The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Resource for Families in Monahans and the Permian Basin

Understanding a Parent’s Worst Nightmare

Imagine your child, a promising student you sent off to a Texas university, calls you late at night. Their voice is shaking. They’ve been forced to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol during a fraternity “bid acceptance” night. They’re vomiting, disoriented, and terrified to call for help because older members warned that “snitches get stitches.” You’re five hours away in Monahans, feeling utterly powerless. This isn’t just a parent’s anxiety—it’s the reality facing Texas families right now.

In late 2025, our firm filed one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who endured months of systematic abuse as a pledge of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The allegations are harrowing: forced to carry a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys; subjected to extreme physical workouts including 100+ push-ups and 500 squats; sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. The result? Rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine and was hospitalized for four days, facing potential lifelong kidney damage.

This case, detailed in Click2Houston and ABC13 coverage, names 17 defendants including the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders. The chapter has been shut down, but the medical and psychological harm continues.

For families in Monahans, Ward County, and throughout the Permian Basin, this case hits close to home. Your children attend Texas universities—some at nearby schools like Texas Tech University in Lubbock or The University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa, others at major hubs like Texas A&M, UT Austin, Baylor, or University of Houston. The distance doesn’t protect them from the same dangerous traditions and institutional failures we’re fighting in Houston.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for Monahans parents and families who need to understand the real risks of campus hazing, the legal protections available under Texas law, and what serious legal action looks like when the unthinkable happens.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

Call 911 for medical emergencies
Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
- Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
- Photograph injuries from multiple angles
- Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity/sorority
- Sign anything from the university or insurance company
- Post details on public social media
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:
Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses). Universities move quickly to control the narrative. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For Monahans families unfamiliar with modern Greek life or campus traditions, hazing has evolved far beyond stereotypical “pranks.” Today’s hazing is sophisticated, often digitally coordinated, and intentionally hidden from public view.

A Modern Definition That Matters

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 legal insight for Monahans families: “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law recognizes that “consent” given under duress is no consent at all.

The Four Faces of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the deadliest form. At UH Pi Kappa Phi, pledges were forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. Nationally, forced drinking games like “Bible study” (wrong answers = drink) have killed students. The pattern is systematic: older members control the alcohol, younger members feel they must comply to belong.

2. Physical Hazing
The UH case shows how extreme this can be: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, bear crawls, lying in vomit-soaked grass, cold-weather exposure in underwear. Physical exhaustion can cause rhabdomyolysis—the muscle breakdown that nearly killed Leonel Bermudez. This isn’t “conditioning”—it’s calculated abuse.

3. Psychological and Sexualized Hazing
The “pledge fanny pack” humiliation (condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices) at UH demonstrates psychological warfare. Other documented cases include forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, racial degradation, and public shaming designed to break down identity and resistance.

4. Digital Hazing
This is where hazing has evolved most dramatically. For Monahans parents monitoring their child’s wellbeing from afar, understand these digital red flags:

24/7 group chat monitoring: Pledges required to respond instantly to messages at all hours
Location tracking: Forced sharing of GPS location via Snapchat Maps or Find My Friends
Social media humiliation: Forced TikTok challenges, Instagram story dares, compromising photos
Evidence destruction orders: “Delete this after reading” messages that signal cover-up

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

Monahans students participate in diverse campus organizations beyond just fraternities:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC at Texas A&M and other military programs
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
Spirit and tradition groups like Texas Cowboys at UT
Marching bands and performance groups
Some academic and service organizations

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

Texas Hazing Law: What Monahans Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Legal Foundation

Texas has some of the nation’s clearest anti-hazing statutes. For Monahans families pursuing justice, understanding these laws is crucial:

§37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers mental or physical health for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or membership. Key points:

Location doesn’t matter (on-campus, off-campus, even at retreats like Pi Delta Psi’s fatal Pocono Mountains event)
Mental OR physical harm qualifies
“Reckless” is enough—they knew the risk and did it anyway

§37.152 Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing without serious injury (up to 180 days jail)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

§37.155 Critical Protection: “Consent is not a defense.” Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still a crime under Texas law. This directly counters the #1 defense fraternities use.

§37.153 Organizational Liability: The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, team) can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding Both Paths

Monahans families often ask: “Will there be criminal charges, or do we need a lawsuit?” The answer: both can happen simultaneously.

