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Hopkins County (Earth/North America/United States/Texas/Hopkins County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $50M+ in National Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Shut Down by Our $10M Lawsuit | Federal Court | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 26, 2026 14 min read
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Hopkins County Hazing Lawyer – Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Attorney

Protecting Texas Students from Greek Life Hazing – Serving Hopkins County Families

If your child was hazed at a fraternity or sorority near Hopkins County, TX, you need an aggressive hazing injury lawyer who knows how to hold universities and national organizations accountable.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving we have the experience to fight for Hopkins County families facing similar abuse.

Call now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Why Hopkins County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are actively representing a hazing victim who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles at a University of Houston fraternity.

This isn’t theoretical—we’re in the courtroom right now, and we’ll bring the same fight to Hopkins County.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña—previously worked for insurance companies and defense firms, giving us insider knowledge of how these organizations try to minimize or deny claims.

We use that knowledge against them.

3. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Hopkins County & Beyond

While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we represent hazing victims across Texas and the U.S.—including Hopkins County.

  • Federal court authority – We can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction.
  • Dual-state bar licenses – Texas and New York (critical for suing national fraternities).
  • Willing to travel – We’ll come to Hopkins County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
  • Remote consultations – Hopkins County families can meet with us via video.

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

4. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation

  • $10 million lawsuit currently pending against Pi Kappa Phi and UH.
  • Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases.
  • BP Texas City explosion litigation – Experience with complex, high-stakes cases.
  • Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how to dismantle their defenses.

5. No Upfront Costs – We Work on Contingency

Hopkins County families pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

You don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you.

The Hazing Crisis in Hopkins County – What Families Need to Know

Hazing Doesn’t Just Happen in Big Cities – It Happens Near Hopkins County Too

Universities near Hopkins County—including Texas A&M-Commerce, East Texas Baptist University, and others—have active Greek organizations where hazing occurs.

The same fraternities that hazed our client in Houston operate near Hopkins County.

Common Hazing Activities That Injure Students

Hazing isn’t just “harmless tradition”—it’s abuse, torture, and sometimes deadly. Common hazing practices that injure students include:

Physical Abuse Forced Consumption Psychological Torture Sleep Deprivation
Beatings with paddles Forced alcohol poisoning Waterboarding (simulated drowning) All-night workouts
Extreme exercise (500+ squats, pushups) Forced eating until vomiting Hog-tying pledges Early-morning driving for members
Bear crawls, wheelbarrows Drinking games (e.g., “Bible Study”) Carrying sexual objects as punishment Late-night meetings
Branding, burning “Gauntlet” drinking (18+ drinks in one night) Threats of expulsion Forced servitude (cleaning, errands)

These activities cause serious injuries—and sometimes death.

Medical Consequences of Hazing

Hazing can lead to life-threatening conditions, including:

  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown → kidney failure) – Our client suffered this.
  • Acute alcohol poisoning – Can be fatal (BAC > 0.40).
  • Traumatic brain injury – From beatings or falls.
  • Hypothermia/hyperthermia – From exposure to extreme temperatures.
  • Cardiac arrest – From extreme physical exertion.
  • PTSD, anxiety, depression – Long-term psychological trauma.
  • Death – Over 50 hazing deaths since 2000 in the U.S.

If your child was hospitalized after hazing, they may have a legal claim.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Hopkins County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible—including:

1. The Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter

  • Directly organized and conducted hazing.
  • Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) can be personally liable.

2. National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

  • Failed to supervise the local chapter.
  • Knew about hazing risks (e.g., prior deaths at other chapters).
  • Deep pockets – National organizations have millions in assets and insurance.

3. The University

  • Premises liability – If hazing occurred in a university-owned fraternity house.
  • Negligent supervision – Failed to monitor Greek life despite prior incidents.
  • Institutional knowledge – If the university knew hazing was happening and did nothing.

4. Individual Members & Officers

  • Assault & battery – Each participant can be sued individually.
  • Personal assets – May have homeowner’s insurance that covers liability.

5. Alumni & Housing Corporations

  • If hazing occurred at an alum’s home, they may be liable for premises liability.

We sue everyone responsible—so Hopkins County families get full compensation.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Hopkins County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

  • Go to the ER – Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening.
  • Document everything – Medical records are critical evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs – Screenshots of hazing communications.
Photos/videos – Injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house.
Witness statements – Names and contact info of other pledges.
Fraternity documents – Pledge manuals, schedules, rules.
Academic records – Showing impact on grades, enrollment.

Do NOT delete anything—even if it’s embarrassing.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer

  • They will try to control the narrative.
  • They may destroy evidence.
  • They may pressure your child to sign away their rights.

