Hazing Injuries and Deaths at Texas Universities: A Comprehensive Guide for Trenton Families

If your child attends college at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any Texas campus, this guide is for you. Located in Fannin County, Trenton families send students to universities across our state. Right now, we’re fighting one of Texas’s most serious hazing cases—the $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity where pledge Leonel Bermudez suffered kidney failure from brutal hazing. If you’re a Trenton parent worried about what’s happening with your child’s fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or campus organization, we wrote this guide to give you the facts, the law, and the practical steps to protect your family.

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

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025

Beyond the Stereotypes: Modern Hazing Realities

If you’re a Trenton parent who attended college decades ago, your understanding of hazing might be limited to outdated stereotypes. Today’s hazing has evolved into sophisticated, often hidden practices that can cause permanent injury or death. Hazing means any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits.

Remember: “I agreed to it” does NOT make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing

Forced or coerced drinking games (“Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking, “Bible study” games)
Chugging challenges, “lineups” where pledges must consume entire bottles
Pressure to consume unknown or mixed substances
Medical reality: Blood alcohol levels of 0.40-0.50% (5-6 times the legal limit) are common in fatal hazing cases

2. Physical Hazing

Paddling and beatings (still common despite national prohibitions)
Extreme calisthenics (“smokings”) – hundreds of push-ups, squats until collapse
Sleep deprivation (late-night “meetings,” 3 AM wake-up calls)
Food/water deprivation or forced consumption of disgusting substances
Exposure to extreme cold/heat without protection

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

Forced nudity or partial nudity
Simulated sexual acts (“roasted pig” positions, “elephant walks”)
Degrading costumes or roles with racial/sexist overtones
Public shaming rituals before peers

4. Psychological Hazing

Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members
Manipulation or forced confessions of personal information
Systematic dismantling of self-worth under guise of “building brotherhood/sisterhood”

5. Digital/Online Hazing

Group chat dares and “challenges” on GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord
Pressure to create compromising TikTok/Instagram content
24/7 availability demands with instant response expectations
Location tracking via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
Social media policing and forced content sharing

Where Hazing Happens Beyond Fraternities

While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, hazing occurs across campus organizations:

Corps of Cadets / ROTC programs (especially at Texas A&M)
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer, swimming)
Spirit squads and tradition organizations (Texas Cowboys, cheer teams)
Marching bands and performance groups
Academic and service organizations
Cultural and identity-based groups

For Trenton families, understanding that hazing isn’t limited to “frat parties” is crucial. The same power dynamics, secrecy, and tradition exist across campus groups.

Texas Hazing Law: What Trenton Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions that govern cases involving Trenton students at Texas universities:

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

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

Key implications for Trenton families:

Location doesn’t matter – off-campus houses, retreats, and venues are included
Mental harm counts equally with physical harm
“Reckless” behavior qualifies (they knew the risk and did it anyway)

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing without serious injury (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
Additional charges: Failing to report (misdemeanor), retaliation against reporters (misdemeanor)

§ 37.155 Critical Provision: Consent is NOT a defense to hazing prosecution. Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still a crime.

§ 37.154 Immunity: Good-faith reporters to university/law enforcement are immune from civil/criminal liability. Many Texas universities extend this to 911 callers in medical emergencies.

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Understanding Both Tracks

Criminal Cases (State brings charges):

Purpose: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter in fatal cases
Who prosecutes: County District Attorney where incident occurred
Burden of proof: Beyond reasonable doubt

Civil Cases (Victim/family brings lawsuit):

Purpose: Compensation and accountability
Typical claims: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
Who sues: Victim or family with private attorney
Burden of proof: Preponderance of evidence (more likely than not)

Crucial point: You can pursue civil action even if no criminal charges are filed. The standards and purposes differ.

Federal Law Overlay Affecting Texas Cases

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently
Strengthens hazing education and prevention
Phased public hazing data reporting by 2026
Affects all Texas public universities and most private ones

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. Universities must investigate and address.

Clery Act: Requires reporting certain crimes in campus safety statistics; hazing often overlaps with assault and alcohol crimes.

