University of Houston Hazing Lawsuit: A Complete Guide for Tomball Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at UH or Any Texas Campus, You Need to Know These Critical Facts

We understand the nightmare scenario facing parents in Tomball. Your child went off to college excited to join a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, athletic team, or campus organization at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or another Texas school. Now they’re coming home with unexplained injuries, or worse, you’re getting a call from a hospital. They’re talking about “traditions,” “team building,” or “pledge activities” that went too far. You suspect hazing, but you don’t know what to do next, who to trust, or what legal rights your family has.

Right now, in our own backyard at the University of Houston, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered horrific abuse as a pledge of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. This isn’t an abstract case from another state—this is happening right here in Harris County, at a university where many Tomball families send their children.

In this case, Bermudez was subjected to months of systematic abuse that culminated in rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He was hospitalized for four days after passing brown urine and being unable to stand without help. The hazing included:

• A degrading “pledge fanny pack” rule requiring him to carry condoms, a sex toy, and humiliating items 24/7
• Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding” with threats of actual waterboarding
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints
• Extreme physical workouts including 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion
• Another pledge being hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour

The lawsuit names 13 individual fraternity leaders, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents. Following media coverage of the lawsuit, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter was suspended on November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14, 2025. The University of Houston called the alleged conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement.

This case represents exactly what we do at Attorney911—aggressively pursuing accountability against universities and national organizations that fail to protect students. If your child has experienced hazing at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any Texas campus, this guide will explain your legal rights, what to expect, and how our Houston-based firm can help Tomball families navigate this crisis.

The Hazing Reality in Tomball and Northwest Harris County

Where Tomball Families Send Their Children to College

Tomball families have deep educational connections throughout Texas. Many students from our community attend:

Local/Regional Campuses:

• University of Houston (Houston, Harris County) – Just 30 miles southeast of Tomball, UH is the closest major public university and where the Pi Kappa Phi case unfolded
• Lone Star College-Tomball (Tomball, Harris County) – Many students begin their education locally before transferring
• Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, Walker County) – Approximately 45 miles north, popular for Tomball students
• Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Waller County) – About 50 miles northwest
• Texas Southern University (Houston, Harris County) – In the heart of Houston
• Houston Christian University (Houston, Harris County) – Formerly Houston Baptist University

Major Statewide Universities Tomball Families Attend:

• Texas A&M University (College Station, Brazos County)
• University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Travis County)
• Baylor University (Waco, McLennan County)
• Texas State University (San Marcos, Hays County)
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Lubbock County)
• University of North Texas (Denton, Denton County)

The reality is that hazing doesn’t respect geographic boundaries. The same national fraternities and sororities that operate at UH also have chapters at Texas A&M, UT Austin, and schools across the country. When your child joins an organization at any Texas campus, they’re connecting with a national network that has its own history, traditions, and—unfortunately—sometimes dangerous patterns of behavior.

The Houston-Area Greek Ecosystem: More Than Just Letters

The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area, which includes Tomball, is home to one of the most concentrated Greek ecosystems in Texas. According to our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary database we maintain of every Greek organization in the state—there are 188 Greek-related organizations in the Houston metro area alone. These aren’t just undergraduate chapters; they include housing corporations, alumni associations, educational foundations, and honor societies that collectively manage millions of dollars in assets and insurance coverage.

For Tomball families, this means the organization that may have harmed your child is often connected to a complex web of legal entities. Understanding this ecosystem is crucial for identifying all potentially liable parties and insurance coverage. Here’s a small sample of Houston-area Greek organizations recorded in public filings:

Houston-Area Greek Organizations (Sample from Public Records):

• Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Houston, TX (Alumni/house corporation)
• Alpha Phi Omega – Bayou City Alumni – Houston, TX
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae – Houston, TX
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Alpha Kappa Omega – Houston, TX (Graduate chapter)
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity – Eta Rho Sigma – Houston, TX (Graduate chapter)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter – Houston, TX (Undergraduate chapter)
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – Theta Chi Chapter – Houston, TX (Graduate chapter)

Cross-Validated National Brands Operating in Houston:
Organizations that appear in both IRS tax filings and metro organizational data include Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. This overlap shows how the same national brands maintain multiple presence points across our region—undergraduate chapters, graduate/alumni chapters, housing corporations, and educational foundations.

