The Complete Guide for Humble, Texas Families: Hazing, Accountability, and Your Legal Rights at Texas Universities

If Your Child Was Hazed in Texas: A Humble Parent’s Immediate Action Guide

We understand the moment: the late-night call, the text filled with fear, the story that doesn’t quite add up. Your child, who left for college full of excitement, is now hurt, ashamed, or scared. They mention “Big/Little night,” “pledge education,” or “just some tradition.” They downplay bruises, exhaustion, or a hospital visit. If you’re a parent in Humble, Texas—raising your family just north of Houston in Harris County—this scenario at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor isn’t just a national news story. It’s a local fear, and for some Humble families, it’s become a devastating reality.

We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We are Texas-based personal injury and complex litigation attorneys with deep, specific expertise in hazing and campus-abuse cases. Right now, we are actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in the country right here in Harris County: the $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This case demonstrates that extreme, dangerous hazing is happening at Texas universities, not just in distant states.

This guide is comprehensive legal and educational information for parents, students, and families in Humble and across Texas. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, your legal rights under Texas law, what we’ve learned from national tragedies, and exactly what happens at the universities where Humble families send their kids. Our purpose is to empower you with knowledge. Because when powerful institutions and organizations fail to protect students, families deserve specialized legal advocates who know how to fight for accountability.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us immediately: 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, before anything else:

1. Get Medical Attention: Go to the ER or urgent care immediately. Do not wait, even if injuries seem minor.
2. Preserve Evidence:
   • Screenshot everything: Group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, DMs, social media posts.
   • Photograph injuries: Multiple angles, with a ruler or coin for scale.
   • Save physical items: Clothing worn, any objects used (paddles, bottles), receipts.
3. Document: Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, what happened.
4. DO NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or university.
   • Sign anything from the school or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact our experienced hazing attorneys within 24-48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. Universities move quickly to control the narrative. We can help preserve evidence, protect your child’s rights, and begin building a case for accountability. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

1. What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Moving Beyond Stereotypes

Hazing is no longer just paddles and silly pranks. It is a calculated system of coercion, humiliation, and control that leverages technology, psychology, and secrecy. For Humble families, understanding these modern tactics is the first step in recognizing danger.

A Modern, Texas-Ready Definition

Under Texas law (Education Code, Chapter 37), hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student. Crucially, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the deadliest form.

• Forced drinking games: “Big/Little” reveals, “familia” lineups, “Bible study” trivia where wrong answers mean shots.
• Coerced consumption of dangerous amounts of hard liquor or unknown mixed drinks.
• Pressure to consume drugs or other substances.

[Our flagship case example] In the Leonel Bermudez University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, the complaint details pledges being forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed immediately by punitive sprints.

2. Physical Hazing: Brutality disguised as “conditioning” or “tradition.”

• Extreme, punitive calisthenics: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups or squats until collapse.
• Paddling, beatings, or forced fights (“gladiator” matches).
• Sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, exposure to extreme temperatures.

3. Psychological and Sexualized Hazing: Designed to break down identity and instill obedience.

• Verbal abuse, humiliation, and threats.
• Forced nudity or simulated sexual acts.
• Degrading costumes, “roasts,” or role-playing with racist, sexist, or homophobic overtones.
• Social isolation from non-members.

4. Digital Hazing: The 24/7 control mechanism.

• Mandatory group chat monitoring with instant response requirements.
• Geo-tracking via apps like Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps.
• Forced creation of humiliating social media content (TikTok challenges, Instagram stories).
• Cyberstalking and harassment for non-compliance.

Where Hazing Happens (It’s Not Just “Frats”)

While fraternities and sororities are high-risk environments, hazing pervades:

• Corps of Cadets and military-style programs.
• Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer).
• Spirit and tradition organizations (like Texas Cowboys or Aggie Bonfire crews).
• Marching bands and performance groups.
• Some academic clubs, service organizations, and cultural groups.

The common thread is not the type of group, but the abuse of power, the culture of secrecy, and the exploitation of a new member’s desire to belong.

