The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits & Accountability for Families in Town of Hollywood Park

For parents in Town of Hollywood Park, hearing your child is joining a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or campus organization can bring mixed emotions. You hope they’ll find community, but you worry about the darker side of campus life that rarely makes the orientation brochures. Right now, just a few hours east in Houston, a vivid example is unfolding that shows exactly what can go wrong and how devastating it can be. A student named Leonel Bermudez is fighting for his life and future in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter after hazing left him with rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and permanent health consequences. As attorneys representing Bermudez, we’re seeing firsthand how physical abuse, humiliation, and institutional failures can converge with catastrophic results.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for Hollywood Park families—whether your student attends a local San Antonio campus, heads to a major university across Texas, or participates in any group with initiation traditions. We’ll explain what modern hazing really looks like, how Texas law protects students, where local campuses fit into the statewide picture, and what rights families have when things go wrong. Most importantly, we’ll show you how to recognize danger signs, take immediate action, and seek accountability when hazing crosses the line from “tradition” to abuse.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES IN HOLLYWOOD PARK

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

Understanding Hazing in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For Hollywood Park families, it’s crucial to recognize that hazing has evolved far beyond the outdated images of simple pranks or harmless initiation. Modern hazing is sophisticated, often digitally coordinated, and carefully disguised to avoid detection. The Bermudez case at University of Houston demonstrates this evolution with disturbing clarity: mandatory “pledge fanny packs” containing humiliating items, scheduled “study blocks” that were actually psychological intimidation sessions, and extreme physical workouts that crossed into medical danger.

Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – These behaviors establish power imbalances while maintaining plausible deniability. Examples include:

• 24/7 group chat monitoring requiring immediate responses
• Mandatory chauffeuring of older members at all hours
• “Voluntary” events that carry social consequences for non-attendance
• Geographic tracking through shared location apps
• Social media policing of what pledges can post or share

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – These actions cause measurable discomfort and distress:

• Sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings” or 3 AM wake-up calls
• Food/water manipulation, including forced consumption of unpleasant substances
• Public humiliation through degrading costumes or performances
• Extreme physical “conditioning” under the guise of fitness
• Verbal abuse and psychological intimidation during “interview” sessions

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – These activities carry high risk of severe injury or death, exactly as seen in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case:

• Forced alcohol consumption through drinking games or “lineups”
• Physical beatings, paddling, or endurance “tests” that cause injury
  0- Sexualized degradation including forced nudity or simulated acts
• Dangerous environments like extreme cold exposure or chemical exposure
• Coerced drug use or consumption of harmful substances

The transition from subtle to violent hazing often happens rapidly, as evidenced by Bermudez’s experience: what began with mandatory fanny packs and dress codes escalated within weeks to being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and 100+ push-up/500-squat workouts that triggered kidney failure.

Texas Hazing Law: Your Child’s Legal Protections

Under Texas law—which governs all hazing incidents involving Hollywood Park students at Texas universities—hazing is defined broadly and treated seriously. The Texas Education Code Chapter 37, which applies to every campus from San Antonio to College Station, provides clear legal frameworks that families should understand.

Criminal Hazing Penalties in Texas

Texas law classifies hazing offenses with escalating severity:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Basic 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 – exactly the category that applies to cases like Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

Importantly, consent is not a defense under Texas law. Section 37.155 explicitly states that a student’s agreement to participate in hazing activities does not excuse the conduct. This legal principle recognizes the power imbalances and social pressures inherent in pledge situations.

Organizational Liability and Reporting Requirements

Texas law holds organizations accountable alongside individuals:

• Fraternities, sororities, and other groups can face fines up to $10,000 per violation
• Officers who fail to report hazing they knew about face criminal charges
• Good-faith reporters receive immunity protection, encouraging witnesses to come forward

For Hollywood Park families, this means multiple entities may share liability: individual perpetrators, local chapters, national headquarters, and potentially the universities themselves.

Federal Law Overlays

Several federal frameworks intersect with Texas hazing law:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report incidents transparently, strengthen prevention programs, and maintain public hazing data by 2026
• Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, additional federal protections and reporting requirements apply
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain campus crimes that often overlap with hazing incidents

The National Landscape: Lessons from Major Hazing Cases

The Bermudez case at University of Houston isn’t an isolated incident—it’s part of a national pattern that has shaped legal precedents and prevention efforts. Understanding these cases helps Hollywood Park families recognize patterns and appreciate the stakes involved.

