The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Resource for Families in City of Pineland

1. Hook & Case Anchor: A Story That Happened Right Here in Texas

Imagine a typical evening in City of Pineland. A loving family finishes dinner, unaware their college student is miles away in Houston, being forced through “one last challenge.” He’s exhausted, having been sleep-deprived for weeks, carrying a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” everywhere. Now, in a cold field, he’s being sprayed in the face with a hose “like waterboarding” while fraternity brothers chant. Days later, that same young man passes brown urine and is rushed to the hospital, where doctors diagnose him with a life-threatening muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His dream of brotherhood has become a medical catastrophe.

This isn’t a hypothetical. This is the real case of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student whose fall 2025 pledge period to the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter allegedly involved brutal hazing that led to a four-day hospitalization and a $10 million lawsuit against the university, the fraternity’s national headquarters, and 13 individual members.

As reported in the ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit, the alleged hazing included:

• A “pledge fanny pack” rule requiring 24/7 carry of condoms, a sex toy, and humiliating items
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints
• Being hog-tied face-down on a table
• “Waterboarding” with a hose
• An extreme November 3 workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion

The medical consequences were severe: critically elevated creatine kinase levels confirming rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Within days of media exposure, the chapter was suspended by Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters on November 6, 2025, and then voted to surrender its charter on November 14, 2025—a rapid institutional response that the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case detailed extensively.

For families in City of Pineland, the Bermudez case is a stark warning: the hazing that leads to national headlines is happening right here in Texas, at universities where your children may be studying. This guide exists to help you understand what hazing looks like today, what laws protect your child, and what legal options exist when institutions fail to prevent harm.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

If you suspect your child is being hazed or is in danger:

Call 911 for medical emergencies first.
Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).

In the first 48 hours:

• Secure medical attention even if your child insists they’re “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE deletion: screenshot group chats, photograph injuries
• Write down everything while memories are fresh
• Do NOT confront the organization, sign university documents, or post on social media
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24-48 hours

2. Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

Hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypical “frat party.” Today’s hazing combines traditional physical abuse with sophisticated psychological manipulation and digital control. For City of Pineland families unfamiliar with modern Greek life, understanding these tactics is crucial to recognizing when your child might be at risk.

The Three-Tier System of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (Often Dismissed as “Tradition”)

• Deception and secrecy oaths: Being told to lie to parents or university officials
• Servitude requirements: Acting as 24/7 designated drivers, cleaning members’ rooms, running errands
• Social isolation: Cutting off contact with non-members or requiring permission to socialize
• Digital monitoring: Requiring constant responsiveness to group chats, location sharing via apps like Snapchat Map

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (Creating Hostile Environments)

• Sleep deprivation: Mandatory 3 AM wake-ups, all-night “study sessions”
• Food and water manipulation: Forced consumption of spoiled food, hot sauce, or excessive bland items
• Public humiliation: Forced embarrassing performances, degrading costumes, social media shaming
• Extreme “conditioning”: Calisthenics to the point of collapse, often framed as “voluntary workouts”

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (High Risk of Injury or Death)

• Forced alcohol consumption: “Big/Little” drinking games, chugging challenges, vodka eyeballing
• Physical beatings and paddling: Still prevalent despite national prohibitions
• Dangerous physical tests: “Glass ceiling” tackles, blindfolded challenges, swimming while intoxicated
• “Retreat” hazing: Moving violent activities to off-campus Airbnbs or rural properties to avoid detection
• Sexualized abuse: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, coerced pornography viewing

The Digital Evolution of Hazing

Today’s most dangerous hazing often happens in the digital space first. GroupMe chats coordinate activities, Snapchat stories broadcast humiliation, and deleted messages become critical evidence. As we explain in our video on using your phone to document evidence, preserving these digital footprints is often the difference between holding organizations accountable and watching evidence disappear.

3. Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Laws Every City of Pineland Family Should Know

Texas has specific laws addressing hazing, and understanding them is crucial for families across Sabine County. These laws operate alongside federal statutes that create additional avenues for accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

§ 37.151 Definition of Hazing:
Texas law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in any organization.

