The Definitive Guide to Hazing in Texas: What Every River Oaks Family Must Know

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

Imagine this: Your son, a bright student from River Oaks, accepts a bid to a fraternity at a major Texas university. What begins as exciting camaraderie quickly turns dark. He’s handed a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items he must carry everywhere. He’s woken at 3 AM for “workouts” at remote parks. He’s forced to consume impossible amounts of food until he vomits, then made to sprint. His phone buzzes constantly with group chat demands—respond immediately or face punishment. One night, after being forced through hundreds of push-ups and squats under threat of expulsion, he collapses. Days later, he’s passing brown urine and rushed to the emergency room, where doctors diagnose rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spends four days hospitalized, facing potential permanent kidney damage.

This isn’t hypothetical. This is the exact reality for Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student whose $10 million hazing lawsuit against UH, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders we are actively litigating right now. The details—documented in exclusive Click2Houston and ABC13 investigations—show hazing in 2025 is systematic, cruel, and medically dangerous.

If you’re a parent in River Oaks, Fort Worth, Arlington, or anywhere in Tarrant County, this guide is for you. Your child may attend UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any Texas campus. The legal principles, institutional patterns, and defense tactics are the same. We’ll explain what modern hazing really looks like, Texas and federal law, major case precedents, and—most importantly—what your family can do if hazing has turned your child’s college experience into a nightmare.

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

Hazing in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing is not “boys will be boys” or “harmless tradition.” It’s a calculated system of control that exploits young people’s desire for belonging. Today’s hazing has evolved with technology and become more sophisticated at avoiding detection.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (The Gateway)
These behaviors establish power imbalance and normalize compliance:

24/7 group chat monitoring with immediate response demands
Mandatory chauffeuring and errands at all hours
“Pledge duties” like cleaning members’ rooms or apartments
Social isolation from non-members and family
Geographic tracking via Find My Friends or Life360
Required attendance at events that interfere with academics

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (The Abuse)
These cause measurable physical or psychological harm:

Sleep deprivation through all-night “meetings” or tasks
Food/water restriction or forced consumption of unpleasant substances
Extreme calisthenics (“smokings”) far beyond normal conditioning
Public humiliation and verbal abuse
Exposure to disgusting conditions (lying in vomit, as in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case)
Digital humiliation through forced social media posts

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (The Catastrophe)
These have high potential for serious injury or death:

Forced alcohol consumption (chugging, funneling, drinking games)
Physical beatings and paddling
Dangerous physical tests (“glass ceiling” tackles, blindfolded challenges)
Sexualized hazing and assault
Exposure to extreme temperatures
Chemical exposure (like the industrial cleaner burns in the Texas A&M SAE case)

The Digital Transformation of Hazing

The smartphone has revolutionized hazing—for worse:

Group Chat Tyranny: Platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, and Discord create 24/7 control. Pledges must respond instantly to messages at all hours.
Social Media Humiliation: TikTok “challenges,” Instagram story dares, and Facebook humiliation are now standard.
Evidence Capture: Members film hazing “for the memories,” creating damning evidence—but also often delete it when investigations begin.
Geo-Tracking: Many chapters require pledges to share live locations, enabling constant monitoring.

The “Retreat” Loophole

Organizations now move the most violent hazing off-campus:

Airbnbs in remote areas
Private lakeside cabins
Family-owned rural properties
“Camping trips” and “leadership retreats”

This attempts to avoid campus security cameras and university jurisdiction, but as the Pi Delta Psi case (Baruch College retreat death) proved, location doesn’t eliminate liability.

Texas Hazing Law: What River Oaks Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes that protect your child. Understanding these laws is crucial for holding organizations accountable.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Criminal Framework

Definition (§37.151):
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

Endangers mental or physical health or safety, AND
Occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership

Key Provisions:

Criminal Penalties (§37.152):
- Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
- Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
- State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death
Organizational Liability (§37.153):
- Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation
- Universities can revoke recognition
Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155):
- Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law
- Courts recognize power imbalance and coercion invalidate true consent
Good-Faith Reporting Immunity (§37.154):
- Those who report hazing in good faith are immune from liability
- Many universities extend this to alcohol/medical emergencies

Civil Liability: Where Real Accountability Happens

Criminal charges punish individuals; civil lawsuits provide compensation and force institutional change.

