The Definitive Guide to Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Resource for Families in the Town of Sanford and Across Hutchinson County

If Your Child Was Hazed, You Are Not Alone

The phone call every parent dreads came late at night. Your child, a bright student you sent off to a respected Texas university, is in the hospital. Their story comes out in fragments—forced drinking, brutal workouts, humiliation masked as “tradition.” They whisper about threats and secrecy. You feel a mix of fury, confusion, and helplessness. The university assures you they are “looking into it,” but weeks pass with no answers. The fraternity or sorority circles its wagons. You are left wondering: What really happened? Who is responsible? And what can you possibly do to protect your child and hold the right people accountable?

This is not a hypothetical fear for Texas families. It is happening right now.

In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who pledged the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. The details are harrowing: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, enforced servitude, and extreme physical hazing that included being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” The forced physical exertion led Bermudez to develop rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, could not stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days, facing the risk of permanent kidney damage. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended and then shut down. The university called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This case is not an outlier. It is a stark, current example of the brutal reality of modern hazing at Texas universities—a reality that impacts families from major cities to smaller communities like ours here in the Town of Sanford and across Hutchinson County.

This guide exists for you. If you are a parent in Sanford, Stinnett, Borger, or anywhere in the Texas Panhandle whose child has been hurt by hazing—whether at a local college, a major university hours away, or any campus organization—you deserve answers and accountability. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), Texas-based attorneys who represent hazing victims and their families. We are currently leading the litigation in the Bermudez case and others. Our purpose here is to arm you with knowledge: what hazing truly looks like today, how Texas law applies, what history tells us about the organizations involved, and what legal options your family may have.

We serve families throughout Texas, including those right here in Hutchinson County. Whether your child attends a local institution or has ventured to campuses in Houston, College Station, Austin, or beyond, the patterns of abuse and institutional failure are tragically similar. You do not have to navigate this crisis alone.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR A HAZING EMERGENCY

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate legal help—that’s why we are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

In the First 48 Hours:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” seek a professional evaluation. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis or internal injuries may not be immediately apparent.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It Disappears:
   • Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, and social media DMs.
   • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save physical items (torn clothing, paddles, receipts for forced purchases).
   • Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, acts—while memories are fresh.
3. DO NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” their phone.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney quickly. Evidence vanishes within days as organizations coordinate stories and destroy digital trails. We can help you secure evidence and protect your child’s rights from the outset. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

Hazing in 2025: It’s Not Just “Party Pranks”

For parents who may not be familiar with modern campus culture, hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypes of silly pranks or simple initiations. It is a calculated system of control, humiliation, and abuse designed to assert power and create blind loyalty. Under Texas law, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group.

Today’s hazing often falls into three interconnected categories:

1. Subtle Hazing & Psychological Control: This establishes a power imbalance and sets the stage for worse abuse. It includes forced servitude (being an on-call driver, cleaning members’ apartments), social isolation from non-members, sleep deprivation via mandatory late-night “meetings,” and being subjected to derogatory names or rules. A modern tool is digital control: 24/7 monitoring via group chats where pledges must respond instantly, location tracking via apps, and social media policing.

2. Harassment Hazing: This causes emotional and physical distress. It includes verbal abuse and threats, forced consumption of unpalatable substances (spoiled food, excessive hot sauce, bizarre food combinations), prolonged physical stress like “wall sits” or calisthenics until collapse, and public humiliation such as wearing demeaning costumes or performing embarrassing acts.

3. Violent Hazing: This has a high potential for catastrophic injury or death. This is what we see in the most severe cases:

• Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: “Lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, trivia games where wrong answers mean drinking.
• Physical Beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking, or “branding.”
• Dangerous Physical Tests: “Glass ceiling” blindfolded tackle rituals, extreme workouts in extreme weather, forced fights.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault.
• Kidnapping & Restraint: Being bound, transported blindfolded, or confined.

