Holding Universities & Fraternities Accountable for Hazing: A Comprehensive Guide for Big Wells & South Texas Families

If This Just Happened: 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

The Nightmare Scenario: A Parent’s Worst Fear, Playing Out Right Now in Texas

Picture this: Your child, who you sent off to college with pride and hope, is now at an off-campus fraternity house hundreds of miles from home in Big Wells. It’s “bid acceptance night.” Older members are shouting, phones are recording, and your child is being pressured to drink far beyond any reasonable limit. They’re exhausted from weeks of forced labor, sleep deprivation, and humiliating “traditions.” Someone collapses. Others laugh. Nobody wants to call 911 because they’re afraid of “getting the chapter shut down.” Your child feels trapped between loyalty to this group they wanted to join and their own safety.

This isn’t a hypothetical scenario. Right now, as we write this, our firm is actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history—a case that shows exactly how quickly “tradition” turns to tragedy.

For families in Big Wells, Dimmit County, and across South Texas, this reality hits particularly hard. You’ve worked hard to give your children opportunities, often sending them hours away to major universities like UT Austin, Texas A&M, or the University of Houston. When something goes wrong at those distant campuses, you feel powerless. The university might be hundreds of miles away, the fraternity has deep-pocketed insurance, and you’re left wondering: “What can we possibly do from here in Big Wells?”

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for you—Big Wells parents and families facing the unthinkable. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, what major cases teach us, and most importantly, what legal options you have when institutions fail to protect your student.

The Case That Changed Everything: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

Before we discuss hypotheticals, let’s talk about reality. Right now, our firm represents Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, the UH System Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

Here’s what happened, as detailed in the Click2Houston and ABC13 coverage:

Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter at UH in fall 2025. What followed was months of systematic abuse:

The “Pledge Fanny Pack” Humiliation: Pledges were forced to carry a fanny pack 24/7 containing condoms, a sex toy, nicotine devices, and other humiliating items. Failure to comply meant punishment or expulsion threats.

Forced Servitude: Enforced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews, overnight chauffeuring duties, and constant errands for older members.

Physical Torture: Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, “save-your-brother” drills in the cold wearing only underwear, lying in vomit-soaked grass, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding” with threats of actual waterboarding.

The November 3 Workout: Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, and creed recitation under threat of expulsion. He couldn’t stand without help afterward.

Forced Consumption Rituals: Made to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediately forced to sprint.

The Medical Catastrophe: Days later, Bermudez passed brown urine—a classic sign of rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown). His mother rushed him to the hospital where tests showed critically high creatine kinase levels. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Institutional Response: On November 6, 2025, Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the Beta Nu chapter after receiving hazing reports. On November 14, chapter members voted to surrender their charter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary actions up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement.

Why are we telling you this specific case? Because it proves several critical points for Big Wells families:

1. This happens at major Texas universities where your children might attend
2. Hazing causes real, catastrophic injuries—not just “boys being boys”
3. Universities and national fraternities often know what’s happening but fail to intervene sufficiently
4. Experienced Texas hazing attorneys can fight back against even the most powerful institutions

When you’re sitting in Big Wells worried about your child at a distant campus, remember: We’re fighting this battle right now. We know what these cases look like, how institutions defend themselves, and how to build winning strategies.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like (Beyond the Stereotypes)

Many parents in Big Wells grew up with older concepts of hazing—maybe some harmless pranks or mild embarrassment. Today’s hazing is different, more systematic, and often hidden in digital spaces. Here’s what you need to recognize:

The Digital Transformation of Hazing

24/7 Group Chat Control: Pledges are required to monitor GroupMe, WhatsApp, or Discord servers constantly. Failure to respond instantly to messages—even at 3 AM—means punishment. These digital trails often provide the best evidence of coercion and planning.

Social Media Humiliation: Forced TikTok challenges, Instagram story dares, public shaming in digital spaces. What seems like “just kids having fun” online is often coerced humiliation.

Location Tracking: Many chapters now require pledges to share live location via Find My Friends or similar apps, enabling constant surveillance.

Evidence Destruction Training: Members are coached on what to say (and not say) in digital messages, using disappearing messages or code words to avoid detection.

