The Complete Guide to Fraternity Hazing Lawsuits for Howardwick, Texas Families: Your Rights, the Law, and How Attorney911 Fights for Accountability

When the College Dream Turns to Nightmare: A Message to Howardwick Parents

If you’re a parent in Howardwick, Texas, watching your child head off to college represents one of the greatest investments and hopes of your life. You’ve worked hard to give them opportunities you might not have had. You trust that universities like West Texas A&M in nearby Canyon, Texas Tech in Lubbock, or schools across Texas will keep them safe. But what happens when that trust is broken not by strangers, but by organizations your child joined seeking friendship and belonging?

Right now, just a few hours south of Howardwick in Houston, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who survived hazing so severe it nearly killed him. During his fall 2025 pledge period with Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter, Leonel was subjected to forced drinking, humiliating “pledge fanny pack” requirements, extreme physical abuse, and workouts that caused rhabdomyolysis—severe muscle breakdown leading to acute kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital, his urine turned brown from muscle tissue destruction, and he faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of a pattern that affects families from Howardwick to Houston, from rural Texas communities to major metropolitan campuses. The same national fraternities that operate at UH also have chapters at schools where Howardwick students enroll. The same insurance companies that try to minimize these claims in Houston do the same in Lubbock, Canyon, and Amarillo. And the same institutional cover-ups that happen in large universities occur in smaller colleges too.

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 your child insists they’re “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted: Screenshot group chats, photograph injuries, save physical items
• Write down everything while memory is fresh
• Do NOT: Confront the fraternity/sorority, sign anything from the university, post details on social media, or let evidence be deleted

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast, universities move quickly to control narratives, and we can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

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

Many Howardwick parents might picture hazing as harmless pranks or “boys will be boys” behavior from decades past. The reality in 2025 is far more dangerous, sophisticated, and hidden. Today’s hazing has evolved to avoid detection while causing profound physical and psychological harm.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – Often dismissed as “tradition” but creates power imbalances:

• Pledges acting as 24/7 designated drivers for older members
• Required “fanny packs” with humiliating contents (as in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case)
• Social isolation from non-members and family
• Constant group chat monitoring with immediate response demands
• Mandatory events that interfere with academics and sleep

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – Causes measurable harm but may not leave permanent injury:

• Sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings” or 3 AM wake-up calls
• Forced consumption of unpalatable substances (milk, hot sauce, raw eggs)
• Extreme physical “workouts” framed as “conditioning”
• Public humiliation through embarrassing costumes or performances
• Digital shaming via social media challenges or group chat ridicule

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – High potential for serious injury or death:

• Forced alcohol consumption games like “lineups” or “Bible study” drinking
• Physical beatings with paddles, fists, or objects
• Dangerous physical tests like blindfolded tackles or extreme endurance challenges
• Sexualized hazing including forced nudity or simulated acts
• “Retreat” hazing at remote Airbnbs or rural properties to avoid detection

Where Hazing Happens in Texas College Life

Howardwick families should understand that hazing extends beyond stereotypical fraternity parties:

• Fraternities and Sororities: Social, professional, multicultural, and NPHC (Divine Nine) organizations
• Corps of Cadets & Military Programs: At Texas A&M and other schools with military traditions
• Athletic Teams: From football to cheerleading, baseball to basketball
• Spirit & Tradition Groups: Texas Cowboys, mascot programs, spirit organizations
• Marching Bands & Performing Arts: Often overlooked but with documented hazing incidents
• Academic & Honor Societies: Even groups focused on academic achievement

The common thread isn’t the type of organization but the power dynamics, secrecy, and tradition that enable abuse to continue year after year.