Who Can Be Liable in a Texas Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students:

Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager) often carry greater responsibility

2. Local Chapter:

The fraternity/sorority as a legal entity (if incorporated)
Housing corporations that own/manage chapter houses

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters:

Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
Liability increases when nationals knew or should have known about dangerous patterns

4. University/Board of Regents:

Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections
Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity barriers
Liability based on prior knowledge, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference

5. Third Parties:

Landlords/owners of properties where hazing occurs
Bars/alcohol providers under dram shop laws
Security companies or event organizers

National Hazing Cases: Patterns Every Trenton Family Should Recognize

Alcohol Poisoning Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):

Bid-acceptance night with forced drinking
Fell multiple times on chapter house stairs; brothers delayed calling 911 for 12 hours
18 members charged with 1,000+ criminal counts
Takeaway for Trenton families: Delay in seeking medical help dramatically increases liability and moral culpability.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):

“Bible study” drinking game – wrong answers = forced drinking
Blood alcohol concentration: 0.495% (6 times legal limit)
Louisiana passed Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony
Takeaway: “Game” framing doesn’t eliminate liability; traditions kill.

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

Forced to drink nearly entire bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night
Family reached $10 million settlement ($7M from national Pike, ~$3M from BGSU)
Takeaway: National organizations pay substantial settlements when patterns repeat.

Physical Hazing Pattern

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

Blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at Pennsylvania retreat
Repeatedly tackled while weighted with backpack
National fraternity criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter
Takeaway: Off-campus retreats don’t eliminate liability; nationals can face criminal conviction.

Athletic Hazing Pattern

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):

Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within program
Multiple lawsuits against university; head coach fired
Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs.

What These Cases Mean for Trenton Families

Forced drinking remains the most common fatal hazing method
Delayed medical care exponentially increases harm and liability
National organizations have extensive histories they can’t plausibly deny
Settlements reach $10M+ for deaths, substantial amounts for injuries
Legal reforms (like Texas’s hazing statutes) often follow tragedy

Texas University Hazing Realities: Where Trenton Students Attend

University of Houston: Current Crisis and Historical Patterns

For Trenton families: While Houston is several hours from Fannin County, many Trenton students attend UH, and what happens there sets precedents affecting all Texas campuses.

Current Active Case – Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu):

Filed: Late 2025, $10 million lawsuit
What happened: September-November 2025 pledge period included:
- “Pledge fanny pack” rule with condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices
- Forced dress codes, overnight chauffeuring duties, weekly interviews
- Extreme physical hazing: sprints, bear crawls, “save-your-brother” drills
- Cold-weather exposure in underwear, lying in vomit-soaked grass
- Simulated waterboarding: Sprayed in face with hose, threatened with actual waterboarding
- Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, then sprints
- November 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
Medical catastrophe: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure
- Passed brown urine, hospitalized four days
- Critically high creatine kinase levels confirming kidney injury
- Ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage
Defendants: University of Houston, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, Beta Nu housing corporation, 13 individual fraternity leaders
Institutional response: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended chapter November 6; members voted to surrender charter November 14; UH called conduct “deeply disturbing”

UH’s Hazing Policy & Reporting:

Prohibits hazing on and off campus
Reporting through Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, UHPD
Published hazing violations with disciplinary outcomes

Prior UH Incidents:

2016 Pi Kappa Alpha: Pledge suffered lacerated spleen during hazing; chapter faced misdemeanor charges and suspension
Multiple fraternity suspensions for alcohol hazing, physical abuse violations

How a UH Case Proceeds:

Jurisdiction: Harris County courts, Houston police or UHPD involvement
Evidence collection: Group chats from Houston-area chapter houses, medical records from Texas Medical Center
Strategic considerations: Sovereign immunity issues with public university, multiple insurance policies across defendants

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

For Trenton families: College Station is within driving distance for many East Texas families, making A&M a common choice for Trenton students.

Corps of Cadets Hazing Realities:

Military-style tradition environment with reported discipline issues
2023 Lawsuit: Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts, being bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth
Sought over $1 million; A&M stated handled under internal rules
Takeaway: Institutional loyalty sometimes impedes accountability

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):

Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner
Caused severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
Pledges sued for $1 million; chapter suspended two years
Takeaway: Hazing methods evolve to include chemical abuse

Texas A&M Hazing Framework:

Student Conduct Office investigates
Corps has separate disciplinary system
Public reporting less transparent than UT’s system

For Trenton Parents with A&M Students:

Understand both Greek life and Corps risks
Document everything before approaching university systems
Recognize that “tradition” arguments often mask abuse

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

For Trenton families: UT Austin attracts students from across Texas, including Fannin County, drawn by academic reputation and campus life.

