Texas Hazing & Fraternity Abuse Lawsuits: A Definitive Guide for Families in City of Von Ormy and Bexar County

If Your Child Was Hazed in Texas, You Are Not Alone

We understand the fear and confusion that grips a family in City of Von Ormy, Elmendorf, or any Bexar County community when they realize their college student has been hurt by a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or campus organization. That moment you see unexplained injuries, notice drastic personality changes, or hear whispers about “traditions” that sound more like abuse—it’s a parent’s worst nightmare materializing. What was supposed to be a safe college experience has turned into a crisis.

Right now, in our own state, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly lost his life to fraternity hazing. His story—documented in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders—shows exactly what Texas families are up against. According to the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case, Bermudez was forced through brutal physical hazing that caused rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing risk of permanent organ damage.

This isn’t an isolated incident. It’s a pattern we see across Texas campuses—from UH to Texas A&M, UT Austin to the universities right here in our San Antonio region. As Texas hazing litigation specialists, we’ve built the most comprehensive investigative system in the state to hold these organizations accountable. This guide explains exactly what hazing looks like in 2025, your legal rights as a Texas family, and how we’re already fighting for victims like yours.

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.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Texas Families

For families in City of Von Ormy and across Bexar County, understanding modern hazing is critical. The old stereotypes of harmless pranks are dangerously outdated. Today’s hazing is systematic, often digitally coordinated, and designed to avoid detection while maximizing control over new members.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (The Gateway)
These behaviors create power imbalance and set the stage for escalation:

24/7 digital control: Constant GroupMe messages, required instant responses at all hours, location sharing demands
Servitude requirements: Forced chauffeuring, cleaning members’ rooms, running personal errands
Social isolation: Cutting off contact with non-members, requiring permission for normal social activities
Sleep deprivation: Mandatory late-night “meetings” or tasks that interfere with academics

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Bermudez was forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” 24/7 containing condoms, a sex toy, and nicotine devices—a classic example of subtle hazing designed to humiliate and control.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (The Escalation)
This causes measurable physical or psychological harm:

Forced physical exertion: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups, squats until collapse, extreme calisthenics
Food/water manipulation: Forced consumption of disgusting combinations (like the milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns forced on UH pledges)
Public humiliation: Degrading costumes, forced performances, social media shaming
Environmental exposure: Being left outside in cold weather, lying in vomit-soaked grass

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (The Catastrophe)
These acts have high potential for serious injury or death:

Forced alcohol consumption: The “Big/Little” drinking nights that killed Stone Foltz at Bowling Green and Max Gruver at LSU
Physical beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking—still prevalent despite national “bans”
Dangerous rituals: Blindfolded tackles (“glass ceiling” that killed Michael Deng), simulated waterboarding (like the hose spraying in the UH case)
Sexualized abuse: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault

The Digital Transformation of Hazing

What makes 2025 hazing particularly dangerous is how technology enables constant control:

Group chat tyranny: WhatsApp, GroupMe, Discord servers where pledges must respond instantly at all hours
Social media humiliation: Forced TikTok challenges, Instagram story dares, public shaming
Location tracking: Required sharing on Find My Friends, Life360, Snapchat Maps
Evidence destruction: Coaching on disappearing messages, encrypted apps, what to say if caught

For Bexar County families with students at UTSA, Texas A&M-San Antonio, or away at major state schools, this digital layer means hazing follows your child home—to their dorm room, to your family dinner table, into every moment of their day.

Texas Law & Liability Framework: What City of Von Ormy Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Legal Foundation

Texas has some of the nation’s clearest anti-hazing laws, designed specifically to protect students and hold organizations accountable:

§ 37.151 Definition:
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

Endangers mental or physical health or safety
Occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any student organization

Key Implications for Texas Families:

Location doesn’t matter: On-campus, off-campus, at retreats, in private homes—all covered
“Consent is not a defense”: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing
Mental harm counts: Psychological abuse, humiliation, and emotional trauma are legally recognized
Recklessness is enough: They don’t need to have intended harm—just been reckless about known risks

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (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:
Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be:

Fined up to $10,000 per violation
Have university recognition revoked
Face criminal prosecution if they authorized or knew about hazing and failed to report

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding Your Options

Criminal Cases (The State’s Fight):

Brought by prosecutors (Bexar County DA, campus police, etc.)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Common charges: Hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter in fatal cases
Important: A criminal conviction is NOT required for you to pursue civil justice

Civil Cases (Your Family’s Fight):

Brought by victims and families
Aim: Compensation, accountability, institutional reform
Targets: Individuals, chapters, national organizations, universities
Damages can include: Medical bills, future care, lost earnings, pain and suffering, wrongful death compensation

Federal Laws That Strengthen Your Case

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents
Mandates hazing prevention programs
Creates national transparency starting 2026

Title IX & Clery Act:

When hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX protections apply
Clery Act requires crime reporting that often overlaps with hazing incidents
These federal laws provide additional avenues for accountability

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Texas Hazing Case?

Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing
Local Chapter Officers: Presidents, pledge educators, risk managers who allowed or participated
National Organizations: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and supervise chapters
Universities: When they knew or should have known about dangers and failed to act
Property Owners: Landlords of frat houses, Airbnb hosts, venue owners
Alcohol Providers: Bars or individuals who furnished alcohol to minors

In the UH case, we’re suing all these entities: 13 individual members, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the chapter housing corporation, University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents. This comprehensive approach is what recovers maximum compensation and drives real change.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Playbook Texas Organizations Follow

The tragedies at other universities aren’t just sad stories—they’re blueprints showing exactly how hazing kills and injures students. These national patterns repeat here in Texas because the same organizations operate here.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

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

Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
Died from alcohol poisoning
$10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
Texas Connection: Pi Kappa Alpha has chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor

Max Gruver – LSU (Phi Delta Theta, 2017):

“Bible study” drinking game – wrong answers meant forced drinking
Died with 0.495% BAC
Louisiana passed Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony
Texas Connection: Phi Delta Theta has chapters at all five major Texas universities

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

“Big Brother Night” with handles of hard liquor
Died from acute alcohol poisoning
FSU suspended all Greek life temporarily
Texas Connection: This is the SAME national fraternity we’re suing in the UH case

The Physical Torture Pattern

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

Blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual
Died from traumatic brain injury
National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter
Banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
Texas Connection: Shows how “cultural” fraternities also engage in lethal hazing

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri (Phi Gamma Delta, 2021):

Forced drinking during “pledge dad reveal”
Suffered permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see)
Settlements with 22 defendants totaling millions
Texas Connection: Phi Gamma Delta has active chapters at Texas A&M and UT Austin

The Athletic Program Pattern

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):

Systemic sexualized and racist hazing across years
Multiple lawsuits against university and coaches
Head coach fired, then settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially
Texas Takeaway: Major athletic programs have the same cover-up patterns as Greek life

What These Cases Mean for Bexar County Families

Every one of these national patterns has occurred or could occur at Texas universities. The same organizations, the same rituals, the same cover-up tactics. When we investigate a Texas hazing case, we’re not starting from zero—we’re building on proven strategies from these national precedents.

Texas University Focus: Where City of Von Ormy Families Send Their Kids

Understanding Your Child’s Campus Ecosystem

Families in City of Von Ormy, Elmendorf, and across Bexar County typically have students at three types of institutions:

Local San Antonio-Area Campuses:

University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
St. Mary’s University
University of the Incarnate Word
Our Lady of the Lake University

Regional Texas Universities:

Texas State University (San Marcos)
University of Texas at Austin
Texas A&M University (College Station)
Baylor University (Waco)
Texas Tech University (Lubbock)

Special Programs:

Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M
Spirit organizations like Texas Cowboys
Athletic teams at all levels

Each campus has its own Greek life ecosystem, traditions, and risk patterns. What connects them all is that the same national fraternities and sororities operate across multiple campuses, carrying their hazing histories with them.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving City of Von Ormy Families

If you’re a parent in City of Von Ormy, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Through IRS filings and public records, we maintain the most comprehensive directory of Texas Greek organizations. This isn’t speculation—these are registered legal entities with EINs, addresses, and documented operations.