Texas Hazing Law: What Howardwick Families Need to Know

Texas has some of the nation’s strongest anti-hazing statutes, but understanding how they work is crucial for Howardwick families seeking accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Foundation

Definition (§37.151): Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

• Endangers mental or physical health or safety AND
• Occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership

Key Points for Howardwick Families:

• Location doesn’t matter—on-campus, off-campus, at remote retreats
• Mental harm counts as much as physical injury
• “Reckless” behavior qualifies—they don’t need to intend harm
• Consent is NOT a defense under Texas law (§37.155)

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 or retaliating against reporters

Organizational Liability (§37.153):
Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can face:

• Fines up to $10,000 per violation
• Loss of university recognition
• Criminal prosecution if they authorized or encouraged hazing

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (county or district attorney)
• Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Common charges: Hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Standard: “Beyond a reasonable doubt”

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims and families
• Goal: Compensation and accountability
• Common claims: Negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, premises liability
• Standard: “Preponderance of the evidence” (more likely than not)

Why Both Matter for Howardwick Families:
A criminal conviction isn’t required for a civil case. Many families pursue civil actions even when prosecutors decline to file criminal charges. Civil cases can uncover institutional failures that criminal cases might miss, and they provide compensation for medical bills, therapy, lost educational opportunities, and ongoing care.

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

• Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing transparently
• Mandates public hazing data by approximately 2026
• Strengthens prevention education requirements
• This means universities like Texas Tech and West Texas A&M must comply

Title IX & Clery Act:

• When hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX obligations trigger
• Clery Act requires reporting certain campus crimes, including some hazing-related offenses
• These federal laws provide additional avenues for accountability

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Howardwick Families Can Learn

The tragedies that have occurred nationwide aren’t distant news stories—they’re blueprints for understanding what’s happening at Texas schools and what legal strategies work.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Repeated Deadly Scripts

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):
A bid acceptance night with forced drinking led to fatal falls captured on chapter cameras. The 12-hour delay in calling 911 resulted in one of the largest hazing prosecutions in U.S. history and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):
A “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking resulted in a 0.495% BAC and death. This case led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act creating felony hazing charges.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):
A “Big/Little” night where pledges were forced to drink entire bottles of alcohol led to Stone’s death from alcohol poisoning. The $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU) shows what’s possible when families fight back.

What This Means for Howardwick Families:
The same “Big/Little” nights, bid acceptance parties, and drinking games happen at Texas schools. These national cases prove that alcohol hazing is foreseeable, preventable, and economically devastating to organizations that allow it.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing: Beyond Alcohol

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):
A blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat resulted in fatal traumatic brain injury. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021):
A “pledge dad reveal” night with forced drinking caused severe, permanent brain damage. Danny cannot walk, talk, or see and requires 24/7 care. Settlements with 22 defendants show the catastrophic costs of non-fatal hazing injuries.

What This Means for Howardwick Families:
Physical hazing causes lifelong disabilities. The economic value of these cases—covering decades of medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering—can reach tens of millions of dollars. These aren’t “accidents” but predictable outcomes of dangerous traditions.

Athletic & Organizational Hazing: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):
Sexualized and racist hazing within the football program led to multiple lawsuits, the head coach’s firing, and confidential settlements. This proves hazing exists in big-money athletic programs with professional oversight.

What This Means for Howardwick Families:
Your child doesn’t need to join a fraternity to face hazing. Athletic teams, spirit groups, Corps programs, and other organizations have their own dangerous traditions. The legal principles remain the same: institutions have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm.

Texas Universities: Where Howardwick Students Face Hazing Risks

Howardwick families typically send students to a mix of local colleges and major Texas universities. Each campus has its own hazing landscape, but patterns emerge across the state.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX – 45 minutes from Howardwick)

Campus Context for Howardwick Families:
As the closest four-year university to Howardwick, West Texas A&M attracts many Panhandle students. With Greek life, athletic programs, and traditional campus organizations, hazing risks exist here as they do at larger schools.

Documented Greek Life at WTAMU:

• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta chapter
• Alpha Tau Omega – Zeta Kappa chapter
• Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma chapter
• Phi Delta Theta – Texas Theta chapter
• Various NPHC and multicultural organizations

Local Connection to National Patterns:
The same national organizations with hazing histories at major universities also operate at WTAMU. When Sigma Alpha Epsilon has alcohol hazing incidents at Texas A&M or Pi Kappa Alpha has fatal hazing at Bowling Green, those national patterns affect their WTAMU chapters too.

