Hazing Litigation Guide for Texas Families

What Malakoff, Henderson County Parents Need to Know About University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin & Other Campus Hazing Incidents

If Your Child Was Hazed, You Are Not Alone—and You Have Legal Options

It’s 2:37 AM on a Tuesday, and your phone vibrates on your nightstand. Your son, a freshman at the University of Houston, is calling from an unknown number. His voice is slurred, confused. “Mom, I don’t feel right… they made us… the workout…” The line goes dead. You call back repeatedly, but it goes straight to voicemail. Your mind races through possibilities: Is he hurt? Is he drunk? Is someone preventing him from getting help?

For families in Malakoff, Henderson County, and throughout East Texas, this nightmare scenario isn’t just hypothetical. Right now, less than three hours away in Houston, one Texas family is living through exactly this horror—and we’re helping them fight back.

In November 2025, University of Houston transfer student Leonel Bermudez collapsed after being forced through a brutal hazing regimen by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. What started as normal pledging escalated into systematic abuse: enforced humiliation with a “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys, sleep deprivation, overnight driving duties, and extreme physical torment that included being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” The culmination was a November 3rd “workout” where Bermudez was forced to complete over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

Days later, he was crawling up stairs, passing brown urine—a classic sign of rhabdomyolysis, the severe muscle breakdown that can cause kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital with critically elevated creatine kinase levels, diagnosed with acute kidney failure. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended on November 6th and voted to surrender its charter on November 14th. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

Our firm, Attorney911, represents Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

If you’re a parent in Malakoff, Athens, or anywhere in Henderson County, this isn’t just a Houston story. Your children attend Texas universities. They join fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and athletic teams. They’re exposed to the same dangerous traditions and institutional failures. This guide exists to give you the knowledge we wish every Texas family had before their child was harmed.

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

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Many families in Malakoff and Henderson County have traditional views of college life—images of “Animal House” pranks or harmless initiations. Modern hazing is different: calculated, systematic, and increasingly digital.

The Evolution of Abuse: From Paddles to Digital Control

Hazing today operates on three escalating levels, each more dangerous than the last:

Subtle Hazing (Often Dismissed as “Tradition”)
This creates the power imbalance that enables worse abuse:
-Mandatory “pledge fanny packs” with humiliating contents (as in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case)
-24/7 group chat monitoring with instant response requirements
-Geo-tracking via Find My Friends or Life360
-Forced servitude: cleaning rooms, running errands, acting as designated drivers at all hours
-Social isolation from non-members
-“Voluntary” events that conflict with academic priorities

Harassment Hazing (Crossing Into Illegal Territory)
This causes measurable harm but organizations claim it’s “team building”:
-Sleep deprivation with 3 AM wake-up calls for “meetings”
-Forced consumption of unpleasant substances (spoiled food, hot sauce, excessive milk)
-“Smokings” or extreme calisthenics framed as “conditioning”
-Public humiliation via social media challenges or TikTok dares
-Livestreaming of degrading acts for member entertainment

Violent Hazing (Criminal Acts with Life-Altering Consequences)
This is what hospitalized Leonel Bermudez and has killed students nationwide:
-Forced alcohol consumption games: “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking, lineup challenges
-Physical beatings with paddles, fists, or objects
-Dangerous physical tests: blindfolded tackles (“glass ceiling” rituals), extreme exposure to elements
-Sexualized hazing: forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, “elephant walks”
-Chemical hazing: industrial cleaners poured on skin causing burns (as in a Texas A&M SAE case)
-Kidnapping and restraint (as in a Texas A&M Corps “roasted pig” case)

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

While fraternities receive most attention, hazing permeates campus life:
-Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
-Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs
-Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
-Spirit and tradition groups (Texas Cowboys, Aggie Bonfire legacy organizations)
-Marching bands and performance ensembles
-Some academic clubs and honor societies

For Malakoff families with children at Trinity Valley Community College or those planning to transfer to four-year universities, understanding this breadth is crucial. The student you think is “just working hard for the team” might actually be surviving systematic abuse.

Texas Hazing Law: What Henderson County Families Must Know

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, but many families don’t understand how they apply or what rights they provide.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Foundation

Texas law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:
-Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
-Occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership

Critical Texas Provisions Every Malakoff Parent Should Know:

1. Consent Is Not a Defense (Section 37.155)
   Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still hazing under Texas law. Courts recognize that power imbalances, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion make true consent impossible.

