The Definitive Guide to Hazing in Texas: A Resource for Yowell Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

For parents in Yowell and across Hunt County, sending your child to college is filled with pride and hope. You imagine them gaining an education, building lifelong friendships, and creating memories. The thought that they might instead be subjected to forced drinking, physical abuse, sleep deprivation, or psychological torment by the very organizations meant to welcome them is a parent’s worst nightmare.

Yet, this is not a hypothetical fear. Right now, in Houston, our firm is actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered catastrophic injuries during his fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. His story—involving a humiliating “pledge fanny pack,” extreme physical workouts, being sprayed in the face with a hose, forced consumption of food until vomiting, and ultimately developing rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—is a stark, current example of what is happening on Texas campuses. This $10 million lawsuit against UH, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders shows that hazing is not a relic of the past; it is a present and dangerous reality.

This guide is for you—the parents, families, and students in Yowell, Commerce, Greenville, and throughout Hunt County. Whether your child attends nearby Texas A&M University-Commerce right here in our county, or has ventured to University of Houston, Texas A&M in College Station, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor, you deserve to understand the full picture of hazing in Texas. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the Texas laws designed to protect your child, the national patterns that repeat on our campuses, and the practical, legal steps you can take if the unthinkable happens. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge and show you that experienced, dedicated legal help is available.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for immediate legal guidance.

In the first 48 hours:

1. Get Medical Attention: Seek care immediately, even if injuries seem minor or your child is reluctant.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It Disappears:
   • Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, texts), social media posts, and DMs.
   • Photograph any injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save physical items (clothing, paddles, receipts).
   • Write down everything your child remembers (who, what, when, where).
3. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or club 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” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney immediately. Evidence vanishes quickly. We can help you secure it and protect your child’s rights. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypical “prank.” For Yowell families, understanding its modern forms—which blend digital coercion, psychological pressure, and physical danger—is the first step in recognizing risk.

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act tied to joining or maintaining membership in a group that endangers the mental or physical health of a student. Crucially, under Texas law, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense. The power imbalance, fear of exclusion, and desire to belong create coercion that the law recognizes.

The Modern Hazing Spectrum

1. Digital & Psychological Coercion (Often the Starting Point):

• 24/7 Digital Control: Pledges required to monitor and respond instantly to group chats at all hours, leading to sleep deprivation and anxiety.
• Social Media Humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok, Instagram stories, or Snapchat as a “challenge.”
• Geo-Tracking: Required to share live location via apps like Find My Friends.
• Isolation & Secrecy: Pressured to cut off contact with non-members, family, and to lie about activities.

2. Harassment & Degradation:

• “Optional” Mandatory Events: Late-night “meetings,” forced chauffeuring, hours-long “study blocks” that are actually interrogations.
• Humiliating Rules: Like the “pledge fanny pack” in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, filled with condoms, sex toys, and other degrading items to be carried at all times.
• Verbal Abuse: Yelling, insults, and threats designed to break down self-esteem.
• Sleep & Food Deprivation: A common tactic to create disorientation and compliance.

3. Violent & Dangerous Hazing (Where Serious Injury Occurs):

• Forced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking games, lineups, and coerced chugging. This remains the leading cause of hazing deaths nationwide.
• Extreme Physical Abuse: “Workouts” or “smokings” that far exceed safe limits—such as the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats forced upon Leonel Bermudez, which led to his rhabdomyolysis.
• Physical Assault: Paddling, beatings, being tackled (as in the fatal Pi Delta Psi “glass ceiling” ritual).
• Dangerous Environments: Being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” exposed to extreme cold, or forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, and degrading positions.

Hazing is not confined to fraternities. It occurs in sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups like cheer and dance, marching bands, and other campus organizations. The common thread is the abuse of power in the name of “tradition” or “bonding.”

