Hazing at Texas Universities: A Complete Legal Guide for Belton Families Seeking Justice and Accountability

If you’re a parent in Belton, Texas, your worst nightmare may be unfolding right now. Your child, excited to start college and build their future at a Texas university, calls home with a voice that sounds different—strained, exhausted, secretive. They mention “mandatory” events that keep them out until 3 AM, show unexplained bruises they dismiss as “just workouts,” or suddenly seem anxious every time their phone buzzes with group chat notifications. You sense something is wrong, but when you ask, they shut down: “It’s just how things are done.” “I have to do this to fit in.” “I can’t talk about it.”

What you’re witnessing may be hazing—systematic abuse disguised as tradition, hidden behind Greek letters, team loyalty, or campus spirit. And right now, just hours from Belton in Harris County, families like yours are facing this reality head-on in one of Texas’s most serious hazing cases.

We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911—the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We represent Texas families whose children have been hazed, injured, or killed in connection with fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, athletics, and other campus organizations. Right now, we’re leading the litigation in the $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, and 13 fraternity leaders on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a UH student who developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after alleged hazing that included forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, simulated waterboarding with a hose, and extreme physical workouts.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Belton and across Bell County who need to understand what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects students, what’s happening at universities where Belton students attend, and what legal options exist when tradition turns to trauma.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity/sorority
  • Sign anything from the university or insurance company
  • Post details on public social media
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

• Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
• Universities move quickly to control the narrative
• We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For Belton families who may be unfamiliar with modern campus culture, understanding hazing requires moving beyond movie stereotypes of harmless pranks. Today’s hazing is often calculated, psychologically sophisticated, and carefully hidden from university officials and parents.

The Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. The critical understanding for Belton parents is this: “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion.

Main Categories of Hazing at Texas Universities

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and most deadly form. At Texas schools, this manifests as:

• Forced drinking games during “Big/Little” reveals, bid acceptance nights, or “family tree” events
• Chugging challenges with hard liquor handles
• “Lineup” drinking where new members must consume alcohol rapidly
• Pressure to consume unknown mixed substances or dangerous combinations

The Leonel Bermudez UH case involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed immediately by sprints—a classic pattern of substance hazing combined with physical abuse.

Physical Hazing
This includes both traditional and modern physical abuse:

• Paddling and beatings (still occurring despite national prohibitions)
• Extreme calisthenics or “smokings” far beyond normal conditioning
• Sleep deprivation through mandatory late-night “meetings” or tasks
• Food/water restriction as punishment
• Exposure to extreme temperatures or dangerous environments

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion, then developed rhabdomyolysis—severe muscle breakdown that led to acute kidney failure and brown urine requiring four days of hospitalization.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

• Forced nudity or partial nudity
• Simulated sexual acts or degrading positions
• Costumes designed to humiliate in public
• Acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones

Psychological Hazing

• Verbal abuse, yelling, threats during “interviews” or “grill sessions”
• Social isolation from non-members
• Manipulation through fear of being “cut” from the group
• Public shaming in meetings or group chats

Digital/Online Hazing
This represents the newest frontier:

• Group chat dares and “challenges” on GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord
• Social media humiliation via Instagram stories, TikTok videos
• Pressure to create or share compromising images
• 24/7 availability demands with immediate response expectations
• Location tracking through apps like Find My Friends

Where Hazing Actually Happens at Texas Schools

Belton families should understand that hazing is not limited to stereotypical “frat parties”:

• Fraternities and Sororities: All councils—IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural
• Corps of Cadets/Military Programs: Especially at Texas A&M and other schools with military traditions
• Athletic Teams: From football to cheerleading to less visible sports
• Spirit and Tradition Groups: Texas Cowboys, song leaders, mascot programs
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups
• Academic and Service Organizations
• Club Sports and Intramural Teams

The common threads across all these groups: social status, tradition, secrecy, and power imbalance between new and established members.