Criminal Cases (brought by the state):

Purpose: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Example: In the Max Gruver LSU death, members faced negligent homicide charges

Civil Cases (brought by victims/families):

Purpose: Compensation and accountability
Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
Critical insight: No criminal conviction is needed to pursue civil justice

The Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and New National Laws

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing transparently and maintain public hazing data by 2026. This will help Monahans families research campus safety records.

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger additional university responsibilities and potential federal claims.

Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain campus crimes—hazing incidents often overlap with assault or alcohol crimes that must be publicly reported.

Who Can Be Liable? From Individuals to Institutions

For Monahans families considering legal action, understanding the full range of potential defendants is crucial:

Individual Students: Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
Local Chapter: The fraternity/sorority entity itself (if incorporated)
National Headquarters: Organizations like Pi Kappa Phi that set policies and receive dues
Universities: Schools that knew or should have known about dangerous traditions
Property Owners: Landlords of off-campus houses where hazing occurs
Alcohol Providers: Bars or individuals who supplied alcohol to minors

In our UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re pursuing all 17 defendants—because accountability requires holding every responsible party liable.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Predict Texas Tragedies

For Monahans families, national cases aren’t just headlines—they’re blueprints showing how hazing deaths happen and how justice can be achieved.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

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

What happened: 20-year-old pledge forced to consume entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
Legal outcome: Multiple criminal convictions; $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
Monahans relevance: The same “Big/Little” tradition exists at Texas chapters

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

What happened: Pledge forced into “Bible study” drinking game; died with 0.495% BAC
Legal outcome: $6.1 million verdict for family; Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing)
Monahans relevance: Drinking games are universal across Greek systems

Physical and Ritualized Hazing

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

What happened: Pledge blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual
Legal outcome: National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter
Monahans relevance: Shows off-campus retreats can be deadly

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)

What happened: Systemic sexualized, racist hazing within football program
Legal outcome: Multiple lawsuits; head coach fired and settled wrongful-termination suit
Monahans relevance: Hazing extends far beyond Greek life to major athletic programs

What These Cases Mean for Monahans Families

These national precedents matter because they establish legal principles that apply in Texas courts:

Foreseeability: When a national fraternity has prior incidents, they can’t claim “we didn’t know”
Punitive damages: Juries award extra compensation to punish especially reckless conduct
Institutional accountability: Both universities and national headquarters can be held liable

The UH Pi Kappa Phi case follows these exact patterns: forced consumption, physical exhaustion, delayed medical response, and institutional knowledge of risks.

Texas University Focus: Where Monahans Students Attend

Monahans families send students to universities across Texas. Understanding each campus’s hazing landscape is crucial for prevention and response.

Public Records Directory: The Greek Organizations Serving Monahans Families

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine maintains detailed records on every Greek organization operating in Texas. For Monahans families, here are key entities connected to universities your children attend:

IRS B83 Registered Organizations (Sample from 125 Texas Entities):

Frank Heflin Foundation, EIN 203507402, Canyon, TX 79015 (Phi Delta Theta alumni fund supporting West Texas A&M students)
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 383742830, El Paso, TX 79968 (University of Texas at El Paso chapter)
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 820644459, Lubbock, TX 79430 (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center chapter)
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc, EIN 872222906, El Paso, TX 79968 (University of Texas at El Paso chapter)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 364091267, Waco, TX 76710 (Baylor University area chapter)
,,
Midland-Odessa Metro Area Organizations (from Cause IQ Data):
While Monahans itself has limited Greek presence, the nearby Midland-Odessa metropolitan area serves as an educational hub with connections to:
University of Texas Permian Basin (Odessa) Greek life chapters
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin
Various alumni chapters serving graduates returning to the oilfield region

Where Monahans Families Send Students: Campus-by-Campus Analysis

University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) – Your Local Campus

For Monahans families: Just 35 miles from Monahans in Odessa, UTPB is where many local students begin their higher education.

Greek Life Snapshot: While smaller than flagship campuses, UTPB has active fraternity and sorority chapters that participate in the same national systems as larger schools. These organizations are governed by the same national policies—and subject to the same risks.

Documented Issues: Like all campuses, UTPB must comply with Texas hazing reporting laws. The proximity means Monahans parents can more directly monitor their student’s wellbeing and intervene quickly if concerns arise.

