Hazing at Texas Universities: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for Town of Douglassville Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Have Rights

Imagine your child, eager to belong and build a future, arrives at their Texas university. They join a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or athletic team, hoping for friendship and tradition. Then, the calls home change. They sound exhausted, secretive, or scared. You notice unexplained injuries or a personality dimmed by anxiety. When you finally learn the truth—that your child was forced through dangerous, degrading rituals as a condition of membership—the shock turns to rage, then a desperate need for answers and accountability. For families in Town of Douglassville and across Cass County, this nightmare is not hypothetical. It is happening right now at campuses across Texas, and the law provides a path to justice.

Right now, our firm is leading one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas: the $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston (UH), the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. This case, filed in late 2025, alleges a campaign of brutal abuse that left Bermudez with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospitalization and ongoing risk of permanent damage. The hazing included forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme physical workouts, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and carrying a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” at all times. This is not an isolated incident from a bygone era; it is proof of the severe, ongoing hazing crisis facing Texas students and their families.

This guide is written specifically for parents and families in Town of Douglassville, Atlanta, Linden, and throughout Cass County. Whether your child attends a major university hours away or a regional campus closer to home, you deserve to know what hazing looks like today, what the law says, and how to protect your child’s rights. We will explain the legal frameworks, detail incidents at Texas universities, and show how national fraternity patterns create foreseeable danger. Most importantly, we will outline the actionable steps you can take toward accountability and recovery.

Immediate Help for a Hazing Emergency

If your child is in danger or seriously injured RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for immediate medical assistance.
• Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We provide immediate legal guidance for crises.

In the First 48 Hours – Critical Steps:

1. Get Medical Care: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” seek a professional medical evaluation. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) may not show symptoms immediately.
2. Preserve Evidence: This is the most critical non-medical step.
   • Screenshot everything: Group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), text messages, DMs, and social media posts. Capture full threads with timestamps and names.
   • Photograph Injuries: Take clear, dated photos of any bruises, burns, or marks from multiple angles.
   • Save Physical Items: Do not wash clothing worn during the incident; preserve any objects used (like paddles).
   • Write It Down: Have your child privately write a detailed account of what happened, including names, dates, times, and locations.
3. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
   • Sign any documents from the university or an insurance company.
   • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” their social media.
   • Post details about the incident online.
4. Contact a Hazing Attorney: Evidence disappears quickly. Universities and organizations move fast to control the narrative. We can help secure evidence and protect your child’s rights from the start. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025

Hazing is no longer just about “pranks” or “rough tradition.” It is a spectrum of calculated abuse designed to test loyalty through humiliation, exhaustion, and danger. For Texas families, understanding its modern forms is the first step to recognizing it.

Texas law (Education Code Chapter 37) defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership that endangers the student’s mental or physical health or safety. Crucially, the victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

1. Subtle Hazing: Behaviors that emphasize power imbalance and set the stage for worse.

• Mandated Servitude: Being on-call 24/7 as a designated driver, for cleaning duties, or personal errands for older members.
• Social Isolation & Control: Being told they cannot socialize with non-members or family without permission.
• Psychological Manipulation: “Deception oaths” forcing them to lie to parents or administrators; being assigned derogatory nicknames.
• Digital Control: Required to respond instantly to group chats at all hours; forced to share live location via apps.

2. Harassment Hazing: Acts that cause emotional or physical discomfort and create an abusive environment.

• Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory late-night or early-morning “meetings,” workouts, or tasks.
• Forced Consumption: Eating excessive amounts of bland food (milk, hot dogs, raw onions) or unpleasant substances until ill.
• Public Humiliation: Forced to wear degrading costumes, perform embarrassing acts in public, or endure “roasting” sessions.
• Extreme Calisthenics: “Smokings” or punitive workouts (hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits to collapse) disguised as “conditioning.”

3. Violent Hazing: Activities with a high potential for catastrophic injury or death. This is what happened to Leonel Bermudez at UH.

• Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: The most common fatal hazing method. This includes “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, and trivia games where wrong answers mandate drinking.
• Physical Beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking, or “tackle” rituals like the “glass ceiling” exercise that killed Chun “Michael” Deng.
• Sexualized Assault: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (e.g., “elephant walk”), or sexual coercion.
• Dangerous Exposure: Being locked in freezing rooms, left outside in extreme weather, or subjected to chemical exposure (like the industrial cleaner that caused severe burns at Texas A&M).
• Kidnapping & Restraint: Being blindfolded, transported to unknown locations, or tied up.

