The Definitive Guide for Easton Families: Texas Hazing Laws, University Accountability, and Your Legal Rights

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

Picture this: Your child, a bright student from right here in Easton, proudly accepted a bid to a fraternity or sorority at a Texas university. What began as excitement about new friends and traditions has become a parent’s worst nightmare. Late-night phone calls reveal exhaustion. Unexplained bruises appear. Grades plummet. When you ask questions, you’re met with secrecy and deflection: “It’s just tradition, Mom. Everyone goes through it.”

For families across Gregg County and Easton, this scenario is tragically familiar. In 2025, hazing remains a pervasive, dangerous reality at Texas universities—not as harmless pranks, but as systematic abuse that can cause permanent injury, psychological trauma, and even death. Right now, in a case that should concern every Texas parent, our firm represents Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. Bermudez, a transfer student, suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after enduring forced overconsumption of food, extreme physical workouts, humiliating “pledge fanny pack” requirements, and threats of expulsion for non-compliance. His urine turned brown from muscle breakdown, and he required four days of hospitalization—with ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Easton, Kilgore, Longview, and across Gregg County who need to understand the reality of hazing at Texas universities, your legal rights under Texas law, and how to protect your child when institutions fail them. We’ll cover what hazing really looks like in 2025, Texas and federal laws that apply, documented incidents at major Texas universities where Easton students attend, and your family’s path to accountability and recovery.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• We provide immediate help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity/sorority
  • Sign anything from the university or insurance company
  • Post details on public social media
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

• Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
• Universities move quickly to control the narrative
• We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Beyond Stereotypes: Modern Hazing Tactics

When Easton parents think of hazing, they often imagine outdated stereotypes from movies. The reality in 2025 is more sophisticated, more dangerous, and often hidden behind digital walls. Hazing today isn’t just about “boys being boys”—it’s systematic abuse that follows predictable patterns across campuses nationwide, including here in Texas.

The legal definition under Texas law (Education Code § 37.151) is broad and powerful: any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. This definition covers everything from forced drinking to psychological torment, whether it happens on campus, at an off-campus house, or during a “retreat” hours away.

Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the deadliest form. What Easton families need to understand is that it’s rarely “just drinking.” It’s calculated coercion: “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, “family tree” drinking games where wrong answers mandate consumption, lineups where chugging is enforced under threat of expulsion. In the Bermudez case at UH, Pi Kappa Phi members allegedly forced pledges to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then required immediate sprints afterward.

2. Physical Hazing Beyond “Workouts”
What’s framed as “conditioning” is often dangerous abuse: hundreds of push-ups until collapse (like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats Bermudez endured), “bear crawls” on abrasive surfaces, exposure to extreme cold while minimally clothed, paddling that leaves lasting injuries. At Texas A&M, Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledges allegedly suffered severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts after substances including industrial-strength cleaner were poured on them.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positions), demeaning costumes, and sexually explicit “tasks.” The Bermudez complaint describes a “pledge fanny pack” requirement where pledges had to carry condoms, sex toys, and other humiliating items 24/7. At Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets, a lawsuit alleged cadets were bound between beds in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in their mouth.

4. Psychological Warfare
Verbal abuse during “interviews,” social isolation from non-members, sleep deprivation via 3 AM wake-up calls, threats of expulsion for speaking out. This psychological component creates trauma that often outlasts physical injuries.

5. Digital Hazing and Control
Group chats that demand 24/7 availability, location tracking via apps, forced social media humiliation, recording of degrading acts for private distribution. This digital layer makes hazing inescapable and creates permanent records that can be both evidence and additional humiliation.

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond Fraternity Row

While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, Easton families should know hazing occurs in:

• Corps of Cadets programs (especially at Texas A&M)
• Athletic teams (as seen in Northwestern University’s $75M scandal)
• Spirit and tradition organizations (like UT’s Texas Cowboys)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Academic and cultural organizations

The common thread isn’t the type of group—it’s power imbalance, tradition used as justification, and institutional tolerance that allows patterns to continue.

