Texas Hazing Lawsuits: A Complete Guide for Round Mountain Families

Your Child’s Safety at Texas Universities: What Every Round Mountain Parent Needs to Know

Picture a fall semester evening at a fraternity house near the University of Texas at Austin. A bright student from a loving Round Mountain family, excited about making new friends and finding their place, stands with fellow pledges. What starts as “harmless tradition” escalates to forced drinking, humiliating dares, and physical exhaustion pushed far beyond safe limits. Your child feels trapped—caught between wanting to belong and knowing something is deeply wrong. They’re told, “Everyone before you did this,” and “This is how we become brothers.” Hours later, someone collapses. Phones are out, but no one calls for help—not yet. The fear of “getting the chapter in trouble” outweighs the fear of a medical emergency.

This scenario isn’t just hypothetical. Right now, we’re actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas: Leonel Bermudez’s $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. Bermudez, a transfer student, endured months of systematic abuse that left him with rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and four days of hospitalization. Media investigations reveal the brutal details: Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case and ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit.

If you’re a parent in Round Mountain, Blanco County, this guide is for you. Whether your child attends Texas State University in nearby San Marcos, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, or any Texas campus, you need to understand what modern hazing really looks like, how Texas law protects—and sometimes fails—our students, and what legal options exist when things go terribly wrong.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

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

In the first 48 hours:

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

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Understanding Hazing in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or harmless pranks. For Round Mountain families, it’s crucial to recognize the modern realities of campus abuse that can affect students at Texas State University, UT Austin, Texas A&M, and every Texas campus.

What Actually Constitutes Hazing in Texas?

Under Texas law, hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization

This legal definition covers far more than the stereotypical paddling or forced drinking. For Round Mountain students at Texas universities, hazing now manifests in sophisticated, often digitally-enabled forms designed to evade detection while causing real harm.

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most deadly form. At Texas campuses, this includes:

“Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor
“Bible study” or trivia games where wrong answers mean forced drinking
Lineups requiring rapid consumption of alcohol
Coerced consumption of drugs, hot sauce, spoiled food, or other substances

2. Physical and “Wellness” Hazing
Disguised as fitness or team-building, this includes:

“Smokings” – extreme calisthenics beyond safe limits (100+ push-ups, 500+ squats)
Forced runs or workouts in extreme weather
Sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions” or mandatory late-night events
Paddling, beatings, or physical restraint (like the hog-tying incident in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case)

3. Psychological and Digital Hazing

24/7 group chat monitoring with instant response demands
Social media humiliation through forced TikTok challenges or Instagram dares
Geo-tracking requirements via Find My Friends or Life360
Public shaming, verbal abuse, and systematic isolation from non-members

4. Sexualized and Degrading Hazing

Forced nudity or partial nudity
Simulated sexual acts or positions
Degrading costumes or roles with racist, sexist, or homophobic elements

Where Hazing Happens at Texas Universities

Round Mountain families should understand that hazing extends beyond fraternity row:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural councils)
Corps of Cadets and ROTC Programs (particularly relevant for Texas A&M families)
Athletic Teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer, swimming)
Spirit and Tradition Organizations (Texas Cowboys, Silver Spurs, etc.)
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Academic and Service Organizations

The common thread? Power imbalance, secrecy, and tradition that prioritize group loyalty over individual safety.

Texas Hazing Law: Your Legal Rights Explained

For Round Mountain families navigating a hazing crisis, understanding Texas law is the first step toward accountability. Our state has specific statutes, but their application depends on the facts of each case.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Texas law defines hazing broadly and provides both criminal penalties and civil liability pathways. Key provisions include:

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

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties

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

§ 37.155 Critical Protection: Consent is NOT a Defense
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Texas law explicitly states this does not excuse hazing. Courts recognize that power imbalance and group pressure invalidate true consent.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases

Brought by the state (district attorney)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Charges can include: hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter in fatal cases
Example: In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, criminal referrals were made alongside the civil lawsuit

Civil Cases

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Compensation and accountability
Focus on: negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, institutional liability
Critical point: A criminal conviction is NOT required to pursue civil action

For Round Mountain families, civil cases often provide the most meaningful accountability, as they can compel discovery of hidden documents, expose institutional failures, and secure compensation for medical care, trauma, and future needs.

