Hazing at Texas Universities: A Complete Guide for Mathis Families Seeking Accountability

If your child attends college anywhere in Texas—whether at Texas A&M University-Kingsville just up the road, the University of Houston, Texas A&M in College Station, UT Austin, or any other campus—you need to understand the real dangers of modern hazing. As parents in Mathis and throughout San Patricio County, you’ve worked hard to give your children opportunities. The thought that they could be injured, humiliated, or even killed during a fraternity, sorority, Corps, or athletic team initiation is a nightmare that feels distant until it isn’t.

Right now, in Harris County, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly died after being hazed by the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. The Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case details how he was forced through brutal workouts, humiliated with a “pledge fanny pack,” sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and made to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. He developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine was brown. He was hospitalized for four days and faces ongoing health risks. This $10 million lawsuit names the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, and 13 individual members. The chapter has been shut down.

This is not an isolated incident. It is a pattern. And it connects directly to families here in Mathis whose students attend schools across our state.

This guide is for you—Mathis parents and families—who need straight answers about hazing, Texas law, and what to do if your child has been hurt. We will explain what modern hazing really looks like, break down the legal framework, show how national patterns repeat at Texas schools, and provide actionable steps to protect your child and hold organizations accountable.

IF YOUR CHILD IS IN DANGER RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for immediate legal guidance.
• Preserve Evidence: Screenshot group chats, photograph injuries, save all communications. Do not delete anything. Watch our video on using your phone to document evidence.
• Do Not Confront the Organization: This can trigger evidence destruction and witness coaching.
• Contact Us Within 24-48 Hours: Evidence disappears fast. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025

Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or harmless tradition. Under Texas law, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group. It happens in fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, spirit groups, Corps of Cadets, marching bands, and other campus organizations.

For Mathis families, understanding the evolution of hazing is critical. It has moved far beyond simple pranks into systematic abuse that is often digitally coordinated and deliberately hidden.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (The Gateway)
This establishes power imbalance and conditioning. It includes mandatory servitude (cleaning, errands, being on-call 24/7), social isolation, demeaning nicknames, “optional” events that are socially mandatory, and sleep interference. In the digital age, this now includes constant group chat monitoring, forced location sharing via apps, and social media policing.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (Escalation)
This causes clear emotional or physical discomfort. It includes verbal abuse, sleep deprivation, food/water restrictions, forced strenuous exercise (“smokings”), public humiliation, and exposure to disgusting conditions. Modern twists involve digital humiliation—forcing pledges to post embarrassing content on TikTok or Instagram—and livestreaming abuse for members’ entertainment.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (Catastrophic Risk)
These acts have high potential for serious injury, sexual assault, or death. This includes forced alcohol consumption (chugging, funneling, drinking games), forced drug use, physical beatings and paddling, dangerous physical “tests,” sexualized hazing, kidnapping/restraint, and exposure to extreme environments. Tragically, we now see “retreat hazing” where groups move violent rituals to off-campus Airbnbs or rural properties to avoid detection.

The Hazing Playbook: How Organizations Avoid Detection

Groups have become sophisticated at evading accountability:

1. The “It’s Optional” Lie: Activities are framed as voluntary to create legal cover, but refusal means social exclusion.
2. Off-Campus Venue Shifting: Moving hazing to houses not owned by the university or fraternity.
3. Digital Cover-Ups: Using encrypted apps, deleting messages, and coaching members on what to say.
4. Euphemistic Language: Calling hazing “bonding,” “team building,” or “new member education.”
5. The “Anti-Hazing Policy” Shield: Pointing to written policies while systematically ignoring them.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Mathis Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, primarily under Chapter 37, Subchapter F of the Education Code. Understanding this framework is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Criminal Hazing Law (Education Code §37.151-§37.156)

Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in a student organization.

Key Provisions for Mathis Families:

• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law. Courts recognize power imbalance and coercion.
• Criminal Penalties (§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.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The organization itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or encouraged hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
• Good-Faith Reporting Immunity (§37.154): Those who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability. Many universities extend amnesty for underage drinking when help is summoned.

