Hazing Lawsuit Guide for Meadows Place & Texas Parents: University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU & Baylor

For Meadows Place Parents Facing a College Hazing Nightmare

Your child calls home from college. Their voice is shaky. They’re exhausted, secretive, and have unexplained injuries. They mention “mandatory” late-night events, strange group chat demands, and pressure to prove their loyalty. You’re a parent in Meadows Place, Texas, Fort Bend County, and your worst fear is unfolding: your child is being hazed.

Right now, just a short drive from your community in Harris County, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who, as a Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge in the fall of 2025, was allegedly subjected to extreme physical abuse, humiliation, and forced consumption rituals. The hazing, which reportedly included 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced eating until vomiting, led to a medical catastrophe: rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days. This is happening in Texas, right now.

This guide is for you—Meadows Place parents and families across Fort Bend County and the Greater Houston area. If your child attends the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other Texas campus, you need to understand what modern hazing looks like, how Texas law protects your child, and what legal recourse your family may have. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We are Texas-based hazing litigation specialists, and we are currently leading the fight in the Leonel Bermudez vs. UH & Pi Kappa Phi $10 million lawsuit. We serve families throughout Texas, including right here in Meadows Place, Fort Bend County, and the surrounding communities of Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Greater Houston.

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. Universities move quickly to control the narrative. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or harmless traditions. For Meadows Place families with children at Texas universities, hazing in 2025 is a sophisticated, often hidden culture of coercion that endangers mental and physical health. It’s defined under Texas law as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group, that endangers the student’s physical or mental health or safety.

Modern hazing tactics include:

• Alcohol & Substance Hazing: Forced “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, pressure to consume unknown substances. This remains the most common cause of hazing deaths nationwide.
• Physical Hazing: Extreme, punitive “workouts” or “smokings” (like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats alleged in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case), paddling, sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme temperatures, and food/water restriction.
• Psychological & Digital Hazing: 24/7 group chat surveillance requiring immediate responses, public humiliation via social media, enforced silence, isolation from friends and family, and threats of expulsion from the group.
• Sexualized & Degrading Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, wearing humiliating costumes or items (like the reported “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys in the UH case), and acts with racist or sexist overtones.

This happens in fraternities, sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups like cheer and dance, marching bands, and other campus organizations. The common thread is an abuse of power, a demand for silence, and a profound risk to your child’s wellbeing.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Meadows Place Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws to combat hazing, primarily found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Understanding this framework is crucial for Meadows Place families seeking accountability.

The Core of Texas Hazing Law:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a crime. It’s typically a Class B misdemeanor, but elevates to a State Jail Felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death—exactly what we allege in the ongoing UH Pi Kappa Phi case where the pledge suffered acute kidney failure.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (Section 37.155) is clear: a victim’s “agreement” to participate is not a defense against hazing charges. Courts understand the power imbalance and coercion inherent in these situations.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or knowingly allowed the hazing.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: The law protects those who report hazing in good faith from civil or criminal liability, encouraging bystanders and victims to call for help.

Civil Lawsuits vs. Criminal Charges:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA or county attorney) to punish offenders with jail, fines, or probation.
• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by victims and their families to seek financial compensation for damages and to hold all responsible parties accountable. These are separate actions; you do not need to wait for a criminal conviction to file a civil case. Our lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez is a civil action seeking over $10 million in damages.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Case?

1. Individual Members: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. Chapter Officers: Presidents, risk managers, pledge educators who had supervisory roles.
3. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued for creating a dangerous environment.
4. The National Headquarters: They often have deep-pocketed insurance, set policies, and can be liable for negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about a pattern of dangerous behavior.
5. The University: Schools like UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin have a legal duty to protect students. They can be liable for negligent supervision, failing to enforce their own policies, or deliberate indifference to known risks.
6. Alumni & Housing Corporations: Entities that own fraternity houses or provide financial support.
7. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses or bars that furnished alcohol.

Federal Law Overlay: The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024) now requires colleges receiving federal funding to improve hazing transparency and prevention. Title IX may apply if hazing involves sexual harassment, and the Clery Act requires reporting of certain campus crimes.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script Texas Chapters Follow

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not isolated incidents. They reveal a repeated, predictable script that plays out on campuses across the country, including in Texas. Understanding these patterns shows why hazing is foreseeable and preventable.

The Alcohol Poisoning Script:

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A bid-acceptance night with extreme drinking led to fatal falls; brothers delayed calling 911. This resulted in massive criminal charges and spurred new Pennsylvania law.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking. He died of alcohol toxicity, leading to Louisiana’s felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A pledge forced to drink a bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. His death led to a $10 million settlement and criminal convictions.
• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Another “Big Brother” night with forced alcohol consumption leading to death.

The Physical & Ritualized Abuse Script:

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): A blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat caused fatal head injuries. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): A “pledge dad reveal” with forced drinking caused catastrophic, permanent brain damage, resulting in multi-million-dollar settlements.

