Hazing at Texas Universities: What Anderson Mill Families Need to Know About Fraternity, Sorority & Campus Abuse Lawsuits

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

For parents in Anderson Mill and across Central Texas, the college experience represents a hopeful investment in your child’s future. You’ve supported them through high school, celebrated their acceptance to a Texas university, and entrusted their wellbeing to that institution. The nightmare begins when a phone call or a text reveals that the very organizations meant to build community have instead inflicted harm. Your child—a student at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor—has been forced to endure humiliation, physical abuse, or dangerous rituals in the name of “tradition” or “brotherhood.” The confusion, fear, and anger that follow are overwhelming. Is this just “boys being boys” or a serious crime? Will the university protect your child or protect its reputation? What legal rights do you have here in Travis County and throughout Texas?

Right now, our firm is actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas, which shows exactly how these situations unfold and the severe consequences they can carry. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge who allegedly suffered extreme physical and psychological hazing in fall 2025. According to a $10 million lawsuit filed in Harris County, the hazing included forced consumption of food until vomiting, hours of extreme calisthenics, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack.” This conduct allegedly caused Bermudez to develop rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of hospitalization with ongoing risk of permanent damage. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter has been shut down, and the lawsuit names the University of Houston, its Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, and 13 individual fraternity leaders as defendants.

This case, reported by Click2Houston and ABC13, is not an isolated incident. It is a pattern repeated across Texas campuses, often hidden behind Greek letters and institutional silence. This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Anderson Mill, Travis County, and throughout Texas whose children have been hazed or injured in connection with fraternities, sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletics, spirit groups, or other campus organizations. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the Texas and federal laws that govern it, the national patterns evident at our state’s universities, and the legal pathways toward accountability and recovery. Our goal is to provide the knowledge you need during a crisis and to demonstrate how our firm’s deep investigative resources and litigation experience can help families like yours seek justice.

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.

Evidence disappears rapidly. Universities and organizations move quickly to control narratives. Contact our experienced hazing attorneys within 24–48 hours. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For families in Anderson Mill, understanding hazing requires moving beyond outdated stereotypes of harmless pranks or simple peer pressure. Modern hazing is a spectrum of coerced, dangerous, and degrading behaviors designed to assert power and create loyalty through suffering. Under Texas law, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintenance of membership in an organization.

The methods have evolved, often hiding behind digital communication and disguised as “team building.” We categorize hazing into three escalating tiers:

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – Behaviors that emphasize power imbalance and create psychological harm, often dismissed as “tradition.” This includes mandatory, all-hours chauffeuring for members; forced servitude like cleaning rooms or running errands; social isolation from non-members; and being “on-call” 24/7 via group chats. Digitally, this extends to required location sharing, social media policing, and instant response demands to messages.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – Behaviors that cause significant emotional or physical discomfort. This includes verbal abuse and threats; sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings” or pre-dawn wake-ups; food/water restriction; forced consumption of unpalatable substances (spoiled food, excessive hot sauce); and extreme, punitive calisthenics (“smokings”). Public humiliation, such as forced embarrassing performances or wearing degrading costumes, is common.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – Activities with high potential for catastrophic injury, sexual assault, or death. This is what we see in the most severe cases like Bermudez’s. It includes forced or coerced alcohol consumption (chugging, funneling, drinking games); forced drug use; physical beatings and paddling; dangerous “tests” like blindfolded tackles; sexualized hazing including forced nudity or simulated acts; kidnapping or restraint; and exposure to extreme environments (locked in cold rooms, left outside).

Hazing is not confined to fraternities. It occurs in sororities, athletic teams, the Corps of Cadets, marching bands, spirit organizations like the Texas Cowboys, and other clubs. The common threads are coercion, secrecy, and an abuse of power disguised as tradition.

