The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Lyford, Texas Families: Holding Fraternities, Sororities & Universities Accountable

We understand the immense pride and hope you have when your child leaves our tight-knit Lyford community for college. Whether they’re heading to a local institution like the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or venturing further to Texas A&M, UT Austin, or other campuses across our great state, you trust they’ll be safe. The reality that this trust can be shattered by violent hazing rituals is every parent’s nightmare—a nightmare we’re fighting right now in Texas courtrooms.

Our Active Case: Proof We’re Fighting for Texas Families Right Now

Right now, our firm is leading one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter, its housing corporation, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the UH System Board of Regents, and 13 fraternity leaders and members.

What actually happened to Leonel Bermudez at UH: As detailed in the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case and ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit, the abuse included:

Humiliating “pledge fanny pack” rules requiring constant carrying of condoms, sex toys, and nicotine devices
Extreme physical hazing including sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and lying in vomit-soaked grass
Simulated waterboarding (being sprayed in the face with a hose under threats of actual waterboarding)
Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints
The November 3rd “workout”: 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion

The medical catastrophe: This abuse culminated in rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. Leonel passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days with critically elevated creatine kinase levels confirming permanent injury risk.

What happened to the fraternity: Within days, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters suspended the Beta Nu chapter. By November 14, 2025, chapter members voted to surrender their charter, shutting down the chapter entirely. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary action up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement.

Why this matters for Lyford families: This isn’t a story from another state or distant past. This is happening right now in Texas, to a student whose family trusted a university and fraternity to keep him safe. It shows exactly what we’re fighting against—and exactly why families across Texas, including right here in Lyford and Willacy County, need experienced hazing litigation counsel.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Texas Students

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or harmless tradition. It’s systematic abuse that has evolved with technology and become more dangerous as organizations work harder to hide it.

Modern Hazing Categories That Endanger Your Child

Alcohol and Substance Hazing (The Most Deadly Category)

Forced “lineup” drinking games where pledges must consume entire bottles
“Big/Little” nights with handles of hard liquor as “gifts”
“Bible study” or trivia games where wrong answers mean mandatory shots
Coerced drug consumption or inhaling dangerous substances like nitrous oxide

Physical Hazing (Beyond “Tough” Workouts)

Paddling and beatings with wooden boards, belts, or other objects
“Smokings”—extreme calisthenics until collapse (hundreds of push-ups, squats, wall sits)
Sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions” or 3 AM wake-up calls
Food and water restriction or forced consumption of spoiled/spicy foods
Exposure to extreme cold (outside in underwear) or heat

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

Forced nudity or partial nudity during rituals
Simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions)
Degrading costumes and public humiliation
Racial, homophobic, or sexist slurs and role-playing

Psychological and Digital Hazing

24/7 group chat monitoring with instant response demands
Social media humiliation through forced TikTok challenges or Instagram dares
Geo-tracking via Find My Friends or Life360
Isolation from non-member friends and family
Verbal abuse, threats, and manipulation

Where Hazing Happens in 2025:

Off-campus houses and Airbnbs (to avoid university security cameras)
Remote retreats in rural areas or other states
“Unofficial” chapter houses after charters have been revoked
Athletic training facilities under guise of “conditioning”
Band practice fields and performance group spaces
Corps of Cadets barracks and ROTC facilities

Texas Hazing Law: What Lyford Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Legal Shield

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws that protect your child, whether they’re at a university in Houston or College Station.

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means 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

Critical Protections for Lyford Families:

Location doesn’t matter: The law applies whether hazing happens on campus, at an off-campus house, or at a remote retreat
“Consent is NOT a defense” (§ 37.155): Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still illegal hazing
Good-faith reporter immunity (§ 37.154): Students who call 911 or report hazing in good faith are protected from liability
Organizational liability (§ 37.153): Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can face criminal prosecution and fines up to $10,000

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Justice

Criminal Cases (Brought by the State)

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: Furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter

Civil Cases (Brought by Victims and Families)

Wrongful death when hazing causes fatal injuries
Negligence and gross negligence against universities and national organizations
Negligent supervision/hiring when institutions fail their duty
Premises liability for dangerous properties
Intentional infliction of emotional distress

Why Both Matter for Lyford Families: Many cases proceed on both tracks simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required for civil justice, and civil discovery can uncover evidence that strengthens criminal cases.