2. Criminal Penalties Escalate with Harm (Section 37.152)
   -Class B misdemeanor: Hazing without serious injury (up to 180 days jail)
   -Class A misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
   -State jail felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

3. Organizational Liability (Section 37.153)
   Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and lose university recognition if they authorize or encourage hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it.

4. Good-Faith Reporting Immunity (Section 37.154)
   Students who report hazing in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability. Many Texas universities extend this to alcohol amnesty—calling 911 for a medical emergency won’t result in underage drinking charges.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

When hazing occurs, two parallel legal processes may unfold:

Criminal Cases (The State vs. Individuals)
-Brought by prosecutors in Henderson County, Harris County, or wherever the offense occurred
-Aim: Punishment through jail time, fines, probation
-Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
-Result: Creates public record but doesn’t compensate victims

Civil Cases (Your Family vs. Responsible Parties)
-Brought by victims or surviving families with attorneys like Attorney911
-Aim: Compensation for damages and institutional accountability
-Legal theories: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
-Result: Can recover medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and force policy changes

These cases can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction helps civil cases but isn’t required—we’ve won substantial settlements even when prosecutors declined to file charges.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
Beginning in 2026, colleges receiving federal aid must:
-Publicly report hazing incidents more transparently
-Strengthen prevention education
-Maintain public hazing data databases

Title IX and Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. The Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes—hazing often overlaps with assault, alcohol, and drug offenses.

National Hazing Patterns: What Texas Universities Know (and Ignore)

The tragedy at University of Houston isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of patterns that national fraternities and universities have seen for decades.

Alcohol Poisoning Deaths: The Repeating Script

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” night. He died from alcohol poisoning. His family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). Multiple fraternity members were convicted. The chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
The pledge was forced to participate in a “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking. He died with a 0.495% BAC. His family’s case led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony. The chapter closed.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
The bid acceptance night involved extreme alcohol consumption. Piazza suffered fatal falls captured on chapter security cameras. Brothers delayed calling for help for hours. Eighteen members faced over 1,000 criminal counts. Pennsylvania passed the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing: When Tradition Turns Deadly

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
The pledge was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a Pennsylvania retreat. He died from traumatic brain injuries. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a landmark case establishing organizational criminal liability.

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)
The 18-year-old pledge was forced to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol during a “pledge dad reveal” night. He suffered severe, permanent brain damage—cannot walk, talk, or see, and requires 24/7 care. His family settled with 22 defendants for multi-million dollar amounts.

Athletic Program Hazing: Not Just Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)
Former players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the football program over multiple years. Multiple lawsuits led to head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s firing and confidential settlements. The case demonstrated that hazing permeates multi-million dollar athletic programs with the same institutional cover-ups.

What These Patterns Mean for Malakoff Families

Every major national case shows the same failures:

1. Organizations knew the risks from prior incidents
2. “Traditions” continued despite policies and training
3. Members delayed medical care to avoid consequences
4. Institutions prioritized reputation over student safety

When your child is hazed at a Texas university, they’re experiencing variations of these same patterns. The fraternities have the same national headquarters. The universities have the same risk management playbooks. And the outcomes follow predictable scripts—unless experienced legal intervention changes the ending.

Texas Universities Under the Microscope: Where Malakoff Students Are at Risk

Families in Henderson County send their children to universities across Texas. Whether your student attends nearby Trinity Valley Community College before transferring, or goes directly to a four-year institution, understanding campus-specific risks is essential.

University of Houston: The Current Ground Zero

For Malakoff Families: UH is just over three hours away—well within driving distance for weekend visits and emergency responses.

Campus Reality:
UH is a large urban campus with active Greek life across multiple councils: Interfraternity Council (17+ fraternities), Houston Panhellenic Council (6 sororities), National Pan-Hellenic Council (all Divine Nine organizations), and Multicultural Greek Council. The recent Pi Kappa Phi case reveals systemic issues that likely extend beyond one chapter.

Official Policy vs. Reality:
UH prohibits hazing on and off campus and provides reporting channels through the Dean of Students and campus police. However, the Bermudez case shows gaps between policy and enforcement—the abuse occurred over months at multiple locations (chapter house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park) without intervention.