Civil Liability vs. Criminal Charges

As Mathis parents, you need to understand two parallel paths:

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (prosecutor).
• Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation).
• Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, or manslaughter.
• A criminal conviction is powerful but not required for civil action.

Civil Lawsuits:

• Brought by victims/families to recover damages.
• Goal: Compensation, accountability, and institutional reform.
• Based on negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, etc.
• Can proceed regardless of criminal case outcome.

Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing transparently and maintain public data (phasing in through 2026). This will force more sunlight onto patterns at Texas schools.

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, Title IX imposes specific duties on universities to investigate and remedy.

Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes; hazing incidents often overlap with assaults or alcohol crimes that must be disclosed.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

In a civil hazing case, multiple parties may bear responsibility:

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. Local Chapter: The fraternity/sorority itself as a legal entity.
3. National Headquarters: For failing to supervise, enforce policies, or act on prior knowledge.
4. The University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference, or premises liability.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, alcohol providers, or security companies.

The University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates this multi-defendant approach, suing individuals, the local chapter, the national fraternity, the housing corporation, and the university itself.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases below are not just national news—they are blueprints for what happens when institutions fail. They show patterns that repeat, including here in Texas.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A 20-year-old pledge died after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” night. The family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). This case shows how formulaic drinking rituals kill.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A pledge died during a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. His blood alcohol level was 0.495%. This led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute. The pattern: drinking games disguised as “education.”

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): A pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night.” This is the same national fraternity involved in the University of Houston case we’re litigating. The pattern: “big/little” events as drinking occasions.

The Physical & Ritualized Violence Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): A pledge died from traumatic brain injury after being blindfolded, weighted down, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. The pattern: violent traditions justified as “cultural.”

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): An 18-year-old pledge suffered permanent, severe brain damage after being forced to drink excessively. He cannot walk, talk, or see and requires 24/7 care. The family settled with 22 defendants. The pattern: non-fatal injuries that are nonetheless catastrophic.

The Athletic Hazing Pattern

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Former players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the program. Multiple lawsuits led to the head coach’s firing and a confidential settlement. This proves hazing extends far beyond Greek life into major athletic programs.

What These Patterns Mean for Mathis Families

These are not isolated events. They represent predictable scripts: forced drinking nights, violent traditions, and institutional cover-ups. When the same national organizations operate chapters at Texas A&M, UT, UH, SMU, and Baylor—and when they have prior knowledge of these patterns—their failure to prevent repeat occurrences forms the basis for negligence claims.

Texas Universities: A Hazing Reality Check for Mathis Families

Mathis students attend colleges across Texas. Some commute to Texas A&M University-Kingsville or Del Mar College in nearby Corpus Christi. Many attend major universities like Texas A&M in College Station, UT Austin, or the University of Houston. Each campus has its own hazing landscape.

University of Houston: The Active Front Line

For Mathis Families: Houston is within driving distance for many, and UH attracts students from across the Coastal Bend region. The ongoing Pi Kappa Phi case is a stark reminder that severe hazing happens here.

The Leonel Bermudez Case in Detail:
Our client’s ordeal in Fall 2025 involved:

• A “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms, a sex toy, and nicotine devices he was required to carry 24/7.
• Forced labor including overnight chauffeuring, strict dress codes, and hours-long “study blocks.”
• Physical torture: sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, lying in vomit-soaked grass, cold-weather exposure in underwear, and being sprayed in the face with a hose.
• The November 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under threat of expulsion.
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.

Medical Catastrophe: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels, and faces ongoing kidney damage risk.

UH’s Greek Ecosystem: UH hosts numerous fraternities and sororities with documented histories. The university’s response—labeling conduct “deeply disturbing” and cooperating with law enforcement—is being tested in court. For Mathis families with students at UH, this case underscores the importance of vigilance and immediate action if hazing is suspected.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville & The South Texas Corridor

For Mathis Families: TAMUK is the nearest major university to Mathis. Its Greek life, while smaller than flagship campuses, is not immune to hazing risks. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Del Mar College also serve the region.

