Hazing at Texas Universities: A Complete Guide for City of Combine Families

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

Imagine this scenario: Your child, a student from Combine or nearby Kaufman County, excitedly joins a fraternity, sorority, or campus organization at a Texas university. What begins as bonding and tradition slowly twists into something darker. They’re carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. They’re woken at 3 AM for “workouts” where they’re forced through hundreds of squats until their muscles scream. They’re sprayed in the face with a hose “like waterboarding” as brothers laugh. They’re forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomit, then immediately forced to sprint.

Then comes the medical crisis. They pass brown urine. They can’t stand without help. They’re rushed to the hospital, where doctors diagnose rhabdomyolysis—severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. They face four days of hospitalization and the real risk of permanent kidney damage. This isn’t a hypothetical nightmare. This is exactly what happened to Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, in fall 2025. And it’s happening right now in Texas.

If you’re a parent in the City of Combine, Terrell, Forney, or anywhere in Kaufman County and the surrounding Dallas-Fort Worth region, this guide is for you. We’re The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), Texas-based legal emergency lawyers who are leading the fight against hazing. Right now, we represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 fraternity leaders. We’re writing this comprehensive guide because families in Combine and across Texas deserve to know the truth about hazing: what it really looks like in 2025, Texas law, national patterns, what’s happening at specific Texas universities, and what legal options exist when tradition becomes torture.

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

Beyond “Just Hazing”—The Modern Reality

For parents in Combine and across Texas, understanding hazing means moving beyond outdated stereotypes of “harmless pranks” or “boys will be boys.” Today’s hazing is systematic, digitally documented, and often medically dangerous. It’s not just about alcohol—though forced drinking remains the most lethal form—but about total control, humiliation, and institutional failure.

Hazing in 2025 is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. The critical legal and psychological truth is this: “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

The Five Main Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the deadliest category. It includes forced or coerced drinking during “bid acceptance” nights, “Big/Little” events, or drinking games like “Bible study” where incorrect answers mean consuming shots. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. Nationally, this pattern has killed students like Stone Foltz at Bowling Green (forced to drink a bottle of whiskey), Max Gruver at LSU (“Bible study” drinking game), and Andrew Coffey at Florida State (“Big Brother Night”). For Combine families, understand that these are not spontaneous parties but scripted rituals with predictable, often fatal, outcomes.

2. Physical Hazing
This includes paddling and beatings (common in some NPHC traditions despite national prohibitions), extreme calisthenics or “smokings” (like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats Bermudez was forced through), sleep deprivation, food/water deprivation, and exposure to extreme environments. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case included cold-weather exposure in underwear and lying in vomit-soaked grass. At Texas A&M, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon lawsuit alleged pledges were covered in industrial-strength cleaner causing chemical burns requiring skin grafts.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions), degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The Texas A&M Corps “roasted pig” lawsuit described a cadet being bound between beds with an apple in his mouth. These acts cause deep psychological trauma that can persist long after physical injuries heal.

4. Psychological Hazing
This involves verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming. The “pledge fanny pack” in the UH case—containing condoms, a sex toy, nicotine devices, and humiliating items—was designed specifically for psychological degradation and control.

5. Digital/Online Hazing
This is the newest frontier: group chat dares, “challenges” shared on Instagram or TikTok, pressure to create or share compromising images/videos, 24/7 availability demands via GroupMe or Discord, and geo-tracking via apps like Find My Friends. Members now document hazing on their phones, creating evidence even as they participate in cover-ups.

Where Hazing Actually Happens in Texas

While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, hazing occurs across campus:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural councils)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups (Texas A&M Corps has faced multiple lawsuits)
• Athletic Teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer—see Northwestern football scandal)
• Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs (Texas Cowboys, etc.)
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups (FAMU band death case)
• Some Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations

The common threads are social status, tradition, and secrecy. These practices survive because veterans who endured them justify subjecting new members, because “everyone before them did it,” and because organizations systematically hide evidence and intimidate witnesses.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas + Federal

Texas Hazing Law—What Combine Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. The law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
• Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

In plain English: If someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk, that’s hazing under Texas law. Location doesn’t matter—it can happen on or off campus. The harm can be mental or physical. And crucially, “consent” is not a defense under Texas Education Code § 37.155.

