The Complete Cedar Hill Family Guide to Hazing, Texas Law, and Holding Universities & Fraternities Accountable

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

For parents in Cedar Hill, the moment your child leaves for college is filled with pride and hope. You imagine them building a future at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, the University of Houston, Southern Methodist University, Baylor University, or any of the excellent schools across our state. The last thing you expect is a call that they’ve been hospitalized because of a fraternity, sorority, Corps of Cadets, or athletic team “tradition.”

Right now, in our own state, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who was hazed by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. What began as a fall 2025 pledge period turned into a nightmare of forced labor, humiliation, and violence that nearly cost him his life. The alleged hazing included wearing a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7, enduring hours-long workouts, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of food until vomiting, and a brutal November 3rd session of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats. The result? Leonel developed rhabdomyolysis—severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown, he couldn’t stand without help, and he was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels, facing ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This is not an isolated incident from some distant state. This happened at the University of Houston, just hours from Cedar Hill. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended on November 6, 2025, and its members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. The university called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” We filed a $10 million lawsuit against UH, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the chapter’s housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

If you are a Cedar Hill parent whose child has been hurt by hazing, this guide is for you. We will explain what hazing really looks like today, your legal rights under Texas law, what has happened at major Texas universities, and how experienced legal counsel can help your family find answers, accountability, and justice.

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:

1. Get medical attention immediately, even if your child insists they are “fine”
2. Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
   • Screenshot group chats, texts, and DMs immediately
   • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
   • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects used)
3. Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity/sorority directly
   • Sign anything from the university or an 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. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Understanding Hazing in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or “harmless pranks.” Under Texas law, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership in any organization. For Cedar Hill families, it’s critical to recognize that hazing evolves. It’s not just about paddling; it’s about digital control, psychological coercion, and activities disguised as “team building.”

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

1. Subtle Hazing: Behaviors that emphasize power imbalance but are often dismissed as tradition.

• Deception & Secrecy: Being told to lie to parents or the university.
• Servitude: Acting as a 24/7 designated driver, cleaning rooms, or running errands for older members.
• Social Control: Required attendance at events that interfere with academics or sleep.
• Digital Monitoring: Being required to respond instantly to group chats at all hours or share live location.

2. Harassment Hazing: Actions that cause emotional or physical discomfort.

• Verbal Abuse: Yelling, screaming, and degrading language.
• Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory late-night “meetings” or 3 AM wake-up calls.
• Forced Consumption: Eating excessive amounts of bland food (milk, bread) or unpleasant substances.
• Extreme Calisthenics: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups, squats, or wall sits until collapse.
• Public Humiliation: Performing embarrassing acts in public or on social media.

3. Violent Hazing: Activities with high potential for severe injury or death.

• Forced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights, “Bible study” drinking games, lineups, keg stands.
• Physical Beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking, or “branding.”
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault.
• Dangerous “Tests”: “Glass ceiling” tackling rituals, blindfolded challenges, forced fights.
• Kidnapping & Restraint: Being taken to remote locations or tied up.

For parents, the warning signs can be subtle: unexplained injuries or bruises, extreme fatigue, sudden secrecy about organization activities, withdrawal from family and old friends, personality changes like anxiety or irritability, drops in academic performance, and constant, anxious phone use to monitor group chats.

Texas Hazing Law & Your Family’s Rights: A Plain-English Guide

As a Cedar Hill family, the laws that protect your child are found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37. Understanding them is your first step toward accountability.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37: The Key Provisions

§ 37.151 – Definition of Hazing: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers their mental or physical health and occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in a student organization.

• Plain English: If someone makes your child do something dangerous or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk, that’s hazing. It can be mental or physical harm, and location doesn’t matter.

§ 37.152 – Criminal Penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days in jail, fine up to $2,000).
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes an injury requiring medical treatment.
• State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.

§ 37.155 – Consent is NOT a Defense: This is critical. It is not a defense that the person being hazed consented to the activity. The law recognizes that “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance is not true voluntary consent.