What Modern Hazing Really Looks Like (Beyond the Stereotypes)

The Evolution from “Hell Week” to Digital Coercion

Many parents in Tomball remember hazing as physical paddling or excessive drinking—the “Animal House” stereotypes. While those dangers still exist, hazing has evolved into more sophisticated, psychologically complex, and digitally-enabled forms of abuse. Today’s hazing often includes:

Digital Control and Coercion:

• 24/7 Group Chat Monitoring: Pledges required to respond instantly to messages at all hours, with punishment for delayed responses
• Location Tracking: Forced use of Find My Friends, Snapchat Maps, or Life360 so members can monitor pledges’ movements
• Social Media Humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on Instagram, TikTok, or participate in degrading “challenges”
• Evidence Destruction Coaching: Instructions on how to delete messages, use disappearing media, and what to say if questioned

Psychological Manipulation Tactics:

• The “Voluntary” Trap: Activities framed as “optional” but with clear social consequences for non-participation
• Isolation Strategies: Cutting off pledges from non-member friends, family, and support systems
• Gaslighting Techniques: Making victims question their own experience (“This is normal,” “Everyone before you did it,” “You wanted this”)
• Fear of Exposure: Threats that reporting will “ruin everyone’s college experience” or “get the chapter shut down”

Disguised as Legitimate Activities:

• “Wellness Challenges”: Extreme workouts framed as fitness tests
• “Team Building”: Dangerous activities presented as trust exercises
• “Service Projects”: Forced labor under the guise of community service
• “Study Sessions”: Sleep deprivation masked as academic commitment

The Medical Realities: From Rhabdomyolysis to Psychological Trauma

The Leonel Bermudez case at UH illustrates the severe medical consequences that can result from hazing. After being forced through extreme physical workouts, Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis—a condition where muscle tissue breaks down rapidly and releases proteins into the bloodstream that can cause kidney failure. His creatine kinase (CK) levels were critically elevated, confirming both rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury.

Other serious medical consequences we’ve seen in hazing cases include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: From falls during intoxication or physical assaults
• Chemical Burns: From being sprayed with or submerged in cleaning chemicals
• Permanent Organ Damage: Kidney failure, liver damage from alcohol poisoning
• Psychological Trauma: PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation
• Sexually Transmitted Infections: From forced sexual acts or condom-less activities

The insidious nature of hazing injuries is that symptoms may not appear immediately. A student might participate in forced drinking on a Friday night, feel “fine” on Saturday with a hangover, but by Sunday be experiencing life-threatening alcohol poisoning or the beginning stages of rhabdomyolysis. This delay leads to delayed medical treatment and worse outcomes.

Texas Hazing Law: What Tomball Families Need to Know

The Texas Education Code Framework

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws under Chapter 37, Subchapter F of the Education Code. These laws apply to all educational institutions in Texas, including public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin, as well as private institutions like SMU and Baylor.

Key Provisions of Texas Hazing Law:

1. Broad Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization.

2. Criminal Penalties:

   • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing offense (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
   • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment
   • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death

3. Organizational Liability: Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew about hazing and failed to report it.

4. Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law explicitly states that the victim’s consent to hazing activities is not a defense to prosecution.