What Howardwick Families Should Know:

• WTAMU has anti-hazing policies similar to larger schools
• Incidents here may involve the Randall County Sheriff or Canyon PD
• Civil cases would typically be filed in Randall County courts
• The university’s insurance and defense strategies mirror those at larger institutions

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX – 2 hours from Howardwick)

Major University with Documented Hazing Issues:
Texas Tech’s size and Greek life presence mean hazing incidents occur regularly. Recent years have seen:

• Multiple fraternity suspensions for hazing violations
• Alcohol poisoning incidents requiring hospitalization
• Investigations into physical hazing practices

Relevant Organizations for Howardwick Students:
Texas Tech hosts chapters of nearly every major national fraternity and sorority, including those with documented hazing histories: Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma, and others.

Legal Jurisdiction Considerations:

• Cases may involve Lubbock PD, Texas Tech PD, or Lubbock County Sheriff
• Civil litigation typically proceeds in Lubbock County courts
• The university system has experienced defense counsel and insurance policies

Texas A&M University & Corps of Cadets

Although Further from Howardwick, Relevant for Some Families:
Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets and Greek life have documented hazing incidents that establish important legal precedents.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Chemical Burns Case (2021):
Two pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. Their $1 million lawsuit highlights how physical hazing goes beyond alcohol.

Corps of Cadets – “Roasted Pig” Case (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 and revealed traditional hazing within military-style programs.

What This Means for Howardwick Military Families:
If your child joins ROTC or military programs anywhere in Texas, the same risks exist. Traditions that seem “character-building” can cross into illegal hazing that causes lasting harm.

University of Houston: Attorney911’s Active Case

Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi – The $10 Million Lawsuit:
Our firm currently represents Leonel Bermudez in a case that exemplifies modern hazing’s severity. The allegations include:

Systematic Hazing from September-November 2025:

• “Pledge fanny pack” requirement with condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices
• Forced dress codes, overnight chauffeuring, weekly interviews
• Physical abuse: sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure
• Simulated waterboarding with hose spraying in face
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting
• November 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats

Medical Catastrophe:

• Development of rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown)
• Acute kidney failure requiring four-day hospitalization
• Critically high creatine kinase levels confirming organ damage
• Ongoing risk of permanent kidney impairment

Institutional Response:

• Pi Kappa Phi national suspended chapter November 6, 2025
• Chapter voted to surrender charter November 14, 2025
• UH called conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary action
• 13 individual defendants plus university, housing corporation, and national HQ

Why This Matters for Howardwick Families:
This case proves that hazing in 2025 isn’t “boys will be boys”—it’s systematic abuse that universities and national fraternities enable through inadequate oversight. The same investigation techniques we’re using in Houston apply to cases involving Howardwick students anywhere in Texas.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: How Attorney911 Maps Liability for Howardwick Families

Most families facing hazing start from zero—wondering who to hold accountable, where to find evidence, and how to prove what happened. We begin with a data advantage that levels the playing field against wealthy universities and national organizations.

Public Records Directory: Fraternity & Sorority Entities Serving Howardwick Families

Through IRS filings, state records, and proprietary databases, we maintain intelligence on hundreds of Texas Greek organizations. For Howardwick families, this means we already know:

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations in the Panhandle Region:

• Frank Heflin Foundation – EIN 203507402 – Canyon, TX 79015 – IRS B83 filing (Phi Delta Theta alumni fund)
• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association – EIN 752290669 – Amarillo, TX 79118 – IRS B83 filing (chapter housing entity)
• Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter – Canyon, TX – West Texas A&M University chapter
• Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta – Canyon, TX – West Texas A&M chapter
• Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Zeta Delta Chapter – Amarillo, TX – Educators’ society
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Amarillo Alumnae – Amarillo, TX – Graduate chapter

Major Texas Universities Where Howardwick Students Enroll:

• West Texas A&M University – Canyon, TX (Randall County)
• Texas Tech University – Lubbock, TX (Lubbock County)
• Texas A&M University – College Station, TX (Brazos County)
• University of Texas at Austin – Austin, TX (Travis County)
• University of Houston – Houston, TX (Harris County)
• Amarillo College – Amarillo, TX (Potter County)

Metro-Level Greek Organization Counts:
e Amarillo metro area has 18+ Greek-related organizations tracked in public records. The broader Texas Panhandle region has dozens more. These aren’t just social clubs—they’re legal entities with insurance policies, liability structures, and accountability chains we know how to navigate.