Critical Provisions for City of Pineland Families:

1. Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.155): Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law recognizes that true consent doesn’t exist under peer pressure and power imbalance.

2. Criminal Penalties Escalate with Harm (§ 37.152):

   • 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

3. Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can face fines up to $10,000 per violation and university expulsion.

4. Good-Faith Reporter Immunity (§ 37.154): Students who report hazing or call for medical help in emergencies are protected from civil and criminal liability.

Federal Overlay: What Applies on Every Campus

The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
This federal law requires universities receiving federal aid (including all public Texas schools) to:

• Report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen prevention programs
• Maintain public hazing data (fully implemented by 2026)

Title IX and Clery Act:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. The Clery Act requires reporting of certain crimes that often overlap with hazing incidents.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (district attorney)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Charges may include: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or families
• Aim: Compensation and institutional accountability
• Focus on: negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, premises liability

These cases can proceed simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit. In fact, most hazing cases settle confidentially before criminal proceedings conclude.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, participated in, or covered up hazing
2. Chapter Leadership: Presidents, pledge educators, risk managers acting in official capacity
3. Local Chapters: As legal entities with their own insurance and assets
4. National Organizations: Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
5. Universities: When they knew or should have known about risks and failed to act
6. Property Owners: Landlords of off-campus houses, AirBnB hosts, venue operators

4. National Hazing Case Patterns: What History Teaches Us About Texas Risks

The tragic cases that make national news aren’t anomalies—they’re patterns. Understanding these patterns helps City of Pineland families recognize similar risks at Texas campuses.

Alcohol Poisoning Deaths: The Most Common Pattern

Stone Foltz – Pi Kappa Alpha at Bowling Green State University (2021):
Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night, Foltz died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in a $10 million settlement ($7M from national Pi Kappa Alpha, ~$3M from BGSU) and multiple criminal convictions.

Max Gruver – Phi Delta Theta at LSU (2017):
Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%) after a “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced consumption. His death spurred Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony.

Timothy Piazza – Beta Theta Pi at Penn State (2017):
Fatal injuries from falls after extreme drinking during bid acceptance night. The case led to Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law and over 1,000 criminal charges against members.

Physical Hazing Tragedies

Chun “Michael” Deng – Pi Delta Psi at Baruch College (2013):
Died from traumatic brain injury during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a Pennsylvania retreat. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and manslaughter—a landmark case for organizational criminal liability.

Danny Santulli – Phi Gamma Delta at University of Missouri (2021):
Suffered permanent brain damage after being forced to drink excessively. His family reached settlements with 22 defendants, highlighting how multiple parties share liability.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

Each of these patterns—forced drinking, dangerous rituals, delayed medical care—has appeared at Texas universities. The national histories of fraternities like Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Phi Delta Theta demonstrate that when organizations fail to reform, tragedies repeat.

5. Texas Focus: Where City of Pineland Families Send Their Children

As a City of Pineland family, your children likely attend or consider universities across our state. Here’s what you need to know about the hazing landscape at major Texas institutions.

5.1 University of Houston: The Leonel Bermudez Case in Context

Campus Snapshot for City of Pineland Families:
UH serves over 47,000 students with active Greek life including 30+ fraternities and sororities across multiple councils. For Sabine County families, UH represents a major urban university option just a few hours’ drive away.

Documented Hazing Incidents Beyond Bermudez:

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha Case: Pledges allegedly deprived of food, water, and sleep; one suffered a lacerated spleen
• Multiple chapter suspensions for alcohol-related hazing and policy violations
• Ongoing pattern concerns similar to those exposed in the Bermudez litigation

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds:

• Jurisdiction typically lies in Harris County courts
• Investigations may involve UH Police Department and Houston Police
• Civil suits often name: individual members, chapter housing corporation, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, UH System Board of Regents

What UH Families Should Do:

1. Report to both UH Dean of Students and Houston Police if crimes occurred
2. Request prior disciplinary records for the involved organization through public records requests
3. Document all communications with university administrators

5.2 Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

Campus Snapshot for City of Pineland Families:
Texas A&M’s unique Corps of Cadets tradition creates additional hazing risks alongside conventional Greek life. For East Texas families, A&M represents a flagship institution with deep traditions.