Where Does Hazing Happen? While fraternities and sororities are often the focus, hazing permeates many groups:

• Interfraternity Council (IFC) & Panhellenic Sororities
• National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC – “Divine Nine”) organizations
• Multicultural Greek Councils
• Corps of Cadets, ROTC, and military-style groups
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Spirit Organizations and “Secret Societies”
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups

The common thread is a toxic combination of tradition, secrecy, and social status that convinces young people to endure the unendurable and older members to perpetuate the abuse.

Texas Law & Legal Liability: The Framework for Accountability

For families in Sanford, Texas law provides the foundation for both criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits to seek justice and compensation. Understanding this framework is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas has specific statutes that define and punish hazing:

• Definition: Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group.
• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a State Jail Felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that a victim’s “consent” to the hazing activity is not a defense. The law recognizes the power imbalance and coercion inherent in these situations.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Individuals who report hazing in good faith to authorities are generally immune from civil or criminal liability for their own minor involvement (like underage drinking). This is meant to encourage calling 911 in emergencies.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Justice

It’s crucial to understand the difference:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Hutchinson County District Attorney or local prosecutors). The goal is punishment—fines, probation, or jail time for individuals. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or even manslaughter.
• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by the victim and their family. The goal is compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, lost future earnings) and institutional accountability. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit. These cases target a wider range of responsible parties.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A robust legal strategy looks beyond the individual who threw the punch or supplied the alcohol. Liability can extend to every entity that enabled the culture or failed to prevent foreseeable harm:

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, participated in, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As an organization, if it authorized or encouraged the conduct.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: They often have deep pockets, insurance, and prior knowledge of hazing patterns across their chapters. They can be liable for negligent supervision and failure to enforce their own policies.
4. The University: Public universities like the University of Houston or Texas A&M have a duty to protect students. They can be sued for negligence, gross negligence, or, in cases involving sexual harassment, Title IX violations. Their often-cited “sovereign immunity” has exceptions.
5. Alumni Boards & Housing Corporations: These separate legal entities own chapter houses and manage affairs; they are critical targets for insurance coverage and assets.
6. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol (under dram shop laws), or security companies.

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

Federal laws also come into play:

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, universities have strict obligations to investigate and remedy the situation.
• The Clery Act: Requires colleges to report certain crimes, including assaults and arrests for liquor/drug violations, which often accompany hazing incidents.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new law requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs, increasing transparency for families.

National Hazing Cases: The Tragic Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The heartbreaking cases that make national headlines are not distant anomalies. They are blueprints for the patterns of negligence and abuse we see in Texas. Understanding them shows why powerful legal action is necessary.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A bid-acceptance night of forced drinking led to fatal falls down stairs. Security footage showed brothers delaying calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in a wave of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant drinking. Gruver died with a 0.495% BAC. The Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A pledge was forced to drink a bottle of liquor. He died from alcohol poisoning. His family secured a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from the university).
• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother” night. His death led to a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU.

Takeaway for Texas Families: The “forced drinking” script is tragically common. Universities and nationals are often aware of the risk but fail to implement effective controls.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): A pledge was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and brutally tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. He died from traumatic brain injury. The national fraternity was convicted of felony charges and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
• Danny Santulli (University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): A pledge suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage after a coerced drinking event. His family has settled with 22 defendants, illustrating the wide net of liability.

Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” and violent physical rituals are extremely dangerous. National organizations can be held criminally and civilly responsible.

The Athletic Program Hazing Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): A massive scandal involving alleged sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements. It proved hazing is not confined to Greek life.

Takeaway: High-profile athletic programs with their own intense cultures are not immune. Institutional cover-ups can be profound.

What This Means for Sanford Families: These national precedents create legal leverage. They show courts and juries the severe harm hazing causes. They demonstrate that when universities or national organizations fail to act on known patterns, they can be held liable. Your case in Texas is part of this ongoing national struggle for accountability.

A Texas-Focused Deep Dive: Universities Attended by Sanford & Hutchinson County Families

Parents in Sanford and across the Panhandle send their children to a range of Texas universities. The hazing risk is present at large state schools, private institutions, and everything in between. Here is what you need to know about some of the major campuses.

