🚨 Hazing Lawyer in Polk County, TX | Attorney 911

Justice for Hazing Victims in Polk County and Across Texas

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — Neither Does Our Fight

If your child has been the victim of hazing in Polk County, Texas, you’re not alone. The same fraternities, the same “traditions,” and the same negligence that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at universities and colleges near Polk County. We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we will bring the same aggressive representation to Polk County families.

At Attorney 911, we don’t just talk about hazing. We’re in the courtroom right now, fighting for victims. If your child was hazed in Polk County — whether at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization — we can help you hold the perpetrators and institutions accountable.

Call now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Why Polk County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Our client was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight, and we know how to win.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — are former insurance defense lawyers. We know exactly how insurance companies, universities, and fraternities try to minimize or deny claims. We’ve seen their tactics from the inside — and now we use that knowledge to maximize compensation for victims.

3. Nationwide Reach — Polk County Is Covered

While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we represent hazing victims nationwide. We have:

• Federal court authority (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York)
• Willingness to travel to Polk County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Remote consultation technology for Polk County families who can’t travel

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

4. $0 Upfront — You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

We understand that cost can be a major concern for Polk County families. We take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if and when you get paid. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.

5. Bilingual Representation — Se Habla Español

Our staff is fluent in Spanish, and we’re committed to serving all Polk County families regardless of language. No language barriers. No cultural barriers. Just justice.

6. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation

• $10 million hazing lawsuit currently pending (Pi Kappa Phi / University of Houston)
• Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury and wrongful death cases
• BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience against major corporations
• Hundreds of cases won by exposing flawed evidence and insurance company tricks

What Is Hazing — And Why It’s Illegal in Texas

Texas Law Is Clear: Hazing Is a Crime

Under Texas Education Code § 37.151, hazing is defined as 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 maintaining membership in an organization.

This includes:

• Physical brutality (beatings, paddling, waterboarding)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
• Sleep deprivation
• Extreme physical exercise (500 squats, 100-yard crawls, bear crawls)
• Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
• Exposure to dangerous conditions (cold weather, confined spaces)

Consent Is NOT a Defense in Texas

One of the most common defenses in hazing cases is: “He agreed to participate.” Texas law explicitly says this doesn’t matter. Under § 37.154:

“It is not a defense to prosecution that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

No matter what your child “agreed to,” hazing is illegal and punishable under Texas law.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing in Texas

Hazing can result in criminal charges, including:

• Class B Misdemeanor — Up to 180 days in jail, $2,000 fine
• Class A Misdemeanor — Up to 1 year in jail, $4,000 fine (if serious bodily injury occurs)
• State Jail Felony — 180 days to 2 years in jail, $10,000 fine (if death occurs)

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

What Happens in Hazing — And What It Does to Victims

The Reality of Hazing in Polk County

Hazing isn’t “boys being boys” or “building brotherhood.” It’s systematic abuse disguised as tradition. It happens at universities near Polk County, and it can happen to your child.

Common Hazing Activities (Based on Our Current Case and Others):

Medical Consequences of Hazing

Hazing can cause permanent, life-altering injuries, including:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) → Kidney failure (as in our current case)
• Traumatic brain injury (from beatings or falls)
• Alcohol poisoning → Death (like Stone Foltz, Maxwell Gruver, Timothy Piazza)
• Hypothermia or heat stroke (from exposure)
• Cardiac arrest (from extreme physical exertion)
• PTSD, anxiety, depression (long-term psychological damage)
• Death

These aren’t “accidents.” They’re preventable tragedies — and the institutions that allow them must be held accountable.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Polk County?

When hazing happens, everyone who participated or allowed it can be held legally and financially responsible. In our current case, we’re suing:

Polk County families: If your child was hazed, we will pursue every liable party — not just the individuals, but the institutions that enabled them.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Polk County

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

Even if your child says they’re “fine,” hazing can cause delayed-onset injuries like rhabdomyolysis or internal bleeding. Go to the emergency room or urgent care immediately.

Symptoms that require emergency care:

• Severe muscle pain
• Brown or dark urine (sign of muscle breakdown)
• Difficulty walking or moving
• Vomiting or nausea
• Confusion or disorientation
• Loss of consciousness
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do NOT delete anything. Save:

• Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshots + originals)
• Photos or videos of injuries, hazing activities, or locations
• Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, test results)
• Witness names and contact information
• Any fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or Their Lawyers

• Do NOT speak to fraternity/sorority leadership
• Do NOT give statements to university administrators
• Do NOT post on social media about the incident
• Do NOT sign anything from the organization or their insurance company

Anything you say can be used against you. Let us handle all communications.

Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

Time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. The sooner you call us, the stronger your case will be.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

What Polk County Families Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages

• Medical bills (past, present, and future)
• Lost wages (if your child had to miss work)
• Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships, delayed graduation)
• Rehabilitation costs (physical therapy, counseling)

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
• Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in activities)
• Disfigurement (scars, permanent injuries)

Punitive Damages

If the conduct was especially egregious (like waterboarding or forced exercise to the point of kidney failure), the court may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing.

Precedent Cases Show Hazing Victims Can Win Millions:

• $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
• $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
• $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
• $4+ million — Adam Oakes (Delta Chi, VCU)

Our current case seeks $10 million — and Polk County families deserve the same.

Polk County Universities and Greek Life — The Same Hazing Culture Exists Here

Fraternities and Sororities Near Polk County

Polk County is home to Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in nearby Huntsville, as well as numerous colleges and universities within driving distance where Greek life is active. The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits operate chapters at these institutions.