San Antonio Metro Area Organizations (Sample from 86+ in Metro):

Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – EIN 746064445 – Nederland, TX 77627 (IRS B83 filing)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – EIN 364091267 – Waco, TX 76710 (IRS B83 filing)
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN 463831593 – Austin, TX 78723 (IRS B83 filing)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – EIN 237279532 – Prairie View, TX 77446 (IRS B83 filing)
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. – EIN 475370943 – Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing)
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated – EIN 392352450 – Houston, TX 77254 (IRS B83 filing)
Sigma Phi Lambda Inc. – EIN 201237505 – Corinth, TX 76210 (IRS B83 filing)
Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. – EIN 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing)
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc. – EIN 741380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 filing)
Chi Omega Fraternity – EIN 740555581 – Austin, TX 78705 (IRS B83 filing)

Major University Housing Corporations (Where Your Child Might Live):

Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi – EIN 746047117 – Austin, TX 78705 (UT Austin house corporation)
Eta Alpha House Corporation of Kappa Delta Sorority – EIN 742930349 – College Station, TX 77840 (Texas A&M house corporation)
Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – EIN 746084905 – Houston, TX 77204 (UH chapter facility)
Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation – EIN 371768785 – Missouri City, TX 77459 (Alumni housing corporation)
UTSA Sigma Chi – EIN 842643090 – San Antonio, TX 78258 (San Antonio chapter entity)

Why This Directory Matters:
When hazing occurs, these aren’t just student clubs—they’re legal entities with insurance policies, assets, and organizational structures. Our ability to immediately identify every potentially liable party gives Texas families a critical advantage. While universities might claim “it was just rogue individuals,” we track the corporate networks that enable and fund these organizations.

University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA): Your Local Campus Reality

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
As the largest university in the San Antonio area, UTSA draws many Bexar County students. With growing Greek life and traditional campus organizations, UTSA reflects both the opportunities and risks of modern Texas higher education.

Documented Greek Life Presence:

Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities
Panhellenic sororities
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations
Multicultural Greek Council groups

Recent Transparency Efforts:
Like UT Austin, UTSA has begun implementing more transparent hazing reporting in response to Texas Education Code requirements and federal Stop Campus Hazing Act mandates.

What City of Von Ormy Parents Should Know:

Geographic proximity means your student may live at home while involved in campus organizations
Commuter dynamics can create different hazing patterns than residential campuses
San Antonio venues are often used for off-campus events
UTSA Police and SAPD may have overlapping jurisdiction depending on incident location

Texas A&M University-San Antonio: Growing Campus, Growing Risks

Emerging Greek Ecosystem:
As Texas A&M-San Antonio expands its residential capacity, Greek life and traditional organizations are developing. New chapters often bring both enthusiasm and inexperience with risk management.

Corps of Cadets Culture Proximity:
While not having a Corps program itself, the A&M System connection means cultural spillover from College Station’s well-documented Corps hazing issues.

University of Texas at Austin: Where Many Bexar County Students Aspire

National Leader in Hazing Transparency:
UT Austin maintains a public Hazing Violations page that lists organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions. This transparency, while imperfect, provides valuable pattern evidence for families.

Recent Documented Cases:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Assault allegations including dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia; chapter already under suspension for prior violations
Multiple spirit groups: Sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, punishment-based practices

Takeaway for Bexar County Families:
Your student at UT Austin faces the same national organizations with the same risk patterns as other campuses. The difference is UT’s relative transparency, which can help prove prior knowledge in litigation.

Texas A&M University College Station: Tradition and Risk

Corps of Cadets Reality:
The 2023 lawsuit alleging cadets were bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in their mouth reveals the dark side of A&M’s tradition culture. The university stated it “handled the matter under its rules,” but such internal processes rarely provide real accountability.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):
Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit—causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended for two years.

What This Means for City of Von Ormy Families:
Even if your child isn’t in the Corps, the cultural normalization of extreme “tradition” affects the entire campus climate. Organizations feel emboldened to push limits.

Baylor University: Private Campus, Public Problems

Baseball Hazing Suspensions (2020):
14 players suspended following hazing investigation, revealing that even Christian-affiliated institutions struggle with systemic abuse.

Title IX History Context:
Baylor’s well-documented sexual assault scandal shows how institutions can prioritize reputation over student safety—a pattern that repeats in hazing contexts.

Southern Methodist University: Affluent Campus, Similar Patterns

Kappa Alpha Order Suspension (2017):
New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep—resulting in chapter suspension.