The Athletic Program Script:

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

What This Means for Meadows Place Families: These cases create legal precedent. They establish that national fraternities and universities are on notice about these deadly patterns. When a chapter at UH or Texas A&M repeats the same “Big/Little” drinking script that killed Stone Foltz, it powerfully supports arguments for negligence and punitive damages.

Texas Universities: A Hazing Reality Guide for Meadows Place Families

Meadows Place families are deeply connected to Texas’s higher education system. Many students from Fort Bend County attend the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor. Here is what you need to know about hazing at these institutions.

University of Houston (UH) – Your Neighbor Campus

Campus Snapshot: A large, diverse urban research university in Houston with a significant Greek life presence, including Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) chapters.

The Active Case – Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi:
This is the flagship case demonstrating serious, ongoing hazing litigation in Texas. As reported by Click2Houston and ABC13, the lawsuit alleges that in fall 2025, Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter subjected pledges like Bermudez to systematic abuse at the UH chapter house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park. The hazing allegedly included:

• The humiliating “pledge fanny pack” rule.
• Forced, extreme physical workouts leading to rhabdomyolysis.
• Simulated waterboarding with a hose.
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.
  The lawsuit names 13 individual members, the chapter, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the UH System Board of Regents, and the University of Houston itself as defendants. The chapter was suspended and then voted to surrender its charter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

What UH Families Should Do:

1. Report to both UHPD and the Dean of Students Office.
2. Understand that a hazing case in Houston will likely involve Harris County courts.
3. Seek counsel familiar with Houston’s legal landscape and with direct experience in active UH litigation, like our firm.

Texas A&M University – Corps Culture & Greek Life

Campus Snapshot: A tradition-rich campus with a massive Greek system and the storied Corps of Cadets, both of which have faced serious hazing allegations.

Documented Incidents:

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

What Texas A&M Families Should Do:

1. Recognize that hazing risks exist in both Greek life and the Corps.
2. Reporting avenues include the Student Conduct Office and Corps headquarters.
3. Evidence like training manuals, tradition guides, and internal Corps emails can be critical.

University of Texas at Austin – Public Transparency & Patterns

Campus Snapshot: UT Austin maintains one of the most transparent public hazing violation logs in the country, providing clear evidence of recurring issues.

Documented Violations (from UT’s Public Log):

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): Sanctioned for hazing that included directing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) (Ongoing): The chapter has faced litigation and suspension over allegations including a violent assault on an international student in 2024.
• Various spirit groups and fraternities appear regularly on the log for alcohol hazing, forced workouts, and humiliation.

What UT Austin Families Should Do:

1. Check the Public Hazing Log at hazing.utexas.edu. A prior violation against your child’s organization is powerful evidence.
2. Reports can be made to the Office of the Dean of Students.
3. Legal action may proceed in Travis County courts.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University – Private School Context

SMU Snapshot: A private university with a prominent Greek system. Past incidents include the Kappa Alpha Order chapter suspension in 2017 for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.

Baylor Snapshot: A private Baptist university. Beyond Greek life, the school has faced hazing scandals in its baseball program (2020), resulting in multiple player suspensions.

What Private University Families Should Know:

• While sovereign immunity arguments differ from public schools, private universities like SMU and Baylor still have a duty to protect students.
• Internal disciplinary processes may be less transparent, making skilled legal discovery even more important.
• Civil lawsuits can be filed in the county where the incident occurred (e.g., Dallas County for SMU, McLennan County for Baylor).

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: Tracking the Organizations Behind the Letters

For Meadows Place parents, it’s vital to understand that the fraternity or sorority your child joins is not just a local club. It’s part of a vast national network with a documented history, legal liabilities, and significant financial resources. Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records, to map this ecosystem.

The National Organization History Matters:
If your child is hazed by a chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha, that national organization has a history of deadly “Big/Little” nights (Stone Foltz). If it’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon, that national has faced lawsuits over traumatic brain injuries and chemical burns. If it’s Pi Kappa Phi, the national is a defendant in our active UH case. This history establishes foreseeability—the national knew or should have known this could happen again.

A Snapshot of the Texas Greek Landscape (From Public IRS & Cause IQ Data):
Our research identifies over 1,400 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. For families in Meadows Place and the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro, this includes hundreds of entities. These are not just undergraduate chapters but also:

• Alumni Chapters (e.g., Fort Worth Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi).
• House Corporations (e.g., Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation in Frisco, TX).
• Educational Foundations (e.g., Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation in Fort Worth).
• Honor Societies (e.g., Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi chapters at nearly every Texas university).

Why This Data-Driven Approach is Critical for Your Case:
When we take a case, we don’t start from zero. We already have a map of the legal entities, Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), and addresses associated with the organizations involved. This allows us to:

1. Identify every potentially liable party, from the local chapter president to the national housing corporation.
2. Uncover prior incidents and patterns across the state and country.
3. Navigate complex insurance coverage battles by knowing which entities hold policies.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages & Legal Strategy

Pursuing a hazing case requires a meticulous, strategic approach. It’s about building an undeniable record of what happened, who is responsible, and the true cost to your family.