The Texas and Federal Legal Framework: Your Child’s Rights

Understanding the law is the first step toward accountability. For Anderson Mill families, Texas law provides clear—though complex—avenues for both criminal and civil justice.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes that apply to all educational institutions. Key provisions every parent should know:

• Definition (§37.151): Hazing is 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.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury requiring medical treatment. If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it is a state jail felony. Individuals who fail to report hazing or retaliate against reporters also face misdemeanor charges.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, team) can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer with knowledge failed to report it.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is critical. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it is not a legal defense to a hazing charge. The law recognizes the power imbalance and coercion inherent in these situations.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§37.154): A person who in good faith reports hazing to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability resulting from the report. Many universities also have medical amnesty policies for those who call 911.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

It’s important to distinguish between these parallel legal tracks:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Travis County District Attorney) against individuals or organizations. The goal is punishment: jail time, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to a minor, or even manslaughter in fatal cases. A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case.
• Civil Cases: Brought by victims or their families (plaintiffs) against those responsible. The goal is compensation for damages and institutional accountability. These are lawsuits for negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, and negligent supervision. They can target individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority headquarters, the university, and property owners. This is where our firm leverages its expertise to secure justice for families.

Federal Law Overlay

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and strengthen prevention programs. Public reporting requirements phase in by 2026.
• Title IX & The Clery Act: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX obligations are triggered, requiring a university investigation. The Clery Act requires reporting of certain crimes on campus, which can include hazing-related assaults.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not random. They follow predictable scripts—scripts that have been performed at Texas universities. Understanding these patterns shows how preventable these incidents are and how liability is established.

The Alcohol Poisoning Death Script

This is the most common fatal pattern. A pledge is pressured to drink a dangerous amount of alcohol during a structured “tradition.”

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died after consuming lethal amounts of alcohol during a bid acceptance night. Fraternity brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, civil settlements, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers mandated drinking. Result: Felony hazing charges and Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of liquor during a “Big/Little” event. Result: $10 million in total settlements ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU), and multiple criminal convictions.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Script

Violent, tradition-bound rituals that cause traumatic injury.

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded, weighted “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. Result: National fraternity criminally convicted of assault and manslaughter; banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, severe brain damage from alcohol poisoning during a “pledge dad reveal.” He requires 24/7 care for life. Result: Settlements with 22 defendants, highlighting catastrophic non-fatal outcomes.

The Athletic & Institutional Hazing Script

Hazing extends far beyond Greek life into sanctioned university programs.

• Northwestern University Football Scandal (2023-2025): Allegations of widespread sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements. It demonstrates how institutional athletic programs can harbor systemic abuse.

What This Means for Anderson Mill Families: These national cases set legal precedents and reveal patterns. When a Texas fraternity repeats the same “Big/Little” drinking script that killed Stone Foltz, it demonstrates foreseeability—the national organization knew this was a deadly risk. This pattern evidence is powerful in civil litigation, breaking down defenses of “we didn’t know” or “this was a rogue chapter.”

Texas University Focus: Where Anderson Mill Families Send Their Kids

Anderson Mill is in the heart of Central Texas, with deep ties to the state’s flagship university system. Families here send their children to schools across the state. We focus on the five universities with significant Greek life and historical hazing incidents most relevant to our community.

1. University of Texas at Austin – A Campus in Our Backyard

For families in Anderson Mill and Travis County, UT Austin is our local flagship. Its size and vibrant Greek life come with a documented history of hazing incidents, which the university actually publishes with unusual transparency on its Hazing Violations webpage.

Snapshot & Culture: A massive Greek system with over 60 chapters. The university’s public log of violations is a resource but also a testament to ongoing issues.

Documented Incidents & Patterns (From UT’s Public Log):

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation and mandatory hazing prevention education.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho (Ongoing Litigation): In January 2024, an Australian exchange student sued the chapter, alleging an assault at a party resulted in a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. The chapter was already under suspension for prior violations.
• Various spirit groups and other fraternities appear on the log for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices.

How a UT Hazing Case Proceeds: Incidents may fall under the jurisdiction of UTPD (campus police) or Austin Police Department, depending on location. Civil suits are typically filed in Travis County district courts. The university’s own public violation log can be instrumental evidence in a civil suit, demonstrating prior knowledge of problematic patterns within specific organizations.

