The Ultimate Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Santa Fe, Texas Families: Protecting Your Child at College

For a parent in Santa Fe, Texas, there’s a particular kind of fear that comes when your child leaves for college. You’ve helped them with their college essays, cheered at the high school graduations at Santa Fe High School, and maybe even toured campuses across our great state. You’ve dreamed of their future at Texas A&M, the University of Houston, or UT Austin. But in quiet moments, especially when the news carries stories of campus tragedies far from our close-knit Galveston County community, a worry can settle in: Is my child safe? Could they be pressured, humiliated, or hurt in the name of “tradition” or “brotherhood”?

This fear became a devastating reality for one Texas family just this past fall. In a case that has rocked our state, attorneys at Attorney911 are proud to fight for Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student whose pursuit of brotherhood in the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity nearly cost him his life. The allegations are severe: as reported in a $10 million lawsuit, Bermudez was subjected to brutal hazing rituals—forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, sprayed in the face with a hose in a manner “similar to waterboarding,” and driven through extreme workouts that culminated in his body breaking down its own muscle tissue. The result was a medical catastrophe: rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days, facing the risk of permanent kidney damage. Reports by Click2Houston and ABC13 detail a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, overnight driving duties, and physical abuse at locations including Yellowstone Boulevard Park.

This case is not an isolated, distant tragedy. It is happening right now in our state, at a major university many Santa Fe students attend, and it is being actively litigated by our firm. If this can happen at UH, it can and does happen at campuses across Texas where our children study.

This comprehensive guide exists to empower you, the Santa Fe parent. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, detail the Texas laws designed to protect your child, examine the national fraternity patterns that repeat here at home, and provide a clear, actionable path forward if you suspect your child is at risk. We serve families across Texas, from our Houston headquarters to communities like yours in Santa Fe, Dickinson, La Marque, and throughout Galveston County. Our mission is to provide immediate, aggressive help—because in a hazing crisis, every hour matters.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

• If your child is in danger or severely injured RIGHT NOW: Call 911 first, then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.
• In the first 48 hours: Get medical attention. Help your child preserve all digital evidence—screenshot every group chat (GroupMe, WhatsApp, texts), photograph any injuries, and save physical items. Write down everything they remember. Do not let them delete anything out of embarrassment or fear.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney immediately. Evidence vanishes quickly. Universities and fraternities have legal teams that move fast. We can help secure evidence, navigate reporting, and protect your child’s rights from the start. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

For many Santa Fe families, “hazing” might conjure images of outdated fraternity pranks. The reality in 2025 is far more sinister, systematic, and digitally enabled. Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group. It’s critical to understand that a student’s initial “yes” or desire to fit in does not make these acts legal or safe.

Modern hazing at Texas colleges often falls into these categories:

• Alcohol & Substance Hazing: The single greatest cause of hazing deaths. This includes forced consumption during “lineups,” “Big/Little” nights, drinking games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mandate drinking, or being pressured to consume unknown mixtures or dangerous amounts.
• Physical & “Wellness” Hazing: Often disguised as “conditioning” or “team building.” This includes extreme, punitive calisthenics (“smokings” of hundreds of push-ups/squats), paddling or beatings, sleep and food deprivation, and exposure to extreme elements (like being outside in cold weather in underwear).
• Psychological & Humiliating Hazing: Verbal abuse, threats, social isolation, forced confessions, and public shaming. This now extends to digital spaces—being forced to post embarrassing content on social media, participate in degrading TikTok challenges, or endure constant harassment in 24/7 group chats.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexually degrading positions or costumes, and in the most horrific cases, sexual assault. This type of hazing is a profound violation that often intersects with Title IX protections.

