The Comprehensive Guide to Hazing Laws, Cases & Accountability for San Augustine County Families

If you’re a parent in San Augustine County, you sent your child to college with dreams of their future. The last thing you expected was a call that they’ve been hospitalized after a fraternity “workout,” or that they’re being subjected to humiliating, dangerous rituals to “earn” their place in a group. Right now, at the University of Houston, a San Augustine County student’s family is living this nightmare. Leonel Bermudez, represented by our firm, suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after horrific hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter—forced through hundreds of squats and push-ups, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and compelled to overeat until vomiting. This is happening in our state, to our students. This guide is written specifically for San Augustine County families to understand what hazing truly is, the legal landscape in Texas, and how to protect your children and hold accountable the powerful institutions that allow this abuse to continue.

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. We can help. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, free consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing is not just “boys will be boys” or harmless tradition. For San Augustine County families whose children may attend universities across Texas, understanding its modern forms is critical to 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 joining, maintaining membership in, or affiliating with any organization. It endangers mental or physical health or safety. Crucially, under Texas law, “I agreed to it” is not a defense. The power imbalance and coercion inherent in pledging strip away true consent.

Main Categories of Hazing Today

1. Alcohol & Substance Hazing: This remains the deadliest pattern. It includes forced chugging, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor (as in the Stone Foltz and Andrew Coffey deaths), and games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mandate drinking (as in the Max Gruver death).

2. Physical Hazing: This includes paddling, beatings, and extreme calisthenics designed to punish, not condition. The Leonel Bermudez UH Pi Kappa Phi case involved being forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, leading to life-threatening rhabdomyolysis. It also includes sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements.

3. Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: This involves forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (like “roasted pig” positioning cited in Texas A&M Corps cases), degrading costumes, and acts with racist or sexist overtones.

4. Psychological & Digital Hazing: Verbal abuse, isolation, threats, and public shaming. Digitally, it manifests as 24/7 group chat demands (GroupMe, WhatsApp), forced social media challenges, geo-tracking via apps, and cyber-harassment for non-compliance.

Where Hazing Happens

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

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural).
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC (as seen at Texas A&M).
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading).
• Spirit & Tradition Groups (like Texas Cowboys).
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups.
• Some academic, service, and cultural clubs.

The common threads are social status, secrecy, and a warped sense of “tradition” that prioritizes group loyalty over individual safety.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas & Federal Laws for San Augustine County Families

Understanding the legal landscape is empowering. Texas has robust hazing laws, but navigating them requires expertise.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas defines hazing broadly and treats it seriously. Key provisions include:

• §37.151 Definition: An intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or membership.
• §37.152 Penalties: A Class B misdemeanor normally, escalating to a State Jail Felony if serious bodily injury or death occurs.
• §37.153 Organizational Liability: The organization itself (fraternity, team) can be fined up to $10,000 and lose university recognition.
• §37.155 Consent NOT a Defense: This is critical. A student’s “agreement” under peer pressure is legally irrelevant.
• §37.154 Immunity for Reporting: Good-faith reporters, especially those calling for medical help, are protected from liability.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA). Aim is punishment (jail, fines, probation). Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by victims/families. Aim is compensation and accountability. We sue for negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, and institutional failures. A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Our active lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez against UH and Pi Kappa Phi is a civil action seeking over $10 million for his catastrophic injuries.

Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery, & The Stop Campus Hazing Act

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires universities receiving federal aid to report hazing transparently and maintain public data by 2026.
• Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered, creating additional liability for schools.
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes, including some hazing-related assaults.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Lawsuit?

We build cases to hold every responsible party accountable:

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. Local Chapter: The fraternity/sorority chapter as an entity.
3. National Headquarters: For failing to supervise, enforce policies, or act on prior knowledge. In the Bermudez case, Pi Kappa Phi nationals are defendants.
4. The University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference, or failing to act on known risks. The University of Houston and its Board of Regents are named defendants.
5. Housing Corporations & Alumni Groups: Entities that own properties or support chapters.
6. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, alcohol providers, or security companies.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Repeat in Texas

National tragedies are not abstract; they are blueprints for the risks San Augustine County students face. These cases show predictable, repeatable patterns.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Bid acceptance night with catastrophic drinking, delayed help, captured on chapter cameras. Resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Pledge forced to drink a bottle of liquor during a “Big/Little” event. A $10 million settlement was reached, with the chapter president personally ordered to pay $6.5 million.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): “Bible study” drinking game led to death, spurring Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing).
• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): “Big Brother” night with fatal alcohol poisoning, leading to a system-wide Greek life suspension.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat caused fatal brain injury. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania.
• Danny Santulli (Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Pledge suffered permanent brain damage from forced drinking. Settlements with 22 defendants, highlighting catastrophic non-fatal outcomes.

The Athletic & Institutional Hazing Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread sexualized and racist hazing allegations led to firings, lawsuits, and confidential settlements, proving hazing extends far beyond Greek life.