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)

Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents
Mandates hazing prevention education and transparency
Phased implementation through 2026

Title IX and Clery Act

When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, Title IX requires university investigation
Clery Act mandates reporting of certain hazing-related crimes in campus safety statistics

National Hazing Cases That Shape Texas Lawsuits

Alcohol Poisoning Deaths: The Deadliest Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

Forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night
Died from alcohol poisoning
$10 million settlement: $7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU
Chapter president personally ordered to pay $6.5 million

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

“Bible study” drinking game with forced consumption for wrong answers
Died with 0.495% BAC (six times legal limit)
Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act created felony hazing statute
Civil settlement confidential but substantial

Physical and Ritualized Hazing Catastrophes

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)

Blindfolded, weighted down, and repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual
Fatal traumatic brain injury with delayed 911 call
National fraternity criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter
Fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)

Forced to drink excessive alcohol during “pledge dad reveal”
Severe, permanent brain damage: cannot walk, talk, or see; requires 24/7 care
Settlements with 22 defendants, reportedly multi-million dollar total

Athletic Program Hazing: Not Just Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)

Widespread sexualized and racist hazing within football program
Multiple lawsuits against university and coaching staff
Head coach fired, then settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially
Demonstrates hazing extends beyond Greek life to major athletic programs

What These Cases Mean for Lyford Families: These national precedents establish patterns of institutional failure that Texas courts recognize. When the same fraternities operating at Texas universities engage in the same dangerous behaviors, they can’t claim “we didn’t know” or “this was unforeseen.”

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: How We Investigate for Lyford Families

While many law firms start from scratch, we maintain an unmatched data-driven investigative system specifically for Texas hazing cases.

Our Texas Greek Organization Database

Through IRS filings, university records, and public databases, we track 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. This isn’t theoretical—it’s concrete data we use to identify every potentially liable entity behind hazing incidents.

Example Organizations Serving Texas Campuses (From Public Records):

Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc
EIN: 133048786 | College Station, TX 77845 | IRS B83 Filing

Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc
EIN: 462267515 | Frisco, TX 75035 | IRS B83 Filing

Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation
EIN: 371768785 | Missouri City, TX 77459 | IRS B83 Filing

Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter
EIN: 746084905 | Houston, TX 77204 | IRS B83 Filing

Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc
EIN: 741380362 | Fort Worth, TX 76147 | IRS B83 Filing

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas A&M University
EIN: 900293166 | College Station, TX 77843 | IRS B83 Filing

Why This Matters for Your Case: When we take your hazing case, we don’t start with Google searches. We start with our proprietary database that shows:

Who owns the chapter house
What insurance companies cover which entities
Which national organizations have prior incidents
What alumni associations and housing corporations exist
How all these entities connect financially and legally

Campuses Where Lyford Families Send Students

While Lyford itself doesn’t host major universities, our community’s students attend campuses across Texas:

Nearby Regional Campuses:

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (Edinburg) – 50 miles from Lyford
Texas A&M International University (Laredo) – 70 miles from Lyford
Texas A&M University-Kingsville – 75 miles from Lyford
Coastal Bend College (multiple locations) – Within 100 miles

Major Texas Universities Lyford Students Attend:

Texas A&M University (College Station)
University of Texas at Austin
University of Houston
Texas Tech University (Lubbock)
Baylor University (Waco)
Texas State University (San Marcos)
University of North Texas (Denton)

Our Campus-Specific Knowledge: For each of these universities, we understand:

Which fraternities and sororities have active chapters
What their hazing histories include
How their conduct offices operate
Which local police departments have jurisdiction
What courts would hear cases

Texas University Hazing Environments: What Lyford Parents Must Know

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (Regional Impact)

For Lyford Families: UTRGV is the closest major university to our community, with many Willacy County students attending. Its Greek life includes both social fraternities/sororities and academic honor societies.

Documented Incidents and Patterns:

Multiple fraternity suspensions for alcohol-related hazing violations
Social media investigations revealing off-campus hazing events
University reporting that often lags behind actual incidents

What UTRGV Students Face:

Pressure to prove “loyalty” through dangerous initiation rituals
Off-campus hazing at houses in Edinburg, McAllen, and surrounding areas
Digital hazing through 24/7 group chat demands
Retaliation fears that prevent reporting

Our UTRGV Case Experience: We’ve represented students from the Rio Grande Valley in hazing cases, understanding the unique cultural dynamics and geographic challenges families face when their child is hazed hours from home.