Texas Hazing Law: What Easton Families Must Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Legal Foundation

Texas has one of the nation’s clearer anti-hazing statutes, and every Easton parent should understand its key provisions:

§ 37.151: The Definition That Matters
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health AND occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership. Key points:

• Location doesn’t matter: On-campus, off-campus, at retreats—all covered
• Mental health counts: Psychological abuse qualifies alongside physical harm
• “Reckless” suffices: They don’t need to intend harm, just act with disregard for risk

§ 37.152: Criminal Penalties

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing without serious injury (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 (what applies in cases like Bermudez’s kidney failure)

§ 37.155: The Most Important Provision for Easton Parents
“Consent is not a defense.” Even if your child “agreed” to participate, even if they signed a waiver, even if they wanted to prove themselves—none of this excuses hazing under Texas law. Courts recognize that true consent is impossible amid peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion.

§ 37.153: Organizational Liability
Fraternities, sororities, clubs, and universities themselves can face criminal charges and fines up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it.

§ 37.154: Protection for Those Who Report
Good-faith reporters are immune from civil or criminal liability. Many Texas universities also offer amnesty for underage drinking when someone calls 911 for a medical emergency—a crucial protection your child should know about.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Different Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases

• Brought by the state (DA’s office)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in deaths
• Burden: Proof beyond a reasonable doubt

Civil Lawsuits

• Brought by victims/families like yours
• Aim: Compensation and accountability
• Typical claims: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
• Burden: Preponderance of evidence (more likely than not)
• Critical fact: You can pursue civil action even if no criminal charges are filed

These paths can run simultaneously. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re pursuing civil litigation while criminal investigations may proceed separately.

Federal Laws That Protect Your Child

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

• Report hazing incidents transparently
• Strengthen prevention education
• Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)
  This law will eventually make patterns easier to document.

Title IX
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX requires universities to investigate and address the climate. This federal overlay provides additional leverage against institutional inaction.

Clery Act
Requires reporting of certain crimes on campus; hazing incidents involving assault, alcohol crimes, or sexual offenses may trigger Clery reporting obligations.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The Deadly Pattern of Forced Drinking

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
The 20-year-old pledge was forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU) and multiple criminal convictions. Why this matters for Easton families: The same fraternity (Pi Kappa Alpha) operates chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, and other Texas schools. The “Big/Little” drinking script is tragically common.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
Died during a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers mandated drinking. His blood alcohol reached 0.495%. This case led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony. Why this matters: Phi Delta Theta has chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, and other Texas campuses. Drinking games framed as “education” or “tradition” are red flags.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
The pledge died from alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” where pledges were given handles of liquor. Why this matters: This is the same national fraternity involved in the Bermudez case at UH. National patterns establish foreseeability.

Physical Hazing with Lasting Consequences

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)
The 18-year-old suffered permanent brain damage after forced drinking during a “pledge dad reveal” night. He cannot walk, talk, or see and requires 24/7 care. The family settled with 22 defendants. Why this matters: Catastrophic non-fatal injuries often exceed death cases in lifetime costs. Texas families need to understand the full scope of potential harm.

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Died from traumatic brain injury during a blindfolded, weighted “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Why this matters: Off-campus retreats are common in Texas Greek life. Organizational liability extends beyond local chapters.

Athletic Hazing: Not Just Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the program. Multiple lawsuits led to the head coach’s firing and confidential settlements. Why this matters for Easton families: If your child is an athlete at a Texas university, hazing risks exist beyond Greek life. Major athletic programs have similar power dynamics and institutional protection.

What These Cases Mean for Your Texas Case

These national precedents establish:

1. Foreseeability: National fraternities know these patterns cause harm
2. Organizational liability: Nationals can’t claim “rogue chapter” when patterns repeat
3. Substantial damages: Juries award millions for deaths and catastrophic injuries
4. Institutional accountability: Universities face liability for inadequate supervision

When we represent Easton families, we use these national patterns to show that what happened to your child wasn’t an isolated incident—it was a predictable outcome of known, dangerous traditions.

Texas Universities: Where Easton Students Face Hazing Risks

Easton families typically send students to universities throughout our region and state. Here’s what you need to know about hazing at campuses your child might attend.

University of Houston: The Active Case in Our Backyard

For Easton Families: While Houston is about 200 miles from Gregg County, UH draws students from across East Texas. The ongoing Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates what can happen even at major urban campuses.

Campus Culture: UH’s diverse, commuter-heavy campus hosts active Greek life with approximately 50 fraternity and sorority chapters across four councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural).