Private University Challenges:
SMU’s private status means less public transparency, but civil discovery can uncover what internal reports hide.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories That Predict Texas Behavior

When we investigate a hazing case at a Texas university, we’re not just looking at what happened that night. We’re examining decades of national patterns because the same organizations repeat the same behaviors across campuses.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Courts

Texas courts recognize that national organizations have foreseeability—they know or should know their chapters engage in certain dangerous behaviors based on historical patterns. This legal concept is powerful because:

Pattern evidence from other states is admissible to show the organization knew the risks
Prior incidents establish that policies were inadequate or unenforced
National knowledge can trigger higher duties of supervision and prevention

Organizations with Documented Hazing Histories Operating in Texas

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike):

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State, 2021 – alcohol poisoning death, $10M settlement
David Bogenberger: Northern Illinois University, 2012 – alcohol poisoning death, $14M settlement
Texas Chapters: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, Texas State, Texas Tech
Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking nights, forced alcohol consumption

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE):

University of Alabama: 2023 traumatic brain injury case
Texas A&M: 2021 chemical burns requiring skin grafts
UT Austin: 2024 assault allegations with serious injuries
Texas Chapters: Every major Texas campus
Pattern: Physical violence, chemical hazing, assault

Pi Kappa Phi:

Andrew Coffey: Florida State University, 2017 – alcohol poisoning death
Leonel Bermudez: University of Houston, 2025 – rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure (our active case)
Texas Chapters: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin
Pattern: Extreme physical hazing, forced consumption, simulated torture

Phi Delta Theta:

Max Gruver: LSU, 2017 – “Bible study” drinking game death
Louisiana Response: Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony
Texas Chapters: All five major Texas universities
Pattern: Drinking games, alcohol toxicity

How We Use National Histories in Texas Litigation

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re not just arguing about what happened to Leonel Bermudez. We’re demonstrating that:

Pi Kappa Phi national knew about alcohol poisoning risks from Andrew Coffey’s death
They knew about extreme physical hazing from other chapters
Their policies were inadequate to prevent predictable harm
Their supervision was negligent given this knowledge

This approach transforms a “local incident” into evidence of systemic failure—which is what triggers maximum compensation and punitive damages.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

The Evidence That Wins Cases in 2025

Digital Communications (The #1 Evidence Source):

GroupMe/WhatsApp/Discord logs: Planning, coordination, admissions, cover-up attempts
Social media: Instagram stories, TikTok videos, Snapchat evidence of events
Text messages: Direct communications between members
Deleted message recovery: Digital forensics can often recover “permanently” deleted content

In the UH case, the “pledge fanny pack” rules, workout schedules, and threats were all documented in group chats. These digital trails are now critical evidence.

Photographic & Video Evidence:

Injury documentation: Timeline photos showing bruise progression
Event footage: Members often film their own hazing for “memories”
Location evidence: House interiors, specific rooms, off-campus venues
Our video on using your phone to document evidence explains best practices for preserving this critical material.

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals: Often contain coded language about “traditions”
National policies: Show what the organization claimed to prohibit
Risk management files: Reveal prior incidents and inadequate responses
Financial records: Dues payments, insurance policies, national oversight

University Records:

Prior conduct files: Prove the university knew about patterns
Clery Act reports: Required crime statistics that may include hazing
Internal emails: Show administrative knowledge and response
Title IX files: If sexual harassment was involved

Medical & Psychological Evidence:
.OK from UH case: Hospital records showing creatine kinase levels 50-100× normal, diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure

Psychological evaluations: PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses
Expert testimony: Medical professionals explaining long-term consequences

Damages: What Texas Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

Medical expenses: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, ongoing treatment
Future medical needs: Lifelong care for permanent injuries like kidney damage from rhabdomyolysis
Lost educational opportunity: Tuition for interrupted semesters, lost scholarships
Diminished earning capacity: Reduced lifetime earnings from disability or trauma

Non-Economic Damages (Quality of Life):

Physical pain & suffering: From injuries and medical procedures
Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment: Can no longer participate in sports, activities, normal college life
Reputational harm: Social stigma, difficulty transferring schools

Wrongful Death Damages (When Tragedy Strikes):

Funeral & burial expenses
Loss of financial support: Future earnings the student would have contributed
Loss of companionship & love: For parents and siblings
Emotional suffering: Grief, trauma of losing a child

Punitive Damages (When Conduct is Egregious):

Purpose: Punish especially reckless or malicious behavior
Trigger: Prior warnings ignored, cover-up attempts, extreme cruelty
Texas caps: Generally limited but higher for gross negligence or intentional acts

Our Investigative Process: What Makes Attorney911 Different

Phase 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation (First 72 Hours)

Digital forensic capture of group chats before deletion
Witness interviews while memories are fresh
Medical record collection and expert consultation
Preservation letters to universities and organizations

Phase 2: Pattern Discovery (Weeks 1-4)

Public records requests for prior incidents
National organization document subpoenas
Social media and digital footprint analysis
Expert retention for medical and psychological evaluation

Phase 3: Liability Mapping (Months 1-3)

Identify all potentially liable parties using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
Insurance coverage investigation
University knowledge and response timeline
National organization oversight failures

Phase 4: Strategic Litigation

Demand package with comprehensive evidence
Negotiation with multiple defendants and insurers
Settlement or trial preparation
Ongoing communication with your family at every step

Our approach works because we’ve done it before—against BP in the Texas City explosion, against national trucking companies, and now against universities and fraternities. We know how to investigate institutions because we’ve spent years learning how they hide their negligence.