How UH Cases Proceed:
-Jurisdiction: Houston Police Department and/or UHPD
-Civil venue: Harris County courts
-Potential defendants: Individuals, local chapter, national headquarters, housing corporation, UH System
-Key evidence: Prior incident reports, national patterns, digital communications

What UH Parents Should Do:

1. Document every communication with UH administrators
2. Request prior disciplinary records for the involved organization
3. Preserve digital evidence before UH or the fraternity secures devices
4. Understand that UH will have its own attorneys focused on limiting liability

Texas A&M University: Tradition and Risk

For Malakoff Families: College Station is approximately 2.5 hours away—many Henderson County students choose A&M for its reputation and proximity.

The Corps of Cadets Dynamic:
The Corps represents a unique hazing risk environment with military-style traditions. In 2023, a cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million. A&M stated it handled the matter internally.

Fraternity Incidents:
-Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021): Pledges alleged being covered with industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended for two years.
-Pattern of physical hazing violations across multiple fraternities documented in university sanctions.

Texas A&M’s Dual System:
The university maintains separate disciplinary processes for Corps members (military regulations) and Greek life (student conduct code). This complexity requires attorneys who understand both systems.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency with Persistent Problems

For Malakoff Families: Austin is about three hours away—UT’s prestige attracts top Henderson County students.

Public Accountability Advantage:
UT maintains a public Hazing Violations page listing organizations, conduct, and sanctions—more transparency than most Texas universities. Recent entries show ongoing issues:
-Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Chapter placed on probation.
-Multiple spirit groups sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Incident (2024):
An Australian exchange student alleged assault by fraternity members resulting in dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. He sued the chapter for over $1 million. The chapter was already under suspension for prior violations.

Leveraging UT’s Transparency:
The public violation database becomes evidence in civil cases, showing patterns and institutional knowledge. When UT knows a chapter has prior violations but doesn’t intervene aggressively, negligence claims strengthen.

Southern Methodist University and Baylor University: Private School Realities

For Malakoff Families: Dallas and Waco are within 1.5-2 hours—making SMU and Baylor geographically accessible options.

SMU’s Greek Culture:
As a private university with affluent demographics, SMU has strong Greek presence with different accountability dynamics:
-Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended for years.
-Less public transparency than state schools but discoverable internal records

Baylor’s Complex History:
The university’s religious identity and past Title IX scandals create unique dynamics:
-Baylor Baseball (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
-Institutional focus on reputation management following football scandal
-Different liability standards as private institution

Trinity Valley Community College and Regional Considerations

For many Henderson County students, community college is the first step. While Greek life is less prevalent at TVCC, the patterns established there transfer to four-year institutions. Understanding hazing dynamics early can prevent escalation later.

The Greek Organization Database: What’s Behind the Letters

When your child joins “Sigma Alpha Epsilon” or “Pi Kappa Phi,” they’re not just joining a local club. They’re connecting to national organizations with documented histories, insurance policies, and legal strategies.

Texas Fraternity and Sorority Public Records: The Hidden Framework

Through IRS records and corporate filings, we maintain a database of Texas Greek organizations. This isn’t theoretical—these are real entities with legal identities, insurance policies, and assets that can be targeted in litigation.

Sample Texas Greek Entities from Public Records:

Pi Kappa Phi Related Entities:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515) – Frisco, TX 75035
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN 371768785) – Missouri City, TX 77459
• Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters – Charlotte, NC (Texas operations through housing corporations)

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Texas Entities:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Sigma Incorporated (EIN 882755427) – San Marcos, TX 78666
• Multiple Texas chapter housing corporations across Austin, Dallas, Houston metros

Pi Kappa Alpha Texas Entities:

• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter (EIN 746064445) – Nederland, TX 77627
• Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Houston, TX

Kappa Alpha Psi Texas Entities:

• Arlington-Grand Prairie Alumni Chapter (EIN 232452759) – Grand Prairie, TX 75054
• Zeta Beta Chapter at Prairie View A&M (EIN 237098953) – Prairie View, TX 77446
• Fort Worth Alumni Chapter Foundation (EIN 752755600) – Fort Worth, TX 76101