Documented Hazing Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner causing severe burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended and lawsuits filed.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023): Cadet alleged being bound between beds in a degrading position with an apple in his mouth, seeking over $1 million in damages.
• Multiple fraternity suspensions for alcohol hazing and physical abuse

Texas A&M’s Greek Ecosystem (from Public Records):
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks numerous A&M-related entities, including:

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC (EIN: 133048786) | COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC – THETA RHO (EIN: 812525354) | COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845
• TEXAS NU-PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY (EIN: 814123811) | COLLEGE STATION, TX 77840

Brazos Valley Metro Greek Organizations (from Cause IQ Data):
The College Station-Bryan metro hosts 42+ Greek organizations including:

• Sigma Chi Fraternity – Eta Upsilon Chapter (Texas A&M)
• Omega Psi Phi – Tau Tau Chapter (Texas A&M)
• Delta Sigma Theta – Brazos Valley Alumnae Chapter

What A&M Families Should Do:

1. Understand both Student Conduct and Corps Regulations for reporting
2. Recognize that hazing in military-style programs can involve different dynamics but similar legal protections
3. Preserve evidence from both digital and physical sources

5.3 University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Patterns

Campus Snapshot for City of Pineland Families:
UT Austin’s public hazing violation database provides unprecedented transparency about which organizations have been sanctioned—a valuable resource for Central Texas families.

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Assault allegations involving an international student with serious injuries
• Multiple spirit groups and athletic organizations sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol hazing

UT Austin’s Greek Infrastructure (from Public Records):

• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY (EIN: 740555581) | AUSTIN, TX 78705 – House Corporation
• BUILDING CORPORATION OF DELTA CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA PI (EIN: 746047117) | AUSTIN, TX 78705
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI – TEXAS STATE CHAPTER (EIN: 463831593) | AUSTIN, TX 78723

What UT Families Should Do:

1. Check UT’s public hazing database before your child joins any organization
2. Use documented prior violations as leverage in negotiations and litigation
3. Report to both UTPD and Austin Police for off-campus incidents

5.4 Southern Methodist University: Private Institution Challenges

Campus Snapshot for City of Pineland Families:
SMU’s affluent private campus hosts a prominent Greek system with different transparency challenges than public universities.

Documented Incidents:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, sleep-deprived; chapter suspended until 2021
• Multiple anonymous reports through systems like Real Response indicating ongoing concerns

Dallas-Fort Worth Greek Ecosystem (from Our Data Engine):
The DFW metro contains 510+ Greek organizations, including SMU-related entities:

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity (EIN: 742911848) | FORT WORTH, TX 76244
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc (EIN: 741380362) | FORT WORTH, TX 76147
• Tri Delta Educational Fund of SMU (Cause IQ listing) | Dallas, TX

What SMU Families Should Do:

1. Utilize anonymous reporting systems but follow up formally
2. Request internal investigation records through legal discovery if filing suit
3. Recognize that private university status doesn’t eliminate liability

5.5 Baylor University: Religious Identity and Accountability

Campus Snapshot for City of Pineland Families:
Baylor’s Christian identity and past scandals create unique dynamics around hazing accountability and institutional response.

Documented Incidents:

• Baseball Team Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following investigation
• Ongoing concerns in Greek organizations despite “zero tolerance” policies

Waco Metro Greek Network (from Public Data):

• SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY (EIN: 364091267) | WACO, TX 76710 – Xi Chi Chapter
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED NU IOTA CHAPTER (EIN: 521346485) | WACO, TX 76703
• PHI GAMMA DELTA – TAU DEUTERON CHAPTER (Cause IQ listing) | Baylor University

What Baylor Families Should Do:

1. Document any conflicts between Baylor’s religious messaging and institutional conduct
2. Understand how Title IX applies even at religious institutions when federal funding is involved
3. Seek legal counsel familiar with both hazing law and religious institution litigation

6. Fraternities & Sororities: National Patterns Meet Texas Campuses

The same national organizations involved in fatal hazing cases across the country operate chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor. Their histories matter because they show predictable patterns of behavior.