Practical Guides & FAQs for City of Von Ormy Families

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Actions

Red Flags Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent stories
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Sudden personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
Constant phone monitoring for group chat messages
Financial requests for unexplained “fines” or “required purchases”
Academic performance plummeting
Talking about “just getting through” initiation or “everyone did it before me”

How to Talk to Your Child (Without Confrontation):

“I’m worried about you—you seem exhausted/stressed/in pain. Can we talk?”
“Are the people in [organization] treating you with respect?”
“Have you been asked to do anything that made you uncomfortable?”
“Do you feel like you could leave if you wanted to, or would there be consequences?”
“I love you no matter what. Your safety is all that matters.”

If Your Child Opens Up:

Listen without judgment—this is harder than it sounds
Document everything they tell you (dates, names, details)
Preserve evidence immediately (screenshots, photos)
Get medical attention for any injuries
Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 before taking any other action

For Students: Your Rights & Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Quick Self-Assessment:

Are you being pressured or coerced to do something?
Would you do this if you had real freedom to choose?
Is the activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Are only new members required to do this?
Are you being told to keep secrets or lie about it?

If you answered YES to any, it’s likely hazing. Trust your instincts.

How to Exit Safely:

Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, trusted friend)
Send written notice to chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting”—this is where pressure and retaliation happen
Document any threats or retaliation immediately
Report retaliation to campus police and Dean of Students

Your Legal Rights in Texas:

You cannot be punished for calling 911 in a medical emergency (good-faith immunity)
Consent is not a defense to hazing charges against your abusers
You can request no-contact orders through the university
You have 2 years generally to file a civil lawsuit (but act much faster)

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

MISTAKE #1: Letting Your Child Delete Messages

What happens: Looks like cover-up, destroys best evidence
Better approach: Preserve everything immediately. Our video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs shows proper documentation methods.

MISTAKE #2: Confronting the Fraternity Directly

What happens: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Better approach: Document quietly, then call us. Let professionals handle confrontation.

MISTAKE #3: Signing University “Resolution” Forms

What happens: You may waive legal rights for minimal compensation
Better approach: “I need my attorney to review this first.” Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

MISTAKE #4: Posting on Social Media

What happens: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Better approach: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging.

MISTAKE #5: Waiting for University “Investigation”

What happens: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute clock ticks
Better approach: Parallel action—preserve evidence while university process runs.

MISTAKE #6: Talking to Insurance Adjusters

What happens: Recorded statements used against you; early lowball settlements
Better approach: “My attorney will contact you.” Then call us.

Frequently Asked Questions from Texas Families

“Can we sue a public university like UH or Texas A&M?”
Yes, with specific strategies. Public universities have some sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals personally. We navigate these complexities regularly.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Basic hazing is a misdemeanor, but hazing causing serious bodily injury or death is a state jail felony. Individuals can also face additional charges: assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter in fatal cases.

“My child ‘agreed’ to the initiation—do we have a case?”
Absolutely. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to the hazing activity.” Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t real consent.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from injury or death in Texas, but exceptions exist. The “discovery rule” may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately apparent. More importantly: evidence disappears quickly. Call us immediately, not when the deadline approaches.

“What if it happened off-campus at a private house?”
Location doesn’t matter. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Major cases like Pi Delta Psi (retreat death) and Sigma Pi (off-campus house death) successfully held organizations accountable for off-campus hazing.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We can request sealed court records and confidential settlements. While we can’t guarantee anonymity, we prioritize your family’s privacy throughout the process.

