Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Stephens County Families

The Phone Call No Parent Wants to Receive

It’s late on a Thursday night in Stephens County, and your phone rings. On the other end, your child’s voice is shaky, distant. They’re calling from their university, hundreds of miles away, but they don’t sound like themselves. Between halting sentences, you piece together a story of “mandatory” late-night meetings, exhausting physical drills, and a culture of fear masquerading as tradition. They’re exhausted, they’re hurt, and they’re scared of what happens if they speak up. This isn’t the college experience you envisioned. This is hazing.

For families in Stephens County and across Texas, this nightmare became a devastating reality in late 2025. Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student at the University of Houston, suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after alleged extreme hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to a $10 million lawsuit filed in Harris County, Bermudez was forced through brutal workouts, degrading rituals, and coerced consumption of food until vomiting. He was hospitalized for four days, his urine turned brown from muscle breakdown, and he now faces the risk of permanent kidney damage.

We at Attorney911 represent Leonel Bermudez in this active, high-stakes litigation against UH, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the chapter’s housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. This case isn’t just a headline—it’s proof that severe, life-altering hazing is happening right now on Texas campuses. And it shows the level of investigative depth and institutional-fighting experience that families need when the unthinkable happens.

This guide is for every parent in Stephens County—from Breckenridge to Caddo, from Gunsight to Necessity—whose child may be at risk. Whether your student attends a local college, commutes to a nearby university, or has gone hours away to a major Texas school, you deserve to know the truth about hazing in 2025: what it looks like, how the law protects your child, and what real accountability looks like.

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, or team directly.
  • Sign anything from the university or an 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. We can help preserve it and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Gone are the days when hazing was just about silly pranks or harmless initiations. Today’s hazing is a calculated, often digitally-facilitated form of abuse that leverages power imbalances, tradition, and secrecy to force compliance. For Stephens County families, understanding these modern tactics is the first step in recognizing danger.

A Clear, Modern Definition

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization. The act must endanger the student’s mental or physical health or safety. Under Texas law, the victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing
These behaviors emphasize power imbalance and are often dismissed as “tradition.” They create psychological harm and set the stage for escalation.

• Being assigned a derogatory nickname or identity.
• Required “on-call” status for older members (driving, errands, cleaning) at all hours.
• Social isolation from non-members.
• Mandatory attendance at events that interfere with academics or sleep.
• “Voluntary” scavenger hunts designed to humiliate.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing
These acts cause significant emotional or physical discomfort.

• Verbal abuse, screaming, and threats.
• Sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings” or early wake-up calls.
• Forced consumption of unpleasant substances (spoiled food, hot sauce, excessive amounts of milk or bread).
• “Smokings” or extreme, punitive calisthenics (hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits until collapse).
• Public humiliation through embarrassing acts or costumes.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing
These activities have a high potential for serious injury, sexual assault, or death.

• Forced or coerced alcohol consumption: “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking games, lineups, keg stands beyond safe limits.
• Physical beatings and paddling: Using hands, objects, or wooden paddles.
• Dangerous physical tests: “Glass ceiling” blindfolded tackles, “gladiator” fights, forced swimming while intoxicated.
• Sexualized hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault.
• Chemical hazing: Being doused with cleaners or other substances causing burns (as alleged in a Texas A&M Sigma Alpha Epsilon case).
• Kidnapping and restraint: Being bound, tied up, or transported blindfolded.

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond the Frat House

While fraternities and sororities are often the focus, hazing permeates many campus groups:

• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs (noted in Texas A&M cases).
• Athletic teams (from football to swimming, as seen in national cases).
• Spirit and tradition organizations (like Texas Cowboys or Cheer teams).
• Marching bands and performance groups.
• Academic clubs, service organizations, and cultural groups.

The common thread is a power dynamic where established members control new members’ status through abuse disguised as rite of passage.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas Statutes and Federal Overlays

When hazing occurs, multiple layers of law come into play. For Stephens County families, understanding this framework is crucial for knowing your rights and the potential for accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

Texas has specific criminal penalties for hazing under the Education Code. The law is designed to be broad and protective.

