The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Eustace, Texas Families: Accountability at UH, Texas A&M, and All Texas Campuses

We understand the nightmare scenario unfolding for parents right here in Eustace and across Henderson County. Your child, bright-eyed and excited for the college experience, accepts a bid to join a fraternity, sorority, Corps of Cadets unit, or athletic team. Then, the calls home change. They’re exhausted, secretive, injured, or withdrawn. You hear whispers about “traditions,” “pledge duties,” or “hell week.” A sinking feeling tells you something is dangerously wrong. You’re right to be concerned.

Right now, in our own state, we are leading the fight in one of the most serious hazing cases in the country—a case that shows exactly what can happen and the level of accountability families must demand. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, the UH System Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The details are harrowing: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with condoms and sex toys, forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, hours of extreme calisthenics including 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and another pledge being hog-tied face-down on a table. This systematic abuse caused Bermudez to develop rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown, he was hospitalized for four days, and he faces the risk of permanent kidney damage. The chapter at UH was swiftly suspended and then shut down after members voted to surrender their charter. As reported by Click2Houston and ABC13, this is not a relic of the past. This is active litigation happening today in Texas.

If you are a parent in Eustace, Malakoff, Athens, or anywhere in Henderson County, this guide is for you. Whether your child attends a local college, a major state university, or a private school anywhere in the country, you need to understand what modern hazing looks like, the Texas laws designed to protect your child, and how to hold powerful institutions accountable. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), and we represent hazing victims and their families. We are currently fighting the Bermudez case in Houston, and we serve families across Texas, including right here in Eustace. This guide provides the comprehensive information you need during an unimaginably difficult time.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCES:

• 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, photograph injuries, save physical items.
  • Write down everything while memory is fresh.
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity/sorority.
    • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
    • Post details on public social media.
    • Let your child delete messages.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. We can help preserve it and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, free consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Eustace Students

Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” For families in Eustace sending kids to campuses big and small, it’s a dangerous spectrum of abuse that has evolved to avoid detection. It is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group.

1. Alcohol & Substance Hazing (The Most Common Killer): This is the pattern seen in deadly national cases and in the UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. It includes forced consumption of entire bottles of liquor, drinking games with punishment for wrong answers, “family tree” or “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of alcohol, and coerced use of drugs.

2. Physical Hazing: This goes beyond “tough workouts.” It includes paddling, beatings, extreme calisthenics to the point of collapse (like the 500 squats in the UH case), sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, exposure to extreme elements, and dangerous physical tests like blindfolded tackles.

3. Psychological & Humiliating Hazing: This includes verbal abuse, threats, isolation from friends and family, forced confessions, public shaming, and acts of degradation. The “pledge fanny pack” in the UH case is a prime example of designed humiliation.

4. Sexualized Hazing: This involves forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault, and degrading rituals with sexual overtones. It is often the most traumatic and shame-inducing form of abuse.

5. Digital Hazing: This is the modern frontier. Pledges are subjected to 24/7 monitoring via group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), demanded to respond instantly at all hours, forced to post embarrassing content on social media, tracked via location-sharing apps, and harassed online if they don’t comply. This evidence, however, is also the key to proving a case.

This abuse happens in fraternities, sororities, National Pan-Hellenic Council (Divine Nine) organizations, Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs, athletic teams, spirit groups like cheer and dance, marching bands, and other campus clubs. The common threads are power imbalance, secrecy, and a warped sense of tradition.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Eustace Families Need to Know

Texas has specific statutes to combat hazing, and they apply to your child whether they are at a school in Austin, College Station, or out of state if the organization has Texas ties. The legal framework provides multiple paths to accountability.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37 (The Hazing Statute):
The law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. Critical points for Eustace parents:

• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§37.155) explicitly states that even if your child “agreed” to the activity, it is still hazing. Courts recognize the power imbalance and coercion inherent in these situations.
• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a crime. It can be a Class B misdemeanor, escalating to a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury, and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or team itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and lose its university recognition.
• Immunity for Reporters: The law provides protections for those who report hazing in good faith or call for medical help, a crucial provision to encourage saving lives.

