The Complete Guide to Hazing Laws & Litigation for Helotes, Texas Families: Protecting Your Student at UTSA, Texas State, and Beyond

If Your Child Was Hazed in Texas, You’re Not Alone—And You Have Rights

For parents in Helotes, the nightmare often begins with a late-night phone call or a sudden change in your college student. The vibrant young person you sent to the University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas State University, or another Texas campus returns home withdrawn, injured, or traumatized. They might dismiss it as “just pledging” or “team bonding,” but your parental instinct screams that something is deeply wrong. Right now, in our own state, families are facing this reality head-on. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD, operating as Attorney911, and we represent hazing victims and their families throughout Texas, including right here in Helotes and surrounding Bexar County. This guide exists to give you the knowledge, resources, and hope you need to navigate this crisis.

Think about a student from our community, maybe one who graduated from Sandra Day O’Connor High School or Brandeis High School. They join a fraternity, sorority, or Corps program at a Texas university, seeking friendship and tradition. What begins as exciting initiation rituals escalates into forced drinking, brutal physical workouts, sleep deprivation, and psychological torment. The student feels trapped—afraid to quit for fear of social exclusion, afraid to report due to threats of retaliation. This is not hypothetical. It is happening today on Texas campuses, and the consequences can be catastrophic, including lifelong injuries and death.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies in Helotes

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

Call 911 for any medical emergency.
Then call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

In the First 48 Hours:

Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” seek evaluation. Internal injuries, rhabdomyolysis, and alcohol poisoning are not always immediately apparent.
Preserve Digital Evidence: This is critical. Help your child take screenshots of ALL relevant group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord), text messages, and social media posts/photos. Do not let them delete anything out of shame or fear.
Document Physically: Photograph any injuries from multiple angles. Save any clothing or objects involved. Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, specific acts—while their memory is fresh.
Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity, sorority, or university directly.
- Sign any documents from the university or an insurance company.
- Post details on public social media.
- Allow evidence to be “cleaned up” or destroyed.

This guide will walk you through what hazing looks like in 2025, the Texas laws that protect your child, the sobering national and local case histories, and the practical steps to seek accountability and recovery. We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, and we are ready to help you.

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

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or harmless traditions. It is a calculated pattern of abuse designed to assert power and control, and it has evolved with technology and increased secrecy. For Helotes families, understanding these modern tactics is the first step in identifying danger.

A Modern Definition: Coercion, Not Choice

Legally and practically, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group, that endangers their physical or mental health or safety. The critical point Texas law recognizes, and that every Helotes parent must understand, is that a student’s “consent” is not a defense. The power imbalance, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion mean true voluntary consent often does not exist.

The Evolution of Abuse: From Physical Paddling to Digital Coercion

Hazing tactics have become more sophisticated to avoid detection. They generally fall into three escalating tiers:

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (Often Dismissed as “Tradition”)

Servitude & Control: Mandatory “on-call” status for older members, forced chauffeuring at all hours, cleaning duties, running personal errands.
Social Isolation: Rules limiting contact with non-members, family, or romantic partners.
Psychological Manipulation: Being assigned a derogatory nickname, required to answer only to certain members, carrying humiliating items (the “pledge fanny pack” from the UH case contained condoms and sex toys).

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (Creates a Hostile Environment)

Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory late-night “study sessions” or 3 AM wake-up calls for pointless tasks.
Forced Consumption: Eating excessive amounts of bland food (milk, hot dogs) or unpleasant substances until vomiting.
Extreme Calisthenics: “Smokings” or workouts far beyond safe conditioning—100+ push-ups, 500 squats—under threat of expulsion.
Verbal Abuse: Yelling, screaming, degrading insults, and threats delivered in “interview” settings.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (High Potential for Serious Injury or Death)

Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: The leading cause of hazing deaths. This includes “family tree” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, and lineups where pledges must chug.
Physical Assault: Paddling, beatings, “gladiator” fights, blindfolded tackling rituals (like the “glass ceiling” ritual that killed Michael Deng).
Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault.
Environmental Dangers: Exposure to extreme cold while underdressed, being sprayed with a hose “like waterboarding,” or being restrained.