Key Provisions:

• §37.151 Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers mental or physical health for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. It can occur on or off campus.
• §37.152 Penalties:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause 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.
• §37.153 Organizational Liability: The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, team) can be fined up to $10,000 and lose university recognition if it authorized or encouraged hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
• §37.155 Consent Not a Defense: It is not a defense that the victim consented to the activity. This directly counters the “they wanted to do it” argument.
• §37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: A person who reports hazing in good faith to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability resulting from the report. This encourages bystander intervention.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases

• Brought by the state (county or district attorney).
• Aim to punish wrongdoing with jail time, fines, and probation.
• Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, and in fatal cases, manslaughter.
• A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case.

Civil Lawsuits

• Brought by the victim or their family.
• Aim to secure compensation for damages and hold institutions accountable.
• Based on theories like negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, and negligent supervision.
• Can target a wider range of defendants: individuals, local chapters, national organizations, universities, and property owners.
• The burden of proof is lower than in criminal cases (“preponderance of evidence” vs. “beyond a reasonable doubt”).

Federal Law Overlays

The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

• Publicly report hazing incidents more transparently.
• Strengthen hazing education and prevention programs.
• Maintain and publish hazing data (phased in by 2026).
  This increases institutional accountability and public awareness.

Title IX and the Clery Act

• Title IX applies when hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility. Universities must investigate and address these incidents.
• The Clery Act requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults and liquor/drug violations that often accompany hazing.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, carried out, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: If it’s a legal entity (many are, as shown in IRS filings).
3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For failing to supervise, enforce policies, or for having prior knowledge of dangerous traditions.
4. The University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX/Clery violations. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol, security companies.

In the Bermudez case, the defendant universe includes all of the above: 13 individual members, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters and its housing corporation, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Repeat

The tragic hazing incidents that make national news are not isolated. They follow predictable scripts. Understanding these patterns shows Stephens County families that what happened to their child is part of a preventable, documented cycle of abuse.

The Alcohol Poisoning Script: “Big/Little” Nights and Drinking Games

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
A bid-acceptance night involved a drinking game with forced rapid consumption. Piazza fell multiple times, suffering fatal traumatic brain injuries. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for hours. The case led to the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and criminal charges against 18 members.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
During a “Bible study” drinking game, Gruver was forced to drink when he answered questions incorrectly. He died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). The case spurred Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Foltz was forced to drink an entire bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU) and criminal convictions.

Takeaway for Texas Families: The forced drinking “tradition” is the single most common fatal hazing pattern. Nationals know this. Universities know this. When they fail to stop it, they can be held liable.

The Physical Endurance Script: “Workouts” and Ritualized Violence

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
During a fraternity retreat, Deng was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual. He died from traumatic brain injuries. Members delayed seeking help. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)
Santulli was forced to drink excessive alcohol during a “pledge dad reveal.” He suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage, leaving him unable to walk, talk, or see, requiring 24/7 care. His family settled with 22 defendants.

Takeaway for Texas Families: Extreme physical hazing, especially when combined with alcohol, can cause lifelong disability. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH—with its 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, and resulting rhabdomyolysis—fits squarely within this dangerous pattern.

The Cover-Up Script: Delayed Help and Destroyed Evidence

A universal pattern in hazing deaths and severe injuries is the frantic cover-up. Members hide evidence, coach stories, and delay calling 911 out of fear for the organization’s survival. This delay often turns a treatable injury into a fatal one. Texas law’s good-faith reporting immunity is meant to combat this, but the cultural code of silence remains powerful.

What These Patterns Mean for Stephens County

These are not “rogue” incidents. They are the foreseeable results of known, dangerous traditions within specific national organizations. When those same organizations have chapters at Texas schools, they bring those risks with them. Our litigation uses this pattern evidence to prove that nationals and universities had prior knowledge and a duty to act.

Texas Focus: Where Stephens County Students Go to School

Stephens County families send their children to universities across Texas. While many attend local institutions like Texas State Technical College or commute to nearby campuses, a significant number head to the state’s major Greek life and tradition hubs. Here is what every parent needs to know about hazing at these schools.