Civil Liability & Lawsuits:
A criminal case is brought by the state to punish wrongdoing. A civil lawsuit, which we handle, is brought by the victim and family to recover compensation for damages and force institutional change. The two can proceed simultaneously. In a civil case, we can pursue multiple defendants:

1. The Individuals: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be held liable for the actions of its members.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and have a history of similar incidents at other chapters can be held responsible for negligent supervision.
4. The University: Schools like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have a legal duty to protect students. They can be liable if they knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing and failed to act.
5. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords of off-campus houses, and alcohol providers may also share liability.

Federal Laws & Your Child’s Rights:

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, it triggers federal Title IX obligations for the school to investigate and address a hostile environment.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to report campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires increased transparency and public reporting of hazing incidents by colleges receiving federal funds.

The Greek Ecosystem Surrounding Eustace & Henderson County: A Data-Driven View

When a hazing incident occurs, finding every responsible entity is critical. Universities and national fraternities are complex networks. For families in Eustace, your child may be involved with organizations that have deep roots and multiple legal identities across Texas. We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public records to map this landscape.

Our data, compiled from IRS filings (Form B83) and national organizational databases, shows that Texas is home to over 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 metropolitan areas. For Eustace families, the most relevant metro is the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area, which reports over 510 such organizations. This includes undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, housing corporations, and educational foundations that can all hold liability and insurance.

Public Records Directory: Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses

To illustrate the depth of our investigative resources, here are examples of the types of organizations we track. These are public records, and their presence here indicates the level of detail we bring to an investigation.

Fraternity & Sorority Entities in Texas (IRS B83 Filings):

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC, EIN 133048786, College Station, TX 77845
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC, EIN 475370943, Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta Chapter)
• PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY, EIN 746064445, Nederland, TX 77627 (Epsilon Kappa Chapter)
• TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147

Honor Societies & Overlap Organizations (IRS B83 Filings):

• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI, EIN 263170920, Denton, TX 76204 (Texas Woman’s University Chapter)
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI, EIN 900293166, College Station, TX 77843 (Texas A&M University Chapter)
• SOCIETY OF HISPANIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS INC, EIN 760221936, Houston, TX 77277

Metro-Level Organizations (Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Area):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, Fort Worth, TX
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation, Fort Worth, TX
• Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity – Gamma Psi Chapter, Fort Worth, TX (TCU)

This directory is more than a list; it’s a roadmap for investigation. When we take a case, we use this data to identify every possible defendant—from the local chapter president to the alumni housing corporation in Frisco to the national headquarters in Charlotte. This comprehensive approach is what builds maximum leverage and uncovers hidden insurance coverage.

Where Eustace Families Send Their Kids: Campus Hazing Realities

Parents in Eustace and Henderson County have children at a wide range of institutions, from local community colleges to the largest flagship universities. Hazing is a risk at all of them. Our focus on the five major Texas hubs is because they represent where many local students aspire to attend and where patterns of high-risk behavior are well-documented.

1. University of Houston (UH) – The Active Battleground
The ongoing lawsuit we are handling against UH and Pi Kappa Phi is the most current example of severe hazing at a Texas public university. Key takeaways for Eustace families:

• The Conduct: As detailed in the Hoodline coverage, the hazing was systemic, occurring at the chapter house, an off-campus residence, and a public park.
• University Response: UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and cooperated with the fraternity’s national headquarters to shut the chapter down. This demonstrates both institutional condemnation and the complex relationship between schools and Greek nationals.
• Legal Venue: A hazing case at UH would involve Harris County courts and potentially the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD) and Houston Police Department (HPD).

2. Texas A&M University – Corps Culture & Greek Life
Texas A&M presents a unique dual risk environment with its powerful Greek system and its tradition-heavy Corps of Cadets.