The University of Houston (UH) – The Current Epicenter

Culture Snapshot: A large, diverse, urban commuter school with a significant and active Greek life community spanning IFC fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, and NPHC organizations.

The Flagship Case – Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi: As detailed at the outset, this ongoing $10 million lawsuit alleges systemic, violent hazing. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter has been shut down. The case alleges the university failed in its duty to protect students despite known risks. Media coverage from Click2Houston and ABC13 provides detailed timelines of the abuse.

For Sanford Families: While Houston is geographically distant, the legal principles and institutional tactics seen in this case are universal. If your child is hazed at any Texas school, the playbook for cover-up and defense is remarkably similar.

Texas A&M University – Tradition and Risk

Culture Snapshot: Home to a massive Greek system and the revered Corps of Cadets. The culture of tradition, while often positive, can sometimes cloak abusive behaviors under the guise of “building character.”

Documented Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Lawsuit (2021): Pledges alleged they were doused with a mixture including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended, and a lawsuit was filed.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages.

What This Means: Hazing at A&M is not monolithic; it occurs in both Greek and military-style organizations. The university’s disciplinary processes for each can differ, requiring specialized legal understanding.

University of Texas at Austin – Public Transparency, Recurring Problems

Culture Snapshot: A flagship institution with a proud history and a vast array of student organizations, from prominent fraternities and sororities to spirit groups like the Texas Cowboys.

Public Accountability: UT maintains a public Hazing Violations page, offering more transparency than many schools. This very transparency reveals a pattern of recurring issues:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): Sanctioned for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
• Other groups have been sanctioned for forced drinking, sleep deprivation, and physical abuse.

Legal Advantage: This public record of prior violations is a powerful tool in civil litigation. It helps prove that the university and national organizations had prior knowledge of risky behaviors, strengthening claims of negligence.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

Private School Context: As private institutions, SMU and Baylor have different legal dynamics than public universities, but the risks are parallel.

• SMU: Has faced hazing incidents within its Greek system. Its private status may affect public records access, but discovery in a lawsuit can uncover internal reports.
• Baylor: Has grappled with high-profile scandals, leading to heightened scrutiny of all misconduct, including hazing within athletic teams and Greek life.

For All Texas Families: The common denominator is that organizations with a strong group identity and hierarchical structures are susceptible to hazing. Whether the school is public or private, in a big city or a college town, the dynamics of power, secrecy, and abuse are tragically consistent.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

When a student in Sanford is hazed by a chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Texas Tech or Pi Kappa Alpha at UT, they are not experiencing an isolated incident. They are encountering a national pattern. This history is not about disparaging organizations; it is about establishing foreseeability—a key legal concept meaning the harm was predictable and preventable.

Why National Histories Are Legally Critical:
If a national headquarters has seen a death from forced drinking at one chapter, and the same “Big/Little” drinking script leads to an injury at another chapter, the national can be found negligent. Their thick anti-hazing manuals exist precisely because they know the dangers.

A Sampling of National Patterns Relevant to Texas Campuses:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): The national involved in the Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green ($10M settlement) and other serious cases. Their “Pike” chapters are present at most major Texas schools.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Has faced wrongful death lawsuits and severe injury cases nationwide, including the chemical burn case at Texas A&M. Their national history is part of the story in any Texas SAE case.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The national fraternity in the Bermudez UH case and the Andrew Coffey death at FSU. This pattern is directly relevant to our current litigation.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The fraternity in the Max Gruver death at LSU, which led to felony hazing legislation.
• Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): Has faced hazing suspensions and lawsuits at multiple universities, including SMU.

Our Investigative Approach: For families in Sanford, our firm doesn’t start from scratch. We use what we call our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a database built from public records including IRS filings for Greek housing corporations, university reports, and national incident histories. This allows us to immediately identify the network of potentially liable entities behind a local chapter: the national HQ, the alumni housing corporation (EIN: 462267515, FRISCO, TX 75035-6629), the local chapter corporation, and more. We know how to trace the lines of responsibility and insurance coverage.

