The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Resource for Families in Village of Fairchilds and Beyond

Parents in Village of Fairchilds, in Fort Bend County, share a common hope: to see their child thrive at a Texas university. The campus move-in day, the pride of acceptance to the University of Houston, Texas A&M, or UT Austin—these are milestones celebrated in households throughout our community. The nightmare begins when a late-night phone call shatters that dream. Your child’s voice is strained, they’re evasive about bruises or exhaustion, or worse, a hospital calls. They mention “pledge events,” “mandatory workouts,” or a culture of secrecy. You realize the organization they joined to find community is now the source of their harm. This is the hidden reality of modern hazing, and it is happening right now at campuses across Texas.

Right here in our state, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who was brutally hazed as a pledge of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter in fall 2025. The details are harrowing: forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting; hours of extreme calisthenics; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; and the constant humiliation of a mandatory “pledge fanny pack.” This abuse led to rhabdomyolysis—a severe muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown, he was hospitalized for four days, and he faces the risk of permanent kidney damage. This $10 million lawsuit names the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, its housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. As reported by Click2Houston and ABC13, the chapter was swiftly suspended and then shut down. This case is not an anomaly; it is proof of a systemic problem.

This guide is for you—parents and families in Village of Fairchilds, Needville, and across Fort Bend County. Whether your child attends a school minutes away or hours from home, you need to understand what hazing looks like today, the Texas laws designed to protect students, the legal precedents from national tragedies, and the specific landscape at Texas universities. We will provide you with actionable knowledge, not just warnings. This is general information to empower you. For advice specific to your family’s situation, we invite you to contact us for a confidential consultation.

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, and 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 or sorority.
    • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
    • Post details on public social media.
    • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney: Evidence disappears fast. We can help preserve it and protect your rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, free consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For families in Village of Fairchilds, the term “hazing” might conjure images of outdated movie pranks. The reality in 2025 is far more sinister, systematic, and digitally enabled. Hazing is any coerced activity—physical or mental—required for joining, maintaining membership, or gaining status in a group, that endangers health, humiliates, or degrades. The critical legal point, especially under Texas law, is that “they agreed to it” is not a defense. The power imbalance between pledges and members, fueled by the desire to belong, voids any notion of true consent.

Modern hazing tactics have evolved into several distinct, often overlapping categories:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the leading cause of death. It includes forced chugging, “family tree” or “Bible study” drinking games where wrong answers mandate drinking, and “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor. It’s not “party culture”; it’s calculated coercion with lethal potential.
• Physical Hazing: This extends beyond simple paddling. It includes “smokings”—extreme, punitive calisthenics like hundreds of push-ups or squats until collapse (as in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case). It involves sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, exposure to extreme elements, and dangerous “tests” like blindfolded tackles.
• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (e.g., “elephant walks”), degrading costumes, and acts with racist or sexist overtones are used to break down dignity and enforce control through shame.
• Psychological Hazing: Verbal abuse, isolation from non-members, threats of expulsion from the group, and forced confessions create a climate of fear and dependency.
• Digital Hazing: This is the new frontier. Pledges are subjected to 24/7 monitoring via GroupMe or Discord, required to respond instantly to messages at all hours. They may be forced to post humiliating content on social media, share live location data, or participate in degrading online “challenges.” Digital evidence from these platforms is now the cornerstone of modern hazing litigation.

Hazing is not confined to fraternity basements. It pervades:

• Sororities (both Panhellenic and multicultural).
• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs.
• Athletic teams, from football to cheerleading.
• Spirit and tradition groups (like Texas Cowboys or Aggie Band).
• Marching bands and performance ensembles.
• Some academic, service, and cultural clubs.