University of Houston: A Case Study in Active Litigation

Campus & Culture Snapshot
UH is a large, diverse urban university with a significant Greek life presence, including Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and Multicultural Greek Council organizations. The 2025 Pi Kappa Phi case underscores the severe risks that exist even at commuter-friendly schools.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting
UH prohibits hazing on and off campus. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students Office, Campus Safety, and an online reporting form. UH states it will investigate and take disciplinary action, which can include expulsion and referral to law enforcement.

The Leonel Bermudez / Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Case
This is not a historical example. This is a live, active lawsuit we are litigating right now. The allegations, detailed in media reports from Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline, include:

• The “pledge fanny pack” humiliation rule.
• Extreme physical hazing at the chapter house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park.
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.
• A November 3rd workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats leading to rhabdomyolysis.
• Another pledge being hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour.
  The chapter was suspended by nationals on November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds
Given the Houston location, cases may involve the UH Police Department, Houston Police Department, and Harris County courts. Civil suits can be filed in Harris County district courts. The Bermudez case demonstrates our approach: suing every potentially liable entity, from individual members to the national headquarters and the university itself.

What UH Students & Parents Should Do

• Report immediately to UH Dean of Students and UHPD.
• Document everything: screenshots of UH-related group chats (GroupMe, etc.), photos of injuries, save all communications.
• Understand that UH may have internal records of prior incidents involving the same organization—records that can be crucial for a civil case.
• Contact a lawyer with specific experience in Houston-area hazing litigation to navigate this complex environment.

Texas A&M University: Tradition, Corps Culture, and Greek Life

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Texas A&M in College Station is defined by deep tradition, a massive Greek system, and the prominent Corps of Cadets. This combination can create multiple avenues for hazing, from fraternities to military-style organizations.

Documented Incidents & Responses

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged they were doused with a mixture including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The pledges sued for over $1 million. The chapter was suspended by the university.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages. Texas A&M stated it addressed the matter under its internal rules.
• Public Records: Texas A&M maintains disciplinary records, though with less public transparency than UT Austin.

How a Texas A&M Case Proceeds
Jurisdiction may involve Texas A&M University Police, the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office, and courts in Brazos County. The university’s status as a state agency affects sovereign immunity claims, but gross negligence or intentional acts can overcome this.

What Texas A&M Families Should Know
The line between “hard training” in the Corps and illegal hazing can be blurry. If an activity is abusive, degrading, or dangerous, and tied to gaining membership or status, it is hazing. The university’s internal process should not be mistaken for full legal accountability. Parents should seek independent legal counsel to evaluate their options.

University of Texas at Austin: Public Transparency and Recurring Issues

Campus & Culture Snapshot
UT Austin hosts one of the largest and most influential Greek life communities in the nation, alongside countless other student organizations. Its public hazing violation log provides a unique window into ongoing problems.

Public Hazing Violations Log
UT maintains a public website listing organizations found responsible for hazing. Recent entries include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume large quantities of milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: probation and mandatory hazing prevention education.
• Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Sanctioned for forced physical activity and alcohol-related hazing.
• Various other fraternities, sororities, and spirit groups appear for alcohol hazing, forced workouts, and humiliation.

How a UT Austin Case Proceeds
Cases may involve UT Police, Austin Police, and Travis County courts. The public violation log is a powerful tool for plaintiffs, as it documents the university’s prior knowledge of specific organizations’ behavior patterns.

What UT Austin Families Should Do

• Check UT’s public hazing log to see if your child’s organization has a history.
• Report to the UT Dean of Students and UTPD.
• Recognize that even a “probation” sanction does not necessarily stop the behavior, as seen with repeat offenders on the log.
• A civil lawsuit can seek to uncover even more internal records than the public log reveals.

Southern Methodist University: Affluence, Greek Life, and Private Status

Campus & Culture Snapshot
SMU is a private university in Dallas with a prestigious reputation and a dominant Greek life culture. Its private status affects transparency and legal procedures.