Criminal Penalties (Texas Education Code § 37.152):

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

Additional crimes: Failing to report hazing (if you’re a member or officer and you knew about it) and retaliating against someone who reports hazing are also misdemeanors.

Organizational Liability (Texas Education Code § 37.153):
Fraternities, sororities, clubs, and teams can be criminally prosecuted if:

• The organization authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
• An officer or member acting in official capacity knew about hazing and failed to report it

Penalties include fines up to $10,000 per violation and university revocation of recognition.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (Texas Education Code § 37.154):
A person who in good faith reports a hazing incident to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report. Many Texas universities also have medical amnesty policies protecting those who call 911 in alcohol emergencies, even if underage drinking was involved.

Criminal vs Civil Cases: What’s the Difference?

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (district attorney)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical hazing-related charges: hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Burden of proof: Beyond a reasonable doubt

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus on: negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring/supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
• Burden of proof: Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not)

Both can proceed simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. In fact, many hazing cases settle civilly even when criminal charges are pending or reduced.

Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
This federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

• Report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen hazing education and prevention
• Maintain public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)
  For Combine families, this means potentially better access to information about which organizations have violations.

Title IX:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. Universities must investigate and take appropriate action. This can provide additional legal avenues beyond state hazing laws.

Clery Act:
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing incidents often overlap with assaults or alcohol/drug crimes that must be disclosed in annual security reports.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students:
The ones who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out the acts, or helped cover them up. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, 13 individual fraternity leaders were named, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, sorority relations chair, and risk manager.

2. Local Chapter/Organization:
The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if it’s a legal entity). Many chapters have housing corporations or alumni associations that hold assets and insurance.

3. National Fraternity/Sorority:
Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents. In the Stone Foltz case, Pi Kappa Alpha national paid $7 million as part of a $10 million settlement.

4. University or Governing Board:
The school or regents may be sued under negligence or civil rights theories. Key questions: Did they have prior warnings? Did they enforce policies? Were they deliberately indifferent? Public universities like UH and Texas A&M have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist.

5. Third Parties:
Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces, bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop theories), security companies, or event organizers.

Every case is fact-specific. Our investigation into the UH case revealed multiple entities behind the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, including the housing corporation and national headquarters—all of which may share liability.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Texas Families

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):
During a bid-acceptance event, 19-year-old Piazza consumed life-threatening amounts of alcohol, fell multiple times (captured on chapter security cameras), and fraternity brothers delayed calling for help for 12 hours. He died from traumatic brain injuries. The case resulted in:

• 18 fraternity members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts
• Beta Theta Pi chapter permanently banned from Penn State
• Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law
• Takeaway for Combine families: Extreme intoxication, delayed medical care, and cover-up culture create devastating legal consequences. The security camera evidence was crucial.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):
During a “Bible study” drinking game, 18-year-old Gruver was forced to drink when answering questions incorrectly. His blood alcohol content reached 0.495%. He died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in:

• Multiple members charged; one convicted of negligent homicide
• Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
• Takeaway: “Drinking games” are often scripted hazing rituals with predictable outcomes. State legislatures respond to tragedies with stronger laws.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):
During a “Big/Little” event, 20-year-old Foltz was forced to consume nearly a bottle of whiskey. He died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in:

• Multiple criminal convictions
• $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• Chapter president Daylen Dunson ordered to pay $6.5 million personally
• Takeaway: National fraternities and universities face massive financial exposure. Individual officers can face personal liability.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017):
During a “Big Brother Night,” pledges were given handles of hard liquor. Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in:

• Multiple members prosecuted
• FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life
• Takeaway: The same national fraternity involved in the UH case (Pi Kappa Phi) has a fatal hazing history. Patterns repeat across chapters.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):
At a fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains, Deng was blindfolded, weighted with a heavy backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual. He suffered fatal head injuries; fraternity members delayed calling 911. The case resulted in:

• Multiple members convicted
• National fraternity criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter
• Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” can be particularly dangerous. National organizations can face criminal prosecution, not just civil liability.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025):
Former players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the football program over multiple years. The case resulted in:

• Multiple lawsuits against the university and staff
• Head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired, then settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially
• Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs with institutional cover-ups.