Modern Hazing Methods Parents Must Recognize

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (Often Dismissed as “Harmless”)

• Being “on call” 24/7 for older members’ errands
• Mandatory designated driving at all hours
• Required attendance at events that interfere with academics
• Social isolation from non-members
• Derogatory nicknames or identities

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (Causes Real Harm)

• Sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings” or tasks
• Food/water restriction or forced consumption of unpleasant substances
• Extreme calisthenics framed as “conditioning” but actually punitive
• Public humiliation in meetings or online
• Verbal abuse, yelling, threats

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (Criminal Conduct)

• Forced alcohol consumption (lineups, drinking games, “Big/Little” nights)
• Physical beatings, paddling, “branding”
• Dangerous physical tests (“glass ceiling” tackles, blindfolded challenges)
• Sexualized hazing (forced nudity, simulated acts)
• Exposure to extreme environments (locked in cold rooms, left outside)

Where Hazing Happens Beyond Fraternities

While fraternities receive most attention, hazing occurs in:

• Sororities (despite common misconceptions)
• Corps of Cadets programs (particularly relevant for Texas A&M families)
• Athletic teams at all levels
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Spirit organizations and “tradition” clubs
• Some academic and service organizations

For Big Wells families with children in Corps programs or sports, this broader understanding is crucial. The dynamics of power, tradition, and secrecy exist across campus organizations.

Texas Hazing Law: What Big Wells Families Must Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws that protect your child, even if they “agreed” to participate. Understanding these laws is your first step toward accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Child’s Legal Protection

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

• Endangers mental or physical health or safety AND
• Occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership

Key Points for Big Wells Parents:

• Location doesn’t matter—off-campus hazing at distant universities is still illegal
• “Reckless” is enough—they don’t need to intend harm
• Mental health harm counts—PTSD, anxiety, and trauma are recognized injuries

Criminal Penalties (Section 37.152):

• Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

Critical Protection (Section 37.154): Good-faith reporters have immunity. If your child calls 911 for a medical emergency, they generally won’t face legal consequences even if underage drinking was involved.

The Most Important Provision (Section 37.155): CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still hazing under Texas law. This directly counters the most common defense fraternities use.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the State of Texas
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Outcome: Doesn’t provide financial compensation to your family

Civil Cases:

• Brought by your family with attorneys like us
• Aim: Compensation for damages AND accountability
• Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, institutional failures
• Outcome: Financial recovery for medical bills, therapy, lost opportunities, and more

These cases can run simultaneously. You don’t need to wait for criminal charges to pursue civil accountability.

Federal Laws That Protect Your Child

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires universities receiving federal aid to:

• Report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen prevention programs
• Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, additional protections and reporting requirements apply.

Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain campus crimes—hazing often overlaps with assault, alcohol, or drug violations that must be publicly reported.

Why National Hazing Histories Matter for Big Wells Families

When your child is hazed at a Texas university, you’re not just fighting a local chapter. You’re often facing a national organization with a history of similar incidents across the country. This history becomes powerful evidence.

Pattern Evidence: Proving They Should Have Known

Courts recognize that when a national fraternity has multiple similar incidents, they have “constructive notice” that their chapters are at risk. This pattern evidence is crucial for holding national headquarters accountable.

Consider these nationally documented patterns:

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – The Alcohol Death Pattern:

• Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State University (2021): Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol, died from alcohol poisoning. $10 million settlement ($7M from national, $3M from university)
• David Bogenberger, Northern Illinois University (2012): Died from alcohol poisoning during fraternity event. $14 million settlement

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Physical Abuse Pattern:

• Texas A&M University (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. $1 million lawsuit
• University of Texas at Austin (2024): Exchange student allegedly assaulted, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose. Over $1 million lawsuit

Phi Delta Theta – Drinking Game Pattern:

• Max Gruver, LSU (2017): Forced “Bible study” drinking game, died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act felony hazing law.

Pi Kappa Phi – Our Current Case:

• Leonel Bermudez, University of Houston (2025): Systematic abuse leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. $10 million lawsuit

What This Means for Your Case

When we take a hazing case, we investigate not just what happened to your child, but what the national organization knew about similar incidents. This pattern evidence helps prove:

• The organization should have anticipated and prevented the harm
• Their policies and supervision were inadequate
• Punitive damages may be appropriate for reckless disregard

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: Where Big Wells Students Often Land

While Big Wells doesn’t host major universities, your children likely attend schools throughout Texas. Understanding these campuses’ Greek ecosystems helps you recognize risks and patterns.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Big Wells Families

As part of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain comprehensive data on Texas Greek organizations. This isn’t theoretical—these are real entities with legal identities that can be held accountable.

