Hazing in Texas: An El Lago Parent’s Guide to University Accountability & Student Safety

If Your Child Was Hazed in Texas, You Are Not Alone

For parents in El Lago, Clear Lake, and across Harris County, sending a child to college is filled with hope and pride. We watch them leave our community for institutions like the University of Houston, Texas A&M, or UT Austin, trusting they’ll be safe while pursuing their future. The nightmare begins when the phone rings with news that isn’t about grades or new friends, but about injury, humiliation, or worse—hospitalization due to hazing.

Right now, in our own backyard, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student whose fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter allegedly involved forced labor, systematic humiliation, and extreme physical abuse that culminated in rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and a four-day hospitalization. As detailed in the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case, Bermudez was subjected to degrading “pledge fanny pack” rules, forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, hose spraying “similar to waterboarding,” and brutal workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park that left him passing brown urine.

This active $10 million lawsuit against UH, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders is not an isolated incident. It’s evidence of what can and does happen to students from El Lago, Seabrook, League City, and throughout the greater Houston area. If your family is facing a similar crisis—whether at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any Texas campus—this guide is for you.

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 for El Lago Families

For parents in El Lago who didn’t grow up with modern Greek life, today’s hazing often looks different from old stereotypes. It’s not just paddling in a basement—it’s sophisticated, digitally-enabled coercion that can happen in plain sight at universities across Texas.

The Modern Definition That Texas Law Recognizes

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Crucially—and this is where many El Lago families get confused—”I agreed to it” or “they wanted to fit in” does not make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance.

Main Categories of Hazing Affecting Texas Students

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadly form. It includes forced chugging challenges, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, and being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Bermudez was allegedly forced to consume excessive milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then made to sprint immediately afterward.

Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, this now includes extreme calisthenics disguised as “workouts” or “conditioning”—like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats Bermudez endured under threat of expulsion. Sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme temperatures (such as cold-weather workouts in underwear) are common.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The “pledge fanny pack” in the UH case reportedly contained condoms and sex toys as part of daily humiliation.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming—often documented in group chats that El Lago parents might see their children constantly monitoring.

Digital/Online Hazing
Group chat dares, social media “challenges,” pressure to create compromising content, and Geo-tracking demands via apps like Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps. This creates 24/7 control that extends back to your child’s bedroom in El Lago.

Where Hazing Actually Happens in Texas

While fraternities and sororities receive most attention, El Lago parents should know hazing occurs in:

• Corps of Cadets/ROTC programs (especially at Texas A&M)
• Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
• Spirit squads and tradition clubs (like Texas Cowboys at UT)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Some service, cultural, and academic organizations

The common thread across all groups: social status, tradition, and secrecy keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What El Lago Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37: Your Legal Foundation

Under Texas law—which governs cases affecting El Lago families—hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health for purposes of initiation or affiliation. Key provisions include:

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means acts that endanger physical or mental health for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership.

§ 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

§ 37.155 Critical Protection: Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still illegal under Texas law.

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Those who report hazing to university or law enforcement in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability—a crucial protection for witnesses from El Lago who fear retaliation.

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Understanding Both Tracks

Criminal Cases

• Brought by the state (Harris County DA for UH cases, Brazos County for Texas A&M, etc.)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus on: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress

Both can run simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many El Lago families pursue civil action even when prosecutors decline criminal charges.

Federal Overlay: Additional Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and strengthen prevention programs—phased in by 2026.

Title IX & Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. Clery requires reporting certain crimes that often overlap with hazing (assaults, alcohol crimes).

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Case?

Individual Students
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up.

Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself as a legal entity.

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters
Pi Kappa Phi national, Sigma Alpha Epsilon national, etc.—liable based on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents nationwide.

University or Governing Board
UH System Board of Regents, Texas A&M University System—potentially liable for negligence, deliberate indifference, or civil rights violations.

Third Parties
Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol, security companies, event organizers.