Legal Jurisdiction: Hazing cases involving UTPB would typically be filed in Ector County courts, with potential connections to Midland and Ward County venues depending on where incidents occur and where defendants reside.

Texas Tech University – Regional Destination

For Monahans families: Many students from the Permian Basin continue their education at Texas Tech in Lubbock, a 2.5-hour drive from Monahans.

Campus Culture: Major Greek life presence with both historic tragedies and ongoing reforms. Texas Tech has faced multiple hazing incidents requiring hospitalizations.

Specific Concerns: The distance makes monitoring more challenging for Monahans parents. Digital communication patterns become critical warning signs when you can’t visit campus regularly.

Practical Advice for Monahans Parents:

Request the Texas Tech Greek life incident log (public record under Texas law)
Understand which national fraternities have prior violations at Tech
Establish regular check-ins that go beyond “how are classes?” to “how are your social commitments?”

Major Texas Universities: Where Many Monahans Students Transfer

University of Houston (UH) – Site of Our Current Major Case

For Monahans families: UH attracts students from across Texas, including the Permian Basin
Active Greek System: 50+ chapters including the now-closed Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu
Recent History: Our Bermudez case reveals systemic failures in oversight
Parent Action Steps:
- Review UH’s hazing violation reports online
- Understand that “off-campus” houses (like the Culmore Drive residence in our case) are still university-connected
- Recognize that hospitalization for rhabdomyolysis requires immediate legal intervention

Texas A&M University – Corps of Cadets Focus

For Monahans families: The Corps tradition appeals to many West Texas students
Unique Risks: Military-style discipline can cross into hazing (2023 “roasted pig” binding case)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case: 2021 incident where pledges suffered severe burns from industrial cleaner
Parent Vigilance: Corps hazing often framed as “tradition” or “character building”—know the legal line

University of Texas at Austin – Transparency Leader

For Monahans families: UT’s public hazing violation database sets a standard
Documented Patterns: Pi Kappa Alpha (2023) forced milk consumption and extreme calisthenics
Texas Advantage: Public records make investigating prior incidents easier
Actionable Insight: Before your child joins an organization at UT, check their hazing violation history at hazing.utexas.edu

Baylor University – Religious Context Considerations

For Monahans families: Baylor’s Christian identity appeals to many West Texas families
Historical Context: Football and sexual assault scandals show institutional protection patterns
Baseball Hazing Incident: 2020 season saw 14 players suspended for hazing
Dual Reality: “Faith-based” branding doesn’t eliminate hazing risks—may actually complicate reporting

Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Private School Dynamics

For Monahans families: SMU’s prestige attracts academically competitive students
Kappa Alpha Order Incident: 2017 paddling and forced drinking case
Private vs. Public: Less transparency but equal legal liability
Strategic Consideration: Private universities often settle confidentially—experienced counsel is essential

The Monahans Connection: Practical Campus Advice

For families in Monahans and Ward County, distance creates unique challenges:

Before Incidents Occur:

Research Together: Review campus hazing policies with your student
Know the Landscape: Which organizations have prior violations at your child’s school?
Establish Communication Protocols: How will you recognize distress signals during late-night calls?

When Concerns Arise:

Document from Afar: Guide your child through evidence preservation via phone
Understand Jurisdiction: Which police department has authority? (Campus PD, city PD where incident occurred, or your local Ward County Sheriff for certain aspects)
Travel Realistically: Odessa medical facilities may be closer than campus hospitals

Fraternity and Sorority National Histories: Why Patterns Matter

For Monahans families, understanding that campus chapters are part of national organizations is crucial. These national histories create legal “foreseeability”—the concept that they should have known risks based on prior incidents.