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (Sample from IRS B83 Records):

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC, EIN 133048786, 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 filing)
• GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC, EIN 161675890, 115 Wild Wick Way, The Woodlands, TX 77382 (IRS B83 filing)
• ALPHA EPSILON PI FRATERNITY, EIN 262025321, 920 W Prairie St, Denton, TX 76201 (IRS B83 filing)
• PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION, EIN 371768785, 4102 Eastshore St, Missouri City, TX 77459 (IRS B83 filing)
• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER, EIN 746084905, 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing)
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC, EIN 462267515, 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing)
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC, EIN 475370943, 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing)
• TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC, EIN 741380362, PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 filing)
• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY, EIN 740555581, 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705 (IRS B83 filing)
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI, EIN 900293166, 114 Henderson Hall 4233 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 (IRS B83 filing)

Metro-Level Greek Presence (From Cause IQ Data):

• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188+ Greek organizations
• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510+ Greek organizations
• Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154+ Greek organizations
• San Antonio Metro: 86+ Greek organizations
• Statewide Total: 1,423+ Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros

Universities Relevant to Big Wells Families

Major Statewide Hubs Where Big Wells Students Often Attend:

• University of Texas at Austin (UT) – 4.5-5 hour drive from Big Wells
• Texas A&M University – 4-4.5 hour drive from Big Wells
• University of Houston – 5.5-6 hour drive from Big Wells
• Texas Tech University – 3.5-4 hour drive from Big Wells
• Baylor University – 5-5.5 hour drive from Big Wells

Regional Campuses Within Reasonable Distance:

• Sul Ross State University (Alpine) – 2.5-3 hour drive
• University of Texas Permian Basin (Odessa) – 2-2.5 hour drive
• Texas A&M International University (Laredo) – 2-2.5 hour drive

Why This Data Matters for Your Case:
When we represent your family, we don’t start from scratch. We already know how to identify:

• The specific legal entity behind a chapter (house corporation, alumni association, etc.)
• Insurance carriers that likely provide coverage
• Prior incident history at that chapter or within that national organization
• University disciplinary records and patterns

Building a Winning Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

When hazing harms your child, building a strong case requires methodical investigation and strategic thinking. Here’s how we approach these complex cases.

Critical Evidence Categories for Hazing Cases

1. Digital Communications (The Most Important Evidence Today):

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, iMessage group chats
• Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok content
• Emails between members, officers, nationals
• Chapter-specific apps or communication platforms
• Digital forensics can often recover deleted messages

2. Photo & Video Evidence:

• Content filmed during hazing events (often shared in group chats)
• Social media posts showing events, injuries, or humiliation
• Security camera footage from houses or venues
• Medical documentation photos (injuries over time)

3. Organizational Documents:

• Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents, initiation scripts
• Risk management policies from nationals
• Chapter meeting minutes or records
• Correspondence with national headquarters or advisors

4. University Records:

• Prior conduct violations for the same organization
• Incident reports to campus police or conduct offices
• Clery Act reports showing pattern of incidents
• Internal emails about the organization or hazing concerns

5. Medical & Psychological Records:

• ER and hospitalization records (crucial for rhabdomyolysis cases like Bermudez)
• Toxicology reports showing alcohol/drug levels
• Ongoing treatment records for physical injuries
• Psychological evaluations documenting PTSD, anxiety, depression

6. Witness Testimony:

• Other pledges who experienced similar treatment
• Former members who quit over hazing concerns
• Roommates, RAs, or friends who observed changes
• Medical providers who treated injuries

Damages: What Your Family Can Recover

Hazing causes real, quantifiable harm. Here are the damages categories we pursue:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Financial Losses):

• Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy)
• Future medical care (ongoing treatment, medications, specialists)
• Lost educational opportunities (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
• Diminished earning capacity (if injuries affect future work ability)
• Property damage (destroyed clothing, phones, other items)

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective But Real Harm):

• Physical pain and suffering from injuries
• Emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Humiliation, loss of dignity, reputational harm
• Loss of enjoyment of life (can’t participate in activities they loved)
• For families in wrongful death cases: Loss of companionship, grief, funeral costs

Punitive Damages (When Defendants Act Especially Badly):

• Available when conduct is reckless, willful, or malicious
• Requires showing defendant knew risks and disregarded them
• Pattern evidence from prior incidents strengthens punitive claims
• Texas has caps on punitive damages in many cases, but exceptions exist

Overcoming Common Defense Strategies

Fraternities, universities, and their insurers use predictable defenses. We know how to counter them:

Defense: “They Consented”

• Our Response: Texas law Section 37.155 – consent is not a defense. Plus, true consent requires free will, not coercion under peer pressure.

Defense: “National Didn’t Know”

• Our Response: Pattern evidence shows they should have known. We subpoena national records showing prior incidents and inadequate supervision.

Defense: “It Was Off-Campus”

• Our Response: Location doesn’t eliminate duty. Universities and nationals still control recognized organizations regardless of where abuse occurs.

Defense: “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”

• Our Response: Paper policies mean nothing without enforcement. We show how policies were ignored or violations minimally punished.

Defense: “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”

• Our Response: Even if hazing was intentional, negligent supervision may be covered. We identify all potential insurance sources and fight coverage denials.