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Chapters:

• University of Texas at Tyler Chapter (EIN 352335400) – Tyler, TX 75799
• Texas A&M University Chapter (EIN 900293166) – College Station, TX 77843
• Texas Woman’s University Chapter (EIN 263170920) – Denton, TX 76204

Why This Database Matters for Your Case:
When we take a hazing case, we don’t start from zero. We already know:
-The legal names and EINs of responsible entities
-Common insurance carriers for different national organizations
-Patterns of how nationals structure liability across housing corporations, alumni associations, and educational foundations
-Which Texas attorneys routinely defend specific fraternities

National Histories That Create Texas Liability

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
-National hazing deaths: Stone Foltz (BGSU 2021), David Bogenberger (NIU 2012)
-Texas incidents: UH chapter violations, multiple Texas campus sanctions
-Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing traditions despite national policies

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
-National pattern: Multiple hazing deaths leading to elimination of pledge program (2014)
-Texas incidents: Chemical burns case at Texas A&M, assault case at UT Austin
-Insurance strategy: Complex coverage across national and local entities

Pi Kappa Phi
-National hazing death: Andrew Coffey (FSU 2017)
-Current Texas case: Leonel Bermudez at UH
-Pattern: Physical endurance hazing combined with humiliation

Phi Delta Theta
-National hazing death: Max Gruver (LSU 2017)
-Texas presence: Chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, SMU, Baylor
-Legislative impact: Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act created felony hazing statute

How National Patterns Create Texas Liability

When a Texas chapter repeats behaviors that caused deaths at other campuses, national headquarters cannot claim “we didn’t know this could happen.” This foreseeability strengthens:
-Negligence claims against nationals
-Punitive damage arguments
-Insurance coverage disputes (insurers may argue intentional acts exclusion doesn’t apply when nationals negligently failed to prevent foreseeable harm)

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Realistic Expectations

Many families in Malakoff have never been involved in litigation. Understanding the process reduces anxiety and helps you make informed decisions.

Evidence That Wins Cases: The 2025 Playbook

Digital Evidence (Priority #1)
-GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord chats showing planning, coordination, and admissions
-iMessage/SMS conversations about “traditions” or “what pledges have to do”
-Social media posts/stories documenting events (even those meant as “fun”)
-Deleted message recovery through digital forensics
-Geolocation data from Find My Friends, Life360, or Snapchat Maps

Visual Documentation
-Photos of injuries with progression documentation (day 1, day 3, day 7)
-Videos from events (often recorded by participants themselves)
-Chapter house security footage (preserve quickly before automatic deletion)
-Snapchat/Instagram stories showing activities

Institutional Records
-University disciplinary history for the organization
-Prior incident reports to campus police
-Clery Act disclosures showing patterns
-National fraternity risk management files (obtained through discovery)
-Insurance policies covering chapter activities

Medical Evidence
-ER records with hazing context documented (crucial: tell medical providers “this was hazing”)
-Hospitalization records showing diagnosis and treatment
-Specialist reports for ongoing conditions
-Psychological evaluations diagnosing PTSD, depression, anxiety

Witness Networks
-Other pledges who experienced similar treatment
-Former members who quit due to hazing
-Roommates, RAs, or friends who observed changes
-Alumni advisors who knew or should have known

The Damages Framework: What Recovery Actually Covers

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)
-Medical bills: ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment
-Future medical care: Projected costs for permanent conditions
-Lost educational opportunity: Tuition for withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships
-Diminished earning capacity: Economic analysis of lifetime impact
-Property damage: Destroyed clothing, phones, other items

Non-Economic Damages (Compensation for Harm)
-Physical pain and suffering from injuries
-Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
-Loss of enjoyment of life: Can’t participate in activities they loved
-Damaged relationships with family and friends

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)
-Funeral and burial expenses
-Loss of financial support from deceased
-Loss of companionship, love, guidance
-Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (When Appropriate)
-Additional awards to punish especially reckless or intentional conduct
-Available when defendants knew risks and proceeded anyway
-Texas has caps in many cases but exceptions for gross negligence

The Strategic Timeline: What to Expect

Days 1-7: Emergency Response
-Medical stabilization
-Evidence preservation (screenshots, photos, witness lists)
-Initial attorney retention
-Decision on reporting to campus police/local authorities