Texas Hazing Law: What Belton Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code that govern cases involving Belton students, whether they attend school locally at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, commute to Texas A&M University-Central Texas in Killeen, or attend universities across the state.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Definition (Section 37.151)
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
• Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Key Points for Belton Families:

• Location doesn’t matter—on-campus, off-campus, at retreats, or private homes
• Can be mental OR physical harm
• “Reckless” is enough—they don’t have to intend harm, just disregard obvious risks
• Consent is not a defense (Section 37.155)

Criminal Penalties (Section 37.152)

• 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

Additional crimes:

• Failing to report hazing if you’re a member/officer and knew about it
• Retaliating against someone who reports hazing

Organizational Liability (Section 37.153)
Organizations can be prosecuted if:

• The org authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
• An officer/member acting in official capacity knew and failed to report

Penalties for organizations: Fines up to $10,000 per violation, plus university recognition revocation.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (Section 37.154)
A person who in good faith reports hazing to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability. This protects bystanders and victims who call for help.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases

• Brought by the state (prosecutor)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Example: In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, criminal charges could potentially be filed alongside the civil lawsuit

Civil Cases

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus on: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
• No criminal conviction required to pursue civil case

Many hazing cases, like the ongoing UH litigation, involve both potential criminal exposure and civil liability.

Federal Law Overlay

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)

• Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthens hazing education and prevention
• Maintains public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)
• Applies to all Texas public universities and most private ones

Title IX
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered, creating additional liability pathways.

Clery Act
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing incidents often overlap with assault or alcohol/drug crimes that must be reported.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Belton families should understand the full scope of potential defendants:

Individual Students

1. Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
2. Chapter officers (president, risk manager, pledgemaster)
3. Members who participated or failed to intervene

Local Chapter/Organization

1. The fraternity/sorority itself as a legal entity
2. Chapter housing corporations
3. Alumni boards that exercise control

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters

1. Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
2. Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents

University or Governing Board

1. The school or regents may be sued under negligence theories
2. Key questions: Prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference
3. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity but exceptions exist

Third Parties

1. Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
2. Bars or alcohol providers (dram shop liability)
3. Security companies or event organizers
4. Alumni advisors who failed in supervisory roles

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, defendants include the university, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders—demonstrating how comprehensive liability can be.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Families Can Learn

The cases unfolding at Texas universities don’t exist in a vacuum. They follow patterns established in high-profile national cases that have shaped laws, university policies, and legal strategies nationwide.

Alcohol Poisoning Death Pattern: The Deadliest Script

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

• Bid-acceptance event with forced drinking
• Severe falls captured on chapter security cameras
• 18 fraternity members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts
• Hours delayed before calling 911
• Impact: Pennsylvania enacted Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

• “Bible study” drinking game—wrong answers = forced drinking
• Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
• Multiple members charged; one convicted of negligent homicide
• Impact: Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

• “Big Brother Night” with handles of hard liquor
• Died from acute alcohol poisoning
• Multiple members prosecuted
• Impact: FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life

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

• Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol
• $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• Chapter president ordered to pay $6.5 million personally
• Impact: Strengthened Ohio anti-hazing laws

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

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

• Blindfolded, weighted “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat
• Fatal head injuries; help delayed
• National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter
• Impact: Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)

• Allegations of sexualized, racist hazing within football program
• Multiple lawsuits against university and staff
• Head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired, later settled wrongful-termination suit
• Impact: Revealed hazing in big-money athletic programs

What These Cases Mean for Belton Families

Common threads in all these cases:

1. Forced drinking disguised as tradition or games
2. Delayed medical care due to fear of consequences
3. Cover-up culture and destruction of evidence
4. Institutional knowledge of prior incidents

These patterns matter because they show foreseeability—when the same script plays out at Texas universities, defendants can’t claim “we didn’t know this could happen.”

Texas Focus: Where Belton Students Attend and What’s Happening There

Belton families have unique connections to Texas higher education. Many students attend University of Mary Hardin-Baylor right here in Belton, while others commute to Texas A&M University-Central Texas in Killeen, and still others head to major universities across the state. Here’s what’s happening at campuses that matter to Belton families.