Documented Incidents:

• 2025: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu – Our firm’s active $10M lawsuit alleging forced consumption leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, “pledge fanny pack” humiliation, and waterboarding-like hose spraying. The chapter was suspended November 6, 2025, and voted to surrender its charter November 14, 2025.
• 2016: Pi Kappa Alpha – Pledges allegedly deprived of food, water, and sleep; one suffered a lacerated spleen. Chapter faced misdemeanor charges and suspension.
• Ongoing pattern: UH’s conduct records show repeated alcohol, harassment, and endangerment violations across multiple organizations.

UH’s Hazing Policy: Prohibits hazing on and off campus, including forced consumption, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and mental distress during initiation. Reporting through Dean of Students and UHPD.

How a UH Case Proceeds: Typically involves UHPD and/or Houston Police, civil suits in Harris County courts, potential defendants including individuals, chapter, national fraternity, UH, and property owners.

What UH Parents Should Do:

• Report to UH Dean of Students Office immediately
• Document everything before UH begins its internal process
• Understand that UH’s internal discipline doesn’t preclude civil action
• Contact counsel familiar with Houston jurisdictions and UH procedures

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life Intersection

For Easton Families: Many Gregg County students choose Texas A&M, about 230 miles away. The Corps of Cadets adds unique hazing risks alongside traditional Greek life.

Campus Culture: Strong tradition-bound environment with approximately 60 Greek chapters and the prominent Corps of Cadets program.

Documented Incidents:

• 2021: Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns – Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. $1M lawsuit filed; chapter suspended.
• 2023: Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case – Cadet alleged being bound between beds in degrading position with apple in mouth during hazing. Sought over $1M; A&M stated it handled internally.
• 2023: Kappa Sigma Rhabdomyolysis Case – Ongoing litigation involving severe muscle breakdown from extreme physical hazing.
• Multiple years: Public records show consistent hazing violations across fraternities, sororities, and Corps units.

A&M’s Hazing Policy: Separate but overlapping policies for Greek life and Corps. Student Conduct office handles investigations with Corps-specific procedures.

How an A&M Case Proceeds: May involve University Police, Bryan/College Station PD, civil suits in Brazos County, multiple defendant tiers including Corps leadership.

What A&M Parents Should Know:

• Corps cases involve military-style chain of command complexities
• Both Greek and Corps cases benefit from understanding A&M’s unique culture
• Early evidence preservation is critical as traditions are deeply ingrained
• We have experience navigating both A&M’s administrative and legal systems

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Continuing Problems

For Easton Families: UT Austin attracts top students from across Texas, including Easton. Its public hazing log offers transparency but reveals ongoing issues.

Campus Culture: Flagship university with approximately 60 Greek chapters, strong tradition organizations, and relatively transparent violation reporting.

Public Hazing Log Highlights:

• 2023: Pi Kappa Alpha – New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter probation and required education.
• 2023: Texas Wranglers – Spirit organization sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
• Multiple years: Consistent pattern of alcohol hazing, physical endurance tests, and psychological abuse across various organizations.
• 2024: Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Lawsuit alleging assault causing dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose to exchange student.

UT’s Hazing Policy: Publishes detailed violations at hazing.utexas.edu. Strong stated policies but recurring enforcement challenges.

How a UT Case Proceeds: Involves UTPD and/or Austin PD, civil suits in Travis County, leveraging UT’s own public records in litigation.

What UT Parents Should Do:

• Check UT’s public hazing log for prior incidents involving your child’s organization
• Use UT’s transparency to your advantage in building pattern evidence
• Document everything before organization leadership graduates or evidence disappears
• Understand that even with public reporting, UT still defends itself aggressively in litigation

LeTourneau University: Your Local Institution

For Easton Families: Located right here in Longview in Gregg County, LeTourneau University is where many local students begin their higher education. While smaller than state schools, it’s not immune to hazing risks.

Campus Culture: Christian university with smaller Greek presence but active campus organizations that can develop hazing dynamics.

Local Considerations:

• Cases may involve Longview Police Department and Gregg County courts
• Smaller community dynamics affect reporting and witness cooperation
• University may emphasize internal resolution over transparency
• Our familiarity with Gregg County legal systems provides strategic advantage

What LeTourneau Parents Should Do:

• Don’t assume smaller campus means lesser risk
• Document immediately as local social networks can pressure quick resolution
• Consider both university internal processes and local legal options
• Contact counsel familiar with Gregg County jurisdictions and LeTourneau’s specific culture

Other Regional Universities Easton Students Attend

Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches)

• Approximately 120 miles from Easton
• Active Greek life with documented hazing incidents
• Nacogdoches County jurisdiction

University of Texas at Tyler

• Approximately 65 miles from Easton
• Growing Greek system with associated risks
• Smith County legal venues

For all these universities, the principles remain the same: immediate evidence preservation, understanding both university internal processes and external legal options, and recognizing that geographical distance from Easton doesn’t diminish your rights or our ability to help.