What These Cases Mean for Combine Families

Common threads bind these national cases to what’s happening at Texas universities:

1. Forced drinking scripts are remarkably consistent across states and organizations
2. Delay in calling for help consistently worsens outcomes and increases liability
3. Cover-up attempts (deleting messages, coaching witnesses) are standard operating procedure
4. Multi-million dollar settlements have become common in death and catastrophic injury cases
5. Legislative reform often follows only after tragedy and litigation

For families in Combine and across Texas facing hazing at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor, you’re operating in a legal landscape shaped by these national precedents. The same fraternities, the same insurance companies, the same defense tactics exist here. But so do the same paths to accountability.

Texas Focus: Where Combine Families Send Their Kids

Combine and Kaufman County families send their children to universities across Texas. Whether your student attends a local campus or one of the major hubs hours away, understanding the specific landscape at each university is crucial. Here’s what you need to know about the five universities most relevant to Texas families.

University of Houston (UH)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH is a large urban campus with a mix of commuter and residential students. Its Greek life includes multiple fraternities and sororities across various councils. For Combine families, UH is within reasonable driving distance, making it a practical choice for many East Texas students.

Hazing Policy & Reporting

UH prohibits hazing on and off campus, specifically banning forced consumption of alcohol/food/drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and mental distress as initiation. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students, conduct offices, and campus police. UH posts hazing statements and some disciplinary information online.

Documented Incidents & Responses

The Leonel Bermudez / Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Case (2025):
This is not just another hazing incident—it’s the flagship Texas hazing case of 2025, and we represent the victim. The details, as reported in Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline coverage:

• Hazing Locations: Pi Kappa Phi chapter house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• Specific Acts:
  • “Pledge fanny pack” with condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices, humiliating items
  • Forced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews, overnight chauffeuring
  • Extreme physical hazing: sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure in underwear
  • Hose spraying in face “similar to waterboarding”
  • Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, then immediate sprints
  • Nov 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under threat of expulsion
  • Another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with object in mouth for over an hour
• Medical Catastrophe: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passed brown urine, hospitalized four days with critically high creatine kinase levels, faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage
• Defendants: University of Houston, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, Beta Nu housing corporation, 13 individual fraternity leaders
• Institutional Response: Nov 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu; Nov 14: chapter members vote to surrender charter; UH labels conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement

Other UH Incidents:

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha Case: Pledges allegedly deprived of food, water, and sleep during multi-day event; one student suffered lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table; chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges and suspension
• Various fraternity suspensions for “behavior likely to produce mental or physical discomfort”

How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

• Jurisdiction: Harris County courts; may involve UHPD and/or Houston Police Department
• Potential Defendants: Individual students, chapter, national fraternity/sorority, university, property owners
• Local Legal Landscape: Houston has seen multiple high-profile hazing cases; judges and juries are increasingly familiar with these issues

What UH Students & Parents in Combine Should Do

• Report Through Proper Channels: Dean of Students Office, UHPD, online reporting forms
• Document Everything: Screenshot group chats immediately (especially GroupMe), photograph injuries, save physical evidence
• Understand University Process: UH has mandatory reporting procedures but may prioritize institutional protection
• Seek Experienced Counsel: Houston-based hazing attorneys understand local courts and can navigate UH’s specific policies andprior disciplinary history

Texas A&M University

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M in College Station is known for its Corps of Cadets tradition and strong Greek life. For Combine families, A&M represents a classic Texas university experience, though at a greater distance. Its combination of military-style organizations and traditional fraternities creates unique hazing risks.

Hazing Policy & Reporting

A&M prohibits hazing through its Student Rules and Corps regulations. Reporting channels include the Office of Student Conduct, Corps leadership, and university police. The university maintains disciplinary records but public transparency varies.

Documented Incidents & Responses

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):
Two pledges alleged they were covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million. The fraternity was suspended for two years.

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023):
A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages. Texas A&M stated it handled the matter under its rules.

Other A&M Incidents:

• Multiple fraternity suspensions for alcohol-related hazing
• Corps investigations into improper discipline and harassment
• Ongoing concerns about “redass” traditions crossing into abuse

How an A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

• Jurisdiction: Brazos County courts; may involve university police and local PD
• Unique Factors: Corps cases involve military-style chain of command issues; Greek cases follow more traditional patterns
• University Response: A&M has historically taken aggressive disciplinary action but may resist external scrutiny

What A&M Students & Parents Should Do

• Understand Dual Systems: Corps and Greek life have separate reporting chains but similar risks
• Document Military-Specific Issues: Chain of command complaints, uniform violations used as punishment
• Act Quickly: The Corps and Greek systems both prioritize internal resolution over external accountability
• Seek Counsel Familiar with A&M: Understanding the unique culture is essential for effective representation

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin is Texas’ flagship public university with extensive Greek life and hundreds of student organizations. For Combine families, UT represents a premier academic choice, though geographically distant. Its size and prestige create both opportunities and risks.