Weeks 2-8: Investigation Phase
-Detailed evidence collection
-Witness interviews
-Preservation letters to universities and organizations
-Initial settlement discussions (often premature)

Months 2-12: Pre-Litigation
-Comprehensive demand package with evidence
-Negotiations with insurers and defense counsel
-Mediation attempts
-Filing lawsuit if settlement inadequate

Year 1-3: Litigation (if necessary)
-Discovery: Document production, depositions, expert reports
-Motions practice
-Settlement conferences
-Trial preparation

Throughout: Parallel Criminal Proceedings
-Coordination with prosecutors if criminal charges filed
-Understanding how criminal outcomes affect civil case
-Protecting victim rights in both systems

Practical Guide for Henderson County Families: What to Do Right Now

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed:
-Unexplained injuries with inconsistent stories
-Extreme exhaustion beyond normal academic stress
-Sudden secrecy about organization activities
-Constant phone anxiety (monitoring group chats)
-Financial requests for unexplained “fines” or “requirements”
-Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
-Academic performance decline

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally):

1. “How are new members treated in your organization?”
2. “Are there activities that make you uncomfortable?”
3. “Have you seen anyone get hurt during meetings or events?”
4. “Do you feel pressured to keep things secret?”
5. “What happens if someone doesn’t participate in traditions?”

48-Hour Action Plan:

1. Medical First: ER visit for any injury or intoxication
2. Document Everything: Photos, screenshots, written timeline
3. Secure Evidence: Don’t let devices be “cleaned”
4. Consult Attorney: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before talking to university or insurance
5. Preserve Privacy: No social media posts about the incident

For Students: Safety and Rights

If You’re Currently Being Hazed:
-Your immediate safety comes first
-Text “911” if you cannot speak safely
-Use “I’m not feeling well” as exit strategy from dangerous situations
-Contact parents or trusted adult immediately

Evidence Collection Students Can Do:
-Screenshot EVERYTHING before it disappears
-Use iPhone screen recording for live conversations (Texas is one-party consent)
-Email screenshots to yourself for backup
-Photograph injuries with date stamps
-Save all texts, even embarrassing ones

Reporting Options:
-Campus police (for on-campus incidents)
-Local police (for off-campus crimes)
-Dean of Students/Office of Student Conduct
-Title IX Office (if sexualized hazing)
-National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE
-Anonymous university reporting systems

Critical Mistakes That Destroy Cases

What NOT to Do:

1. Delete Evidence: Even embarrassing messages are crucial
2. Confront the Organization: They’ll lawyer up and destroy evidence
3. Sign University Agreements: Early settlements are always lowball
4. Post on Social Media: Defense attorneys monitor everything
5. Wait “To See What Happens”: Evidence disappears daily
6. Talk to Insurance Adjusters Alone: They record everything against you
7. Let Your Child Return to “One Last Meeting”: Intimidation happens

Frequently Asked Questions from Texas Families

“Can we sue the university even though it’s a state school?”
Yes. While Texas public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing employees in personal capacity. Recent settlements with BGSU ($3M) and LSU show public universities do pay substantial amounts.

“What if it happened off-campus at a private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities can still be liable based on sponsorship and knowledge. National fraternities remain liable regardless of location. Many major cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) occurred off-campus.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from injury date in Texas, but exceptions exist:
-Discovery rule if harm wasn’t immediately apparent
-Tolling for minors
-Fraudulent concealment if organization hid evidence
Don’t wait—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately

“Will our name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We can request sealed court records and non-disclosure agreements. Media attention typically focuses on organizations, not victims.

“How much will this cost?”
We work on contingency—no fee unless we recover compensation. We advance all costs (filing fees, experts, investigators) and only get paid from settlement or verdict.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to participate?”
Texas Education Code § 37.155: “Consent is not a defense.” Courts recognize power imbalances make true consent impossible in hazing contexts.

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how universities and national fraternities fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Texas Hazing Litigation Credentials

The Leonel Bermudez Case: Active Texas Leadership
Right now, we’re leading one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas: the $10 million lawsuit against University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We’re not theorizing about hazing litigation—we’re doing it. We’ve deposed university officials, subpoenaed national fraternity records, and faced off against teams of defense attorneys. This isn’t historical knowledge; it’s current, active experience.

