The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits & Accountability for Converse, Texas Families

If you are a parent in Converse, Texas, and your child is involved in Greek life, athletics, or any campus organization, this guide was written for you. The thought that your child could be hurt while trying to belong is every parent’s worst nightmare. It’s a scenario we see far too often, and it’s one that is happening right now, in our own state. We are currently leading one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in Texas—the case of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This lawsuit, filed for over $10 million, alleges extreme physical abuse, humiliation, and forced consumption that led to rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and a four-day hospitalization. This is not an isolated incident; it is a pattern.

This comprehensive guide explains what modern hazing looks like, the Texas and federal laws designed to stop it, and the legal paths available to Converse families when institutions fail to protect students. We will examine the specific ecosystems at major Texas universities—including the University of Texas at San Antonio, which serves many Bexar County families—and connect them to national fraternity histories. Most importantly, we provide actionable steps for evidence preservation, legal recourse, and finding accountability.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

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

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis can be life-threatening.
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted: Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), photograph injuries from multiple angles, and save any physical items.
• Write down everything your child tells you while their memory is fresh.
• DO NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
  • Post details on public social media.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas Universities

Hazing has evolved beyond simple pranks. It is a calculated system of power, control, and tradition that endangers students physically and psychologically. For Converse families, understanding these modern tactics is the first step in recognizing danger.

A Modern Definition of Hazing

In Texas, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or affiliation that endangers mental or physical health or safety. Crucially, under Texas law, the victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

The Three Tiers of Hazing

Hazing exists on a spectrum, each tier setting the stage for the next.

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing
This establishes power imbalance and is often dismissed as “tradition.” It includes:

• Servitude: Mandatory chauffeuring, cleaning, or errands for older members at all hours.
• “Pledge Fanny Pack” Rules: As alleged in Leonel Bermudez’s case at UH, being forced to carry humiliating items (condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices) 24/7.
• Social Control: Requiring permission to socialize, cutting off contact with non-members, or enforcing strict dress codes.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing
This causes measurable discomfort and harm. It includes:

• Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory late-night “meetings” or 3 AM wake-up calls for tasks.
• Forced Consumption: Being made to eat or drink excessive amounts of unpleasant substances (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns) until vomiting.
• Public Humiliation: Being forced to perform embarrassing acts in public or endure “roasting” sessions.
• Digital Control: Constant monitoring via group chats, required location sharing, and forced social media posting.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing
This has a high potential for catastrophic injury or death. It includes:

• Forced Alcohol Consumption: “Lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, or games where wrong answers mandate drinking.
• Physical Assault: Paddling, beatings, “extreme workouts” (like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats forced upon Bermudez), or being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”
• Dangerous “Tests”: “Glass ceiling” rituals, blindfolded tackles, or being restrained. In the UH case, another pledge was allegedly hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour.
• Environmental Dangers: Exposure to extreme cold while underdressed or lying in vomit-soaked grass.

The medical consequences can be severe. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, the extreme physical hazing led to rhabdomyolysis—a severe breakdown of muscle tissue that floods the kidneys with toxins. Leonel Bermudez’s creatine kinase (CK) levels were critically high, leading to acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine and was hospitalized for four days, with an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

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

Texas has specific statutes governing hazing, and federal laws create additional layers of accountability. Understanding this framework is crucial for pursuing justice.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Criminal Backbone

Texas law defines hazing broadly and imposes serious penalties:

• Criminal Offense: Hazing is a Class B Misdemeanor. If it causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a State Jail Felony.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation.
• No Consent Defense: §37.155 is clear: a victim’s consent is not a legal defense.
• Good-Faith Reporting Immunity: Those who report hazing or call for medical help in good faith are protected from liability.

Civil Liability: The Path to Compensation & Accountability

A criminal case is brought by the state to punish. A civil lawsuit is brought by the victim or family to recover damages and force change. They can proceed simultaneously.

Who can be held liable in a civil hazing lawsuit?

1. Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or concealed the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued for creating a dangerous environment.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters can be liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and for having prior knowledge of dangerous patterns at other chapters. In the UH case, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters is a named defendant.
4. The University: Schools like UH, Texas A&M, or UT can be liable for negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about the dangerous practices and failed to act. They have a duty to provide a safe environment.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, alcohol providers, or security companies may share liability.

Federal Laws That Apply

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based discrimination, the university has specific obligations to investigate and remedy the situation.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults and arrests related to hazing incidents.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires increased transparency and public reporting of hazing incidents at federally funded schools, a powerful new tool for accountability.