The common thread is a toxic combination of tradition, secrecy, and a power dynamic that convinces victims their suffering is a necessary price for belonging.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Laws

For families in Village of Fairchilds navigating a hazing crisis, understanding the legal landscape is the first step toward accountability. Texas has robust statutes, and federal law adds critical layers of protection and obligation.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas law defines hazing broadly and treats it with serious consequences. Key provisions every Texas parent should know:

• Definition (§37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or affiliation with any organization, that:
  • Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152):
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that does not cause serious injury.
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
  • It is also a crime to fail to report hazing if you are a member with knowledge, or to retaliate against someone who reports.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer with knowledge failed to report it.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is pivotal. The law explicitly states that the victim’s “consent” to the activity is not a valid defense against hazing charges. Courts recognize the coercive environment of pledging.
• Immunity for Reporters (§37.154): Individuals who, in good faith, report hazing to authorities or seek medical assistance in an emergency are immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise arise from their own involvement. This “Good Samaritan” provision is meant to encourage saving lives over protecting secrets.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Fort Bend County District Attorney, Harris County DA). The goal is punishment: jail time, fines, probation. Charges can range from hazing and furnishing alcohol to minors, up to assault, manslaughter, or negligent homicide in fatal cases.
• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by the victim or their family. The goal is compensation for damages and institutional accountability. These cases target negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit; they are separate paths that often run parallel.

Federal Law Overlay

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal funds to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs. This will increase transparency for families researching campus safety.
• Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based discrimination, it triggers a university’s Title IX obligations for investigation and response.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to disclose campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults, burglaries, or alcohol offenses.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A strategic lawsuit identifies every entity with responsibility and insurance coverage:

1. Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, carried out, or supplied the means for hazing.
2. Chapter Officers: The president, pledgemaster, risk manager—those in leadership who knew or should have known.
3. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued for creating a dangerous culture.
4. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: Arguably the most critical defendant. They collect dues, set policies, and have historical knowledge of hazing patterns across their chapters. Their failure to adequately supervise and enforce their own rules is a key liability theory.
5. The University: Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity, but can be sued for gross negligence or willful misconduct. Private schools (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity barriers. Liability hinges on what the university knew and whether it acted reasonably to protect students.
6. Housing Corporations & Alumni Boards: These entities own or manage chapter houses and provide funding, creating another layer of potential liability and insurance.
7. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol (under Texas dram shop law), or security companies.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Tragic Scripts That Repeat

The hazing that injured Leonel Bermudez at UH did not occur in a vacuum. It follows tragic scripts written and repeated at campuses nationwide. Understanding these patterns shows how predictable—and therefore preventable—these injuries are.

The Alcohol Poisoning Death Pattern

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): A bid-acceptance night of forced drinking led to fatal falls down stairs. Security footage showed a 12-hour delay in calling for help. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’ “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking. Max died with a 0.495% BAC. The Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Forced to drink a bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event, Stone died of alcohol poisoning. His family reached a $10 million settlement with the national fraternity and university. The former chapter president was later ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): At a retreat, Michael was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled in a “glass ceiling” ritual. He died from traumatic brain injury. The national fraternity was convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

The Athletic Hazing Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): A massive scandal revealed systemic, sexualized hazing within the football program. It led to the firing of the head coach, multiple lawsuits, and a confidential settlement, proving hazing is endemic in high-revenue sports.

What This Means for Village of Fairchilds Families: These are not distant stories. The same national organizations named in these tragedies—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta—have active chapters at UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin. The patterns are identical: forced consumption, extreme physicality, and delayed help. This established “foreseeability” is a powerful weapon in holding national headquarters accountable in Texas courts.

Texas University Focus: Where Village of Fairchilds Families Send Their Kids

Families in Village of Fairchilds and Fort Bend County have deep ties to Texas’s major university systems. Many students commute to nearby schools like the University of Houston, while others head to College Station or Austin. Wherever they are, understanding the specific hazing landscape is crucial.

University of Houston (UH)

For Village of Fairchilds Families: UH is a direct neighbor in Harris County. Its large, diverse Greek community impacts many local families.

Snapshot: A major urban research university with a significant Greek life presence across multiple councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural).

