The Complete Guide to Fraternity & Sorority Hazing Litigation for Families in Marion County, Texas

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

Imagine this: your son from Jefferson, Marion County, texts you from Texas A&M that he’s “fine,” but his voice sounds strained during your weekly call. He mentions “mandatory brotherhood events” that keep him up until 3 AM. Weeks later, you get a call from a College Station hospital—he’s being treated for acute kidney failure after an extreme fraternity “workout.” The university expresses concern but warns the investigation could take months. The fraternity’s national headquarters issues a generic statement about “zero tolerance.” You’re left in Marion County, hours away, feeling powerless, angry, and searching for someone who knows how to fight back against a system designed to protect institutions over your child.

This is not a hypothetical horror story. For families in Marion County—from Jefferson to Smithland, from Uncertain to Woodlawn—this nightmare became reality for the family of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student whose fall 2025 pledge period with Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter left him with rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and a four-day hospitalization. Right now, our firm represents him in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families across Marion County and throughout East Texas. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects (and sometimes fails) victims, what’s happening on campuses where Marion County students enroll, and most importantly, what legal options exist when institutions fail to protect your child.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES IN MARION COUNTY

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

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas Universities

For Marion County families whose children may be first-generation college students or navigating Greek life for the first time, understanding modern hazing is crucial. It’s not just about “boys being boys” or harmless pranks. Today’s hazing is sophisticated, often digital, and deliberately hidden from parents and administrators.

A Modern Definition for Marion County Families

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. The critical understanding for Marion County parents is this: “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the deadliest form. It includes forced or coerced drinking during “bid acceptance” nights, “Big/Little” reveals, or drinking games like the “Bible study” that killed Max Gruver at LSU. At the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi chapter, Leonel Bermudez was forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then forced to immediately sprint.

2. Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, this now includes extreme calisthenics disguised as “workouts.” In the UH case, Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats during what members called the “Nov 3 workout.” Other physical hazing includes cold-weather exposure (being outside in underwear), lying in vomit-soaked grass, and “save-your-brother” drills that push bodies to collapse.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions), and degrading costumes. At Texas A&M, a Corps of Cadets member alleged being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. At UH, pledges carried “pledge fanny packs” containing condoms, sex toys, and other humiliating items 24/7.

4. Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, and manipulation. Pledges are often cut off from non-members, required to ask permission for basic activities, and subjected to “interviews” designed to break down self-esteem. The psychological impact can lead to PTSD, depression, and suicide ideation.

5. Digital/Online Hazing
This is where hazing has evolved most dramatically. Marion County parents might see:

Group chat monitoring: Pledges required to respond instantly to messages at all hours
Location tracking: Forced use of Find My Friends or Life360
Social media humiliation: Forced TikTok challenges, Instagram story dares
Deleted evidence: Use of Snapchat’s vanish mode or Signal’s disappearing messages

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

Marion County students encounter hazing in multiple environments:

Fraternities and Sororities: This includes IFC fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, NPHC (Divine Nine) organizations, and multicultural Greek groups. The Pi Kappa Phi case at UH involves an IFC fraternity.

Corps of Cadets / ROTC: Texas A&M’s Corps has faced multiple hazing allegations, including the “roasted pig” case seeking over $1 million in damages.

Athletic Teams: From football to cheerleading, athletic hazing often involves forced drinking, humiliation, and physical abuse under the guise of “team bonding.”

Spirit Squads & Tradition Groups: Organizations like the Texas Cowboys at UT Austin have faced hazing sanctions.

Marching Bands & Performance Groups: These groups have nationally documented hazing problems, including the fatal case of Robert Champion at Florida A&M.

The common thread across all these groups? Social status, tradition, and secrecy keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What Marion County Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws, but understanding how they work in practice is essential for Marion County families considering legal action.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F

Definition (Plain English): Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health and occurs for purposes of joining or maintaining membership in any organization.

Key Points for Marion County Families:

Can happen on or off campus (location doesn’t matter)
Can be mental or physical harm
Intent: Doesn’t have to be malicious; “reckless” is enough
“Consent” is not a defense: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense

Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing without 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

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (district attorney)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter
Example: In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, criminal referrals were promised

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision
Critical: A criminal conviction is NOT required to pursue a civil case

Federal Law Overlay

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing transparently
Strengthens hazing education and prevention
Public hazing data required by 2026

Title IX & Clery Act:

When hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX obligations trigger
Clery requires reporting certain crimes; hazing often overlaps with assault/alcohol crimes

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

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

2. Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity/sorority itself (if incorporated)

3. National Fraternity/Sorority: Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters

4. University or Governing Board: Schools may be liable under negligence or civil-rights theories

5. Third Parties: Landlords, alcohol providers, security companies

In the UH case, our lawsuit names 17 defendants: UH, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national HQ, Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Precedents Mean for Marion County Families