Alcohol Hazing Deaths: A Repeating Tragedy

Several landmark cases demonstrate how forced drinking rituals follow similar scripts:

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021): Pi Kappa Alpha pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night; died from alcohol poisoning. Result: $10 million settlement ($7M from national fraternity, $3M from university) and criminal convictions.
• Max Gruver – LSU (2017): Phi Delta Theta pledge died during “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Result: $6.1 million verdict and Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act strengthening anti-hazing laws.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (2017): Pi Kappa Phi pledge given handle of liquor during “Big Brother” night; died from alcohol poisoning. Result: temporary Greek system suspension and policy overhaul at FSU.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College (2013): Pi Delta Psi pledge died during violent “glass ceiling” ritual at remote retreat. Result: national fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
• Danny Santulli – University of Missouri (2021): Phi Gamma Delta pledge suffered permanent brain damage from forced drinking during “pledge dad reveal.” Result: settlements with 22 defendants totaling millions for lifelong care.

Athletic and Program Hazing

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Systemic sexualized and racist hazing allegations led to multiple lawsuits, coach termination, and confidential settlements.
• Texas A&M Corps of Cadets (2023): Cadet alleged “roasted pig” bondage hazing with apple in mouth, seeking over $1 million in damages.

These national precedents matter for Hollywood Park families because they establish patterns that courts recognize. When the same fraternities, the same rituals, and the same excuses appear in Texas cases, prior incidents become powerful evidence of foreseeability and negligence.

Texas University Focus: Where Hollywood Park Students Attend

Hollywood Park families typically have students attending institutions across the educational spectrum, from local San Antonio campuses to major universities statewide. This geographic spread means understanding hazing risks requires looking at multiple educational environments.

Local San Antonio Campuses (Within Bexar County)

Several universities with active Greek life operate within minutes of Hollywood Park:

University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA): As San Antonio’s largest public university, UTSA hosts multiple fraternities and sororities across its councils. The campus’s growth has included expansion of Greek life, with corresponding need for vigilance around initiation practices.

St. Mary’s University: This private Catholic institution maintains traditional Greek organizations alongside its religious identity. Smaller campus size doesn’t eliminate hazing risks—sometimes it intensifies them through tighter social circles.

Trinity University: With prestigious academic reputation and selective admissions, Trinity’s Greek system operates within a high-achieving environment where pressure to belong can be particularly intense.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio: As part of the Texas A&M system, this campus extends both the traditions and the responsibilities of its flagship counterpart to the San Antonio area.

Major Statewide Universities (Common Destinations)

Many Hollywood Park students attend larger institutions beyond Bexar County:

University of Texas at Austin: With approximately 60 Greek chapters, UT Austin represents one of Texas’s largest and most complex Greek ecosystems. The university maintains a public hazing violations log that reveals ongoing issues despite prevention efforts.

Texas A&M University: Beyond traditional fraternities and sororities, Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets represents a unique hazing risk environment with military-style traditions and disciplinary structures.

University of Houston: The site of our active Bermudez litigation, UH demonstrates how urban commuter campuses still face significant hazing challenges, particularly in off-campus housing and remote event locations.

Baylor University: As a private Christian institution, Baylor’s Greek life operates within religious parameters but still experiences hazing incidents, including documented cases within athletic programs.

Texas State University: Located in San Marcos, Texas State’s Greek system has faced multiple hazing investigations and suspensions in recent years.

The San Antonio Greek Ecosystem: What Hollywood Park Families Should Know

According to our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary database tracking Greek organizations across the state—the San Antonio metropolitan area contains 86 fraternity, sorority, and related Greek organizations registered in public filings. These entities represent everything from undergraduate chapters to alumni associations to housing corporations.

Public Records Directory: Greek Organizations Serving Hollywood Park Families

Through IRS B83 filings and Cause IQ data, we maintain records on organizations operating in and around the San Antonio area. This investigative work helps us identify all potentially liable entities when hazing occurs. Examples from public records include:

• Xi Omicron Iota House Association (ΩΧΟ) – San Antonio, TX (Trinity University)
• Alpha Lambda Chapter of Sigma Chi – San Antonio, TX (Trinity University)
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – San Antonio Alumnae – San Antonio, TX
• Kappa Alpha Psi – San Antonio Alumni – San Antonio, TX
• Sigma Chi Fraternity – Zeta Pi (TAMUK) – Kingsville, TX
• Alpha Sigma Phi – Iota Phi Chapter – Corpus Christi, TX (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi)

These organizations, and dozens like them, maintain legal structures, insurance policies, and liability exposures that become crucial when investigating hazing incidents affecting Hollywood Park students.