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page:

Maintains searchable database of hazing violations
Lists organizations, dates, conduct, sanctions
Unusual transparency among Texas universities

Documented UT Incidents:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter probation with hazing-prevention education
Texas Wranglers (spirit organization): Sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing
Multiple fraternities/sororities with repeated violations despite sanctions

UT’s Legal Environment:

Travis County jurisdiction
UTPD and Austin Police Department involvement
Prior violations on public log strengthen civil cases (pattern evidence)

What UT Transparency Means for Trenton Families:

Check hazing.utexas.edu before your child joins organizations
Prior violations indicate cultural problems, not “rogue individuals”
Public records assist civil discovery

Southern Methodist University: Private University Dynamics

For Trenton families: Dallas-area SMU attracts students seeking private university experience with strong Greek life.

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017):

New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, sleep deprived
Chapter suspended; recruiting restrictions until 2021
Pattern: National organization with repeated hazing issues

SMU’s Hazing Framework:

Private university status affects transparency
Anonymous reporting via Real Response system
Internal investigations less visible than public universities

Strategic Considerations for SMU Cases:

Fewer sovereign immunity barriers than public universities
Discovery can compel internal document production
National fraternity insurance often primary coverage source

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Institutional Challenges

For Trenton families: Waco’s Baylor draws students seeking faith-based education with traditional campus life.

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020):

14 players suspended following hazing investigation
Suspensions staggered over season
Context: Baylor’s history of institutional response challenges

Baylor’s Unique Position:

Religious identity interacts with accountability expectations
Prior Title IX scandals inform institutional response patterns
“Zero tolerance” rhetoric versus enforcement reality

For Baylor Families:

Document thoroughly before reporting
Understand Baylor’s particular institutional dynamics
Consider both internal and external accountability paths

Fraternity and Sorority National Histories: Pattern Evidence Matters

Why National Histories Affect Trenton Students’ Cases

When your Trenton student is hazed at a Texas chapter of a national organization, that national’s history becomes legally relevant. Courts consider:

Foreseeability: Did the national know this type of hazing was likely based on prior incidents?
Pattern evidence: Is this chapter repeating behaviors other chapters were disciplined for?
Policy enforcement: Did the national meaningfully enforce its anti-hazing policies?

National Organizations with Documented Hazing Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike):

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State, 2021 – alcohol poisoning death, $10M settlement
David Bogenberger: Northern Illinois University, 2012 – alcohol poisoning death, $14M settlement
Multiple chapters suspended at Texas universities for hazing violations
Pattern: “Big/Little” nights with forced drinking recur despite national policies

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE):

Nation’s deadliest fraternity historically with multiple hazing deaths
University of Alabama: Pledge suffered traumatic brain injury (2023 lawsuit)
Texas A&M: Chemical burns case (2021)
UT Austin: Assault case with exchange student (2024)
National response: Eliminated traditional pledge process in 2014 after pattern of deaths

Pi Kappa Phi:

Andrew Coffey: Florida State University, 2017 – alcohol poisoning death during “Big Brother Night”
Leonel Bermudez: University of Houston, 2025 – rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
Pattern: Alcohol-focused initiation events despite national risk management training

Phi Delta Theta:

Max Gruver: LSU, 2017 – “Bible study” drinking game death
Louisiana passed Max Gruver Act creating felony hazing
Pattern: Academic-themed drinking games that circumvent alcohol policies

How National Histories Strengthen Trenton Families’ Cases

In discovery: We subpoena national headquarters for:

Prior incident reports from same chapter
Communications about other chapters’ hazing
Risk management training materials
Insurance coverage documents

In negotiation: Pattern evidence increases settlement value
At trial: Prior incidents show foreseeability and support punitive damages arguments

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Communications (Most Critical):

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage threads: Show planning, intimidation, cover-up attempts
Social media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok content
Digital forensics: Recovering deleted messages, establishing timelines
For Trenton families: Screenshot immediately – messages disappear within hours

Photos & Videos:

Content filmed during hazing events (often shared in group chats)
Security camera/doorbell footage from houses
Medical documentation of injuries progression
Preservation: Multiple backups – cloud, external drives, attorney copies

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts
Chapter meeting minutes
National policies and training materials
Communications between local chapter and nationals

University Records:

Prior conduct files through public records requests
Clery Act reports
Internal investigation documents
Strategic insight: Universities often have more documents than they initially disclose

Medical & Psychological Records:

Emergency room documentation (crucial: mention hazing to providers)
Hospitalization records
Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety
Toxicology reports in alcohol/drug cases

Witness Testimony:

Other pledges (often fearful but cooperative with protection)
Former members who quit
Roommates, RAs, bystanders
Medical providers, first responders

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical expenses: ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment
Future care costs: Therapy, medications, life care plans for permanent injuries
Lost earnings: Missed semesters, delayed career entry
Educational losses: Tuition, scholarships, transfer costs

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering from injuries
Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life: Can’t participate in activities they loved
Reputational harm: Social stigma, digital footprint issues

Wrongful Death Damages (When Applicable):

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

Punitive Damages (When Conduct Especially Reckless):

Punish defendants for willful/reckless conduct
Deter future hazing
Available under Texas law in appropriate cases

Insurance Coverage Strategy

Fraternity and university insurance fights are complex:

Common Insurance Arguments:

“Hazing is intentional, not covered”
“Policy excludes criminal acts”
“University is immune under sovereign immunity”

Our Insurance Insider Advantage:
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows:

How insurers value (and undervalue) claims
Reserve-setting formulas and negotiation tactics
How to fight coverage exclusions
When to pursue bad faith claims against insurers

Multiple Policy Identification:

National fraternity/sorority policies
University liability coverage
Chapter/housing corporation policies
Individual members’ homeowners policies
Commercial general liability for venues

Practical Guides: What Trenton Families Should Do Now

For Parents: Warning Signs and Response

Red Flags Your Child Is Being Hazed:

Unexplained injuries, bruises, burns
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
Constant phone monitoring for group chat demands
Financial strains from “mandatory” purchases
Academic decline from missed classes/assignments

How to Talk to Your Child:

Non-confrontational approach: “How are things with [organization]?”
Specific but gentle: “Have they been respectful of your time for sleep and classes?”
Safety emphasis: “Is there anything that makes you feel unsafe?”
Support assurance: “You can always leave, and we’ll support you.”

If Your Child Is Injured:

Medical first: ER evaluation even if they resist
Document everything: Photos, screenshots, written notes
Preserve evidence: Don’t wash clothing, don’t delete messages
Contact attorney: Before talking to university or insurance

For Students: Recognizing and Escaping Hazing

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

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

How to Exit Safely:

Tell someone outside first: Parent, trusted friend, RA
Written resignation: Email/text to chapter president: “I resign effective immediately”
Avoid “one last meeting”: Where pressure/retaliation might occur
Document threats: Screenshot any retaliation attempts

Evidence Collection for Students:

Screenshots: Full threads with timestamps visible
Photos: Injuries from multiple angles with scale reference
Medical records: Tell providers “I was hazed” for documentation
Witness information: Names and contacts of others who saw

Critical Mistakes That Destroy Hazing Cases

1. Deleting Evidence

What happens: Defense argues cover-up, case becomes “he said/she said”
Right approach: Preserve everything immediately; digital forensics can recover some deleted content but screenshots are stronger

2. Confronting the Organization

What happens: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Right approach: Document silently, contact attorney first

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms

What happens: Waive legal rights for minimal “internal resolution”
Right approach: “I need my attorney to review this before signing”

4. Social Media Posting

What happens: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Right approach: Private documentation only; let attorney control messaging

5. Waiting for University Investigation

What happens: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
Right approach: Parallel track – preserve independently while university investigates

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters

What happens: Recorded statements used against you; lowball settlements offered
Right approach: “My attorney will contact you”

7. Letting Child Return to “Final Meeting”

What happens: Pressure, intimidation, coached statements
Right approach: Once considering legal action, all communication through attorney

Why Attorney911 for Trenton Hazing Cases

Our Texas Hazing Litigation Credentials

Currently Leading Major Texas Hazing Litigation:
Right now, we represent Leonel Bermudez in the $10 million University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi hazing lawsuit. This isn’t theoretical – we’re actively fighting one of Texas’s most serious hazing cases involving rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, and institutional cover-up.

