The Ultimate Guide to Hazing Laws & Fraternity Lawsuits for City of Latexo Families | Attorney911, Your Texas Hazing Lawyers

A Message to Parents in City of Latexo

Imagine your child, excited about starting college and finding their place, is at an off-campus fraternity event in Houston or College Station. It’s “family night” or “big brother reveal.” What begins as what seems like fun turns serious. They’re pressured to drink far beyond their limits, forced through punishing physical workouts, or subjected to humiliating acts—all while older members chant and film on their phones. Your child feels trapped: wanting to belong but increasingly afraid. Then someone collapses, and instead of calling for help immediately, there’s panic about “getting the chapter shut down.”

This scenario isn’t just a parent’s worst nightmare; it’s the reality for families across Texas, including right here in City of Latexo in Houston County. When your child leaves for the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other Texas campus, they enter environments where dangerous traditions can overshadow common sense and safety.

Right now, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. His harrowing experience—forced extreme exercise leading to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, hospitalized for four days—shows exactly what’s at stake. This is happening here, in our state, to Texas families.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in City of Latexo and throughout Houston County who need to understand the real dangers of modern hazing, Texas law, and what legal options exist when things go terribly wrong.

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, 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/sorority
- Sign anything from the university or insurance company
- Post details on public social media
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:
Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed evidence, coached witnesses). Universities move quickly to control the narrative. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025

Hazing has evolved far beyond outdated stereotypes of simple pranks or harmless initiation. Today’s hazing is systematic, often digitally documented, and can cause catastrophic physical and psychological harm.

The Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Critically, “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there is significant peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of social exclusion.

Main Categories of Hazing Today

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common—and most deadly—form. It includes forced chugging challenges, “lineup” drinking games, “big brother/little brother” nights with entire bottles of liquor, and pressure to consume unknown or mixed substances. The Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha), Max Gruver (Phi Delta Theta), and Andrew Coffey (Pi Kappa Phi) cases all followed this lethal pattern.

2. Physical Hazing
This extends beyond paddling to include extreme calisthenics or “workouts” far beyond normal conditioning, sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme environments. In the Leonel Bermudez case at UH, physical hazing included 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, bear crawls, and forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or positions, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The Texas A&M Corps “roasted pig” case involved cadets being bound in humiliating positions.

4. Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, and public shaming—both in person and increasingly through social media and group chats.

5. Digital/Online Hazing
The newest frontier: group chat dares, “challenges” shared on Instagram or TikTok, pressure to create compromising content, and 24/7 digital monitoring that invades privacy and enables constant coercion.

Where Hazing Happens

While fraternities and sororities receive most attention, hazing occurs across campus organizations:

Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic sororities
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC/”Divine Nine”) organizations
Multicultural Greek Council groups
Corps of Cadets/ROTC/military-style programs
Athletic teams (from football to cheerleading)
Spirit squads and tradition clubs
Marching bands and performance groups
Some academic, service, and cultural organizations

The common threads are social status, tradition, and secrecy—factors that keep dangerous practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What City of Latexo Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes in the Education Code that govern cases involving students at both public and private institutions. Understanding this framework is crucial for families in City of Latexo and throughout Houston County.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F

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

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student, AND
Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Key Points for Families:

Location doesn’t matter: Hazing can occur on-campus, off-campus, at retreats, or private homes
Mental OR physical harm: Psychological trauma qualifies as hazing
“Reckless” is enough: They don’t need malicious intent—just disregard for known risks
“Consent is NOT a defense” (Texas Education Code § 37.155): Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death

Additional Criminal Exposure:

Failing to report hazing (if you’re a member/officer and knew): misdemeanor
Retaliating against someone who reports: misdemeanor
Sovereign immunity limitations may apply to public universities, but individuals can still face charges

Organizational Liability

Texas law allows organizations themselves to be prosecuted if:

The organization authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
An officer or member acting in official capacity knew about hazing and failed to report it

Penalties for organizations:

Fine up to $10,000 per violation
University can revoke recognition and ban the organization from campus

Protections for Good-Faith Reporting

Texas law provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for anyone who in good faith reports a hazing incident to university officials or law enforcement. Many Texas universities also have medical amnesty policies protecting those who call for help in alcohol emergencies.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

Understanding national cases isn’t just academic—it shows the patterns that Texas chapters often repeat and establishes the legal precedents that protect victims.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

Stone Foltz – Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State University (2021)
The 20-year-old pledge was forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol during a “big/little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning. Multiple members were convicted, and the family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). This case demonstrates how national organizations face massive liability when chapters repeat known dangerous traditions.