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Belton, TX)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• Private Christian university in Belton
• Smaller campus environment
• Greek life includes local and national organizations
• Strong emphasis on community and values

Hazing Policy & Reporting

• UMHB prohibits hazing in all forms
• Reporting through Dean of Students and Campus Safety
• Christian values framework influences conduct expectations

What Belton Families Should Know

• Even at smaller Christian campuses, hazing occurs
• The “family” atmosphere can sometimes enable subtle hazing
• Immediate action: Contact UMHB administration AND preserve evidence
• Legal consideration: Private university status affects liability frameworks

Texas A&M University-Central Texas (Killeen, TX)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• Part of Texas A&M University System
• Serves Central Texas region including Belton
• Growing commuter and residential population
• Connection to military community through Fort Hood

Hazing Policy & Reporting

• Follows Texas A&M System policies
• Reporting through Office of Student Conduct
• Military affiliation brings additional regulations

Proximity to Belton: Just 20 minutes from Belton, making this a common choice for local students

What Belton Families Should Know

• University system policies provide consistency
• Military connections may involve additional oversight
• Evidence preservation is equally critical at commuter campuses
• System-wide resources can aid investigation

University of Houston (Primary Flagship Case Location)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• Large urban campus with active Greek life
• 60+ fraternity/sorority chapters across multiple councils
• Mix of commuter and residential students
• Recent high-profile hazing case drawing national attention

The Leonel Bermudez Case: Current Ongoing Litigation

We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against:

1. University of Houston
2. UH System Board of Regents
3. Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters
4. Beta Nu housing corporation
5. 13 individual fraternity leaders/members (chapter president, pledgemaster, sorority relations chair, risk manager, and others)

Key Allegations from the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

Hazing Methods:

• “Pledge fanny pack” rule with degrading contents (condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices)
• Enforced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews
• Overnight/late-night driving duties
• Extreme physical hazing:
  • Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races
  • Cold-weather exposure in underwear
  • Lying in vomit-soaked grass
  • Being sprayed in face with hose “similar to waterboarding”
  • Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, then repeated sprints
  • Nov 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under threat of expulsion

Medical Catastrophe:

• Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown)
• Acute kidney failure requiring four-day hospitalization
• Passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help
• Lab tests showed critically high creatine kinase levels
• Ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage

Institutional Response:

• Nov 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
• Nov 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender charter; chapter shut down
• UH labels conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary measures up to expulsion
• University cooperating with law enforcement

Why This Matters for Belton Families:

1. Shows hazing happening right now in Texas
2. Demonstrates severity of injuries possible
3. Illustrates comprehensive defendant approach
4. Proves universities and nationals can be held accountable

UH’s Greek Life Landscape:

• Interfraternity Council (IFC): Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Sigma Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Upsilon, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Theta Chi
• Panhellenic Council: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Phi Mu, Zeta Tau Alpha
• National Pan-Hellenic Council (Divine Nine): All nine organizations present
• Multicultural Greek Council: Multiple organizations

How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed for a Belton Family:

• Involved agencies: UHPD and/or Houston Police Department
• Civil suits filed in Harris County courts
• Potential defendants mirror Bermudez case structure
• Transportation consideration: Belton to Houston is 2.5-3 hour drive; we coordinate to minimize family burden

Texas A&M University (College Station)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• Massive Greek life with 60+ chapters
• Corps of Cadets tradition with unique risks
• Strong athletic programs
• History of hazing incidents across multiple organizations

Documented Incidents & Responses

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)

• Pledges allegedly forced strenuous activity
• Industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, spit poured on them
• Severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• Pledges sued for $1 million
• Fraternity suspended for two years

Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023)

• Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts
• Bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth
• Sought over $1 million
• Texas A&M stated it handled matter under its rules

Other Documented Issues:

• Multiple fraternity suspensions for alcohol hazing
• Corps tradition investigations
• Athletic team disciplinary actions

Greek Life at Texas A&M:

• Collegiate Panhellenic Council: 14 sororities including Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta
• Interfraternity Council: 19 fraternities including Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Sigma Phi, Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Tau Delta, Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi
• Corps of Cadets: Unique military-style environment

What Belton Families with A&M Students Should Know:

1. Corps risks: Military traditions sometimes cross into hazing
2. Greek life scale: More chapters mean more potential risk
3. University response: A&M has suspended multiple chapters
4. Legal precedents: Existing cases provide roadmap

University of Texas at Austin

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• 60+ fraternity/sorority chapters
• Public hazing violations transparency
• Recent high-profile incidents
• Strong tradition organizations with hazing risks

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page
UT maintains unusual transparency at hazing.utexas.edu:

Recent Documented Violations:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter probation
• Texas Wranglers: Multiple violations for forced workouts, alcohol hazing
• Various spirit groups disciplined for hazing

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Case (January 2024)

