big/Little” drinking tradition exists at Texas chapters

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

“Bible study” drinking game: wrong answers = forced drinking
Died with 0.495% BAC
Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
Takeaway: Drinking games framed as “education” or “tradition” are still deadly

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)

Bid acceptance night with extreme drinking
Severe falls captured on chapter security cameras
Hours delayed before calling 911
Dozens of criminal charges; new Pennsylvania anti-hazing law
Takeaway: Delay in seeking medical help dramatically increases liability

Physical and Ritualized Hazing: Violence Disguised as Tradition

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

Blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual
Fatal head injuries; delayed medical care
National fraternity criminally convicted
Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” are particularly dangerous venues

Athletic Program Hazing: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)

Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the program
Multiple lawsuits against university and staff
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired, then settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially
Takeaway: Hazing permeates big-money athletic programs with similar institutional cover-ups

What These National Cases Mean for Dickinson Families

Patterns repeat: The same behaviors (forced drinking, physical abuse, cover-ups) occur across states and organizations
Institutions often know: Many national fraternities have extensive records of prior incidents
Legal precedents exist: Successful cases in other states strengthen Texas claims
Multi-million dollar recoveries are possible: From $375,000 verdicts to $14 million settlements

Texas University Focus: Where Dickinson Students Attend

University of Houston: The Case Happening Right Now

For Dickinson Families: UH is just 30 minutes from Dickinson, making it a natural choice for many local students. The Pi Kappa Phi case we’re litigating shows exactly what can happen at our regional university.

Campus Reality: Urban campus with active Greek life spanning IFC fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, NPHC Divine Nine, and multicultural organizations. The 2025 Pi Kappa Phi case reveals systemic issues:

The Bermudez Case Details:

Locations: Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park
Hazing Methods: “Pledge fanny pack” humiliation, forced dress codes, overnight driving duties, extreme workouts (100+ push-ups, 500 squats), cold-weather exposure, lying in vomit, hose spraying “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk/hot dogs/peppercorns until vomiting
Medical Catastrophe: Rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown), acute kidney failure, brown urine, 4-day hospitalization, risk of permanent kidney damage
Defendants: UH, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national HQ, Beta Nu housing corporation, 13 individual fraternity leaders
Institutional Response: Chapter suspended Nov 6, 2025; charter surrendered Nov 14, 2025; UH called conduct “deeply disturbing”

UH’s Greek Ecosystem (From Public Records):

Interfraternity Council (IFC): Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Sigma Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Theta Chi
Panhellenic: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Phi Mu, Zeta Tau Alpha
NPHC Divine Nine: All historically African-American fraternities and sororities
Multicultural: Numerous culturally-based organizations

Prior UH Incidents:

2016 Pi Kappa Alpha: Pledge suffered lacerated spleen after being slammed on table; chapter faced misdemeanor charges and suspension
Various other chapters suspended for alcohol violations, hazing allegations

What Dickinson Families Should Know About UH Cases:

Jurisdiction: May involve UHPD and/or Houston Police Department depending on location
Courts: Harris County district courts typically handle civil cases
Evidence Sources: University conduct records, HPD reports, digital forensics on group chats
Local Advantage: Our Houston office is minutes from UH campus and Harris County courthouse

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

For Dickinson Families: While farther from Dickinson, Texas A&M attracts many Texas students with its unique Corps of Cadets culture and strong Greek system.

Notable A&M Cases:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):

Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner
Severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
Pledges sued for $1 million; fraternity suspended for two years
Pattern Connection: SAE has national history of hazing deaths and injuries

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023):

Cadet alleged being bound between beds in “roasted pig” position with apple in mouth
Simulated sexual acts, degradation
Sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled matter under its rules
Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to military-style programs

Texas A&M’s Greek Landscape:

One of nation’s largest Greek systems
Corps of Cadets: Unique military tradition with its own hazing risks
Recent Transparency: A&M has increased hazing reporting but still lags behind UT’s public database

What A&M Means for Dickinson Families:

Distance doesn’t prevent liability—national fraternities operate the same everywhere
Corps cases involve different chain of command but similar legal principles
Our experience with institutional defendants applies equally to A&M

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

For Dickinson Families: UT’s public hazing database provides unprecedented insight into patterns Dickinson families should recognize.

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Database:

Lists organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions
Shows repeated violations by same organizations

Example UT Violations:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; probation and mandated education
Texas Wranglers (spirit group): Sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol hazing
Multiple other fraternities and sororities with similar patterns

UT’s Greek Reality:

~60 fraternity/sorority chapters
Public database shows hazing continues despite policies
Pattern Evidence: Same organizations violate repeatedly, suggesting inadequate enforcement

Legal Advantage for UT Cases:

Public violation records provide ready-made pattern evidence
Can show university knew or should have known about dangers
Austin venue may be favorable for certain claims

Southern Methodist University and Baylor University

SMU Context: Private, affluent campus with strong Greek presence. Lower transparency than public schools but subject to same Texas laws.