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

If you are considering legal action, understanding the process can demystify it and empower you. A successful case is built on a foundation of compelling evidence, a clear valuation of harm, and a strategic understanding of the opposition.

The Evidence That Wins Cases in the Digital Age

Modern hazing leaves a digital trail. Preserving it is the single most important step after ensuring safety.

• Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Instagram DMs, and fraternity-specific apps. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages that often contain planning, bragging, or cover-up discussions.
• Photos & Videos: Content filmed by participants is common. We also seek security footage from houses, Ring doorbells, and nearby businesses.
• Internal Documents: Pledge “eduction” manuals, emails between officers, national fraternity risk management policies.
• University Records: Prior conduct reports on the same organization obtained via discovery or public records requests. These prove a pattern the school knew about.
• Medical & Psychological Records: Essential for documenting the full extent of physical injuries and diagnosing PTSD, depression, or anxiety resulting from the trauma.
• Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and resident advisors. We know how to approach witnesses who may be fearful or conflicted.

As we explain in our video on using your phone to document evidence, immediate, careful preservation is critical.

Types of Damages in a Hazing Case

The law allows victims to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses:

• Economic Damages:
  • All past and future medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medications).
  • Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity if injuries affect career potential.
  • Educational costs for missed semesters or transferring schools.
• Non-Economic Damages:
  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation, and trauma.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families):
  • Funeral and burial costs.
  • Loss of companionship, love, and financial support.
  • Emotional suffering of the surviving family.

We work with life-care planners, economists, and vocational experts to build a comprehensive picture of the lifetime impact of a catastrophic hazing injury.

Overcoming Institutional Defense Tactics

Fraternities, sororities, and universities have experienced defense lawyers and insurance companies. We anticipate their arguments because our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an insurance defense attorney. He knows their playbook.

Common defenses we dismantle:

• “The Victim Consented”: We cite Texas law where consent is not a defense and demonstrate the coercive power dynamics.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We subpoena national records to show prior incidents and lack of meaningful oversight.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: We establish duty and foreseeability, citing cases like Pi Delta Psi where nationals were liable for off-campus retreat deaths.
• “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”: We show the gap between “paper policies” and real-world enforcement, or how training was designed to avoid liability rather than prevent harm.
• Insurance Coverage Fights: We identify all potential insurance policies—from nationals, housing corporations, and individual members—and fight bad-faith denials.

Practical Guidance for Sanford Families, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Recognize the Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, sudden secrecy, personality changes, withdrawal, constant anxiety about phone notifications, and declining grades.
2. Talk Openly: Ask calm, non-judgmental questions. “Are you safe?” “Is anything making you uncomfortable?” “Do you feel pressured to do things you don’t want to do?”
3. Prioritize Health & Evidence: Get medical care. Then, help your child preserve all digital evidence without deleting anything. Document everything in writing.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Before reporting to the university or police, consider consulting an attorney. We can help you navigate these processes strategically to protect your child’s rights and the integrity of the evidence. The university’s interests are not always aligned with your child’s.
5. Understand the University Process: You can report to the Dean of Students or Office of Student Conduct. However, be aware that internal university discipline is separate from criminal or civil legal action. One does not replace the other.

For Students: Your Safety and Rights

• Trust Your Instincts: If it feels degrading, dangerous, or coercive, it likely is hazing.
• Your Phone is a Tool: Screenshot everything. In Texas, you can legally record conversations you are a part of.
• Create an Exit Plan: If you need to leave, have a safe place to go and a trusted person to call. You can resign your membership at any time via email; you do not owe anyone an in-person explanation.
• Seek Medical Attention: Your health is paramount. Many schools have amnesty policies for underage drinking when seeking help for someone in danger.
• Know Your Reporting Options: You can report to campus authorities, local police, or anonymously through national hotlines (1-888-NOT-HAZE).