National Brand Overlap: The Same Organizations Everywhere

The national fraternities with hazing histories at major universities also operate at schools Howardwick students attend:

Pi Kappa Alpha: Fatal hazing at Bowling Green ($10M settlement) → Chapters at Texas Tech, WTAMU
Sigma Alpha Epsilon: Chemical burns at Texas A&M ($1M lawsuit) → Chapters at Texas Tech, multiple Texas schools
Phi Delta Theta: Fatal hazing at LSU (felony convictions) → Chapter at WTAMU
Pi Kappa Phi: Our active UH case → Chapters across Texas

This brand overlap matters because national headquarters have prior knowledge of hazing risks. When the same organization has fatal hazing in Ohio and serious hazing in Texas, they can’t claim “we didn’t know this could happen.”

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Recovery for Howardwick Families

When hazing harms your child, the immediate focus is medical care and safety. Soon after, questions about evidence, liability, and compensation arise. Here’s how sophisticated hazing litigation works.

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

• Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord messages showing planning, coordination, admissions
• Social media: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok videos of events or injuries
• Deleted messages: Digital forensics can often recover “disappearing” content
• Location data: Phone GPS, Find My Friends, Snap Map showing where hazing occurred

Physical Evidence:

• Photographs of injuries (immediate and over several days)
• Medical records documenting treatment and diagnoses
• Clothing or objects used in hazing (paddles, bottles, props)
• Receipts for alcohol or other purchases

Institutional Records:

• University conduct files on prior incidents
• National fraternity risk management reports
• Insurance policies and coverage documents
• Emails between chapter officers and national headquarters

Witness Testimony:

• Other pledges who experienced similar treatment
• Former members who quit over hazing concerns
• Roommates, friends, or bystanders who observed changes or incidents
• Medical providers who treated injuries

Damages: What Howardwick Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

• Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy)
• Future medical care (ongoing treatment, medications, surgeries)
• Lost educational opportunities (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
• Diminished earning capacity (if injuries affect future work ability)
• Therapy and psychological treatment costs

Non-Economic Damages (Substantial but Less Quantifiable):

• Physical pain and suffering from injuries
• Emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Humiliation and loss of dignity
• Loss of enjoyment of college experience
• Damage to family relationships

Wrongful Death Damages (In Tragic Cases):

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support your child would have provided
• Loss of companionship, love, and guidance for parents and siblings
• Emotional suffering of family members

Punitive Damages (When Appropriate):

• To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
• To deter future hazing by the same organizations
• Available when defendants show conscious indifference to known risks

The Attorney911 Advantage: Why Our Experience Matters for Howardwick Families

Insurance Insider Knowledge (Lupe Peña’s Background):
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers:

• Value and undervalue hazing claims
• Use delay tactics to pressure families
• Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
• Deploy independent medical exams to minimize injuries
  This insider perspective means we counter their strategies from day one.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience:
Our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation proves we can take on billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. Universities and national fraternities use the same playbook: delay, deny, defend. We’ve seen it before and know how to break through.

Dual Civil/Criminal Capability:
Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand criminal hazing charges and how they interact with civil cases. We can advise:

• Victims navigating police investigations
• Witnesses with potential criminal exposure
• Families balancing parallel criminal and civil proceedings

Texas-Specific Geographic Mastery:
Though based in Houston, we serve families statewide. We understand:

• Texas courts and procedures from Randall County to Harris County
• Sovereign immunity issues with public universities like Texas Tech and WTAMU
• How to navigate different university systems’ internal processes
• The cultural dynamics of Texas Greek life and campus traditions

Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring Hispanic families in Howardwick and throughout Texas can communicate comfortably during this stressful process.