• Corps of Cadets Hazing: In 2023, a lawsuit alleged a cadet was subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound in a “roasted pig” position. The university stated it handled the matter internally.
• Fraternity Hazing: Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) at A&M faced a lawsuit where pledges alleged being doused with industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended.
• For Eustace Families: These cases show hazing can exist in both military-style and social organizations. A&M’s size and tradition can sometimes create a barrier to transparency that requires aggressive legal discovery to penetrate.

3. University of Texas at Austin – A Transparent Record?
UT Austin maintains a public online log of hazing violations, which is more transparent than most schools.

• Documented Violations: The log shows recent sanctions against groups like Pi Kappa Alpha for forcing new members to consume milk and perform extreme calisthenics, and other spirit groups for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
• The Legal Significance: This public record is a gift to investigators. It establishes a clear “notice” to the university about specific organizations and their dangerous patterns. In a lawsuit, we can use this to prove the university knew of the risks and failed to take adequate steps to protect your child.

4. Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University – Private School Challenges
Private universities like SMU in Dallas and Baylor in Waco have their own Greek life hazing histories.

• SMU: Kappa Alpha Order has faced suspensions for paddling and alcohol hazing. As a private institution, SMU has more control over internal disciplinary processes, which are often less transparent than public records requests allow.
• Baylor: Beyond its well-publicized football scandal, Baylor’s baseball team has faced hazing suspensions. The university’s religious identity does not inoculate it from systemic abuse within student groups.
• The Takeaway: Pursuing accountability at private schools requires attorneys experienced in navigating their specific policies and leveraging civil discovery rules to obtain internal documents that are not publicly available.

Building a Hazing Case with Attorney911: The Texas Advantage

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need investigators, strategists, and advocates who know how to defeat powerful institutions. Our approach is grounded in our unique Texas-based expertise and the active litigation we are conducting right now.

1. Evidence Preservation is Everything (We Start on Day One):
Digital evidence is now the cornerstone of hazing cases. We guide families through immediate steps to preserve:

• Group Chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage): Screenshot entire threads with timestamps and sender names visible.
• Social Media: Save posts, stories, DMs, and location tags from Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.
• Medical Records: Obtain every record from ER visits, hospitalizations, and follow-up care. Documentation linking injuries to hazing is critical.
• Physical Evidence: Preserve clothing, paddles, receipts for alcohol, or any objects used.
  We have a video guide on using your phone to document evidence that we share with clients immediately.

2. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine in Action:
In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case and every case we take, we deploy our proprietary data mapping. We don’t start from scratch. We already know how to find:

• The legal name and EIN of the local chapter’s housing corporation.
• The addresses and officers of related alumni chapters and educational foundations.
• The national organization’s insurance carriers and risk management history.
  This allows us to immediately send preservation letters and subpoenas to the correct entities before evidence is destroyed.

3. Overcoming Institutional Defenses:
We anticipate and dismantle the standard defenses used by fraternities and universities:

• “The Pledge Consented”: We cite Texas law §37.155 and use evidence of coercion from group chats to prove consent was invalid.
• “This Was a Rogue Chapter”: We subpoena the national organization’s records to show prior complaints and a pattern of similar incidents at other chapters, proving “foreseeability.”
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: We argue liability based on the organization’s control and sponsorship of events, and the university’s knowledge of risks, just as we are doing in the UH case involving off-campus houses and parks.
• Insurance Coverage Fights: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an insurance defense lawyer for national firms. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny claims under “intentional act” exclusions. His insider knowledge is invaluable in securing coverage for our clients.

4. Calculating the True Damages:
Hazing causes profound harm. We work with experts to build a full picture of damages, which can include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical bills, lost tuition from withdrawn semesters, and loss of future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the ultimate tragedy, we seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and the family’s grief.

Practical Steps for Eustace Parents & Students

For Parents – If You Suspect Hazing:

• Look for Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, sudden secrecy, personality changes, withdrawal from family, constant anxiety about phone notifications, and declining grades.
• Talk to Your Child: Ask open, non-confrontational questions. “Are you safe?” “Is there anything you’re being asked to do that makes you uncomfortable?” “Do you feel like you can say no?”
• Prioritize Safety & Evidence: If there is immediate danger, call 911. Then, help your child preserve digital evidence and seek medical care for any injury. Document everything in writing.
• Understand the University Process: Report the hazing to the campus Dean of Students and/or campus police. Understand that the school’s primary interest may be limiting its own liability. Do not sign any settlement or resolution agreement from the university without consulting an attorney.