Texas A&M University System

Texas A&M University-College Station

Corps of Cadets hazing lawsuits including allegations of simulated sexual acts and binding
Sigma Alpha Epsilon chemical burns case where pledges were doused with industrial-strength cleaner
Multiple fraternity suspensions for alcohol hazing and physical abuse
Public hazing violation records showing repeat offenders

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Documented fraternity hazing resulting in hospitalizations
University disciplinary actions often kept confidential
Off-campus hazing at houses in Kingsville and surrounding ranches

For Lyford Aggie Families: The “Aggie Family” culture can make reporting hazing feel like betrayal. We understand this dynamic and help families navigate the tension between tradition and safety.

University of Texas at Austin

Nation’s Most Transparent Hazing Reporting:
UT Austin maintains a public hazing violations website showing:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members forced to consume milk and perform extreme calisthenics
Texas Wranglers (multiple years): Spirit group hazing involving alcohol coercion
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Lawsuit alleging assault causing broken bones
Multiple organizations with repeated violations despite probation

Why UT’s Transparency Matters for Lyford Families:
When your child is hazed at UT, we can immediately:

Check the organization’s violation history
Show patterns of known dangerous behavior
Demonstrate the university’s prior knowledge
Build stronger negligence cases against both the organization and university

University of Houston

Our Active Litigation Campus:
As we’re currently litigating the Leonel Bermudez case against UH, we have unparalleled insight into:

How UH investigates (or fails to investigate) hazing reports
Which administrators handle hazing cases
What internal reporting systems exist
How UHPD and Houston Police Department jurisdictions overlap
What insurance companies cover UH and its affiliated organizations

UH Greek Life Reality:

50+ fraternity and sorority chapters across multiple councils
Off-campus hazing houses throughout Houston
Digital hazing through GroupMe, WhatsApp, and social media
Retaliation against reporting students

Baylor University and Southern Methodist University

Private University Challenges:

Less public reporting than state schools
Strong alumni networks that protect organizations
Religious or institutional branding that complicates accountability
Confidential settlement preferences

Our Private University Experience:
We’ve successfully navigated the unique challenges of private university hazing cases, understanding how to:

Obtain records through litigation rather than public requests
Deal with influential alumni and donor networks
Handle religious institution protections
Secure justice despite institutional resistance

Fraternity and Sorority National Histories: Patterns That Predict Danger

High-Risk Organizations Operating in Texas

Pi Kappa Alpha (“Pike”) – Nation’s Deadliest Pattern

Stone Foltz (BGSU): $10 million settlement for alcohol hazing death
David Bogenberger (NIU): $14 million settlement for alcohol poisoning death
Multiple Texas chapters with hazing violations including UH, UT Austin, Texas A&M
Known pattern: “Big/Little” nights with forced handle consumption

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (“SAE”) – Chemical and Physical Abuse

Texas A&M chemical burns: Industrial cleaner poured on pledges requiring skin grafts
UT Austin assault lawsuit: Exchange student with broken bones and dislocated leg
University of Alabama TBI case: Traumatic brain injury from hazing ritual
National elimination of pledging in 2014 due to pattern of deaths

Pi Kappa Phi – Our Current Case Organization

Andrew Coffey (FSU): Death from alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother” night
Leonel Bermudez (UH): Our active case with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
Known pattern: Extreme physical hazing combined with alcohol coercion

Phi Delta Theta – Drinking Game Dangers

Max Gruver (LSU): “Bible study” drinking game death leading to Louisiana’s felony hazing law
Multiple Texas chapters with alcohol hazing violations
Known pattern: Academic-themed drinking games

Why National Histories Matter in Your Lyford Case

When we represent your family, we don’t just look at what happened to your child. We investigate:

Pattern Evidence: Has this national organization seen similar hazing at other chapters?
Prior Notice: Did the national know about dangerous traditions?
Policy vs. Practice: Did they have good policies but fail to enforce them?
Insurance Coverage: What policies cover national, regional, and local entities?