Potential Defendants in a Civil Hazing Case:

Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up hazing
Chapter Officers: Presidents, pledgemasters, risk managers with supervisory duty
Local Chapters: As legal entities (many have housing corporations)
National Fraternities/Sororities: For negligent supervision and pattern liability
Universities: For deliberate indifference or negligent supervision
Property Owners: Landlords of off-campus houses where hazing occurred
Alcohol Providers: Under Texas dram shop laws if applicable

Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, universities have specific investigation and response obligations.

Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes; hazing incidents often overlap with assault, alcohol, or drug violations.

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

Publicly report hazing incidents transparently
Strengthen prevention education
Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The same scripts play out across the country. These cases matter because they show foreseeability—national organizations knew these risks but failed to prevent them.

Alcohol Poisoning Deaths: The Most Common Killer

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

Forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night
Died from alcohol poisoning
$10+ million in settlements ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
Chapter president ordered to pay $6.5 million personally

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

“Bible study” drinking game—wrong answers = forced drinking
Died with 0.495% BAC (six times legal limit)
Louisiana passed Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony
$6.1 million verdict against fraternity

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

“Big Brother” night with handles of hard liquor
Died from acute alcohol poisoning
FSU suspended all Greek life temporarily
Pi Kappa Phi national faced intense scrutiny

Physical and Ritualized Hazing Deaths

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

“Glass ceiling” ritual: blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled
Died from traumatic brain injury; help delayed
National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter
Banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years

Catastrophic Non-Fatal Injuries

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)

Forced drinking during “pledge dad reveal”
Suffered permanent, severe brain damage
Cannot walk, talk, or see; requires 24/7 care
Family settled with 22 defendants, including national fraternity

Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas A&M (2021)

Pledges covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner
Severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
Pledges sued for $1 million; chapter suspended

What These Cases Mean for River Oaks Families

Patterns Repeat: The same organizations (Pi Kappa Alpha, SAE, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi) have the same problems across campuses
Nationals Have Notice: These organizations can’t claim “we didn’t know”—their own histories prove they knew the risks
Universities Face Liability: Schools that don’t aggressively intervene can face multi-million dollar settlements
Individual Accountability: Chapter officers can face personal financial ruin

Texas Universities: Where River Oaks Students Attend

River Oaks families send students to schools across Texas. Here’s what you need to know about hazing at major campuses.

University of Houston: The Current Ground Zero

The Leonel Bermudez Pi Kappa Phi Case – Why It Matters Now

Right now, we’re actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. Leonel Bermudez’s experience at UH’s Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter illustrates exactly what modern hazing looks like:

Systematic Humiliation and Control:

“Pledge fanny pack” rule: condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices carried 24/7
Enforced dress codes and interview schedules
Overnight chauffeuring duties
Constant threats of expulsion for non-compliance

Extreme Physical Abuse:

Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races at Yellowstone Boulevard Park
Cold-weather exposure in underwear
Lying in vomit-soaked grass
Hose spraying in face “similar to waterboarding”
Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, then immediate sprints
Nov. 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats

Medical Catastrophe:

Developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown)
Acute kidney failure
Passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help
Four-day hospitalization with critically high creatine kinase levels
Ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage

Institutional Response:

Nov. 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi national suspends chapter
Nov. 14, 2025: Chapter votes to surrender charter; permanently closed
UH calls conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary measures up to expulsion
13 individual defendants including chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager

Why This Case Matters for All Texas Families:

It shows hazing isn’t “just drinking”—it’s systematic abuse
It demonstrates the medical severity possible (rhabdomyolysis can be fatal)
It proves universities and nationals can be held accountable
It’s happening right now in Texas

UH’s Greek Ecosystem:
According to our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, the Houston metro area has 188 Greek-related organizations. At UH specifically, major fraternities include Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, and Lambda Chi Alpha among others. Sororities include Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, and Delta Gamma.