Organizations with Documented National Patterns

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – Multiple Fatalities

Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, 2021): $10M settlement
David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois, 2012): $14M settlement
Monahans Relevance: Pike chapters exist at Texas Tech, UT, Texas A&M, UH

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Chemical Burns at Texas A&M

Texas A&M Case (2021): Industrial cleaner burns requiring skin grafts
University of Alabama Case (2023): Traumatic brain injury lawsuit
Legal Significance: National HQ had prior notice of dangerous traditions

Phi Delta Theta – Max Gruver Legacy

LSU Death (2017): Led to Louisiana felony hazing law
Pattern Evidence: “Bible study” drinking games documented across multiple chapters

Pi Kappa Phi – Our UH Case Connection

Andrew Coffey (Florida State, 2017): Big/little night death
Critical Insight: Nationals knew about alcohol hazing risks before our client was injured

How National Histories Strengthen Monahans Cases

When we represent families from Monahans, we use national pattern evidence to prove:

Foreseeability: The national organization knew or should have known this could happen
Negligent Supervision: Inadequate oversight despite prior incidents
Punitive Damage Basis: Reckless disregard for known dangers

Example: In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we can show the national headquarters had been warned about similar Big/Little drinking traditions at other chapters. Their failure to intervene created the conditions for our client’s kidney failure.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

For Monahans families pursuing justice, understanding the legal process demystifies what can feel overwhelming.

Evidence Collection: The Digital Battlefield

Our video on using your phone to document evidence covers basics, but hazing cases require specialized digital forensics:

Critical Evidence Types for Monahans Families:

Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage threads showing planning and coercion
Social Media: Instagram stories, TikTok videos, Snapchat snaps documenting events
Deleted Messages: Forensic recovery of “disappearing” content
Location Data: GPS records placing leaders at incident locations
University Records: Prior disciplinary actions against the same organization

Monahans-Specific Advice: When you’re hours from campus, guiding your child through remote evidence preservation is crucial. Screenshot everything immediately—don’t wait until morning.

The Full Damage Picture: What Families Can Recover

Monahans families often ask, “What exactly can a lawsuit achieve?” Beyond accountability, Texas law allows recovery for:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, ongoing treatment)
Future medical care (dialysis for kidney damage, therapy for PTSD)
Lost educational costs (withdrawn semesters, transferred schools)
Diminished earning capacity (permanent injuries affecting career)

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective but Real):

Pain and suffering from physical injuries
Emotional distress, PTSD, depression
Loss of enjoyment of life (can’t participate in activities they loved)
Humiliation and reputational harm

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship and support
Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (When Appropriate):

Extra compensation to punish especially reckless conduct
Available when defendants knew risks and ignored them

Our video on how contingency fees work explains that these cases are pursued on a “no fee unless we win” basis—families pay nothing upfront.

Insurance Coverage Battles: Mr. Peña’s Insider Advantage

This is where our firm’s unique expertise matters most for Monahans families. Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers:

Value claims (and how they systematically undervalue hazing cases)
Use delay tactics to pressure families into low settlements
Argue coverage exclusions (“hazing is intentional, so insurance doesn’t cover it”)
Deploy “independent” medical exams to minimize injuries

His insider knowledge means we anticipate every defense tactic and counter it effectively. When insurers claim “this isn’t covered,” we know which policy provisions to challenge and how to force coverage.

Practical Guides for Monahans Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Response Strategies

Digital Red Flags (When You Can’t Be There in Person):

Your child is constantly on group chats, even during family time
They receive messages at all hours requiring immediate response
Social media shows mysterious injuries or concerning captions
They suddenly won’t discuss certain friends or activities

Conversation Starters That Work:

“I’ve been reading about hazing at Texas schools—has anything made you uncomfortable?”
“If you ever feel pressured to do something unsafe, what would you do?”
“Do you know your rights under Texas hazing laws?”

When Your Child Opens Up:

Listen without judgment (hardest but most important)
Document everything they tell you (date, time, details)
Preserve digital evidence (guide them through screenshots)
Contact us before confronting anyone (1-888-ATTY-911)

For Students: Recognizing and Escaping Hazing

Is This Hazing or “Just Tradition”?
Ask yourself:

Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
Am I being told to keep secrets from university officials?
Would my parents approve if they knew every detail?
Are older members making us do things they don’t do themselves?