• Australian exchange student alleged assault at party
• Injuries: dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose
• Sued SAE chapter for over $1 million
• Chapter already under suspension for prior violations

Greek Life at UT Austin:

• University Panhellenic Council: 14 sororities
• Interfraternity Council: 16+ fraternities
• Texas Asian Pan-Hellenic Council: 9 organizations
• NPHC: 6+ organizations

What Belton Families with UT Students Should Know:

1. Transparency advantage: Public violations page helps establish patterns
2. Austin jurisdiction: Travis County courts handle cases
3. Prior violations matter: Can show knowledge and foreseeability
4. Tradition groups: Not just Greek life—spirit organizations also problematic

Southern Methodist University (Dallas)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• Private, affluent campus
• Strong Greek presence
• History of hazing incidents
• Different liability framework as private institution

Documented Incidents:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members paddled, forced to drink, sleep deprived; chapter suspended
• Multiple other fraternity disciplinary actions

Greek Life at SMU:

• Panhellenic Council: 8 sororities
• Interfraternity Council: 6 fraternities
• NPHC: All nine Divine Nine organizations potentially active

What Belton Families with SMU Students Should Know:

1. Private university: Different legal standards than public institutions
2. Dallas jurisdiction: Courts may handle cases differently than Austin/Houston
3. Financial considerations: Affluent environment doesn’t prevent hazing
4. Discretionary transparency: SMU controls what becomes public

Baylor University (Waco)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• Private Christian university
• History of scrutiny over football and Title IX issues
• Greek life and athletic hazing incidents
• Religious branding alongside conduct problems

Documented Incidents:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following investigation
• Other athletic team disciplinary actions
• Fraternity suspensions for alcohol hazing

Greek Life at Baylor:

• Panhellenic Council: 9 sororities
• Interfraternity Council: 5 fraternities
• NPHC: 7+ organizations
• Multicultural Greek Council: Multiple organizations

What Belton Families with Baylor Students Should Know:

1. Religious context: Doesn’t prevent hazing; sometimes enables subtle forms
2. Waco jurisdiction: McLennan County courts
3. Athletic focus: Sports teams have documented issues
4. Title IX history: May affect university response to complaints

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Meet Texas Chapters

For Belton families, understanding that local chapters at Texas universities are part of national organizations with documented hazing histories is crucial for legal strategy and settlement leverage.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Cases

When a Texas chapter repeats hazing methods that caused deaths or injuries at other chapters nationwide, that shows foreseeability—the national organization knew or should have known this could happen. This can support:

• Negligence claims against nationals
• Punitive damage arguments
• Insurance coverage disputes
• Settlement leverage

Major National Organizations with Documented Histories at Texas Schools

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

• National History: Stone Foltz death (BGSU, $10M settlement), David Bogenberger death (NIU, $14M settlement)
• Texas Presence: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
• Pattern: Big/Little alcohol hazing, forced drinking games

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

• National History: Multiple deaths nationwide, traumatic brain injury case (Alabama), chemical burns case (Texas A&M)
• Texas Presence: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
• Pattern: Physical abuse, chemical hazing, alcohol poisoning

Pi Kappa Phi

• National History: Andrew Coffey death (FSU)
• Texas Presence: UH, Texas A&M, UT
• Current Case: Our representation of Leonel Bermudez against UH chapter
• Pattern: Physical hazing, forced consumption, extreme workouts

Phi Delta Theta

• National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, $6.1M verdict)
• Texas Presence: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
• Pattern: “Bible study” drinking games, alcohol poisoning

Kappa Alpha Order

• National History: Multiple hazing suspensions including SMU chapter
• Texas Presence: Texas A&M, SMU, others
• Pattern: Paddling, alcohol hazing, tradition-based abuse

How National Histories Strengthen Texas Cases

1. Pattern Evidence: Showing same methods used elsewhere establishes foreseeability
2. Prior Notice: Nationals can’t claim “we didn’t know this could happen”
3. Policy vs. Practice Gap: Nationals have anti-hazing policies but uneven enforcement
4. Settlement Precedents: Previous case outcomes inform valuation

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, the national organization’s knowledge of hazing risks and prior incidents at other chapters is part of our liability argument.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy for Belton Families

When hazing affects a Belton family, building a strong case requires immediate action, strategic evidence collection, and understanding of damages frameworks.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (Most Important)