National Histories That Inform Texas Cases

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ):

• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, 2021): $10M settlement
• David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois, 2012): $14M settlement
• Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing despite national “awareness”

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ):

• Multiple chapter closures nationwide for alcohol deaths
• Texas A&M Chemical Burns (2021): $1M lawsuit
• UT Austin Assault (2024): International student with severe injuries
• Pattern: Repeated physical and alcohol hazing despite early elimination of pledging

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

• Max Gruver (LSU, 2017): Felony hazing law catalyst
• Multiple chapter suspensions for alcohol hazing
• Pattern: Drinking games framed as “traditions”

Why National Headquarters Matter in Litigation

When we pursue a hazing case, we investigate what the national organization knew and when:

1. Prior Incident Tracking: Did nationals have reports from other chapters about similar hazing?
2. Policy vs. Practice: Were anti-hazing manuals window dressing or meaningfully enforced?
3. Financial Control: Did nationals collect dues while ignoring warning signs?
4. Insurance Coverage: What policies did nationals maintain that could provide recovery?

This investigative approach proved crucial in the Bermudez case, where Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters faced liability despite the chapter’s eventual closure.

7. Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and Legal Strategy

When hazing causes harm, building a strong case requires immediate action and strategic thinking. Here’s what City of Pineland families need to understand about the legal process.

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

• Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord messages showing planning, boasting, or cover-ups
• Social Media: Instagram stories, Snapchat videos, TikTok posts documenting hazing
• Deleted Messages: Digital forensics can often recover what students try to erase

Physical Evidence:

• Photographs of injuries (take immediately and over several days)
• Medical records documenting diagnosis and treatment
• Physical objects: paddles, alcohol bottles, costumes, receipts

Institutional Records:

• University disciplinary files on the organization
• National fraternity risk management reports
• Insurance policies and coverage documents

How We Preserve Evidence: Our firm uses the same digital forensics techniques we employ in complex trucking and maritime cases. We know how to obtain deleted messages, recover social media archives, and trace digital footprints that organizations try to erase.

Types of Damages in Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

• Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment)
• Future medical care (therapy, medications, lifelong support for catastrophic injuries)
• Lost educational costs (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
• Diminished earning capacity (for permanent disabilities)

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering from injuries
• Emotional distress, PTSD, depression, anxiety
• Humiliation and loss of dignity
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages (When Tragedy Strikes):

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support and inheritance
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support
• Parents’ and siblings’ emotional trauma

Punitive Damages: In cases involving especially reckless or malicious conduct, courts may award additional damages to punish defendants and deter future behavior.

Our Investigative Process

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation: We secure digital evidence before deletion, often within 24-48 hours
2. Comprehensive Discovery: We subpoena records from universities, national headquarters, social media companies, and phone providers
3. Expert Collaboration: We work with medical experts, toxicologists, psychologists, economists, and Greek life culture experts
4. Strategic Negotiation: We negotiate from strength, using our insurance insider knowledge to maximize recovery
5. Trial Preparation: We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because that readiness forces fair settlements

Our experience with BP Texas City explosion litigation taught us how to investigate institutional knowledge and cover-ups. Those same skills apply when uncovering what fraternities and universities knew about hazing risks.

8. Practical Guides & FAQs: Immediate Steps for City of Pineland Families

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Sudden secrecy about organizational activities
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
• Constant phone monitoring for group chat demands
• Financial strain from unexpected “fines” or purchases

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally):

1. “What does your new member process involve?”
2. “Have you ever felt unsafe or pressured to do something you didn’t want to do?”
3. “What happens if someone doesn’t participate in an activity?”
4. “Are you allowed to talk about what happens during initiation?”

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety: If immediate danger exists, call 911
2. Document Everything: Write down what your child tells you with dates and details
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages before deletion
4. Medical Attention: Get professional evaluation even for “minor” injuries
5. Legal Consultation: Contact an experienced hazing attorney before reporting

For Students: Protecting Yourself and Your Rights

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

• Would I do this if there were no social consequences for refusing?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Am I being told to keep secrets from university officials or my family?
• Are older members making me do things they don’t have to do?