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Yowell Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws, under Chapter 37 of the Education Code, that define and punish hazing. For families in Yowell and Hunt County, these statutes provide the foundation for both criminal accountability and civil justice.

Texas Criminal Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

• Definition: An intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with a group.
• Key Provision – Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): It does not matter if your child “agreed” to participate. The law understands they were under duress.
• Penalties:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (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.
• Immunity for Reporting (§37.154): Individuals who in good faith report hazing or call for emergency medical help are protected from civil or criminal liability for their own minor involvement (like underage drinking). This is critical for encouraging bystanders to act.

Civil Liability: The Path to Accountability and Compensation

A criminal case is brought by the state to punish wrongdoing. A civil lawsuit, which we handle, is brought by the victim and family to recover damages and hold every responsible party accountable.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Case?

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or facilitated the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The fraternity, sorority, or club as an entity.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters can be liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and ignoring known patterns of abuse across chapters. In the Bermudez case, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters is a key defendant.
4. The University: Schools like UH, Texas A&M, or UT can face claims for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, and premises liability. Their duty extends to recognized student organizations.
5. Housing Corporations & Landlords: Entities that own or control the properties where hazing occurs.
6. Third Parties: Bars or alcohol providers under dram shop laws.

Federal Laws that Overlay Texas Cases

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and maintain public hazing data, strengthening nationwide accountability.
• Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, federal Title IX obligations are triggered, providing another avenue for institutional accountability.
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain campus crimes, which can include hazing-related assaults.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script That Repeats in Texas

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not isolated. They reveal a repeated script—a script that has played out at Texas schools and informs how we build cases for Yowell families.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A bid-acceptance night with extreme drinking led to fatal falls. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in scores of criminal charges and spurred Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Gruver died with a 0.495% BAC. This led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, creating felony hazing penalties.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. His death led to a $10 million settlement ($7M from national Pi Kappa Alpha, ~$3M from BGSU) and criminal convictions.

Why this matters for Texas: The “Big/Little” night, the drinking game, the delay in seeking help—these are predictable, repeated formulas. National fraternities are on notice. When the same pattern causes injury in Texas, it powerfully supports claims of negligence and reckless disregard.

The Physical & Ritualized Abuse Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Blindfolded and brutally tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. He died of brain injuries while brothers delayed calling 911. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Forced to drink a gallon of alcohol during a “pledge dad reveal.” He survived but suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage, requiring 24/7 care for life. His family settled with 22 defendants.

Why this matters for Texas: Hazing often moves to off-campus houses or retreats to avoid detection. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case involved hazing at a Culmore Drive residence and Yellowstone Boulevard Park. Courts consistently hold organizations liable for these off-campus activities when they are part of the group’s functions.

The Athletic & Institutional Hazing Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread allegations of sexualized and racist hazing within the football program led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and a confidential settlement. It proved hazing is not just a “Greek life” problem.
• Robert Champion (Florida A&M Marching Band, 2011): A drum major died after a brutal beating during a band bus hazing ritual. The university was held fully liable, resulting in a $1 million settlement.

These national stories are not just news items. They establish legal precedents, demonstrate foreseeability, and show juries that universities and national organizations have been repeatedly warned about the lethal consequences of hazing cultures they fail to reform.

Texas University Focus: Where Yowell Families Send Their Kids

As a parent in Hunt County, your child may attend the university right here in our community or may be at one of Texas’s major hubs. Each campus has its own Greek ecosystem, history, and procedures that matter when hazing occurs.

Texas A&M University-Commerce (Right Here in Hunt County)

For Yowell families, this is our local campus. Situated in Commerce, Texas A&M University-Commerce is an integral part of our community. Many Hunt County students choose to attend or are involved in its Greek life and student organizations.