Example: How We Used Pattern Evidence in the Bermudez Case
By researching Pi Kappa Phi’s national history, we could show:

Similar physical hazing at other chapters
Prior alcohol-related incidents
Knowledge of dangerous “traditions”
Failure to implement meaningful prevention

Building Your Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Recovery

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important in 2025)

Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord messages
Social media: Instagram stories, Snapchat memories, TikTok videos
Deleted message recovery: Digital forensics can often recover “disappearing” content
Location data: GPS from photos, Find My Friends tracking, Snapchat maps

Medical Documentation

Emergency room records specifically mentioning hazing
Lab results showing alcohol levels, kidney function, muscle enzymes
Psychological evaluations diagnosing PTSD, depression, anxiety
Long-term care plans for permanent injuries

Physical Evidence

Injury photographs with date stamps and scale references
Hazing objects: paddles, costumes, alcohol containers
Damaged clothing with stains or tears
Receipts for forced purchases

Institutional Records

University conduct files on the organization
National fraternity incident reports
Insurance policies and coverage documents
Prior lawsuit settlements (often discoverable)

Damages: What Lyford Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Calculable Losses)

Medical bills: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, therapy
Future medical care: Lifelong treatment for permanent injuries
Lost educational costs: Tuition for withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships
Diminished earning capacity: Lifetime income reduction for disabilities

Non-Economic Damages (Compensation for Harm)

Physical pain and suffering from injuries
Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to participate in college experiences
Reputational harm: Social stigma and digital footprint damage

Wrongful Death Damages (When Tragedy Strikes)

Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of financial support your child would have provided
Loss of love, companionship, and guidance
Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (When Conduct Is Especially Bad)

Available when defendants show reckless disregard or intentional malice
Requires evidence of prior incidents, cover-ups, or extreme cruelty
Capped in Texas but can significantly increase recovery

Our Litigation Strategy: Why Experience Matters

Phase 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation (First 48 Hours)

Secure digital evidence before deletion
Document injuries with medical and photographic evidence
Identify and interview witnesses before coaching
Send preservation letters to organizations and universities

Phase 2: Comprehensive Investigation

Subpoena university and national fraternity records
Retain digital forensics experts for deleted message recovery
Consult medical specialists to document full injury extent
Research pattern evidence from similar incidents nationwide

Phase 3: Strategic Demand and Negotiation

Calculate full economic and non-economic damages
Present comprehensive demand package showing trial readiness
Negotiate from strength with insurance companies that know we’ll try cases
Use mediation effectively when appropriate

Phase 4: Trial Preparation and Resolution

Prepare every case as if it’s going to trial
Develop compelling narratives for juries
Work with expert witnesses to explain complex issues
Achieve maximum recovery through settlement or verdict

Practical Guide for Lyford Parents and Students

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed

Physical Red Flags:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent stories
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden weight changes from food/water manipulation
Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness)

Behavioral Changes:

New secrecy about organizational activities
Withdrawal from family and non-member friends
Personality shifts: anxiety, depression, irritability
Constant phone checking for group chat demands
Financial stress from forced purchases or “fines”

Academic Warning Signs:

Grades dropping suddenly
Missing classes for “mandatory” events
Falling asleep in class from sleep deprivation
Losing scholarships due to academic decline

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing

Immediate Safety First:

Call 911 if your child is injured or intoxicated
Get to emergency room—medical care comes before evidence
Remove from dangerous situation immediately

Evidence Preservation (Watch Our Video Guide):
We created a specific video showing how to use your cellphone to document evidence in hazing cases. Key steps:

Screenshot ALL group chats immediately (don’t delete anything)
Photograph injuries from multiple angles with date stamps
Save physical evidence: clothing, objects, receipts
Write detailed notes of what you’re told while fresh

Reporting Decisions:

Campus authorities: Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct
Local police: If crimes occurred (assault, furnishing alcohol to minors)
National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (anonymous)
Timing matters: Consult us before reporting to ensure evidence preservation

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

We made a video specifically about client mistakes that can ruin injury cases. For hazing cases, avoid these fatal errors:

Mistake #1: Deleting Evidence

What happens: Your child deletes “embarrassing” messages or photos
Why it’s devastating: Looks like cover-up; destroys your best evidence
Our advice: Preserve everything—even embarrassing content strengthens your case

Mistake #2: Confronting the Organization

What happens: You angrily call the fraternity president
Why it’s devastating: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Our advice: Document quietly, then call us—we’ll handle all communication

Mistake #3: Signing University Agreements

What happens: University offers “quick resolution” if you sign release
Why it’s devastating: You may waive right to sue for fair compensation
Our advice: Never sign anything without attorney review

Mistake #4: Posting on Social Media

What happens: You vent on Facebook about what happened
Why it’s devastating: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Our advice: Document privately, let us control public messaging

Mistake #5: Talking to Insurance Adjusters

What happens: Adjuster calls saying “we just need your statement”
Why it’s devastating: Recorded statements are used against you
Our advice: Politely say “my attorney will contact you”

