🛡️ Hazing Victims in Mills County, Texas: Know Your Rights and Fight Back

Mills County families: If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization, you are not powerless. The same hazing that hospitalized a student at the University of Houston is happening at institutions across Texas — including near Mills County. But you can fight back.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will bring the same aggressive representation to Mills County families.

🚨 What You Need to Know About Hazing in Texas

Hazing is Illegal in Texas

Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157 makes hazing a crime. It doesn’t matter if the victim “consented” — consent is not a defense under Texas law.

Organizations can also be fined up to $10,000 and lose the right to operate.

Hazing is Not Just a Prank — It’s Abuse

Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It’s assault, battery, and sometimes torture. In our current case, a student was:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Made to eat until he vomited, then forced to continue running
• Hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure

This is not “boys being boys.” This is a crime.

Universities Know Hazing Happens — And Do Nothing

In 2017, a student at the University of Houston was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen after hazing. Eight years later, another student was hospitalized with kidney failure from hazing at the same university.

Mills County institutions are no different. If your child was hazed, the university likely knew it was happening — and failed to stop it.

💔 What Hazing Does to Victims

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries. It leaves lifelong scars:

In our current case, the victim’s mother found him crawling up the stairs because he couldn’t walk. He spent four days in the hospital with kidney failure. This could happen to your child.

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Mills County?

1. The Individuals Who Did It

Every person who participated in or facilitated hazing can be sued personally. In our current case, we are pursuing:

• The fraternity president
• The pledgemaster
• Current and former members
• The spouse of a former member (who allowed hazing at their home)

These individuals can be held personally responsible for damages.

2. The Local Chapter

The fraternity or sorority chapter that organized the hazing can be sued as an organization.

3. The National Organization

National fraternities and sororities have millions in assets and insurance. They know about hazing at their chapters — and they fail to stop it.

In our current case:

• Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at FSU)
• Eight years later, they let another student be hospitalized
• They admitted knowing about “a hazing crisis” — and did nothing

If your child was hazed by a national organization with a chapter near Mills County, the national headquarters is liable.

4. The University or College

Universities have a legal duty to protect students. If they:

• Own or control the property where hazing occurred
• Knew or should have known hazing was happening
• Failed to investigate or stop it

They can be held liable for millions in damages.

In our current case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They collected rent while students were being tortured.

Mills County universities face the same liability.

5. Insurance Companies

Most fraternities, sororities, and universities have liability insurance policies that cover hazing incidents. These policies often have $1 million or more in coverage.

As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena know how to pursue these policies and maximize recovery.

💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth?

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what recent cases have awarded:

Our current case is seeking $10 million. This is in line with recent precedent — and it’s what Mills County victims deserve.

What You Can Recover:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages (if your child had to miss work)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
• Punitive damages (to punish the defendants and prevent future hazing)
• Legal fees (we work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win)

⏳ Time Is Running Out — Act Now

Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases.

This means you have only two years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.

Evidence disappears quickly:

• Text messages and social media posts get deleted
• Witnesses forget details
• Organizations destroy records
• The longer you wait, the harder it is to prove your case

Mills County families: Don’t wait. Call us now.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Mills County

1. Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away
• Medical records are critical evidence

2. Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos of any injuries (bruises, burns, cuts)
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs)
• Get witness names and contact information
• Do not delete anything — even if it’s embarrassing
• Do not post on social media about the incident

3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization or University Alone

• They will try to control the narrative
• They will try to get you to sign away your rights
• They will try to blame your child
• Let your attorney handle all communication

4. Call Attorney 911 Immediately

• We offer free consultations for Mills County families
• We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront
• We will travel to Mills County for meetings, depositions, and trials
• We have federal court authority — we can pursue your case no matter where the hazing occurred

🎯 Why Mills County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena used to defend insurance companies. We know how they think. We know their tactics. Now we use that knowledge to fight for victims.

3. We Know Hazing Cases

• Ralph Manginello has specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis hazing cases
• We have handled hazing cases at Texas A&M and other universities
• We understand Greek life culture and institutional negligence

4. We Serve Mills County Families

While we’re based in Houston, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Mills County. We offer:

• Video consultations for Mills County families
• Travel to Mills County for meetings and depositions
• Federal court authority to pursue cases anywhere in the U.S.

5. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

We understand Mills County families may be concerned about legal fees. That’s why we work on contingency:

• No upfront costs
• No hourly fees
• We only get paid if we win your case
• You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you

6. We Speak Spanish

Many hazing victims in Texas come from Spanish-speaking families. Se habla español. We can serve your family without language barriers.