5. Good-Faith Reporting Protection: Individuals who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report.

How Texas Law Compares to Other States

While Texas has strong anti-hazing laws, several other states have enacted even stricter legislation following high-profile hazing deaths:

• Pennsylvania (Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law): Enhanced penalties and reporting requirements following the Penn State Beta Theta Pi death
• Louisiana (Max Gruver Act): Felony hazing statute with serious prison time following the LSU Phi Delta Theta death
• Ohio (Collin’s Law): Makes hazing a felony when drugs/alcohol cause physical harm
• Florida (Chad Meredith Law): Criminalized hazing following a University of Miami drowning death

Texas falls somewhere in the middle—we have criminal penalties for hazing, including felonies for serious injury or death, but our laws haven’t received the same branding or public awareness as some other states. The ongoing UH Pi Kappa Phi case could potentially drive legislative reforms here in Texas.

National Hazing Patterns: What History Tells Us About Liability

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

The most common fatal hazing pattern involves forced alcohol consumption. National cases show remarkably similar scripts:

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 (BAC 0.394%)
• $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• Chapter president personally ordered to pay $6.5 million

Max Gruver – Louisiana State University (Phi Delta Theta, 2017)

• Forced drinking during “Bible study” game (wrong answers = drink)
• Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
• Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
• Family secured confidential settlement

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

• “Big Brother Night” event with handles of hard liquor
• Died from acute alcohol poisoning
• FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life
• Terms of family’s settlement remain confidential

What These Cases Mean for Tomball Families: These national precedents establish that forced drinking games are foreseeable dangers. When fraternities repeat these same patterns at UH or Texas A&M, they can’t claim they didn’t know the risks. This “pattern evidence” is crucial for establishing negligence and securing maximum compensation.

The Physical Abuse Pattern

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

• Blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual
• Died from traumatic brain injury; help delayed for over an hour
• National fraternity criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter
• Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years

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

• Forced to consume dangerous amount of alcohol during “pledge dad reveal”
• Suffered severe, permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see)
• Requires 24/7 care for life
• Family settled with 22 defendants for multi-million dollar amounts

What These Cases Mean for Tomball Families: Courts and juries are increasingly willing to hold national organizations criminally and civilly liable for hazing. The days of “rogue chapter” defenses are ending as patterns of similar conduct across multiple chapters become documented.

University of Houston: Deep Dive for Tomball Families

UH’s Greek Landscape and Recent History

The University of Houston hosts approximately 50 fraternity and sorority chapters across four governing councils:

Interfraternity Council (IFC) Fraternities at UH:

• Alpha Epsilon Pi (ΑΕΠ)
• Alpha Sigma Phi (ΑΣΦ)
• Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ)
• Delta Upsilon (ΔΥ)
• Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ)
• Lambda Chi Alpha (ΛΧΑ)
• Lambda Phi Epsilon (ΛΦΕ)
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ) – Prior hazing incidents
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ) – Subject of current $10M lawsuit
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ) – National hazing history
• Sigma Chi (ΣΧ)
• Sigma Nu (ΣΝ)
• Sigma Phi Epsilon (ΣΦΕ)
• Sigma Pi (ΣΠ)
• Tau Kappa Epsilon (ΤΚΕ)
• Theta Chi (ΘΧ)

UH’s Hazing Policy and Reporting System:
The University of Houston prohibits hazing both on and off campus. Their policy defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student.”

UH provides multiple reporting channels:

• Office of the Dean of Students
• UH Police Department (UHPD)
• Online reporting forms
• Anonymous reporting options

Prior UH Hazing Incidents:
Before the current Pi Kappa Phi case, UH had documented hazing incidents including:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2016): Pledge suffered lacerated spleen during multi-day event involving food/water deprivation
• Multiple fraternities placed on probation or suspension for “conduct likely to produce mental or physical discomfort”
• Various alcohol-related hazing violations resulting in organizational sanctions

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds in Harris County

For Tomball families dealing with a UH hazing incident, understanding the legal jurisdiction is important:

Criminal Proceedings:

• Initial reports typically go to UHPD if on-campus
• Houston Police Department handles off-campus incidents
• Harris County District Attorney’s Office prosecutes felony cases
• Misdemeanors handled in Harris County courts

Civil Litigation:

• Lawsuits typically filed in Harris County District Courts
• Federal claims may go to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• Cases often involve complex insurance coverage fights with multiple defendants

Potential Defendants in UH Hazing Cases:

1. Individual students who participated in or organized hazing
2. Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager)
3. The local chapter (if incorporated)
4. National fraternity/sorority headquarters
5. Housing corporations or alumni associations
6. University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents
7. Property owners of off-campus locations
8. Security companies or event organizers

Texas A&M University: Special Considerations for Tomball Families

The Corps of Cadets Culture and Greek Life Intersection

Many Tomball students choose Texas A&M for its unique traditions and strong sense of community. However, this same tradition-heavy environment can sometimes enable hazing behaviors in both Greek organizations and the Corps of Cadets.

Recent Texas A&M Hazing Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)

• Two pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit
• Suffered severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• Pledges sued fraternity for $1 million
• Chapter suspended by university for two years

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023)

• Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts
• Bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth
• Sought over $1 million in damages
• Texas A&M stated it handled matter under its rules

Texas A&M’s Hazing Response Framework:

• Student Conduct Office investigates hazing allegations
• Corps of Cadets has separate disciplinary system
• University may impose sanctions ranging from probation to expulsion
• Organizations can face suspension or loss of recognition

Greek Life at Texas A&M

Texas A&M hosts one of the largest Greek communities in Texas with approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters. Organizations with national hazing histories that have active chapters at Texas A&M include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Stone Foltz death at BGSU)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (multiple deaths nationwide, chemical burns at A&M)
• Phi Delta Theta (Max Gruver death at LSU)
• Pi Kappa Phi (Andrew Coffey death at FSU)
• Kappa Alpha Order (multiple hazing suspensions nationally)

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

The Critical 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Window

In hazing cases, evidence disappears quickly. Group chats are deleted, social media posts disappear, witnesses are coached, and physical evidence is destroyed. For Tomball families, taking immediate action is crucial.

Digital Evidence That Wins Cases:

1. Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage threads showing planning, coordination, or admissions
2. Social Media: Instagram stories, Snapchat snaps, TikTok videos of hazing activities
3. Location Data: Geo-tags, Find My Friends logs, Uber/Lyft receipts establishing where hazing occurred
4. Deleted Message Recovery: Digital forensics can often recover “deleted” messages from phones or cloud backups

Physical Evidence That Matters:

• Clothing with stains, tears, or blood from the incident
• Objects used in hazing (paddles, bottles, props)
• Medical records documenting injuries and treatment
• Photographs of injuries taken immediately and over several days

Witness Identification:

• Names and contact information for other pledges
• Roommates or friends who noticed behavioral changes
• Emergency responders or medical personnel who treated injuries
• Former members who may have witnessed similar conduct

Our Investigative Approach at Attorney911

When Tomball families hire us for hazing cases, we deploy a comprehensive investigative strategy:

1. Digital Forensics Examination: Working with experts to recover deleted messages, social media content, and location data
2. National Organization Discovery: Subpoenaing national fraternity/sorority records to uncover prior incidents and pattern evidence
3. University Records Requests: Obtaining prior conduct files, incident reports, and internal communications through public records requests
4. Expert Consultation: Medical experts to document injuries, psychologists to assess trauma, economists to calculate damages
5. Witness Interviews: Securing statements from other victims, bystanders, and former members

Understanding Damages in Hazing Cases

When we evaluate hazing cases for Tomball families, we consider several categories of damages:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

• Medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy)
• Future medical care (ongoing treatment, rehabilitation)
• Lost educational costs (withdrawn semesters, transfer expenses)
• Lost earning capacity (if injuries affect future employment)

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective Harm):

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

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

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

Punitive Damages (When Appropriate):

• Awarded to punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
• Available when defendants showed callous indifference to known risks
• Texas has statutory caps on punitive damages in many cases

Realistic Settlement Ranges Based on National Precedents

While every case is unique, national hazing cases provide guidance on potential compensation:

Fatal Hazing Cases:

• $1–14 million settlements/verdicts depending on facts
• Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha): $10 million total
• David Bogenberger (Pi Kappa Alpha): $14 million
• Max Gruver (Phi Delta Theta): $6.1 million verdict plus confidential settlements
• Chad Meredith (Kappa Sigma): $12.6 million jury verdict

Severe Injury Cases:

• $375,000–multi-million depending on permanency of injuries
• Danny Santulli (Phi Gamma Delta): Multi-million dollar settlements with 22 defendants
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon chemical burns: $1 million lawsuit filed
• Various brain injury cases: Often settle in seven figures

Practical Guide for Tomball Parents: Immediate Steps and Critical Mistakes

If You Suspect Your Child Is Being Hazed

Warning Signs to Watch For:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation beyond normal college stress
• Sudden personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability, withdrawal
• Secretive behavior about organizational activities
• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
• Financial stress from unexplained expenses or forced purchases
• Academic decline from missing classes or falling asleep during studies

How to Talk to Your Child:

1. Choose the Right Time: When they’re rested and not rushed
2. Use Open-Ended Questions: “How are things going with your organization?” rather than “Are they hazing you?”
3. Listen Without Judgment: If they admit to hazing, avoid blame or “I told you so”
4. Emphasize Safety First: Make clear their wellbeing matters more than membership
5. Offer Unconditional Support: “No matter what happened, we’re here for you”

Immediate Action Checklist (First 48 Hours)

Hour 1–6 (Crisis Response):

• If injured or intoxicated: Call 911 or go to ER immediately
• Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate legal guidance
• Remove child from dangerous situation if possible
• Screenshot any messages they show you
• Photograph visible injuries from multiple angles

Hour 6–24 (Evidence Preservation):

• Help child preserve ALL digital evidence (do NOT delete anything)
• Save clothing, receipts, objects from hazing
• Request medical records from ER/hospital
• Write detailed notes: who, what, when, where, witnesses
• Document all communications from university or organization

Hour 24–48 (Strategic Decisions):

• Consult with experienced hazing attorney
• Decide on reporting to campus police/local police (with legal guidance)
• Refer any university contacts to your attorney
• Do NOT speak to insurance adjusters without counsel
• Backup all evidence to cloud storage or email

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Based on our experience with hazing cases across Texas, here are the most common and damaging errors families make:

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages
   Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up, destroys crucial evidence, enables “he said/she said” defense
   What to do instead: Preserve everything, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Organization Directly
   Why it’s wrong: Triggers evidence destruction, witness coaching, defensive positioning
   What to do instead: Document quietly, let attorney handle communications

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
   Why it’s wrong: Often includes liability waivers, confidentiality clauses, lowball settlements
   What to do instead: “I need my attorney to review this before I sign anything”

4. Posting on Social Media
   Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything, inconsistencies hurt credibility
   What to do instead: Private documentation only, public messaging through attorney

5. Waiting for University Investigation
   Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs, university controls narrative
   What to do instead: Parallel investigation while university process continues

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters
   Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements used against you, early settlements are lowball offers
   What to do instead: “My attorney will contact you to discuss this matter”

Why Attorney911 for Tomball Hazing Cases

Our Houston-Based Texas Hazing Litigation Expertise

At The Manginello Law Firm (operating as Attorney911), we bring unique qualifications to hazing cases that most personal injury firms simply don’t have:

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña’s Background):
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national defense firm before joining our plaintiff-side practice. He learned firsthand how large insurance companies value claims, negotiate settlements, and defend cases. This insider knowledge is invaluable when fighting fraternity and university insurers who use the same tactics to minimize hazing claims. He knows their playbook because he used to run it.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello’s Background):
Attorney Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas lawyers who was involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations with unlimited legal budgets. That same experience fighting massive institutional defendants applies directly to hazing cases against national fraternities and universities. Our federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) and Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) signals to defense counsel that we’re serious, trial-ready opponents.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience:
We have recovered millions for families in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with economists to value lifetime care needs, lost earning capacity, and non-economic harm. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force accountability and adequate compensation.