Federal Laws That Overlay Texas Cases

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

Report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthen prevention education
Maintain public hazing data (phased in through 2026)

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

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Texas Hazing Case?

Our experience handling cases across Texas shows that multiple parties often share responsibility:

1. Individual Students
Those who planned, executed, or concealed hazing, especially officers and pledge educators.

2. Local Chapters and Organizations
The fraternity, sorority, or club itself as a legal entity.

3. National Headquarters
Organizations like Pi Kappa Phi National that set policies, collect dues, and supervise chapters. Their knowledge of prior incidents creates “foreseeability.”

4. Universities and Governing Boards
Texas public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) and private institutions (SMU, Baylor) can face liability for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference, or premises liability.

5. Third Parties
Property owners, landlords of off-campus houses, alcohol providers under dram shop laws.

For Round Mountain families, this multi-defendant approach is crucial. When we represented Leonel Bermudez against UH and Pi Kappa Phi, we named 14 defendants including the university system, national headquarters, housing corporation, and individual leaders to ensure full accountability.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat at Texas Campuses

What happens at Bowling Green, Penn State, or LSU isn’t isolated. These national cases establish patterns that repeat at Texas universities, and understanding them helps Round Mountain families recognize warning signs and legal precedents.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: From National Tragedy to Texas Reality

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
A bid-acceptance night with forced drinking, catastrophic falls caught on chapter cameras, and delayed medical care resulted in death. This case produced the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and showed how security footage can become crucial evidence—something we consider in every Texas case we handle.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking led to a 0.495% BAC and death. The resulting Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana, showing how tragic cases drive legislative reform—a pattern Texas may follow.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
A “Big/Little” night where a pledge was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol resulted in death and a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from the university). This case demonstrates that both national organizations and universities face significant financial exposure.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing: Not Just “Tradition”

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
A blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat caused fatal head injuries. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. This proves that off-campus locations don’t eliminate liability—a crucial point for Texas cases where hazing often moves to Airbnbs or rural properties.

Athletic Program Hazing: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program, resulting in multiple lawsuits, coach termination, and confidential settlements. This demonstrates that hazing permeates athletic departments with the same destructive patterns as Greek life.

What These Cases Mean for Round Mountain Families

These national tragedies establish critical legal principles that apply directly to Texas cases:

Foreseeability: When national organizations know certain rituals are dangerous but fail to eliminate them, they can be held liable
Delayed Medical Care: Failure to call 911 promptly significantly increases liability
Cover-Up Culture: Destroying evidence or intimidating witnesses leads to additional charges and punitive damages
Institutional Knowledge: Universities that ignore prior warnings face greater liability

The UH Pi Kappa Phi case we’re litigating right now embodies all these patterns: forced drinking, extreme physical hazing, delayed medical response, and institutional failures.

Texas University Focus: Where Round Mountain Students Are at Risk

Round Mountain families typically send students to several key Texas universities. Understanding the specific hazing landscapes at these institutions is crucial for prevention and response.

Texas State University: The Local Campus for Many Round Mountain Families

Proximity Matters
Just 45 minutes from Round Mountain, Texas State in San Marcos is a common choice for local students. Its growing Greek life presents both opportunities and risks that Round Mountain parents should understand.

Documented Incidents and Response
Texas State maintains disciplinary records that show recurring patterns:

Multiple fraternity suspensions for alcohol-related hazing
Investigations into forced physical activities disguised as “conditioning”
Social media-enabled harassment of pledges

How Cases Proceed in Hays County
For Round Mountain families with students at Texas State:

Initial reports typically go to Texas State University Police
Civil cases may be filed in Hays County courts
The university often argues it lacked knowledge of off-campus events
Our approach: Subpoena internal communications showing what administrators really knew

What Texas State Students and Parents Should Do

Use the university’s online hazing reporting system
Document all communications with Greek life offices
Understand that the Dean of Students’ “internal resolution” may not provide real accountability
Contact us immediately if serious injury occurs: 1-888-ATTY-911

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Continued Problems

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page
UT maintains one of Texas’ most transparent reporting systems at hazing.utexas.edu. Recent entries show ongoing issues that should concern Round Mountain families:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023)
New members were directed to consume excessive milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, resulting in probation and mandatory hazing prevention training. This “milk and exercise” combination is particularly dangerous, as it can cause severe medical issues including the rhabdomyolysis we saw in the UH case.