Fraternities with Documented Hazing Histories Near Polk County:

• Pi Kappa Phi (our current lawsuit; Andrew Coffey death at FSU)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) (Stone Foltz death at BGSU; $10.1M settlement)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) (chemical burns case at Texas A&M)
• Phi Delta Theta (Maxwell Gruver death at LSU; $6.1M verdict)
• Beta Theta Pi (Timothy Piazza death at Penn State; $110M+ settlement)
• Sigma Chi (recent lawsuit at UT Austin)

Polk County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

The University’s Role — Why Schools Are Liable for Hazing

Universities have a legal duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. When they fail, they can be held liable for hazing injuries and deaths.

How Universities Enable Hazing Near Polk County:

1. They Own or Control Fraternity/Sorority Houses

   • Many universities own or lease fraternity houses (like UH did in our case)
   • They have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous chapters
   • If they own the property where hazing occurs, they’re liable for what happens there

2. They Have Prior Knowledge of Hazing

   • Most universities know hazing happens in Greek life
   • Many have prior hazing incidents on record (UH had one in 2017)
   • If they knew or should have known, they’re liable for failing to act

3. They Have the Power to Stop Hazing — But Don’t

   • Universities can suspend or ban fraternities and sororities
   • They can increase oversight of Greek life
   • They can require anti-hazing training
   • When they don’t, they’re choosing reputation over safety

4. They Benefit Financially from Greek Life

   • Universities collect donations from alumni associated with Greek organizations
   • They receive funding from national fraternities/sororities
   • They profit from the Greek system — so they have a duty to make it safe

Polk County families: If your child was hazed at a university near Polk County, the school may be liable — even if they claim they didn’t know.

What Makes Our Approach Different for Polk County Hazing Victims

1. We Don’t Just Sue — We Expose the Truth

Hazing thrives in secrecy. We shine a light on it.

• We investigate aggressively to uncover all evidence
• We depose every responsible party — from chapter members to university presidents
• We use media strategically to pressure defendants into fair settlements
• We pursue criminal referrals when appropriate

2. We Know the Greek Life System Inside and Out

Our attorneys have decades of experience with:

• Fraternity and sorority culture
• University oversight mechanisms
• Insurance company tactics
• Criminal hazing prosecutions

We know how to navigate the system — because we’ve seen it from the inside.

3. We Fight for Systemic Change

We don’t just want compensation for our clients — we want to stop hazing for good.

• We push for criminal charges against perpetrators
• We demand university reforms to prevent future hazing
• We support legislative change (like the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana)
• We educate parents and students about the dangers of hazing

4. We Treat Polk County Families Like Family

We understand the trauma that hazing causes — not just to victims, but to their families. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

• Compassionate, confidential consultations
• Regular case updates — you’ll never be left in the dark
• Bilingual support — no language barriers
• Willingness to travel to Polk County for meetings and depositions

Frequently Asked Questions for Polk County Families

1. My child was hazed, but they don’t want to sue. Should we still call?

Yes. Even if your child isn’t ready to pursue legal action, we can:

• Advise you on how to preserve evidence
• Help you report the hazing to the university and law enforcement
• Explain your legal rights and options
• Be there when you’re ready to take action

Many victims change their minds after learning about their rights. Call us for a free, confidential consultation — no obligation.

2. What if my child was partially at fault?

Texas law protects victims. Even if your child participated in some activities, they can still recover compensation if:

• They were coerced or pressured
• They didn’t understand the risks
• The activities went beyond what was described
• The organization’s negligence was greater than 50% responsible

Consent is NOT a defense in Texas hazing cases.

3. How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This means you have 2 years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit.

However, evidence disappears quickly. The sooner you call us, the stronger your case will be.

4. What if the hazing happened off-campus?

Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If your child was hazed at a private residence, a hotel, or anywhere else, we can still pursue the case.

5. Can we sue the national fraternity?

Yes. National organizations have deep pockets and insurance policies that cover hazing incidents. They also have a duty to supervise their chapters — when they fail, they’re liable.

6. What if my child signed a waiver?

Waivers don’t protect organizations from liability for illegal activities. Hazing is a crime in Texas, and no waiver can override the law.

7. How much is our case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements or verdicts, especially when:

• The hazing caused serious physical injury (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
• There’s evidence of a pattern of hazing at the chapter or university
• The university or national organization knew about the hazing and did nothing
• The conduct was especially egregious (waterboarding, forced alcohol, extreme physical abuse)

Our current case seeks $10 million — and we believe Polk County families deserve the same level of compensation.

8. What if the fraternity is already suspended or closed?

That doesn’t protect them from liability. In fact, it can be evidence that they knew they did something wrong.

9. Will my child have to testify?

Possibly, but we prepare our clients thoroughly and protect them from unnecessary trauma. Many cases settle before trial, so your child may never have to testify in court.

10. How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so we only get paid if you get paid.

Polk County Hazing Victims — You Are Not Alone

Hazing can leave victims feeling shamed, isolated, and afraid to speak up. But you don’t have to go through this alone. We’re here to fight for you.

What Polk County Families Are Saying About Our Approach:

“When my son was hazed, we didn’t know where to turn. Attorney 911 didn’t just fight for us — they gave us our dignity back.” — Parent of hazing victim

“They treated us like family. They explained everything, kept us updated, and never made us feel like just another case.” — Hazing victim

“I was afraid to speak up because I thought I’d be blamed. My attorney showed me that what happened wasn’t my fault — and that I had the power to hold them accountable.” — College student

Take Action Now — Before It’s Too Late

Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Deadlines expire.

If your child has been hazed in Polk County or at any university in Texas, call us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

We serve Polk County and all of Texas. We come to you. We fight for you. We win for you.

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