Hazing Policy & Reporting

UT maintains one of the most transparent hazing disclosure systems among Texas universities. Its public Hazing Violations page lists organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions. Reporting channels include the Office of the Dean of Students, university police, and online forms.

Documented Incidents & Responses

Public Hazing Violations (Sample from UT’s Website):

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; found to be hazing; chapter placed on probation with required hazing-prevention education
• Texas Wranglers (multiple years): Sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, punishment-based practices
• Various Spirit Organizations: Disciplinary actions for physical endurance tests, humiliation, sleep deprivation

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024):
An Australian exchange student alleged assault by fraternity members at a party, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. He sued for over $1 million. The chapter was already under suspension for prior violations.

How a UT Hazing Case Might Proceed

• Jurisdiction: Travis County courts; may involve UTPD and Austin PD
• Advantage: UT’s public violation records provide ready-made pattern evidence for civil cases
• University Posture: Generally cooperative with law enforcement but protective of institutional reputation

What UT Students & Parents Should Do

• Check Public Records First: UT’s hazing violation page can reveal prior incidents involving the same organization
• Use Multiple Reporting Channels: Dean of Students, UTPD, and Title IX Office if sexualized hazing involved
• Leverage Transparency: UT’s disclosure practices can be used to pressure for accountability
• Document Everything: The university’s size means cases can get lost without thorough documentation

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU in Dallas is a private university with a reputation for affluent student population and strong Greek presence. For Combine families in the DFW metroplex, SMU is geographically close and represents a private school alternative. Its Greek life dominates social culture.

Hazing Policy & Reporting

SMU prohibits hazing and maintains reporting through the Office of Student Affairs, anonymous systems like Real Response, and university police. As a private institution, SMU has fewer public disclosure requirements than public universities.

Documented Incidents & Responses

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017):
New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, and deprived of sleep. The chapter was suspended with recruiting restrictions until approximately 2021.

Other SMU Incidents:

• Multiple fraternity and sorority suspensions for alcohol violations crossing into hazing
• Investigations into off-campus house events involving coercion and endangerment
• Ongoing tensions between Greek life autonomy and university oversight

How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

• Jurisdiction: Dallas County courts; may involve university police and Dallas PD
• Private University Factors: Fewer public records, potential contractual claims based on student handbook violations
• Greek Life Influence: SMU’s Greek system has significant alumni and donor support, creating institutional pressures

What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

• Understand Private School Dynamics: Fewer transparency requirements mean more reliance on internal investigations
• Use Anonymous Reporting: Systems like Real Response can protect against retaliation
• Document Financial Aspects: Tuition, housing, and activity fee implications if withdrawal becomes necessary
• Seek Counsel Early: Private universities often have sophisticated legal teams; early attorney involvement is crucial

Baylor University

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor in Waco combines religious identity with major university athletics and Greek life. For Combine families, Baylor represents a faith-based option with traditional campus culture. Its history of institutional scandals (sexual assault, athletic abuses) creates context for hazing issues.

Hazing Policy & Reporting

Baylor prohibits hazing through student conduct policies and maintains reporting through student life offices, campus police, and religious advisors. The university’s “zero tolerance” statements contrast with its history of institutional protection issues.

Documented Incidents & Responses

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020):
14 players suspended following a hazing investigation; suspensions staggered over the early season. Details remained largely internal.

Other Baylor Incidents:

• Fraternity suspensions for alcohol-related initiation activities
• Concerns about spiritual manipulation or “accountability” crossing into coercion
• Athletic program oversight issues following broader university scandals

How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed

• Jurisdiction: McLennan County courts; may involve campus police and Waco PD
• Religious Institution Factors: Potential First Amendment issues, internal ecclesiastical processes
• History Matters: Baylor’s past institutional failures may influence judge and jury perceptions

What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

• Navigate Religious Context Carefully: Spiritual language may mask abusive behavior
• Use Multiple Reporting Paths: Student conduct, religious advisors, and external authorities if necessary
• Consider Transfer Implications: Faith-based community reactions to reporting can be severe
• Document Everything: Baylor’s history shows internal processes may prioritize institution over individual

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

Why National Histories Matter for Combine Families

When your child is hazed at a Texas university, you’re not just dealing with a local chapter—you’re confronting a national organization with a history, a risk management playbook, and often a pattern of similar incidents across the country. This matters legally because foreseeability is central to negligence claims. If a national fraternity has seen the same hazing script cause death or catastrophe at other campuses, they can’t plausibly claim “we had no idea this could happen” when it recurs in Texas.