Recent Major Case – Leonel Bermudez & Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu): This ongoing lawsuit is the defining hazing case at UH. It alleges extreme physical abuse, forced consumption, and humiliating rituals that caused rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The chapter was suspended by nationals on November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender its charter on November 14, 2025. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” This case demonstrates that severe, injurious hazing is a present danger at UH.

Prior History: UH has disciplined other chapters for hazing violations, including incidents involving physical strain and alcohol.

How a UH Case Proceeds: Incidents may fall under the jurisdiction of UH Police, Houston Police, or both, depending on location. Civil suits are typically filed in Harris County courts. The Bermudez case shows that litigation will target the university system, the national fraternity, the local housing corporation, and individual members.

Action for UH Families: Report immediately to the UH Dean of Students Office and UHPD. Given the university’s involvement in active litigation, securing legal counsel experienced in navigating UH’s policies and the Harris County legal system is critical.

Texas A&M University

Snapshot: Home to a massive Greek system and the nationally renowned Corps of Cadets, both with deeply ingrained traditions that can mask hazing.

Corps of Cadets Hazing: In a 2023 lawsuit, a former cadet alleged severe hazing including being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth and subjected to simulated sexual acts. The case sought over $1 million in damages.

Fraternity Hazing – Sigma Alpha Epsilon: In a 2021 lawsuit, two Texas A&M SAE pledges alleged they were doused with a mixture containing industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns that required skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million.

Action for Texas A&M Families: Be acutely aware that hazing risks exist in both the Greek and Corps systems. Reporting channels include the Student Conduct Office and the Corps’ own command structure. Legal cases often involve complex questions of institutional control over these semi-autonomous groups.

University of Texas at Austin

Snapshot: UT Austin boasts one of the most transparent anti-hazing programs in the country, publicly listing violations on its “Hazing at UT” website.

Documented Violations: The public log shows a pattern:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation and mandatory education.
• Various spirit groups and other fraternities have been sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based activities.

Transparency as a Tool: For families, this public database is a resource to check an organization’s history. For attorneys, it provides documented proof of a chapter’s prior knowledge and the university’s awareness of problems—key for establishing liability.

Action for UT Families: Utilize the public violation database. Report hazing to the UT Dean of Students and UTPD. The wealth of public data can significantly strengthen a civil case by showing patterns.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

Snapshot (SMU): A private university with a prominent Greek life culture. Past incidents include the 2017 suspension of the Kappa Alpha Order chapter for paddling and forced drinking.

Snapshot (Baylor): A private, religious-affiliated university. The baseball team faced a 2020 hazing scandal that led to the suspension of 14 players, indicating hazing extends beyond Greek life.

Action for Private University Families: While they lack state sovereign immunity, private schools like SMU and Baylor often tightly control information. Legal action can compel discovery of internal reports and disciplinary records that are not made public.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

When a child in Village of Fairchilds is hazed at a local chapter, they are often caught in a national pattern. The fraternity or sorority’s national headquarters is not a distant, innocent bystander. Its history of similar incidents across the country forms the basis for holding it accountable.

Why Nationals Are Liable: National organizations create the culture, draft the risk management policies, collect dues, and have the authority to suspend chapters. When a Texas chapter repeats a hazing script that has caused death or injury in Ohio, Louisiana, or Florida, it shows the national organization failed to effectively reform its culture or supervise its chapters. This is “foreseeability” and forms the core of negligent supervision claims.

Examples of National Patterns:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): The national organization behind the Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green. Its “Big/Little” drinking tradition has proven lethal.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): One of the nation’s largest fraternities, it has been involved in numerous hazing deaths and injuries, leading to its national ban on pledging in 2014—a ban that local chapters often circumvent.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The fraternity involved in Max Gruver’s death at LSU.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The national fraternity in the UH Bermudez case, also responsible for the death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State in 2017.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: How We Uncover Liability

We maintain a proprietary, data-driven investigation system to map the ecosystem of Greek life liability in Texas. This is not public speculation; it’s built on public records. For example, IRS filings and corporate data reveal the network of housing corporations and alumni foundations that support chapters. In the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro area alone, public data sources track over 180 Greek-related organizations. This means when we take a case, we already know how to identify every potentially liable entity—from the local chapter corporation to the national alumni fund—ensuring no source of accountability or insurance coverage is overlooked.