Major national cases establish patterns that directly affect how Texas courts view hazing claims. These aren’t just distant tragedies—they’re legal precedents that shape what Marion County families can expect.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
What happened: Bid-acceptance event with forced drinking, Piazza suffered fatal falls captured on chapter cameras, hours delayed before calling 911.
Legal outcome: Dozens of criminal charges, civil litigation, Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
Marion County relevance: Shows how delay in calling 911 multiplies liability.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
What happened: “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking, Gruver died with 0.495% BAC.
Legal outcome: Felony hazing law in Louisiana (Max Gruver Act), $6.1M verdict.
Marion County relevance: Demonstrates how “games” are legally hazing.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
What happened: Pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night, died from alcohol poisoning.
Legal outcome: $10M total settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU).
Marion County relevance: Shows university financial liability alongside fraternity liability.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
What happened: Pledge subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat, fatal head injuries, delayed help.
Legal outcome: National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
Marion County relevance: Off-campus “retreats” don’t eliminate liability.

Athletic Program Hazing Pattern

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
What happened: Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program.
Legal outcome: Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired and settled wrongful-termination confidentially.
Marion County relevance: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs.

What These Cases Mean for Marion County

Common threads across all cases: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements typically follow only after tragedy and litigation. Marion County families facing hazing operate in a landscape shaped by these national lessons.

Texas University Focus: Where Marion County Students Attend

Marion County families often send students to universities across Texas. Understanding each campus’s hazing landscape is crucial.

Texas A&M University – Where Many Marion County Students Attend

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Texas A&M’s culture of tradition affects both Greek life and the Corps of Cadets. For Marion County students, A&M represents opportunity but also unique risks.

Documented Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)
- Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner
- Severe chemical burns requiring emergency skin grafts
- Fraternity suspended for two years; pledges sued for $1M
Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023)
- Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts
- Bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth
- Sought over $1M in damages; A&M stated it handled matter internally

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed:

Involves A&M Police Department and potentially Bryan/College Station PD
Civil suits typically filed in Brazos County courts
Potential defendants: Individual cadets/members, chapter, national HQ, Texas A&M University System

What Marion County A&M Families Should Do:

Report to Student Conduct Office and Corps leadership (if applicable)
Document through A&M’s online reporting system
Understand that A&M’s tradition-heavy culture can complicate reporting

University of Texas at Austin

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
UT Austin’s large Greek system and transparent hazing violation reporting provide both opportunities and visibility for hazing issues.

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page:
UT maintains one of Texas’ most transparent systems at hazing.utexas.edu. Recent entries include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter probation
Texas Wranglers: Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
Multiple spirit organizations disciplined for punishment-based practices

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed:

UTPD and Austin PD jurisdiction depending on location
Civil suits typically in Travis County courts
UT’s public violation log provides powerful pattern evidence

What Marion County UT Families Should Do:

Check UT’s hazing violation database for organization history
Report through Dean of Students and UTPD
Utilize UT’s relatively transparent system to build case

University of Houston – Site of Our Active $10M Lawsuit

The Leonel Bermudez Pi Kappa Phi Case:
Currently, we represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10M lawsuit against UH and Pi Kappa Phi. The facts illustrate modern hazing’s brutality:

Hazing Timeline:

Sept 16, 2025: Bermudez accepts bid
Sept-Oct: Forced dress codes, overnight chauffeuring, “pledge fanny pack” humiliation
Oct 13: Another pledge hog-tied face-down on table with object in mouth for over an hour
Nov 3: Bermudez forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
Nov 6-9: Hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure

Institutional Response:

Nov 6: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
Nov 14: Chapter members vote to surrender charter
UH Statement: Conduct “deeply disturbing,” cooperation with law enforcement promised

What Marion County UH Families Should Do:

Report to UH Dean of Students and UHPD
Document through UH’s Office of Student Conduct
Understand that UH’s urban setting means multiple police jurisdictions may be involved

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

SMU’s Greek-Intensive Culture:

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017): New members paddled, forced to drink, sleep deprived; chapter suspended
Private university status affects transparency
Civil suits can compel discovery even without public reports

Baylor’s Religious Context:

Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following investigation
Baylor’s history with Title IX and football scandal affects oversight culture
Religious branding interacts with hazing accountability

Fraternity & Sorority Histories: National Patterns That Affect Marion County Students

When a Marion County student joins a fraternity or sorority at a Texas university, they’re joining an organization with national history—and that history matters legally.

Why National Histories Matter for Liability

National fraternities/sororities have thick anti-hazing manuals because they’ve seen deaths and catastrophic injuries. When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that got another chapter shut down in another state, that shows foreseeability—a key element in negligence cases.