• Campus Snapshot: A growing university with active fraternity and sorority life, alongside a diverse set of student clubs and athletic teams.
• Hazing Policy & Reporting: Like all Texas public universities, A&M-Commerce prohibits hazing under Chapter 37 of the Education Code. Reports can be made to the Dean of Students’ Office, Campus Police, or through anonymous university hotlines.
• Local Jurisdiction: A hazing incident at A&M-Commerce would involve Hunt County law enforcement and potentially the Commerce City Police. Civil actions could be filed in Hunt County courts. Our firm understands these local jurisdictions and how to navigate them effectively for your family.
• Action for Local Families: The proximity means evidence and witnesses are close. It is crucial to act swiftly to preserve digital evidence and seek medical care at local facilities, documenting everything with the understanding that the legal process will engage our local county systems.

University of Houston (The Site of Our Active $10M Lawsuit)

The Leonel Bermudez case is a current, high-stakes example of hazing litigation at a major Texas university.

• The Flagship Case – Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi: In fall 2025, pledge Leonel Bermudez endured systematic abuse: the degrading “fanny pack,” overnight driving duties, extreme physical workouts at Yellowstone Park, being sprayed with a hose, forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and a final November 3 workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats. He developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, was hospitalized for four days, and faces permanent health risks. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter was suspended and voted to surrender its charter. Our lawsuit seeks over $10 million from UH, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi nationals, the chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual members.
• UH’s Greek Landscape: UH has a large, diverse Greek community including IFC fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, and NPHC (Divine Nine) organizations.
• Legal Venue: Cases involving UH are typically filed in Harris County courts. Our firm’s primary office is in Houston, giving us direct experience and familiarity with these courts and procedures.

Texas A&M University (College Station)

• Culture & Scale: Home to a massive Greek system and the storied Corps of Cadets, both with deep traditions and, at times, documented hazing risks.
• Documented Incidents: Lawsuits have alleged severe hazing within both systems. In one notable case, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) pledges alleged they were doused with an industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. In the Corps of Cadets, a lawsuit alleged a cadet was subjected to degrading sexualized hazing, including being bound in a “roasted pig” position.
• Implication for Families: The combination of powerful Greek traditions and the military-style discipline of the Corps creates unique environments where hazing can be deeply ingrained and defended as “tradition.” Overcoming these institutional cultures requires attorneys with experience facing large, tradition-bound defendants.

University of Texas at Austin

• Transparency as a Tool: UT Austin maintains a public online log of hazing violations, which is a valuable resource for showing patterns. Past entries include sanctions against Pi Kappa Alpha for forced milk consumption and strenuous calisthenics, and against spirit groups for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
• Pattern Evidence: This public record can be used in litigation to demonstrate that the university had prior knowledge of specific dangerous practices within certain organizations, strengthening claims of negligent supervision.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

• Private University Dynamics: As private institutions in Dallas and Waco, respectively, SMU and Baylor have significant Greek life presences but operate under different structures and potentially different insurance frameworks than public schools. Both have faced hazing incidents within fraternities and athletic teams.
• Legal Strategy: Civil cases against private universities are not constrained by the same sovereign immunity arguments that can affect suits against public schools like UH or Texas A&M, potentially altering litigation strategy.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

When your child is hazed by a fraternity at Texas A&M-Commerce or UT Austin, they are not just experiencing a local chapter’s “bad apples.” They are often encountering a national pattern of behavior that the headquarters in another state has seen, and often failed to decisively stop, for years.

Why the National Link is Crucial for Liability

National fraternities and sororities create policies, collect dues, provide (or fail to provide) training, and have the ultimate authority to suspend or close chapters. In court, we can demonstrate that an injury in Texas was foreseeable because the same national organization had nearly identical incidents result in death or catastrophe elsewhere.

Examples of National Patterns:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): The national organization behind the Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green ($10M settlement) and other fatal alcohol poisonings.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): One of the largest fraternities, with a long history of hazing-related deaths, lawsuits, and a 2014 ban on pledging in response. SAE has faced serious hazing allegations at Texas A&M and UT Austin.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The national fraternity we are currently suing in the Bermudez case. Its chapter at Florida State was involved in the alcohol-poisoning death of Andrew Coffey in 2017.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The fraternity involved in the Max Gruver death at LSU.