Your Hazing Case Timeline

Day 1-7: Emergency Phase

Medical attention and evidence preservation

Emergency care if injured
Screenshot all digital evidence
Document everything in writing
Initial consultation with us

Week 1-4: Investigation Phase

Comprehensive evidence gathering

Medical documentation completion
Witness interviews
University record requests
Digital forensics if needed

Month 1-3: Demand Phase

Building your case value

Economic damage calculation
Non-economic damage assessment
Demand package preparation
Initial negotiations

Month 3-12: Litigation Phase

Formal legal action if needed

Filing lawsuit if settlement insufficient
Discovery process (document exchanges, depositions)
Expert witness preparation
Mediation attempts

Year 1-2: Resolution Phase

Settlement or trial

Continued negotiation
Trial preparation
Settlement or trial verdict
Recovery distribution

Why Lyford Families Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

Our Unique Qualifications

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
Use delay tactics to pressure families
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
Negotiate settlements from the defense perspective

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello)
We’re one of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation, giving us proven experience against:

Billion-dollar corporations with unlimited legal budgets
Complex insurance coverage networks
Multiple defendant coordination
Federal court procedures

Multi-Million Dollar Results

Logging accident brain injury: Multi-million dollar settlement
Car accident amputation case: Millions recovered
Wrongful death trucking cases: Seven-figure settlements
Maritime back injury: Significant compensation secured

Digital Evidence Mastery
We work with digital forensics experts who can:

Recover deleted group chats and messages
Authenticate social media evidence
Trace digital footprints across platforms
Preserve evidence in legally admissible ways

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Advantage

While other firms start investigations from scratch, we begin with:

1,423 Greek Organizations Tracked Across Texas

IRS B83 filings for 125+ Texas-registered Greek entities
Campus chapter rosters for every major Texas university
Metro-specific organization mapping
Insurance and corporate structure analysis

Pattern Recognition That Wins Cases
We don’t just look at what happened to your child. We research:

Same organization’s history at other campuses
Similar hazing methods used nationally
Prior incidents the university or national knew about
Insurance coverage across all potentially liable entities

Strategic Jurisdiction Understanding
We know which courts hear hazing cases from which campuses:

Harris County courts for UH cases
Travis County courts for UT Austin cases
Brazos County courts for Texas A&M cases
Federal courts when appropriate for Title IX or constitutional claims

Our Commitment to Lyford Families

We Understand Rural Texas Values
As a firm serving communities across Texas, we respect:

Family loyalty and protective instincts
Community reputation concerns
Desire for privacy during difficult times
Need for clear, honest communication

Spanish Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish and can serve Spanish-speaking families directly. No translation barriers, no cultural misunderstandings—just direct attorney-client communication.

Contingency Fee Structure
We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. This aligns our interests with yours and ensures every family can afford quality representation.

Frequently Asked Questions from Lyford Families

Q: Can we sue the university even though it’s a public school?
A: Yes, but with important limitations. Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in their personal capacity. Every case is fact-specific—call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case analysis.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus at a private house?
A: Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major hazing cases (including Pi Delta Psi’s retreat death) occurred off-campus and still resulted in multi-million dollar judgments.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Generally two years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but exceptions exist. The “discovery rule” may extend time if harm wasn’t immediately known, and fraudulent concealment by defendants may toll (pause) the statute. Time is critical—evidence disappears fast. Watch our video on Texas statutes of limitations for more details.

Q: Will our child’s name be public if we sue?
A: Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

Q: What if our child “agreed” to the initiation activities?
A: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion isn’t true voluntary consent.

Q: Can we afford your services?
A: Yes. We work on contingency—no fees unless we win your case. This includes all investigation costs, expert fees, and litigation expenses. Watch our video explaining how contingency fees work.

Contact Attorney911 for Your Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends UTRGV, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any Texas campus—we’re here to help. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including Lyford and all of Willacy County.

Immediate Help Available:

24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Office: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We’ll listen to your story without judgment or interruption
Review any evidence you’ve preserved (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options clearly and honestly
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
Answer all your questions about costs, process, and potential outcomes
No pressure to hire us immediately—take time to decide

Hablamos Español: Contact Lupe Peña directly at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales completos disponibles en español.

For Lyford Families Specifically: We understand the unique challenges when your child faces hazing hours from home. We’ll work with your schedule, communicate regularly, and keep you informed every step of the way. Whether you need to meet in person or consult by phone/video, we’ll make it work for your family.

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