Timothy Piazza – Beta Theta Pi, Penn State (2017)
During a bid acceptance night, Piazza consumed dangerous amounts of alcohol, suffered multiple falls captured on chapter security cameras, and fraternity brothers delayed calling for help for hours. His death led to one of the largest hazing prosecutions in U.S. history and the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.

Max Gruver – Phi Delta Theta, LSU (2017)
The pledge was forced to participate in a “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking. He died with a 0.495% BAC. This case resulted in the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, upgrading hazing to a felony.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing

Chun “Michael” Deng – Pi Delta Psi, Baruch College (2013)
During a fraternity retreat, Deng was blindfolded, weighted with a heavy backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual. He suffered fatal head injuries while fraternity members delayed calling 911. The national fraternity was criminally convicted, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years, and multiple members received jail sentences.

Danny Santulli – Phi Gamma Delta, University of Missouri (2021)
During a “pledge dad reveal” night, the 18-year-old was forced to consume excessive alcohol, suffered permanent brain damage, and now requires 24/7 care. His family settled with 22 defendants, demonstrating that catastrophic non-fatal injuries can result in multi-million dollar recoveries.

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the football program over multiple years. Multiple lawsuits led to the head coach’s firing and confidential settlements. This case proves hazing extends far beyond Greek life into major athletic programs with similar institutional cover-up patterns.

Texas Universities: What City of Latexo Families Face

Families in City of Latexo and Houston County typically have children at both nearby campuses and major universities across Texas. Here’s what you need to know about the five largest Greek life campuses in our state.

University of Houston: The Active Case in Our Backyard

Campus Snapshot for Houston County Families:
UH is Houston’s largest public university with robust Greek life encompassing IFC fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, NPHC organizations, and multicultural groups. Many City of Latexo students choose UH for its proximity and programs.

The Current Crisis: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi
We are actively litigating this $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit filed in late 2025. The facts, as reported by Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline, demonstrate exactly what modern hazing looks like:

The Hazing Conduct:

“Pledge fanny pack” rule containing condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices, and humiliating items
Enforced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews, overnight driving duties
Extreme physical abuse at UH’s Pi Kappa Phi house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park:
- Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, “save-your-brother” drills
- Cold-weather exposure in underwear
- Lying in vomit-soaked grass
- Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”
- Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, then repeated sprints
- The Nov 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, creed recitation under expulsion threats
- Another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour

Medical Catastrophe:
Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels. He faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Institutional Response:

Nov 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the Beta Nu chapter
Nov 14, 2025: Chapter members voted to surrender their charter; chapter shut down
UH statement: Called conduct “deeply disturbing,” promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement

Why This Matters for City of Latexo Families:
This case proves that catastrophic hazing is happening right now at Texas universities. The same patterns—forced drinking, extreme exercise, humiliation, delayed medical care—occur across campuses. When your child joins a fraternity or sorority at UH or any Texas school, they’re entering environments where these risks exist.

UH’s Greek Life Landscape:
According to UH’s official roster, the campus hosts:

Interfraternity Council: Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Sigma Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, and others
Panhellenic Council: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Phi Mu, Zeta Tau Alpha
NPHC: All nine Divine Nine organizations
Multicultural Greek Council: Numerous culturally-based organizations

Prior UH Incidents:

2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case: Pledges allegedly deprived of food, water, and sleep; one suffered a lacerated spleen
Various alcohol-related and physical hazing violations leading to chapter suspensions

Texas A&M University: Tradition and Risk

For City of Latexo Families:
While College Station is farther from Houston County, many Texas families choose A&M for its renowned programs and traditions. The Corps of Cadets adds another layer of potential hazing risk beyond Greek life.

Notable A&M Cases:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns (2021): Two pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million; the fraternity was suspended for two years.
Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million.
Ongoing Kappa Sigma Rhabdomyolysis Case: Allegations of extreme physical hazing resulting in the severe muscle breakdown condition.

A&M’s Greek Landscape:

Collegiate Panhellenic Council: 14 sororities including Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Alpha Theta
Interfraternity Council: 19 fraternities including Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi
Corps of Cadets: Approximately 2,500 cadets in military-style programs

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Patterns

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page:
Unlike many universities, UT maintains a public log of hazing violations—a resource families can use to check organizations’ histories.

Recent UT Sanctions Include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation with required hazing-prevention education
Texas Wranglers (Spirit Organization): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024): Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose; sued for over $1 million

Why UT’s Transparency Matters:
Public violation records help establish pattern evidence in civil cases. When an organization has prior sanctions, it becomes harder for them to claim “we didn’t know” or “this was an isolated incident.”