Critical Mistakes That Can Undermine a Case

We’ve seen well-meaning actions hurt families’ chances at justice. Please avoid these pitfalls, which we detail in our video on client mistakes:

1. Deleting Digital Evidence: This can look like a cover-up and destroys the best proof.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their legal defense and evidence destruction.
3. Signing University Settlement Papers: Universities may offer quick, low-dollar “resolutions” that require you to waive your right to sue.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys monitor everything; inconsistencies can be used against you.
5. Waiting Too Long: Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, but evidence and witness memories fade fast. Time is of the essence.

Frequently Asked Questions for Hutchinson County Families

Q: Can we sue a university in Texas for hazing?
A: Yes. While public universities have certain immunity protections, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private schools like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity hurdles. Every case is fact-specific.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Generally, two years from the date of injury in Texas. However, complexities can affect this deadline. We strongly urge you not to wait. We discuss this in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

Q: Will our names be public?
A: Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. We always prioritize our clients’ privacy and can seek protective orders from the court.

Q: How much does a lawyer cost?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we secure a settlement or verdict for you. Learn more in our video on how contingency fees work.

Q: What if the hazing happened at a house not owned by the school?
A: Location does not absolve liability. The national fraternity, chapter, and individuals can still be sued. Landlords may also bear responsibility if they were aware of illegal activities.

Why Attorney911 Is the Right Firm for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family in Sanford is facing a hazing crisis, you need advocates who understand the unique battlefield of campus litigation. You need more than a general personal injury firm. You need a team with proven experience against powerful institutions, insider knowledge of how they fight, and a dedicated focus on holding every responsible party accountable.

Our Competitive Advantages in Hazing Litigation:

1. We Are Leading a Major Texas Hazing Case Right Now. We are lead counsel for Leonel Bermudez in the $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We are not theorizing about hazing law; we are actively litigating one of the most serious cases in the state. You can read about our work in the Hoodline case summary.

2. Insider Insurance Knowledge. Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense attorney for major insurance companies. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and underpay claims. We use their own tactics against them. Learn more about Mr. Peña’s background on his profile page.

3. Experience with Billion-Dollar Defendants. Founding partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by the deep pockets and aggressive defense teams of national fraternities and large universities. We have faced them before.

4. A Data-Driven Investigation Engine. We don’t start from zero. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records like IRS data for entities such as the “Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc” (EIN: 462267515), allows us to immediately map the network of liability and insurance behind any chapter. We know how to find the entities that have the resources to provide compensation.

5. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise. Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can effectively advise clients navigating both systems.

6. Compassionate, Client-Centered Advocacy. We know this is one of the most traumatic experiences a family can endure. We fight relentlessly, but we always treat our clients with empathy, respect, and clear communication. We keep you informed at every stage.

A Confidential Consultation for Sanford and Hutchinson County Families

If hazing has hurt your child, we invite you to take the first step toward accountability. Contact us for a free, completely confidential consultation.

What to expect when you call 1-888-ATTY-911:

• We will listen to your story with compassion and without judgment.
• We will explain the legal landscape and your family’s options in clear, plain English.
• We will discuss the investigation process and how we identify all liable parties.
• We will explain our contingency fee structure—you pay nothing unless we win.
• You will be under no obligation to hire us. We will give you the information and space you need to make the right decision for your family.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Distance is not a barrier. We regularly represent clients from communities like Sanford, Stinnett, and Borger, helping them seek justice regardless of where the hazing occurred.

Hablamos Español. Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish and is available to consult with Spanish-speaking families.

You do not have to face the university, the national organization, and their insurance companies alone. Let us stand with you.

Call Attorney911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). Immediate help is available.

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or form an attorney-client relationship. The law is complex and constantly evolving. If you have a specific legal issue, please contact an attorney for advice tailored to your situation. Results in any case depend on the specific facts and applicable law.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) | Direct: (713) 528-9070
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | lupe@atty911.com (Se habla Español)