Let us handle all communications.

Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

Hopkins County families have only 2 years to file a lawsuit under Texas law.

Evidence disappears fast—act now.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Hopkins County Hazing Lawsuit – What Compensation Can You Recover?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages, including:

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

  • Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, therapy, future treatment).
  • Lost wages (time missed from work during recovery).
  • Educational expenses (tuition, scholarships lost due to hazing).
  • Future earning capacity (if injuries affect career prospects).

Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

  • Physical pain from hazing injuries.
  • Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression).
  • Emotional distress (humiliation, fear of retaliation).
  • Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities).
  • Disfigurement (scars from burns, branding, or injuries).

Punitive Damages (Punishing the Wrongdoers)

If the hazing was egregious (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol poisoning), courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future misconduct.

Our $10 million lawsuit includes punitive damages because the conduct was so outrageous.

Hazing Cases We Handle for Hopkins County Families

We represent victims of all types of hazing, including:

Fraternity hazing (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma).
Sorority hazing (e.g., Delta Sigma Theta, Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi).
Sports team hazing (football, basketball, baseball, etc.).
Marching band hazing.
ROTC hazing.
Club & organization hazing (e.g., honor societies, student government).
Military academy hazing.

If your child was hazed—no matter the organization—we can help.

Hopkins County Hazing Lawyer – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is hazing illegal in Texas?

Yes. Texas has strict anti-hazing laws (Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157). Hazing is a criminal offense, punishable by:

  • Class B Misdemeanor (up to 180 days in jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor if it causes serious bodily injury (up to 1 year in jail, $4,000 fine).
  • State Jail Felony if it causes death (180 days – 2 years in jail, $10,000 fine).

Consent is NOT a defense—even if your child “agreed” to participate, the hazers can still be held liable.

2. Can I sue the university for hazing?

Yes, if the university:

  • Owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred.
  • Knew or should have known about hazing risks.
  • Failed to supervise Greek life despite prior incidents.

Our current case involves the University of Houston because they owned the fraternity house where the hazing happened.

3. How much is a hazing lawsuit worth?

Hazing lawsuits can result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, including:

Case Fraternity Injury Settlement/Verdict
Stone Foltz Pi Kappa Alpha Death (alcohol poisoning) $10.1 million
Maxwell Gruver Phi Delta Theta Death (alcohol poisoning) $6.1 million jury verdict
Timothy Piazza Beta Theta Pi Death (traumatic brain injury) $110+ million settlement
Andrew Coffey Pi Kappa Phi Death (alcohol poisoning) Confidential settlement
Leonel Bermudez Pi Kappa Phi Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure $10 million lawsuit pending

The more egregious the hazing, the higher the potential compensation.

4. What if my child signed a waiver?

Waivers do NOT prevent you from suing for hazing injuries. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

Even if your child signed something, they can still pursue legal action.

5. How long do I have to file a hazing lawsuit in Texas?

2 years from the date of the injury (Texas statute of limitations).

If your child was hazed, don’t wait—evidence disappears, and your rights expire.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.

6. What if the fraternity says it was “just tradition”?

“Tradition” is not an excuse for abuse. Courts and juries recognize that hazing is dangerous, illegal, and unacceptable.

If the fraternity argues “tradition,” we’ll prove that:

  • They knew the risks.
  • They ignored prior incidents.
  • They failed to implement real safeguards.

7. Can I sue if my child wasn’t physically injured?

Yes. Even if there were no physical injuries, hazing can cause severe psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression), which is compensable.

8. What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

We understand that hazing victims often fear retribution—our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was too afraid to speak publicly due to threats.

We protect our clients’ identities and take steps to prevent retaliation.

9. How much does a hazing lawyer cost?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Hopkins County families pay no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

10. What if the hazing happened at a university near Hopkins County?

We represent hazing victims nationwide, including students at:

  • Texas A&M-Commerce
  • East Texas Baptist University
  • Paris Junior College
  • Other colleges near Hopkins County

We’ll travel to your location for depositions and trials.

Hopkins County Hazing Lawyer – Our Commitment to You

1. Immediate Action

We move fast to preserve evidence before it disappears.

2. Aggressive Representation

We sue everyone responsible—fraternities, universities, individuals.

3. Maximum Compensation

We fight for every dollar your family deserves.

4. Confidential & Compassionate

We protect your privacy and treat your family with respect.

5. No Upfront Costs

You pay nothing unless we win.

Hopkins County Families – You Are Not Alone

Hazing is not “boys being boys.” It’s abuse, torture, and sometimes deadly.

If your child was hazed, we will fight for them.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free, confidential consultation.
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

We serve Hopkins County and all of Texas – no matter where the hazing occurred.

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