Documented Incidents

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): The chapter was suspended after reports of paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation. It remained under recruiting restrictions for years.
• SMU uses systems like Real Response for anonymous reporting but does not maintain a public log like UT.

How an SMU Case Proceeds
As a private entity, SMU does not have sovereign immunity. Cases may involve Dallas Police and Dallas County courts. Discovery in a lawsuit can compel SMU to produce internal disciplinary records that are not publicly available.

What SMU Families Should Consider
The social pressure to belong to certain organizations at SMU can be intense. The university’s commitment to addressing hazing may be tested by its parallel commitment to its Greek system and donor base. Independent legal action may be necessary to ensure accountability.

Baylor University: A History of Scrutiny and Religious Identity

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Baylor in Waco blends a strong Baptist identity with major athletic programs and active Greek life. The university has faced intense scrutiny over its handling of sexual assault, which informs its approach to hazing.

Documented Incidents

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation, with staggered suspensions affecting the team’s season.
• Baylor promotes a “zero tolerance” policy but, like many private schools, does not publish detailed violation data.

How a Baylor Case Proceeds
Cases may involve Baylor Police, Waco Police, and McLennan County courts. Baylor’s religious affiliation does not shield it from negligence claims. Its history of institutional crises may affect how it responds to hazing allegations.

What Baylor Families Should Know
Baylor’s community-oriented messaging can sometimes prioritize institutional protection. Families should be proactive in documenting incidents and seeking external advice to ensure their child’s rights are protected.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories in Texas

When a hazing incident occurs at a Texas chapter, it is almost never the first time that national organization has faced such allegations. This pattern evidence is a cornerstone of holding national headquarters accountable.

A Sample of National Patterns Present on Texas Campuses

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

• National Pattern: Multiple alcohol poisoning deaths, including Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) and David Bogenberger (NIU, 2012, $14M settlement).
• Texas Presence: Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor. The UT chapter was sanctioned for hazing in 2023.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

• National Pattern: A history of fatalities and severe injuries. Internally dropped the “pledge” system in 2014 due to this pattern. Recent lawsuits include a traumatic brain injury at Alabama and chemical burns at Texas A&M.
• Texas Presence: Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor.

Pi Kappa Phi

• National Pattern: Andrew Coffey’s alcohol poisoning death at Florida State (2017).
• Texas Presence: The UH Beta Nu chapter is the subject of our active Bermudez lawsuit. Also present at Texas A&M.

Phi Delta Theta

• National Pattern: Max Gruver’s death at LSU (2017), leading to the Gruver Act.
• Texas Presence: Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor.

Kappa Alpha Order

• National Pattern: Multiple hazing suspensions nationwide, including at SMU (2017).
• Texas Presence: Active at Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor.

How National Liability Works

A national fraternity or sorority can be held liable in Texas if:

1. It knew or should have known about the hazing risks based on incidents at other chapters (foreseeability).
2. It failed to adequately supervise the local chapter or enforce its own anti-hazing policies (negligent supervision).
3. It provided the chapter with materials, traditions, or a culture that facilitated hazing.
4. It benefited from the chapter’s existence (through dues, reputation) while ignoring clear risks.

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine allows us to identify every entity behind a local chapter. For example, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH is connected to a national headquarters, a housing corporation (EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX), and alumni networks—all potential sources of liability and insurance coverage.

Public Records: The Texas Greek Ecosystem

To illustrate the depth of the Greek network in Texas, here is a snapshot from our proprietary directory, compiled from IRS filings (B83 organizations) and other public data:

Organizations with Texas IRS Filings (Sample):

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc – EIN 133048786 – College Station, TX 77845
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc (Theta Delta Chapter) – EIN 475370943 – Houston, TX 77204
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi – EIN 746047117 – Austin, TX 78705

Metro Area Concentrations (Per Cause IQ Data):

• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510+ Greek organizations
• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188+ organizations
• Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154+ organizations
• San Antonio Metro: 86+ organizations
• College Station-Bryan Metro: 42+ organizations

Why This Data Matters for Stephens County Families
When hazing occurs, these legally-registered entities often hold insurance policies and assets that can provide compensation. Finding them requires investigation. We maintain this directory so families don’t start from zero.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing accountability after hazing is a complex, multi-front process. It requires an investigative mindset, legal precision, and a commitment to seeing the case through against well-funded opponents.