How to Exit Safely:

1. Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, trusted friend)
2. Send written resignation to chapter leadership (email creates record)
3. Avoid “exit interviews” or private meetings where pressure could occur
4. Document any retaliation immediately

Your Legal Rights in Texas:

• You cannot be punished for calling 911 in a medical emergency (good-faith immunity)
• “Consent” is not a defense to hazing charges
• You can request no-contact orders through the university if threatened

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Messages, photos, or videos that seem embarrassing are often the strongest evidence
2. Confronting the Organization: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching
3. Signing University Documents: Never sign waivers, releases, or “resolution agreements” without legal review
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys monitor everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
5. Waiting for University Investigations: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitations run

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

Frequently Asked Questions from Texas Families

Q: Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?
A: Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and certain other claims. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity barriers. Each case requires individual analysis.

Q: Is hazing a felony in Texas?
A: It can be. Under Texas Education Code §37.152, hazing causing serious bodily injury or death is a state jail felony. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Generally two years from the date of injury in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm wasn’t immediately apparent. Given how quickly evidence disappears, we recommend immediate consultation. Watch our video on Texas statutes of limitations for more details.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) occurred off-campus and resulted in substantial judgments.

Q: Will this be confidential?
A: Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize client privacy while pursuing accountability, requesting sealed records and confidential settlements whenever possible.

9. About The Manginello Law Firm: Why Texas Families Choose Us for 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 fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña’s Experience):
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

• Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Use delay tactics to pressure families
• Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
• Structure lowball settlement offers

As Mr. Peña explains, “We know their playbook because we used to run it.” This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating against well-funded defense teams.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello’s Background):
Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal resources. That same capability applies when suing national fraternities and university systems.

Dual Civil-Criminal Capability:
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of hazing cases. We can:

• Advise families on criminal proceedings
• Represent witnesses with potential exposure
• Navigate parallel civil and criminal tracks

Multi-Million Dollar Results:
Our firm has recovered millions for catastrophic injury and wrongful death clients. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force real accountability and prevent future harm.

Investigative Depth:
We deploy the same rigorous investigation techniques from our trucking and maritime practices:

• Digital forensics to recover deleted messages
• Expert networks including medical specialists, economists, and Greek culture experts
• Public records mastery to uncover prior incidents and organizational knowledge

Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring Hispanic families in City of Pineland and across Texas receive clear communication and culturally competent representation.

Our Approach to Hazing Cases

1. Immediate Response: Evidence preservation within 24-48 hours
2. Comprehensive Investigation: Leaving no stone unturned in uncovering institutional knowledge
3. Strategic Negotiation: Using our insurance insider knowledge to maximize recovery
4. Trial Readiness: Preparing every case as if it will go before a jury
5. Client-Centered Advocacy: Keeping families informed and supported throughout the process

We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Learn more about how contingency fees work in our educational video.

Call to Action for City of Pineland Families

If your child has been hazed at any Texas university—whether here in Sabine County or anywhere in the state—you have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation:

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• 24/7 Availability: We understand hazing crises don’t happen on a 9-5 schedule
• Spanish Services: Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

1. We’ll listen to your story without judgment
2. Review any evidence you’ve preserved
3. Explain your legal options clearly and honestly
4. Discuss realistic timelines and potential outcomes
5. Answer all your questions about costs and process
6. No pressure to hire us—take time to make the right decision for your family

Whether your child attends UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other Texas campus, the patterns of hazing and institutional response are tragically similar. The Leonel Bermudez case shows what’s possible when families stand up for accountability. Your family doesn’t have to face this crisis alone.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re here to help.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez 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 $10M Lawsuit 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:

• Evidence Preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Common Client Mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Contingency Fee Explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Firm Information:

• Main Website: https://attorney911.com
• Wrongful Death Practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
• Ralph Manginello Profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
• Lupe Peña Profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

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
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | lupe@atty911.com (Spanish services)