The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Los Ybanez & Dawson County Families: What to Do When Campus “Tradition” Becomes Abuse

If Your Student Was Hazed in Texas, You’re Not Alone

For families in Los Ybanez and across Dawson County, sending a child to college represents the culmination of years of dedication and hope. Many students from our community head to Texas Tech University in Lubbock, just an hour north, or other major Texas campuses, drawn by the promise of brotherhood, sisterhood, and lifelong connections in Greek life or campus organizations. But what happens when the search for belonging turns into a nightmare of forced drinking, physical punishment, and psychological torment?

Right now, in Houston, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after brutal hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The allegations—documented in Click2Houston and ABC13 coverage—include forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and carrying a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. He was hospitalized for four days with brown urine and critically high creatine kinase levels, facing ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This isn’t just a Houston problem. The same national fraternities and sororities that operate at UH have chapters across Texas, including at schools where Los Ybanez students enroll. When hazing injures or kills, families from small communities like ours face powerful institutions: national fraternities with deep-pocketed insurance, universities with legal teams, and a system that often prioritizes reputation over student safety.

This Guide Is for Los Ybanez & Dawson County Families

We created this comprehensive guide because parents in Los Ybanez, Lamesa, and across West Texas deserve to know the truth about modern hazing: what it really looks like, how Texas law protects (or fails) victims, and what legal options exist when institutions betray your trust. Whether your child attends Texas Tech, Midwestern State, or any Texas campus, this information could save a life—or help secure justice when prevention fails.

⚠️ 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 paddles, 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: Beyond the Stereotypes

The Modern Definition of Hazing

For Los Ybanez families who might remember hazing as “harmless pranks” from decades past, today’s reality is far more dangerous. 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. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance.

Main Categories of Hazing in Today’s Greek Life

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common—and most deadly—form. It includes forced chugging challenges, “lineup” drinking games, Big/Little nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, and games that require rapid consumption. At Texas Tech and other West Texas schools, the “alcohol haze” often continues despite university policies.

Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, modern physical hazing includes extreme calisthenics (“smokings” with hundreds of push-ups), sleep deprivation through mandatory 3 AM meetings, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme West Texas weather conditions. The Leonel Bermudez case showed how “workouts” can cause life-threatening rhabdomyolysis.

Psychological and Digital Hazing
This is where hazing has evolved most dramatically. It includes:

24/7 group chat control: Pledges required to respond instantly to messages at all hours
Social media humiliation: Forced TikTok challenges, Instagram story dares
Geo-tracking demands: Requiring constant location sharing via Find My Friends
Public shaming sessions: “Roasts” or “grillings” designed to break down self-esteem

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk”), degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. These aren’t “traditions”—they’re crimes.

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, hazing occurs in:

Corps of Cadets programs (especially at Texas A&M)
Athletic teams (from football to cheerleading)
Spirit organizations like Texas Cowboys
Marching bands and performance groups
Some academic and service organizations

For Los Ybanez students at Texas Tech, this means risk exists across campus life, not just Greek row.

Texas Hazing Law: What Los Ybanez Families Must Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Foundation

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code that protect students at all public universities, including Texas Tech. The law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any student organization

Key provisions for Los Ybanez families:

Criminal Penalties (Section 37.152)

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (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

Consent is NOT a Defense (Section 37.155)
This is critical: Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still hazing under Texas law. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t truly voluntary.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (Section 37.154)
Students who report hazing or call 911 in medical emergencies are protected from civil or criminal liability. This is important for Los Ybanez students who might fear getting in trouble for underage drinking.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases

Brought by the state (Dawson County DA for local incidents, county DA where campus is located)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and institutional accountability
Focus on: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress

Important: These cases can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required to pursue a civil case. In fact, civil cases often proceed faster and can uncover evidence that helps criminal prosecutors.

Federal Laws Overlaying Texas Cases

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid (including Texas Tech and all public universities) to:

Report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthen hazing education and prevention
Maintain public hazing data (phasing in by 2026)

Title IX and Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX obligations trigger. The Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes—many hazing incidents overlap with these categories.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Individual Students
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up.

Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority itself if it’s a legal entity, plus officers and “pledge educators.”

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters
Nationals that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Their liability often hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents.