Practical Guide for Big Wells Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Physical Signs:

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

Behavioral & Emotional Changes:

• Sudden secrecy about organization activities (“I can’t talk about it”)
• Withdrawal from family, old friends, or non-Greek 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 Red Flags:

• Grades dropping suddenly
• Missing classes or falling asleep in class
• Skipping exams or assignments to attend “mandatory” events
• Losing scholarships or academic standing

Digital/Social Behavior:

• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
• 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

Questions to Ask (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 your child opens up, listen without judgment. If they shut down, don’t force it—but monitor closely and stay ready to intervene.

Your 48-Hour Action Checklist

HOUR 1-6 (IMMEDIATE CRISIS):
✅ Medical: If injured or intoxicated, get to ER immediately
✅ Safety: Remove child from dangerous situation
✅ Evidence: Screenshot any messages they show you; photograph visible injuries
✅ Notes: Write down everything they tell you (date, time, what happened, who was there)
✅ Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate legal guidance

HOUR 6-24 (EVIDENCE PRESERVATION):
✅ Digital: Help child preserve all group chats, DMs, texts (do NOT delete anything)
✅ Physical: Secure clothing, receipts, objects used in hazing
✅ Medical records: Request copies of all ER/hospital records
✅ Witnesses: Write down names and contact info for other pledges, bystanders
✅ University: Note any communications from school but do NOT respond yet

HOUR 24-48 (STRATEGIC DECISIONS):
✅ Legal consultation: Speak with experienced hazing attorney (Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911)
✅ Reporting decision: Decide whether to report to campus police, local police, Dean of Students (with lawyer’s guidance)
✅ University response: If school contacts you, refer them to your attorney
✅ Insurance: Do NOT talk to any insurance adjuster without lawyer present
✅ Evidence backup: Upload all screenshots and photos to cloud storage

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy 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 a 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, and prepare defenses
• What to do instead: Document everything, then 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 your right to sue; settlements are often far below case value
• What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without an attorney reviewing it 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 you’re 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 of limitations 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 and say, “My attorney will contact you”

Why Attorney911 for Big Wells Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. Here’s why Big Wells families choose our firm:

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine

While other firms start from scratch, we begin with data. Our proprietary database tracks:

• 1,423+ Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros
• 125+ Texas-registered Greek entities with EINs and legal identities
• Prior incident patterns at specific chapters and national organizations
• Insurance carriers and coverage patterns for Greek organizations

This isn’t theoretical—it’s the same investigative approach we’re using right now in the Leonel Bermudez case against UH and Pi Kappa Phi.

Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):

• Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
• Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies
• “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello):

• One of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
• Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams
• “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:

• Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases with economist collaboration
• Experience valuing lifetime care needs (brain injury, permanent disability cases)
• “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:

• Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
• Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
• Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Spanish-Language Services for South Texas Families:

• Mr. Lupe Peña speaks fluent Spanish
• We serve Hispanic families throughout Texas with culturally competent representation
• Hablamos Español – servicios legales completos disponibles

Our Investigative Depth

We deploy the right experts for each case:

• Medical experts (rhabdomyolysis specialists, nephrologists, psychiatrists)
• Digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages
• Greek life culture experts to explain coercion dynamics
• Economists to calculate lifetime damages
• Life-care planners for catastrophic injury cases

Your Questions Answered: Hazing Law FAQs for Big Wells Families

“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 Attorney911?”
We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case. We cover all upfront costs (filing fees, expert fees, investigation costs) and only get paid from the recovery. This makes justice accessible to all families, regardless of financial situation.

Call to Action: Big Wells Families Deserve Answers & Accountability

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Big Wells, Dimmit County, and throughout South Texas 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 (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Mr. Lupe Peña)

Spanish-Language Services:

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

Whether you’re in Big Wells or anywhere across South Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions responsible for protecting your child failed. We know how to hold them accountable.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s discuss how we can help your family find justice, accountability, and the compensation needed for healing and recovery.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

1. Click2Houston (KPRC 2) — “‘Urine was brown’: Pledge sues over severe hazing at University of Houston’s shut down Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”

   • URL: 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/

2. ABC13 Eyewitness News (KTRK) — “Waterboarding, forced eating, physical punishment: Lawsuit alleges abuse faced by injured pledge at UH’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”

   • URL: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

3. Hoodline — “University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Face $10M Lawsuit Over Alleged Hazing and Abuse”

   • URL: 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:

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   • URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

2. “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case? | Attorney911 with Injury Lawyer Ralph Manginello”

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   • URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

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Attorney911 Main Website:

1. Attorney911 — Main Website & Contact
   • URL: 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 (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Mr. Lupe Peña)