Local Greek Landscape (From Public Records):
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks Greek organizations across the state. In the Corpus Christi metro area (which includes Mathis’s San Patricio County), public filings show entities like:

• Alpha Sigma Phi – Iota Phi Chapter (EIN: 831418972) – Corpus Christi, TX – A Texas A&M-CC chapter.
• Sigma Chi Fraternity – Zeta Pi Chapter – Kingsville, TX – A Texas A&M-Kingsville chapter.
• Kappa Sigma Fraternity – Rho-Psi Colony – Corpus Christi, TX – A TAMU-CC colony.

These IRS-registered organizations and their national counterparts have liability when hazing occurs. The national histories of fraternities like Sigma Chi (multi-million dollar settlements at other campuses) and Kappa Sigma (alcohol-related deaths) create foreseeable risks that nationals must actively manage.

Texas A&M University (College Station)

For Mathis Families: Many ambitious students from our area head to College Station. Texas A&M’s size, tradition-heavy culture, and prominent Corps of Cadets create a specific hazing environment.

Recent A&M Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Two pledges alleged they were doused with an industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million. The fraternity was suspended.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged he was subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages.
• Corps Culture: The Corps has faced repeated scrutiny over hazing traditions disguised as “discipline” or “motivation.”

A&M’s Greek Ecosystem: With one of the largest Greek systems in the country, A&M hosts chapters of nearly every major national fraternity and sorority—including those with deadly hazing histories like Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Phi Delta Theta. The university’s ability to supervise hundreds of organizations is a constant legal question.

University of Texas at Austin

For Mathis Families: UT Austin is a top destination. It also maintains one of Texas’s most transparent hazing violation logs, providing a public window into recurring problems.

UT’s Public Hazing Log Shows Patterns:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Outcome: Probation and mandatory education.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Ongoing investigation into an assault allegation involving an international student who suffered a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractures.
• Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.

Transparency vs. Effectiveness: UT’s public log is commendable, but the repeated violations by the same organizations suggest systemic issues. For families, this log can be evidence in a civil case, showing the university and nationals had prior knowledge of specific dangerous practices.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

For Mathis Families: While farther away, SMU and Baylor attract Texas students with their private, residential campuses and strong Greek identities.

SMU’s Context: As a private university, SMU has less public reporting but has faced serious incidents. The Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended in 2017 for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation. The national KA has a documented history of hazing violations across the country.

Baylor’s Context: Following its major athletic scandals, Baylor has been under heightened scrutiny. A 2020 baseball hazing incident led to 14 player suspensions. The university’s “zero tolerance” rhetoric is tested whenever new allegations arise.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

When a hazing incident occurs at a Texas chapter, the national organization’s history is legally relevant. It establishes foreseeability—they knew or should have known this could happen because it has happened before in their network.

National Fraternities with Documented Hazing Patterns

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): The fraternity involved in the Stone Foltz death ($10M settlement) and other fatalities. Their “Big/Little” drinking tradition is a known killer. Pike chapters exist at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and other Texas schools.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Once called “the deadliest fraternity” by some publications, SAE has been involved in multiple alcohol-poisoning deaths. They eliminated the pledge program nationally in 2014 in response, but problems persist, as seen in the Texas A&M chemical burns case.

Pi Kappa Phi: The national fraternity in our UH case. They were also involved in the Andrew Coffey death at Florida State. This pattern shows a failure to eradicate dangerous practices across chapters.

Phi Delta Theta: The fraternity in the Max Gruver death at LSU, which led to felony hazing legislation. Their “Bible study” drinking game is a repeated script.

Kappa Alpha Order: Known for traditionalist culture and hazing violations, including the suspended SMU chapter. Their national leadership has repeatedly faced allegations of tolerating abusive traditions.

How National Histories Build a Civil Case

In litigation, we use these national patterns to prove:

1. Foreseeability: The national knew this type of hazing was a risk in their chapters.
2. Inadequate Response: Their policies, training, or enforcement were insufficient to prevent known dangers.
3. Negligent Supervision: They failed to monitor chapters effectively despite prior incidents.
4. Punitive Damage Arguments: Their conscious disregard for student safety may warrant punishment beyond compensation.

