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A Message to Friendswood Parents: Understanding Hazing, Legal Rights, and Accountability at Texas Universities

If you’re a parent in Friendswood, your child’s journey to college is filled with hope—perhaps to the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or another campus where they can build a future. But a hidden danger persists behind the letters of fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and spirit groups: hazing. The nightmare isn’t abstract. Right now, in Harris County, we are actively litigating one of the most severe hazing cases in Texas, representing Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. This case is a stark, local example of how hazing can escalate from humiliation to life-threatening injury, and it underscores why families in Friendswood, Clear Lake, Pearland, and across Harris County need to be informed and prepared.

This guide is for you—the parents and families in Friendswood and surrounding communities of Galveston County and the Greater Houston area. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, break down Texas and federal law, examine the Greek ecosystems at the universities your children attend, and detail the legal pathways to accountability. Our firm, The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD (Attorney911), is leading the fight in Texas, armed with a data-driven investigative engine and decades of experience taking on powerful institutions. We are here to ensure you have the knowledge and resources to protect your child.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If you suspect your child is in immediate danger or has been seriously injured, time is critical.

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.
• In the first 48 hours:
  1. Seek Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” get a professional evaluation. Internal injuries like rhabdomyolysis may not be immediately apparent.
  2. Preserve Digital Evidence: Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), text messages, and social media posts related to the incident. Photograph any visible injuries from multiple angles.
  3. Do Not Confront the Organization: This can trigger evidence destruction and witness coordination.
  4. Write Down Everything: Document what your child tells you—names, dates, locations, and specific acts—while memories are fresh.
  5. Contact a Hazing Attorney: Evidence disappears rapidly. We can help secure evidence and navigate the complex interplay with university processes and potential criminal investigations.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like on Texas Campuses

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks. It is a calculated spectrum of abuse designed to assert power and force allegiance through fear, degradation, and physical risk. For Friendswood families, understanding its evolution is key to recognizing the signs.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

1. Subtle Hazing: Activities that emphasize power imbalance and create a culture of compliance. This includes forced servitude (24/7 driving duties, cleaning rooms), social isolation, being assigned derogatory names, and mandatory events that interfere with academics. Digitally, it manifests as required constant monitoring of group chats, instant response demands, and location-sharing mandates.
2. Harassment Hazing: Behavior that causes emotional or physical distress. This encompasses sleep deprivation, verbal abuse and yelling sessions, food/water restriction, and forced physical activity framed as “workouts” but designed to punish—like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats inflicted on Leonel Bermudez. Public humiliation, both in-person and via social media “challenges,” is common.
3. Violent Hazing: Acts with a high potential for catastrophic injury or death. This is the realm of forced alcohol consumption (like the “Big/Little” nights that have killed pledges nationwide), forced drug use, physical beatings or paddling, dangerous “rituals” like blindfolded tackles, sexualized assault, and exposure to extreme elements. The rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure suffered in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case is a direct result of this tier.

The Current Playbook: How Organizations Avoid Detection

Groups have become sophisticated in evading accountability. They use “unofficial” off-campus houses or AirBnbs (like the Culmore Drive residence and Yellowstone Boulevard Park used in the UH case). They frame activities as “voluntary” or “team bonding.” They employ euphemisms like “tradition,” “character building,” or “wellness challenges.” Most destructively, they enforce a strict code of silence and utilize disappearing message apps, coaching members on what to say if investigated. Understanding these tactics helps see through the facade.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Framework for Friendswood Families

Texas has robust statutes, but holding powerful entities accountable requires strategic legal navigation.

The Texas Education Code: Chapter 37, Subchapter F

Texas law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership. Critically, consent is not a defense. The law applies on and off campus.

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, elevating to a Class A misdemeanor if injury requiring medical treatment occurs, and a state jail felony if serious bodily injury or death results. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing or retaliating against reporters.
• Organizational Liability: Fraternities, sororities, and other groups can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.

Civil Liability: The Path to Accountability and Compensation

A criminal case is brought by the state to punish. A civil lawsuit, which we handle, is brought by victims and families to recover damages and force systemic change. Potential defendants in a civil hazing case include:

• The individual perpetrators.
• The local chapter and its officers.
• The national fraternity/sorority headquarters (which often have deep insurance pockets and prior knowledge of risks).
• The university or college (for negligent supervision, Title IX violations, or Clery Act failures).
• Housing corporations, alumni associations, and property owners.

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

The Stop Campus Hazing Act of 2024 now requires federally funded schools to publish more transparent hazing data, strengthening public accountability. Title IX obligations are triggered if hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility. The Clery Act mandates reporting of certain campus crimes, which can include hazing-related assaults. Our experience in federal court is essential for leveraging these frameworks.