Organization-Specific Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – Multiple Fatalities

Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021): $10M settlement
David Bogenberger (NIU, 2012): $14M settlement
Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking nights repeatedly cause deaths

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Nationwide Problems

Multiple hazing-related deaths nationally
University of Alabama: Traumatic brain injury lawsuit
Texas A&M: Chemical burns case with $1M lawsuit
UT Austin: Assault case with broken bones, facial fractures

Phi Delta Theta – Max Gruver Precedent

Max Gruver (LSU, 2017): $6.1M verdict, Louisiana felony hazing law
Pattern of “Bible study” and drinking games

Pi Kappa Phi – Our Active UH Case

Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017): Hazing death during “Big Brother” night
Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025): Our active $10M lawsuit
Pattern of extreme physical hazing and forced consumption

How Patterns Create Legal Liability

Courts consider whether national organizations:

Meaningfully enforced anti-hazing policies
Responded aggressively enough to prior incidents
Had constructive knowledge of dangerous traditions

This affects:

Settlement leverage against national HQs
Insurance coverage disputes
Potential for punitive damages

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages & Strategy for Marion County Families

When hazing occurs, building a strong case requires immediate action and sophisticated strategy. Here’s what Marion County families need to know.

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases

1. Digital Communications

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage: Screenshot immediately—messages disappear fast
Social Media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat (screenshot before they vanish), TikTok
Fraternity Apps: Chapter-specific communication platforms
Digital Forensics: Even deleted messages can often be recovered

2. Photos & Videos

Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
Security camera or doorbell footage at houses
Photos of injuries from multiple angles with date stamps

3. Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts
Emails/texts from officers about traditions
National policies and training materials

4. University Records

Prior conduct files (obtained via subpoena)
Incident reports to campus police
Clery Act reports showing patterns

5. Medical Documentation

ER and hospitalization records (must mention “hazing”)
Toxicological reports
Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy)
Future medical care (lifetime projections for severe injuries)
Lost earnings/educational impact (missed semesters, delayed graduation)
Diminished earning capacity (for permanent disabilities)

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life
Wrongful death damages (for families): funeral costs, loss of companionship

In the UH case, Bermudez’s damages include four days of hospitalization, ongoing kidney treatment, psychological trauma, and potential permanent kidney damage.

Insurance Coverage: The Hidden Battle

Fraternities and universities carry insurance, but insurers often argue:

Hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct”
Policies don’t cover certain defendants
Claims exceed policy limits

Our insider insurance knowledge (from Mr. Lupe Peña’s defense background) helps navigate these disputes to maximize recovery.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Marion County Families

If you are a parent in Marion County, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Below is a sampling of the Texas Greek-life entities we track through public records—each with legal names, EINs, and locations recorded in IRS and other filings. This directory illustrates the complex network of organizations that may share liability when hazing occurs.

Northeast Texas & Statewide Entities Relevant to Marion County Families

Texas-Based Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Filings):

Stephen F. Austin State University Connections
- Alpha Tau Omega Housing Corporation of Eta Iota Chapter
- EIN: 300517788 | 316 E Lakewood St, Nacogdoches, TX 75965
- IRS B83 filing: Fraternity housing corporation
University of Texas at Tyler Region
- Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – University of Texas at Tyler Chapter
- EIN: 352335400 | 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75799
- IRS B83 filing: Academic honor society
East Texas Greek Network
- Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc
- EIN: 273662583 | 1416 Sleepy Hollow Dr, Lufkin, TX 75904
- IRS B83 filing: Fraternity chapter corporation
Greek Alumni Organizations
- Sigma Phi Epsilon New York Chi Alumni Association Inc
- EIN: 262710856 | 618 Rutland St, Houston, TX 77007
- IRS B83 filing: Alumni association

Cause IQ Metro Organizations (East Texas Region):

Shreveport-Bossier/Texarkana Metro Greek Presence
- Multiple Delta Kappa Gamma Society chapters serving educators
- Various locations across Northeast Texas
- Cause IQ metro listing: Professional educational sorority
Longview-Tyler Greek Network
- Local alumni chapters of national fraternities/sororities
- Serving LeTourneau University and UT Tyler communities
- Cause IQ metro data: Graduate/alumni chapters

Major Texas Universities Where Marion County Students Enroll

Texas A&M University System:

Multiple housing corporations and educational foundations
EIN examples: 900293166 (Phi Kappa Phi at Texas A&M)
IRS B83 filings show dense network of Greek entities

University of Texas System:

Austin-based house corporations (Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, etc.)
Honor societies and alumni associations statewide
Public records reveal interconnected Greek infrastructure

University of Houston System:

Including our active Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation case
Multiple NPHC (Divine Nine) graduate chapters in IRS filings
Complex web of liability across entities

What This Directory Means for Marion County Families

These public records matter because:

Liability Mapping: Each entity may carry insurance or assets
Pattern Evidence: Multiple entities under same national brand show organizational reach
Investigation Starting Points: We don’t start from zero—we know where to look