2. The Legal Framework: Texas Law and Your Family’s Rights

For Humble families, the legal battleground is defined by Texas statutes and federal mandates. Understanding this framework reveals who can be held accountable and how.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

• § 37.151 Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation or affiliation.
• § 37.152 Penalties:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury.
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death.
  • It’s also a crime to fail to report known hazing or to retaliate against a reporter.
• § 37.153 Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000.
• § 37.155 Consent is NOT a Defense: This directly counters the “they agreed to it” argument.
• § 37.154 Reporter Immunity: Those who report hazing in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability stemming from the report.

What This Means for You: Texas law provides clear criminal and civil pathways. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit for damages. The law recognizes the power imbalance that makes “consent” meaningless.

The Federal Overlay

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs (fully phased in by 2026).
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, the university has specific federal obligations to investigate and address it.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to disclose campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults, alcohol offenses, or other crimes.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A robust legal strategy identifies every responsible party to ensure full accountability and access to insurance coverage.

1. Individual Students: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued for creating a dangerous environment.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: Often the deepest pocket. They can be liable for negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about dangerous chapter practices based on a history of incidents elsewhere.
4. The University (UH, Texas A&M, UT, etc.): May be liable for negligent supervision, premises liability (if it occurred in university-owned housing), or deliberate indifference to a known, substantial risk.
5. Third Parties: Property owners of off-campus houses, alcohol providers (under dram shop laws), or security companies.

3. National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Repeat in Texas

Tragic national cases are not just distant news—they are blueprints showing how hazing deaths and injuries occur and how institutions respond. They set legal precedents that affect cases right here in Harris County.

The Fatal Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid-acceptance drinking night. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. Result: 18 members criminally charged; Pennsylvania passed the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol toxicity after a “Bible study” drinking game. Result: The Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana; family secured a $6.1 million verdict.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. Result: $10 million total settlement ($7M from Pike national, ~$3M from BGSU). The chapter president was later ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

The Physical and Ritualized Hazing Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. Result: The national fraternity was criminally convicted of assault and manslaughter, a landmark ruling for organizational liability.

The Catastrophic Injury Pattern

• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, severe brain damage from forced alcohol consumption. He is blind, cannot walk or talk, and requires 24/7 care. Result: Settlements with 22 defendants, demonstrating the high value of lifetime care in non-fatal cases.

What This Means for Humble Families: These cases prove that hazing follows predictable, deadly scripts. They show that juries and courts award significant compensation for wrongful death and catastrophic injury. They also demonstrate that national organizations are held responsible when they fail to curb known, dangerous traditions across their chapters—a critical legal concept for any Texas case.

4. The Texas University Landscape: A Focus for Humble Families

Humble is part of the greater Houston community in Harris County. Our families are directly connected to the University of Houston and send children to all major Texas campuses. Here is what you need to know about the hazing landscape at these schools.

University of Houston (UH) – Your Neighbor Campus

As a Harris County resident, UH is a primary destination for local students. The recent Pi Kappa Phi case underscores the serious, ongoing risks.

Snapshot: A large, diverse, urban campus with active Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) communities.

Official Policy & Reporting: UH prohibits hazing on and off-campus. Reports can be made to the Dean of Students Office, the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life, or UHPD.

Recent, Major Incident – The Flagship Case:
The Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu) lawsuit, filed in Harris County in late 2025, is a critical local example.

• The Hazing: Bermudez, a Fall 2025 pledge, endured months of abuse including a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” forced overnight driving duties, and extreme physical hazing. This culminated in a November 3 “workout” of over 100 push-ups and 500 squats.
• The Injury: He developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine. He was hospitalized for four days and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.
• Specific Acts Alleged: Forced consumption of milk/hot dogs/peppercorns until vomiting; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; another pledge being hog-tied face-down for over an hour.
• The Response: Pi Kappa Phi national suspended the chapter on Nov. 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on Nov. 14, 2025, closing the chapter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

You can read the detailed coverage in the Click2Houston report on the UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case and ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s lawsuit.

What Humble Parents Should Know: This case is happening in your county. It shows that even as a chapter is being suspended, hazing can cause life-altering injuries. It also demonstrates the complex web of defendants: 13 individual members, the chapter, the housing corporation, Pi Kappa Phi national, UH, and the UH System Board of Regents.