UH Hazing Policy:

Prohibits hazing on and off campus
Requires reporting through Dean of Students
Provides some transparency through conduct records

Prior UH Incidents:

2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case: pledge suffered lacerated spleen
Multiple alcohol-related suspensions
Pattern of physical “conditioning” disguised as hazing

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

For River Oaks families with students at A&M, understand these unique risks:

Corps of Cadets Hazing:

2023 lawsuit: Cadet alleged “roasted pig” bondage, simulated sexual acts, apple in mouth
Sought over $1 million in damages
A&M stated it handled matter internally
Shows hazing extends beyond Greek life

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):

Pledges covered in industrial cleaner, raw eggs, spit
Severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts
$1 million lawsuit filed
Chapter suspended for two years

Texas A&M’s Greek Landscape:
College Station-Bryan metro has 42 Greek organizations according to our data. Major fraternities at A&M include Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Kappa Sigma. The Corps adds another layer of tradition-based risk.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Continued Problems

UT’s Public Hazing Log – A National Model:
UT maintains a public hazing violations page showing organizations, conduct, and sanctions. Recent entries include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023):

New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics
Found to be hazing
Chapter placed on probation with mandatory anti-hazing education

Other Sanctioned Groups:

Texas Wranglers (spirit organization)
Various fraternities for alcohol-related hazing
Multiple groups for forced workouts

Why UT’s Transparency Matters:

Shows pattern evidence for civil cases
Proves university had knowledge of problems
Creates public accountability

UT’s Greek Scope:
Austin-Round Rock metro has 154 Greek organizations. At UT specifically, major groups include Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, and Beta Upsilon Chi among many others.

Southern Methodist University: Private School Challenges

SMU’s Affluent Greek Culture:
As a private university with strong Greek presence, SMU faces unique challenges:

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017):

New members paddled, forced to drink, sleep deprived
Chapter suspended for years
Restrictions on recruiting until 2021

SMU’s Approach:

Anonymous reporting via Real Response system
Private university = less public transparency
Civil discovery often necessary to uncover internal reports

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Past Scandals

Baylor’s Complex History:
Following the football sexual assault scandal, Baylor faces scrutiny on all abuse fronts:

Baseball Hazing (2020):

14 players suspended following investigation
Staggered suspensions throughout season
Pattern of athletic program misconduct

Baylor’s Greek Life:
Waco metro has 27 Greek organizations. At Baylor, major groups include Sigma Chi, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Beta Theta Pi among others.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Uncovering Who’s Really Responsible

Most families don’t realize that behind every campus chapter are multiple legal entities that can be held accountable. Our firm maintains a proprietary database of Texas Greek organizations—this investigative depth is why we succeed where others fail.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities and Sororities Serving River Oaks Families

If your child was hazed, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to them. Below are just a few examples from our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine showing the network of organizations operating in Texas:

DFW Metro Area Organizations (510 Total Greek Entities):

Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, EIN 74-2911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244 – IRS B83 filing
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147 – IRS B83 filing
Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity – Gamma Psi Chapter, Fort Worth, TX – TCU chapter house corporation
Sigma Nu Fraternity – Lambda Epsilon Chapter, Fort Worth, TX – TCU chapter
Delta Kappa Epsilon – Tau Gamma House Corp., Addison, TX – housing corporation

Houston Metro Organizations (188 Total Greek Entities):

Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Houston, TX – alumni/house corporation
Alpha Phi Omega – Bayou City Alumni, Houston, TX – service fraternity alumni chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae, Houston, TX – graduate chapter
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter, Houston, TX – undergraduate chapter

Texas-Registered Housing and Alumni Corporations (IRS B83 Filings):

Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035
Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation, EIN 37-1768785, Missouri City, TX 77459
Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 74-6084905, Houston, TX 77204
Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, EIN 74-6047117, Austin, TX 78705

Why This Directory Matters:

Insurance Coverage: These entities often carry liability insurance
Asset Recovery: Judgments can be collected from these organizations
Pattern Evidence: Multiple entities under same national brand show systemic issues
Investigation Starting Point: We know where to send subpoenas immediately