Hazing isn’t confined to fraternity basements. It occurs in sororities, athletic teams (from football to swimming), spirit groups like cheer squads, marching bands, Corps of Cadets programs, and even academic clubs. The common threads are an imbalance of power, a culture of secrecy, and the misuse of “tradition” to justify abuse.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Framework for Santa Fe Families

Texas law provides clear avenues for accountability, both criminal and civil. Understanding this framework is the first step in holding responsible parties accountable.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37 (Hazing Law):
Texas defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for purposes of initiation or affiliation with a group. For Santa Fe families, key provisions include:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury and a State Jail Felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also face charges for failing to report hazing or retaliating against those who do.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Critically, Texas law (Sec. 37.155) states that the victim’s consent is not a defense. The law recognizes that “consent” given under peer pressure and the desire to belong is not truly voluntary.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or knew of the hazing and failed to act.
• Immunity for Good Faith Reporting: Those who report hazing in good faith or seek medical help in an emergency are protected from civil or criminal liability related to that report, encouraging life-saving action.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Galveston County DA, Harris County DA, campus police). Goal is punishment (jail, fines, probation).
• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by the victim and their family. Goal is compensation for damages and institutional accountability. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit. Our work on the Bermudez case is a civil lawsuit seeking damages for his catastrophic injuries.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Case?
A robust hazing lawsuit, like the one we’re building for Leonel Bermudez, looks at every entity that failed in its duty:

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the abuse.
2. The Local Chapter: As an entity that fosters a dangerous culture.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For failing to adequately supervise, train, or act on known patterns of misconduct. The Pi Kappa Phi national organization is a defendant in the UH case.
4. The University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations. The University of Houston and its Board of Regents are named defendants.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, property owners, or alcohol providers.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not anomalies; they are blueprints that reckless chapters repeatedly follow. For Santa Fe parents, these cases prove the foreseeability of harm—national organizations and universities often know the risks but fail to prevent them.

• Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State University (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Forced to drink a bottle of alcohol; died of alcohol poisoning. $10 million+ in settlements from the national fraternity and university.
• Timothy Piazza, Penn State (Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injury after a bid-night drinking gauntlet; help was delayed for hours. Led to major criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s “Piazza Law.”
• Max Gruver, LSU (Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died after a “Bible study” drinking game. His case spurred Louisiana’s felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”
• Danny Santulli, University of Missouri (Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Forced to drink until he suffered permanent, catastrophic brain injury. Multi-million dollar settlements with numerous defendants.
• Andrew Coffey, Florida State (Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning at a “Big Brother” event, the same national fraternity involved in the UH case.

These cases share a deadly script: coerced consumption, delayed medical care, and a culture of secrecy. When we see the same script play out at a Texas school—like the forced drinking and extreme workouts alleged in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case—it demonstrates a shocking failure to learn from history.

A Texas-Specific Focus: Where Santa Fe Students Are at Risk

Santa Fe families send their children to a diverse array of Texas institutions. Whether your student is at a local community college, a flagship university, or a private school, understanding the specific landscape is crucial.

The University of Houston & The Gulf Coast Connection

For many Santa Fe and Galveston County students, UH is a top-choice, world-class institution close to home. The ongoing Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit reveals the severe risks that can exist even at a commuter-heavy school.

• The Active Case: As detailed in media reports, the lawsuit alleges UH and Pi Kappa Phi failed to stop systematic hazing at the Beta Nu chapter, leading to Leonel Bermudez’s kidney failure. The chapter was swiftly suspended and then voted to surrender its charter.
• Jurisdiction for Santa Fe Families: If your student is involved in a UH hazing incident, legal proceedings could involve the Harris County court system. Evidence may be held by UH Police (UHPD) or Houston Police Department (HPD). Our Houston-based firm is deeply familiar with these venues.
• Action Steps for UH Families: Report to the UH Dean of Students Office and UHPD immediately. Document everything. Understand that universities have a powerful incentive to manage the narrative internally. Having an experienced attorney ensures your family’s voice is heard and your child’s interests are protected during any university “conduct” process.

Other Major Texas Universities

Hazing is a statewide issue. Patterns observed at other major schools are directly relevant, as the same national fraternities and sororities operate across campuses.