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys investigate all potential sources of accountability.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Precedents That Protect El Lago Families

The cases below aren’t just national news—they establish legal precedents and patterns that directly impact how we protect El Lago students. When Texas chapters repeat the same conduct that caused deaths elsewhere, it shows foreseeability that strengthens civil claims.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
Bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking, severe falls captured on chapter cameras, hours delayed before medical help. Resulted in dozens of criminal charges, civil litigation, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
“Big/Little” event where pledge was given a handle of liquor, drank to dangerous levels, died from alcohol poisoning. Criminal hazing charges against members; FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
“Bible study” drinking game where pledges drank when answering questions incorrectly. Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Pledge night involving forced consumption of nearly a bottle of whiskey. Multiple criminal convictions; $10 million total settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, $3M from BGSU).

Takeaway for El Lago families: Extreme intoxication combined with delayed medical help creates devastating legal exposure. The patterns here mirror what allegedly happened at UH with Pi Kappa Phi.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Pledge subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat, suffered fatal head injuries, help was delayed. Multiple convictions; fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as chapter house events—a concern for El Lago parents whose children attend events at Lake Conroe or Galveston rentals.

Athletic Program Hazing – Not Just Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program. Multiple lawsuits against university; head coach fired and later settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially.

Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life into major athletic programs—relevant for El Lago students in sports at Texas universities.

What These Cases Mean for El Lago Families

Common threads in these precedents: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups. These patterns establish what national organizations and universities should have known—and what juries now recognize as preventable tragedies. When your child from El Lago suffers similar conduct at a Texas university, these cases provide the legal foundation for holding institutions accountable.

Texas Universities: Where El Lago Families Send Their Children

University of Houston – Our Community’s University

Campus & Culture Snapshot

For El Lago families, UH represents both proximity and opportunity—just a 30-minute drive from our community to a major Tier One research university. With over 47,000 students and active Greek life spanning Panhellenic sororities, IFC fraternities, NPHC Divine Nine organizations, and multicultural councils, UH hosts the complex ecosystem where our Leonel Bermudez case unfolded.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting

UH prohibits hazing on or off campus and provides reporting through the Dean of Students Office, Campus Safety, and online forms. Notably, UH has stated regarding the Pi Kappa Phi case that the alleged conduct is “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement and disciplinary action up to expulsion.

The Bermudez Case: A Harris County Example

The active litigation we’re handling reveals the concrete reality behind policy statements:

• Locations: Pi Kappa Phi chapter house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• Conduct: “Pledge fanny pack” humiliation, forced overeating, hose spraying “similar to waterboarding,” extreme workouts causing rhabdomyolysis
• Medical Outcome: Acute kidney failure, brown urine, four-day hospitalization, ongoing risk of permanent damage
• Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended chapter November 6, 2025; chapter surrendered charter November 14, 2025

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds for El Lago Families

• Jurisdiction: Harris County courts, potentially federal court if federal claims (Title IX) apply
• Investigation: UHPD and/or Houston Police Department involvement depending on location
• Legal Venue: Most civil cases filed in Harris County District Courts
• Practical Reality: Our Houston office allows us to oversee investigations, attend hearings, and maintain constant contact with local authorities—a significant advantage for El Lago families.

What UH Students & El Lago Parents Should Do

1. Report Immediately: UH Dean of Students (713-743-5478), UHPD (713-743-3333), or online at uh.edu/dos
2. Document Everything: Texas is a one-party consent state—record conversations if safe
3. Medical Priority: Go to Memorial Hermann or UTHealth—Harris County hospitals with forensic experience
4. Legal Consultation: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before speaking with UH administrators or insurance representatives

Texas A&M University – Tradition & Risk

Campus & Culture Snapshot

For El Lago families willing to make the 90-mile drive to College Station, Texas A&M offers a distinct culture blending academic excellence with deep tradition. The Corps of Cadets and robust Greek life create overlapping environments where hazing risks multiply.

Documented Incidents & Responses

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)
Two pledges allegedly had industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit poured on them during hazing, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The fraternity was suspended for two years; pledges sued for $1 million.

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023)
Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. Sought over $1 million; Texas A&M stated it handled the matter under its rules.