National Brands with Texas Presence: The Repeat Offenders

These national organizations appear in both IRS filings and our metro database, showing they operate multiple entity types across Texas:

Pi Kappa Alpha:

Texas District alumni corporation (Houston)
Epsilon Kappa Chapter alumni (Beaumont)
Multiple undergraduate chapters across Texas campuses

Sigma Gamma Rho:

Beta Sigma Chapter (Houston)
Mu Epsilon Chapter (Beaumont)
Alpha Psi Sigma alumnae chapter (Beaumont)
Multiple IRS-registered entities across Texas

Phi Kappa Phi (Honor Society):

Registered with IRS in Denton, Tyler, El Paso, Austin, Lubbock, College Station, Victoria
Campus chapters at Texas Woman’s University, UT Tyler, UT El Paso, Texas State, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, UH Victoria

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Realistic Expectations

When your child has been hazed, the legal process can feel overwhelming. Here’s what actually goes into building a successful case.

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, iMessage screenshots
Social media: Instagram stories, TikTok videos, Facebook posts
Deleted messages: Digital forensics can often recover them
Location data: Geo-tags, Find My Friends histories

Medical Documentation:

ER records showing intoxication or injury
Hospitalization records
Lab results (creatine kinase levels for rhabdomyolysis like in the UH case)
Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety

Physical Evidence:

Photographs of injuries (multiple angles, with scale reference)
Damaged clothing or personal items
Paddles, props, or objects used in hazing
Receipts for forced alcohol purchases

Institutional Records:

University conduct files (obtained via subpoena)
National fraternity risk management reports
Prior incident reports and disciplinary history
Insurance policies and coverage information

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical expenses: Past and future care
Lost educational costs: Tuition for semesters missed, lost scholarships
Lost earning capacity: If injuries affect future employment
Therapy and counseling: Often needed for years

Non-Economic Damages:

Pain and suffering: Physical and emotional
Loss of enjoyment of life: Can’t participate in activities they loved
Humiliation and emotional distress: Particularly severe in hazing cases
Permanent disability compensation: For conditions like kidney damage (UH case) or brain injury

Wrongful Death Damages:

Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of financial support
Loss of companionship and guidance
Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Overcoming Common Defense Tactics

Fraternities, universities, and their insurers use predictable defenses. Here’s how we counter them:

Defense: “The Pledge Consented”

Our Response: Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Power imbalance and coercion invalidate “consent.”

Defense: “This Was a Rogue Chapter”

Our Response: We subpoena national records showing prior incidents, proving pattern and foreseeability.

Defense: “It Happened Off-Campus”

Our Response: Location doesn’t eliminate duty. Nationals and universities still exercise control and benefit from chapters.

Defense: “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”

Our Response: Paper policies without enforcement are worthless. We show prior violations were ignored or minimally punished.

Defense: “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”

Our Response: We argue negligent supervision (covered) versus intentional hazing. We identify all potential insurance policies.

Practical Guides for River Oaks Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Immediate Actions

Red Flags Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and old friends
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Receiving calls/texts at all hours demanding immediate response
Financial changes: unexpected expenses, requests for money

What to Do Immediately:

Prioritize Safety: If injured or intoxicated, get to ER immediately
Preserve Evidence: Screenshot everything before it’s deleted
Document Everything: Write down what happened while memory is fresh
Contact an Attorney: Within 24-48 hours before evidence disappears
Do NOT: Confront the organization, sign university forms, or post on social media

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Are older members making me do things they don’t do themselves?
Am I being told to keep secrets or lie?

If You Want to Quit:

You have the legal right to leave at any time
Tell someone outside the organization first
Send written resignation (email/text for record)
Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure may occur

Evidence Preservation for Students:

Screenshot group chats with timestamps visible
Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
Record conversations (Texas is one-party consent)
Save everything digital—don’t delete even if embarrassed
Tell medical providers you were hazed so it’s documented

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Letting Evidence Be Destroyed:
Once messages are deleted or physical evidence discarded, your case becomes exponentially harder. Preserve everything immediately.