§ 37.154 – Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: A person who in good faith reports hazing to a university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report. This encourages bystanders and victims to call for help.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: What Cedar Hill Families Should Know

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (prosecutor). Aim is punishment (jail, fines, probation). Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, or manslaughter in fatal cases.
• Civil Cases: Brought by victims or their families. Aim is monetary compensation for damages and institutional accountability. These cases focus on negligence, wrongful death, and emotional distress.

These cases can run side-by-side. You do not need to wait for a criminal conviction to pursue a civil case. In fact, waiting can be detrimental as evidence disappears and statutes of limitations run.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, carried out, or helped cover up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself (if it’s a legal entity).
3. The National Organization: Headquarters that set policies, collect dues, and supervise chapters. Their knowledge of prior incidents at other chapters is crucial.
4. The University: Schools can be liable for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference, or Title IX violations if the hazing involved sexual harassment.
5. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords of off-campus houses, or alcohol providers under dram shop laws.

Where Cedar Hill Families Send Their Kids: The Texas University Landscape

Cedar Hill is part of the vibrant and growing Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex. Our families have deep connections to universities across the state. Whether your child attends a local college, a major research university, or a private institution, understanding the specific environment and history of hazing at that school is vital.

University of Houston (UH): An Urban Campus Under Scrutiny

For Cedar Hill Families: UH is a major destination for Texas students seeking a large, diverse, urban university experience. Its active Greek life means many Cedar Hill students may find themselves in its fraternity and sorority system.

The Leonel Bermudez Case: As detailed above, the alleged hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter represents the severe end of the spectrum—physical abuse leading to life-threatening organ failure. This case demonstrates that even in a major university system, dangerous traditions persist. UH’s response—labeling the conduct “deeply disturbing,” cooperating with law enforcement, and noting the chapter’s closure—is part of the public record we use to build cases.

Prior Incidents & Context: UH has faced other hazing allegations. In a 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case, a pledge suffered a lacerated spleen. The chapter faced misdemeanor charges and suspension. These prior incidents establish patterns that universities and national organizations were aware of—or should have been aware of—before your child was hurt.

What UH Parents Should Do:

• Report to both UHPD and the Dean of Students Office.
• Understand that cases may involve Harris County courts.
• Seek counsel familiar with Houston-area litigation and UH’s specific administrative processes.

Texas A&M University: Tradition, Corps Culture, and Greek Life

For Cedar Hill Families: Texas A&M’s strong traditions and the Corps of Cadets are unique. Cedar Hill students drawn to leadership, service, or engineering may choose A&M, entering a culture with deeply ingrained customs.

Notable Cases & Patterns:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Lawsuit (2021): Pledges alleged they were covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The lawsuit sought $1 million, and the chapter was suspended.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth, seeking over $1 million in damages.

Key Takeaway: Hazing at A&M is not limited to Greek life. The Corps of Cadets and athletic teams have also been implicated. The university’s complex hierarchy and tradition can sometimes obscure accountability.

What A&M Parents Should Do:

• Be aware of both Greek life and Corps/athletic team reporting channels.
• Document everything meticulously; tradition is often used as a shield.
• Understand that cases may be filed in Brazos County courts.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

For Cedar Hill Families: UT Austin is a top-tier public university attracting Cedar Hill’s high-achieving students. Its Greek life is large and influential.

UT’s Public Hazing Log: Unlike many schools, UT maintains a public online log of hazing violations, providing a clear record of organizational misconduct.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Chapter placed on probation.
• Other Groups: Various spirit organizations and fraternities have been sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, and punishment-based practices.

Why This Matters: This public record is a powerful tool. It shows patterns and prior knowledge. If an organization is on this log and then hazes your child, it strengthens claims that the university and the national organization failed to take adequate corrective action.

What UT Parents Should Do:

• Immediately check UT’s public hazing log for prior violations by the organization involved.
• Report to UTPD and the Office of the Dean of Students.
• Recognize that Travis County courts will likely have jurisdiction.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University: Private Institutions, Significant Greek Life

For Cedar Hill Families: SMU in Dallas and Baylor in Waco are premier private universities with robust Greek systems and distinct institutional cultures.

SMU’s Context: As a private university in the DFW metro, SMU has faced its own hazing issues.

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reported paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation. The chapter was suspended.