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord messages
• Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok content
• Deleted message recovery through forensics
• Planning conversations, instructions, reactions

Photos & Videos

• Injuries documented immediately and over time
• Event footage shared in group chats
• Security camera or doorbell footage
• Social media posts/stories showing activities

Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts
• Chapter meeting minutes
• Risk management files
• National policies and training materials

University Records

• Prior conduct files and disciplinary history
• Incident reports to campus police
• Clery Act reports
• Internal emails about the organization

Medical & Psychological Records

• ER/hospitalization records
• Toxicology reports
• Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
• Ongoing treatment documentation

Witness Testimony

• Other pledges or new members
• Former members who quit
• Roommates, RAs, bystanders
• Alumni advisors or chapter officers

Damages: What Can Be Recovered

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost earnings/earning capacity
• Educational costs (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
• Therapy and rehabilitation expenses

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Reputational harm

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of companionship and support
• Emotional harm to parents and siblings
• Lost financial contribution

Punitive Damages (When Available)

• Purpose: Punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
• Available when defendants knew risks and acted anyway
• Texas has caps but exceptions exist

In severe cases like rhabdomyolysis with permanent kidney damage (as in the UH case), damages can include lifetime medical care, reduced earning capacity, and significant pain and suffering.

The Role of Different Defendants and Insurance

Insurance Coverage Fights

• Fraternities and universities often have insurance
• Insurers may argue hazing is excluded as “intentional act”
• Experienced lawyers navigate coverage disputes
• Multiple policies may apply (national, local, university, individual)

Individual vs. Organizational Liability

• Individuals can be personally liable
• Organizations can be liable for negligent supervision
• Universities may have sovereign immunity defenses (public schools)
• Comprehensive approach targets all responsible parties

In our UH case, we’re pursuing the university, national fraternity, housing corporation, and 13 individuals to ensure full accountability and access to all available insurance coverage.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Belton Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Immediate Actions

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries
• Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
• Weight changes from food/water restriction
• Sleep deprivation (late calls, 3 AM “mandatory” events)
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
• Secretive behavior about organization activities
• Constant phone monitoring for group chats
• Financial strain from unexpected “dues” or purchases

How to Talk to Your Child

• Ask open questions without judgment
• Emphasize safety over status
• Listen more than lecture
• Assure them of your support regardless of decisions

If Your Child Is Hurt

1. Medical care first: Go to ER even if they resist
2. Document everything: Photos, notes, names
3. Preserve digital evidence: Screenshots before deletion
4. Contact a lawyer: Before talking to university or insurance

Dealing with the University

• Document all communications
• Ask about prior incidents with same organization
• Don’t sign anything without legal review
• Understand the university’s conflict of interest

For Students: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Is This Hazing? Questions to Ask Yourself

• Am I being forced or pressured?
• Would I do this if I had a real choice?
• Is it dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would my parents/university approve if they knew?
• Am I being told to keep secrets?

How to Exit Safely

• Tell someone outside the organization first
• Send written resignation (email/text for record)
• Don’t go to “one last meeting”
• Report retaliation immediately

Protecting Yourself from Retaliation

• Document any threats or harassment
• File complaints with university and police if needed
• Seek protective orders if necessary
• Remember Texas law protects good-faith reporters

For Witnesses/Former Members: Coming Forward

Why Your Testimony Matters

• Can prevent future harm to others
• Helps establish patterns and practices
• May reduce your own legal exposure
• Contributes to meaningful accountability

Legal Protections

• Consult your own attorney about exposure
• Cooperation can be structured to protect you
• Truthful testimony has protections
• Anonymity options may be available

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence

• What happens: Looks like cover-up, obstruction of justice
• Solution: Preserve everything immediately

2. Confronting the Organization Directly

• What happens: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
• Solution: Document first, lawyer second, confrontation never

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms

• What happens: May waive legal rights, accept low settlements
• Solution: Nothing signed without attorney review

4. Posting on Social Media

• What happens: Defense attorneys screenshot everything, inconsistencies hurt
• Solution: Private documentation only, public messaging through lawyer

5. Letting Your Child Go to “One Last Meeting”

• What happens: Pressure, intimidation, damaging statements
• Solution: Once legal action considered, all communication through lawyer

6. Waiting for University Investigation

• What happens: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
• Solution: Parallel investigation—preserve evidence while university investigates

7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters

• What happens: Recorded statements used against you, lowball settlements
• Solution: “My attorney will contact you”

Frequently Asked Questions for Belton Families

“Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have sovereign immunity but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and individual capacity suits. Private universities (SMU, Baylor, UMHB) have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-specific—call 1-888-ATTY-911 for case analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case involving rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure could potentially support felony charges.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Consent is not a defense to hazing under Texas Education Code § 37.155. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion isn’t true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if harm or cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases with cover-ups, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—call immediately.