How A&M Hazing Cases Proceed

• Jurisdiction: Brazos County courts, though El Lago families would work with our network for local co-counsel
• Unique Factors: Corps regulations create additional layers of authority and liability
• Practical Note: Many A&M hazing incidents occur at “third-location” properties in surrounding counties, complicating jurisdiction

What A&M Students & El Lago Parents Should Do

1. Understand Dual Systems: Corps hazing reports go through Commandant’s Office; Greek life through Student Conduct Office
2. Brazos Valley Medical Care: St. Joseph Health or Baylor Scott & White for documentation
3. Transportation Reality: El Lago parents should be prepared to travel to College Station or coordinate with our firm’s investigation team

University of Texas at Austin – Transparency & Patterns

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin represents the pinnacle of Texas public education for many El Lago families—a 2.5-hour drive to a campus with nationally recognized Greek life and spirit organizations. UT’s relative transparency about hazing violations provides unique insight.

Public Hazing Violations – Documented Patterns

UT maintains a public hazing violations page showing recurring issues:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation
• Texas Wranglers: Multiple sanctions for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
• Spirit Organizations: Documented violations involving humiliation and compulsory activities

How UT Hazing Cases Proceed

• Jurisdiction: Travis County courts, though our federal court experience applies equally
• Investigation: UTPD and Austin Police Department coordination
• Strategic Advantage: UT’s public violation records provide pattern evidence we use to show foreseeability

What UT Students & El Lago Parents Should Do

1. Check Public Records: Review hazing.utexas.edu before your child rushes
2. Austin Medical Care: Dell Seton Medical Center or St. David’s for trauma documentation
3. Long-Distance Strategy: Our firm manages cases remotely while El Lago families focus on recovery

Southern Methodist University – Private Institution Challenges

Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU’s University Park campus attracts El Lago students seeking private education with strong Greek life. As a private institution, SMU has different reporting obligations and liability exposures.

Documented Issues

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017)
New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended until 2021.

How SMU Hazing Cases Proceed

• Jurisdiction: Dallas County courts
• Private Institution Factors: Fewer sovereign immunity protections but more control over internal processes
• Fraternity Insurance Complexities: National fraternity insurance policies often central to recovery

What SMU Students & El Lago Parents Should Do

1. Private Reporting Channels: SMU’s anonymous Real Response system versus formal Dean of Students reports
2. Dallas Medical Documentation: UT Southwestern or Methodist Health System
3. Insurance Strategy: Early identification of all potential insurance policies is critical

Baylor University – Religious Identity & Accountability

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor’s Waco campus combines religious identity with major athletic programs, creating unique dynamics for hazing accountability.

Documented Incidents

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020)
14 players suspended following hazing investigation; suspensions staggered over season.

How Baylor Hazing Cases Proceed

• Jurisdiction: McLennan County courts
• Religious Institution Factors: Different cultural expectations but same legal standards
• Athletic Program Complexities: Coaching staff liability and NCAA compliance issues

What Baylor Students & El Lago Parents Should Do

1. Dual Reporting: Baylor’s Title IX Office and Student Conduct Office often handle separately
2. Waco Medical Care: Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest for consistent documentation
3. Cultural Sensitivity: Navigating Baylor’s religious context while demanding accountability

Fraternities & Sororities: National Patterns in El Lago’s Backyard

For El Lago parents, understanding that local chapters connect to national organizations with documented hazing histories is crucial. These aren’t isolated “bad apples”—they’re patterns that national headquarters should have prevented.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Courts

When a Texas chapter repeats conduct that caused death or injury elsewhere, it shows foreseeability—the legal concept that harm was predictable and preventable. This directly impacts:

• Negligence claims: National orgs had duty to prevent known risks
• Punitive damages: Reckless disregard for student safety
• Insurance coverage: What nationals knew versus what they prevented

Organization Mapping: Tracking Risks from El Lago

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ) – Active in Our UH Case

• National Pattern: Andrew Coffey death at Florida State (2017)
• Texas Presence: UH Beta Nu chapter (now closed), other Texas campuses
• El Lago Relevance: Direct connection to our active litigation

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike)

• National Pattern: Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green ($10M settlement), multiple other fatalities
• Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
• Legal Significance: Proven pattern of “Big/Little” alcohol hazing

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE)

• National Pattern: Multiple hazing deaths nationwide; eliminated pledge system in 2014
• Texas Presence: Chapters at all five major Texas universities
• Texas Incident: Chemical burns case at Texas A&M (2021)

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

• National Pattern: Max Gruver death at LSU, leading to felony hazing law
• Texas Presence: Active on multiple Texas campuses