Texas A&M University

Snapshot: A tradition-rich campus with a massive Greek system and the prominent Corps of Cadets, creating multiple high-risk environments.

Notable Incidents:

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

What Humble Parents Should Know: The “second family” culture of the Corps and Greek life can intensify pressure and secrecy. Hazing here often involves extreme physical endurance and humiliation disguised as “team building” or “discipline.”

University of Texas at Austin

Snapshot: A flagship campus with a highly public hazing violations log, offering more transparency than most schools.

Public Hazing Log: UT maintains a searchable online list of sanctioned organizations.

• Example: Pi Kappa Alpha (2023) sanctioned for directing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
• Spirit groups like Texas Wranglers and Texas Spirits have also faced sanctions.

What Humble Parents Should Know: Check UT’s public hazing log. A pattern of prior violations against an organization is powerful evidence in a civil case, showing the university and national headquarters had prior knowledge of risky behavior.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

Snapshot: Both are private universities with strong Greek life and their own disciplinary processes, which can be less transparent than public schools.

SMU Incident: Kappa Alpha Order was suspended in 2017 for allegations including paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.

Baylor Incident: The baseball team suspended 14 players in 2020 following a hazing investigation.

What Humble Parents Should Know: Private universities like SMU and Baylor are not subject to the same public records laws as state schools, making internal investigations harder to access. A lawsuit is often necessary to uncover the full truth through the discovery process.

5. The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

When a local chapter hazes, it is rarely an isolated incident. National fraternities and sororities have extensive, documented histories of the same dangerous behaviors. This “pattern evidence” is a cornerstone of holding them accountable.

Our firm maintains the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, a proprietary database built from public IRS records, university data, and national case tracking. This allows us to understand the full ecosystem behind a chapter. For example, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH is not just a group of students; it is connected to a national headquarters, a housing corporation (EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX), and alumni networks—all potential sources of liability and insurance coverage.

Why National Histories Matter in Court:
If a Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH forces dangerous drinking, and the national headquarters already settled the Andrew Coffey death case at Florida State for the same behavior, a court can find the national had prior notice and a duty to prevent it from happening again. This supports claims of negligent supervision and can justify punitive damages.

Major Nationals with Documented Patterns Present at Texas Schools:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Stone Foltz death ($10M settlement); pattern of “Big/Little” alcohol hazing.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Multiple deaths and severe injury cases nationwide; lawsuits at Texas A&M and UT.
• Phi Delta Theta: Max Gruver death (LSU); “Bible study” drinking game pattern.
• Pi Kappa Phi: Andrew Coffey death (FSU); now the subject of our active UH lawsuit.
• Kappa Alpha Order: Multiple hazing suspensions, including at SMU.

6. Building a Powerful Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Winning a hazing case requires an investigative depth that matches the sophistication of the institutions you’re up against. It’s not just about what happened, but proving who knew, who should have prevented it, and who tried to cover it up.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

1. Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text messages can often be recovered. We work with experts to obtain these critical records that show planning, boasting, and cover-ups.
2. Social Media & Photo Evidence: Posts, stories, and videos that seem like “fun” to members are often damning evidence of humiliation and endangerment.
3. Internal Organization Records: Pledge manuals, meeting minutes, emails from nationals, and risk management reports obtained through subpoena.
4. University Records: Prior disciplinary files on the same chapter, obtained via discovery or public records requests, proving a pattern the school knew about.
5. Medical Records: Documentation of injuries, toxicology reports (blood alcohol level), and psychological diagnoses (PTSD, depression, anxiety).
6. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and RAs.

Learn how to properly document evidence from the start with our video on using your phone to document a legal case.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered

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

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical bills, lost wages, lost educational costs (tuition for withdrawn semesters), and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, and PTSD.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of love, companionship, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or malicious conduct, courts can award damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

The Defense Playbook (And How We Counter It)

We know the defenses because Mr. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for large companies. We anticipate their moves.