What UT Austin Students & Parents in Anderson Mill Should Do:

• Report immediately to the UT Dean of Students Office of Student Conduct and/or UTPD.
• Review the public hazing log to see if the organization has prior violations.
• Understand that UT’s transparency is a double-edged sword—it provides data but doesn’t prevent recurrences. Legal action is often necessary for true accountability.

2. Texas A&M University – Corps Culture and Greek Life

Many Central Texas families have deep ties to Texas A&M. Its unique Corps of Cadets culture and powerful Greek system present distinct hazing risks.

Snapshot & Culture: A tradition-heavy environment where the Corps of Cadets and fraternities sometimes share similar abusive “discipline” cultures.

Significant Documented Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Chemical Burns Case (2021): Two pledges alleged they were covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner and raw eggs, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million. The chapter was suspended by the university.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth and simulated sexual acts. He sought over $1 million in damages.
• Kappa Sigma – Rhabdomyolysis Case (2023, Ongoing): Allegations of extreme physical hazing leading to rhabdomyolysis, the same life-threatening kidney injury suffered by Leonel Bermudez at UH.

The A&M Response: The university typically handles issues through its Student Conduct office and Corps regulations. Their approach often emphasizes internal discipline, which can leave victims feeling without full justice.

What Texas A&M Families Should Know: Hazing here often blends “military discipline” with Greek initiation. Cases require attorneys who understand both cultures and are prepared to challenge a powerful institutional identity.

3. University of Houston – The Flagship Active Case

As detailed from the outset, UH is currently the site of one of Texas’s most severe active hazing litigations, which we are leading.

Snapshot & Culture: A large, urban commuter school with an active and diverse Greek community.

The Bermudez Case as the Exemplar: The allegations against Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter are a textbook case of Tier 3 violent hazing. Key elements from the lawsuit show the playbook:

• Systematic Degradation: The “pledge fanny pack” with condoms and sex toys.
• Forced Consumption: Milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.
• Extreme Physical Abuse: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, “save-your-brother” drills, being sprayed with a hose.
• Life-Threatening Injury: Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• Institutional Defendants: The lawsuit properly targets not just the students but the national Pi Kappa Phi organization, the UH Board of Regents, and the chapter housing corporation.

UH’s Policy & Reality: UH has policies prohibiting hazing. Yet, as this case alleges, the university and national HQ failed to intervene despite systemic behaviors. The chapter is now closed, but only after a student was hospitalized.

Takeaway for All Texas Families: The UH case demonstrates the essential legal strategy: using intense investigation to build a case against every entity in the chain of responsibility, from the pledge master to the national insurance policy. It also shows the severe medical outcomes that go beyond bruises.

4. Southern Methodist University & 5. Baylor University

These private institutions have their own histories and challenges.

SMU: As a private, affluent university with a strong Greek presence, SMU has seen its share of incidents, including a Kappa Alpha Order chapter suspension in 2017 for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation. Private school status can mean less public transparency, making investigative discovery in litigation even more critical.

Baylor: Following its widely-publicized Title IX scandals, Baylor has faced scrutiny over its campus culture. A baseball team hazing incident in 2020 led to multiple player suspensions. At religiously-affiliated schools, hazing can be wrongly minimized as “disciplinary” or “character-building.”

The Greek Ecosystem in Texas: A Web of Organizations and Liability

For parents, a fraternity or sorority can seem like a monolithic entity. In reality, it is a network of legally distinct organizations, and identifying all of them is key to a successful lawsuit. Our firm maintains the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, a proprietary database built from public records that maps this complex ecosystem. This is how we ensure no liable party escapes scrutiny.

Public Records Directory: The Organizations Behind the Letters

When hazing occurs at a Texas university, multiple registered organizations may share liability. These include undergraduate chapters, alumni chapters, house corporations, and national headquarters. Below is a snapshot from our database of Texas-registered Greek organizations (IRS B83 classification) relevant to the campuses Anderson Mill families attend. This is the type of investigative work we do at the outset of every case.

Sample Organizations from Public IRS Filings:

• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation, EIN 37-1768785, Missouri City, TX 77459.
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc., EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147.
• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, EIN 74-6047117, Austin, TX 78705.
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 74-6084905, Houston, TX 77204.
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc., EIN 13-3048786, College Station, TX 77845.
• Chi Omega Fraternity, EIN 74-0555581, Austin, TX 78705 (house corporation).