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

• National Pattern: Paddling and forced drinking incidents
• Texas Presence: SMU chapter suspended 2017-2021, other Texas chapters

The “Pattern Evidence” Strategy for El Lago Families

When we investigate hazing cases for El Lago clients, we subpoena national fraternity records to establish:

1. Prior Incidents: Same conduct at other chapters
2. Warning Communications: Emails between nationals and local chapters
3. Policy Enforcement Gaps: Inconsistent punishment for violations
4. Training Deficiencies: Ritual materials that enable abuse

This transforms a “local incident” into evidence of systemic failure—exactly what we’re demonstrating in the UH Pi Kappa Phi litigation.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages & Strategy for El Lago Families

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

Modern hazing leaves digital footprints that El Lago families must preserve immediately:

Group Messaging Apps (Most Critical)

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage: Screenshot entire threads with timestamps
• Discord, Slack, Fraternity Apps: Export data if possible
• Preservation Tip: Use our video on using your phone to document evidence for proper techniques

Social Media Evidence

• Instagram/Snapchat Stories: Screenshot before 24-hour disappearance
• TikTok/YouTube: Save videos showing events or injuries
• Location Tags: Document where events occurred

University & Organizational Records

• Prior conduct violations (obtained via subpoena)
• Chapter meeting minutes, pledge education materials
• National fraternity risk management files

Medical Documentation

• ER records specifically stating “hazing” as cause
• Toxicology reports (blood alcohol, drug panels)
• Specialist evaluations for ongoing conditions

Physical Evidence

• Clothing with stains or damage
• Paddles, props, alcohol containers
• Receipts for forced purchases

Damages: What El Lago Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable)

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost educational expenses (withdrawn semesters)
• Diminished earning capacity (for permanent injuries)
• Therapy and counseling costs

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Humiliation and reputational harm

Wrongful Death Damages (When Tragically Applicable)

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and guidance
• Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (When Conduct is Egregious)

• To punish reckless or intentional conduct
• To deter future hazing
• Available under Texas law for gross negligence

The Insurance Coverage Battle: Why Experience Matters

Fraternity and university insurers regularly argue hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct.” Our insider knowledge from Mr. Lupe Peña’s defense background reveals their tactics:

• Reserve Setting: How insurers secretly value claims
• IME Strategies: Using “independent” medical exams to minimize injuries
• Delay Tactics: Dragging cases to pressure families
• Coverage Arguments: Finding exclusions to deny payment

We counter by:

• Identifying all potential policies (national, chapter, university, individual)
• Arguing negligent supervision claims aren’t excluded
• Pursuing bad faith claims when insurers wrongfully deny
• As demonstrated in our BP Texas City litigation, we’re prepared for coverage fights against well-funded opponents.

Practical Guides & FAQs for El Lago Families

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding

Warning Signs Your El Lago Student May Be Hazed

• Unexplained injuries with inconsistent stories
• Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
• Withdrawal from family and non-Greek friends
• Constant phone monitoring for group chat demands
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
• Financial requests for unexplained “dues” or “fines”
• Academic decline from missed classes or sleep deprivation

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally)

1. “How are things going with [organization]? Are they respectful of your time?”
2. “What do new members have to do? Is anything making you uncomfortable?”
3. “Have you seen anyone get hurt or been hurt yourself?”
4. “Do you feel you could leave if you wanted to, or would there be consequences?”
5. “Are they asking you to keep secrets from us or the university?”

Immediate Action Steps

1. Medical First: ER visit even for “minor” injuries—documentation is critical
2. Evidence Preservation: Follow our evidence documentation guide
3. University Reporting: Document all communications with administrators
4. Legal Consultation: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 within 48 hours

For Students: Self-Protection Strategies

Is This Hazing? Quick Self-Assessment

• Are you being forced or pressured?
• Would you do this without social consequences?
• Is it dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would the university approve if they knew?
• Are you told to keep secrets?