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

This active lawsuit, filed in Harris County in late 2025, is not a distant news story. It is a live example of the brutal reality of hazing and the complex legal fight for justice. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a UH student who nearly lost his life pledging Pi Kappa Phi.

• The Hazing: Allegations include the degrading “pledge fanny pack” rule, enforced dress codes, overnight driving duties, and extreme physical abuse. This culminated in events like forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and the November 3rd “workout” of over 100 push-ups and 500 squats that directly led to his medical crisis.
• The Catastrophic Injury: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis—severe muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, could not stand, and was hospitalized for four days with critically elevated creatine kinase levels, facing a risk of permanent kidney damage.
• The Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi nationals suspended the Beta Nu chapter on November 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on November 14, shutting it down. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement. Our lawsuit targets UH, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi nationals, the chapter’s housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.
• Why This Matters to You: This case demonstrates the specific patterns of abuse, the severe medical consequences, and the universe of entities that can be held responsible. It proves that hazing causing organ failure is happening right now at a major Texas university minutes from Friendswood.

For detailed reporting, see the Click2Houston investigation and the ABC13 coverage of this ongoing lawsuit.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: A Data-Driven Look for Friendswood Parents

We don’t just litigate; we investigate with depth. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine compiles public records on thousands of Greek entities across the state. This data allows us to identify every possible liable party—from the local chapter to the national housing corporation—from day one.

Public Records Snapshot: Greek Organizations in the Houston-Galveston Area

For families in Friendswood, Pearland, League City, and across Harris and Galveston Counties, here is a snapshot of the formal Greek infrastructure recorded in public filings. This illustrates the complex network behind campus letters.

A Sample of Texas-Registered Greek Entities (IRS B83 Filings & Cause IQ Metro Data):

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity – EIN: 746064445 – Nederland, TX 77627 (IRS B83)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – EIN: 364091267 – Waco, TX 76710 (IRS B83)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. – EIN: 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83)
• Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Houston, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae – Houston, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter – Houston, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Beaumont Alumni – Beaumont, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Lamar Univ. – Beaumont, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)

This is not an accusation but a demonstration of the identifiable organizational landscape. In a case, we use this data to trace insurance coverage, ownership, and control.

Where Friendswood Families Send Their Kids: Campus Connections

Students from Friendswood, Clear Creek ISD, and surrounding areas attend universities across Texas. Our focus includes both the major hubs and local institutions.

Primary University Hubs for Friendswood Families:

1. University of Houston (UH) – Houston, Harris County. The flagship local research university.
2. Texas A&M University – College Station, Brazos County. A major destination for Texas students.
3. University of Texas at Austin (UT) – Austin, Travis County. The state’s premier public university.
4. Baylor University – Waco, McLennan County. A leading private Texas university.
5. Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Dallas, Dallas County. A prominent private university.
6. Texas State University – San Marcos, Hays County.
7. University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) – San Antonio, Bexar County.
8. Prairie View A&M University – Prairie View, Waller County.
9. Sam Houston State University – Huntsville, Walker County.
10. Local & Regional Campuses: San Jacinto College, College of the Mainland, University of Houston-Clear Lake, and others provide educational pathways closer to home.

Each of these campuses hosts a vibrant, and sometimes dangerous, Greek life ecosystem. The national organizations implicated in hazing deaths elsewhere—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma—all have active chapters at these Texas schools.

National Hazing Histories: Patterns That Predict Texas Tragedies

When a chapter at UH or Texas A&M hazes, it is rarely an isolated incident. National organizations have documented, repeated patterns that establish foreseeability—a key legal concept for holding them liable.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): The 2021 death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (forced alcohol consumption) led to a $10+ million settlement. This pattern of “Big/Little” drinking nights repeats across chapters.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): One of the deadliest fraternities nationwide. At Texas A&M, SAE pledges allegedly suffered severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. At UT Austin, a lawsuit alleges an assault causing a dislocated leg and broken nose.
• Phi Delta Theta: The 2017 death of Max Gruver at LSU (a “Bible study” drinking game) led to felony hazing legislation in Louisiana.
• Pi Kappa Phi: The 2017 death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University followed a “Big Brother” night with forced drinking.
• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI): The 2021 case of Danny Santulli at the University of Missouri resulted in permanent, severe brain damage from forced drinking, leading to multi-defendant settlements.

These national histories matter because they show that headquarters were on notice. When a Texas chapter repeats these known, dangerous rituals, it strengthens claims against the national organization for negligent supervision and failure to enact meaningful reform.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing accountability is a meticulous process. Here is how we build a case for families in Friendswood and across Texas.