For a Mathis family, this means the lawsuit isn’t just against the local students who carried out the hazing. It’s against the entire system that enabled it.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

If hazing has injured your child, taking immediate, strategic action is critical. The first 48 hours often determine the outcome.

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

• Group Chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage): Screenshot EVERYTHING before it’s deleted. These show planning, participation, threats, and cover-up attempts.
• Social Media (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok): Preserve posts, stories, DMs, and comments that reference the event, show injuries, or involve participants.
• Photos/Videos: Any media from the event itself is powerful evidence.
• Email & Text Threads: Communications with officers, advisors, or nationals.

Physical Evidence:

• Injuries: Photograph from multiple angles over several days. Bruises often worsen before healing.
• Objects: Paddles, alcohol bottles, costumes, or props used.
• Clothing: Do not wash clothing with stains (blood, vomit, chemicals).

Institutional Records (Obtained via Discovery or FOIA):

• University conduct files on the organization.
• Campus police reports.
• National fraternity/sorority incident reports and risk management files.
• Prior complaints or warnings.

Medical Documentation:

• ER records, hospitalization reports, lab results (like creatine kinase for rhabdomyolysis).
• Follow-up care records and psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
• Tell healthcare providers the injury resulted from hazing so it’s documented.

Our video on using your phone to document a legal case provides practical guidance for this critical step.

Overcoming Common Defense Tactics

Organizations and their insurers use predictable defenses. We know how to counter them:

Defense: “The Victim Consented.”

• Our Response: Texas law (§37.155) states consent is not a defense. We demonstrate coercion through power imbalance, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion.

Defense: “This Was a Rogue Chapter; National Didn’t Know.”

• Our Response: We subpoena national records to show prior incidents and prove “foreseeability.” We demonstrate patterns across chapters.

Defense: “It Happened Off-Campus, Not Our Responsibility.”

• Our Response: Courts have consistently held nationals and universities liable for off-campus hazing when they sponsor organizations or have knowledge. The Pi Delta Psi retreat case is precedent.

Defense: “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies.”

• Our Response: We show the gap between paper policies and actual enforcement. Prior minimal punishments prove policies were ineffective window-dressing.

Defense: “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts.”

• Our Response: We argue negligent supervision by the national or university is covered, even if individual acts were intentional. We identify all potential insurance policies.

Recoverable Damages for Hazing Victims

Civil lawsuits seek to make victims whole and hold wrongdoers accountable. Recoverable damages include:

Economic Damages:

• All past and future medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medications).
• Lost income and diminished future earning capacity (if injuries affect ability to work).
• Educational costs (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships).

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress, humiliation, PTSD.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

• Funeral and burial costs.
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and financial support.
• Emotional suffering of parents and siblings.

Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or malicious conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

The ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit details the severe damages in that ongoing case.

Practical Guide for Mathis Parents, Students, & Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Steps

Red Flags Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities.
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
• Constant phone anxiety (monitoring group chats).
• Grades plummeting.
• Requests for unusual amounts of money.

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety: If in immediate danger, call 911.
2. Listen Without Judgment: Create a safe space for your child to talk.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help them screenshot digital evidence. Photograph injuries.
4. Seek Medical Care: Even if they resist. Document everything.
5. Contact an Attorney BEFORE Reporting: We can help you navigate reporting to maximize protection and evidence preservation. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.
6. Do NOT: Confront the organization, sign university paperwork, or post on social media.

For Students: Is This Hazing? How to Get Out Safely

Ask Yourself:

• Would I do this if I could truly say “no” without consequences?
• Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Am I being told to keep secrets?
• If the answer is “yes,” it’s hazing.