Critical Evidence We Pursue:

• Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe, WhatsApp, and Snapchat messages; social media posts and DMs; chapter email servers. We work with experts to recover what organizations try to erase.
• Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” binders, meeting minutes, risk management reports from the national headquarters.
• University Records: Prior disciplinary files on the chapter obtained via discovery or public records requests.
• Medical Documentation: ER records, lab reports (like the critical creatine kinase levels showing rhabdomyolysis), psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
• Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and advisors.

Damages: What Can Be Recovered in a Hazing Lawsuit
The goal is to make your family whole and hold institutions accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical bills, lost wages, costs of therapy, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, and trauma.
• Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship and guidance for the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct, courts may award damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Our Legal Strategy & Advantages:

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as a defense attorney for national insurance companies. He knows how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and minimize your claim. We know their playbook.
• Complex Litigation Experience: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by billion-dollar institutions or their high-powered law firms. We have federal court experience and a record of multi-million-dollar results.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Understanding: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the intersection of criminal hazing charges and civil litigation, allowing us to expertly advise clients through both processes.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Meadows Place Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping), extreme fatigue, or sudden weight changes.
• Becoming secretive or defensive about organization activities.
• Personality shifts: increased anxiety, depression, or withdrawal.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Financial strain from unexplained “fines” or mandatory purchases.
• Grades plummeting due to “mandatory” late-night events.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “How are you really doing with [organization]? Is anything making you uncomfortable?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger or injury, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages and photograph injuries. Write down a detailed timeline.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Contact us at 1-888 288-9911 before reporting to the university. We can help you navigate the process to protect your child’s rights and preserve crucial evidence.

For Students: Is This Hazing? How to Get Help

You are not alone, and it is not your fault.

• Trust Your Gut: If an activity feels coercive, dangerous, or degrading, it likely is hazing—even if others call it “tradition.”
• Your Safety Comes First: In a medical emergency, call 911. Texas law and most university policies offer “good faith” protections for those who call for help.
• How to Exit Safely: You can resign at any time via email or text. Do not attend a “final meeting” where you may be pressured. Tell a trusted adult (parent, RA, counselor) first.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots, photos, and notes. Do not delete anything, no matter how embarrassing.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Hazing Case

1. Deleting Messages: “Cleaning up” group chats destroys the most critical evidence and can appear as a cover-up.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their defense lawyers, leading to evidence destruction and coached witnesses.
3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: Universities may offer quick, low-dollar settlements that require you to waive your right to sue. Never sign without an attorney.
4. Posting on Social Media: Public posts can be used by defense attorneys to attack credibility. Keep details private.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, memories fade, and the Texas statute of limitations (generally 2 years) continues to run.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue the university?”
Yes, under theories of negligent supervision, premises liability, or deliberate indifference. Public universities have some immunity, but exceptions exist, especially for gross negligence.

“What if it happened off-campus?”
Location does not shield liability. Nationals and universities can still be responsible for foreseeable activities of their recognized chapters.

“How long do we have?”
The Texas statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, do not wait. Immediate action is crucial for evidence preservation.

“Will this be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy while aggressively pursuing accountability.

Why Choose The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the profound emotional toll and have the proven skill to take on powerful institutions. We are Texas-based hazing litigation specialists serving families in Meadows Place, Fort Bend County, and across the state.

We Are Currently Fighting This Fight:
We are lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit—a $10 million case alleging catastrophic injury from hazing. This isn’t theoretical for us. We are in the courtroom right now, holding a major Texas university and a national fraternity accountable.

Our Unique Advantages for Your Family:

• Data-Driven Investigation: We deploy our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—mapping over 1,400 Greek entities—to identify every liable party and uncover patterns.
• Insider Insurance Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as an insurance defense attorney is invaluable in countering the tactics fraternity and university insurers use to minimize claims.
• Proven Institutional Litigators: From the BP Texas City explosion to federal court battles, we have the experience and resources to face billion-dollar defendants.
• Compassionate, Client-Focused Advocacy: We guide families through this nightmare with clarity, constant communication, and a relentless focus on your child’s recovery and your family’s well-being.

A Confidential Consultation for Meadows Place Families

If you suspect your child has been hazed at any Texas university, we urge you to contact us. The path to accountability begins with a conversation.

In a free, confidential consultation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal options and rights under Texas law.
• Outline the investigative process.
• Discuss our contingency-fee structure—you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.

Hablamos Español. Mr. Lupe Peña ofrece consultas confidenciales en español.

You do not have to navigate this alone. For Meadows Place parents and families across Texas, we are here to help you find answers, secure justice, and prevent this from happening to another student.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 Today:

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 or lupe@atty911.com (Spanish)

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)
Website: https://attorney911.com