• Texas A&M University: Home to a massive Greek system and the Corps of Cadets, both with documented hazing issues. Lawsuits have included a Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) case where pledges allegedly suffered chemical burns from cleaner, and Corps of Cadets cases alleging degrading physical and sexualized hazing.
• University of Texas at Austin: UT maintains a public online log of hazing violations, offering a window into recurring problems. Entries show sanctions against groups like Pi Kappa Alpha for forced milk consumption and strenuous exercise, and other spirit groups for alcohol hazing and physical abuse.
• Southern Methodist University: As a private university with a prominent Greek system, SMU has faced incidents like the Kappa Alpha Order chapter suspension for paddling and forced drinking. The dynamics of pursuing accountability against a private institution differ from public universities.
• Baylor University: Following past institutional crises, Baylor has faced hazing issues within its baseball program, resulting in multiple player suspensions. The intersection of athletic culture and hazing risk is a critical concern.

For a Santa Fe student at any of these schools, the legal principles remain the same, but the tactics for investigation and the specific defendants (e.g., navigating UT’s sovereign immunity as a public institution vs. SMU as a private entity) require tailored experience.

Inside the Greek System: National Histories, Local Chapters

Why does a national fraternity’s history in Ohio matter to a Santa Fe parent whose child is at UH? Because it establishes foreseeability—the legal concept that the harm was predictable and preventable. National organizations create anti-hazing policies precisely because they know the deadly patterns. When a local chapter repeats those patterns, the national headquarters can be held liable for not stopping it.

Examples of National Patterns:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (“Pike”): National history includes the Stone Foltz death. When a Pike chapter engages in forced drinking rituals, it’s following a known, lethal script.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Once dubbed the “deadliest fraternity” by media, SAE has been involved in numerous alcohol-poisoning deaths and injury cases nationwide, including at Texas A&M.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver death in Louisiana is a permanent part of this fraternity’s history, informing every risk-management decision they should make.
• Pi Kappa Phi: The national organization is now defending the UH lawsuit while also having the Andrew Coffey death in its recent past. This demonstrates a failure to eradicate known dangers.

Our investigation into any hazing case involves subpoenaing the national organization’s records to uncover prior complaints, incident reports, and internal communications about the specific chapter or general hazing risks. This “pattern evidence” is powerful in proving negligence.

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

When a Santa Fe family comes to us, we immediately begin a meticulous, multi-front investigation. Our goal is to build an undeniable record of what happened, who is responsible, and the full scope of the harm.

Critical Evidence We Pursue:

1. Digital Evidence: The #1 source of proof. We secure and analyze group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord), text messages, social media posts (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok), and emails. We use digital forensics to recover deleted content.
2. Photographic & Video Evidence: Photos of injuries, videos of events shared among members, location data, and security footage from houses or venues.
3. Institutional Records: Through discovery and public records requests, we obtain the university’s prior disciplinary files on the group, internal investigation reports, Clery Act logs, and communications between administrators. We subpoena the national fraternity’s risk-management files and prior incident reports.
4. Medical & Psychological Records: Documentation of physical injuries (ER reports, lab tests showing rhabdomyolysis, surgical notes) and diagnosed psychological trauma (PTSD, depression, anxiety).
5. Witness Testimony: Interviews with other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders who can corroborate the events and culture.

Types of Damages in a Hazing Case:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost wages, costs for psychological counseling, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (in fatal cases): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound emotional loss to parents and siblings.

Our strategy is informed by our unique strengths. Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney gives us insider knowledge of how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny or minimize claims. Managing Partner Ralph Manginello’s experience in the BP Texas City explosion litigation proves our firm’s capability against billion-dollar institutional defendants with limitless legal resources. We are not intimidated; we are prepared.

Practical Guides for Santa Fe Parents, Students & Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs: Unexplained injuries or illnesses; drastic weight change; extreme fatigue/sleep deprivation; withdrawal from family and old friends; sudden secrecy about group activities; constant, anxious phone use for group chats; personality changes (anxiety, depression, anger); declining grades; unexplained financial charges.