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez vs. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

This active lawsuit, which we are handling, serves as a critical case study for what Converse families are up against. It demonstrates the extreme tactics used, the severe medical consequences, and the complex web of entities that can be held responsible.

The Allegations: In fall 2025, transfer student Leonel Bermudez pledged the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH. The hazing allegedly included the degrading “pledge fanny pack,” forced overnight driving duties, and brutal physical abuse at locations including the chapter house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park. On November 3, he was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. Days later, he was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

The Institutional Response: On November 6, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the chapter. On November 14, chapter members voted to surrender their charter, shutting it down. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary action and cooperation with law enforcement.

The Legal Action: Our lawsuit names 17 defendants: the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders (including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and risk manager). We are seeking over $10 million in damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and to punish this conduct.

This case is proof that serious, life-altering hazing is happening now at Texas universities. You can read the detailed media coverage in the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case and the ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit.

Where Converse Families Send Their Kids: A Look at Texas University Campuses

Parents in Converse and across Bexar County often have students at a mix of local institutions and major statewide universities. Each campus has its own Greek ecosystem and history of hazing incidents.

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)

For many Converse families, UTSA is a primary local option. As a major university in Bexar County, it has an active Greek life community. Students here are part of the same national fraternity and sorority system that operates at UH and Texas A&M, meaning the same dangerous patterns can, and do, transfer.

Documented Incidents: While specific public logs vary, UTSA, like all universities, adjudicates hazing violations through its Student Conduct office. The national organizations present on UTSA’s campus—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, and others—have all been involved in severe hazing incidents at other Texas schools.

Major Statewide Hubs for Converse Students

Converse families also send students to prestigious universities across Texas, where Greek life is deeply entrenched.

1. University of Houston (UH): As detailed in our flagship case, UH has been the scene of catastrophic hazing. Its Greek system is large and includes members of national organizations with troubling histories.
2. Texas A&M University: The combination of a massive Greek system and the Corps of Cadets creates multiple risk environments. Texas A&M has faced lawsuits over severe hazing, including a Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) case where pledges suffered chemical burns requiring skin grafts from being doused in industrial cleaner, and a Corps of Cadets lawsuit alleging degrading sexualized hazing.
3. University of Texas at Austin: UT maintains a public hazing violations log, offering more transparency than most. Entries show repeated patterns: Pi Kappa Alpha sanctioned for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; spirit groups disciplined for alcohol hazing and physical punishment.
4. Baylor University & Southern Methodist University (SMU): These private institutions have also faced hazing scandals, from Baylor baseball team suspensions to SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order chapter being suspended for paddling and forced drinking.

The takeaway for Converse parents is clear: no campus is immune. The same national organizations, with the same dangerous traditions, operate at schools across the state.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: A Data-Driven Look Behind the Letters

We maintain what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, a proprietary database built from public records that tracks over 1,400 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. This investigative depth is why we can immediately identify all potentially liable entities in a hazing case. For Converse families, understanding this network is key.

Public Records: Greek Organizations Serving Texas Students

Fraternities and sororities are not just social clubs; they are often legal entities with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), property-holding housing corporations, and alumni chapters. When hazing occurs, these entities—and their insurance policies—can be sources of accountability and recovery.

Here is a snapshot of the type of public records we analyze, showing the formal structure behind campus Greek life:

IRS-Registered Greek Organizations (B83 Classifications) – Examples:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation, EIN 37-1768785, Missouri City, TX 77459
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 74-6084905, Houston, TX 77204
• 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

Metro-Level Organizations (San Antonio & Beyond):
The San Antonio metro area, which includes Converse, is home to numerous chapter houses, alumni associations, and honor societies that support Greek life at UTSA, Trinity University, and other local schools. Statewide, the Dallas-Fort Worth metro has over 510 such entities, Houston has 188, and Austin has 154.

Why National Histories Matter: Patterns of Foreseeability

When a chapter at UTSA or Texas A&M hazes, it’s rarely an isolated, unforeseeable event. National headquarters have extensive records of prior incidents, which courts can use to establish they “knew or should have known” the risks.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Responsible for the death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (2021), leading to a $10 million settlement.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): One of the most frequently cited nationals for hazing deaths and injuries, including the chemical burn case at Texas A&M.
• Phi Delta Theta: Responsible for the death of Max Gruver at LSU (2017), which led to Louisiana’s felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”
• Pi Kappa Phi: Responsible for the death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University (2017).