We maintain this comprehensive directory so Marion County families never face institutional defendants without knowing exactly who they are and how they’re connected.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Marion County Families

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Actions

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal academic stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities (“I can’t talk about it”)
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Financial drains (unexplained expenses for “fines” or alcohol)

How to Talk to Your Child:

Ask open questions: “How are new member activities going?”
Express concern without judgment: “I’m worried about your safety”
Emphasize: “Your health matters more than any organization”

If Your Child Is Hurt:

Medical care FIRST: Even if they resist
Document everything: Photos, screenshots, notes
Preserve evidence: Don’t wash clothing, don’t delete messages
Contact an attorney BEFORE talking to university or insurance

For Students: Recognizing & Exiting Hazing

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/university approve if they knew?
Am I being told to keep secrets?

How to Exit Safely:

Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
Send email/text to chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting”—that’s where pressure/retaliation happens
If threatened, report to campus police and Dean of Students

Evidence Collection for Students:

Screenshots: Capture full conversations with timestamps
Photos: Injuries from multiple angles (include ruler for scale)
Medical records: Tell providers you were hazed
Witness info: Names/contacts of others who saw what happened

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages
What happens: Looks like cover-up, destroys strongest evidence
Instead: Preserve everything immediately—embarrassing content proves coercion

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly
What happens: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Instead: Document everything, call attorney before any contact

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
What happens: You may waive right to sue for inadequate settlement
Instead: “I need to have my attorney review this before signing”

4. Posting on Social Media Before Legal Advice
What happens: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Instead: Document privately; let your attorney control messaging

5. Waiting “to See How University Handles It”
What happens: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
Instead:* Preserve evidence NOW; consult attorney immediately

FAQ for Marion County Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have sovereign immunity limitations, but exceptions exist for gross negligence and Title IX violations. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections. Every case is fact-specific.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor default, but it becomes a state jail felony if hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case involves potential felony charges.

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to it?”
Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately known. In cover-up cases, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical.

“What if hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and foreseeability. The Pi Delta Psi fatal hazing occurred at a remote retreat—national was still convicted.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize family privacy while pursuing accountability.

Why Attorney911 for Marion County Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Marion County and all of East Texas.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña)

Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims
Understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies
“We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello)

One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
Not intimidated by national fraternities or university defense teams
“We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience

Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases
Economist collaboration for lifetime care valuation
Experience with catastrophic injuries: brain damage, organ failure, permanent disability
“We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise

Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Investigative Depth

Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
Experience obtaining hidden evidence (group chats, chapter records, university files)
. “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Texas-Specific Geographic Mastery

While based in Houston, we serve families statewide
Understanding of Texas courts, procedures, and jurisdictional issues
Experience with both urban campuses and traditions-heavy schools like Texas A&M

Our Approach to Hazing Cases

We Start with Compassion:
We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our first job is to listen without judgment, understand what happened, and explain your options clearly.

We Investigate Thoroughly:
Unlike some firms that rush to settle, we:

Recover deleted digital evidence through forensics
Subpoena national fraternity records showing prior incidents
Uncover university files through discovery
Consult medical experts to document full injury scope

We Fight for Accountability, Not Just Money:
While compensation matters for medical bills and future care, we also pursue:

Policy changes to prevent future hazing
Chapter closures when warranted
Public accountability when appropriate
Legacy considerations (scholarships, foundations in victim’s name)

We Communicate Constantly:
You’ll never wonder what’s happening with your case. We provide regular updates and are always available to answer questions.

Call to Action for Marion County Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether at Texas A&M, UT Austin, University of Houston, or any other school—we want to hear from you. Families in Marion County, from Jefferson to Smithland, have the right to answers and accountability.

Your Free, Confidential Consultation

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward.

What to Expect in Your Consultation:

We listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure to hire us—take time to decide
Everything you tell us is confidential

Contact Information

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

Serving All of Texas from Our Houston Office

While our physical offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including:

Marion County and all of East Texas
The Piney Woods region
The Ark-La-Tex area
Every Texas community affected by campus hazing

Whether your child attends school in College Station, Austin, Houston, or beyond, we have the experience and resources to help.

Final Word to Marion County Families

Hazing thrives in silence and shame. It preys on young people’s desire to belong and uses tradition as justification for abuse. But Texas law provides avenues for accountability, and experienced legal counsel can navigate those avenues effectively.

The University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi case shows that even in 2025, extreme hazing continues. But it also shows that accountability is possible when families have proper representation and evidence is preserved.

You don’t have to face this alone. If hazing has impacted your family, call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let us help you get answers, pursue accountability, and prevent this from happening to another family in Marion County or anywhere in Texas.

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

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

Attorney911 Educational YouTube 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