University or Governing Board
Texas Tech University System, for example, may be sued under negligence theories if they knew about risks and failed to act.

Third Parties
Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol, security companies that failed to intervene.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
The 20-year-old pledge was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU) and multiple criminal convictions. For Los Ybanez families, this shows how formulaic drinking nights are scripts for disaster.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
The 19-year-old died during a “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking. His blood alcohol was 0.495%. The case led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute) and a $6.1 million verdict against the fraternity.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
The bid acceptance night involved extreme drinking, followed by hours of delayed medical care despite visible injuries captured on chapter cameras. Seventeen fraternity members faced over 1,000 criminal counts total. This case shows how “brotherhood” can become a code of silence that kills.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
The pledge was blindfolded, weighted with a heavy backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat. He died from traumatic brain injuries while fraternity members delayed calling 911. The national fraternity was criminally convicted, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years, and fined over $110,000.

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over multiple years. The head coach was fired, and Northwestern reached confidential settlements with multiple players. This demonstrates that hazing isn’t limited to Greek life—it infects big-money athletic programs too.

What These Cases Mean for Los Ybanez Families

These national patterns—forced drinking, delayed medical care, cover-ups, institutional indifference—repeat across states, including Texas. When your child is hazed at Texas Tech or another Texas campus, you’re dealing with the same national organizations, same insurance companies, and same defense tactics that failed to prevent these tragedies.

Texas University Focus: Where Los Ybanez Students Actually Attend

The Texas Tech University Connection for Dawson County

For Los Ybanez families, Texas Tech University in Lubbock is the most immediate concern—it’s where many Dawson County students pursue higher education, just an hour north of home.

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Texas Tech hosts over 40 fraternities and sororities across its IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and Multicultural Greek Councils. The Red Raider tradition runs deep, and Greek life is a significant part of campus social structure. With approximately 4,000 students involved in Greek organizations, the scale creates both community and risk.

Documented Incidents & Institutional Response

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021): Two Texas Tech pledges alleged they were covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million. The university suspended the chapter for two years.
Kappa Sigma (2023): Ongoing litigation involving allegations of hazing resulting in rhabdomyolysis—the same severe muscle breakdown condition Leonel Bermudez suffered at UH.
Corps of Cadets History: While not Greek, Texas Tech’s Corps has faced periodic hazing allegations, particularly around “freshman orientation” activities.

How a Texas Tech Hazing Case Proceeds
Given Lubbock’s proximity to Los Ybanez, many families will deal with:

Jurisdiction: Lubbock Police Department and Texas Tech University Police for on-campus incidents
Courts: Lubbock County courts for civil cases
University Process: Texas Tech’s Office of Student Conduct, which maintains disciplinary records

What Texas Tech Students & Parents Should Do

Report immediately to Texas Tech’s Office of Student Conduct and Texas Tech Police
Document everything—Lubbock hospitals see these cases regularly; ensure medical records specify “hazing”
Preserve digital evidence before GroupMe chats are deleted (common in Tech Greek life)
Contact an attorney who understands both Texas Tech’s specific culture and Texas hazing law

Other Major Texas Universities with Los Ybanez Connections

While Texas Tech is most immediate, Los Ybanez students also attend:

Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls)

Smaller campus with Greek life presence
Documented hazing incidents in recent years involving Tau Kappa Epsilon and other groups
For Los Ybanez families: MSU is within driving distance for many Dawson County students

University of Texas at Austin

Maintains a public hazing violations page showing repeated offenses
Recent cases include Pi Kappa Alpha forced milk consumption and calisthenics
UT’s transparency provides valuable evidence for civil cases

Texas A&M University

Corps of Cadets lawsuits involving degrading hazing allegations
Sigma Alpha Epsilon chemical burn case (mentioned earlier)
Unique challenges with military-style traditions

Baylor University

Baseball team hazing (2020) resulting in 14 player suspensions
Religious institution dynamics that affect reporting and accountability

University of Houston

Our firm’s active Leonel Bermudez case against Pi Kappa Phi
Multiple fraternity suspensions in recent years
Urban campus with off-campus housing challenges

The Greek Organization Landscape: National Histories Meet Local Chapters

Why National Histories Matter for Los Ybanez Families

When a Texas Tech chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha hazes with forced drinking, they’re repeating the exact pattern that killed Stone Foltz at Bowling Green. When Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Texas Tech uses chemical substances, they’re echoing SAE incidents at Texas A&M and Alabama. These aren’t coincidences—they’re foreseeable patterns that national headquarters know about but often fail to prevent.