For families in Town of Douglassville, the distance to major campuses doesn’t lessen the risk. Hazing persists because it thrives on secrecy, tradition, and the profound human desire to belong. The organizations know it’s illegal, so they’ve become sophisticated at hiding it, often moving activities off-campus to private houses or remote retreats.

Texas Hazing Law & Legal Liability: A Town of Douglassville Primer

Texas has specific laws criminalizing hazing and establishing civil liability. Understanding this framework is essential for families seeking justice.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership.
• Criminal Penalties:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death (like rhabdomyolysis leading to kidney failure).
  • It is also a crime for an officer or member to fail to report hazing they are aware of.
• Key Protections:
  • Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): Even if your child “went along with it,” it is still a crime.
  • Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§37.154): Individuals who report hazing or call for medical help in an emergency are generally protected from liability.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Case: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aims to punish with jail, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and family. Aims to secure compensation for damages and force institutional change. This is where we hold every responsible party accountable.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation identifies all potential defendants, which often includes:

1. The Individuals Who Committed the Acts: Members who planned, executed, or facilitated the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As an organization, for authorizing or failing to stop the conduct.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority: Headquarters can be liable if they knew or should have known about dangerous patterns (which they almost always do) and failed to adequately supervise or intervene. Their insurance policies are often a primary source of recovery.
4. The University: Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have a legal duty to protect students. They can be liable for “deliberate indifference” if they knew of a substantial risk and failed to act. Private schools like SMU and Baylor have similar duties.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, alumni advisors, or property owners who allowed hazing to occur on their premises.

Federal Laws That Apply

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires universities receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, additional federal claims and university obligations are triggered.
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes, including assaults that often occur during hazing.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases below are not just news stories; they are legal precedents that show how courts and juries view hazing. They prove that institutions are held accountable and that families can achieve justice. These same national organizations have chapters at Texas schools.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. Result: 18 members charged, multi-million-dollar civil settlements, and a new Pennsylvania law.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died during a “Bible study” drinking game. Result: Felony convictions, the “Max Gruver Act” in Louisiana, and a $6.1 million verdict against the fraternity.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. Result: $10 million in total settlements ($7M from Pike national, $3M from BGSU), criminal convictions, and the chapter president being held personally liable for $6.5 million.

The Physical & Ritualized Violence Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackling ritual at a retreat. Result: The national fraternity was criminally convicted of assault and manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

The Athletic Program Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread alleged sexualized and racist hazing led to numerous lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements, proving hazing is not limited to Greek life.

What This Means for Town of Douglassville Families: These cases create a roadmap. They show that national fraternities have unmistakable patterns of conduct. When a Texas chapter repeats these patterns—forced drinking, violent rituals, cover-ups—it demonstrates foreseeability. This is a powerful legal concept that helps defeat defenses like “we didn’t know this could happen.”

Hazing at Texas Universities: A Guide for Cass County Families

Families in Town of Douglassville and Cass County often send students to a mix of regional universities and the state’s flagship campuses. Understanding the landscape at these schools is critical.

A Note for Town of Douglassville Parents: Where Your Students May Be

Students from our area attend institutions across Texas. Common destinations include:

• Regional/Northeast Texas Campuses: Texas A&M University-Commerce (in Hunt County, ~90 minutes away), University of Texas at Tyler (in Smith County, ~1.5 hours away), and Texarkana College.
• Major Statewide Universities: The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University in College Station, the University of Houston, and others, where many Cass County students pursue degrees.

The following overview covers major Texas schools to provide a complete picture for all Texas families.

University of Houston (UH) – The Site of Our Active $10M Lawsuit

• The Bermudez Case: This ongoing lawsuit is the definitive example of severe hazing at a Texas public university in 2025. Leonel Bermudez, a UH student and Pi Kappa Phi pledge, suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after enduring forced overeating, extreme workouts, hose spraying, and psychological torment. The chapter was swiftly suspended and then voted to surrender its charter. We represent Bermudez in seeking accountability from UH, Pi Kappa Phi nationals, the housing corporation, and 13 individual members.
• Prior History: UH has faced other serious incidents, including a 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case where a pledge suffered a lacerated spleen.
• For UH Families: Evidence collection is paramount. Hazing often occurs at the chapter house (on-campus), at off-campus residences like the one on Culmore Drive involved in Bermudez’s case, or at parks like Yellowstone Boulevard Park. Reporting should go to UHPD and the Dean of Students, but legal counsel should be involved early to navigate the university’s response.