The Evidence Pyramid

1. Digital Forensics: The #1 source of evidence. We work to recover deleted group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), text messages, social media posts, and location data. These show planning, participation, threats, and cover-ups.
2. Medical Documentation: Comprehensive records are crucial. This includes ER reports, hospitalization records, lab results (like CK levels for rhabdomyolysis), and ongoing treatment for physical and psychological trauma (PTSD, depression, anxiety).
3. Institutional Records: Through discovery, we subpoena the university’s prior disciplinary files on the organization, internal investigation reports, and communications. We also seek the national fraternity’s risk management files and prior incident reports from other chapters.
4. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and advisors can provide critical accounts.
5. Physical Evidence: Photographs of injuries and locations, along with preserved items like paddles or specific clothing.

Overcoming Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and counter common defenses:

• “The Victim Consented”: Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense. We demonstrate the coercive power imbalance.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We use national pattern evidence and prior incidents to show the national organization knew or should have known.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability is not determined by zip code. Universities and nationals can still have duty based on sponsorship, control, and foreseeability.
• “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”: We leverage Mr. Lupe Peña’s insider experience as a former insurance defense attorney to navigate coverage disputes and argue for negligent supervision claims that may trigger coverage.

Damages: What Can Be Recovered

Civil lawsuits seek to make victims whole and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and educational costs.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In tragic cases, families can recover funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence or malice, damages may be awarded to punish the defendant and deter future conduct.

Practical Guides for Friendswood Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Red Flags Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight change.
• Secrecy about organization activities; fear of talking about them.
• Personality shifts: increased anxiety, depression, or withdrawal.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Academic performance suddenly dropping.
• Requests for unusual amounts of money for “fines” or “supplies.”

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’ve noticed you’re exhausted. Is everything okay with your group?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there’s any immediate danger or serious injury, seek medical help and call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Guide your child to screenshot messages and photograph injuries. Write down a timeline.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Contact us before reporting to the university. We can help you navigate the process strategically to protect your child’s rights and preserve evidence.
5. Avoid Common Mistakes: Do not confront the organization directly. Do not let your child delete messages. Do not sign any documents from the university or an insurance adjuster without legal advice.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition is worth your life or health.
• “Consent” is Not a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card: Under Texas law, your agreement under pressure is not a defense for them.
• How to Exit Safely: You can quit at any time. Send a clear text or email: “I resign my membership/pledge status effective immediately.” Inform a trusted adult or campus official.
• Reporting: You can report anonymously through campus hazing hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). For official action, the Dean of Students office or campus police are starting points. Having an attorney can protect you from retaliation.
• Good Faith Reporter Protections: Texas law and most university policies offer immunity for those who call for help in a medical emergency.

Why Attorney911 for Your Family’s Hazing Case

When your family faces the trauma of hazing, you need more than a general personal injury firm. You need attorneys with specific insight into how fraternities, sororities, and universities defend these cases—and a proven record of holding them accountable.

Our Unique Advantages for Texas Hazing Litigation:

1. Insider Insurance Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, deny coverage, and employ delay tactics. We use this insider knowledge to build unassailable cases and maximize recovery. Mr. Peña also provides fluent Spanish-language services for Hispanic families.
2. Experience Against Goliath Institutions: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on a billion-dollar defendant. We are not intimidated by national fraternities or university legal teams. Our federal court experience is critical for Title IX and complex institutional lawsuits.
3. Active, High-Stakes Litigation: We are not theorists. We are currently leading the $10 million Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit in Harris County. This gives us immediate, relevant expertise in the latest defense strategies and medical complexities like rhabdomyolysis.
4. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We maintain a proprietary database of over 1,400 Greek organizations in Texas, built from IRS filings, university rosters, and public records. We don’t start from scratch; we know how to identify every potentially liable entity from day one.
5. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can effectively advise clients navigating both systems.
6. A Network of Specialized Experts: We work with medical specialists, toxicologists, digital forensics experts, economists, and life-care planners to document the full extent of harm, from physical injury to lifelong psychological trauma.
7. A Mission for Accountability: We are driven to secure justice for your family and to force systemic change that prevents future tragedies. We take on cases to win, but also to make campuses safer.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD (Attorney911) Today

If hazing has impacted your family in Friendswood, Houston, Clear Lake, or anywhere in Texas, you do not have to navigate this crisis alone. We offer a confidential, no-obligation consultation to listen to your story, explain your legal rights, and outline your options.

Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com | For Spanish: lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis—you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you.

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any case depends on its specific facts and applicable law. If you have been affected by hazing, please contact an attorney to discuss your unique situation.

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