What This Means: Each of these entities may have insurance, assets, and legal responsibility. A house corporation owns the property where hazing occurs. An alumni corporation may fund and advise the chapter. The national organization sets policy. Our data engine allows us to immediately identify and investigate these entities, preventing them from hiding behind corporate veils.

National Histories & The “Foreseeability” Argument

When we sue a national fraternity like Pi Kappa Phi, we are not just reacting to one incident. We are holding them accountable for a known, repeated pattern of conduct.

• Pi Kappa Alpha: National pattern of deadly “Big/Little” alcohol hazing (Stone Foltz, David Bogenberger).
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon: Multiple deaths and severe injury cases nationwide, including the chemical burn case at Texas A&M.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver death at LSU.
• Pi Kappa Phi: The Andrew Coffey death at Florida State.

In court, we argue foreseeability: the national organization knew or should have known that its chapters were engaging in these dangerous rituals because it happened repeatedly across the country. Their anti-hazing policies are evidence they knew the risk, and their failure to effectively enforce those policies constitutes negligence.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Legal Strategy

If you are considering legal action, understanding the process can demystify it. Our approach is methodical, aggressive, and rooted in our experience with complex institutional defendants.

Phase 1: Evidence Preservation & Investigation

This begins the moment you contact us. We guide families through critical initial steps, as outlined in our video on using your phone to document evidence.

Digital Evidence: This is the most critical evidence today.

• Group Chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord): We secure screenshots and often employ digital forensics to recover deleted messages.
• Social Media: Posts, stories, DMs, and location tags that place individuals at events.
• Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, chapter bylaws, emails from national headquarters.

Physical & Medical Evidence:

• Photographs of injuries over time.
• Medical records from ER visits, hospitalizations, and follow-up care that explicitly link injuries to hazing.
• Preserved clothing or objects used in hazing.

Institutional Records (Obtained via Discovery or Public Records Requests):

• The university’s prior conduct records for the organization.
• Campus police reports.
• National fraternity’s risk management files and prior incident reports for other chapters.

Phase 2: Identifying All Liable Parties & Insurance Coverage

Using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we build a comprehensive defendant map:

1. Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned and carried out the acts.
2. Chapter Officers: The president, risk manager, pledgemaster who enabled or failed to stop it.
3. Local Chapter Entity: The registered student organization or housing corporation.
4. National Fraternity/Sorority: The ultimate deep-pocketed entity that failed to supervise.
5. The University: For negligent supervision, premises liability, or Title IX violations.
6. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords, or alcohol providers.

We then identify all potential insurance policies. Fraternities and universities have complex layers of insurance. Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, leverages his prior experience as an insurance defense attorney to anticipate and counter the insurance companies’ strategies to deny coverage or minimize payouts.

Phase 3: Proving Damages & Calculating Value

Hazing causes profound harm, and Texas law allows recovery for both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages:

• All Medical Expenses: Past and future, including hospital stays, surgery, medication, therapy, and lifelong care for permanent injuries like kidney damage or traumatic brain injury.
• Lost Earnings & Capacity: If injuries delay graduation or permanently reduce your child’s ability to work.
• Other Costs: Tutoring, transferred tuition, therapy.

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical Pain and Suffering: From the immediate injury and ongoing complications.
• Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: PTSD, anxiety, depression, humiliation. This requires diagnosis and treatment by mental health professionals.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: The inability to participate in college life, sports, or social activities.

Wrongful Death Damages (in the worst cases):

• Funeral/burial costs, loss of financial support, and the family’s immense grief and loss of companionship.

Settlements and verdicts in serious hazing cases routinely reach the multi-million dollar range (e.g., Foltz: $10M, Gruver: $6.1M verdict, Sigma Chi at College of Charleston: >$10M). These amounts reflect the severity of the institutional betrayal and the lifelong impact on young victims.