What to Do:

1. Talk Openly: Ask non-judgmental questions. “I’m worried about you. Are you being asked to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe to be part of the group?”
2. Prioritize Safety & Evidence: If they are hurt, get medical care immediately. Help them preserve all digital evidence before it’s deleted. Our video on using your phone to document a case is a crucial resource.
3. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Before reporting to the university or police, consult with an experienced hazing attorney. We can help you navigate the process strategically, protect evidence, and ensure your child’s rights are upheld during any institutional investigation. The university’s primary interest is often limiting its own liability.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe. No “tradition” justifies abuse. If you feel coerced, humiliated, or endangered, it is hazing.
• Exiting Safely: You can quit at any time. Send a clear text/email to the chapter president: “I resign my membership/pledge status, effective immediately.” Inform a trusted adult or university official. Do not attend a “final meeting” where you could be pressured or threatened.
• Reporting: You can report anonymously through campus channels or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law provides protections for good-faith reporters.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

• Deleting Digital Evidence: This looks like a cover-up and destroys your case. Preserve, don’t delete.
• Confronting the Fraternity Directly: This triggers their defense strategy and evidence destruction.
• Signing University “Resolution” Forms: These often contain waivers of your right to sue. Do not sign anything without an attorney.
• Posting on Social Media: Defense teams scour social media for inconsistencies. Let your lawyer control the narrative.
• Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, memories fade. Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims. Learn more in our video on statutes of limitation.

Why Attorney911 for Your Santa Fe Hazing Case

When your family is facing the trauma of hazing, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the intricate, high-stakes battle you’re about to enter. You need attorneys who know how the other side thinks and fights. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), we bring a unique combination of expertise directly to your fight.

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence in Action:
For our Santa Fe clients, we don’t start from scratch. We maintain a detailed intelligence engine on the Greek landscape your student navigates. For example, our data shows over 188 Greek-related organizations in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro area, including Santa Fe’s primary region. We track the legal entities behind the letters. Here is a snapshot of the type of public records we analyze:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity – Beta Nu Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 46-3267515, Frisco, TX 75035
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter, Houston, TX (Undergrad chapter in Houston metro)
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae, Houston, TX
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – University of Houston Victoria, Victoria, TX 77901

This deep, data-driven understanding allows us to immediately identify all potentially liable parties—from the local chapter corporation to the national headquarters—ensuring no entity escapes accountability.

Our Unmatched Legal Advantages:

1. Insurance Insider Knowledge: Associate Attorney Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as a defense attorney for national insurance companies. He knows the exact tactics insurers for fraternities and universities will use to deny or lowball your claim. We know their playbook because we used to help write it.
2. Proven Experience Against Giants: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. Taking on a multinational corporation with endless resources taught us how to win against powerful, institutional defendants—exactly what national fraternities and large universities are.
3. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal side of hazing cases. This is invaluable for advising clients, dealing with law enforcement, and navigating cases where criminal charges are also pending.
4. A Track Record of Results: We have recovered millions for clients in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with life-care planners, economists, and medical experts to ensure every future need is accounted for. We are trial-ready, and that readiness forces fair settlements.
5. Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish and can serve Spanish-speaking families with the same level of expertise and compassion.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If you are a Santa Fe parent or student reading this because you fear hazing has touched your life, you do not have to face this alone. The path is daunting, but you have rights and options.

We invite you to contact Attorney911 for a free, completely confidential consultation. In this meeting, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain the legal landscape and your family’s specific options under Texas law.
• Outline the investigative process and what you can realistically expect.
• Answer all your questions about the process, timeline, and costs. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover money for you, as explained in our video on how contingency fees work.

We serve families throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Whether your student is at UH, Texas A&M, a community college in Galveston County, or any school in the nation, we have the experience and determination to help you seek justice and prevent this from happening to another family.

Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ today: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). You can also reach us directly at (713) 528-9070, via cell at (713) 443-4781, or by email at ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com.

Se habla Español. Contact Mr. Lupe Peña for assistance in Spanish.

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

Plain Text Links to Key Resources:

News Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• 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 Videos:

• Using Your Cellphone as Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website: https://attorney911.com