Texas A&M University – Corps Culture and Greek Life

• Corps of Cadets Hazing: In a notorious 2023 lawsuit, a cadet alleged being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth and subjected to other degrading acts. The case sought over $1 million and highlighted the unique hazing risks within the Corps tradition.
• Fraternity Hazing: In 2021, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) pledges allegedly had an industrial-strength cleaner poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The pledges filed a $1 million lawsuit, and the chapter was suspended.
• For Texas A&M Families: Hazing risks exist in both the highly traditional Corps of Cadets and the extensive Greek system. The university’s public statements often emphasize internal discipline, making independent legal investigation crucial.

University of Texas at Austin – Public Records & Repeating Violations

• Public Transparency: UT maintains a public online log of hazing violations, offering a window into ongoing issues.
• Documented Incidents: The log includes cases like the 2023 Pi Kappa Alpha chapter sanctioned for forcing new members to drink milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Other spirit groups and fraternities have been sanctioned for forced drinking, sleep deprivation, and physical abuse.
• Recent SAE Incident (2024): An Australian exchange student sued the UT SAE chapter for over $1 million after allegedly being assaulted at a party, suffering a broken nose, dislocated leg, and fractures.
• For UT Austin Families: The public violation log is a double-edged sword—it shows patterns that can help your case, but also demonstrates that sanctions alone do not stop hazing. Legal action is often necessary to force real change.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

• SMU: As a private university with a affluent student body and strong Greek life, hazing incidents often result in private disciplinary action. Past incidents have included Kappa Alpha Order chapters facing suspension for paddling and forced drinking.
• Baylor: The university’s history with institutional failure regarding student safety (evident in past athletic scandals) informs the hazing context. The baseball team faced a 2020 hazing investigation resulting in multiple player suspensions.
• For SMU & Baylor Families: Private universities often handle complaints through internal channels that prioritize institutional reputation. An experienced attorney is essential to ensure transparency and secure evidence through the legal discovery process.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

The fraternities and sororities on Texas campuses are chapters of national organizations. These nationals have extensive, documented histories of hazing deaths and injuries across the country—knowledge that becomes central to proving liability.

Why National History is Legally Crucial: Courts can find that a national organization had “prior notice” or “foreseeability” that its chapters would engage in dangerous hazing. If they knew these patterns and failed to take effective, preventative action, they can be held negligent.

A Sample of Nationals with Documented, Dangerous Patterns:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (“Pike”): Stone Foltz death (BGSU, 2021). Multiple other alcohol-poisoning deaths and injuries nationwide. Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, Baylor.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Carson Starkey death (Cal Poly, 2008); traumatic brain injury lawsuit (Alabama, 2023); chemical burn lawsuit (Texas A&M, 2021); assault lawsuit (UT Austin, 2024). One of the most frequently cited nationals for hazing.
• Pi Kappa Phi: Andrew Coffey death (Florida State, 2017). Now the subject of our major active lawsuit at UH involving Leonel Bermudez.
• Phi Delta Theta: Max Gruver death (LSU, 2017), leading to felony hazing law in Louisiana.
• Beta Theta Pi: Timothy Piazza death (Penn State, 2017), one of the most prosecuted hazing cases in history.

For Cass County Parents: When an incident involves a chapter of these nationals, our investigation immediately subpoenas the national headquarters for their “risk management” files, prior incident reports for this chapter and others, and internal communications. This pattern evidence is devastating to their defense.

Building a Serious Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

At The Manginello Law Firm, we treat hazing cases as complex institutional litigation. We deploy the same investigative rigor and strategic depth we used in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—because universities and national fraternities are billion-dollar entities with powerful defense teams.

Our Investigative Engine: The Texas Hazing Intelligence

We maintain a proprietary database built from public records to map the Greek ecosystem in Texas. This means we don’t start from scratch. For families in Town of Douglassville, this translates to immediate action. For example, we can identify related entities that may share liability:

A Snapshot of Greek Organizations in Texas (From Public Records):

• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation, EIN 37-1768785, Missouri City, TX 77459
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 74-6084905, Houston, TX 77204
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc, EIN 27-3662583, Lufkin, TX 75904
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Chapter 158, University of Texas at El Paso, EIN 38-3742830

This is just a fraction of over 1,400 Greek-related entities we track across 25 Texas metros. This data helps us quickly identify all potential defendants and insurance sources.