Practical Guides for Howardwick Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Howardwick Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Recognizing Hazing Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Sudden secrecy about organizational activities
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
• Financial drains for unexplained “fines” or purchases
• Academic decline from missed classes or exhaustion

Conversation Starters with Your Child:

1. “How are things going with [organization]? Are they respectful of your time?”
2. “What kinds of activities do they have new members do?”
3. “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
4. “Do you feel like you could leave if you wanted to, without consequences?”

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize safety: If injured or intoxicated, get medical help immediately
2. Preserve evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries, save physical items
3. Document everything: Write down dates, times, what was said, who was involved
4. Contact an attorney BEFORE reporting to university or police (we can guide the process)
5. Do NOT confront the organization directly—this triggers evidence destruction

For Howardwick Students: Rights and Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Self-Assessment:

• Am I being pressured to do something dangerous or degrading?
• Would I do this if there were no social consequences for refusing?
• Are older members making me do things they don’t have to do?
• Am I being told to keep secrets from university officials or my family?

Your Legal Rights in Texas:

• Consent is NOT a defense to hazing charges
• You have immunity for good-faith reporting of emergencies
• Universities must investigate hazing reports under Texas law
• You can pursue civil compensation even if no criminal charges are filed

Safe Exit Strategies:

1. Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, trusted friend)
2. Send a written resignation: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
3. Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
4. If threatened, document it and report to campus police and Dean of Students
5. Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for guidance on protective measures

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence: What seems embarrassing today becomes crucial evidence tomorrow. Preserve EVERYTHING.

2. Confronting the Organization: This triggers immediate evidence destruction and witness coaching.

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: These often contain waivers of your right to sue.

4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys monitor everything. Inconsistencies hurt credibility.

5. Waiting “to See What the University Does”: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitation run.

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone: Recorded statements are used against you. Early settlements are lowball offers.

7. Letting Your Child “Handle It”: The power imbalance makes this impossible. Parents must be involved.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Howardwick Hazing Cases?

Our Texas Hazing Litigation Credentials

Active High-Stakes Litigation:
Right now, we’re fighting the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi $10 million lawsuit. This isn’t historical—it’s current proof that we take on major universities and national fraternities and fight for accountability.

Data-Driven Investigation:
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine gives us insights most firms lack. We know:

• Which organizations have prior incidents
• Where insurance coverage exists
• How national headquarters supervise (or fail to supervise) chapters
• What evidence to pursue through subpoenas and discovery

Proven Results in Complex Cases:

• Multi-million dollar settlements in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases
• BP Texas City explosion litigation experience against massive institutional defendants
• Federal court experience in the Southern District of Texas
• 25+ years of complex litigation experience

Howardwick-Accessible Service:
Though based in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas. We:

• Offer free initial consultations by phone or video
• Travel to clients when necessary for case development
• Understand the specific dynamics of Texas Panhandle communities
• Provide Spanish-language services through Mr. Peña

No-Cost Case Evaluation for Howardwick Families

We offer free, confidential consultations to review your situation, explain your legal options, and help you decide on next steps. During this consultation, we’ll:

1. Listen to your story without judgment
2. Review any evidence you’ve preserved (photos, messages, medical records)
3. Explain how Texas hazing law applies to your specific situation
4. Discuss potential defendants and liability theories
5. Outline investigation strategies and evidence preservation steps
6. Explain our contingency fee structure (no fee unless we recover compensation)
7. Answer your questions about timelines, privacy concerns, and realistic expectations

There’s no pressure to hire us immediately. Our goal is to empower you with information so you can make the best decision for your family.

Contact Attorney911 Today for a Free Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends West Texas A&M, Texas Tech, or any Texas campus—you don’t have to navigate this alone. The institutions responsible for these harms have experienced legal teams and insurance companies working to minimize their liability. You need equally experienced advocates on your side.

For immediate assistance:

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello) or lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)
• Website: https://attorney911.com

Spanish-language services available: Mr. Lupe Peña speaks fluent Spanish. Hablamos Español.

Serving Howardwick and all Texas communities from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We understand that hazing incidents affecting Howardwick families might involve schools anywhere in Texas, and we have the experience and resources to pursue accountability regardless of location.

Take the first step toward accountability today. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for your free, confidential consultation. Let us help you protect your child’s rights and future while holding responsible parties accountable for their actions.

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