Confronting the Organization Directly:
This triggers their defense preparation—they lawyer up, destroy evidence, and coach witnesses. Let your attorney handle all communication.

Signing University “Resolution” Forms:
Universities often pressure families to sign internal resolution agreements that waive legal rights. Never sign without attorney review.

Posting on Social Media:
Defense attorneys monitor everything. Inconsistencies or emotional posts can be used against you. Keep everything private until case resolution.

Waiting Too Long:
Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, memories fade, and statutes of limitations run. The first 48 hours are critical.

Why Attorney911 for Texas 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

Insurance Insider Advantage:
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
Fight coverage under “intentional act” exclusions
Negotiate settlements

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience:
Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation. We’ve faced billion-dollar defendants before. National fraternities and universities don’t intimidate us—we know their playbook.

Multi-Million Dollar Results:
We’ve recovered millions in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with economists, life care planners, and medical experts to build cases that force serious settlements.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of hazing cases. We can advise on criminal exposure while pursuing civil accountability.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:
While other firms start from zero, we maintain a proprietary database of:

1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros
IRS registration data for 125+ Texas Greek entities
Campus chapter rosters at all major Texas universities
National hazing incident patterns

This means we immediately know:

Every legal entity behind a chapter
Where to send subpoenas
What insurance policies likely exist
Prior incident history patterns

Our Investigative Process

Phase 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation

Digital forensics for deleted messages
Witness interviews before memories fade
Medical record collection
Preservation letters to prevent evidence destruction

Phase 2: Institutional Investigation

Subpoenas to national fraternities for prior incident reports
Public records requests to universities for conduct files
Insurance policy identification and coverage analysis
Pattern evidence development across chapters

Phase 3: Case Strategy Development

Defendant identification (individuals, chapters, nationals, universities)
Damage calculation with economic experts
Settlement versus trial analysis
Media and privacy strategy

We Serve Families Throughout Texas

From our Houston office, we serve River Oaks families and students across Texas. Whether your child attends UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any Texas campus, we understand:

The specific university’s policies and history
Local court procedures and judges
Which prosecutors handle hazing cases
How to navigate both campus and criminal systems

Call to Action: Your Next Steps

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The path to accountability begins with a conversation.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911, you’ll speak directly with an attorney—not a paralegal or intake specialist. We’ll:

Listen to Your Story without judgment or interruption
Review Any Evidence you’ve preserved (photos, messages, medical records)
Explain Your Legal Options clearly and honestly
Discuss Realistic Timelines and what to expect
Answer All Your Questions about costs (we work on contingency—no fee unless we win)
Provide Immediate Guidance on evidence preservation and safety

No pressure to hire us on the spot. Take time to process, discuss with family, and make the right decision for your situation.

Contact Information

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Houston, Austin, Beaumont, and All of Texas

24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com

Attorneys:

Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
Lupe Peña: lupe@atty911.com (Spanish services available / Se habla Español)

If You’re Not Ready to Call Yet

Preserve These Critical Items:

Screenshot all group chats and messages
Photograph any injuries or physical evidence
Write down everything you remember (dates, times, names, locations)
Save all medical records and bills
Do NOT delete anything from phones or computers

Educational Resources:

Watch our video on evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Learn about statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Understand common client mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

The Bottom Line for River Oaks Families

Hazing isn’t “tradition”—it’s abuse. It’s not “bonding”—it’s coercion. And in Texas, it’s not just wrong—it’s illegal.

The Leonel Bermudez case at UH shows what’s possible when families fight back. A $10 million lawsuit. A chapter permanently closed. Thirteen individuals facing accountability. And most importantly, a student getting the justice he deserves for injuries that could affect him for life.

Your child deserves the same. Whether the hazing happened at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any Texas campus, the legal principles are the same, the institutional patterns are the same, and your right to accountability is the same.

Don’t let evidence disappear. Don’t let organizations control the narrative. Don’t let your child suffer in silence.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s discuss what happened, explore your options, and take the first step toward justice. We’re here to listen, we’re here to help, and we’re here to fight for your family.

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 Leonel Bermudez UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
Contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Firm Website:

Main site: https://attorney911.com