Multiple Spirit Organizations
Groups like Texas Wranglers have faced sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, and psychological abuse—demonstrating that hazing extends beyond traditional Greek life.

How UT Cases Differ
For Round Mountain students at UT:

UTPD and Austin Police may both have jurisdiction depending on location
UT’s public violation history becomes powerful evidence in civil cases
The university’s deep resources mean they mount aggressive defenses
Our federal court experience is crucial for navigating complex litigation against UT System

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

The Unique Corps Dynamic
For Round Mountain families considering Texas A&M, understanding the Corps of Cadets’ culture is essential. While not all hazing involves the Corps, its tradition-heavy environment has produced serious cases:

Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023)
A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose. The case sought over $1 million and highlighted systemic issues within military-style programs.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)
Pledges were covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and lawsuits followed.

Navigating A&M’s Dual Systems
When hazing involves A&M students:

Both Student Conduct and Corps regulations may apply
The university often tries to handle matters “internally” first
Civil cases must navigate A&M’s sovereign immunity claims
Our experience with institutional defendants helps overcome these defenses

Baylor University: Private School Challenges

Baylor’s Complex History
Following high-profile athletic scandals, Baylor has implemented reforms but continues to face hazing issues:

Baseball Team Hazing (2020)
14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation, revealing that even regulated athletic programs aren’t immune.

Greek Life Under Scrutiny
As a private institution, Baylor has different reporting obligations but similar hazing patterns to public universities.

Special Considerations for Private Universities
For Round Mountain families at Baylor:

Sovereign immunity arguments don’t apply the same way
Religious identity may affect how cases are perceived
Internal disciplinary processes can be less transparent
Our firm’s experience with private institutions ensures proper strategy

Southern Methodist University: Affluent Campus Dynamics

SMU’s Greek Dominance
With a strong fraternity and sorority presence, SMU has faced significant hazing incidents:

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017)
New members reported paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation, resulting in multi-year suspension.

Private University Tactics
SMU’s approach often involves:

Confidential internal investigations
Pressure for quick “resolutions”
Aggressive defense of institutional reputation
Our insider knowledge of insurance defense tactics counters these strategies

The Greek Organization Ecosystem: National Histories Meet Texas Chapters

For Round Mountain families, understanding that local fraternity chapters are connected to national organizations with known hazing histories is crucial. These patterns don’t stay in other states—they repeat at Texas campuses.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Lawsuits

When a Texas chapter repeats behaviors that caused deaths or injuries elsewhere, it demonstrates foreseeability—the legal concept that the harm was predictable and preventable. This strengthens negligence claims against national headquarters.

Major Organizations with Documented Patterns

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

National History: Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green ($10M settlement), multiple other alcohol hazing deaths
Texas Presence: Chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas State, and most major campuses
Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking nights, forced alcohol consumption

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

National History: Multiple hazing deaths nationwide, including Carson Starkey at Cal Poly
Texas Presence: Active at UT, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and others
Pattern: Chemical burns case at Texas A&M shows evolving dangerous methods

Pi Kappa Phi

National History: Andrew Coffey death at Florida State
Texas Presence: The now-closed UH chapter we’re suing, plus other Texas campuses
Pattern: Systematic physical and psychological hazing as seen in our Bermudez case

Phi Delta Theta

National History: Max Gruver death at LSU leading to felony hazing law
Texas Presence: Chapters across Texas universities
Pattern: Drinking games disguised as “education” or “tradition”

How We Use National Patterns in Texas Cases

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, we’re demonstrating that:

The national organization knew about dangerous hazing methods from prior incidents
Their anti-hazing policies were inadequately enforced
They continued to collect dues and maintain control despite this knowledge

This same approach applies whether we’re representing a Round Mountain family against a chapter at Texas State, UT, or any Texas campus.

Public Records: The Greek Organization Infrastructure Serving Round Mountain Families

To demonstrate our investigative depth, we maintain comprehensive data on Texas Greek organizations. This isn’t theoretical—it’s the actual public records we use to build cases.