To Exit Safely:

• Tell someone you trust (parent, RA, counselor) FIRST.
• Send a clear, written resignation to the chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately.”
• Do NOT attend “one last meeting.”
• If threatened or harassed, report it to campus police and the Dean of Students immediately. Document all communications.
• You have the legal right to leave. Texas law protects good-faith reporters.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case

1. Deleting Evidence: It looks like a cover-up and destroys your case. PRESERVE, don’t delete.
2. Confronting the Organization: Triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: Often include waivers of your right to sue.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys scour social media for inconsistencies.
5. Waiting for the University to “Handle It”: Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, statutes of limitations run.
6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone: They record statements to use against you.

We detail these pitfalls in our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case.

Frequently Asked Questions for Mathis Families

Q: Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?
A: Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence or Title IX violations. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections. The facts of each case determine viability.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Generally, two years from the date of injury or death in Texas. However, exceptions (the “discovery rule”) may apply if the full extent of harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. Do not wait. Evidence decays and memories fade. Watch our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

Q: Will our name be public?
A: Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms to protect your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

Q: Can we afford a lawyer?
A: Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and wrongful death cases. This means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we recover money for you. Learn more in our video on how contingency fees work.

Why Attorney911 Is the Right Firm for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions—universities and national fraternities—fight back, and who have the experience, resources, and tenacity to win anyway.

We Are Currently Fighting One of Texas’s Largest Hazing Cases.
We represent Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We are in the trenches right now, uncovering evidence, taking depositions, and facing off against teams of defense lawyers. This isn’t theoretical for us. It’s our active practice.

Our Competitive Advantages for Hazing Litigation:

1. Insurance Insider Knowledge – Lupe Peña’s Defense Background: Mr. Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value claims, use delay tactics, and argue coverage exclusions. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience – Ralph Manginello’s BP Credential: Ralph was one of the few Texas lawyers involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, facing billion-dollar defendants. Taking on a national fraternity or major university requires the same level of sophistication, resources, and fearlessness. We have it.

3. Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Results: We have recovered millions for families in the most serious injury and death cases. We work with economists, life care planners, and medical experts to fully value the lifelong impact of injuries like traumatic brain damage or permanent organ failure.

4. Dual Civil & Criminal Hazing Capability – HCCLA Membership: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) signals elite criminal defense capability. We understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation and can advise witnesses or former members with potential exposure.

5. Investigative Depth & Digital Forensics: We have a network of experts and know how to obtain deleted group chats, subpoena national fraternity records, and uncover hidden university files. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

6. Spanish-Language Services – Se Habla Español: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish. We serve Hispanic families across Texas with cultural understanding and clear communication.

We Serve Mathis and All of Texas.
From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including here in Mathis, San Patricio County, and the entire Coastal Bend region. Whether your child was hazed at Texas A&M-Kingsville, in College Station, Houston, Austin, or beyond, we have the geographic mastery and legal expertise to help.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If you suspect your child has been hazed, time is your most precious and perishable resource. Evidence disappears within days. Witnesses are coached. Organizations circle the wagons.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD (Attorney911) today for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.

In your free consultation, we will:

• Listen to your story with compassion and without judgment.
• Review any evidence you have (photos, messages, medical records).
• Explain your legal options clearly: potential criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, or both.
• Discuss realistic timelines, the investigation process, and what to expect.
• Answer all your questions about costs, privacy, and strategy.
• There is no pressure to hire us on the spot. You will have the information and space to make the right decision for your family.

You don’t have to navigate this nightmare alone. Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

Contact Attorney911 Today:

• 24/7 Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Lupe Peña (Se Habla Español): lupe@atty911.com

For Mathis families and all Texans: Hazing is not a rite of passage. It is a crime and a civil wrong. Together, we can fight for your child’s recovery, hold the responsible parties accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston Investigation: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Detailed Timeline: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline Summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Documenting Evidence with Your Phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Main Firm Website & Contact:

• Attorney911: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Hazing laws and university policies are complex and fact-specific. If you believe your child has been hazed, consult with a qualified Texas attorney for advice pertaining to your individual situation. The outcomes of any case depend on the specific facts, applicable law, and many other factors. No attorney can guarantee a specific result.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston | Austin | Beaumont, Texas
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
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