Organization Mapping: The National Patterns Behind Texas Letters

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike) – Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, Baylor:

• National History: Multiple fatal hazing incidents including Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, 2021 – $10M settlement) and David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois, 2012 – $14M settlement)
• Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing, forced consumption rituals
• Texas Presence: 2016 UH case with lacerated spleen injury; current UT probation for milk consumption and calisthenics hazing
• For Combine Families: This is one of the most legally exposed national fraternities with massive settlement precedents

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE) – Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU:

• National History: Multiple hazing deaths; eliminated traditional pledge process nationally in 2014 after pattern of fatalities
• Pattern: Alcohol poisoning, physical abuse, chemical burns
• Texas Presence: Texas A&M chemical burns lawsuit (2021); UT assault case (2024)
• For Combine Families: SAE’s national reform efforts haven’t prevented serious Texas incidents

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ) – Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT:

• National History: Andrew Coffey death (Florida State, 2017) from “Big Brother Night” alcohol hazing
• Pattern: Forced drinking during reveal events
• Texas Presence: Current UH Beta Nu case we’re litigating – same national organization, similar patterns
• For Combine Families: Demonstrates how national patterns repeat across chapters

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ) – Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor:

• National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, 2017) from “Bible study” drinking game
• Pattern: Academic-themed drinking games with punishment for wrong answers
• Texas Presence: Active chapters across major campuses
• For Combine Families: “Study” or “academic” themed events can be hazing in disguise

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ) – Present at Texas A&M, UT, SMU:

• National History: Multiple hazing suspensions including SMU chapter (2017)
• Pattern: Paddling, alcohol coercion, Southern tradition justifications
• Texas Presence: SMU suspension; active at other Texas schools
• For Combine Families: “Tradition” arguments don’t negate liability

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: What We Track

At Attorney911, we maintain a proprietary database of Texas Greek organizations because evidence wins cases. For Combine families, understanding this landscape matters. Here’s what our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine includes:

IRS B83 Backbone – 125 Texas-Registered Greek Organizations:
These are tax-exempt organizations the IRS classifies as Greek-letter entities. Examples relevant to DFW and Combine families:

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, EIN 742911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244-4245 (IRS B83 filing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061 (IRS B83 filing)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc, EIN 453325054, Mansfield, TX 76063-0169 (IRS B83 filing)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 364091267, Waco, TX 76710-4154 (IRS B83 filing)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 263170920, Denton, TX 76204-0000 (IRS B83 filing)

Cause IQ Metro Organizations – DFW Metro Focus:
For Combine families in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area, there are 510 Greek-related organizations according to Cause IQ data. Examples:

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – Fort Worth location
• Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) – Arlington/Dallas presence
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Texas Rho Corp. in Austin
• Zeta Beta Tau – Texas Lambda Chapter in Austin
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation – Fort Worth

Brand Overlap – Cross-Validated Organizations:
When organizations appear in both IRS and metro data, we have high-confidence tracking:

• Beta Upsilon Chi appears in both IRS and Cause IQ DFW data
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation appears in both
• Sigma Gamma Rho appears in multiple Texas metros
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi appears across campuses

Why This Data Matters for Your Case:
When we take a hazing case, we don’t start from zero. We already know:

• The legal entities behind local chapters
• Their tax status and potential insurance coverage
• How they’re connected to national organizations
• Where similar incidents have occurred

This investigative depth is why national fraternities and their insurers take our involvement seriously from day one.

How National Histories Strengthen Texas Cases

1. Pattern Evidence:
When the same hazing method (e.g., “Big/Little” alcohol consumption) appears in multiple chapters of the same national, it shows the method is taught, tolerated, or inadequately prevented by headquarters. This supports negligence claims against nationals.

