Hazing Lawyer in Wise County, TX – Legal Help for Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Victims
Wise County Families: Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines – Neither Does Justice
If your child has been the victim of fraternity or sorority hazing at a college near Wise County, Texas, you’re not alone. Attorney 911 is currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure—and we’re ready to bring that same aggressive representation to Wise County families.
While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Wise County. If your child was abused, humiliated, or injured during Greek life initiation, we will fight for you.
📞 Call now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
The Hazing Crisis in Wise County & Beyond
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It’s assault, battery, and torture—and it’s happening at universities near Wise County.
Hazing Cases We’re Fighting Right Now
In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after our client, Leonel Bermudez, was subjected to:
✔ Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✔ Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
✔ Struck with wooden paddles
✔ Forced to eat until vomiting, then continue exercising
✔ Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure
This didn’t happen in a vacuum. Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at FSU), and the University of Houston had another student hospitalized from hazing in 2017 (Jared Munoz at Pi Kappa Alpha). They knew the risks. They did nothing.
The Same Fraternities Operate Near Wise County
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other national fraternities have chapters at universities near Wise County, including:
- University of North Texas (UNT) – Denton, TX (~1 hour from Wise County)
- Texas Woman’s University (TWU) – Denton, TX
- Texas Christian University (TCU) – Fort Worth, TX (~1.5 hours from Wise County)
- Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Dallas, TX (~1.5 hours from Wise County)
- University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) – Arlington, TX
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Wise County, they face the same risks.
What Counts as Hazing in Texas?
Texas law (Education Code § 37.151) defines hazing as any intentional, reckless, or knowing act that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or maintaining membership in an organization.
Common Hazing Activities That Are Illegal in Wise County
❌ Physical abuse – Paddling, beating, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
❌ Forced consumption – Alcohol, food, or non-food substances (e.g., hot sauce, milk, peppercorns)
❌ Sleep deprivation – Forced late-night activities, early morning workouts
❌ Psychological torture – Waterboarding, humiliation, degradation, threats
❌ Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
❌ Extreme exposure – Forced to stay outside in cold/heat, confined spaces
Texas law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity can still be held liable.
Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Wise County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held accountable, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local fraternity/sorority chapter | Directly organized and participated in hazing |
| National organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike) | Failed to supervise chapters despite knowing about hazing risks |
| University/college | Failed to prevent hazing despite having authority over Greek life |
| Individual members (president, pledgemaster, etc.) | Personally participated in or allowed hazing to continue |
| Fraternity housing corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
| Alumni who hosted hazing | Allowed hazing at their homes (premises liability) |
In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re suing all of these parties—and we’ll do the same for Wise County families.
What Damages Can Wise County Hazing Victims Recover?
If your child was hazed, they may be entitled to compensation for:
✅ Medical bills – Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment
✅ Lost wages – Time missed from work or internships
✅ Pain and suffering – Physical pain from injuries (e.g., rhabdomyolysis, broken bones)
✅ Emotional distress – PTSD, anxiety, depression, humiliation
✅ Educational disruption – Missed classes, delayed graduation, lost scholarships
✅ Punitive damages – Additional money to punish the fraternity/university for egregious conduct
Precedent Cases Show Hazing Victims Can Win Millions
| Case | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017) | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million settlement |
| Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential settlement |
These cases prove that hazing lawsuits win—and Wise County families deserve the same justice.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Wise County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
✔ Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor—some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening.
✔ Document everything—photos of injuries, hospital records, doctor’s notes.
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
✔ Save all communications – Texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails
✔ Take screenshots of social media posts about hazing
✔ Get witness names – Other pledges, bystanders, friends
✔ Do NOT delete anything – Destroying evidence can hurt your case
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer
⚠️ They will try to control the narrative.
⚠️ They may pressure your child to sign a waiver.
⚠️ Anything your child says can be used against them.
Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (Available 24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
We offer free consultations and work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Wise County Hazing Case?
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to win these cases.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both of our attorneys (Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena) used to defend insurance companies—so we know exactly how they’ll try to lowball or deny your claim. Now we use that knowledge to fight for victims.
3. We Travel to Wise County
While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve clients nationwide, including in Wise County. We’ll come to you for meetings, depositions, and court appearances.
4. Federal Court Authority
We’re admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas), meaning we can pursue cases against national fraternities and universities regardless of location.
5. Se Habla Español
We have bilingual staff and can assist Spanish-speaking families in Wise County.
6. No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If You Win
We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Wise County Hazing Victims: You Have Rights. We Will Fight for You.
Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s abuse. And it’s illegal.
If your child was hazed at a university near Wise County, we will hold the fraternity, the national organization, and the school accountable.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free, confidential consultation.
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit attorney911.com
We don’t just talk about justice—we fight for it. And we’ll fight for your Wise County family.