Our investigative approach includes using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary database built from public records—to map the network of entities behind a Texas chapter. This includes identifying local housing corporations, alumni associations, and the national headquarters, all of which may carry insurance and share liability.

Public Records: A Snapshot of the Greek Ecosystem in Texas

To illustrate the scale and complexity we navigate, here is a sample from our directory of Texas-registered Greek organizations. This is the kind of data we use to identify all potentially liable parties from the outset.

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN: 133048786) | 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (EIN: 746064445) | 1855 Highway 69 N, Nederland, TX 77627 | IRS B83 Filing
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN: 462267515) | 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 | IRS B83 Filing
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (EIN: 364091267) | 1101 Melrose Dr, Waco, TX 76710 | IRS B83 Filing
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN: 900293166) | 114 Henderson Hall 4233 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 | Texas A&M University Chapter
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Theta Delta (EIN: 475370943) | 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204 | IRS B83 Filing
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc – Sigma Gamma Chapter (EIN: 392352450) | PO Box 540026, Houston, TX 77254 | IRS B83 Filing

This is just a fraction of over 125 IRS-registered Greek entities in Texas and part of a network of over 1,400 such organizations we track across the state. When we take a case, we don’t start from zero.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

If hazing has injured your child, taking swift, structured action is critical. Here is how we approach building a case for families in Yowell and across Texas.

The Critical Evidence Pyramid

1. Digital Evidence (Most Important & Most Fragile):

   • Group Chats: Screenshots of GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord conversations planning events, giving orders, or discussing injuries.
   • Social Media: Posts, stories, DMs, and comments on Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook that depict hazing activities or injuries.
   • Recovered Data: Through digital forensics, we can often recover deleted messages and metadata.

2. Medical Evidence:

   • Immediate Records: ER reports, ambulance records, hospitalization notes. It is vital to tell medical staff the injuries are from hazing.
   • Lab Results: Blood tests showing alcohol/drug levels or, as in the Bermudez case, critically high creatine kinase (CK) levels indicating rhabdomyolysis.
   • Psychological Records: Diagnosis and treatment for PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other trauma.

3. Institutional Records:

   • University Files: Obtained through discovery or public records requests, showing prior complaints against the same organization.
   • National Fraternity Records: Internal risk management reports, disciplinary history for the chapter, and communications between local and national officers.

4. Witness Testimony:

   • Other pledges, former members, roommates, RAs, and bystanders.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and hold wrongdoers accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages:
  • All past and future medical expenses (ER, surgery, therapy, lifelong care for catastrophic injuries).
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity.
  • Educational costs (missed semesters, lost scholarships).
• Non-Economic Damages:
  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
  • For families in wrongful death cases: loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional suffering.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or malicious conduct, courts may award damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Overcoming Common Defense Tactics

We expect and prepare for defenses from universities and national organizations:

• “The Victim Consented”: We counter with Texas law (§37.155) and evidence of coercion and power imbalance.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter, We Didn’t Know”: We use pattern evidence from the national organization’s own history to prove foreseeability and negligent supervision.
• “It Happened Off-Campus, Not Our Responsibility”: We establish the university’s and national’s ongoing control and sponsorship of the organization, regardless of location.
• “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”: We demonstrate the gap between paper policies and actual enforcement, showing prior incidents were ignored or minimally punished.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Yowell Parents and Students

A Parent’s Action Plan

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight changes.
• Becoming secretive or withdrawn, especially about group activities.
• Constant anxiety about phone notifications (group chat demands).
• Sudden academic decline or loss of interest in old friends.

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m worried about you. Is there anything happening with your group that feels unsafe or wrong?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot everything. Take photos of injuries.
4. Seek Medical Care: A medical record created now is powerful evidence later.
5. Consult a Lawyer Before Reporting: We can guide you on how to report to the university or police in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence.