“What if hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major cases occurred off-campus.

“Will this be confidential?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Belton Family’s Hazing Case

When hazing impacts your family, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña)
Mr. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national defense firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

• Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Use delay tactics to pressure families
• Fight coverage under “intentional act” exclusions
• Deploy defense strategies honed over decades

We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello)
Managing partner Ralph Manginello brings:

• BP Texas City explosion litigation experience—one of few Texas firms involved
• Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• 25+ years handling high-stakes cases against billion-dollar defendants
• HCCLA membership signaling elite criminal defense capability

We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities or university legal teams.

Current Active Hazing Litigation
Right now, we’re leading the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case—a $10 million hazing lawsuit that demonstrates our:

• Willingness to take on powerful institutions
• Understanding of severe hazing injuries (rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure)
• Comprehensive defendant approach (university, national, housing corp, individuals)
• Commitment to preventing future harm

Multi-Million Dollar Results Experience

• Wrongful death settlements in the millions
• Catastrophic injury cases with lifetime care planning
• Economists collaboration for accurate damage valuation
• Trial readiness that forces fair settlements

Investigative Depth

• Digital forensics for deleted message recovery
• Network of experts: medical, toxicology, psychology, economics
• Experience obtaining hidden university and fraternity records
• Understanding of Greek culture and coercion dynamics

Spanish Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring Hispanic families in Belton and across Texas can access justice in their preferred language.

How We Approach Hazing Cases Differently

Comprehensive Investigation
We don’t just look at the immediate incident. We investigate:

• Prior complaints and disciplinary history
• National organization’s knowledge of risks
• University’s response to previous incidents
• Pattern evidence across chapters and campuses

Multiple Defendant Strategy
Like in our UH case, we pursue all potentially liable parties:

• Individual perpetrators
• Chapter leadership
• Housing corporations
• National headquarters
• Universities and governing boards
• Third parties (property owners, alcohol providers)

This ensures maximum accountability and access to all available insurance coverage.

Digital Evidence Mastery
We understand that modern hazing evidence lives on phones:

• Group chat preservation and analysis
• Deleted message recovery
• Social media evidence collection
• Digital timeline reconstruction

Psychological Understanding
We recognize that hazing victims often:

• Feel shame and self-blame
• Fear retaliation or social exclusion
• Minimize their own trauma
• Need psychological support alongside legal advocacy

Prevention Focus
While pursuing compensation, we also aim for:

• Policy changes at universities
• Improved national organization oversight
• Deterrence through accountability
• Public awareness to prevent future harm

Call to Action for Belton Families

If you or your child has experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether here locally at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, at nearby Texas A&M University-Central Texas in Killeen, or at universities across the state—we want to hear from you.

Families in Belton and throughout Bell County have the right to answers, accountability, and justice when tradition turns to trauma.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

1. We listen without judgment to your family’s story
2. Review any evidence you’ve preserved (photos, texts, medical records)
3. Explain your legal options: criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
4. Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
5. Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
6. No pressure to hire us—take time to decide with full information
7. Everything confidential—protected by attorney-client privilege

Contact Information

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 (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)

Spanish Language Services Available
Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

Serving Belton and All of Texas

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Belton and Bell County. We understand the unique connections Belton families have to Texas universities and the particular challenges that arise when hazing impacts our community.

Whether your child attends school locally or hours away, we have the resources, experience, and determination to help your family navigate this crisis and pursue meaningful accountability.

Don’t Wait—Evidence Disappears Quickly

• Group chats are deleted within days
• Witnesses graduate or are coached
• Universities control narratives
• Statutes of limitations run

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Let us help you protect your child’s rights, preserve critical evidence, and understand your family’s legal options.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

Click2Houston (KPRC 2) 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 Eyewitness News 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 YouTube Videos:

Using Your Cellphone 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 & Contact: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com