2. Prior Notice:
If Pi Kappa Phi national knew about the Andrew Coffey death in Florida (2017) from “Big Brother Night” drinking, they had clear notice that this ritual was dangerous. When similar forced consumption happened at UH in 2025, their failure to prevent it becomes gross negligence.

3. Punitive Damage Arguments:
When nationals have extensive anti-hazing policies on paper but inadequate enforcement in practice, courts may award punitive damages to punish the disconnect between stated values and actual conduct.

4. Insurance Coverage Fights:
Nationals often have liability insurance, but insurers may deny coverage claiming hazing is an “intentional act” excluded from policies. Pattern evidence showing the national knew about risks but failed to act can support arguments that their negligence (not just intentional member conduct) triggered coverage.

For Combine families, the takeaway is this: Your child’s hazing incident isn’t an isolated event. It’s part of a national pattern that experienced hazing attorneys know how to trace, document, and use to build maximum leverage.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Evidence: What Wins Hazing Cases in 2025

Digital Communications – The #1 Evidence Source:

• Group Messaging: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, fraternity-specific apps
• Social Media DMs: Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook Messenger
• Recovery Potential: Digital forensics can often recover deleted messages; cloud backups may preserve content
• Critical Actions: Screenshot immediately with timestamps and sender names visible; use screen recording for disappearing content; back up to cloud storage

Photos & Videos:

• Event Documentation: Content filmed by members during hazing (often shared in group chats)
• Injury Documentation: Photograph injuries immediately and over several days to show progression
• Location Evidence: Photos of houses, rooms, venues where hazing occurred
• Object Documentation: Paddles, alcohol bottles, props, costumes used in hazing

Internal Organization Documents:

• Pledge Manuals: Often contain required activities that cross into hazing
• Initiation Scripts: Ritual instructions that may include prohibited elements
• Chapter Communications: Emails, texts from officers about “traditions” or “what pledges must do”
• National Policies: Risk management manuals that chapters allegedly violate

University Records (Obtained via Discovery or Public Records):

• Prior Conduct Files: Previous hazing violations involving same organization
• Incident Reports: Campus police or conduct office records
• Clery Reports: Annual security statistics that may include hazing-related crimes
• Internal Emails: Communications among administrators about the organization

Medical & Psychological Records:

• Emergency/Hospital Records: Include statements about cause of injury (“forced to drink,” “beaten during initiation”)
• Lab Results: Blood alcohol levels, creatine kinase levels (rhabdomyolysis), toxicology
• Specialist Evaluations: Follow-up care documenting ongoing issues
• Psychological Assessments: PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses related to trauma

Witness Testimony:

• Other Pledges: May be reluctant initially but often cooperate once case is filed
• Former Members: Those who quit or were expelled may have valuable insights
• Roommates/RA’s: Observed changes in behavior, physical condition
• Emergency Responders: EMTs, hospital staff who treated immediate aftermath

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Financial Losses):

• Medical Expenses: ER, hospitalization, surgery, medications, equipment, ongoing therapy
• Future Medical Needs: Lifelong care for catastrophic injuries (brain damage, organ failure)
• Lost Income/Earning Capacity: Time off work, delayed graduation, reduced lifetime earnings if permanently disabled
• Educational Costs: Tuition for withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships, transfer expenses
• Other Economic Losses: Property damage, relocation costs, therapy for family members

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective but Compensable):

• Physical Pain & Suffering: From injuries, medical procedures, ongoing pain
• Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, loss of dignity
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Can’t participate in sports, hobbies, normal college experience
• Reputational Harm: Social stigma, difficulty transferring or finding employment

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

• Funeral/Burial Costs: Immediate expenses
• Loss of Financial Support: Deceased’s expected lifetime contributions to family
• Loss of Companionship: Love, guidance, society for parents, siblings, spouse
• Emotional Suffering: Grief, trauma of losing a child

Punitive Damages (When Available):
Trevor damages punish especially reckless or malicious conduct and deter future hazing. They may be available when defendants had prior warnings and ignored them, engaged in cover-ups, or showed callous indifference. Texas has statutory caps on exemplary damages in many cases.