The Digital Playground: How Technology Fuels Modern Hazing

For today’s students, much of the hazing occurs in their pockets:

24/7 Group Chat Control: Apps like GroupMe and Discord are used to issue constant demands, monitor compliance, and deliver threats at all hours.
Geo-Tracking: Pledges may be forced to share their live location via Find My Friends or Snapchat Map.
Social Media Humiliation: Coerced into posting embarrassing content on TikTok or Instagram Stories as “challenges.”
Evidence Destruction: Members are coached to use disappearing messages and delete evidence after events.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas Statutes and Your Family’s Rights

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, and understanding them is crucial for Helotes families seeking accountability. These laws operate alongside federal statutes that can provide additional avenues for justice.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Foundation

The Texas hazing law provides clear definitions and penalties. Key sections include:

§37.151 Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership.
§37.152 Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a STATE JAIL FELONY if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
§37.155 Consent NOT a Defense: This is paramount. It does not matter if your child “agreed” to participate.
§37.153 Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or other student organization itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorizes or encourages hazing.
§37.154 Immunity for Reporters: Individuals who in good faith report hazing are immune from civil or criminal liability. Many universities also have medical amnesty policies to encourage calling 911.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Bexar County District Attorney, Harris County District Attorney). The goal is punishment—fines, probation, or jail time for individuals. Charges can range from hazing and furnishing alcohol to minors to assault or manslaughter.
Civil Cases: Brought by the victim and their family. The goal is compensation for damages and institutional accountability. A civil lawsuit can proceed even if criminal charges are never filed or result in an acquittal. This is where families can recover the costs of medical care, therapy, lost future earnings, and pain and suffering.

The Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, it triggers the university’s Title IX obligations to investigate and provide a safe environment.
Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults and alcohol/drug violations that often accompany hazing.
Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): A new federal law requiring increased transparency in hazing reporting and stronger prevention programs at federally funded schools, phased in through 2026.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Hazing Lawsuit?

A robust civil case looks at every entity that failed in its duty:

Individual Members: The ones who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
Chapter Officers: The president, pledgemaster, risk manager who allowed or encouraged the conduct.
The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued directly.
The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: They often have deep pockets, insurance, and a history of prior incidents that show they knew the risks.
The University: Public universities like UTSA or Texas State have a duty to protect students. Liability may hinge on what they knew or should have known, and whether their policies were effectively enforced.
Housing Corporations & Alumni Boards: These entities own and manage chapter houses and provide oversight.
Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol, or security companies that failed to act.

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi – Why It Matters to Helotes

Right now, our firm is actively litigating one of the most severe hazing cases in the country. This is not a historical example; it is a current, high-stakes lawsuit that demonstrates exactly what we fight against and the level of expertise we bring—expertise that is directly relevant to Helotes families, whether their student is at UH or any other Texas school.

The Case: $10 Million Lawsuit Over Catastrophic Injury

In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu chapter) pledge. The allegations, detailed in reports from Click2Houston and ABC13, depict a campaign of abuse:

Humiliation & Control: The “pledge fanny pack” rule, enforced dress codes, overnight driving duties.
Extreme Physical Hazing: Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races in vomit-soaked grass, cold-weather exposure in underwear, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”
Forced Consumption: Made to drink milk and eat hot dogs and peppercorns until vomiting, then forced to immediately sprint.
The Final Workout: On November 3, Bermudez was forced through over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. He could not stand unaided afterward.

The Medical Catastrophe: Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Failure

In the days following, Bermudez’s condition deteriorated. He began passing brown urine—a classic sign of muscle breakdown. Rushed to the hospital, he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle damage) and acute kidney failure. His creatine kinase (CK) levels were critically high. He was hospitalized for four days and faces an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. This is the stark reality of what “extreme workouts” can do.

Accountability: Suing the Entire Universe of Responsible Parties

Our lawsuit names 17 defendants, because accountability must be comprehensive:

The University of Houston and its Board of Regents
Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity Headquarters
The Beta Nu Chapter Housing Corporation
13 Individual Fraternity Leaders (chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager, etc.)

The institutional response was telling: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” This case is the embodiment of our approach: using relentless investigation to identify every liable entity and fighting for full accountability to prevent future harm. The same fraternities and national organizations operate at universities across Texas, including those attended by Helotes students.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Why Data-Driven Litigation Matters

When you contact us about a hazing case, we don’t start from zero. Our firm maintains a proprietary, data-driven investigative system—the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from thousands of public records. This allows us to immediately understand the organizational landscape behind any Greek chapter in Texas. For Helotes families, this means we already know the players.