Southern Methodist University and Baylor University

SMU’s Affluent Greek Landscape:
As a private university with strong Greek presence, SMU has faced its own hazing incidents:

Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended through 2021

Baylor’s Complex History:
Following major Title IX scandals, Baylor has faced increased scrutiny, including:

Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation

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

Through public records research, we maintain detailed data on Texas Greek organizations—knowledge that becomes crucial when building hazing cases for City of Latexo families.

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

If you’re a parent in City of Latexo, you deserve to know who stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Below are examples from public records showing the organizational infrastructure supporting Texas Greek life.

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Records):
These entities are registered with the IRS as tax-exempt student organizations:

Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc – EIN: 133048786 – 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845-6681
Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Inc – EIN: 161675890 – 115 Wild Wick Way, The Woodlands, TX 77382-1822
Sigma Phi Lambda Inc – EIN: 201237505 – 4251 FM 2181 Ste 230 PMB 480, Corinth, TX 76210-4202 (Beta Chapter)
Arlington-Grand Prairie Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Frat Inc – EIN: 232452759 – PO Box 542901, Grand Prairie, TX 75054-2901
Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN: 462267515 – 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035-6629 (Relevant to UH case)
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – EIN: 475370943 – 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204-7005 (Theta Delta Chapter)
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc – EIN: 521345951 – 6013 Brandy Dr, Nolanville, TX 76559-4902 (Mu Delta Zeta Chapter)
Chi Omega Fraternity – EIN: 740555581 – 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705-4018 (House Corporation)
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – EIN: 746064445 – 1855 Highway 69 N, Nederland, TX 77627-8843 (Epsilon Kappa Chapter)
Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – EIN: 746084905 – 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204-3067

Metro-Level Greek Presence:
According to Cause IQ data analysis:

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188 Greek-related organizations
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510 Greek-related organizations
Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154 Greek-related organizations

Cross-Validated National Brands:
These organizations appear in both IRS and metro data, showing their established Texas presence:

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Multiple chapters across Texas
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Multiple campus chapters
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Active alumni and undergraduate chapters
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Numerous Texas chapters and housing corporations

Total Texas Greek Organizations: 1,423 across 25 Texas metros, according to comprehensive public records analysis.

What This Data Means for Your Case

When we take a hazing case for a City of Latexo family, we don’t start from zero. We already know:

The legal names and EINs of organizations potentially involved
Their registered addresses and contact information
How national brands operate across multiple Texas campuses
Where to find the organizational records that insurance companies and defense attorneys might try to hide

This investigational head start is crucial because evidence disappears quickly in hazing cases—group chats are deleted, records are “lost,” and witnesses are coached about what to say.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Recovery

When hazing causes serious injury or death, families need more than sympathy—they need a strategic legal approach that accounts for the unique challenges of these cases.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

1. Digital Communications (The Most Important Evidence)

Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity-specific apps
Social media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok videos, Facebook posts
Deleted message recovery: Digital forensics can often recover “deleted” content
Location data: Geo-tags, timestamp data, Find My Friends tracking

2. Photos and Videos

Content filmed by members during hazing events
Security camera footage from houses and venues
Ring/doorbell camera recordings
Social media posts showing events or injuries

3. Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” documents
Emails and texts between officers about activities
National policies and risk management materials
Meeting minutes and financial records

4. University Records

Prior conduct files and disciplinary history
Campus police incident reports
Clery Act reports and annual security disclosures
Internal communications about the organization

5. Medical and Psychological Records

Emergency room reports and hospitalization records
Toxicology reports and blood alcohol levels
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses)
Long-term treatment plans and life care assessments

Common Defense Strategies and How We Overcome Them

Defense: “The Pledge Consented”

Our Response: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense. We demonstrate coercion through group chat evidence, power imbalances, and fear of social exclusion.

Defense: “This Was a Rogue Chapter”

Our Response: We subpoena national records showing prior incidents, inadequate supervision, and pattern evidence across multiple chapters.

Defense: “It Happened Off-Campus”

Our Response: Location doesn’t eliminate liability when organizations sponsor events, provide alcohol, or exercise control. The Pi Delta Psi retreat case established this precedent.

Defense: “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”

Our Response: We show the gap between paper policies and actual enforcement through prior incident records and inadequate training.