Baylor’s Context: Baylor’s history with institutional response to misconduct adds a complex layer.

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation.

Key Takeaway for Private Schools: While they have less “sovereign immunity” than public universities, private schools like SMU and Baylor often control their narratives tightly. Uncovering internal records requires aggressive legal discovery.

The Greek Ecosystem Serving Cedar Hill Students: A Data-Driven View

When your child is hazed, you’re not just up against a few students. You’re facing a network of organizations with insurance, lawyers, and national structures. At Attorney911, we maintain the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary database built from public records that maps this network. This isn’t theoretical; it’s how we identify every potentially liable entity behind a chapter.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses

Below is a snapshot from our database of Texas-registered Greek organizations (IRS B83 entities) and metro-level groups (Cause IQ data). This illustrates the complex web of house corporations, alumni chapters, and national affiliates that exist behind the letters on campus.

Sample Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Organizations (Cedar Hill’s Metro):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, 12650 N Beach St, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061 (IRS EIN 741380362)
• Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity – Gamma Psi Chapter, Fort Worth, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing – TCU)

Sample University of Houston-Area Organizations:

• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Texas District, Houston, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter, Houston, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS EIN 462267515)

Sample University of Texas at Austin-Area Organizations:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp., Austin, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing – UT Chapter House Corp.)
• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, 2620 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705 (IRS EIN 746047117)
• Chi Omega Fraternity, 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705 (IRS EIN 740555581)

Why This Directory Matters for Your Case:
These are not just names. Each entity has a legal identity, an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and often carries insurance. When hazing occurs, our investigation immediately works to identify:

1. The local chapter’s housing corporation (which may own the property).
2. The alumni board or advisory committee.
3. The national headquarters and its insurance carriers.
4. Related educational foundations or trusts.

We don’t start from zero. We already know how to find the organizations behind the letters.

National Patterns, Local Harm: Why Fraternity Histories Matter

The fraternity that hazed your child at a Texas school is part of a national organization with a history. That history is not just background noise—it’s evidence of foreseeability. It shows the national headquarters knew or should have known that their chapters were engaging in precisely the kind of conduct that hurt your child.

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): The “Big/Little” Night Pattern

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021): Pledge died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. The family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from nationals, ~$3M from BGSU).
• David Bogenberger – Northern Illinois University (2012): Pledge died from alcohol poisoning. Family awarded a $14 million settlement.
• Application to Texas: The “Big/Little” or “bid acceptance” night is a script. When a Texas Pi Kappa Alpha chapter follows this script with the same deadly results, it demonstrates the national organization’s failure to curb a known, lethal tradition.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): A History of Burns and Injuries

• Texas A&M University (2021): Pledges suffered severe chemical burns from industrial cleaner, requiring skin grafts. $1 million lawsuit filed.
• University of Texas at Austin (2024): Exchange student allegedly assaulted, suffering fractures and a broken nose. Lawsuit filed for over $1 million.
• Application to Texas: SAE’s national history includes multiple deaths and severe injuries. When an SAE chapter at a Texas school injures a pledge, plaintiffs can argue the national organization had ample notice of systemic risks.

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ) & Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Deadly Drinking Games

• Max Gruver – LSU (2017): Died from alcohol toxicity after a “Bible study” drinking game. Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing).
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (2017): Died from alcohol poisoning at a “Big Brother” event.
• Application to Texas: These cases show how organized drinking games are a predictable, repeated source of death and injury. National organizations that fail to eliminate them from chapter culture can be held liable.

The Legal Point: In court, we use these national patterns to defeat the defense that “this was a rogue chapter” or “we couldn’t have foreseen this.” We show the jury a pattern of identical conduct causing identical harm across the country, proving the national organization’s policies and supervision were inadequate.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

When you contact us about a potential hazing case, we immediately begin a strategic, multi-phase investigation designed to secure maximum accountability and compensation for your family.

Phase 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation & Investigation

• Digital Forensics: Recovering deleted group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, Instagram DMs), social media posts, and location data.
• Physical Evidence: Documenting injuries through medical photography, preserving clothing, and securing any objects used in hazing.
• Witness Identification: Interviewing other pledges, roommates, and former members who may have information.
• Institutional Records: Using public records requests and preservation letters to secure university conduct files, campus police reports, and communications between the school and the national organization.