For Students – Your Rights & Safety:

• Trust Your Instincts: If it feels dangerous, humiliating, or coercive, it is hazing.
• Know the Law: In Texas, you cannot “consent” to being hazed. You have the right to be safe.
• Plan a Safe Exit: If you need to quit, do not go to a “final meeting.” Inform the president or new member educator via email or text, and tell a trusted friend or family member first.
• Report Anonymously: You can report to the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE or through confidential campus channels.
• Seek Medical & Mental Health Care: Your health is paramount. A doctor or therapist can also create a vital record of your injuries.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Hazing Case (What NOT To Do):

1. Deleting evidence to “protect” friends or the organization.
2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly, giving them a head start to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
3. Signing university-offered settlements without understanding you may be waiving your right to a full civil lawsuit.
4. Posting details on social media, which can be used by defense attorneys to challenge your credibility.
5. Waiting too long. The Texas statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years, but evidence and witness memories fade quickly. Watch our video on statutes of limitation and act now. We also explain common client mistakes that can hurt a case.

Why Attorney911 is the Right Firm for Eustace Families Facing Hazing

When your child has been betrayed by an organization they trusted, you need advocates who are unafraid of complex, institutional fights. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) was built for this.

We Are Currently Fighting One of Texas’s Largest Hazing Cases.
We are not theorizing about hazing litigation; we are in the midst of it. Our active representation of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity proves our commitment, our capability, and our understanding of the latest tactics used in these cases. This is the same fight we are prepared to bring for your family.

A Deep-Bench Texas Law Firm with Insider Knowledge.

• Ralph Manginello: With over 25 years of experience, Ralph’s background includes complex litigation against corporate giants like BP in the Texas City explosion cases. He is admitted to federal court and is a member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), giving him unique insight into the criminal-civil interplay in hazing cases.
• Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him): Mr. Peña is a former insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He spent years on the other side, learning how insurance companies value claims, fight coverage, and defend institutions. This insider knowledge is our clients’ secret weapon when suing well-insured fraternities and universities. He also provides fluent Spanish-language services for Hispanic families.

We Deploy a Texas-Specific Investigative Engine.
As detailed in this guide, we don’t start investigations from zero. We maintain a proprietary database of over 1,423 Greek organizations in Texas. We know how to trace liability from the individual member in a dorm room to the national headquarters and its insurance carriers. This data-driven approach saves crucial time and uncovers defendants others might miss.

We Fight for Full Accountability, Not Just Quick Settlements.
Our goal is to secure the compensation your family needs to heal and to force the institutional changes that will protect other students. We have a proven track record in multi-million dollar wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We understand how to work with economists, life-care planners, and medical experts to build a case that reflects the true, lifelong cost of hazing injuries.

Call to Action for Eustace & Henderson County Families

If hazing has impacted your child—whether at a local college, the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor, or any campus nationwide—you are not alone, and you have rights. The path forward may seem overwhelming, but taking the first step is critical.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a Free, Confidential Consultation.
We will listen to your story with compassion and without judgment. We will review any evidence you have gathered. We will explain your legal options clearly and help you understand the process ahead. There is no fee for this consultation, and we work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. You can learn more about how contingency fees work on our YouTube channel.

Time is of the essence. Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and institutions close ranks. Protect your child’s future and your family’s right to accountability.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
You can also reach us directly at (713) 528-9070, or via email at ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com.

Hablamos Español. Mr. Lupe Peña provides full legal services in Spanish.

For families in Eustace, Tool, Mabank, Athens, and all of Henderson County, we are here to help you navigate this crisis and fight for the justice your child deserves.

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. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025. Every hazing 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)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | lupe@atty911.com