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:
We maintain a proprietary database of every Greek organization in Texas—over 1,400 entities across 25 metros. This isn’t public information you can Google; it’s compiled from IRS filings, university records, and organizational data. When we take your case, we already know the legal names, EIN numbers, addresses, and insurance carriers for the organizations involved. We don’t start from zero.

Spanish Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish and can serve Tomball’s Hispanic families in their preferred language. Se habla Español.

Our Investigative Resources and Expert Network

When we investigate hazing cases, we deploy resources most firms don’t have:

Digital Forensics Capability:

• Recovery of deleted messages from GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage
• Social media evidence preservation before it disappears
• Location data analysis and timestamp verification

Expert Network:

• Medical experts for injury documentation
• Psychologists for trauma assessment
• Economists for damages calculation
• Greek life culture experts for pattern evidence
• Digital forensics specialists for evidence recovery

Record Gathering Power:

• Subpoena authority for national fraternity/sorority files
• Public records requests for university documents
• Discovery tools for uncovering prior incidents and patterns

Your Legal Options and Next Steps

Free Consultation: What to Expect

When Tomball families contact us about hazing concerns, here’s what they can expect:

1. Confidential Discussion: We’ll listen to what happened without judgment
2. Evidence Review: We’ll look at any documentation, photos, or messages you have
3. Legal Options Explained: We’ll outline criminal reporting, civil lawsuits, or other paths
4. Realistic Assessment: We’ll give honest feedback on case strengths and challenges
5. No Pressure Decision: Take time to decide—we don’t use high-pressure tactics
6. Clear Fee Explanation: Contingency basis—no fee unless we recover compensation

Common Questions from Tomball Families

“Can we sue the University of Houston for hazing?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities like UH have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in personal capacity. Every case is fact-specific—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case-specific analysis.

“What if the hazing happened at an off-campus house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major hazing cases occurred off-campus and still resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments.

“Will my child’s name be public if we file a lawsuit?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. We can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

“How long will this take?”
Simple cases might resolve in months; complex cases against multiple institutional defendants can take 1–3 years. Investigation and discovery phases are thorough because we’re building cases to win at trial if necessary.

“What will this cost our family?”
We work on contingency—no upfront costs, no hourly fees. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Case expenses are advanced by our firm and repaid from recovery.

Contact Attorney911 for Immediate Help

If Your Child Was Hazed at UH, Texas A&M, or Any Texas Campus

Tomball families dealing with hazing don’t have to face this crisis alone. We’re here to help you navigate this difficult situation, protect your child’s rights, and pursue accountability against those responsible.

Immediate Assistance Available:
1919 Taylor St, Houston, TX 77007
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 (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)

Spanish Language Services Available:
Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

Free Consultation Includes:

• Review of your specific situation
• Explanation of legal rights and options
• Assessment of evidence and case strength
• Discussion of realistic timelines and expectations
• Clear explanation of our contingency fee structure
• No obligation to hire us

About The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911)

We are a Houston-based Texas personal injury and complex litigation firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. With over 25 years of courtroom experience, we’ve handled everything from wrongful death cases to complex institutional litigation like the BP Texas City explosion cases. Our “Legal Emergency Lawyers™” brand reflects our commitment to immediate, aggressive, professional help when families face legal crises.

When you choose Attorney911 for a hazing case, you’re getting:

• Attorneys who actually try cases, not just settle
• Insider knowledge of how insurance companies fight claims
• Experience against billion-dollar institutional defendants
• Comprehensive investigative resources and expert networks
• Empathetic support during one of your family’s hardest times

Whether you’re in Tomball, across Harris County, or anywhere in Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, call us today. We’ll listen, we’ll explain your options, and we’ll help you decide the best path forward for your child and 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