National Brands with Local Presence

Several national fraternities and sororities maintain cross-validated presence in both IRS records and local chapter operations:

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority: Appears in IRS filings and has active chapters at multiple Texas campuses
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity: Maintains alumni and undergraduate chapters throughout Texas
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society: Academic honor society with chapters at nearly every major Texas university

This brand overlap demonstrates how national organizations maintain complex networks of legal entities across Texas—networks that experienced hazing attorneys must navigate when building comprehensive cases.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Realistic Expectations

When Hollywood Park families face hazing situations, understanding the legal process helps manage expectations and make informed decisions. Our approach, honed through cases like Bermudez’s and other complex institutional litigation, follows a strategic pathway designed to secure accountability and appropriate compensation.

Critical Evidence Categories

Modern hazing cases rely heavily on digital evidence, which is why immediate preservation is essential:

Group Communications: WhatsApp, GroupMe, iMessage, Discord, and fraternity-specific apps contain planning discussions, admission of guilt, and real-time accounts of incidents. In the Bermudez case, communications about “pledge fanny packs” and workout schedules helped establish pattern and intent.

Social Media Documentation: Instagram stories, Snapchat posts, TikTok videos, and Facebook content often capture hazing in progress or its immediate aftermath. Even deleted content can sometimes be recovered through digital forensics.

Medical Records: Comprehensive documentation is crucial, especially for conditions like rhabdomyolysis where lab values (creatine kinase levels) prove severity and causation. Bermudez’s hospital records showing acute kidney failure became central evidence.

Internal Organizational Documents: Pledge manuals, risk management policies, meeting minutes, and national fraternity communications can establish what an organization knew and when they knew it.

University Records: Prior disciplinary actions, campus police reports, and conduct office files demonstrate patterns and institutional knowledge.

Damages and Compensation Framework

In hazing cases, families may seek several categories of damages:

Economic Damages:

• Current and future medical expenses (emergency care, hospitalization, ongoing treatment)
• Lost educational costs (withdrawn semesters, transferred credits)
• Reduced future earning capacity (for permanent injuries)

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, PTSD, and psychological trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life and educational experience

Wrongful Death Damages (when applicable):

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of companionship and support
• Emotional harm to family members

Punitive Damages: In cases involving particularly reckless or malicious conduct, courts may award additional damages to punish defendants and deter future behavior.

The Bermudez case seeks over $10 million in damages, reflecting the severity of his injuries and the egregious nature of the alleged hazing.

Strategic Considerations for Hollywood Park Families

Jurisdiction and Venue: Depending on where hazing occurred and which entities are involved, cases might be filed in county, district, or federal courts. For Hollywood Park families with students at San Antonio institutions, Bexar County courts would typically have jurisdiction.

Multiple Defendants: Effective hazing litigation often involves suing multiple parties: individual perpetrators, local chapters, national organizations, housing corporations, and sometimes universities themselves. Each defendant may have different insurance coverage and liability arguments.

Insurance Coverage Battles: Fraternity and university insurers frequently argue that hazing constitutes “intentional conduct” excluded from coverage. Our experience as former insurance defense attorneys gives us unique insight into these arguments and how to overcome them.

Statute of Limitations: Texas generally provides two years from the date of injury to file hazing lawsuits, but exceptions and complexities can apply. Immediate consultation preserves all options.

Practical Guidance for Hollywood Park Parents and Students

Warning Signs Every Parent Should Recognize

Hazing often manifests through subtle changes before escalating to visible harm:

Physical Indicators:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme fatigue beyond normal academic stress
• Sudden weight changes or eating pattern disruptions
• Signs of alcohol or substance use in previously abstinent students

Behavioral and Emotional Changes:

• Increased secrecy about organizational activities
• Withdrawal from family and non-group friends
• Personality shifts toward anxiety, depression, or irritability
• Defensive reactions to questions about the organization
• Constant phone vigilance for group messages

Academic and Financial Red Flags:

• Sudden grade declines or missed classes
• Unexplained expenses for “organizational requirements”
• Requests for money without clear purposes

Digital Behavior Patterns:

• 24/7 group chat participation expectations
• Geo-location sharing requirements
• Social media content policing by older members

If You Suspect Hazing: Immediate Action Steps

1. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911 or campus police
2. Document Everything: Take photos, screenshot messages, preserve physical evidence
3. Seek Medical Attention: Even without visible injury, psychological trauma requires documentation
4. Contact an Attorney: Early legal guidance prevents critical missteps
5. Report Strategically: Consider timing and method of university reporting with legal counsel

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm Your Case

Through handling numerous hazing cases, we’ve identified common errors families make:

Destroying Evidence: Deleting messages or “cleaning up” social media can appear as obstruction and eliminates crucial proof

Premature Confrontations: Directly confronting organizations gives them time to coordinate stories and destroy evidence

Signing University Agreements: Initial settlement offers often fall far below case value and may include problematic release terms

Public Social Media Posts: Defense attorneys monitor social media for inconsistencies and admissions

Delay in Legal Consultation: Evidence disappears, memories fade, and statutes of limitations run while families “wait and see”

Why Attorney911 for Hollywood Park Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury attorney. You need lawyers who understand how universities, national fraternities, and their insurers fight these cases—and how to win anyway. Our unique qualifications make us particularly suited to handle the complex hazing litigation that Hollywood Park families may face.