Phase 2: Identifying All Liable Parties & Insurance Coverage

Using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we map the entire organizational structure:

1. The individual members who participated.
2. The local chapter officers.
3. The chapter’s housing corporation (from IRS B83 data).
4. The alumni advisory board.
5. The national fraternity/sorority headquarters.
6. The university and its relevant administrators.
   We then identify all potential insurance policies that may provide coverage, a process where Mr. Lupe Peña’s experience as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable. He knows how insurers try to deny claims and how to fight back.

Phase 3: Calculating the Full Depth of Damages

Hazing causes profound harm. We work with experts to quantify all losses:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, future care, therapy), lost wages for parents who miss work, and lost future earning capacity if your child’s injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression), humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound grief and loss of companionship suffered by your family.

Phase 4: Negotiation & Litigation

We build a case for trial to create maximum leverage for settlement. We are not afraid to take on powerful universities and national fraternities. Our experience in federal court and with catastrophic injury cases means we prepare every case as if it will go before a jury. This approach forces institutions to offer serious settlements to avoid public trials and verdicts.

Practical Guides for Cedar Hill Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: Get medical attention immediately. Tell doctors your child was hazed.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot ALL digital communications. Photograph injuries. Save physical evidence. Write down a timeline.
3. Report Strategically: Report to campus police AND the Dean of Students. Understand that the university’s internal process is not designed to provide your family compensation.
4. Consult a Lawyer Early: Before giving formal statements to the university or insurance adjusters, speak with an experienced hazing attorney. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.
5. Avoid Common Mistakes: Do not confront the fraternity. Do not sign university settlement offers without review. Do not let your child delete anything.

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

• The Test: Are you being pressured? Would you do this if there were no social consequences? Is it dangerous or degrading? Would you hide it from your parents or the school? If yes, it’s hazing.
• Your Rights: You have the right to be safe. “Consent” is not a defense in Texas. You have protections as a good-faith reporter. You can leave the organization at any time.
• Getting Help: Your safety comes first. Call 911 in an emergency. You can report anonymously through campus channels or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). For legal rights and options, talk to a lawyer.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

• Deleting Evidence: It looks like a cover-up and destroys your leverage.
• Confronting the Organization: This triggers their defense strategy and evidence destruction.
• Signing University Papers: Universities may offer quick, low-value resolutions in exchange for waiving your right to sue.
• Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys monitor everything. Inconsistencies can damage credibility.
• Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the two-year statute of limitations in Texas continues to tick.

Why Cedar Hill Families Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand the unique landscape of Texas universities, Greek life, institutional cover-ups, and the complex insurance battles that follow.

Our Texas Hazing Litigation Advantage:

1. We Are Fighting the Biggest Texas Hazing Case Right Now: We represent Leonel Bermudez in the $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We are on the front lines, actively litigating against a major university and national fraternity. This isn’t past history; it’s current proof of our capability.

2. Insider Knowledge of Insurance Defense Tactics: Associate Attorney Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, employ delay tactics, and argue coverage exclusions. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

3. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Institutions: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced the deepest pockets and most aggressive defense teams. Universities and national fraternities don’t intimidate us.

4. A Data-Driven Investigative Engine: We don’t guess. We use our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from thousands of public records—to immediately identify every house corporation, alumni chapter, and national entity behind a chapter. We know where to look for liability and insurance.

5. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand criminal hazing charges and how they interact with civil cases. We can effectively advise witnesses or former members who may have exposure.

6. Compassionate, Family-Centered Advocacy: We know this is the most painful experience a family can endure. We handle the legal battle so you can focus on your child’s healing. We are committed to achieving justice that provides both compensation for your family and accountability to prevent future harm.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your child and your family, you do not have to navigate this alone. The path to accountability begins with a conversation.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

During your consultation, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your family’s legal rights under Texas law.
• Outline the possible paths forward, including potential civil claims.
• Answer your questions about the process, timelines, and costs.
• We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.

Hablamos Español. Mr. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal services.

Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

Serving families in Cedar Hill, across Ellis County, and throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.

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 | lupe@atty911.com