Baylor Context: Religious identity with history of Title IX issues. Both have had hazing incidents in Greek life and athletics.

Common Thread for All Texas Schools:

Same national fraternities/sororities operate across campuses
Similar hazing methods recur
Institutional responses often prioritize reputation over student safety
Dickinson families have rights regardless of which Texas campus their child attends

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: What We Know About Greek Organizations in Your Area

Public Records Every Dickinson Parent Should Know Exist

As part of our hazing litigation practice, we maintain what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive database of Greek organizations compiled from public records. Here’s what exists right here in our region:

Houston Metro Greek Organizations (188 total per Cause IQ data):

Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (Houston)
Alpha Phi Omega – Bayou City Alumni (Houston)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae (Houston)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Alpha Kappa Omega (Houston grad chapter)
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity – Eta Rho Sigma (Houston grad chapter)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter (Houston undergrad chapter)
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – Theta Chi Chapter (Houston grad chapter)

Texas-Registered Greek Entities (125+ per IRS B83 filings):
These organizations have EINs, legal names, and Texas addresses—meaning they’re traceable, have potential insurance coverage, and can be held accountable:

Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035)
Sigma Phi Epsilon New York Chi Alumni Association Inc (EIN 262710856, Houston, TX 77007)
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated – Sigma Gamma Chapter (EIN 392352450, Houston, TX 77254)
Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204)
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Theta Delta (EIN 475370943, Houston, TX 77204)
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter (EIN 746064445, Nederland, TX 77627)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Mu Epsilon Chapter (Beaumont undergrad chapter)
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Lamar University (Beaumont academic honor society)

Why This Matters for Dickinson Families:

These organizations exist—they’re not just “college kids playing house”
They have legal identities that can be sued
Many have insurance coverage through national policies or local arrangements
Public records can prove connections between local chapters and national headquarters
Prior incidents at one chapter can establish pattern knowledge for nationals

Cross-Validated Brands: The Same Organizations Everywhere

Our data shows the same national brands appear across Texas metros and campuses:

Sigma Gamma Rho Example:

IRS B83 listing: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (Waco, TX 76710)
Cause IQ Houston metro: Beta Sigma Chapter (Houston undergrad)
Cause IQ Beaumont metro: Mu Epsilon Chapter (Beaumont undergrad), Alpha Psi Sigma (Beaumont alumnae)
Takeaway: One national organization, multiple Texas presences

Pi Kappa Alpha Example:

IRS B83: Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (Nederland, TX 77627)
Cause IQ Houston metro: Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha (Houston alumni/house corp)
Cause IQ Beaumont metro: Epsilon Kappa Alumni (Beaumont alumni), Lambda Lambda Chapter (Beaumont undergrad)
Takeaway: Alumni networks and housing corporations create additional layers of potential liability

What This Means for Your Case

When we take a hazing case, we don’t start from zero. We already know:

Which organizations have Texas legal presence
How national brands connect to local chapters
Where to find insurance coverage
How to trace responsibility through organizational charts

This investigative headstart is why families choose Attorney911 for hazing cases.

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

The Evidence That Wins Cases in 2025

Digital Communications (Most Critical):

Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps
Social media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook Messenger
Recovery capability: Digital forensics can often recover deleted messages
Our video on evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Photos and Videos:

Content filmed by participants during events
Security/doorbell camera footage
Social media posts and stories

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, “tradition” binders
Email/text communications between officers
National policies and training materials

University Records:

Prior conduct files (obtained via discovery or public records requests)
Campus police reports
Clery Act disclosures

Medical and Psychological Records:

ER/hospitalization records
Toxicology reports
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression diagnoses)

Witness Testimony:

Other pledges and members
Roommates, RAs, bystanders
Former members who quit

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical bills (past and future)
Lost educational opportunities (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
Lost earning capacity (if permanent injury affects career)
Life care plans for catastrophic injuries

Non-Economic Damages:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life
For wrongful death: loss of companionship, parental grief

Punitive Damages (When Available):

To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
Available in Texas for gross negligence or intentional acts
Often capped but can be significant

Important: We explain contingency fees in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc. We don’t get paid unless we recover compensation for you.