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

Our engine aggregates data from IRS filings (B83 organizations), university directories, and commercial databases, tracking over 1,400 Greek-related entities across 25 Texas metros. This allows us to instantly map the network of housing corporations, alumni chapters, and national organizations behind any chapter. Below is a snapshot of the type of public record data we maintain and utilize in building cases for families across Texas, including those in Helotes.

A Sample from Our Texas Greek Organization Directory:

Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity – Beta Nu Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 46-2267515 – Frisco, TX 75035
Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc – EIN 27-3662583 – Lufkin, TX 75904
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Theta Delta Chapter – EIN 47-5370943 – Houston, TX 77204
Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity – Texas Eta Chapter – EIN 82-4398421 – Richmond, TX 77406
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas A&M University Chapter – EIN 90-0293166 – College Station, TX 77843
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – San Antonio Alumnae Chapter – Found in Cause IQ Metro data – San Antonio, TX
Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp. – Found in Cause IQ Metro data – Austin, TX (House corporation at UT Austin)

This is just a fraction. For any given chapter at UTSA, Texas State, UT Austin, or Texas A&M, we can identify the legal entities that may hold insurance, own property, and bear ultimate responsibility.

Where Helotes Families Send Their Students: The Campus Connection

Helotes residents have strong ties to several major Texas universities with active Greek life and tradition-based organizations:

University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA): As a major commuter and residential university in our own Bexar County, UTSA has a growing Greek life community with Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and Multicultural Greek Council chapters.
Texas State University (San Marcos): A short drive from Helotes, Texas State boasts one of the largest Greek systems in Texas, with a significant number of fraternities and sororities.
University of Texas at Austin: Many top students from the San Antonio area attend UT, which hosts approximately 60 Greek chapters and highly publicized traditions.
Texas A&M University: Renowned for its Corps of Cadets and massive Greek system, A&M is a common destination for Texas students.
Other Texas Schools: Baylor, Texas Tech, University of Houston, and others also draw students from our community.

Our data engine includes the official chapter rosters for these schools, allowing us to immediately connect a specific incident to the national organization’s history and the local supporting entities.

Texas Universities Under the Microscope: Patterns of Hazing and Institutional Response

Each major Texas campus has its own culture, Greek ecosystem, and history with hazing incidents. Understanding this landscape is crucial for Helotes parents.

University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)

Campus Snapshot: A growing, diverse campus with an expanding Greek life presence. Situated in Bexar County, it is the most local major university for many Helotes families.
Hazing Policy & Reporting: UTSA prohibits hazing and provides reporting channels through the Dean of Students and UTSA PD. Like all Texas public universities, it must comply with Chapter 37 of the Education Code.
For Helotes Families: Incidents at UTSA would typically involve the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office or SAPD for criminal matters, and civil suits could be filed in Bexar County courts. The proximity means evidence and witnesses may be more accessible.

Texas State University (San Marcos)

Campus Snapshot: A large Greek life system set in a traditional college town environment. Its size and culture can create high-pressure initiation environments.
Documented History: Texas State has faced hazing incidents across various organizations. Public logs and news reports have detailed sanctions against fraternities for alcohol hazing, forced physical activity, and other violations.
Legal Jurisdiction: Hazing cases here may involve the San Marcos PD or Hays County Sheriff, with civil venue in Hays County. For Helotes families, it’s a manageable distance for working with counsel.

University of Texas at Austin

Campus Snapshot: The flagship campus with a deeply entrenched Greek culture and powerful traditional organizations.
Public Transparency: UT Austin maintains a public “Hazing Violations” webpage, one of the most transparent in the state. It lists organizations found responsible for hazing, the conduct, and sanctions. Recent entries have included Pi Kappa Alpha for forced consumption and calisthenics, and spirit groups for alcohol-related hazing.
Significance: This public record is a goldmine for establishing “prior notice” and pattern evidence in civil lawsuits. If a national fraternity has a chapter at UT that was previously sanctioned for hazing, that history is directly relevant to a new incident at another Texas school.

Texas A&M University (Including the Corps of Cadets)

Campus Snapshot: Defined by immense school spirit, tradition, and the unique culture of the Corps of Cadets alongside a massive Greek system.
High-Profile Cases: Texas A&M has been the site of severe hazing litigation that illustrates the dangers:
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged being doused with a mixture containing industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. A lawsuit sought $1 million, and the chapter was suspended.
- Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, highlighting that hazing extends far beyond Greek life.
Takeaway for Helotes Parents: The “culture of tradition” is not a defense. These cases show that even at the most tradition-steeped schools, abusive behaviors are being legally challenged and can result in significant liability.