Fraternities and Sororities: National Patterns in Texas Chapters

Why National Histories Matter for Your Easton Case

When a Texas chapter hazes your child, you’re not just dealing with local students—you’re confronting a national organization with a documented history of the same dangerous behaviors. This history becomes powerful evidence in your case.

Organizations with Documented Patterns at Texas Schools

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

• National Pattern: Stone Foltz death (BGSU, $10M settlement), multiple other alcohol hazing deaths
• Texas Chapters: UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, others
• Legal Significance: National Pike knew forced drinking during “Big/Little” events kills—yet Texas chapters continue similar practices

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

• National Pattern: Multiple hazing deaths nationwide, traumatic brain injury lawsuit (Alabama), chemical burns case (Texas A&M)
• Texas Chapters: UT Austin, Texas A&M, SMU, Baylor, Texas Tech
• Legal Significance: SAE’s national “True Gentleman” image contrasts with repeated dangerous hazing. Their 2014 pledge process elimination didn’t stop abuses.

Pi Kappa Phi

• National Pattern: Andrew Coffey death (FSU), now Bermudez kidney failure case (UH)
• Texas Chapters: University of Houston (now closed), other Texas campuses
• Legal Significance: Active litigation from our firm demonstrates ongoing national pattern of physical and alcohol hazing

Phi Delta Theta

• National Pattern: Max Gruver death (LSU) leading to felony hazing law
• Texas Chapters: UT Austin, Texas A&M, SMU, others
• Legal Significance: “Bible study” drinking games continue despite national awareness of risks

Sigma Chi

• National Pattern: $10M+ settlement (College of Charleston), alcohol poisoning cases
• Texas Chapters: UT Austin, Texas A&M, SMU, Baylor, Texas Tech
• Legal Significance: Substantial jury awards show seriousness of injuries juries recognize

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Data-Driven Accountability

Our firm maintains what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive database of Greek organizations across Texas that we use to build cases for families like yours. This isn’t theoretical; it’s practical intelligence gathering that includes:

IRS B83 Registry Data: 125+ Texas-Registered Greek Organizations
We track the legal entities behind the letters, including:

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN 133048786) – College Station, TX 77845
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN 371768785) – Missouri City, TX 77459
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515) – Frisco, TX 75035
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN 746084905) – Houston, TX 77204
• And 121 other Texas-registered house corporations, alumni chapters, and honor societies

Cause IQ Metro Analysis: 1,423 Greek Organizations Across 25 Texas Metros

• 188 Greek-related organizations in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro
• 510 in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro
• 154 in Austin-Round Rock metro
• 86 in San Antonio metro
• 59 in Lubbock metro
• 42 in College Station-Bryan metro
• 27 in Waco metro

Texas University Network: 96 Campuses with Greek Presence
From our analysis of where Easton families send students, we track Greek life at:

• Local/Regional: LeTourneau University (Longview), Stephen F. Austin (Nacogdoches), UT Tyler
• Major Hubs: Texas A&M, UT Austin, University of Houston, Texas Tech, Baylor, SMU
• All other Texas public and private universities

Why This Data Matters for Your Easton Case:

1. Identifies All Potentially Liable Entities: Not just the active chapter, but housing corporations, alumni associations, and national headquarters
2. Establishes Patterns: Shows how the same organizations have problems across multiple Texas campuses
3. Supports Insurance Coverage Arguments: Helps identify all available insurance policies across the organizational structure
4. Provides Discovery Roadmap: Guides our investigation to the right records and witnesses

When you work with our firm, you’re not starting from scratch. We already understand the organizational landscape behind Texas Greek life, and we use this intelligence to build stronger cases for Easton families.

How National Patterns Create Legal Liability

Foreseeability Doctrine
If a national fraternity had a chapter in Ohio where forced drinking killed someone, and then a Texas chapter repeats the same “Big/Little” drinking script, the national organization can’t claim it was unforeseeable. Their prior knowledge creates duty.

Negligent Supervision Claims
Nationals that collect dues, provide materials, and maintain oversight relationships with chapters can be liable for failing to adequately supervise or intervene when patterns emerge.