Practical Guides & Critical Advice for Anderson Mill Families

For Parents: The First 72-Hour Checklist

1. Prioritize Health & Safety: Get medical attention immediately. Do not downplay symptoms.
2. Document, Don’t Confront: Write down everything your child says. Screenshot digital evidence. Do not contact the fraternity or sorority—this triggers evidence destruction.
3. Secure Legal Counsel: Contact a hazing attorney before engaging deeply with the university. The university’s interest is limiting its liability. Your attorney’s interest is your child.
4. Understand “Consent”: Your child may say “I agreed to it.” Reassure them that under Texas law, this is not a defense to hazing. They are victims, not participants.
5. Avoid Critical Mistakes: As we explain in our video on client mistakes that can ruin a case, do not sign university settlement offers, post on social media, or let your child delete messages.

For Students: How to Exit & Report Safely

• Your Safety Comes First: If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Good-faith reporter protections exist.
• You Have the Right to Quit: Send a clear, written resignation to the chapter president. You do not owe them an in-person explanation.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots of all relevant communications. Take photos of injuries.
• Seek Support: Report to the university’s Dean of Students. Seek confidential counseling through campus health services.

Critical FAQ for Texas Families

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: The Texas statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death is generally two years from the date of injury or death. However, complexities like the “discovery rule” or fraudulent concealment can affect this. Time is of the essence. Evidence vanishes and memories fade. We strongly advise consulting an attorney immediately, as discussed in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

Q: Can we sue the university?
A: Yes, under theories of negligent supervision, premises liability, or Title IX violations. Public universities (UT, A&M, UH) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence. Private schools (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity barriers. Each case is fact-specific.

Q: Will this ruin my child’s future or put their name in the paper?
A: Our primary goal is to secure justice and compensation while protecting your family’s privacy. Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We can file suits using pseudonyms (John/Jane Doe) in certain circumstances and negotiate for sealed settlement terms.

Q: How much does it cost to hire your firm?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. This means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we win a settlement or verdict for you. Our fees are a percentage of the recovery. We explain this fully in our video on how contingency fees work.

Why The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 is Texas’s Hazing Litigation Authority

When your family is facing a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need a firm with a proven record of taking on powerful institutions, the investigative tools to uncover the truth, and the insider knowledge to navigate the defense strategies you will face.

Our Proven Experience Against Institutional Giants:

• Active, High-Stakes Litigation: We are currently leading the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi $10 million hazing lawsuit. We are in the fight right now.
• BP Texas City Explosion Litigation: Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, was one of the few Texas plaintiff attorneys involved in litigation against BP. This proven experience against billion-dollar defendants translates directly to facing well-funded national fraternities and university systems.
• Multi-Million Dollar Results: We have recovered millions for clients in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, working with economists and life-care planners to fully value a lifetime of harm.

Our Unique Investigative & Strategic Advantages:

• The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: As demonstrated, we maintain a proprietary database of over 1,400 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. We don’t start from scratch; we start with intelligence.
• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense lawyer. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and undervalue your claim. We know their playbook.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Capability: Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can effectively advise clients navigating both systems.

Our Commitment to Anderson Mill & Texas Families:
We are a Texas-based firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We serve families across the state, including here in Travis County and the Anderson Mill community. We understand the local courts, the universities, and the impact these cases have on our communities. We speak fluent Spanish (Se habla Español) to serve all Texas families.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If you suspect or know your child has been hazed at any Texas university, the path forward begins with a conversation. You are not alone, and you do not have to navigate this complex, emotional situation without expert guidance.

We invite you to contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) for a free, completely confidential consultation. In this meeting, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Discuss our investigative process and how we build a case.
• Answer all your questions about timelines, costs, and what to expect.
• There is no pressure to hire us. Our goal is to inform and empower you.

Contact Us Today:

• Call Our 24/7 Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1ll-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 families in Anderson Mill and across Texas, hazing is a breach of trust with lifelong consequences. Let us help you hold the right people accountable, secure the resources your child needs to heal, and work to prevent this from happening to another family. Call us now.

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:

• Click2Houston coverage of UH Pi Kappa Phi case: 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 coverage of the Bermudez lawsuit: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Video: Using your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Video: Texas statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Video: Client mistakes that can ruin your case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Video: How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
  totalFirm website & contact: https://attorney911.com