Baylor University & Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Private School Context: As private institutions, they have different reporting obligations and legal defenses (like no sovereign immunity), but the same core hazing risks exist in their Greek communities.
History: Both have faced hazing scandals and suspensions, underscoring that the problem is universal across campus types and affiliations.

National Fraternity & Sorority Histories: The Pattern of Foreseeable Harm

When a hazing incident occurs at a Texas chapter, it is rarely an isolated “rogue” event. More often, it is the latest iteration of a well-documented national pattern. This pattern evidence is legally critical, as it establishes that the national organization knew or should have known the risks. The same national organizations present at Texas schools have been involved in tragedies across the country.

The Deadly Pattern of Forced Drinking

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, 2021) died from alcohol poisoning after a “Big/Little” night; $10+ million in settlements. David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois, 2012) died from alcohol poisoning; $14 million settlement.
Beta Theta Pi: Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid acceptance night with extreme drinking; resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
Phi Delta Theta: Max Gruver (LSU, 2017) died from alcohol toxicity after a “Bible study” drinking game; led to the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana.
Pi Kappa Phi: Andrew Coffey (Florida State, 2017) died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother” event.

Severe Physical and Psychological Hazing

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Faced lawsuits at Texas A&M (chemical burns), University of Alabama (traumatic brain injury), and UT Austin (assault), showing a multi-state pattern of violent hazing.
Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI): Danny Santulli (University of Missouri, 2021) suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking; settlements with 22 defendants.
Pi Delta Psi: Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, 2013) died from a traumatic brain injury during a blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual; the national fraternity was criminally convicted.

Why This Matters for Your Case: If your child was hazed by a chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, or any other organization with this national history, our legal argument is strengthened dramatically. We can show the national headquarters was on notice that its chapters were engaging in deadly rituals, yet failed to take adequate steps to prevent recurrence. This can lead to larger settlements and, in some cases, punitive damages.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and the Path to Recovery

Pursuing a hazing case is a complex undertaking that requires methodical investigation and strategic legal thinking. This is where our experience in complex institutional litigation becomes indispensable.

The Evidence Pyramid: Building an Unassailable Case

The strength of a hazing case lives in the evidence. We pursue every avenue:

Digital Forensics: The #1 source of evidence. We work with experts to recover deleted group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), texts, social media posts, and location data. These messages often show planning, bragging, and cover-up attempts.
Photographic & Video Evidence: Photos of injuries, videos of hazing acts shared on Snapchat or Instagram, and security footage from houses or venues.
Medical Records: Documentation is critical. Records must explicitly connect the injuries (rhabdomyolysis, fractures, PTSD) to the hazing event. We ensure treating physicians note the cause.
Internal Organization Documents: Through discovery, we subpoena the chapter’s and national’s records: pledge manuals, risk management reports, minutes from meetings, and prior incident reports.
University Records: We use public records requests and discovery to obtain the school’s prior disciplinary files on the same organization, internal investigation reports, and communications between administrators.
Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders. We often find that once one victim comes forward, others feel empowered to do the same.

Overcoming Common Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and dismantle the standard defenses:

“The Pledge Consented”: Texas law explicitly voids this defense. We demonstrate the coercive environment.
“It Was a Rogue Chapter / We Didn’t Know”: We use the national pattern evidence and prior incidents at the same school to prove foreseeability.
“It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability is not determined by geography. If the organization sponsored or knew about the event, location is irrelevant.
“We Have a Strict Anti-Hazing Policy”: We show the gap between paper policy and actual enforcement—the “see no evil, hear no evil” approach that allows hazing to persist.

The Damages We Fight to Recover

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim and their family whole, and to hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages include:

Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy), lost wages, costs of delayed education, and diminished future earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain and suffering, emotional trauma, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, and PTSD.
Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of love, companionship, and guidance for the family.
Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, where conduct is particularly reckless or malicious, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Helotes Parents and Students

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

Prioritize Safety & Health: Get medical care immediately. Trust the instinct that something is wrong.
Become an Evidence Archivist: Help your child preserve all digital evidence. Watch our video on using your phone to document a legal case for guidance. Take notes of everything they say.
Seek Legal Counsel Early: Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 before reporting to the university. We can help you navigate the process to protect your child’s rights and preserve legal options. The university’s interests are not always aligned with yours.
Understand the Reporting Dilemma: You can report to campus police, the Dean of Students, and local law enforcement. We can advise on the strategic timing and method of reporting.
Avoid Critical Mistakes: Do not confront the fraternity. Do not sign anything from the school or an insurance adjuster. Do not let your child go to “one last meeting.”