Insurance Insider Advantage

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

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

This insider perspective means we anticipate defense strategies before they’re deployed and counter them effectively.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience

Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation demonstrates our capability against massive institutional defendants. Universities and national fraternities have unlimited legal budgets and experienced defense teams—we’ve faced similar opponents before and understand how to level the playing field through thorough investigation and strategic litigation.

Multi-Million Dollar Results in Catastrophic Cases

Our track record includes substantial recoveries in wrongful death and severe injury cases. We understand how to work with economists, life care planners, and medical experts to build comprehensive damage models that reflect true lifetime impacts, not just immediate expenses.

Hazing-Specific Investigation Capabilities

Through cases like Bermudez’s, we’ve developed specialized investigative approaches for hazing litigation:

• Digital forensics to recover deleted messages and social media content
• Public records research to identify all potentially liable entities
• Pattern evidence compilation showing organizational knowledge of risks
• Expert networks including Greek life culture specialists and trauma psychologists

Dual Criminal/Civil Understanding

Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association means we understand how criminal hazing charges intersect with civil litigation. This is crucial when:

• Advising families about parallel criminal proceedings
• Representing witnesses with potential exposure
• Navigating plea agreements that might affect civil cases
• Understanding sentencing dynamics in hazing prosecutions

Geographic Knowledge and Accessibility

While based in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas, including Hollywood Park and the greater San Antonio region. We understand the specific dynamics of Texas universities, the nuances of different campus cultures, and the practical realities of pursuing claims across multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps: Confidential Consultation for Hollywood Park Families

If hazing has affected your family, whether through immediate injury or concerning patterns you’ve observed, we encourage you to seek experienced legal guidance. The earlier we become involved, the more effectively we can protect evidence, navigate institutional responses, and preserve all legal options.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911, you’ll receive:

1. Compassionate Listening: We understand this is emotionally difficult. We’ll listen to your story without judgment and answer your questions patiently.

2. Preliminary Case Assessment: Based on the information you provide, we’ll explain potential legal theories, liable parties, and realistic expectations.

3. Evidence Preservation Guidance: We’ll advise on immediate steps to protect digital evidence, document injuries, and avoid common mistakes.

4. Strategic Options Review: We’ll outline potential pathways, from informal resolution to litigation, with honest discussion of pros and cons for each.

5. Clear Fee Explanation: We work on contingency—you pay no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

6. No Pressure Commitment: Take time to consider your options. We never pressure families to make immediate decisions.

Contact Information for Hollywood Park Families

Attorney911 / The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
Legal Emergency Lawyers™

24/7 Crisis Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)

Direct Phone: (713) 528-9070

Cell: (713) 443-4781

Website: https://attorney911.com

Email: ralph@atty911.com | lupe@atty911.com

Spanish Services Available: Mr. Lupe Peña provides consultations in Spanish – lupe@atty911.com

Serving Hollywood Park and All Texas Communities

Conclusion: Knowledge, Preparation, and Protection

For Hollywood Park families, the college experience should represent opportunity, growth, and safe exploration—not hidden dangers in initiation rituals. By understanding what modern hazing looks like, knowing Texas legal protections, recognizing warning signs, and having experienced counsel available, you can better protect your student while still supporting their campus involvement.

The Bermudez case at University of Houston reminds us that serious hazing continues to occur at Texas institutions, with life-altering consequences. But it also demonstrates that accountability is possible when families have proper legal representation and institutions face consequences for failing their duty of care.

Whether your student attends a local San Antonio campus or a university across Texas, remember that early intervention saves evidence, preserves options, and sometimes saves lives. Trust your instincts when something seems wrong, document concerning patterns, and seek experienced guidance before critical evidence disappears.

To Hollywood Park families navigating these difficult situations: You don’t have to face institutional bureaucracies and insurance defenses alone. We’re here to help you secure answers, obtain accountability, and ensure what happened to your student never happens to anyone else.

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