How Recovery Works in Practice:

• Most Cases Settle: Confidential terms often, but some public amounts (Foltz $10M, Gruver $6.1M)
• Settlement Funds Used For: Medical bills, ongoing care, educational continuity, sometimes foundations in victim’s name
• Accountability Beyond Money: Chapter closures, policy reforms, public awareness
• Our Approach: We build cases for trial to maximize settlement leverage; we don’t settle cheap

The Role of Insurance & Institutional Defendants

Insurance Coverage Complexities:

• Multiple Policies: Chapter insurance, national fraternity insurance, university insurance, individual homeowner’s policies
• Coverage Disputes: Insurers often deny claims arguing hazing is “intentional act” excluded from coverage
• Our Advantage: Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney means we know exactly how insurers fight these claims and how to counter their tactics

University Sovereign Immunity (Public Schools):

• The Challenge: Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have sovereign immunity under Texas law
• Exceptions: Gross negligence, willful misconduct, Title IX violations, suing individuals in personal capacity
• Practical Reality: Even with immunity arguments, universities often settle to avoid bad publicity and discovery

National Fraternity Tactics:

• “Rogue Chapter” Defense: Claiming local members violated national policies
• “We Didn’t Know” Defense: Arguing they had no notice of hazing at that chapter
• Our Counter: Pattern evidence from other chapters, documentation of prior complaints, showing inadequate enforcement of policies

Our Investigation Process

When we take a hazing case, we deploy a comprehensive investigation:

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation: Digital forensics for deleted messages, photo documentation, witness interviews
2. Entity Mapping: Using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine to identify all potentially liable organizations
3. Pattern Research: National incident databases, prior lawsuits against same organizations
4. Expert Consultation: Medical experts, psychologists, economists, Greek life culture experts
5. Institutional Discovery: Public records requests, eventual litigation discovery for internal files
6. Strategic Planning: Determining whether to pursue criminal charges, civil suit, or both; settlement vs trial strategy

For Combine families, this means your case benefits from systems and knowledge developed across multiple hazing cases, not just starting from scratch.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Combine Families

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme fatigue, exhaustion beyond normal academic stress
• Weight loss or gain from food/water restriction or stress
• Sleep deprivation (constant late nights, 3 AM calls, inability to sleep)
• Injuries to hands, back, legs consistent with paddling or forced exercise
• Chemical burns, rashes, or skin damage
• Signs of alcohol poisoning or drug use (even if child doesn’t normally partake)

Behavioral & Emotional Changes:

• Sudden secrecy about organization activities (“I can’t talk about it”)
• Withdrawal from family, old friends, or non-organization activities
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability, anger
• Defensive when asked about the organization
• Fear of “getting in trouble” or “letting the chapter down”
• Sudden obsession with pleasing older members
• Talking about “just having to get through this” or “everyone did it before me”

Academic & Financial Red Flags:

• Grades dropping suddenly
• Missing classes or falling asleep in class
• Unexpected large expenses (forced purchases, “fines,” excessive dues)
• Overdrafts, maxed credit cards, unusual requests for money

Digital/Social Behavior:

• Constant phone use monitoring group chats
• Anxiety when phone buzzes or pings
• Deleting messages or clearing browser history obsessively
• Receiving calls/texts at all hours demanding immediate response
• Social media posts showing humiliating or concerning activities

How to Talk to Your Child (Non-Confrontationally):

1. “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
2. “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
3. “What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
4. “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
5. “Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”
6. “Do you feel like you can leave if you want to, or would there be consequences?”
7. “Are they asking you to keep secrets from me or the university?”

If You Suspect Hazing – Immediate Actions:

1. Medical Safety First: If injured or intoxicated, get to ER immediately
2. Preserve Evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries, save physical items
3. Document Everything: Write down dates, times, what your child told you
4. Consult an Attorney: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before confronting organization or university
5. Report Strategically: With attorney guidance, report to proper channels (campus, police)

For Students: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide:

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
• Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences, no fear of being “cut”)?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would the university or my parents approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
• Are older members making new members do things they don’t have to do themselves?
• Is this “tradition” really about initiation/earning membership, or just fun for older members?
• Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this from outsiders?