For Students: Is This Hazing? Your Rights and Exits

The Self-Check: Are you being forced, coerced, or threatened? Are you exhausted, injured, or humiliated? Would you do this if there were no social consequences? If yes, it’s hazing.
Your Right to Leave: You can quit at any time. Send a simple text or email: “I resign my membership/pledgeship effective immediately.” You do not owe them an explanation or meeting.
Safe Reporting: You can report anonymously through university hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reporters.
Evidence Collection: Screenshot everything. Take photos of injuries. Tell a trusted friend or family member. You are not protecting your “brothers” or “sisters” by staying silent; you are enabling a system that will hurt others.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Potential Case

Deleting Digital Evidence: This is the most common and damaging error. Preserve everything.
Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, memories fade. Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury, but the clock starts ticking immediately. Learn more in our video on statutes of limitations.
Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone: They are trained to minimize claims. Let your attorney handle all communications.
Believing the University Will “Handle It”: Internal discipline is not accountability. It often results in short-term suspensions, not the comprehensive recovery and reform a civil suit can achieve.

Frequently Asked Questions from Texas Families

Q: Can we sue the university?
A: Yes, under certain legal theories. Public universities have some immunity, but it is not absolute, especially in cases of gross negligence or deliberate indifference. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity barriers.

Q: How much does a hazing lawyer cost?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for civil cases. This means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you. Watch our video explaining how contingency fees work.

Q: Will this be public? Will my child’s name be in the news?
A: We prioritize your family’s privacy. Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We can seek protective orders to seal sensitive documents and negotiate confidentiality agreements as part of any settlement.

Q: The hazing happened at an off-campus house/Airbnb. Does that matter?
A: No. Liability is based on who organized, sponsored, or controlled the event, not solely on who owns the property. Nationals and universities can still be liable for off-campus conduct they knew about or should have prevented.

Why Attorney911 is a Powerful Advocate for Helotes Hazing Victims

When your family is facing the trauma of hazing, you need advocates who are not intimidated by powerful institutions, who understand the intricate web of Greek life, and who have a proven track record of success in the most complex cases. That is who we are.

Our Unique and Proven Qualifications

Insider Knowledge of Insurance Defense Tactics: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense lawyer at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, fight coverage, and drag out cases. We use this insider knowledge to counter their strategies and maximize your recovery. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background here.
Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas plaintiff lawyers involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced the deepest pockets and most aggressive defense teams. National fraternities and major universities do not scare us. Learn about Ralph’s experience and credentials.
Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph is a member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA). We understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil litigation, allowing us to advise clients comprehensively.
A Data-Driven Investigative Engine: As demonstrated, we don’t just take a case—we investigate it with the depth it deserves, using our proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine to map liability from day one.
Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. We are committed to serving the full diversity of Texas families.

Our Mission: Accountability, Recovery, and Prevention

We take these cases because we believe in three things:

Full Recovery for the Victim: Ensuring you have the resources for the best possible medical and psychological care, and compensating for your profound losses.
Real Accountability: Holding every responsible party—from the individual member to the national headquarters—financially and publicly accountable.
Preventing the Next Tragedy: By forcing transparency, policy changes, and significant financial consequences, we aim to dismantle the systems that permit hazing to continue.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If you are a parent in Helotes, Leon Valley, or anywhere in Texas, and you believe your child has been hazed, we urge you to reach out. You do not have to navigate this alone.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD / Attorney911 Today:

24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com (Se habla Español)

In your free, confidential consultation, we will:

Listen compassionately to your story.
Review any evidence you have gathered.
Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
Outline the investigation process and potential strategies.
Answer all your questions about costs, timelines, and what to expect.

There is no pressure and no obligation. Our goal is to provide you with the information and support you need to make the best decision for your family. Let us use our experience, our data, and our determination to fight for you.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:

Click2Houston Investigation: 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 Eyewitness News Coverage: 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
Understanding Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website & Contact:

Homepage & Free Consultation: 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, PLLD.

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, PLLD / 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