Punitive Damages Potential
When organizations ignore known dangers or implement ineffective “window dressing” prevention programs, courts may award punitive damages to punish recklessness and deter future harm.

For Easton families, this means your case isn’t just about what happened to your child—it’s about holding accountable a system that knew the risks and failed to prevent predictable harm.

Building Your Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Evidence Preservation: Your Most Critical First Step

Evidence in hazing cases disappears with alarming speed. Within 48 hours, group chats are deleted, witnesses are coached, physical evidence is destroyed, and institutions begin controlling narratives. Here’s what Easton families must preserve:

Digital Evidence (Priority #1)

• Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack
• Screenshot Method: Capture full threads with timestamps and participant names visible
• Social Media: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook posts showing events
• Location Data: Phone GPS, Find My Friends, Snapchat Maps
• Deleted Recovery: Digital forensics can often recover deleted messages—don’t assume they’re gone forever

Physical Evidence

• Injuries: Photograph immediately and daily to show progression
• Objects: Paddles, alcohol bottles, “pledge packs,” costumes
• Clothing: Don’t wash items with stains or damage
• Medical Records: ER reports, hospitalization records, lab results (especially important in cases like Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis where creatine kinase levels prove severity)

Documentary Evidence

• University Records: Prior complaints, conduct files, Clery reports
• Organization Materials: Pledge manuals, ritual scripts, meeting notes
• Communications: Emails with advisors, national headquarters, university officials

Witness Information

• Names and contact info for other pledges, members, roommates, RAs
• Note who was present, who organized, who participated, who witnessed

Our video on using your phone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) provides practical guidance for these crucial first steps.

Damages: What Easton Families Can Recover

Hazing causes profound harm that Texas law recognizes through several damage categories:

Economic Damages (Calculable Losses)

• Medical Expenses: Past and future—ER visits, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medications, lifelong care for permanent injuries like brain damage or kidney impairment
• Lost Earnings: Income disruption for student and parents who miss work
• Educational Impact: Tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships, delayed graduation
• Future Earning Capacity: Economist analysis of lifetime earnings reduction for permanent disabilities

Non-Economic Damages (Compensating Suffering)

• Physical Pain: From injuries, medical procedures, ongoing limitations
• Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life
• Reputational Harm: Social stigma, difficulty transferring schools
• Loss of Consortium: For families—damage to parent-child relationships

Wrongful Death Damages

• Funeral/burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship, love, guidance
• Parents’ and siblings’ grief and suffering

Punitive Damages
In cases of particularly reckless or intentional conduct, Texas courts may award punitive damages to punish defendants and deter future behavior. The Bermudez case against UH and Pi Kappa Phi seeks punitive damages based on alleged systematic abuse and institutional knowledge.

Case Strategy: Navigating Complex Defendant Networks

Hazing cases involve multiple layers of potential defendants, each with different defenses and insurance coverage. Our approach for Easton families includes:

Identifying All Potentially Liable Parties

• Individual members who planned or participated
• Chapter officers (president, risk manager, pledge educator)
• Local chapter as entity
• National fraternity/sorority headquarters
• Housing corporations and alumni associations
• University and its administrators
• Property owners/landlords
• Alcohol providers (under dram shop liability)

Overcoming Common Defenses

• “Consent Defense”: Texas law § 37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing
• “Rogue Chapter”: National pattern evidence shows systematic problems, not isolated incidents
• “Off-Campus Activity”: Location doesn’t eliminate university or national liability when they maintain oversight relationships
• “We Had Policies”: Paper policies without meaningful enforcement don’t fulfill duty
• Sovereign Immunity (Public Universities): Exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and individual capacity suits

Insurance Coverage Battles
Fraternity and university insurers often argue hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct.” Our experience—particularly Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney—helps navigate these complex coverage disputes to ensure available policies respond.

Timeline: What to Expect in Your Hazing Case

Days 1-7: Emergency response, evidence preservation, medical stabilization
Weeks 2-4: Preliminary investigation, witness interviews, preservation demands
Months 2-3: Comprehensive investigation, records gathering, expert consultations
Months 4-9: Demand package preparation, settlement negotiations
Months 10-18: If no settlement, litigation begins with pleadings and discovery
Months 19-30: Expert depositions, mediation, trial preparation
Month 30+: Trial if necessary

Most cases settle during mediation, but trial readiness is essential for