Insurance Insider Advantage: Lupe Peña’s Defense Background
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers:
-Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
-Use Independent Medical Exams to reduce settlements
-Deploy delay tactics to pressure families
-Fight coverage under “intentional act” exclusions
“We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Institutional Litigation: Ralph Manginello’s BP Experience
Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations with unlimited legal budgets. That experience translates directly to facing national fraternities and university systems. We’re not intimidated by institutional defendants.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Results
We’ve recovered millions for families in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. We work with economists to value lifetime care needs, lost earning capacity, and non-economic harm. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force accountability.

Criminal + Civil Dual Capability
Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of hazing cases. We can:
-Advise witnesses and former members with criminal exposure
-Coordinate with prosecutors when criminal charges are filed
-Understand how criminal outcomes affect civil strategy

Spanish Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. Families in Henderson County’s Hispanic community can receive full legal services in their preferred language.

Our Investigative Engine: The Texas Hazing Intelligence Database

While other firms start from scratch, we begin with data:

Texas Greek Organization Database
We maintain records on 1,423 fraternity and sorority entities across 25 Texas metros, including:
-125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations with EINs and legal addresses
-510 organizations in Dallas-Fort Worth metro
-188 organizations in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro
-154 organizations in Austin-Round Rock metro

Campus-Specific Intelligence
For each Texas university, we track:
-Official Greek organization rosters
-Prior hazing violations and sanctions
-Key administrators and decision-makers
-Common defense firms and strategies

National Pattern Evidence
When we take a case involving Pi Kappa Alpha, we already know about:
-Stone Foltz’s death at BGSU
-David Bogenberger’s death at NIU
-Prior Texas campus violations
-Common insurance carriers and policy limits

This isn’t theoretical research—it’s actionable intelligence that changes case outcomes.

How We Approach Your Case

Phase 1: Immediate Crisis Response (First 48 Hours)
-We guide evidence preservation before deletion
-We interface with medical providers to document hazing context
-We contact universities and organizations with preservation demands
-We protect your family from early pressure tactics

Phase 2: Comprehensive Investigation
-We recover deleted digital evidence through forensics
-We subpoena university disciplinary records
-We obtain national fraternity risk management files
-We identify all potentially liable entities and insurance policies

Phase 3: Strategic Case Development
-We work with medical experts to document full harm
-We collaborate with economists on damage calculations
-We develop legal theories targeting institutional failures
-We prepare for mediation or trial from day one

Phase 4: Resolution with Accountability
-We pursue settlements that actually change behavior
-We demand policy reforms as part of resolutions
-We protect victim privacy throughout process
-We ensure compensation reflects full lifetime impact

Contact Attorney911 Today for a Confidential Consultation

If you’re a parent in Malakoff, Henderson County, or anywhere in Texas whose child has been hazed, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers and PR professionals. You deserve the same level of representation.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you’ll speak directly with an attorney—not a paralegal or intake specialist. We’ll:

1. Listen to your story without judgment
2. Review any evidence you’ve preserved (photos, texts, medical records)
3. Explain your legal options: criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
4. Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
5. Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
6. Provide immediate guidance on evidence preservation
7. No pressure to hire us on the spot—take time to make the right decision

Contact Information

24/7 Hazing Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)

Direct Lines:
-Office: (713) 528-9070
-Cell: (713) 443-4781

Email:
-Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
-Lupe Peña: lupe@atty911.com

Website: https://attorney911.com

Spanish Services: Hablamos Español. Contacte a Lupe Peña directamente.

Service Areas: We serve families throughout Texas from our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont offices. Malakoff and Henderson County families receive dedicated attention to cases involving Texas universities.

Take the First Step Today

Every day you wait:
-Evidence disappears (group chats auto-delete, witnesses graduate)
-Universities complete their “internal investigations” without your input
-Insurance companies start building defenses
-Your child continues suffering without proper support

You didn’t cause this situation, but you can control the response. You can choose to let powerful institutions dictate the outcome, or you can hire advocates who’ve faced them before and won.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. Let us help you turn this crisis into accountability, compensation, and prevention for other families.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the 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 preservation with cell phones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client mistakes that ruin cases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website: 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 the 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