Insurance Insider Advantage:
Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) 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”
Negotiate settlements behind the scenes

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience:
Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation. We’ve faced billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. National fraternities and universities use the same playbook.

Multi-Million Dollar Catastrophic Injury Results:
We’ve recovered millions for clients with:

Brain injuries and permanent disabilities
Wrongful death cases
Life-altering injuries requiring lifetime care
Complex damages requiring economist collaboration

Criminal + Civil Dual Capability:
Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand:

Criminal hazing charges and defenses
How criminal and civil cases interact
Protecting witnesses/former members with dual exposure

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine

We maintain an unmatched database of Texas Greek organization intelligence:

IRS B83 Backbone – 125 Texas-Registered Greek Organizations:
We track every tax-exempt Greek organization in Texas, including:

EIN 133048786: KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC, College Station, TX 77845
EIN 742911848: BETA UPSILON CHI, Fort Worth, TX 76244
EIN 462267515: BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC, Frisco, TX 75035
EIN 364091267: SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY, Waco, TX 76710
EIN 237279532: KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, Prairie View, TX 77446

Texas University Network – 96 Campuses:
We understand where Trenton students actually attend:

Local/Northeast Texas options
Major hubs: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
Transfer patterns and Greek life connections

Metro-Level Greek Intelligence:

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington: 510 Greek organizations
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land: 188 organizations
Austin-Round Rock: 154 organizations
Plus tracking for San Antonio, Lubbock, College Station, Waco, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, and other metros

What This Means for Trenton Families:
We don’t start from zero. We already know:

Legal names and EINs of organizations behind the Greek letters
Insurance carriers and coverage patterns
Prior incident histories across Texas campuses
How national brands operate across our state

Our Investigative Process for Hazing Cases

Phase 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation

Digital forensics for deleted group chats
Social media evidence collection
Medical record acquisition
Witness identification and protection

Phase 2: Institutional Discovery

Subpoenas to national fraternity/sorority headquarters
Public records requests to universities
Insurance policy identification
Prior incident pattern development

Phase 3: Expert Collaboration

Medical experts (rhabdomyolysis, TBI, psychiatry)
Greek life culture experts
Economists for damages modeling
Digital forensic specialists

Phase 4: Strategic Litigation

Defendant identification (individuals + entities)
Insurance coverage battles
Settlement vs trial evaluation
Media and privacy management

Call to Action for Trenton Families

Your Next Steps: Practical and Immediate

If You Suspect Hazing:

Document quietly: Screenshots, photos, notes
Medical evaluation: Even if injuries seem minor
Contact us confidentially: 1-888-ATTY-911
Follow preservation protocol: Don’t delete, don’t confront, don’t post

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We listen to your story without judgment
Review evidence you’ve preserved
Explain legal options clearly (criminal report, civil suit, both, neither)
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
Answer questions about costs (contingency fee – we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure to hire immediately – take time to decide

Why Time Matters:

Group chats delete automatically
Witnesses graduate or get coached
Universities control narratives quickly
Statutes of limitations run (generally 2 years in Texas)

Contact Attorney911 Today

For Immediate Help:

24/7 Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781

Email Contacts:

Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
Lupe Peña: lupe@atty911.com

Spanish Language Services:

Hablamos Español – Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish
Consultas confidenciales en español disponibles

Website & Resources:

Main site: https://attorney911.com
Wrongful death practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Criminal defense capability: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/

Educational Videos:

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

Serving Trenton and All Texas Families

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims and families throughout Texas, including Trenton and Fannin County. We handle:

Direct representation for Texas cases
Co-counsel arrangements for out-of-state cases with Texas connections
Consultation and case evaluation for families anywhere in the U.S.

Our Commitment to Trenton Families:
We understand the particular concerns of Texas parents sending children to universities across our state. Whether your student attends a local college or a major university hours from home, hazing risks exist. We bring Texas-specific expertise, knowledge of Texas courts and laws, and genuine commitment to holding powerful institutions accountable.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

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

Attorney911 Main Website:

Contact and information: https://attorney911.com

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