If You’re in Immediate Danger:

Call 911 first—Texas law protects good-faith reporters
Then call your parents
Then call us: 1-888-ATTY-911

Safe Exit Strategies:

Document everything BEFORE you leave
Send a clear resignation email/text (“I resign effective immediately”)
Do NOT go to “one last meeting”
Contact the Dean of Students office for protection from retaliation

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Based on our video about client mistakes that ruin cases, here are hazing-specific errors Monahans families must avoid:

Letting Your Child Delete Messages
- What seems like: “I don’t want this embarrassing stuff out there”
- Legal reality: Looks like evidence destruction; can be obstruction of justice
Confronting the Fraternity Directly
- What seems like: “I’ll give them a piece of my mind”
- Legal reality: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Signing University “Resolution” Forms
- What universities say: “Let’s resolve this internally”
- Legal reality: You may waive your right to sue for fair compensation
Posting on Social Media
- What seems like: “I want people to know what happened”
- Legal reality: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Waiting to See “How the University Handles It”
- What seems like: “Let’s give them a chance to do the right thing”
- Legal reality: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitations run

FAQ for Monahans Families

“Can we sue even though this happened off-campus?”
Yes. Location doesn’t eliminate liability. The Pi Delta Psi case happened at a remote Pennsylvania retreat; the national fraternity was still convicted. Universities and nationals can be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge.

“My child ‘agreed’ to this—do we still have a case?”
Absolutely. Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury in Texas, but exceptions exist. Our video on Texas statutes of limitations explains complexities. Critical: evidence preservation must start NOW.

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

“What if the fraternity says they’ve been ‘cleared’ by the university?”
University “clearing” often means minimal internal discipline, not legal exoneration. We’ve taken cases universities “cleared” and won multi-million dollar settlements.

Why Attorney911 for Monahans Hazing Cases

Our Texas Roots and Institutional Experience

We’re not just personal injury lawyers—we’re complex institutional litigators with specific hazing expertise. For Monahans families facing universities and national fraternities with unlimited legal budgets, you need counsel that understands how these defendants fight.

Ralph Manginello’s Credentials:

BP Texas City Explosion Litigation: One of few Texas firms that took on a billion-dollar corporation
Federal Court Experience: Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
HCCLA Membership: Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association signals elite criminal defense capability
25+ Years Practice: Handling complex cases since 1998

Mr. Lupe Peña’s Insurance Insider Advantage:

Former Defense Attorney: At a national insurance defense firm
Knows Their Playbook: How insurers value claims, deploy delay tactics, argue exclusions
Spanish Fluency: Critical for Hispanic families in the Permian Basin
Finance Background: Unique analytical perspective on case valuation

Our Current Hazing Litigation: The UH Pi Kappa Phi Case

We’re not just talking about hazing law—we’re actively litigating one of Texas’s most serious cases right now. Our representation of Leonel Bermudez against UH and Pi Kappa Phi demonstrates:

Investigative Depth: Uncovering systematic abuse across multiple locations
Medical Expertise: Working with nephrologists on rhabdomyolysis and kidney damage
Institutional Strategy: Suing 17 defendants to ensure full accountability
Media Management: Balancing public awareness with client protection

How We Investigate Hazing Cases Differently

For Monahans families, our approach matters:

Immediate Digital Forensics: Preserving deleted messages before they’re lost forever
National Pattern Research: Documenting prior incidents at other chapters of the same organization
University Record Analysis: Obtaining hidden disciplinary files through discovery
Medical Expert Coordination: Working with specialists who understand hazing injuries
Insurance Coverage Mapping: Identifying ALL potential policies from day one

Your Next Steps: A Call to Action for Monahans Families

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends UTPB in Odessa, Texas Tech in Lubbock, or any Texas campus—you have rights and options.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you call 1-888-ATTY-911:

We Listen Without Judgment: Your story matters, and we hear it all
Evidence Review: We’ll guide you through preserving what you have
Legal Options Explained: Criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Realistic Timeline: What to expect in the coming weeks and months
Cost Transparency: Contingency fee means no upfront costs
No Pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family

Contact Information

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
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 (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Mr. Lupe Peña)

Spanish Services Available:
Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

Final Word to Monahans Families

The distance between Monahans and Texas university campuses doesn’t diminish your right to protect your child. The same fraternities, the same national organizations, the same insurance companies operate everywhere. Our experience in Houston courtrooms translates directly to cases involving Monahans students at schools across Texas.

Whether you’re dealing with a recent incident or uncovering past trauma, you don’t have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved have experienced legal teams—you deserve the same.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s discuss what happened, your legal options, and how we can help your family find answers and accountability.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
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 Our 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 case 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:

Using your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Texas statutes of limitations explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes that ruin injury cases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Firm Information:

Main website and contact: https://attorney911.com
Wrongful death practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Criminal defense practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/
Ralph Manginello profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
Lupe Peña profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/