Types of Damages in Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost educational opportunities (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
Diminished earning capacity (for permanent injuries)
Therapy and rehabilitation costs

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, PTSD, trauma
Loss of enjoyment of life
Humiliation and reputational harm

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship and support
Emotional suffering of family members
Loss of guidance for younger siblings

Punitive Damages (When Available):

Awarded to punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
Available when defendants had prior warnings and ignored them
Subject to Texas statutory caps in many cases

The Recovery Process

Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. Settlement funds typically cover:

Immediate needs: Medical bills, lost income, funeral costs
Long-term care: Ongoing therapy, medications, life care plans
Educational continuity: Transfer costs, degree completion elsewhere
Accountability measures: Many families establish foundations or scholarships in their loved one’s name

Practical Guidance for City of Latexo Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Actions

Red Flags Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

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

Questions to Ask (Without Confrontation):

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
“Do you feel like you could leave if you wanted to, or would there be consequences?”

If You Suspect Hazing:

Prioritize safety: If injured or intoxicated, seek medical attention immediately
Document everything: Write down what your child tells you, with dates and details
Preserve evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries, save physical items
Consult an attorney BEFORE reporting: We can help navigate the process while protecting evidence
Avoid common mistakes: Don’t confront the organization, don’t sign university agreements without legal review, don’t post on social media

For Students: Safety and Rights

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would my parents or the university approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about this?

If You Need to Exit Safely:

In immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police
To quit/de-pledge: Send a written resignation to chapter leadership (email is best for documentation)
Protect against retaliation: Report any threats to campus authorities immediately
Preserve evidence: Don’t delete messages, even if embarrassed

Your Legal Rights in Texas:

You cannot be punished for calling 911 in a medical emergency (good-faith reporter immunity)
Hazing is a crime—you are the victim, not the perpetrator
You can request no-contact orders through the university if harassed after reporting

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Evidence

Why it’s wrong: Looks like a cover-up; can be obstruction of justice
What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Organization Directly

Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
What to do instead: Document everything, then call a lawyer before any confrontation

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms

Why it’s wrong: You may waive your right to sue; settlements are often far below case value
What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without an attorney reviewing it first

4. Posting on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer

Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
What to do instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

5. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”

Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute of limitations runs
What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña):
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims, their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it. Learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello):
Ralph is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—proving our capability against billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. His federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) and HCCLA membership demonstrate we’re not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams. We’ve taken on corporations that make universities look small. Learn more about Ralph’s credentials at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/

Active Texas Hazing Litigation:
Right now, we’re leading the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case—a $10 million lawsuit alleging catastrophic hazing injuries. We’re not theorizing about hazing law; we’re practicing it daily in Texas courts.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience:
Our wrongful death practice (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/) has recovered millions for families in catastrophic injury cases. We work with economists to value lifetime care needs and lost earning capacity—critical skills for hazing brain injury and permanent disability cases.

Criminal + Civil Dual Capability:
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both criminal hazing charges and civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure and navigate the interaction between criminal and civil cases.

Investigative Depth and Expert Network:
We maintain the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—detailed data on 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. Our network includes digital forensics experts, medical specialists, psychologists, economists, and Greek life culture experts. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

Our Approach to Hazing Cases

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation:
Within hours of your call, we guide evidence preservation: screenshotting group chats, photographing injuries, securing physical evidence, and documenting everything before it disappears.

2. Comprehensive Investigation:
We subpoena national fraternity records, university disciplinary files, insurance policies, and digital communications. We identify all potentially liable parties: individuals, local chapters, national organizations, universities, housing corporations, and third parties.

3. Strategic Case Development:
We build cases that show patterns, foreseeability, and institutional knowledge. We don’t just prove what happened to your child; we prove the organization knew or should have known it would happen.

4. Privacy Protection:
We pursue accountability while protecting your family’s privacy through confidential settlements, sealed records, and strategic media management.

5. Prevention Focus:
We seek reforms that prevent future harm: mandatory policy changes, improved supervision, and transparency measures that protect other students.

Your Next Step: Free Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Whether you’re in City of Latexo, elsewhere in Houston County, or anywhere across Texas, we’re here to help.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We Listen Without Judgment: Tell us what happened in complete confidence
Evidence Review: We’ll review any evidence you’ve preserved (photos, texts, medical records)
Legal Options Explained: We’ll explain your options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Realistic Assessment: We’ll discuss realistic timelines, challenges, and potential outcomes
Cost Transparency: We work on contingency—no fee unless we recover money for you
No Pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family

Contact Attorney911 Today:

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

Spanish Language Services Available:
Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

Educational Videos for Families:

Using your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Texas statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes that can ruin your case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Practice Areas:

Main website: https://attorney911.com
Wrongful death practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Criminal defense: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/
Ralph Manginello profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
Lupe Peña profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

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 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