Central Texas Greek Organizations (Relevant to Round Mountain Families)

Based on IRS B83 filings and Cause IQ data, here are examples of Greek organizations operating in regions serving Round Mountain students:

Texas State University Area Entities:

Sigma Phi Lambda Inc (EIN: 201237505) – Corinth, TX 76210 – Beta Chapter
Sigma Phi Lambda Inc (EIN: 202203769) – Corinth, TX 76210 – Tau Chapter
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc (EIN: 475381060) – San Marcos, TX 78666 – Theta Iota Chapter

University of Texas at Austin Area:

Chi Omega Fraternity (EIN: 740555581) – Austin, TX 78705 – House Corporation
Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi (EIN: 746047117) – Austin, TX 78705
Texas Rho Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity (EIN: 741942292) – Waco, TX 76706

Texas A&M University Area:

Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN: 133048786) – College Station, TX 77845
Gentlemen of Aggie Tradition (EIN: 880537463) – College Station, TX 77845
Beta Theta Pi – Eta Chapter House Corp (Cause IQ listing) – College Station, TX

Statewide Honor Societies (Often Overlooked in Hazing):

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN: 263170920) – Denton, TX 76204 – Texas Woman’s University Chapter
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN: 463831593) – Austin, TX 78723 – Texas State University Chapter

What This Directory Means for Round Mountain Families

These aren’t just names—they represent legal entities that can be held accountable. Each has:

Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) for IRS purposes
Legal names that appear in court filings
Mailing addresses for service of process
Potential insurance coverage that can provide compensation

When we take a case for a Round Mountain family, we don’t start from zero. We already know how to identify every potentially liable organization behind the Greek letters.

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

For Round Mountain families facing the aftermath of hazing, understanding how cases are built provides both clarity and realistic expectations about the path forward.

The Evidence That Wins Cases in 2025

Digital Communications (Most Critical)

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage threads: Screenshot immediately before deletion
Deleted message recovery: Digital forensics can often retrieve “permanently” deleted content
Social media evidence: Instagram stories, Snapchat snaps (screenshot immediately), TikTok videos
Location data: Geo-tags, Find My Friends history, Uber/Lyft receipts

Physical and Medical Evidence

Photograph injuries immediately from multiple angles with scale reference
Medical records: Specifically tell healthcare providers “this resulted from hazing”
Toxicology reports: Blood alcohol content, drug panels
Psychological evaluations: PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses

Institutional Records

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

Witness Statements

Other pledges often come forward once litigation begins
Former members with guilty consciences
Roommates, RAs, bystanders who witnessed changes or events

The Damages We Fight to Recover

For Round Mountain families, understanding potential compensation categories helps make informed decisions:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable)

Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy)
Future medical care (projected lifetime costs for serious injuries)
Lost educational expenses (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
Diminished earning capacity (for permanent injuries)

Non-Economic Damages

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life
Damage to family relationships

Wrongful Death Damages (When Tragedy Strikes)

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

Punitive Damages (When Conduct is Egregious)

To punish especially reckless or malicious behavior
To deter future hazing
Available under Texas law in appropriate cases

The Strategic Timeline: What to Expect

First 48 Hours: Evidence preservation, medical care, initial legal consultation
First Week: Formal demand to preserve evidence, begin witness interviews
Months 1-3: Investigation, records gathering, demand package preparation
Months 4-12: Settlement negotiations or lawsuit filing
Year 1-2: Discovery phase, depositions, expert reports
Year 2-3: Mediation, settlement, or trial preparation

Every case is different, but this framework helps Round Mountain families understand the commitment required for meaningful accountability.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

Based on our experience representing Texas families, these errors can irreparably damage otherwise strong cases:

Mistake #1: Deleting Digital Evidence

What families think: “We want to protect privacy” or “It’s too embarrassing”
Why it’s disastrous: Looks like evidence destruction; digital forensics may still recover it but with skepticism
Our advice: Screenshot everything immediately. Watch our video on evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Mistake #2: Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone

What adjusters say: “We just need a quick statement to process this”
Why it’s dangerous: Recorded statements are used to minimize claims; early settlements are always lowball
Our advice: “Please contact my attorney.” Then call us: 1-888-ATTY-911

Mistake #3: Accepting University “Internal Resolution”