Public Records: Texas Greek Organizations Serving Los Ybanez Families

As part of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain extensive public records on Greek organizations. These aren’t accusations—they’re factual listings from IRS filings and public databases that help us understand the organizational landscape your child encounters.

Fraternities and Sororities with Texas Presence Include:

Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity (EIN 462267515) – Frisco, TX 75035 – Beta Nu Housing Corporation
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (EIN 364091267) – Waco, TX 76710 – Xi Chi Chapter
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (EIN 237279532) – Prairie View, TX 77446 – Prairie View Alumni Chapter
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity (EIN 475370943) – Houston, TX 77204 – Theta Delta Chapter
Sigma Phi Lambda (EIN 201237505) – Corinth, TX 76210 – Beta Chapter
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN 900293166) – College Station, TX 77843 – Texas A&M Chapter

Metro-Level Context for West Texas:

Lubbock Metro Area: 59+ Greek-related organizations according to Cause IQ data
Texas Tech-specific entities: Multiple chapter housing corporations and alumni associations
Regional reach: Organizations based in Lubbock often serve students from Dawson, Lynn, Terry, and Garza counties

National Organizations with Documented Hazing Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (“Pike”)

Stone Foltz death (Bowling Green, 2021): $10 million settlement
Multiple chapter suspensions at UT Austin, Texas A&M, and other Texas schools
Pattern: Big/Little alcohol hazing events

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (“SAE”)

Traumatic brain injury case (University of Alabama, 2023)
Chemical burns case (Texas A&M, 2021): $1 million lawsuit
Assault case (UT Austin, 2024): Over $1 million lawsuit
National response: Eliminated traditional pledge process in 2014 after pattern of deaths

Pi Kappa Phi

Andrew Coffey death (Florida State, 2017)
Leonel Bermudez case (University of Houston, 2025): Our firm’s active $10 million lawsuit
Pattern: Physical endurance hazing combined with humiliation

Phi Delta Theta

Max Gruver death (LSU, 2017): Led to felony hazing law
Multiple chapter closures nationwide

How National Patterns Affect Your Texas Case

When we represent Los Ybanez families in hazing cases, we investigate:

Prior incidents at the same chapter
National organization’s knowledge of patterns
Adequacy of anti-hazing policies and enforcement
Insurance coverage across the organizational structure

This investigative depth is why we maintain the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—to ensure families aren’t starting from zero when they need answers most.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Realistic Expectations

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

Digital Communications (Most Important)
GroupMe is the #1 evidence source in today’s hazing cases. We recover:

Chapter-wide and pledge-class group chats
Deleted messages via digital forensics
Planning conversations about “traditions” or “hell week”
Messages showing coercion or threats

Photos & Videos

Content filmed by members during events (often shared in group chats)
Social media posts before deletion
Security camera footage from houses or venues

Medical Records

ER reports must specify “hazing” for legal impact
Toxicology reports showing blood alcohol levels
Specialist evaluations for ongoing conditions
Psychological assessments for PTSD, depression, anxiety

University Records
Prior conduct violations of the same organization
Clery Act reports and campus police incident reports
Internal emails about the organization’s history

Types of Damages in Hazing Cases

For Los Ybanez families considering legal action, understanding potential compensation categories is important:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable)

Medical expenses: ER bills, hospital stays, ongoing treatment, future care needs
Lost educational opportunities: Withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships, delayed graduation
Future earning capacity reduction: For permanent disabilities affecting career prospects

Non-Economic Damages

Physical pain and suffering from injuries
Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life: Can’t participate in activities they loved

Wrongful Death Damages (When Tragically Applicable)

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support the deceased would have provided
Loss of companionship, love, and guidance for family
Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages

Not guaranteed, but possible in cases of extreme recklessness
Designed to punish defendants and deter future conduct
Often require showing prior warnings were ignored

The Role of Insurance in Hazing Cases

This is where Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney becomes invaluable. Fraternity and university insurers routinely:

Deny coverage claiming hazing is an “intentional act” exclusion
Lowball settlements hoping families will take quick money
Delay proceedings to pressure financially strained families

We know these tactics because we used to deploy them for insurance companies. Now we use that insider knowledge to:

Identify all potential insurance policies (national, chapter, university, individual)
Fight coverage denials with legal arguments about negligent supervision
Build cases that force insurers to pay policy limits

Realistic Timeline and Process

Most hazing cases follow this pattern:

Immediate crisis response (0-30 days): Evidence preservation, medical care
Investigation phase (1-6 months): Gathering records, interviewing witnesses
Pre-litigation negotiations (3-12 months): Demand letters, settlement discussions
Litigation if necessary (1-3 years): Filing lawsuit, discovery, mediation, possible trial

The majority of cases settle during phases 3 or 4, often at mediation. Trials are rare but sometimes necessary when institutions refuse accountability.

Practical Guide for Los Ybanez Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs and Immediate Response

Red Flags Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Unexplained injuries with inconsistent stories
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Constant phone anxiety (checking GroupMe)
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
Financial requests for unexplained “fines” or purchases

How to Talk to Your Child

Don’t lead with accusation: “How are things with your fraternity/sorority?” not “Are they hazing you?”
Listen without judgment: If they open up, don’t interrupt with anger
Emphasize safety over status: “Your health matters more than any organization”

If Your Child Is Injured

Medical care first: Even if they resist, get professional evaluation
Document everything: Photos, screenshots, written notes with dates
Preserve evidence: Don’t wash clothes, don’t delete messages
Contact us immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911 before talking to university officials

For Students: Recognizing Hazing and Safe Exit Strategies

Is This Hazing? Quick Self-Assessment

Are you being forced or pressured to do something unsafe?
Would you do this if you had a real choice without social consequences?
Are only new members required to do this while older members watch?
Are you told to keep secrets from parents, RAs, or university officials?

If you answered YES to any, it’s likely hazing.

Safe Exit Strategies

In immediate danger: Call 911, then campus police
Wanting to quit: Send a clear text/email: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
Avoid “one last meeting”: This is often a trap to pressure or intimidate
Document retaliation: If harassed after leaving, screenshot everything

Texas Law Protects You

Good-faith reporter immunity: You won’t get in trouble for calling 911 in an emergency
Consent isn’t a defense: Even if you “agreed,” it’s still hazing
Retaliation is illegal: Threats or harassment after reporting can lead to additional charges

For Witnesses/Former Members: Coming Forward

If you participated in or witnessed hazing and now regret it:

Your testimony could prevent future injuries or deaths
You may need your own attorney to navigate potential exposure
Cooperation can sometimes lead to favorable treatment
Many find coming forward provides moral relief after guilt

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

MISTAKE #1: Deleting Evidence
What happens: Parents tell their child to “clean up” embarrassing messages
Why it’s devastating: Looks like cover-up; digital forensics can sometimes recover, but it’s harder
What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately. Watch our evidence preservation video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

MISTAKE #2: Confronting the Organization
What happens: Angry parents call the chapter president
Why it’s devastating: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
What to do instead: Document quietly, then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911

MISTAKE #3: Signing University Agreements
What happens: Schools pressure families to sign “internal resolution” forms
Why it’s devastating: You may waive your right to sue or accept far less than case value
What to do instead: “I need to have my attorney review this before I sign anything”

MISTAKE #4: Posting on Social Media
What happens: Families vent on Facebook to get support
Why it’s devastating: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
What to do instead: Private documentation only; let us control public messaging

MISTAKE #5: Talking to Insurance Adjusters
What happens: Adjusters call saying “we just need your statement”
Why it’s devastating: Recorded statements are used to minimize your claim
What to do instead: “Please contact my attorney” and give them our number

MISTAKE #6: Waiting Too Long
What happens: Families “wait to see how the university handles it”
Why it’s devastating: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitations run
What to do instead: Act immediately. Learn about Texas statutes of limitations at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

Frequently Asked Questions for Los Ybanez Families

“Can we sue Texas Tech for hazing?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities like Texas Tech have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in their personal capacity. Each case is fact-specific—call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for analysis of your situation.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH involved felony-level conduct. Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, the civil case can proceed.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to it?”
Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states: Consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts understand that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t truly voluntary. This is a critical protection for victims.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but exceptions exist. If the harm wasn’t discovered immediately or there was fraud/cover-up, the timeline may extend. Given how quickly evidence disappears, we recommend acting immediately. Watch our statute of limitations video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

“What if it happened off-campus at a rental house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major hazing cases (including fatal ones) occurred off-campus.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy and can request sealed court records when necessary. The goal is accountability without further trauma.