Safe Exit Strategies

• Tell someone outside the group first (parent, RA, friend)
• Email resignation to chapter president (creates record)
• Avoid “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
• If threatened, report immediately to campus police and Dean of Students

Digital Self-Defense

• Screenshot messages immediately (don’t wait)
• Texas is one-party consent—record conversations if safe
• Back up evidence to cloud storage or email to yourself
• Don’t delete anything, even if embarrassed

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Evidence Disappear

• Mistake: “Cleaning up” embarrassing messages or photos
• Consequence: Looks like cover-up; case becomes nearly impossible
• Solution: Preserve everything immediately—embarrassment heals, lost evidence doesn’t

2. Premature Confrontation

• Mistake: Yelling at the fraternity or university administrators
• Consequence: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
• Solution: Document quietly, consult attorney first

3. Signing University “Resolutions”

• Mistake: Accepting quick “internal resolution” offers
• Consequence: Waiving right to sue for inadequate compensation
• Solution: Never sign anything without attorney review

4. Social Media Disclosure

• Mistake: Posting details publicly for sympathy or justice
• Consequence: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
• Solution: Private documentation only; let your lawyer control messaging

5. Waiting Too Long

• Mistake: “Letting the university handle it” while evidence disappears
• Consequence: Witnesses graduate, memories fade, statute of limitations runs
• Solution: Learn about Texas deadlines in our statute of limitations video and act now

Frequently Asked Questions from El Lago Parents

“Can we sue a Texas public university like UH or Texas A&M?”
Yes, with strategic navigation of sovereign immunity. Public universities have protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in personal capacity. Our experience with institutional defendants ensures proper claims framing.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas Education Code §37.152 makes hazing a state jail felony when it causes serious bodily injury or death. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case involves allegations that could support felony charges.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to the activities?”
Irrelevant under Texas law. Education Code §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally two years from injury date in Texas, but exceptions apply through the discovery rule (when harm wasn’t immediately known) and fraudulent concealment (when institutions hide facts). Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“Will this be public? I don’t want my child’s name out there.”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy throughout the process.

“What if it happened off-campus at a rental house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and foreseeability. Many major hazing cases occurred off-campus and still resulted in substantial recoveries.

“How much will this cost our family?”
We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation. Learn more in our contingency fee explanation video.

Why Attorney911 for El Lago Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. From our Houston office, we serve El Lago families throughout Harris County and across Texas with unique qualifications for hazing litigation.

Insurance Insider Advantage

Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims, their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience

Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations with unlimited legal budgets. That same experience applies to national fraternities and university systems. We’re not intimidated by powerful defendants; we’ve beaten them before.

Multi-Million Dollar Results

We have recovered millions for families in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. Our experience with economists, life care planners, and vocational experts ensures proper valuation of your claim—we don’t settle cheap, we build cases that force accountability.

Dual Civil-Criminal Capability

Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure and navigate parallel proceedings.

Investigative Depth & Resources

Our network includes digital forensics experts who recover deleted messages, medical experts who document hazing injuries, Greek life culture experts, and institutional policy analysts. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

Local Understanding with Statewide Reach

Based in Houston with offices in Austin and Beaumont, we understand Texas universities, Texas law, and Texas families. We’ve seen firsthand how hazing impacts communities like El Lago, and we’re committed to holding institutions accountable.

Empathy & Victim Advocacy

We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is to get you answers, secure accountability, and help prevent this from happening to another El Lago family. It’s not about bravado—it’s about thorough investigation and real justice.

Contact Attorney911: Free Confidential Consultation for El Lago Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or elsewhere—we want to hear from you. Families in El Lago, Clear Lake, Seabrook, League City, and throughout the greater Houston area have the right to answers and accountability.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

• We listen to your story without judgment
• Review evidence you’ve preserved (photos, texts, medical records)
• Explain legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
• Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
• Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
• No pressure to hire us immediately—take time to decide
• Everything discussed remains confidential

Contact Information

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com

Spanish Language Services Available
Hablamos Español—Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

Immediate Next Steps for El Lago Families

1. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate guidance
2. Preserve evidence using techniques from our evidence documentation video
3. Get medical documentation even for seemingly minor injuries
4. Avoid common mistakes outlined in our client mistakes video
5. Understand deadlines with our statute of limitations explanation

Whether you’re in El Lago or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions involved have lawyers protecting their interests—you deserve the same protection. Call us today.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / 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:

• Evidence documentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Contingency fees explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

• Firm homepage: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com