What This Means for San Augustine County: These are not isolated incidents. They form a body of “foreseeability.” When a Texas chapter uses the same “Big/Little” drinking script that killed Stone Foltz, the national organization and university cannot claim they didn’t see it coming. This pattern evidence is the backbone of strong civil litigation.

Texas Focus: Universities Where San Augustine County Families Send Their Kids

San Augustine County students often attend universities across the state, from the prestigious flagships to regional campuses. Each has its own Greek ecosystem and hazing history.

University of Houston (UH): A Current Case Study

For San Augustine County Families: UH is a major destination. The ongoing Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case is a critical example.

• Snapshot: A large, diverse urban campus with active Greek life (IFC, NPHC, Multicultural councils).
• The Flagship Case – Bermudez v. UH: In Fall 2025, pledge Leonel Bermudez was subjected to systematic abuse by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, including a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” forced overnight driving, violent workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park, and being sprayed with a hose. This culminated in rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of hospitalization. The chapter was suspended and surrendered its charter. We filed a $10 million lawsuit against UH, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the housing corporation, and 13 individual members.
• UH’s Policy & Response: UH prohibits hazing and has reporting channels through the Dean of Students. In this case, they called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and pledged cooperation. This case tests their commitment to accountability.
• How a UH Case Proceeds: Investigations typically involve UH Police and potentially Houston Police. Civil suits are filed in Harris County courts. Our firm’ Houston office is strategically located to handle such litigation.

Texas A&M University: Corps & Greek Life Complexities

For San Augustine County Families: A&M’s unique Corps of Cadets and vigorous Greek life present specific hazing risks.

• Snapshot: A tradition-rich campus with a massive Greek system and the nation’s largest Corps of Cadets.
• Documented Incidents:
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns (2021): Pledges alleged being doused with industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. A lawsuit sought over $1 million.
  • Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth as part of hazing.
• A&M’s Framework: Hazing falls under Student Conduct and Corps regulations. The university often handles cases internally, but as seen, severe cases result in civil litigation.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency & Repeated Violations

• Snapshot: A flagship with vast Greek life and a relatively transparent public hazing log.
• Public Hazing Violations: UT maintains a public list. Recent entries include:
  • Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume excessive milk and perform strenuous calisthenics—classic forced consumption and physical hazing.
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): An exchange student allegedly assaulted at a party, suffering a broken nose, dislocated leg, and fractured tibia.
• Legal Takeaway: UT’s own public records provide powerful evidence of patterns and prior knowledge in civil lawsuits, which are typically filed in Travis County courts.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

• SMU: A private university with affluent Greek life. Past incidents include Kappa Alpha Order paddling and drinking hazing (2017). SMU’s private status can make transparency harder, necessitating aggressive discovery in litigation.
• Baylor: Known for its religious affiliation and past athletic scandals. Hazing incidents have occurred within baseball and other teams. Baylor’s “zero tolerance” policies are tested when claims arise.

For San Augustine County Parents: Your child’s school has a history. Understanding that history—whether public like UT’s or less transparent like private schools—is crucial when evaluating an incident.

The Greek Ecosystem: National Histories Meet Texas Chapters

The fraternities and sororities on Texas campuses are chapters of national organizations with deep, often troubling histories. This isn’t guilt by association; it’s evidence of foreseeable risk.

Why National Histories Matter in Court

National headquarters create anti-hazing policies because they know the dangers. When a Texas chapter repeats a harmful “tradition” that has caused death or injury elsewhere, it demonstrates the national organization failed to effectively train, supervise, or intervene. This establishes negligence and can support claims for punitive damages.

Selected National Organizations with Documented Patterns

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): National pattern of alcohol hazing deaths (Stone Foltz, BGSU; David Bogenberger, NIU). Multi-million dollar settlements are common.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Numerous hazing deaths and injuries nationwide. Faced the Texas A&M chemical burn lawsuit and the UT Austin assault lawsuit.
• Pi Kappa Phi: The national organization in the UH Bermudez case. Previously involved in the Andrew Coffey death at Florida State.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver death at LSU led to felony hazing legislation.
• Kappa Alpha Order: Multiple hazing suspensions, including at SMU.

Public Records: The Texas Greek Landscape

Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, tracking the entities behind the letters. For example, public IRS and state filings show Greek organizations operating across Texas that San Augustine County families may encounter:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity – Beta Nu Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035. (Defendant in the Bermudez case).
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Sigma Incorporated, EIN 88-2755427, San Marcos, TX 78666.
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc., EIN 27-3662583, Lufkin, TX 75904.
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. (Theta Delta Chapter), EIN 47-5370943, Houston, TX 77204.

This is a fraction of over 1,400 Greek-related entities we track across 25 Texas metros. When we take a case, we don’t start from zero—we already know the corporate and organizational landscape.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

Pursuing accountability is a complex, strategic process. Here’s how we build a case for San Augustine County families.