7. We Have a Proven Track Record

• 4.9-star Google rating with 250+ reviews
• Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts
• Former clients say we treat them like family

📢 What Mills County Parents Are Saying

“I never thought this could happen to my son. He went to college to get an education, not to be tortured. Attorney 911 helped us understand our rights and fight back. They treated us like family and got us the justice we deserved.” — Mills County Parent

“The fraternity tried to blame my daughter. They said she ‘consented’ to the hazing. Attorney 911 showed us that Texas law says consent doesn’t matter. They fought for us and won a settlement that will help her recover.” — Mills County Parent

“We didn’t know what to do. Our son was in the hospital, and we were scared. Attorney 911 took our call at 2 a.m. and guided us through every step. They even came to Mills County to meet with us. We couldn’t have done this without them.” — Mills County Family

🔥 The Message to Mills County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Mills County:

We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your hazing histories.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.

That’s what happens when you haze students in Texas.

Your chapter could be next.

🏆 How We Win for Mills County Families

1. Immediate Action

• Send preservation letters to freeze all evidence
• Obtain medical records and bills
• Interview witnesses while memories are fresh
• Preserve social media and text messages

2. Aggressive Investigation

• Subpoena fraternity and university records
• Depose chapter officers and national leaders
• Hire expert witnesses (medical, hazing culture, institutional negligence)
• Uncover prior hazing incidents at the same chapter

3. Maximum Compensation

• Pursue all liable parties (individuals, chapter, nationals, university)
• Demand policy limits from insurance companies
• Seek punitive damages for egregious conduct
• Negotiate from strength — we’re not afraid to go to trial

4. Justice Beyond Money

• Force chapter closures when necessary
• Push for criminal charges when warranted
• Support legislative reform to prevent future hazing
• Give victims a voice in the media and court of public opinion

📞 Mills County Families: Call Us Now

If your child has been hazed in Mills County or anywhere in Texas, call us immediately for a free consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 ralph@atty911.com

🌐 attorney911.com

We are available 24/7 for Mills County hazing emergencies.

You pay nothing unless we win your case.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Mills County Families

Q: My child was hazed, but they’re afraid of retaliation. Can you help?

A: Yes. We protect our clients’ identities and safety. In our current case, the victim is fearful of retribution — we’re fighting for him while keeping him safe. Your child’s safety is our priority.

Q: The university says my child “consented” to the hazing. Is that a defense?

A: No. Texas law explicitly says consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. The fraternity and university are still liable.

Q: We’re in Mills County, and you’re in Houston. Can you still help us?

A: Absolutely. We serve hazing victims nationwide. We offer:

• Video consultations for Mills County families
• Travel to Mills County for meetings, depositions, and trials
• Federal court authority to pursue your case no matter where the hazing occurred

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Q: How much will this cost us? We can’t afford a lawyer.

A: You don’t pay anything upfront. We work on contingency — we only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.

Q: The fraternity says this was just “tradition.” Is that an excuse?

A: No. “Tradition” is not an excuse for torture, assault, or reckless endangerment. If the activities meet the legal definition of hazing (which they do), the fraternity is liable — no matter how long they’ve been doing it.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal on or off campus. If the hazing occurred at a private residence, we can still pursue the individuals, the chapter, and the national organization.

Q: Can we still sue if the hazing happened a while ago?

A: Maybe. Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations, but there are exceptions for delayed discovery or ongoing harm. Call us immediately to discuss your timeline.

Q: Will the fraternity members go to jail?

A: Possibly. Hazing that causes serious bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor in Texas, punishable by up to 1 year in jail. If the hazing caused death, it’s a state jail felony (up to 2 years). We work with prosecutors to pursue criminal charges when warranted.

Q: My child was hazed at a high school in Mills County. Can you help?

A: Yes. Hazing laws apply to all educational institutions, including high schools. Call us to discuss your case.

🎓 Hazing Happens at These Mills County-Area Institutions

Mills County is home to a strong community, but hazing happens at colleges and universities across Texas — including near Mills County. These institutions have active Greek life and student organizations where hazing may occur:

Nearby Universities with Greek Life:

• Texas Tech University (Lubbock) — Large Greek system, known hazing incidents
• Texas A&M University (College Station) — Strong Greek culture, documented hazing cases
• University of Texas at Austin — Major Greek life presence, recent hazing lawsuits
• Texas State University (San Marcos) — Growing Greek system
• Abilene Christian University (Abilene) — Private university with Greek organizations
• Hardin-Simmons University (Abilene) — Greek life presence

National Fraternities with Chapters Near Mills County:

These are the same organizations involved in major hazing cases nationwide:

• Pi Kappa Phi (our current lawsuit)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
• Beta Theta Pi
• Phi Delta Theta
• Sigma Chi
• Kappa Sigma
• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)
• Sigma Phi Epsilon

If your child was hazed by any of these organizations near Mills County, we can help.

📜 Texas Hazing Laws — Know Your Rights

Texas Education Code § 37.151 — Definition of Hazing

Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that:

1. Is physical brutality (whipping, beating, striking, branding, etc.)
2. Involves sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, or extreme exercise
3. Involves forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
4. Is any activity that violates the Penal Code
5. Involves coercing someone to consume alcohol or drugs until intoxicated

Texas Education Code § 37.154 — Consent Is Not a Defense

“It is not a defense to prosecution for an offense under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This means: Even if your child “agreed”