Sample of Texas Greek Organization Entities (From Public Records):

• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation, EIN 371768785, Missouri City, TX.
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Zeta Beta Chapter, EIN 237098953, Prairie View, TX.
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – University of Houston Victoria, EIN 900293167, Victoria, TX.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Pursuing accountability after hazing is a complex forensic and legal undertaking. It requires a strategy that anticipates defense tactics and methodically proves every element of liability and harm.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

1. Digital Communications: The #1 source of evidence. This includes:
   • Group Chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord): Messages planning events, discussing “traditions,” bragging about hazing, or coordinating cover-ups.
   • Social Media (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok): Posts, Stories, or DMs showing injuries, events, or humiliating acts.
   • Recovered Data: Even deleted messages can often be recovered through digital forensics or subpoenas to phone companies and app providers. We have a video guide on using your phone to document evidence.
2. Photographs & Videos: Pictures of injuries (dated and with scale), videos of hazing activities, security footage from houses or nearby businesses.
3. Medical Records: Documentation is critical. ER records, hospitalization notes, lab results (e.g., toxicology, elevated creatine kinase for rhabdomyolysis), and psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
4. Internal Organization Documents: Pledge manuals, “lineage” books, meeting minutes, or emails that reference hazing activities or traditions.
5. University Records: Prior disciplinary actions against the same chapter, obtained through discovery or public records requests, prove the university had knowledge of a dangerous pattern.
6. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, or bystanders who can corroborate the events and the culture of coercion.

The Damages We Fight to Recover

In a civil lawsuit, we seek to make the victim and their family whole, and to punish especially reckless conduct.

• Economic Damages:
  • All past and future medical expenses (ER, surgery, therapy, lifelong care for catastrophic injuries).
  • Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity if injuries affect the ability to work.
  • Educational costs (lost tuition, delayed graduation).
• Non-Economic Damages:
  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation, and PTSD.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families):
  • Funeral and burial costs.
  • Loss of companionship, love, and financial support.
  • Emotional suffering of parents and siblings.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness or willful misconduct (like a cover-up), Texas law may allow punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Overcoming Institutional Defense Tactics

We expect and counter common defenses:

• “The Victim Consented”: Texas law explicitly voids this defense. We demonstrate the coercive power imbalance.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We subpoena the national’s records to show prior, similar incidents at other chapters, proving they knew the risks and failed to act.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability is based on control and foreseeability, not just geography. Nationals and universities that sponsor chapters retain responsibility.
• “We Have an Anti-Hazing Policy”: We show the gap between paper policy and real-world enforcement—revealing a history of lax punishment that encouraged continued abuse.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Village of Fairchilds Parents and Students

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme physical or mental exhaustion, sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy, withdrawal from family/friends, anxiety about phone notifications.
• Personality changes: increased anger, depression, or defensiveness about the organization.
• Financial requests for unexplained “fines” or “dues.”

What to Do Immediately:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: If injured or intoxicated, go to the ER. Tell doctors the injuries are from suspected hazing so it’s documented.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot ALL relevant group chats, texts, and social media posts. Photograph injuries. Save any physical objects. Do not delete anything.
3. Document: Write down a timeline of everything your child tells you, with names, dates, and locations.
4. Consult an Attorney Before Reporting: Before contacting the university or police, speak with a hazing lawyer. We can guide you on how to report in a way that protects your rights and preserves evidence. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.
5. Avoid Critical Mistakes: Do not confront the fraternity. Do not sign anything from the university or its insurance company. Do not post about it on social media.