Critical Evidence in the Digital Age

1. Digital Communications: The #1 source of evidence.

• Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord. Screenshot entire threads with timestamps and participant names visible.
• Social Media: Instagram Stories, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook posts. Evidence here is often ephemeral—capture it immediately.
• Deleted Messages: Digital forensics experts can often recover them. Do not reset or factory-restore phones.

2. Photos and Videos:

• Injuries: Photograph from multiple angles over several days to show progression.
• Scenes: The house, room, or park where hazing occurred.
• Events: Any videos members took, which often exist even in severe cases.

3. Medical Documentation:

• Go to the ER or a doctor immediately. Tell them you were hazed.
• Secure all records: ambulance reports, ER notes, lab results (key for proving conditions like rhabdomyolysis), hospitalization records, and follow-up care.

4. Institutional Records:

• University disciplinary files on the organization (obtained via discovery or public records requests).
• National fraternity risk management files and prior incident reports.
• Campus police reports.

5. Witness Information:

• Names and contact info for other pledges, roommates, RAs, or bystanders.
• Former members who left the organization are often valuable witnesses.

Types of Damages in a Hazing Case

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

• Past Medical Expenses: ER, hospital, surgery, medication.
• Future Medical Care: Ongoing therapy, future surgeries, lifelong care for catastrophic injuries (e.g., brain damage).
• Lost Income/Earning Capacity: Time off work, delayed graduation, reduced lifetime earnings due to disability.
• Other Costs: Tutoring, therapy, transferring schools.

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective Harm)

• Physical Pain and Suffering
• Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in college, sports, social activities.
• Disfigurement or Permanent Disability

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

• Funeral and burial expenses.
• Loss of financial support the deceased would have provided.
• Loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
• Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering.

Punitive Damages

• May be awarded to punish defendants for especially reckless or malicious conduct and to deter future hazing.
• Often available when there is evidence of a cover-up, prior knowledge, or deliberate indifference.

Overcoming Common Defense Strategies

Defendants in hazing cases use predictable defenses. We anticipate and counter them.

• “The Victim Consented.” Counter: Texas law (§37.155) states consent is not a defense. We argue consent under peer pressure and power imbalance is not valid.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter; National Didn’t Know.” Counter: We use pattern evidence from other chapters to show the national knew or should have known the risks. We subpoena national files to show prior complaints.
• “It Happened Off-Campus.” Counter: Liability is based on duty and control, not just location. Nationals and universities that sponsor organizations retain responsibility for their conduct.
• “We Have an Anti-Hazing Policy.” Counter: A paper policy is meaningless without enforcement. We show how the policy was ignored or violated with impunity.
• “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts.” Counter: We argue the organization’s negligence (failure to supervise) is separate from members’ intentional acts, and that insurance should cover the negligent supervision claim.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Stephens County Families

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Prioritize Safety and Health: If injured or intoxicated, get to an ER. Your child’s health comes first.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot all relevant communications. Photograph injuries. Save clothing or objects. Do not delete anything.
3. Document the Story: Write down everything your child tells you, with dates and names, while it’s fresh.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Contact a hazing attorney before reporting to the university. We can guide you on how to report while protecting evidence and rights.
5. Understand University Reporting: You can report to the Dean of Students and campus police. Document all interactions. Understand that the university’s primary interest may be limiting its own liability.
6. Avoid Critical Mistakes: Do not confront the organization, sign university settlement offers, or post on social media. Refer all insurance company contacts to your lawyer.

For Students: Is This Hazing? What Are My Rights?

Ask Yourself:

• Am I being pressured or coerced?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or secret?
• Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
• Would my parents or the university approve if they knew?

If You Answer Yes, It’s Likely Hazing.