Overcoming Common Defense Tactics

From our experience—including Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney—we know how fraternities, universities, and their insurers fight claims:

Defense 1: “The Pledge Consented”

Our Response: Texas law §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense
Evidence: Group chat messages showing coercion, testimony about power imbalance

Defense 2: “National Didn’t Know”

Our Response: Pattern evidence from other chapters, prior incident reports
Evidence: National’s own records showing similar incidents elsewhere

Defense 3: “It Happened Off-Campus”

Our Response: Location doesn’t eliminate duty when organization sponsors/controls activities
Evidence: Chapter communications about the event, national oversight

Defense 4: “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”

Our Response: Paper policies ≠ enforcement; show prior violations with minimal consequences
Evidence: University conduct records showing repeated violations

Defense 5: “University Sovereign Immunity”

Our Response: Exceptions for gross negligence, Title IX violations, individual employee liability
Strategy: Multiple legal theories to overcome immunity hurdles

The Statute of Limitations Clock

Generally 2 years from date of injury or death in Texas, but:

Discovery rule may extend if harm wasn’t immediately known
Tolling possible for minors or if defendants fraudulently concealed facts
Time is critical: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, memories fade

We discuss statutes of limitations in detail here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

Practical Guides: What Dickinson Families Should Do Right Now

For Parents: Warning Signs and Immediate Actions

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Financial strain from unexplained expenses
Academic decline from missed classes/assignments

48-Hour Action Checklist:

Hours 1-6 (Immediate Crisis):

If injured/intoxicated: Call 911, get to ER
Remove from dangerous situation
Screenshot any messages they show you
Photograph visible injuries
Write down everything they tell you
Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911

Hours 6-24 (Evidence Preservation):

Preserve all digital communications (don’t delete anything)
Secure physical evidence (clothing, receipts, objects)
Request medical records
Document witness names/contact info
Note any university communications

Hours 24-48 (Strategic Decisions):

Consult with experienced hazing attorney
Decide on reporting strategy (with legal guidance)
Refer university/insurance contacts to your attorney
Back up all evidence to cloud storage

Critical Mistakes to Avoid:

Letting your child delete messages (looks like cover-up, destroys case)
Confronting the organization directly (triggers evidence destruction)
Signing university “resolution” forms (may waive legal rights)
Posting on social media (used against you by defense)
Waiting “to see how university handles it” (evidence disappears)

We cover common mistakes in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

For Students: Is This Hazing? How to Exit Safely

Ask Yourself:

Am I being forced or pressured to do something dangerous/degrading?
Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
Would my parents/university approve if they knew exactly what’s happening?
Am I being told to keep secrets?

If It’s Hzing:

Immediate danger: Call 911
Want to quit: Send email/text to chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where you might be pressured
Document any retaliation or threats

Your Legal Rights in Texas:

You cannot be punished for calling 911 in good faith (emergency amnesty)
Consent is not a defense to hazing charges
You can request no-contact orders through university if harassed

For Witnesses/Former Members: Coming Forward

We understand the guilt and fear. Your testimony can:

Prevent future injuries or deaths
Hold the right people accountable
Bring closure for victims

We can help navigate:

Your own potential legal exposure
Witness protection concerns
How to provide information effectively

Why Attorney911 for Dickinson Hazing Cases

Our Qualifications: More Than Just Personal Injury Lawyers

When your family faces a hazing case, you need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):

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

Complex Institutional Litigation (Ralph Manginello):

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

Multi-Million Dollar Results:

Proven track record in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases
Experience collaborating with economists, life care planners, medical experts
“We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”

Dual Civil/Criminal Expertise:

Ralph’s HCCLA membership signals elite criminal defense capability
Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Investigative Depth:

Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
Experience obtaining hidden evidence through aggressive discovery
Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine gives us investigative headstart

Spanish Language Services:

Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish
Servicios legales en español disponibles
Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

Our Approach: Empathy Meets Aggressive Advocacy

We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our approach balances:

For Your Family:

Compassionate, judgment-free listening
Clear explanations in plain English
Regular updates (we believe in communication every 2-3 weeks)
Respect for your privacy and emotional needs

For Your Case:

Aggressive evidence preservation from day one
Thorough investigation leaving no stone unturned
Strategic positioning against all potentially liable parties
Trial readiness that forces fair settlements

Our Promise: We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does. We pursue accountability not just for compensation, but to prevent this from happening to another family.

Your Next Step: Confidential Consultation

What to Expect When You Contact Us

Free, No-Obligation Consultation:

We listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you’ve preserved
Explain your legal options clearly
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
Answer all your questions about process and costs
No pressure to hire us on the spot

If You Hire Us:

Contingency fee basis: No upfront costs, we only get paid if we recover compensation
We handle all aspects: evidence collection, negotiations, litigation if needed
Regular communication so you’re never in the dark
Aggressive pursuit of maximum accountability

Contact Attorney911 Today

For Immediate Help:

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
24/7 Availability: We’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason

Office Locations:

Houston, Texas (Primary) – Serving Dickinson and Galveston County
Austin, Texas
Beaumont, Texas

Online:

Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello)
Spanish Services: lupe@atty911.com (Mr. Lupe Peña)

To Dickinson Families Specifically

Whether your child attends school here in the Houston metro area or anywhere in Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The same organizations, the same insurance companies, the same institutional cover-up tactics exist everywhere. We’ve built our practice on uncovering truth and forcing accountability—right now with the Bermudez case at UH, and ready to help your family next.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s discuss what happened, your legal options, and how we can help you find answers and accountability.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
Contingency fees explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

Contact and information: https://attorney911.com

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 | Spanish: lupe@atty911.com