For Students: Know Your Rights

• “Is This Hazing?” If you feel coerced, endangered, or humiliated as part of joining or staying in a group, it likely is. Trust your instinct.
• You Have the Right to Leave: You can quit (“de-pledge”) at any time, for any reason. No social penalty is worth your health or life.
• How to Report Safely: You can report anonymously through university hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). For immediate danger, call 911. Texas law offers protections for those who report in good faith.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots, photos, and notes. Tell a trusted friend or family member what is happening.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Hazing Case

1. Deleting Digital Evidence. This is the single biggest error. It looks like a cover-up and destroys your case.
2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly. This triggers their defense strategy, leading to evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing University Settlement Offers. Universities often offer quick, low-value resolutions that require you to waive your right to sue. Never sign without an attorney.
4. Posting on Social Media. Defense lawyers scour social media for inconsistencies or statements they can use against you.
5. Waiting Too Long. Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and the Texas statute of limitations runs out. Generally, you have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Learn more in our video on Texas statutes of limitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue the University of Houston (or Texas A&M, UT)?”
Yes, it is possible. While public universities have certain legal immunities, you can sue for gross negligence, Title IX violations, or sue individual employees. The path is complex, which is why experienced counsel is essential.

“What if my child ‘went along with it’?”
Under Texas Education Code § 37.155, the victim’s consent is not a legal defense to hazing. The law recognizes the intense peer pressure and power imbalance.

“How much does a hazing lawyer cost?”
We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we win a settlement or verdict for you. See our explanation of how contingency fees work.

“Will this drag my child’s name through the news?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We aggressively pursue protective orders and sealed settlements to guard our clients’ privacy.

“The university says it’s investigating. Should we wait?”
You should consult a lawyer immediately. University investigations are often focused on internal discipline, not on securing evidence for your family’s civil case or a criminal prosecution. Waiting can mean lost evidence.

Why Attorney911 is the Right Choice for Texas Hazing Families

When your family in Village of Fairchilds faces the trauma of hazing, you need advocates who understand both the devastating human cost and the complex legal battlefield. You need attorneys who have faced billion-dollar institutions and won. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) was built for this exact fight.

Our Proven Experience in Catastrophic Institutional Cases:

• Lead Counsel in the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case: We are actively litigating the Leonel Bermudez case—one of the most severe ongoing hazing lawsuits in Texas. We are not theorists; we are in the courtroom right now against a major university and national fraternity.
• BP Texas City Explosion Litigation: Our firm was one of the few in Texas involved in litigating against BP following the catastrophic 2005 refinery explosion. This experience is directly applicable: it taught us how to investigate systemic institutional failures, face down unlimited defense budgets, and hold massive corporations accountable.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Results: We have a proven track record of securing significant compensation for families who have suffered the ultimate loss, working with economists and life-care planners to fully value a life.

Our Unique Strategic Advantages:

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We know their playbook because we used to be on their team. This insight is invaluable in maximizing recovery for our clients.
• Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t start from scratch. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine uses public records to map the entire ecosystem of Greek organizations in Texas. We identify every potentially liable entity—local housing corporations, alumni foundations, national headquarters—ensuring no source of accountability is missed.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Founding partner Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can effectively advise clients navigating both systems.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is a fluent Spanish speaker, ensuring we can serve the diverse families of Fort Bend County and Texas with comfort and clarity.

We approach each case with a mission: to secure justice for your family and to force the institutional changes that will prevent the next injury or death. We investigate with relentless thoroughness, build cases backed by experts, and are fully prepared to go to trial. As we explain in our video on client mistakes to avoid, proper guidance from the start is irreplaceable.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If you are a parent in Village of Fairchilds, Needville, Rosenberg, or anywhere in Texas, and you believe your child has been hazed—whether at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, or any campus—you are not alone. The path ahead may seem overwhelming, but you do not have to walk it without a guide.

We invite you to contact The Manginello Law Firm for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. In this conversation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline the potential strategies for seeking accountability and compensation.
• Answer all your questions about the process, timelines, and our contingency fee structure.

There is no pressure. Our goal is to provide you with the information and clarity you need to make the best decision for your family.

Contact Attorney911 – The Legal Emergency Lawyers™

• 24/7 Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com

We serve clients throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Let us help you turn this crisis into a fight for accountability and change.

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
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com