What universities promise: “Let us handle this through our conduct process”
Why it’s inadequate: University sanctions ≠ financial compensation; evidence disappears during “investigation”
Our advice: Preserve your civil rights while cooperating with university processes

Mistake #4: Missing the Statute of Limitations

Texas law generally allows: 2 years from date of injury or death
The discovery rule may extend: If harm wasn’t immediately apparent
But don’t gamble: Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records
Our video explains deadlines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

Mistake #5: Confronting the Organization Directly

Natural impulse: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
Result: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Better approach: Document everything quietly, then call us for strategic action

Practical Guidance for Round Mountain Families

For Parents: Recognizing Warning Signs

Your child may not say “I’m being hazed,” but these signs should raise concern:

Physical Indicators

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden weight changes
Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness)

Behavioral Changes

Suddenly secretive about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and old friends
Personality shifts: anxiety, depression, irritability
Constant phone monitoring for group chat demands
Talking about “just getting through” initiation

Academic Red Flags

Grades plummeting suddenly
Missing classes or falling asleep in class
Withdrawing from courses or taking medical leave

Financial Patterns

Unexplained large expenses
Maxed credit cards or overdrafts
Requests for money without clear reasons

For Students: Your Rights and Safety Options

If You’re Currently Being Hazed:

Immediate danger: Call 911, then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911
Document everything: Screenshot, photograph, record (Texas is one-party consent)
Medical attention: Go to ER or student health and SAY you were hazed
Safe exit: You can quit anytime. Send an email/text for documentation

Your Legal Protections in Texas:

Good-faith reporter immunity: You won’t face charges for calling 911 in an emergency
Consent isn’t defense: Even if you “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law
Retaliation protection: Universities must protect reporters from harassment

For Witnesses and Former Members: Doing the Right Thing

If you participated in or witnessed hazing and now regret it:

Your testimony can prevent future harm
You may need your own attorney (we can refer you)
Cooperation often leads to better outcomes for everyone
Silence enables the cycle to continue

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

When your Round Mountain family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how universities and national fraternities fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage: Mr. Lupe Peña’s Background
Mr. 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”
Deploy independent medical exams to minimize injuries

As Mr. Peña says, “We know their playbook because we used to run it.” Learn more about his experience: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

Complex Institutional Litigation: Ralph Manginello’s Experience
Ralph is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—a credential that proves our capability against billion-dollar defendants. His experience includes:

Federal court litigation in the Southern District of Texas
HCCLA membership signaling elite criminal defense capability
25+ years taking on powerful institutions and winning

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience
We’ve recovered millions for families in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. This experience is crucial for hazing cases involving:

Lifetime care planning for brain injuries
Economic loss calculations for young victims
Non-economic damages for traumatic loss

Our Investigative Approach for Round Mountain Families

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
We maintain comprehensive data on 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. When we take your case, we don’t start from zero—we already know:

Which legal entities stand behind the Greek letters
Prior incident history at that chapter and nationally
Insurance coverage likely available
How to trace responsibility through multiple organizational layers

Digital Forensics and Expert Network
We work with specialists who can:

Recover deleted messages and social media content
Authenticate digital evidence for court
Provide medical testimony about hazing injuries
Calculate economic damages with precision

Spanish-Language Services Available
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish and can serve Hispanic families throughout Texas. Se habla Español.

Your Next Steps: Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your Round Mountain family, you don’t have to navigate this alone. We offer confidential, no-obligation consultations to help you understand your options.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

We listen without judgment: Tell us what happened in complete confidence
Evidence review: We’ll examine any photos, messages, or documents you have
Legal options explained: Criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Realistic expectations: Timelines, potential outcomes, challenges
Cost transparency: Contingency fee basis—no fee unless we win
No pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family

Contact Us Today

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
Spanish Services: lupe@atty911.com

Serving Round Mountain and All Texas Families

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Round Mountain in Blanco County. Whether your student attends Texas State University, UT Austin, Texas A&M, or any Texas campus, we have the experience and resources to help.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Active Texas Hazing Case:

Click2Houston investigation 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 with detailed timeline: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Evidence preservation with smartphones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Texas statutes of limitations explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes that hurt cases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Our Practice Areas Relevant to Hazing Cases:

Wrongful death experience: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Criminal defense capability: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/
Attorney profiles: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/ and 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 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com