• Defense: “The victim consented.” → Our Counter: Texas law § 37.155 states consent is not a defense. We demonstrate the coercive power imbalance.
• Defense: “It was a rogue chapter; national didn’t know.” → Our Counter: We subpoena national’s records to show prior incident reports and a pattern across chapters, proving “foreseeability.”
• Defense: “It happened off-campus, not our property.” → Our Counter: Universities and nationals exercise control over recognized organizations regardless of location. Retreats and unofficial houses are classic hazing venues.
• Defense: “We have an anti-hazing policy.” → Our Counter: A paper policy is meaningless without enforcement. We show how prior violations were ignored or minimally punished.

7. Practical Guidance for Humble Families, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs and Steps

Red Flags: Unexplained injuries, extreme exhaustion, personality changes (anxiety, withdrawal), secrecy about group activities, constant frantic phone use for group chats, sudden academic decline, requests for large sums of money.

What to Do:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “What does pledge education involve?” “Have you ever felt unsafe?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, get them out. Medical care comes first.
3. Preserve Evidence: As outlined in the emergency section.
4. Document University Communications: Keep a log of all calls and emails with administrators.
5. Consult a Lawyer Early: Before making any formal statements or signing anything.

For Students: Is This Hazing?

If you feel coerced, endangered, or humiliated as a condition of membership, it is hazing. Trust your instincts. You have the right to leave any group at any time. Your safety is more important than any letters or tradition.

How to Exit and Report Safely:

• Tell a trusted person outside the group (parent, RA, counselor) first.
• You can report anonymously through campus hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE.
• Texas law offers immunity for good-faith reporting, even if you were involved.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case

• Deleting digital evidence.
• Confronting the organization directly, prompting them to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
• Signing a university’s “internal resolution” agreement without an attorney, often for a fraction of the case’s value.
• Posting details on social media, creating inconsistencies for defense attorneys to exploit.
• Waiting for the university to “handle it.” Internal processes are designed to protect the institution, not your family.

Watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case for more crucial guidance.

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

When your family in Humble faces a hazing crisis, you need advocates with specific, proven expertise in fighting powerful institutions. We are not just personal injury lawyers; we are complex litigation specialists with a strategic advantage.

1. We Are Currently Litigating a Major Texas Hazing Case.
We represent Leonel Bermudez in the $10 million lawsuit against UH and Pi Kappa Phi. We are in the trenches right now, facing the same national fraternities and university defense teams. This isn’t theoretical knowledge; it’s active, current experience.

2. Insider Insurance Knowledge.
Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

3. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants.
Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced corporations with unlimited legal budgets and know how to win. National fraternities and large universities do not intimidate us.

4. Data-Driven Investigation.
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—tracking 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros—means we don’t start from zero. We know how to find the housing corporations, alumni chapters, and national entities behind the local letters to build the strongest possible case.

5. Comprehensive Damages Analysis.
We work with life-care planners, economists, and medical experts to fully value catastrophic injuries, like rhabdomyolysis or traumatic brain injury, ensuring a settlement or verdict accounts for a lifetime of needs.

6. Spanish-Language Services.
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. We are committed to serving the diverse families of Humble and Harris County in their preferred language.

We operate on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we win your case. See our video explaining how contingency fees work.

9. Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation for Humble Families

If you suspect your child has been hazed at any Texas campus—whether it’s the University of Houston just down the road, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other school—you are not alone, and you have options.

Time is the enemy of justice in hazing cases. Evidence vanishes, witnesses are pressured, and the statute of limitations ticks away. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit, but the strategic window to build a strong case is much shorter.

Understand the urgency with our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

We invite you to contact us for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. In this meeting, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your family’s legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline a potential strategy.
• Answer all your questions about the process, timelines, and what to expect.

You are under no pressure to hire us. Our goal is to ensure you have the information needed to make the best decision for your family.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) Today:

• Call our 24/7 line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Se habla Español: Contact Mr. Lupe Peña for services in Spanish.

We serve families throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. If hazing has impacted your family in Humble, Harris County, or anywhere in Texas, let us help you fight for accountability, compensation, and, most importantly, to prevent this from happening to another student.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston Investigation: 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 Eyewitness News Report: 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:

• Documenting Evidence with Your Phone: 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

Main Firm Website:

• Attorney911 – Contact & Information: 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 and university policies can change. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and evidence. If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney to review your specific situation.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)