Your Rights in Texas:

• You have the right to leave the organization at any time.
• You have the right to report hazing without fear of legal retribution (good-faith immunity).
• You have the right to seek medical attention; most schools have amnesty policies for underage drinking in emergencies.
• You have the right to consult an attorney.

How to Exit Safely:

• Tell a trusted person outside the group (parent, RA, friend) first.
• Send a brief, written resignation to the chapter president.
• Do not attend “one last meeting” where you could be pressured.
• If you fear retaliation, report it to campus police and the Dean of Students immediately.

For Witnesses and Former Members

If you participated in or witnessed hazing, you may feel guilt, fear, or confusion. Your cooperation can be vital for accountability and preventing future harm. You have the right to your own legal counsel. An attorney can help you navigate your role, whether as a witness, a subject of an investigation, or a cooperating party.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue the university in Texas?”
Yes. While public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, lawsuits can proceed based on claims of gross negligence, intentional acts, or violations of federal law like Title IX. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity barriers.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death is generally two years from the date of injury or death. However, complex rules regarding discovery of the harm and tolling for minors may apply. Do not wait. Evidence disappears quickly.

“Will our case be public?”
Many hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. We can often negotiate for sealed court records and private settlements to protect your family’s privacy while still achieving accountability.

“How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?”
We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and wrongful death cases. This means you pay no upfront fees. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery we secure for you. If we don’t win, you don’t pay attorney fees.

“What if the hazing was ‘just’ emotional or didn’t cause a major physical injury?”
Hazing that affects mental health is still illegal and can form the basis of a lawsuit for emotional distress damages. The psychological impact of humiliation, coercion, and trauma is real and compensable.

Why Stephens County Families Choose Attorney911

When your family is facing the aftermath of hazing, you need advocates who combine relentless investigation with genuine compassion and proven results. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD (Attorney911), we bring a unique set of skills to hazing litigation that sets us apart.

Our Competitive Advantages in Hazing Cases

1. Active, High-Stakes Litigation Experience
We are not theorists. We are currently leading the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit—a $10 million case against a major university and national fraternity. This gives us real-time, Texas-specific expertise that other firms lack.

2. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
We maintain a proprietary database of over 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros, built from IRS filings, university records, and public data. When we take your case, we don’t start from scratch. We already know how to trace the network of housing corporations, alumni chapters, and national entities behind the local letters.

3. Insider Insurance Knowledge
Our attorney, 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 fight claims, set reserves, and use delay tactics. We use this insider knowledge to maximize recovery for our clients.

4. 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 the deepest-pocketed institutional defendants and their armies of lawyers. National fraternities and major universities do not intimidate us.

5. Dual Civil and Criminal Expertise
Ralph Manginello is a member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA). We understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil lawsuits. We can advise clients and witnesses navigating both systems.

6. A Network of Specialized Experts
We work with medical professionals, digital forensics specialists, economists, life-care planners, and Greek life culture experts to build the strongest possible case on liability and damages.

7. Spanish-Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish (Se habla Español). We are committed to serving the diverse families of Texas with cultural understanding and clear communication.

Our Commitment to Stephens County

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including throughout Stephens County. We understand the values and concerns of Texas families, whether you’re in Breckenridge, Caddo, or a rural community. Hazing disrupts lives everywhere, not just in big cities. We are here to help you restore safety, seek justice, and prevent this from happening to another family.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to navigate this alone. The path forward begins with a conversation.

During your free consultation, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain the legal options available to you under Texas law.
• Discuss the realistic timeline and process.
• Answer all your questions about costs and how we work.
• Provide straightforward advice on your best next steps.

There is no pressure to hire us. Our goal is to ensure you have the information you need to make the right decision for your family.

Contact Attorney911 Today

Call our 24/7 line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
Email Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com

We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. When your family faces a crisis, we provide immediate, aggressive, and professional help. Let us put our experience, data-driven strategy, and unwavering commitment to your family’s side.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

• Click2Houston Report: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline Summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Using Your Phone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

• https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and law. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.