“How much does this cost?”
We work on contingency fee—no upfront costs, no fee unless we win. Watch our video explaining how contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Unmatched Investigative Power

While other firms might take a hazing case, we’ve built something unique: the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, a proprietary system that maps every Greek organization in Texas through:

IRS B83 Database: 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations with EINs, addresses, and legal structures
Texas University Matrix: 96 campuses with their specific Greek ecosystems
Metro Organization Tracking: 1,423 Greek entities across 25 Texas metros
National Pattern Database: Decades of hazing incidents by organization

This means when you call us about a hazing incident at UTSA, Texas A&M, or any Texas campus, we’re not starting from scratch. We already know:

The legal entities behind the Greek letters
Their insurance carriers and coverage likely
Their national hazing history
Prior incidents at that chapter or similar chapters

Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña’s Background):
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers:

Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
Use delay tactics to pressure families
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
Deploy independent medical exams to minimize injuries

When we negotiate your case, we’re not guessing—we know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Institutional Experience (Ralph Manginello’s Background):

BP Texas City Explosion Litigation: One of few Texas firms involved against billion-dollar defendants
Federal Court Admitted: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
HCCLA Membership: Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association signals elite criminal defense capability
25+ Years Practice: Since 1998, with own firm since 2001

We’re not intimidated by national fraternities with unlimited legal budgets or university regents with political power. We’ve faced bigger opponents and won.

Dual Civil/Criminal Capability:

Civil Litigation: Wrongful death, catastrophic injury, institutional negligence
Criminal Defense: Understanding of hazing charges, witness cooperation, plea negotiations
Strategic Integration: How criminal cases affect civil suits and vice versa

This dual capability is critical when hazing involves criminal charges—we can advise on both tracks simultaneously.

Our Results & Approach

Proven Track Record:

Multi-million dollar settlements in complex wrongful death cases
BP Texas City explosion litigation experience
Active hazing litigation (UH Pi Kappa Phi case currently)
Millions recovered for injured Texans

Client-Centered Philosophy:

We listen first: Your story, your concerns, your goals
We educate constantly: You’ll understand every step
We communicate regularly: No black boxes or attorney avoidance
We fight strategically: Not just for settlement, but for accountability

Spanish Language Services:
Hablamos Español. Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish and can consult directly with Spanish-speaking families. Contact him at lupe@atty911.com.

The Attorney911 Difference: Data-Driven, Experience-Backed Hazing Litigation

We Investigate Before We Litigate:
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine means we start with more information than any other firm
We Understand Institutional Psychology:
Years against corporations, insurers, and universities teach how they think, hide, and settle
We Build Comprehensive Cases:
Not just the individuals who hurt your child, but every entity that enabled them
We Prioritize Prevention:
Through settlements that mandate policy changes, training, and transparency
We Maintain Your Privacy:
While pursuing public accountability, we protect your family’s dignity

Call to Action: Your Next Step as a City of Von Ormy Family

If you’re reading this because your child has been hazed—or you suspect they might be—take these three steps right now:

Step 1: Preserve Evidence (Today)

Screenshot group chats, text messages, social media posts
Photograph any injuries from multiple angles
Write down everything you remember (who, what, when, where)
Save physical evidence (clothing, objects, receipts)

Step 2: Get Medical Attention (If Needed)

Even “minor” injuries need documentation
Tell doctors exactly what happened: “This was from hazing”
Request copies of all medical records

Step 3: Call Us for Free Consultation (Within 48 Hours)

Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com (Spanish available)
Website: https://attorney911.com

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We Listen: Tell us what happened without judgment
We Review: Any evidence you’ve preserved
We Explain: Your legal options in plain English
We Strategize: Immediate next steps for your specific situation
You Decide: No pressure to hire us immediately

Why Time Matters:

Group chats get deleted within days
Witnesses get coached on what to say
Universities start internal processes that can compromise evidence
The statute clock is ticking (though you have time, evidence doesn’t)

Serving All Texas Families:

While based in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas including:

Bexar County: City of Von Ormy, San Antonio, Elmendorf, all communities
South Texas: Corpus Christi, Laredo, the Valley
Central Texas: Austin, San Marcos, Waco
North Texas: Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton
East Texas: Beaumont, Port Arthur, Tyler
West Texas: Lubbock, El Paso, Midland

Final Message to City of Von Ormy Parents:

Your child’s safety and future are what matter. The organizations that harmed them are counting on your fear, confusion, and hope that “the university will handle it.” But real accountability—the kind that compensates your family’s losses and prevents this from happening to others—requires experienced, determined legal action.

We’re already fighting this battle for Leonel Bermudez against University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We know how these cases work because we’re living one right now. Don’t let your child become another statistic in a pattern that should have ended years ago.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. Let us help you turn this nightmare into accountability, compensation, and prevention for the next family.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

Click2Houston investigation: 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 to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
Contingency fee explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

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 | Spanish: lupe@atty911.com