A Student’s Guide to Safety & Rights

• Is This Hazing? If you feel pressured, unsafe, humiliated, or forced to do something to belong, it likely is. Trust your gut.
• You Have the Right to Leave: You can resign at any time. Send a simple email or text: “I resign my membership/pledgeship effective immediately.” You do not owe an explanation or need to attend a “final meeting.”
• How to Report Safely: You can report anonymously through campus hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). For medical emergencies, call 911—Texas law provides protections for those who seek help in good faith.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots of ALL relevant messages. Photograph injuries. Tell a friend or family member what happened.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Do not let your child “clean up” their phone. Deleted messages can look like a cover-up.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their defense lawyers and leads to evidence destruction.
3. Signing University Paperwork Without Advice: Universities may offer “internal resolutions” that waive your right to sue.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense investigators monitor everything. Inconsistencies can be used against you.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the Texas statute of limitations (generally 2 years from the injury) is always ticking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we sue a public university like Texas A&M or UH in Texas?
A: Yes, but public universities have limited sovereign immunity. We overcome this by alleging gross negligence, willful misconduct, or by suing individual employees. Many cases settle, as seen in the BGSU ($3M) and FAMU ($1M) settlements.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury or death to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. However, specific circumstances can affect this deadline. Do not wait—call us to understand your timeline.

Q: What if the hazing happened at an off-campus house or retreat?
A: Location does not absolve liability. If the event was organized by a university-recognized group, the university and national organization can still be held responsible for negligent supervision. The Pi Delta Psi conviction for a retreat death proves this.

Q: How much does it cost to hire your firm?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and wrongful death cases. This means you pay no upfront fees or hourly costs. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you through a settlement or verdict.

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family is facing the trauma of hazing, you need advocates who are not intimidated by powerful institutions and who understand the unique dynamics of these cases. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), we bring a combination of deep Texas roots, insider knowledge, and proven litigation power to hazing cases.

Our Competitive Advantages for Your Case:

1. We Are Litigating a Major Texas Hazing Case Right Now. We are lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. We are not theorizing about hazing law; we are actively fighting it in Texas courts. This gives us current, tactical experience we apply to every case.

2. Insider Knowledge of Insurance Company Tactics. Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and undervalue your claim. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

3. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants. Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced corporations with unlimited legal budgets and know how to conduct the deep investigation needed to win. National fraternities and major universities do not scare us.

4. A Data-Driven Investigative Edge. We maintain the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, a proprietary directory built from public records that maps the network of Greek organizations across the state. We use this to immediately identify all potentially liable entities—national headquarters, housing corporations, alumni associations—so we can pursue every source of accountability and insurance.

5. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise. Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal side of hazing investigations. We can effectively advise clients who may be navigating parallel criminal and civil proceedings, or who are cooperating as witnesses.

6. Compassionate, Client-Focused Advocacy. We know this is about more than money. It’s about your child’s health, your family’s peace of mind, and preventing this from happening to others. We treat you with the empathy and respect you deserve while aggressively pursuing the justice you need.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, Free Consultation

If you are a parent in Yowell, Commerce, or anywhere in Hunt County or Texas, and you believe your child has been hazed, please know that you do not have to navigate this alone. The university’s primary interest is often in limiting its own liability. The fraternity or sorority will circle the wagons. You need an independent advocate who works only for you.

We offer a free, completely confidential consultation to discuss your situation. In this meeting, we will:

• Listen carefully to what happened.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline how we would investigate and approach your case.
• Answer all your questions about the process, timeline, and costs.

There is no obligation to hire us. Our goal is to ensure you have the information needed to make the best decision for your family.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) Today:

• 24/7 Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Se habla Español: Mr. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal services.

Let us help you turn a moment of crisis into a path toward accountability, recovery, and peace of mind.

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