This pattern evidence is powerful in litigation. It shows that national organizations are aware of the deadly scripts—Big/Little nights, forced drinking games, extreme physical trials—yet sometimes fail to implement meaningful oversight to stop them from being repeated at chapters like UH’s Beta Nu.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing a hazing case against a university and a national fraternity is complex litigation. It requires an investigative strategy, an understanding of insurance tactics, and a commitment to seeing the case through.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

Evidence disappears quickly. Preservation within the first 48 hours is paramount. Key evidence includes:

• Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, and iMessage group chats are the modern playbook for hazing. Screenshots must capture timestamps and sender names. We also employ digital forensics to recover deleted messages.
• Social Media & Photos: Instagram stories, Snapchats, TikTok videos, and photos that document events, injuries, or locations.
• Medical Records: Comprehensive records are essential, especially diagnosing conditions like rhabdomyolysis, PTSD, or orthopedic injuries. They create the link between the hazing act and the harm.
• University Records: Through subpoenas and discovery, we obtain the school’s prior disciplinary files on the organization, internal investigation reports, and communications.
• National Fraternity Files: We seek the national organization’s records on the specific chapter, including prior complaints, risk management visits, and insurance policies.

Our video on using your cellphone to document a legal case provides essential guidance on evidence preservation.

The Damages Hazing Victims Can Recover

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

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, costs of psychological counseling, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the unspeakable event of a hazing death, families can recover funeral costs, loss of financial support, and damages for grief and loss of companionship.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct, courts can award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Overcoming Institutional Defense Tactics

We anticipate and counter common defenses:

• “The Victim Consented”: We cite Texas law §37.155 and argue that consent under peer pressure and power imbalance is coerced and invalid.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We use pattern evidence from the national’s own history to show the conduct was foreseeable.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability is based on duty and control, not just geography. Nationals and universities that sponsor and supervise organizations retain responsibility.
• Insurance Coverage Fights: Fraternity and university insurers often try to deny claims. Our insider knowledge from Mr. Lupe Peña’s years as an insurance defense attorney is invaluable here. We know how they value claims, use IMEs (Independent Medical Exams), and deploy delay tactics.

Practical Steps & Guides for Converse Parents and Students

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Listen & Support: If your child confides in you, listen without judgment. Their safety is the priority.
2. Secure Medical Care: Seek immediate medical attention for any injury or symptom. Tell the doctors the cause was hazing so it is documented.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot EVERY relevant group chat, text, and social media post. Photograph injuries. Do not let them delete anything.
4. Document: Write a detailed timeline with names, dates, locations, and what happened.
5. Contact an Attorney Before Reporting: Consult with a hazing lawyer before formally reporting to the university. We can help you navigate the process to avoid missteps that can harm the case.
6. Avoid Common Mistakes: Do not confront the organization, sign university resolutions, or post on social media. Watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case.

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

• Trust Your Gut: If you feel pressured, unsafe, or humiliated, it is likely hazing.
• Your Safety Comes First: In a medical emergency, call 911. Texas law and most university policies offer “good faith” protections for those who call for help.
• You Have the Right to Leave: You can de-pledge or quit an organization at any time. No social penalty is worth your health or life.
• Preserve Evidence Secretly: Take screenshots and photos discreetly. Save them in a secure cloud folder.
• Know the Statute of Limitations: In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Do not wait. Learn more in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

Why Attorney911 for Converse Hazing Cases

When your family is facing a hazing crisis, you need attorneys with specific expertise in institutional litigation, not just general personal injury lawyers. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

• Active, High-Stakes Texas Hazing Experience: We are lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez vs. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case. We are in the fight right now against a major university and national fraternity.
• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our associate, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers try to deny, delay, and minimize claims. This insider perspective is a decisive advantage. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background here.
• Complex Institutional Litigation Credentials: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, facing billion-dollar defendants. We are not intimidated by large institutions, deep-pocketed insurers, or aggressive defense teams. Learn about Ralph’s experience here.
• Data-Driven Investigation: We deploy our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from thousands of public records on Greek organizations—to immediately identify all potentially liable entities, from housing corporations to alumni chapters.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Capability: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to advise clients comprehensively.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring we can serve the diverse families of Texas with compassion and understanding.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we invest in your case upfront. You pay no attorney fees unless we win a settlement or verdict for you. Learn how contingency fees work.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If your child has been hazed at UTSA, UH, Texas A&M, or any Texas campus, you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved will have experienced lawyers protecting their interests. You deserve the same level of advocacy.

We offer free, confidential consultations to Converse families and victims across Texas. During this consultation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have preserved.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline a potential strategic path forward.
• Answer your questions honestly, including about costs and timelines.

Time is of the essence. Evidence vanishes, witnesses become reluctant, and the statute of limitations continues to run.

Contact Attorney911 today for immediate help.

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Se habla Español.

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:

• Evidence Preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Statute of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Contingency Fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Site:

• 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)
Website: https://attorney911.com