“How much will this cost us?”
We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, including hazing. That means: No upfront costs, no fee unless we win your case. Learn how contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

“What mistakes should we avoid?”
Watch our client mistakes video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

Why Attorney911 for Los Ybanez Hazing Cases

We’re Fighting Texas Hazing Cases Right Now

While many law firms talk about hazing experience, we’re actively litigating one of Texas’s most serious cases: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi. This isn’t theoretical—we’re in federal court right now against a major university and national fraternity, fighting for a young man who suffered kidney failure from hazing.

Unique Qualifications for Texas Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. 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
Use delay tactics to pressure families
Fight coverage under “intentional act” exclusions
“We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello)

BP Texas City explosion litigation: One of few Texas firms involved against billion-dollar defendants
Federal court experience: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
HCCLA membership: Elite criminal defense credential critical when hazing involves criminal charges
“We’re not intimidated by national fraternities or university legal teams.”

Texas-Specific Geographic Mastery
While based in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas, including Los Ybanez and Dawson County. We understand:

Texas hazing law (Chapter 37) and how courts interpret it
The unique cultures of Texas Tech, Texas A&M, UT, and other state schools
Local jurisdiction issues for cases in Lubbock, Wichita Falls, and West Texas

Investigative Depth Through Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
We maintain extensive data on Texas Greek organizations, including:

IRS records of 125+ Texas-registered Greek entities
Campus-specific chapter rosters
National hazing incident patterns
This isn’t public information—it’s investigative work we’ve done so your family doesn’t start from zero

Spanish Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish—critical for serving Hispanic families in Dawson County and throughout Texas. Hablamos Español.

Our Approach: Thorough Investigation, Not Quick Settlements

We don’t just take hazing cases—we investigate them thoroughly:

Digital forensics recovery of deleted group chats and messages
National organization research into prior incidents and knowledge
University records requests for prior disciplinary history
Expert network consultation with medical professionals, psychologists, economists
Strategic insurance analysis to identify all potential coverage sources

This comprehensive approach is why we’ve recovered millions for families in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases.

Your Next Step: Confidential Consultation

If Hazing Has Impacted Your Family

Whether you’re in Los Ybanez, Lamesa, or anywhere in Texas, if hazing has injured your child or taken a life, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions involved—national fraternities, universities, their insurers—have legal teams and crisis management plans. You deserve the same level of representation.

What to Expect When You Call 1-888-ATTY-911

Immediate Response: We answer 24/7 because hazing emergencies don’t wait for business hours
Confidential Consultation: Tell us what happened without judgment or pressure
Case Assessment: We’ll explain your legal options clearly and realistically
Evidence Preservation Guidance: We’ll tell you exactly what to save and how
No Obligation: You decide if and when to proceed with legal action

We Serve All of Texas from Multiple Offices

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911)
Legal Emergency Lawyers™

Contact Information:

24/7 Hazing Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello)
Spanish Services: lupe@atty911.com (Mr. Lupe Peña)
Website: https://attorney911.com

Texas Office Locations:

Houston (Harris County)
Austin (Travis County)
Beaumont (Jefferson County)

We serve families throughout Texas, including Los Ybanez, Dawson County, Lubbock, and all West Texas communities.

Your Child’s Safety and Future Are Worth Fighting For

Hazing isn’t “tradition”—it’s abuse disguised as bonding. It isn’t “boys being boys”—it’s criminal conduct that kills and maims. And it isn’t something your family should navigate alone against powerful institutions.

From our active litigation in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case to our representation of families across Texas, we’re committed to holding organizations accountable and preventing future harm. If your family is facing the aftermath of hazing, call us today.

1-888-ATTY-911
Because when campus “tradition” becomes abuse, you need more than a lawyer.
You need a legal emergency team.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
Contingency fees explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

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, 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
24/7 Hazing Emergency Line: 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 Services: lupe@atty911.com