Critical Evidence We Secure

1. Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text messages; social media archives; location data.
2. Internal Chapter Records: Pledge manuals, meeting minutes, “big brother” assignments, financial records for alcohol purchases.
3. National Fraternity Files: Prior incident reports, insurance policies, communication with the chapter.
4. University Records: Previous disciplinary actions against the group, Clery Act reports, internal investigation files obtained through discovery.
5. Medical Evidence: ER records, lab results (like creatine kinase levels proving rhabdomyolysis), psychological evaluations for PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Types of Damages We Fight to Recover

• Economic: All medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, cost of therapy, diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic: Physical pain, emotional trauma, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death (when applicable): Funeral costs, loss of companionship and financial support, grief and suffering of the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly egregious or reckless conduct, to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Town of Douglassville Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Red Flags Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight change.
• Sudden secrecy about group activities, new vocabulary, or evasiveness.
• Personality changes: increased anxiety, depression, or withdrawal.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Requests for unusual amounts of money for “fines,” “dues,” or alcohol.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’ve noticed you’re exhausted. Is everything okay with your [fraternity/team]?” “Are you ever asked to do things that make you uncomfortable?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If they are injured or intoxicated, get medical help immediately.
3. Preserve Evidence: Follow the 48-hour checklist at the top of this guide.
4. Contact Us Before Contacting the University: Let us guide you on how to engage with the school to protect your child’s rights and the integrity of the evidence.

For Students: Is This Hazing? Your Rights.

• The Test: Are you being pressured to do something dangerous, degrading, or illegal to belong? Would you do it if you truly had a free choice? If the answer is no, it’s hazing.
• You Have the Right:
  • To say no.
  • To leave and quit the organization at any time.
  • To report what happened without fear of retaliation (protected by Texas law).
  • To call 911 in a medical emergency without getting in trouble (good-faith immunity).
• How to Exit Safely: Tell a trusted person first (parent, RA, friend). Notify the chapter president in writing (text/email) that you are resigning. Do not go to a “final meeting” alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we sue the university?
A: Yes, under specific legal theories. Public universities have some immunity, but not for “deliberate indifference” to known dangers. Private universities can also be sued. Our case against the University of Houston is a prime example.

Q: What if it happened off-campus?
A: Location does not matter. Liability is based on the relationship and control the organization and university have over the activity and its members. The Pi Delta Psi case that resulted in a death at a Pennsylvania retreat proved this.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, complexities can affect this. Do not wait. Evidence vanishes and memories fade.

Q: Will our case be public?
A: Most civil cases settle confidentially before a public trial. We always prioritize our clients’ privacy and will seek sealed records and confidential settlement terms.

Q: What does it cost to hire you?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. This means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you through a settlement or verdict.

Why The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case

When your family is facing a hazing crisis, you need advocates who are not intimidated by powerful institutions and who understand the unique mechanics of these cases. We are Texas-based hazing litigation specialists serving families in Town of Douglassville, Cass County, and across the state.

Our Proven Advantages in Hazing Litigation

1. Insider Insurance Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers lowball claims, fight coverage, and drag out cases. We use their playbook against them.
2. Experience Against Giants: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have no fear taking on billion-dollar universities and national fraternities with deep-pocketed defense teams.
3. Active, High-Stakes Litigation: We are not theorists. We are currently leading the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit—a major, active Texas hazing case. We are in the fight right now.
4. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal side of hazing investigations, which often runs parallel to civil cases.
5. Data-Driven Investigation: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—tracking over 1,400 Greek entities—means we begin every case with a map of potential liability and insurance sources that other firms must spend months building.
6. Compassionate, Client-Centered Advocacy: We guide families through this trauma with clarity and empathy. We handle the legal battle so you can focus on healing.

We Serve Families Throughout Texas

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we represent hazing victims and their families across Texas. Whether your child was injured at a university in East Texas, North Texas, or anywhere in between, we have the resources and expertise to help.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has harmed your child, you do not have to navigate this alone. The organizations involved will have lawyers from day one. You should too.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today.

• Call our 24/7 line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Spanish Services Available: Hablamos Español. Contact Mr. Lupe Peña directly.

In your free, confidential consultation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Explain your legal rights and options clearly.
• Discuss the investigation process and what to expect.
• Answer your questions about timelines and costs.

We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. Let us help you turn this crisis into a pursuit of accountability, recovery, and prevention for others.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is fact-specific, and outcomes depend on the unique circumstances, evidence, and applicable law. If you believe you have a hazing case, please contact us or another qualified attorney for a consultation regarding your specific situation.