Critical Evidence Collection

Digital Evidence is King:

• Group Chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage): Screenshot entire threads with timestamps. These show planning, coercion, and boasting.
• Social Media (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok): Preserve stories, posts, and DMs that document events or injuries.
• Deleted Message Recovery: Digital forensics experts can often recover “deleted” content.

Physical & Medical Evidence:

• Photograph Injuries immediately and over days to show progression.
• Save Clothing or objects used in hazing.
• Obtain Complete Medical Records from ERs, hospitals, and specialists. In the Bermudez case, lab reports showing critically high creatine kinase levels were objective proof of rhabdomyolysis.

Institutional Records (Obtained via Discovery):

• University conduct files on the chapter.
• National fraternity incident reports and risk management files.
• Communications between chapter officers and advisors.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered

Civil lawsuits seek to make families whole and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages include:

Economic Damages:

• All Medical Expenses: Past and future (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, lifelong care for permanent injuries).
• Lost Wages & Earning Capacity: For the student and parents who miss work. For severe injuries, economists calculate lifetime earnings loss.
• Educational Costs: Lost tuition, fees, scholarships.

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical Pain & Suffering.
• Emotional Distress, PTSD, Humiliation.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life.

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

• Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of love, companionship, and guidance.

Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or malicious conduct, courts can award extra damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Our Strategic Advantages

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense lawyer for national firms. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers fight claims, deny coverage, and undervalue injuries. We anticipate and counter their tactics.
• Complex Institutional Litigation: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City Explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by billion-dollar institutions or their deep-pocketed law firms.
• Data-Driven Investigation: We use our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine to map all liable entities—not just the obvious ones.
• Trial-Ready Approach: We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. This readiness forces better settlements and ensures we can win in court if necessary.

Practical Guides & FAQs for San Augustine County Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy or anxiety about group activities.
• Personality changes: withdrawal, depression, irritability.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Requests for money for unexplained “fines” or “activities.”

What to Do:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m concerned about you. Is anything happening with your group that feels unsafe or degrading?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages and photograph injuries.
4. Seek Medical Care: Get a professional evaluation, even for psychological trauma.
5. Consult a Lawyer Before Reporting: We can guide you on how to report to the university or police without compromising your rights or evidence.

For Students: Is This Hazing?

Ask yourself:

• Am I being pressured or coerced?
• Would I do this if there were no social consequences for refusing?
• Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Am I told to keep it secret?
  If you answer “yes,” it is hazing. Your safety is more important than any membership. You have the right to leave and the right to report.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Preserve all messages and photos.
2. Confronting the Chapter First: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: These often waive your right to sue.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense lawyers scour social media for inconsistencies.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and statutes of limitation run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we sue a public university like UH or Texas A&M in Texas?
A: Yes, but with complexities. Public universities have certain sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing employees in their individual capacity. Skilled litigation is required to navigate these hurdles.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Generally, two years from the date of injury or death in Texas. However, exceptions exist. Do not wait. Critical evidence is most accessible immediately.

Q: Will our name be public?
A: Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We always strive to protect our clients’ privacy while aggressively pursuing justice.

Q: What does it cost?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront fees or costs. We only get paid if we win your case through settlement or trial.

About The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911: Your Texas Hazing Litigation Advocates

When your family faces the trauma of hazing, you need advocates who understand both the profound human cost and the complex legal battle ahead. We are not just personal injury lawyers; we are institutional accountability litigators with specific expertise in hazing.

Why Choose Us for Your San Augustine County Hazing Case?

• We Are Fighting This Fight Right Now: We are lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi case—an active, high-stakes hazing lawsuit against a major Texas university and national fraternity. We are in the trenches on this issue today.
• Insider Knowledge of the Defense: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), is a former insurance defense lawyer. He knows the exact strategies fraternity and university insurers use to deny and devalue claims. We use this knowledge to build unassailable cases.
• Proven Against Goliaths: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello has taken on some of the world’s largest corporations, including in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have the resources, experience, and tenacity to face national fraternities and university legal teams.
• Deep Texas Investigation: We leverage our proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—tracking over 1,400 Greek entities—to identify every potentially liable organization from day one.
• Comprehensive Compassion: We guide families through medical crises, university hearings, and legal proceedings with clarity and empathy. We handle the legal burden so you can focus on healing.

Call to Action for San Augustine County Families

If hazing has harmed your child at any Texas campus—from the University of Houston to Texas A&M, from a fraternity to the Corps of Cadets—you are not alone. The path to accountability begins with a conversation.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) for a free, confidential case evaluation.

We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, and explain your legal options with honesty and clarity. There is no obligation, and everything you tell us is protected.

Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com

Se habla Español. Mr. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal consultations.

Let us help you turn a moment of crisis into a pursuit of justice, accountability, and prevention for future students.

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