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

How to Exit Safely:

• Immediate Danger: Call 911, get to safe location, you won’t get in trouble for calling for help
• Quitting/De-pledging: You have the legal right to leave at any time
  • Tell someone outside the org first (parent, RA, friend)
  • Send email/text to chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
  • Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
• Protecting from Retaliation: Document threats/harassment, report to university, seek protective order if needed

Evidence Collection for Students:

1. Screenshots: Group chats with timestamps and sender names visible
2. Recordings: Texas is one-party consent state—you can record conversations you’re part of
3. Photos/Videos: Injuries (multiple angles, include ruler for scale), locations, objects used
4. Medical Documentation: Tell providers you were hazed so it’s in records; get copies
5. Save Everything Digital: Don’t delete anything, even if embarrassing
6. Witness Information: Names and contacts of others who saw what happened

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR HAZING CASE:

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages or “Clean Up” Evidence

   • What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
   • Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice; makes case nearly impossible
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly

   • What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
   • Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, prepare defenses
   • What to do instead: Document everything, call a lawyer before any confrontation

3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms

   • What universities do: Pressure families to sign waivers or “internal resolution” agreements
   • Why it’s wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often far below case value
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review first

4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer

   • What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
   • Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility; can waive privilege
   • What to do instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

5. Letting Your Child Go Back to “One Last Meeting”

   • What fraternities say: “Come talk to us before you do anything drastic”
   • Why it’s wrong: They pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that hurt the case
   • What to do instead: Once considering legal action, all communication goes through your lawyer

6. Waiting “To See How the University Handles It”

   • What universities promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally”
   • Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs, university controls narrative
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately; university process ≠ real accountability

7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer

   • What adjusters say: “We just need your statement to process the claim”
   • Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements are used against you; early settlements are lowball
   • What to do instead: Politely decline: “My attorney will contact you”

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in personal capacity. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts—contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case-specific analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and organizations destroy records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major hazing cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) occurred off-campus and still resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments.

“Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

“How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?”
We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case. This makes justice accessible to families who couldn’t otherwise afford to take on wealthy fraternities and universities.

“What if my child was drinking underage during the hazing?”
Texas law and most university policies provide good-faith reporter protections for those who call for help in medical emergencies, even if underage drinking was involved. Your child’s underage drinking doesn’t excuse the hazing or eliminate your right to compensation for injuries caused by others.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases in Texas

When your family in Combine or anywhere in Texas faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. You need The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911).

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases:

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):
Mr. Peña 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. He understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. As he says, “We know their playbook because we used to run it.” This insider knowledge is invaluable when facing insurers who deny claims or offer pennies on the dollar.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello):
Ralph is one of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations with unlimited legal budgets. He has federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) and isn’t intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams. As he puts it: “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience:
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to value lifetime care needs for brain injuries and permanent disabilities. We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability. Our experience includes cases like the logging accident brain injury with vision loss that settled for multi-millions.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure, and we know how to navigate parallel criminal and civil proceedings.

Investigative Depth:
We have a network of experts: medical professionals, digital forensics specialists, economists, psychologists, and Greek life culture experts. We know how to obtain hidden evidence—deleted group chats, chapter records, university files that organizations try to conceal. As we tell families: “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:
We maintain a proprietary database of Texas Greek organizations—1,423 entities across 25 metros tracked through IRS records, university data, and metro organization listings. When we take your case, we don’t start from zero. We already know the legal entities behind local chapters, their connections to nationals, and where similar incidents have occurred.

Empathy and Victim Advocacy:
We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is to get you answers, hold the right people accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. This isn’t about bravado or quick settlements—it’s about thorough investigation and real accountability.

Our Current Hazing Litigation: The UH Pi Kappa Phi Case

Right now, we’re leading one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The details—rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, “pledge fanny pack” humiliation, hose spraying “like waterboarding”—show exactly what modern hazing looks like. And they show what we’re willing to fight.

This case matters for every Texas family because:

1. It proves hazing with catastrophic medical consequences is happening here now
2. It shows universities and nationals will be held accountable
3. It demonstrates our commitment to taking on powerful institutions
4. It provides a roadmap for what accountability looks like

Call to Action for Combine Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether it’s UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other school—we want to hear from you. Families in Combine, Terrell, Forney, and throughout Kaufman County and the DFW region have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

• We’ll listen to your story without judgment
• Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
• Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
• Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
• Answer your questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
• No pressure to hire us on the spot—take time to decide
• Everything you tell us is confidential

Contact Information:

• 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-Language Services:

• Hablamos Español—Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish
• Servicios legales en español disponibles

Our Promise to Combine Families:
Whether you’re in Combine or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Evidence disappears fast. Universities move quickly to control narratives. National fraternities have sophisticated legal teams. But you have rights. And you have us.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s discuss how we can help.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:

• Click2Houston report: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos:

• Evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main 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